Marching Out

Following a rather drab offseason, spring camps are open and the glacial thaw of Biscuits news has begun to flow again. Now back after a hiatus, we can get back to the business of watching some baseball!

SCHEDULE A LETDOWN
When asked about the Sktz promotional schedule, I can sum it one word = disappointed.

I honestly believed there would be significant change in the promotions this year. Dollar Dog Tuesday, Military Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Bark in the Park Sundays, Weekend Fireworks.... stop me if you have heard this before. Pumping up the same schedule is not working hard to create a new one.

Maybe there is some life in it that wasn't there before, but it looks like more of the same with a few tshirt and hat giveaways. No risks were taken in the planning of this seasons events.


Also, the only time in the cities history we have TWO players newly elected to Baseballs Hall of Fame and there is zero recognition planned.

Former Montgomery Rebels Alan Trammel and Jack Morris

The touted throwback uniform is a fauxback for Forrest Gump, a movie that glorifies a fictional Alabamian and ignores our actual history. Added to the three other movies that will be honored (star wars, harry potter, sandlot) it appears that the stewards of our cities team care very little about our rich baseball legacy.



MORE NEW TOGS
The Skitz will don sky blue jersey tops on Sundays this year, giving the team a new alternate top.

ON A.M. IN THE A.M.
What is new is the Biscuits radio show, which could bring a trove of information to the masses once a week at nine in the morning on saturdays. This is part of the new radio home on sports radio 740. Hopefully the station comes in at the park after the sun sets or it will continue to be largely ignored by fans at the home games.

MOBILE TO MOVE

I think we knew that, but its progression is moving along. Now we have a timetable, location and plan to view, all that is left is the approval of the baseball brass and the shovels will start turning dirt near Huntsville.

The biggest takeaway from the info on the new ballpark in Madison, for me at least, is that the feasibility study suggested a 6-thousand seat capacity and the new owners increased it by a thousand. That will guarantee plenty of empty seats, making the park look vacant even for well attended games.


CHATT NEEDS NEW PARK?
The Lookouts want to move and the city would like to use the space they currently occupy for other things, so it looks like this should happen. Montgomery fans might want to keep an eye on this move, as it could be a blueprint for the Biscuits should they ever decide to relocate within the Montgomery area.

The Chattanooga ballpark being discussed among city leaders and developers would be one of those evil alliances between money and municipal powers. The new park would "anchor" development that includes housing and retail.

I am not sure they need a new park, but I could easily see how developers would drool over the location of the current stadium for their own uses.

FORMER SKITZ
Former Biscuits Stephen Vogt and James Shields have both been slowed in their respective spring camps due to shoulder injuries. For Vogt it could mean losing his job in Milwaukee, for Shields it means losing time at the start of the year for the White Sox.

James Shields with Montgomery at the 2006 Rickwood Classic rain-out

Jhan Marinez

NRI's
Several former Montgomery players are non-roster invitees to spring training camps.

Shawn O'Malley is in camp with the Rockies.
Jose Lobaton is taking spring with the Mets.
Reid Brignac is encamped with the Nationals.
Jhan Marinez is working out with the Orioles.
Richie Shaffer is with Cleveland for spring camp, along with Melvin Upton.
Mike Broadway is trying to catch on with the Royals.
Ryan Garton is hoping to make the Mariners club.
Curt Casali is in camp with the Rangers.

CHAPMAN HANGS IT UP
Former Biscuits closer Jaye Chapman called it a career after sustaining an injury to his pitching arm this offseason.

Technically its a stress fracture to the olecranon but for Chappy its an opportunity to begin a new chapter in life following surgery to put his soup bone back in working order.

Chappy promised to get back with me and catch us up on his progress as well as share a few baseball stories "once I get on the other side" of the recovery.

1918 Baseball Team of the 46th Infantry regiment at Camp Sheridan in Montgomery

R.I.P. MARCOS CARVAJAL

In late January former major league pitcher and ex-Biscuit Marcos Carvajal passed away in his native Venezuela at the age of just 33 years. He had been hospitalized in December with pneumonia, recovered somewhat but relapsed a few weeks later and fell victim to a very treatable ailment due to a lack of antibiotics and medicine in his home country.

REMEMBERING MARCOS
In 2005 Marcos Carvajal was a young Colorado Rockies bullpen arm, finishing up big league games and making 39 MLB appearances at just twenty years of age. By 2007 he would be back in the bigs with Florida for a few games, wrapping up his major league service.

photo courtesy of the Mike Harders Collection

But sandwiched between his two major league gigs, Marcos pitched for the Biscuits.

