Confederate Baseball Association (solo fictional)

[jmm8356]

October 2, 1950

Memphis 4, Houston 1

MEMPHIS - Catcher Jim Boon's blast in the 4th scored three Blues and gave Memphis their first Western Division pennant. The 438-foot shot off Dave Donnell (L, 5 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K), Boon's seventh of the year, was all the offense Frank Welsh (W, 15-13, 8 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K) and Rick Vance (SV, 30, 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) needed before 39,986 screaming fans at The Fabulous Avalon.

New Orleans 4, Dallas 1

NEW ORLEANS - C Mark Jost hit a single with the bases loaded and two out in the 7th to crush the Drifters playoff hopes as New Orleans wins, 4-1. Joseph Phillips (L, 12-10, 6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K) loaded the bases with a double, a hit batter and a walk before Harry Garvin (1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H) gave up the two-run hit to Jost. Ronald Absher (6 2/3 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K) was effective, while Blaney (W, 5-3), Garrison, Holsinger and Bivins (SV, 40) combine to allow just one hit and one walk in the final 2 1/3 innings for the Pelicans.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

RF Stephen Delisle (DAL) - Hit .406 with 3 HR and 18 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Joseph Palmer (SAN) - Went 5-0 with a 3.03 ERA, earned first career win on September 9

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

LF Bill Danner (TAM) - Hit .356 with 7 HR and 18 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Gary Nardi (JAX) - Went 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA


Final Western Division Standings

Memphis....... 87 - 75 .537 -
Dallas........ 86 - 76 .531 1
San Antonio... 82 - 80 .506 5
Houston....... 81 - 81 .500 6
New Orleans... 80 - 82 .494 7
Nashville..... 77 - 85 .475 10

Final Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk...... 100 - 62 .617 -
Atlanta....... 81 - 81 .500 19
Tampa......... 79 - 83 .488 21
Miami......... 78 - 84 .481 22
Jacksonville.. 76 - 86 .469 24
Carolina...... 65 - 97 .401 35

[jmm8356]

October 4, 1950

Confederate Series Preview

The defending champion Norfolk Clippers, under Lloyd Jorgensen, are the first team in CBA history to win 100 games in a season. Norfolk hopes to continue their success on the road (53-28) as Memphis has homefield advantage for the series.

Norfolk led the league in scoring (821) and walks (729), and was second in both batting (.269) and homers (144). CF Scott Heyer (.325, 18 HR, 87 RBI, 109 R, 32 2Bs, 96 BB, 36 SB) is the biggest contributor, with C Dave Fried (.293, 14 HR, 76 RBI, 19 2Bs) and LF Raymond Smith (.284, 23 HR, 76 RBI, 16 2Bs) both pitching in. However, late season injuries leave the Blues without two of their stars, RF Rick Brown (broken ribs, .286, 20 HR, 102 RBI, 144 BB) and SS Adam Bradley (tight elbow, .293, 12 HR, 75 RBI, 114 BB).

The second-best pitching staff in the league with a 3.80 ERA, Norfolk's rotation is anchored by deadline acquisition Ken Chilton (10-7, 3.31, WHIP 1.18) and Joe Melton (17-11, 3.58, WHIP 1.23). The bullpen is solid top-to-bottom, with closer Dave Samuelson (6-5, 49 SV, 2.51, OAVG .194), Dave Lyons (2.97), John Hamill (13-1, 3.74), Jimmy Pouliot (3.12, WHIP 1.06, 77 Ks in 83 2/3 IP), and leftie Jim Gustin (3.28).


The Memphis Blues have been ably managed by Ray Blanton to a record that exceeded expectations by seven games. The Blues won just five of their twelve contests with the Clippers this year.

Memphis allowed the fourth-fewest runs (702) in the league this year, thanks to starters Frank Welsh (15-13, 3.95), Daryl Warren (11-9, 3.65), Douglas Agan (5-7, 3.47 in 25 GS) and closer Rick Vance (6-6, 30 SV, 2.61).

The Blues' offense can charitably be described as average, with the 7th-best batting average (.260) and 8th-best scoring total (691) in the league. 1B Chris Roseboro (.314, 21 HR, 78 RBI) swings the biggest bat, and RF Jason Music (.289, 14 HR, 81 RBI, 24 2Bs, 28 SB) leads eight players with double-digit stolen bases.

[jmm8356]

October 13, 1950

Confederate Series Recap

Game 1 - Wednesday, October 4 - Memphis 5, Norfolk 4

NORFOLK - SS Henry Jones scores three runs and drives in two as Memphis edges Norfolk, 5-4. Jones went 4 for 5 on the night with a triple and two doubles, scoring the winning run in the 7th on RF Jason Music's double after a leadoff single off John Hamill (L, 3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB) and a stolen base. Fred Black tied the game for Norfolk with a pinch-hit two-run double off Will Gendron (W, 6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 2 K) in the 6th, but Jeff Davis (2 IP, 1 K) and Rick Vance (SV, 1 IP) threw three perfect innings to put the Clippers away.


Game 2 - Thursday, October 5 - Norfolk 8, Memphis 3

NORFOLK - The Clippers tag Frank Welsh for six runs and nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings as Norfolk tops Memphis, 8 to 3. SS Quincy Simmons (3 for 5, 2B), CF Scott Heyer (2 for 5, HR) and LF Raymond Smith drive in two runs apiece, and RF Douglas Myrick scores three times for Norfolk. Ken Chilton (7 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K) threw just 88 pitches for the win.


