McKay or No? History-Full March!

The fresh batch of Montgomery Biscuits will arrive in a few short weeks and the season will open with Montgomery's squad on the road, leading to an odd weekday night Opening Day.

A new manager has local fans wondering if he can get the job done and bring home a pennant for the Biscuits. Fans are abuzz about the upcoming season, the possible players and teams promotions.

MCKAY OR NO?
Some debate going about whether Montgomery gets a two-way player to start the year.

Its a tough call, but I went on the side of more seasoning in single-A. He is ready as a pitcher, perhaps a good spring at the plate puts him in a Biscuits uniform on Opening Day. However I felt there was a good chance the Rays would be conservative with their unique prized prospect.


ITS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT
Now we will see where the rubber meets the road concerning that statement.

With a two-way prospect, do the Rays want him to be a two-way player? Or would they rather he focus on pitching, telling him "sink or swim" by challenging him to hit double-A pitching?

If he were just the hitter McKay, batting .210 at single-A doesn't usually come with a promotion after playing three different levels last year. Learning to hit is tougher at double-A than single-A.

ON THE PITCHER MCKAY

Are you holding the guy back when he pitches well? Sure, pitcher McKay is probably ready to face Southern League hitters.

If he does pitch here, does he start? Last year he started 23 of his 25 appearances, logging 98.1 innings. Less than four innings per game, he can be stretched out some this year but could be subjected to limits on his total innings.

Much like we saw when the Biscuits Mike Franco moved into the rotation a couple seasons ago. Franco was a boss, pitching well as a starter but then he was sent to the bullpen midseason to prevent him from throwing a disproportionate number of innings from one season to the next.

However, if the pitcher McKay can't manage four innings a start, he can make 32 starts and only log 120 innings - much under the one-third increase in innings over two seasons. Are we watching the Rays create a new breed of ballplayer - the two-way opener?

So many questions abound on how to handle a two way player.
And since we have always been told minor league baseball "is not about winning, its about development" it will be interesting to watch this develop.

HISTORY-FULL MARCH

 
Historically, March is perhaps the busiest time for baseball in Montgomery.

FIRST CHAMPS VS MGM

Teams began playing exhibition games in and against Montgomery starting at least as early as 1903 with the Boston NL Beaneaters facing, and beating, Montgomery. In 1904 Montgomery hosted a game against the Champion Boston Red Sox, winners of the first World Series the previous season.

SPRING HOME
 By 1905 the NY Highlanders were the first team holding spring training in Montgomery. Later the A's, Reds, Phillies and other teams would hold their spring training in Montgomery.


Even as early as 1911, when the St. Louis Giants played here against the Montgomery Stars, Negro league teams were also playing Montgomery teams in March spring exhibition games.

Buzzy Wares, traded as rent

BUZZY FOR THE BALLPARK? DEAL!
In March of 1913 the MLB St. Louis Browns trade Buzzy Wares to Montgomery for use of a stadium for spring training.

Wares was eventually sold back to the big leagues, but was indeed traded as rent for the Montgomery ballpark!



THE HOUSE THAT MACK BUILT - IN MONTGOMERY
A few short years later, Connie Mack made Montgomery the spring home for his Philadelphia Athletics, who were the reigning World Champions. Cramton Bowl was essentially built to sway Mack's decision and became home to Montgomery baseball teams for nearly fifty years.

Cramton Bowl 1920's

 STARS IN ALABAMA

This is the time of year baseball stars visit Montgomery. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Rube Waddell, Jimmie Foxx - all hall of famers who played March Exhibition games in Montgomery.
Controversial Hal Chase doesn't play here, instead choosing to jump contract from the Yankees team he is supposed to be here with!

The great Babe Ruth's Yankees make several stops here, starting in 1925, as the Bombers barnstorm north towards their own Opening Day.

Bill Dickey, Babe Ruth and Left Gomez on Yankee barnstorming trip thru Montgomery

CHECK THE BLOG ARCHIVES FOR MORE
White teams, black teams, integrated teams, local clubs, barnstorming teams, major league, minor league, you name it. Montgomery hosted World Series rematch games between barnstorming MLB Champions on several March afternoons.

The '08 Cubs, the '26 Yankees and a whole slew of other great clubs make appearances in the Montgomery area during the month of March. There are lots of stories, many of them just a click away in the blog archives!


