Just a few items as the Biscuits finish up their final homestand of the regular season. With just about a handful of games left on the sked the Skitz need just three wins to take the division flag for the second half.
Get out and support the team, this may well be the year we finally bring home the league pennant!
SKITZ NOTES
Milone makes sure not to step on the line in his first game back
Tommy Milone returned to the diamond after a few days off, earned after a solid beanball to the earflap of his helmet.
Curtis Taylor also got back into action after wearing a comeback grounder off his shinbone. No problems for C.T., he shook it off easily.
If you didn't already know, Ryan Boldt is done for the year due to injury. He had been out some time and we got confirmation that he would not return this season.
Nick Solak already got back on the field after taking a pitch off the back of his hand.
Lucius Fox with the hops
NUMBERS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE With just seven games left in the season, the leaderboards are getting close to being final. In many categories, there is little doubt.
Corey Ray leads the league in Homeruns and Stolen Bases. MVP? You betcha.
Five Biscuits are among the top twenty Batting Leaders
Montgomery's own Nick Solak is the league leader in Runs Scored, barely edging out Corey Ray.
The Biscuits own Tommy Milone leads the league in Triples.
Jax's Monte Harrison has 197 strikeouts. Probly gonna not getting caught.
Bham's Zack Collins leads the league in Bases on Balls and On Base Percentage.
Mobile's Jose Rojas leads the league in OPS.
Biloxi's Zack Brown has been gone a while, but he still leads the league in ERA with 2.48
Biloxi's Nate Griep has a death grip on the saves lead with 33.
Taylor Widener of Jax has a solid lead in Strikeouts at 171.
TIP THE CAP
Congrats to the Skitz front office, they blew past the 230K attendance mark that looked out of reach just a few short weeks ago. Good job, fellas.
ONE GOOD TURN...
I spoke with someone who reads the blog this weekend. They caught me after a game for a quick chat and it is always so cool to meet folks who are reading here. I love to see new faces, shake hands and get input, this person was from out of town and said they enjoyed the history and pictures. Absolutely made my day, and since one good turn deserves another...
Good news for you, sir, I have been digging hard the past few weeks to improve both of those. Starting this week there we will see newly found images scoured from the far corners of the internet, particuarly of Montgomery Gray Sox players. This week we have a new image of Steel Arm Dickey taken from a KC Giants team photo!
#BULLPENLIFE
THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY
Mgm 1B D. Mullaney
AUGUST 27 1906
Little Rock vs Montgomery, Little Rock pitcher Brady struck out 11 Montgomery hitters, all were "clean" strikeouts and only one was looking, he allowed no walks but REACH guide doesnt say who won the game!
AUGUST 28 1906
Montgomery's first baseman and team captain Mullaney goes 4-4 against Little Rock starter Allen
AUGUST 29 1906
Montgomery starting pitcher Malarkey shuts out Little Rock on three hits
AUGUST 30 1920
Steel Arm Dickey
"Knoxville, Tennessee, September 10. - Knoxville has such a lead on all the clubs there is no possible chance for her to be overtaken when she is playing air-tight ball all the time. Monday, August 30, Knoxville Giants crossed bats with Montgomery Gray Sox. It was one of those games that makes you forget your troubles. Safe hitting of the Giants took the game from Montgomery."
AUGUST 31 1920
Knoxville, TN "Tuesday, August 31. - Montgomery tried to overcome her bad luck on Monday. They (Knoxville) got Steel-Arm for four clean hits, which only merited them two runs."
I didn't post last week, frankly I didn't want to jinx anything. But its safe to say that the Biscuits magic number is nine to start the week. Any combination of nine Montgomery wins or Jackson losses sends the Biscuits to the second half title, also the Smokies are at nine to be eliminated and give Montgomery a fourth straight postseason berth.
DO IT AT HOME
SHOULD the Biscuits make the postseason, I am under the impression that they would host at least one and up to six games. The game will be held on Friday, then possibly Saturday and Sunday in the first round and again the same in the second round.
As I understand it, the first round would begin in Jackson for the first two games, then move to the second half winners home park for game three, then four and five as needed. The South Division will host the first two games of the Championship Round, with the North Division team getting game three, and games four and five if needed.
