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June 17th, 1929
Toronto Wolves (32-30): 6
Chicago Cougars (21-38): 1

W: Bert Flores (8-6)
L: Babe Wilder (2-6)

The first of four with the Wolves wasn't very promising as we didn't hit or pitch well. Babe Wilder allowed 8 hits, 5 runs, and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. Ed Woodward allowed a solo homer in the 9th. Barney Green was 1-for-3 with a double and walk. Mack Deal was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

June 18th, 1929
Toronto Wolves (32-31): 7
Chicago Cougars (22-38): 9

W: Ed Woodward (2-1)
L: Barry Wood (2-7)
SV: Ace McSherry (7)

A big 4 run 8th gave us the lead and evened up the series. Harry Simmons was 2-for-4 with a walk, RBI, steal, and 2 runs scored. Bob McCarty was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Barney Green was 2-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and RBI. Bill Ashbaugh was 1-for-2 with a sac-fly, steal, run scored, and two driven in. Joe Davis was 1-for-3 with a triple, 2 walks, and 3 RBI's. John Dibblee was 1-for-4 with a steal, walk, and run scored. Cotton Taylor allowed 5 unearned runs in 5.1 innings with 8 hits, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Ed Woodward went 2.2 innings with 3 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout. McSherry tossed a perfect 9th for his 7th save.

June 19th, 1929
Toronto Wolves (32-32): 3
Chicago Cougars (23-38): 6

W: Dick Kadlec (2-3)
L: Willie Couillard (6-5)

After 7 scoreless from Kadlec, he allowed 3 in the last two innings before finishing off the Wolves in the 9th. He allowed 9 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3 in the complete game victory. He's now thrown three consecutive complete games. Mack Deal was 3-for-4 with a double, steal, run scored, and RBI. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-4 with a two run home run. Bob McCarty was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. John Dibblee was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's.

June 20th, 1929
Toronto Wolves (32-34): 1
Chicago Cougars (24-38): 7

W: Dick Lyons (2-3)
L: Birdie Smith (6-8)

We're starting to heat up as we took three in a row to win the four game set over the Wolves. We've won 5 of our last 6 and will then welcome the Sailors for three before a three game break. Dick Lyons was near perfect, allowing just 1 unearned run with 5 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts in what should have been a complete game shutout. Bill Ashbaugh was 3-for-4 with a double, run scored, and two driven in. Harry Simmons was 2-for-3 with a walk, run scored, sac-fly, and triple. Art Panko was 2-for-4 with an RBI, 2 steals, and 2 runs scored. Mack Deal was 2-for-4 with a run scored and driven in.

June 21st, 1929
Philadelphia Sailors (40-21): 4
Chicago Cougars (25-38): 9

W: Russ Reel (5-3)
L: Johnny Douglas (5-5)

We just keep on winning! Somehow, we hit off rookie sensation Russ Reel and pushed his ERA over 2.00. Johnny Douglas looked like himself today, 8 strong innings with 1 earned, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. He allowed 9 hits and 3 of his runs were unearned. Harry Simmons was 4-for-5 with 3 runs, 2 RBI's, and his first big league home run. Bob McCarty was 2-for-3 with a run scored, walk, and RBI. Barney Green was 2-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI's. John Dibblee was 2-for-5 with a run scored and RBI.

June 22nd, 1929
Philadelphia Sailors (41-21): 5
Chicago Cougars (25-39): 3

W: Oscar Morse (5-1)
L: Cotton Taylor (4-6)

All good things must come to an end, and the better team won this match-up. Taylor allowed 9 hits, 5 runs, and 3 walks while striking out 3 in 5.1 innings pitched. Ed Woodward and Ace McSherry combined for 2.2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Luke Nixon and Barney Green were both 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Mack Deal and John Dibblee were both 1-for-4 with an RBI.

June 23rdd, 1929
Philadelphia Sailors (42-21): 14
Chicago Cougars (25-40): 1

W: Rollie Beal (6-4)
L: Babe Wilder (2-7)

Even though I didn't expect to win this series, I would've liked a closer finale then 14-1. Babe Wilder was terrible, allowing 2 walks, 13 hits, and 11 runs (9 earned) in just 3 innings. Vince DaCosta mopped it up for 6 innings, allowing 12 hits with 3 walks, 3 runs, and a strikeout. We only managed three hits, including a solo homer by Bill Ashbaugh in the 7th for our only run of the game. John Dibblee and Bob McCarty were both 1-for-4.

