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

Donny Ballgame: Yeah, it was one of those moments where you wish you could take over as manager for just a few innings. There was such a rush on Game 4 tickets that they needed to open up that centerfield section at Yankee Stadium.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 3

With the series all square at one win apiece, the two teams travel to Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. The Cardinals, now suddenly confident, would send Lon Warneke (13-4, 2.90 ERA) to the mound today, while the Yankees would counter with Atley Donald (15-3, 2.81 ERA).

I didn’t know who Atley Donald was before this series. Now, he’s America’s best kept secret. Donald mowed down the Cardinal hitters like he was Lefty Gomez. Only one runner reached third base, and that was in the first inning. Donald went 8 innings, allowing only 3 hits and 0 runs. He even helped his own cause by driving in the Yankees’ only runs with a bases-loaded single in the 4th.

Yankees 2, Cardinals 0
Yankees lead series, 2-1
W: Atley Donald L: Lon Warneke SV: Norm Branch

MVP: SP Atley Donald (NYY): 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R; 1-3, 2 RBI
LVP: LF Stan Musial (STL): 0-3, K. Hey, the blame has to fall somewhere, and when your star player doesn’t produce...

The teams would meet again tomorrow night, where Lefty Gomez will make his return to the mound. The Yankees are supremely confident that they can take a 3-1 lead into Game 5 on Tuesday.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 4

A Cardinals fan’s worst fear? Seeing Lefty Gomez walk out to the rubber. Gomez has been masterful against the Redbirds. In his 3 starts during the last 2 World Series’, Gomez has pitched 24 innings, allowing only 7 hits and 1 run. He would take the mound tonight against Mort Cooper, in a rematch of Game 1.

Any thoughts of a no-hitter were dispelled early today. Enos Slaughter rapped a first-inning single through the middle to end that notion. He was stranded. The Yankees went 1-2-3 in their half.

The Cardinals jumped on Gomez in the 2nd. Ray Sanders walked, but was still standing on first base with two outs. Then Lou Klein singled, followed by Mort Cooper’s RBI double. Cardinals 1, Yankees 0. After a Jeff Cross walk loaded the bases, Johnny Hopp poked a single into centerfield for two more runs. Cardinals 3, Yankees 0.

The Yankees got a runner to third base in their second, but stranded him there.

The Cards went 1-2-3 in the third. The Yankees, however, did not.

With two outs, Pee Wee Reese singled. Harlond Clift followed by reaching second on a throwing error by Mort Cooper. Charlie Keller followed with an RBI single. Cardinals 3, Yankees 2. Joe DiMaggio followed that with a game-tying RBI double. Cardinals 3, Yankees 3.

Both teams would threaten but come up short over the course of the next few innings. After 6, the score was still knotted at 3.

The Cardinals struck back with two outs in the top of the 7th. Jeff Cross walked, and Johnny Hopp smashed the first home run of the series. Cardinals 5, Yankees 3.

The normally-reliable Max Lanier was brought in to preserve the lead. After a strikeout, pitcher Howie Krist singled, and Reese followed with a triple, scoring the relief pitcher. Cardinals 5, Yankees 4. After walks to Keller and DiMaggio to load the bases, Joe Gordon slapped a single to center, plating 2 runs and giving the Yankees the lead. Yankees 6, Cardinals 5.

The Cards went down without incident in the eighth, but the Yankees added an insurance run thanks to an RBI single by Pee Wee Reese. Yankees 7, Cardinals 5.

Howie Krist was on the mound, trying to finish the game for the Yankees. He walked Lou Klein, and pinch-hitter Dave Bartosch reached on a throwing error. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Krist reared back and struck out pinch-hitter Frank McCormick, but walked Johnny Hopp. The bases were now loaded with 1 out. The go-ahead run was standing on first base, and Stan Musial was on deck. It wouldn’t get to Stan the Man, however, as Enos Slaughter bounced a tailor-made grounder to second. Joe Gordon fielded and flipped to Pee Wee Reese, whose throw to first beat Slaughter to the bag, and gave the Yankees a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Yankees 7, Cardinals 5
Yankees lead series, 3-1
W: Howie Krist L: Max Lanier
HR: Johnny Hopp

MVP: SS Pee Wee Reese (NYY): 3-4, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI
LVP: LF Stan Musial (STL): 0-4, K (3-15, 1 RBI this series)

The Cardinals locker room was sullen. There were no smiles on anyone’s faces. They had that game in the palm of their hand, but couldn't close out the Yankees. If Max Lanier, the bullpen ace, was getting roughed up by the Yankees, then certainly they didn’t stand a chance. Only 1 team had EVER come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series, and that was the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates. I suppose they could take some solace that the incomparable Lefty Gomez looked human, but there was mostly disappointment on their faces.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 5

It would be the final game at Yankee Stadium for the season. Whether or not it would be the last game of the season period was yet to be decided. Two men with a large say in that decision are today’s starters: in a rematch of Game 2, Johnny Rigney and Tiny Bonham would take the mound for their teams. However, after seeing the deflated Cardinals slink off the field yesterday, I think it’s really a matter of when the Yankees want to stop playing.

The game was uneventful until the bottom of the 3rd, when Pee Wee Reese walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Harlond Clift. Yankees 1, Cardinals 0.

The Cardinals would tie the game in the top half of the 5th inning, when Johnny Rigney doubled home Whitey Kurowski. Yankees 1, Cardinals 1. The Yankees took it right back in the bottom half, as Joe Gordon singled home Pee Wee Reese. Yankees 2, Cardinals 1.

With one out in the top of the 6th, Enos Slaughter took a forkball and forked it over the left field wall for a game-tying home run. Yankees 2, Cardinals 2. The Redbirds would add to the inning with a bases-loaded walk by Kurowski. Cardinals 3, Yankees 2.

The Yankees loaded the bases in the 7th, but Max Lanier induced Hank Sauer into a fly out, stranding all three runners.

The Cardinals put two men on in the 8th, but they failed to score.

Joe DiMaggio singled with one out in the 9th, but was left standing their as Max Lanier shut the door on the Yankees, and sent the series back to St. Louis.

Cardinal 3, Yankees 2
Yankees lead series, 3-2
W: Johnny Rigney L: Tiny Bonham SV: Max Lanier
HR: Enos Slaughter

MVP: RP Max Lanier (STL): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K, SV
LVP: LF Charlie Keller (NYY): 0-4, K

The Cardinals had staved off elimination, at least for one more day. After the off day tomorrow, Sportsman’s Park will be packed to the gates with anxious Cardinal fans, hoping that their boys will pull through and force a Game 7.

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 6

In a rematch of Game 3, the Yankees would send Atley Donald to the hill to square off against the Cardinals’ Lon Warneke.

The Yanks jump on Warneke, putting up a crooked number in the first inning. Yankees 2, Cardinals 0. Lon Warneke, however, would hold them to just 3 hits the rest of the way, and the offense would come alive in the third. A Walker Cooper RBI single cut the deficit in half. Yankees 2, Cardinals 1. In the fourth inning, the Cardinals did their heaviest damage, putting three hits together with a walk and a sacrifice to produce 3 runs. Cardinals 4, Yankees 2. As previously mentioned, Warneke was outstanding the rest of the way, so all the Yankees could do was to stare glumly at the field, and mentally prepare for Game 7 tomorrow.

Cardinals 4, Yankees 2
Series tied, 3-3
W: Lon Warneke L: Atley Donald

MVP: SP Lon Warneke (STL): CG, 2 R, 6 H, 6 K
LVP: SP Atley Donald (NYY): 4 IP, 4 ER

NOW the momentum has shifted! The Cardinals are excited and confident, while the Yankees are left shaking their heads. The most powerful offense in the Major Leagues, who during the season had scored almost 6 runs per game, had been held to 2 in the last two games. A World Series had only come down to a winner-take-all Game 7 six previous times: 1924, 1925, 1926, 1931, 1934, and 1940. In both 1926 and 1934, a visiting Cardinals team beat their AL opponents to record the only Game 7 road victories of all-time. Their 1926 AL counterpart? The Ruth-Gehrig-Lazzeri led New York Yankees! In a cruel twist of irony, the 1943 Yankees had a chance to turn the tables on the Cardinals, while the Redbirds had a chance to humiliate the Bronx Bombers by achieving the impossible.

Gomez vs. Cooper. Yankees vs. Cardinals. Game 7. Sportsman’s Park. Tomorrow night. Can YOU handle the pressure?

1943 WORLD SERIES
GAME 7

What can be said about Game 7? It is the ultimate climax. Two evenly matched teams have traded blows for 6 hard-fought games. Now, a season’s worth of hard work is about to pay off. 154 regular season games and 6 postseason ones have decided nothing; it comes down to 1 game: 9 innings, 50 men, 1 World Champion.