MORE COMING SOON.....

Rickwood Rematch Announced, A Chat With Jack Morris

Hey, look who will be playing in this years Rickwood Classic! Its going to be Birmingham taking on Montgomery, a rematch of the first ever game at the oldest park with Lou Piniella as the guest of honor.

Walking through the turnstiles of the century old ballpark transports one into another world, to go back in time and take in a ball game the way it was intended to be seen. The sights and sounds are familiar. Fans enjoy it, players enjoy it, umpires enjoy it. You should come and enjoy it too.

misdated photo gets the attendance right, but is actually the opening game at Rickwood Field, 1910

Of course, if you have read the blog or looked discerningly at the league sked for next year, you saw that the sweet spot for the annual throwback game had the Biscuits on the calendar.

To be sure, fans have been more than a little expressive about their desire to see Montgomery partake in this game and to be more inclusive of the local history. Indeed the team has responded, first adding vintage photos and images to their displays and promotions in the past couple seasons and now this. Its a nice change from the previous owners repeated attempts to distance themselves from the local baseball heritage. Kudos to the Biscuits staff for making the changes baseball fans want to see.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING FOR THE OCCASION?

 We all know that uniforms play a prominent part in winning ball championships. 

So with the Biscuits taking on the Barons in the daytime tilt at Rickwood, what era can we look for?

The Rickwood staff always provides excellent period entertainers and many fans wear clothes from the era to create a wonderful atmosphere.

Happily I can share with you that the game will feature 1909-1911 style uniforms for both teams and around the ballpark.

1910 Birmingham team

 I am also hearing that the Montgomery uniforms worn for the game will be auctioned AT Montgomery on a date after the game is played. This leads me to hope that we might see a throwback game at Riverwalk featuring the Montgomery Climbers uniforms shortly after the Rickwood game. And to hope that I might get one!

1909 Montgomery team

This could tie into another item I expect to see - the Biscuits will hold another Montgomery baseball history promotional night featuring the Montgomery Rebels, expanding on what they have done the past few seasons. Perhaps even a full Rebels Night on the promotional schedule.


MY REACTION
Obviously, you know I personally am thrilled to see the local history get some recognition.

Our teams have been among the most dominant, our players among the most talented, our history with the game as deep as any in the world. All the greats played here, yet for decades Montgomery's pages were left with gaps and blanks, players names misspelled and dates erroneously reported with no concern to detail.

More than that, the stories are slipping away - tales of greatness and near greatness, of failure and camaraderie. The legends of our local games of baseball. And it seems a crime to lose those legends.

Yes, it is an actual 1910 photo of the parking lot at the first Rickwood game

LEGENDS
Legends like that one created when the Rickwood Classic was rained out on a sunny day in 2005.

Biscuit bullpen at Rickwood Rainout

Many long time Biscuit fans recall piling into the car on a bright June morning for the drive to B'ham. They parked just where those first fans parked in 1910 to cheer on their team in a road game against the rival Birmingham club.

The sun beat down on the large crowd assembled for the big game but in a classic old-time ploy, someone had left the tarp off the field for the previous nights rainstorm.

Biscuits skipper Charlie Montoyo in throwback uni on left

The soaking wet grounds deprived James Shields the chance to pitch in Montgomery's return to Rickwood after 40 years. The field was a muddy mess, umpires waited to give the field time to dry out but eventually called the game. It was a rain out on a sunny day!

James Shield at Rickwood Rainout

 Only it wasn't rained out and left unplayed - the game was made up weeks later. Returning to Rickwood Field on a warm and dry August afternoon with just a few clouds, donning their 1910 throwback uniforms, the Biscuits again faced the Barons in a makeup of the rematch throwback game!

The fans numbered in the dozens for a day game not originally on the schedule. Montgomery lost, 9-1, pitcher Brian Lockwood taking the L. 

Photo Proof provided by Bubba36109

HALL OF FAMER JACK MORRIS
I had the pleasure to speak with a legend who has a local connection. Newly minted Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris was in town to speak at the annual coaches dinner and afterwards we chatted for a few minutes.

