August 3, 2005 -
Vol. XIII, No. 11, June 27, 2005
Texas League Directors Elect 12 to Hall of Fame
The directors of the Texas League elected 12 new members to the League’s Hall of Fame during a meeting on June 21 at Frisco. The new members join the 40 who were elected in the initial class in 2004.
The most notable of the new members may be Tim Ireland, who directed Frisco to a Texas League championship in 2004.
Ireland managed six seasons in the loop, taking three teams to the Texas League championship series, in addition to guiding teams to the final playoff round in five of the six seasons he was in the League.
Ireland managed El Paso, 1993-95, winning a championship in 1994 and winning both half seasons in his first two seasons in the league. He returned to the league in 2002 with Tulsa, where he guided the Drillers to the championship series, which they lost to San Antonio in seven games. Ireland led the Frisco franchise to the championship series both of their first two seasons in the circuit, winning the series versus Round Rock in five games.
In six Texas League seasons, Ireland’s regular season was 593-440, with a .554 winning percentage, one of the best in league history. He also had a post-season record of 24-13, .648.
Two other managers were elected on the 21st, Ellis Hardy and Al Vincent.
Hardy led Waco from 1911 through 1918, winning league championships 1914-16. He has the highest winning percentage of all Texas League managers with a .573 mark and an overall record of 593-440.
Al Vincent was one of the most respected managers in his era. Valued as both a teacher and a leader, Vincent has the distinction of winning Texas League championships with three different clubs, Beaumont in 1938; Dallas in 1946 and Tulsa in 1949.
A dependable second baseman and an average hitter through 1940, Vincent began his managing career at Beaumont, leading that club from 1937 through 1940. He led Dallas in 1946-47, Tulsa in 1948-51, returned to Beaumont in 1953 and finished his Texas League managing career in Fort Worth in 1954.
He led his team’s to post-season play in eight of his 12 seasons, compiling a record of 50-36, which includes a victory in the 1946 Dixie Series when Dallas swept Atlanta 4-0.
Vincent managed 1,879 games in the Texas League, winning 974.
Three players who appeared in just one Texas League season were also elected: Al Rosen, Sid Fernandez and Dennis Eckersley.
Eckersley, one of the newest members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was the Texas League right-handed Pitcher of the Year in 1974 when he was 14-3 for the San Antonio Brewers. That season, Eckersley led the loop in wins, winning percentage (.824), strikeouts (163), while completing 10 of his 23 starts.
Rosen, third baseman for the Oklahoma City Indians in 1947, had one of the finest individual seasons in league history. In his one season in the League, Rosen led in batting (.349), hits (1860, doubles (47), extra-base hits (83), RBI’s (141), total bases (330), slugging percentage (.619) and on-base percentage (.437).
Among the outstanding single games during the year were a four double performance on April 16 and an eight RBI game on June 29.
Rosen was elected as the player of the year following the 1947 season.
Sid Fernandez is one of just two Texas League pitchers that have won the pitcher’s “Triple Crown”, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. The league’s Pitcher of the Year in 1983 while pitching for the San Antonio Dodgers, Fernandez produced 13 wins, 209 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.28. Additionally, he is the last Texas League pitcher to strike out as many as 200 batters in a single season.
Four position players with long, distinguished careers were added to the Hall of Fame list: outfielders Howie Fitzgerald and George Whiteman, first baseman Jim Galloway and outfielder/umpire, John “Ziggy” Sears.
Fitzgerald, who spent nine seasons in the league, was a great hitter and a premier center fielder, having played there in over 1,100 games. He led the league in numerous fielding categories, including double plays by a center fielder twice.
Fitzgerald, who played for Wichita Falls 1924-30, Fort Worth 1931 and San Antonio 1932, hit over .300 six times, finishing his career in the League with a .308 average. He is fourth all-time in runs scored with 812 and tied for sixth place with 437 career extra-base hits.
George Whiteman, a member of some great outfields in the early part of the 20th century, is considered one of the finest outfielders of his era.
A member of the great 1906 Cleburne club, Whiteman played over 1,400 games over 11 seasons in the League.
