The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009

McCarthy Takes The Hit
Hitmen cut loose skipper after 11th straight loss

CHICAGO -- The losing simply became too much to take. General Manager Thomas Caldwell didn't want to - for lack of a better term - jump the gun, but despite the best batch of prospects in the league, Caldwell couldn't wait any longer to change the guard. And with that, Joe McCarthy is out as manager of the Hitmen, having been replaced by Tony LaRussa.

The move is more peculiar than surprising, as once the Hitmen hired LaRussa days after his own termination down in New Orleans, it seemed it would take a miracle to save McCarthy's job. Yet it's odd the Hitmen went with LaRussa in the first place rather than waiting until terminating McCarthy and talking to other candidates.

"We like Tony, and we believe he brings us the best opportunity to win," Caldwell said. "We thank Joe McCarthy for his service and commitment to Chicago baseball. It just didn't work out as either of us hoped."

LaRussa didn't speak at conference announcing the switch, and neither did McCarthy, who sources say was not only disappointed in the decision, but resentful of the bringing LaRussa on board prior to his dismissal.

"It was an unfair position to put either of them in," one player said, requesting not to be named. "Joe knew Tony was there to replace him. And Tony did, too. How were they supposed to work together knowing that?"

That's not a concern any longer, as with yesterday's game the Hitmen became LaRussa's team and his alone.

They lost in Orlando 3-1.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009

Knights Battling Back
New Orleans now 16-6 since Alston took over

NEW ORLEANS -- It's a long road ahead sharing the division with the PBL's best team, but manager Walter Alston has the New Orleans Knights believing they can catch the Memphis juggernaut.

Yes, the same Knights that were 11-23 a month ago have gone 16-6 since Alston replaced Tony LaRussa, and now find themselves a sniff from .500 - a mark Alston has designated as goal number one.

"When you start like we did, your first order of business is to get even," Alston said. "You don't win a division if you're below .500, so that's the first step. Then we can look up a bit."

"A bit" is 11 games, where the Memphis Strummers seem to be cruising. In between are the Orlando Orcas, but New Orleans now trails them by only 2 1/2 games.

Key to the resurgence has been Sam Thompson, whom Alston sat down with not 15 minutes after entering the clubhouse.

"Mr. Alston told me he needed me to lead, and that's what I've tried to do," Thompson said. And he's followed through, hitting .360 with 8 homers, 21 RBI and 26 runs scored in the 22 games since Alston took over. That performance culminated with a 3 homer, 6 RBI game June 2 against Alabama, setting Thompson up to win Southern League Player of the Week honors.

Add strong work by the trio of Doc McJames (5-0, 2.79), Rich Harden (4-1, 2.78) and Jack Chesbro (2-1, 2.50) since Alston took the helm and you have a recovering team that has plenty of time left to make waves.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Ruth, Alexander Seen As Top Prospects
Amateur Draft First Glimpse

Preliminary discussions with scouts across the country have drawn a near consensus that RF Babe Ruth and P Pete Alexander are the top two prospects to be had in the November draft.

Ruth, from Baltimore, Md., is a powerhouse lefty who could succeed as a pitcher or a hitter. It is considered more likely that whoever drafts Ruth will use him as a thumper who could provide immediately impact to any offense.

Alexander, however, will certainly be on the mound. The 6'1" righthander from Elba, Neb., has dynamite stuff, including a mid-90s fastball he keeps down well and a short, sharp curveball to keep hitters off-balance.

"His command is impeccable," scout Doug Mates said. "And his tenacity is off the chart. He'll battle you all day long."

Draft coverage will pick up later in the year, but among other names to keep an eye on, in no particular order:

Max Carey CF
Steve O'Neill C
Wilbur Cooper P
Bill Doak P
Jack Fournier 1B
Heinie Groh 3B
Herb Pennock P
Del Pratt 2B
Eppa Rixey P
Bobby Veach LF
Buck Weaver SS
Cy Williams OF
Dutch Leonard P
Wally Pipp 1B
Harry Heilmann RF

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Location, Location and Location
Schedule disparities could alter races down the line

Though we aren't yet at the midpoint of the season, a quick look at the standings makes very clear that a few scheduling oddities regarding home and road splits are likely to have a significant impact later in the year.

