Cape Cod League Opens

[Kiernan]

July 13, 1955

HYANNIS - Just like last year, the Hyannis Mets have completed two trades in the month of July that seem to prepare them for the post-season. Hyannis, currently 6 games ahead of the second place Cotuit Kettleers, today traded former Top Pitcher award winner, Jim Stirling, to the Brockton Tigers for last year's Top Pitcher, Jay McGinnis.

The trade comes two days after the Mets traded second basemen Patrick Comeaux to the Chatham A's for 25 year old left-handed reliever, John Schueler.

"We felt we needed to strengthen our bullpen with the post-season up ahead," responded Met Scouting Director, Jimmy Buchannan to questions after the Schueler trade.

Buchannan and Met officials declined to comment on the trade of Jim Stirling to Brockton. Stirling was 13-5 this year with a 2.84 ERA.

[Kiernan]

July 30, 1955

BREWSTER - With a win over the Chatham A's on the final day of the season, the Brewster Whitecaps secured their second trip to the Cape Cod Championship series. The win put Brewster a slight 1 game ahead of both the Easton Huskies and the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox to take the Eastern Division Title. The last time the Whitecaps were in the finals was 1953, where they were beaten 4 games to 2 by the Brockton Tigers.

History and the Cape Cod League's best team stand in Brewster's way of taking home the championship. No Eastern Division team has ever won the CCL championship since the league's inception in 1951. Further, the Hyannis Mets, last year's champion, concluded the season firmly ahead of all teams with a 5 game lead over the Cotuit Kettleers and a record 64 wins for the season.

"Its hard to argue with results, and the Mets are the best. Hands-down, they are the best this year," commented Cotuit's Manager, Major Bainbridge after his team barely beat Hyannis on the last day of the season.

Hyannis is heavily favored in betting circles, based on their league leading team .278 batting average and league low 2.86 team ERA. The final series begins Sunday, August 1, in Brewster.

1955 Final Standings
Eastern Division
Team W L GB
Brewster Whitecaps 57 44 --
Easton Huskies 56 45 1
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 56 45 1
Chatham A's 49 52 8
Harwich Mariners 46 55 11
Orleans Cardinals 42 59 15

Western Division
Team W L GB
Hyannis Mets 64 37 --
Cotuit Kettleers 59 42 5
Bourne Braves 47 54 17
Falmouth Commodores 47 54 17
Brockton Tigers 46 55 18
Wareham Gatemen 37 64 27

[Kiernan]

August 1, 1955

BREWSTER - The Hyannis Mets jumped to a 1-0 series lead over the hometown Brewster Whitecaps in today's series opener. A strong pitching performance by Met ace, Jay McGinnis, helped the Mets beat former Top Pitcher award winner Robert Bice and the Whitecaps, 7-3.

Brewster held a 3-1 lead through 6 innings, when Hyannis bats awoke, scoring 1 run in the top of the 7th and 5 in the 8th. Bice was relieved midway through the top of the 8th after giving up 7 runs, 6 of them earned, in 7 2/3 innings. Met pitcher, McGinnis got into a groove, shutting the Whitecaps down for the final 3 innings to hold onto a 7-3 win.

Game two is scheduled for tomorrow in Brewster with the Mets' Chester Woodie facing off against the Whitecap's Andrew Weiser.

[Kiernan]

August 2, 1955

BREWSTER - Chester Woodie turned in arguably the best performance of the year by a pitcher, shutting out the Brewster Whitecaps en route to a 4-0 win in game two of the Cape Cod Championships. The Hyannis Met starter threw a 4-hit shutout, striking out 13 and walking no one.

In addition to his performance on the mound, Woodie also drove in two runs in the 4-run top of the seventh for Hyannis, driving a single with men in scoring position.

"He beat us with his arm and his bat today. I left a ball over the plate and he smacked it over second base. On the mound, he was nearly untouchable," remarked losing Whitecap pitcher, Andrew Weiser after the game.

Weiser pitched a complete game in the loss, giving up 4 runs, 3 earned, on 5 hits. He struck out 7 and walked 3 overall.

Game three will be on Wednesday, 8/4, in Hyannis.

[Kiernan]

August 4, 1955

HYANNIS - The Brewster Whitecaps reduced the Hyannis Mets series lead to just one game (2-1) today with a 3-2 win in Hyannis. Starting pitcher, Rey Drewes, and reliever Robert Wolfe combine with the win and save to beat the Mets.

Hyannis' Robert Chancy pitched a complete game in the loss. Whitecaps' shortstop and former Eastern Division Best Batter for 1953, Hong Petrie, drove in two of the three Brewster runs, going 2 for 4 in the game.

