Trapped in the Basement: The Philadelphia Phillies (1942 - )

NOVEMBER 23

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Philadelphia Inquirer

PRIMARY SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN JAIL
Fallenstein committed suicide, DA 100% sure this time

Ed Fallenstein, the primary suspect in the murder of Phillies pitcher Jack Kraus, was found dead this morning in his jail cell. Apparently, a friend had baked him a cake with a nail file embedded inside, which was intended for his escape. However, Fallenstein used the file to stab himself, according to his fellow inmates.

He left a long suicide note:

"I was bitter when the Phillies cut me. I was bitter when the Braves cut me. So I went to see Judge Landis, and he gave me a job spying on teams. Making sure they were staying within his control. He gave me a codename, ‘F’, and a brand new life. I did that for about 8 years. Everything was going great, until I stumbled upon the new Phillies ownership. The jacka**es found me out, and ratted me out to the Commissioner. I was now jobless, homeless, and penniless. I spent 2 years plotting my revenge, and finally the perfect time arrived. It was a shame my friend Jack had to die for my cause, but it was a noble sacrifice on his part. It had to be done. That b*st*rd Walsh and his cronies were a threat to baseball. I had to do my duty to prevent them from reaching the top. I won my battle, but lost the war, and so I must end it all.

I regret nothing, except that the insolent jury will most likely find me guilty, so I must end my life the way I ended Jack’s. My spirit will continue to haunt the Phillies organization, cursing them for all of eternity. My quest will not be complete until the job is finished."

Despite searching the entire confines of the prison, the warden and his guards were unable to find a body. “While we can’t find the body, there are a lot of other things we’d rather be doing, so we don’t think it’s that big of a deal”, said a City Police official.

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And so this long, twisted tale of betrayal, bitterness, and murder comes to a close. Finally, we can put this matter behind us and focus on baseball.

[Look at the next comic in the the people who kill baseball player in their dynasties]

Catknight:I'm going to kill barry bonds in my dynasty
PatatoOfCoach23:I'm going to kill one of my pitchers!!
:Dlol:D

RIP - Ed Fallenstein
12/22/1908-11/23/1944

DarthJaker: Hi, I'm Potato, and I'm a death-a-holic... :D

AthleticsFan2k8: Yes, it is truly the end of an era. Next time I hire a spy, I'm doing a background check!

1944 WINTER MEETINGS
DECEMBER 7-10

DECEMBER 7

Elizabeth has been feeling a little under the weather, so I left her back in snowy Philadelphia, as I made my way to Miami for this year’s Winter Meetings. Nick said he might meet me down here, but I don’t think he will. He’s been less and less reliable as of late. I think he’s seeing someone.

Back on track, the cocktail party this year was decent. Nothing too special, except Richard Zimmerman got trashed and started dancing on tables. Aside from that, not much happened.

DECEMBER 8
PART I

Both leagues met separately today. The National League meeting was where the excitement was.

First off, the financial reports were due today. Amazingly, only 2 teams turned a profit: Cincinnati and us (Ed.’s Note: so that’s how they could sign Stan Musial!). The Cardinals had actually gone into debt, which is why they couldn’t resign their outfield. The league gave the Cardinals a $12,000 loan to pay back by 1950, and everyone was pleased.

Next, I presented plans for our new, city-financed open air stadium on the east bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Franklin Stadium, as it will be called, is a baseball-only, 40,000 seat stadium, with state-of-the-art services to our loyal fans. The dimensions from left to right are 325-375-415-380-330. The official groundbreaking will be held in April, so the stadium can be ready for 1946.

In uniform news, the Braves will be changing their home jerseys.

From a script ‘B’ on the left side of the jersey…

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5...veshomeeh9.jpg

…to pinstripes, and the word “BRAVES” spelled out across the torso. Also note the Indian head on the sleeves.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9...veshomeig9.jpg

Not a bad change in my book. You know, pinstripes might work for the Phillies, although I’m not sold on the blue ones. Maybe red?

Anyways, here’s our uniform, the same one since 1941, just for your reference.

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/2...niformswo5.jpg

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Eddie Gaedel should be your next spy!

RedsoxRockies: that's not a bad idea...

CORRECTIONS DEPT:

It should be noted that St. Louis Browns pitcher Elden Auker compiled a 3-28 record this season, breaking the AL record for most losses in a single-season. So, congratulations?

A positive record was set by St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ted Wilks. He recorded a 17-5 record, setting a new Major League record 17 wins by a relief pitcher. He also recorded 12 saves in a setup role for the Cardinals. So a whole-hearted congratulations to Ted on his accomplishment!

One final note: the single-season Saves record has fallen. Boston Red Sox reliever James Atkins and St. Louis Cardinals closer Gordon Maltzberger both set a new standard this season with 25 saves. Congratulations James and Gordon!

