Been a slow year for the blog in that I haven't had a lot of time to write! Lots of photography at the park and of course the research takes a bit of a back seat when the Biscuits play well, so less time to fill out the blog posts.
The team has really turned itself around from where they were the first few weeks of the year. Fans are happy to welcome the slugging bats of Niko Hulsizer and Reuben Cardenas to the heart of the hometown lineup.
 |
| Niko Hulsizer sends a ball OVER the scoreboard |
Starting pitcher Tommy Romero was promoted to Durham and it was well deserved, even if a tad tardy.
TommyRo didn't have much left to prove at the double-A level and probably won't be back in Montgomery for quite some time, if at all.
A quality pitcher and a quality dude, Romero is the latest in a long line of "good guys" we have seen heading up the ladder. "... and don't come back!" I told him.
WHAT CAN I GET YOU?
I jokingly asked the bullpen this week what I could get them from the concession stand.
"A new shoulder."
"Coritsone shot!"
"An effective slider!"
uhhhh.... I'll ask but how bout some nachos instead?
 |
| Ivan before the shave |
Ivan Pelaez shaved his moustache, which I called the best in baseball. "Don't worry" he told me "it'll grow back in a couple weeks."
Until then Ivan will be getting carded even for milkshakes as the babyfaced lefty works his lip sweater back into midseason form after blaming it for the runs it allowed to score last Friday.
That outta teach it!
MOATS
Moats underwent surgery and was seen in a video taking his first steps with the aid of a walker on Monday.
One of the most outgoing and likeable guys in baseball, Dalton is one of my personal faves and I hope his recovery is swift and completed as soon as humanly possible. I will update with info as I get it, best wishes to Dalton and his family during the rehab process.
MYERS DOZEN
Tobias Myers has been an absolute beast on the mound. The Biscuits hurler struck out a dozen in a perfect outing on Tuesday against the Blue Wahoos. Looking dominant and having no trouble with one of the leagues top teams, Myers used just over 80 pitches before giving way to a reliever after six innings.
 |
| Tobias Myers dealin |
When the rains came on Sunday, Shuckers skipper Guerrero was quick to agree to a postponement and the Angry Clams took to the team bus without showers in order to make a speedy getaway.
MONTGOMERY KIMCHI GO UNDEFEATED
Fans warmed to the Kimchi togs right away and indeed they do look great. I'm not always fond of specialty shirts worn for one night but these were indeed excellent.
Also, by winning the game the Kimchi join the ranks of the undefeated.
STOCKED BAR HAS NO MORE PROBLEMS
The Club Car Bar restocked my favorite brew, Goat Island Blood Orange, and no longer are single file lines the order of the day. "Its a bar, come on up and order" I heard one of the two barkeeps call out and was quickly served. Well done, Biscuits!
ROSEY COMES BACK
Starting pitcher Kenny Rosenberg is back in Montgomery, though it remains to be seen for how long. The sly southpaw is probably just keeping a seat warm for someone else until an opening in Durham comes along, but we will enjoy watching him work while we can.
Technically Kenny has been rehabbing an injury but I prefer to think of it as baiting the hook to convince his prey he is not at his peak form, which we know probably isn't true.
#BULLPENLIFE
THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY
JULY 22 1920
Montgomery, AL
"Chicago Negroes to Play Grey Sox Game -
A fast and snappy game of ball is promised the followers of the Montgomery Grey Sox, Thursday when the local negro team will play the Chicago Black Sox, in an exhibition game at South Side Park at 3:30 o'clock. The Black Sox are being sent South by "Rube" Foster, who is president of the Negro Western League, for the purpose of estimating the strength of the Negro Southern League. Henry Hannon, manager of the local aggregation is confident of victory but he realizes the task ahead of him is a hard one and a real battle is expected. This should prove to be one of the best games that has been played on the local diamond this year and a record breaking crowd is expected."