Game 3 - Saturday, October 7 - Memphis 7, Norfolk 6 (10)

MEMPHIS - SS Henry Jones singled down the first base line with two out in the 10th to score 3B Dave Mayle and give Memphis a thrilling 7-6 victory in front of 39,999 at The Fabulous Avalon. Dave Samuelson (L, 0-1, 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K) gave up a walk to Mayle and a single to pinch-hitter Bob Kennison before Jones hit the game winner. Arthur Hedge's pinch-hit two-run homerun leveled the game at six in the 8th, but Rick Vance (W, 1-0, 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K) kept Norfolk off the board in the final two frames. LF Raymond Smith hit a two-run shot in a four-run Clippers 6th, and Blues 1B Chris Roseboro was 2 for 4, scoring twice and driving in one.


Game 4 - Sunday, October 8 - Norfolk 7, Memphis 2

MEMPHIS - The Clippers score seven runs on eleven singles to level the series at two games each with a 7-2 victory. SS Quincy Simmons (2 for 5) and CF Scott Heyer (2 for 4) both score twice and drive in one, while 1B Casey Pattison scores once and drives in two. Will Gendron (L, 1-1, 6 R, 4 ER, 7 H, 1 BB) goes only 2 2/3 in his second start of the series, and the only Memphis runs come from 3B Greg Archer's two-run shot in the 5th off Joe Melton (W, 1-0, 7 2/3 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K).


Game 5 - Monday, October 9 - Norfolk 5, Memphis 4

MEMPHIS - Jeff Davis's bases-loaded walk of 1B Casey Pattison in the Norfolk 9th proves decisive as Memphis scores two in the bottom half but falls short, 5-4. After Frank Welsh (L, 0-2, 8 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 5 BB, 8 K) gave up a pinch-hit to Fred Black and walked SS Quincy Simmons, Davis came in and got RF Douglas Myrick on a sacrifice bunt before intentionally walking CF Scott Heyer to bring Pattison to the plate. Dave Samuelson (SV, 1, 1 IP, 2 R, 3 H) had the tying run on second before securing Ken Chilton's win (2-0, 6 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 9 H, 4 K) with two grounders to third baseman Eli Cardinale (2 for 4, 2B, 2 R, RBI). 1B Chris Roseboro goes 3 for 4 with 2 RBI in a losing effort for the Blues.


Game 6 - Wednesday, October 11 - Norfolk 1, Memphis 0 (10)

NORFOLK - An unbelievable ending to an unbelievable game! Norfolk C Dave Fried lifts a double over the head of Memphis RF Jason Music to score 2B Ted DeRouen from first with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th, breaking a scoreless tie and winning the Clippers their second Confederate Series in a row. Blues closer Rick Vance (L, 1-1, 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H) plunked DeRouen leading off the 10th to set the stage for Fried's heroics. Both starters were simply outstanding, with neither Douglas Agan (7 IP, 7 H, 5 K) nor Bruce Solomon (8 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K) allowing a run in regulation. Dave Lyons picks up the win (1-0) with two perfect innings of relief for Norfolk. A deadline acquisition via Miami, Ken Chilton is named series MVP for earning two wins with a measly 0.69 ERA in 13 IP.

[jmm8356]

October 14, 1950

Year In Review


Western Division Most Valuable Player

2B John Watkins (SAN) - .315, 25 HR, 100 RBI, 92 R, 29 2Bs, 61 SB

Western Division Hurler of the Year

Don Skelly (SAN) - 16-5, 2.29 ERA, WHIP 1.06, 36 BB in 247 1/3 IP

Western Division Rookie of the Year

SS Henry Jones (MEM) - .281, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 48 R, 15 2Bs in 374 AB, 10 E in 438 TC (.977)

Western Division Manager of the Year

Ray Blanton (MEM) - Beat expectations by seven games, winning 87 and Western Division pennant


Eastern Division Most Valuable Player

3B Travis O'Connell (ATL) - .327, 24 HR, 98 RBI, 88 R, 32 2Bs, 81 BB

Eastern Division Hurler of the Year

Gary Nardi (JAX) - 17-7, 2.62 ERA, WHIP 1.08, OAVG .226

Eastern Division Rookie of the Year

Not awarded.

Eastern Division Manager of the Year

Lloyd Jorgensen (NOR) (2) - Improved by 12 games, winning 100 and second Eastern Division in a row


Western Division Slick Fielders

P Earl Cole (SAN)
C Patrick Baskerville (NSH)
1B Duane Noland (NSH)
2B John Watkins (SAN) (2)
3B Chris Wardell (DAL)
SS Greg Benz (HOU) (2)
LF Buck Blasingame (NSH)
CF Craig Lotz (DAL) (2)
RF Jason Music (MEM)

Eastern Division Slick Fielders

P Gordon Ringer (JAX)
C Dave Fried (NOR) (2)
1B Brian Gray (MIA)
2B Roy Fisher (TAM) (2)
3B Bob Wall (CAR) (2)
SS John Northern (CAR)
LF Pete Doyon (MIA)
CF Jeff Frost (ATL)
RF Jim Gamble (CAR) (2)


League Leaders

Batting

.353 - Nick Bacon (TAM)
.349 - Stephen Delisle (DAL)
.340 - Patrick Baskerville (NSH)
.339 - Richard Safford (JAX)
.327 - Travis O'Connell (ATL)

