In 1911, the Pittsburgh Oilers had finished in 1st place yet again under the manangership of GM Tyler Saylor, bringing the Oilers to what is now a Back-to-Back Playoff appearence in a stunning turnabout of events for a team that had a history of medorcity. Despite their Playoff loss against the St. Louis Reds, the Oilers are looking to here and now and potentially five seasons down the line as they prepare in Spring Training to sharpen up for the year. Sportwriters nationwide who had been closely eyeing the League finished writing early predictions which had the Oilers finishing in 3rd place with a 68-52 Record, behind Cleveland and St. Louis.
The Oilers’ rotation is lead by their Ace Pitcher John Oxenden who finished the 1911 Season with 23 Pitching Wins, a 2.06 ERA and a 7.0 WAR season; this preformance naming him the Pitcher of the Year for the Western League. Coming into his 10th year of service as an Oiler, many in the organziation hopes for him to continue his magic for him to hopefully win himself another Trophy, although the Front office had been carefully planning ahead to find and develop a Pitcher to carry on the mark that Oxenden is already making for himself.
The other notable starter in the rotation was 37-Year-old Veteran Carey “Carney” Wilford, who was sometimes found on the field getting into a heated argument with the Umpire whether the Slider he’d thrown was counted as a Ball or a Strike. He came off of a career WAR of 6.1, a statistic unseen in his career since in his 1902 season, a 2.44 ERA and a 83 FIP- over 30 games last season. While Wilford may have a motor mouth, likely from his upbringing growing up in Atlanta, but whenever he takes the mound there is a sense of a command at his wake for his advanced age.
In the outfield, there is longtime Oiler Centerfielder, Charles Bird. He had recently won a Grande Snagger Award for his Defensive Prowness in the Outfield measuring an 8.0 ZR. At the age of 37, he’s showing some signs of regression but still has some fight left in him after finishing with a 3.7 WAR season
While older players such as Wilford, Bird, and Oxenden take Spring Training to sharpen up their skills, Spring Training is also a time for the youngster players in the Pittsburgh Farm to hone their skills in hopes to join the team in the regular season. Take Outfielder John Parker, for instance. He was an 8th round selection in the 1909 draft and last season he had got the mid-season call up and in what would be his rookie year, a .338 average, OPS+ of 149, .414 OBP and a 1.1 WAR season in over 48 games. While it is not uncommon for a rookie to fall into a sophmore slump, but the Oilers hope that Spring Training can at least mitigate it.
Other Yongsters of note is 3rd year player Theron Bennent, who last season had a statline .311 avg/.386 obp/.450 SLG with a 3.0 WAR season. “I think I’m getting the swing of things now, I was a bit shaky last season but now after a full season, I feel ready to win”, said Bennent.
There’s also Leroy Earnshaw who has became the Starting 3rd Baseman for the Oilers. Despite being in the Majors for 1 year, he has impressed players and fans alike with his 3.0 ZR at 3rd base and his 300+ Batting average and 121 OPS+ in his starting year. Earnshaw may be known for not being a full-effort worker but his stats say otherwise for his rookie year.
Players who are not regulars on the Oilers Roster, but had been invited onto the Spring Training Roster are: OF Dewit Avery, OF John Parker, OF John Rodgers, 1B Mason Igoe, 2B Joesph Andrews, RP Shelby “Reverend” Glenister who were all acquired via the draft whereas 1B Armando Chavez was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Hialeah College with an invite to Spring Training.
Despite that a feeling of urgency in the Front Office of planning ahead to draft and groom young players to take in the reins ahead for the day that Oxenden, Bird, Wilford, or even James Knight retires. No one cannot deny the Oilers had turned a new leaf in 1909 and in 1910. Some might call it luck, others called it draft work paying off. Some say Mr. Saylor, who used to be in charge of his old team the Boston Shamrocks had a moment of epiphany when he realized in words, his old team was here the whole time; they’ve just gone by the Pittsburgh Oilers now. While he also complained that their early prediction record for 1912 was ‘Less than ideal’ but not even he can’t deny that this team of his is made for success for what might be years to come.