Learning to Fly
Biloxi Blues
A poor last third of the season for the Hurricanes kicked up a 17-31 record. Mostly caused by a tremendous offensive slump - pitching varied durning the slump from slightly below average to very good - David Washington's injury collapsed what had been a nicely functional offense to cream cheese.
Washington's injury pointed out the largest deficency from the Tempest's bats during 1972; a lack of significant power from anyone other than DW left the team dangerously open to slumps and a lack of big innings. Contributing factors include:
- Terry Warkentin's return to a midlevel offensive threat, rather than the 103 RBI performance in 1971.
- Superman Maldonado's development was not as advanced as hoped - lots of doubles, great CF play, enough to win him a Gold Glove - but only 12 dingers and a .246 BA.
- Shin Seo's road to nowhere began as his average, power and playing time diminished as Fermin 'Friar' Barrientos was brought up in August to take his firstbase role.
- The Cane's middle infield play once Washington pulled up in August ranged from poor to truly rank.
Middle relief not only was average at best but in the end cost the team its hoped for advance to the World Series, and David Mcbeth 10 million dollar salary brought in 13 losses and a 4.03 ERA along with his 16 wins. Other starters woes include Willie Coffey stepping in for Chad Nieman during his injury, and was a disaster during the slump, going 0-8 with almost a run an inning and 2 baserunners a frame. Doug Crossen also came back to earth after the all star break, which he nearly qualified for, going 1-8 at one stage. It wasn't always Doug's fault though, as he only got 3.4 runs a game through the season, and still managed 11 wins.
But on the Other Hand...
Chad Nieman had a nice sophomore season despite a season ending injury - he returned to the playoffs and gamely pitched through a evident amount of pain - and finished with a 9-6, 2.86 ERA.
He headed up the Children's Crusade during 1972. Significant contributors include: Maldonado 20, Nieman, Barrientos and MR Kerley, all 22, and middle infielder Ramos 23 who looks like a nice utility infielder. If Willie Coffey, 21, can shake off his poor debut the 'Canes have a nice base for next decade.
On the other side of the age spectrum, Dan Curcio shook off his early season doldrums and was very solid during the last half of the season and into the playoffs.
Into the Breach!
The Canes barely made the playoffs, blowing a 8 game lead with 3 weeks left to Bradford, but recovered to beat them by 3 games. Good thing too, as Homer would have beaten the Canes via tiebreaker.
But once they were in, they took advantage as they took out an outstanding Falls Church squad in 4, and despite losing to Homer in 6 in the WLCS, could have easily beaten the Yeti as the middle relief and the otherwise reliable James Gaston failed to hold leads in the eighth and ninth innings in 3 of the Yeti victories.
David Washington returned from his injuries to hit .300 and knock in 13 runs in 10 playoff games. Washington then bade his team he led to the edge of a Championship Series farewell as he decided to hit the Free Agent market.