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

The writer put down his pen and glanced at his work. It was long, about 38 pages worth of fanciful stories, epic contests, and wacky exploits. He stood, still looking at the pages before him.

There was no need for him to go any further.

However, something deep inside him drove him. He grasped for his pen, sat back down, and began to scrawl away at his page.

*

That's right! After 2 (long) weeks of seclusion in the wilderness of Wyoming, I have returned. I'm planning on getting this back up and running over the course of the next few days, what with the Olympics and me still being on the d***ed Mountain time schedule. Thank you for your patience, and hopefully you're all anxious to hear more about Andrew Walsh and his Phillies!

PoC

He LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, that came out long. You would think it would build down, not keep going.....

RedsoxRockies: Good to be back! And yeah, I was a little astonished at the length of that. Well, at least we learned something today! :D

END FREE AGENCY 1946

Code:

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BEST HITTERS
01. 2B Bobby Doerr (94)[27] - 7Y/$35,000
        Signed 10/15 by Boston (AL)
02. RF Tommy Holmes (94)[28] -

03. 3B Bob Kennedy (93)[25] - 2Y/$26,100
        Signed 12/7 by Boston (NL)
04. RF Augie Bergamo (93)[28] -

05. RF Hank Edwards (90)[25] -

06. LF Culley Rikard (88)[31] -

07. CF Sid Gordon (87)[28] - 2Y/$21,900
        Signed 10/26 by Philadelphia (AL)
08. 1B Babe Young (87)[30] -

09. 1B Luke Easter (86)[30] -

10. LF George Case (85)[29] -

11. 1B Jimmie Foxx (74)[38] - 2Y/$1,900
        Signed 3/28 by Washington

BEST PITCHERS
01. SP Johnny Podgajny - 2Y/$19,600
        Signed 1/2 by St. Louis (NL)
02. RP Steve Gromek - 2Y/$10,500
        Signed 1/31 by Detroit
03. SP Joe Haynes - 2Y/$14,600
        Signed 11/13 by St. Louis (AL)
04. SP Gene Lambert - 3Y/$26,800
        Signed 10/13 by New York (AL)
05. SP Phil Marchildon - 3Y/$19,100
        Signed 10/13 by Detroit
06. RP Joe Page - 2Y/$10,900
        Signed 11/2 by Chicago (NL)
07. SP Red Ruffing - 2Y/$26,700
        Signed 10/13 by New York (AL)

---

Pitching was in high demand this offseason, as evidenced by the large number of talented position players still unsigned as the season begins. I hope that all of them find teams that want them, because they are too good to be sitting on the scrap heap.

Johnny Pod remains in the NL, watch for more No Hitters :D Glad Bobby Doerr is staying in Boston!

Will you manually sign them to teams that need help?

RedsoxRockies: Well, to be honest, Tom Yawkey had no intention of bringing back Doerr, until he realized that he's Ted Williams' best friend. Needless to say, Tom had to react to keep his superstar happy. :D And I'm not too worried about Johnny Pod. The Cardinals are miserable, and the winds of change are starting to blow. He's reverting to the Philly Johnny Pod!

3RunHomer: If the price drops to the correct level, then yes, I will try and get them to weak teams. But that's a long way off.

MARCH 31, 1946

World War II was over. There shouldn't be any storm clouds on the horizon. And yet, baseball was preparing for one of it's biggest confrontations.

In what appeared to be a showdown between the National League and the Commissioner, the first shot has been fired. I could barely believe the news myself.

*

Ford Frick stood at the podium in his New York City office. He was used to giving this type of speech: one that would ultimately dissappoint a few people. He had worked for Landis, after all. A former journalist in his own right, he felt comfortable with all the microphones in front of him. However, today's speech would be like nothing he had ever done before. Insubordination was not his style. As president of the National League, though, his duty to the owners he represented far outweighed his own sense.

"Thank you for coming. I'd like to keep this short, so I'll save questions for later."

He pulled a folded piece of paper from his suit jacket pocket. He pressed the paper against the podium, adjusted his glasses, and started to read from the prepared script.

"After long discussion with the owners of the National League, I have found that they are unhappy with the current state of Major League Baseball. Their wishes to expand from 8 to 10 teams have been suppressed by Commissioner Chandler, and they have had enough of it. Therefore, unless the Office of the Commissioner meets our demands, the National League will break away from Major League Baseball, and become our own independent league."

The gauntlet has been thrown.

*

How will you manage that in Mogul?

Mogul doesn't care.

First, in this era the AL and NL are still mostly seperate entities that happen to agree to a championship every year. All Frick's really threatening to do is disavow Chandler.

In game, should the NL break, all Potato would have to do (correct me if you had more in mind, Potato:)) is ignore/untoggle the All Star game, and ignore the World Series.

Great plot twist, Potato! Glad to see you back :)

How can you go against someone named Happy? :p

But seriously great story development.

RedsoxRockies: Only time will tell. I guess you'll have to keep reading!!!

CatKnight: Welcome back yourself! And congratulations! You appear to have hit the nail on the head. Although, it'll probably just be an organizational split. If I know my fellow owners, we're way to competitve to let the World Series go by the wayside.

OregonDuck1989: It's not as hard as you think... :D

And, if you are truly from the University of Oregon, I must ask you: you excited for the Olympic track events to start?

***

I sat at my desk, taking care of some final business before the season began, listening to the radio. From 100 miles away, the scene sounded chaotic. Even I was confused as to what just happened. Did Ford just threaten to secede from baseball? We never talked about this in any meeting. I had to give him a call.

"Major League Baseball."

"This is Andrew Walsh. Can I speak to Ford Frick please?"

"He's busy right now, can I have him call you back?"

"Sure."

And now, I play the waiting game...

