Confederate Baseball Dynasty (fictional) - Page 3

jmm8356 · 10-15-2004, 12:11 AM

Bonus Insert - Organization-Wide Depth Chart

FA = Major League Free Agent next year
fa = minor league free agent next year
fa* = potential minor league free agent on 40-man roster

jmm8356 · 10-15-2004, 11:26 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 4 - April 10, 1972

Our Flyers are off to another fast start, winning five of six to take a half-game lead over Jacksonville. The team opens the home schedule tonight against Norfolk. After three games against the Clippers, the Atlanta Flames come to State Fair Park for a four-game set (including Baseball Cap Day on Friday).

Last Week's Results

Apr 3 - OFF

Apr 4 - at NOR - W 4-3

After scoring the game's first run with a solo shot in the 6th, Mike Weber (3 for 3) also scores the winning run, going home on a wild pitch in the 8th. Matt Halstead (6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K) takes a shutout into the 6th, but John Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 K) picks up the win after blowing the save in the 7th.

W - Jahnke (1-0)
SV - Bingham (1)
HR - Weber (1)

Apr 5 - at NOR - W 1-0

Jeff Harvey's RBI-single with two out in the top of the 9th drives in Weber (1 for 3, 2 SB) for the game winner. Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K) and Clippers starter Otto Kemper (8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) duel to a draw in a tense contest where both managers are ejected, Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 5th and Norfolk's Mark Erwin in the 9th. George Thorn (1/3 IP) gets the final out in the 8th to win his eighth straight decision, a streak that began in September 1970.

W - Thorn (1-0)
SV - Bingham (2)

Apr 6 - at NOR - L 3-5

Clippers 1B Tommy Quinn (3 for 4, 2 RBI) breaks a three-all tie with a solo shot in the 4th off Keith Becker (5 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K), scoring what stands up as the losing run on a cold night at Harbor Stadium. Snow falls several times during the game, including a 51-minute snow delay in the 4th. Steven Robinson goes 2 for 3 with a run from the leadoff spot for the losing cause. Adding injury to insult, Dave Powell cries out after making a throw in the 8th and leaves the game. The diagnosis is a torn rotator cuff, ending Powell's season (and at age 38, possibly his career).

L - Becker (0-1)

After the game, Dave Powell is put on the 60-day DL, and LF Frank Thomas [6/4/5] (last year: .188 in 80 AB in bigs, .293 in 205 AAA AB) is recalled from AAA Winston-Salem.

Apr 7 - at TAM - W 3-1

Alan Bruns, in his first game as the starting shortstop, hits a two-run homer in the 2nd, handing the Tomahawks their first loss of the season (after a four-game sweep of Atlanta). Bud Fox (7 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) earns the first win by a Flyers starter this year; Terry Bingham (1 IP, 3 K) strikes out the side on thirteen pitches in the 9th for his third save.

W - Fox (1-0)
SV - Bingham (3)
HR - Bruns (1)

Apr 8 - at TAM - W 13-2

Bruns (3 for 6, 2B, R, 3 RBI), Steven Robinson (3 for 5, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB) and Paul LaFontaine (3 for 5, 2B, R, 2 RBI) each collect three of the Flyers' nineteen hits. Justin Nowlin (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) even gets into the action, hitting an RBI-double, drawing a walk and scoring twice.

W - Nowlin (1-0)

Apr 9 - at TAM - W 5-1

Halstead (9 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 7 K) throws his first complete game in over three years to sweep the Tomahawks at Teflon Field, while Valentine Stephens goes 2 for 3 with a pair of two-baggers, including a three-run double in the 4th.

W - Halstead (1-0)

Last week: 5 - 1
This month: 5 - 1
Overall: 5 - 1, 1st, +1/2 on Jacksonville

Who's Hot

Nobody!

Who's Not

Nobody!

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

I'm never posting another lineup in this paper again! Every time I do, within three games someone gets hurt, making that lineup invalid. This time, it bites Dave Powell bad... We'll end up paying $702,000 for each of his ten at-bats...

On the plus side, this gets Alan Bruns into the lineup, something I had wanted to but just couldn't figure out how to do it... Problem solved, I suppose...

Paul LaFontaine is struggling to find his stroke. He started the year 0 for 14 before going 4 for 10 over the weekend...

Of course, nobody was hitting the ball in the first few games, either for us or against us... but now the team batting average is .255 so I'm less concerned now...

On the flip side, the pitching staff is off to a super start, holding opposing batters to a .203 mark...

Can't wait to get to State Fair Park and raise that pennant! See you there!

jmm8356 · 10-17-2004, 05:38 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 5 - April 17, 1972

Winning five of seven, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 1 1/2 games. The club finishes this homestand with three against Tampa (including Batting Glove Day on Wednesday), then visits Atlanta for three games after their first off day on Thursday.

Last Week's Results

Apr 10 - vs NOR - W 5-2

Bill Morgan (5 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K) throws five shutout innings despite putting the leadoff man on second in his first four frames, and the bullpen of Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Thorn (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K), Randolph (2/3 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1/3 IP) hangs on for the Flyers' fourth straight victory. Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 5, scoring two and driving in one, while Steven Robinson hits 2 of 4 with three RBIs. Clippers SS Alec Dew has a 4 for 4 night with two doubles and a run in a losing effort.

W - Morgan (1-0)
SV - Bingham (4)

Apr 11 - vs NOR - W 10-4

Mike Weber hits a three-run homer in the 8th, while Dale Francis goes 1 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Keith Becker (8 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 4 K) makes a solid start; Clark Davidson (0 for 2, 2 BB, 2 R) steals three bases, giving him seven swipes in this young season.

W - Becker (1-1)
HR - Weber (2)

Apr 12 - vs NOR - L 4-6

Bud Fox (2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H) is hit hard before he doubles over in pain, leaving the game in the 3rd inning with a torn tricep. He is out for the year. Meanwhile, the bullpen of Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H), Houston (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K), Thorn (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K) does not fare much better, while the Flyers' bats manage just six hits. Alan Bruns (1 for 1, 3 BB, R, RBI) reaches base in all four plate appearances.

L - Fox (1-1)

After the game, Bud Fox is placed on the 60-day DL, while Bill Frazier [5/7/5] (last year: 0-3 in 4 GS, 6.66, WHIP 1.93) is recalled from Winston-Salem.

Apr 13 - vs ATL - W 6-1

Justin Nowlin (8 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 8 K) puts on a clinic, while Bruns (2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI) is one of four Flyers with two hits on the night.

W - Nowlin (2-0)

Apr 14 - vs ATL - L 1-4

Entering a tie game with the bases loaded and two out, Terry Bingham (0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) walks Flames C Carl Janke on his eleventh pitch to force in a run, then gives up a single to SS Mike Orton to score two more. Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER) is hung with the loss, but his runner reaches base on an error by Bruns. After a fly out, George Thorn (1/3 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB) beans former teammate 1B Chris Wayman (1 for 2, HR, 2 R) and walks the bases loaded after another fly out, setting the stage for Janke's marathon battle with Bingham. Matt Halstead (7 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 K) pitches well, holding another former teammate, 2B Russ Roderick, to an 0 for 4 night.

L - Hodgkins (0-1)

Apr 15 - vs ATL - W 9-5

A two-run homer by Weber (2 for 4, 2B) in the 6th and a grand slam by LaFontaine in the 7th give the Flyers a come-from-behind win. Morgan (5 1/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K) struggles, but Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 1 K) earns the win by finishing the 7th and pitching a perfect 8th.

W - Randolph (1-0)
HR - LaFontaine (1), Weber (3)

Apr 16 - vs ATL - W 7-5

LaFontaine (3 for 4, 2 R) and Francis (2 for 3) both hit two-run homers in the 2nd. while Davidson scores twice on a 2 for 4 night. Becker (8 IP, 5 R, 10 H, 5 K) stumbles late, allowing four runs in his final three innings, but Bingham (1 IP, 2 K) closes it out for his fifth save.

W - Becker (2-1)
SV - Bingham (5)
HR - LaFontaine (2), Francis (1)

Last week: 5 - 2
This month: 10 - 3
Overall: 10 - 3, 1st, +1 1/2 on Jacksonville

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 7 games: 14-27 (.519), 2 HR, 9 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 7 games: 10-27 (.370), 0 HR, 5 RBI
Currently on a 12-game hitting streak

Who's Not

Steve Brown
Last 5 games: 1-12 (.083), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 3 RBI

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Well, things are going great despite lackluster performance from Clark Davidson (.224, OBP .296) at the top of the order, plus Valentine Stephens (.229, OPS .559) and Steve Brown (.189, OPS .500) at the bottom of the lineup. It's still too early to evaluate, but these three need to show me something in the next couple weeks or else...

I'd say Paul LaFontaine found his groove! A .519 week is nothing to sneeze at...

Two season-ending injuries in two weeks reminds me just how lucky we were last year... Losing Bud Fox makes me even more glad we picked up Justin Nowlin. Otherwise, we'd have both Bill Frazier and Christopher Horan in the rotation, when I'm not convinced that either one is ready...

The pitching has been solid overall... except for John Jahnke. His season stats so far are not pretty: 6 G, 4 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 3 K ... That's a 9.00 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP!

Anyway, so far, so good... so c'mon down and cheer us on!

jmm8356 · 10-18-2004, 05:32 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 6 - April 24, 1972

The Flyers continue to edge ahead of the Eastern Division pack, now two games clear of the Jacksonville Ospreys. The club returns to Charlotte today to host a trio of Western teams, Houston for two (including Mini Bat Day today), Dallas for two and Memphis for three (with Retro Game Day on Saturday).

Last Week's Results

Apr 17 - vs TAM - L 5-9

Entering the game with a two-run lead in the 7th, John Jahnke (0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 H, 1 BB) loads the bases with the help of Clark Davidson's error at second, one of four Flyers miscues on the night (two by Darrel Robinson at first). Kevin Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H) tries to salvage the situation but gives up a two-run double and a two-run single for the second bullpen loss of the season. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) makes a Quality Start by the barest of margins, throwing 115 pitches in just six innings.

L - Jahnke (1-1)

Apr 18 - vs TAM - L 2-3

Tomahawks CF David Powell, last year's MVP, hits a three-run homer in the 3rd off Justin Nowlin (5 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 K), while the Flyers manage just eight singles by eight different batters, their second straight game without an extra-base hit.

L - Nowlin (2-1)

Apr 19 - vs TAM - W 4-3

Steven Robinson (1 for 4, R, 2 RBI) extends his career-best hitting streak to fourteen games, while Dale Francis (2 for 4, SB) scores twice and Valentine Stephens drives in two as the Flyers make due with eleven singles, going without an extra-base hit in the entire series against Tampa. Matt Halstead (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) does not see the three-run Carolina 6th, so Justin Randolph (1 IP) earns his second win. Jahnke (2/3 IP), Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H) secure the victory on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park.

W - Randolph (2-0)
SV - Bingham (6)

Apr 20 - OFF

Apr 21 - at ATL - W 2-1

Francis' two-out single in the 8th scores Davidson with the game winner. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K) takes a shutout into the 6th, but Randolph (1 IP, 2 K) is again in the right place at the right time for his second win in as many games. Mike Weber's solo shot in the 6th put the first run on the board for either team.

W - Randolph (3-0)
SV - Bingham (7)
HR - Weber (4)

Apr 22 - at ATL - W 6-2

Stephens goes 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs, while Steven Robinson (1 for 4, 2B) adds two runs and two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to sixteen games. Keith Becker (3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) leaves the game with a sore shoulder but is not expected to miss his next start. Justin Randolph (2 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) earns his third win in as many games with help from Houston (2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 K) and Jahnke (2 IP, 1 BB).

W - Randolph (4-0)

Apr 23 - at ATL - W 2-1

Steven Robinson, 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs from the leadoff spot, hits a solo homer in the 5th that holds up as the game winner and extends his hitting streak to seventeen games. Nowlin (7 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K) completes the sweep of the Flames; Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) needs just nine pitches for his league-leading eighth save.

W - Nowlin (3-1)
SV - Bingham (8)
HR - S. Robinson (1)

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 14 - 5
Overall: 14 - 5, 1st, +2 on Jacksonville

Who's Hot

Steven Robinson
Last 7 games: 11-26 (.423), 1 HR, 7 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 6 games: 8-21 (.381), 0 HR, 7 RBI

Justin Nowlin
Last 4 games: 3-1, 1.95 ERA, 27 2/3 IP

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 2-0, 3.32 ERA, 19 IP

Justin Randolph
Last 7 games: 4-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 IP

Who's Not

Steve Brown
Last 5 games: 1-15 (.067), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 7 games: 3-22 (.136), 0 HR, 3 RBI

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

So far, so good... mostly due to the pitching. Our 2.44 staff ERA and .233 batting average against are best in the league... Three starters (Nowlin, Halstead, Morgan) and four relievers (Bingham, Randolph, Thorn, Hodgkins) have sub-2.00 ERAs...

There are still some conundrums looming in the lineup, though...

Clark Davidson's .278 OBP is not exactly what I need in a leadoff hitter... He'll probably end up batting eighth, rather than being benched, as Jeff Harvey is not much better (except with the glove) and twelve years older...

Steve Brown finally had an extra base hit last week, but he's still hitting .167 with a .466 OPS... The other options here aren't thrilling either... Darrel Robinson (3 for 15)? Weber to first and Lowe to catcher (1 for 11)? Call up Everett Putman (.274 at AAA) before he's really ready? I'm inclined to just wait it out a while, since we're winning and all...

On the plus side, Steven Robinson leads the East in batting average (.403)... If we drop Davidson to #8, Steven will probably be the new leadoff man...

Anyway, we're back home all next week... see you at the ballpark!

jmm8356 · 10-28-2004, 10:56 AM

[Ed. Note: Patch 6.11 was installed prior to the April 28 game.]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 7 - May 1, 1972

The Flyers enter the month of May with a 3 1/2 game lead over Jacksonville and Tampa in the Eastern Division. After an off day today, the club begins a two-week trip to the West, beginning with three at both Dallas and Houston.

Last Week's Results

Apr 24 - vs HOU - W 4-3

With two out in the bottom of the 9th, Dale Francis (2 for 5, 2 RBI) hits a double that scores Mike Weber (2 for 3, 2 R, RBI) from first for a thrilling Flyers victory on Mini Bat Day at State Fair Park. Though Matt Halstead (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and George Thorn (1 1/3 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) both throw well, it is Justin Randolph (1 IP, 1 H) who earns his fifth win; he now leads the league by two.

W - Randolph (5-0)

Apr 25 - vs HOU - W 9-8

After Randolph (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) and Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H) allow a couple of taters to tie the game at eight in the top of the 8th, Francis hooks one around the pole in right to give the Flyers a two-game sweep of the Buffaloes. Paul LaFontaine (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI), Alan Bruns (2 for 4, 2 R, RBI) and Jack Lowe (2 for 3, 2 RBI) each collect two of the team's fourteen hits. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gets in on the act with a two-run single in the 4th, his first big-league hit.

W - Hodgkins (1-1)
SV - Bingham (9)
HR - Francis (2), Stephens (1)

Apr 26 - vs DAL - W 7-0

Weber goes 3 for 4, scoring twice and driving in three, while Bill Morgan (6 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K) and John Jahnke (3 IP, 2 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the defending champion Drifters. Steven Robinson goes 2 for 4 with a pair of runs, extending his hitting streak to nineteen games.

W - Morgan (2-0)
SV - Jahnke (1)

Apr 27 - vs DAL - W 6-5

Weber's fly ball to left-center in the bottom of the 9th is deep enough to score a pinch-running Walt Finney from third with the game winner. After the bases are loaded by a pinch-hit walk by Clark Davidson, a pinch hit on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Frank Thomas and a walk by Steve Brown, Steven Robinson (2 for 5, R) singles home Davidson to tie the game. LaFontaine flies out to shallow right to bring Weber to the plate. Valentine Stephens (2B, 2 R, RBI) and Francis (R, RBI) both go 2 for 4 on the night, helping the Flyers win their eighth straight game despite Keith Becker (6 2/3 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 4 K) allowing four Dallas homers. Kevin Hodgkins (1 2/3 IP) earns his second win for ending the 8th with a GIDP and pitching a perfect 9th.

W - Hodgkins (2-1)

Apr 28 - vs MEM - L 4-12

Justin Nowlin (2/3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 1 BB) does not last long after beginning the game with five straight singles and a walk, and the bullpen does not fare much better, including Darrel Robinson (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB) in his second career relief appearance. Francis goes 2 for 3 with a double, a run and two RBIs, as the Flyers get little for their twelve hits on the night, thanks to five double plays by the Blues.

L - Nowlin (3-2)

Apr 29 - vs MEM - W 9-0

Halstead (7 IP, 4 H, 6 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (2 IP, 1 K) combine to shutout the Blues, while Steven Robinson goes 4 for 4, scoring twice and driving in one. Francis (2 R, 2 RBI), Weber (2 R) and Steve Brown (2 for 2) each homer on a gusty Retro Game Day at State Fair Park.

W - Halstead (2-0)
HR - Weber (5), Francis (3), Brown (1)

Apr 30 - vs MEM - L 6-9

The Flyers take a 6-1 lead into the 6th before Frazier (6 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB), Thorn (0 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB), Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 1 BB) and Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) allow eight runs in three innings. Steven Robinson hits a grand slam in the 1st but is ejected in the 3rd after striking out. The homer extends his hitting streak to twenty-three games, one shy of the team record set by Dave Powell last April.

L - Jahnke (1-2)
HR - S. Robinson (2)

Last week: 5 - 2
This month: 19 - 7 in April
Overall: 19 - 7, 1st, +3 1/2 on Jacksonville and Tampa

Who's Hot

Steven Robinson
Last 6 games: 11-19 (.579), 1 HR, 7 RBI
Named Eastern Division Batter of the Month! (.435, 2 HR, 22 RBI)

Dale Francis
Last 6 games: 8-17 (.471), 2 HR, 8 RBI
Named Eastern Division Player of the Week! (.455, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Mike Weber
Last 6 games: 9-21 (.429), 1 HR, 6 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 5 games: 7-18 (.389), 1 HR, 6 RBI

Kevin Hodgkins
Last 6 games: 2-0, 1.17 ERA, 7 2/3 IP

Who's Not

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI

A Closer Look - Carolina

The Flyers' pitchers sport the best staff ERA (2.98) in the league while second-best in runs allowed (95). Both the rotation and the bullpen are a story of the hot and the not. Matt Halstead (2-0, 1.96, WHIP 0.68) and Bill Morgan (2-0, 1.57, WHIP 1.33) have started strong, while Keith Becker (2-1, 4.70, WHIP 1.27) and Justin Nowlin (3-2, 3.49, WHIP 1.38) have struggled a bit. Relievers Terry Bingham (9 SV, 0.00 in 8 IP, WHIP 0.50), Kevin Hodgkins (2-1, 1.46 in 12 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.81) and Justin Randolph (5-0, 2.89 in 18 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.02) have been nearly flawless, as opposed to John Jahnke (4.73 in 13 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.28), Robin Houston (3.09 in 11 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.89) and George Thorn (3.18 in 11 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.41).

Despite ranking ninth in home runs (15), Carolina's offense has been the most productive (137 runs) in the CBA, thanks to the third-best numbers in batting (.278) and walks (106). LF Steven Robinson (.435, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 6 SB), RF Dale Francis (.368, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 5 2Bs) and C Mike Weber (.317, 5 HR, 17 RBI) have led the hit parade, while 1B Steve Brown (.172), 2B Clark Davidson (.222) and SS Alan Bruns (.228) have lagged behind.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Even though we're winning ballgames, there are still tough decisions to be made. Some personnel are just not producing, and as we enter a new month, it seems like a good time to see if changes need to be made...

Steve Brown is hitting just as poorly as he did last year (.182 in 110 AB) but without any of the power he displayed here (5 2Bs, 4 HR) or at Winston-Salem (23 2Bs, 28 HR). We have an off day today to make some moves, and I think Brown will be the first casualty...

Walt Finney is starting to lose a step at age 38. He's still a solid defensive outfielder, but I'd like to see more offense (.222 in 18 AB), both from the fourth outfielder slot and from someone who's making $910,000 this year. A move here is still a few weeks away, as we need a bit more time to decide who to call up...

Bill Frazier (0-0, 3 GS, 4.50, WHIP 1.61) has not impressed either... plus with six off days in May, after he starts May 6, we won't need a fifth starter for two weeks... it may be a chance to shorten the pitching staff, and give another position player a look-see...

Enough lowlights... The big highlight of the month is Steven Robinson winning Batter of the Month! It's hard to figure... I've had two different scouting staffs between last year and this year, but they both rated Steven on the low end of major league hitters... You just never know, I guess...

Anyway, time to pack... we won't be home again until the 16th, so wish us luck!

jmm8356 · 10-29-2004, 04:02 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 8 - May 8, 1972

While the Flyers split their six games last week, the Ospreys win six of seven, putting Jacksonville just one game back of Carolina's Eastern Division lead. The club has two off days this week, before both the two-game set at Memphis starting Tuesday and the three-game series at San Antonio beginning Friday.

Last Week's Results

May 1 - OFF

As the team heads for Dallas, they announce that 1B Steve Brown (.172 in 64 AB) has been designated for assignment, while OF Rick Roberts [5/4/8] is activated after being claimed via waivers from Miami last week. Roberts hit .280 with 16 homers and 102 walks for AAA Winston-Salem last year before becoming a minor league free agent. By moving Bruns to first and Francis to short, Roberts will be starting in right and batting leadoff, according to manager Jeremy McGrath.

May 2 - at DAL - W 7-4

The Flyers score four in the 8th to tie it up, then three more in the 9th to win this contentious battle at Mercury Field. Dale Francis is ejected in the 1st, Drifters RF Douglas Andre and manager Douglas MacFarlane are both tossed in the 3rd, and Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath gets the heave-ho in the 7th, all for arguing balls and strikes. Meanwhile, Bill Morgan (6 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 4 K) has a lackluster outing, but the bullpen holds Dallas to just two hits over the final three frames. Rick Roberts goes 3 for 5 in his Flyers debut, while Darrel Robinson hits 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, batting fourth after Francis' departure. Steven Robinson draws a bases-loaded walk in the 8th while 0 for 3 on the night, but he gets up again in the 9th and smacks an RBI-single to right, tying the team record with his 24-game hitting streak.

W - Randolph (6-0)
SV - Bingham (10)

May 3 - at DAL - L 1-7

Two Flyers errors lead to three unearned runs in the Drifters' 6th to put the game out of reach. After a poor throw to first by Keith Becker (6 IP, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K), Alan Bruns (2 for 3) slips on wet grass (rain also caused a 54-minute delay in the 4th), committing his second error at first this year and putting two on with one out. Dale Francis (2 for 4) hits a double, driving in the sole Carolina tally; Steven Robinson goes 1 for 3 to set the new team record hitting streak at twenty-five and counting.

L - Becker (2-2)

May 4 - at DAL - L 2-3 (10)

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, George Thorn (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H) gives up a hit batsman and a single to put runners on the corners, then Drifters SS Wade Hudson drives a Kevin Hodgkins (0 IP, 1 H) pitch past the drawn-in infield for the game winner. Justin Nowlin (6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K) throws well, rebounding from last week's disasterous start. Paul LaFontaine goes 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI, while Clark Davidson hits 2 of 4, but Steven Robinson goes 0 for 4, snapping his hitting streak.

L - Thorn (1-1)
HR - Francis (4)

After the game, the team announces that LF Walt Finney (.222 in 18 AB this year, .219 in 274 AB last year) has been traded to Dallas for a player to be named later [read: a complete lamebrain of a minor leaguer ]. 1B Everett Putman [6/2/4] (.308 in 107 AAA ABs this year, .309 with 29 2Bs in 440 AA ABs last year) is purchased from Winston-Salem to fill the roster spot.

May 5 - at HOU - W 3-2 (15)

Clark Davidson needed seven at-bats to extend his career high seven-game hitting streak, but perhaps he was just waiting for the right moment. His single to left with two down in the 15th scores Rick Roberts from third with the game-winning run. George Thorn (2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) picks up the win after snapping a eight-decision winning streak the previous day. Robin Houston (1 IP) throws a perfect 15th for his first save since 1969. LaFontaine goes 3 for 6 with a double and a two-run homer.

W - Thorn (2-1)
SV - Houston (1)
HR - LaFontaine (3)

May 6 - at HOU - W 2-0

Bill Frazier (7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K), Justin Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 K) combine to shutout the Buffaloes. Frazier even gets his second career hit and scores on one of Roberts' (2 for 4, R, RBI) two doubles on the night. Everett Putnam also collects career hit #2, going 2 for 3 in his first start at first base.

W - Frazier (1-0)
SV - Hodgkins (1)

May 7 - at HOU - L 0-1

Buffaloes SS Douglas Dewberry (2 for 4) homers off George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H) in the 8th for the only run of the night. A stellar effort by Morgan (6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K) is overshadowed by Houston's Ronnie Simpson (W, 3-3, 9 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K), who holds Carolina to just three baserunners in the game.

L - Thorn (2-2)

Last week: 3 - 3
This month: 3 - 3
Overall: 22 - 10, 1st, +1 on Jacksonville

Who's Hot

Nobody!

Who's Not

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 1-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Frank Thomas
Last 7 games: 1-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Valentine Stephens
Last 5 games: 2-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 2-17 (.118), 0 HR, 0 RBI

A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

An 18-14 record has Winston-Salem tied for third amongst Eastern Division AAA teams. Even with the departure of Everett Putman (age 23, .308, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 8 2Bs), there is still plenty of hitting left on this club, such as LF John Trull (age 32, .350, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 8 2Bs), 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 27, .364, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 8 2Bs) and 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .326, 4 HR, 24 RBI). Top prospect C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .293 in 58 AB, 3 HR, 8 RBI) is just returning from a strained abdominal muscle.

The pitching has been less impressive. Christopher Horan (age 21, 2-3, 4.50, WHIP 1.14) and Tom Merchant (age 28, 2-1 in 4 GS, 3.00, WHIP 1.30) are the only starters worth noting thus far, while the bullpen of Floyd Myers (age 25, 2.33 in 19 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.19), Dave Elliot (age 29, 3-1, 6 SV, 3.00 in 18 IP, WHIP 1.28), Chad Williams (age 34, 0.60 in 15 IP, WHIP 1.07) and Johnny Westerman (age 24, 1.42 in 6 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.79) has picked up the slack.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

For some reason, our bats have gone completely dead, especially against Houston... With three days off out of the next eight, let's hope some R&R will help the hitters get back on track...

Steve Brown ended up being claimed on waivers by San Antonio... Not a big loss, as he's never shown that he can hit at this level... Walt Finney, on the other hand, I was hoping would make it through waivers, but Norfolk and Dallas both claimed him. Since Dallas was "outclaimed", I decided to see if they would give us anything for him, and "anything" was just about what we got... A fifth-round pick from last year who is 6-13 with a 4.99 ERA in 24 A-ball starts... He will be named later to spare him (and us) the embarrassment...

Roberts gives us a much better on-base from the leadoff spot than Davidson had shown thus far... The only trouble is, with Putman's promotion and Francis moving to short, Alan Bruns is odd man out yet again. He hasn't been especially productive (.239) but he's not going to get any better riding the pine...

Off days on the road are always a drag... what this team needs is a table tennis tournament! Anyway, wish us luck and see you next week!

jmm8356 · 10-30-2004, 01:05 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 9 - May 15, 1972

Winning four of their five games last week, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 2 1/2 games over new second-place rival Tampa. After an off day today, the club finally returns to State Fair Park to play three against New Orleans (including Mini Bat Day on Wednesday), followed by three with Nashville.

Last Week's Results

May 8 - OFF

May 9 - at MEM - W 5-4 (11)

Alan Bruns' pinch hit with two down in the top of the 11th scores Mike Weber (0 for 2, 3 BB, 2 R) from second to win this seesaw game. Entering a two-all tie with one on and two out in the 8th, George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H) gives up a RBI-double. The Flyers score two in the top of the 9th to retake the lead, but Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) blows his first save of the year with a little help from Dale Francis (3 for 6, 2B, 2 R, RBI), who makes his first error at short. Keith Becker (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 2 K) throws well, but Kevin Hodgkins gets the win (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K); Justin Randolph (1 IP, 1 K) earns the save.

W - Hodgkins (3-1)
SV - Randolph (1)

May 10 - at MEM - W 17-3

With three runs in the 1st, five runs in the 3rd and six runs in the 9th, the Flyers top the Blues by two touchdowns for the two-game sweep. Seventeen hits and fourteen walks (including seven with the bases loaded) propel Carolina to victory. While Matt Halstead (7 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 4 K) is pitching a solid game, twelve different Flyers get a hit, led by Bruns (2 for 5, 3 R), Weber (2 for 3, 2B, 2 R, RBI), Rick Roberts (2 for 3, 4 BB, R, 2 RBI) and Everett Putman (1 for 5, 3 R, 2 RBI). Halstead even contributes, hitting a two-run double and scoring in the 3rd.

W - Halstead (3-0)
HR - LaFontaine (4)

May 11 - OFF

May 12 - at SAN - L 1-2

Talk about adding insult to injury! First, Bill Morgan (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K) is hit by a line drive off the bat of Missions CF Paul Goode in the 5th, then he is hung with the loss when John Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) allows Goode to score. Morgan leaves the game with a broken jaw; he may be out for as long as a month.

L - Morgan (2-1)

After the game, Morgan is put on the DL, but no immediate replacement is called up.

