Southern accent

Somehow, I skipped right over the Midwest group. I meant to do these alphabetically. Well, I promised the South next so we’ll do that now, then go back.

Along with the Central, the South figures to be the most competitive of our groups. Good rivalries too with the SEC states well represented.

Size really doesn’t matter down here. Florida or Georgia might be the biggest but I think there is less difference top to bottom here than anywhere else. A pretty good team is going to stay home, and it might be tough to get a wild-card spot as well because there isn’t a weak team to beat up on.

1. Alabama. It’s a great time to be a Crimson Tide fan again, and the Yellowhammers should keep the good feeling going down there. I just can’t bet against Mays, Aaron and Paige.

2. Georgia. Extremely dangerous offense, with Cobb, Robinson, Gibson and whomever plays first. But I don’t know, even with Dick Redding, if the pitching is enough.

3. Florida. Really good outfield with Raines-Dawson-Sheffield, and Pop Lloyd is as good as it gets at shortstop. Pitching might be shaky behind Carlton.

4. Kentucky. Tough call between the neighbors but I think the Commonwealth is a little better at key spots (especially shortstop). On the bubble for the tournament.

5. Tennessee. I could see the Vols moving higher if the pitching holds up, because they will score some runs with Helton, Stearnes and Co.

6. Mississippi. Cool Papa Bell sets the table for Dave Parker, George Scott and others, but Roy Oswalt is about the only reliable arm around, unless Brett Favre retires again and joins this team.

Next: We’re down to the Midwest and the Southwest groups, plus we’ll look at our first exhibition results.

Home of the Slugger

Kentucky is known more for bluegrass and horse racing, and of course college basketball, but there’s a solid collection of baseball talent here.

Carl Mays’ pitch killed Ray Chapman in a 1920 game. The other connection is that they’re from Kentucky. Perhaps one or both would have made the Hall of Fame without that tragic incident.

But as it is, they aren’t the best players at their positions. Mays, while a top pitcher, isn’t the ace of the staff here. That designation belongs to Jim Bunning, who pitched a perfect game, had no-hitters in both leagues and has served as a U.S. Congressman and Senator.

Chapman probably won’t start at shortstop much with Pee Wee Reese here, though Reese could shift over to third base. The other Hall of Famer here is Earle Combs, who will man left or center. They are joined by standouts John Beckwith (who can catch or play third), Pete Browning, Paul Derringer, Jesse Tannehill and Bobby Veach. More recent players include Jay Buhner, Dan Uggla and a trio of Arizona Diamondbacks: Jon Rauch, Brandon Webb and slugger Mark Reynolds.

Browning, seen in the photo, deserves a whole post of his own. He was supposedly the man for whom the first “Louisville Slugger” was made in 1884. He’s one of the top players not enshrined in Cooperstown, winning three batting titles and finishing with a .341 average.

Aside from the Slugger nickname he was known as the Gladiator, apparently for his difficulty in handling fly balls. His post-baseball life was also difficult and he died at 44. One of the best things about this little project is remembering players like Pete Browning and shining a small spotlight on them once again.

Only three Kentuckians have been big-league managers. Two are players on the team, Fred Pfeffer and William Van Winkle Wolf, a boyhood friend of Browning who received the nickname of “Chicken” from Pete. That leaves Eddie Haas, whose only shot came in the 1985 season with the Braves when he replaced the fired Joe Torre. He played briefly in the majors and managed for a while in the minors. The season with the Braves went poorly and he only made it through 121 games before being fired. That was his only chance … until now.

KENTUCKY COLONELS

UT John Beckwith
OF Pete Browning
OF Jay Buhner
RH Jim Bunning
RH Howie Camnitz
SS Ray Chapman
OF Earle Combs
RH Paul Derringer
3B Travis Fryman
LH Woodie Fryman
OF Mike Greenwell
CA John Grim
LH Don Gullett
OF George Harper
1B Don Hurst
RH Carl Mays
2B Fred Pfeffer
RH Jon Rauch
SS Pee Wee Reese
3B Mark Reynolds
OF Stan Spence
LH Jesse Tannehill
2B Dan Uggla
OF Bobby Veach
RH Brandon Webb
RH Gus Weyhing
OF Brad Wilkerson
UT Chicken Wolf

Next: Tennessee.