The Yankees were about tradition. If they won today, it would be just another title on their way towards many more.

The Cardinals were after history. Only the 1925 Pirates had ever won the World Series after trailing 3-1. The Cards had a chance to etch their name in the history books.

In a rematch of Games 1 & 4, it would be Lefty Gomez and Mort Cooper starting for their teams.

Pee Wee Reese would lead off the game by striking out. Harlond Clift followed with a double, but was stranded on second after a Charlie Keller groundout and a Joe DiMaggio flyout.

Jeff Cross flied out to start the game for the Cardinals. Johnny Hopp reached on a base hit, and promptly stole second. Enos Slaughter then stroked an RBI double to the left-field gap, and Hopp scored easily to give the Cards the early lead. Cardinals 1, Yankees 0. Slaughter was stranded, though, when Stan Musial and Ray Sanders were both set down.

Joe Gordon, Tommy Henrich, and Bill Dickey were sent down by Mort Cooper 1-2-3.

Gomez would run into trouble again in the second, as Walker Cooper takes the first pitch he sees and crushes a solo home run to left field. Cardinals 2, Yankees 0. Whitey Kurowski flied out, but Lou Klein singled. Mort Cooper flied out, Jeff Cross walked, and Johnny Hopp struck out, ending the inning.

It was right about this time that a funny thing happened: the Yankees couldn’t get hits. They were making contact, but they weren’t getting any hits. The leadoff man reached in both the third and fourth innings on a walk and an error, but was stranded on the bases. The Bronx Bombers were set down in order in the 5th and 6th innings. Mort Cooper was dominating the most vaunted offense in baseball!

Meanwhile, Lefty Gomez had rebounded after a poor start and returned to his Game 1 form. He retired the side in order in the 3rd and 6th innings, and allowed only one runner in the 4th and 5th. However, his pitching wasn’t going to win the game for the Yankees anymore. They needed three runs, and time (and outs) were running out.

With one out in the 7th, Joe Gordon and Tommy Henrich hit back-to-back singles, but there efforts would go for naught, as Dickey and pinch-hitter Russ Derry both flied out.

The Cardinals went down 1-2-3 in the seventh.

A two-out walk translates into nothing, as the Yankees are still scoreless after 8 innings. The Cardinals get a two-out walk of their own against reliever Johnny Murphy, but leave him on the basepaths.

So heading to the ninth, the Cardinals had a 2-0 lead. Mort Cooper walked out to the mound, determined to finish what he started. He would face DiMaggio, Gordon, Henrich, and possibly Dickey, four of the most feared hitters in the American League.

Joe DiMaggio led off the inning and wasted little time influencing the game: he ended the shutout bid with a towering home run. Cardinals 2, Yankees 1. Cardinal manager Billy Southworth came out to the mound, but went back to the dugout without Cooper! He was going to leave his ace in the game!

Joe Gordon strode to the plate. He worked himself into a hitter’s count, and took a mighty cut at a fastball. He just got the top of the ball though, and a harmless roller to short was corralled by Klein and fired to first base in time. One out.

Tommy Henrich stepped up to bat. As previously mentioned, Henrich is one of the best clutch hitters in the game today. Tommy also worked a favorable count and took a mighty cut at a forkball. He just got under it, though, as he lifted a routine fly that Stan Musial was under easily to make the catch. Two out.

Bill Dickey would be the last chance. The sellout crowd at Sportsman’s Park was screaming! The first pitch was outside. Dickey stepped out, regained his composure, and stepped back in. He was sitting on a fastball, and got one on the next pitch. He took a mighty cut and smashed a high fly ball to deep right field. Enos Slaughter raced back to the wall, readied himself against the concrete fence, jumped...

...and he caught the ball! The most improbable comeback was complete! And after 9 long years, it was finally time to proclaim...

THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!

Cardinals 2, Yankees 1
Cardinals win series, 4-3
W: Mort Cooper L: Lefty Grove
HR: Walker Cooper, Joe DiMaggio

Mort Cooper was named the World Series MVP. In his 3 starts, he was 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA. I think you could make a compelling case for Enos Slaughter, but I agree with the voters on this one.

As for a LVP, did anyone see if Charlie Keller, Tommy Henrich or Bill Dickey got off the team bus? The three vital cogs in the Yankee machine went a combined 12-70 (.171) with 4 RBI and 11 K. I suppose that all three are deserving of it.

It certainly was a tremendous World Series, but the injury to Red Ruffing really hurt the Yankees (just like I suggested, by the way). Tiny Bonham was the #3 starter all season long, but Ruffing’s injury forced him into the #2 spot. He certainly wasn’t effective this series with the added pressure (0-2, 4.50 ERA, .308 BAA). But I don’t think that Yankee fans will remember that. I think they’ll remember Game 2, when Slaughter dashed around the bases to score, and “Reese held the d*** ball!” Worst of all though, they have to remember that their vaunted and beloved Yankees aren’t as dominant as they once were. The Cardinals revealed some chinks in the armor, and one has to wonder if the team will ever be the same, again.

SEPTEMBER 29, 1943

With one of the most exciting World Series’ in recent memory coming to a close, it was now time to take care of some internal business.

Our minor league affiliates would need some serious work. The Dodgers stole our Trenton Packers, so we were forced to get a new AA affiliate. Fortunately, we found the Wilmington Blue Rocks. As an added bonus, they play in the same league as Trenton, so revenge will be sweet.

We were able to keep our AAA Utica team, but we had to change the name to the Blue Jays. The Boston Braves weren’t too happy about us calling Utica the Braves. We were able to re-up with our A-affiliate Memphis for the upcoming season as well.

The city of Miami Beach, however, is cutting us loose. So we need to find a new Spring Training home, and a new home for our Rookie League team. Fortunately, the city of Clearwater, FL offered us the land to build a new facility, so we will make that our Spring Training home this year, and the location of our Rookie League team.

During the World Series, I negotiated contract extensions with two players.

2B Danny Murtaugh: signed through 1946 for $10,000/year
C Mickey Livingston: signed through 1946 for $4,000/year

ARBITRATION CASES

RF Jimmy Wasdell: wants $28,100 – I scoff at his offer and release him
SS Harry Marnie: wants $21,200 – I counter with $14,000, but I lose
LF Dom Dallessandro wants $23,800 – I thank him for his great season and release him
SP Johnny Podgajny wants $19,100 – The Johnny Pod experiment in Philadelphia is over
RP Paul Masterson wants $10,100 – I counter with $8,000 but lose. I figure I can get rid of him when one of my prospects develops to fill his role.

SEASON AWARDS

NL MVP: LF Stan Musial (STL) - .323, 31 HR, 130 RBI
Stan the Man now has 2 MVP Awards under his belt, and he’s only 22 years old. He has the world ahead of him, and will only get scarier.

NL CY: SP Mort Cooper (STL) – 20-9, 3.09 ERA, 146 K
The only logical choice, he was the only pitcher to rank in the top 4 in the Triple Crown categories (wins, ERA, and strikeouts).

NL ROY: 1B Gil Hodges (PHI) - .246, 18 HR, 74 RBI
The 19-year-old first baseman led all-rookies in home runs and runs batted in, and finished among the upper tier among first basemen as well.

NL GG:
P Harry Gumbert (STL)
C Roy Campanella (BRO)
1B Gil Hodges (PHI)
2B Jackie Robinson (BRO)
3B Vern Stephens (PHI)
SS Huck Geary (PIT)
OF Bob Elliott (PIT)
OF Tommy Holmes (BSN)
OF Stan Musial (STL)

AL MVP: LF Charlie Keller (NYY) - .310, 29 HR, 97 RBI
A very controversial choice. I would’ve been more inclined to go with Jimmie Foxx or Joe DiMaggio, but Keller put up monstrous power numbers.

AL CY: SP Lefty Grove (NYY) – 22-5, 2.54 ERA, 180 K
He very nearly won the pitching Triple Crown, but will have to settle for the Cy Young Award.

AL ROY: 3B Jimmy Grant (CHW) - .250, 5 HR, 41 RBI
This was really the best rookie in the AL. Trust me, I checked. Twice.

AL GG:
P Jim Bagby (CLE)
C Rick Ferrell (SLB)
1B Rudy York (DET)
2B Bobby Doerr (BOS)
3B Ellis Clary (WSH)
SS Pee Wee Reese (NYY)
OF Jeff Heath (CLE)
OF Dom DiMaggio (BOS)
OF Barney McCosky (DET)

Now, for the annual team awards:
Chuck Klein Award for Best Major League Hitter
1B Gil Hodges

Grover Alexander Award for Best Major League Pitcher
RP Hugh Casey, RP Emil Kush, and SP Jack Kraus

Crash Davis Award for Best Minor League Hitter
RF Nick Goulish (.335, 13 HR, 90 RBI at AAA Utica)

Ron Necciai Award for Best Minor League Pitcher
SP Andy Lapihuska (18-4, 2.90 ERA at AA Trenton and AAA Utica)

FREE AGENCY
THE BEGINNING

There wasn’t a whole lot I could do with the free agent market, having made 5 trades during the season (see the house rules post on Page 1). I did sit down with Harry Marnie to discuss a long-term deal. Marnie is a Gold-Glove caliber middle infielder, and can play both short and second superbly. I get him to take a deal extending through the 1948 season, worth $20,000 per season.