During his career at Waco 1905, Cleburne 1906, Houston 1907-08, 1911-13, 1921-22, Wichita Falls/Galveston 1923 and Galveston in 1924, Whiteman gathered more outfield assists than any other player in the history of the loop.
First baseman Jim Galloway may have been the best switch hitter in the history of the Texas League, finishing his career in the League with a .316 batting average, 112 home runs and 662 RBI’s in 12 seasons, seven of which were full seasons. One of the outstanding players in the 1920’, Galloway his over .300 in six of his seven full seasons. A powerful and dependable hitter, Galloway seldom struck out.
Galloway palyed for the following cities: Shreveport 1910, Austin 1911, Dallas 1921-22, San Antonio 1923-24, Waco 1925, Beaumont 1926-27, Wichita Falls 1928-29.
John “Ziggy” Sears had two different, notable careers in the Texas League. First as a power-hitting outfielder, mostly for the great Fort Worth teams of the early 1920’s, then as a Texas League umpire who graduated to become an umpire in the National League for 11 seasons.
Sears was a dependable, and sometimes spectacular, hitter who had 102 home runs among his 444 career extra-base hits in League play. Of his total of 1,477 games in the outfield, 1,385 were played in left where he led the League in defensive statistics a number of times.
After his playing career, which included stops in Fort Worth (1918-27), San Antonio (1927), Shreveport (1928) and Waco (1928), Sears joined the Texas League umpire staff in 1929, where he stayed until called to the National League in 1935.
Among the special accomplishments of Sears’ career, the most notable may have been his 11 RBI game on May 19, 1925 versus San Antonio.
Sears is in the career top 10 in many offensive categories including runs (883, 3rd), hits (1,492, 5th), extra-base hits (444, 5th), total bases (2,176, 5th), singles (1,048, 7th), doubles (307, tie 3rd) and RBI’s (664, 7th).
Rounding out the new members of the Texas League Hall of Fame are pitchers Joe Martina and Dick Whitworth.
While Martina did not have a stellar career win-lost record in the League, he was blessed with a lively fast ball and was handicapped for most of his career by having to pitch with mostly second division clubs.
Martina, who was one of the most popular figures while with the Beaumont club, holds the Texas League career record for strikeouts with 1,412. He is also third in career wins with 158 and fifth in career ERA with a 2.93 mark. Martina’s two best seasons in the league came in back-to-back years with Beaumont when he was 28-13 with a 2.14 ERA in 1919 and 20-14 with a 2.88 ERA in 1920.
Martina played for the following teams: Beaumont 1912-16, Beaumont/San Antonio/Houston 1917, Houston 1918, Beaumont 1919-1920 and Dallas 1929.
Dick Whitworth pitched 12 complete seasons in the Texas League and holds the record for the most games pitched with 435. He is also tied for third in career wins with 158. A good fielding pitcher, Whitworth was also durable, pitching 170 complete games. He was on one first place club and three pennant winners.
Whitworth’s career was as follows: Houston 1926-28; Fort Worth 1929-34, Tulsa 1935, Oklahoma City 1936, Oklahoma City/Fort Worth 1937, Fort Worth/Dallas 1938.
EAST NOTES
Arkansas Travelers
June 23…Starter Daniel Davidson allowed three first-inning runs to Corpus Christi, but that was it in a 6-3 Arkansas win over the Hooks. Davidson improved his record against Corpus Christi to 3-0 this season. He is 3-3 against other Texas League teams. Tommy Murphy was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while David Gates drove in two runs to pace the offense in the win…June 24…Arkansas scored three runs in the first and never looked back in a 5-3 win over Corpus Christi. Reggie Willits was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Kendry Morales added two hits and an RBI to lead the offense. Starter Steven Shell (4-5) earned the "W", allowing three runs on just four hits in five innings. Closer Von Stertzbach pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season…June 25…After a 41-minute delay due to a power outage at Ray Winder Field, Arkansas scored eight runs in the following three innings to take an 8-3 lead. Corpus Christi then had a power burst of its own, notching a seven-spot in the eight inning, which led to a 10-8 Travelers loss to the Hooks. Alberto Callaspo, Mike Napoli, Tommy Murphy and David Gates all homered for Arkansas in the loss. Reliever David Austen made his Arkansas debut by pitching 2.2 perfect innings…June 26…Starter Tim Bittner allowed just four hits in five shutout innings, but Arkansas was shutout by Corpus Christi starter Jason Hirsh in a 4-0 loss. At the plate, Reggie Willits led the way, collecting two of Arkansas’ five hits.