In 2006 Carvajal matched his previous seasons total exactly with 39 appearances for Montgomery. Marcos finished 18 games and sported a nice 3.86 ERA out of the Biscuits bullpen. Carvajal pitched well for the Skitz, earning a championship ring with Montgomery's first Biscuits-era title.

Where Waldo Marcos? Carvajal celebrates the 2006 Biscuits victory with teammates

Marcos Carvajal was remembered fondly by long time Biscuit supporters as well as players from the '06 team. "Sad." was the only comment Biscuits fan and Montgomery baseball enthusiast Michael Harders could muster. Harders said he often enjoyed sitting behind the Biscuits bullpen during the early years due to the camaraderie and hi-jinks among the pitchers, including Carvajal.

Brian Henderson

HENDU REMEMBERS CARVAJAL
Carvajal was a hard working pitcher known for his affable personality and bright smile.

Former Biscuits pitcher Brian Henderson, Marcos Carvajal's teammate during the '06 season, offered this response when asked:
"I do remember him, that was really sad to hear about. He had a great time pitching and was a very happy person all around."


The New York Post article on Carvajal states that he was working as a youth coach in his native Bolivar. Surely he will be missed by many.

THIS DAY WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL

This time of year is a hotbed of history for our area, hosting spring training for major league teams and barnstorming games between MLB teams as well as minor league clubs.

MARCH 2 1905 
In Montgomery, future Hall of Famer Clarke Griffith starts along with part of his NY Yankees team in a game vs Montgomery.

1905 New York Americans (Yankees)

MARCH 2 1908 
A stock company bought the Montgomery Southern league franchise and players from the Montgomery Traction Company. The price was about $16,500. The new company is to be incorporated for $25000.

The traction company is the main streetcar provider for the city and had much invested in getting people to ride their trolleys to get to and from games in the city, owning the team added to the profit as well as helped generate more ridership.

 

MARCH 6 1906 
The Philadelphia A's beat Montgomery in exhibition game behind pitcher Eddie Plank.

Yanigans = Scrubs, the "B" team, not the regulars!

The Athletics are the reigning American League champions, managed by Connie Mack and led by star pitchers Eddie Plank and Rube Waddell. Waddell has quite a fine time in Montgomery, building a huge fan base with legendary antics such as singlehandedly lifting a streetcar back onto its tracks, being a one-man fire department and getting himself kidnapped.

MARCH 7 1905 

Hal Chase

The NY Highlanders, later known as the Yankees, start spring training in Montgomery.

Controversy is stirred when batting star Hal Chase jumps contract to join New York in a questionable signing.

Predicting the Skitz 2018

Toughest post of the year is predicting the team roster months in advance, but thats how I like the first post of each new season to go!

WELCOME BACK, SKIPPER!

We learned the coaching assignments, the Biscuits are bringing back Mgr Brady Williams, pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein and coach Gary Redus.

Last years hitting coach Dan Dement has been promoted to Durham, filling his role in Montgomery this year is Jamie Nelson. Nelson has been a roving instructor for the Rays and is a familiar face in the Skitz dugout over the past few years.

So for the most part, its business as usual in regards to the Biscuits coaching staff.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Also among the coaching assignments for the Rays were some familiar names - Craig Albernaz will skipper Hudson Valley and Hector Torres is the Minor League Infield Coordinator.

Hector Torres

Albernaz was a catcher for the Biscuits in 2006 and again from 2008-20012. He batted .219 in 170 games during his time in a Skitz uniform, hitting three homers, playing two games at second base and one relief appearance.

Hector Torres was the Biscuits hitting coach back in 2005 and is a fascinating guy. He was a Little League World Series hero in 1958 and played professionally for the Astros and Cubs, among others. He has played and managed all over the world and is immensely suited to the role he has been assigned.

LET US LOOK INTO THE FUTURE......

As always, this is just a guess. Its impossible to know who is going where, but we can try to predict most of these players to make appearances for Montgomery this year. Barring trade. Or injury. Or a bad spring.

That being said, lets peer into Casey Stengel's crystal ball and see what the Biscuits 2018 team looks like!

