On the 1951 Minor League circuit meanwhile, the Miami Sun Sox made a deal for the
former Washington Senators 3B/SS Gil Torres (then playing both the infield and
pitching ... 19 2B, .302; 7-13, 3.34) who had been one of the strongest players
/ pitchers in Havana. Along with Paul Armstrong (27 2B, 10 3B, 5 HR, .305) the
team had a few good bats. The pitching however was still good as last year's
24 game winner. Elisha Dean returned, though not nearly as impressive at 11-7,
2.72. The previous season's #4 pitcher, Arturo Seijas (10-8, 3.02) also returned.
They joined pitchers Richard Lovell (13-11, 3.34), Larry Ludtke (10-5, 2.80),
Robert Loddeke (8-5, 3.39) and Richard Spady (10-8, 2.95), combining for a pitching
staff that wasn't the previous season's powerhouse but good nonetheless.
The Sun Sox would finish at 77-61 (.568), in 3rd place. They would take on 1st
place Tampa in the 1st round, and suprised everyone with an upset, winning 3 games
to 1 to make it to the finals again. There they would face the St. Petersburg
Saints who were playing at Al Lang Field I. The Saints were to pitching what
Miami was in the season before... featuring 25 game winner Woody Rich and 22
game winner Hooks Iott. Just as Miami had the pitching to take it all the way in
1951, St. Petersburg had the hurlers to sweep Miami 4 games to 0, denying Miami's
chance for 2 in a row. Miami came in 2nd in attendence yet again, this time
to St. Petersburg, as they drew 128,000 to Miami Stadium. |