May 13 - at SAN - W 6-4

Frank Thomas goes 3 for 5, hitting his second career homer in the 4th. while Clark Davidson (2 for 5, R) and Jack Lowe (2 for 4, RBI) both add a pair of hits to the winning effort. Justin Nowlin (5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) struggles with his control but gets the win.

W - Nowlin (4-2)
SV - Bingham (11)
HR - Thomas (1)

After the game, the team activates SP Ken Green [7/5/5] (3.52 in 15 1/3 IP this year, 9-13 with a 3.75 ERA in AA Daytona (DAL) last year), recently claimed on waivers from Memphis.

May 14 - at SAN - W 5-3

Valentine Stephens hits 3 for 5, including a three-run homer in the 3rd, while Weber's (1 for 2, 2 BB, 2 R) 443-foot shot to right scores two in the 1st. Becker (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K) has a decent outing; Hodgkins (1/3 IP), Randolph (1 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) close out the Carolina win.

W - Becker (3-2)
SV - Bingham (12)
HR - Weber (6), Stephens (2)

Last week: 4 - 1
This month: 7 - 4
Overall: 26 - 11, 1st, +2 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Frank Thomas
Last 5 games: 8-16 (.500), 1 HR, 2 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 4-12 (.333), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Matt Halstead
Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 20 IP

Who's Not

Mike Sutton
Last 6 games: 2-14 (.143), 0 HR, 3 RBI

A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory has the second-best record in Double-A, 22-15. The most impressive hitters thus far have been the team's catchers, Frank Saville (age 30, .348, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 7 2Bs, 23 BB) and Ron Ayres (age 32, .320 in 50 AB, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 12 BB). 2B Martin Sansone (age 25, .323, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 6 2Bs, 9 SB), SS Kyle Smith (age 30, .295, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 27 BB) and LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .281, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 26 BB) also contribute to this veteran squad. Starters Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 2-1, 3.34, WHIP 1.04) and Chase Nelson (age 25, 4-0, 2.44, WHIP 1.31) have thrown well, along with relievers Tim Pauly (age 35, 11 SV, 1.61 in 22 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.21) and Dave Reed (age 28, 3.32 in 21 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.11). Wilbert Cagle (age 22, 3-2 in 4 GS, 2 SV, 4.46 in 34 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.49) is just getting comfortable after making the transition from closer to starter.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

See how lucky we were last year? Now half of the opening day rotation is on the disabled list! Ken Green is one of those guys who was a hot prospect, once upon a time, but he's been kicking around the minors for quite a while now... He's still just 26, though, and he's with his third team this year... Miami tried to send him down, but Memphis claimed him, then the Blues tried to send him down, but we claimed him! We probably would have tried to send him down too, but since we have a hole in the rotation, we might as well see what he can do...

It looks like the hitters got the memo, but Memphis pitching makes everybody look good... I mean, seven RBI-walks?! Enough said...

Everett Putman looks more and more like a guy who's not quite ready for the bigs... 1 for 11 last week makes him 3 for 18 (.167) overall... so Alan Bruns might break back into the lineup after all...

Robin Houston is skating on thin ice too... A 1.86 WHIP in 16 2/3 IP is not quite what I'm looking for, especially for $1.3 mil...

But besides all that, things are great! Back home again this week, so c'mon down to the ballpark!

jmm8356 · 11-01-2004, 01:14 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 10 - May 22, 1972

By sweeping Nashville, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 3 1/2 games. The club has a day off today before finishing this homestand with three against San Antonio (with Batting Glove Day on Wednesday), then the team heads for a weekend set at New Orleans.

Last Week's Results

May 15 - OFF

May 16 - vs NWO - W 3-1

Alan Bruns (2B, RBI), Paul LaFontaine (RBI) and Frank Thomas (R) all hit 2 for 4, collecting six of the seven Flyers hits on the night. Matt Halstead (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 K) is inexplicably gassed after 62 pitches, so Houston (2/3 IP), Randolph (1 IP, 1 H), Thorn (1 IP, 2 K), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) hold the Pelicans scoreless for the final 4 2/3 innings.

W - Thorn (3-2)
SV - Bingham (13)

May 17 - vs NWO - L 3-11

Bill Frazier (5 IP, 7 R, 10 H, 2 BB, 6 K) is pounded all over the park, and Robin Houston (1/3 IP, 3 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) walks the bases loaded before giving up a grand slam to Pelicans 2B Matt Clayton, removing all doubt and sending the 35,099 fans home early on Mini Bat Day. Former Flyer Gene Arndt (6 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K) continues last year's revenge; LaFontaine goes 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.

L - Frazier (1-1)

May 18 - vs NWO - L 2-5

Justin Nowlin (6 IP, 5 R, 13 H, 2 BB, 7 K) is pounded even harder than Frazier as the Flyers lose the series to the Pelicans. Jack Lowe hits a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded in the 9th that scores two, but LaFontaine is thrown out trying to score from first.

L - Nowlin (4-3)

May 19 - vs NSH - W 8-2

A six-run Flyers 4th, keyed by Valentine Stephens' (2 for 3, 2B, 2 R) two-run triple, is more than enough to win this wet one at State Fair Park. A 63-minute rain delay in the 4th keeps Keith Becker (4 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K) from going five, so John Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB) picks up the win. Clark Davidson (R, 2 RBI) and Mike Weber (2 R, RBI) both go 2 for 4 on the night.

W - Jahnke (2-2)

May 20 - vs NSH - W 10-4

After a scoreless pitcher's duel between Ken Green (7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K) and Nashville's Rudy Barnard (L, 2-2, 6 1/3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 5 BB, 2 K) through 5 1/2 innings, the Flyers open the floodgates with two in the 6th. The Hounds get one back in the top of the 7th, but Carolina plates three more in the bottom half. Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB) gives up a three-run homer (after an error by Stephens at third) to make it a one-run game once again in the 8th, but the home team puts up a five-spot to put the game away. Davidson goes 3 for 4 with a stolen base, an RBI and two runs, while Thomas (2 for 2, R), Dale Francis (2 for 4, R) and Lowe (pinch-hit 2B, R) each drive in a pair.

W - Green (1-0)

May 21 - vs NSH - W 4-3

A dramatic end to a exciting game at State Fair Park today. With the Flyers leading 3-1 in the 9th, Francis (2 for 3) makes a wide throw to first that puts the leadoff batter on base. Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB) then comes in and promptly gives up a triple and a two-out single to tie the game, his second blown save this year. However, Darrel Robinson (2 for 4, HR) leads off the bottom half with a double and is replaced by pinch-runner Steven Robinson. After an intentional walk to Everett Putman and a fielder's choice by Mike Weber, there are runners on the corners with one out. Mike Sutton hits a grounder to Hounds 3B Rudolph Pendergrass, who throws to second without checking the runner at third! The relay to first is not in time, Steven Robinson scores, and the assembled 30,897 go crazy as Carolina completes the sweep. Halstead (5 IP, 3 H, 1 K) pitches a great game but is again tired after just 62 pitches. Davidson goes 2 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, a run and an RBI.

W - Bingham (1-0)
HR - D. Robinson (1)

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 11 - 6
Overall: 30 - 13, 1st, +3 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 5 games: 7-16 (.438), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Clark Davidson
Last 5 games: 8-19 (.421), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 5 games: 8-20 (.400), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Rick Roberts
Last 6 games: 2-17 (.118), 0 HR, 2 RBI

A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

At 25-18, Columbus is second amongst Eastern Division A-ball teams. The star of the show thus far has been SS Will Blazer (age 24, .292, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 31 R, 9 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 10 SB), though CF Patrick Sommer (age 26, .286 in 49 AB, 4 HR, 11 RBI) has also hit well after being demoted from Hickory. Also contributing are 3B Mike King (age 23, .280, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 27 R, 28 BB, 13 2Bs) and C James Rodgers (age 24, .277 in 65 AB, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 17 BB). As for pitchers, Bruce Ford (age 25, 4-0, 3.23, WHIP 0.96) is off to a fast start, along with Brian Skidmore (age 27, 1.59 in 22 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.15) and Rick Wilhoit (age 21, 1.80 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.10) out of the bullpen.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Another starter bites the dust! It was such a shock to see Matt Halstead laboring after 55 pitches on Tuesday... I was hoping it was just a fluke thing, but the same thing happened yesterday... The radar gun doesn't lie, and you can't throw 83 mph fastballs for too long and survive... The scouts gave me a couple warnings, but I didn't think his endurance would drop off _that_ much!

Well, I can't have a starter that can barely go four innings, so for now, I'm moving Halstead to the bullpen and Justin Randolph into the rotation... That gives me three weeks (until Morgan comes back from his injury) to figure out what to do with Robin Houston. Once Houston goes, Randolph will probably go back to the pen...

Besides that, it was a pretty good week... The only thing that bothers me is that we only hit one homer all week long... Nothing I can do about it, but it bugs me that we've hit just 22 longballs while allowing 32 taters against us...

Guess that's about it... see you at the ballpark!

jmm8356 · 11-03-2004, 03:17 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 11 - May 29, 1972

The Flyers continue to stretch their Eastern Division lead, now 4 1/2 games ahead of Tampa. After an off day today, the club finishes their road trip with two games at Nashville, followed by a four-game set against Miami at State Fair Park.

Last Week's Results

May 22 - OFF

May 23 - vs SAN - W 5-3

Darrel Robinson's pinch hit in the 8th scores two, then Terry Bingham (1 IP) throws a six-pitch 9th for the Flyers' fourth straight win. Kevin Hodgkins (1/3 IP) picks up the win for getting the final out in the top of the 8th after Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 1 K) gives up a two-out single. Everett Putman goes 3 for 3 with a run, taking his average from a .154 to a .241 mark, while Mike Weber scores twice and drives in two with a homer in the 4th.

W - Hodgkins (4-1)
SV - Bingham (14)
HR - Weber (7)

Before the next game, the club announces a trade with Memphis, sending SP Matt Halstead (3-0, 1.84, WHIP 0.79) and 3B Valentine Stephens (.263, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 10 2Bs) to the Blues. In return, the Flyers receive 3B Mike Schaaf [9/6/4] (.325 in 40 AB), RP Oscar Matthews [7/8/4] (3.10 in 29 IP, WHIP 1.24) and SP Jeremiah Davis [9/4/7] (15-9, 3.38, WHIP 1.36 last year). Davis ruptured a disc in April and is out for the season.

May 24 - vs SAN - W 4-3 (14)

The Flyers win an exciting and dramatic Batting Glove Day in front of 36,326 at State Fair Park. Down by two with two out in the 9th, an Putman pinch hit, Rick Roberts walk and Weber "pinch walk" load the bases. Pinch-hitter Steven Robinson hits an easy grounder to Missions 2B Dave Mikel, but he bobbles it and then throws it away, allowing the two tying runs to score. Leading off the bottom of the 14th, Dale Francis hits a single that gets past San Antonio RF Ed Jorge for an extra base. After an intentional walk to Alan Bruns, an out at third on the bunt by Jeff Harvey and a single by Putman, the bases are loaded again, this time for Roberts. With the infield back, Rick hits another grounder to Mikel at second but beats the relay throw to first, scoring Bruns with the game-winner. Though George Thorn (3 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K) is nearly perfect in the 10th through 13th, Oscar Matthews (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) gets the win in his first appearance for the Flyers. Both managers are tossed for arguing some contentious calls behind the plate: San Antonio's Harry Easterday in the 9th and Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 12th.

W - Matthews (4-1)

May 25 - vs SAN - W 4-3 (12)

Dale Francis hits a walkoff solo shot with one out in the bottom of the 12th, ending another dramatic extra-inning affair and extending the Flyers' winning streak to seven games. Again both managers watch the finish from the clubhouse: Jeremy McGrath gets tossed in the 9th, while Harry Easterday gets the heave-ho in the 10th. Darrel Robinson breaks a two-two tie in the 8th with an RBI-double, but ex-Flyer C Mark Johnson (4 for 4) hits his second homer of the night off Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB) to begin the 9th. Clark Davidson goes 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a two-run homer.

W - Jahnke (3-2)
HR - Davidson (1), Francis (5)

May 26 - at NWO - L 5-6 (11)

A depleted Flyers bullpen finally loses in its third straight extra-inning game. Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 K), pitching for the fourth consecutive day, throws a perfect 10th but gives up a leadoff double to New Orleans pinch-hitter Weston McAbee in the 11th. After a sacrifice bunt, Bingham (1/3 IP) enters his fourth straight game but allows a fly ball off the bat of Pelicans SS Dave Brown that's deep enough to score McAbee from third. The Flyers take a 5-1 lead into the 8th, but Justin Nowlin (7 2/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) and Thorn (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) give up three, then Robin Houston (0 IP, 1 R, 2 H) and John Jahnke (1/3 IP, 1 H) allow three two-out hits in the 9th to tie the game. Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 6, scoring twice, while Francis hits 2 of 6 with a two-run double in the 4th.

L - Hodgkins (4-2)

After the game, the team announces that RP Robin Houston (5.40 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.90) has been designated for assignment, while RP Dave Elliot [7/6/6] (9 SV, 2.78 in 22 2/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.32) has been purchased from Winston-Salem.

May 27 - at NWO - L 0-4

Pelicans starter Jim Wright (W, 3-1, 9 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) shuts out the Flyers on six hits, all at the top of the order by Roberts (3 for 4, 2B), LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2B) and Francis (1 for 3). Justin Randolph (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K) is hung with a tough loss in his first start of the year, while Dave Elliot's (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 K) debut does not go too well. Elliot's ERA stands at a healthy 54.00 mark.

L - Randolph (6-1)

May 28 - at NWO - W 6-5

Mike Schaff's three-run double in the 1st sets the Flyers on their way to a 6-0 lead. However, Frazier (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 3 K) gives up five hits for three Pelicans runs in the 6th, then Jahnke (2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB) allows two more in the 8th to make it a one-run game. Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 1 BB), making his fifth appearance this week, closes out the 8th and throws a perfect 9th, earning the save and preventing a New Orleans sweep. Steven Robinson hits 2 for 5 with a run and an RBI, while Mike Weber (1 for 3, 2B, RBI) scores twice.

W - Frazier (2-1)
SV - Hodgkins (2)

After the game, the team announces that 2B Eddie Chaney [5/5/4] (.250 in 28 AB this year, .388 in 49 AB last year) has been claimed via waivers from Norfolk and assigned to the major league roster. 2B Jeff Harvey (.244 in 21 AB this year, .218 in 87 AB last year) is designated for assignment to free up a roster spot.

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 15 - 8
Overall: 34 - 15, 1st, +4 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Darrel Robinson
Last 8 games: 7-17 (.412), 1 HR, 4 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 8 games: 12-31 (.387), 1 HR, 5 RBI

Jack Lowe
Last 7 games: 6-16 (.375), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Rick Roberts
Last 5 games: 7-19 (.368), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 5-16 (.313), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Who's Not

Alan Bruns
Last 6 games: 0-14 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mike Sutton
Last 8 games: 1-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Mike Schaaf
Last 8 games: 3-23 (.130), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Frank Thomas
Last 5 games: 2-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI

A Closer Look - Carolina

The Flyers' pitching staff remains the best in the league, tops in ERA (2.96), opponent's average (.244) and runs allowed (178) while just seventh in homers (35). With Bill Morgan (2-1, 1.97, WHIP 1.27) still 7-10 days away from coming off the DL, new members of the rotation Ken Green (1-0 in 4 GS, 2.67, WHIP 0.96) and Justin Randolph (6-1, 1.66 in 38 IP, WHIP 1.11) have taken up the slack, though Keith Becker (3-2, 3.61, WHIP 1.12) has also begun to recover from his slow start (4.70 ERA in April, 2.56 ERA in May). Meanwhile, the bullpen of Terry Bingham (14 SV, 0.47 in 19 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.83), Kevin Hodgkins (2.25 in 24 IP, WHIP 1.17), George Thorn (2.30 in 27 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.13) and Oscar Matthews (2.81 in 32 IP, WHIP 1.22) has continued its dependable work.

Carolina's offense ranks fourth in scoring (240) and second in walks (223) but has lost ground in batting (.268), steals (34) and homers (25). The heart of the order in CF Paul LaFontaine (.332, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 31 R, 27 BB, 7 2Bs), SS Dale Francis (.340, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R, 10 2Bs) and C Mike Weber (.282, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 35 R, 28 BB) have led the way, while LF Steven Robinson (.357, 2 HR, 30 RBI) has cooled in May (.236) after a torrid April (.435). 2B Clark Davidson (.237, 24 R, 14 SB) and 1B Everett Putman (.227 in 44 AB) continue to struggle at the plate, but newcomer RF Rick Roberts (.294 in 85 AB, 19 BB) has stepped into the leadoff spot with a .423 on-base percentage.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

A lot of changes to the roster this week... That might seem strange, considering our success so far, but you have to keep an eye on next year and an eye on the bottom line, even if you're winning this year...

After some hesitation, we realized that paying Matt Halstead $8.6 mil for the next four years to be our #4 or #5 reliever was not really in our best interest. Oscar Matthews had been the Memphis closer, while Mike Schaaf is just 21 and one of the league's top prospects. He's off to a slow start with us, but he could easily be a .330 to .350 hitter before too long... Valentine Stephens became the odd man out, and $1.2 mil is a bit much for a backup... As for Jeremiah Davis, he basically just evens up the financials a bit... Rather than sending $4 million in cash to Memphis, instead we take $4 mil in dead salary off their hands and get a solid starter for next season...

Eddie Chaney is not a big difference from Jeff Harvey, but he's a little cheaper, a little faster, and a little better with the leather...

Robin Houston was getting $1.3 mil after a breakout year last season, which was already a lot for a mop-up man... but now he can't pitch an inning or two without giving up a run, and I can't have that...

With Houston gone, there's nobody left in the bullpen that Justin Randolph can displace, so I guess he'll have to stay in the rotation with Frazier being optioned down when Morgan returns...

Well, I've got about a hundred amateurs to scout for Thursday's draft... so see you at the ballpark!

jmm8356 · 11-04-2004, 09:30 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 12 - June 5, 1972

After winning five of six last week, the Flyers hold a commanding seven game lead over Tampa for the Eastern Division pennant. After a day off today, the team wraps up this homestand with two games against Jacksonville before hitting the road for four at Norfolk.

Last Week's Results

May 29 - OFF

May 30 - at NSH - W 2-1

Mike Weber and Mike Schaaf both hit RBI-singles in the 8th to give the Flyers a comeback win. Following a stellar performance from Keith Becker (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 K), Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) pitches out of trouble in the 7th but walks to the dugout very gingerly. Matthews may miss as much as a month with back spasms. Clark Davidson hits 2 of 4 but is caught stealing; Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) needs just seven pitches to earn his league-leading fifteenth save.

W - Matthews (5-1)
SV - Bingham (15)

After the game, Oscar Matthews is put on the disabled list, and RP Dave Brown [5/8/3] (1-1 in 2 GS for Tampa this year, 3.60 in 10 IP, WHIP 1.70) is purchased from Winston-Salem, where he has a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings of relief with a 1.14 WHIP.

May 31 - at NSH - W 4-0

Ken Green (9 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 4 K) throws a two-hit shutout, the first of his career, while Everett Putman goes 3 for 4 with a run. Schaaf adds a two-run triple with two down in the 8th and scores on a wild pitch to secure the two-game sweep of the Hounds.

W - Green (2-0)

June 1 - vs MIA - L 1-8

Justin Nowlin (4 1/3 IP, 8 R, 7 H, 4 BB, 3 K) is hit hard, while the Flyers manage just four hits off Meteors starter Rick Parker (6 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 3 K) and friends. As for bright spots, Putman goes 2 for 4, improving his average to .291, and Dave Elliot (2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 3 K) throws great in long relief.

L - Nowlin (4-4)

June 2 - vs MIA - W 5-1

Justin Randolph (8 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 K) puts on a clinic but cannot quite go the distance, so Bingham (1/3 IP, 1 K) gets the game-ending whiff after the Flyers' third error loads the bases in the 9th. Paul LaFontaine goes 4 for 5 with two runs, while Dale Francis hits 3 of 4 with an RBI before making his 5th error in the 9th.

W - Randolph (7-1)
SV - Bingham (16)

June 3 - vs MIA - W 6-3

Mike Sutton hits an RBI-triple and scores on Putman's pinch hit, breaking a three-all tie with a two-run 6th. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) throws a solid game, then Jahnke, Hodgkins and Thorn close out the win. Frank Thomas goes 1 for 4, scoring once and driving in two.

W - Frazier (3-1)
SV - Thorn (1)

June 4 - vs MIA - W 12-0

Becker (8 IP, 6 H, 4 K) and Dave Brown (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the Meteors on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park, while the 40,092 assembled Flyers fans are treated to twelve runs on sixteen hits led by Alan Bruns (3 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI), Thomas (3 for 5, R, 2 RBI), LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Schaaf (3 for 4, R, RBI). A three-run homer by Jack Lowe followed by a back-to-back shot by Bruns in the 8th is the icing on the cake.

W - Becker (4-2)
HR - Lowe (1), Bruns (2)

After the game, the club sends RF Mike Sutton (.200 in 60 AB) down to Winston-Salem and purchases the contract of LF John Trull [5/6/5] (.325 in 212 AAA AB, 15 HR, 60 RBI).

Last week: 5 - 1
This month: 3 - 1 (17 - 8 in May)
Overall: 39 - 16, 1st, +7 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 5 games: 8-19 (.421), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Ken Green
Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 24 IP

Who's Not

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 1-14 (.071), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 1-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Justin Nowlin
Last 3 games: 0-2, 8.50 ERA, 18 IP

A Closer Look - The Amateur Draft

1st Round - 1B John Radcliffe, 18 [6/6/8] - $171,000
A left-handed pull hitter, Radcliffe hit .476 at St. Paul Central (Minnesota).

2nd Round - RP Warren Spellman, 18 [7/8/7] - $35,000
Spellman, a rightie, struck out 50 batters in 48 2/3 innings for Kempner HS (Georgia).

3rd Round - 3B Charlie Flanagan, 19 [6/3/6] - $25,000
Flanagan hit .508 at Alpena HS (Arkansas).

4th Round - RP Bob Allen, 23 [4/9/8] - $25,000
Allen may develop into a right-handed starter after going 10-3 with a 2.74 ERA for Morehead State.

5th Round - 2B Mark Gott, 18 [6/2/5] - $25,000
From Kickapoo HS (Missouri), Gott hit .516 last year.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Pretty good, eh? I never would have expected a seven game lead in the first week of June...

Bill Morgan is due back by the weekend, so I think we're gonna see if Justin Nowlin can clear waivers after some recent sub-par performances... Justin Randolph is throwing too well to go back to the pen, while Bill Frazier has won his last two starts...

We ended up releasing Jeff Harvey after he cleared waivers but refused a minor league assignment... Guess I'll have to be more careful with my free agency offers in the future...

I wasn't really planning on taking so many teenagers in this year's draft, but it just kinda worked out that way... Unlike last year, everybody in this year's draft class is starting out in Single-A...

Anyway, c'mon out to the ballpark and see us while we're hot!

jmm8356 · 11-05-2004, 11:43 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 13 - June 12, 1972

Both the Flyers and Tomahawks won five of their six games last week, so Carolina does not add to their seven game lead over Tampa. The club plays four at Atlanta before returning to State Fair Park for a three-game set with Norfolk.

Last Week's Results

June 5 - OFF

June 6 - vs JAX - W 6-4

Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 4 with a double, a run and an RBI, while Ken Green (7 1/3 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 3 K) helps his own cause with a 3 for 3 night, scoring twice. Steven Robinson (1 for 4, R) drives in two; Terry Bingham (1/3 IP) throws just one pitch for his league-leading 17th save after Dave Brown (2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 1 BB) gives up a two-run homer in the 9th.

W - Green (3-0)
SV - Bingham (17)

June 7 - vs JAX - L 4-6 (10)

Taking over a 4-2 game in the 9th, Bingham (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 K) gives up a single, a triple, and a double for two Ospreys runs and a tie game. In the 10th, John Jahnke (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 K) allows two singles and a double to score two more for a series split with Jacksonville. Everett Putman hits 2 of 4 and scores a run; Justin Randolph (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K) pitches effectively but throws too many pitches to go six innings.

L - Jahnke (3-3)

June 8 - at NOR - W 4-3 (13)

Clark Davidson's (2 for 6) single down the left field line with two out in the top of the 13th scores Mike Schaaf from second to win the game for the Flyers. The Clippers tied it up with a two-run 8th off Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (0 IP, 2 H), but Thorn (2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K), Brown (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Elliot (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) held the home team scoreless for the final four frames. Frank Thomas hits 3 of 6 and drives in one, while Mike Weber goes 2 for 5 with a double, a run and an RBI.

W - Brown (2-1)
SV - Elliot (1)

June 9 - at NOR - W 6-1

Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K) stymies the Clippers for seven solid innings, while Dale Francis goes 2 for 5 with a run and an RBI.

W - Becker (5-2)

After the game, SP Bill Morgan (2-1 in 8 GS, 1.97, WHIP 1.27) is activated from the DL, while RP Dave Brown (3.95 in 13 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.61) is sent to AAA Winston-Salem.

June 10 - at NOR - W 13-7

Schaff goes 3 for 5, scoring once and driving in four as the Flyers collect seventeen hits while thumping the Clippers at Harbor Stadium. LaFontaine hits 4 of 5 with a run and an RBI, while Weber ends up with a triple, three runs and two RBIs. Bill Morgan (4 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) cannot make it five innings in his first start back, so Dave Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 1 K) picks up the win.

W - Elliot (1-0)

After the game, the team announces that SP Justin Nowlin (4-4, 5.34, WHIP 1.69) has been traded to Houston for a player to be named later. RP Dave Brown is recalled to the active roster to take his place.

June 11 - at NOR - W 7-1

Green (9 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 8 K) throws his second complete game in his last three starts to complete a four-game sweep of the Clippers. Even a 27-minute rain delay could not cool the Flyers' red-hot bats, led by Schaaf (2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI), LaFontaine (1 for 3, 2 R, RBI) and Thomas (1 for 4, 2 RBI).

W - Green (4-0)
HR - Schaaf (1)

Last week: 5 - 1
This month: 8 - 2
Overall: 44 - 17, 1st, +7 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 9 games: 21-40 (.525), 0 HR, 7 RBI

Frank Thomas
Last 6 games: 10-22 (.455), 0 HR, 5 RBI

Clark Davidson
Last 5 games: 6-19 (.316), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 5 games: 2-0, 0.84 ERA, 32 1/3 IP

Ken Green
Last 3 games: 3-0, 1.07 ERA, 25 1/3 IP

Who's Not

Rick Roberts
Last 6 games: 3-23 (.130), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 5 games: 4-21 (.190), 0 HR, 3 RBI

A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem leads all Eastern Division AAA affiliates with a 38-23 record. Swinging the hottest bat at the moment is CF John Swanson (age 26, .303 in 119 AB, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 17 2Bs), but this team is solid throughout the lineup: 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .285, 8 HR, 35 RBI), 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .308, 7 HR, 40 RBI), OF John Tidwell (age 25, .277, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 44 R, 35 BB, 12 SB), 2B Jonah Carwile (age 27, .277 in 177 AB, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 13 2Bs, 4 3Bs), C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .337 in 175 AB, 4 HR, 18 RBI), RF Rudy Olson (age 23, .312 in 125 AB, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 10 2Bs) and C Gary Armitage (age 32, .297 in 101 AB, 41 BB). 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .359 in 64 AB, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 7 2Bs) is again swinging a big bat in AAA that he has not yet been able to find in the majors. In comparison, the pitching staff does not have impressive numbers. Tom Merchant (age 28, 6-1 in 9 GS, 2.06, WHIP 1.07) and Christopher Horan (age 21, 6-5, 4.43, WHIP 1.27) top the rotation, along with Floyd Myers (age 25, 2.61 in 31 IP, WHIP 1.16), Chad Williams (age 35, 0.50 in 18 IP, WHIP 1.11) and Robin Houston (age 29, 2.25 in 4 IP, WHIP 1.25) out of the pen.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

You know, I usually find some negatives to complain about here, even when we're winning... but I'm having a hard time coming up with any...

How about the fact that we're going to get killed in arbitration next year when Justin Randolph comes in with a record like 15-6? Of course, the arbitrator won't notice that his first six wins were in relief!

Justin Nowlin refused assignment to the minors, so I was just going to stick him in the pen for long relief, but some teams were actually willing to give up something to get him... Not a lot, mind you... we ended up with a young not-quite-prospect catcher for AA Hickory... which is better than nothing, I guess...

Frank Thomas has played his way into the lineup, at least for the time being... Steven Robinson has really gone cold after that insane April...

Again almost went a whole week without a homer... We're just one tater ahead of ranking last in the league, and after four games against us next week, I'm sure Atlanta will pull ahead of us too... Avoiding homers is the one thing our pitchers can't do very well...

Well, we'll be home next weekend, so c'mon down and cheer us on!

jmm8356 · 11-08-2004, 12:24 AM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 14 - June 19, 1972

The Flyers now lead the Eastern Division by 9 1/2 games after winning six of seven last week. The club finishes this homestand with three against Atlanta (including Baseball Cap Day today), then take a day off before hitting the road for three at Miami.

Last Week's Results

June 12 - at ATL - W 6-5

After skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the bottom of the 8th for arguing a call at second base, Kevin Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gives up two runs for a 5-3 Flames lead. However, with two down in the 9th, Mike Schaaf (3 for 5, 4 RBI) hits a three-run shot to right-center, his second tater of the game, giving the Flyers a lead that Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) closes out for the fifth straight Carolina win. Justin Randolph (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K) throws a good game; Rick Roberts and Paul LaFontaine each go 2 for 5 with a run on the night.