Here’s a run through of the top free agents at each position.

Code:

---

STARTING PITCHERS
Red Ruffing (86) 15-4, 2.73 ERA for the Yankees
        38 years old        Seeking $33,700 for 2 years
Johnny Podgajny (84) 5-15, 4.71 ERA for the Phillies
        23 years old        Seeking $15,500 for 2 years
Paul Erickson (82) 3-0, 3.32 ERA for the Cubs
        27 years old        Seeking $15,600 for 2 years
Sid Hudson (81)        19-13, 3.81 ERA for the Senators
        28 years old        Seeking $28,300 for 2 years
Carl Hubbell (80) 14-5, 3.23 ERA for the Giants
        40 years old        Seeking $28,100 for 2 years

CATCHERS
Rick Ferrell (81) .292, 1 HR, 36 RBI for the Browns
        37 years old        Seeking $22,400 for 2 years
Birdie Tebbetts (80) .287, 3 HR, 35 RBI for the Tigers
        30 years old        Seeking $16,500 for 4 years
Hal Wagner (79)        .272, 0 HR, 37 RBI for the Athletics
        28 years old        Seeking $15,300 for 4 years

1ST BASEMEN
Babe Young (83)        .311, 2 HR, 15 RBI for the Giants
        28 years old        Seeking $14,600 for 4 years
George McQuinn (73) .312, 3 HR, 19 RBI for the Browns
        33 years old        Seeking $5,300 for 3 years
Jeremy Duffie (72) Rookie
        19 years old        Seeking $1,700 for 2 years

2ND BASEMEN
Whitey Wietelmann (83) .217, 25 RBI for the Braves
        24 years old        Seeking $13,100 for 3 years
Dutch Meyer (79) .231, 5 HR, 44 RBI for the Tigers
        28 years old        Seeking $12,400 for 3 years
Ray Mack (77)        .244, 3 HR, 36 RBI for the Indians
        27 years old        Seeking $13,500 for 3 years

3RD BASEMAN
Ken Keltner (90) .260, 13 HR, 62 RBI for the Indians
        26 years old        Seeking $25,700 for 5 years
Stan Hack (84)        .285, 5 HR, 53 RBI for the Cubs
        33 years old        Seeking $25,400 for 3 years
Jim Tabor (79)        1/5, 2B, K for the Red Sox
        26 years old        Seeking $18,400 for 3 years

SHORTSTOP
Eddie Miller (83) .281, 8 HR, 44 RBI for the Braves
        26 years old        Seeking $24,300 for 4 years
Eddie Joost (80) .167, 2 RBI, 2 R for the Reds
        27 years old        Seeking $16,700 for 4 years
Bobby Mattick (66) .206, 28 RBI, 12 SB for the Reds
        27 years old        Seeking $8,100 for 3 years

OUTFIELDERS
Ival Goodman (84) .274, 8 HR, 48 RBI for the Indians
        35 years old        Seeking $25,200 for 3 years
George Case (84) .318, 21 RBI, 24 SB for the Senators
        27 years old        Seeking $16,900 for 4 years
Max West (82)        .258, 13 HR, 61 RBI for the Braves
        26 years old        Seeking $23,700 for 4 years
Pete Fox (81)        .276, 2 HR, 25 RBI for the Red Sox
        34 years old.        Seeking $20,700 for 3 years
Bob Johnson (80) .265, 20 HR, 78 RBI for the Giants
        37 years old        Seeking $24,800 for 2 years
Mike McCormick (83) .225, 8 RBI with the Reds
        26 years old        Seeking $10,800 for 3 years
Hank Leiber (80) .248, 7 HR, 42 RBI with the Giannts
        32 years old        Seeking $23,5000
Bobby Estalella (79) .330, 2 HR, 22 RBI for the Senators
        32 years old        Seeking $9,900 for 3 years
Dom Dallessandro (78) .292, 2 HR, 44 RBI for the Phillies
        30 years old        Seeking $12,000 for 3 years
Ernie Koy (78)        .291, 16 HR, 88 RBI for the Reds
        34 years old        Seeking $25,700 for 3 years

RELIEF PITCHERS
Walt Masterson (82) 7-1, 1.60 ERA in AAA
        23 years old        Seeking $11,600 for 3 years
Alex Carrasquel (81) 4.39 ERA, 10 SV for the Senators
        31 years old        Seeking $16,400 for 2 years
Ed Blake (81)        Rookie
        17 years old        Seeking $1,700 for 2 years
Buddy Lively (80) Rookie
        18 years old        Seeking $2,450 for 2 years
Clyde Shoun (79) 2.55 ERA, 8 SV for the Cardinals
        31 years old        Seeking $16,600 for 3 years

---

DECEMBER 6-9
WINTER MEETINGS

DECEMBER 6

Well, the higher-ups finally decided to cave in and hold the Winter Meetings someplace warm. How’s Miami for you?

The Thursday night cocktail party is always interesting. It’s weird seeing these upper class white guys get completely wasted and talk about baseball. Rumor has it that Tom Yawkey and Ed Barrow were talking about trading Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio at last year’s meetings. Who knows what crazy stuff will go down?

This year I did something a little differently. I went down to Miami, but I took Elizabeth along. Let me tell you, she was getting some looks at that party! I bet I could’ve stolen Stan Musial if I had offered Elizabeth for him! But there wouldn’t be any dealing from me tonight: I was just there to enjoy myself. Plus, unless Musial knows how to type, I’d probably get the short end of that deal.

***

DECEMBER 7

The leagues met separately on Friday. The National League meeting went without a hitch, at least the parts I can remember. Sam Breadon was wearing his new championship ring, and I stared at the d***ed thing the whole time. It would really be nice to wear an 8 ounce hunk of metal like that on my finger...

All the teams avoided bankruptcy this year, which is good. The bad news is that 4 of them lost money. The Phillies were economically successful this season, and the $1 million dollars brought in from the sale of our investment firm didn’t hurt.

The National League President, Ford Frick did give us an interesting assignment over the season. He asked each of us to think about possible cities that would welcome a baseball team. He finally revealed this purpose of this today.

“Gentlemen, the reason I asked you to think about it is because I was thinking about it. You see, baseball is a popular sport. I know all of you filled your stadiums at least 60% for every home game last season, which is mighty impressive for 8 cities. However, if you look at a map, you see that the furthest south and west we extend is to St. Louis. This leaves about 3/4 of the country without a Major League team. Gentlemen, I’ve got some big plans for the National League: I’ve got a plan to expand to 10 teams. However, if we don’t start planning now, the American League could beat us to the punch. Now, we’re not going to act on this for a few years. We need to at least wait until the war is over. But I just want to get some ideas floating around the room, just to see what you geniuses have to offer.”

After about an hour’s worth of lively discussion, we had chosen the best 7 candidates for potential expansion: Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Kansas City, New Orleans, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Baltimore. I made sure to write all these choices down; I’m sure that someone will try to take advantage of this new information.

***

DECEMBER 8

Saturday, all 16 owners and general managers would meet together. After two successful meetings the day before, all signs pointed toward turmoil and chaos today. Judge Landis was too sick to make the trek from Chicago, so Presidents Will Harridge (AL) and Ford Frick (NL) would oversee the meeting. The first two hours was filled with the usual, boring stuff. Right about 11 o’clock, my new buddy Richard Zimmerman asked to speak.

“Fellow owners,” he said with a small grin. I may not like the man personally, but he does have a nice disposition, “I’d like to inform you of the plight of the Browns.”

A few owners groaned.

“Before you keep groaning, I’d like to let you know that I hired an independent research group to conduct a full evaluation of the franchise. They were allowed complete access to every nook and cranny at my disposal, and compiled a 300-page report detailing everything, that I will pass out to each of you.”

I got my hands on the report. It certainly looked comprehensive, and the numbers seemed to be exact from a cursory glance.

“Gentlemen, if you’ll kindly turn to page 288, and follow along as I read aloud.

“‘After evaluating every piece of paper, every attendance chart, every financial report, city growth percentages, average family income rates, and countless other statistics and charts, it appears that there is only one logical conclusion. St. Louis is a one-team city. With the loss of population over the last 10 years, it seems that keeping a second franchise in this city would be a tremendous fiscal mistake. Based on our fiscal analysis, Donald Barnes’ original plan to move to Los Angeles would benefit the team both financially and performance-wise. A move is not just recommended: it is essential for the survival of the franchise.’”