Homeruns

32 - Bill Danner (TAM)
31 - Dave Hoffman (CAR)
30 - Darrell Shehan (ATL)
29 - Greg Olson (JAX)
27 - Charlie Norwood (NWO)

RBI

114 - Raymond Timmerman (NSH)
105 - Darrell Shehan (ATL)
102 - Rick Brown (NOR)
100 - John Watkins (SAN)
98 - Travis O'Connell (ATL)

Doubles

45 - Patrick Baskerville (NSH)
41 - Raymond LaVallee (ATL)
35 - Bob Wall (CAR)
34 - Greg Archer (MEM)
33 - Craig Lotz (DAL)
33 - Duane Noland (NSH)

Triples

13 - Raymond LaVallee (ATL)
9 - Charlie Norwood (NWO)
8 - Jason Music (MEM)
8 - Tyler Scott (NSH)
8 - Joe Deutsch (NWO)

Runs

109 - Scott Heyer (NOR)
98 - Bill Danner (TAM)
96 - Mark Clark (SAN)
93 - Casey Pattison (NOR)
Three tied with 92.

Stolen Bases

78 - Jeff McGovern (SAN) - NEW LEAGUE RECORD
61 - John Watkins (SAN)
46 - Tim Ryan (JAX)
45 - Raymond LaVallee (ATL)
41 - Jeff Frost (ATL)

ERA

2.29 - Don Skelly (SAN)
2.62 - Gary Nardi (JAX)
2.67 - Steve Bruce (JAX)
2.91 - Ronald Absher (NWO)
2.91 - Quinton Reed (DAL)

Wins

17 - Joe Melton (NOR)
17 - Gary Nardi (JAX)
16 - Don Skelly (SAN)
16 - Ronald Absher (NWO)
16 - Quinton Reed (DAL)

Saves

49 - Dave Samuelson (NOR)
40 - Franklin Bivins (NWO)
37 - Sam White (SAN)
34 - Alex Yardley (TAM)
31 - John Logsdon (NSH)

Strikeouts

220 - Dave Haskell (TAM)
211 - Steven Mackay (HOU)
205 - Steve Bruce (JAX)
177 - Keith Ward (SAN)
176 - Everett Lane (NSH)

[jmm8356]

March 1, 1951

Offseason Recap

Carolina fires Eric Hackworth after a pair of 6th-place finishes and hires rookie manager Donnie Chancellor.

Nashville, Carolina, Jacksonville and Tampa each receive $5 million via revenue sharing.

Confederate Series MVP Ken Chilton (10-7, 3.31) gets the largest arbitration award of the season, costing Norfolk $5.1 million this year.


Free Agency Highlights

February 2 - Jacksonville re-signs SP Steve Bruce (15-11, 2.67) to a seven-year deal at $9.5 million.

February 4 - Dallas signs CF Jeff McGovern (.282, 9 HR, 64 RBI, 92 R, 111 BB, 78 SB) away from San Antonio for four years at $7.3 million.

February 5 - Memphis loses 1B Chris Roseboro (.314, 21 HR, 78 RBI) to New Orleans; the Pelicans commit to $7.6 million for three years.

February 6 - A new CBA record contract as Keith "Superfly" Ward (11-9, 3.16), formerly of San Antonio, signs with Miami for eight years at $19.6 million.

February 10 - C Patrick Baskerville (.340, 7 HR, 71 RBI, 45 2Bs) signs a four year, $12.6 million deal with Dallas, while San Antonio loses their third big name free agent as 1950 MVP 2B John Watkins (.315, 25 HR, 100 RBI, 92 R, 29 2Bs) gets $8.6 million for three years from Tampa.

February 15 - Memphis makes Steven Mackay (13-13, 3.76) the third-highest paid pitcher in the league with a six-year deal at $12.5 million.

February 17 - San Antonio finally makes an addition, signing 1B Martin Hoppe (.316, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 36 BB, 263 AB), who they released last April, to $7.8 million for four years.

March 2 - Rule 5 Draft

Tampa picks up speedy RF Theron Crow from Memphis. Crow (.268, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 73 R, 28 2Bs) stole 40 bases for single-A Jackson last season.

[jmm8356]

May 1, 1951

San Antonio jumps out to a three game lead in the Western Division, thanks to SS Ken Bennett (.372, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 17 BB) and C David Standley (.373, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 11 BB).

In the East, there is a tie for first, though Carolina has two games in hand on Atlanta. Flyers LF John Theiss (.337, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 21 R) and Flames SS Darrell Shehan (.337, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 19 R) top their respective division leaders.

Norfolk had a topsy-turvy start to their second title defense, starting out 4-10 before winning ten of eleven to get back above .500 for the month.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Greg Benz (HOU) - Hit .359 with 9 HR and 21 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Kevin Dotson (HOU) - Went 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

1B Brian Gray (MIA) - Hit .436 with 5 HR and 16 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Steve Bruce (JAX) - Went 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 15 - 10 .600 -
Houston....... 12 - 13 .480 3
Nashville..... 11 - 13 .458 3.5
Dallas........ 11 - 14 .440 4
Memphis....... 10 - 13 .435 4
New Orleans... 10 - 13 .435 4

Eastern Division Standings

Carolina...... 14 - 10 .583 -
Atlanta....... 15 - 11 .577 -
Jacksonville.. 12 - 10 .545 1
Norfolk....... 14 - 13 .519 1.5
Tampa......... 12 - 14 .462 3
Miami......... 11 - 13 .458 3

[ctorg]

I like your premise. I once had a similar league idea, with two leagues, one from the USA and one from the CSA. It's interesting to see it done with just the CSA.