***

Ah I am not truly from U of O but my father is and my Uncle and a few people I know at college at Colorado-Denver are from the U of O

but I am excited for track. I love track and swimming in the olympics probably more then anything.

Go Tyson Gay!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OregonDuck1989

Go Tyson Gay!

---

Yeah, about that...go Walter Dix! :D

Usain Bolt was extremely impressive though. If he hadn't slowed up near the end, he could've run a sub-9.6 time!

***

Ford Frick made his way back to his office. The big wooden doors slammed behind him, shutting out the flashbulbs of the cameras. No doubt the Commissioner would be after him. He had, after all, just declared war on baseball. But the owners had left it up to him to solve the problem. He had spent 3 full months trying to figure out the best way to go about it. The conclusion? There was no good way. So he had to go with the most effective.

He got back to the waiting room outside his office.

"Mr. Frick?", his receptionist said, "you have 8 messages."

Uh oh.

Dang you Tyson! Dix was impressive too. If he hadn't had such a sloppy start he might have pushed Bolt he came back from last.

OregonDuck: I don't know. I honestly don't think I could've caught "Lightning" riding a ten-speed!

*

And now for something completely different...

*

1946 OPENING DAY ROSTER

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages: your defending National League champions, the 1946 Philadelphia Phillies!

CATCHER

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
21        C        Andy Seminick        25        93/96        .261, 22 HR, 69 RBI
9        C        Bill Peterman        24        76/78        .222, 0 HR, 4 RBI

---

Andy is one of the best in the game, and Bill provides a steady hand in his limited duty. With nothing in the pipeline, this looks to be the dynamic backstop duo for years to come.

FIRST BASE

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
14        1B        Gil Hodges        21        89/90        .256, 26 HR, 91 RBI
33        1B        Ed Murphy        27        79/80        .257, 0 HR, 10 RBI

---

Still only 21 years old, Gil has made a name for himself as one of the best power hitters in the National League. Ed is a consistent pinch-hitter and a very capable back-up. Look for Dale Long in a few years.

INFIELD

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
7        2B        Don Kolloway        27        86        .287, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 15 SB
5        3B        Vern Stephens        25        95        .256, 23 HR, 76 RBI
10        SS        Phil Rizzuto        28        93        .287, 0 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB
2        2B        Danny Murtaugh        28        79        .229, 0 HR, 11 RBI
8        3B        Ty LaForest        28        80/88        .274, 0 HR, 6 RBI

---

Kolloway provides much-needed offense to a weak position. Stephens is a complete hitter and a terrific fielder. Rizzuto returns to the top of the order to wreak havoc on opponents. Murtaugh and LaForest are great defensively and can be called on to hit in a jam. Keep an eye on 2Bman of the future, Nellie Fox.

OUTFIELD

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
17        LF        Nick Goulish        29        90        .281, 8 HR, 61 RBI
23        CF        Larry Doby        22        84/89        .278, 19 HR, 95 RBI
4        RF        Ron Northey        25        92/94        .252, 15 HR, 53 RBI
20        OF        Butch Nieman        28        84/88        ROOKIE
24        OF        Leon Culberson        26        79/83        .286, 0 HR, 11 RBI

---

Goulish remained his consistent self, while Doby is ready to follow his breakout season with another great one, and Northey looks to rebound from a down campaign. Nieman gets his first taste of the bigs, and Culberson is one of the better reserve outfielders in baseball. Down on the farm, Jackie Jensen is proving himself to be a professional hitter.

STARTING PITCHERS

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
36        SP1        Robin Roberts        19        87/94        25-6, 2.39 ERA, 130 K
28        SP2        Tommy Hughes        26        86/93        14-11, 2.55 ERA, 101 K
18        SP3        Charlie Ripple        25        90/94        12-6, 3.58 ERA, 165 K
31        SP4        Harvey Haddix        20        81/94        ROOKIE

---

2 Cy Young award winners and a runner-up. Add a highly-touted rookie, and you have arguably the greatest young rotation in baseball history.

BULLPEN

Code:

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##        POS        NAME                AGE        OVR/PK        1945 STATS
15        MU        Dick Mauney        26        88/90        2-4, 3.54 ERA, 24 K
40        LR        Al Gerheauser        28        85/86        0-0, 4.50 ERA, 3 K
42        MR        Ken Gables        27        84/85        3-4, 4.15 ERA, 5 SV
27        SR        John Fick        24        77/93        2-2, 4.79 ERA, 1 SV
25        SR        Hugh Casey        32        82        5-6, 4.75 ERA, 1 SV
45        SU        Ed Hanyzewski        25        85/86        8-5, 2.74 ERA, 7 SV
12        CL        Ike Pearson        28        84        5-3, 2.68 ERA, 21 SV

---

Hanyzewski and Pearson form one of the game's most dangerous late-inning combos, while the rest of the bullpen looks to improve on last season's numbers.

COACHES

Code:

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##        NAME                COACH
21        Andy Seminick        Player-Manager
3        Chuck Klein        Hitting Coach
41        Walter Beck        Pitching Coach
2        Danny Murtaugh        Player-Bench Coach

---

PROSPECTS TO WATCH
The best at each position

SP – Jake Thies (C Greensboro)
SP - Bill McCahan (A Utica)
SP – Bob Trice (D Clearwater)
C – Bob Finley (A Utica)
1B – Dale Long (C Greensboro)
2B – Nellie Fox (C Greensboro)
3B – Nick Picciuto (A Utica)
SS – John O’Neil (B Wilmington)
OF – Johnny Blatnik (A Utica)
OF – Hal Jeffcoat (C Greensboro)
OF – Jackie Jensen (B Wilmington)
RP – Don Grate (A Utica)
RP – Charley Schanz (A Utica)

"Ford, what the h*** was that about!?"