Stars of the Week
Harry Simmons : 28 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .393 AVG, .991 OPS
Bill Ashbaugh : 26 AB, 9 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .346 AVG, 1.015 OPS
Mack Deal : 27 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .333 AVG, .728 OPS

Looking Ahead
We're off for three games before we start a five game series with Toronto (33-34) who may be looking for a measure of revenge. Philly (42-21) has started to run away with the division and are 7.5 games ahead of Montreal (35-29) and 18 ahead of us. Brooklyn (28-36) sits 3.5 games ahead of us. Interesting enough, in the last 10 games, only us (6-4) and the Sailors (7-3) have a winning record in the CA. It's a little different in the FA as the first place Dynamos (42-22) are in the midst of an 11 game win streak and the Keystones (33-30), Chiefs (39-26), and Eagles (31-30) have also won more then they've lost in the past 10.

This seems like the halfway point in the season, and I'm actually pretty happy so far. April was awful (4-11), but we went 10-18 in May and are an even 11-11 to start June. Our pitching has been bottom three in every category except bullpen ERA where we are 5th, but we have a lot of guys pitching now (Wilder, DaCosta, even Douglas) that have just been flat out awful and aren't in the future plans. The offense is a little different, as we have the most steals in the CA (48-tied) and strike out the least (170). We don't walk, hit homers, or extra bases, but we sit 3rd in average (.296) and on base percentage (.349) as well as hits (655). We aren't scoring nearly enough (t-6th), but I care more about individual performances right now then team success as I sift through the younger guys to see who's in the future plans.

The best success this season has been Rule-5 Pick Harry Simmons, who we've thrown in at short and he's taken it on the fly. He has made his share of errors (like everyone in the league), but his zone rating is positive and he's hit really well. His .355/.403/.431 (106 OPS+) batting line is one of the best on the team and he sits 5th in the CA for batting average and 7th for OBP. He'll never hit many homers, but he's definitely a dependable hitter who has started to work his way into the future plans with his 9 steals and 27 RBI's an added bonus. Bob McCarty has already surpassed his plate appearance total last season and has a comparable .319/.387/.450 (106 OPS+) batting line. He's hit 2 homers, drove in 25 runs, and stolen 4 bases while playing an excellent center field (+5.8 ZR). And if WAR is your cup of tea, he's on pace for 5.4. He's made it real hard to promote George Jordan, who's been chomping at the bit in AAA.

On the pitching side, Dick Lyons is in the middle of the best season in his young career. He's 6-6, but with a 3.43 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts in 107.2 innings. The strikeouts are slightly down from where they were last year, but he's lowered his WHIP and ERA significantly as well. He now has a solid #2 behind him with fellow Dick, Dick Kadlec who's been great in his 5 starts since being recalled from Milwaukee. He's 2-3 with a 3.10 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 40.2 innings. I still need to find three more starters to place behind them, and it will be Ben Curtin's chance to take the claim.

I don't expect us to finish above 7th this season, but the progress our guys are making is excellent. Winning seasons may not be too far away for the North Siders, who recently saw crosstown rival Chiefs in the World Series last year.

Injury Report
We stayed healthy in the majors! We were a little less lucky in San Jose, as our #6 prospect George DeForest suffered shoulder inflammation and will likely miss the rest of the season. With the Cougars, he was 6-4 with a 3.81 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.53 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts in 87.1 innings pitched. Teammate and 3B Jack Peal will miss 1-2 weeks with a foot contusion while CF Pete Slater returned to the roster. We also lost another top prospect, Heinie Bretz, to a sprained elbow. He'll miss 3 weeks.

Transactions
I remade the pitching staff a bit today, with Ben Curtin and Charlie O'Hare taking the roster spots of Babe Wilder and Vince DaCosta who were both banished to AAA Milwaukee. Curtin will slot into the 4 spot in the rotation while O'Hare will return to the bullpen, for now. If Taylor has a few more rough starts, he'll end up in the bullpen or in AAA and O'Hare will be likely to take his rotation spot. Curtin, 23, will make his FABL debut after going 5-5 with a 2.83 ERA (141 ERA+), 1.34 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 95.1 innings pitched. A second round pick out of Omaha HS, he'll turn 24 on the 28th and will likely make his debut on the 30th. He's a groundballer who throws in the upper 80s to low 90s with a plus sinker.

Minor League Report

SP Hal Robinson (C La Crosse Lions): It's not too often you highlight a former 24th Round Pick, but Hal Robinson has taken advantage of a multitude of pitching injuries in our system and turned it into 11 quality starts with the Lions. The 20-year-old is 5-4 with a 2.64 ERA (128 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts in 85.1 innings. These are his first minor league starts, as he's usually been a filler arm taking up relief innings for levels needing a pitcher. He just got his second velocity bump of his career up to the 86-88 MPH range. He's not going to check in as a top prospect, but his stats have looked really nice so far this season.

