ROADRUNNERS LOOK AHEAD AFTER 2026 COLLAPSE
Expectations were high entering the 2026 season for the CliffMarkle Roadrunners. A demotion from Diamond to Gold, where they spent 3 years, had the team expecting a playoff berth and perhaps dreams of it's first Perfect Team championship. The year started well enough with the Roadrunners in contention for a wildcard spot at the all-star break and coming off a 17-11 month of June, but a dismal second half to the season left the club wondering what went wrong as they finished the season 8 games below .500 at 77-85.
Steve Carlton (17-12, 2.98) had an outstanding year but the rest of the rotation was a merry-go-round as the club gave 15 pitchers at least one start in a futile effort to find 4 other consistent starters. Defense was also an issue although the outfield was greatly improved with the early season addition of 75 rated Kenny Lofton, who also led the league in stolen bases. Robin Ventura earned a gold glove for his work at the hot corner but the rest of the infield was suspect defensively.
Aside from late season additions to the pitching staff in Dizzy Dean(89), Claude Passeau(88) and George Uhle(84) the only newcomer to the active roster for 2026 will be shortstop Larry Bowa. Alan Trammell (.300,21,80) led the club in hitting in 2025 but it was clear the club needed an upgrade at shortstop so Tram will DH a lot more this season allowing Bowa and his 94 rated defense to hopefully help the team.
The Roadrunners lineup for 2026 - at least to start the season
Code:
# POS NAME RT 2025 STATS
1 CF Kenny Lofton 75 .231, 57 SB
2 DH Alan Trammall 89 .300,21,80
3 RF Chuck Klein 84 .267,13,33 in 52 games
4 LF Willie Stargell 95 .291,39,84
5 1B Hank Greenberg 86 .243,33,94
6 2B Charlie Gehringer 92 .239,12,45
7 C Bill Freehan 96 .263,18,66
8 3B Robin Ventura 89 .269,15,56 won gold glove
9 SS Larry Bowa 67 rookie
PITCHING ROTATION
T NAME RT 2025 STATS
L Steve Carlton 98 17-12, 2.98 258k's
R George Uhle 84 3-0, 2.14 in 3 starts
R Dizzy Dean 89 3-5, 3.38
L Whitey Ford 88 5-9, 4.02
R Claude Passeau 88 3-7, 4.67