[jmm8356]

After simming out twenty-three seasons of the Confederate Baseball Association at an agonizingly slow pace (see link in my sig), I'm going to take over one of the teams, the Carolina Flyers, chosen pretty much at random. (Best minor league ranked team with a vacancy; not a huge accomplishment, 9th v/s 10th and 12th out of 12)

So, you can read the first couple posts in "Confederate Baseball Association" to get the background and league setup, or you can tune in at this point to take a look at "present-day" happenings league-wide, or you can just read this thread and see how bad a GM I am.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 1 - January 15, 1971

Hot Stove Issue

The big news out of State Fair Park this offseason, of course, was the retirement of beloved manager Donnie Chancellor. Donnie led our Flyers to two Confederate Series sweeps over Memphis, first in 1955 and then again three years ago. In his twenty-year tenure, Chancellor compiled a record of 1667-1575 and won four Eastern Division Manager of the Year awards. Thank you, Donnie, and enjoy the fishing!

The Flyers' new skipper is Jeremy McGrath, a newcomer to the CBA. McGrath hails from New York State and has earned a reputation as a skilled tactician while managing the Buffalo State College Bengals and the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers. However, this is Jeremy's first gig in the professional ranks, so we here at Flyers Weekly, helpful as always, would like to help get our new manager up to speed, so we offer our Winter Organization-Wide Scouting Report:

Starting Pitchers

One of the few positions that seems set going into free agency. Bill Morgan [10/7/6] was a bit unlucky to only go 9-8 with a 3.48 ERA and WHIP of 1.21 last year, but he and Matt Halstead [6/10/9] (12-11, 3.70, WHIP 1.20) are the aces of the staff. Keith Becker [8/10/2] (12-8 in 27 GS, 3.12, WHIP 1.18) is a solid #3 despite a tendency to give up the longball, and Roger Coomes [5/10/6] (7-13, 3.53, WHIP 1.08) is the definition of "hard luck", losing thirteen games the past two seasons. Bud Fox [4/9/4] (4.48 in 88 1/3 IP of relief) and Gene Arndt [4/6/10] (3.65 in 88 2/3 IP, 5 GS) should compete for the fifth slot... if it weren't for "Donnie's Folly", Elmer Sexton [4/6/9] (9-12, 3.96, WHIP 1.49). Sexton is pulling in $19.5 million this year (and, god forbid, next year) and was the chief reason for the Flyers' $17 million loss last year. Here's hoping our new skip can find someone to take this anvil off our hands. Bill Frazier [4/6/6, Tal 5/8/6] (11-12, 4.25 in AA) and Walt Russell [4/1/4, Tal 8/6/8] (18-4, 2.87 in A-ball) are still at least a year away.

Middle Relievers

Very thin in the pen at this point. Evan Becnel [10/3/5] (4.74 in 87 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.74) and Chad Williams [4/6/5] (3.73 in 50 2/3 IP in AAA) are on the big league roster, and there is nobody of note in the minors either. There are also no decent lefties, either starters or relievers, throughout the organization.

Closers

Kevin Hodgkins [7/8/9] (6-9, 27 SV, 3.29 in 109 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.31) is solid but did blow twelve saves last year.

Catchers

Switch-hitting Mike Weber [6/8/7] (.278, 17 HR, 72 RBI) will also get some time at first base, making sure Mark Johnson [6/5/7] (.341, 15 HR, 75 RBI) gets his at-bats.

First Basemen

Left-hander Chris Wayman [7/5/5] (.341, 8 HR, 79 RBI) will be spelled by Weber. Everett Putman [5/1/4, Tal 9/4/7] (.270 in 344 AB in A-ball) was drafted in the second round last year.

Second Basemen

Russ Roderick [7/3/4] (.284, 31 2Bs, 10 3Bs) will be pushed by youngster Clark Davidson [4/5/4, Tal 6/5/10] and veteran Elliott Suggs [5/3/4] (.267 in 378 AB).

Third Basemen

Big hole here with 39-year-old Tom Perreault [6/5/1] (.260, 7 HR, 50 RBI) whiffing his way towards retirement (92 Ks, 16 BB).

Shortstops

Dave Powell [8/4/6] (.324, 79 BB) still has some good years left at age 37. Switch-hitter Ed Rooker [4/5/10] (.212 in 99 AB, 19 BB) and Jeff Buchanan [4/5/5] (.276 in 116 AB) back him up.

Left Fielders

All the outfield positions need help. For now, Lloyd Mitchell [5/1/4] (.285, 30 SB) and leftie Steven Robinson [5/5/5] (.291, 21 HR, 61 RBI in AAA) hold down the fort.

Center Fielders

Rudy Olson [6/2/2, Tal 6/4/3] (.296 in 71 AB at AAA) is only 21 but is not likely to improve a lot more.

Right Fielders

Walt Finney [5/6/9] (.233, 7 HR, 57 RBI) and Mike Sutton [5/4/5] (.278 in 115 AB) would be good fourth or fifth outfielders but are questionable as everyday players.


Financial Report

The Flyers drew 2.6 million fans to State Fair Park last season after breaking 3 million the previous three years. The club lost $17 million on the year, with $79.5 million in revenue and $96.5 million in payroll. This year's payroll is nearly $100 million, led by SP Elmer Sexton ($19.5 M), 2B Elliott Suggs ($9.2 M), C Mark Johnson ($8.9 M, contract year), SP Matt Halstead ($8.6 M) and SS Ed Rooker ($8.5 M, contract year).

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 2 - March 2, 1971

Spring Training Edition

The Flyers head to their training camp in Columbus a much leaner team on the pocketbook than they were six weeks ago. A look back at the key transactions:


January 29 - Our new skipper celebrates his birthday by putting the club back on budget, sending SP Elmer Sexton with a month's salary ($3.25 million) to Dallas for 3B Darrel Robinson [5/6/5] (.233 in 133 AB).

February 1 - Another $5.7 million saved and another hole filled when 2B Elliott Suggs is traded to Atlanta for CF Matt Kirk [5/4/4] (.265, 12 HR, 69 RBI).

February 2 - Free agent MR John Jahnke [4/7/9] (3.64 in 99 IP) signs with Carolina for three years at $2.9 million.

February 4 - MR Justin Randolph [6/7/7] (12-8, 6 SV, 5.61 in 101 IP) is acquired via waivers from New Orleans.


A good start for Jeremy McGrath, dropping the payroll from $100 million, highest in the league to $76.5 million, seventh in the league. Now let's see if he can win some games!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 3 - April 5, 1971

Opening Day Special Edition


Finally! The season is upon us! Our Flyers open the entire CBA schedule tonight at State Fair Park against the Jacksonville Ospreys, the first of a four game set. Friday brings the Miami Meteors into Charlotte for the weekend series, including Baseball Cap Day on Saturday.

Now... introducing your 1971 Carolina Flyers!

(* = Bats Left, # = Bats Both)

Opening Day Lineup

SS Dave Powell
2B Russ Roderick
C Mike Weber #
RF Walt Finney
1B Chris Wayman *
LF Steven Robinson *
3B Darrel Robinson
CF Matt Kirk *

Bench

C Mark Johnson
2B Jeff Harvey #
SS Ed Rooker #
3B Alan Bruns
LF Lloyd Mitchell
RF Mike Sutton

Lineup v/s LHP

C Mark Johnson
SS Dave Powell
2B Russ Roderick
1B Mike Weber #
RF Walt Finney
3B Darrel Robinson
CF Matt Kirk *
LF Lloyd Mitchell

Rotation

RHP Bill Morgan
RHP Mall Halstead
RHP Keith Becker
RHP Roger Coomes
RHP Gene Arndt

Bullpen

RHP Kevin Hodgkins
RHP Justin Randolph
LHP George Thorn
RHP John Jahnke
RHP Evan Becnel
RHP Robin Houston


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

Before I talk about the ballclub, let me get some very deserved acknowledgements out of the way. First of all, thanks to all the folks out at State Fair Park for helping me get settled in, as well as the people of Charlotte for making a Yankee like me feel right at home here in Carolina. I also want to thank Donnie Chancellor for letting me pick his brain about anything and everything, including the proper way to eat grits! Donnie leaves some big shoes to fill, and I hope I can have half the success he's had in his career with the Flyers.

First of all, I'm glad we were able to pull ourselves out of the financial purgatory of last season by trading away over $20 million in salary, but at the same time, I'm not yet satisfied. Currently the payroll stands at just under $76 million, but ideally I'd like it to be closer to $70 million. I want to rebuild our cash reserve to be able to land that stud free agent in the future.

Obviously, our strength is in the pitching staff. I'd put Halstead, Morgan, Becker and Coomes up against any rotation in the league, and Hodgkins is a top closer. Getting from the starters to the closer is going to be key, because all four starters averaged around six innings per start last season. Randolph is the one reliever who could go a couple innings two straight days, so look for him to get a ton of innings.

I'm a little worried about getting enough at-bats for Johnson, Weber and Wayman when they only play two positions (catcher and first base) between them. Johnson may be the odd man out, but that's a big bat to have on the bench. It's also difficult to pay $8.9 million to your backup catcher, so there's still some question in my own mind as to how this will work out.

Overall, this team doesn't have a lot of speed or power, so we'll have to beat teams going station-to-station with singles and doubles. Wish us luck, and see you at the ballpark!

[jmm8356]

Special Insert - Organization-Wide Depth Charts

[Jestor]

I personally would have liked to have seen you take Houston and get them to a pennant at long last, but good luck with living up to Donnie's legacy I'll be following

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 4 - April 12, 1971

How 'bout them Flyers! A great start by our new skipper, winning his first six games for the club's best start ever. (The 1959 Flyers opened up at 4-0, the previous best.) Carolina is the top team in the first "Power Rankings" put out by the CBA Press Office this year.

Next, we'll see how this show plays on the road, with three at Jacksonville starting Monday. The team gets their first day off this year Thursday before heading to Norfolk for the weekend set.


Last Week's Results

Apr 5 - vs JAX - W 5-4 (14)

Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB) blows his first save opportunity of the year, but Walt Finney (2 for 5) doubles in Dave Powell (2 for 6, HR) from first with two down in the bottom of the 14th. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 5 BB, 3 K) throws well but gets a no-decision.

W - Becnel (1-0)
HR - Powell (1)

Apr 6 - vs JAX - W 6-5 (10)

Hodgkins (1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) blows another save, but Darrel Robinson (4 for 5, R, 2 RBI) singles home Mike Sutton with the game-winner after he got a pinch hit and stole second.

W - Jahnke (1-0)

Apr 7 - vs JAX - W 3-1

Keith Becker (7 2/3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K) throws a shutout through six, and Hodgkins finally saves a game successfully as Powell goes 3 for 4 with a run and two RBIs from the leadoff spot.

