So Long, Farewell
August 5, 1907
Today, 40 year old Creighton Lucas, an icon in St. Louis baseball (having played for both the Beavers and the Reds) and a stabilizing member of the Brooklyn Whales in the wake of the 1902 game fixing scandal, was released by the Jersey City Chicks today.
The 13 year veteran was a lifetime .301 hitter with 374 RBIs, 11 home runs, and 263 SBs. He hit for the cycle once on June 2, 1895 against the Detroit Giants.
Lucas was acquired in 1903 by the Whales in a trade with the St. Louis Reds for IF/OF Lewis Nowell and a third round amateur draft pick. He had some of his best professional years at the plate in Brooklyn from age 36 through 39 when he hit .309/.388/.379 and served as a platoon bat at first base. His veteran leadership, mentorship and dedication to the craft of hitting helped countless young hitters in both Brooklyn and Jersey City develop and improve their games.
Lucas is seeking a new opportunity to sign on with another Legacy Baseball League team and reached an agreement with the Brooklyn organization to depart amicably. His keen batting eye and bat on ball skills could still play in the majors. When his time as a professional ballplayer is over, Lucas may find a second chapter in the Legacy Baseball League as a coach given his deep understanding of the nuances of today’s game after 13 years in the majors.
Welcome to the Big Leagues
August 5, 1907
After a successful season in the Reserve League, Jersey City manager Tommy Hershey and Brooklyn manager/GM Marques Williams have agreed that 2B/CF Elroy Soame has earned a spot on Brooklyn’s roster for Brooklyn’s push for a fourth Legacy Cup title.
Soame is a talented defender and both second base and center field and will primarily serve as a defensive replacement in the twilight of the 1907 season at each position. The glove already looks better than what the aging Ignatius Strawson brings at second base against righties—the predominant handedness of Eastern League Cup opponent Richmond’s pitching staff—and allowing Soame to relieve the veteran at second and allow him to slot back over to first base should be a positive for the Whales in any close games. Against lefties, Soame figures to see some time in center field where scouts say he may already be among the best defenders in the LBL. Soame will challenge for a starting role in centerfield in 1908 once he has had time to acclimate to life in the big leagues.
The Trials of Rehabilitation
August 7, 1907
Star Whales’ second baseman, Leander Witheycombe, suffered a setback in his recovery from a severely strained hip muscle. In an effort to return to the team for the playoffs, Witheycombe reaggravated the injury suffered on June 15th.
Originally expected to be able to resume practices after the conclusion of the Legacy Cup, Witheycombe’s fiery competitive spirit caused him to return to organized activities earlier than his body was ready. Now, the team’s training staff expects an additional month delay before Witheycombe can return. Prior to the injury, the Whales’ second baseman was enjoying a breakout campaign at the play with a .306/.381/.376 batting line and 47 RBIs (which is good for 8th on the LBL leaderboard despite missing 6 weeks of the season). The Whales have used a combination of Ignatius Strawson and Miles Gray to cover for Leander in his absence, but are hoping to enter the 1908 season with Witheycombe back at full strength.
Second Chances
August 12, 1907
Brooklyn Whales top 2B prospect Giovanni Luttrell rejoins the Jersey City Chicks after missing most of the season with a torn calf muscle, which he injured on April 8th.
Luttrell, the number 45 prospect in the LBL according to the mid-season rankings from the OSA, worked hard to get back into game shape after rehabilitating his injury. Jersey City coach Tommy Hershey is reportedly thrilled to have the exciting 23 year old switch hitter back on the roster, citing the youngster’s thrilling glove work and inspiring gap power. There had been some hope early in the season that Luttrell might be on the verge of joining the major league team in Brooklyn prior to his injury, but the lost time in 1907 means Luttrell will have to work harder than ever to make the leap from the Reserve League to the Legacy Baseball League in the near future.
Where There’s Smoke
August 12, 1907
Rumors are circulating that the Brooklyn Whales may be close to parting ways with their current captain Lucian Clark. Clark, a well-loved oddball that spends most games relaxing in the bullpen and most practices raising spirits around the clubhouse, has not been called on very often to take the mound over the last several seasons.
Since the Legacy Baseball League’s ban on smoking on the pitchers mound, the veteran’s performance has dipped. The gossip is that GM/Manager Marques Williams would like to add Jersey City star pitcher Flea Cooper to the roster to bolster an aging pitching staff. No word yet on whether a move is imminent, but the young groundballer could provide a jolt to the Whales’ group of pitchers whenever he does get the call.