Consider the Charlotte Cougars, who have played 16 more games away from Charlotte than they have at home. Their situation is odd, as the whole Northern League East Division has played much more on the road than at home. But the Cougars have been a bit better at home than their closest rival right now, Louisville, which has gone 11-11 at home compared with 13-8 for Charlotte. More home games could spread that advantage to Charlotte if the trend holds up.

Down south the Memphis Strummers have played 36 games at home and 22 on the road en route to the best record in baseball. Orlando and New Orleans have played 9 and 8 fewer games at home, respectively. Though they trail Memphis by 8.5 and 11 games, could those differentials help close the gap - particularly given how hot New Orleans has been during its resurgence.

Of course, the next few months could render these questions moot. That's why they play the games.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Statistics

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Charlotte Cougars

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 34-24

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at New York, Lost 3 at Louisville, Split 4 at Philadelphia, Swept 2 at San Antonio

Leaders:
Avg - John McGraw .333
HRs - Paul Hines 8
RBIs - Paul Hines 38

Wins - Kid Nichols 9
ERA - Tim Keefe 3.13
Ks - Kid Nichols 87

Top Performance: Kid Nichols allowed 1 run over 8 innings, striking out 8 in a 2-1 win over Philadelphia on June 11.

Injuries: 2B Fred Dunlap suffered a sports hernia on May 9, and is expected to miss another 2 to 3 weeks. P Tim Keefe is out with a shoulder strain and expected to miss another week to 10 days. LF Elmer Smith is out with a sore shoulder and expected to be back by the end of the week.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The Cougars continue to struggle since their torrid April, now 18-19 since May 1.

2) After a strong year out of the bullpen, Matt Cain was given a chance to start, and he's been decent if not great. Cain got a pair of no decisions in two Cougar victories, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits over 7 in a 6-4 win at Philadelphia, then allowed 4 runs over 8 1/3 in a 5-4 win at San Antonio. Cain has struck out 15 over the 15 1/3 in the two starts.

3) Cain's entry in the rotation was brought on by the failure of Ben Sheets, who after three strong starts was hammered in three consecutive outings, not making it to the 5th in any. Sheets has seen his ERA balloon to 6.

4) 1B Harry Davis has been the Cougars' leading pinch hitter this year, batting .308 in the role. But with starter Tommy Tucker slumping, Davis has gotten a few spot starts and may get more. In two starts so far this month, Davis is 4-for-9 with 2 homers and 7 RBI.

Chicago Hitmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (0-11), Overall 17-41

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 at Sacramento, Lost 3 at Indianapolis, Lost 4 vs Wichita, Lost 2 at Orlando

Leaders:
Avg - King Kelly .338
HRs - Albert Pujols 8
RBIs - Albert Pujols 33

Wins - George Bradley 5
ERA - Amos Rusie 3.93
Ks - George Bradley 84

Top Performance: Josh Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a homer and 3 RBI in a 9-8 loss at Orlando on June 13.

Injuries: Troy Tulowitzski suffered a hip injury that is expected to shelve him for the remainder of the season. CF Chick Stahl separated his shoulder diving for a ball, and is expected to miss another two weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):

1) Back-to-back positives are an oddity given the now 12-game losing streak, but after King Kelly was honored June 1, Josh Hamilton earned Northern League Player of the Week honors on June 8, having gone 10-for-18 with a homer and 3 RBI. Hamilton has replaced the struggling Albert Pujols as Kelly's offensive sidekick on a team desperate for anything positive.

2) There is a rumor going around that the man who fired manager Joe McCarthy - general manager Thomas Caldwell - may be on the chopping block as well. Such a move would seem ridiculous, as you would want a GM to hire their own manager. But the talk is out there, though Caldwell insists he's been given nothing but support from ownership.

3) Be it his play, the chaos going on with the team, the losing or a combination of everything, but Albert Pujols is not happy. He's hitting .125 on the month with 0 homers and 0 RBI in the past two weeks, and is now being rested in favor of Adam Dunn against righties. We'll see if Tony LaRussa reinstates Pujols into everyday status. Sitting him, given that even slumping he's better than anyone they have right now except Kelly and Hamilton, doesn't seem to make sense.

4) Middle infield is a train wreck for the Hitmen, as SS Sadie Houck is 2-for-27 this month, while the 2B platoon of Marcus Giles (2-for-21)and Dustin Pedroia (6-for-21) hasn't fared much better. That's a total of 10-for-69...a .145 clip.