Good job.

[jmm8356]

Thanks, ctorg. It's going a little slower than I would like, since I want to get into managing ASAP, but I just realized that the sim speed doubles if I turn off anti-virus first, so maybe that will help pick up the pace. Not that it was slow before... it's like the difference between games simming "bang, bang, bang" and "bangbangbang".


June 1, 1951

San Antonio maintains a three-game lead over the red-hot Dallas Drifters in the Western Division. The Missions have allowed the fewest runs in the CBA, thanks to Joseph Palmer (7-2, 3.24), southpaw Ken Schleicher (7-2, 3.18), Scott Newland (3-2, 2.91) and closer Sam White (2-1, 10 SV, 2.33).

The East finds Carolina 2 1/2 games clear of both Atlanta and Miami. Earl Cole, acquired from San Antonio in a trade on April 6, has been outstanding, going 7-1 with a 1.71 ERA for the Flyers, and closer Jeff Wozniak (16 SV, 2.96) has blown just one save this season.

Elsewhere, Tampa 3B John Watkins hits the first cycle in league history at San Antonio on May 8.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Ken Bennett (SAN) - Hit .337 with 6 HR and 24 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Roland Woods (NWO) - Went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

LF John Theiss (CAR) - Hit .340 with 7 HR and 31 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Joe MacLeod (MIA) - Went 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 32 - 20 .615 -
Dallas........ 29 - 23 .558 3
New Orleans... 26 - 25 .510 5.5
Houston....... 24 - 28 .462 8
Memphis....... 21 - 29 .420 10
Nashville..... 21 - 31 .404 11

Eastern Division Standings

Carolina...... 30 - 23 .566 -
Atlanta....... 27 - 25 .519 2.5
Miami......... 27 - 25 .519 2.5
Norfolk....... 27 - 27 .500 3.5
Jacksonville.. 25 - 26 .490 4
Tampa......... 23 - 30 .434 7

[jmm8356]

June Draft Highlights

Carolina (1st) - CF Bob Mangum, 23 (6/10/7)
Getting a $3.1 million signing bonus, this leftie hit .321 with 16 HR in 169 AB for Chicago State. [I was sure Chicago State was not the name of a real university, but I was wrong! The CSU Cougars play in the Mid-Continent Conference against schools like IUPUI, Oral Roberts and Valparaiso.]

Jacksonville (2nd) - SP Tom Gustafson, 20 (9/9/5)
With a 1.55 ERA and 188 Ks in 122 IP for San Francisco, this southpaw signed for $2.1 million.

Nashville (3rd) - C Eric Weatherford, 17 (6/6/10)
This young backstop has all the tools, hitting 26 for 52 at Marshwood HS (Maine).

Miami (4th) - RF George Corrigan, 18 (7/6/9)
Very talented, this rightie hit .540 with 5 HR in 55 AB for Temima HS (Georgia).

Tampa (5th) - SP Ralph Turney, 19 (4/9/8)
Injuries have plagued this young rightie, who threw 99 Ks with a 1.54 ERA in 76 IP for Bardstown HS (Kentucky).


Post-Draft Minor League Rankings

Miami (187)
New Orleans (169)
Dallas (163)
Atlanta (153)
San Antonio (142)
Memphis (141)
Norfolk (123)
Carolina (120)
Jacksonville (83)
Nashville (68)
Houston (67)
Tampa (39)


Top Minor League Records

AAA Greenville (ATL) - 32-20
AA Macon (NWO) - 36-15
A Beaumont (SAN) - 31-21

[jmm8356]

July 1, 1951

Three guesses who's leading the East? Well if it's July, it must be the Norfolk Clippers, who go 19-8 in June including an eight-game winning streak versus Tampa and Carolina beginning June 9 to take a 1 1/2 game lead over Atlanta. The Flyers, meanwhile, drop from first to fourth after a pair of five-game losing streaks.

Meanwhile, the Battle for Texas heats up in the Western Division, with Dallas and San Antonio holding identical 47-33 records 8 1/2 games clear of third-place New Orleans. Drifters closer Chase Kirkham (5-1, 18 SV, 2.06 ERA, OAVG .214) is having yet another stellar year at age 32.

Elsewhere in the West, Memphis rightfielder and career .271 hitter Larry Richards hit for the cycle against New Orleans June 3, and Nashville's Bill Ebeling throws two consecutive one-hit shutouts, beating Houston on June 14 and Memphis on June 19.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

SS Greg Benz (HOU) - Hit .423 with 7 HR and 23 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Vernon Elswick (MEM) - Went 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

2B Ted DeRouen (NOR) - Hit .400 with 3 HR, 18 RBI, and 15 2Bs

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Ted Knott (ATL) - Went 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA, WHIP 1.08


Western Division Standings

Dallas........ 47 - 33 .588 -
San Antonio... 47 - 33 .588 -
New Orleans... 38 - 41 .481 8.5
Memphis....... 36 - 42 .462 10
Houston....... 35 - 45 .438 12
Nashville..... 32 - 48 .400 15

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 46 - 35 .568 -
Atlanta....... 44 - 36 .550 1.5
Miami......... 42 - 38 .525 3.5
Carolina...... 40 - 40 .500 5.5
Jacksonville.. 37 - 42 .468 8
Tampa......... 35 - 46 .432 11

[jmm8356]

July 10, 1951

HOUSTON - Darrell Shehan goes three for three, and Shehan, Travis O'Connell, and John Theiss each drive in three as the Eastern All-Stars defeat the West, 14-9. Rick Vance gives up three walks, then three singles with no outs in the East's decisive five-run 6th. Steve Bruce (W, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K) is the only effective pitcher for the East, while Western starter Bill Ebeling (L, 2 1/3 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K) is hit hard in a four-run 1st inning.