W - Hodgkins (5-2)
SV - Bingham (18)
HR - Schaaf 2 (2,3)

June 13 - at ATL - W 12-9

LaFontaine goes 4 for 6 with two runs and three RBIs, while Dale Francis (3 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) hits an RBI-double and scores in the 8th to give the Flyers the edge in this slugfest at Lexus Park. Bill Frazier (4 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 4 K) gives up two Flames runs apiece in the 3rd, 4th and 5th, but John Jahnke (1 IP, 2 H) throws a scoreless 6th for the win. Dave Brown (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) earns his second career save; Schaaf adds three RBIs and a run on a 2 for 5 night.

W - Jahnke (4-3)
SV - Brown (1)
HR - S. Robinson (3)

June 14 - at ATL - W 8-1

Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K) hurls a great game to extend the Flyers' winning streak to seven. Everett Putman (2 for 3, R, 3 RBI), Schaaf (3 for 4, R) and Roberts (R, 2 RBI) each hit a double on the night.

W - Becker (6-2)

June 15 - at ATL - W 10-3

Francis (2 for 4, 2 R, 4 RBI) hits a three-run homer in the 7th and Jack Lowe adds a two-run shot in the 8th as the Flyers pound the Flames for the four-game sweep and their eighth straight win. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K) finds his rhythm in his second start off the DL.

W - Morgan (3-1)
HR - Francis (6), Lowe (2)

June 16 - vs NOR - W 4-3

Clark Davidson hits 2 for 4, driving in three Flyers and extending the winning streak to nine. Lowe also goes 2 for 4 and scores on Davidson's two-out, two-run single in the 6th that gives Carolina the lead after Ken Green (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K) allows three Clippers runs in the top half of the inning. Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) puts a couple runners on before securing his nineteenth save; he leads the league by four.

W - Green (5-0)
SV - Bingham (19)

June 17 - vs NOR - L 3-6

LaFontaine's three-run homer in the 6th is not enough to keep the Flyers' winning streak alive as Randolph (4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 1 K) is knocked around early and often, allowing one Clippers run apiece in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. LaFontaine's blast to right-center does keep his fourteen-game hitting streak going, however.

L - Randolph (7-2)
HR - LaFontaine (5)

June 18 - vs NOR - W 7-2

Putman's (2 for 3) three-run double caps a six-run Flyers 3rd, more than enough scoring for Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB), who also hits a double, the first of his career. Mike Weber goes 2 for 4, scoring twice and driving in one, while Steven Robinson scores once and drives in two on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.

W - Frazier (4-1)

Last week: 6 - 1
This month: 14 - 3
Overall: 50 - 18, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Everett Putman
Last 5 games: 8-17 (.471), 0 HR, 6 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 3-0, 0.82 ERA, 22 IP

Ken Green
Last 4 games: 4-0, 1.72 ERA, 31 1/3 IP

Who's Not

Clark Davidson
Last 7 games: 4-26 (.154), 0 HR, 4 RBI

A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory sports the best record in Double-A at 44-24. C Frank Saville (age 30, .332, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 42 BB) leads the offense, along with LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .284, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 42 BB), SS Kyle Smith (age 30, .266 in 184 AB, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 51 BB), 2B Alexander Potter (age 26, .308 in 143 AB, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 14 2Bs) and RF Mike Slack (age 34, .296 in 142 AB, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 13 2Bs). Recent additions to the lineup include SS Will Blazer (age 25, .417 in 72 AB) from Single-A Columbus and C Ed Setzer (age 24, .362 in 149 AB, 20 2Bs) via trade from AA Lakeland (HOU). Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 6-2, 3.63, WHIP 1.13) and Chase Nelson (age 25, 7-2, 2.74, WHIP 1.32) top the rotation; Dave Reed (age 28, 2.11 in 38 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.99) and Tim Pauly (age 35, 1.23 in 29 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.99) have impressed out of the bullpen.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Awful tough to find things to complain about after this week... We even hit six taters!

Clark Davidson is still struggling to hit at this level... After a .222 April, he rebounded with a .266 May but has hit just .228 again so far in June for a .241 overall average... Nothing we can do but play him, though, since he's out of options...

Everett Putman, on the other hand, is starting to put it all together... He's hitting .320 in June and .297 overall... So Alan Bruns will have to be content as a pinch-hitter, as there's nowhere left to put him...

Oscar Matthews might be back by the end of the month, which will send Dave Brown back to Winston-Salem...

C'mon down to the park and fill out your All-Star ballot! It's never too early to vote!

jmm8356 · 11-08-2004, 10:45 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 15 - June 26, 1972

The Flyers maintain their 9 1/2 game lead over Tampa after splitting six games last week. The team plays three at Jacksonville before beginning the homestand that will take them to the All-Star break with a four-game set against Houston (including Mini Bat Day on Friday).

Last Week's Results

June 19 - vs ATL - W 4-2

Mike Weber's (2 for 3, CS) 446-foot blast to straightaway center in the 1st scores three, giving the Flyers a lead they never relinquish to win Baseball Cap Day at State Fair Park. Keith Becker (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K) throws another great game; he's now 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his four June starts. Rick Roberts (1 for 3, SB) scores twice, while Paul LaFontaine goes 1 for 3 to extend his league-leading and career-best hitting streak to sixteen games.

W - Becker (7-2)
SV - Bingham (20)
HR - Weber (8)

June 20 - vs ATL - L 3-6

Bill Morgan (4 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K) throws 90 pitches in just four innings, handing a three-all tie to the bullpen in the 5th. Dave Elliot (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K), John Jahnke (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H) and Dave Brown (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) cannot hold the line, allowing Flames runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th. Mike Schaaf (2 for 4) hits a two-run double and scores in the 1st, while Dale Francis hits 3 of 4 with a double and a triple but is not driven in by a Flyers lineup that whiffs fourteen times. LaFontaine goes 0 for 4 with three Ks, snapping his hitting streak.

L - Elliot (1-1)

June 21 - vs ATL - L 9-10

Ken Green (1 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 1 K) makes an early exit, but the Flyers score five in their half of the 1st to make it a tie game after two. However, Brown (2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Jahnke (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 3 BB) and Elliot (1 2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K) cannot keep Atlanta off the board for the second straight game, giving the Flames a 10-5 lead after six. Carolina scores four runs in the 8th on two bases-loaded walks and a two-run single by Weber (2 for 2, 3 BB, R, 4 RBI), then has the tying run on second and the winning run on first with one out in the 9th, but pinch-hitter Steven Robinson grounds into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. Clark Davidson (R, RBI, CS) also goes 2 for 2 with three walks, while LaFontaine hits 2 of 4 with a double, an RBI and two runs.

L - Brown (2-2)

June 22 - OFF

June 23 - at MIA - W 7-3

Roberts starts off the game with his first homerun in four years, and the Flyers never look back. Justin Randolph (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K) hurls a good game, while LaFontaine (2 R, SB), Schaaf (R, RBI) and Everett Putman (R, RBI) each go 2 for 5. Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 2 K) enters the 9th with two on and one out but gets two whiffs for his twenty-first save; he leads the league by five.

W - Randolph (8-2)
SV - Bingham (21)
HR - Roberts (1)

June 24 - at MIA - L 1-3

Though Becker (6 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K) throws well, the Flyers manage just one run on seven hits off the Meteors' Don Robinson (W, 5-8, 7 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K) and associates. John Trull drives in the sole Carolina tally with a double in the 8th; LaFontaine also doubles on a 2 for 4 night.

L - Becker (7-3)

June 25 - at MIA - W 4-2

Francis hits a 433-foot, three-run shot to center in the 6th, more than enough scoring to win this contentious game behind Morgan's (7 IP, 2 R, 4 H) eleven strikeouts. The very first Meteors batter, RF Harry Cunningham, is ejected after striking out, and eventually both managers are chased: Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 4th and Miami's Randy Gerry in the 8th.

W - Morgan (4-1)
SV - Bingham (22)
HR - Francis (7)

Last week: 3 - 3
This month: 17 - 6
Overall: 53 - 21, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 7-13 (.538), 1 HR, 7 RBI

Everett Putman
Last 7 games: 8-24 (.333), 0 HR, 5 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 8 games: 4-1, 1.38 ERA, 52 1/3 IP

Who's Not

Frank Thomas
Last 12 games: 2-26 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI

A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

At 43-31, Columbus sits third in all of A-ball, 1 1/2 games behind Tuscaloosa (TAM). The star of the show is SS/3B Mike King (age 23, .297, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 43 R, 40 BB, 19 2Bs), who could be called up to Hickory any day now. The backstops are also key contributors; both starting C Matt Thompson (age 25, .300, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 42 BB, 16 2Bs) and backup C James Rodgers (age 24, .298 in 114 AB, 28 BB) have hit well. Reliever Rick Wilhoit (age 21, 3.13 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.21) is the only highlight on a lackluster staff, though this year's second-rounder, Warren Spellman (age 18, 4.24 in 17 IP, WHIP 1.35) has very respectable numbers just one month removed from high school.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Back to earth a bit this week... The Flames series was the end of a seventeen-game stretch between off days, so I can forgive the bullpen for getting knocked around a little bit...

With neither Steven Robinson nor Frank Thomas hitting the ball much, I decided it's time to try something a little different and get Alan Bruns into the lineup, so Dale Francis is starting in left this week with Bruns taking over shortstop... Bruns has done well in his limited playing time lately (.316 for 38 AB in June), so I figure he deserves more opportunity...

Oscar Matthews will be back tomorrow, so knock on wood, we'll be completely healthy other than the three season-long injuries...

With all the injuries, trades and role changes, only Keith Becker and his 2.79 ERA have enough innings to qualify for the league leaders... I think Ken Green may eventually catch up; before his last two starts, he had gone at least seven innings each time out...

Don't forget to vote for this year's All-Star team! I think we could have as many as six Carolina players on the squad this year... so vote early and often!

jmm8356 · 11-10-2004, 12:25 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 16 - July 3, 1972

The Tomahawks drop six of seven to add three games to the Flyers' Eastern Division lead, now 12 1/2 games over Tampa. Three games against Memphis (including Batting Glove Day on Tuesday) and four contests with Dallas will take the club to the All-Star break.

Last Week's Results

June 26 - at JAX - L 2-7

Another quick hook for Ken Green (1 2/3 IP, 6 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K), who has only gone three innings between his last two starts. Dave Brown (5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) does a commendable job in long relief, while Alan Bruns (2B, R, RBI) and Clark Davidson (SB) each hit 2 for 4.

L - Green (5-1)

After the game, RP Dave Brown (2.70 in 16 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.14) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so that RP Oscar Matthews (2.73 in 33 IP, WHIP 1.24) can be activated from the DL.

June 27 - at JAX - L 3-4

Bill Frazier (5 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 4 K) cannot find the plate consistently, allowing four walks during a three-run Ospreys 5th. Dale Francis (HR, 2 R, SB) and Rick Roberts (R, SB) each hit 2 of 5; Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 1 H) throws well in his first outing off the disabled list.

L - Frazier (4-2)
HR - Francis (8)

June 28 - at JAX - W 8-2

Justin Randolph (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K) not only allows just one run despite six walks but gets his first two big-league hits, an RBI-single in the 2nd and an RBI-double in the 4th. Meanwhile, Schaaf goes 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs including a solo shot in the 5th, while Roberts (1 for 5) scores once and drives in two.

W - Randolph (9-2)
HR - LaFontaine (6), Schaaf (4)

June 29 - vs HOU - W 6-4

The 30,511 fans assembled at State Fair Park today see some fireworks, both on and off the field. Francis (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Jack Lowe (2 for 4, 2 R) both hit solo shots for the Flyers, but things get heated after Buffaloes RF Richard Stark leads off the 7th with his second tater of the night off Keith Becker (6 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 8 K). The next batter, SS Douglas Dewberry, is hit by a pitch and takes about three steps towards first before charging the mound and taking a swing at Becker. Both benches clear, and two minutes later, both Dewberry and Becker are ejected. After all that, some thankfully uneventful relief work from Elliot (1/3 IP, 1 BB), Hodgkins (1 2/3 IP, 2 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) closes out the Carolina victory.

W - Becker (8-3)
SV - Bingham (23)
HR - Francis (9), Lowe (3)

June 30 - vs HOU - W 3-1

Bill Morgan (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K) throws well and helps his own cause, hitting an RBI-triple and scoring in the 3rd, then the bullpen of Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K), Thorn (1/3 IP), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) holds the Buffaloes to three hits in the final four frames to secure a Flyers win on Mini Bat Day.

W - Morgan (5-1)
SV - Bingham (24)

July 1 - vs HOU - L 4-7

Green (7 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) has another rough outing, though he does last a lot longer this go-round. LaFontaine leaves the game in the 4th after making an impossible catch in the gap to turn a sure two-run double into a sacrifice fly; he is listed as day-to-day with a stiff neck. Adding insult to injury, though, Buffaloes CF Mike Towery hits a two-run homer in the very next at-bat. Schaaf goes 2 for 3 with a double, scoring twice.

L - Green (5-2)

After the game, the team announces a trade that sends 2B Eddie Chaney (.238 in 42 AB) to Dallas for IF John Conyers [4/2/6] (.250 in 12 AB, .261 in 238 AAA ABs with 49 BB). 2B Thomas Wilkins [5/3/4] (.292 in AAA, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 13 2Bs) is purchased from Winston-Salem to fill the roster.

July 2 - vs HOU - W 10-3

Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K) does not throw particularly well but hits a two-run double and scores on Mike Weber's (2 for 2, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB) three-run homer as part of a seven-run Flyers 3rd. Everett Putman extends a career-high seven-game hitting streak with a 4 for 5 night, scoring twice and driving in two.

W - Frazier (5-2)
HR - Weber (9)

Last week: 4 - 3
This month: 1 - 1 (20 - 8 in June)
Overall: 57 - 24, 1st, +12 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Mike Schaaf
Last 5 games: 10-20 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Everett Putman
Last 5 games: 8-15 (.533), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Nobody!

A Closer Look - Carolina

Carolina's pitching continues to pace the league with a staff ERA (3.18) that's half a run better than the next best club (Dallas: 3.76). With Bill Morgan (5-1, 2.36, WHIP 1.29) back from the DL and Justin Randolph (9-2 in 7 GS, 1.95, WHIP 1.14) settling in after making the move from the bullpen, Keith Becker (8-3, 2.96, WHIP 1.09) has been the ace of the staff with Ken Green (5-2, 3.89, WHIP 1.23) throwing quite well until his last three starts. Bill Frazier (5-2, 4.72, WHIP 1.58), on the other hand, has been hit and miss all season long. The return of Oscar Matthews (2.97 in 36 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.38) means the relief staff is completely healthy as well: Terry Bingham (24 SV, 0.91 in 29 2/3 IP, WHIP 0.91), Kevin Hodgkins (2.41 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.26), George Thorn (2.66 in 40 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.23), Dave Elliot (3.20 in 19 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.12) and John Jahnke (3.77 in 43 IP, WHIP 1.37).

The Flyers' offense is still third-best in scoring (424) and walks (356) while fifth in batting (.271). However, the team still struggles to hit the longball; just 43 taters ranks them next to last. SS/OF Dale Francis (.317, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 51 R, 14 2Bs) and CF Paul LaFontaine (.349, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 51 R, 12 2Bs) continue to lead the way, with C Mike Weber (.281, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 54 R, 51 BB) beginning to show signs of rounding into form. 3B Mike Schaaf (.313 in 179 AB, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 9 2Bs) is starting to show flashes of brilliance, while backup C Jack Lowe (.313 in 80 AB, 3 HR, 15 RBI) hit three homers in 28 at-bats last month. On the flip side, 2B Clark Davidson (.239, 39 R, 38 BB, 21 SB) is still struggling to figure out big-league pitchers, and RF Rick Roberts (.245 in 196 AB, 38 BB) had an off month in June, hitting .221 with a .333 on-base.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Amazing... we gain ground on the division, even when we're not winning! ... Go figure...

Eddie Chaney was beginning to show his age, and we have a bit of a logjam of middle infielders in the minors, so we decided it was time to give somebody new a try... Wilkins is probably the only truly speedy guy on the roster (a good thing to have on the bench), plus he has insane range at second and excellent bat-handling skills... He may be on a par with Matt Kirk as far as drag-bunting goes, and that worked out pretty well last season...

With LaFontaine dinged up, I'm giving John Trull another look-see by moving Roberts to center, Francis to right and putting Trull in left... He's hitting .290 in 31 at-bats so far...

Financially, the club is in great shape... we're on pace to collect almost $2 mil more than last year from attendance revenue alone... So if you figure that we'll be in the playoffs again, we'll probably make $87.2 mil with a payroll that stands at $74.7 mil right now... We might just barely exceed the $25 mil cash cap, but we'll try to avoid that by scheduling some extra promotions in August and September... Bobblehead dolls for all!

Anyway, after this week, we won't be home again until July 27th... so c'mon down to the ballpark and cheer us on!

jmm8356 · 11-11-2004, 02:51 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 17 - July 10, 1972

Carolina gives one game back to Tampa after the Tomahawks sweep the Blues in four, making the margin 11 1/2 games for the Eastern Division lead. The Flyers go on another road trip West after the All-Star break, beginning with four at Memphis.

Last Week's Results

July 3 - vs MEM - L 5-8 (10)

Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB) allows three Blues runs in the 10th, including a pinch-hit two-run homer by former teammate Valentine Stephens, giving the win to another ex-Flyer, Matt Halstead (W, 5-2, 1/3 IP). The Flyers manage just five runs despite collecting twenty hits by leaving fourteen runners on base. John Trull (R) and Mike Weber (2 2B) each go 4 for 5, while Everett Putman (1 for 4, 2B, R) and starter Justin Randolph (5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 K) both drive in a pair.

L - Bingham (1-1)

July 4 - vs MEM - W 7-3

Mike Schaaf hits a triple and a tater, scoring twice, while Keith Becker (8 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) throws eight solid innings to save the bullpen and earn his ninth win. Alan Bruns hits 3 for 3 with a run, Weber goes 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and Putman extends his nine-game hitting streak with a 2 for 5 night, scoring once and driving in one.

W - Becker (9-3)
HR - Schaaf (5)

After the game, 2B Thomas Wilkins (2 for 6 in 3 games) is outrighted to Winston-Salem, so 2B John Conyers can be assigned to the active roster.

July 5 - vs MEM - W 3-0

Bill Morgan (7 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 6 K), Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 2 K) and George Thorn (1 IP, 1 K) combine to one-hit the Blues, but the big news of the day occurs with two out in the bottom of the 1st. Weber is hit by a pitch and leaves the game with a scratched cornea; he may miss as much as two weeks, leaving him out of this year's All-Star Game. Meanwhile, Dale Francis hits a two-run homer and Trull adds an RBI-single for a three-run Flyers 4th.

W - Morgan (6-1)
SV - Thorn (2)
HR - Francis (10)

July 6 - vs DAL - L 1-5

Drifters starter Kevin Badgett (W, 8-4, 9 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 4 K) gives the Flyers just four hits and no walks, while Ken Green (4 2/3 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 2 K) again struggles to find the form he enjoyed just a month ago. However, Green does drive in the sole Carolina tally with a single in the 3rd.

L - Green (5-3)

July 7 - vs DAL - L 6-10

Bill Frazier (1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H) allows five straight Drifters singles to begin the game, adding half a run to his 5.27 ERA in one outing. As for highlights, Rick Roberts (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI), Schaaf (2 for 5, RBI), Darrel Robinson (2 for 2, R) and John Conyers (1 for 1, 3 RBI) each hit a double, though Conyers' three-run knock only makes up for his second career relief appearance (1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB) in the top half of the 9th.

L - Frazier (5-3)

After the game, the team announces that 2B John Conyers (4 for 15 in 7 games) has been traded to Nashville for a player to be named later. RP Dave Brown (3.90 in 30 IP, WHIP 1.33) is recalled to the active roster.

July 8 - vs DAL - W 10-2

Bruns (3 for 5, HR) drives in five Flyers, and Schaaf (3 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) adds a pair of doubles as Randolph (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) puts on a pitching clinic to defeat the Drifters. Paul LaFontaine (3 for 4) and Francis (2 for 4, RBI) each score twice for Carolina.

W - Randolph (10-2)
HR - Bruns (3)

July 9 - vs DAL - W 1-0

Roberts leads off the bottom of the 1st by hooking a homer around the foul pole down the right-field line. Little did the 38,847 assembled for Baseball Cap Day at State Fair Park know that his tater would be the only scoring done this night. Becker (8 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K) throws an outstanding game with Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 BB) and Bingham (1/3 IP, 1 BB) closing it out in the 9th, outdueling Drifters starter Ed Urquhart (L, 9-6, 7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K). Clark Davidson leaves the game with a sore shoulder after making a throw in the 4th, but he expected to be 100% after the three-day All-Star break. Bruns took over for Davidson, his first action at second in three years.

W - Becker (10-3)
SV - Bingham (25)
HR - Roberts (2)

After the game, the club announces that RP Robin Houston (5.40 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.90) has been sent to Dallas in a minor league deal.

Last week: 4 - 3
This month: 5 - 4
Overall: 61 - 27, 1st, +11 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 8-15 (.533), 1 HR, 6 RBI

Mike Schaaf
Last 5 games: 21-40 (.525), 2 HR, 7 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 3-0, 1.42 ERA, 19 IP

Keith Becker
Last 11 games: 7-1, 1.82 ERA, 74 1/3 IP

Justin Randolph
Last 4 games: 3-0, 2.92 ERA, 24 2/3 IP

Who's Not

Jack Lowe
Last 6 games: 1-17 (.059), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Clark Davidson
Last 8 games: 2-20 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Everett Putman
Last 5 games: 3-17 (.176), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Ken Green
Last 4 games: 0-3, 12.89 ERA, 14 2/3 IP

Bill Frazier
Last 3 games: 1-2, 9.53 ERA, 11 1/3 IP

A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

With a record of 56-32, Winston-Salem is six games clear of the field in Triple-A. 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .292, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 51 R, 14 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 12 SB) is expecting another call from the home office any day now. 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .329 in 161 AB, 17 HR, 37 RBI, 41 R, 35 BB, 14 2Bs) is still ripping the ball off minor league pitching, and CF John Swanson (age 26, .285, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 22 2Bs) continues to impress. Other offensive contributors include: 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .298, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 20 2Bs), C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .321, 5 HR, 28 RBI), OF Rudy Olson (age 23, .312, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 14 2Bs) and C Gary Armitage (age 32, .303 in 122 AB, 46 BB).

The pitching staff caught some bad luck last week when John Wilson (age 25, 3-1 in 6 GS, 2.98, WHIP 0.87) ruptured his tricep tendon, probably ending his season, but the rotation of Tom Merchant (age 28, 10-2, 1.71, WHIP 0.90), Christopher Horan (age 21, 9-6, 4.16, WHIP 1.28) and Ray Oglesby (age 32, 10-5, 4.27, WHIP 1.27) remains strong. With Dave Brown (age 31, 2.65 in 17 IP, WHIP 1.12) making his second courtesy call to the majors, the bullpen is still solid, thanks to Floyd Myers (age 25, 13 SV, 3.64 in 42 IP, WHIP 1.26), Johnny Westerman (age 24, 2.89 in 28 IP, WHIP 1.29) and Chad Williams (age 35, 2.45 in 22 IP, WHIP 1.23).

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Looking at the Hot & Not list, it's like The Tale Of Two Teams... The top half of the lineup and the top of the rotation versus the bottom half of the lineup and the bottom of the rotation... Yet we're still winning more than we lose, so it's hard to complain too much...

Conyers was supposed to go to Winston-Salem, but he refused the assignment after clearing waivers, so we were giving him a second look when Frazier had a 1/3 inning start... Suddenly we needed an extra reliever, at least to the All-Star break, and the easiest roster spot to open was Conyers's, so he's off to Nashville... Wilkins will probably get another callup before we play again on Thursday...

Houston was a tough sell... $1.2 mil for a minor league reliever? ... But the Double-A manager started making noise that a couple of his relievers needed to go up to AAA, and the only reliever I wanted to lose from that level was Houston... so our buddies in Dallas got him for next to nothing... At least we waited until after last week's series against the Drifters... He probably would not have gotten a warm reception at State Fair Park...

I'm pretty sure Weber will be back before Lowe gets too tired from catching every day, especially when he gets three days off starting today...

Anyway, enjoy the All-Star Game, and see you next week!

jmm8356 · 11-12-2004, 01:22 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 18 - July 17, 1972

While the Flyers split four games at Memphis, the Tomahawks swept four games at Houston, giving Tampa an eight-game winning streak and cutting Carolina's Eastern Division lead to 9 1/2 games. The Flyers are next in line to face the reeling Buffaloes for three games, followed by a weekend set in Dallas after an off day Thursday.

Last Week's Results

July 10 - OFF

July 11 - ALL-STAR GAME

July 12 - OFF

Before the team heads for Memphis, RP Dave Brown (3.77 in 31 IP, WHIP 1.35) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so 2B Thomas Wilkins (2 for 6 in 3 games) can be recalled to the active roster.

July 13 - at MEM - W 6-2

Jack Lowe (2 for 5) hits a grand slam with one out in the top of the 11th to improve the Flyers' extra innings record to 6-4. Bill Morgan (8 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 K) hurls a gem _and_ hits an RBI-double in the 7th, returning the favor after Blues starter Ryan Todd (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K) tags Morgan for a triple in the 3rd. However, Terry Bingham (2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) earns his fourth blown save of the season by allowing a walk and three singles to tie the game in the 9th. Dale Francis hits 2 of 5 with a double and scores twice, while Clark Davidson goes 2 for 4 with a run.

W - Bingham (2-1)
HR - Lowe (4)

July 14 - at MEM - L 2-3

Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K) takes a tough loss as the Flyers are stymied by Blues starter Jim Bell (W, 3-9, 8 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K). After Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the 9th inning for the second straight game, Mike Weber knocks a pinch-hit two-run homer to right with two outs, making Flyers fans wish George Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 3 BB) had thrown some strikes in the 8th. Paul LaFontaine goes 2 for 4 with a run in the losing effort.

L - Becker (10-4)
HR - Weber (10)

July 15 - at MEM - W 13-4

Lowe hits a 423-foot solo shot to right-center, the longest of his career, as part of a 3 for 5 night with two runs and four RBIs. Rick Roberts (3 for 6, 3 R), LaFontaine (3 for 5, 3B, R, 2 RBI) and Mike Schaaf (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI) also collect three hits apiece, while Everett Putman goes 2 for 5 with a two-run double and scores twice. Justin Randolph (5 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 5 BB, 3 K) gets a gift win for #11, one back of Jacksonville's Jerry Salmons for the league lead.

W - Randolph (11-2)
HR - Lowe (5)

Before the next game, the club announces a trade with Norfolk, sending LF Steven Robinson (.290 in 200 AB, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 10 SB) and RF Mike Sutton (.200 in 60 AB; .286 in 21 AAA AB) to the Clippers for 3B/2B Dave Snow [8/6/5] (.255, 8 HR, 47 RBI) and a minor leaguer.

July 16 - at MEM - L 5-9

Ken Green (4 2/3 IP, 7 R, 11 H, 4 BB, 3 K) is pounded yet again, giving the Flyers a series split with the Blues. Dave Snow hits 2 of 4 with a double and a run in his Carolina debut at second base.

L - Green (5-4)

After the game, the team announces another deal, this time sending C Jack Lowe (.282 in 110 AB, 5 HR, 23 RBI) to Atlanta for LF John Hoyle [4/8/5] (.259 in 27 AB, 2 HR, 5 SB), along with a swap of minor leaguers. With the trade, 2B Thomas Wilkins (3 for 8 in 6 games) is outrighted to Winston-Salem again, so that C Tom VanWinkle [5/4/3] (.315 in 276 AAA AB, 6 HR, 33 RBI) can be placed on the active roster.

Last week: 2 - 2
This month: 7 - 6
Overall: 63 - 29, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 2-0, 0.45 ERA, 20 IP

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 2-1, 1.57 ERA, 23 IP

Who's Not

Dale Francis
Last 5 games: 3-19 (.158), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Ken Green
Last 5 games: 0-4, 13.03 ERA, 19 1/3 IP

Bill Frazier
Last 3 games: 1-2, 9.53 ERA, 11 1/3 IP

A Closer Look - Carolina's All-Stars

The Flyers had six representatives at this year's All-Star Game, just one off last year's pace:

Keith Becker did not make an appearance in his first All-Star Game, but his 9.7 Runners Per Nine ranks him third amongst all CBA starters. Over the past three seasons, Keith has compiled a record of 36-20 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.

Making his All-Star debut, Kevin Hodgkins allowed just one hit in two innings of relief. Kevin seems to have found his niche as a set-up man, blowing just four saves in twenty-two opportunities this season with a 2.48 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.

Terry Bingham did not work in his second All-Star Game, his first from the Eastern Division side. In the past two years between Dallas and Carolina, Terry has gone 9-2 with 38 saves (versus 10 blown saves) with a 2.93 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.

Dale Francis hit 2 of 3 and scored twice in his second All-Star Game. Starting 40 games at short, 25 in right and 13 in left, Dale has experienced a bit of a resurgence this year, batting over .300 for the first time since his last All-Star year, 1969 with Nashville. He has scored 59 runs and driven in 58, leading the team in both categories.

