Its been a while since the last post. After the doubleheaders two straight days, of course including early start for the first one and extra innings on day two, honestly I was gassed, wore out, flat and busted tired. It took a couple days to get back to normal after four games in two days.
Its no wonder the guys on the field have come up short in games on
the road after that, even with a day off to recover there just isn't
enough time to recoup the energy expended from the marathon series
against Jackson.
Jackson is still tough to beat even with the new affiliation. The Biscuits had a chance to take the six game set but came up with a series split of three games apiece. Dropping the final game to the Generals had them declaring "happy bus!" aware that they could have done much worse. Notably, the Gens were rained out Wednesday, then shut out by the JUMBO SHRIMP last night.
Biscuit fans wondered if it was just seeing the Generals jerseys that put the Biscuits in the loss column so often the past couple years. But hey, that is the also the team we No-Hit last summer with four relief pitchers!
BULLPEN BULL Someone recently complained about the Biscuits bullpen but I defend R.C's relief corps. Some of the guys are throwing the ball really well and doing great work late in the games. A bad game at home often prompts fans to question a pitchers ability, no matter what the numbers say.
Who among the teams affiliated in the Southern League can truly afford to let a good reliever stay in double-A? Not one. As a result, the relievers are mostly guys who are trying to figure a few things out. When they figure it out, they get a promotion. So if they are here, there is a good chance they are still working to put together that streak that gets them promoted!
Nobody in the league has a bulletproof bullpen, there is no sense in throwing Biscuits under the bus for having a bad outing here and there.
QUICK HITS
Justin Williams should be back in action in a few more days, a week at most. Out with sore hammy the powerful right fielder is making good progress towards returning to action.
Espinal
Also Granden Goetzman was seen doing stretching and light baseball activities during the homestand. He looked to be moving well and is also on track to return sooner rather than later from his hamstring injury.
Yoel Espinal returned from Durham and delivered a spot start in the final game of the double-doubleheader.
Squid has been using an axe-handle bat. "Feels good, so natural" he told me when I asked him about it.
When I asked Tyler Brashears if he had Lincecum in mind when he came up with his delivery, Tyler said he was more a fan of the Dodgers ace hurler Kevin Brown.
Braxton Lee is atop the league batting chart in a close race with Mobile's Forrest Allday.
Kyle Bird is tied for third in the league with four Holds.
Former Biscuit Matt Ramsey is tied for the league lead in saves with 12.
FORMER PIRATES MEET
Biscuits coach Gary Redus shares a laugh with former teammate and current Jackson Generals pitching coach Doug Drabek. The pair were on Jim Leylands three time division champion Pirates in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Drabek won the Cy Young award in 1990, winning 22 games and tossing three shutouts.
The Second Half Coming up after the All Star Break the Biscuits will have a re-opening with the new ownership. All I know is that we should expect to "see things that have never before been seen at Riverwalk."
We have seen some stuff down at the park, nine foot clowns on stilts, Big Mo's helicopter entrance on the field, a pig poop at home plate during the National Anthem, the lights go out, the water mains bursting to flood the field three times in a week, Billy Gardner blow up on umpires and so much more.
This is something we will be sure to keep an eye on coming up! What could it be?
THIS DAY IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY
MAY 26 1920 FAMOUS ONE-ARMED PITCHER VS GREY SOX
Grey Sox Home as Second in League -
Fast Negro Baseball Team Will Meet Knoxville Here for Three Game Series
- The Montgomery Grey Sox are back at home after two weeks on the road and will play the Knoxville Giants today, Saturday and Sunday.
1920 Montgomery Grey Sox
Sam Streeter, GreySox pitcher
The one armed pitcher Mattox will pitch the game Saturday and all who have seen him play say that he is a wonder and he is the only one armed twirler that has ever appeared in this city.
On Sunday, Steel Arm Smith will pitch and will be opposed by Montgomery's south paw. Streeter Smith has not lost a game this year and Streeter is by far the strongest pitcher on the Grey Sox staff, so this game should prove very interesting to the fans.