Western Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Joseph Palmer (SAN) - 10-3, 2.85, OAVG .203

C David Standley (SAN) - .293, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 47 BB

1B Chris Roseboro (NWO) (2) - .346, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 51 R

2B Lee Pinkney (NWO) (2) - .292, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 47 R

3B Tony Fairman (HOU) - .309, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 40 R, 26 SB

SS Greg Benz (HOU) (3) - .361, 18 HR, 58 RBI, 66 R, 56 BB

LF Buck Blasingame (NSH) - .263, 13 HR, 43 RBI

CF Mike Walton (NSH) - .260, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 18 2Bs, 26 SB

RF Matthew Tallman (HOU) (3) - .261, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 15 SB

Reserves

SP Paul Jones (NSH)
SP Bill Wetzel (NWO) (2)
SP Roland Woods (NWO) (2)
SP Gordon Ringer (DAL)
SP Ken Schleicher (SAN)
SP Bill Ebeling (NSH)
MR Terry Autrey (SAN)
CL Chase Kirkham (DAL) (2)
MR Rick Vance (MEM)
C Joe Deutsch (NWO) (4)
1B Jeff Hickox (DAL) (3)
CF Jeff McGovern (DAL) (3)
LF Mark Clark (SAN) (3)
RF Charlie Sharpe (SAN) (3)
SS Ken Bennett (SAN) (4)
SS Raymond Timmerman (NSH) (3)


Eastern Division All-Stars

Starters

SP Joe Melton (NOR) (3) - 11-4, 2.94, WHIP 1.23

C Mike McCreary (CAR) - .299, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 15 2Bs, 31 BB

1B Brian Gray (MIA) (2) - .348, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 53 R, 25 2Bs, 59 BB

2B Ted DeRouen (NOR) (3) - .338, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 48 R, 26 2Bs

3B Travis O'Connell (ATL) (4) - .355, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 49 BB

SS Darrell Shehan (ATL) (4) - .315, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 50 BB

LF John Theiss (CAR) (3) - .316, 18 HR, 62 RBI, 58 R, 18 2Bs

CF Scott Heyer (NOR) (3) - .302, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 58 R, 59 BB, 24 SB

RF Joe Thomas (MIA) - .295, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 55 R, 52 BB

Reserves

SP Earl Cole (CAR) (2)
SP Benjamin Rusch (ATL)
SP Henry Combs (ATL)
SP Dave Haskell (TAM) (3)
SP Don Braddock (TAM)
SP Steve Bruce (JAX) (3)
MR Lou Colby (CAR)
CL Jeff Wozniak (CAR) (2)
MR Dave Samuelson (NOR) (2)
C Greg Olson (JAX)
1B Casey Pattison (NOR)
RF Rick Brown (NOR) (2)
CF Dave Floyd (JAX) (2)
LF Raymond Smith (NOR)
3B Richard Safford (JAX) (4)
3B Bob Wall (CAR)

[jmm8356]

August 1, 1951

Break up the Clippers! Norfolk goes 20-6 in July to take a nine-game lead of the Eastern Division. The defending champs have won eight of their last nine, including a three-game sweep of second-place Atlanta last week. CF Scott Heyer (.323, 19 HR, 69 RBI, 72 BB, 31 SB) again leads the top offense in the league.

Carolina's Tom "Juice" Birt (6-3, 3.93) cannot catch a break; he is out for the season with a torn bicep on July 4 after going down on opening day last year with the same injury.

In the West, a three-horse race is developing as New Orleans surges to within three games of San Antonio with Dallas just one game out of the top spot. The Pelicans rent SP Lawrence Gladden (6-12, 4.57) for a couple weeks to turn SP Roland Woods (to Carolina July 16, 9-4, 2.90) into CL Jeffrey May (from Nashville July 30, 3-4, 4 SV, 3.28). In other transactions news...

Memphis gets 37-year-old $8.3 million 2B John Foster (.247, 6 HR, 28 RBI) from Jacksonville for prospect SP Charlie Munford (2-9, 3.97 in AA Augusta) on July 30.

New Orleans adds Pitcher of the Month Paul Jones (12-5, 2.74) and cash for Bill Wetzel (9-2, 1.98), who's now on his fifth team in the last three years.

1B Brian Gray (.358, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 33 2Bs) will remain a Miami Meteor for the next seven years at $11 million a season. Other extensions around the league include:

Dallas SS Jerry Carroll (.263, 17 HR, 56 RBI) gets $7.5 million for three years.

Jacksonville 2B Richard Safford (.277, 7 HR, 49 RBI) gets $7.4 million for three years.

Tampa SP Dave Haskell (9-9, 3.81, OAVG .210) gets $8.5 million for three years.