In his first Eastern All-Stars appearance but third All-Star Game overall, Paul LaFontaine went 0 for 1 with two sacrifice bunts. Along with hitting .350 and scoring 57 runs, Paul is 2 for 2 on the basepaths after stealing 48 with 48 caught stealings over the previous three years with San Antonio.

Mike Weber, still nursing a scratched cornea, did not play in his second All-Star Game. Mike was only just starting to show last year's magic (10 for 21 with 2 2Bs, 1 3Bs and 2 HR in July) when he went down with injury, but his .420 on-base is still enough to rank him fifth in the Eastern Division.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

I'll try to be brief, as we're running low on column-inches again... Too many All-Stars, I suppose...

Steven Robinson has not hit a lick since June (6 for 53, including 0 for 11 in July), so I had to send that $2.2 mil away for something useful... and Dave Snow is it... With Clark Davidson still struggling with the bat, now we have a potential .300 hitter at second...

Jack Lowe, on the other hand, we were very happy to have, except for two things... #1, he was probably going to arbitration next year and #2, the scouts had been nagging me for over a month to call up VanWinkle from AAA...

So instead we get a $2.4 million fourth outfielder who's old and can't hit much... You're probably saying "Didn't we just trade away a guy like that?"... Yeah, sorta, but John Hoyle can play great defense in left and he'll also be the "designated base-stealer"... 5-0 on the basepaths this year at age 36, and 275-51 in his career...

On the road again this week... so see you next week!

jmm8356 · 11-13-2004, 04:31 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 19 - July 24, 1972

A .500 week is enough for the Flyers to add another game to their Eastern Division lead, now 10 1/2 ahead of Tampa. The club visits the Tomahawks for three to end this road trip before returning to Charlotte to host four games against Jacksonville (including Retro Game Day on Friday).

Last Week's Results

July 17 - at HOU - W 10-6

Mike Weber hits 3 of 4 with a homer, scoring three and driving in three, while Bill Frazier (5 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K) rebounds somewhat from his 1/3 inning start ten days ago. Everett Putman goes 4 for 5 with two runs and an RBI, Rick Roberts hits 2 for 6 with two runs and two RBIs, and John Hoyle (1 for 2) hits an RBI-double and scores in his Flyers debut.

W - Frazier (6-3)
SV - Bingham (26)
HR - Weber (11)

July 18 - at HOU - L 2-7

Errors by Alan Bruns at short and Dave Snow at second lead to two unearned runs off Bill Morgan (5 2/3 IP, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB) in the 2nd, thanks to a two-run single by Houston starter Ronnie Simpson (W, 9-5, 8 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 K). Meanwhile, John Jahnke (1 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 BB) allows four singles in the 8th for three more Buffaloes runs to put the game out of reach. Snow (2 for 3, R, RBI), Paul LaFontaine (2 for 4, RBI) and Putman (1 for 3, 2B, R) collect all five Flyers hits on the night, with Roberts, Weber, Francis and Schaaf all going 0 for 4.

L - Morgan (6-2)

Elsewhere, former Carolina first-round pick SP Walt Russell, sent to Nashville as part of the Dale Francis deal last July, earned his first win: a one-hit shutout at Norfolk, striking out eight and walking four on 100 pitches.

July 19 - at HOU - L 2-3

Keith Becker (8 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) takes a bit of a tough loss, throwing the fourth complete game by a Flyers starter this season. While LaFontaine goes 4 for 5 with a double, he only scores once, on a single by Weber (2 for 4, RBI). Francis adds a solo shot in the 4th, but Rick Roberts goes 0 for 5, making him 2 of 15 on the series.

L - Becker (10-5)
HR - Francis (11)

July 20 - OFF

July 21 - at DAL - L 1-5

Justin Randolph (5 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 7 BB, 3 K) cannot find the plate, while Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H) and Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 K) do not fare much better against the Buffaloes. The Flyers, on the other hand, manage just one run on eight hits, with Francis hitting 2 of 4.

L - Randolph (11-3)

July 22 - at DAL - W 8-5

Roberts goes 2 for 4 with two runs, two RBIs and one of five Flyers doubles on the night, while LaFontaine (2 for 6, 2 R) adds a solo shot in the 6th. While Ken Green (6 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 4 BB, 5 K) struggles, the top of the lineup does not: Weber (2 for 2, R, RBI), Francis (R, 2 RBI), Schaaf (2 RBI) and Putman (3 for 4) all collect a two-bagger at Mercury Field today.

W - Green (6-4)
SV - Bingham (27)
HR - LaFontaine (7)

July 23 - at DAL - W 9-3

Roberts leads the hit parade again, going 2 for 5 with a double, a run and three RBIs, but even Morgan (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K) gets in on the action, hitting an RBI-double and scoring in the six-run Flyers 6th. Another five double day for Carolina, including two-baggers by Weber (2 for 4, R, RBI) and Dave Snow (2 R), is not all good news, however. Putman limps into second after a double in the 2nd; a sore knee will put him on the shelf for 1-2 weeks. Then in the bottom half of the inning, LaFontaine makes a tough catch but leaves the game with a bruised hand. Paul is listed as day-to-day.

W - Morgan (7-2)
HR - Francis (12)

After the game, 1B Everett Putman is placed on the disabled list, and 1B Steve "The Sheriff" Brown [5/7/7] (.191 in 68 AB; .333 in 201 AAA AB, 23 HR, 55 RBI) is purchased from Winston-Salem.

Last week: 3 - 3
This month: 10 - 9
Overall: 66 - 32, 1st, +10 1/2 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 5 games: 10-20 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Mike Weber
Last 6 games: 10-21 (.476), 1 HR, 6 RBI
Named Eastern Division Player of the Week!

Who's Not

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 3-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mike Schaaf
Last 5 games: 3-19 (.158), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Ken Green
Last 6 games: 1-4, 11.72 ERA, 25 1/3 IP

A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory leads all of Double-A with a 60-38 mark. 3B Mike King (age 23, .316 in 79 AB, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 7 2Bs) has hit well since a call-up from Columbus last month, and the catching duo of Ed Setzer (age 24, .319 in 216 AB, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 2Bs) and Ron Ayers (age 32, .281 in 114 AB, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 33 BB, 10 2Bs) continues to impress. Other notable hitters include OF Trey Martin (age 29, .223, 21 HR, 51 RBI, 73 BB, 15 2Bs) and LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .284, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 64 BB, 14 2Bs, 2 3Bs).

On the pitching side of the ledger, Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 12-2, 2.74 ERA, WHIP 0.99) has compiled some impressive numbers, while Chase Nelson (age 25, 10-3, 2.68, WHIP 1.33) has shown some improvement. Tim Pauly (age 35, 19 SV, 3.00 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.33) tops a thin relief corps.

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

It seems as if our bats have gone into a bit of a funk... Of our nine July losses, we've scored two runs or less in five of them...

I think the only problem with the offense that's actually fixable is at the leadoff spot... Rick Roberts started off strong, with an on-base well over .400 through May... but his OBP fell to .333 for June and .307 so far in July... I'm not sure we have anybody better, though, and Roberts did hit the ball well over the weekend, so we'll have to wait and see...

As for pitching, it still feels like we're one quality starter short, but I don't see any help on the horizon anytime soon... Nobody at AAA looks a lot better than Frazier...

There might be some changes in the pen very soon, though, so stay tuned...

Hopefully, this is just the "long road trip" blues and we'll get back to our winning ways in Charlotte next week... so c'mon down and cheer us on!

jmm8356 · 11-14-2004, 09:03 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 20 - July 31, 1972

The Flyers are swept by the Tomahawks in Tampa, trimming their Eastern Division lead down to just eight games. The club completes this homestand with three against Miami, then hits the road for three at Jacksonville after an off day Thursday.

Last Week's Results

July 24 - at TAM - L 2-6

Keith Becker (6 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 4 K) cannot keep the ball down, giving up a pair of two-run homers, while Tomahawks starter Don Tapper (W, 10-3, 6 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K) wins his tenth straight decision. Dale Francis (2 for 3) hits a solo shot in the 2nd; Mike Schaaf goes 2 for 4 with a triple.

L - Becker (10-6)
HR - Francis (13)

July 25 - at TAM - L 2-3

Bill Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 K) takes a tough loss when George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) comes in and promptly gives up a RBI-single to break a two-all tie with two down in the 7th. John Trull hits an RBI-triple, scoring Rick Roberts (2 for 3, SB, CS), and later scores himself in the 1st.

L - Frazier (6-4)

July 26 - at TAM - L 2-5

George Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) strikes again, this time entering a two-all tie with one on and two out in the 7th and quickly surrendering a single and a three-run homer by Tampa CF David Powell, his second of the night, to secure a Tomahawks sweep of the Flyers. Justin Randolph (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K) picks up the tough loss; solo shots by Mike Weber in the 1st and Francis in the 4th produce the only Carolina runs.

HR - Weber (12), Francis (14)

After the game, the club announces a trade, sending RP John Jahnke (3.91 in 53 IP, WHIP 1.34), plus $1 million, to New Orleans for this year's #1 overall pick, SP Gerald "Dragon Slayer" Bonham [5/5/5] (3.18 in 5 2/3 IP; 4-3 in 8 AAA GS, 3.60 ERA, WHIP 1.42). While Bonham is assigned to AAA Winston-Salem, RP Bruce Rafferty [6/8/5] (4.25 in 42 1/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.32), recently acquired from Houston via waivers, is placed on the active roster.

July 27 - vs JAX - W 6-4

Ken Green (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 K) finally pitches a good game but almost loses it in the 9th, when Thorn (0 IP, 1 R, 1 H) relieves Green and right away allows a three-run homer. Bruce Rafferty (0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H) cannot get anyone out in his Flyers debut either, so Bingham (1 IP) has to save this game with three in, two on and no outs in the 9th. Francis (2 for 4) and Schaaf hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 1st, and Roberts (2 R) adds a tater in the 4th. LaFontaine goes 3 for 5 with a double, driving in two.

W - Green (7-4)
SV - Bingham (28)
HR - Roberts (3), Francis (15), Schaaf (6)

July 28 - vs JAX - L 1-5

On Retro Game Day at State Fair Park, another loss is credited to a Flyers starter that should be blamed on the bullpen. Rafferty (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) replaces Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K) in a tie game with runners on the corners and one out in the 7th. After a strike out, a stolen base and an intentional walk, Rafferty gives up the bases-loaded double that scores three Ospreys runs to put the game away. Jacksonville starter Jerry Salmons (W, 13-5, 9 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 5 K) holds Carolina to just six hits by LaFontaine (3 for 4), Roberts (1 for 4, R) and Weber (1 for 3, RBI). Francis, Schaaf, Bruns and Snow all hit 0 for 4 on the night.

L - Morgan (7-3)

July 29 - vs JAX - W 4-3 (10)

Alan Bruns' single with one down in the bottom of the 10th scores Schaaf from third to end this tense affair at State Fair Park. After Weber (2 for 4) walks, Schaaf hits into a fielder's choice but goes to third on a pinch-hit by Francis, bringing Bruns to the plate. John Trull (3 for 4, 2B) and Steve Brown hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 3rd; Kevin Hodgkins (2 IP) throws a perfect 9th and 10th to earn the win.

W - Hodgkins (6-2)
HR - Trull (1), Brown (2)

July 30 - vs JAX - L 3-6 (12)

After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Thorn (1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) gives up the three-run double in the top of the 12th that ensures a series split for the Ospreys. The game is nearly lost in the 11th when Bingham (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) allows a solo shot by Jacksonville CF Matt Alexander, but a pinch-hit double by Schaaf and sac flies by Snow and VanWinkle (RBI) keep the game tied for another frame. Frazier (9 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 5 K) makes the longest start of his career but gets a no-decision, while Davidson leaves after a throw in the 2nd and is listed as day-to-day with a pulled elbow ligament.

L - Thorn (3-3)

After the game, the club announces a trade that sends RP George Thorn (4.35 in 49 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.43) and $700,000 to Nashville for RP Bob Lamb [5/10/3] (3.73 in 70 IP, WHIP 1.07). Lamb pitched for the Flyers late last year, compiling a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings of relief with a 1.40 WHIP, but was lost to waivers during postseason roster cuts.

Last week: 2 - 5
This month: 12 - 14
Overall: 68 - 37, 1st, +8 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Paul LaFontaine
Last 6 games: 13-24 (.542), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Dale Francis
Last 7 games: 9-22 (.409), 3 HR, 4 RBI

Who's Not

Steve Brown
Last 5 games: 1-11 (.091), 1 HR, 1 RBI

Dave Snow
Last 6 games: 2-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mike Schaaf
Last 6 games: 3-21 (.143), 1 HR, 1 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 0-2, 5.68 ERA, 19 IP

Justin Randolph
Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.86 ERA, 16 2/3 IP

A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

Columbus stands third in A-ball with a 59-46 record. A pair of catchers has been leading the lineup: Matt Thompson (age 25, .291, 7 HR, 55 RBI, 60 R, 60 BB, 22 2Bs) and James Rodgers (age 24, .277 in 155 AB, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 42 BB, 10 2Bs). Other notable performances include 2B Clayton Henderson (age 21, .275, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 22 2Bs) and RF Don Fuson (age 27, .259 in 247 AB, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 49 BB, 16 2Bs), while this year's first-rounder, 1B John Radcliffe (age 18, .228 in 228 AB, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 30 BB, 10 2Bs) is showing good patience at the plate for a teenager. As for pitchers, Herbert Baxley (age 21, 6-5, 2.88, WHIP 1.28), 1970's first-rounder, is starting to make a case for a promotion, and reliever John Thompson (age 22, 1.50 in 6 IP) is making progress after some poor numbers at AA Hickory (6.68 in 33 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.69).

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

That's the first losing week we've had in quite a while... but I'd have to say that it's mostly the fault of a guy who isn't on the ballclub anymore...

George Thorn had to go, even if it was just a bad week or bad month, because I had lost all confidence in him... You can't have guys in your bullpen that you're afraid to put in the game... What was especially frustrating in Thorn's case was that, as the sole southpaw on the staff, his job was to get left-handed hitters out, but this year, he couldn't do it... Right-handed batters hit .254 with a .701 OPS against Thorn, lefties hit .296 with a .914 OPS!

Meanwhile, Bob Lamb has lefties hitting .164 with a .398 OPS (versus .276 / .768 against righties), so he should be able to fill that role well... I hope!

Jahnke became expendable when we acquired Rafferty (though that hasn't quite worked out yet)... He was the weakest member of the relief staff, and he was slated to make nearly $3 mil next year too... My first free agent signing, live and learn...

I never would have thought we could get someone like Bonham, though... That pickup alone improves our minor league system from 'poor' to 'average'...

Steve Brown continues to prove himself as a "quad-A" player, too good for AAA but too poor for the big leagues...

Let's write that week off to poor bullpen performance... Tomorrow brings a new month and a clean slate, so c'mon down to the ballpark and cheer us to the pennant!

jmm8356 · 11-21-2004, 12:13 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 21 - August 7, 1972

While the Flyers take three at Jacksonville, the Tomahawks drop four straight, falling ten games behind Carolina's division lead. After four games in Miami, the club returns home to host Tampa for three (including Retro Game Day on Saturday).

Last Week's Results

July 31 - vs MIA - W 6-0

Justin Randolph (6 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K) and Bruce Rafferty (3 IP, 2 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the Meteors, while Dave Snow goes 0 for 2 but drives in three on a pair of sacrifice flies and a ground out. Dale Francis (R, RBI, CS) and Alan Bruns (R, RBI, SB) each hit 3 of 4 on the night.

W - Randolph (12-4)
SV - Rafferty (1)

After the game, the club announces that they've signed SP Bill Morgan (7-3, 2.31, WHIP 1.17) to a five-year extension for $8.4 million a year.

Aug 1 - vs MIA - L 1-6

A scoreless game is broken wide open when Ken Green (7 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K) gives up a three-run triple to Meteors pinch-hitter Douglas Harris (2 for 2, 3B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI), beginning a four-run Miami 7th. Ton VanWinkle, subbing for Mike Weber (migraines) behind the plate, goes 2 for 2 with two walks, driving in the lone Flyers run with a double in the bottom of the 7th.

L - Green (7-5)

Aug 2 - vs MIA - L 4-6 (13)

With two down in the top of the 13th, Dave Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 3 BB) gives up a two-run single to Meteors reliever Gordon Brown to lose before a sellout crowd of 41,750 on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park. After a walk, a stolen base and a balk put a runner on third with one out, a pair of intentional passes loads the bases, bringing the infield and outfield in. Elliot gets one Miami batter to ground out, 4-2, before Brown drives in the game winners. The game is nearly lost in the 9th when Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K) gives Miami a 4-3 lead with a pair of singles, but in the bottom half, Darrel Robinson triples and scores on a Paul LaFontaine (3 for 7) hit, sending the game into overtime. Rafferty (3 IP, 1 H, 2 K) does another fine job of long relief; Rick Roberts hits 2 of 6 with a homer and two RBIs.

L - Elliot (1-2)
HR - Roberts (4)

Aug 3 - OFF

Aug 4 - at JAX - W 7-4

Bruns (2 for 3) hits an RBI-double and scores as part of a three-run Flyers 2nd, while Weber's two-run two-bagger breaks a four-all tie in the 7th. Roberts goes 2 for 5 and scores twice; Steve Brown hits 2 of 4 with a run and an RBI. Keith Becker (7 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 K) picks up win #11, one off Randolph's team lead and two shy of the league lead held by Jacksonville's Jerry Salmons (13-6).

W - Becker (11-6)
SV - Hodgkins (3)

Aug 5 - at JAX - W 8-1

Francis hits 3 of 5 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the 9th to cap off this Flyers victory. Randolph (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K) hurls a fine game to tie Salmons for the league lead in wins, while both Roberts (1 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI) and LaFontaine (3 for 5) score twice for Carolina.

W - Randolph (13-4)
HR - Francis (16)

Aug 6 - at JAX - W 6-4

Green (6 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K) pitches well and drives in three runs with a bases-loaded walk in the 1st and a two-run single in the 5th to secure a sweep of the Ospreys. Weber (1 for 5, R) also drives in two with a base hit in the four-run 1st.

W - Green (8-5)
SV - Bingham (29)

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 3 - 2 (13 - 14 in July)
Overall: 72 - 39, 1st, +10 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Dale Francis
Last 7 games: 10-26 (.385), 1 HR, 5 RBI

Justin Randolph
Last 3 games: 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 18 2/3 IP

Who's Not

Mike Schaaf
Last 5 games: 3-21 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI

A Closer Look - Carolina

Carolina still sports the top staff in the league, first in ERA (3.44), batting average against (.245), runs allowed (424) and walks (338) while seventh in homers (75). Bill Morgan (7-3 in 19 GS, 2.34, WHIP 1.16) and Justin Randolph (13-4 in 14 GS, 2.41, WHIP 1.19) are #1-#2 in the league for ERA. Keith Becker (11-6, 3.18, WHIP 1.07) continues to perform, but Ken Green (8-5 in 17 GS, 4.75, WHIP 1.40) and Bill Frazier (6-4 in 17 GS, 4.99, WHIP 1.56) have both struggled as of late. A lot of new faces in the bullpen lately, but the change has not been for the worse. Terry Bingham (29 SV, 4 BS, 2.33 in 38 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.06) and Kevin Hodgkins (2.02 in 49 IP, WHIP 1.12) remain, but neither Bob Lamb (3.79 in 71 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.07), Oscar Matthews (2.62 in 55 IP, WHIP 1.16), Bruce Rafferty (2.45 in 7 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.23) nor Dave Elliot (3.19 in 36 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.25) was on the Opening Day roster.

The Flyers are tied for second in scoring (567) and third in both batting (.272) and walks (457), but the club ranks only ninth in taters (64) and tenth in swipes (76). Mike Weber (.304, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 66 R, 67 BB) has rounded into form, thanks to a stellar July (.394, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 16 BB, 5 2Bs, 2 3Bs). Dale Francis (.311, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 69 R, 19 2Bs) leads the team in both runs and RBIs, and Paul LaFontaine (.355, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 64 R, 17 2Bs) has the best batting average in the Eastern Division. Mike Schaaf (.290, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 15 2Bs) has improved greatly with regular playing time, while Rick Roberts (.246, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 62 R, 52 BB) continued to slide in July (.231, OBP .303).

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

It makes me nervous that we only signed one contract extension when ten of the other eleven teams had at least three... Of course, when you see what kind of figures some ex-Flyers got, you can understand why we hesitate to sign someone we're not sure about... RP George Thorn (4.14 in 54 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.40) got three years at $2.1 mil from Nashville... 3B Valentine Stephens (.253 in 217 AB, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 12 2Bs) got $1.6 mil for three years from Atlanta... LF Steven Robinson (.285 in 277 AB, 4 HR, 47 RBI) got four years at $1.3 mil from Norfolk... Even RF Mike Sutton, who's been in Triple-A since June, got $475,000 from the Clippers!

So we get the big one... Bill Morgan, at age 29, for the next five years at $8.4 million... compared to the $5.8 mil he's gotten the last three years, where he's compiled a record of 31-18 with a 3.36 ERA and 512 whiffs in 508 1/3 innings... I'll take it!

Everett Putman comes off the DL tomorrow, so we can put Steve Brown out of his misery... last year: .182 in 110 AB (but five doubles and four homers)... this year: .188 in 101 AB (with one double and two homers)... I'm _so_ glad we got him back on waivers...

Overall, the club is playing pretty well, and we've got a double-digit lead for the division again... so I'm pretty happy, for once...

Another series with Tampa coming up, though... and we have to take revenge for the sweep they got in their park a few weeks ago... so c'mon down and cheer us on!

jmm8356 · 11-24-2004, 12:32 PM

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 22 - August 14, 1972

Winning five of seven, the Flyers add three games to the Eastern Division lead and now stand thirteen clear of Tampa. After an off day today, the club hosts San Antonio (with Bobblehead Doll Day tomorrow) and New Orleans (including Baseball Cap Day on Friday and Mini Bat Day on Sunday) for three games each.

Last Week's Results

Aug 7 - at MIA - W 6-5

Darrel Robinson (2 for 3) hits a double and a homer, scoring twice and driving in two, and Paul LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2 RBI) brings home the game-winning run with a single in the 8th. Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K) whiffs four of the first five batters he faces, while Terry Bingham (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 K) has the tying run on second and winning run on first before earning save #30, which leads the league by four. Mike Schaaf (2B, R, RBI) and Dave Snow (2 R, RBI) also go 2 for 4 on the night.

W - Morgan (8-3)
SV - Bingham (30)
HR - Robinson (2)

Before the next game, 1B Steve Brown (.188 in 101 AB) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so that 1B Everett Putman (.313 in 208 AB) can be activated from the disabled list.

Aug 8 - at MIA - W 6-3

Alan Bruns extends a career-high six-game hitting streak by going 3 for 4 with a double and a triple, driving in two and scoring the eventual game-winning run in the 6th. Mike Weber also hits 3 of 4 with a double, two runs and an RBI, while Bill Frazier (7 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 H, 4 BB) puts together his second straight solid performance after some recent struggles. Dale Francis collects a run and an RBI on a 2 for 4 night.

W - Frazier (7-4)
SV - Hodgkins (4)

Aug 9 - at MIA - L 3-4

Entering a tie game with a runner on second and two out in the 7th, Bob Lamb (1 1/3 IP, 2 H) gives up a bloop single that scores the decisive run and hands Keith Becker (6 2/3 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 7 K) his seventh loss. Clark Davidson hits 3 for 4 with two stolen bases, scoring twice from the leadoff spot, while Weber goes 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.

L - Becker (11-7)

Aug 10 - at MIA - W 10-4

Davidson goes 4 for 5 with a homer, three runs and two RBIs, and LaFontaine hits 5 of 6 including a double, scoring twice and driving in two to help Justin Randolph (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K) take the league lead in wins. Randolph even got into the action offensively with a double and a run in the 2nd. Schaaf adds a 3 for 4 night with a double, a tater, two runs and three RBIs, while Everett Putman goes 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs.

W - Randolph (14-4)
HR - Davidson (2), Schaaf (7)

Aug 11 - vs TAM - W 5-1

Four Flyers errors do not faze Ken Green (7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 7 K), and Putman goes 4 for 4 with an run and an RBI to even the season series between Tampa and Carolina at five wins apiece. Both Weber (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Francis (2 for 3, R, RBI) hit triples, while Schaaf homers for the second straight game.

W - Green (9-5)
SV - Hodgkins (5)
HR - Schaaf (8)

Aug 12 - vs TAM - W 8-7

Weber hits two solo shots and Putman goes 4 for 5 with a run and an RBI, but the bullpen almost makes the game too interesting for the 32,573 assembled for Retro Game Day at State Fair Park. Four Flyers relievers allow a run apiece: Matthews (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB), Elliot (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 K). After a homer by Tomahawks 3B Jack Thomas in the 5th, Bill Morgan (4 1/3 IP, 3 R, 10 H, 5 K) beans 2B Geoffrey Bailey, sparking a bench-clearing brawl that gets both players ejected and hands Bob Lamb (2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) a gift win. John Hoyle hits 3 of 4, scoring twice, and Rick Roberts goes 2 for 3 with a run.

W - Lamb (4-2)
SV - Bingham (31)
HR - Weber 2 (13,14)

Aug 13 - vs TAM - L 3-7

A depleted Flyers bullpen blows up for a four-run 9th to prevent a sweep of the Tomahawks. Lamb (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) enters a tie game in the 9th and immediately gives up a single and a double. Bingham (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gets one ground out, but Tampa RF Terry Duplessis beats out a slow roller to second on a bang-bang play that brings Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath screaming onto the field, arguing to no avail as the go-ahead run scores. Then the floodgates open: a single, double steal, intentional walk, and two-run single puts the game out of touch. Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K) throws his second decent game this week; Weber goes 2 for 3 and scores twice in a losing effort.

L - Lamb (4-3)

Last week: 5 - 2
This month: 8 - 4
Overall: 77 - 41, 1st, +13 on Tampa

Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 11-19 (.579), 2 HR, 7 RBI
Named Eastern Division Player of the Week! (11-24 (.458), 2 HR, 7 RBI)

Mike Schaaf
Last 6 games: 10-23 (.435), 2 HR, 5 RBI

Dave Snow
Last 5 games: 5-12 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Clark Davidson
Last 8 games: 8-21 (.381), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Justin Randolph
Last 3 games: 3-0, 2.12 ERA, 17 IP

Who's Not

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 4 RBI

A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

At 80-38, Winston-Salem is thirteen games ahead of the rest of Triple-A ball. 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .298, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 28 2Bs) tops the hit parade, but the list goes on and on: 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .291, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 22 2Bs), 2B Jonah Carwile (age 27, .281, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 66 R, 63 BB, 22 2Bs), CF John Swanson (age 26, .275, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 55 BB, 26 2Bs, 5 3Bs), OF Rudy Olson (age 23, .329, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 22 2Bs) and 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .320 in 222 AB, 25 HR, 59 RBI, 45 BB, 18 2Bs).

The pitching has been great as well, despite a rash of injuries. While Tom Merchant (age 29, 16-3, 1.74, WHIP 0.91) is the obvious ace, Christopher Horan (age 21, 12-7, 3.83, WHIP 1.25) has thrown well too. With John Wilson (age 25, 3-1 in 6 GS, 2.98, WHIP 0.87) and Ray Oglesby (age 32, 10-7, 4.75, WHIP 1.30) both on the mend, Wilbert Cagle (age 22, 2-0 in 4 GS, 1.69, WHIP 0.97) has impressed since his callup from AA Hickory. The bullpen is solid, top-to-bottom: Floyd Myers (age 25, 19 SV, 3.42 in 52 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.20), Johnny Westerman (age 24, 2.41 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.10), Dave Brown (age 31, 4.50 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.22), Chad Williams (age 35, 2.25 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.08) and Dave Reed (age 28, 1.42 in 12 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.03).

The View From The Top (The Manager's Column)

Life is good... We're winning consistently, and the major league roster is healthy again, knock on wood...

Clark Davidson got a chance to start this week, and all of a sudden, he showed signs of being ready to hit leadoff... Along with hitting 8 for 21, he walked five times for an .500 on-base and stole three bases in four tries... So now, the questions are (a) who to play in the outfield now that I don't need Roberts at the top of the order and (b) how do I get Snow back into the lineup? , because he's hitting well too... The possibilites are either to put Davidson in center, which is not really a solid position for him, or play Snow at third and bench Schaaf, but Schaaf's pounding the ball too... I can't even hide someone at first, because Putman hit .458 last week as well... Decisions, decisions...

For now, I'm going to go with Davidson at second and John Hoyle in left... It's the bottom of the order anyway, so we might as well have at least one outfielder who's good with the glove!

Promotions galore at State Fair Park this week, so c'mon down!