DECEMBER 8
PART II

The reason we were all here, of course, was to talk about expansion. We had voted during the middle of the year in a secret ballot, and now we would get to hear the results.

Ford Frick took control.

“Only four cities managed to get multiple votes, so let’s isolate those 4.

“The four remaining candidates are:

Los Angeles
Dallas
San Francisco
New Orleans”

“Now wait a minute”, Branch Rickey interrupted, “I thought that we were going to expand to 2 teams. Why all this discussion about four cities?”

“Branch, I was thinking: we could expand to 2 cities, then move franchises to 2 others. I’m thinking we expand with Phil in LA and that Gilbert guy in New Orleans, then we move, say, Boston and New York to Dallas and San Francisco!”

“Wait a minute, Ford.” I had to interject. “I know you’re excited and all about expansion, and I know that I am too. Heck, I’m sure that every man in this room today would love to see the NL expand to 10, even 12 teams some day. However, we need to face reality here. Just an hour ago, we had to grant a loan to the Cardinals. Only 2 of our teams actually finished in the black this season. While I agree with your plan for expansion, I am a realist in the sense that we need the league to be on firm footing before we stretch ourselves too thinly.

“We have already voted, but we haven’t informed any of the press corps, any of the A.L. owners, or even Commissioner Chandler. I say that if we promise a city a team by, say, 1950, then we have plenty of time to get the league back on track, and still keep our expansion plans intact.”

“That’s mighty profound, Andrew”, said William Benswanger of the Pirates. Ironically, this was the first time I’d ever heard the man speak more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Benswanger continued: “I know that the Pirates are often considered a second class team to most of you. I understand that we have to spend money to make money, but I feel that the costs are getting a little out of hand. Mr. Walsh is absolutely correct in his statement. We should wait until the league is further stabilized. The promise of a team will give the ownership groups a deadline, and at the same time give them plenty of time to set any outstanding details.”

“Well, you two have certainly changed my mind.” Ford Frick reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.

“The winners of the voting were Los Angeles and Dallas.”

“Ford, those two cities are awfully far apart. How are we going to cope with travel costs?” Bob Quinn of the Braves spoke up.

“That’s what I wanted to ask you about. Both New Orleans and San Francisco also received multiple votes, and both are closer alternatives. So what we’re going to do is to make a package deal: we’re going to vote again, this time for either Dallas or Los Angeles. If you vote for Dallas, you are voting to add New Orleans and Dallas to the National League. If you vote for Los Angeles, you are voting to add L.A. and San Francisco. Does everyone understand?”

8 heads nodded in agreement.

“Alright, we’ll start with you, Phil. I assume you’ll be voting for Los Angeles?”
“That is correct.” Phil Wrigley would be in charge of the new LA team. It seemed unlikely that he would vote against himself.
“Bob Quinn, how do the Braves vote?”
“Dallas.” Quinn was clearly worried about travel costs, and it was cheaper to travel to Dallas than to LA.
“Horace [Stoneham], how about New York?”
“Los Angeles.”
“Branch, the Dodgers?”
“Los Angeles.”
“Powel, Cincinnati votes…?”
“Dallas.”
“Sam [Breadon], St. Louis.”
“Dallas.”
“Will, Pittsburgh?”
“Dallas.”
“Andrew?”

It was down to me. I could go with the majority and vote for Dallas, or I could elongate the process and vote for Los Angeles.

“Gentlemen, I always imagined baseball to be America’s game, so I must vote for a league which truly encompasses America. Los Angeles.”

“We have a 4-4 tie…”

“Actually”, Sam Breadon interrupted, “change my vote to Los Angeles.”

“Okay, we have a vote of 5-3 in favor of Los Angeles and San Francisco! Now, what year should we promise them for?”

“How about 1950? That seems like a good round number.”

“Then tomorrow, we’ll announce that we plan to expand to 10 teams by 1950!”

*

It turned out that our A affiliate Memphis team did not want to re-up with us, so I managed to sign a team from the Carolina league, the Greensboro Patriots. We agree to a one-year deal with the Patriots to become our new A team.

*

Coach, I guarantee you that Seattle will get a team by 1952. Just don't kill me, please!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13

NOVEMBER 23
Originally Posted by Philadelphia Inquirer
PRIMARY SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN JAIL
Fallenstein committed suicide, DA 100% sure this time

Ed Fallenstein, the primary suspect in the murder of Phillies pitcher Jack Kraus, was found dead this morning in his jail cell. Apparently, a friend had baked him a cake with a nail file embedded inside, which was intended for his escape. However, Fallenstein used the file to stab himself, according to his fellow inmates.

....