MAY 28 1930 MONTGOMERY GETS NIGHT BASEBALL!
In an old and faded article we learn it is announced in the Miami newspaper that Cramton Bowl will be outfitted with lights suitable for baseball. The existing lights were used for football, which at the time was mostly a game played on the ground and the lighting was not sufficient for baseball.
The article mentions that the Montgomery club might have had to play its games at another location, presumably this would have cost the owner considerably more than just installing some new lights.
The Biscuits return to Riverwalk having taken two straight series and are keeping pace in the tight North Division where just two games separate the first and fourth place teams (only the lowly Brummie Barons are out of contention). However the Skitz now face a six game set against the rival Jackson Generals, who have simply had their number over the past two seasons.
This year however, the Generals are under a new affiliation. This years Generals are last years BayBears - the Mariners bolted from Jackson in the offseason with the Diamonbacks getting their spot and vacating Mobile.
BIG SIX Its a six game series due to a rainout in Jackson a couple weeks ago, the Biscuits will be the road team in one game of a doubleheader on Sunday. This will be just the third time the Biscuits have been listed as the visitors in Montgomery.
BISCUITS NOTES
Kean Wong
Returning to Riverwalk is Kean Wong, last years second baseman was sent from Durham this week and has been playing third base for Brady Williams since putting his Biscuits jersey back on.
Not sure if we call batting .266 struggling but Wong had as many strikeouts as hits so perhaps they want him to show a little more plate discipline as well as learning to handle third base.
NICKED UP?
Nick Ciuffo hasn't appeared in a game since the 12th, when he was in the lineup as the Designated Hitter. He hasn't caught a game since the 10th when he was lifted for a pinch runner in the 11th inning. Could he be injured or just getting a rest after taking a beating over the first month and a half?
JAMES PICKS IT UP
Mack James (left) and Michael Russell
Since Ciuffo has been on the shelf, backup backstop Mack James has been on a tear in his stead. Knocking six hits in 17 at bats with a pair of runs and a couple of RBI's, James has made the most of the opportunity and boosted his season average to .250.
RUSSELL CLUTCH
Michael Russell's average has been well below his usual but has been
good in the clutch - with runners in scoring position he has 16 RBI's so
far this season.
MUDBUGS A HIT
The recent Crawfish Boil gave the players a chance to sample the promotional offerings. Kyle Bird told me he wouldn't have minded spending the whole evening feasting on crawdads, likewise Houma, Louisiana native Justin Williams enjoyed getting a taste of spicy southern home cookin.
ODD LINE
Fernando Baez stat line for Biscuits so far: 8IP 7h 12BB 18K's
LEE IN CHARGE ATOP LINEUP
Braxton Lee has come to life in his return season with the Biscuits. Batting a tidy .320 is just what is expected from the leadoff hitter, but Brax has an incredible .538 average with a runner on first base!
Groundout? Maybe not! Lee puts his head down and runs all out for every ball in play
Braxton's defensive play in the outfield has been stellar as well, his nightly webgem often earns fan praise but he also makes tough plays look easy through the use of his prodigious speed.
Now Lee has Biscuit fans wondering if Kevin Kiermaier is still the best Montgomery centerfielder or if the Picayune-born Braxton has taken that title.
GENERALS SCOUTING REPORT
The Generals and Biscuits are matched closely on paper - both are first and second in many counting stats like Runs Scored, Hits and Total Bases. The Generals are tied for the league lead in batting average, with the Biscuits of course. Montgomery shares a .268BA with Jackson.
These two teams could be in for a six-game showdown with some very close contests as the rivalry between the two cities builds.
The Gens seem to have a lot more power, leading the circuit in longballs by a wide margin with 47HRs in 39 games. Biscuit pitchers will need to keep the ball in the yard for a chance to win, a feat that has been tough for Brady's staff to accomplish so far. Montgomery gives up more home runs than anyone in the league and Jackson the fewest.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Montgomery has the advantage with team speed, third in the league in stolen bases. The Generals are last in the loop in pilfering bags. Look for Brady to put the runners in motion to take advantage of the Biscuit wheels.