Brett Sullivan

C Brett Sullivan*
1B Dalton Kelly*
2B Brandon Lowe*
SS Jake Cronenworth*
3B Peter Maris*
RF Ryan Boldt*
LF David Olmedo-Barrera*
CF Tommy Milone*
CF Jake Fraley*


bench
2B Riley Unroe#
C Mac James
MI Jim Haley
OF Nathan Lukes*
UT Andrew Velazquez#

Genesis Cabrera

SP Genesis Cabrera
SP Travis Ott
SP Eduar Lopez
SP Benton Moss
SP Matt Krook

RP Ian Gibeaut
RP Tyler Brashears
RP Brandon Lawson
RP Dalton Moats
RP Spencer Jones
RP Reece Karalus
RP Greg Harris
RP Ryan Askew

*indicates left handed hitter
# indicates switch hitter

Center field could go to Fraley if he swings the bat well in spring training, otherwise it is likely to be Milone. Or both, possibly.

We could start the year with Grant Kay or Mike Russell on the squad, Mike Franco could return to the staff in some role. Or another of the players on last years team, otherwise bound for Durham, could have a bad spring and return. However we can be fairly confident that most of these guys - and quite a few others - will inhabit the roster at some point this season.


I expect we will see plenty of Biscuits news popping up over the next few weeks, of course I will pass along anything I find out!

Montgomery Sends Two to Cooperstown

Just In: Your 1976 Rebels Had Two Hall of Famers

Montgomery baseball history was enriched this weekend with the announcement that former Rebels Alan Trammell and Jack Morris would enter Cooperstown after the Modern Era Committee voted for their enshrinement in The Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Both appeared in Montgomery in 1976, both finished their first pro season that year in Rebels uniforms, playing for veteran manager Les Moss. Both players struggled mightily that summer, but both would go on to successful careers for the Detroit Tigers and for Morris, the Twins, Blue Jays and Indians.

This marks the second Montgomery team with two Hall of Famers, way back in 1893 the team roster held both veteran Fred Clarke at first base and young pitcher Joe McGinnity on his first campaign.


ALAN TRAMMELL

At just 18 years old, Alan Trammell played shortstop and hit a meager .174 in twenty-one games with no extra base hits and making a couple of errors in his first taste of double-A in 1976. After 40 games in the Appy League, Alan had been promoted to Montgomery, skyrocketing him from high school to double-A in less than four months.
 
Trammell would return to the Rebels in 1977 where he would be paired for the first time with his double-play partner for life in Lou Whitaker.

In '77 Alan Trammell performed much better, knocking 132 hits in 134 games, including 19 triples and 50 RBI. He also made 27 errors, but that didn't seem to bother anyone, Alan was voted Southern League MVP and lifted Montgomery to its third consecutive league championship. Trammell's Montgomery stat line is 155 games, .278 BA, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 7 SB combined over his two seasons.

 FROM MONTGOMERY TO THE MAJORS

Trammell and Lou Whitaker both got a September callup to Detroit and never appeared in another minor league game, skipping triple-A entirely.

When Alan made his debut at the age of 19 was the youngest player in MLB, literally going from Montgomery to the Majors. Trammell and Whitaker both debuted on September 9th 1977 and worked side by side for nineteen years.

Many feel that Whitaker should have been enshrined alongside Trammell, but now that won't happen.

 Tram hit .285 over twenty MLB seasons, garnering a nice collection of gold gloves and silver slugger awards for his shelf. His top achievement may be his performance in the 1984 World Series which brought him WS MVP honors after batting .450 to lead the Tigers over the Padres in the fall classic.

On checking his career numbers, the stat that jumped off the page for me was 1002 RBI's, an impressive total for a shortstop known more for consistent defensive ability than his batting prowess. Trammell had twelve seasons of fifty or more runs batted in and in 1987 drove in over a hundred.

Alan Trammell becomes the first former Montgomery player in the Hall of Fame that played more than one season in the capitol city. He also earned a pair of championship rings with the Rebels.

JACK MORRIS

Somewhat controversially voted in with a career ERA of 3.94, higher than any other Hall of Fame pitcher, Jack Morris was known for not letting relief pitchers get into games. His defining moment was a World Series complete game shutout, but the fifth round draft pick from Brigham Young didn't start off pitching into the late innings.


WITH MONTGOMERY

After being drafted by the Tigers in June of 1976, Jack Morris was assigned directly to double-A. He made his first professional pitch in a Rebels jersey.

With Montgomery in 1976, Morris pitched in a dozen games, nine starts and three relief appearances. Morris was less than stellar that summer, remembered more for his painful 6.25 ERA than his paltry 2-3 win loss record with Montgomery.

Jack had good stuff, striking out one batter per inning on average, unfortunately he didn't have any control so he also walked one hitter per inning. Plus a few hit by pitch.