Tampa CF Nick Bacon (.302, 7 HR, 45 RBI) gets $7.9 million for three years.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

1B Kevin "Pluto" Pierce (MEM) - Hit .429 with 3 HR and 12 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Paul Jones (NWO) - Went 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA for Nashville

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

1B Brian Gray (MIA) - Hit .455 with 5 HR and 20 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

John Williford (ATL) - Went 3-1 with a 0.66 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 59 - 47 .557 -
Dallas........ 58 - 48 .547 1
New Orleans... 56 - 50 .528 3
Memphis....... 51 - 54 .486 7.5
Houston....... 46 - 60 .434 13
Nashville..... 46 - 60 .434 13

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 66 - 41 .617 -
Atlanta....... 57 - 50 .533 9
Miami......... 53 - 54 .495 13
Carolina...... 50 - 57 .467 16
Jacksonville.. 49 - 57 .462 16.5
Tampa......... 47 - 60 .439 19

[jmm8356]

September 1, 1951

Though Norfolk continues to hold a comfortable seven game lead in their quest for a three-peat, Miami goes 20-7 in August, including an eight-game win streak over San Antonio, Dallas and Houston, to keep the Clippers honest. Meteors 1B Brian Gray (.348, 22 HR, 83 RBI, 99 BB, 40 2Bs) is making a bid for the Eastern Division Triple Crown but is five homers and 14 RBIs shy of the Western leaders overall.

The West is not expected to be decided until the final weekend of the season, with San Antonio holding a precarious two game lead over both Dallas and New Orleans. Switch-hitting SS Ken Bennett (.337, 26 HR, 97 RBI, 87 BB, 19 SB) tops the Missions' offense, second in the league in batting (.272).


Western Division Batter of the Month:

CF Charlie Norwood (NWO) - Hit .368 with 6 HR and 27 RBI

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Ronald Absher (NWO) - Went 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA, 9 BB in 54 1/3 IP

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

1B Nick Crouse (TAM) - Hit .305 with 7 HR and 24 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Keith "Superfly" Ward (MIA) - Went 6-0 with a 1.19 ERA


Western Division Standings

San Antonio... 73 - 61 .545 -
Dallas........ 71 - 63 .530 2
New Orleans... 71 - 63 .530 2
Memphis....... 64 - 70 .478 9
Nashville..... 60 - 74 .448 13
Houston....... 59 - 75 .440 14

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 80 - 54 .597 -
Miami......... 73 - 61 .545 7
Atlanta....... 67 - 68 .496 13.5
Carolina...... 64 - 70 .478 16
Jacksonville.. 62 - 72 .463 18
Tampa......... 61 - 74 .452 19.5

[jmm8356]

September 29, 1951

Three teams remain in contention for the Western Division pennant. New Orleans and San Antonio are tied for the lead with Dallas two games back with two to play. The Missions have been no-hit twice in September, a 6-1 loss to the Pelicans thanks to Tim Hathcock (9-7, 1 SV, 2.75, WHIP 1.11 in 131 IP) and Jared Whetstone (2 SV, 6.00) on September 18, and again yesterday at Nashville by Everett Lane (8-9, 3.93). The 2-1 loss to the Hounds plus New Orleans' 12-4 victory over Memphis knotted the division for the final weekend. The Drifters were shutout at Houston, 3-0, setting up two must-wins for Dallas Saturday and Sunday with the Buffaloes.

Meanwhile, Norfolk clinched their third postseason in a row on September 20 with a 5-2 win over Tampa. The Clippers will have the best record in the CBA for the second year running.


Western Division Standings

New Orleans... 87 - 73 .544 - (Magic: 3)
San Antonio... 87 - 73 .544 - (Magic: 3)
Dallas........ 85 - 75 .531 2
Memphis....... 76 - 84 .475 11
Houston....... 72 - 88 .450 15
Nashville..... 69 - 91 .431 18

Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 95 - 65 .594 -
Miami......... 83 - 77 .519 12
Atlanta....... 82 - 78 .512 13
Carolina...... 78 - 82 .487 17
Jacksonville.. 76 - 84 .475 19
Tampa......... 70 - 90 .438 25

[jmm8356]

September 30, 1951

Nashville 9, San Antonio 6

NASHVILLE - Alfred Mitchum (L, 6-3, 2/3 IP) is rocked for five runs on five hits in the 1st, and San Antonio never regains the lead as the Hounds top the Missions, 9-6, in front of a subdued crowd of 19,085 at Capitol Field. Nashville 1B Duane Noland hits a three-run shot in the opening frame, and both SS Raymond Timmerman and pinch-hitter Dave Murray add two-run blasts to the effort. Lawrence Gladden (W, 8-16, 6 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 1 K) gets the victory despite a shaky performance, while John Logsdon throws a perfect 9th for the save, his 20th.

Memphis 10, New Orleans 1

NEW ORLEANS - RF Jason Music and 1B Fred Sweitzer both add 3 hits, including solo shots, to the Blues' total of sixteen as Memphis crushes New Orleans, 10-1, to keep the Pelicans tied with the Missions with only one game to go. Douglas Agan (W, 6-6, 5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K) is nearly more effective with his bat than his arm, going three for three with two runs and three RBI, including a two-run double off Tim Hathcock (L, 9-8, 3 2/3 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 3 BB, 2 K) in the 4th. Tate, Gendron and Englehart combine for 3 2/3 innings of perfect relief.