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

Apr 8 - vs JAX - W 9-7

Mark Johnson drives in two with a pinch hit and scores, breaking a six-all tie with a three-run 7th for the four-game sweep of the Ospreys. Darrel Robinson scores twice and drives in three with a double and a homer; Chris Wayman goes 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs.

W - Houston (1-0)
SV - Becnel (1)
HR - D. Robinson (1)

Apr 9 - vs MIA - W 5-4

Wayman (2 for 4, R, 2 RBI) breaks a four-four tie with a single that scores Finney (2 R, SB) in the 8th, and Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 BB) starts a 1-4-3 double play and covers first on the final out. Steven Robinson goes 2 for 4 with a two-run double in the 4th.

W - Randolph (1-0)
SV - Hodgkins (2)
HR - D. Robinson (2)

Apr 10 - vs MIA - W 10-5

Mike Weber goes 3 for 5 with a triple and five RBIs, while Powell (2 for 4) and Russ Roderick (3 for 5) both score three times, but the victory is marred when Morgan (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 4 K) leaves in the 5th with some discomfort in his shoulder. X-rays and an MRI find nothing serious, and he is listed as day-to-day with a "tender shoulder".

W - Randolph (2-0)

Apr 11 - vs MIA - L 2-5 (13)

After a single, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk (to Nick Duggins), Robin Houston (1 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) gives up a three-run shot to Douglas Harris in the 13th to end the winning streak at six.

L - Houston (1-1)
HR - S. Robinson (1)

Last Week: 6 - 1
This Month: 6 - 1
Overall: 6 - 1, 1st, +1 1/2 on Miami


Who's Hot

Justin Randolph
Last 6 games: 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP

Who's Not

Nobody!


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

I'll let you what... If we can hit .293 and keep our opponents down to .214 all year long, we're gonna win some ballgames!

These hitters are sure making my job easy so far. For me, the most pleasant surprise has been Matt Kirk. He's 38 yet still motors around the bases and covers a lot of ground in center. Best of all, he's one of the best drag bunters in the league, and even though everybody knows it, other teams still can't stop him! I know he's said that this is probably his last year, but I hope he reconsiders. He's got a lot of game left in him.

The pitching has been pretty good too, considering we had over eight-games-worth of innings last week. Kevin Hodgkins's early struggles were troubling, but he seems to have found his groove again. Bill Morgan just has a little tenderness in his throwing shoulder, not at all serious. Since we have an off day to work with, we'll probably push his next start back a day or two, just as a precaution.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 5 - April 19, 1971

Our Flyers continue to lead the Eastern Division, half a game ahead of Norfolk. The club finishes their road trip with three at Miami starting today, then hosts the Clippers for four, including Batting Glove Day on Thursday and Retro Game Day on Saturday.

Last Week's Results

Apr 12 - at JAX - W 10-4

Steven Robinson hits the longest homer of his career, a 421-foot blast to center that scores three in the 1st as the Flyers collect seventeen hits with every position player getting at least one knock. Chris Wayman (2B, 2R, RBI) and Darrel Robinson (2 R, RBI) both go 3 for 5 on the night.

W - Becker (2-0)
HR - S. Robinson (2)

Apr 13 - at JAX - W 4-3

An error by Ospreys 3B Martin Lynch in the 9th scores Wayman with what ends up as the game-winner. Mike Weber doubles and homers, scoring twice, while Steven Robinson (2 for 4) drives in two, including a solo shot in the 7th. Roger Coomes (2 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 4 K) goes eight innings on just 94 pitches.

W - Coomes (1-0)
SV - Hodgkins (3)
HR - Weber (1), S. Robinson (3)

Apr 14 - at JAX - L 2-7

Jacksonville pounds Gene Arndt (3 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 1 K) to avoid their second sweep in as many weeks.

L - Arndt (0-1)
HR - Kirk (1)

Apr 15 - OFF

Apr 16 - at NOR - L 4-5

Justin Randolph allows a leadoff double to SS Alec Dew, then George Thorn gives up the pinch hit to Gordon Baldwin, scoring the game winner for the Clippers in the 7th. Mark Kirk went 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs.

L - Randolph (2-1)

Apr 17 - at NOR - W 8-5

Wayman (2 for 4) drives in four, and Weber (2 for 3, 2B, RBI) scores three times amongst five Flyers with at least two hits. Kevin Hodgkins walks the bases loaded before getting the save.

W - Morgan (1-0)
SV - Hodgkins (4)
HR - Wayman (1)

Apr 18 - at NOR - L 0-4

Errors up the middle by Dave Powell and Russ Roderick mean three unearned runs for Roger Coomes (4 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K), as Clippers pitchers Harrison Lee (W, 2-0, 8 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and Tim Buchanan (1 IP, 1 H) scatter nine Flyers hits.

L - Coomes (1-1)

Last Week: 3 - 3
This month: 9 - 4
Overall: 9 - 4, 1st, +1/2 on Norfolk


Who's Hot

Matt Kirk
Last 5 games: 7-20 (.350), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Russ Roderick
Last 6 games: 10-26 (.385), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 8-17 (.471), 1 HR, 5 RBI

Who's Not

Darrel Robinson
Last 5 games: 1-15 (.067), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Walt Finney
Last 5 games: 3-22 (.136), 0 HR, 0 RBI


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

Back to earth last week, I guess, for our first road trip this year. Overall, I'm pretty happy with splitting the last six, but I'm glad Norfolk is coming to our house next weekend. Some payback is definitely in order.

You'll see a few changes to the lineup next week. Matt Kirk will be leading off, hopefully bunting for a ton of hits. Dave Powell, working a twenty-game hitting streak, moves to the #3 spot, dropping Walt Finney down to 7th and Darrel Robinson to 8th. Kirk is much faster than Powell, so he'll be able to score from first once Russ Roderick starts hitting his doubles from the #2 slot. I'd mention some tweaks to the left-handed lineup, but we haven't faced a southpaw starter yet!

The pitching is still solid. Bill Morgan says his shoulder feels fine now, and since he won his start, I tend to believe him. I didn't like seeing Kevin Hodgkins walk three batters in the 9th of a three-run game Saturday, but he pitched well in his other appearances.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 6 - April 26, 1971

The Flyers lead the East by the same margin as last week, but a new rival has emerged as the Jacksonville Ospreys have won their last ten games to move within half a game of our club. Three teams from the West come to Charlotte this week, Memphis for two, New Orleans for two (including Mini Bat Day on Thursday) and Nashville for three.

Last Week's Results

Apr 19 - at MIA - L 5-7

RF Mark Elkin's two-run shot off Justin Randolph in the 8th makes the difference. Dave Powell scores twice on a 4 for 5 night, extending his hitting streak to twenty-one games.

L - Becker (2-1)

Apr 20 - at MIA - W 18-2

Russ Roderick goes 4 for 6 with two doubles, three runs and five RBIs as everybody in the Flyers lineup gets at least one of the twenty-one hits. Matt Kirk (3 for 6, 2B) and Steven Robinson (3 for 4) both score three times; Walt Finney (2 for 5) and Kirk drive in three runs apiece. Gene Arndt (7 IP, 1 R, 8 H, 1 K) earns the win.

W - Arndt (1-1)
HR - Finney (1)

Apr 21 - at MIA - L 2-4

Miami's Rick Parker (W, 2-0, 6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K) outduels Matt Halstead (6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 K). Steven Robinson (2 for 3) drove in Mark Johnson (2 for 4, 2B) for both Flyers runs.

L - Halstead (0-1)

Apr 22 - vs NOR - W 3-2

A Mike Sutton walk, a Darrel Robinson bunt, and a Lloyd Mitchell single put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the 9th, then pinch-hitter Mark Johnson hit a grounder to second that the Clippers could not turn, scoring the game winner in a thrilling Batting Glove Day at State Fair Park.

W - Randolph (3-1)

Apr 23 - vs NOR - W 9-2

Walt Finney drove in three, including a two-run homer in the 6th, and Steven Robinson (2 for 3, 2B) scored three times while Roger Coomes (6 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 K) threw well.

W - Coomes (2-1)
HR - Finney (2)

Apr 24 - vs NOR - W 6-3

Steven Robinson hits 2 of 3, scoring once and driving in three, but Dave Powell goes 0 for 4, breaking his team-record hitting streak at twenty-four games. Keith Becker (6 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K) gets the win despite two longballs.

W - Becker (3-1)
SV - Hodgkins (5)

Apr 25 - vs NOR - L 0-2

Norfolk's Loren Thomas (W, 1-1, 8 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and Dick Sawyer (SV, 4, 1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) shut out the Flyers, hanging Arndt (5 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 BB, 3 K) with a tough loss.

L - Arndt (1-2)

Last Week: 4 - 3
This month: 13 - 7
Overall: 13 - 7, 1st, +1/2 on Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Roger Coomes
Last 3 games: 2-1, 2.00 ERA, 18 IP

Walt Finney
Last 5 games: 6-18 (.333), 2 HR, 7 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 9-16 (.563), 0 HR, 6 RBI

Who's Not

Lloyd Mitchell
Last 9 games: 2-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Darrel Robinson
Last 5 games: 1-13 (.077), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Chris Wayman
Last 6 games: 2-23 (.087), 0 HR, 2 RBI


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

Well, we got our revenge on Norfolk, taking three of four and knocking the Clippers down to third place. Next we see how we fare against the bottom three teams of the West; only the Blues are at .500 on the year.

I was sorry to see Powell's hitting streak snapped, especially the game after he asked for a day off, but you have to trust your players with things like that. Otherwise, our hitting has been excellent so far. A team average of .291 (plus 80 walks for an OBP of .362) is hard to improve upon.

On the other side of the ledger, our 3.31 staff ERA is the best in the CBA. The top four starters all have ERAs between 3.20 and 3.75, and #5 Arndt has a 4.03 mark. For a while there, I was thinking we might need a seventh reliever on the roster, but ten days into a seventeen-game stretch, our bullpen is fairly rested and throwing well. All in all, a good start to the season!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 7 - May 3, 1971

Our Flyers won both their promotional days at State Fair Park last week and kept pace with Jacksonville to hold their half-game lead of the East. After an off day today, the club goes to New Orleans and San Antonio for three games apiece.


Last Week's Results

Apr 26 - vs MEM - W 4-0

Matt Halstead (6 1/3 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K), Evan Becnel (2/3 IP, 2 K) and Justin Randolph (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K) hold the Blues to eight singles and a walk for the shutout. Russ Roderick hits 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

W - Halstead (1-1)
HR - Johnson (1)

Apr 27 - vs MEM - W 3-2

Mike Weber triples and scores in a three-run 2nd, while Bill Morgan (7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 7 K) throws an outstanding game. Chris Wayman takes a beanball to the head; a concussion will keep him out of action for about a week.