[kenyan_cheena]

Babe Ruth, pack your bags for Chicago, son!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
Indianapolis Engines

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-3), Overall 33-25

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Wichita, Swept 3 vs Chicago, Swept 4 vs Sacramento, Lost both vs New Orleans

Leaders:
Avg - Jake Beckley .376
HRs – Elmer Flick 5
RBIs - Elmer Flick 38

Wins - Pud Galvin, Charlie Buffinton, Terry Larkin, Jack Taylor 7
ERA - Pud Galvin 2.56
Ks - Charlie Buffinton 80

Top Performance: LF Abner Dalrymple went 4-for-4 with a homer and 7 RBI in an 11-1 pounding of Chicago on June 3.

Injuries: P Candy Cummings is out for the season with a torn forearm muscle.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Jake Beckley returned from his shoulder injury and picked up where he left off, extending his 16-game hitting streak to 22 games before it was finally snapped against Sacramento on June 10. He leads the entire PBL in hitting with a .376 mark.

2) Besides Doug Waechter getting blistered in the spot start, the Engines' other four starters this month have posted an ERA of 2.56.

3) Some fine offensive performances so far this month, as LF Abner Dalrymple (.467 avg, 1.135 OPS, 15 RBI), CF Billy Hamilton (.405 avg, .542 OBP, 1.136 OPS) and 3B Harry Steinfeldt (.333 avg, .956 OPS) are all red hot, leading the Engines to averaging more than 6 runs a game.

4) The Engines are, incredibly, carrying only 8 pitchers on the roster right now. With the starters going so deep, and the fairly regular weekly off days in the PBL, the team is going with largely a 4-man rotation, all of whom are pitching well. Expect the staff to gain a man or two in the next couple of weeks.

Louisville Racers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (8-3), Overall 30-28

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Philadelphia, Swept 3 at Charlotte, Won 3 of 4 at New York. Split 2 at Los Angeles.

Leaders:
Avg – Dan Brouthers .360
HRs - Dan Brouthers 26
RBIs - Dan Brouthers 59

Wins - Roy Oswalt 8
ERA - Roy Oswalt 3.61
Ks - Roy Oswalt 98

Top Performance: Lefty Marr went 5-for-6 with a double and 2 RBI in a 12-2 win over Los Angeles on June 13.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) RF Lefty Marr followed up a strong May (.288, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R and hit .317 with .400 OBP)with a great start to June, hitting .396 with 2 homers, 12 RBI and 11 runs in the month's first 11 games, providing support for the MVP-to-be 1B Dan Brouthers.

2) Edinson Volquez has won 4 straight to improve to 7-1, allowing 6 runs over his last 29 2/3 (a 1.82 ERA).

3) LF Roy Thomas is in a brutal slump, hitting .140 this month to drop his season average to .269. He's hit .211 since his torrid April mark of .370.

4) The Racers return home after a great road trip for 8 games of home cooking. If they goes well, they could head to Charlotte June 26-28 with a chance to take over the division lead - a testament to their .600 ball since a 9-14 April.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Babe Ruth, pack your bags for Chicago, son!

If they don't draft him I'll fire the whole Chicago staff myself!

The idea of Pujols and Ruth hitting back to back...wow!

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles
New York Heroes

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 29-29

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Charlotte, Swept 3 at Philadelphia, Lost 3 of 4 vs Louisville, Lost 2 at Memphis

Leaders:
Avg – Ed McKean .323
HRs - Roger Connor/Jesse Burkett 10
RBIs – Jesse Burkett 45

Wins - Jim McCormick 7
ERA - Jim McCormick 2.59
Ks - Harry Howell 78

Top Performance: Harry Howell salvaged the final game of a 4-game set against Louisville with a 3-hit shutout, striking out 10 while walking only 1 and throwing 143 pitches in a 1-0 duel with Nig Cuppy.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) C Dick Higham has hit .415 so far this month, lifting his average over .300 and continuing what has been a largely unheralded season. There were bigger names catching, but Higham has been steady throughout the year, and now is batting .319 with 6 homers and 35 RBI. He's also thrown out half of the runners trying to steal against him, making him the total package behind the dish.

2) The up and down story of 3B David Wright is up again, as the young third sacker is hitting .341 with a .400 OBP. His power is still lagging, but as long as Wright is getting on base the Heroes will be satisfied and confident his power will come. Wright is hitting .243 with 4 HRs and 24 RBI.