I had finally gotten hold of the National League president. Not surprisingly, the other NL owners were just as livid and confused as I was.

"Andrew, relax. I expected you of all people to realize it's a massive bluff."

"A bluff?"

"Yes, like the one you used on Landis to integrate baseball back in '42."

I had forgotten about that. When Judge Landis stepped outside his bounds (in my opinion), I counterattacked with the bluff that I would have the Phillies leave the National League. I was soon followed by more established (read: powerful) owners, putting the Judge between a rock and a hard place. He was forced to cooperate.

"But Ford, that was different. I was fully aware of what I was doing back then. I didn't know what to expect from you at that podium today..."

"Look, it's very simple! All of you [owners] agreed at the Winter Meetings that something should be done to ensure our proposed expansion, and you all agreed to my proposal that I'll take care of everything. I spent the entire winter thinking it through, and guess what? There was no easy way to do it. So I had a decision to make: let down my constituents, or put myself on a limb to get what I wanted. I chose the latter. I have no regrets, but I can't say the same for everyone else."

"Ford, I just don't want to leave the National League..."

"What's the difference? We're practically separate entities to begin with. If anything, this whole situation will bring the leagues closer together, because Happy will be afraid of a split ever happening. You'll have to trust me that everything will work out."

"Okay, but only because it's too late to back out."

"Great. Now if you'll excuse me, I have 7 other owners I have to appease."

*

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13

"Ford, I just don't want to leave the National League..."

"What's the difference? We're practically separate entities to begin with.

---

Oooh, we're leaving the NL altogether? Hmm...what are our options? Can't be the AL. Federal League was done. Union in the 19th c....no...no....

How about the Frick(ing) League? :)

^ A good idea, but that was a typo on my part. I meant to say "Major Leagues". I got a little excited about hearing that "To Rule" might be coming back... :D

1946 AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW
All stats are 1945, unless noted

1. NEW YORK YANKEES
1945: 108-46 (1st, World Series Champion)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1945 (16)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1945 (11)

1946 PREDICTION: 94-60
MANAGER: Bucky Harris (1st season): 1677-1689 (4 PEN, 2 WS)

Code:

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SS Pee Wee Reese - .324, 9 HR, 70 RBI, 122 R
3B Harlond Clift - .282, 9 HR, 69 RBI
LF Charlie Keller - .263, 21 HR, 89 RBI
CF Joe DiMaggio - .349, 22 HR, 131 RBI
2B Joe Gordon - .251, 18 HR, 96 RBI
1B Garth Mann - .280, 12 HR, 74 RBI (with Cubs)
RF Tommy Henrich - .283, 10 HR, 63 RBI
C Bill Salkeld - .264, 20 HR, 81 RBI

SP Tiny Bonham – 24-4, 2.14 ERA, 80 K
SP Red Ruffing – 11-11, 3.61 ERA, 105 K (with Phillies)
SP Vic Raschi – 13-3, 3.44 ERA, 91 K
SP Spud Chandler – 15-7, 3.79 ERA, 101 K
SU Bert Shepard – 4-9, 3.11 ERA, 50 K, 4 SV
CL John McGillen – 6-5, 3.35 ERA, 68 K, 3 SV (with Athletics)

---

2. BOSTON RED SOX
1945: 89-65 (2nd, 19 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1918 (6)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1918 (5)

1946 PREDICTION: 91-63
MANAGER: Joe McCarthy (1st season): 1938-1120 (11 PEN, 8 WS)

Code:

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CF Dom DiMaggio - .309, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 104 R, 20 SB
RF Ival Goodman - .243, 2 HR, 44 RBI
2B Bobby Doerr - .305, 25 HR, 117 RBI
LF Ted Williams - .340, 48 HR, 127 RBI
1B Mike Schemer - .314, 2 HR, 28 RBI (with Giants)
3B Billy Johnson - .241, 14 HR, 67 RBI
C Clyde McCullough - .258, 5 HR, 48 RBI
SS Johnny Pesky - .243, 2 HR, 31 RBI

SP Tex Hughson – 17-9, 3.05 ERA, 114 K
SP Dizzy Trout – 18-10, 2.98 ERA, 144 K
SP Sid Hudson – 12-12, 4.07 ERA, 102 K
SP Gene Lambert – 6-9, 3.86 ERA, 76 K (with Phillies)
SU Jack Robinson – 1-0, 6.35 ERA, 6 K
CL Vern Curtis – 7-4, 2.86 ERA, 64 K, 13 SV

---

3. CLEVELAND INDIANS
1945: 85-69 (3rd, 23 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1920 (1)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1920 (1)

1946 PREDICTION: 83-71
MANAGER: Luke Sewell (1st season): 224-348

Code:

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2B Steve Biras – .289, 0 HR, 1 RBI
RF Paul O’Dea – .235, 0 HR, 3 RBI
1B Herb Conyers – .314, 4 HR, 47 RBI
LF Jeff Heath – .309, 22 HR, 96 RBI
C Joe Tipton – .215, 1 HR, 24 RBI
CF Roy Weatherly – .316, 7 HR, 44 RBI
3B Ed Wheeler – .283, 1 HR, 12 RBI
SS Jackie Price - .239, 0 HR, 3 RBI

SP Jim Bagby – 8-12, 3.13 ERA, 65 K
SP Mel Harder – 15-12, 4.05 ERA, 98 K
SP Allie Reynolds – 12-8, 3.97 ERA, 130 K
SP Al Milnar – 3-3, 3.53 ERA, 26 K
SU Earl Henry – 2-3, 2.70 ERA, 22 K, 2 SV
CL Ed Klieman – 4-3, 1.56 ERA, 20 K, 16 SV

---

4. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
1945: 78-76 (4th, 30 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1919 (4)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1917 (2)