That means if the Biscuits make the playoffs as second half winners, they would have a chance to win the League title on their home field and in front of their home fans.
GROW EM UP TOUGH
Earlier this year the team hosted a
baseball camp for kids, with players as instructors. I asked one of the
players how it went and got an answer I wasn't expecting. "It was
crazy, two of the kids got into a fight and at least one came away with a
black eye!"
BISCUITS WIN, NICK SOLAK INJURED
Biscuits likely-MVP-to-be Nick Solak left Sundays game after being hit by pitch. He wore an inside fastball on the back of the hand and Biscuit fans had flashbacks to Johnny Field 2015. A broken hamate bone ended Fields' season early and left Montgomery shorthanded in the postseason, resulting in a quick elimination.
After the game Solak told me he felt good about it, that he didn't think it was broken. X-rays Monday will tell the tale. Losing the studly 2B/OF now would be a tough break for the Skitz.
KARALUS INJURY UNUSUAL FOR TRIVIAL REASON
When pitcher Reese Karalus hit the DL last week, the transaction info listed his injury as "oblique" as well as its retroactive date.
As a regular lurker of the league transactions page, I was surprised to see such a wordy entry.
Usually we see name-date-DL only. This was a luxury tome compared to most roster moves listed, in fact its the only injury related transaction that actually tells us what the injury is - in the entire league in the month of August. But why? Perhaps we shall never know.
LOVE FOR THE NEW GUYS
Fox and Sanchez share a pre-game hug
New guys Lucius Fox and Jesus Sanchez have been a little slow to start hitting but look fine afield.
Fox shows great speed and covers plenty of ground, as well as bringing a cheerful smile to the shortstop position. Absolutely a threat to run when he gets to first base. Fun to watch.
Sanchez has that sound you hear when a power hitter makes contact but we haven't yet seem him really get into a fat pitch yet. In the field, "Soos" gets a good jump on contact and looks to have a strong arm though no runner has challenged it yet. Sanchez has good outfield communication with his centerfielder and just has to figure out Southern League pitchers. It'll happen.
The pair of them make for a nice combination to watch with Fox batting leadoff and Sanchez hitting sixth.
HURLING NUMBERS ESPY
Espy
Relief pitcher Yoel Espinal has been throwing a lot more strikes, up to 64.7% of his pitches, compared to just 53.9% last season.
Espy is also throwing fewer pitches to batters, averaging just under 4 per hitter, though pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein would probably like to see him be still just a little more efficient.
Espinal can easily hit 100+mph but dials it down a notch in order to control his pitches and now sits in the mid-90s.
SAM MAC
Starting pitcher Sam McWilliams has made 14 starts for the Biscuits, half of them have been good and half of them bad.
Sam McWilliams playing in the rain
Its been a challenging season for McWilliams, who started strong but has had a hard time missing bats since spinning eight strong innings of three-hit ball back on July 2nd. Since then hes 1-3 in eight games and allowed 50 hits in 42.1 innings, including eight homers. On the good side, his BABIP is way over his career average, meaning he's given up some lucky hits and should be in line for a return to his regular self soon.
Bonecrusher Broadway
BONECRUSHER
Mike Broadway - dude, really? Have you looked at this guys numbers? His line with Montgomery shows him with 18 games, 25 innings pitched, 31 strikeouts, just 15 base hits against only eight walks.
And brings the quiet cool of a veteran, one who has pitched big league ball for the Giants and in Japan with the BayStars.
Broadway has one MLB plate appearance with the Giants, and one sacrifice. Baseball Reference tells us his nickname is "Bonecrusher". Mike Broadway also has his own Wikipedia entry.
#BULLPENLIFE
the soft side of Bonecrusher
MONTGOMERY AT RICKWOOD?
I asked Brendan Porter, one of the Skitz head guys, if we were going to see Montgomery in the Rickwood Classic next year, he told me he would check it out and let me know. I have lobbied anyone I could for the Biscuits to take part in the throwback game at Birmingham's Rickwood Field.