Game four will be tomorrow in Hyannis.

[Kiernan]

August 5, 1955

HYANNIS - Hyannis Mets' Ace, Jay McGinnis, gave up only 1 run on 5 hits to win his second game in the championship series over the Brewster Whitecaps today. Brewster bats just couldn't seem to catch up to McGinnis as he struck out 9 and kept them off-balance all day.

Conversely, the Met offense took batting practice off Whitecaps starter, Robert Bice, scoring 8 runs on 11 hits before he was replaced in the top half of the eighth. The offensive performance included two triples and a double by Mets lead-off hitter, left fielder David Marston, who also scored twice.

The win puts Hyannis only one win away from becoming the first two-time championship winner in Cape Cod League history as well as the first back-to-back winner.

Game Five is tomorrow in Hyannis.

[Kiernan]

August 6, 1955

HYANNIS - The Brewster Whitecaps took game five today, 6-3 over the Hyannis Mets in Hyannis to force the series back to Brewster for Game six. Mets' starter, Chester Woodie gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits including 3 homeruns in his 9 innings of work. Whitecaps' starter, Andrew Weiser, got the win with reliever, Robert Wolfe, earning the save.

Whitecaps' shortstop Hong Petrie provided the fireworks today with two homeruns and 3 runs batted in off Woodie. The Mets held a 3-1 lead going into the top of the 3rd when things started to run away. Brewster scored 2 in the top of the third, 1 in the fourth and 2 more in the seventh to get the win.

Game six will be played on August 8 in Brewster.

[Kiernan]

August 8, 1955

BREWSTER - Erupting for 5 runs in the seventh, the Hyannis Mets beat the Brewster Whitecaps 6-2 today to win the Cape Cod League Championshp 4 to 2. The Championship is the Mets' second in a row and they become the first franchise to win two championships.

Mets' starter Robert Chancy went 9 innings, giving up 2 runs on 9 hits to get the win. Rey Drewes of Brewster was handed the loss.

Congratulations to the CCL Champion Hyannis Mets.

[Kiernan]

January 5, 1961

FALMOUTH- The first copies of the new Cape Cod League Almanac celebrating the first 10 years of the league showed up on store shelves across the Cape.

"This really is a watershed moment for the CCL. To have all of the highlights of our first decade is just wonderful," stated retiring Commissioner of the CCL, Buck Werner.

Here are some of the highlights from the book:

1956 Final Standings
Eastern Division
Team W L GB
Harwich Mariners 59 42 --
Brewster Whitecaps 56 45 3
Easton Huskies 55 46 4
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 54 47 5
Chatham A's 50 51 9
Orleans Cardinals 43 58 16

Western Division
Team W L GB
Hyannis Mets 61 40 --
Cotuit Kettleers 51 50 10
Falmouth Commodores 51 50 10
Bourne Braves 45 56 16
Brockton Tigers 42 59 19
Wareham Gatemen 39 62 22

Championship Series
Harwich 4-3 over Hyannis

Top Pitchers:
ED: William Appleton, Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
17-3, 1.85 ERA, 5 shutouts
WD: Chester Woodie, Hyannis Mets
15-6, 1.77 ERA, 5 shutouts
Best Batters:
ED: William Johnson, SS, Harwich Mariners
.332 AVG, 10 HR, 51 RBI
WD: Leonel Sarabia, 1B, Cotuit Kettleers
.331 AVG, 19 HR, 55 RBI


-------------------------------------------------

1957 Final Standings
Eastern Division
Team W L GB
Easton Huskies 62 39 --
Harwich Mariners 57 44 5
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 56 45 6
Brewster Whitecaps 51 50 11
Chatham A's 45 56 17
Orleans Cardinals 40 61 22

Western Division
Team W L GB
Hyannis Mets 64 37 --
Cotuit Kettleers 58 43 6
Falmouth Commodores 48 53 16
Wareham Gatemen 45 56 19
Bourne Braves 44 57 20
Brockton Tigers 36 65 28

Championship Series
Hyannis 4-2 over Easton

Top Pitchers:
ED: Kevin Robbins, Easton Huskies
17-9, 2.79 ERA, 2 shutouts
WD: Chester Woodie, Hyannis Mets
18-7, 1.88 ERA, 4 shutouts
Best Batters:
ED: Dario Mazzola, CF, Easton Huskies
.370 AVG, 13 HR, 53 RBI
WD: Israel Piazza, RF, Cotuit Kettleers
.352 AVG, 10 HR, 61 RBI
Best Rookie:
ED: Darrell Cambron, P, Harwich Mariners
10-4, 2.31 ERA
WD: Steven Raglin, P, Wareham Gatemen
7-5, 2.67 ERA