1946 PREDICTION: 75-79
MANAGER: Jimmie Dykes (13th season): 878-942

Code:

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3B Jimmy Grant - .265, 4 HR, 55 RBI
RF Bud Sketchley - .269, 6 HR, 26 RBI
1B Neill Sheridan - .223, 4 HR, 41 RBI
LF Roy Cullenbine - .256, 8 HR, 72 RBI
CF Vince DiMaggio - .240, 6 HR, 26 RBI (with Phillies)
C Aaron Robinson - .219, 0 HR, 4 RBI (with Red Sox)
SS Eddie Miller - .190, 3 HR, 46 RBI
2B Ray Mack - .220, 0 HR, 14 RBI

SP Ed Lopat – 17-8, 2.62 ERA, 90 K
SP Jim Tobin – 12-8, 3.47 ERA, 67 K
SP Schoolboy Rowe – 10-17, 3.18 ERA, 98 K
SP Lefty Gomez – 14-17, 4.50 ERA, 144 K
SU Johnny Humphries – 7-3, 3.05 ERA, 3 SV
CL Charlie Cuellar – 10-7, 2.41 ERA, 3 SV

---

5. WASHINGTON SENATORS
1945: 68-86 (6th, 40 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1933 (3)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1924 (1)

1946 PREDICTION: 74-80
MANAGER: Ossie Bluege (4th season): 220-242

Code:

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LF Stan Spence - .251, 14 HR, 93 RBI
RF Chet Laabs - .247, 7 HR, 36 RBI
CF Walt Chipple - .302, 7 HR, 49 RBI, 16 SB
1B Mickey Vernon - .336, 18 HR, 85 RBI
3B Pinky Higgins - .272, 4 HR, 58 RBI
C Phil Masi - .253, 3 HR, 57 RBI
SS Johnny Berardino - .240, 2 HR, 29 RBI
2B Whitey Wietelmann - .235, 3 HR, 26 RBI (with Indians)

SP Early Wynn – 12-11, 3.69 ERA, 139 K
SP Bobo Newsom – 5-6, 3.74 ERA, 67 K
SP Ray Scarborough – 6-5, 3.68 ERA, 27 K
SP Virgil Trucks – 4-4, 3.98 ERA, 54 K
SU Dale Alderson – 7-5, 3.79 ERA, 8 SV
CL Luis Aloma – 4-6, 4.13 ERA, 2 SV

---

6. DETROIT TIGERS
1945: 70-84 (5th, 38 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1940 (6)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1935 (1)

1946 PREDICTION: 73-81
MANAGER: Steve O’Neill (4th season): 392-437

Code:

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CF Barney McCosky - .353, 1 HR, 27 RBI
RF Bob Elliott - .289, 12 HR, 82 RBI
1B Rudy York - .289, 3 HR, 10 RBI
C Roy Campanella - .240, 34 HR, 128 RBI
LF Ned Harris - .298, 19 HR, 85 RBI
3B Jim Tabor - .354, 4 HR, 38 RBI
2B Red Borom - .293, 0 HR, 30 RBI, 12 SB
SS Bobby Bragan - .229, 1 HR, 27 RBI

SP Hal Newhouser – 7-13, 4.37 ERA, 131 K
SP Brett Mathews – 12-12, 4.83 ERA, 75 K
SP Charlie Wagner – 11-11, 3.94 ERA, 91 K
SP Dutch Leonard – 12-7, 3.04 ERA, 91 K (with Senators)
SU Gordon Maltzberger – 10-8, 3.59 ERA, 6 SV
CL Joe Orrell – 7-3, 2.68 ERA, 11 SV

---

7. ST. LOUIS BROWNS
1945: 53-101 (8th, 55 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: NONE
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: NONE

1946 PREDICTION: 65-89
MANAGER: Richard Zimmerman (2nd season): 53-101

Code:

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SS Merl Combs – .207, 0 HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB
RF Al Zarilla – .306, 13 HR, 55 RBI
CF Ed Freed – .252, 2 HR, 45 RBI, 10 SB
LF Ralph Kiner – .262, 23 HR, 88 RBI
1B Don Hanski – .258, 9 HR, 54 RBI (with Yankees)
3B Nap Reyes – ROOKIE
2B Pete Coscarart – .238, 0 HR, 15 RBI (with Cubs)
C Mickey Owen – .271, 1 HR, 35 RBI (with Athletics)

SP Elmer Riddle – 11-16, 4.84 ERA, 74 K
SP Roger Wolff – 9-15, 4.74 ERA, 92 K
SP Butch Wensloff – 8-9, 4.90 ERA, 69 K
SP Arnold Carter – 4-1, 3.70 ERA, 23 K (with Reds)
SU Frank Biscan – 0-1, 6.17 ERA, 1 SV
CL Walker Cress – 5-8, 3.62 ERA, 13 SV (with Reds)

---

8. PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS
1945: 65-89 (7th, 43 GB)
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1931 (9)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1930 (5)

1946 PREDICTION: 62-92
MANAGER: Connie Mack (46th season): 3423-3490 (9 PEN, 5 WS)

Code:

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2B Jerry Priddy - .265, 0 HR, 7 RBI (with Yankees)
3B George Kell - .318, 5 HR, 65 RBI
LF Bill Burgo - .309, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 11 SB
RF Danny Litwhiler - .286, 15 HR, 88 RBI
1B Elbie Fletcher - .274, 10 HR, 73 RBI
CF Sid Gordon - .243, 2 HR, 31 RBI (with Giants)
SS Jack Wallaesa - .233, 14 HR, 58 RBI
C Ferrell Anderson - .213, 3 HR, 22 RBI (with Dodgers)

SP Ted Lyons – 18-14, 3.83 ERA, 85 K
SP Thornton Lee – 11-17, 5.52 ERA, 86 K
SP Greg Hill – 10-21, 5.71 ERA, 79 K
SP Cy Blanton – 3-16, 4.91 ERA, 94 K
SU Woody Crowson – 6-4, 3.43 ERA, 2 SV
CL Moe Burtschy – 1-3, 2.13 ERA, 17 SV

---

*

AL AWARDS PICKS

AL MVP
1. LF Ted Williams, Red Sox
2. CF Joe DiMaggio, Yankees
3. 2B Bobby Doerr, Red Sox

AL CY
1. SP Allie Reynolds, Indians
2. SP Dizzy Trout, Red Sox
3. SP Ed Lopat, White Sox

AL ROY
1. 3B Nap Reyes, Browns
2. 1B Walt Dropo, Red Sox
3. SP Mel Queen, Athletics

*

Red Ruffing has betrayed you!