Montgomery, AL
"Montgomery Sox Swamp Chicagoans -
 | |
| Sam Streeter pitcher |
The Chicago Black Sox colored baseball club team was easily defeated Thursday afternoon by the Montgomery Gray Sox team by the score of 15 to 1. The visiting team putting up a miserable exhibition of the national pastime. Streeter, for the Grey Sox, was a puzzle to the Chicago players, and after the first inning he had his opponents at his mercy. Kemp, who started for Chicago, was easy pickings for the locals, and Smith, who succeeded him, could not check the assault. Williams, Scales, "Red" Cunningham and Herman Cunningham carried off the batting honors for the day, the quartet had little trouble in hitting the ball, when hits meant runs.
Streeter established a record on the local field when he pitched twenty consecutive balls for strikes, without having a ball called by the umpire.
The Chicagoans came to the city highly rated, and are leading the league in the National league for colored clubs, but their performance Thursday was the poorest seen on the local field this season. Nashville opens a three-game series here this afternoon."
JULY 22, 1966
The Animals, Hermans Hermits play at the State Coliseum
Tigers Prospect Southpaw Les "Sugar" Cain throws a No Hitter for the Montgomery Rebels
Les Cain would later pitch for the Tigers but an arm injury cut short his career. Cain maintained that he was forced to pitch while injured by manager Billy Martin and sued the Detroit team. In a landmark decision, Cain won the suit and was awarded $111 every week for the rest of his life.
JULY 23 1920
Montgomery, AL
"Montgomery Greys Defeat Nashville
 |
| Grey Sox catcher Preston |
A single by Carpenter in the tenth inning scoring Preston, won a hard-fought game for the Montgomery Grey Sox, Friday afternoon from the Nashville White Sox by the score of 1 to 0. The game was a pretty pitcher's battle between Knowles and Meyers, the former allowing six hits and the latter five. Meyers was saved on several occasions by sensational fielding.
The Grey Sox scored the lone tally in the tenth inning when Preston reached first on an infielder's error and third while the next two batters were being retired. Meyers walked and stole second and Carpenter sent a clean Texas leaguer over short and Preston scored.
The two teams will clash again this afternoon and the final game of the series will be played Sunday afternoon."
JULY 24 1904
At New Orleans, the Pelicans forfeit a game to Montgomery - Reach guide gives no reason.
JULY 24th 2013
Biscuits pitcher Victor Mateo thows a no-hitter vs Jacksonville at Riverwalk Stadium
 |
| Biscuits bullpen looks on as Victor Mateo authors the 1st Riverwalk No Hitter |
JULY 24 1907
Montgomery vs Little Rock, Montgomery 3b Perry hits a grand slam in the third inning, his second homer in two days, and gives Montgomery the 5-2 win.
JULY 24 1920
Montgomery, AL
"Grey Sox Defeated Nashville Team, 4-1
 |
| Jim Moss pitcher |
Local Negro Club Has Little Difficulty in Defeating Visiting Team Here Saturday -
Montgomery Grey Sox ball club had little trouble in defeating Nashville White Sox Saturday afternoon, the locals copping the contest by the score of 4 to 1. The Grey Sox batters drove McGavock from the mound in the early stages of the contest, and Carver who succeeded him could not stop the locals. Williams carried off the batting honors for the Grey Sox securing two doubles and a single.
Moss was a puzzle to the visiting club, and had his opponents at his mercy. In the ninth inning, Moss "eased up" and Nashville filled the bases with one out, but a fast double play, Scales to Williams to Cunningham put a stop to the rally. The two teams will clash again this afternoon, the game starting at 3:30 o'clock to allow both teams to catch trains."
JULY 25 1908
Pitcher Schwenck of Memphis pitched a double-header against Montgomery, winning both games and securing 2 shutouts. He gave up only 7 hits in two games.
But he had help from the umpire crew and the antics of the Montgomery club, which resulted in.....
JULY 25 1908
At Montgomery, Umpire Dan Fitzsimmons is mobbed, but saved by Chief of Police Taylor. Taylor sent his wife to Union Station in Taylors private car for reinforcements.