Despite searching the entire confines of the prison, the warden and his guards were unable to find a body. “While we can’t find the body, there are a lot of other things we’d rather be doing, so we don’t think it’s that big of a deal”, said a City Police official.

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Do we possibly have a mystery here? Did he die and the prison lose the body or did he fake his death somehow and fool the guards and fellow prisoners (or are they in on it) into thinking he was dead? Guess we just have to stay tuned. :)

eick: nice catch! I should know better than to try and sneak stuff like that past you guys.

Also, sorry about the influx of posts. I kinda want to get to the end of the calendar year (1944), so once I start the 1945 season, I'll get back to regular schedule of about 1 a day.

And if I can make your viewing experience better in anyway possible, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! If you guys need something that I'm not giving you, I'd be more than happy to oblige.

And as always: thanks for reading!

DECEMBER 9

“I can’t believe you went around my back to expand!”

It was an unseasonably warm day in Miami, made even hotter by the rage of Commissioner Happy Chandler. Ford Frick had made the announcement today that the National League was planning on West Coast expansion by the end of the decade, and Chandler was steamed about it.

“I am the commissioner of baseball! I deserve to know these sorts of things! I’m the one that makes these decisions, not you owners!”

“Mr. Commissioner, sir. I thought that you’d be pleased to know that we took the initiative to do this ourselves!” Ford Frick was trying to put a positive spin on the situation.

“Mr. Frick, sir, I was not amused. I feel that baseball is just fine the way it is, and changing the game will negatively impact the players, coaches, and us. Therefore, it is my decree that baseball will not be expanding in 1950 or any other time as long as I am Commissioner!”

*

DECEMBER 10

Today’s press conference was a disaster. Commissioner Chandler had to revoke the statement made yesterday about expansion. We all had to sit there and agree with him. This was a huge P.R. mess. Although the league may be in financial trouble, it is important that we continue to add new fans of the game, and I don’t see a better way then to bring a team to a new city.

I pulled my car up to my apartment, and got the messages from the desk. One in particular caught my eye: from Elizabeth, asking for me to see her as soon as I got back. I hopped back in my car and drove west.

*

I pulled up in front of Elizabeth’s house at around 9 PM. I had spent the whole day driving from New York to Philadelphia to West Chester. I was dog tired, and I dragged myself to her front door.

“Andy! Oh thank goodness you’re here! Listen, I have something to tell you…you might want to sit down for this…”

“Lizzie, what’s going on?”

“Andy,” she paused for what seemed like an eternity, “I’m pregnant.”

*

Yep, I was going to be a father. It hadn’t quite sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will soon. The baby is definitely mine. There is no question about that. However, the prospect of having a child was just too much for me to handle right now. I just need some time to think.

*

DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve. I certainly couldn’t think of a better moment. The air in downtown Philadelphia is celebratory, and I’m feeling particularly jovial tonight. Elizabeth and I were at a party hosted by the city of Philadelphia. It was around 11:50 when we decided to leave. I grabbed our coats, and we left. As we walked through the dimly-lit streets of Philadelphia, the countdown began.

10…

I looked deep into Elizabeth’s eyes.

9…

She looked back into mine.

8…

I reached into my jacket pocket. Yep, it was still there.

7…

I pulled a small, felt-covered box from my pocket and put it at my side.

6…

I got down on bended knee in front of her.

5…

“Elizabeth…”

4…

“Will you marry me?”

3…

I opened the box, exposing a small, diamond-set ring.

2…

Her eyes welled with tears, as she looked down at me. I could see her searching for the right word.

1…

“Yes!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13

“Lizzie, what’s going on?”

“Andy,” she paused for what seemed like an eternity, “I’m pregnant.”

*

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I don't think nicknames were so popular in the '40s, Potato. Might want fix that possible historical inaccuracy!

you should get married in las vegas by elvis! He should be cheap since he was not popular at that point

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedsoxRockies

you should get married in las vegas by elvis! He should be cheap since he was not popular at that point

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That's because Elvis was nine years old. :p

Oooh! Think of the memories! Married by a 9 year old!

"You're now married! Ew! Can we go play now?"

lol :)

Coach: Historical accuracy be d***ed!

RedsoxRockies: I good idea in theory...

Coach: ... but yeah, there's that tiny obstacle :D

CatKnight: I think that's every woman's dream: getting married by a preteen :p

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I really didn't want to post something tonight, but I'm so excited about the first Celtics championship in my lifetime, so I'll give you guys a little taste of 1945!

GO CELTICS!!!

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FEBRUARY 1, 1945

“I do.”

And with that, perhaps the most hastily-prepared shotgun wedding had come to a conclusion. Andrew and Elizabeth Walsh. That definitely has a nice ring to it.

And with that, it’s off to the Caribbean for 20 days for our honeymoon, then it’s back to work: Spring Training is just around the corner!