W - Morgan (2-0)
SV - Hodgkins (6)

Apr 28 - vs NWO - L 2-4

The Flyers cannot recover after Roger Coomes (5 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 3 K) allows two doubles and a tater in a four-run 1st. Mike Sutton, in a rare start in right, goes 3 for 4 with a steal and an RBI.

L - Coomes (2-2)

Apr 29 - vs NWO - W 4-1

Keith Becker (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K) is stellar on Mini Bat Day, while Walt Finney hits 2 for 2 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI. Weber also doubles and scores twice.

W - Becker (4-1)
SV - Hodgkins (7)

Apr 30 - vs NSH - W 6-3

Every Carolina position player gets a hit, and six different Flyers score while Gene Arndt (6 1/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K) throws a shutout through six. Justin Randolph (2/3 IP, 1 K) ends the 7th in some discomfort; he is listed as day-to-day with "tightness in his shoulder".

W - Arndt (2-2)
SV - Hodgkins (8)

May 1 - vs NSH - L 2-3

Matt Halstead leaves after two innings of work with pain in his back; he is now day-to-day with a strained muscle. Russ Roderick and manager Jeremy McGrath are both ejected in the 8th for arguing balls and strikes. Matt Kirk goes 3 for 4 with an RBI.

L - Halstead (1-2)

May 2 - vs NSH - W 8-5

On Baseball Cap Day, Kirk (2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Roderick (3 for 5, 2 RBI) go deep back-to-back in a four-run 2nd, but Bill Morgan leaves another start due to injury. He's listed as day-to-day with an "inflamed back muscle".

W - Morgan (3-0)
SV - Hodgkins (9)
HR - Kirk (2), Roderick (1)

Last Week: 5 - 2
This month: 1 - 1 (17-8 in April)
Overall: 18 - 9, 1st, +1/2 on Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 6-14 (.429), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Matt Kirk
Last 6 games: 10-25 (.400), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 5-11 (.455), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.40 ERA, 19 1/3 IP
Named Eastern Division Player of the Week (2-0, 0.73)

Gene Arndt
Last 3 games: 2-1, 2.37 ERA, 19 IP

Who's Not

Chris Wayman
Last 5 games: 1-18 (.056), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Roger Coomes
Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.20 ERA, 15 IP


A Closer Look - Carolina

The Flyers rank second in batting (.292) and third in scoring (140). LF Steven Robinson (.341, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 19 R) has been the surprise contributor, with C/1B Mike Weber (.341, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 23 R, 15 BB, 8 2Bs, 2 3Bs) and 2B Russ Roderick (.340, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 4 2Bs) the keys to the offense. 3B Darrel Robinson (.226, 2 HR, 17 RBI) is the weak point thus far with a .573 OPS.

The pitchers are tops in the league in ERA (2.98) and third in runs allowed (99). Bill Morgan (3-0, 2.34, WHIP 0.89), Keith Becker (4-1, 3.21, WHIP 1.13) and Matt Halstead (1-2, 2.73, WHIP 1.18) are all solid starters. Kevin Hodgkins (9 SV, 3.00, WHIP 1.33) leads the CBA in saves, while southpaw John Jahnke (0.60 in 15 IP, WHIP 1.07) has a .125 average against left-handed hitters.


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

A lot of little aches and pains in the pitching staff last weekend, but I think you have to expect that after playing seventeen straight games this early in the year. The league, in its infinite wisdom, makes it up to us by giving us the next four Mondays off, plus a Thursday too.

We finally faced (and beat) a left-handed starter last week, so now a few guys actually have double-digit at-bats against southpaws! It's a little tough to platoon when the righties only get 4% of the starts instead of the 25% you'd expect.

Wayman should be in the lineup again by the San Antonio series, so I'll once more be trying to get three pegs (Johnson, Weber, Wayman) into two holes. I've thought about trying to teach one of these guys to play third, but none of them really have the arm for it.

Halstead and Morgan will probably both skip their next starts to heal up; Randolph might get one of them if he feels 100%, or I could recall Bud Fox from Winston-Salem. The trouble is, the only guy on the roster with options left is Mike Weber. I think we're gonna see if anybody needs a shortstop bad enough to take Ed Rooker's .182 average and $8.5 million salary off our hands via waivers.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 8 - May 10, 1971

Our Flyers fall from the top spot in the East, now trailing the Jacksonville Ospreys by 1 1/2 games. The team has two off days this week to regroup; they finish the road trip West with a pair at Nashville Tuesday and Wednesday, then host Dallas for a three-game weekend set, starting with Retro Game Day on Friday.


Last Week's Results

May 3 - OFF

May 4 - at NWO - L 4-5

Evan Becnel loses a three-all tie with two runs in the 7th, allowing a single, a double and a single. Matt Kirk goes 2 for 5 with a double, scoring twice.

L - Becnel (1-1)
HR - Johnson (2)

May 5 - at NWO - W 7-6 (10)

Steven Robinson drives in three with two homers, but it's Mark Johnson's fly to left with the bases loaded that scores pinch-runner Lloyd Mitchell in the 10th with the game winner. Russ Roderick hits 3 of 5 with a double and two runs, while Kevin Hodgkins whiffs one in two perfect innings for the win.

W - Hodgkins (1-0)
HR - S. Robinson 2 (4,5)

May 6 - at NWO - L 2-3 (13)

John Jahnke allows two walks, then two singles in the 13th, the last by C Ron Ayers scores SS Mike Fontenot to end the 5 hour, 23 minute marathon. Walt Finney hit 3 of 6, while Roderick and skipper Jeremy McGrath are both ejected for the second time in under a week, again for arguing balls and strikes.

L - Jahnke (1-1)

After the game, Ed Rooker left for Norfolk via waivers. Free agent SP Oscar Lazar [6/5/7] , released by Houston on Monday, was signed to a minor league contract, which was immediately purchased by the Flyers so he could start tomorrow. Lazar was then put on irrevocable waivers, so apparently it will be his only start.

[I wanted to call up Bud Fox, who is in his last option year, but apparently, taking someone out of the Minor League Rotation is not a big enough hint for the AI that you DO NOT WANT HIM START!!! So the 'puter put him on the hill the day before the roster spot opened up. Live and learn.]

May 7 - at SAN - L 2-12

Lazar (4 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 2 K) keeps the game close, despite the ominous 466-foot blast to left by the first hitter, CF Paul Goode. It's the fatigued bullpen that does the team in, plus an errant throw by Darrel Robinson that extends the 6th and scores the first of six runs. Robin Houston (1 2/3 IP, 6 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K) then brings another home with a wild pitch, followed by a pair of two-run homers.

L - Lazar (0-1)

May 8 - at SAN - W 5-3

You knew this would be a wild one when Missions skipper Harry Easterday was ejected after the first batter, and it did not disappoint. The Flyers are down to their final out before three singles, the last a pinch hit by Chris Wayman, ties the game. Then Roderick triples, scoring two for the come-from-behind win. Mitchell goes 2 for 3 with a run and two RBIs, while Justin Randolph allows a hit and a walk while whiffing two in three innings.

W - Randolph (4-1)
SV - Hodgkins (10)

May 9 - at SAN - L 2-7

Two doubles and a homer off Keith Becker (5 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 K) score four Missions runs in the 2nd. Mike Weber hits 3 of 5 with two doubles, scoring one Carolina run and driving in the other. In the 5th, Kirk (2 for 3) doubles to center but hops into second, leaving the game with a bruised foot. Mitchell comes in to pinch-run (and presumably play center), but he pulls up lame while tagging and advancing to third on a fly ball. Walking off gingerly, he is listed as day-to-day with a strained back.

L - Becker (4-2)

Last Week: 2 - 4
This month: 3 - 5
Overall: 20 - 13, 2nd, -1 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Chris Wayman
Last 5 games: 5-13 (.385), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 2-0, 1.40 ERA, 19 1/3 IP

Who's Not

Darrel Robinson
Last 5 games: 1-18 (.056), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Mark Johnson
Last 5 games: 2-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Roger Coomes
Last 3 games: 0-1, 5.40 ERA, 15 IP


A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem has the best record in AAA (23-10), mainly due to strong pitching from Bill McCue (age 27, 5-0, 1.29, WHIP 1.04) and Bud Fox (age 25, 4-1, 2.94, WHIP 1.04) in the rotation, along with Mike Doyle (age 35, 1.08 in 16 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.02) from the pen. The outfielders are the best offensive producers on the team, led by prospect CF Rudy Olson (age 21, .313, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R, 10 2Bs, 5 SB). LF Danny Bowen (age 31, .225, 10 HR, 21 RBI) and RF Mike Slack (age 33, .312, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 5 2Bs) are also off to a good start.


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

If you're wondering why Oscar Lazar was brought in to start Friday's game at Alamo Park, I think the legendary Dave James, the manager down at Winston-Salem, pulled a fast one on a rookie, yours truly. When I told him to keep Bud Fox rested so I could call him up, he said, "Well, you're gonna have to find me another starter, right? I'll only have three. So if you have to sign a free agent, why not find one for yourself, rather than messing up both our rotations? It's just for one start, after all." It seemed to make a lot more sense when he said it than when I just wrote it down, but I guess that's why he's a legend!

Obviously, I'm concerned when we score just two runs three times in a week, but the hits are coming, just not in the same bunches as before. Darrel Robinson is batting under .200, so I'm going to give Alan Bruns a few starts at third, at least for the remainder of this road trip. With both centerfielders getting dinged up in the same half-inning Sunday, we're also gonna get to see what young Rudy Olson can do in the bigs after putting Lloyd Mitchell on the 15-day DL. Matt Kirk's foot bruise isn't too bad, though, and he should be at 100% when we return home.

Bill Morgan's back is taking a while longer to clear up than we initially thought, but with three days off out of the next eight, there won't be a problem with skipping him in the rotation one more time.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 9 - May 17, 1971

After being swept at Nashville and sweeping Dallas at home, the Flyers lost ground to the East-leading Ospreys, now 2 1/2 games ahead. With Monday off, the club will host San Antonio for three (including Batting Glove Day on Wednesday) and Houston for three (with Mini Bat Day on Sunday) to finish this homestand.


Last Week's Results

May 10 - OFF

May 11 - at NSH - L 2-4

Hounds starter Clifton Wilson (W, 5-1, 8 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 4 K) pitches well and drives in the game winner with a double in the 4th. Matt Halstead (5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 5 K) is not sharp after missing his last start with a strained back.