Houston 7, Dallas 1

HOUSTON - The Drifters waste a golden opportunity and are instead eliminated from the Western Division race with a 7-1 loss to Houston. Back-to-back taters by 2B Dave Winters (2 for 4) and C Ron Cowell (1 for 3, 2 R) give Houston the lead in the 2nd, and LF Jim Durham's (3 for 4) three-run double off John McElveen (L, 7-10, 2 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K) with two down in the 3rd put the game away. Clyde Tedeschi (W, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K) threw 103 pitches in just 5 2/3 innings, so Will Bergen (1 H, 3 K) handled the final three frames for the cheap save (16 SV).

[jmm8356]

October 1, 1951

New Orleans 2, Memphis 0

NEW ORLEANS - CF Malcolm Harris doubles and scores, SS Terence Hurlburt triples and scores, and Pelicans pitchers scatter eight hits to shut out Memphis, 2-0, and send New Orleans to their first Confederate Series. 1B Chris Roseboro scored Harris with a groundout in the 1st, and C Mark Jost scored Hurlburt with a pinch hit off Steven Mackay (L, 11-11, 7 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K) in the 7th. Ronald Absher (W, 15-12) allowed seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, while Forsythe, Bivins and May (SV, 20) gave up just one in the final eight outs.

Nashville 5, San Antonio 4

NASHVILLE - Four hits and two errors, all with two outs, in a five-run Nashville 5th seals San Antonio's fate as the Hounds edge the Missions, 5-4. Miscues by LF Mark Clark and 2B Clark Mercer extended the inning, while Don Skelly (L, 15-8, 6 IP, 5 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 K) gave up three singles and a double after getting the first two batters to fly out. Bill Ebeling (W, 15-16, 7 2/3 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 3 BB, 7 K) struggled with his location all night, but Al Shanahan and Rick Olander (SV, 3) needed just thirteen pitches to spoil San Antonio's playoff run.

Elsewhere, Dallas beats Houston, 9-2, to finish two games back in the West.


Western Division Batter of the Month:

2B Lee Pinkney (NWO) - Hit .343 with 6 HR, 15 RBI and 15 R

Western Division Pitcher of the Month:

Don Skelly (SAN) - Went 5-1 with a 2.01 ERA, lost final game of San Antonio's season

Eastern Division Batter of the Month:

RF Raymond LaVallee (ATL) - Hit .371 with 7 HR and 20 RBI

Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:

Roland Woods (CAR) - Went 4-0 with a 2.90 ERA


Final Western Division Standings

New Orleans... 88 - 74 .543 -
San Antonio... 87 - 75 .537 1
Dallas........ 86 - 76 .531 2
Memphis....... 77 - 85 .475 11
Houston....... 73 - 89 .451 15
Nashville..... 71 - 91 .438 17

Final Eastern Division Standings

Norfolk....... 95 - 67 .586 -
Atlanta....... 84 - 78 .519 11
Miami......... 83 - 79 .512 12
Carolina...... 80 - 82 .494 15
Jacksonville.. 78 - 84 .481 17
Tampa......... 70 - 92 .432 25

[jmm8356]

October 3, 1951

Confederate Series Preview

The Norfolk Clippers are attempting to win their third straight Confederate Series with two-time Manager of the Year, Lloyd Jorgensen. Norfolk has yet to finish under .500 in their four year history.

Clippers pitchers allowed the fewest runs (661) in the league this season, due in large part to leftie Joe Melton (19-8, 2.80, 183 Ks in 263 2/3 IP), last year's series MVP Ken Chilton (12-7, 3.59) and free agent acquisition Bruce Landry (14-8, 3.56). Southpaw closer Dave Samuelson (7-8, 41 SV, 2.70) had another solid year.

Norfolk was third in the league in batting (.268), but first in homers (146), walks (771) and runs scored (816). Leftie CF Scott Heyer (.306, 27 HR, 95 RBI, 114 R, 102 BB, 40 SB) is again the main catalyst, but RF Rick Brown (.267, 20 HR, 79 RBI, 144 BB), 2B Ted DeRouen (.311, 15 HR, 81 RBI, 47 2Bs) and 1B Casey Pattison (.313, 11 HR, 90 RBI, 99 BB) also contribute to this solid lineup.


New Orleans finished fifth in 1949 and 1950 before winning the Western Division pennant this season under Andrew Brasfield. The Pelicans have homefield advantage, but had identical home and road records (44-37) this season. New Orleans won seven of their twelve meetings with Norfolk on the year.

New Orleans allowed the second-fewest runs (685) in the CBA, thanks to three 15-game winners, Ronald Absher (15-12, 2.58 ERA, WHIP 1.06), Paul Jones (15-7, 3.11, WHIP 1.09) and Joe Trudeau (15-11, 3.92, WHIP 1.15). Tim Hathcock (9-8, 1 SV, 3.07, WHIP 1.17) was also effective in the rotation down the stretch. Closer Jeffrey May (3-7, 20 SV, 3.70), acquired in a deadline deal with Nashville, came into his own in September (11 SV).

