So for nearly two months I've searched and searched with limited success. The newspapers went mute on the subject of the time-traveling Donovans, but in recent days I did manage a few breakthroughs.
No word on how they came to complete the roster, but I did find the rest of the position players and pitching staff in an update to the team website. First, though, I'd like to share the craziest discovery of all: a file photo (below) which looks like it belongs with a yet-unfound news article. I'd argue this is a greater find, though, as the picture and its caption unveil a lot. We get a glimpse at the team uniforms and some indication that the genes carrying my likeness will be well-preserved in the coming generations...
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| AP PHOTO - Members of the Time-Traveling Donovans baseball team (L to R): player-manager "Wild Bill" Donovan, owner Donovan Moxley VI, and major free-agent addition Patsy Donovan. The Donovans unveiled their home and road uniforms, while a scruffy "Wild Bill" suggested his new beard would set a "team standard" and he would be a featured player for the team in addition to his managerial role. |
From Official Website of the
All-Time All-Donovans (www5.donovans.com):
LF: Rich Donovan Berry
Scouting: .188/.316/.219 in the Major Leagues. Berry was a sparingly-used member of the 1969 Philadelphia Phillies. His inconsistency at the plate - extremely patient one inning and swinging wildly later in the game - prevented his becoming established. There was just barely enough Donovan in his name to allow for this opportunity at redemption in time-travel baseball.
CF (Platoon): "Wild Bill" Donovan, Tom Donovan
Scouting: Despite only playing 37 career games in the outfield and fumbling one fielding attempt in every ten, "Wild Bill" Donovan will roam center most days for the Donovans. When "Wild Bill" gives himself the nod on the mound, he will be replaced by the yet less experienced, yet less dependable glove of Tom Donovan. Tom's 18-game career with the 1901 Cleveland Blues resulted in a .254 average, making him a viable DH candidate or good-hitting pitcher (yes, he'll pitch too) as the situations arise.
RF: Patsy Donovan
Scouting: .301/.348/.355 in the Major Leagues. Easily the Donos' star player, Irishman Patsy Donovan batted .301 over a 17-year career. Averaging less than a homer a year, he will likely hit for average and be a base-stealing threat at the top of the lineup.
Pitching Staff: "Wild Bill" Donovan, Dick Donovan, Tom Donovan, Donovan Osborne, "Tame Bill" Donovan
Scouting: "Wild Bill" - otherwise known as team manager and part-time center fielder for the Donovans, makes himself the team's first option on the mound. Next in line, and arguably more reliable, will be 3-time journeyman All-Star Dick Donovan. Tom Donovan, Donovan Osborne, and Bill Donovan will round out the rotation. In order to distinguish himself from his namesake, Bill initialed a nickname clause in his contract agreeing to go exclusively by "Tame Bill" for as long as he should don the gray, blue, and beard.
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| The Donos' most recent additions - outfield and pitchers - appear in red. |
...Stay tuned for the finale, where I share the details of the All-Time Donovans line-up and their team schedule with probable starters.
Factual/statistical information and photographs provided by baseball-reference.com