Look for the Gens batting order to offer a serious challenge for Montgomery pitchers as the Jackson team is also among the hardest to strike out. RF Victor Reyes, 1B Rudy Flores and 3B David Vidal are among the top five in the league in batting average. The Generals middle infield is equally potent, shortstop Dawel Lugo and 2B Colin Walsh have a combined 12 homers.
Look for future stars on the Generals. Dawel Lugo and catcher Oscar Hernandez are on the Dbacks 40 man roster already and other top ranked prospects include Domingo Leyba ranked #2, Lugo ranked #4, pitcher Taylor Clarke #5, pitcher Brad Keller #7, lefty pitcher Jared Miller #10, lefty pitcher Alex Young #11 and outfielder Victor Reyes #14.
Also on the Generals is lefty reliever Yuhei Nakuashiro, a Japanese hurler with a nasty slider and a history of control issues. The Dbacks took a flyer on his potential and he can be unhittable at times and very hittable at other times. Formerly of the Chiba Lotte Marines, he doesn't throw hard but has swing-and-miss stuff. Be sure to look for the sidearming lefthanded import coming out of the bullpen, the first ex-NPB player to appear at Riverwalk since Kenshin Kawakami in 2011.
Generals starters Taylor Clarke and Brad Keller have each only allowed one home run this year. Biscuit hitters will look to ruin that streak.
THIS DAY IN BASEBALL
MAY 18 1908
Montgomery falls to Memphis 1-0 in 13 innings.
1908 Montgomery Climbers
MAY 18 1920
"Montgomery Negro Team Tops League - Grey Sox Meet New Orleans Again Today; Jacksonville is Runner Up.
1920 Montgomery Gray Sox
- The Montgomery Gray Sox, now hold first place in the Negro Southern League with Jacksonville, a close second. The Gray Sox, however, have a hard schedule before them for the next ten days, which schedule includes a series of games with Jacksonville and Nashville. The Greys are confident that their ascendency will be maintained, and are counting upon adding even further to their winning average during the present week.
This afternoon, the Grays will meet the New Orleans aggregation at South Side park, leaving this evening for Jacksonville for a series of three games returning here Sunday for a game with Nashville Monday. The Sox will go to Atlanta for another series of three games. Sunday's game will be called promptly at 3 p.m. The seating capacity is being greatly enlarged to accommodate white persons, it is announced."
MacCormack
May 18, 1979
Southern League/ Frank L. MacCormack of the Montgomery
Rebels had 4 wild pitches in the second inning v the Memphis Chicks.
Recently I wrote about Brian Henderson, the Biscuits all time leader in game appearances and his array of Biscuits hardware.
Brian Henderson pitched for both championship Skitz teams and along the way earned the title Hendu The Great.
Some of the top names in Biscuits history - James Shields, David Price, Wade Davis and many others toed the pitchers plate for Montgomery as Hendersons teammate but none took the ball as often as the Texas lefty.
Chosen in the 7th round of the 2003 draft by the then-Devil Rays, Hendu the Great played in 198 games over five seasons, winning 15 games while losing just 8
and posting a spry 3.10 ERA to provide excellent relief pitching for Montgomery from 2004-2008.
In 2007 Henderson was in 59 games, tying him for Most Appearances in a single season, as well as being the All Time Career Appearances leader for the Biscuits. Brian is also fifth in Career Win-Loss Percentage at .682.
Henderson appeared in some of the Biscuits biggest games, getting the final outs for the Biscuits first Championship in 2006 and was the winning pitcher in the deciding game of the 2007 Championship.
Brian was kind enough to send a couple pics of his championship rings and agreed to answer a few questions for us!
Q1. You came to the Biscuits in July of their first season in
Montgomery. The team was pretty bad and needed a lot of help -
what were your thoughts about coming to Montgomery and how did
the city match up to your expectations?
Hendu: I was excited to come to a brand new ballpark in a new city and
get a promotion to the double A level. I didn't know much about
Montgomery except it was the capital city.