Morris was a Montgomery Rebel pitcher in 1976, his first stop in pro ball was double-A which was where I first saw him pitch. I recall that he wasn't very good but still got the ball as a starter, a memory which his 6.75 ERA that summer backs up. But he went on to learn the splitter after leaving Montgomery, setting him on the path to greatness.

Morris had nice things to say about playing in Montgomery. I asked about Paterson Field, he fondly recalled that it was a great place to play and a great place to pitch. Jack did state flatly "the problem there was that the locker rooms didn't have any showers, just lockers!" He chuckled when I informed him that the locker rooms had finally been remodeled a few seasons ago.

Asked about playing in the Southern League at that time, he had high praise. "Oh, we had great players in the league that year" and cited names like Eddie Murray, Dale Murphy, Willie Wilson and Alan Trammell, most of whom were in the SL that season. "It was a lot of fun to watch" he added "as long as you weren't pitching."

Predicting the Skitz 2019

Announced and confirmed as new manager is Morgan Ensberg and the return of the coaches from last year, RC Lichtenstein, Gary Redus and Jamie Nelson. Everyone wishes Brady Williams luck at Durham and welcomes the new skipper to the Biscuits helm.

PREDICTION TIME

Lets gaze into the crystal baseball and see what the (near) future may bring. Everyone clasp hands and concentrate as we focus on lifting the veil of time to reveal.....

YOUR 2019 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS*

Sonny Gray should return to the Biscuits

1b Robbie Tenerowicz
2b Tristan Gray
SS Lucius Fox
3b Kevin Padlo

OF Jesus Sanchez
OF David Olmedo-Barrera
OF-2b/ss Miles Mastrobuoni

UT Jermaine Palacios
UT Mike Brosseau


C Rene Pinto
C Joey Roach
C Zacrey Law

Blake Bivens should get some starts

SP Blake Bivens
SP Brandon Lawson
SP Riley O'Brien
SP Kenny Rosenberg
SP Willy Ortiz
SP Brian Shaffer

RP Trevor Charpie
RP Brandon Koch
RP Zack Mozingo
RP Ivan Palaez
RP Reece Karalus
RP Spencer Jones


Other likely early attendees: switch hititng 2b Vidal Brujan, Rhp Orlando Romero, lhp Josh Fleming, cf Josh Lowe. These guys are on track for double-A debut soon and could be among the players introduced at this years Meet the Biscuits, depending on how the players shake out after spring training, but didn't quite fit into our view of the positional situations.

* all info on this blog is unaffiliated

NOTES:
Predictions are tough for minor league teams, so much depends on spring training and other factors unknown.

Expect a crop of new faces, as per usual. The Biscuits will have a lot of players getting their first taste of double-A, including new skipper Morgan Ensberg.

Two-way stud Brendan McKay probably won't start with the Biscuits. Since McKay was in less than fifty games at A+ Port Charlotte, he likely needs more seasoning before Biscuit fans get a look. Expect him mid-season.

Lets hope we hear the Barons confirm the expected date and team for the Rickwood Classic - Montgomery is in a prime spot to return to the throwback game.



UPDATE NOTES:
A few former Biscuits found jobs.

Justin O'Conner signed a minor league deal with the White Sox.
 Tyler Goeddel signed a minor league deal with the Nationals
Boog Powell signed a minor league deal with the Padres
Kyle Lobstein signed a minor league deal with the A's

Who Will Manage the Biscuits? NEW! History FOUND!

Very soon we will have some news.
Not yet. But soon.

Expect the Biscuits to announce their promo calendar in the next couple weeks as well as the field staff announcement by the Rays. Which begs the question.....

WHO WILL MANAGE THE BISCUITS?

Brady Williams? How long does a guy have to manage at double-A before getting promoted? The Rays have had plenty of coaching changes at higher levels which could translate to a new job for Brady and a new skipper at Montgomery. But if not Brady, then who?

NAZ
If you said anything but Craig Albernaz, most fans probably don't want to hear it. Naz was a popular backup catcher during his days in Montgomery as a player and how has moved into coaching for Tampa. He would be the first Biscuit to return as a full time manager and should be an obvious choice. In 2018 Albernaz was manager at Bowling Green and could be on his way to Montgomery.


DANNY D.
Of course, the first former Biscuit player to manage a game for Montgomery would be Dan Dement, who had several nights at the helm after Brady Williams was tossed, albeit not a permanent position.