Springfield Cardinals
June 23…Stuart Pomeranz earned his first Double-A win, allowing just five hits and two runs in seven innings in a 7-2 Springfield win over San Antonio. Pomeranz improved his record to 1-0. Shaun Boyd was 2-for-4, while Juan Diaz and Papo Bolivar each hit two-run homeruns to lead the offense in the win…June 24…Starter Jeremy Cummings (1-2) was lit up, allowing six runs on seven hits and three walks in just three innings of a 9-5 loss to San Antonio. Aaron Herr was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Tyler Minges and Papo Bolivar each had three hits in the defeat…June 26…Springfield pitchers were knocked around for 17 hits, including seven doubles and a homerun, in a 7-5 loss to San Antonio. Starter Randy Leek gave up most of the damage, allowing six runs on 13 hits and two walks, dropping his record to 7-4. Papo Bolivar, filling in at the leadoff spot for the injured Shaun Boyd, was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI to lead the offense in the loss.
Tulsa Drillers
June 23…In his last game for Tulsa, Ryan Spilborghs was 2-for-3, while Alvin Colina added a solo homerun, but the rest of the offense only had two singles in a 5-2 Tulsa loss to Midland. Starter Manny Ulloa (2-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, while striking out five in seven innings. Spilborghs was promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs the next day. Reliever Yusuke Arakawa pitched two scoreless innings to keep the game within reach…June 24…The Tulsa bullpen crumbled in the eighth inning, allowing five Midland runs, while wasting a fine effort by starter Sandy Nin in a 5-2 Drillers loss to the RockHounds. Nin allowed just six hits and two walks in 6.1 shutout innings. Jentry Beckstead (4-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on two walks and a hit in 0.2 innings. The Tulsa offense had only three hits in the loss against Midland starter Steven Bondurant and relievers Evan Fahrner and Alex Santos in the loss…June 25…Tulsa fell behind 4-0 after one inning and never recovered in a 4-1 loss to Midland. After allowing the four first-inning runs, starter Zack Parker (9-3) allowed just two hits in the next five scoreless innings. Relievers Gerrit Simpson, Ben Crockett and P.J. Bevis each threw scoreless, no-hit innings to keep within reach of the RockHounds.
Wichita Wranglers
June 23…Mitch Maier belted a fifth-inning grand slam, while starter Mike Stodolka baffled the Frisco offense over seven shutout innings of a 13-0 Wranglers rout of the ‘Riders. Maier was 3-for-6 with two doubles and the grand slam, while Josh Pressley was 3-for-5 with a homerun and three RBI in the win. Matt Tupman added four singles to the offensive onslaught. Stodolka (2-7) allowed just five hits, while striking out five and walking two in seven innings of work…June 24…Mike Aviles’ ninth-inning, two-run bloop single gave Wichita the lead for good and jumpstarted a four-run rally in a 6-2 Wranglers win over Frisco. Aviles finished the night 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. In relief of starter Brian Bass, Barry Armitage (2-1) earned the win, striking out three RoughRiders in two shutout innings of work…June 25…Mitch Maier hit a two-run fifth-inning homerun, but Wichita fell to Frisco 4-3. Reliever Thad Markray (3-3) took the loss, allowing just two hits and one run in 3.1 innings…June 26…Starter Kyle Middleton allowed three eighth-inning runs to Frisco, blowing a 4-3 lead in the process, in a 6-4 Wichita loss to Frisco. Red-hot Mitch Maier scored twice and was 2-for-4 to lead the offense in the loss.
