[No Pepper]

July 1, 1909

Sox Bounce Back in May Only to Get Whitewashed in Walsh Trade

After having suffered a horrendous start to the season with 4 wins against 13 losses, the White Sox responded with a new sense of urgency and purpose. By the time May ended, American League opponents were left in the dust created in the Windy City, with the Sox blistering through the competition with a resounding 21-7 record. That turnaround did not come without a price.

Big Ed Walsh returned to the team on May 12 in a start against the Senators. Walsh showed no signs of injury as he struck out 9 batters but his return effort was dashed by poor infield play. In his next start, he reaffirmed his standing as a top pitcher by outdueling fellow spitballer Jimmy Dygert of the first place Philadelphia Athletics with another 9 strikeout, complete game victory. But then Walsh’s supporting cast fell apart in an ugly loss to lowly Boston as his teammates committed a total of seven errors. Chicago has made no effort in releasing Pep Clark, a no-hit, no-glove third baseman [saw very limited action in 1903 in real life] who has 22 errors on the season. They’ve chosen to stay with an equally poor platoon of John Hummel and Heinie Wagner at shortstop. Hummel is essentially a first baseman and Wagner, known for his glove, is fielding worse and is no replacement with the bat. Both men committed 2 errors, notably infuriating the otherwise stoic pitcher.

Walsh went on to win four consecutive games, one again being against front-runner Philadelphia. After beating the Athletics, it was announced that Comiskey awarded Walsh with a large extension bonus. But the iron gloves returned in New York when first baseman Tim Jordan committed two of five team errors in the latter innings to give the game to the undeserving Highlanders. It was reported that Walsh, who pitched a flawless game until then, just walked off the field without emotion until he reached the foul line and went for the neck of Pep Clark and tackled him to the ground. Comiskey wasted no time and rescinded Walsh’s contract and dealt him to the dregs of the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals, for uninspiring second baseman Erve Beck. Chicago White Sox second baseman Roy Brashear had been having a good year, and was the lone bright spot in the infield. Comiskey certainly rules with an iron fist!

In St. Louis, Walsh’s trial by fire included two starts against the resurgent, first-place Pirates. In his first matchup, Walsh turned in a masterful 3 hit shutout only to be shelled five days later in his next start agaisnt them. So far this season, Walsh is 6-6 overall with a 1.79 ERA. Since the trade, The White Sox have gone 13-12 in June.

Author's Note: It's a good thing the AL and NL have enjoyed relative peace in several years and their shared prosperity will lead to expanded roster sizes (25/40) next year in 1910. After having reviewed Walsh's game record above, I've found many teams sloting players out of position in the field, perhaps exaggerated by the currently small roster size (18) and presence of fictional players whose favorable offensive ratings are out of whack with real players.

Chuck Carpenter, our universe’s only forum-member created player to date, is slated as Central Association’s Class D Waterloo Lulus’ 4th starter in 1909. Carpenter’s year started off worse than he finished in 1908 (which was dreadful too) as he was shelled for 15 runs in his first two starts. For Carpenter’s sake, he twirled a tough seven-inning shutout no-decision effort between the bad outings and then nearly went the distance in his next two outings, in convincing victories against Oskaloosa and Quincy to close out April at 2-3.

The whole month of May proved frustrating for both Carpenter and his manager Elmer Foster. Foster never could justify allowing Carpenter to finish games because in 6 of 7 starts, Chuck walked more than he sent back to the bench via strikeout, never walking less than 3 batters. By the end of June, he has given a free pass 17 times in his last three appearances. It is clear that at this early point in Carpenter’s career, he is strictly a thrower without a road map.

Player       Team   W   L  SV  ERA   G   GS   IP    HA    BB   K   CG  SHO
C. Carpenter WTL(D) 7   9  0   4.66  21  21  146.0  166   71   53   1   0

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