Parking lot at Rickwood opening game, 1910
Porter wasn't really up on the schedule for next year and not prepared to say yes or no, but was curious when told that the date the Classic usually held is already scheduled for a Bham-Montgomery game. Our team or it MLB affiliate could refuse the offer, if indeed the Barons want to host it during the Montgomery series. But Porter reassured us "They are usually easy to get along with" and left us with a smile and the hope that next year is the long-awaited Rickwood Classic with the original teams.
This will be one of those things that I have full on emo reaction for - if they do it I will want to hug the front office guys. If they don't I will wail about the lost opportunity, as Montgomery likely heads back to the other division in 2020 and lose games against Bham as a result.
THE MANY TRAVELS OF RICHIE SHAFFER
Remember Richie, studly third base prospect? Whats he been up to?
Well.... Richie is currently with Colorado Springs, but he has taken a circuitous route to get there.
May 24, 2015 Promoted to Durham from Montgomery
August 3, 2015 Promoted to Tampa from Durham
August 17, 2015 Sent back to Durham
Sept 1, 2015 Promoted to Tampa from Durham
March 30, 2016 Sent to Durham
August 3, 2016 Promoted to Tampa
August 11, 2016 Sent to Durham
August 20, 2016 Promoted to Tampa
August 25, 2016 Sent to Durham
Sept 6, 2016 Promoted to Tampa
Nov 2016 Traded to Seattle Mariners
Dec 7, 2016 DFA by Mariners
Dec 14, 2016 Claimed by Philadelphia Phillies
Dec 20, 2016 DFA by Phillies
Dec 23, 2016 Claimed by Cincinnati Reds
Jan 26, 2017 Claimed by Cleveland Indians
Jan 30, 2017 DFA by Indians
Feb 2, 2017 Clear Waivers, sent to Indians triple-A Columbus Clippers
spent 2017 season with Columbus Clippers!!!
Jan 2018 invited to MLB Spring Training with Cleveland Indians
June 6, 2018 Released by Columbus Clippers
July 16, 2018 Signed with Milwaukee Brewers, sent to Biloxi Shuckers
August 14, 2018 Promoted to triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Probably leads the league in frequent flyer miles since the start of 2015!
KEEP TALKIN BACK
A comment got my attention, as they always do. But this one sparked a curious search result and in a future post we will revisit what people think happened when Montgomery was rained out at the Rickwood Classic in 2005.
Until then, please keep the comments coming!
PIZZA PARTY!
After the Biscuits fell to the Barons 18-2 on Sunday last, the team hosted a pizza party!
Yeah, nothing says pizza party like losing by 16 runs, right? Still, a few die hard ventured to Saza for the postgame feast. It was an interesting gathering of sweaty fans, polo-topped staffers and freshly showered ballplayers. The restaurant staff outnumbered the patrons before the pizza party folks arrived and the place picked up a little steam.
A server arrived and I told her I was here for the Biscuits pizza party. She said "Oh we have free pizza for you" and left. When she returned she let me know the free pizza was only for players and staff. I asked why no specials for fans that turned out for the pizza party promotion?
just a couple dickheads enjoying Saza pizza!
Soon I was chatting with the manager, Jimmy, a witty charmer and after exchanging cheerful insults offered to give me half off a pizza if I told everyone in my blog I was a dickhead about it. Or that he was a dickhead about it, I am not sure which it was supposed to be. Either way, half off a pizza is worth being called a dickhead!
To be nice, he gave us half off our whole ticket which came to thirty bucks. To be nice back, I tipped them twenty.
He was a great guy, excellent management skills and fun to banter with. Drop in and tell him the dickhead with the blog sent you and see if you can get half off too!
The party was an odd mix of people who see each other every day and never talk to each other, so they didn't talk to each other. Staffers mingled with staffers, players with players and fans with fans. So I don't have any great stories or funny jokes from it, only a good word for the staff and food at Saza who were nice to the fans after a 16 run beatdown.
THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL
AUGUST 20 1968
Montgomery uses five pitchers to beat Birmingham and maintain the league lead. Lefty Jim Foor, just 19, gets his third win in four days as a reliver. The Rebels have won seven straight games and 13 straight against Bham. - also on this date Satchel Paige is announced as a pitcher for the Braves.