Morris did not allow a home run during his time with the Rebels. But he was knocked around for twenty-five earned runs in just thirty-six innings and didn't complete any of the games he started.

Which may help account for there not being a photo of him with Montgomery.

PROMOTED TO DETROIT
He was promoted to triple-A in 1977 and made his MLB debut in July of that year. Jack was added to the Tigers roster to replace another former Rebel, Mark Fidrych had just been placed on the disabled list. Morris made his first start in Texas against Bert Blyleven, with both starters pitching nine innings each but the game was won by Texas in the 10th inning so no decision for Jack.

Over his stellar career, Jack Morris was a twenty game winner twice, had one season with 19 W's and two more with 18 victories. He completed 178 games, twenty eight were shutouts and tossed a no hitter in 1984. Braves fans will recall his 10 inning victory in game seven of the 1991 World Series against Atlanta's John Smoltz.

Jack Morris' career was hampered by many thing over the course of his 18 years in the bigs. Arm injuries were a factor, as was collusion by owners during the 1980s and eventually the strike of 1994 brought an end to his major league time. But he learned to use a split fingered pitch to dominate when he was healthy and earned the respect of his peers as a big game pitcher.

UPDATED HOF LIST
So we can update the list of former Montgomery players who are in the Hall of Fame:
Fred Clarke 1893
Joe McGinnity 1893
Casey Stengel 1912
Turkey Stearnes 1921
Earl Weaver 1956
Alan Trammel 1976-77
Jack Morris 1976

Biscuits For Hire

 Former Skitz aplenty have hit the unemployment line via Free Agency. After playing out their minor league contract, players have the chance to sell their services on the open market.

For some its a chance to get a better deal or play closer to home.

For many others its a crisis of unemployment with no paycheck or health insurance and possibly the end of working towards fulfilling the life long dream of being a major league ballplayer.

FORMER SKITZ SEEKING JOBS

From Seattle several ex-Montgomery guys found a path to free agency. Nevin Ashley, Shawn O'Malley, Willie Argo were all given the chance to seek jobs with other teams. Argo has transitioned to pitching since he was with the Biscuits as an outfielder.

The Astros gave the same opportunity to Reid Brignac.

Pitcher Kyle Lobstein is a free agent after completing his deal with the Marlins.

Same with the Brewers and Matt Ramsey, the former Biscuits closer was dealt mid-season to the Marlins and later signed with Milwaukee.

The Twins and Leonardo Reginatto have parted ways and Juniel Querecuto has gained free agency from the Giants.

The White Sox said goodbye to reliever Gene Machi.



RECENT BISCUITS FOR HIRE

Jonny Venters

Free agents from among the Rays include plenty of familiar names.

Pitchers Hunter Adkins, Jeff Ames, Fernando Baez, Mike Broadway, Kyle Winkler, Logan Darnell, Grayson Garvin and Jonny Venters are now free agents.

Catchers Curt Casali and Justin O'Conner, infielders Ryan Brett, Patrick Leonard and Jake Hager are also listed available now. Outfielder Granden Goetzman also gained free agency.

Released was catcher Josh Rapacz.


On the other side of it, Adam Kolarek signed a minor league contract with the Rays and got an invite to major league spring training.

FORMER REBEL SENT DOWN
Former Rebels catcher Lance Parrish was essentially demoted from double-A to single-A when Doug Minkiewitcz was hired to skipper triple-A Toledo for the Tigers.

The Tigers then moved their single-A manager to double-A and sent Parrish down to manage at single-A.

Parrish thought he was being considered for the triple-A job but ended up getting sent the other way. The one-time Montgomery backstop has been outspoken at times when asked about the Detroit front office, which may have been a factor in his assignment for next season.

Breaking Radio Silence, Biscuits on the Move

After a few weeks with no posting, its time to break radio silence and get caught up on the latest.

BISCUITS ON THE MOVE

Taylor G.

Former Biscuit Taylor Guerrieri was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays, the Rays had placed the 2011 first round pick on waivers. Limited to just two starts this past season, Taylor is a good bet to turn in a bounceback season next year.



Another former Biscuit, catcher Curt Casali enters free agency. He's another great Rays catcher who will likely be playing their best baseball for another team while Tampa pays big bucks to veteran replacements at the major league level.

Former Biscuit Wade Davis also is a free agent, having completed his one year deal with the Cubs, pending his likely refusal of a qualifying offer.


OZZIE GETS NEW GIG

Timmons handles loudmouth drunks, a useful skill in MLB

In perhaps the best offseason news so far, Ozzie Timmons has been promoted to the big leagues as Tampa's new first base coach.