He closed the report. “You see, gentlemen, I am up a creek. I have a second-rate team in a shrinking city that has to compete with the World Champions. I am proposing that the Browns relocate.”

Ford Frick was irate. “Mr. Zimmerman, this league hasn’t had a team move since...”

“1901, when the Brewers left Milwaukee and moved to St. Louis to become the Browns”, Zimmerman interrupted. “Thank you, Mr. Frick, but I know about my team’s history. Look at the numbers people! I swear on the life of my mother that I didn’t change any of them, and that the evaluation is real. It says on page 290 that unless the Browns move within the next 5 years, the franchise will forced to fold. Do you want the Browns to go out of business? Folks, if you want to save the Browns, you need to allow me to move the team.”

He certainly had piqued my curiosity. “Richard, if you were allowed to move, what cities would you be looking at?”

“Excellent question, Andy. Fortunately, I’ve already looked into that and found 3 possible suitors.”

“Who have you spoken with?” Ford Frick was trying to calm down, but still looked visibly upset.

“Well, Mr. Frick, I’ve spoken with Milwaukee officials, who would be delighted to welcome the team back. I’ve also spoken with some representatives from Baltimore, who are clamoring for a team of their own. And I spoke with some representatives of a place not too far from your office, actually.”

“Newark? Trenton? Albany?” Frick was getting more and more anxious.

“Queens”, Zimmerman answered with that goofy smile.

TO BE CONTINUED...

WINTER MEETINGS
DECEMBER 8
PART II

Ed Barrow was irate. “QUEENS!? You want to move the Browns to Queens!? That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard!” Horace Stoneham and Branch Rickey both agreed with Barrow, although not as loudly. Even I was against this. Having 4 teams in New York City? That sounds a little ridiculous.

Zimmerman was unfettered. “Gentlemen, if you will look at the 1940 U.S. Census data that I am passing out, you’ll see that Queens has more people living in than Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston, which has 2 teams. It may be ranked 4th out of the 5 boroughs, but its population is growing at the fastest rate. We already have teams in Manhattan (Giants), Brooklyn (Dodgers), and the Bronx (Yankees), and they’ve all enjoyed great success. Do you want the Browns to be unsuccessful? I think that moving a team there will help capitalize on the growing population, and keep the Browns both prosperous and successful.

“I think you’re a f***ing idiot!” Ed Barrow was still fuming. “What the h*** do you expect to accomplish with this? Infringe upon the Yankees territory? Slow us down? If you move to New York, I will personally see to it that my boys kick your bush leaguers’ a**es each and every year!”

“Calm down, Ed, it’s just a candidate”, AL President Will Harridge said. “Richard, have you spoken to any other cities?”

“Well, no. I just received such warm receptions from those three that I haven’t really thought about anywhere else.”

“I’ll show you a warm reception, you piece of...” Ed Barrow mumbled under his breath.

“Why don’t you talk to some people to the south and west of you? Perhaps the people of Los Angeles are ready for the Browns to move there after all.”

“Wait just a minute,” Ford Frick intervened, his assignment for NL owners seeming more and more like a waste: “do you think it’s smart to move a team during wartime? I mean, with all the costs of metal building a permanent stadium and the logistics of a team on the West Coast with a Pacific enemy, it just doesn’t seem like the timing is right to me.”

“You’re right Ford. Alright, I’m going to table this issue until the winter of 1946. If the war is still going on, and you’re in financial trouble, Richard, we’ll set up some sort of payment plan to keep the franchise floating until we decide on this issue. If the war is over, and I pray that it will be, we’ll have a vote on Richard’s proposal then. Meanwhile, Richard, you need to talk to some more cities, hopefully ones that don’t infringe on other teams.”

I’m not exactly sold on the validity of Richard’s report. Something doesn’t quite seem right to me. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but there just seems to be some underlying motives behind this proposed relocation. I guess it’ll just come to me later...

Although I am against a move to Baltimore. I guess a move to Queens couldn't be so bad...

***

DECEMBER 9

The meetings adjourned, but Elizabeth and I stayed in Miami. It was time for a 2-month vacation from the baseball grind, but we’ll be ready come that magical day in mid-February: the one that has the bright red ink on the calendar: Pitchers and Catchers Report!

Though I'm sure Baltimore wouldn't please Philly (or the Senators)....it's a fairly solid move.

Lessee...1940s...wartime. I think it's a little early to seriously consider Los Angeles. Let's take a look.

1940 Census
1 New York city, NY *...... 7,454,995 299.0 24,933
2 Chicago city, IL......... 3,396,808 206.7 16,434

He could make a fair argument that NY CAN handle four teams. Hmm...

3 Philadelphia city, PA.... 1,931,334 127.2 15,183
5 Los Angeles city, CA..... 1,504,277 448.3 3,356

Okay, I could be wrong. Travel expenses would still be a *****.

7 Baltimore city, MD....... 859,100 78.7 10,916

Here's the next open city.

12 San Francisco city, CA... 634,536 44.6 14,227
13 Milwaukee city, WI....... 587,472 43.4 13,536
14 Buffalo city, NY......... 575,901 39.4 14,617
15 New Orleans city, LA..... 494,537 199.4 2,480
16 Minneapolis city, MN..... 492,370 53.8 9,152

And the other probable contenders.

18 Newark city, NJ.......... 429,760 23.6 18,210

A possible compromise for the NY metro area.

19 Kansas City city, MO..... 399,178 58.6 6,812
20 Indianapolis city, IN.... 386,972 53.6 7,220

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Though I'm sure Baltimore wouldn't please Philly (or the Senators)....it's a fairly solid move.

---

You're absolutely right. I know that I won't be too happy about it, I can just imagine how Clark Griffith and Connie Mack will deal with it...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CatKnight

18 Newark city, NJ.......... 429,760 23.6 18,210

A possible compromise for the NY metro area.

---

Unfortunately, this infringes on 5 teams (Yankees, Giants, Dodgers, Phillies, Athletics), so I think any motion to move here will be shot down really quickly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CatKnight

19 Kansas City city, MO..... 399,178 58.6 6,812
20 Indianapolis city, IN.... 386,972 53.6 7,220

---

If Ford Frick gets his way, he'll want to keep the Browns away from the seven cities brought up in the NL meetings. This is where he'd want the Browns.

I suppose only time will tell. I will guarantee you that there will be no moving while the war is going on, but afterwards...

...all bets are off! :D



SPRING TRAINING 1944
PART I

I just received the surprise of a lifetime. Our pitchers and catchers were supposed to report on February 17. As I drove into our new facility on that date, when I found 25 ballplayers waiting outside the locker room door.

“Hey there Mr. Walsh! Can you open the field for us?” Andy Seminick cried out.

“Sure thing guys. You know, you all don’t have to be here today.”

“We know, but we figured that the extra practice wouldn’t hurt. Plus, we all think that we have a shot at the pennant this year”, Ron Northey answered.

I stood there flabbergasted. Every man on the opening day roster was there, from grizzled veteran Chuck Klein to rookie Charlie Ripple. It was a sight to see, and one that I’ll probably never forget.

Sure, we have all the potential in the world, but a pennant? Those boys had better play their hearts out, and Bucky Harris is going to have to do one h*** of a job managing this outfit.

But they got me thinking. IF Gil Hodges and Vern Stephens can produce from the middle of the order. IF Larry Doby and Andy Seminick can provide backup. IF Phil Rizzuto and Ron Northey can get on base. IF Tommy Hughes repeats his 1942 season. IF Jack Kraus repeats last season. IF our bullpen can hold up again this year.

Sure, it’s a lot of ifs, but IF they all happen, we could be right in the thick of things come September.

***

I got a frantic telephone call from Nick today. Apparently he’s back from his travels, and in Florida.

“Where the h*** were you!?”
“What are you talking about? I was here at Spring Training.”
“I sat outside of the stadium for 7 HOURS! And I didn’t see a soul! What the h*** happened?”
“Oh, I guess you didn’t get the message. Miami Beach kicked us out so we moved to Clearwater.”
“Oh. Well now I feel like a jerk.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Yeah, I’ll be in Clearwater tomorrow. Next time, you ought to leave a note or something.”
“I’ll remember that. Good night, Nick.”

Browns - Baltimore .... something seems right about that match. Baltimore is far enough from Philadelphia that they don't compete for fans. Washington is a different story though.

But something tells me that there may be room for the Browns in New York after the war.

Johnny Pod is only 23 and rated 84? I hope you don't regret cutting him loose.