3) Following the same path as Wright is CF Grady Sizemore, though Sizemore's climb has been more consistent. Sizemore's average and slugging have risen each month, and after striking out 45 times over the first two months of the season, Sizemore has thus far struck out only 6 times midway through June. Sizemore is now hitting .241 with 5 HRs and 21 RBI.

4) Ace Jim McCormick was shellacked his last time out, allowing 6 earned runs on 7 hits over 1 2/3 innings in an 11-2 drubbing at the hands of Louisville on June 10.

Philadelphia Ringers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 26-30

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Louisville, Lost 3 vs New York, Split 4 vs Charlotte, Split 2 at Alabama

Leaders:
Avg - Pete Gillespie .329
HRs - John O'Rourke 15
RBIs - Charley Jones 39

Wins - Old Hoss Radbourn 7
ERA - Old Hoss Radbourn 2.99
Ks - Satchel Paige 117

Top Performance: Charley Jones went 2-for-3 with 2 homers and 6 RBI in a 12-3 win over Charlotte on June 9.

Injuries: Reserve squad player Cody Ross dislocated his shoulder falling down a flight of stairs. He's expected to miss 2 months.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Charley Jones' 2-homer game against Charlotte was his third 2-homer game of the year. He now has 13 total.

2) If you are looking for a sign of the struggles of Philadelphia's offense, see Charley Radbourn's 7-7 record, despite his 2.99 ERA that has him fourth in the Northern League.

3) "Somebody has to respect what this guy is doing. I know Brouthers has been great, but this guy has been a hell of a hitter and plays a much tougher position. It sure would be nice if someone noticed." That quote from manager John Ward is about his centerfielder John O'Rourke, whose .314/.430/.649 nine breeds a 1.079 OPS (third in the Northern League), with 15 homers (also third) and 34 RBI (7th).

4) Catcher Jocko Milligan, perhaps pushed by the call for Victor Martinez to take his job, is hitting .310 this month after batting .196 through the first two months of the year.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Northern League Profiles

Sacramento Stingers

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 27-29

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 at Chicago, Won 2 of 3 vs Wichita, Lost 4 at Indianapolis, Split 2 at Las Vegas

Leaders:
Avg – George Hall .360
HRs – George Hall 19
RBIs – George Hall 45

Wins - Jim Devlin 7
ERA - Jim Devlin 3.59
Ks - Jim Devlin 105

Top Performance: Travis Hafner went 3-for-5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI in a 16-6 win at Las Vegas June 13.

Injuries: Outfielder Cory Sullivan tore a ligament in his thumb on May 10 and will be out until at least early July. 2B Kid Gleason fractured his foot on June 13 and is expected to miss three weeks. RP J.J. Putz has forearm tendonitis and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The productive middle infield took a hit with the injury to Kid Gleason, as he and Sam Bankhead have been quite a pair. Gleason who has taken over the 2B job is hitting .362, while Bankhead is hitting .327. The Stingers are trying to stick Morgan Ensberg at 2B in the interim, though the club may be shopping.
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]
2) After hitting .219 for the first two months of the year, 1B Travis Hafner has gotten hot, hitting .368 this month while slugging a mighty .684. His average remains only .243, but Hafner now has 11 homers and 42 RBI.

3) The Stingers' starters have a collective ERA over 5 this month and now have the worst ERA in the Northern League at 4.85.

4) An amazing stat to consider: The Stingers are 7th of 8 in the Northern League in ERA, yet their staff has the most strikeouts of any in the Northern League.

Wichita Brigade

Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 35-23

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Indianapolis, Lost 2 of 3 at Sacramento, Swept 4 at Chicago, Split 2 at Arizona

Leaders:
Avg - Frank Chance .313
HRs - Robinson Cano 8
RBIs - Jimmy Sheckard 35

W - Rube Waddell 10
ERA - Rube Waddell 2.46
Ks - Rube Waddell 113

Top Performance: Rube Waddell struck out 9 in a 3-hit shutout over Sacramento, winning 5-0 on June 5.

Injuries: CF Cherokee Davis has a partially torn labrum and is expected to be out until the end of July.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) Elton Chamberlain started the year with two poor starts and was soon relegated to the bullpen. But after almost two months of strong bullpen work, Chamberlain was given two starts and threw a pair of complete games, allowing 2 earned runs over 18 innings in the process.