10-15-2004, 12:11 AM	#41 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Bonus Insert - Organization-Wide Depth Chart FA = Major League Free Agent next year fa = minor league free agent next year fa* = potential minor league free agent on 40-man roster Attached Images __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-15-2004, 11:26 PM	#42 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 4 - April 10, 1972 Our Flyers are off to another fast start, winning five of six to take a half-game lead over Jacksonville. The team opens the home schedule tonight against Norfolk. After three games against the Clippers, the Atlanta Flames come to State Fair Park for a four-game set (including Baseball Cap Day on Friday). Last Week's Results Apr 3 - OFF Apr 4 - at NOR - W 4-3 After scoring the game's first run with a solo shot in the 6th, Mike Weber (3 for 3) also scores the winning run, going home on a wild pitch in the 8th. Matt Halstead (6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K) takes a shutout into the 6th, but John Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 K) picks up the win after blowing the save in the 7th. W - Jahnke (1-0) SV - Bingham (1) HR - Weber (1) Apr 5 - at NOR - W 1-0 Jeff Harvey's RBI-single with two out in the top of the 9th drives in Weber (1 for 3, 2 SB) for the game winner. Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K) and Clippers starter Otto Kemper (8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) duel to a draw in a tense contest where both managers are ejected, Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 5th and Norfolk's Mark Erwin in the 9th. George Thorn (1/3 IP) gets the final out in the 8th to win his eighth straight decision, a streak that began in September 1970. W - Thorn (1-0) SV - Bingham (2) Apr 6 - at NOR - L 3-5 Clippers 1B Tommy Quinn (3 for 4, 2 RBI) breaks a three-all tie with a solo shot in the 4th off Keith Becker (5 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K), scoring what stands up as the losing run on a cold night at Harbor Stadium. Snow falls several times during the game, including a 51-minute snow delay in the 4th. Steven Robinson goes 2 for 3 with a run from the leadoff spot for the losing cause. Adding injury to insult, Dave Powell cries out after making a throw in the 8th and leaves the game. The diagnosis is a torn rotator cuff, ending Powell's season (and at age 38, possibly his career). L - Becker (0-1) After the game, Dave Powell is put on the 60-day DL, and LF Frank Thomas [6/4/5] (last year: .188 in 80 AB in bigs, .293 in 205 AAA AB) is recalled from AAA Winston-Salem. Apr 7 - at TAM - W 3-1 Alan Bruns, in his first game as the starting shortstop, hits a two-run homer in the 2nd, handing the Tomahawks their first loss of the season (after a four-game sweep of Atlanta). Bud Fox (7 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) earns the first win by a Flyers starter this year; Terry Bingham (1 IP, 3 K) strikes out the side on thirteen pitches in the 9th for his third save. W - Fox (1-0) SV - Bingham (3) HR - Bruns (1) Apr 8 - at TAM - W 13-2 Bruns (3 for 6, 2B, R, 3 RBI), Steven Robinson (3 for 5, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB) and Paul LaFontaine (3 for 5, 2B, R, 2 RBI) each collect three of the Flyers' nineteen hits. Justin Nowlin (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) even gets into the action, hitting an RBI-double, drawing a walk and scoring twice. W - Nowlin (1-0) Apr 9 - at TAM - W 5-1 Halstead (9 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 7 K) throws his first complete game in over three years to sweep the Tomahawks at Teflon Field, while Valentine Stephens goes 2 for 3 with a pair of two-baggers, including a three-run double in the 4th. W - Halstead (1-0) Last week: 5 - 1 This month: 5 - 1 Overall: 5 - 1, 1st, +1/2 on Jacksonville Who's Hot Nobody! Who's Not Nobody! The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) I'm never posting another lineup in this paper again! Every time I do, within three games someone gets hurt, making that lineup invalid. This time, it bites Dave Powell bad... We'll end up paying $702,000 for each of his ten at-bats... On the plus side, this gets Alan Bruns into the lineup, something I had wanted to but just couldn't figure out how to do it... Problem solved, I suppose... Paul LaFontaine is struggling to find his stroke. He started the year 0 for 14 before going 4 for 10 over the weekend... Of course, nobody was hitting the ball in the first few games, either for us or against us... but now the team batting average is .255 so I'm less concerned now... On the flip side, the pitching staff is off to a super start, holding opposing batters to a .203 mark... Can't wait to get to State Fair Park and raise that pennant! See you there! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-17-2004, 05:38 PM	#43 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 5 - April 17, 1972 Winning five of seven, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 1 1/2 games. The club finishes this homestand with three against Tampa (including Batting Glove Day on Wednesday), then visits Atlanta for three games after their first off day on Thursday. Last Week's Results Apr 10 - vs NOR - W 5-2 Bill Morgan (5 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K) throws five shutout innings despite putting the leadoff man on second in his first four frames, and the bullpen of Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Thorn (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K), Randolph (2/3 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1/3 IP) hangs on for the Flyers' fourth straight victory. Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 5, scoring two and driving in one, while Steven Robinson hits 2 of 4 with three RBIs. Clippers SS Alec Dew has a 4 for 4 night with two doubles and a run in a losing effort. W - Morgan (1-0) SV - Bingham (4) Apr 11 - vs NOR - W 10-4 Mike Weber hits a three-run homer in the 8th, while Dale Francis goes 1 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Keith Becker (8 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 4 K) makes a solid start; Clark Davidson (0 for 2, 2 BB, 2 R) steals three bases, giving him seven swipes in this young season. W - Becker (1-1) HR - Weber (2) Apr 12 - vs NOR - L 4-6 Bud Fox (2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H) is hit hard before he doubles over in pain, leaving the game in the 3rd inning with a torn tricep. He is out for the year. Meanwhile, the bullpen of Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H), Houston (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K), Thorn (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Jahnke (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K) does not fare much better, while the Flyers' bats manage just six hits. Alan Bruns (1 for 1, 3 BB, R, RBI) reaches base in all four plate appearances. L - Fox (1-1) After the game, Bud Fox is placed on the 60-day DL, while Bill Frazier [5/7/5] (last year: 0-3 in 4 GS, 6.66, WHIP 1.93) is recalled from Winston-Salem. Apr 13 - vs ATL - W 6-1 Justin Nowlin (8 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 8 K) puts on a clinic, while Bruns (2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI) is one of four Flyers with two hits on the night. W - Nowlin (2-0) Apr 14 - vs ATL - L 1-4 Entering a tie game with the bases loaded and two out, Terry Bingham (0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) walks Flames C Carl Janke on his eleventh pitch to force in a run, then gives up a single to SS Mike Orton to score two more. Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER) is hung with the loss, but his runner reaches base on an error by Bruns. After a fly out, George Thorn (1/3 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB) beans former teammate 1B Chris Wayman (1 for 2, HR, 2 R) and walks the bases loaded after another fly out, setting the stage for Janke's marathon battle with Bingham. Matt Halstead (7 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 K) pitches well, holding another former teammate, 2B Russ Roderick, to an 0 for 4 night. L - Hodgkins (0-1) Apr 15 - vs ATL - W 9-5 A two-run homer by Weber (2 for 4, 2B) in the 6th and a grand slam by LaFontaine in the 7th give the Flyers a come-from-behind win. Morgan (5 1/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K) struggles, but Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 1 K) earns the win by finishing the 7th and pitching a perfect 8th. W - Randolph (1-0) HR - LaFontaine (1), Weber (3) Apr 16 - vs ATL - W 7-5 LaFontaine (3 for 4, 2 R) and Francis (2 for 3) both hit two-run homers in the 2nd. while Davidson scores twice on a 2 for 4 night. Becker (8 IP, 5 R, 10 H, 5 K) stumbles late, allowing four runs in his final three innings, but Bingham (1 IP, 2 K) closes it out for his fifth save. W - Becker (2-1) SV - Bingham (5) HR - LaFontaine (2), Francis (1) Last week: 5 - 2 This month: 10 - 3 Overall: 10 - 3, 1st, +1 1/2 on Jacksonville Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 7 games: 14-27 (.519), 2 HR, 9 RBI Steven Robinson Last 7 games: 10-27 (.370), 0 HR, 5 RBI Currently on a 12-game hitting streak Who's Not Steve Brown Last 5 games: 1-12 (.083), 0 HR, 1 RBI Valentine Stephens Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 3 RBI The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Well, things are going great despite lackluster performance from Clark Davidson (.224, OBP .296) at the top of the order, plus Valentine Stephens (.229, OPS .559) and Steve Brown (.189, OPS .500) at the bottom of the lineup. It's still too early to evaluate, but these three need to show me something in the next couple weeks or else... I'd say Paul LaFontaine found his groove! A .519 week is nothing to sneeze at... Two season-ending injuries in two weeks reminds me just how lucky we were last year... Losing Bud Fox makes me even more glad we picked up Justin Nowlin. Otherwise, we'd have both Bill Frazier and Christopher Horan in the rotation, when I'm not convinced that either one is ready... The pitching has been solid overall... except for John Jahnke. His season stats so far are not pretty: 6 G, 4 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 3 K ... That's a 9.00 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP! Anyway, so far, so good... so c'mon down and cheer us on! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-18-2004, 05:32 PM	#44 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 6 - April 24, 1972 The Flyers continue to edge ahead of the Eastern Division pack, now two games clear of the Jacksonville Ospreys. The club returns to Charlotte today to host a trio of Western teams, Houston for two (including Mini Bat Day today), Dallas for two and Memphis for three (with Retro Game Day on Saturday). Last Week's Results Apr 17 - vs TAM - L 5-9 Entering the game with a two-run lead in the 7th, John Jahnke (0 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 H, 1 BB) loads the bases with the help of Clark Davidson's error at second, one of four Flyers miscues on the night (two by Darrel Robinson at first). Kevin Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H) tries to salvage the situation but gives up a two-run double and a two-run single for the second bullpen loss of the season. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) makes a Quality Start by the barest of margins, throwing 115 pitches in just six innings. L - Jahnke (1-1) Apr 18 - vs TAM - L 2-3 Tomahawks CF David Powell, last year's MVP, hits a three-run homer in the 3rd off Justin Nowlin (5 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 K), while the Flyers manage just eight singles by eight different batters, their second straight game without an extra-base hit. L - Nowlin (2-1) Apr 19 - vs TAM - W 4-3 Steven Robinson (1 for 4, R, 2 RBI) extends his career-best hitting streak to fourteen games, while Dale Francis (2 for 4, SB) scores twice and Valentine Stephens drives in two as the Flyers make due with eleven singles, going without an extra-base hit in the entire series against Tampa. Matt Halstead (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) does not see the three-run Carolina 6th, so Justin Randolph (1 IP) earns his second win. Jahnke (2/3 IP), Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H) secure the victory on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park. W - Randolph (2-0) SV - Bingham (6) Apr 20 - OFF Apr 21 - at ATL - W 2-1 Francis' two-out single in the 8th scores Davidson with the game winner. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K) takes a shutout into the 6th, but Randolph (1 IP, 2 K) is again in the right place at the right time for his second win in as many games. Mike Weber's solo shot in the 6th put the first run on the board for either team. W - Randolph (3-0) SV - Bingham (7) HR - Weber (4) Apr 22 - at ATL - W 6-2 Stephens goes 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs, while Steven Robinson (1 for 4, 2B) adds two runs and two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to sixteen games. Keith Becker (3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) leaves the game with a sore shoulder but is not expected to miss his next start. Justin Randolph (2 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) earns his third win in as many games with help from Houston (2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 K) and Jahnke (2 IP, 1 BB). W - Randolph (4-0) Apr 23 - at ATL - W 2-1 Steven Robinson, 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs from the leadoff spot, hits a solo homer in the 5th that holds up as the game winner and extends his hitting streak to seventeen games. Nowlin (7 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K) completes the sweep of the Flames; Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) needs just nine pitches for his league-leading eighth save. W - Nowlin (3-1) SV - Bingham (8) HR - S. Robinson (1) Last week: 4 - 2 This month: 14 - 5 Overall: 14 - 5, 1st, +2 on Jacksonville Who's Hot Steven Robinson Last 7 games: 11-26 (.423), 1 HR, 7 RBI Valentine Stephens Last 6 games: 8-21 (.381), 0 HR, 7 RBI Justin Nowlin Last 4 games: 3-1, 1.95 ERA, 27 2/3 IP Keith Becker Last 3 games: 2-0, 3.32 ERA, 19 IP Justin Randolph Last 7 games: 4-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 IP Who's Not Steve Brown Last 5 games: 1-15 (.067), 0 HR, 0 RBI Alan Bruns Last 7 games: 3-22 (.136), 0 HR, 3 RBI The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) So far, so good... mostly due to the pitching. Our 2.44 staff ERA and .233 batting average against are best in the league... Three starters (Nowlin, Halstead, Morgan) and four relievers (Bingham, Randolph, Thorn, Hodgkins) have sub-2.00 ERAs... There are still some conundrums looming in the lineup, though... Clark Davidson's .278 OBP is not exactly what I need in a leadoff hitter... He'll probably end up batting eighth, rather than being benched, as Jeff Harvey is not much better (except with the glove) and twelve years older... Steve Brown finally had an extra base hit last week, but he's still hitting .167 with a .466 OPS... The other options here aren't thrilling either... Darrel Robinson (3 for 15)? Weber to first and Lowe to catcher (1 for 11)? Call up Everett Putman (.274 at AAA) before he's really ready? I'm inclined to just wait it out a while, since we're winning and all... On the plus side, Steven Robinson leads the East in batting average (.403)... If we drop Davidson to #8, Steven will probably be the new leadoff man... Anyway, we're back home all next week... see you at the ballpark! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-28-2004, 10:56 AM	#45 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	[Ed. Note: Patch 6.11 was installed prior to the April 28 game.] Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 7 - May 1, 1972 The Flyers enter the month of May with a 3 1/2 game lead over Jacksonville and Tampa in the Eastern Division. After an off day today, the club begins a two-week trip to the West, beginning with three at both Dallas and Houston. Last Week's Results Apr 24 - vs HOU - W 4-3 With two out in the bottom of the 9th, Dale Francis (2 for 5, 2 RBI) hits a double that scores Mike Weber (2 for 3, 2 R, RBI) from first for a thrilling Flyers victory on Mini Bat Day at State Fair Park. Though Matt Halstead (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and George Thorn (1 1/3 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) both throw well, it is Justin Randolph (1 IP, 1 H) who earns his fifth win; he now leads the league by two. W - Randolph (5-0) Apr 25 - vs HOU - W 9-8 After Randolph (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) and Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H) allow a couple of taters to tie the game at eight in the top of the 8th, Francis hooks one around the pole in right to give the Flyers a two-game sweep of the Buffaloes. Paul LaFontaine (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI), Alan Bruns (2 for 4, 2 R, RBI) and Jack Lowe (2 for 3, 2 RBI) each collect two of the team's fourteen hits. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gets in on the act with a two-run single in the 4th, his first big-league hit. W - Hodgkins (1-1) SV - Bingham (9) HR - Francis (2), Stephens (1) Apr 26 - vs DAL - W 7-0 Weber goes 3 for 4, scoring twice and driving in three, while Bill Morgan (6 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K) and John Jahnke (3 IP, 2 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the defending champion Drifters. Steven Robinson goes 2 for 4 with a pair of runs, extending his hitting streak to nineteen games. W - Morgan (2-0) SV - Jahnke (1) Apr 27 - vs DAL - W 6-5 Weber's fly ball to left-center in the bottom of the 9th is deep enough to score a pinch-running Walt Finney from third with the game winner. After the bases are loaded by a pinch-hit walk by Clark Davidson, a pinch hit on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Frank Thomas and a walk by Steve Brown, Steven Robinson (2 for 5, R) singles home Davidson to tie the game. LaFontaine flies out to shallow right to bring Weber to the plate. Valentine Stephens (2B, 2 R, RBI) and Francis (R, RBI) both go 2 for 4 on the night, helping the Flyers win their eighth straight game despite Keith Becker (6 2/3 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 4 K) allowing four Dallas homers. Kevin Hodgkins (1 2/3 IP) earns his second win for ending the 8th with a GIDP and pitching a perfect 9th. W - Hodgkins (2-1) Apr 28 - vs MEM - L 4-12 Justin Nowlin (2/3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 1 BB) does not last long after beginning the game with five straight singles and a walk, and the bullpen does not fare much better, including Darrel Robinson (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB) in his second career relief appearance. Francis goes 2 for 3 with a double, a run and two RBIs, as the Flyers get little for their twelve hits on the night, thanks to five double plays by the Blues. L - Nowlin (3-2) Apr 29 - vs MEM - W 9-0 Halstead (7 IP, 4 H, 6 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (2 IP, 1 K) combine to shutout the Blues, while Steven Robinson goes 4 for 4, scoring twice and driving in one. Francis (2 R, 2 RBI), Weber (2 R) and Steve Brown (2 for 2) each homer on a gusty Retro Game Day at State Fair Park. W - Halstead (2-0) HR - Weber (5), Francis (3), Brown (1) Apr 30 - vs MEM - L 6-9 The Flyers take a 6-1 lead into the 6th before Frazier (6 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB), Thorn (0 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB), Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 1 BB) and Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) allow eight runs in three innings. Steven Robinson hits a grand slam in the 1st but is ejected in the 3rd after striking out. The homer extends his hitting streak to twenty-three games, one shy of the team record set by Dave Powell last April. L - Jahnke (1-2) HR - S. Robinson (2) Last week: 5 - 2 This month: 19 - 7 in April Overall: 19 - 7, 1st, +3 1/2 on Jacksonville and Tampa Who's Hot Steven Robinson Last 6 games: 11-19 (.579), 1 HR, 7 RBI Named Eastern Division Batter of the Month! (.435, 2 HR, 22 RBI) Dale Francis Last 6 games: 8-17 (.471), 2 HR, 8 RBI Named Eastern Division Player of the Week! (.455, 2 HR, 10 RBI) Mike Weber Last 6 games: 9-21 (.429), 1 HR, 6 RBI Valentine Stephens Last 5 games: 7-18 (.389), 1 HR, 6 RBI Kevin Hodgkins Last 6 games: 2-0, 1.17 ERA, 7 2/3 IP Who's Not Alan Bruns Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI A Closer Look - Carolina The Flyers' pitchers sport the best staff ERA (2.98) in the league while second-best in runs allowed (95). Both the rotation and the bullpen are a story of the hot and the not. Matt Halstead (2-0, 1.96, WHIP 0.68) and Bill Morgan (2-0, 1.57, WHIP 1.33) have started strong, while Keith Becker (2-1, 4.70, WHIP 1.27) and Justin Nowlin (3-2, 3.49, WHIP 1.38) have struggled a bit. Relievers Terry Bingham (9 SV, 0.00 in 8 IP, WHIP 0.50), Kevin Hodgkins (2-1, 1.46 in 12 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.81) and Justin Randolph (5-0, 2.89 in 18 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.02) have been nearly flawless, as opposed to John Jahnke (4.73 in 13 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.28), Robin Houston (3.09 in 11 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.89) and George Thorn (3.18 in 11 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.41). Despite ranking ninth in home runs (15), Carolina's offense has been the most productive (137 runs) in the CBA, thanks to the third-best numbers in batting (.278) and walks (106). LF Steven Robinson (.435, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 6 SB), RF Dale Francis (.368, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 5 2Bs) and C Mike Weber (.317, 5 HR, 17 RBI) have led the hit parade, while 1B Steve Brown (.172), 2B Clark Davidson (.222) and SS Alan Bruns (.228) have lagged behind. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Even though we're winning ballgames, there are still tough decisions to be made. Some personnel are just not producing, and as we enter a new month, it seems like a good time to see if changes need to be made... Steve Brown is hitting just as poorly as he did last year (.182 in 110 AB) but without any of the power he displayed here (5 2Bs, 4 HR) or at Winston-Salem (23 2Bs, 28 HR). We have an off day today to make some moves, and I think Brown will be the first casualty... Walt Finney is starting to lose a step at age 38. He's still a solid defensive outfielder, but I'd like to see more offense (.222 in 18 AB), both from the fourth outfielder slot and from someone who's making $910,000 this year. A move here is still a few weeks away, as we need a bit more time to decide who to call up... Bill Frazier (0-0, 3 GS, 4.50, WHIP 1.61) has not impressed either... plus with six off days in May, after he starts May 6, we won't need a fifth starter for two weeks... it may be a chance to shorten the pitching staff, and give another position player a look-see... Enough lowlights... The big highlight of the month is Steven Robinson winning Batter of the Month! It's hard to figure... I've had two different scouting staffs between last year and this year, but they both rated Steven on the low end of major league hitters... You just never know, I guess... Anyway, time to pack... we won't be home again until the 16th, so wish us luck! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-29-2004, 04:02 PM	#46 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 8 - May 8, 1972 While the Flyers split their six games last week, the Ospreys win six of seven, putting Jacksonville just one game back of Carolina's Eastern Division lead. The club has two off days this week, before both the two-game set at Memphis starting Tuesday and the three-game series at San Antonio beginning Friday. Last Week's Results May 1 - OFF As the team heads for Dallas, they announce that 1B Steve Brown (.172 in 64 AB) has been designated for assignment, while OF Rick Roberts [5/4/8] is activated after being claimed via waivers from Miami last week. Roberts hit .280 with 16 homers and 102 walks for AAA Winston-Salem last year before becoming a minor league free agent. By moving Bruns to first and Francis to short, Roberts will be starting in right and batting leadoff, according to manager Jeremy McGrath. May 2 - at DAL - W 7-4 The Flyers score four in the 8th to tie it up, then three more in the 9th to win this contentious battle at Mercury Field. Dale Francis is ejected in the 1st, Drifters RF Douglas Andre and manager Douglas MacFarlane are both tossed in the 3rd, and Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath gets the heave-ho in the 7th, all for arguing balls and strikes. Meanwhile, Bill Morgan (6 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 4 K) has a lackluster outing, but the bullpen holds Dallas to just two hits over the final three frames. Rick Roberts goes 3 for 5 in his Flyers debut, while Darrel Robinson hits 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, batting fourth after Francis' departure. Steven Robinson draws a bases-loaded walk in the 8th while 0 for 3 on the night, but he gets up again in the 9th and smacks an RBI-single to right, tying the team record with his 24-game hitting streak. W - Randolph (6-0) SV - Bingham (10) May 3 - at DAL - L 1-7 Two Flyers errors lead to three unearned runs in the Drifters' 6th to put the game out of reach. After a poor throw to first by Keith Becker (6 IP, 5 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K), Alan Bruns (2 for 3) slips on wet grass (rain also caused a 54-minute delay in the 4th), committing his second error at first this year and putting two on with one out. Dale Francis (2 for 4) hits a double, driving in the sole Carolina tally; Steven Robinson goes 1 for 3 to set the new team record hitting streak at twenty-five and counting. L - Becker (2-2) May 4 - at DAL - L 2-3 (10) With one out in the bottom of the 10th, George Thorn (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H) gives up a hit batsman and a single to put runners on the corners, then Drifters SS Wade Hudson drives a Kevin Hodgkins (0 IP, 1 H) pitch past the drawn-in infield for the game winner. Justin Nowlin (6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K) throws well, rebounding from last week's disasterous start. Paul LaFontaine goes 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI, while Clark Davidson hits 2 of 4, but Steven Robinson goes 0 for 4, snapping his hitting streak. L - Thorn (1-1) HR - Francis (4) After the game, the team announces that LF Walt Finney (.222 in 18 AB this year, .219 in 274 AB last year) has been traded to Dallas for a player to be named later [read: a complete lamebrain of a minor leaguer ]. 1B Everett Putman [6/2/4] (.308 in 107 AAA ABs this year, .309 with 29 2Bs in 440 AA ABs last year) is purchased from Winston-Salem to fill the roster spot. May 5 - at HOU - W 3-2 (15) Clark Davidson needed seven at-bats to extend his career high seven-game hitting streak, but perhaps he was just waiting for the right moment. His single to left with two down in the 15th scores Rick Roberts from third with the game-winning run. George Thorn (2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) picks up the win after snapping a eight-decision winning streak the previous day. Robin Houston (1 IP) throws a perfect 15th for his first save since 1969. LaFontaine goes 3 for 6 with a double and a two-run homer. W - Thorn (2-1) SV - Houston (1) HR - LaFontaine (3) May 6 - at HOU - W 2-0 Bill Frazier (7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K), Justin Randolph (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 K) combine to shutout the Buffaloes. Frazier even gets his second career hit and scores on one of Roberts' (2 for 4, R, RBI) two doubles on the night. Everett Putnam also collects career hit #2, going 2 for 3 in his first start at first base. W - Frazier (1-0) SV - Hodgkins (1) May 7 - at HOU - L 0-1 Buffaloes SS Douglas Dewberry (2 for 4) homers off George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H) in the 8th for the only run of the night. A stellar effort by Morgan (6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K) is overshadowed by Houston's Ronnie Simpson (W, 3-3, 9 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K), who holds Carolina to just three baserunners in the game. L - Thorn (2-2) Last week: 3 - 3 This month: 3 - 3 Overall: 22 - 10, 1st, +1 on Jacksonville Who's Hot Nobody! Who's Not Steven Robinson Last 5 games: 1-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI Frank Thomas Last 7 games: 1-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI Valentine Stephens Last 5 games: 2-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI Mike Weber Last 5 games: 2-17 (.118), 0 HR, 0 RBI A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem An 18-14 record has Winston-Salem tied for third amongst Eastern Division AAA teams. Even with the departure of Everett Putman (age 23, .308, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 8 2Bs), there is still plenty of hitting left on this club, such as LF John Trull (age 32, .350, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 8 2Bs), 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 27, .364, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 8 2Bs) and 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .326, 4 HR, 24 RBI). Top prospect C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .293 in 58 AB, 3 HR, 8 RBI) is just returning from a strained abdominal muscle. The pitching has been less impressive. Christopher Horan (age 21, 2-3, 4.50, WHIP 1.14) and Tom Merchant (age 28, 2-1 in 4 GS, 3.00, WHIP 1.30) are the only starters worth noting thus far, while the bullpen of Floyd Myers (age 25, 2.33 in 19 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.19), Dave Elliot (age 29, 3-1, 6 SV, 3.00 in 18 IP, WHIP 1.28), Chad Williams (age 34, 0.60 in 15 IP, WHIP 1.07) and Johnny Westerman (age 24, 1.42 in 6 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.79) has picked up the slack. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) For some reason, our bats have gone completely dead, especially against Houston... With three days off out of the next eight, let's hope some R&R will help the hitters get back on track... Steve Brown ended up being claimed on waivers by San Antonio... Not a big loss, as he's never shown that he can hit at this level... Walt Finney, on the other hand, I was hoping would make it through waivers, but Norfolk and Dallas both claimed him. Since Dallas was "outclaimed", I decided to see if they would give us anything for him, and "anything" was just about what we got... A fifth-round pick from last year who is 6-13 with a 4.99 ERA in 24 A-ball starts... He will be named later to spare him (and us) the embarrassment... Roberts gives us a much better on-base from the leadoff spot than Davidson had shown thus far... The only trouble is, with Putman's promotion and Francis moving to short, Alan Bruns is odd man out yet again. He hasn't been especially productive (.239) but he's not going to get any better riding the pine... Off days on the road are always a drag... what this team needs is a table tennis tournament! Anyway, wish us luck and see you next week! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