Pelicans hitters led the league in batting (.272) but were just third in runs scored (734) with few homers (128, 7th), walks (480, 9th), or stolen bases (117, 10th) to speak of. Switch-hitting 1B Chris Roseboro (.326, 27 HR, 78 RBI, 88 R, 192 H) hit 10 for 22 in last year's Confederate Series for Memphis. 2B Lee Pinkney (.309, 20 HR, 73 RBI, 87 R, 23 2Bs), CF Charlie Norwood (.284, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 22 2Bs) and C Joe Deutsch (.261, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 19 2Bs, 9 3Bs, 23 SB, 26 CS) can each hit the ball hard and deep.

[jmm8356]

October 12, 1951

Confederate Series Recap

Game 1 - Wednesday, October 3 - New Orleans 6, Norfolk 2

NEW ORLEANS - 1B Chris Roseboro goes 4 for 4, scoring twice and driving in three, as the Pelicans beat the Clippers by a 6-2 score. Roseboro doubled in 2B Lee Pinkney and scored on RF Steve Wilkie's (2 for 4) two-run single off Ken Chilton (L, 5 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 4 K) in a four-run New Orleans 3rd. Pinkney (2 for 4) tripled, scoring P Paul Jones (W, 6 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K) from first in the at-bat before Roseboro. Roseboro tied the game in the 1st with a solo shot, and Norfolk CF Scott Heyer (3 for 4, 2 R) also homered to close the scoring with one run in the 8th.


Game 2 - Thursday, October 4 - Norfolk 4, New Orleans 0

NEW ORLEANS - Joe Melton (W, 7 H, 1 BB) fans ten Pelicans as he shuts out New Orleans, 4-0, on 115 pitches. Ronald Absher (L, 6 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K) is equally effective against the Clippers until two outs in the top half of the 6th. 2B Ted DeRouen is plunked, CF Scott Heyer and RF Rick Brown both draw walks, then 1B Casey Pattison (2 for 4) singles to left, scoring two for Norfolk. The Clippers tack on two more in the 7th with a triple by 3B Tom Swaim, a single by LF Raymond Smith (2 for 4), and a double by DeRouen.


Game 3 - Saturday, October 6 - New Orleans 11, Norfolk 5

NORFOLK - LF Charlie Norwood's (2 for 5, 2 R) three-run blast is one of just two extra-base knocks out of seventeen Pelicans hits as New Orleans clobbers Norfolk, 11-5, stunning a sold out Harbor Stadium into silence. Norwood's 462-foot bomb in the 6th found the Elizabeth, but was largely academic after five New Orleans runs in the 4th and 5th innings off Bruce Landry (L, 4 2/3 IP, 6 R, 11 H, 1 BB, 3 K). RF Steve Wilkie (3 R) and SS Terence Hurlburt both collect three hits, along with Norfolk CF John Smith. Tim Hathcock (W, 7 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K) was firing on all cylinders for New Orleans, while the Clippers tag Franklin Bivins (1/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H) for four in the 9th before Sam Forsythe (2/3 IP) ends the nonsense with just five pitches.


Game 4 - Sunday, October 7 - New Orleans 3, Norfolk 2

NORFOLK - 1B Chris Roseboro's (2 for 5) leadoff solo shot off Ken Chilton (L, 0-2, 1 IP, 3 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 5 K) caps a two-run Pelicans third as New Orleans squeaks by Norfolk, 3-2, to take a three-games-to-one lead in the series. Paul Jones (W, 2-0, 7 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K) singled in the 2nd to score SS Terence Hurlburt, and Hurlburt singled in the 3rd to score CF Malcolm Harris with the game-winner. Jones walked the bases loaded with no outs in the 8th, then Raymond Smith singled off Charlie Stultz, scoring two, before Franklin Bivins got three straight outs on six pitches with the go-ahead run on first. Jeffrey May walked one but whiffed two for the save (1) in the 9th.


Game 5 - Monday, October 8 - New Orleans 7, Norfolk 2

NORFOLK - 2B Lee Pinkney hits five for five with three RBIs as New Orleans brings the West their first CBA championship with a 7-2 victory. Pinkney drove in the winning run in the 3rd, scoring C Joe Deutsch from first on a triple off Joe Melton (L, 1-1, 6 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 4 BB, 2 K). SS Terence Hurlburt goes 3 for 5 with two runs; CF Malcolm Harris and Deutsch also score twice for the Pelicans. Ronald Absher (1-1, 9 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K) threw 68 strikes in 114 pitches for the complete game victory. 1B Chris Roseboro is named series MVP, hitting 10 of 20 with two taters, four runs, and six RBIs.

[jmm8356]

October 13, 1951

Year In Review


Western Division Most Valuable Player

SS Ken Bennett (SAN) - .322, 33 HR, 119 RBI, 102 R, 100 BB, 24 SB

Western Division Hurler of the Year

Ronald Absher (NWO) - 15-12, 2.58 ERA, WHIP 1.06, 44 BBs in 264 2/3 IP

Western Division Rookie of the Year

Not awarded.

Western Division Manager of the Year

Andrew Brasfield (NWO) - Won 88 games, an eight game improvement, and 1st Western Division pennant in Pelicans history


Eastern Division Most Valuable Player

1B Brian Gray (MIA) - .342, 25 HR, 95 RBI, 91 R, 48 2Bs, 112 BB

Eastern Division Hurler of the Year

Joe Melton (NOR) (2) - 19-8, 2.80 ERA, 183 Ks and 56 BBs in 263 2/3 IP

Eastern Division Rookie of the Year

SP Ted Knott (ATL) - 11-9, 3.44 ERA in 27 GS, 37 BBs in 198 2/3 IP

Eastern Division M