2) Helping their own cause, Wichita pitchers have hit .302 so far this month with 7 RBI.

3) By starting their road-heavy month 7-4, the Brigade quieted some doubters who said the schedule had favored them. Now, they are 16-9 on the road, so it doesn't seem the venue is a problem for them.

4) 1B Frank Chance has hit .400 this month to raise his average on the season to .313.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Finished the Wichita update...had to stop in the middle last night.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles

Alabama Airmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 25-34

2-Week Synopsis: Lost 2 vs New Orleans, Lost 2 of 3 at Memphis, Won 3 of 4 vs Orlando, Split 2 vs Philadelphia

Leaders:
Avg - George Van Haltren .308
HRs - Mike Tiernan 13
RBIs - Mike Tiernan 40

Wins - Vic Willis 6
ERA - Joe Corbett 2.88
Ks – Joe Corbett 127

Top Performance: Vic Willis threw a 1-hit shutout, striking out 7 in a 4-0 win over Orlando on June 12. Willis had a no-hitter through 6 2/3 before a Claude Ritchey single found the hole between short and third for the Orcas' only hit.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) One of the wildest stats in the PBL so far: The Airmen pitching staff has allowed the lowest opponents batting average (.247) in the Southern League...but they have allowed the most walks (219).

2) CF George Van Haltren returned from the DL with a vengeance, hitting .361 to start the month with a .452 OBP.

3) After a strong May (.351-5-17) 1B Mike Jacobs has stayed hot into June, hitting .478 so far this month with a homer and four doubles, posting an OPS of 1.338. A great last 6 weeks have raised Jacobs' season numbers to .314-6-25. The power shocks few, but the average is stunning for a guy expected to hit in the .250 ballpark.

4) Ted Breitenstein was bombed in his past two starts, and skipper Earl Weaver has decided to give young Scott Olsen a crack at the #5 spot. Olsen has posted a 2.11 ERA in 15 relief appearances so far this season.

Arizona Sandmen

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 31-28

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at Los Angeles, Lost 2 of 3 vs Las Vegas, Split 4 at San Antonio, Split 2 vs Wichita

Leaders:
Avg – Nap Lajoie .344
HRs – Nap Lajoie 10
RBIs – Nap Lajoie 45

Wins – Ben Sanders 9
ERA – Ben Sanders 2.36
Ks – Clark Griffith 58

Top Performance: 2B Nap Lajoie went 3-for-5 with a homer and 6 RBI in a 10-8 win over San Antonio on June 9. He's currently riding a 12-game hitting streak - now his third streak of 10+ games already this season.

Injuries: Alex Cintron, who was having a torrid spring, hitting .400, went down March 23 with a strained MCL. He is expected back in 2 weeks. Mike Koplove came off the DL May 3, threw a third of an inning on May 4 and was shelved with what has been diagnosed as bicep tendinitis. The injury is expected to keep Koplove out until August. Willie Keeler has been diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament, and will miss the remainder of the season and possibly the first half of next year as well. LF Pete Hill left the game against San Antonio June 11 with a hamstring strain. He's expected to miss 3 weeks.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) As if the season-ending injury to RF Willie Keeler wasn't bad enough, the Sandmen now deal with the loss of their second-biggest power threat, LF Pete Hill, who is out with a hamstring strain. Though hitting only .241, Hill's 8 homers and 26 RBI are both second on the team. The Sandmen have slipped to last in runs scored in the Southern League, and show no sign that's going to change soon.

2) Staying with the offense, a batch of frightening numbers for batting average so far this month: CF George Gore (.146), SS Kid Elberfeld (.150), RF Frog Redus (.175), 1B Dan McGann (.162) and LF Carl Crawford (.167).

3) Hard to figure out what manager Patsy Tebeau is trying to do with teh shortstop/third base situation except try to make things click. SS Pee Wee Butts worked his way into the lineup, moving Kid Elberfeld over to third base in a platoon with Nash. But now Jose Reyes has worked his way into the picture as well, hitting .353 this month.