SP Johnny Walker (C La Crosse Lions): It's the second shutout of the season for Johnny Walker, as this time it happened against the Dubuque Dukes, as he allowed just 2 hits and 4 walks with 8 strikeouts. He improved to 10-2 on the season with a 2.47 ERA (137 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 109.1 innings. Our 3rd Round Pick this year, Walker proved that he's ready for tougher competition, and he will join the Cougars to take the spot of the injured George DeForest.

LF Earl Johnson (AA Mobile Commodores): It's a little unfair for Johnson, as he's stuck in AA with Vince York starting for Milwaukee in AAA. Johnson took home Dixie League Player of the Week, going 13-for-29 with 6 RBI's to improve his season line to .329/.395/.523 (138 OPS+). He's hit 3 homers, stole 12 bases, and drove in 38 runs for Mobile. With no luck finding a taker for Art Panko, Johnson will be stuck in AA until I can solve my major league outfield situation as he's far too good to sit on the bench. He could, perhaps, be used as trade bait as we may try to move from out strength to shore up different positions.

Amateur Report

As I expected, the Opelika State Wildcats (who I covered Thursday) beat the Liberty College Bells in the College World Series. Even though they lost, the Bells have a lot of talented prospects that will find themselves professional ball players in the coming Decembers.

2B Jake Shadoan: He was good his first two college seasons, but the draft eligible junior really took the next step this year, hitting .473/.532/.779 (244 OPS+) with 16 homers, 16 steals, and 36 RBI's for the runner up Bells. His college career line of .389/.439/.646 (186 OPS+) with 38 homers, 34 steals, and 134 RBI's is one of the best lines you'll see in the upcoming draft. He does have a little versatility, with experience at first, second, third, short, and center, but second base his the position for him. With Ashbaugh as out second basemen for hopefully decades, Shadoan won't rank high on our draft board, but he should definitely be taken in the first round. He has one of the best pure hit tools for any college player with above average speed and power. He looks like a future superstar and I can see him making a quick jump to the majors if he gets selected by a team ready to win now.

LF John Collins: He's been more consistent the Shadoan as his .345/.427/.720 (199 OPS+) line was actually the worst of his career. The draft eligible junior launched 19 long-balls and drove in 68 runs to bring up his college totals to 56 and 166 respectively. His career .372/.463/.745 (221 OPS+) line is even better then Shadoan's, and his power potential is unmatched. Collins will never be able to play center, but he was a dependable defender in left this season. I think him and Shadoan may both be selected in the first round this year, with Collins maybe in the top 5 if a team that ends up there needs an outfielder. Like with Shadoan, however, we won't really be looking at him since we are pretty set with outfield prospects.

RF Joe Jones: Another absolute stud hitter who will be eligible for the draft this season after hitting .395/.475/.727 (215 OPS+) with 19 homers and 56 RBI's. This was easily the best season of his career, as his .323/.402/.567 (159 OPS+) line was dragged up significantly by his Junior year performance. He did hit 38 homers and drive in 131 runs, but he has no speed to speak of and he isn't the best defender in right. He's likely to be a liability wherever he is on the field, but he more then makes up for it with his power. I can see him getting a nice signing bonus by whoever takes him, but I can't see him taken in the first three rounds. I'm definitely keeping an eye on him, because unlike the first two guys I could see him falling in the draft.

SP Jim Trippe: Shifting to pitching for first year starter Jim Trippe, who went 10-2 with a 2.90 ERA (156 ERA+), 0.96 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. Despite reaching 90 with his fastball, Trippe didn't strike out too many batters and instead relied on his defense. He didn't walk many batters, just 7 all season, as he uses his elite command to get hitters looking more then swinging and he doesn't make many mistakes with his location. He's got two years left to lead the Bells rotation as they'll lose their four best hitters to the draft this season.

1B Al Murphy: He picked the worst season to slump, as his .309/.401/.495 (137 OPS+) line was easily the worst in his three year career. He did hit 10 homers and drive in 34 RBI's, but his .329/.403/.553 (155 OPS+) career line was much better before he started this season. He'll also likely end his college career with 30 homers and 114 RBI's. He has plus arm strength and also can play a little third base, but I think first is where he ends up long term. He draws a lot of walks and is developing his raw power. He's probably going to be the last of the four Liberty hitters drafted, and I can see him falling even further due to his position.

SP Lenny Bellucci: The Freshman lefty will make a nice 1-2 punch with Trippe as the offensive minded team will switch back to a pitching dominant team. He went 7-4 with a 2.87 ERA (157 ERA+), 0.99 WHIP, but just 23 strikeouts in 87.2 innings. What was more impressive was that he walked just 1 batter all year in his last regular season start. Could you guess who that one walk was? Maybe just the best hitter in all of college baseball Vic Crawford. Bellucci will thrive when he has a solid defense behind him as the ball is always put in play when he's on the mound. He needs to work on his stuff if he wants to be considered as a top pick when he can be selected in two seasons.