RedsoxRockies: Red's actually going home. After spending his first 6 seasons with the Red Sox, he was traded to the Yankees in May of 1930 for OF/1B Cedric Durst (.244, 15 HR, 122 RBI career) and $50K. He would spend the next 14 seasons in pinstripes, returning after the 1944 season to Boston, this time to the Braves as a free agent. Again, he was traded in May (of 1944) to the Phillies, and after going unsigned, decided to return to the team that gave him 241 of his 309 career wins.

1946 NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW
All stats are 1945, unless noted

1. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
1945: 91-63 (1st, National League Pennant)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1945 (3)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1944 (1)

1946 PREDICTION: 86-68
MANAGER: Andy Seminick (1st season)

Code:

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SS Phil Rizzuto - .287, 0 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB
LF Nick Goulish - .281, 8 HR, 61 RBI
1B Gil Hodges - .256, 26 HR, 91 RBI
CF Larry Doby - .278, 19 HR, 95 RBI
3B Vern Stephens - .256, 23 HR, 76 RBI
C Andy Seminick - .261, 22 HR, 69 RBI
RF Ron Northey - .252, 15 HR, 53 RBI
2B Don Kolloway - .287, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 15 SB (with White Sox)

SP Robin Roberts – 25-6, 2.39 ERA, 130 K
SP Tommy Hughes – 14-11, 2.55 ERA, 101 K
SP Charlie Ripple – 12-6, 3.58 ERA, 165 K
SP Harvey Haddix - ROOKIE
SU Ed Hanyzewski – 8-5, 2.74 ERA, 7 SV
CL Ike Pearson – 5-3, 2.68 ERA, 21 SV

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2. NEW YORK GIANTS
1945: 84-70 (3rd, 7 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1937 (13)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1933 (4)

1946 PREDICTION: 83-71
MANAGER: Freddie Fitzsimmons (2nd season): 84-70

Code:

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3B Bobby Rhawn – .260, 4 HR, 41 RBI
CF Wally Judnich – .318, 9 HR, 59 RBI
RF Enos Slaughter – .328, 10 HR, 76 RBI
1B Johnny Mize – .298, 27 HR, 107 RBI
LF Monte Irvin - .246, 11 HR, 65 RBI
C Harry Danning – .247, 4 HR, 52 RBI
SS Eddie Joost – .233, 4 HR, 48 RBI
2B Eddie Stanky – .296, 0 HR, 49 RBI, 10 SB

SP Max Lanier – 12-16, 3.96 ERA, 148 K
SP Hal Schumacher – 12-13, 4.05 ERA, 90 K
SP Larry Jansen – 15-9, 3.27 ERA, 100 K
SP Van Mungo – 14-17, 4.11 ERA, 133 K
SU Ken Trinkle – 9-6, 2.33 ERA, 12 SV
CL Hoyt Wilhelm – 2-6, 4.62 ERA, 27 SV

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3. BROOKLYN DODGERS
1945: 80-74 (4th, 11 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1941 (2)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: NONE

1946 PREDICTION: 79-75
MANAGER: Leo Durocher (8th season): 626-450 (1 PEN)

Code:

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SS Arky Vaughan – .252, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 15 SB
CF Pete Reiser – .270, 14 HR, 75 RBI, 10 SB
2B Jackie Robinson – .292, 13 HR, 87 RBI, 22 SB
1B Jack Graham – .222, 19 HR, 87 RBI
RF Carl Furillo – .269, 17 HR, 63 RBI
3B Ken Keltner – .283, 13 HR, 69 RBI
LF Joe Medwick – .279, 10 HR, 50 RBI
C Ernie Lombardi – .248, 4 HR, 30 RBI (with Indians)

SP Kirby Higbe – 12-5, 3.12 ERA, 102 K
SP Mort Cooper – 11-13, 3.80 ERA, 107 K
SP Johnny Vander Meer – 9-14, 4.83 ERA, 107 K
SP Louis Benz – 9-9, 4.65 ERA, 45 K
SU Cy Buker – 11-10, 2.61 ERA, 13 SV
CL Jim Hughes – 6-3, 3.29 ERA, 20 SV

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4. CINCINNATI REDS
1945: 85-69 (2nd, 6 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1940 (3)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1940 (2)

1946 PREDICTION: 78-76
MANAGER: Bill McKechnie (9th season): 1770-1701 (4 PEN, 2 WS)

Code:

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SS Charlie Brewster – .275, 0 HR, 23 RBI
RF Dave Bartosch – .321, 1 HR, 15 RBI (with Yankees)
1B Lonnie Goldstein – .248, 2 HR, 16 RBI
LF Stan Musial – .318, 34 HR, 127 RBI
3B Grady Hatton – .234, 3 HR, 18 RBI
CF Milt Byrnes – .251, 3 HR, 19 RBI
C Ray Murray – .217, 0 HR, 30 RBI
2B Jodie Beeler – DNP