4) With the league's worst offense, the best ERA in baseball has kept Arizona afloat. But with Anibal Sanchez and Cherokee Fisher posting a combined 6.67 ERA this month, the Sandmen could see their division lead vanish quickly.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles


Record: Last 2 Weeks (6-5), Overall 29-29

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 at San Antonio, Won 2 of 3 at Arizona, Split 4 at Los Angeles, Split 2 vs Sacramento

Leaders:
Avg – Alejandro Oms .312
HRs – Lip Pike 11
RBIs – Jimmy Ryan 37

Wins – Charlie Sweeney 10
ERA – Charlie Sweeney 2.78
Ks – Tommy Bond 118

Top Performance: Lip Pike went 4-for-4 with a homer, 3 RBI and four runs scored in an 11-4 win at Los Angeles on June 11.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) 3B Grant Johnson is scalding the ball this month, batting .295 with 8 extra-base hits in his 13 hits. He's now hitting .267 with 10 homers.

2) A big surprise is the continued hot bat of SS Juan Uribe, who is hitting .316 over the past 6 weeks.

3) Pitching has carried the team this year, and this month is no exception. Charlie Sweeney, Josh Beckett and Tommy Bond have posted a combined 2.37 ERA over their 7 starts so far.

4) Since a spot start on May 23, closer Justin Verlander has earned saves in 5 of his 6 appearances.

Los Angeles Idols

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 22-36

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Arizona, Lost 2 of 3 at San Antonio, Split 4 vs Las Vegas, Split 2 vs Louisville

Leaders:
Avg –George Scales .342
HRs – Harry Stovey 14
RBIs – Harry Stovey 49

Wins – Scott Kazmir, Brian Lawrence, Billy Rhines 4
ERA – Scott Kazmir 3.94
Ks – Billy Rhines 67

Top Performance: Benjamin Boyd went 2-for-3 with 2 homers and 4 RBI in a 14-5 loss at Orlando.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):

1) Since requesting a trade, RF Jumbo Kimbro is batting ..308 with a .400 OBP.

2) After losing 10 straight decisions, Billy Rhines has won his last three starts, going 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA this month.

3) Struggling 3B Miguel Cabrera is now hitting .190 since May 1.

4) The Idols have managed only three home runs in the last two weeks, including homers by SS Steven Drew in each of the past two games.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles

Memphis Strummers
Record: Last 2 Weeks (7-4), Overall 39-19

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 vs Orlando, Won 2 of 3 vs Alabama, Lost 3 of 4 vs New Orleans, Won 2 vs New York

Leaders:
Avg - Deacon White .362
HRs - Deacon White 9
RBIs - Deacon White 48

Wins – Lady Baldwin 9
ERA – Lady Baldwin 2.67
Ks - Tim Lincecum 103

Top Performance: Tim Lincecum threw a complete-game 3-hit shutout, striking out 10 in a 14-0 pounding of Orlando on June 3.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The Strummers are now 25-9 in their last 34 games, a .735 clip.

2) They had trended in this direction for a while, but the Strummers finally have scored the most runs (311) in the Southern League while allowing the fewest (234).

3) He gets lost behind the dynamic duo of Lady Baldwin and Tim Lincecum, but Sadie McMahon has an 0.76 ERA in 3 starts this month, allowed 2 runs on 12 hits over 23 innings of work. McMahon is now 7-2 with a 2.86 ERA.

4) They said the power would come and they are right. CF Oscar Charleston has four homers and 16 RBI already this month, and is hitting .341 in June, raising his season numbers to .313-7-42.

New Orleans Knights

Record: Last 2 Weeks (9-2), Overall 27-29

2-Week Synopsis: Swept 2 at Alabama, Won 2 of 3 vs Orlando, Won 3 of 4 at Memphis, Swept 2 at Indianapolis

Leaders:
Avg – Sam Thompson .363
HRs – Sam Thompson 13
RBIs – Sam Thompson 45

Wins - Doc McJames 10
ERA - Doc McJames 2.26
Ks – Doc McJames 106

Top Performance: Sam Thompson went 3-for-4 with 3 homers and 6 RBI in a 9-2 win over Alabama on June 2.

Injuries: Topsy Hartsel has seen his season go into a nosedive since earning Player of the Week honors April 20. After a vicious cold spell, Hartsel has now been shelved with a torn ligament in his thumb suffered diving for a ball against Los Angeles May 11. He’s expected to miss another 6 weeks

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):
1) The Knights went into Memphis and took 3 of 4 in an emphatic statement that their resurgence is for real. The team is now 16-6 since Walter Alston took over and, though still 11 games back, the Knights recognize they have a lot of season left - and lots more games against the Strummers.