L - Halstead (1-3)
HR - Weber (2)

May 12 - at NSH - L 2-5

Though Bob Findlay (W, 2-3, 7 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K) walks in two runs in the top of the 1st, Gene Arndt (4 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K) gives up a three-run homer to LF Paul Fisher in the bottom half of the inning, giving the Hounds a lead they never relinquish.

L - Arndt (2-3)

May 13 - OFF

Not a completely uneventful day, as LF Frank Thomas [6/4/6] (.222 in 27 AB) is claimed off waivers from New Orleans. Thomas is recalled to Carolina after Oscar Lazar refuses assignment to the minors and is released.

May 14 - vs DAL - W 6-3

Steven Robinson (3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI) triples in a run and scores in a three-run Flyers 6th that makes the difference. Roger Coomes (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) is outstanding, and Dave Powell gets his 2000th hit in the 1st with a single. Alan Bruns leaves in the 5th after a throw from third; he is listed as day-to-day with a "tender shoulder".

W - Coomes (3-2)
SV - Hodgkins (11)

At his post-game press conference, manager Jeremy McGrath revealed that Mark Johnson was being shopped around the league, most likely for a new third baseman.

May 15 - vs DAL - W 9-4

Mike Weber (2 for 5, 2B) drives in four, while Matt Kirk (4 for 5, RBI), Russ Roderick (3 for 4, RBI) and Darrel Robinson (2 for 4, 2B) each score twice to overcome a rusty Bill Morgan (5 2/3 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K).

W - Morgan (4-0)
HR - Finney (3)

May 16 - vs DAL - W 5-2

Though the Flyers hit four doubles and a triple, it's four singles and a walk that score three in the 3rd to secure the sweep. Powell (2 for 5, 3B, 2 RBI) and Roderick (2 for 4, 2 R) are amongst five Carolina batters with two hits.

W - Halstead (2-3)
SV - Hodgkins (12)

Last Week: 3 - 2
This month: 6 - 7
Overall: 23 - 15, 2nd, -2 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 6 games: 10-23 (.435), 1 HR, 7 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 7-17 (.412), 0 HR, 4 RBI

Bill Morgan
Last 3 games: 3-0, 2.50 ERA, 18 IP

Who's Not

Matt Halstead
Last 3 games: 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 12 IP


A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory stands at 17-21, fifth amongst Eastern Division AA affiliates. RF Henry McKie (age 28, .336, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 13 2Bs) is the lone bright spot remaining after LF John Tidwell (age 24, .426 in 54 AB), claimed on waivers from Miami April 24, was sent up to Winston-Salem last week. 1B Christian Smithson (age 28, .333, OBP .469, 6 2Bs) was off to a good start but has been out of action since pulling his groin on April 16, and now top prospect 1B Everett Putman (age 22, .271 in 59 AB) is in AA after killing A-ball (.358 in 81 AB) in April. The only pitcher worth noting is southpaw starter Brock Leeds (3-3, 1.63, WHIP 1.19).

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

Apparently, this isn't much of a road team! It's as if someone flips a switch; we're 17-4 at home, 6-11 away. I have two theories on this: one, our starters, short at home, are even shorter on the road, since being up first means you have to pinch-hit first; or two, Bill Morgan only has one road start so far.

Speaking of Morgan, he's feeling 100% again, so we have a completely healthy pitching staff. Alan Bruns will still be nursing his shoulder into next week, but Darrel Robinson has gotten his average up to .215 by hitting 4 of 10 last week. Hopefully the time on the bench helped him work out his stroke. Lloyd Mitchell has another week on the DL, so that's seven more days for Rudy Olson to show me something besides how to drag a bat back to the dugout (3 Ks in 6 AB).

I think Frank Thomas will prove to be a good addition to the club. He'll spell Steven Robinson in left against southpaw starters and get some pinch hits too.

Just because Mark Johnson is on the trading block does not mean he necessarily going anywhere. I still haven't decided how to resolve this situation, plus most teams aren't ready to talk deal in May.

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 10 - May 24, 1971

Another sweep by a Western Division team puts the Flyers 3 1/2 games out of first. The club has Monday off before taking a nine-game trip West, starting with three at Dallas and three at Memphis.


Last Week's Results

May 17 - OFF

May 18 - vs SAN - L 3-4

A pinch-hit three-run homer by Mark Johnson gives the Flyers a one-run lead in the 7th, but Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 K) gives up a single and a double with two down in the 9th to tie the game, then John Jahnke allows the game-winning hit, wasting a good effort by Keith Becker (7 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 8 K).

L - Hodgkins (1-1)
HR - Johnson (3)

May 19 - vs SAN - L 2-4

Not a good performance on Batting Glove Day, as Missions southpaw Johnston Sloan (W, 3-2, 8 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K) puzzles the Flyers the entire game. Carolina does score one in the 9th off closer Tim Lesley (SV, 7, 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and has runners on second and third with nobody out, but Darrel Robinson strikes out looking, then pinch hitter Jeff Harvey hits a blooper that's caught by LF Paul LaFontaine, who doubles pinch runner Matt Kirk off second to end the game.

L - Coomes (3-3)

May 20 - vs SAN - L 1-5

Bill Morgan (7 1/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K) gets his first loss after Justin Randolph (1/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) gives up a grand slam to journeyman RF Ed Baker to cap a five-run Missions 7th. Jay Williams (6 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K) and the San Antonio bullpen hold the Flyers to just four hits to complete the sweep.

L - Morgan (4-1)

May 21 - vs HOU - W 4-1

Matt Halstead (7 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K) puts on a pitching clinic, and Kevin Hodgkins strikes out the side in the 9th to break the three-game skid. Kirk, benched yesterday after Wednesday's miscue, goes 4 for 4 with three bunt singles, scoring twice.

W - Halstead (3-3)
SV - Hodgkins (13)

May 22 - vs HOU - L 2-5

A muffed grounder by Alan Bruns at third extends the 4th, and Buffaloes starter James LaFleur (W, 3-0, 6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 2 BB) capitalizes with a three-run double off Gene Arndt (5 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 2 K), bringing LaFleur's career totals to six doubles and twenty-five RBIs. Chris Wayman (3 for 3, BB) gets on base all four plate appearances, but no one drives him in.

L - Arndt (2-4)
HR - Sutton (1)

May 23 - vs HOU - W 7-6

A wild Mini Bat Day at State Fair Park as the Buffaloes lose their manager Don Chapman after just one batter, followed by a pair of Houston pitchers coming up with injuries. Becker (6 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K) has a two-hitter through six before the wheels come off in a five-run Houston 7th, putting the Flyers down by one. Carolina scores two with four singles in the 8th, but Houston ties the game at six in the top of the 9th. Finally, Rudy Olson gets his first RBI of the year, hitting a walkoff single with the bases juiced and scoring Wayman for the win in regulation.

W - Jahnke (2-1)

Last week: 2 - 4
This month: 8 - 11
Overall: 25 - 19, 2nd, -3 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 5-15 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 2-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 4 games: 0-1, 6.65 ERA, 23 IP


A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

Columbus's record of 22-22 is good enough for second place among Eastern Division A-ball clubs. There aren't many noteworthy players at this level just eight days before the draft. Top prospect starter Walt Russell (4-5, 5.48, WHIP 1.87) is struggling to find the form he displayed last year (18-4, 2.87, WHIP 1.35).


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

Scoring twelve runs in five games (excluding Sunday) is not going to cut it, even with our pitchers. If only we had a true homerun hitter... every time we hit a tater, it feels like a fluke.

Meanwhile, there'll be a few changes to the lineup. Dave Powell is a great pure hitter, but he can't hit for extra bases or take an extra base anymore, so he drops to sixth. Russ Roderick moves to third on the expectation that he'll start hitting some doubles any day now. Finally, Chris Wayman will be batting second, moving his .347 average and .427 on-base up from the sixth slot.

The bullpen had some hiccups last week that concern me, too. Justin Randolph has given up six runs in his last 2 2/3 innings, but John Jahnke is working a 7 1/3 inning scoreless streak. Some role changes may be in order soon.

Lloyd Mitchell will be off the DL tomorrow, so Rudy Olson will be returning to Winston-Salem just when he was starting to get comfortable. That big hit he got on Sunday was his second this year, so after starting out 0 for 12 with six whiffs, he ends with a 2 for 4 run.

You hate to start a road trip when you're struggling, but on the bright side, we're 7-1 so far against the teams we'll be visiting. So the next ten days wille either be a great turnaround or absolutely brutal... wish us luck!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 11 - May 31, 1971

Our Flyers gain ground yet fall in the standings, now in third place, 2 1/2 games back. The club completes its Western trip with three at Houston, followed by four at State Fair Park against Atlanta.


Last Week's Results

May 24 - OFF

May 25 - at DAL - L 3-6

John McMasters (W, 2-4, 8 1/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 9 K) no-hits the Flyers through five, while Roger Coomes (2 1/3 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 1 K) makes an early exit. Frank Thomas hits a pinch-hit two-run homer in the 8th, his first big league homerun.

L - Coomes (3-4)
HR - Thomas (1)

May 26 - at DAL - W 10-4

Matt Kirk (5 RBI) is the first Flyers batter to hit three homers in a game since Randy Brewer on July 11, 1959, while Bill Morgan (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 7 BB, 9 K) takes a no-hitter into the 7th. Dave Powell goes 2 for 5 with a double and two RBIs, along with his seventh error of the season at short.

W - Morgan (5-1)
HR - Kirk 3 (3,4,5)

May 27 - at DAL - W 5-2

Steven Robinson (2 for 5) doubles in two and scores in a four-run Flyers 1st, while Matt Halstead (7 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 K) throws just 85 pitches in his seven innings of work.

W - Halstead (4-3)
SV - Hodgkins (14)

May 28 - at MEM - L 4-7

Blues LF Barney Sonnier hits a two-run homer in the 1st off Keith Becker (3 IP, 6 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K), then SS Ed Dinsmore hits a grand slam in the 3rd to send Becker to the showers. A pinch-hit double by Mark Johnson scores three in the 4th, but the Flyers do not score again despite having the bases loaded with no outs in the 6th. A frustrated Jeremy McGrath is ejected in the 9th for arguing balls and strikes.

L - Becker (4-3)

May 29 - at MEM - W 8-4

Kirk (2 for 5, R) triples in two runs and scores in a three-run Flyers 5th, and Johnson scores two with a pinch hit and plates a third with a sacrifice fly. Coomes (5 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 7 K) throws a good game on three days rest.

W - Coomes (4-4)
SV - Hodgkins (15)

May 30 - at MEM - W 10-8

Mike Weber (4 for 4, 3 R) is one of three Flyers who homer and four Flyers with two RBIs as Carolina wins a wild one at The Fabulous Avalon. Chris Wayman (2 R, 2 RBI) doubles and homers, while Johnson again scores two, the tying and winning runs, with a key pinch hit in the three-run 9th. Justin Randolph (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 K) gets his fifth win despite allowing the go-ahead run in the 8th for an 8-7 Blues lead. Russ Roderick leaves the game in the 5th with a blister on his throwing hand and is listed as day-to-day.