WEST NOTES
Corpus Christi Hooks
June 23…Hector Giminez, Carlos Rodriguez and Mark Saccomanno each had two hits, but Corpus Christi still fell to Arkansas 6-3. Starter Phillip Barzilla allowed four runs on six hits and a walk in four innings, dropping his record to 1-3…June 24…Charlton Jimerson and Mark Saccomanno each went 2-for-4 with a homer, but Corpus Christi still fell to Arkansas 5-3. Starter Chris Sampson fell to 2-10 this year, allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings of work in the loss. Relievers Scott MacRae and Fernando Rijo pitched three no-hit innings to keep the Hooks within striking distance…June 25…Arkansas scored two runs in the fifth and three each in the sixth and seventh innings, taking an 8-3 lead, but Corpus Christi responded with a seven-spot in the top of the eighth, leading the way to a 10-8 Hooks win over the Travelers. Corpus Christi sent 12 men to the plate in the decisive inning, which included a pair of two-run singles from Wade Robinson and Tommy Whiteman. Whiteman finished 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Robinson was 3-for-5 with three RBI to lead the offense in the win. Reliever Jailen Peguero allowed three homeruns over 1.2 innings, but earned a gift-wrapped win after the Hooks’ seven-run outburst…June 26…Starter Jason Hirsh struck out eight Arkansas batters, while giving up just five hits in eight shutout innings of a 4-0 Hooks win over the Travelers. Mark Saccomanno was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI, while Mike Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with a homerun and two RBI to pace the offense in the win. Charlton Jimerson ran wild on Arkansas all game long, stealing four bags. The four steals brought Jimerson’s total steals for the year to 14.
Frisco RoughRiders
June 23…Frisco was shut down by Wichita starter Mike Stodolka in a 13-0 loss to the Wranglers. Starter Nick Masset (3-7) was lit up, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk in just 1.2 innings. At the plate, Jason Hart was a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk in the loss…June 24…Reliever Steve Karsay allowed five runs in just 1.2 innings of relief, dooming Frisco to a 6-2 loss to Wichita. Karsay’s effort ruined a nice outing by starter John Danks, who struck out six, while allowing just one run on four hits in six innings. At the plate, the ‘Riders’ offense could only muster up three hits, all in the fourth inning, against Wichita’s Brian Bass and Barry Armitage…June 25…Brandon Larson was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Seth Taylor added a two-run homerun in Frisco’s 4-3 win over Wichita. Wes Littleton earned the win in relief of starter Edison Volquez, allowing just one hit in three shutout innings…June 26…Vince Sinisi homered in his first Double-A at bat, then sacrificed in a run in the sixth inning of a 6-4 Frisco win over Wichita. Sinisi was 1-for-3, including a popout in the fourth, which ended his string of seven consecutive hits. Sinisi was a perfect 6-for-6 in his final Single-A game in Bakersfield. Seth Taylor and Joaquin Arias each had three hits, while Jason Hart doubled twice and drove in two runs in the win.
Midland RockHounds
June 23…Vasill Santos homered in his first Double-A game, while starter Dallas Braden was solid in a 5-2 Midland win over Tulsa. Braden, now 6-2, allowed just four hits and a run in six innings. He also picked off Tulsa baserunner Ryan Spilborghs at first base in the first and third innings, bringing his pickoff total for the year to eight. Closer Alex Santos earned his eighth save of the year, to go along with a 0.44 ERA, with a scoreless ninth. Jason Perry had two RBI, while Steve Stanley picked up where he left off before the break, going 2-for-3 with a walk to help lead the offense in the win… June 24…Starter Steven Bondurant allowed just one unearned run on one hit in seven innings, while Tulsa starter Sandy Nin shut out Midland for 6.1 innings in a classic pitchers’ duel. However, the RockHounds feasted on the Tulsa bullpen for five eighth-inning runs in a come-from-behind 5-2 win over the Drillers. Bondurant struck out seven Drillers on the night, while allowing only four baserunners in seven innings. Brian Stavisky was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI, while Steve Stanley, Mark Kiger, Jeremy Brown and Omar Quintanilla each had two hits to pace the offense in the win…June 25…Starter Drew Dickinson allowed just one hit and one run in 5.2 innings, while Jason Perry doubled in three runs in the first inning of a 4-1 Midland win over Tulsa. Reliever Shawn Kohn pitched the final two scoreless innings for his third save of the year.
