Memorial Stadium Chris Hawes (112-104) Franchise (112-104) History: 69: lost EDC 70: lost EWC 71: lost EWC 72: lost WS 73 Rankings 2nd hitting 6th pitching
LINEUP
Bench c 119 Yastrzemski 1b 139 Grich 2b 116 Belanger ss 61 Evans Da 3b 156 Garr lf 97 Smith Reg cf 150 Paciorek rf 92
BENCH
Goodson 3b 112 Harris of 90 Hernandez Ja ss 68 May M. c 104 Mota of 108 Schaal if 118
PITCHING
Lee 146 Burris 135 Messersmith 129 Hough 127 Billingham 113 Bradley 99 Hall T. 99 Norman 96 Culp 90
PITCHING
Lee 146 Burris 135 Messersmith 129 Hough 127 Billingham 113 Bradley 99 Hall T 99 Norman 96 Culp 90
NOTES
The Rochester NY area is not only famous for the Erie Canal and the flour mills of the late 1800's but it is also the home of the Flour City Hop Devils. That's right, the team who has made 4 playoff appearances in 4 consecutive seasons.
Some interesting story lines this year...
Johnny Bench... what can you say ?? In my book, the greatest catcher in baseball history. I was the starting catcher at a small Catholic high school here in Joplin Mo and idolized Bench. Bench is an example of the America dream coming true. The kid from the small town in Oklahoma spent his 20s in the MLB giving every catcher in America a clinic on how to catch. Injuries eventually took their toll but he was something to behold in his heyday. He anchors the Hop Devils with a 119 OPS+ and a -2 arm rating.
The key to this team is the outstanding hitting. Carl Yastrzemski, Reggie Smith, Darrel Evans and Bench will subdue any hot shot pitcher in the league. The overall depth on the team is also impressive.
The pitching staff is led by the most eccentric pitcher in the league. Bill Lee aka Spaceman always gave baseball scribes plenty of dissertations on any subject known to man. He checks in with a 146 ERA+ and should have had many more successful years until he injured his arm in a brawl with the Yankees.
Flour City will enjoy watching Lee take the mound.
The rotation of Lee, Burris, Messersmith and Hough is credible and should take advantage of a high level of run support. The bullpen is an open question and it will take all of Hawes' managerial expertise to avoid exposing this weakness.
The numbers say the Hop Devils will win the Eastern Division title and make another appearance in the World Series. Who knows what will happen in the tournament of randomness but the Hop Devils have a great shot at winning it all.
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