-------------------------------------------------


1958 Final Standings
Eastern Division
Team W L GB
Harwich Mariners 63 38 --
Brewster Whitecaps 54 47 9
Orleans Cardinals 53 48 10
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 52 49 11
Easton Huskies 43 58 20
Chatham A's 40 61 23

Western Division
Team W L GB
Hyannis Mets 66 35 --
Cotuit Kettleers 59 42 7
Wareham Gatemen 50 51 16
Falmouth Commodores 46 55 20
Brockton Tigers 44 57 22
Bourne Braves 36 65 30

Championship Series
Hyannis 4-2 over Harwich

Top Pitchers:
ED: Darrell Cambron, Harwich Mariners
14-10, 2.07 ERA, 5 shutouts
WD: Chester Woodie, Hyannis Mets
16-7, 1.71 ERA, 7 shutouts
Best Batters:
ED: Richard Baumann, 3B, Brewster Whitecaps
.372 AVG, 8 HR, 63 RBI
WD: Leonel Sarabia, 1B, Cotuit Kettleers
.342 AVG, 27 HR, 81 RBI
Best Rookie:
ED: Gregory Taylor, P, Brewster Whitecaps
13-9, 2.92 ERA, 1 shutout
WD: Marvin Paul, P, Hyannis Mets
9-3, 4.00 ERA, 1 shutout

-----------------------------------------

1959 Results
Eastern Division Champion
Orleans Cardinals

Western Division Champion
Cotuit Kettleers

Championship Series
Cotuit 4-3 over Orleans

-----------------------------------------

1960 Results
Eastern Division Champion
Easton Huskies

Western Division Champion
Wareham Gatemen

Championship Series
Wareham 4-0 over Easton

-----------------------------------------

Decade Highlights:
No-Hitters:
5/2/1953 Robert Parise for Wareham Gatemen with 1K, 1BB
4/18/1956 Julio Montes for Falmouth Commodores with 9K,3BB
7/10/1960 Darrell Cambron for Harwich Mariners - First League Perfect Game

20-game winners:
1959, Andrew Sorenson for Cotuit Kettleers 21-4 with 2.50 ERA

Record Book (Season):
AVG: Israel Piazza for Cotuit Kettleers hitting .428 in 1953 (only .400 hitter so far)
HR: James Meachum for Harwich Mariners, 30 in 1960 only one ever with 30+
RBI: Leonel Sarabia for Cotuit Kettleers, 81 in 1959

WINS: (see 20 game winner above)
ERA: Chester Woodie for Hyannis Mets, 1.71 in 1958
Ks: Chester Woodie for Hyannis Mets, 257 in 1960
Saves: Two tied with 29.

[Kiernan]

January 7, 1981

FALMOUTH - Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Cape Cod League, a new book was released today highlighting the league's history and accomplishments.

The league's 5th Commissioner, Charlie Arnock, was on hand at the Falmouth Corner Bookstore when the first copies went on the shelf.

"This is a great day for Cape Cod Baseball. Who could have imagined the League would still be fluorishing after thirty years?" Arnock replied to bystanders.

Highlights from the Book:

League Champions 1961-1980
1961: Orleans Cardinals (beat Hyannis Mets 4-1)
1962: Wareham Gatemen (beat Orleans Cardinals 4-3)
1963: Harwich Mariners (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-1)
1964: Wareham Gatemen (beat Harwich Mariners 4-2)
1965: Harwich Mariners (beat Falmouth Commodores 4-1)
1966: Wareham Gatemen (beat Harwich Mariners 4-2)
1967: Wareham Gatemen (beat Orleans Cardinals 4-2)
1968: Orleans Cardinals (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-2)
1969: Harwich Mariners (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-1)
1970: Harwich Mariners (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-0)
1971: Wareham Gatemen (beat Orleans Cardinals 4-2)
1972: Easton Huskies (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-2)
1973: Orleans Cardinals (beat Falmouth Commodores 4-0)
1974: Easton Huskies (beat Wareham Gatemen 4-1)
1975: Falmouth Commodores (beat Orleans Cardinals 4-0)
1976: Falmouth Commodores (beat Orleans Cardinals 4-1)
1977: Brockton Tigers (beat Chatham A's 4-1)
1978: Brockton Tigers (beat Chatham A's 4-2)
1979: Brockton Tigers (beat Chatham A's 4-3)
1980: Chatham A's (beat Brockton Tigers 4-2)

Statistics:Most Championships Won:
7 - Wareham Gatemen
5 - Harwich Mariners
4 - Hyannis Mets/Brockton Tigers