San Antonio Missions
June 23 …Jesse Hoorelbeke hit a seventh-inning, two-run homerun off Springfield starter Stuart Pomeranz, but that was the only San Antonio run production in a 7-2 loss to the Cards. In relief of starter Jon Huber, Chris Key and R.D. Spiehs pitched three scoreless, no-hit innings. Jaime Bubela extended his hitting streak to 13 games in the loss…June 24…San Antonio pounded out 18 hits, with most of the damage coming on Jesse Hoorelbeke’s two-run, first-inning homerun and Nate Espy’s three-run, fourth inning blast in a 9-5 Missions win over Springfield. Jaime Bubela was 3-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 14 games, while Jesus Guzman, T.J. Bohn, Espy, Hoorelbeke, Gary Harris and Brian Moon each had multiple hits in the win. Starter Bobby Livingston allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings, improving his record to 7-3…June 25…San Antonio was three-hit by Springfield starter Chris Lambert over six innings, but the Cardinal bullpen allowed three runs in the seventh inning, leading to a 3-2 Missions’ win. San Antonio starter Juan Sandoval allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits in 7.2 innings, improving his record to 5-4. Jaime Bubela was 2-for-4 in the win, extending his hitting streak to 15 games…June 26…Gary Harris was 3-for-5 with a double and four RBI, leading San Antonio to a 7-5 win over Springfield. The Missions rapped out 17 hits, including seven doubles and homerun. Jaime Bubela extended his hitting streak to a San Antonio season-high 16 games with a 2-for-4 showing. Bubela is hitting .400 during his streak. Nineteen-year-old shortstop Adam Jones added two doubles and a run scored in the offensive onslaught.
TEXAS LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK, JUNE 20-27, 2005
Mark Saccomanno, Corpus Christi Hooks
Corpus Christi’s Mark Saccomanno has been named the Texas League Player of the Week for June 20-26, 2005. Saccomanno batted .444 last week (8-for-18), while slugging at a .889 clip in four games. Six of his eight hits in the shortened week were for extra bases, which included five doubles and a homerun. He also drove in four runs and scored twice as Corpus Christi split with Arkansas to begin the second half of the Texas League season. On June 26, Saccomanno was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in the Hooks 4-0 win over Arkansas. For the season, Saccomanno is batting .290 with 20 doubles, six homeruns (all since June 8) and 29 RBI in 68 games for Corpus Christi.
Houston selected the 25-year-old Houston native in the 23rd round of the 2003 amateur draft out of Baylor University. In Rookie ball in 2003, Saccomanno hit .324 with three homeruns and 24 RBI in 34 games with Martinsville. He followed up his successful Rookie campaign with a 22-homerun, 80-RBI showing at Class-A Salem.
June 20-26, 2005 Stats
.444 avg., .829 slg., 4 G, 18 AB, 8 H, 2 R, 5 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 0 K
TEXAS LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK, June 20-27, 2005
Jason Hirsh, Corpus Christi Hooks
The Texas League Pitcher of the Week for June 20-26, 2005 is Corpus Christi’s Jason Hirsh, who has been selected for the second time this season. Hirsh was also honored for the week of April 18-24. In his only start last week, Hirsh baffled Arkansas for eight shutout innings, allowing just five hits and two walks, while striking out eight Travelers in the 4-0 Corpus Christi win. For the season, Hirsh is 5-6 with a 3.68 ERA. In 88 innings, he has given up only 73 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 76 batters. Opponents are hitting a scant .225 against the right-hander this year.
The 6-foot-8 Santa Monica, Calif. native was drafted out of California Lutheran University in the second round of the 2003 MLB draft. In two years with Tri-City and Salem, the 23-year-old was 14-8 with a 3.60 ERA and struck out 129 in 162.1 innings.