W - Randolph (5-1)
SV - Hodgkins (16)
HR - Wayman (2), Weber (3), S. Robinson (6)

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 12 - 13
Overall: 29 - 21, 3rd, -2 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 8-16 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 6-15 (.400), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Matt Halstead
Last 3 games: 3-0, 2.37 ERA, 19 IP

Who's Not

Russ Roderick
Last 5 games: 3-20 (.150), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Keith Becker
Last 5 games: 0-2, 7.96 ERA, 26 IP

Roger Coomes
Last 3 games: 1-2, 6.75 ERA, 13 1/3 IP

Gene Arndt
Last 3 games: 0-2, 5.93 ERA, 13 2/3 IP


A Closer Look - Carolina

The Flyers are second in batting (.284) but fifth in scoring (245). CF Matt Kirk (.357, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 29 R, 5 2Bs, 4 3Bs) has been stellar from the leadoff spot, while C/1B Mike Weber (.327, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 39 R, 30 BB, 16 2Bs) and LF Steven Robinson (.315, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 29 R, 6 2Bs, 7 SB) form the heart of the order. 1B Chris Wayman (.336, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 23 R, 5 2Bs) was just moved up to the second spot, and C Mark Johnson (.330, 3 HR, 21 RBI) is 12 of 23 with 16 RBIs as a pinch hitter.

Carolina pitchers still have the best ERA in the league (3.50) but poor defense (33 unearned runs, T-2nd most) has the team fifth in runs allowed (209). Bill Morgan (5-1, 2.82, WHIP 1.05, OAVG .182) and Matt Halstead (4-3, 2.84, WHIP 1.16, 4 BBs in 57 IP) lead the starting staff, and Kevin Hodgkins (16 SV, 1.98 in 27 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.99) continues to lead the CBA in saves.


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

So far, so good, for this road trip. We've gotten our road record back to a respectable 10-13, to go with a 19-8 mark in Charlotte.

The pitching has been good, despite those high ERAs from the starters the past couple weeks. Evan Becnel is driving me crazy with his low endurance (20 IP in 24 games) and poor control (17 BBs), so you might be seeing a new face in the fifth reliever slot fairly soon.

The other guy who's driving me nuts is Darrel Robinson, who hasn't gotten a hit since May 16. He'll be in Winston-Salem just as soon as he clears waivers, and we just picked up another third baseman, Jeremy Coon [6/5/3] , from New Orleans via waivers. Coon has five doubles and eight taters in 101 at-bats at AAA so far this year, so between him and Gruns, we should be able to make something work until the trade deadline.

Russ Roderick needs a couple days for his blister to heal, so Jeff Harvey will get a chance to start. Meanwhile, the amateur draft is tomorrow, so it's time to weed the minor leagues! See you next week!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 12 - June 7, 1971

Changes to the roster but no change in the standings for our Flyers, still in third spot and 2 1/2 games back of Jacksonville. This week brings a big opportunity to make up ground, with three against second-place Tampa starting today at State Fair Park, followed by a trip to Jacksonville for three starting Friday.


Last Week's Results

May 31 - at HOU - L 2-6

The Flyers score only two runs despite ten hits and five walks off Daryl Jarrell (W, 4-4, 5 IP, 1 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and the Buffaloes bullpen. Dave Powell goes 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Bill Morgan (6 2/3 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K) was less than stellar, allowing a pair of solo shots. Jeff Harvey leaves after a throw from second in the 6th; he's listed as day-to-day with a "tight shoulder".

L - Morgan (5-2)

The next morning, the CBA Press Office announces the monthly award winners, and the Eastern Division Batter of the Month for May is Carolina's own Matt Kirk! Matt went 38 for 91 (.418) with four doubles, three triples, four homers, eleven RBIs, seventeen runs scored and three stolen bases for an OPS of 1.113!

June 1 - at HOU - W 16-5

Twenty hits power the Flyers to a blowout victory where every position player scores at least once. Matt Halstead (6 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 10 H, 4 K) is the beneficiary of the onslaught, led by Russ Roderick (4 for 5, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI), Lloyd Mitchell (4 for 4, 2B, R, 4 RBI) and Dave Powell (2 for 4, 3 R, 3 RBI).

w - Halstead (5-3)
HR - Roderick (2), Wayman (3)

June 2 - at HOU - W 6-5 (13)

Chris Wayman hits a grand slam in a five-run Flyers 5th, and Mark Johnson doubles home Powell with two down in the 13th for the Carolina win, despite allowing seventeen hits. Kevin Hodgkins (1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K) blows his fourth save of the season, but Robin Houston (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) gets the job done in the final two frames. Roderick goes 3 for 3 but leaves after doubling in the 5th; he's listed as day-to-day with a bruised foot.

W - Houston (2-1)
HR - Wayman (4)

On the trip back to Charlotte, the team announces a trade with Dallas, sending C Mark Johnson and MR Evan Becnel to the Drifters for MR Terry Bingham [9/8/3] (4.01 in 33 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.16) and C Gary Armitage [3/2/9] (.250 w/ .431 OBP at AAA Little Rock). Both Bingham and Armitage are assigned to the big league roster.

June 3 - vs ATL - L 3-4

Flames 2B Jimmy Audette (2 for 4) drives in the winning tally with a two-run double off Roger Coomes (6 IP, 4 R, 10 H, 1 BB, 2 K) in the 6th. The Flyers manage just five hits but draw nine walks, led by Mark Weber (1 for 1, 3 BB), whose 440-foot solo shot to straightaway center in the 4th is the longest tater of his career.

L - Coomes (4-5)
HR - Weber (4)

June 4 - vs ATL - W 10-6

Darrel Robinson, in his first start at third in two weeks, hits a double and two homers, scoring three runs and driving in six, a career high. Gene Arndt (4 1/3 IP, 6 R, 4 H, 7 BB, 1 K) cannot find the plate, but the bullpen of Thorn, Randolph, Bingham and Hodgkins allow just two hits in the final 4 2/3 innings. Steven Robinson adds a 3 for 4 night with a double, a run, two RBIs, and his second error of the year in left.

W - Thorn (1-0)
HR - D. Robinson 2 (3,4)

June 5 - vs ATL - W 6-3

Kirk drives in three with a base-clearing double in a six-run Flyers 6th for the come-from-behind win before 39,708 on Baseball Cap Day. Don Downey (L, 4-4, 5 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 8 K) had two outs in the inning before three singles, two walks, a balk and another walk loaded the bases for Matt. Flames catcher Scott Harrison and manager Randy Gerry were both ejected in the 5th after arguing balls and strikes.

W - Morgan (6-2)
SV - Hodgkins (17)

June 6 - vs ATL - L 4-5

A heartbreaker at State Fair Park as Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 K) gets his fifth blown save of the year. With a 3-2 lead in the 9th, Kevin gets two outs but allows the tying run with two singles and a wild pitch. Then Flames 3B Clement Eberhardt fouls off seven pitches before parking the one he wanted to deep left-center for a 5-3 Atlanta lead. The Flyers score one in the bottom half and have the tying run on third, but Roderick strikes out swinging, completing an 0 for 5 night. Gary Armitage (2 for 4, R) hits a two-run single in his first at-bat in the CBA this season.

L - Hodgkins (1-2)

Just before press time, the club announced that SP Gene Arndt has been claimed via waivers by New Orleans. Bud Fox [4/9/5] (7-2 in 12 GS, 2.80 ERA, WHIP 0.99 at AAA Winston-Salem) was recalled to take Arndt's place in the rotation.

Last week: 4 - 3
This month: 4 - 2 (12 - 14 in May)
Overall: 33 - 24, 3rd, -2 1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Russ Roderick
Last 5 games: 8-22 (.364), 1 HR, 4 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 6-16 (.375), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Who's Not

Chris Wayman
Last 5 games: 1-17 (.059), 1 HR, 5 RBI

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 2-14 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI

Roger Coomes
Last 3 games: 1-2, 8.10 ERA, 13 1/3 IP

Keith Becker
Last 3 games: 0-1, 8.22 ERA, 15 1/3 IP


A Closer Look - The Amateur Draft

1st Round - MR Johnny Westerman, 23 [9/7/5] - $153,000
Westerman, a leftie, had fourteen saves and 71 whiffs with a 2.03 ERA in 48 2/3 innings for Washington State. Johnny can already throw nearly 100 mph!

2nd Round - SP Christopher Horan, 20 [4/9/7] - $94,500
Another southpaw, Horan struck out 103 with a 3.23 ERA in 122 2/3 IP at SUNY Buffalo.

3rd Round - 3B John Dittmer, 19 [7/3/5] - $52,500
A switch-hitter, Dittmer hit .488 for Walpole HS (Massachusetts).

4th Round - 2B Clayton Henderson, 20 [5/5/4] - $38,500
Henderson hit .274 with 8 homers in 213 at-bats for Michigan State last season. Clayton bats left-handed and plays some third and short as well as second.

5th Round - CF Larry Price, 19 [5/2/4] - $25,000
Price stole twelve bases and hit .483 at South Fulton HS (Tennessee).


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

A lot to talk about, and little of it has to do with how we played last week! It was good to win all three series on the road trip, but a split with last-place Atlanta is hard to take, especially with a pair of one-run losses.

The draft went pretty well, though I was hoping to find an outfielder before the fifth round. I was concerned that there were five good prospects available when we picked sixth, but one of our top five was still available...

Johnny Westerman is an exciting guy to watch throw, with a high 90s fastball and a decent slider. He already has good control and could be dominating once he learns to make his fastball hop and drop.

Christopher Horan has a ton of collegiate experience from a school I know quite well, University at Buffalo. He mixes his pitches well: a high 80s fastball, circle change, curve and slider. At age 20, he's starting out in AAA and won his first start for Winston-Salem... so far, so good!

Though he had some clutch pinch hits, Mark Johnson wasn't happy with his lack of playing time (and we weren't happy paying him $8.9 million to sit the bench). Meanwhile, Becnel was already on waivers to make room for Bud Fox (moving Gene Arndt to long relief) when Dallas called about Johnson. With both Arndt ($1.7 million) and Johnson both off the ledger, our payroll stands at just under $60 million, fourth-lowest in the league.

Terry Bingham has two championship rings from '67 and '69 with San Antonio. He has 81 saves in his career with a 3.90 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Terry can throw all four of his pitches for strikes, but sometimes gives up the longball. The 8th inning will be his domain, though at age 37, he can't go as long or as often as he once did.