3Run: Only time will tell :D

And let's review Johnny Pod's numbers: 91 appearances, 67 starts
18-41, 4.60 ERA

While he has immense talent, he hasn't lived up to the billing yet, and I felt that I had plenty of cheaper talent that I could import from the minors. One of Johnny Pod's major flaws is that he only has 2 pitches: fastball (85) and palmball (64). If he develops a breaking ball, then I might regret the move, but I've started the season, and I'm not regretting it yet ;)


SPRING TRAINING 1944
PART II

The excitement of the New Year is long gone. The excitement of a presidential election is far off in the future. The war is starting to take its toll on the American public. And now, the war has taken its toll on baseball.

On February 21, the U.S.S. Alabama was en route to the Marianas islands in the Pacific when Japanese planes started to attack it. One of the gun mounts had a misfire, accidentally firing into another gun mount. 6 men died, and 11 were wounded. Cleveland Indian fans were among the hardest hit, as one of the men who died was their former ace, Bob Feller.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7...feller1xp3.jpg

“Rapid Robert” made his Major League debut with the Indians when he was just 17 years old, and had established himself as one of the game’s best pitchers by the time he was 19. The 4-time All-Star with the blazing fastball threw a no-hitter on Opening Day in 1940, and once struck out 18 men in a game, a modern Major League record. He was 25.

CAREER STATISTICS: 107-54, 3.18 ERA, 1233 K, 1448.1 IP in 6 seasons

***

The bad news doesn’t seem to want to stop. On February 22 (that’s right, the very next day), a B-29 bomber crashed trying to take off, and caused a gas tank to explode. The entire crew died, as well as a chaplain and another man trying to help. The other man was former Detroit Tigers slugger Hank Greenberg.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1810/27829721sm8.jpg

“Hammerin’ Hank” was one of the greatest sluggers of all-time. He won 2 MVP Awards (1935 & 1940), and finished a close second in 1938, when he hit 58 home runs. He was also a 4-time All-Star, and was the first Jewish superstar in baseball history. He was 33.

CAREER STATISTICS: .325, 249 HR, 1015 RBI in 10 seasons

***

They say that bad things happen in threes. Well, they’re right. On February 29, 1944, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis was pronounced dead at a Chicago hospital. Landis had been fighting the recurrence of pneumonia that had previously afflicted him. He was baseball’s first and so far only commissioner. It was during his tenure that the game began to become more mainstream, and the gambling scandals that plagued the early half of the century were no more. The color barrier was also broken and, however begrudgingly, accepted as a fact. He was 77.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9031/40106887ad5.jpg

***

After all the bad news, it was time to get back into baseball. Both the Tigers and Indians will wear memorial patches honoring their fallen teammates, and the league will be wearing the initials of Judge Landis on their left sleeve. I decided to take the trend one step further: I mandated that every player in the Phillies organization wear an American flag on their right shoulder, as a show of support for our fighting men (and women) stationed overseas, and keeping the United States “the land of the free, and home of the brave.”

***

SP Si Johnson retired on March 9. You may remember Si from his time with the Phillies. He pitched 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, starting in Cincinnati (1928-1936), moving to St. Louis (NL) (1936-1938), Philadelphia (NL) (1940-1942), and finally New York (AL) (1943). He leaves the game with a career line of 82-140, 4.18 ERA, and 88 CG.

***

As for the post of Commissioner, both Will Harridge and Ford Frick will run their leagues as separate entities until April 1, when the owners will gather in New York City and appoint a new one. But first, we’re going to change the guidelines a little. I know that most of the NL owners are in favor of limiting the Commissioner’s term, so we’re going to approve a resolution limiting his term. I’ll give some details after the meeting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13

***

They say that bad things happen in threes. Well, they’re right. On February 29, 1944, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis was pronounced dead at a Chicago hospital. Landis had been fighting the recurrence of pneumonia that had previously afflicted him. He was baseball’s first and so far only commissioner. It was during his tenure that the game began to become more mainstream, and the gambling scandals that plagued the early half of the century were no more. The color barrier was also broken and, however begrudgingly, accepted as a fact. He was 77.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9031/40106887ad5.jpg

---

Are you psychic or something? :eek:

Well, I've finally caught up to the present moment in this dynasty. All I can do is

::deep bow::

to an incredible dynasty. I'll be looking forward to future reading. Shame about Bob Feller and Hank Greenberg.

**** Hitler and Tojo. Next stop for Uncle Sam -- Berlin and Tokyo!

--Pet

Coach Owens: Not psychic, just had him die about 10 months earlier than he would. Quite frankly, I'd grown tired of having to keep hm alive... :D

petrel: Thank you for the high praise. Coming from you, that really means a lot. I figured that I had to do something with those two, because they weren't in the game at the start, so this was the most logical thing that I could do without going into the technical aspect of cloning and such.

Thanks for reading!

1944 ROSTER

1944 Philadelphia Phillies (* denotes starter; ^ denotes injury – will miss season opener)

Code:

---

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
21        C*        Andy Seminick        23        85/94        .223, 16 HR, 58 RBI
6        C        Mickey Livingston        29        73        .270, 0 HR, 13 RBI

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
14        1B*        Gil Hodges        19        87/94        .246, 18 HR, 74 RBI
33        1B        Ed Murphy        25        76/78        .125, 0 HR, 0 RBI

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
22        2B*        Ray Hamrick        22        81/90        .261, 1 HR, 9 RBI
5        3B*        Vern Stephens        23        90/94        .274, 12 HR, 72 RBI
10        SS*        Phil Rizzuto        26        84/91        .285, 0 HR, 36 RBI, 13 SB
7        IF        Harry Marnie        26        72/73        .205, 0 HR, 16 RBI
2        IF        Danny Murtaugh        25        75        .217, 0 HR, 15 RBI

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
17        LF*        Nick Goulish        27        85/87        AAA - .335, 13 HR, 90 RBI
23        CF*        Larry Doby        20        80/88        .275, 3 HR, 24 RBI
16        RF*        Ron Northey        23        84/93        .280, 9 HR, 45 RBI       
3        OF        Chuck Klein        39        77        .293, 10 HR, 59 RBI
16        OF        Johnny Blatnik        23        75/95        AAA - .327, 10 HR, 81 RBI

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
19        SP1        Jack Kraus        25        84/88        272.1 IP, 19-13, 3.17 ERA, 79 K
28        SP2        Tommy Hughes        24        81/92        180.2 IP, 9-9, 3.74 ERA, 76 K
15        SP3        Dick Mauney        24        76/85        214 IP, 12-9, 3.53 ERA, 100 K
18        SP4        Charlie Ripple        23        80/94        AAA – 161 IP, 13-7, 3.02 ERA, 46 K

##        POS        NAME        AGE        OVR/PK        1943 STATS
39        MU        Gene Lambert        22        75/84        130.1 IP, 3-9, 4.70 ERA, 85 K
8        LR        Paul Masterson        28        69/71        22 IP, 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 11 K, 1 SV
11        MR        Joe Page        26        79/80        59 IP, 3-5, 4.27 ERA, 31 K, 1 SV
29        SR        Emil Kush        27        79/80        75 IP, 3-8, 2.04 ERA, 37 K, 2 SV
45        SR        Ed Hanyzewski        23        78/86        33 IP, 1-1, 5.45 ERA, 14 K
25        SU        Hugh Casey        30        80        77.2 IP, 4-6, 2.09 ERA, 28 K, 12 SV
12        CL        Ike Pearson        27        80/82        22 IP, 0-3, 4.09 ERA, 5 K, 8 SV

COACHING STAFF
##
37        MAN        Bucky Harris
34        HC        Hack Wilson
41        PC        Walter Beck
48        BC        Lee Riley

TOP PROSPECTS
AAA – Utica Blue Jays
31        SP        Harvey Haddix        18        70/90
40        SP        Al Gerheauser        26        80/88
        SP        Charley Schanz        24        76/83
        RP        Deacon Donahue        23        77/86
        RP        John Fick        22        77/90
        RP        Al Verdel        22        76/84

AA – Wilmington Blue Rocks
        SP        Bill McCahan        22        72/84
        SS        Jack Albright        22        62/82
        LF        Ed Sanicki        20        70/82
        RP        Hilly Flitcraft        20        68/83
        RP        Don Grate        20        68/83

A – Memphis Chickasaws
        SS        John O’Neil        23        64/82

R – Clearwater Phillies

---

1944 SEASON PREVIEW
NATIONAL LEAGUE

By far the more competitive of the two leagues, the National League champion come October could be any one of the top 6 teams. If someone gets on a roll, watch out!