June 20-26, 2005 Stats
1-0 W-L, 0.00 ERA, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
TEXAS LEAGUE ALUMNI REPORT
El Paso Diablos
Syracuse first baseman Kevin Barker (‘97-’98) hit three homeruns and had 13 RBI from June 13-20, both tops in the IL…Colorado Springs’ Tim Olson (‘01-’03) has ridden a roller coaster to and from Colorado in recent weeks. He was optioned to Colorado Springs by the parent Rockies June 12, but was recalled June 17. Olson's latest stay in Colorado lasted just two days, though, as he was sent back down when pitcher Dan Miceli had his contract purchased by the Rockies June 19…Sacramento’s Jack Cust (’00) hit just .200 in Sacramento’s last 10 games through June 20. Cust ended the week mired in a 2-for-13 slump…Tucson had three players ranked among the top 10 hitters in the PCL for games June 13-20. Andy Green (’03) ranked fourth with a .500 average, while Matt Kata (‘01-’02) (.452) and Conor Jackson (’04) (.414) were ninth and tenth, respectively…Tucson starting pitcher Bill Murphy (’04) gave up just two hits and one earned run in a win over Salt Lake on June 14. In his previous four starts, Murphy had given up 25 hits and 20 earned runs in three losses and a no-decision.
Frisco RoughRiders
Louisville shortstop Santiago Perez (’04) hit .500 in five games ending June 20, good for third-best in the IL in that time…Oklahoma’s Rashad Eldridge (‘04-’05) hit .480 in seven games ending June 20, tied for sixth-best in the PCL…On June 19, Oklahoma starting pitcher Wil Rodriguez (’05) left with an elbow injury after striking out the only New Orleans batter he faced.
Jackson Generals
Pawtucket first baseman Roberto Petagine (‘92-’93) entertained media from a New York-based Japanese television program on June 17. Petagine won three Japanese Gold Gloves at first base, won two homerun titles and was the 2001 league MVP after hitting .322 with 41 homeruns and 127 RBI…Iowa outfielder Trenidad Hubbard (’91) hit .333 in 10 games through June 20, making him the only everyday player on the club to hit over .300 in that time…Omaha’s Chris Truby (‘98-’99) hit a two-run homer, the first of three ninth-inning homers in a row by the Royals in a come-from-behind win over Round Rock on June 17.
Midland RockHounds
Indianapolis’ Graham Koonce (’92) hit .526 the week ending June 20, second-best in the IL in that span, with two homers and eight RBI…Syracuse’s John-Ford Griffin (’02) batted just .205 in 10 games through June 20…Sacramento starting pitcher Seth Etherton (’98) had not allowed a run in his last 14.2 innings, spanning two starts, through June 20.
Round Rock Express
On June 17 San Francisco purchased the contract of pitcher Brandon Puffer (’01) from Fresno…Round Rock’s Mike Coolbaugh (’03) hit .234 in Round Rock’s last 10 games through June 20, with three homers, eight RBI and five runs scored. Outfielder Luke Scott (’04) hit just .162 during the same span.
San Antonio Missions
On June 2, Norfolk added infieler Jose Offerman (’89) after the veteran Major Leaguer was signed by the parent New York Mets to a Minor League contract…Salt Lake was hitting .308 as a team in 18 contests through June 20, averaging 6.3 runs per game. Luke Allen (‘98-00) led the way with seven homeruns, 17 runs scored and 16 RBI in that time.
Shreveport SwampDragons
Rochester’s Boof Bonser (’02) struck out 13 Indianapolis htters on June 12, then followed that up by fanning seven Toledo Mud Hens on June 18. Bonser moved into second place in the IL strikeout race with 83 through June 20…Fresno leftfielder Doug Clark (‘99-’02) hit .480 in six games through June 20, sixth-best in the PCL, with two homers, six RBIs and nine runs…Fresno lost a pair of outfielders when the parent Giants promoted Todd Linden (’02) and Adam Shabala (‘01-’02) on June 13.