Dan hails from Birmingham, so he would be a fair choice to head the Biscuits due to his many connections with the area and familiarity with both the Rays and the Southern League.

GARY
Gary Redus is pretty new to coaching, as coaches go, but has a pedigree that outstrips that of most double-A skippers. Redus, like Dement, is an Alabama guy and would bring similar benefits to having already been experienced with the city and the league.

Maybe a one year managerial tryout for Redus would put him on the fast track in his coaching career and let the Rays reassign other coaches who have put in time and deserve promotions.


NELSON
Like Jamie Nelson, who is usually a roving instructor for the Rays but spent this past year as the Biscuits bench coach. Nelson has been with Tampa for some time and could easily spend a summer filling out the lineup cards for Montgomery if asked to, more than capable to the task but perhaps more valuable elsewhere.

It was speculated by some that Nelson was with Montgomery last year as an instructor to new coach Gary Redus, but perhaps it was to get Nelson ready to run the Biscuits as manager.



OZZIE

Ozzie Timmons is a long shot, probably the longest shot on this list, but worth a mention due to his desire to manage at some point in the future.

Probably Oz is not giving up his MLB gig as a first base coach with Tampa but if they decide to really shake things up Timmons might be an option for the Biscuits manager spot due to his familiarity with the Southern League.


SOMEONE ELSE?
Lots of candidates are available and would be good for promotion to Montgomery. Jim Morrison took a year off for medical reasons, if he returns he might be the easiest fit, leaving the lower coaches basically the same as last year. High-A Port Charlotte skipper Reinaldo Ruiz could move up after his first season in the FSL. Stone Crabs coach Steve Szekely is another possibility.

Destino by Salvador Dali

HOLDING OUT ON YOU
Usually we begin the year with predictions of the roster, I will save that for next time and instead offer up a few historical gems that have turned up this offseason that I am really excited about.

HOT HISTORY FINDS!!!!

The Dept of Archives as digitized a slew of reconstruction-era newspapers from our area. These include a mix of southern and northern propaganda with a smattering of local news thrown into one column with the legal notices. The baseball clubs announce their meetings in the newspaper and offer some new names associated with these early teams.

And of course, advertisements of the era.

One story that caught my eye was the formation of a womens team in Pensacola, in June of 1867. Way earlier than one might have expected, and immediately subject to ridicule.

THE HOME TEAM

The formation of Montgomery's team is known to have taken place in 1867, so I was especially interested to find it mentioned. I was rewarded with several short articles, some primitive box scores, a slew of names and absolutely zero mention of the person I expected to find - Dr. A. T. Pearsall.

One of the gems is a box score of the first game between two local teams, The Pelham Club and the Montgomery Base Ball Club faced off, with the MBBC winning 52-30 in six innings.


The Merry Nine and the Montgomery Athletic Club also put together teams and face the Pelhams and MBBC in several matches around Montgomery in 1867.


There was one name I did notice associated with Dr. Pearsall. My original interest in the subject of Montgomery's first baseball team was generated by a post from John Thorn which includes a letter written by someone who named the New York Excelsior players pictured in an early image of the pioneering ball team thanks to a former player living in the south. The letter is referring to A.T. Pearsall as the player in Montgomery, and was written by Dr. Jacobi.

We see Jacobi listed as umpire in the first summer of organized baseball in Montgomery, adding that he is attached to the Manhattan Baseball Club. More research needed, but this is a hot bit of box score history.

We also find the first organizational meeting of the first Montgomery team chronicled in the local papers:

That was in the paper on May 3rd, 1867 wishing Montgomery "Base Ball" all success. There we are, the first organized team in Montgomery, just like that.

This actually really surprised me, as historians have errantly labeled Pelham the first Montgomery club, the boxscore article above clearly notes the MBBC as being "the older" of the two teams and repeats that statement throughout its coverage of baseball that summer.

Later that month, the MBBC find an opponent in the upstart Pelham Club. (to be noted, this is not Pelham the city, the name Pelham was a popular post-war name due to its anti-federal connotations. This Pelham club is a Montgomery team)

Before even the first game is played, the first injury....

The first game was on June 1st, its box score is the one above. It was a pleasure to find, though tough to read through all those old-timey newspapers!