Gary Armitage is a guy that does just one thing but does it well: draw walks. He only had 41 career at-bats in the CBA (including four games with Carolina two years ago) before last week, but he has 110 walks in AAA the past two years for a .365 on-base percentage. Not great swinging the bat or throwing stealers out at second, but he's not awful at everything, and he's just a backup catcher.

Darrel Robinson has cleared waivers and was all set to be sent down to Winston-Salem... until he hits two homers Friday. Now I _still_ don't know who's my regular third baseman, and I have a waiver claim in on _another_ corner man, when I haven't gotten a chance to call up the last guy I picked up!

I think that's just about everything... Big week coming up! Winning these next two series would put us right back in the thick of the pennant race... wish us luck!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 13 - June 14, 1971

A three-game sweep over Jacksonville pulls the Flyers back into second place, half a game behind the Ospreys. After taking today off, the club plays three at Norfolk, then hosts Jacksonville for three more, including Retro Game Day on Sunday.


Last Week's Results

June 7 - vs TAM - W 3-0

Keith Becker (9 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K) needs just 95 pitches for the first complete game thrown by a Carolina starter this season. Mike Weber hits 3 for 3, including a two-run insurance homer in the 8th.

W - Becker (5-3)
HR - Weber (5)

June 8 - vs TAM - L 1-11

Roger Coomes (1 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 1 K) and Robin Houston (2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K) are both hit hard, while Tomahawks starter Derrick Real (W, 8-1, 7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K) is the first pitcher in the East to reach eight wins. Darrel Robinson (1 IP, 1 BB) makes his pitching debut in the 9th.

L - Coomes (4-6)

After the game, the club announces that 3B Valentine Stephens [5/7/5] (.167 in 24 AB) has been acquired from Houston via waivers. Darrel Robinson is sent down to Winston-Salem to make room for Stephens.

June 9 - vs TAM - L 3-5 (11)

George Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) gives up a two-out pinch hit to Paul Zimmer with the bases loaded in the 11th, scoring the winning runs for Tampa. Kevin Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H) gave the ball to Thorn with two on and one out after allowing a single and a double. Bud Fox (6 1/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K) looks good in his first start of the year, while Chris Wayman hits 4 of 5 and Weber goes 2 for 4 with a two-run homer. Kirk, Roderick and Stephens each go 0 for 5 on the night.

L - Hodgkins (1-3)
HR - Weber (6)

June 10 - OFF

June 11 - at JAX - W 8-7 (10)

Bill Morgan (2 1/3 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K) is rocked early, but Russ Roderick (3 for 5, 2B, R, 4 RBI), Matt Kirk (3 for 6, 3B, 2 R) and the Flyers bullpen make up the ground for a comeback victory. Roderick singles home Walt Finney (2 for 2, 2 R) in the 10th and later scores on a wild throw by Jacksonville SS Darwin Bauer. Houston, Jahnke, Thorn, Bingham and Randolph combine to two-hit the Ospreys through 6 2/3 innings of relief, then Hodgkins (1 IP, 1 R, 3 H) gets another adventurous save with the tying run on third and the losing run on first.

W - Randolph (6-1)
SV - Hodgkins (18)
HR - Stephens (1)

June 12 - at JAX - W 6-1 (10)

The Flyers leave eleven runners on base in regulation before the floodgates open with five runs in the 10th on three singles, two walks, a balk and a wild throw by Ospreys OF-turned-SS Rick Jenkins. Jeff Harvey, in for defense after Roderick commits two errors, drives in Weber with a base hit for the game winner. Hodgkins (1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 2 BB) blows a save for the sixth time; he is 0-2 with two losses and two blown saves in his last four appearances.

W - Randolph (7-1)

June 13 - at JAX - W 5-3 (10)

Another nailbiter at Humana Park today as the Flyers score one in the 9th to tie the game and three in the 10th to win it. Stephens' leadoff double leads to the tying run, while Mike Sutton (2 for 5) doubles in two and scores on Alan Bruns' two-bagger in the first extra frame. Becker (7 1/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K) takes another shutout into the 8th but gets a no-decision.

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

Last week: 4 - 2
This month: 8 - 4
Overall: 37 - 26, 2nd, -1/2 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 10-19 (.526), 2 HR, 5 RBI
Named Eastern Division Player of the Week

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 5-12 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 8 games: 9-22 (.409), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Valentine Stephens
Last 7 games: 3-21 (.143), 1 HR, 1 RBI

Roger Coomes
Last 4 games: 1-3, 11.30 ERA, 14 1/3 IP


A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

At 45-18, Winston-Salem is still the top team in AAA. Though Bud Fox was just called up, the pitching is still strong with Bill McCue (8-3, 2.87, WHIP 1.20), Bill Frazier (9-2, 3.74, WHIP 1.32) and second-rounder Christopher Horan (2-0 in 3 GS, 1.96, WHIP 1.04) in the rotation. Mike Doyle (1.57 in 23 IP, WHIP 0.96), Floyd Myers (7 SV, 1.61 in 22 1/3 IP, WHIP 0.85) and leftie Bob Lamb (1.89 in 19 IP, WHIP 1.05) all have been effective from the pen. 2B Clark Davidson (.300, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 48 R, 43 BB, 9 2Bs, 5 SB) looks just about ready for the bigs, while RF/CF Rudy Olson (.325, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 33 R, 10 2Bs, 10 SB) and 1B Steve "The Sheriff" Brown (.261, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 28 R, 28 BB, 10 2Bs) continue to impress as well.


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

I can't figure it out... we're 9-1 against Jacksonville, supposedly the top team in the East, but .500 (10-10) against the rest of the division. Either way, I think we did what we needed to do last week, though I was hoping to win both series.

Valentine Stephens swings a big bat, but it doesn't make contact with the ball quite often enough. I'm planning to give him a couple weeks to see if playing every day improves his eye; otherwise, we'll hand the keys to the hot corner to Alan Bruns and take our chances.

I don't know what to make of Roger Coomes lately. It seems like every time I get a report from the coaches about him, it's bad news. I don't understand why he would drop off so severely at age 32, but if Bud Fox keeps throwing well, Coomes may be the #5 starter before too long.

I wouldn't have expected a reliever, Justin Randolph, to be leading the team in wins, but I believe that's due to Kevin Hodgkins' poor performance thus far. He blew twelve saves last year and is on pace for a higher total this season. We may have to try something different in the closer's role.

Seems like a lot of negative notes for a good week... I think four extra-inning games in a row makes a manager question everything! Anyway, if we win this next series with Jacksonville, I think we'll be leading the division once again, so c'mon down to State Fair Park this weekend and help us out!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 14 - June 21, 1971

Holding the division lead outright after Wednesday's play, the Flyers drop three of the next four and again trail the Jacksonville Ospreys by a game. After hosting Norfolk for three starting today, the club takes its last off day before the All-Star break, then heads to Atlanta for a trio of weekend contests.


Last Week's Results

June 14 - OFF

June 15 - at NOR - W 6-3

Homers by Mike Weber (1 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Jeff Harvey account for the three-run margin of victory in front of a sellout crowd for Retro Game Day at Harbor Stadium. Harvey's 441-foot pinch-hit blast to center is the longest of his six career taters. Bill Morgan (5 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 6 BB, 8 K) struggles a bit on three days rest, but Kevin Hodgkins (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 4 K) whiffs four of the five batters he faces for his league-leading 19th save.

W - Morgan (7-2)
SV - Hodgkins (19)
HR - Weber (7), Harvey (1)

June 16 - at NOR - W 8-6

Another promotion day, another sellout crowd, and another Flyers win, this time coming back from a 6-2 deficit with six runs in the final two frames. After two walks and a hit by pitch, Steven Robinson (2 for 4, 2 R, SB) clears the bases with a triple and scores to tie the game in the 8th. In the 9th, Weber's sacrifice fly scores Chris Wayman (2 for 4, 2 R), then Dave Powell (2 for 4, 2 RBI) drives in Russ Roderick (2 for 5, HR, 2 R) with a base hit. Roger Coomes (6 IP, 4 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K) struggles again, making his ERA 5.50, while George Thorn (2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) earns the win, striking out the side in the 8th and getting the tying run to ground out in the 9th.

W - Thorn (3-0)
HR - Roderick (3)

June 17 - at NOR - L 8-10

It's the Clippers' turn to make a comeback with four runs on four doubles in the 8th off Justin Randolph (0 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 BB), Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H) and Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H). The Flyers collect fourteen hits (compared to sixteen for Norfolk), led by Weber (2 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Mike Sutton (3 for 5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Roderick (3 for 5, R), in a losing effort. Valentine Stephens doubles as well, extending a career high six-game hitting streak, but also commits two errors at third.

L - Hodgkins (1-4)
HR - Weber (8), Sutton (2)

Elsewhere, Jacksonville split a four game set with Miami, so the Ospreys and Flyers are tied for the Eastern Division lead entering their series.

June 18 - vs JAX - W 6-1

Steven Robinson (3 for 4, 2B, R, 3 RBI), Powell (1 for 4, 2 RBI) and Wayman (3 for 5, R) lead the Flyers to a wet win at State Fair Park. A 66-minute rain delay keeps Keith Becker (4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 K) from his sixth win, but Robin Houston (2 2/3 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) is very effective in long relief.

W - Houston (3-1)
HR - Kirk (6)

June 19 - vs JAX - L 3-5

Bud Fox (5 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K) looks less sharp in his second outing, though an error by Powell (2 for 4, HR, 2 R) at short, his 11th, leads to three unearned runs in the 4th. Terry Bingham (2 IP, 5 K) keeps the game close, but Sutton (2 for 4, SB), on second with one out in the 9th after a single and a stolen base, is doubled off to end the game when Ospreys LF Don Addington makes a diving catch.

L - Fox (0-1)
HR - Powell (2)

June 20 - vs JAX - L 2-6

The Flyers leave ten men on base, disappointing a sellout crowd of 41,784 on Retro Game Day. Morgan (6 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K) does not scatter his hits as usual, while Thorn (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) and Hodgkins (1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H) are tagged out of the bullpen. Stephens goes 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, extending his hitting streak to nine games; Valentine hit 8 of 20 (.400) with three doubles on the week.

L - Morgan (7-3)

Last week: 3 - 3
This month: 11 - 7
Overall: 40 - 29, 2nd, -1 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Russ Roderick
Last 6 games: 10-27 (.370), 1 HR, 2 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 7-16 (.438), 0 HR, 8 RBI

Mike Sutton
Last 5 games: 6-18 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Roger Coomes
Last 5 games: 1-3, 9.74 ERA, 20 1/3 IP


A Closer Look - AA Hickory

Hickory's record, 37-32, is second-best in AA and is much improved since our last look. SS Henry McKie (.327, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 52 BB, 19 2Bs) is pounding the ball; he can also play at second and in right. SS/2B John Gillett (.308 in 159 AB, 6 HR, 26 RBI) and 1B Everett Putman (.286 in 175 AB, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 14 2Bs) are also playing well after early promotions from Columbus. The pitching has been strengthened by some recent demotions, such as Jerry Thompson (3-0 in 3 GS, 0.35, OAVG .106) and Howard Terry (1-0 in 2 GS, 1.06, WHIP 0.76).