Most Championship Series Appearances (30 max):
13 - Wareham Gatemen
11 - Orleans Cardinals
8 - Harwich Mariners
6 - Hyannis Mets

No Championships:
Bourne Braves (0 appearances)
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (1 appearance)
Brewster Whitecaps (2 appearances)

[Kiernan]

1951 - 1980:
No Hitters:
Robert Parise (Wareham) 5/2/53
Julio Montes (Falmouth) 4/18/56
Darrell Cambron (Harwich) 7/10/60*
Joe Byler (Orleans) 6/28/62
Johnny Edwin (Easton) 7/18/62
Jose Faria (Wareham) 5/16/63
Brent Mandeville (Cotuit) 4/27/64
Elias Delaughter (Falmouth) 5/16/65*
Martin Williams (Easton) 5/13/71
Chester Szeto (Bourne) 6/12/71
Cyril Barret (Wareham) 6/17/76*
Oscar Palacio (Falmouth) 5/7/79
Chet Bell (Bourne) 6/4/79
*= Perfect Game

20-game winners:
Andrew Sorensen (Cotuit) 21-4, 2.50 ERA - 1959
Chester Woodie (Hyannis) 20-5, 2.01 ERA - 1964
Billy Eder (Harwich) 20-3, 1.29 ERA - 1968
Billy Eder (Harwich) 21-3, 2.32 ERA - 1970
Billy Eder (Harwich) 20-6, 1.79 ERA - 1972
James Trent (Chatham) 21-4, 2.83 ERA - 1980

Single Season Records:
Hitting:
Average: .428
Israel Piazza (Cotuit) - 1953
(only hitter ever over .400)

HR: 36
Two tied.

RBI: 101
Glenn Gavorite (Wareham) - 1976

Pitching:
Wins: 21
Three tied.

Losses: 16
At least 2 tied.

Ks: 274
James Trent (Chatham) - 1979

ERA: 1.29
Billy Eder (Harwich) - 1968


Career Numbers:
Hitting:
Average: .335 (2,000+ Ab)
Michael "Porky" Mejorado, SS, Brewster (still active in 1980)

Hits: 2693
Michael "Porky" Mejorado, SS, Brewster (still active in 1980 - 200+ more than anyone else)

HR: 367
James "Trigger" Meachum, 1B, Harwich (mainly - retired - 20 more than anyone else)

RBI: 1090
Andre "Cotton" Bottomley, LF, Easton (retired)

Runs: 1304
Andre "Cotton" Bottomley, LF, Easton (retired)

Pitching:
Wins: 302
Billy Eder, Harwich (retired - 71 more than anyone else)

ERA: 2.26
Billy Eder, Harwich (retired)

Ks: 4,292
Billy Eder, Harwich (retired - 950 more than anyone else)

CG: 256
Billy Eder, Harwich (retired - 33 more than anyone else)

Shutouts: 82
Billy Eder, Harwich (retired - 33 more than anyone else)

Saves: 394
Richard Castilleja, Wareham (retired - 104 more than anyone else)


Coming soon.....hall of fame voting.

[Kiernan]

Hey everyone (or anyone still reading this thread),
Here are some of the things I found interesting about the first 30 years of this league with only 12 teams and 101 game seasons:

1. Seven, 20+ game winners (I was shocked anyone got one as most pitchers get 24 - 27 starts/year.

2. A 300 game winner?!? for career.

3. Only 1 player hit over .400.

4. One team went to the championships 13 times and won 7. They won their Division 43% of the time.

5. Two pitchers (Billy Eder and Chester Woodie) won 17 Top Pitcher awards between them.

6. Thirteen no-hitters over 30 years (3 perfect games).

7. Only 1 player with 100+ RBI in a season.

What do you think?

Other topic:
Which team should I take control of? Here are the teams with the worst records in the past 2 - 5 years:
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
173 - 231
Last place 3 of last 4 years (2 in a row)
Never won a championship

Cotuit Kettleers
185 - 219
Last place 1 of last 4 years (never above 3rd)
Only won 1 championship in league

Wareham Gatemen
185 - 219
Last place 1 of last 4 years (only 1 winning season in that time)
Hasn't been to finals in 6 years

Bourne Braves
189 - 215
Last place 1 of last 4 years (never above 3rd)
Never been in championship series as a franchise.

Thanks,
Kiernan.

[Dagrims]

Nice dynasty report; I enjoyed reading the 30-year anniversary tome. To answer your question, I'd suggest taking Bourne since they've never been in the championship series. It makes for a good story if you can lead them there.

[kev24fan]

I know this tread is old but are you still playing with the Cape Cod Dynasty?