SP Bucky Walters – 16-8, 2.92 ERA, 129 K
SP Ewell Blackwell – 15-6, 2.23 ERA, 134 K
SP Frank Dasso – 14-9, 2.96 ERA, 128 K
SP Pat Scantlebury – 9-11, 3.62 ERA, 146 K
SU Clayton Lambert – 4-4, 4.71 ERA, 4 SV
CL George Diehl – 7-3, 4.19 ERA, 4 SV (with Braves)

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5. BOSTON BRAVES
1945: 69-85 (6th, 22 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1914 (1)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1914 (1)

1946 PREDICTION: 77-77
MANAGER: Billy Southworth (1st season): 557-409 (2 PEN, 1 WS)

Code:

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2B Frank Drews – .232, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 10 SB
SS Alvin Dark – .235, 11 HR, 53 RBI
3B Bob Kennedy – .287, 5 HR, 68 RBI (with Pirates)
C Walker Cooper – .305, 21 HR, 83 RBI
1B John Douglas – .278, 0 HR, 9 RBI (with Dodgers)
LF Max West – .277, 15 HR, 60 RBI
RF Tommy Neill – ROOKIE
CF Terry Moore - .271, 5 HR, 38 RBI

SP Warren Spahn – 14-13, 2.94 ERA, 141 K
SP Al Javery – 13-14, 3.59 ERA, 114 K
SP Rob Kelley – 7-17, 5.72 ERA, 73 K
SP Ethan Gornitsky – 7-13, 5.57 ERA, 43 K
SU Elmer Singleton – 5-7, 4.13 ERA, 6 SV
CL Lefty West – 5-10, 4.44 ERA, 9 SV (with Browns)

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6. CHICAGO CUBS
1945: 78-76 (5th, 13 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1938 (9)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1908 (2)

1946 PREDICTION: 74-80
MANAGER: Charlie Grimm (3rd season): 686-531 (3 PEN)

Code:

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SS Huck Geary – .272, 1 HR, 15 RBI (with Pirates)
2B Frankie Gustine – .283, 3 HR, 47 RBI, 10 SB
CF Phil Cavarretta – .307, 9 HR, 74 RBI
LF Andy Pafko – .330, 24 HR, 103 RBI
RF Bill Nicholson – .253, 15 HR, 74 RBI
1B Reggie Otero – .200, 2 HR, 18 RBI
3B John Antonelli – .291, 2 HR, 33 RBI (with Cardinals)
C Chico Hernandez - .261, 1 HR, 8 RBI

SP Claude Passeau – 17-17, 2.72 ERA, 132 K
SP Shaun Hale – 18-11, 3.09 ERA, 105 K
SP Vern Olsen – 11-6, 3.30 ERA, 106 K
SP Dick Fowler – 2-1, 2.13 ERA, 4 K
SU Andy Karl – 7-8, 5.50 ERA, 6 SV
CL Ted Wilks – 4-6, 3.13 ERA, 18 SV

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7. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
1945: 63-91 (8th, 28 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1943 (7)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1943 (4)

1946 PREDICTION: 72-82
MANAGER: Eddie Dyer (1st season)

Code:

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SS Jeff Cross – .250, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 15 SB
LF Harry Walker – .322, 3 HR, 36 RBI
3B Eddie Kazak – .250, 1 HR, 14 RBI
1B Dick Sisler – .263, 11 HR, 66 RBI
RF Bill Endicott – .272, 6 HR, 18 RBI
CF Bill Howerton – .244, 6 HR, 57 RBI
2B Red Schoendienst – .284, 6 HR, 61 RBI
C Ken Sears - .260, 1 HR, 28 RBI

SP Johnny Podgajny – 8-15, 3.46 ERA, 90 K (with Cubs)
SP Lon Warneke – 6-9, 3.24 ERA, 77 K
SP Howie Pollet – 6-18, 4.92 ERA, 98 K
SP Hank Bowory – 4-2, 4.16 ERA, 41 K (with Yankees)
SU Al Jurisich – 9-6, 3.24 ERA, 5 SV
CL Art Lopatka – 5-9, 4.98 ERA, 6 SV

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8. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1945: 66-88 (7th, 25 GB)
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1927 (6)
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1925 (2)

1946 PREDICTION: 68-86
MANAGER: Lou Boudreau (2nd season): 338-278

Code:

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2B Lonny Frey - .255, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 12 SB (with Reds)
RF Johnny Wyrostek - .263, 9 HR, 77 RBI
SS Lou Boudreau - .322, 9 HR, 78 RBI
CF Wally Westlake - .287, 10 HR, 53 RBI
1B Hank Sweeney - .243, 7 HR, 72 RBI
LF Ben Guintini - .200, 1 HR, 15 RBI
3B Pete Castiglione - DNP
C Hank Camelli - .225, 1 HR, 31 RBI

SP Paul Troughton – 11-21, 4.36 ERA, 89 K
SP Bob Chesnes – 14-15, 3.69 ERA, 91 K
SP Max Butcher – 1-5, 3.82 ERA, 19 K
SP Larry French – 3-3, 4.50 ERA, 24 K (with Dodgers)
SU Emil Kush – 8-7, 3.24 ERA, 3 SV (with Red Sox)
CL Len Perme – 3-3, 1.84 ERA, 20 SV (with White Sox)

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*

NL AWARDS PICKS

NL MVP
1. LF Stan Musial, Reds
2. 1B Johnny Mize, Giants
3. LF Andy Pafko, Cubs

NL CY
1. SP Warren Spahn, Braves
2. SP Robin Roberts, Phillies
3. RP Hoyt Wilhelm, Giants

NL ROY
1. SP Harvey Haddix, Phillies
2. LF Tommy Neill, Braves
3. 2B Billy Goodman, Reds