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

Well, it was good to be back on top, at least for a couple days... Now we have to figure out how to stay there!

Since hitting 0 for 5 in his first game with the team, Valentine Stephens has hit 11 of 33 with four doubles and a homer, plus five walks! So far, it looks like all he needed was playing time, after being stuck behind Scott Hass in Nashville (now in San Antonio) for a few years... though it's hard to fault the Hounds, when Hass hit 25 homers and walked 130 times in his last three seasons!

Overall, I think the roster is set... except I don't know how much longer I watch 1B Steve Brown slug .636 at Winston-Salem and not call him up. He would also be a better backup for Wayman than Armitage (via moving Weber to first). Trouble is, I'd probably drop one of the six outfielders to make room, and none of them have any options left.

None of the pitchers are in danger of losing their job, either... though Roger Coomes needs a couple of good starts in a row, else I think he'll be the #5 man in the rotation next week.

All in all, when 3-3 feels like a "bad week", it seems like we're in good shape. See you at the ballpark!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 15 - June 28, 1971

Another .500 week yet the Flyers are still only one game off the pace set by the Tomahawks and the Ospreys. After visiting Tampa for three, the team returns to State Fair Park for an eleven-game homestand, beginning with four games against Memphis.


Last Week's Results

June 21 - vs NOR - L 5-9

Despite homers by Dave Powell (3 RBI) and Gary Armitage (2 RBI, 1st career HR in 53 AB), today's game is injury added to insult. Roger Coomes (2 2/3 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 1 K) is knocked around once again before leaving in the third with arm pain; a strained bicep will put Coomes on the shelf until late July at the earliest. The Flyers had closed within one run before handing the ball to Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB) in the 9th.

L - Coomes (4-7)
HR - Powell (3), Armitage (1)

After the game, Coomes was placed on the Disabled List, and Bill Frazier [4/7/6] (11-2, 3.41, WHIP 1.30 in AAA), 8th overall pick by the club in 1968, was recalled from Winston-Salem.

June 22 - vs NOR - L 0-3

The Flyers drop their fourth straight despite collecting eleven hits, all singles, wasting a quality effort by Keith Becker (7 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 K). Mike Weber hits 3 for 3 but is caught stealing for the second time in five attempts this year.

L - Becker (5-4)

June 23 - vs NOR - W 5-4 (11)

After Hodgkins (2 IP, 1 R, 2 H) gives up a run in the top of the 11th, Jeff Harvey and Alan Bruns (2 for 5, RBI) get back-to-back hits with one down in the bottom half. A pinch-hit sacrifice bunt by Bud Fox moves the pair into scoring position, then Matt Kirk (3 RBI) makes the first hit in his last ten at-bats count, scoring both runners with a single to right. Walt Finney's RBI-single with two out in the 9th tied the game.

W - Hodgkins (2-4)

June 24 - OFF

Frank Thomas, hitless in eighteen at-bats in June, is sent down to Winston-Salem, while 1B Steve "The Sheriff" Brown [4/7/7] (.255, 15 HR, 46 RBI in AAA) is called up after the team purchases his contract. Drafted 3rd overall in 1964 by San Antonio, he was traded to Carolina just two weeks later. After a few years in the minors, he was traded (for Dave Powell) to Dallas in April 1968. He started 20 games for Miami after being claimed via waivers this February, but was waived again after hitting .231 in April and claimed by the Flyers on May 2.

June 25 - at ATL - L 3-5

Russ Roderick's (2 for 4) three-run double in the top of the 8th gives the Flyers a 3-2 lead, but John Jahnke (2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB) and George Thorn (1/3 IP, 1 H) give three back in the bottom half for Carolina's fifth loss in their last six games. Bill Morgan (6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 12 K) is dominating but gives up a two-run homer to Flames CF Dennis Stoker. Pinch-hitter Finney and manager Jeremy McGrath are both ejected in the 7th after arguing balls and strikes in separate at-bats.

L - Jahnke (2-2)

June 26 - at ATL - W 3-2 (11)

Valentine Stephens (2 for 5) leads off the 11th with a 428-foot shot to straightaway center, spoiling Batting Glove Day at Lexus Park. Roderick goes 3 for 5 and scores once, while the bullpen of Randolph, Hodgkins, Bingham and Jahnke hold the Flames scoreless for the final five frames.

W - Bingham (2-1)
SV - Jahnke (1)
HR - Kirk (7), Stephens (2)

June 27 - at ATL - W 4-0

Becker throws a three-hitter, striking out eight Flames to disappoint 36,481 Atlanta faithful on Bobblehead Doll Day. Powell hits 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI, extending a seventeen-game hitting streak.

W - Becker (6-4)

Last week: 3 - 3
This month: 14 - 10
Overall: 43 - 32, 3rd, -1 of Tampa and Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Russ Roderick
Last 5 games: 8-22 (.364), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Matt Kirk
Last 5 games: 7-24 (.292), 1 HR, 4 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 8 games: 7-18 (.389), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 3-19 (.158), 0 HR, 1 RBI


A Closer Look - Single-A Columbus

Columbus stands at 38-37, third among Eastern Division A-ball affiliates. A trio of young pitchers are having some success: Herbert Baxley (5-4, 3.79, WHIP 1.25), Lowell Tincher (4-8, 3.54, WHIP 1.30) and closer Wilbert Cagle (4-2, 21 SV, 2.38, WHIP 1.20). This year's first-rounder, leftie Johnny Westerman (4.66 in 9 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.24) is beginning to settle as a pro.


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

Another big series coming up in Tampa... It's time to return the favor of three weeks ago and beat the Tomahawks in their own house!

We finally called up Steve Brown. You can only ignore power like that for so long... Our friends in Winston-Salem might not be happy about it, but Frank Thomas swings a pretty big bat too, especially for AAA, so they shouldn't be in danger of losing their 15 1/2 game lead over the other Eastern Division AAA teams...

Kevin Hodgkins is starting to worry me. He's given up at least one run in eight of his last twelve appearances, not much of a record for a closer. Problem is, nobody else around here can close either... Bingham can't go back-to-back days, Thorn I'd rather keep as a leftie specialist, Randolph has too _much_ endurance to be stuck as a closer, and Jahnke just doesn't throw hard enough. That leaves Houston, who actually has some good numbers for a mop-up man, 3.57 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, but he has a tendency to give up longballs... not a trait you'd want in your closer.

You probably noticed some (more) changes to the lineup, so here's the basic rundown right now, with their stats against righties:

CF Matt Kirk (.321, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 5 SB)
1B Chris Wayman (.307, 3 HR, 30 RBI)
C Mike Weber (.351, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 3 SB)
LF Steven Robinson (.300, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 11 SB)
SS Dave Powell (.316, 3 HR, 29 RBI)
3B Valentine Stephens (.267, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
2B Russ Roderick (.308, 2 HR, 28 RBI)
RF Walt Finney (.212, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB) or Mike Sutton (.271, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 7 SB)

Finney and Sutton switch depending on who's hot or not. Right field is probably the position I'll be looking to upgrade next month... it would be sooner but the prospect everybody seems to want, Walt Russell, just strained his back in his second AA start. It'll be a couple weeks before he's ready to go again, so don't expect much movement on the trade front before the All-Star Game.

Speaking of that, be sure to come out to the ballpark soon to vote your Flyers into the All-Star Game... I think we could have as many as five!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 16 - July 5, 1971

The Flyers move up to second place, still one game behind the Ospreys but one game ahead of the Tomahawks. The club hosts Nashville for three (including Baseball Cap Day today) and New Orleans for four this week to take them to the All-Star break.


Last Week's Results

June 28 - at TAM - L 2-3

Justin Randolph (2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB) sets the Tomahawks down in order in the 7th but cannot do the same in the 8th. Matt Halstead (5 1/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K) looks good, while Russ Roderick hits 3 for 4 in a losing effort. Roderick has hit 10 of 17 since being dropped to #7 in the lineup. Chris Wayman leaves the game being hit by a pitch in the 3rd; a broken hand will keep him out of action until mid-August.

L - Randolph (7-2)

After the game, Chris Wayman was placed on the DL, and Darrel Robinson was recalled from Winston-Salem. Though he hit .207 in 150 at-bats with the Flyers, Robinson has hit .397 with a 1.124 OPS in his three weeks at AAA.

June 29 - at TAM - L 0-2

Dave Powell's thirteenth error of the season at short leads to a run, spoiling a superb debut by Bill Frazier (7 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 4 BB, 3 K). The Flyers manage just two hits against Tampa starter Derrick Real (W, 11-1, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K), who wins his tenth straight decision in front of a sellout crowd of 41,981 for Baseball Cap Day at Teflon Field.

L - Frazier (0-1)

June 30 - at TAM - W 10-2

After skipper Jeremy McGrath is ejected for arguing Matt Kirk's (2 for 5, 2B, R, 4 RBI) second caught stealing of the night, the Flyers go on a tear, with a two-run homer by Steve Brown in the 4th and a three-run shot by Steven Robinson (2 for 5, 2 R, SB) in the 5th. Bill Morgan (6 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K) also has a good outing to prevent a Tomahawks sweep.

W - Morgan (8-3)
HR - S. Robinson (7), Brown (4)

July 1 - vs MEM - W 4-2

The Flyers score four runs on just four hits, including a two-run homer by Valentine Stephens that ties the game at two in the 2nd. Mike Sutton's pinch hit scores the game winner in the 7th, and Bud Fox (7 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 3 K) earns his first win of the year.

W - Fox (1-1)
SV - Hodgkins (20)
HR - Stephens (3)

July 2 - vs MEM - L 5-9

Good nights at the plate by Mike Weber (3 for 5, HR) and Alan Bruns (2 for 4, R) cannot overcome poor performances by Keith Becker (4 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 1 K) and Randolph (0 IP, 2 R, 3 H) as the Blues collect fifteen hits, led by 1B Andy Thurman (4 for 5, 3 R, RBI) and SS Ed Dinsmore (3 for 5, 2B, 3 RBI).

L - Becker (6-5)
HR - Weber (9)

July 3 - vs MEM - W 7-0

Matt Kirk (2 for 5, 2 R) leads off the bottom of the 1st with a homer, and that's all the scoring the Flyers need as Halstead (6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K), Randolph (2/3 IP, 1 H), Houston (1 IP, 1 H) and Jahnke (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) combine to shutout the Blues. With eleven hits and nine walks, every Carolina position player reaches base.