Sam Streeter with Chicago
AUGUST 21 1920
Montgomery, AL
"Birmingham Wins Final From Locals - Grey Sox Infield "Blows" in Fifth Inning, Giving Game to Visitors
- Taking advantage of error made by the Grey Sox infielders, Birmingham All Stars defeated the local aggregation Saturday afternoon by the score of three to one. The Grey Sox infield "blew up" in the fifth inning and the visitors scored three runs, a lead which the locals were unable to overcome. Solman and Streeter pitched good ball, but the "breaks" of the game were against the local twirler.
The Grey Sox batters hit the ball hard, but the visiting players made almost impossible stops and plays on several drives and this play killed all chances of the locals. In the fifth inning, McCormick made two errors, each being responsible for runs and Williams permitted another to score when he allowed a third strike to get away from him. After this inning the locals settled down and played good ball. The visiting twirler kept his hits well scattered and at no time during the game did he allow them to be bunched.
The two teams will play again this afternoon, the game starting at 3:30 o'clock. Manager Cunningham will probably send Myers to the mound, while Zeige will hurl for Birmingham."
AUGUST 22 1905
In spite of scoring three runs in the bottom of the 16th inning, kicking/arguing delayed the game at Montgomery and the Umpire Shuster called it on account of darkness, reverting the score to the previous innings 2-2 tie.
AUGUST 22 1920
Montgomery, AL
"Grey Sox Defeated Birmingham Stars - Negro Teams Play Jam-up Game of Ball Sunday; Locals Won, 6 to 1
Montgomery's Hub McGavock
- By heavy hitting and jam up fielding and taking advantage of the bad breaks made by the Birmingham All-Stars, the Grey Sox won the last game of the series yesterday afternoon at Southside park, 6 to 1, thereby getting the big end of the series, winning two out of the three games played.
The locals soon solved the heretofore puzzling curves of Ziegler and he was driven to the bench in the fourth inning after the locals had made five scores. Juanello who relieved Ziegler held the locals down to one score and pitched a steady game for the visitors.
The locals scored their first two runs in the first frame when McCormick walked, was advanced to second on H. Cunningham's sacrifice and scored on Scales' single. They scored one more in the third when Mason hit for two bases, stole third and scored on a foot of H. Cunningham's scratch to short. They scored two more in the fourth when Preston hit safe and scored on McGavock's hit. McGavock stole third and scored on an error. The locals last score came in the eighth when McCormick hit safe, stole second, stole third and scored on a balk by Juanello. The visitors only score came in the eighth inning on errors but they threatened to score in the sixth but with two men on bases and one out Wesley made a double play unassisted and retired the side.
The locals played a jam-up game, there being only one error marked up against them, Mason pitched a jam up game and deserved a shut out victory but Carpenter apparently wanted to let the visitors make one score and in the eighth he let a ball pass and then walked to recover it and the runner went to third on what should have been an easy out. The Grey Sox will leave this morning for Atlanta, where they will try to even up the defeat handed them by the Black Crackers here a few days ago. Then they will return here Saturday and Sunday for a three game series with Knoxville with a double header billed for next Saturday."
AUGUST 23 1908
Montgomery manager pro-tem Ed Gremminger, establishes a record in the Southern League with 28 out of 29 possible putouts in a 13 inning game. Both teams pitchers throw one hitters as Mgm wins.
AUGUST 24 1908
Montgomery Pitcher Frosty Thomas shuts out Memphis on two hits.
AUGUST 25 1906
Montgomery and Memphis play 13 innings but end in a 1-1 tie
AUGUST 25 1920
Columbus, GA and Anniston, AL
"Montgomery Grey Sox Play Two Exhibitions - After losing two out of three games this week to Atlanta, Manager Staples of the Grey Sox, split the team yesterday, and sent one team to Anniston and one to Columbus, Georgia. Both teams won shut out victories, the game in Anniston being won by the locals 7 to 0, and the Columbus game 2 to 0. Miles and Williams were the batteries in the Anniston game, and Mason and Preston in the Columbus game."
AUGUST 26 1908
Jack Lively
Montgomery beats Memphis 1-0 in 15 innings, Jack Lively of Montgomery and Shields of Memphis yield only 5 hits each and both toss complete games.