10-30-2004, 01:05 PM	#47 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 9 - May 15, 1972 Winning four of their five games last week, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 2 1/2 games over new second-place rival Tampa. After an off day today, the club finally returns to State Fair Park to play three against New Orleans (including Mini Bat Day on Wednesday), followed by three with Nashville. Last Week's Results May 8 - OFF May 9 - at MEM - W 5-4 (11) Alan Bruns' pinch hit with two down in the top of the 11th scores Mike Weber (0 for 2, 3 BB, 2 R) from second to win this seesaw game. Entering a two-all tie with one on and two out in the 8th, George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H) gives up a RBI-double. The Flyers score two in the top of the 9th to retake the lead, but Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) blows his first save of the year with a little help from Dale Francis (3 for 6, 2B, 2 R, RBI), who makes his first error at short. Keith Becker (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 2 K) throws well, but Kevin Hodgkins gets the win (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K); Justin Randolph (1 IP, 1 K) earns the save. W - Hodgkins (3-1) SV - Randolph (1) May 10 - at MEM - W 17-3 With three runs in the 1st, five runs in the 3rd and six runs in the 9th, the Flyers top the Blues by two touchdowns for the two-game sweep. Seventeen hits and fourteen walks (including seven with the bases loaded) propel Carolina to victory. While Matt Halstead (7 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 4 K) is pitching a solid game, twelve different Flyers get a hit, led by Bruns (2 for 5, 3 R), Weber (2 for 3, 2B, 2 R, RBI), Rick Roberts (2 for 3, 4 BB, R, 2 RBI) and Everett Putman (1 for 5, 3 R, 2 RBI). Halstead even contributes, hitting a two-run double and scoring in the 3rd. W - Halstead (3-0) HR - LaFontaine (4) May 11 - OFF May 12 - at SAN - L 1-2 Talk about adding insult to injury! First, Bill Morgan (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K) is hit by a line drive off the bat of Missions CF Paul Goode in the 5th, then he is hung with the loss when John Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) allows Goode to score. Morgan leaves the game with a broken jaw; he may be out for as long as a month. L - Morgan (2-1) After the game, Morgan is put on the DL, but no immediate replacement is called up. May 13 - at SAN - W 6-4 Frank Thomas goes 3 for 5, hitting his second career homer in the 4th. while Clark Davidson (2 for 5, R) and Jack Lowe (2 for 4, RBI) both add a pair of hits to the winning effort. Justin Nowlin (5 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) struggles with his control but gets the win. W - Nowlin (4-2) SV - Bingham (11) HR - Thomas (1) After the game, the team activates SP Ken Green [7/5/5] (3.52 in 15 1/3 IP this year, 9-13 with a 3.75 ERA in AA Daytona (DAL) last year), recently claimed on waivers from Memphis. May 14 - at SAN - W 5-3 Valentine Stephens hits 3 for 5, including a three-run homer in the 3rd, while Weber's (1 for 2, 2 BB, 2 R) 443-foot shot to right scores two in the 1st. Becker (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K) has a decent outing; Hodgkins (1/3 IP), Randolph (1 IP, 1 H) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) close out the Carolina win. W - Becker (3-2) SV - Bingham (12) HR - Weber (6), Stephens (2) Last week: 4 - 1 This month: 7 - 4 Overall: 26 - 11, 1st, +2 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Frank Thomas Last 5 games: 8-16 (.500), 1 HR, 2 RBI Alan Bruns Last 5 games: 4-12 (.333), 0 HR, 3 RBI Matt Halstead Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 20 IP Who's Not Mike Sutton Last 6 games: 2-14 (.143), 0 HR, 3 RBI A Closer Look - AA Hickory Hickory has the second-best record in Double-A, 22-15. The most impressive hitters thus far have been the team's catchers, Frank Saville (age 30, .348, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 7 2Bs, 23 BB) and Ron Ayres (age 32, .320 in 50 AB, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 12 BB). 2B Martin Sansone (age 25, .323, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 6 2Bs, 9 SB), SS Kyle Smith (age 30, .295, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 27 BB) and LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .281, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 26 BB) also contribute to this veteran squad. Starters Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 2-1, 3.34, WHIP 1.04) and Chase Nelson (age 25, 4-0, 2.44, WHIP 1.31) have thrown well, along with relievers Tim Pauly (age 35, 11 SV, 1.61 in 22 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.21) and Dave Reed (age 28, 3.32 in 21 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.11). Wilbert Cagle (age 22, 3-2 in 4 GS, 2 SV, 4.46 in 34 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.49) is just getting comfortable after making the transition from closer to starter. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) See how lucky we were last year? Now half of the opening day rotation is on the disabled list! Ken Green is one of those guys who was a hot prospect, once upon a time, but he's been kicking around the minors for quite a while now... He's still just 26, though, and he's with his third team this year... Miami tried to send him down, but Memphis claimed him, then the Blues tried to send him down, but we claimed him! We probably would have tried to send him down too, but since we have a hole in the rotation, we might as well see what he can do... It looks like the hitters got the memo, but Memphis pitching makes everybody look good... I mean, seven RBI-walks?! Enough said... Everett Putman looks more and more like a guy who's not quite ready for the bigs... 1 for 11 last week makes him 3 for 18 (.167) overall... so Alan Bruns might break back into the lineup after all... Robin Houston is skating on thin ice too... A 1.86 WHIP in 16 2/3 IP is not quite what I'm looking for, especially for $1.3 mil... But besides all that, things are great! Back home again this week, so c'mon down to the ballpark! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-01-2004, 01:14 PM	#48 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 10 - May 22, 1972 By sweeping Nashville, the Flyers stretch their Eastern Division lead out to 3 1/2 games. The club has a day off today before finishing this homestand with three against San Antonio (with Batting Glove Day on Wednesday), then the team heads for a weekend set at New Orleans. Last Week's Results May 15 - OFF May 16 - vs NWO - W 3-1 Alan Bruns (2B, RBI), Paul LaFontaine (RBI) and Frank Thomas (R) all hit 2 for 4, collecting six of the seven Flyers hits on the night. Matt Halstead (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 K) is inexplicably gassed after 62 pitches, so Houston (2/3 IP), Randolph (1 IP, 1 H), Thorn (1 IP, 2 K), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) hold the Pelicans scoreless for the final 4 2/3 innings. W - Thorn (3-2) SV - Bingham (13) May 17 - vs NWO - L 3-11 Bill Frazier (5 IP, 7 R, 10 H, 2 BB, 6 K) is pounded all over the park, and Robin Houston (1/3 IP, 3 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) walks the bases loaded before giving up a grand slam to Pelicans 2B Matt Clayton, removing all doubt and sending the 35,099 fans home early on Mini Bat Day. Former Flyer Gene Arndt (6 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K) continues last year's revenge; LaFontaine goes 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. L - Frazier (1-1) May 18 - vs NWO - L 2-5 Justin Nowlin (6 IP, 5 R, 13 H, 2 BB, 7 K) is pounded even harder than Frazier as the Flyers lose the series to the Pelicans. Jack Lowe hits a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded in the 9th that scores two, but LaFontaine is thrown out trying to score from first. L - Nowlin (4-3) May 19 - vs NSH - W 8-2 A six-run Flyers 4th, keyed by Valentine Stephens' (2 for 3, 2B, 2 R) two-run triple, is more than enough to win this wet one at State Fair Park. A 63-minute rain delay in the 4th keeps Keith Becker (4 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K) from going five, so John Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB) picks up the win. Clark Davidson (R, 2 RBI) and Mike Weber (2 R, RBI) both go 2 for 4 on the night. W - Jahnke (2-2) May 20 - vs NSH - W 10-4 After a scoreless pitcher's duel between Ken Green (7 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K) and Nashville's Rudy Barnard (L, 2-2, 6 1/3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 5 BB, 2 K) through 5 1/2 innings, the Flyers open the floodgates with two in the 6th. The Hounds get one back in the top of the 7th, but Carolina plates three more in the bottom half. Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB) gives up a three-run homer (after an error by Stephens at third) to make it a one-run game once again in the 8th, but the home team puts up a five-spot to put the game away. Davidson goes 3 for 4 with a stolen base, an RBI and two runs, while Thomas (2 for 2, R), Dale Francis (2 for 4, R) and Lowe (pinch-hit 2B, R) each drive in a pair. W - Green (1-0) May 21 - vs NSH - W 4-3 A dramatic end to a exciting game at State Fair Park today. With the Flyers leading 3-1 in the 9th, Francis (2 for 3) makes a wide throw to first that puts the leadoff batter on base. Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB) then comes in and promptly gives up a triple and a two-out single to tie the game, his second blown save this year. However, Darrel Robinson (2 for 4, HR) leads off the bottom half with a double and is replaced by pinch-runner Steven Robinson. After an intentional walk to Everett Putman and a fielder's choice by Mike Weber, there are runners on the corners with one out. Mike Sutton hits a grounder to Hounds 3B Rudolph Pendergrass, who throws to second without checking the runner at third! The relay to first is not in time, Steven Robinson scores, and the assembled 30,897 go crazy as Carolina completes the sweep. Halstead (5 IP, 3 H, 1 K) pitches a great game but is again tired after just 62 pitches. Davidson goes 2 for 5 with a double, a stolen base, a run and an RBI. W - Bingham (1-0) HR - D. Robinson (1) Last week: 4 - 2 This month: 11 - 6 Overall: 30 - 13, 1st, +3 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 5 games: 7-16 (.438), 0 HR, 2 RBI Clark Davidson Last 5 games: 8-19 (.421), 0 HR, 4 RBI Dale Francis Last 5 games: 8-20 (.400), 0 HR, 3 RBI Who's Not Rick Roberts Last 6 games: 2-17 (.118), 0 HR, 2 RBI A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus At 25-18, Columbus is second amongst Eastern Division A-ball teams. The star of the show thus far has been SS Will Blazer (age 24, .292, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 31 R, 9 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 10 SB), though CF Patrick Sommer (age 26, .286 in 49 AB, 4 HR, 11 RBI) has also hit well after being demoted from Hickory. Also contributing are 3B Mike King (age 23, .280, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 27 R, 28 BB, 13 2Bs) and C James Rodgers (age 24, .277 in 65 AB, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 17 BB). As for pitchers, Bruce Ford (age 25, 4-0, 3.23, WHIP 0.96) is off to a fast start, along with Brian Skidmore (age 27, 1.59 in 22 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.15) and Rick Wilhoit (age 21, 1.80 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.10) out of the bullpen. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Another starter bites the dust! It was such a shock to see Matt Halstead laboring after 55 pitches on Tuesday... I was hoping it was just a fluke thing, but the same thing happened yesterday... The radar gun doesn't lie, and you can't throw 83 mph fastballs for too long and survive... The scouts gave me a couple warnings, but I didn't think his endurance would drop off _that_ much! Well, I can't have a starter that can barely go four innings, so for now, I'm moving Halstead to the bullpen and Justin Randolph into the rotation... That gives me three weeks (until Morgan comes back from his injury) to figure out what to do with Robin Houston. Once Houston goes, Randolph will probably go back to the pen... Besides that, it was a pretty good week... The only thing that bothers me is that we only hit one homer all week long... Nothing I can do about it, but it bugs me that we've hit just 22 longballs while allowing 32 taters against us... Guess that's about it... see you at the ballpark! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-03-2004, 03:17 PM	#49 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 11 - May 29, 1972 The Flyers continue to stretch their Eastern Division lead, now 4 1/2 games ahead of Tampa. After an off day today, the club finishes their road trip with two games at Nashville, followed by a four-game set against Miami at State Fair Park. Last Week's Results May 22 - OFF May 23 - vs SAN - W 5-3 Darrel Robinson's pinch hit in the 8th scores two, then Terry Bingham (1 IP) throws a six-pitch 9th for the Flyers' fourth straight win. Kevin Hodgkins (1/3 IP) picks up the win for getting the final out in the top of the 8th after Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 1 K) gives up a two-out single. Everett Putman goes 3 for 3 with a run, taking his average from a .154 to a .241 mark, while Mike Weber scores twice and drives in two with a homer in the 4th. W - Hodgkins (4-1) SV - Bingham (14) HR - Weber (7) Before the next game, the club announces a trade with Memphis, sending SP Matt Halstead (3-0, 1.84, WHIP 0.79) and 3B Valentine Stephens (.263, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 10 2Bs) to the Blues. In return, the Flyers receive 3B Mike Schaaf [9/6/4] (.325 in 40 AB), RP Oscar Matthews [7/8/4] (3.10 in 29 IP, WHIP 1.24) and SP Jeremiah Davis [9/4/7] (15-9, 3.38, WHIP 1.36 last year). Davis ruptured a disc in April and is out for the season. May 24 - vs SAN - W 4-3 (14) The Flyers win an exciting and dramatic Batting Glove Day in front of 36,326 at State Fair Park. Down by two with two out in the 9th, an Putman pinch hit, Rick Roberts walk and Weber "pinch walk" load the bases. Pinch-hitter Steven Robinson hits an easy grounder to Missions 2B Dave Mikel, but he bobbles it and then throws it away, allowing the two tying runs to score. Leading off the bottom of the 14th, Dale Francis hits a single that gets past San Antonio RF Ed Jorge for an extra base. After an intentional walk to Alan Bruns, an out at third on the bunt by Jeff Harvey and a single by Putman, the bases are loaded again, this time for Roberts. With the infield back, Rick hits another grounder to Mikel at second but beats the relay throw to first, scoring Bruns with the game-winner. Though George Thorn (3 2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 K) is nearly perfect in the 10th through 13th, Oscar Matthews (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) gets the win in his first appearance for the Flyers. Both managers are tossed for arguing some contentious calls behind the plate: San Antonio's Harry Easterday in the 9th and Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 12th. W - Matthews (4-1) May 25 - vs SAN - W 4-3 (12) Dale Francis hits a walkoff solo shot with one out in the bottom of the 12th, ending another dramatic extra-inning affair and extending the Flyers' winning streak to seven games. Again both managers watch the finish from the clubhouse: Jeremy McGrath gets tossed in the 9th, while Harry Easterday gets the heave-ho in the 10th. Darrel Robinson breaks a two-two tie in the 8th with an RBI-double, but ex-Flyer C Mark Johnson (4 for 4) hits his second homer of the night off Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB) to begin the 9th. Clark Davidson goes 2 for 3 with a stolen base and a two-run homer. W - Jahnke (3-2) HR - Davidson (1), Francis (5) May 26 - at NWO - L 5-6 (11) A depleted Flyers bullpen finally loses in its third straight extra-inning game. Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 K), pitching for the fourth consecutive day, throws a perfect 10th but gives up a leadoff double to New Orleans pinch-hitter Weston McAbee in the 11th. After a sacrifice bunt, Bingham (1/3 IP) enters his fourth straight game but allows a fly ball off the bat of Pelicans SS Dave Brown that's deep enough to score McAbee from third. The Flyers take a 5-1 lead into the 8th, but Justin Nowlin (7 2/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) and Thorn (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) give up three, then Robin Houston (0 IP, 1 R, 2 H) and John Jahnke (1/3 IP, 1 H) allow three two-out hits in the 9th to tie the game. Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 6, scoring twice, while Francis hits 2 of 6 with a two-run double in the 4th. L - Hodgkins (4-2) After the game, the team announces that RP Robin Houston (5.40 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.90) has been designated for assignment, while RP Dave Elliot [7/6/6] (9 SV, 2.78 in 22 2/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.32) has been purchased from Winston-Salem. May 27 - at NWO - L 0-4 Pelicans starter Jim Wright (W, 3-1, 9 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) shuts out the Flyers on six hits, all at the top of the order by Roberts (3 for 4, 2B), LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2B) and Francis (1 for 3). Justin Randolph (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K) is hung with a tough loss in his first start of the year, while Dave Elliot's (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 K) debut does not go too well. Elliot's ERA stands at a healthy 54.00 mark. L - Randolph (6-1) May 28 - at NWO - W 6-5 Mike Schaff's three-run double in the 1st sets the Flyers on their way to a 6-0 lead. However, Frazier (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 3 K) gives up five hits for three Pelicans runs in the 6th, then Jahnke (2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB) allows two more in the 8th to make it a one-run game. Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 1 BB), making his fifth appearance this week, closes out the 8th and throws a perfect 9th, earning the save and preventing a New Orleans sweep. Steven Robinson hits 2 for 5 with a run and an RBI, while Mike Weber (1 for 3, 2B, RBI) scores twice. W - Frazier (2-1) SV - Hodgkins (2) After the game, the team announces that 2B Eddie Chaney [5/5/4] (.250 in 28 AB this year, .388 in 49 AB last year) has been claimed via waivers from Norfolk and assigned to the major league roster. 2B Jeff Harvey (.244 in 21 AB this year, .218 in 87 AB last year) is designated for assignment to free up a roster spot. Last week: 4 - 2 This month: 15 - 8 Overall: 34 - 15, 1st, +4 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Darrel Robinson Last 8 games: 7-17 (.412), 1 HR, 4 RBI Dale Francis Last 8 games: 12-31 (.387), 1 HR, 5 RBI Jack Lowe Last 7 games: 6-16 (.375), 0 HR, 4 RBI Rick Roberts Last 5 games: 7-19 (.368), 0 HR, 2 RBI Steven Robinson Last 5 games: 5-16 (.313), 0 HR, 2 RBI Who's Not Alan Bruns Last 6 games: 0-14 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI Mike Sutton Last 8 games: 1-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI Mike Schaaf Last 8 games: 3-23 (.130), 0 HR, 3 RBI Frank Thomas Last 5 games: 2-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI A Closer Look - Carolina The Flyers' pitching staff remains the best in the league, tops in ERA (2.96), opponent's average (.244) and runs allowed (178) while just seventh in homers (35). With Bill Morgan (2-1, 1.97, WHIP 1.27) still 7-10 days away from coming off the DL, new members of the rotation Ken Green (1-0 in 4 GS, 2.67, WHIP 0.96) and Justin Randolph (6-1, 1.66 in 38 IP, WHIP 1.11) have taken up the slack, though Keith Becker (3-2, 3.61, WHIP 1.12) has also begun to recover from his slow start (4.70 ERA in April, 2.56 ERA in May). Meanwhile, the bullpen of Terry Bingham (14 SV, 0.47 in 19 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.83), Kevin Hodgkins (2.25 in 24 IP, WHIP 1.17), George Thorn (2.30 in 27 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.13) and Oscar Matthews (2.81 in 32 IP, WHIP 1.22) has continued its dependable work. Carolina's offense ranks fourth in scoring (240) and second in walks (223) but has lost ground in batting (.268), steals (34) and homers (25). The heart of the order in CF Paul LaFontaine (.332, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 31 R, 27 BB, 7 2Bs), SS Dale Francis (.340, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R, 10 2Bs) and C Mike Weber (.282, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 35 R, 28 BB) have led the way, while LF Steven Robinson (.357, 2 HR, 30 RBI) has cooled in May (.236) after a torrid April (.435). 2B Clark Davidson (.237, 24 R, 14 SB) and 1B Everett Putman (.227 in 44 AB) continue to struggle at the plate, but newcomer RF Rick Roberts (.294 in 85 AB, 19 BB) has stepped into the leadoff spot with a .423 on-base percentage. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) A lot of changes to the roster this week... That might seem strange, considering our success so far, but you have to keep an eye on next year and an eye on the bottom line, even if you're winning this year... After some hesitation, we realized that paying Matt Halstead $8.6 mil for the next four years to be our #4 or #5 reliever was not really in our best interest. Oscar Matthews had been the Memphis closer, while Mike Schaaf is just 21 and one of the league's top prospects. He's off to a slow start with us, but he could easily be a .330 to .350 hitter before too long... Valentine Stephens became the odd man out, and $1.2 mil is a bit much for a backup... As for Jeremiah Davis, he basically just evens up the financials a bit... Rather than sending $4 million in cash to Memphis, instead we take $4 mil in dead salary off their hands and get a solid starter for next season... Eddie Chaney is not a big difference from Jeff Harvey, but he's a little cheaper, a little faster, and a little better with the leather... Robin Houston was getting $1.3 mil after a breakout year last season, which was already a lot for a mop-up man... but now he can't pitch an inning or two without giving up a run, and I can't have that... With Houston gone, there's nobody left in the bullpen that Justin Randolph can displace, so I guess he'll have to stay in the rotation with Frazier being optioned down when Morgan returns... Well, I've got about a hundred amateurs to scout for Thursday's draft... so see you at the ballpark! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-04-2004, 09:30 PM	#50 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 12 - June 5, 1972 After winning five of six last week, the Flyers hold a commanding seven game lead over Tampa for the Eastern Division pennant. After a day off today, the team wraps up this homestand with two games against Jacksonville before hitting the road for four at Norfolk. Last Week's Results May 29 - OFF May 30 - at NSH - W 2-1 Mike Weber and Mike Schaaf both hit RBI-singles in the 8th to give the Flyers a comeback win. Following a stellar performance from Keith Becker (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 K), Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) pitches out of trouble in the 7th but walks to the dugout very gingerly. Matthews may miss as much as a month with back spasms. Clark Davidson hits 2 of 4 but is caught stealing; Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) needs just seven pitches to earn his league-leading fifteenth save. W - Matthews (5-1) SV - Bingham (15) After the game, Oscar Matthews is put on the disabled list, and RP Dave Brown [5/8/3] (1-1 in 2 GS for Tampa this year, 3.60 in 10 IP, WHIP 1.70) is purchased from Winston-Salem, where he has a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings of relief with a 1.14 WHIP. May 31 - at NSH - W 4-0 Ken Green (9 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 4 K) throws a two-hit shutout, the first of his career, while Everett Putman goes 3 for 4 with a run. Schaaf adds a two-run triple with two down in the 8th and scores on a wild pitch to secure the two-game sweep of the Hounds. W - Green (2-0) June 1 - vs MIA - L 1-8 Justin Nowlin (4 1/3 IP, 8 R, 7 H, 4 BB, 3 K) is hit hard, while the Flyers manage just four hits off Meteors starter Rick Parker (6 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 3 K) and friends. As for bright spots, Putman goes 2 for 4, improving his average to .291, and Dave Elliot (2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 3 K) throws great in long relief. L - Nowlin (4-4) June 2 - vs MIA - W 5-1 Justin Randolph (8 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 K) puts on a clinic but cannot quite go the distance, so Bingham (1/3 IP, 1 K) gets the game-ending whiff after the Flyers' third error loads the bases in the 9th. Paul LaFontaine goes 4 for 5 with two runs, while Dale Francis hits 3 of 4 with an RBI before making his 5th error in the 9th. W - Randolph (7-1) SV - Bingham (16) June 3 - vs MIA - W 6-3 Mike Sutton hits an RBI-triple and scores on Putman's pinch hit, breaking a three-all tie with a two-run 6th. Bill Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) throws a solid game, then Jahnke, Hodgkins and Thorn close out the win. Frank Thomas goes 1 for 4, scoring once and driving in two. W - Frazier (3-1) SV - Thorn (1) June 4 - vs MIA - W 12-0 Becker (8 IP, 6 H, 4 K) and Dave Brown (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the Meteors on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park, while the 40,092 assembled Flyers fans are treated to twelve runs on sixteen hits led by Alan Bruns (3 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI), Thomas (3 for 5, R, 2 RBI), LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Schaaf (3 for 4, R, RBI). A three-run homer by Jack Lowe followed by a back-to-back shot by Bruns in the 8th is the icing on the cake. W - Becker (4-2) HR - Lowe (1), Bruns (2) After the game, the club sends RF Mike Sutton (.200 in 60 AB) down to Winston-Salem and purchases the contract of LF John Trull [5/6/5] (.325 in 212 AAA AB, 15 HR, 60 RBI). Last week: 5 - 1 This month: 3 - 1 (17 - 8 in May) Overall: 39 - 16, 1st, +7 on Tampa Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 5 games: 8-19 (.421), 0 HR, 3 RBI Ken Green Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 24 IP Who's Not Mike Sutton Last 5 games: 1-14 (.071), 0 HR, 1 RBI Mike Weber Last 5 games: 1-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI Justin Nowlin Last 3 games: 0-2, 8.50 ERA, 18 IP A Closer Look - The Amateur Draft 1st Round - 1B John Radcliffe, 18 [6/6/8] - $171,000 A left-handed pull hitter, Radcliffe hit .476 at St. Paul Central (Minnesota). 2nd Round - RP Warren Spellman, 18 [7/8/7] - $35,000 Spellman, a rightie, struck out 50 batters in 48 2/3 innings for Kempner HS (Georgia). 3rd Round - 3B Charlie Flanagan, 19 [6/3/6] - $25,000 Flanagan hit .508 at Alpena HS (Arkansas). 4th Round - RP Bob Allen, 23 [4/9/8] - $25,000 Allen may develop into a right-handed starter after going 10-3 with a 2.74 ERA for Morehead State. 5th Round - 2B Mark Gott, 18 [6/2/5] - $25,000 From Kickapoo HS (Missouri), Gott hit .516 last year. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Pretty good, eh? I never would have expected a seven game lead in the first week of June... Bill Morgan is due back by the weekend, so I think we're gonna see if Justin Nowlin can clear waivers after some recent sub-par performances... Justin Randolph is throwing too well to go back to the pen, while Bill Frazier has won his last two starts... We ended up releasing Jeff Harvey after he cleared waivers but refused a minor league assignment... Guess I'll have to be more careful with my free agency offers in the future... I wasn't really planning on taking so many teenagers in this year's draft, but it just kinda worked out that way... Unlike last year, everybody in this year's draft class is starting out in Single-A... Anyway, c'mon out to the ballpark and see us while we're hot! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-05-2004, 11:43 PM	#51 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 13 - June 12, 1972 Both the Flyers and Tomahawks won five of their six games last week, so Carolina does not add to their seven game lead over Tampa. The club plays four at Atlanta before returning to State Fair Park for a three-game set with Norfolk. Last Week's Results June 5 - OFF June 6 - vs JAX - W 6-4 Paul LaFontaine goes 3 for 4 with a double, a run and an RBI, while Ken Green (7 1/3 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 3 K) helps his own cause with a 3 for 3 night, scoring twice. Steven Robinson (1 for 4, R) drives in two; Terry Bingham (1/3 IP) throws just one pitch for his league-leading 17th save after Dave Brown (2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 1 BB) gives up a two-run homer in the 9th. W - Green (3-0) SV - Bingham (17) June 7 - vs JAX - L 4-6 (10) Taking over a 4-2 game in the 9th, Bingham (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 K) gives up a single, a triple, and a double for two Ospreys runs and a tie game. In the 10th, John Jahnke (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 K) allows two singles and a double to score two more for a series split with Jacksonville. Everett Putman hits 2 of 4 and scores a run; Justin Randolph (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K) pitches effectively but throws too many pitches to go six innings. L - Jahnke (3-3) June 8 - at NOR - W 4-3 (13) Clark Davidson's (2 for 6) single down the left field line with two out in the top of the 13th scores Mike Schaaf from second to win the game for the Flyers. The Clippers tied it up with a two-run 8th off Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K) and Kevin Hodgkins (0 IP, 2 H), but Thorn (2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K), Brown (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Elliot (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) held the home team scoreless for the final four frames. Frank Thomas hits 3 of 6 and drives in one, while Mike Weber goes 2 for 5 with a double, a run and an RBI. W - Brown (2-1) SV - Elliot (1) June 9 - at NOR - W 6-1 Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K) stymies the Clippers for seven solid innings, while Dale Francis goes 2 for 5 with a run and an RBI. W - Becker (5-2) After the game, SP Bill Morgan (2-1 in 8 GS, 1.97, WHIP 1.27) is activated from the DL, while RP Dave Brown (3.95 in 13 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.61) is sent to AAA Winston-Salem. June 10 - at NOR - W 13-7 Schaff goes 3 for 5, scoring once and driving in four as the Flyers collect seventeen hits while thumping the Clippers at Harbor Stadium. LaFontaine hits 4 of 5 with a run and an RBI, while Weber ends up with a triple, three runs and two RBIs. Bill Morgan (4 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) cannot make it five innings in his first start back, so Dave Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 1 K) picks up the win. W - Elliot (1-0) After the game, the team announces that SP Justin Nowlin (4-4, 5.34, WHIP 1.69) has been traded to Houston for a player to be named later. RP Dave Brown is recalled to the active roster to take his place. June 11 - at NOR - W 7-1 Green (9 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 8 K) throws his second complete game in his last three starts to complete a four-game sweep of the Clippers. Even a 27-minute rain delay could not cool the Flyers' red-hot bats, led by Schaaf (2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI), LaFontaine (1 for 3, 2 R, RBI) and Thomas (1 for 4, 2 RBI). W - Green (4-0) HR - Schaaf (1) Last week: 5 - 1 This month: 8 - 2 Overall: 44 - 17, 1st, +7 on Tampa Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 9 games: 21-40 (.525), 0 HR, 7 RBI Frank Thomas Last 6 games: 10-22 (.455), 0 HR, 5 RBI Clark Davidson Last 5 games: 6-19 (.316), 0 HR, 4 RBI Keith Becker Last 5 games: 2-0, 0.84 ERA, 32 1/3 IP Ken Green Last 3 games: 3-0, 1.07 ERA, 25 1/3 IP Who's Not Rick Roberts Last 6 games: 3-23 (.130), 0 HR, 2 RBI Dale Francis Last 5 games: 4-21 (.190), 0 HR, 3 RBI A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem Winston-Salem leads all Eastern Division AAA affiliates with a 38-23 record. Swinging the hottest bat at the moment is CF John Swanson (age 26, .303 in 119 AB, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 17 2Bs), but this team is solid throughout the lineup: 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .285, 8 HR, 35 RBI), 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .308, 7 HR, 40 RBI), OF John Tidwell (age 25, .277, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 44 R, 35 BB, 12 SB), 2B Jonah Carwile (age 27, .277 in 177 AB, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 13 2Bs, 4 3Bs), C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .337 in 175 AB, 4 HR, 18 RBI), RF Rudy Olson (age 23, .312 in 125 AB, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 10 2Bs) and C Gary Armitage (age 32, .297 in 101 AB, 41 BB). 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .359 in 64 AB, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 7 2Bs) is again swinging a big bat in AAA that he has not yet been able to find in the majors. In comparison, the pitching staff does not have impressive numbers. Tom Merchant (age 28, 6-1 in 9 GS, 2.06, WHIP 1.07) and Christopher Horan (age 21, 6-5, 4.43, WHIP 1.27) top the rotation, along with Floyd Myers (age 25, 2.61 in 31 IP, WHIP 1.16), Chad Williams (age 35, 0.50 in 18 IP, WHIP 1.11) and Robin Houston (age 29, 2.25 in 4 IP, WHIP 1.25) out of the pen. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) You know, I usually find some negatives to complain about here, even when we're winning... but I'm having a hard time coming up with any... How about the fact that we're going to get killed in arbitration next year when Justin Randolph comes in with a record like 15-6? Of course, the arbitrator won't notice that his first six wins were in relief! Justin Nowlin refused assignment to the minors, so I was just going to stick him in the pen for long relief, but some teams were actually willing to give up something to get him... Not a lot, mind you... we ended up with a young not-quite-prospect catcher for AA Hickory... which is better than nothing, I guess... Frank Thomas has played his way into the lineup, at least for the time being... Steven Robinson has really gone cold after that insane April... Again almost went a whole week without a homer... We're just one tater ahead of ranking last in the league, and after four games against us next week, I'm sure Atlanta will pull ahead of us too... Avoiding homers is the one thing our pitchers can't do very well... Well, we'll be home next weekend, so c'mon down and cheer us on! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-08-2004, 12:24 AM	#52 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 14 - June 19, 1972 The Flyers now lead the Eastern Division by 9 1/2 games after winning six of seven last week. The club finishes this homestand with three against Atlanta (including Baseball Cap Day today), then take a day off before hitting the road for three at Miami. Last Week's Results June 12 - at ATL - W 6-5 After skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the bottom of the 8th for arguing a call at second base, Kevin Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gives up two runs for a 5-3 Flames lead. However, with two down in the 9th, Mike Schaaf (3 for 5, 4 RBI) hits a three-run shot to right-center, his second tater of the game, giving the Flyers a lead that Terry Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) closes out for the fifth straight Carolina win. Justin Randolph (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K) throws a good game; Rick Roberts and Paul LaFontaine each go 2 for 5 with a run on the night. W - Hodgkins (5-2) SV - Bingham (18) HR - Schaaf 2 (2,3) June 13 - at ATL - W 12-9 LaFontaine goes 4 for 6 with two runs and three RBIs, while Dale Francis (3 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) hits an RBI-double and scores in the 8th to give the Flyers the edge in this slugfest at Lexus Park. Bill Frazier (4 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 4 K) gives up two Flames runs apiece in the 3rd, 4th and 5th, but John Jahnke (1 IP, 2 H) throws a scoreless 6th for the win. Dave Brown (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) earns his second career save; Schaaf adds three RBIs and a run on a 2 for 5 night. W - Jahnke (4-3) SV - Brown (1) HR - S. Robinson (3) June 14 - at ATL - W 8-1 Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K) hurls a great game to extend the Flyers' winning streak to seven. Everett Putman (2 for 3, R, 3 RBI), Schaaf (3 for 4, R) and Roberts (R, 2 RBI) each hit a double on the night. W - Becker (6-2) June 15 - at ATL - W 10-3 Francis (2 for 4, 2 R, 4 RBI) hits a three-run homer in the 7th and Jack Lowe adds a two-run shot in the 8th as the Flyers pound the Flames for the four-game sweep and their eighth straight win. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K) finds his rhythm in his second start off the DL. W - Morgan (3-1) HR - Francis (6), Lowe (2) June 16 - vs NOR - W 4-3 Clark Davidson hits 2 for 4, driving in three Flyers and extending the winning streak to nine. Lowe also goes 2 for 4 and scores on Davidson's two-out, two-run single in the 6th that gives Carolina the lead after Ken Green (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K) allows three Clippers runs in the top half of the inning. Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) puts a couple runners on before securing his nineteenth save; he leads the league by four. W - Green (5-0) SV - Bingham (19) June 17 - vs NOR - L 3-6 LaFontaine's three-run homer in the 6th is not enough to keep the Flyers' winning streak alive as Randolph (4 2/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 1 K) is knocked around early and often, allowing one Clippers run apiece in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. LaFontaine's blast to right-center does keep his fourteen-game hitting streak going, however. L - Randolph (7-2) HR - LaFontaine (5) June 18 - vs NOR - W 7-2 Putman's (2 for 3) three-run double caps a six-run Flyers 3rd, more than enough scoring for Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB), who also hits a double, the first of his career. Mike Weber goes 2 for 4, scoring twice and driving in one, while Steven Robinson scores once and drives in two on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. W - Frazier (4-1) Last week: 6 - 1 This month: 14 - 3 Overall: 50 - 18, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Everett Putman Last 5 games: 8-17 (.471), 0 HR, 6 RBI Keith Becker Last 3 games: 3-0, 0.82 ERA, 22 IP Ken Green Last 4 games: 4-0, 1.72 ERA, 31 1/3 IP Who's Not Clark Davidson Last 7 games: 4-26 (.154), 0 HR, 4 RBI A Closer Look - AA Hickory Hickory sports the best record in Double-A at 44-24. C Frank Saville (age 30, .332, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 42 BB) leads the offense, along with LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .284, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 42 BB), SS Kyle Smith (age 30, .266 in 184 AB, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 51 BB), 2B Alexander Potter (age 26, .308 in 143 AB, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 14 2Bs) and RF Mike Slack (age 34, .296 in 142 AB, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 13 2Bs). Recent additions to the lineup include SS Will Blazer (age 25, .417 in 72 AB) from Single-A Columbus and C Ed Setzer (age 24, .362 in 149 AB, 20 2Bs) via trade from AA Lakeland (HOU). Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 6-2, 3.63, WHIP 1.13) and Chase Nelson (age 25, 7-2, 2.74, WHIP 1.32) top the rotation; Dave Reed (age 28, 2.11 in 38 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.99) and Tim Pauly (age 35, 1.23 in 29 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.99) have impressed out of the bullpen. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Awful tough to find things to complain about after this week... We even hit six taters! Clark Davidson is still struggling to hit at this level... After a .222 April, he rebounded with a .266 May but has hit just .228 again so far in June for a .241 overall average... Nothing we can do but play him, though, since he's out of options... Everett Putman, on the other hand, is starting to put it all together... He's hitting .320 in June and .297 overall... So Alan Bruns will have to be content as a pinch-hitter, as there's nowhere left to put him... Oscar Matthews might be back by the end of the month, which will send Dave Brown back to Winston-Salem... C'mon down to the park and fill out your All-Star ballot! It's never too early to vote! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-08-2004, 10:45 PM	#53 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 15 - June 26, 1972 The Flyers maintain their 9 1/2 game lead over Tampa after splitting six games last week. The team plays three at Jacksonville before beginning the homestand that will take them to the All-Star break with a four-game set against Houston (including Mini Bat Day on Friday). Last Week's Results June 19 - vs ATL - W 4-2 Mike Weber's (2 for 3, CS) 446-foot blast to straightaway center in the 1st scores three, giving the Flyers a lead they never relinquish to win Baseball Cap Day at State Fair Park. Keith Becker (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K) throws another great game; he's now 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his four June starts. Rick Roberts (1 for 3, SB) scores twice, while Paul LaFontaine goes 1 for 3 to extend his league-leading and career-best hitting streak to sixteen games. W - Becker (7-2) SV - Bingham (20) HR - Weber (8) June 20 - vs ATL - L 3-6 Bill Morgan (4 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K) throws 90 pitches in just four innings, handing a three-all tie to the bullpen in the 5th. Dave Elliot (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K), John Jahnke (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H) and Dave Brown (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) cannot hold the line, allowing Flames runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th. Mike Schaaf (2 for 4) hits a two-run double and scores in the 1st, while Dale Francis hits 3 of 4 with a double and a triple but is not driven in by a Flyers lineup that whiffs fourteen times. LaFontaine goes 0 for 4 with three Ks, snapping his hitting streak. L - Elliot (1-1) June 21 - vs ATL - L 9-10 Ken Green (1 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 1 K) makes an early exit, but the Flyers score five in their half of the 1st to make it a tie game after two. However, Brown (2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Jahnke (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 3 BB) and Elliot (1 2/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K) cannot keep Atlanta off the board for the second straight game, giving the Flames a 10-5 lead after six. Carolina scores four runs in the 8th on two bases-loaded walks and a two-run single by Weber (2 for 2, 3 BB, R, 4 RBI), then has the tying run on second and the winning run on first with one out in the 9th, but pinch-hitter Steven Robinson grounds into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. Clark Davidson (R, RBI, CS) also goes 2 for 2 with three walks, while LaFontaine hits 2 of 4 with a double, an RBI and two runs. L - Brown (2-2) June 22 - OFF June 23 - at MIA - W 7-3 Roberts starts off the game with his first homerun in four years, and the Flyers never look back. Justin Randolph (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K) hurls a good game, while LaFontaine (2 R, SB), Schaaf (R, RBI) and Everett Putman (R, RBI) each go 2 for 5. Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 2 K) enters the 9th with two on and one out but gets two whiffs for his twenty-first save; he leads the league by five. W - Randolph (8-2) SV - Bingham (21) HR - Roberts (1) June 24 - at MIA - L 1-3 Though Becker (6 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K) throws well, the Flyers manage just one run on seven hits off the Meteors' Don Robinson (W, 5-8, 7 1/3 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K) and associates. John Trull drives in the sole Carolina tally with a double in the 8th; LaFontaine also doubles on a 2 for 4 night. L - Becker (7-3) June 25 - at MIA - W 4-2 Francis hits a 433-foot, three-run shot to center in the 6th, more than enough scoring to win this contentious game behind Morgan's (7 IP, 2 R, 4 H) eleven strikeouts. The very first Meteors batter, RF Harry Cunningham, is ejected after striking out, and eventually both managers are chased: Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 4th and Miami's Randy Gerry in the 8th. W - Morgan (4-1) SV - Bingham (22) HR - Francis (7) Last week: 3 - 3 This month: 17 - 6 Overall: 53 - 21, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Mike Weber Last 5 games: 7-13 (.538), 1 HR, 7 RBI Everett Putman Last 7 games: 8-24 (.333), 0 HR, 5 RBI Keith Becker Last 8 games: 4-1, 1.38 ERA, 52 1/3 IP Who's Not Frank Thomas Last 12 games: 2-26 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus At 43-31, Columbus sits third in all of A-ball, 1 1/2 games behind Tuscaloosa (TAM). The star of the show is SS/3B Mike King (age 23, .297, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 43 R, 40 BB, 19 2Bs), who could be called up to Hickory any day now. The backstops are also key contributors; both starting C Matt Thompson (age 25, .300, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 42 BB, 16 2Bs) and backup C James Rodgers (age 24, .298 in 114 AB, 28 BB) have hit well. Reliever Rick Wilhoit (age 21, 3.13 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.21) is the only highlight on a lackluster staff, though this year's second-rounder, Warren Spellman (age 18, 4.24 in 17 IP, WHIP 1.35) has very respectable numbers just one month removed from high school. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Back to earth a bit this week... The Flames series was the end of a seventeen-game stretch between off days, so I can forgive the bullpen for getting knocked around a little bit... With neither Steven Robinson nor Frank Thomas hitting the ball much, I decided it's time to try something a little different and get Alan Bruns into the lineup, so Dale Francis is starting in left this week with Bruns taking over shortstop... Bruns has done well in his limited playing time lately (.316 for 38 AB in June), so I figure he deserves more opportunity... Oscar Matthews will be back tomorrow, so knock on wood, we'll be completely healthy other than the three season-long injuries... With all the injuries, trades and role changes, only Keith Becker and his 2.79 ERA have enough innings to qualify for the league leaders... I think Ken Green may eventually catch up; before his last two starts, he had gone at least seven innings each time out... Don't forget to vote for this year's All-Star team! I think we could have as many as six Carolina players on the squad this year... so vote early and often! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-10-2004, 12:25 PM	#54 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 16 - July 3, 1972 The Tomahawks drop six of seven to add three games to the Flyers' Eastern Division lead, now 12 1/2 games over Tampa. Three games against Memphis (including Batting Glove Day on Tuesday) and four contests with Dallas will take the club to the All-Star break. Last Week's Results June 26 - at JAX - L 2-7 Another quick hook for Ken Green (1 2/3 IP, 6 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K), who has only gone three innings between his last two starts. Dave Brown (5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) does a commendable job in long relief, while Alan Bruns (2B, R, RBI) and Clark Davidson (SB) each hit 2 for 4. L - Green (5-1) After the game, RP Dave Brown (2.70 in 16 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.14) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so that RP Oscar Matthews (2.73 in 33 IP, WHIP 1.24) can be activated from the DL. June 27 - at JAX - L 3-4 Bill Frazier (5 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 4 K) cannot find the plate consistently, allowing four walks during a three-run Ospreys 5th. Dale Francis (HR, 2 R, SB) and Rick Roberts (R, SB) each hit 2 of 5; Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 1 H) throws well in his first outing off the disabled list. L - Frazier (4-2) HR - Francis (8) June 28 - at JAX - W 8-2 Justin Randolph (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K) not only allows just one run despite six walks but gets his first two big-league hits, an RBI-single in the 2nd and an RBI-double in the 4th. Meanwhile, Schaaf goes 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs including a solo shot in the 5th, while Roberts (1 for 5) scores once and drives in two. W - Randolph (9-2) HR - LaFontaine (6), Schaaf (4) June 29 - vs HOU - W 6-4 The 30,511 fans assembled at State Fair Park today see some fireworks, both on and off the field. Francis (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Jack Lowe (2 for 4, 2 R) both hit solo shots for the Flyers, but things get heated after Buffaloes RF Richard Stark leads off the 7th with his second tater of the night off Keith Becker (6 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 8 K). The next batter, SS Douglas Dewberry, is hit by a pitch and takes about three steps towards first before charging the mound and taking a swing at Becker. Both benches clear, and two minutes later, both Dewberry and Becker are ejected. After all that, some thankfully uneventful relief work from Elliot (1/3 IP, 1 BB), Hodgkins (1 2/3 IP, 2 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 K) closes out the Carolina victory. W - Becker (8-3) SV - Bingham (23) HR - Francis (9), Lowe (3) June 30 - vs HOU - W 3-1 Bill Morgan (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K) throws well and helps his own cause, hitting an RBI-triple and scoring in the 3rd, then the bullpen of Jahnke (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 K), Thorn (1/3 IP), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) holds the Buffaloes to three hits in the final four frames to secure a Flyers win on Mini Bat Day. W - Morgan (5-1) SV - Bingham (24) July 1 - vs HOU - L 4-7 Green (7 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K) has another rough outing, though he does last a lot longer this go-round. LaFontaine leaves the game in the 4th after making an impossible catch in the gap to turn a sure two-run double into a sacrifice fly; he is listed as day-to-day with a stiff neck. Adding insult to injury, though, Buffaloes CF Mike Towery hits a two-run homer in the very next at-bat. Schaaf goes 2 for 3 with a double, scoring twice. L - Green (5-2) After the game, the team announces a trade that sends 2B Eddie Chaney (.238 in 42 AB) to Dallas for IF John Conyers [4/2/6] (.250 in 12 AB, .261 in 238 AAA ABs with 49 BB). 2B Thomas Wilkins [5/3/4] (.292 in AAA, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 13 2Bs) is purchased from Winston-Salem to fill the roster. July 2 - vs HOU - W 10-3 Frazier (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K) does not throw particularly well but hits a two-run double and scores on Mike Weber's (2 for 2, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB) three-run homer as part of a seven-run Flyers 3rd. Everett Putman extends a career-high seven-game hitting streak with a 4 for 5 night, scoring twice and driving in two. W - Frazier (5-2) HR - Weber (9) Last week: 4 - 3 This month: 1 - 1 (20 - 8 in June) Overall: 57 - 24, 1st, +12 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Mike Schaaf Last 5 games: 10-20 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI Everett Putman Last 5 games: 8-15 (.533), 0 HR, 3 RBI Who's Not Nobody! A Closer Look - Carolina Carolina's pitching continues to pace the league with a staff ERA (3.18) that's half a run better than the next best club (Dallas: 3.76). With Bill Morgan (5-1, 2.36, WHIP 1.29) back from the DL and Justin Randolph (9-2 in 7 GS, 1.95, WHIP 1.14) settling in after making the move from the bullpen, Keith Becker (8-3, 2.96, WHIP 1.09) has been the ace of the staff with Ken Green (5-2, 3.89, WHIP 1.23) throwing quite well until his last three starts. Bill Frazier (5-2, 4.72, WHIP 1.58), on the other hand, has been hit and miss all season long. The return of Oscar Matthews (2.97 in 36 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.38) means the relief staff is completely healthy as well: Terry Bingham (24 SV, 0.91 in 29 2/3 IP, WHIP 0.91), Kevin Hodgkins (2.41 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.26), George Thorn (2.66 in 40 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.23), Dave Elliot (3.20 in 19 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.12) and John Jahnke (3.77 in 43 IP, WHIP 1.37). The Flyers' offense is still third-best in scoring (424) and walks (356) while fifth in batting (.271). However, the team still struggles to hit the longball; just 43 taters ranks them next to last. SS/OF Dale Francis (.317, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 51 R, 14 2Bs) and CF Paul LaFontaine (.349, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 51 R, 12 2Bs) continue to lead the way, with C Mike Weber (.281, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 54 R, 51 BB) beginning to show signs of rounding into form. 3B Mike Schaaf (.313 in 179 AB, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 9 2Bs) is starting to show flashes of brilliance, while backup C Jack Lowe (.313 in 80 AB, 3 HR, 15 RBI) hit three homers in 28 at-bats last month. On the flip side, 2B Clark Davidson (.239, 39 R, 38 BB, 21 SB) is still struggling to figure out big-league pitchers, and RF Rick Roberts (.245 in 196 AB, 38 BB) had an off month in June, hitting .221 with a .333 on-base. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Amazing... we gain ground on the division, even when we're not winning! ... Go figure... Eddie Chaney was beginning to show his age, and we have a bit of a logjam of middle infielders in the minors, so we decided it was time to give somebody new a try... Wilkins is probably the only truly speedy guy on the roster (a good thing to have on the bench), plus he has insane range at second and excellent bat-handling skills... He may be on a par with Matt Kirk as far as drag-bunting goes, and that worked out pretty well last season... With LaFontaine dinged up, I'm giving John Trull another look-see by moving Roberts to center, Francis to right and putting Trull in left... He's hitting .290 in 31 at-bats so far... Financially, the club is in great shape... we're on pace to collect almost $2 mil more than last year from attendance revenue alone... So if you figure that we'll be in the playoffs again, we'll probably make $87.2 mil with a payroll that stands at $74.7 mil right now... We might just barely exceed the $25 mil cash cap, but we'll try to avoid that by scheduling some extra promotions in August and September... Bobblehead dolls for all! Anyway, after this week, we won't be home again until July 27th... so c'mon down to the ballpark and cheer us on! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-11-2004, 02:51 PM	#55 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 17 - July 10, 1972 Carolina gives one game back to Tampa after the Tomahawks sweep the Blues in four, making the margin 11 1/2 games for the Eastern Division lead. The Flyers go on another road trip West after the All-Star break, beginning with four at Memphis. Last Week's Results July 3 - vs MEM - L 5-8 (10) Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB) allows three Blues runs in the 10th, including a pinch-hit two-run homer by former teammate Valentine Stephens, giving the win to another ex-Flyer, Matt Halstead (W, 5-2, 1/3 IP). The Flyers manage just five runs despite collecting twenty hits by leaving fourteen runners on base. John Trull (R) and Mike Weber (2 2B) each go 4 for 5, while Everett Putman (1 for 4, 2B, R) and starter Justin Randolph (5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 K) both drive in a pair. L - Bingham (1-1) July 4 - vs MEM - W 7-3 Mike Schaaf hits a triple and a tater, scoring twice, while Keith Becker (8 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) throws eight solid innings to save the bullpen and earn his ninth win. Alan Bruns hits 3 for 3 with a run, Weber goes 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and Putman extends his nine-game hitting streak with a 2 for 5 night, scoring once and driving in one. W - Becker (9-3) HR - Schaaf (5) After the game, 2B Thomas Wilkins (2 for 6 in 3 games) is outrighted to Winston-Salem, so 2B John Conyers can be assigned to the active roster. July 5 - vs MEM - W 3-0 Bill Morgan (7 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 6 K), Oscar Matthews (1 IP, 2 K) and George Thorn (1 IP, 1 K) combine to one-hit the Blues, but the big news of the day occurs with two out in the bottom of the 1st. Weber is hit by a pitch and leaves the game with a scratched cornea; he may miss as much as two weeks, leaving him out of this year's All-Star Game. Meanwhile, Dale Francis hits a two-run homer and Trull adds an RBI-single for a three-run Flyers 4th. W - Morgan (6-1) SV - Thorn (2) HR - Francis (10) July 6 - vs DAL - L 1-5 Drifters starter Kevin Badgett (W, 8-4, 9 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 4 K) gives the Flyers just four hits and no walks, while Ken Green (4 2/3 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 2 K) again struggles to find the form he enjoyed just a month ago. However, Green does drive in the sole Carolina tally with a single in the 3rd. L - Green (5-3) July 7 - vs DAL - L 6-10 Bill Frazier (1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H) allows five straight Drifters singles to begin the game, adding half a run to his 5.27 ERA in one outing. As for highlights, Rick Roberts (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI), Schaaf (2 for 5, RBI), Darrel Robinson (2 for 2, R) and John Conyers (1 for 1, 3 RBI) each hit a double, though Conyers' three-run knock only makes up for his second career relief appearance (1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB) in the top half of the 9th. L - Frazier (5-3) After the game, the team announces that 2B John Conyers (4 for 15 in 7 games) has been traded to Nashville for a player to be named later. RP Dave Brown (3.90 in 30 IP, WHIP 1.33) is recalled to the active roster. July 8 - vs DAL - W 10-2 Bruns (3 for 5, HR) drives in five Flyers, and Schaaf (3 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) adds a pair of doubles as Randolph (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) puts on a pitching clinic to defeat the Drifters. Paul LaFontaine (3 for 4) and Francis (2 for 4, RBI) each score twice for Carolina. W - Randolph (10-2) HR - Bruns (3) July 9 - vs DAL - W 1-0 Roberts leads off the bottom of the 1st by hooking a homer around the foul pole down the right-field line. Little did the 38,847 assembled for Baseball Cap Day at State Fair Park know that his tater would be the only scoring done this night. Becker (8 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K) throws an outstanding game with Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 BB) and Bingham (1/3 IP, 1 BB) closing it out in the 9th, outdueling Drifters starter Ed Urquhart (L, 9-6, 7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K). Clark Davidson leaves the game with a sore shoulder after making a throw in the 4th, but he expected to be 100% after the three-day All-Star break. Bruns took over for Davidson, his first action at second in three years. W - Becker (10-3) SV - Bingham (25) HR - Roberts (2) After the game, the club announces that RP Robin Houston (5.40 in 20 IP, WHIP 1.90) has been sent to Dallas in a minor league deal. Last week: 4 - 3 This month: 5 - 4 Overall: 61 - 27, 1st, +11 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Mike Weber Last 5 games: 8-15 (.533), 1 HR, 6 RBI Mike Schaaf Last 5 games: 21-40 (.525), 2 HR, 7 RBI Bill Morgan Last 3 games: 3-0, 1.42 ERA, 19 IP Keith Becker Last 11 games: 7-1, 1.82 ERA, 74 1/3 IP Justin Randolph Last 4 games: 3-0, 2.92 ERA, 24 2/3 IP Who's Not Jack Lowe Last 6 games: 1-17 (.059), 0 HR, 0 RBI Clark Davidson Last 8 games: 2-20 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI Everett Putman Last 5 games: 3-17 (.176), 0 HR, 1 RBI Ken Green Last 4 games: 0-3, 12.89 ERA, 14 2/3 IP Bill Frazier Last 3 games: 1-2, 9.53 ERA, 11 1/3 IP A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem With a record of 56-32, Winston-Salem is six games clear of the field in Triple-A. 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .292, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 51 R, 14 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 12 SB) is expecting another call from the home office any day now. 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .329 in 161 AB, 17 HR, 37 RBI, 41 R, 35 BB, 14 2Bs) is still ripping the ball off minor league pitching, and CF John Swanson (age 26, .285, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 22 2Bs) continues to impress. Other offensive contributors include: 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .298, 11 HR, 63 RBI, 20 2Bs), C Tom VanWinkle (age 25, .321, 5 HR, 28 RBI), OF Rudy Olson (age 23, .312, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 14 2Bs) and C Gary Armitage (age 32, .303 in 122 AB, 46 BB). The pitching staff caught some bad luck last week when John Wilson (age 25, 3-1 in 6 GS, 2.98, WHIP 0.87) ruptured his tricep tendon, probably ending his season, but the rotation of Tom Merchant (age 28, 10-2, 1.71, WHIP 0.90), Christopher Horan (age 21, 9-6, 4.16, WHIP 1.28) and Ray Oglesby (age 32, 10-5, 4.27, WHIP 1.27) remains strong. With Dave Brown (age 31, 2.65 in 17 IP, WHIP 1.12) making his second courtesy call to the majors, the bullpen is still solid, thanks to Floyd Myers (age 25, 13 SV, 3.64 in 42 IP, WHIP 1.26), Johnny Westerman (age 24, 2.89 in 28 IP, WHIP 1.29) and Chad Williams (age 35, 2.45 in 22 IP, WHIP 1.23). The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Looking at the Hot & Not list, it's like The Tale Of Two Teams... The top half of the lineup and the top of the rotation versus the bottom half of the lineup and the bottom of the rotation... Yet we're still winning more than we lose, so it's hard to complain too much... Conyers was supposed to go to Winston-Salem, but he refused the assignment after clearing waivers, so we were giving him a second look when Frazier had a 1/3 inning start... Suddenly we needed an extra reliever, at least to the All-Star break, and the easiest roster spot to open was Conyers's, so he's off to Nashville... Wilkins will probably get another callup before we play again on Thursday... Houston was a tough sell... $1.2 mil for a minor league reliever? ... But the Double-A manager started making noise that a couple of his relievers needed to go up to AAA, and the only reliever I wanted to lose from that level was Houston... so our buddies in Dallas got him for next to nothing... At least we waited until after last week's series against the Drifters... He probably would not have gotten a warm reception at State Fair Park... I'm pretty sure Weber will be back before Lowe gets too tired from catching every day, especially when he gets three days off starting today... Anyway, enjoy the All-Star Game, and see you next week! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-12-2004, 01:22 PM	#56 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 18 - July 17, 1972 While the Flyers split four games at Memphis, the Tomahawks swept four games at Houston, giving Tampa an eight-game winning streak and cutting Carolina's Eastern Division lead to 9 1/2 games. The Flyers are next in line to face the reeling Buffaloes for three games, followed by a weekend set in Dallas after an off day Thursday. Last Week's Results July 10 - OFF July 11 - ALL-STAR GAME July 12 - OFF Before the team heads for Memphis, RP Dave Brown (3.77 in 31 IP, WHIP 1.35) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so 2B Thomas Wilkins (2 for 6 in 3 games) can be recalled to the active roster. July 13 - at MEM - W 6-2 Jack Lowe (2 for 5) hits a grand slam with one out in the top of the 11th to improve the Flyers' extra innings record to 6-4. Bill Morgan (8 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 K) hurls a gem _and_ hits an RBI-double in the 7th, returning the favor after Blues starter Ryan Todd (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K) tags Morgan for a triple in the 3rd. However, Terry Bingham (2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) earns his fourth blown save of the season by allowing a walk and three singles to tie the game in the 9th. Dale Francis hits 2 of 5 with a double and scores twice, while Clark Davidson goes 2 for 4 with a run. W - Bingham (2-1) HR - Lowe (4) July 14 - at MEM - L 2-3 Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K) takes a tough loss as the Flyers are stymied by Blues starter Jim Bell (W, 3-9, 8 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K). After Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the 9th inning for the second straight game, Mike Weber knocks a pinch-hit two-run homer to right with two outs, making Flyers fans wish George Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 3 BB) had thrown some strikes in the 8th. Paul LaFontaine goes 2 for 4 with a run in the losing effort. L - Becker (10-4) HR - Weber (10) July 15 - at MEM - W 13-4 Lowe hits a 423-foot solo shot to right-center, the longest of his career, as part of a 3 for 5 night with two runs and four RBIs. Rick Roberts (3 for 6, 3 R), LaFontaine (3 for 5, 3B, R, 2 RBI) and Mike Schaaf (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI) also collect three hits apiece, while Everett Putman goes 2 for 5 with a two-run double and scores twice. Justin Randolph (5 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 5 BB, 3 K) gets a gift win for #11, one back of Jacksonville's Jerry Salmons for the league lead. W - Randolph (11-2) HR - Lowe (5) Before the next game, the club announces a trade with Norfolk, sending LF Steven Robinson (.290 in 200 AB, 3 HR, 38 RBI, 10 SB) and RF Mike Sutton (.200 in 60 AB; .286 in 21 AAA AB) to the Clippers for 3B/2B Dave Snow [8/6/5] (.255, 8 HR, 47 RBI) and a minor leaguer. July 16 - at MEM - L 5-9 Ken Green (4 2/3 IP, 7 R, 11 H, 4 BB, 3 K) is pounded yet again, giving the Flyers a series split with the Blues. Dave Snow hits 2 of 4 with a double and a run in his Carolina debut at second base. L - Green (5-4) After the game, the team announces another deal, this time sending C Jack Lowe (.282 in 110 AB, 5 HR, 23 RBI) to Atlanta for LF John Hoyle [4/8/5] (.259 in 27 AB, 2 HR, 5 SB), along with a swap of minor leaguers. With the trade, 2B Thomas Wilkins (3 for 8 in 6 games) is outrighted to Winston-Salem again, so that C Tom VanWinkle [5/4/3] (.315 in 276 AAA AB, 6 HR, 33 RBI) can be placed on the active roster. Last week: 2 - 2 This month: 7 - 6 Overall: 63 - 29, 1st, +9 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Bill Morgan Last 3 games: 2-0, 0.45 ERA, 20 IP Keith Becker Last 3 games: 2-1, 1.57 ERA, 23 IP Who's Not Dale Francis Last 5 games: 3-19 (.158), 0 HR, 2 RBI Ken Green Last 5 games: 0-4, 13.03 ERA, 19 1/3 IP Bill Frazier Last 3 games: 1-2, 9.53 ERA, 11 1/3 IP A Closer Look - Carolina's All-Stars The Flyers had six representatives at this year's All-Star Game, just one off last year's pace: Keith Becker did not make an appearance in his first All-Star Game, but his 9.7 Runners Per Nine ranks him third amongst all CBA starters. Over the past three seasons, Keith has compiled a record of 36-20 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Making his All-Star debut, Kevin Hodgkins allowed just one hit in two innings of relief. Kevin seems to have found his niche as a set-up man, blowing just four saves in twenty-two opportunities this season with a 2.48 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Terry Bingham did not work in his second All-Star Game, his first from the Eastern Division side. In the past two years between Dallas and Carolina, Terry has gone 9-2 with 38 saves (versus 10 blown saves) with a 2.93 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Dale Francis hit 2 of 3 and scored twice in his second All-Star Game. Starting 40 games at short, 25 in right and 13 in left, Dale has experienced a bit of a resurgence this year, batting over .300 for the first time since his last All-Star year, 1969 with Nashville. He has scored 59 runs and driven in 58, leading the team in both categories. In his first Eastern All-Stars appearance but third All-Star Game overall, Paul LaFontaine went 0 for 1 with two sacrifice bunts. Along with hitting .350 and scoring 57 runs, Paul is 2 for 2 on the basepaths after stealing 48 with 48 caught stealings over the previous three years with San Antonio. Mike Weber, still nursing a scratched cornea, did not play in his second All-Star Game. Mike was only just starting to show last year's magic (10 for 21 with 2 2Bs, 1 3Bs and 2 HR in July) when he went down with injury, but his .420 on-base is still enough to rank him fifth in the Eastern Division. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) I'll try to be brief, as we're running low on column-inches again... Too many All-Stars, I suppose... Steven Robinson has not hit a lick since June (6 for 53, including 0 for 11 in July), so I had to send that $2.2 mil away for something useful... and Dave Snow is it... With Clark Davidson still struggling with the bat, now we have a potential .300 hitter at second... Jack Lowe, on the other hand, we were very happy to have, except for two things... #1, he was probably going to arbitration next year and #2, the scouts had been nagging me for over a month to call up VanWinkle from AAA... So instead we get a $2.4 million fourth outfielder who's old and can't hit much... You're probably saying "Didn't we just trade away a guy like that?"... Yeah, sorta, but John Hoyle can play great defense in left and he'll also be the "designated base-stealer"... 5-0 on the basepaths this year at age 36, and 275-51 in his career... On the road again this week... so see you next week! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-13-2004, 04:31 PM	#57 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 19 - July 24, 1972 A .500 week is enough for the Flyers to add another game to their Eastern Division lead, now 10 1/2 ahead of Tampa. The club visits the Tomahawks for three to end this road trip before returning to Charlotte to host four games against Jacksonville (including Retro Game Day on Friday). Last Week's Results July 17 - at HOU - W 10-6 Mike Weber hits 3 of 4 with a homer, scoring three and driving in three, while Bill Frazier (5 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K) rebounds somewhat from his 1/3 inning start ten days ago. Everett Putman goes 4 for 5 with two runs and an RBI, Rick Roberts hits 2 for 6 with two runs and two RBIs, and John Hoyle (1 for 2) hits an RBI-double and scores in his Flyers debut. W - Frazier (6-3) SV - Bingham (26) HR - Weber (11) July 18 - at HOU - L 2-7 Errors by Alan Bruns at short and Dave Snow at second lead to two unearned runs off Bill Morgan (5 2/3 IP, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB) in the 2nd, thanks to a two-run single by Houston starter Ronnie Simpson (W, 9-5, 8 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 K). Meanwhile, John Jahnke (1 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 BB) allows four singles in the 8th for three more Buffaloes runs to put the game out of reach. Snow (2 for 3, R, RBI), Paul LaFontaine (2 for 4, RBI) and Putman (1 for 3, 2B, R) collect all five Flyers hits on the night, with Roberts, Weber, Francis and Schaaf all going 0 for 4. L - Morgan (6-2) Elsewhere, former Carolina first-round pick SP Walt Russell, sent to Nashville as part of the Dale Francis deal last July, earned his first win: a one-hit shutout at Norfolk, striking out eight and walking four on 100 pitches. July 19 - at HOU - L 2-3 Keith Becker (8 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) takes a bit of a tough loss, throwing the fourth complete game by a Flyers starter this season. While LaFontaine goes 4 for 5 with a double, he only scores once, on a single by Weber (2 for 4, RBI). Francis adds a solo shot in the 4th, but Rick Roberts goes 0 for 5, making him 2 of 15 on the series. L - Becker (10-5) HR - Francis (11) July 20 - OFF July 21 - at DAL - L 1-5 Justin Randolph (5 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 7 BB, 3 K) cannot find the plate, while Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H) and Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 K) do not fare much better against the Buffaloes. The Flyers, on the other hand, manage just one run on eight hits, with Francis hitting 2 of 4. L - Randolph (11-3) July 22 - at DAL - W 8-5 Roberts goes 2 for 4 with two runs, two RBIs and one of five Flyers doubles on the night, while LaFontaine (2 for 6, 2 R) adds a solo shot in the 6th. While Ken Green (6 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 4 BB, 5 K) struggles, the top of the lineup does not: Weber (2 for 2, R, RBI), Francis (R, 2 RBI), Schaaf (2 RBI) and Putman (3 for 4) all collect a two-bagger at Mercury Field today. W - Green (6-4) SV - Bingham (27) HR - LaFontaine (7) July 23 - at DAL - W 9-3 Roberts leads the hit parade again, going 2 for 5 with a double, a run and three RBIs, but even Morgan (6 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K) gets in on the action, hitting an RBI-double and scoring in the six-run Flyers 6th. Another five double day for Carolina, including two-baggers by Weber (2 for 4, R, RBI) and Dave Snow (2 R), is not all good news, however. Putman limps into second after a double in the 2nd; a sore knee will put him on the shelf for 1-2 weeks. Then in the bottom half of the inning, LaFontaine makes a tough catch but leaves the game with a bruised hand. Paul is listed as day-to-day. W - Morgan (7-2) HR - Francis (12) After the game, 1B Everett Putman is placed on the disabled list, and 1B Steve "The Sheriff" Brown [5/7/7] (.191 in 68 AB; .333 in 201 AAA AB, 23 HR, 55 RBI) is purchased from Winston-Salem. Last week: 3 - 3 This month: 10 - 9 Overall: 66 - 32, 1st, +10 1/2 on Tampa Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 5 games: 10-20 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI Mike Weber Last 6 games: 10-21 (.476), 1 HR, 6 RBI Named Eastern Division Player of the Week! Who's Not Alan Bruns Last 5 games: 3-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI Mike Schaaf Last 5 games: 3-19 (.158), 0 HR, 4 RBI Ken Green Last 6 games: 1-4, 11.72 ERA, 25 1/3 IP A Closer Look - AA Hickory Hickory leads all of Double-A with a 60-38 mark. 3B Mike King (age 23, .316 in 79 AB, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 7 2Bs) has hit well since a call-up from Columbus last month, and the catching duo of Ed Setzer (age 24, .319 in 216 AB, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 2Bs) and Ron Ayers (age 32, .281 in 114 AB, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 33 BB, 10 2Bs) continues to impress. Other notable hitters include OF Trey Martin (age 29, .223, 21 HR, 51 RBI, 73 BB, 15 2Bs) and LF Clement Bodine (age 32, .284, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 64 BB, 14 2Bs, 2 3Bs). On the pitching side of the ledger, Bryant Hamilton (age 31, 12-2, 2.74 ERA, WHIP 0.99) has compiled some impressive numbers, while Chase Nelson (age 25, 10-3, 2.68, WHIP 1.33) has shown some improvement. Tim Pauly (age 35, 19 SV, 3.00 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.33) tops a thin relief corps. The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) It seems as if our bats have gone into a bit of a funk... Of our nine July losses, we've scored two runs or less in five of them... I think the only problem with the offense that's actually fixable is at the leadoff spot... Rick Roberts started off strong, with an on-base well over .400 through May... but his OBP fell to .333 for June and .307 so far in July... I'm not sure we have anybody better, though, and Roberts did hit the ball well over the weekend, so we'll have to wait and see... As for pitching, it still feels like we're one quality starter short, but I don't see any help on the horizon anytime soon... Nobody at AAA looks a lot better than Frazier... There might be some changes in the pen very soon, though, so stay tuned... Hopefully, this is just the "long road trip" blues and we'll get back to our winning ways in Charlotte next week... so c'mon down and cheer us on! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-14-2004, 09:03 PM	#58 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 20 - July 31, 1972 The Flyers are swept by the Tomahawks in Tampa, trimming their Eastern Division lead down to just eight games. The club completes this homestand with three against Miami, then hits the road for three at Jacksonville after an off day Thursday. Last Week's Results July 24 - at TAM - L 2-6 Keith Becker (6 IP, 6 R, 9 H, 4 K) cannot keep the ball down, giving up a pair of two-run homers, while Tomahawks starter Don Tapper (W, 10-3, 6 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K) wins his tenth straight decision. Dale Francis (2 for 3) hits a solo shot in the 2nd; Mike Schaaf goes 2 for 4 with a triple. L - Becker (10-6) HR - Francis (13) July 25 - at TAM - L 2-3 Bill Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 K) takes a tough loss when George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) comes in and promptly gives up a RBI-single to break a two-all tie with two down in the 7th. John Trull hits an RBI-triple, scoring Rick Roberts (2 for 3, SB, CS), and later scores himself in the 1st. L - Frazier (6-4) July 26 - at TAM - L 2-5 George Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) strikes again, this time entering a two-all tie with one on and two out in the 7th and quickly surrendering a single and a three-run homer by Tampa CF David Powell, his second of the night, to secure a Tomahawks sweep of the Flyers. Justin Randolph (6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K) picks up the tough loss; solo shots by Mike Weber in the 1st and Francis in the 4th produce the only Carolina runs. HR - Weber (12), Francis (14) After the game, the club announces a trade, sending RP John Jahnke (3.91 in 53 IP, WHIP 1.34), plus $1 million, to New Orleans for this year's #1 overall pick, SP Gerald "Dragon Slayer" Bonham [5/5/5] (3.18 in 5 2/3 IP; 4-3 in 8 AAA GS, 3.60 ERA, WHIP 1.42). While Bonham is assigned to AAA Winston-Salem, RP Bruce Rafferty [6/8/5] (4.25 in 42 1/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.32), recently acquired from Houston via waivers, is placed on the active roster. July 27 - vs JAX - W 6-4 Ken Green (8 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 7 K) finally pitches a good game but almost loses it in the 9th, when Thorn (0 IP, 1 R, 1 H) relieves Green and right away allows a three-run homer. Bruce Rafferty (0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H) cannot get anyone out in his Flyers debut either, so Bingham (1 IP) has to save this game with three in, two on and no outs in the 9th. Francis (2 for 4) and Schaaf hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 1st, and Roberts (2 R) adds a tater in the 4th. LaFontaine goes 3 for 5 with a double, driving in two. W - Green (7-4) SV - Bingham (28) HR - Roberts (3), Francis (15), Schaaf (6) July 28 - vs JAX - L 1-5 On Retro Game Day at State Fair Park, another loss is credited to a Flyers starter that should be blamed on the bullpen. Rafferty (1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) replaces Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K) in a tie game with runners on the corners and one out in the 7th. After a strike out, a stolen base and an intentional walk, Rafferty gives up the bases-loaded double that scores three Ospreys runs to put the game away. Jacksonville starter Jerry Salmons (W, 13-5, 9 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 5 K) holds Carolina to just six hits by LaFontaine (3 for 4), Roberts (1 for 4, R) and Weber (1 for 3, RBI). Francis, Schaaf, Bruns and Snow all hit 0 for 4 on the night. L - Morgan (7-3) July 29 - vs JAX - W 4-3 (10) Alan Bruns' single with one down in the bottom of the 10th scores Schaaf from third to end this tense affair at State Fair Park. After Weber (2 for 4) walks, Schaaf hits into a fielder's choice but goes to third on a pinch-hit by Francis, bringing Bruns to the plate. John Trull (3 for 4, 2B) and Steve Brown hit back-to-back solo shots in a three-run Flyers 3rd; Kevin Hodgkins (2 IP) throws a perfect 9th and 10th to earn the win. W - Hodgkins (6-2) HR - Trull (1), Brown (2) July 30 - vs JAX - L 3-6 (12) After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Thorn (1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K) gives up the three-run double in the top of the 12th that ensures a series split for the Ospreys. The game is nearly lost in the 11th when Bingham (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) allows a solo shot by Jacksonville CF Matt Alexander, but a pinch-hit double by Schaaf and sac flies by Snow and VanWinkle (RBI) keep the game tied for another frame. Frazier (9 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 5 K) makes the longest start of his career but gets a no-decision, while Davidson leaves after a throw in the 2nd and is listed as day-to-day with a pulled elbow ligament. L - Thorn (3-3) After the game, the club announces a trade that sends RP George Thorn (4.35 in 49 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.43) and $700,000 to Nashville for RP Bob Lamb [5/10/3] (3.73 in 70 IP, WHIP 1.07). Lamb pitched for the Flyers late last year, compiling a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings of relief with a 1.40 WHIP, but was lost to waivers during postseason roster cuts. Last week: 2 - 5 This month: 12 - 14 Overall: 68 - 37, 1st, +8 on Tampa Who's Hot Paul LaFontaine Last 6 games: 13-24 (.542), 0 HR, 4 RBI Dale Francis Last 7 games: 9-22 (.409), 3 HR, 4 RBI Who's Not Steve Brown Last 5 games: 1-11 (.091), 1 HR, 1 RBI Dave Snow Last 6 games: 2-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI Mike Schaaf Last 6 games: 3-21 (.143), 1 HR, 1 RBI Keith Becker Last 3 games: 0-2, 5.68 ERA, 19 IP Justin Randolph Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.86 ERA, 16 2/3 IP A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus Columbus stands third in A-ball with a 59-46 record. A pair of catchers has been leading the lineup: Matt Thompson (age 25, .291, 7 HR, 55 RBI, 60 R, 60 BB, 22 2Bs) and James Rodgers (age 24, .277 in 155 AB, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 42 BB, 10 2Bs). Other notable performances include 2B Clayton Henderson (age 21, .275, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 22 2Bs) and RF Don Fuson (age 27, .259 in 247 AB, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 49 BB, 16 2Bs), while this year's first-rounder, 1B John Radcliffe (age 18, .228 in 228 AB, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 30 BB, 10 2Bs) is showing good patience at the plate for a teenager. As for pitchers, Herbert Baxley (age 21, 6-5, 2.88, WHIP 1.28), 1970's first-rounder, is starting to make a case for a promotion, and reliever John Thompson (age 22, 1.50 in 6 IP) is making progress after some poor numbers at AA Hickory (6.68 in 33 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.69). The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) That's the first losing week we've had in quite a while... but I'd have to say that it's mostly the fault of a guy who isn't on the ballclub anymore... George Thorn had to go, even if it was just a bad week or bad month, because I had lost all confidence in him... You can't have guys in your bullpen that you're afraid to put in the game... What was especially frustrating in Thorn's case was that, as the sole southpaw on the staff, his job was to get left-handed hitters out, but this year, he couldn't do it... Right-handed batters hit .254 with a .701 OPS against Thorn, lefties hit .296 with a .914 OPS! Meanwhile, Bob Lamb has lefties hitting .164 with a .398 OPS (versus .276 / .768 against righties), so he should be able to fill that role well... I hope! Jahnke became expendable when we acquired Rafferty (though that hasn't quite worked out yet)... He was the weakest member of the relief staff, and he was slated to make nearly $3 mil next year too... My first free agent signing, live and learn... I never would have thought we could get someone like Bonham, though... That pickup alone improves our minor league system from 'poor' to 'average'... Steve Brown continues to prove himself as a "quad-A" player, too good for AAA but too poor for the big leagues... Let's write that week off to poor bullpen performance... Tomorrow brings a new month and a clean slate, so c'mon down to the ballpark and cheer us to the pennant! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-21-2004, 12:13 PM	#59 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 21 - August 7, 1972 While the Flyers take three at Jacksonville, the Tomahawks drop four straight, falling ten games behind Carolina's division lead. After four games in Miami, the club returns home to host Tampa for three (including Retro Game Day on Saturday). Last Week's Results July 31 - vs MIA - W 6-0 Justin Randolph (6 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K) and Bruce Rafferty (3 IP, 2 H, 1 K) combine to shutout the Meteors, while Dave Snow goes 0 for 2 but drives in three on a pair of sacrifice flies and a ground out. Dale Francis (R, RBI, CS) and Alan Bruns (R, RBI, SB) each hit 3 of 4 on the night. W - Randolph (12-4) SV - Rafferty (1) After the game, the club announces that they've signed SP Bill Morgan (7-3, 2.31, WHIP 1.17) to a five-year extension for $8.4 million a year. Aug 1 - vs MIA - L 1-6 A scoreless game is broken wide open when Ken Green (7 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K) gives up a three-run triple to Meteors pinch-hitter Douglas Harris (2 for 2, 3B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI), beginning a four-run Miami 7th. Ton VanWinkle, subbing for Mike Weber (migraines) behind the plate, goes 2 for 2 with two walks, driving in the lone Flyers run with a double in the bottom of the 7th. L - Green (7-5) Aug 2 - vs MIA - L 4-6 (13) With two down in the top of the 13th, Dave Elliot (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 3 BB) gives up a two-run single to Meteors reliever Gordon Brown to lose before a sellout crowd of 41,750 on Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park. After a walk, a stolen base and a balk put a runner on third with one out, a pair of intentional passes loads the bases, bringing the infield and outfield in. Elliot gets one Miami batter to ground out, 4-2, before Brown drives in the game winners. The game is nearly lost in the 9th when Terry Bingham (2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 K) gives Miami a 4-3 lead with a pair of singles, but in the bottom half, Darrel Robinson triples and scores on a Paul LaFontaine (3 for 7) hit, sending the game into overtime. Rafferty (3 IP, 1 H, 2 K) does another fine job of long relief; Rick Roberts hits 2 of 6 with a homer and two RBIs. L - Elliot (1-2) HR - Roberts (4) Aug 3 - OFF Aug 4 - at JAX - W 7-4 Bruns (2 for 3) hits an RBI-double and scores as part of a three-run Flyers 2nd, while Weber's two-run two-bagger breaks a four-all tie in the 7th. Roberts goes 2 for 5 and scores twice; Steve Brown hits 2 of 4 with a run and an RBI. Keith Becker (7 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 K) picks up win #11, one off Randolph's team lead and two shy of the league lead held by Jacksonville's Jerry Salmons (13-6). W - Becker (11-6) SV - Hodgkins (3) Aug 5 - at JAX - W 8-1 Francis hits 3 of 5 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the 9th to cap off this Flyers victory. Randolph (6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K) hurls a fine game to tie Salmons for the league lead in wins, while both Roberts (1 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI) and LaFontaine (3 for 5) score twice for Carolina. W - Randolph (13-4) HR - Francis (16) Aug 6 - at JAX - W 6-4 Green (6 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K) pitches well and drives in three runs with a bases-loaded walk in the 1st and a two-run single in the 5th to secure a sweep of the Ospreys. Weber (1 for 5, R) also drives in two with a base hit in the four-run 1st. W - Green (8-5) SV - Bingham (29) Last week: 4 - 2 This month: 3 - 2 (13 - 14 in July) Overall: 72 - 39, 1st, +10 on Tampa Who's Hot Dale Francis Last 7 games: 10-26 (.385), 1 HR, 5 RBI Justin Randolph Last 3 games: 2-1, 1.93 ERA, 18 2/3 IP Who's Not Mike Schaaf Last 5 games: 3-21 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI A Closer Look - Carolina Carolina still sports the top staff in the league, first in ERA (3.44), batting average against (.245), runs allowed (424) and walks (338) while seventh in homers (75). Bill Morgan (7-3 in 19 GS, 2.34, WHIP 1.16) and Justin Randolph (13-4 in 14 GS, 2.41, WHIP 1.19) are #1-#2 in the league for ERA. Keith Becker (11-6, 3.18, WHIP 1.07) continues to perform, but Ken Green (8-5 in 17 GS, 4.75, WHIP 1.40) and Bill Frazier (6-4 in 17 GS, 4.99, WHIP 1.56) have both struggled as of late. A lot of new faces in the bullpen lately, but the change has not been for the worse. Terry Bingham (29 SV, 4 BS, 2.33 in 38 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.06) and Kevin Hodgkins (2.02 in 49 IP, WHIP 1.12) remain, but neither Bob Lamb (3.79 in 71 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.07), Oscar Matthews (2.62 in 55 IP, WHIP 1.16), Bruce Rafferty (2.45 in 7 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.23) nor Dave Elliot (3.19 in 36 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.25) was on the Opening Day roster. The Flyers are tied for second in scoring (567) and third in both batting (.272) and walks (457), but the club ranks only ninth in taters (64) and tenth in swipes (76). Mike Weber (.304, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 66 R, 67 BB) has rounded into form, thanks to a stellar July (.394, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 16 BB, 5 2Bs, 2 3Bs). Dale Francis (.311, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 69 R, 19 2Bs) leads the team in both runs and RBIs, and Paul LaFontaine (.355, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 64 R, 17 2Bs) has the best batting average in the Eastern Division. Mike Schaaf (.290, 6 HR, 54 RBI, 15 2Bs) has improved greatly with regular playing time, while Rick Roberts (.246, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 62 R, 52 BB) continued to slide in July (.231, OBP .303). The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) It makes me nervous that we only signed one contract extension when ten of the other eleven teams had at least three... Of course, when you see what kind of figures some ex-Flyers got, you can understand why we hesitate to sign someone we're not sure about... RP George Thorn (4.14 in 54 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.40) got three years at $2.1 mil from Nashville... 3B Valentine Stephens (.253 in 217 AB, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 12 2Bs) got $1.6 mil for three years from Atlanta... LF Steven Robinson (.285 in 277 AB, 4 HR, 47 RBI) got four years at $1.3 mil from Norfolk... Even RF Mike Sutton, who's been in Triple-A since June, got $475,000 from the Clippers! So we get the big one... Bill Morgan, at age 29, for the next five years at $8.4 million... compared to the $5.8 mil he's gotten the last three years, where he's compiled a record of 31-18 with a 3.36 ERA and 512 whiffs in 508 1/3 innings... I'll take it! Everett Putman comes off the DL tomorrow, so we can put Steve Brown out of his misery... last year: .182 in 110 AB (but five doubles and four homers)... this year: .188 in 101 AB (with one double and two homers)... I'm _so_ glad we got him back on waivers... Overall, the club is playing pretty well, and we've got a double-digit lead for the division again... so I'm pretty happy, for once... Another series with Tampa coming up, though... and we have to take revenge for the sweep they got in their park a few weeks ago... so c'mon down and cheer us on! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

