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Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 1 - January 15, 1971

Hot Stove Issue

The big news out of State Fair Park this offseason, of course, was the retirement of beloved manager Donnie Chancellor. Donnie led our Flyers to two Confederate Series sweeps over Memphis, first in 1955 and then again three years ago. In his twenty-year tenure, Chancellor compiled a record of 1667-1575 and won four Eastern Division Manager of the Year awards. Thank you, Donnie, and enjoy the fishing!

The Flyers' new skipper is Jeremy McGrath, a newcomer to the CBA. McGrath hails from New York State and has earned a reputation as a skilled tactician while managing the Buffalo State College Bengals and the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers. However, this is Jeremy's first gig in the professional ranks, so we here at Flyers Weekly, helpful as always, would like to help get our new manager up to speed, so we offer our Winter Organization-Wide Scouting Report:

Starting Pitchers

One of the few positions that seems set going into free agency. Bill Morgan [10/7/6] was a bit unlucky to only go 9-8 with a 3.48 ERA and WHIP of 1.21 last year, but he and Matt Halstead [6/10/9] (12-11, 3.70, WHIP 1.20) are the aces of the staff. Keith Becker [8/10/2] (12-8 in 27 GS, 3.12, WHIP 1.18) is a solid #3 despite a tendency to give up the longball, and Roger Coomes [5/10/6] (7-13, 3.53, WHIP 1.08) is the definition of "hard luck", losing thirteen games the past two seasons. Bud Fox [4/9/4] (4.48 in 88 1/3 IP of relief) and Gene Arndt [4/6/10] (3.65 in 88 2/3 IP, 5 GS) should compete for the fifth slot... if it weren't for "Donnie's Folly", Elmer Sexton [4/6/9] (9-12, 3.96, WHIP 1.49). Sexton is pulling in $19.5 million this year (and, god forbid, next year) and was the chief reason for the Flyers' $17 million loss last year. Here's hoping our new skip can find someone to take this anvil off our hands. Bill Frazier [4/6/6, Tal 5/8/6] (11-12, 4.25 in AA) and Walt Russell [4/1/4, Tal 8/6/8] (18-4, 2.87 in A-ball) are still at least a year away.

Middle Relievers

Very thin in the pen at this point. Evan Becnel [10/3/5] (4.74 in 87 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.74) and Chad Williams [4/6/5] (3.73 in 50 2/3 IP in AAA) are on the big league roster, and there is nobody of note in the minors either. There are also no decent lefties, either starters or relievers, throughout the organization.

Closers

Kevin Hodgkins [7/8/9] (6-9, 27 SV, 3.29 in 109 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.31) is solid but did blow twelve saves last year.

Catchers

Switch-hitting Mike Weber [6/8/7] (.278, 17 HR, 72 RBI) will also get some time at first base, making sure Mark Johnson [6/5/7] (.341, 15 HR, 75 RBI) gets his at-bats.

First Basemen

Left-hander Chris Wayman [7/5/5] (.341, 8 HR, 79 RBI) will be spelled by Weber. Everett Putman [5/1/4, Tal 9/4/7] (.270 in 344 AB in A-ball) was drafted in the second round last year.

Second Basemen

Russ Roderick [7/3/4] (.284, 31 2Bs, 10 3Bs) will be pushed by youngster Clark Davidson [4/5/4, Tal 6/5/10] and veteran Elliott Suggs [5/3/4] (.267 in 378 AB).

Third Basemen

Big hole here with 39-year-old Tom Perreault [6/5/1] (.260, 7 HR, 50 RBI) whiffing his way towards retirement (92 Ks, 16 BB).

Shortstops

Dave Powell [8/4/6] (.324, 79 BB) still has some good years left at age 37. Switch-hitter Ed Rooker [4/5/10] (.212 in 99 AB, 19 BB) and Jeff Buchanan [4/5/5] (.276 in 116 AB) back him up.

Left Fielders

All the outfield positions need help. For now, Lloyd Mitchell [5/1/4] (.285, 30 SB) and leftie Steven Robinson [5/5/5] (.291, 21 HR, 61 RBI in AAA) hold down the fort.

Center Fielders

Rudy Olson [6/2/2, Tal 6/4/3] (.296 in 71 AB at AAA) is only 21 but is not likely to improve a lot more.

Right Fielders

Walt Finney [5/6/9] (.233, 7 HR, 57 RBI) and Mike Sutton [5/4/5] (.278 in 115 AB) would be good fourth or fifth outfielders but are questionable as everyday players.


Financial Report

The Flyers drew 2.6 million fans to State Fair Park last season after breaking 3 million the previous three years. The club lost $17 million on the year, with $79.5 million in revenue and $96.5 million in payroll. This year's payroll is nearly $100 million, led by SP Elmer Sexton ($19.5 M), 2B Elliott Suggs ($9.2 M), C Mark Johnson ($8.9 M, contract year), SP Matt Halstead ($8.6 M) and SS Ed Rooker ($8.5 M, contract year).