As the Biscuits return home Wednesday, fans get a look at the reinforcements the Rays have sent from the Stone Crabs. Jesus Sanchez in the outfield, shortstop Lucius Fox and right handed starting pitcher Blake Bivens. More on the new guys below.
The *first place* Biscuits look to defend the top spot from division rival and second place challenger Birmingham. Montgomery is well armed to hold off the challenge, but a terrible home record by the Biscuits and a perfectly normal road record by the Barons could mean a tough series is ahead.
thru 8-06
CABRERA TRADED
Genesis Cabrera with batterymate David Rodriguez,
One of Montgomery's top arms has been dealt, Genesis Cabrera takes his prospect label and swing-and-miss stuff to the Cardinals. He is a good guy, always smiling and having fun when he isn't seriously embarrassing hitters. Best of luck to him, I am glad we don't have to face him!
Also dealt was reliever Roel Ramirez, who exceeded all expectations and pitched himself into the eyes of other teams scouts. I snapped a pic I was going to title "Waiting for the Call" on what turned out to be his last day as a Biscuit, I had no idea he was waiting on a bigger call!
Roel Ramirez awaits the call
FINALLY A RICKWOOD REMATCH?
The Biscuits are slated to face the Barons at the end of May next summer, a perfect schedule spot for a rematch of the very first game at Rickwood featuring Montgomery against the Barons. Way back when Rickwood opened, Montgomery was the first challenger and hasn't competed in a Rickwood Classic since.
this photo, misdated as 1906 but with the correct attendance total is actually the 1910 opening of Rickwood Field
The Biscuits were rained out in their only visit to the Rickwood, back in 2005. Look for Wednesday, May 29th to be the best day for Montgomery to face the Barons in a throwback game in Birmingham.
Skitz bullpen tries to wait out the delay
Now if we can only get the Biscuits to take on a one-game throwback at Paterson Field!
AT THE GATE
The Biscuits are working hard to bring
in the peeps and build good will with the locals. The last homestand
featured an envelope giveaway that offered items like free krispy-kreme
donuts and cash. This homestand offers an inflatable beachball baseball,
a personal appearance by a pro wrestler and the long awaited F-35
fighterplane giveaway.
JERSEY AUCTION
The Biscuits are giving fans a chance to own a game worn uniform top, the road grays are up for auction starting at $115. The ever popular jersey auction has been taken to an online form, which works well for those who can't be at the park for the game.
The gray tops replaced the old "silver surfer" jerseys about 2015 and have been worn by some of Montgomery's top players since. Also, they have seen some rain delay antics....
NEW GUYS! Blake Bivens, a fourth round pick by Tampa in 2014, had a nice 2.83era in ten starts in the FSL. A Virginia native, Blake has done great work in his second go round at Port Charlotte after posting an ERA of 3.78 last year. Bivens slides into the starting rotation following the departure of Genesis Cabrera.
NOT the Biscuits Lucius Fox
New shortstop Lucius Fox, a native of the Bahamas, is the prototypical shortstop with speed. The switchhitting infielder has swiped at least twenty bases at every level to pile up over 75 bags in under three seasons. Fox has a respectable career batting average of .255 but can be prone to the strikeout. He brings good defensive range due to his speed and is reported to have a good infielders arm.
Lucius participated in the Futures Game last year and comes to the Rays via trade with the Giants, in exchange for Matt Moore. He is NOT the head of Wayne Industries.
Nate Lowe has been an impact player in the lineup
Jesus Sanchez moves into the outfield for Montgomery, joining Milone and Lukes - Ryan Boldt has been riding pine with injury. Sanchez was batting .300 with ten homers for the Stone Crabs and kept on chugging with four hits in three games in a Biscuits uniform. One of the top prospects in the Rays system, Sanchez has developed considerable pop in the last year or so and could become a fixture in the Majors sooner rather than later.
These additions, plus the recently added Brock Burke, Nate Lowe and return of Benton Moss gives Brady Williams a fully stocked roster of quality players.