Lineups include 1944 projections

1. St. Louis Cardinals (93-61) – last season: 96-58 (World Series Champion)

SS Jeff Cross - .270, 0 HR, 37 RBI
CF Terry Moore - .301, 12 HR, 79 RBI
RF Enos Slaughter - .323, 13 HR, 86 RBI
LF Stan Musial - .353, 31 HR, 129 RBI
1B Ray Sanders - .316, 15 HR, 81 RBI
C Walker Cooper - .305, 17 HR, 78 RBI
3B Whitey Kurowski - .299, 18 HR, 88 RBI
2B Lou Klein - .291, 4 HR, 53 RBI

SP Mort Cooper – 13-9, 3.67 ERA, 87 K
SP Lon Warneke – 14-9, 3.53 ERA, 83 K
SP Johnny Rigney – 11-8, 3.54 ERA, 87 K
SP Harry Gumbert – 10-9, 4.02 ERA, 49 K
CL Gordon Maltzberger – 8-4, 3.07 ERA, 32 SV

The Cardinals are back atop the National League after their stirring comeback in last season’s World Series. Stan Musial is arguably the best hitter in the National League, and Enos Slaughter and Walker Cooper provide plenty of support. If their pitching can hold up, they should be punching their ticket to another NL Pennant.

2. Brooklyn Dodgers (89-65) – last season: 94-60 (2nd)

SS Arky Vaughan - .325, 9 HR, 83 RBI
2B Jackie Robinson - .328, 17 HR, 99 RBI
LF Joe Medwick - .332, 17 HR, 105 RBI
C Roy Campanella - .287, 32 HR, 108 RBI
1B Dolph Camilli - .294, 26 HR, 105 RBI
3B Ken Keltner - .314, 19 HR, 98 RBI
CF Pete Reiser - .312, 11 HR, 69 RBI
RF Augie Galan - .309, 13 HR, 83 RBI

SP Johnny Vander Meer – 11-10, 4.07 ERA, 103 K
SP Paul Derringer – 14-11, 3.99 ERA, 78 K
SP Carl Hubbell – 12-8, 3.99 ERA, 66 K
SP Larry French – 12-11, 4.03 ERA, 77 K
CL Jim Hughes – 7-4, 3.21 ERA, 32 SV

The Dodgers just missed the pennant last season, and are hungry for vengeance. The offense is explosive from top to bottom, and there isn’t a real weakness. The starters are old, but if they can hold up, the Dodgers will win the pennant.

3. New York Giants (85-69) – last season: 89-65 (3rd)

SS Eddie Joost - .256, 11 HR, 65 RBI
LF Ernie Koy - .292, 14 HR, 80 RBI
CF Wally Judnich - .317, 19 HR, 90 RBI
1B Johnny Mize - .337 31 HR, 118 RBI
RF Mel Ott - .300, 26 HR, 103 RBI
C Harry Danning - .297, 12 HR, 73 RBI
3B Bobby Rhawn - .310, 6 HR, 63 RBI
2B Bill Rigney - .269, 6 HR, 51 RBI

SP Hal Schumacher – 12-9, 3.64 ERA, 79 K
SP Van Mungo – 11-9, 4.00 ERA, 99 K
SP Freddie Fitzsimmons – 8-7, 4.40 ERA, 36 K
SP Denny Galehouse – 10-9, 4.29 ERA, 81 K
CL Hoyt Wilhelm – 10-4, 2.64 ERA, 35 SV

The Giants are another team that could walk away the winner in the NL sweepstakes. Johnny Mize, Mel Ott and Wally Judnich lead a powerful offense that can score with anyone. With Hoyt Wilhelm to close games, the major question with this team is it’s starting pitching.

4. Boston Braves (78—76) – last season: 75-79 (5th)

CF Sam Jethroe – .268, 15 HR, 81 RBI
C Mike Ulisney – .287, 7 HR, 66 RBI
RF Tommy Holmes – .327, 13 HR, 92 RBI
1B Sam Gentile – .310, 18 HR, 95 RBI
LF Chet Ross – .281, 16 HR, 72 RBI
SS Alvin Dark – .285, 11 HR, 83 RBI
3B Joe Burns – .267, 2 HR, 47 RBI
2B Skippy Roberge - .221, 1 HR, 35 RBI

SP Jim Tobin – 14-10, 3.72 ERA, 67 K
SP Red Ruffing – 13-8, 3.59 ERA, 87 K
SP Warren Spahn – 16-7, 2.80 ERA, 127 K
SP Al Javery – 12-9, 3.98 ERA, 80 K
CL George Diehl – 7-4, 3.56 ERA, 30 SV

The Braves could surprise some people and are a dark-horse candidate to win the pennant. They have the best 1-2-3 pitching staff in the Majors with Jim Tobin, Red Ruffing, and Warren Spahn. The Braves will have problems generating offense, which could prevent them from realizing their potential.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (74-80) – last season: 62-92 (7th)

SS Phil Rizzuto – .304, 2 HR, 61 RBI
RF Ron Northey – .296, 14 HR, 67 RBI
1B Gil Hodges – .309, 32 HR, 107 RBI
3B Vern Stephens – .307, 21 HR, 99 RBI
CF Larry Doby – .281, 20 HR, 90 RBI
C Andy Seminick – .264, 19 HR, 71 RBI
LF Nick Goulish - .299, 18 HR, 93 RBI
2B Ray Hamrick - .277, 1 HR, 54 RBI

SP Jack Kraus – 9-6, 3.52 ERA, 46 K
SP Tommy Hughes – 9-8, 3.91 ERA, 61 K
SP Dick Mauney – 10-6, 3.40 ERA, 65 K
SP Charlie Ripple – 11-7, 3.58 ERA, 108 K
CL Ike Pearson – 8-6, 3.94 ERA, 28 SV

The Phillies are another dark-horse. Gil Hodges and Vern Stephens provide plenty of pop, and Jack Kraus and Tommy Hughes lead a talented pitching staff. The problem with the Phillies is that they are extraordinarily young (average age: 25.4). Their inexperience could hurt them in a pennant race.

6. Chicago Cubs (73-81) – last season: 85-69 (4th)

2B Eddie Stanky - .287, 1 HR, 56 RBI
C Rick Ferrell – .279, 1 HR, 46 RBI
CF Phil Cavarretta - .352, 13 HR, 87 RBI
RF Bill Nicholson - .297, 22 HR, 92 RBI
LF Andy Pafko - .321, 22 HR, 97 RBI
1B Garth Mann – .305, 17 HR, 94 RBI
3B Cy Block – .268, 5 HR, 62 RBI
SS Tony York - .239, 1 HR, 49 RBI

SP Claude Passeau – 15-9, 3.27 ERA, 98 K
SP Shaun Hale – 8-9, 4.60 ERA, 46 K
SP Paul Troughton – 9-12, 4.88 ERA, 63 K
SP Joey Lothian – 8-12, 5.15 ERA, 53 K
CL Whitey Miller – 6-5, 4.06 ERA, 27 SV

The Cubs have some of the longest odds possible to win the pennant this season. They boast one of the best outfields in the game with Andy Pafko, Phil Cavarretta, and Bill Nicholson. However, they have no solid starters after Claude Passeau, which will bring big time trouble unless they rectify that.

7. Cincinnati Reds (63-91) – last season: 47-107 (8th)

2B Lonny Frey – .278, 4 HR, 62 RBI
3B Red Rolfe – .281, 9 HR, 76 RBI
LF Bobby Estalella – .278, 9 HR, 59 RBI
1B Babe Young – .294, 14 HR, 71 RBI
CF Fabian Gaffke – .262, 11 HR, 62 RBI
RF Eddie Collins – .273, 3 HR, 46 RBI
C Ray Murray – .249, 2 HR, 39 RBI
SS Charlie Brewster - .248, 1 HR, 48 RBI

SP Bucky Walters – 13-9, 3.57 ERA, 79 K
SP Elmer Riddle – 9-9, 4.44 ERA, 56 K
SP Steve Sundra – 9-8, 4.68 ERA, 46 K
SP Ewell Blackwell – 10-7, 3.40 ERA, 90 K
CL Walker Cress – 7-4, 3.58 ERA, 30 SV

The Reds are bad. Free-agent acquisition Babe Young will lead the offense, and Bucky Walters anchors the pitching staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Reds finish last again. In fact, bet on that.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-93) – last season: 68-86 (6th)

SS Huck Geary - .241, 1 HR, 49 RBI
2B Frankie Gustine - .287, 3 HR, 63 RBI
RF Bob Elliott - .313, 16 HR, 96 RBI
LF Ralph Kiner - .287, 40 HR, 128 RBI
CF Wally Westlake - .281, 17 HR, 76 RBI
3B Bob Kennedy - .295, 10 HR, 64 RBI
1B Nick Etten - .277, 14 HR, 76 RBI
C Bill Salkeld .267, 13 HR, 53 RBI

SP Max Butcher – 12-10, 3.92 ERA, 63 K
SP Rip Sewell – 10-10, 5.09 ERA, 43 K
SP Ken Heintzelman – 10-8, 3.77 ERA, 71 K
SP Bob Chesnes – 10-8, 3.83 ERA, 63 K
CL Diomedes Olivo – 6-4, 3.87 ERA, 28 SV

The Pirates have a lot of talent, but not enough of a track record. Ralph Kiner has the potential to hit 60 HR, and Bob Kennedy is one of the league’s best third basemen. The starting pitchers are mediocre, but there is plenty of room for improvement.