*

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

Phillies in 7. Am I biased? Possibly, but I’m positive it can’t go much worse than last year…

*

My pick is Pittsburgh versus the Browns, and the Browns will win in 7

RedsoxRockies: Wanna place some money on that prediction? :D

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 1946

SP Lefty Grove - 300-141, 3.06 ERA, 2266 K (99%)
Philadelphia Athletics (1925-1933)
Boston Red Sox (1934-1941)
- 616 appearances (17th all-time)
- 300 wins (9th all-time)
- 3.06 ERA (20th all-time)
- 2266 strikeouts (6th all-time)
- 3940.2 innings pitched (16th all-time)
- 55 saves (16th all-time)

OF Goose Goslin - .316, 248 HR, 1609 RBI (78%)
Washington Senators (1921-1930, 1933, 1938)
St. Louis Browns (1930-1932)
Detroit Tigers (1934-1937)
- 2735 hits (21st all-time)
- 500 doubles (15th all-time)
- 173 triples (16th all-time)
- 248 home runs (14th all-time)
- 1609 runs batted in (9th all-time)
- 921 extra-base hits (12th all-time)

3B Pie Traynor - .320, 58 HR, 1273 RBI (76%)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1920-1937)

*

I think the only reason Traynor was elected was so the HOF can field a full team. Check out this lineup made up of HOFers!

CF Ty Cobb
SS Honus Wagner
RF Babe Ruth
1B Lou Gehrig
LF Tris Speaker
2B Rogers Hornsby
3B Pie Traynor
C Buck Ewing

SP Cy Young
SP Walter Johnson
SP Christy Mathewson
SP Grover Alexander
CL Lefty Grove

MARCH 31, 1946

This day just won't seem to end!

Well, as it turns out, the schedule makers for MLB screwed up the Giants' schedule, so we had a brand new one distributed. We open at home against the Dodgers tomorrow!

I made a call to Nebraska. Mr. Alexander was perfectly willing to push back his ceremony to the 20th, where (on paper) it will be a duel between Warren Spahn and Robin Roberts.

APRIL 1, 1946
OPENING DAY

Robin Roberts kicked, wheeled, and delivered. The fastball was straight and true, and Arky Vaughan watched it go by for strike one. The sellout crowd of 40,000 watched as their 19-year-old hero toed the rubber, went into his windup, and fired a vicious sinker for strike 2.

Nick was gracious enough to accompany me and Elizabeth to the owner’s box today. You all remember Nick, don’t you? I haven’t seen too much of him over the last few years. He is my director of scouting, so he’s constantly traveling across the country, keeping tabs on young talents as well as established veterans. He’s also my best friend.

Nick also brought a date: actress Anne Baxter. Apparently, he spends a lot of his time around the Los Angeles area, and got introduced to Anne at a party. She’s just come back from the Rocky Mountains for her latest film, The Razor’s Edge. She has a surprising knowledge of baseball, having grown up in New York City during the heyday of Babe Ruth, but eventually she and Elizabeth ended up talking about dresses or something. I wasn’t really paying attention.

Roberts tossed one of his slow curveballs, and Vaughan tapped feebly to Phil Rizzuto at shortstop for the out.

Having Nick travel for me really was a godsend come draft time. He always had neatly printed reports in my hand a few weeks before the draft, which is a huge part of our success at the yearly event. But I did have some questions for him.

“Nick, did you hear Ford’s announcement yesterday?”

“Andy, I think the proper question would be who didn’t. What is the old man thinking?”

“I honestly don’t know. But Phil Wrigley seems pretty intent on expansion, so I’m inclined to agree with him. Anyways, you spend a lot of time on the West Coast. What’s baseball like out there?”

“Honestly? I think it’s even better than here.”

“You’re kidding me!”

“I’m serious. Andrew, San Francisco is home to the DiMaggio family, Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams are from southern California. Some of the biggest stars in the game call the left coast home.”

Pete Reiser popped out, but Jackie Robinson followed with a single.

“Needless to say”, Nick continued, “all of Hollywood is waiting for a team. There is going to be a lot of money pouring from the turnstiles in Los Angeles.”

“So if we promise them a team for 1950…”

“They’ll be competitive in 3 years, tops. Same story for San Francisco. There are so many people that would go to the games, the money would just come pouring in. Baseball has truly become a national game, and everyone is starting to want a piece of the pie. Pretty soon, they’ll be playing it in Japan, of all places. Our national pastime may become an international sport.”

Jack Graham flied out to end the top of the 1st.

*

As for the game, Robin Roberts was great, allowing only 3 runs in a complete-game effort, but he couldn’t have won without the effort from Andy Seminick. The new manager helped get his first career win with a solo home run in the 2nd, and a 2-run single in the 5th to put the game out of reach.

Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
W: Robin Roberts (1-0) L: Kirby Higbe (0-1)
2B: Gil Hodges (1), Vern Stephens (1)
HR: Andy Seminick (1)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (1)

APRIL 2, 1946

Just a few days ago, National League President Ford Frick cast down the gauntlet, saying that if Commissioner Chandler did not submit to the NL’s demands for expansion, the National League would withdraw its affiliation with the American League, becoming its own separate entity.

Well, Commissioner Chandler has answered the challenge in resounding fashion.

“If President Frick wants to play hardball with Major League Baseball, I have no choice but to let him. If Mr. Frick agrees, this season’s World Series will determine the future of the Major Leagues.

“Should the American League representative win, both leagues would remain at 8 teams until further notice.

“Should the National League representative win, the NL will expand to 10 teams in 1950, with the AL following suit 2 years later.”

No word from Frick on his thoughts on the proposal.

*

[Eds. Note: It's been 6 months since I started this dynasty, and it's been one heck of a ride! I wanted to thank everyone for reading and responding. Keep it up, because this saga will continue!]

