Biscuits Blink in Face Off With Generals

(to my friends and readers in Columbus who asked me to post more often, I promise to do just that and this one goes out to you!)

The Biscuits were cruising along until the series against Jackson, when they won the first game of the set, narrowly avoid being swept at home and right out of first place.

As it is, there's not much room between the two teams in the league standings.

There's also not much room between some of the players, and they may need to be separated soon. 

On Sunday catcher Rene Pinto stood his ground.

After seeing some on-field conflicts in this series, it looks like there is a real rivalry brewing between the Generals and these Biscuits.

When Generals prospect Jazz Chisolm hit a big homer, watched it sail and then showed off his high-five technique crossing the plate, it didn't sit well. The very next pitch was in the ear of the Generals hitter, sending him sprawling in the batters box and to the Injured List for concussion protocol. Oldschool baseball at its best.

Intentional or not, the Jackson bench started to take issue with it but thought better of kicking when big Sam McWilliams came off the mound to explain the situation to them.

Late in the final game Drew Ellis chose to take an extra base, stealing second uncontested in the 8th inning with a five run lead - bordering on breaking the "dont steal if there are fewer outs left than runs you lead by" rule. Ellis may have a brushback pitch in his future for it.


The Generals got the best of the series, winning four games and closing on the top spot but perhaps sparking a fire underneath a Montgomery team that has been otherwise sailing along through the league.

NOT ALL BAD
While there may have been some bad blood between some Biscuits and Generals players, a few of the guys do get along well.

Biscuits shortstop Lucius Fox and Jackson shortstop Jazz Chisolm are both native to the Bahamas and are good friends after the game is through.



WHATS NEXT?
The good news? Montgomery gets to take on a couple of teams that are under .500 in Bham (on the road) and the Smokies (at home) next.

The bad news? Montgomery hosts the Lookouts for the last series of the first half, a longtime rival that would love to knock the Skitz out of another playoff opportunity and deny Montgomery a chance for big high fives.

HEY ITS THE RICKWOOD!!!

I KNOW I don't have to tell you about the Rickwood Classic again, right? Montgomery will send Riley O'Brien to the hill at the historic yard to face the longtime rival Brummie Barons on Wednesday at noon.

And while you are there at historic Rickwood Field, be sure the check the Rickwood Times newspaper for something special from your Dr. Miraculous! 

Of course, Montgomery was the first opponent at Rickwood way back in 1910. Unfortunately we may not see the Biscuits back in the annual throwback game for some time after this one. Montgomery will likely shift back to the South Division - greatly reducing scheduling opportunities.

erroneously dated as July 4th 1906, this August 1910 shot of the Rickwood opening is my fave!

ADIOS MCKAY

Montgomery will now have to make do without what was arguably their best pitcher, as Brendan McKay was promoted to Durham after scorching the Southern League from the mound but still struggling as a hitter.

Not really unexpected, as he set to deliver a fastball in the late innings of his game against Jackson I remarked that this could be the last pitch McKay throws as a Biscuit - indeed he struck the hitter out and came out of the game, his next appearance will be in Durham.


How does McKay rank among all-time Biscuit pitchers?

Thats exactly what a Biscuit player asked me and I probably seemed less impressed than he thought I should be. Certainly Brendan McKay is in the midst of a dominant season, overwhelming double-A hitters.

Brendan McKay 2019
8 games, 1.30 ERA, 41 IP, 25 H, 6 ER, 62 K


Perhaps I should be more impressed with McKay's stats but Montgomery has had a plethora of excellent pitchers, both starting and relief. It makes it tougher to say he is the best.

I asked pitching coach RC Lichtenstein if he had ever seen a pitcher with such a hot start to the year. "Snell had twenty scoreless innings when he got here, but that's a lot like what we see with McKay" he said, drawing comparisons to one of just two Biscuits to win a Cy Young Award.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?
So I took a look at the stats to see what we could come up with, here is a list of some Biscuit pitchers who had low ERA's for Montgomery. You make the call!

David Price 2008
9 games 1.89ERA 57IP 42H 12ER 55K

Jeremy Hellickson 2009
11 games 2.38ERA 56IP 41H 15ER 62K

Matt Gorgen 2010
42 games 1.65ERA 49IP 34H 9ER 47K

Darin Downs 2010
18 games 1.69ERA 48IP 40H 9ER 57K

Matt Moore 2011
18 games 2.20ERA 102IP 68H 25ER 131K

CJ Riefenhauser 2013
34 games 0.54ERA 53IP 28H 3ER 48K

Matt Ramsey 2014
24 games 1.04ERA 33IP 16H 4ER 46K

Blake Snell 2015
12 games 1.83ERA 68IP 45H 12ER 79K

Brock Burke 2018
9 games 1.95ERA 55IP 39H 12ER 71K


NEWS AND NOTES

Benton Moss

After not seeing him in uniform for a couple days, I was told Benton Moss has retired. If true, we wish Benton and his family all the best for the future.