2) The Knights won 3 straight Southern League Player of the Week awards, following Prince Fielder's win June 1with Sam Thompson and Curtis Granderson on June 8 and 15, respectively.

3) Doc McJames and Jack Chesbro have followed up great Mays (4-0, 1.94 and 1-1, 1.91, respectively) with strong work so far this month (4-0, 4.56 for McJames and (1-0, 3.27 for Chesbro. Add Rich Harden (3-0, 2.25) and the Knights are riding quite a starting wave.

4) Incredibly, four starters have an OPS above 1 this month: Thompson (1.404), Granderson (1.278), Ross Barnes (1.107) and Lave Cross (1.028)

[EMSoccerCoach]

Pastime Baseball League – Baseball Bi-Weekly
Vol. 6, Monday, June 15, 2009 (cont.)

Southern League Profiles

Orlando Orcas
Record: Last 2 Weeks (4-7), Overall 31-28

2-Week Synopsis: Lost both at Memphis, Lost 2 of 3 at New Orleans, Lost 3 of 4 at Alabama, Won both vs Chicago

Leaders:
Avg – Ezra Sutton .294
HRs – Ryan Howard/Sam Crawford 11
RBIs – Ryan Howard 48

Wins - Chuck Smith 10
ERA – Chuck Smith 2.93
Ks – Sam Leever 82

Top Performance: OF Ryan Ludwick got a rare start and made the most of it, going 3-for-4 with 2 homers, 5 RBI and 3 runs scored in a 9-8 win over Chicago on June 13.

Round Trip (Four miscellaneous points about the team):

1) SS Honus Wagner is now 18 for his last 94 (.191) and has seen his average drop back down to .222.

2) The Orcas' offense has been nonexistent this month, scoring 33 runs in 11 games so far, a far cry from the 5.5 runs they were averaging over the first two months of the season. This month was kicked off by losing back-to-back shutouts - 4-0 and 14-0 - in a quick 2-game set in Memphis.

3) 1B Ryan Howard is homerless with only 2 RBI so far this month, during which he is batting only .212.

4) After playing .600 ball in April, this is a sub-.500 team since and they now have the New Orleans Knights nipping at their heels for second place.

San Antonio Sheriffs

Record: Last 2 Weeks (5-6), Overall 27-30

2-Week Synopsis: Split 2 vs Las Vegas, Won 2 of 3 vs Los Angeles, Split 4 vs Arizona, Lost both vs Charlotte

Leaders:
Avg – Jimmy Williams .298
HRs – Jimmy Williams 8
RBIs – Jimmy Williams 34

Wins – Noodles Hahn/Joe McGinnity 7
ERA – Joe McGinnity 2.62
Ks – Noodles Hahn 149

Top Performance: SP Brandon Webb threw 8 innings of 5-hit shutout ball in a 2-1 win over Los Angeles on June 6.

Injuries: 3B George Pinkney sprained his thumb sliding into second base and is on the DL, expected to be back this week. CF Hugh Duffy is suffering back spasms, but is day-to-day.

Round Trip (Four miscallaneous points about the team):
1) There are some in the front office conceding that the team may have overrated Hugh Duffy before the draft. Duffy continues to be horrible, batting .190 in June and keeping his season average at .197. Taken in the second round, Duffy has easily been the biggest disappointment of any player taken in the draft so far.

2) Replacing 3B George Pinkney, Freddy Parent has done a nice job, batting .286 with a homer and 4 RBI so far this month. Expect him to return to the pinch-hitting role once Pinkney returns this week.

3) In 11 games so far this month, San Antonio has hit only 2 home runs, keeping them last in the Southern League with 39.

4) After making 21 errors in their first 48 games, the Sheriffs have made 13 errors in their last 11. The aforementioned Freddy Parent has contributed to that, making 4 errors in 17 starts at 3B. That's as many as Pinkney made in 39 starts.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Wow...only 10 views per post and only 15 posts in the thread that aren't mine. This thread is a dud, I'm afraid.

I'm probably going to do one more like it is, then shift to monthly. Don't want to stop altogether as I would like to have a record of my league and I enjoy the writing, but no reason to waste time for something nobody's reading.

[kenyan_cheena]

It's surprising to me that there aren't many people giving it a look because it's a high-quality dynasty. Whatever you decide to do, I'll keep on following.