The night before Opening Day. As usual, the Boeselager brothers, their general manager Martin Pitsch, and manager Troy Bujak sat in the Boeselager’s office in their own ballpark. They talked about the upcoming season and the work that still needs to be done but also chatted over some beers. All were excited to finally play baseball again, and none thought about last season’s disaster. However, all were aware of the hardships that the Brewers would face this year.
“The Gazette sees us at 49-71,” Karl Boeselager held up yesterday’s newspaper before throwing it in the paper bin. “They’re always off, but never that much.”
“I don’t understand,” Walt intervened. “We found the missing piece for our infield. Wasn’t that the key problem in the past two seasons?”
The missing piece was Caesar Scott, who came from Cleveland along with a first-round pick for Enrique Johnson. The 35-year-old elite defensive shortstop began his LBL career in 1906. He joined the Boston Banshees as a free agent, and after just 62 games, he packed his bags to head to Cleveland.
“We may have some issues with our rotation. David Moore reported that Winfield Clark was the only pitcher who showed improvement during the break,” Bujak sighed and rolled his eyes. “The rest let themselves go.”
Pitsch nodded. He punctiliously followed the team while Kirby Hocking, the club’s head scout, was busy scouting draft targets. None of the others in the room knew he was negotiating with a different club for a starting pitcher, but it would still take a while until Pitsch could report fulfillment. If at all.
“I’ve sent Miller to Langhorn and called Stephen up,” Bujak announced the last move before Opening Day. “I believe Miller will retire at the end of the season. He is not in shape.”
Pitsch nodded again. Bringing veteran Stephen Millington back was plausible. Bradley Miller, now 42 years old and twice the age of Winfield Clark, faced any athlete’s worst enemy: age. When Miller signed with the Brewers three years earlier, it was never meant to be more than a temporary solution. Temporary, as in one season. Miller turned out to be a gem. After 72 games, his ERA is at 1.79 with a 39-24 record. Three of his nine shutouts were against Richmond. It hurt Pitsch to see him in Langhorn and most likely not finish his career with 50 wins. Reinhold Rogers was also among those who didn’t come back better, but Bujak insisted on seeing how Rogers would do in the first couple of games.
“Have you made up your mind about the lineup? Or who will be among the starting nine tomorrow?” Bujak and Pitsch discussed this issue with the rest of the coaching staff. Ultimately, Bujak reminded Pitsch that the manager would file the lineup card, not the general manager.
“Not yet,” Bujak explained that they worked out several scenarios, but some positions were easy to determine.
Philadelphia’s rotation would field Winfield Clark, Stephen Millington, Lambert Holmes, and Reinhold Rogers. Arthur Haddow and Joe Hawley would be their relievers.
Charles Ayscue would sit behind the home plate most of the games. Although Frank Stilgoe was better with the bat, Ayscue was the better option for the defense.
Caesar Scott and Paul Butler were confident choices for shortstop and third base. Arnold Hill’s incredible bonus payment would be reason enough to start him at right field, while Ray Faulkner moved to center field to replace Enrique Johnson.
Leo McKenzie would undoubtedly start, but Bujak didn’t know at which position. For the past few years, McKenzie was a first baseman. In 1906, when he missed a whole season, the Brewers experienced the luxury of a solid defensive option at that position. Lionel Lyon, who recently retired, won the Golden Bat and the Grand Snagger awards at said position. Troy Bujak now considering starting Charles Greenhall at first base and move Leo McKenzie back to left field, where he played more than 600 games. If McKenzie stays at first base, Mose Rylance would be in left field.
Another blank spot on the lineup card was for second base. Alfred Gilling’s reign may end in favor of Eddie Bankhead. Gilling’s many back injuries became a handicap. It caused problems swinging the bat, and he became less adventurous with the glove. Although Bankhead’s defense was of slightly lower quality, he could be a significant improvement at the plate.
“It almost sounds like a luxury problem,” Karl commented on Bujak’s report. “And we have two first-round picks for the draft. Do you think trading Johnson was worth it?” Karl’s eyes wandered to his general manager.
“Johnson is a great batter, but considering our sloppy rotation, a better defenseman at shortstop might be equally valuable. The first-round pick convinced me in the end,” Pitsch paused. “Will Scott singlehandedly lift us to the postseason? I don’t think so. Unless Moore works his magic and brings back our 1906 pitching staff, I would have to make a few more moves.” Pitsch got up and grabbed his fedora. “Gentlemen, I have to excuse myself, but I must pick up an old friend at the station. He might be our new manager in Allenton.”