Tulsa Drillers
Syracuse closer Matt Whiteside (’92) led the IL in saves while pitching for Richmond last year. He has started to round into a similar form in recent weeks as he picked up three saves from June 13-20 and had a save in seven of his last nine appearances through the 20th…Toledo first baseman Carlos Pena (’00) hit .342 in 10 games through June 20, with a homerun and seven RBI.
Wichita Wranglers
On June 14, outfielder Alexis Gomez (‘01-’02) was called up to Detroit from Toledo…Memphis’ Raul Gonzalez (‘96-’98) has hit .359 in 10 games through June 20, with four homers, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored…Omaha pitcher Jimmy Gobble (‘02-’03) was called up by the parent Kansas City Royals on June 20…Omaha’s Justin Gemoll (‘03-’04) and Chad Santos (‘03-’04) each hit homeruns in the ninth inning of a come-from-behind win over Round Rock on June 17. The Royals totaled four homeruns in the ninth…Sacramento starting pitcher Jimmy Serrano (’04) had won his last two starts, giving up only one run in his last 14 innings through June 20… Once J.P. Howell (’05) left High Desert, he took off. The left-hander, who began the season as a Mavericks starting pitcher, made his Major League debut on June 11 with the Kansas City Royals and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks. Howell raced through the Royals' farm system in just two months, making stops along the way at Double-A Wichita and Triple-A Omaha.
THIS WEEK IN TEXAS LEAGUE HISTORY
June 27, 1936 …Tulsa topped San Antonio 12-11 when Stan Shino’s single in the bottom of the 10th inning drove in the winning run. The Tulsa win overshadowed a huge offensive effort by San Antonio shortstop Sig Gryska who had nine RBI’s for the Missions. Gryska’s heroics included a three-run homer in the seventh inning and a grand slam in the eighth that tied the game at 11. Tulsa’s Babe Howell also distinguished himself in the game, hitting a first-inning grand slam, and finishing the game with five RBI’s. June 28, 1953…Donald Swartz was a one-man wrecking crew as he pitched and batted Beaumont to a 12-7 win over Shreveport. Swartz helped himself in his complete game victory over the Sports by driving in seven of his club’s runs. Three of his RBI’s came on a bases-loaded double, while the others were the result of a pair of two-run singles. June 29, 1955…It was a field day for Oklahoma City as they routed Tulsa 13-5. One day after striking out 14 times against Tulsa lefty Jules Hudson, Indians’ starter Frank Barnes exacted a measure of revenge by striking out 15 Oilers. Earl York led the 16-hit OKC attack with a perfect 4-for-4 night, which included a double, home run and four RBI’s. Mike Clark chipped in with five RBI’s for the winners, three of which came in the Indians’ seven-run fourth inning when he blasted a bases-loaded double. June 30, 1956…Houston slugger Pidge Browne pounded three homers and drove in five runs in a game against Oklahoma City. However, his power surge was not enough to prevent the Buffs from absorbing a 13-7 loss at the hands of the Indians. July 1, 2003…Wichita overwhelmed Arkansas 19-3, scoring 17 of their runs in consecutive innings. The Wranglers scored nine runs in the sixth and eight in the seventh, sending nine men to the plate before an out was recorded in each of the big frames. Norris Hopper had the big stick for Wichita, driving in five runs with three singles. Oddly, all but two of Wichita’s hits were singles, while Arkansas had four doubles and a home run. July 2, 1964…Charlie Spell pitched all 13 innings as he hurled Albuquerque over Fort Worth, 8-2. The Dukes exploded for six runs in the top of the 13th, including a grand slam by Don Williams. Spell gave up just nine hits and one walk over his 13 innings on the hill, while striking out 12. July 3, 1896…Fort Worth collected 17 hits and took advantage of nine Dallas errors on the way to a one-sided 20-1 win over the Navigators. Fort Worth leadoff man John Bammert reached base five times in the contest, coming around to score each time. He also led all hitters in the game, collecting a triple and three singles in five times to the plate.
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