I remember getting
picked up by Mike Prochaska during the July 4th night game. So
driving up to the stadium, I saw the lights, then heard the
crowd.
Where I came from, I think there was like 100 people in
the stands per night. Montgomery was more like 1,000 to 5,000
people a night that first year. The stadium was so big and
right downtown. There was a good turnout during that whole
homestand around July 4th. I had a great first impression of
Montgomery and my experience with the Biscuits.
Q2. The Biscuits won a pair of titles while you were with the
team and I know you have the rings to show for it! Was there a
fave moment during those championship seasons, a high point
among the high points?
Hendu: It would have to be getting to pitch the 9th inning in 2006 to
get our first championship at home. I still can hear my walk
out song from that night and remember every pitch.
I had two K's and the
last out was an easy groundball to Evan Longoria. I think the final
score was 12-4 (it was indeed). It was my first championship as a professional
and we celebrated with champagne and beer in the clubhouse.
Hendu (4th hat from left) & Biscuits celebrate after their first championship
Lots of people taking pictures, seeing the trophy and banner.
Celebrating with the fans. The fans really wanted that first
one. And to get it in just the franchise's third year.
I just
remember having so much fun during the whole year. The team
really came together after a four or five game sweep of
Jacksonville on the road.
We were watching the movie 'Hustle
and Flow" to get in the right mindset on the way there. We
played it again and sang along with Terrence Howard on the way
back.
2006 Champions
Q3. You were a huge part of the bullpen for the Biscuits
first title, pitching in nearly a third of the teams games
with five saves and a sparkling 2.34 era. How did you
celebrate winning the Biscuits first championship in 2006?
Hendu: I just remember throwing my glove in the air and getting in
the dog pile. Being on the field was amazing, seeing the
faces of teammates and coaches. We took the party into the
clubhouse. I have some great pictures from that night.
2007 Champs
Q4. The team wins it all again in '07 and again you had an
important role, pitching in nearly sixty games, winning six
and posting a great 2.97 era.
Was the 2007 celebration any
different than the previous year? How was that bus ride back
from Huntsville?
Hendu: The 2007 celebration was different since it was on the road in
Huntsville. That series both teams were more evenly matched.
I pitched in the top of the 8th inning in the last game and
got credit for the win when we pulled ahead in the bottom of
the 8th. Reid Briganc turned a double play to seal it and I
was in the dugout on the first base side, running out to get
in the dog pile.
Proud papa with Hendu the Great
My dad was there, and I remember taking off
my jersey and giving it to him to keep. We celebrated a
little in Huntsville's cramped clubhouse but we ran out of
booze pretty quick. I took some beers to share with my dad in
the stands while the bus was getting packed up to go back to
Montgomery. That was pretty neat, to win it and share the
moment with him.
The team bus got a police escort as soon as
we hit Prattville. There were some fans in Montgomery that
stayed up and greeted us at Riverwalk stadium. I think it
was like 2 am (Dr.M: I could not miss that and was among those who came to celebrate!). We celebrated a little more and then everyone
hit the road, back home to wherever they were from.
Q5. Do you remember the first major league game you attended?
Who were your fave players when you were growing up, who
impressed you?
Hendu: My first game was in the Astrodome, probably in the 80s. I
remember watching Nolan Ryan, Tony Eusebio, Jeff Bagwell,
and then the Astros got Randy Johnson for like a month, and
I got to see him pitch against Kevin Brown in the playoffs
when he was with the Padres. I was impressed with the
Braves pitching staff for sure in the 90s, and I always
liked Terry Mulholland and Billy Wagner.
I got to be a foul
ball kid in the bullpen during one of the Astros home games
and stood next to Billy Wagner. I think I was in the 8th
grade and almost was as tall as he was. I saw Daryl Kile's
no hitter with my little league team in the Astrodome. I
have my ticket from that game.
Q6. The minor leagues are known for their funky promotions
and weird in-game activities, certainly Montgomery is no
exception. What was the strangest on-field event you
witnessed, home/road or anywhere, planned or unplanned?