The Biscuits will hold an Autograph Day, including team photo giveaway, later in the year. Look for it in the second half, likely in August.

Former Biscuit Jake Cronenworth has been designated a two-way player with Durham, taking the hill to display his 94mph heater as well as playing afield.

Montgomery is currently using Minor League baseballs signed by MiLB Prexi O'Conner, having been sent them instead of the usual Southern League baseballs. These will be in use until sometime in the second half, when more Southern League balls are expected to arrive. The difference between the MLB and MiLB baseballs is quite the discussion among players, who have seen the use of MLB baseballs in triple-A send homerun totals soaring along with pitcher ERA's.

HOW BISCUITS MANAGER MORGAN ENSBERG GETS TO WORK

 HOW BISCUITS MANAGER MORGAN ENSBERG GOES HOME FROM WORK

TOUCH FIRST BASE
There is a thing this year for Biscuits, a basic fundamental that is often overlooked by pro players. Touching first base no matter what. Even on an easy out, touch the bag every time.

At least twice in the first six weeks of the season or so, we noticed a Biscuit turn and head back to the dugout after jogging halfway down the line on a lazy fly out. They were quickly turned around by teammates shouting, imploring them to head back to put a toe on the bag before being allowed back in the dugout.

No slacking allowed!


REBELS NIGHT AND LOOKOUTS SERIES INFO
The series hosting the Chattanooga Lookouts in mid-June will be six games in five days featuring a doubleheader Saturday that starts at 4pm. This is also the Rebels Throwback Night, meaning we probably get to see the great throwback jerseys for just seven innings.

I got a peek at the Rebels uniforms, and I think they are fantastic. A great job getting the mid-70's era Montgomery home tops right.

This is another in a long string of things the new guys are doing to wrap their arms around local fans in a warm hug like this team has never done before.

RETIRE THE TOOTSIE-ROLL

I think its time to say goodbye to the Biscuits mid-inning Tootsie Roll dance. With all the new things that are going well, it would be a fine time to tinker with this long-standing entertainment piece. We have enjoyed seeing the fun Baby Shark added to replace the 7th Inning Stretch many nights, so why have we held onto the Tootsie Roll?

Back in 2009 it was great, with the Biscuit Bunch led by Mickey doing the routine. But hey, we are on our third Emcee since then and Victor is in his third season now, I say we let him come up with his own thing.

Energetic and creative, Victor, who sometimes uses the pseudonym "Angel", owns the Tootsie Roll dance routine, but as a thing its just dated and tired. Fans have either seen it and don't care anymore, or see it and think "wow, thats not a new thing at all!"

I would love to see what Victor and the new Biscuit-Bunchers could do to update this between-inning entertainment item. Turn them loose!

#BULLPENLIFE

THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY BASEBALL HISTORY

 

MAY 27 1920 

Sam Streeter, Grey Sox

"Grey Sox Defeat The Bessemer Boys
 - In one of the prettiest games played here this season, the Montgomery Grey Sox team defeated the Bessemer Stars Thursday afternoon by a score of 2 to 1.

Streeter and Harper engaged in a pitcher's battle, both having beautiful control and kep their hits well scattered."




MAY 29 1908

PASSENGERS JUMP FROM RUN AWAY CAR
Panic Among Occupants of Vehicle Returning From Ball Game In Montgomery.

Montgomery, Ala., May 29. - A score or more of persons were injured in a panic late today on a crowded electric car returning from the baseball park, which ran away down a steep incline east of Madison avenue. None of the injured is fatally hurt.

1908 Montgomery, showing trolley car of same type

There were 100 or more passengers on the car, which was one of a number bringing the crowd back from today's Southern league baseball game. It is customary for the cars to come down the steep incline one at a time.

It is stated that car No. 36 was too close to the car ahead and when it became apparent that the car was beyond control of the motorman and while he was shouting to the crew ahead to pull out and give him room there was a scramble for safety among the passengers. Men, women and boys jumped off the car and in a few moments the roadway was lined with injured persons. The car was stopped at the foot of the hill without accident. via The State, Columbia, SC 30 May 1908

MAY 31 1905 At Montgomery, Little Rock defeats Mgm 4-2 in 14 innings
MAY 31 1907 Montgomery beats Little Rock 6-5 in 14 Innings at Little Rock.