W - Halstead (6-3)
HR - Kirk (8)

July 4 - vs MEM - W 7-6 (10)

Gary Armitage's (4 for 6, 2 R) single scores Alan Bruns from second with two down in the 10th for a wild comeback win. After Bill Frazier (2 1/3 IP, 6 R, 8 H, 2 BB) makes an early exit, Jahnke (2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K), Randolph (2 IP), Bingham (1 IP) and Hodgkins (2 IP, 1 K) hold the Blues to two hits over the final 5 2/3 innings, while the Flyers collect eighteen singles, led by Armitage, Kirk (3 for 6, R) and Powell (2 for 4, 4 RBI). Both managers are ejected from this game, Carolina's Jeremy McGrath in the 7th and Dave Boger of Memphis in the 10th.

W - Hodgkins (3-4)

Last week: 4 - 3
This month: 3 - 1 (15 - 12 in June)
Overall: 47 - 35, 2nd, -1 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Matt Kirk
Last 5 games: 9-25 (.360), 1 HR, 8 RBI

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 6-19 (.316), 1 HR, 4 RBI

Gary Armitage
Last 5 games: 5-15 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI

Alan Bruns
Last 5 games: 7-14 (.500), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Who's Not

Steve Brown
Last 5 games: 2-20 (.100), 1 HR, 2 RBI


A Closer Look - Carolina

The Flyers rank second in batting (.280), walks (337) and scoring (406) while seventh in homers (53) and last in steals (35). C Mike Weber (.332, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 58 R, 55 BB, 20 2Bs) continues to make a case for MVP honors, but LF Steven Robinson (.296, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 43 R, 12 SB) and CF Matt Kirk (.313, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 47 R) slumped a bit in June. The weak spot seems to be in right, where neither Mike Sutton (.293 in 147 AB, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 7 SB) nor Walt Finney (.226 in 212 AB, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 34 BB) have taken a firm grasp of the starting job.

Carolina pitchers have allowed the fewest walks (243) in the league to go with the third-best ERA (3.68) and opponent's average (.257) while ranking fifth in runs allowed (348). Matt Halstead (6-3, 2.90, WHIP 1.18), Keith Becker (6-5, 3.97, WHIP 1.05) and Bill Morgan (8-3, 3.77, WHIP 1.19) can be still counted amongst the top pitchers in the game, and newcomer Bud Fox (1-1 in 4 GS, 2.37, WHIP 1.29) has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start thus far. Kevin Hodgkins (3-4, 20 SV, 7 BS, 4.02, WHIP 1.26) is tied for second in the league in saves despite the highest ERA on the staff; Justin Randolph (7-2, 2.69, WHIP 1.26) is second on the team in wins.


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

I sure am glad I told you about the lineup just before Chris Wayman got hurt and messed things all up! Chris is a tough loss to take; he is probably the second-most productive bat in our lineup. However, it looks like Russ Roderick started hitting again, and with Wayman out, he'll be batting second... so it may all work out okay.

Steve Brown has been a bit of a bust so far, but I'll probably stick with him a while, since this lineup needs all the power it can get. The same goes for Valentine Stephens over Alan Bruns at third.

All the pitchers are looking good, though Bill Frazier did get hit hard Sunday... but between the All-Star break and off days, I'll only need two more starts from my #5 this month. Roger Coomes' recovery is not going well, though, so don't expect him back before mid-August.

All in all, I'm pretty happy here at the halfway point... I just wish we could hit some doubles and get on a good winning streak. Maybe it'll happen this week against the bottom half of the West... so come out to the ballpark, cheer us on and fill out your All-Star ballot! Just one week left!

[jmm8356]

Flyers Weekly, Volume XXIV, Issue 17 - July 12, 1971

The Flyers stayed in lockstep with the Ospreys last week. With four wins followed by three losses, the team remains one game back going into the All-Star break. Play will resume Thursday with a four game set at Nashville.


Last Week's Results

July 5 - vs NSH - W 11-5

Mike Sutton's (2 for 4, 2B, HR, 2 R) 455-foot moon shot to left scores two, capping a nine-run Flyers 2nd for a rout of the Hounds on Baseball Cap Day. Valentine Stephens also hits a three-run double in the inning, helping to give Bill Morgan (6 1/3 IP, 5 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K) a gift win.

W - Morgan (9-3)
HR - Sutton (3)

After the game, the team announces that C Jack Lowe [5/6/5] (.269, 10 HR, 27 RBI in AAA) has been claimed via waivers from San Antonio. 3B Darrel Robinson is sent back to Winston-Salem to open a roster spot for Lowe.

July 6 - vs NSH - W 7-3

Steven Robinson (3 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI, CS) and Jeff Harvey (3 for 3, 2 RBI) both drive in runs as part of a four-run Flyers 5th, breaking a three-all tie and earning Bud Fox (7 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K) his second victory in a row despite allowing three solo shots.

W - Fox (2-1)

July 7 - vs NSH - W 1-0 (15)

It takes the Flyers five hours, six minutes and fifteen innings to complete the sweep of the Hounds. Nashville's first-baseman -turned- emergency-pitcher Dan Arnold walks Russ Roderick and Steven Robinson (4 for 6) to begin the 15th, then Mike Weber drives the first strike he sees to right for a base hit, scoring Roderick from second to finally end the game. A stellar performance by Keith Becker (8 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K) is followed by equally impressive outings by Hodgkins (2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 4 K), Bingham (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K), Thorn (1/3 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) and Randolph (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K) to keep the shutout alive. Newly acquired Jack Lowe goes 2 for 4 for his second straight game.

W - Randolph (8-2)

July 8 - vs NWO - W 5-4

Dave Powell's (2 for 3, 2 R) two-run homer in the 8th turns out to be crucial as Robin Houston (0 IP, 2 R, 2 H) puts the tying run on deck and Kevin Hodgkins (2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, WP) moves the tying run to first before Terry Bingham (1/3 IP, 1 K) rings up Pelicans 2B Ralph Miller for his third save of the year. The bullpen antics in the 9th nearly ruin a fine start by Matt Halstead (6 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K).

W - Randolph (9-2)
SV - Bingham (3)
HR - Powell (4)

After the game, Steve Brown is sent down to Winston-Salem, and Darrel Robinson is recalled to Carolina once again. Brown hit just 3 of 26 (.115) with nine strikeouts in two weeks with the club.

July 9 - vs NWO - L 1-7

Only a no-hitter could snap the Flyers' six-game winning streak, and that's exactly what the Pelicans get, Jim Wright's (W, 6-4, 9 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 5 BB, 5 K) third career no-no. Wright takes a perfect game into the 7th before three straight walks and a sacrifice fly break the shutout. Bill Frazier (4 2/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 12 H, 2 BB, 1 K) is hit hard, especially by New Orleans 2B Ralph Miller, who goes 5 for 5 with a double, a triple, two runs and two RBIs.

L - Frazier (0-2)

Frazier, 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA and WHIP of 1.98 in his three starts, is returned to Winston-Salem following the game. The team recalls 2B Clark Davidson [5/5/5] (.300, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 65 R, 55 BB, 13 2Bs in AAA) for his first big-league action this season.

July 10 - vs NWO - L 1-3

Each team has just one hit in the first eight innings, Carolina's being a solo shot by Darrel Robinson in the 8th, but Bill Morgan's (7 IP, 1 H, 4 BB, 9 K) gem is spoiled by Hodgkins' (1/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) eighth blown save. George Thorn (2/3 IP, 1 H) cannot hold back the Pelicans, entering a tie game with the bases full and just one out, while Powell and Harvey both strike out with the tying runs on second and third in the 9th. Walt Finney leaves after a tough catch in the 2nd; he is listed as day-to-day with a bruised hand.

L - Hodgkins (3-5)
HR - D. Robinson (5)

July 11 - vs NWO - L 3-4

The club goes into the All-Star break on a sour note, as the Pelicans' four runs in the top of the 3rd off Bud Fox (4 IP, 4 H, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K) beats the Flyers' three runs in the bottom half of the inning, started by Weber's two-run homer. Again the game ends on a strikeout with the tying run in scoring position, with Matt Kirk whiffing after pinch runner Clark Davidson stole second with two outs.

L - Fox (2-2)
HR - Weber (10)

Last week: 4 - 3
This month: 7 - 4
Overall: 51 - 38, 2nd, -1 of Jacksonville


Who's Hot

Steven Robinson
Last 5 games: 9-17 (.529), 0 HR, 2 RBI

Who's Not

Russ Roderick
Last 5 games: 1-17 (.059), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Matt Kirk
Last 5 games: 1-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Lloyd Mitchell
Last 6 games: 1-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI

Darrel Robinson
Last 8 games: 2-15 (.133), 1 HR, 2 RBI

Mike Weber
Last 5 games: 2-14 (.143), 1 HR, 3 RBI


A Closer Look - AAA Winston-Salem

At 65-24, Winston-Salem is nineteen games clear of the other Eastern Division AAA teams. All three outfielders are seeing the ball well: RF/CF Rudy Olson (age 22, .311, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 43 R, 14 2Bs, 11 SB), LF John Tidwell (age 24, .309, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 40 R, 41 BB, 12 2Bs) and RF Rick Roberts (age 28, .267, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 39 R, 58 BB). LF Frank Thomas (age 32, .224 in 58 AB, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 18 BB) has been working on his eye and his power stroke as a DH since his demotion a couple weeks ago. Bill McCue (age 27, 14-3, 2.70, WHIP 1.19) is angling for a callup as the #5 starter, now that Bill Frazier (age 24, 11-2, 3.41, WHIP 1.30) has returned, while leftie Christopher Horan (age 20, 4-3 in 8 GS, 4.45, WHIP 1.29) has looked good, considering he was just drafted six weeks ago.


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

Well, we nearly had the winning streak we needed to take over the division lead, but then two things happened. First, Jacksonville also went on a run at the same time, and second, we only had one hit between two games on Friday and Saturday. That makes for a lot of cold hitters.

I think we were very fortunate to get Jack Lowe off waivers. Gary Armitage is fine as a backup, but you wouldn't want to play him every day. Lowe, however, can be the regular catcher, which lets us move Weber to first while Wayman is out, keeping Weber in the lineup more often than he would be if he were behind the plate.

Not needing a fifth starter for a couple weeks (and knowing it wouldn't be Bill Frazier), I decided to put an extra bat on the bench. Clark Davidson will probably be starting at second next year, since Russ Roderick is a free agent, so keep an eye on him.

Time to start working the phones to see who's looking to deal... enjoy the All-Star Game!