NOTES:
Dalton Moats is a cheerful guy, a real people person, outgoing and
engaging. If he is easy to get along with, it might be because of his
family upbringing, which includes his two brothers. Both of Dalton's
brothers, who are twins, both pursuing careers
in law enforcement. Is there any sibling rivalry? "Oh, thru the roof!"
Moats laughed about it when a teammate asked. "We really get on each
other, but its all fun."
Biscuits utilityman Mike Brosseau plays ukelele. Of course he does.
Pitcher Reece Karalus returned to the Biscuit bullpen on the last homestand. Fans thought he was sent back to single-A to work on his pitching but he must have been there for more than that. The Karalus that arrived last week looks like the big brother to the Karalus that left here in May. Same guy, though, just in way better shape and appears to be throwing the ball much better.
#BULLPENLIFE
PRO TIP: If you want to research ballplayers, be prepared for typos. Lots of them. In Montgomery's local paper Casey Stengle's name is misspelled EVERY SINGLE TIME he appears in a game!
THIS DAY WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY
AUGUST 8 1906
Dave Lemanczyk
Southern league Umpire F.F.Rudderham is convicted by jury in Montgomery County Court of using abusive language and fined $50 for cursing at a spectator on May 30th at Montgomery Ball Park.
AUGUST 8 1907
Montgomery is hammered, Starting pitcher Malarky giving up ten runs on 15 hits in the contest.
AUGUST 8 1973
Rebels pitcher Dave Lemanczyk no hits Ashville 3-0
AUGUST 9 1920
Montgomery, AL "Grey Sox Open With New Orleans and Win - Black Pelicans Trounced 6 to 3 Yesterday; Moss Hulred Air tight Ball for Locals -
Moss would later die in the electric chair
By hitting the lil pill to all parts of the lot and playing tight on ball behind Moss, the Grey Sox broke their losing streak yesterday afternoon, and won the first game from New Orleans, 6 to 3. The horrors of the playing to Red Cunningham, McCormick, and Carpenter, whose heavy hitting was largely responsible for the locals six scores.
New Orleans started the scoring of the game with two in the second and one more in the fourth but after this frame Moss tightened and held them scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Grey Sox scored five runs in the sixth inning when Carpenter slammed out a three bagger, with three men on bases and Red Cunningham hit for two bases with two men out another score was added in the seventh frame when Scales walked and scored on McCormick's three bagger.
In spite of the fact that the Grey Sox lost four straight games in the last series, they are still leading the league by a safe margin as the strong Knoxville team, which is second in the standing, was going to Nashville, while the Grey Sox were long to the Black Crackers. Out of a four game series played with Nashville, the strong Knoxville Giants were able to witness another game which gives the Grey Sox pracically the same lead that they held before the series with Atlanta.
The Grey Sox showed up in old time form Monday afternoon and it looked as though they were trying to take out their Atlanta, grudge on the New Orleans team. Every player on the team played a good game and did good work with the stick, and the team showed the old time pep and enthusiasm that was lackin gin the Atlanta series."
AUGUST 10 1920
Montgomery, AL "Grey Sox Win Duet From New Orleans - Local Colored Team Takes Double Header Tuesday, Won First in Eleven Innings -
Montgomery Grey Sox 1920
Pitchers Myers and Mason pitched the Montgomery Grey Sox to a double-header victory Tuesday afternoon over the New Orleans Ads, the the first contest going eleven innings, the locals winning 4 to 5. The final game was a walkaway for the locals, 5 to 0.
The Grey Sox team in the first contest should have won the game in easy fashion, but rank errors permitted the visitors to tie the score, despite the fact the locals obtained five runs in the opening inning. Myers for the Grey Sox pitched good ball, but his team mates failed to give him support at critical stages of the contest. After the first inning the locals could do nothing with the visiting twirler. In the eleventh inning Manager Cunningham opened with a double to left field, and reached third when Preston beat out an infield hit. Pitcher Suglar for New Orleans attempted to catch Preston off second base and threw wild and Cunningham came home with the winning run.
In the second contest Mason had the visitors at his mercy, and never was in danger. Wilson for New Orleans was hit freely and the locals bunched their hits when hits meant runs. The Grey Sox players in both games displayed their fighting spirit which has marked their playing in the early part of the season, and the slump which the team has been in recently has disappeared."