AWARDS PROJECTIONS

NL MVP: Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals
RUNNER UPS: Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers; Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh Pirates

NL CY: Warren Spahn, Boston Braves
RUNNER UPS: Claude Passeau, Chicago Cubs; Red Ruffing, Boston Braves

NL ROY: Charlie Ripple, Philadelphia Phillies
RUNNER UPS: Nick Goulish, Philadelphia Phillies; Luis Olmo, Brooklyn Dodgers

1944 SEASON PREVIEW
AMERICAN LEAGUE

The American League isn’t as close as the NL, but it has one common theme: 7 teams trying to knock the Yankees of their perch. Is this the year someone can pull it off?

Lineups include 1944 projections

1. New York Yankees (95-59) – last season: 107-47 (AL Champion)

SS Pee Wee Reese - .317, 13 HR, 89 RBI
3B Harlond Clift - .304, 21 HR, 102 RBI
LF Charlie Keller - .314, 27 HR, 100 RBI
CF Joe DiMaggio - .346, 35 HR, 136 RBI
2B Joe Gordon - .291, 28 HR, 108 RBI
RF Tommy Henrich - .300, 19 HR, 91 RBI
C Bill Dickey - .271, 11 HR, 66 RBI
1B Oscar Grimes - .273, 4 HR, 49 RBI

SP Lefty Gomez – 14-8, 3.38 ERA, 117 K
SP Tiny Bonham – 13-9, 3.55 ERA, 61 K
SP Atley Donald – 10-9, 4.17 ERA, 70 K
SP Vic Raschi – 13-8, 3.32 ERA, 98 K
CL Norm Branch – 6-5, 4.08 ERA, 27 SV

The Bronx Bombers are in a familiar position: atop the American League. Joe DiMaggio and Pee Wee Reese jump start the offense, which has the potential to be one of the best ever. Lefty Gomez anchors a solid pitching staff. The backs of the rotation and the bullpen are the big concerns for Yankee management.

2. Cleveland Indians (89-65) – last season: 84-70 (3rd)

3B Stan Hack – .317, 4 HR, 75 RBI
SS Lou Boudreau – .323, 10 HR, 85 RBI
LF Jeff Heath – .319, 23 HR, 104 RBI
1B Luke Easter – .314, 34 HR, 110 RBI
C Ernie Lombardi – .298, 15 HR, 74 RBI
CF Roy Weatherly – .308, 10 HR, 70 RBI
RF Frank Demaree – .293, 9 HR, 70 RBI
2B Whitey Wietelmann – .265, 0 HR, 38 RBI

SP Mel Harder – 13-9, 3.71 ERA, 77 K
SP Jim Bagby – 11-10, 4.02 ERA, 73 K
SP Les McCrabb – 10-8, 4.21 ERA, 71 K
SP Allie Reynolds – 13-8, 3.34 ERA, 112 K
CL Pete Center – 6-6, 4.19 ERA, 26 SV

The Indians will be nipping at the Yankees heels all season long. Lou Boudreau, Jeff Heath, and Luke Easter will power the offense, and Mel Harder and Allie Reynolds provide the pitching power. Their problem will be the bottom part of the order, and the lack of production.

3. Washington Senators (87-67) – last season: 77-77 (4th)

CF Walt Chipple - .277, 11 HR, 77 RBI
3B Ellis Clary - .297, 1 HR, 43 RBI
LF Stan Spence - .303, 15 HR, 87 RBI
1B Mickey Vernon - .333, 18 HR, 100 RBI
RF Chet Laabs - .287, 17 HR, 79 RBI
SS Johnny Berardino - .280, 4 HR, 55 RBI
C Birdie Tebbetts - .279, 4 HR, 49 RBI
2B Bob Repass - .251, 1 HR, 49 RBI

SP Early Wynn – 15-8, 3.19 ERA, 117 K
SP Dutch Leonard – 13-8, 3.54 ERA, 75 K
SP Bobo Newsom – 11-10, 3.99 ERA, 110 K
SP Cy Blanton – 11-9, 4.14 ERA, 81 K
CL Bill Kennedy – 6-5, 4.10 ERA, 27 SV

The Senators have a legitimate claim to this spot. They have the best rotation in the American League, led by Early Wynn and Dutch Leonard. If they can acquire a power bat, then this team could become a serious pennant contender.

4. Detroit Tigers (81-73) – last season: 68-86 (5th)

2B Red Borom - .276, 1 HR, 53 RBI
3B Pinky Higgins - .309, 12 HR, 83 RBI
CF Barney McCosky - .349, 2 HR, 69 RBI
1B Rudy York - .307, 29 HR, 111 RBI
LF Ned Harris - .290, 13 HR, 66 RBI
RF Paul Waner - .289, 4 HR, 53 RBI
C Al Unser - .253, 3 HR, 46 RBI
SS Bobby Bragan - .254, 2 HR, 42 RBI

SP Hal Newhouser – 14-8, 3.13 ERA, 131 K
SP Tommy Bridges – 12-9, 4.37 ERA, 91 K
SP Dizzy Trout – 13-7, 3.25, 96 K
SP Charlie Wagner – 9-8, 4.38 ERA, 55 K
CL Al Benton – 9-6, 3.56 ERA, 30 SV

The Tigers have a very talented team. Staff ace Hal Newhouser leads a balanced pitching staff, while Barney McCosky and Rudy York lead the offense. The lack of production from the bottom of the order, and a serious lack of rotation depth will be problems.

5. Boston Red Sox (79-75) – last season: 98-56 (2nd)

CF Dom DiMaggio - .325, 12 HR, 91 RBI
RF Wally Moses - .302, 9 HR, 81 RBI
1B Jimmie Foxx - .305, 30 HR, 110 RBI
LF Ted Williams - .354, 46 HR, 144 RBI
2B Bobby Doerr - .317, 21 HR, 107 RBI
SS Joe Cronin - .309, 12 HR, 83 RBI
3B Pinky May - .293, 1 HR, 60 RBI
C Al Evans - .268, 2 HR, 40 RBI

SP Tex Hughson – 14-8, 3.34 ERA, 89 K
SP Sid Hudson – 11-9, 4.26 ERA, 70 K
SP Yank Terry – 9-8, 3.97 ERA, 63 K
SP Bill Butland – 10-9, 4.08 ERA, 88 K
CL James Atkins – 6-5, 3.72 ERA, 29 SV

The Red Sox are the cutoff point for AL teams. You can’t count out the Sox ever, especially with that offense led by Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio, and Jimmie Foxx. There are too many questions about the pitching staff for them to be considered a serious contender.

6. St. Louis Browns (65-89) – last season: 56-98 (8th)

SS Merl Combs - .244, 1 HR, 39 RBI
CF Milt Byrnes - .285, 6 HR, 68 RBI
1B Jerry Witte - .302, 20 HR, 94 RBI
LF Roy Cullenbine - .309, 18 HR, 91 RBI
RF Willard Brown - .293, 14 HR, 83 RBI
3B Billy Johnson - .305, 12 HR, 72 RBI
2B Stu Martin - .267, 2 HR, 49 RBI
C Frank Mancuso - .237, 2 HR, 39 RBI

SP Bill Bevens – 12-8, 3.56 ERA, 79 K
SP Whit Wyatt – 11-8, 3.98 ERA, 77 K
SP Elden Auker – 11-12, 4.45 ERA, 71 K
SP Travis Robbins – 9-9, 4.36 ERA, 55 K
CL Sid Peterson – 6-5, 3.92 ERA, 28 SV

A young team with a bright future, the Browns have laid a nice framework. Bill Bevens will learn a lot from Whit Wyatt, and Roy Cullenbine and Milt Byrnes are 2 of the AL’s most underrated outfielders. This team just doesn’t have enough skill position talent.

7. Chicago White Sox (61-93) – last season: 63-91 (T-6th)

3B Jimmy Grant - .280, 6 HR, 54 RBI
2B Charlie Gehringer - .272, 7 HR, 60 RBI
LF George Case - .315, 3 HR, 76 RBI
1B Roy Valdes - .284, 14 HR, 85 RBI
CF Harry Craft - .270, 14 HR, 78 RBI
SS Eddie Miller - .266, 12 HR, 72 RBI
RF Bud Sketchley - .267, 11 HR, 74 RBI
C Tom Turner - .251, 2 HR, 38 RBI

SP Thornton Lee – 11-10, 4.20 ERA, 59 K
SP Ed Lopat – 14-9, 3.31 ERA, 78 K
SP Schoolboy Rowe – 12-8, 3.78 ERA, 78 K
SP Ken Chase – 8-12, 5.13 ERA, 86 K
CL Luis Aloma – 8-4, 3.28 ERA, 32 SV

The White Sox began their rebuilding project last season, and expect it to continue this year. Roy Valdes and Harry Craft power the young offense, while Ed Lopat anchors the rotation. Again, this team is too young to accomplish anything great.