APRIL – MAY 1946
PART I

April 1-3: Brooklyn Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies

1 – See above.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
W: Robin Roberts (1-0) L: Kirby Higbe (0-1)
2B: Gil Hodges (1), Vern Stephens (1)
HR: Andy Seminick (1)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (1)

*

For petrel, and anyone else who was wondering...

After being released by the Boston Braves today, OF Pete Gray announced his retirement.

Most famous for his physical disabilities, Gray had only one arm, yet still produced a solid career. In 92 AB, he hit .228 with 1 home run and 9 RBI.

*

2 – After 7 shutout innings, both offenses come alive, but Ed Hanyzewski slams the door with the tying run at 3rd base, giving the Phillies the win.
Phillies 4, Dodgers 3
W: Ed Hanyzewski (1-0) L: Cy Buker (0-1)

*

First trade of the new season!

New York Yankees receive:
RP Ed Kleiman
1B Earl Conyers
RP Earl Henry (AAA)

Cleveland Indians receive:
3B Don Savage
SS Ralph LaPointe
CF Woody Wheaton

WINNER: Indians
Cleveland gets 2 players that step into starting roles immediately, and the 3rd becomes the 4th outfielder.

*

3 – The Dodgers put up 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to bury the Phillies and avoid the sweep.
Dodgers 10, Phillies 5
W: Johnny Vander Meer (1-0) L: Charlie Ripple (0-1)
2B: Don Kolloway 2 (2)
HR: Vern Stephens (1)

4 – Day Off

*

APRIL 4, 1946

"Well Ford, have you thought about my proposal?"

"Mr. Commissioner, I accept!"

So obviously we can't let the Phillies win, because the Yanks will paste them. :)

Potato, back in the beginning, you said you wanted the readers to help with ideas and influence events. So I would like to know if you could create a player , name him Gustav Forkhann, make him from Norway and a 3B, and give him a lot of power, an okay glove, a good eye, and some contact, and make him a free agent. And if that does not work out, hire Elvis Presley as an advisor :D. Or Mick Jagger

CatKnight: Well, if no other team steps up, the Phillies may be forced to defend the National League. Yikes! :D

RedsoxRockies: How's this?

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/8...orkhannpg8.jpg

He should be an average contact hitter, plus-plus power, and above-average glovework.

sweet!

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. School just started here recently, and my cross-country team is taking up most of my time. The updates will continue, probably mostly on weekends. Thanks for your patience!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. School just started here recently, and my cross-country team is taking up most of my time. The updates will continue, probably mostly on weekends. Thanks for your patience!

---

Your school aged? I always thought you were in your 40's

Hey, good story so far, and the Phils did win the world series so its not like you defending the league will be a bad thing, right?

And hope your cross country season goes well, I used to run when I was in High School, but then I got lazy

CDuffy: Could be worse. The Pirates could win the pennant... :D

And yeah, so did I. I actually made the state championship my senior year and finished 101st! It just got so difficult to remain dedicated to running when I didn't have to be. I'm actually coaching at a middle school near my house, so I definitely have my hands full!

RedsoxRockies: I'm 20. My dad is in his 40's. Not looking forward to the balding :D

APRIL – MAY 1946
PART II

April 5-7: Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) at Chicago Cubs (1-2)

5 – The Cubs score 8 runs after the stretch, blowing the game wide open.
Cubs 11, Phillies 2
W: Dick Fowler (1-0) L: Harvey Haddix (0-1)
HR: Larry Doby (1), Gil Hodges (1)

6 – Despite being 19 years old, Robin Roberts has shown no signs of pressure. The kid just goes out and pitches. He tosses a 3-hit shutout, stopping our losing skid.
Phillies 3, Cubs 0
W: Robin Roberts (2-0) L: Claude Passeau (0-1)
HR: Vern Stephens (2), Nick Goulish (1)

*

Former Pirates great and Phillies outfielder Lloyd Waner retired today.

*

7 – Tommy Hughes allows only 5 hits en route to a shutout of his own, and Gil Hodges’ solo shot in the 9th inning ices the game.
Phillies 2, Cubs 0
W: Tommy Hughes (1-0) L: Joey Lothian (0-1)
HR: Gil Hodges (2)

April 8: Day Off

*

Senators 3B Pinky Higgins drove in his 1000th RBI today on a home run.

*

April 9-11: New York Giants (5-1) at Philadelphia Phillies (4-2)

9 – Monte Irvin falls a double shy of the cycle, and the Giants blow a close game open with a 5 run sixth inning.
Giants 10, Phillies 4
W: Hal Schumacher (2-0) L: Charlie Ripple (0-2) SV: Adrian Zabala (1)
2B: Don Kolloway (3)
SB: Don Kolloway (1)

*

It may be too early to panic, but Larry Doby is only hitting .107. Ron Northey (.304) slides up to the cleanup spot while Doby drops down to 7th.

*

10 – The Giants score 3 times in the last 2 innings to steal this one from the Phillies. The New Yorkers have won 7 straight games.
Giants 7, Phillies 4
W: Murry Dickson (2-0) L: Harvey Haddix (0-2) SV: Ken Trinkle (2)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (1)
HR: Ron Northey (1)

11 – The Phillies ride the arm of Robin Roberts and 3 home runs of their own to stopping the Giants winning streak.
Phillies 5, Giants 3
W: Robin Roberts (3-0) L: Max Lanier (1-1)
2B: Andy Seminick (1)
3B: Nick Goulish (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (3), Vern Stephens (3), Larry Doby (2)

*

After going 5-7 with his home run the past two games, I think Larry got the message. He’s moving back up to the cleanup spot.

*

anyone sign Gustav? Maybe you should :D

Oh please. He wants GOOD players on his team. :)