Hendu: The Charleston River Dogs, my first professional team, had
the silent night, the bring your dog night, and the
waterpark day. Those were pretty tame compared to the fans
coming onto the field in Caracas, Venezuela, running from
the riot police with rubber swords and dogs. They trotted
the police out around the warning track during the 8th
inning on the weekend games but it didn't prevent some
people.
One time there was a fight in the stands that broke
out and the first baseman was watching it instead of the
game. He got caught out of position on a ball in play.
Any who, the strangest one at Riverwalk stadium was also
one of the coolest. The Maxwell Air force base sent over a
fighter jet for a flyover. It was a regular national anthem
and we had no warning. You couldn't hear anything coming.
All of a sudden it shows up right above the roof, turns to
point straight up above the mound, turns on the afterburner
and goes straight up into the sky and disappears in about 30
seconds.
August of 2007 Pregame, Henderson in #17
Opening Day 2017, Brian Hendersons choice!
Q7. The sale of the Biscuits is now finalized. Based
on your past experience with Montgomery, what advice would
you offer the new owners?
Hendu: More flyovers!
Q8. Folks are gonna ask, what are you up to these days,
whats keeping you busy?
Hendu: Holding it down in Austin, Texas!
Q9. Is there anyone you want to give a shout out to, or
anything you want to say on any topic, baseball or
otherwise?
Hendu: My wife Kristina @theturquoisechannel on Instagram! Check
it out!
Also, a shout out to @grit.training on Instagram. It's where I teach yoga and work out. Sand bag get ups and atlas stone cleans and triangle poses!
THANKS TO HENDU!
Many thanks to Brian Henderson for answering baseball questions for us!
On researching Hendu the Great I learned he is much more than simply the Biscuits greatest reliever - decorated at the University of Houston for his academics, Hendu was an honor roll student but made the choice to give up deep maths to focus on his athletics.
Since his departure from baseball he has not just sat around drinking beers. He has nurtured his spiritual growth with yoga as well as becoming an expert hand with vegetarian and vegan cooking. He teaches yoga and Natural and Ayurvedic cooking classes, sometimes leading retreats to educate others on inner development.
BISCUITS NOTES
Yoel Espinal
Reliever Yoel "Enigma" Espinal was sent to Durham following the promotion of Stanek to the big leagues. Espinal embodies the old adage "He can throw a grape through a battleship, but sometimes he can't hit the battleship."
Riley Unroe was activated from the DL on the 12th, just in time to appear in a game two days earlier!
Goetzman and Justin Williams are both on the disabled list with sore hamstrings, giving Joe McCarthy a chance to play some outfield. Grant Kay handles first base when Mojo is in left field.
I had my first look at pitcher Tyler Brashears in the recent homestand and I felt his delivery was very reminiscent of Tim Lincecum. Dropping the ball behind his right hip as he takes a loooong stride, Brashears relies on low 90's heat and good location to spot his pitches for strikes.
Pitching help may be on the horizon, though only twenty years old, Stone Crabs starter Genesis Cabrera has been great in eight starts. He has allowed just 27 hits in 40 innings.
THIS DAY IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL
MAY 15 1867
A.T. Pearsall
The Memphis Appeal reports that the “Pelham” Base Ball Club was organized at Montgomery “last Thursday.” It is one of the first baseball teams in Alabama.
Andrew Pearsall is the captain and first baseman, bringing the game of base ball to central Alabama for the first time, exactly 150 years ago today.
MAY 15 1976
Montgomery pitcher Steve Trella throws a No Hitter for Rebels, one of two no-no's thrown by Montgomery that season. Trella beats Jacksonville 1-0 in seven innings at Paterson Field in one of 31 scheduled double headers!
Someone recently complained about the Biscuits bullpen but I defend R.C's relief corps. Some of the guys are throwing the ball really well and doing great work late in the games. A bad game at home often prompts fans to question a pitchers ability, no matter what the numbers say. 
Coming up after the All Star Break the Biscuits will have a re-opening with the new ownership. All I know is that we should expect to "see things that have never before been seen at Riverwalk."