11-24-2004, 12:32 PM	#60 (permalink)
jmm8356 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tonawanda NY Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 205 Thanked 33x in 21 posts	Flyers Weekly, Volume XXV, Issue 22 - August 14, 1972 Winning five of seven, the Flyers add three games to the Eastern Division lead and now stand thirteen clear of Tampa. After an off day today, the club hosts San Antonio (with Bobblehead Doll Day tomorrow) and New Orleans (including Baseball Cap Day on Friday and Mini Bat Day on Sunday) for three games each. Last Week's Results Aug 7 - at MIA - W 6-5 Darrel Robinson (2 for 3) hits a double and a homer, scoring twice and driving in two, and Paul LaFontaine (2 for 4, 2 RBI) brings home the game-winning run with a single in the 8th. Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K) whiffs four of the first five batters he faces, while Terry Bingham (1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 K) has the tying run on second and winning run on first before earning save #30, which leads the league by four. Mike Schaaf (2B, R, RBI) and Dave Snow (2 R, RBI) also go 2 for 4 on the night. W - Morgan (8-3) SV - Bingham (30) HR - Robinson (2) Before the next game, 1B Steve Brown (.188 in 101 AB) is outrighted to Winston-Salem so that 1B Everett Putman (.313 in 208 AB) can be activated from the disabled list. Aug 8 - at MIA - W 6-3 Alan Bruns extends a career-high six-game hitting streak by going 3 for 4 with a double and a triple, driving in two and scoring the eventual game-winning run in the 6th. Mike Weber also hits 3 of 4 with a double, two runs and an RBI, while Bill Frazier (7 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 H, 4 BB) puts together his second straight solid performance after some recent struggles. Dale Francis collects a run and an RBI on a 2 for 4 night. W - Frazier (7-4) SV - Hodgkins (4) Aug 9 - at MIA - L 3-4 Entering a tie game with a runner on second and two out in the 7th, Bob Lamb (1 1/3 IP, 2 H) gives up a bloop single that scores the decisive run and hands Keith Becker (6 2/3 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 1 BB, 7 K) his seventh loss. Clark Davidson hits 3 for 4 with two stolen bases, scoring twice from the leadoff spot, while Weber goes 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. L - Becker (11-7) Aug 10 - at MIA - W 10-4 Davidson goes 4 for 5 with a homer, three runs and two RBIs, and LaFontaine hits 5 of 6 including a double, scoring twice and driving in two to help Justin Randolph (5 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K) take the league lead in wins. Randolph even got into the action offensively with a double and a run in the 2nd. Schaaf adds a 3 for 4 night with a double, a tater, two runs and three RBIs, while Everett Putman goes 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs. W - Randolph (14-4) HR - Davidson (2), Schaaf (7) Aug 11 - vs TAM - W 5-1 Four Flyers errors do not faze Ken Green (7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 7 K), and Putman goes 4 for 4 with an run and an RBI to even the season series between Tampa and Carolina at five wins apiece. Both Weber (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Francis (2 for 3, R, RBI) hit triples, while Schaaf homers for the second straight game. W - Green (9-5) SV - Hodgkins (5) HR - Schaaf (8) Aug 12 - vs TAM - W 8-7 Weber hits two solo shots and Putman goes 4 for 5 with a run and an RBI, but the bullpen almost makes the game too interesting for the 32,573 assembled for Retro Game Day at State Fair Park. Four Flyers relievers allow a run apiece: Matthews (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB), Elliot (1 IP, 1 R, 2 H), Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) and Bingham (1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 K). After a homer by Tomahawks 3B Jack Thomas in the 5th, Bill Morgan (4 1/3 IP, 3 R, 10 H, 5 K) beans 2B Geoffrey Bailey, sparking a bench-clearing brawl that gets both players ejected and hands Bob Lamb (2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) a gift win. John Hoyle hits 3 of 4, scoring twice, and Rick Roberts goes 2 for 3 with a run. W - Lamb (4-2) SV - Bingham (31) HR - Weber 2 (13,14) Aug 13 - vs TAM - L 3-7 A depleted Flyers bullpen blows up for a four-run 9th to prevent a sweep of the Tomahawks. Lamb (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) enters a tie game in the 9th and immediately gives up a single and a double. Bingham (1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K) gets one ground out, but Tampa RF Terry Duplessis beats out a slow roller to second on a bang-bang play that brings Carolina skipper Jeremy McGrath screaming onto the field, arguing to no avail as the go-ahead run scores. Then the floodgates open: a single, double steal, intentional walk, and two-run single puts the game out of touch. Frazier (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K) throws his second decent game this week; Weber goes 2 for 3 and scores twice in a losing effort. L - Lamb (4-3) Last week: 5 - 2 This month: 8 - 4 Overall: 77 - 41, 1st, +13 on Tampa Who's Hot Mike Weber Last 5 games: 11-19 (.579), 2 HR, 7 RBI Named Eastern Division Player of the Week! (11-24 (.458), 2 HR, 7 RBI) Mike Schaaf Last 6 games: 10-23 (.435), 2 HR, 5 RBI Dave Snow Last 5 games: 5-12 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI Clark Davidson Last 8 games: 8-21 (.381), 1 HR, 3 RBI Justin Randolph Last 3 games: 3-0, 2.12 ERA, 17 IP Who's Not Alan Bruns Last 5 games: 3-18 (.167), 0 HR, 4 RBI A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem At 80-38, Winston-Salem is thirteen games ahead of the rest of Triple-A ball. 3B Jeremy Coon (age 28, .298, 18 HR, 90 RBI, 28 2Bs) tops the hit parade, but the list goes on and on: 2B Thomas Wilkins (age 28, .291, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 22 2Bs), 2B Jonah Carwile (age 27, .281, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 66 R, 63 BB, 22 2Bs), CF John Swanson (age 26, .275, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 55 BB, 26 2Bs, 5 3Bs), OF Rudy Olson (age 23, .329, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 22 2Bs) and 1B Steve Brown (age 27, .320 in 222 AB, 25 HR, 59 RBI, 45 BB, 18 2Bs). The pitching has been great as well, despite a rash of injuries. While Tom Merchant (age 29, 16-3, 1.74, WHIP 0.91) is the obvious ace, Christopher Horan (age 21, 12-7, 3.83, WHIP 1.25) has thrown well too. With John Wilson (age 25, 3-1 in 6 GS, 2.98, WHIP 0.87) and Ray Oglesby (age 32, 10-7, 4.75, WHIP 1.30) both on the mend, Wilbert Cagle (age 22, 2-0 in 4 GS, 1.69, WHIP 0.97) has impressed since his callup from AA Hickory. The bullpen is solid, top-to-bottom: Floyd Myers (age 25, 19 SV, 3.42 in 52 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.20), Johnny Westerman (age 24, 2.41 in 37 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.10), Dave Brown (age 31, 4.50 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.22), Chad Williams (age 35, 2.25 in 36 IP, WHIP 1.08) and Dave Reed (age 28, 1.42 in 12 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.03). The View From The Top (The Manager's Column) Life is good... We're winning consistently, and the major league roster is healthy again, knock on wood... Clark Davidson got a chance to start this week, and all of a sudden, he showed signs of being ready to hit leadoff... Along with hitting 8 for 21, he walked five times for an .500 on-base and stole three bases in four tries... So now, the questions are (a) who to play in the outfield now that I don't need Roberts at the top of the order and (b) how do I get Snow back into the lineup? , because he's hitting well too... The possibilites are either to put Davidson in center, which is not really a solid position for him, or play Snow at third and bench Schaaf, but Schaaf's pounding the ball too... I can't even hide someone at first, because Putman hit .458 last week as well... Decisions, decisions... For now, I'm going to go with Davidson at second and John Hoyle in left... It's the bottom of the order anyway, so we might as well have at least one outfielder who's good with the glove! Promotions galore at State Fair Park this week, so c'mon down! __________________ Jeremy from Tonawanda --- Go Cubbies! --- Unofficial Theta Tester(tm) "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country and western!" From OOTP 6: Designated for Assignment FAQ (Includes both problems and solutions! Ooooo! )

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