I, myself have said for years that Ozzie was a prospect first base coach and now its come to pass, we wish the best of luck to Timmons who will no doubt enjoy his new assignment!



MORE SKITZ NOTES

Former Biscuit pitcher Alex Cobb was given a qualifying offer of over $17m by the Rays. He can accept it or test free agency.

Also in the parade of old skitz, pitcher Bradin Hagens has said his goodbyes to Hiroshima Carp fans. Its unlikely he will return to Japan, but could find more work stateside.


STILL EMPLOYED
Yet another ex-Biscuit, Matt Moore had his option picked up by the SF Giants, bucking the trend of former Montgomery players looking for a job. Also in the "still employed" category, pitchers Scott Kazmir and Adam Liberatore were activated to the 40 man roster by the LA Dodgers.

Matt Moore with Biscuits

A THRONE SITS EMPTY
A favorite of many fans, Myron Noodleman had been battling cancer and recently lost his fight with the disease. Many people spoke out on social media with their support for his family and shared their appreciation of the longtime baseball clown, including former Biscuit Brent Honeywell.

Myrons shtick included variants of crowd entertainment that date back centuries and borrowed heavily from Jerry Lewis lovable characters. He will be missed in ballparks where he brought smiles to so many fans.

Emmett Kelly eating his breakfast from home plate

Baseball clowning is a lost art in many ways. Noodleman was the flagbearer for the cause, having been approved by the famed Max Patkin.

Patkin was the reigning Clown Prince of Baseball for decades, ascending a throne occupied in the past by the likes of Al Schact, King Tut, Germany Schaefer and the immortal Emmet Kelly.

Now that throne sits empty, awaiting its next monarch.


BAYBEARS SOLD

The Baybears franchise sale went through without a hitch, signaling the end of Mobile baseball. Next the owners plan to put forth a relocation proposal, which is where we will start to see the rubber meet the road. Included in that proposal the owners must reveal their proposed location and secure the needed ballpark arrangements.

Mobile's mayor says they will continue to fight to keep the team "as long as we can", which doesn't sound overly optimistic. And it shouldn't.

It is a shame though, as the Mobile-Montgomery rivalry is the oldest in the state, perhaps one of the oldest in all of baseball, with the two teams first facing off way back in 1867!

 RESEARCH - WHO THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS?

Unknown Grays Player

As baseball was often a back page item in the 1800s, I find it tough to come up with info on some of the local players in ages long past. I'm currently working on a list of players that fall into the "deep digging required pile".

Somehow, that stack just gets bigger and bigger. With just a last name (possibly misspelled) and sometimes a first initial (often erroneous) there is much work to be done in the archives this winter.



SWING AND A MISS
Other guys I can look up more easily, but what we find about them isn't baseball.
Fr'example... In historian John Thorn's book he discusses the early game and Alabama makes its entry pretty early.

In 1868 Alabama sent representatives to the national baseball meeting in New York to request that we be recognized as a sanctioned state association. Basic stuff, really, legitimizing our state championship, getting player contracts standardized, adopting the nationally recognized rules, etc.

However the two men sent to represent the state are a bizarre pair. From Montgomery, Alfred H. Moses and Mobile John A. Payne. The two men are well written about for their notable achievements, however history does not record their baseball activities beyond the fact that they were the ones chosen to travel to New York for the National Association meeting.

The results of the trip were successful, Alabama's twelve teams were recognized nationally and we began a long tradition with the national pastime.

But there isn't much more info on it. Local New York newspapers carried one whole line.

1868 news report on Montgomery baseball

A.H. Moses

The choice of Moses is easy to understand, he had been Court Clerk in the Montgomery district during the Confederacy and likely to comprehend the legalese encountered in formal documents.

Moses was well known, he received a death sentence for his work in the Confederacy but was pardoned by President Jackson. Later he would finance Montgomery's first skyscraper and help found the city of Sheffield, Alabama.

Yet it could benefit us to have a keener knowledge of how Moses was chosen to represent baseball and what his connection to the early team was.


John A. Payne

John A. Payne

More of a mystery is the Mobile representative.

John A. Payne is also a Confederate, a survivor of the first sinking of the CSS Hunley submarine (it sank more than once, few survived). Most of his wartime career is spent in and around Virginia. His military career is well documented by Civil War buffs, but there is not much on his life after the war.

It is not known why he was in Mobile, what his connection to baseball might be or how he came to be selected for the trip to legitimize Alabama baseball.



Great info on two men with interesting stories, but not a word about baseball!