8. Philadelphia Athletics (59-95) – last season: 63-91 (T-6th)

CF Woody Wheaton - .262, 10 HR, 70 RBI
3B Jimmy Brown - .290, 1 HR, 60 RBI
RF Taffy Wright - .314, 4 HR, 65 RBI
LF Danny Litwhiler - .308, 18 HR, 84 RBI
1B Dick Adams – .285, 13 HR, 79 RBI
SS Ed Busch - .275, 0 HR, 46 RBI
2B Creepy Crespi - .265, 1 HR, 42 RBI
C Jim Pruett - .251, 3 HR, 53 RBI

SP Ted Lyons – 10-7, 4.18 ERA, 48 K
SP Phil Marchildon – 9-10, 4.43 ERA, 69 K
SP Roger Wolff – 10-11, 4.48 ERA, 70 K
SP Greg Hill – 8-14, 5.54 ERA, 52 K
CL Moe Burtschy – 7-5, 3.82 ERA, 28 SV

The Athletics are bad. Let’s get that out of the way. Danny Litwhiler and Dick Adams will be bright spots, but there isn’t a whole lot to look forward to this season. Check back in 5 years, and we’ll talk about it.

AL MVP: Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox
RUNNER UPS: Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees; Lou Boudreau, Cleveland Indians

AL CY: Early Wynn, Washington Senators
RUNNER UPS: Hal Newhouser, Detroit Tigers; Allie Reynolds, Cleveland Indians

AL ROY: Dick Adams, Philadelphia Athletics
RUNNER UPS: Roy Valdes, Chicago White Sox; Greg Hill, Philadelphia Athletics

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION
Yankees in 7

Another exciting series, but the Yankees get revenge at the expense of the Cardinals, thanks to a walk-off home run by Joe DiMaggio.

1. Chuck Klein...not taking the field on opening day? There oughta be a law against it! Expect some boos from the crowd if they see you in a box seat.

2. Good to see that Joe DiMaggio made it back from the Army all right. Paul Waner won't have to patrol center field.

3. How's Pete Gray doing? It looks like that in this timeline, we won't see him making those one-armed catches in the Browns outfield.

--Pet

Petrel: allow me answer in reverse order.

3. Pete Gray is currently in the AA level of the Browns minor leagues. He has had 92 major league at bats in the past 2 seasons, going .228 with 1 HR and 9 RBI. So he has made some one-armed catches. No outfield assists, though.

2. Joe DiMaggio never went to the army. In this universe, the President allowed all players not enlisted in July 1942 to stay at home and continue playing baseball. Those that were already signed up, like Greenberg and Feller, had to finish their service time.

1. Funny you should mention that...


MARCH 31, 1944

I called Chuck Klein into my office today. Bucky Harris had just laid out his Opening Day starters, and Chuck wasn’t one of them. The fixture in right field was to be replaced by Ron Northey.

“Hey Chuck, I wanted to talk to you about the roster.”

“Mr. Walsh, I’m over that. I know that I’m not a kid anymore, but I know that I can still help out as a pinch hitter. And if I want to play next season, I know that the Phillies organization will gladly keep me on the payroll. But to be honest, Mr. Walsh, none of that really matters to me anymore. I’m just so tired of this losing. I’m tired of being the laughingstock of the league. I’m tired of these second-division finishes. Let’s face it, I’m tired. If starting Ronnie and Nick ahead of me will help us win the pennant, then I’ll just be happy to assume the mentor role and help these kids along.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. Thanks Chuck.”

“Oh, Mr. Walsh: you might want to try and add a veteran starter. It might help the young staff down the stretch to have a vet they can turn to. Just a thought.”

“Thanks, Chuck. I’ll look into that.”

APRIL 1, 1944

(One quick note about the format. I’ll be modifying the format a little bit. I’ll still give constant standings updates, but the season stats and league leaders and the like will be consolidated into three over the course of a season: one in mid-late May, one at the trade deadline, and another that finishes the season. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions that will help you read this easier.)

Before we started deliberating on the new commissioner, the owners unanimously agreed on one thing: term limits. We approved a resolution limiting the Commissioner to four 5-year terms starting in 1946. This means that in December of 1945, we’ll gather to elect a new Commissioner (or re-elect the existing one). This also means that the guy we elect today will serve until 1950, getting a de facto 6-year term. Lucky dog.

Now, onto more pressing matters.

It had been a struggle against time. Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis’ passing was dutifully reported by all the papers, but no one seemed surprised. The former Commissioner had been ill for quite some time. Although he had made his fair share of enemies (including yours truly), he had done a lot for the game of baseball. He was instrumental in cleaning the game up, from a gambler-infested hobby to a proud institution of America. He had broken the color-barrier, and players like Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, and Roy Campanella were making him look like a genius. He was gone, however, and baseball would survive. It just needed a new figurehead.

The task was daunting though. It appeared that every executive had brought forth his own candidate. At 9:05 AM, we had 13 candidates. Through a process of elimination and biography reading and analysis, we were able to get the list down to 8 by the time lunch rolled around. In no particular order, here is our list:

William Harridge - AL President
Ford C. Frick - NL President
Thomas E. Dewey - Governor of New York
John W. Bricker - Governor of Ohio
Fred M. Vinson - Director of the Office of Economic Stabilization
James A. Farley – Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee
Robert E. Hannegan – Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Frank J. Lausche – Mayor of Cleveland, OH

There was an extraordinarily long lunch break. I think that Tom Yawkey treated everyone with him to drinks, and Tom can really throw them down.

We got back at 1:30 PM, and had made absolutely zero progress come 4 PM.

“Well, fellas, if we need to, we can appoint a temporary commissioner. I know that [American League attorney] Joseph Hostetler is interested in serving on an interim basis”, Richard Zimmerman said.

“What good is a temporary commissioner? We still need to find a qualified individual just to fill an interim spot”, argued William Benswanger.

Warren Giles lamented, “There isn’t anyone that really stands out. Perhaps we should wait until after the war, when other, more qualified candidates will be available.”

I couldn’t hold my tongue anymore. “We can’t wait until after the war. First, who knows how long it’s going to last? Secondly, imagine the public’s reaction when we announce that we don’t have a commissioner. How sad will it look that 16 of the most powerful men in America can’t decide on someone to police them? Gentlemen, for our sake and for the sake of this great game, we need to make a decision tonight.”

“Powerful words, Mr. Walsh.” The voice was familiar, but it wasn’t one of the owner’s. It had come from the suddenly-open door...

“We asked for a closed session, now please...”, Ed Barrow froze as he saw the figure. “My mistake, Mr. President, please come in!”

Franklin Delano Roosevelt wheeled himself into the room and occupied a position at the head of the table.

“Thank you gentlemen for accommodating me on such short notice. I do hope I haven’t missed the decision.”

“No Mr. President, we can’t seem to get this list narrowed”, Alva Bradley said.

“Well, I certainly hate to have to add to the confusion, but I’m here for a friend that’s interested in your commissioner vacancy.”

“Well, might as well throw another hat in the ring”, joked Sam Breadon.

“I think you might like him, Sam. He actually came with me.”

Albert B. “Happy” Chandler walked in behind FDR’s wheelchair. Chandler was a former governor of Kentucky and was currently serving in the U.S. Senate as the junior senator from Kentucky.

“Hello, y’all. Glad to meet you. I’m Albert, but everyone calls me Happy!”

For 30 minutes, the owners grilled Happy, from everything to his political stance to his devotion to the game. As it turns out, Happy was ultimately prepared for every question lobbed his way, smashing each answer back towards the owners with that jovial smile of his.

After the questions were exhausted, President Roosevelt and Senator Chandler excused themselves, and the 16 owners took a vote. Well, we tried. It turns out that Ed Barrow and Warren Giles were both anti-Happy, while Branch Rickey, Sam Breadon, and Clark Griffith were for him. After some more quarrelling and arguing, we finally took the vote on Chandler. A 3/4 majority (12 votes) was needed to instill him as the new commissioner.

“Cincinnati votes no.”
“The Browns vote yes.”
“The Phillies vote yes.”
“The White Sox vote yes.”
“The Athletics vote no.”
“The Pirates vote yes.”
“The Tigers vote yes.”
“The Braves vote yes.”
“The Senators vote no.”
“The Indians vote yes.”
“The Cubs vote yes.”
“The Giants vote yes.”
“The Dodgers vote yes.”
“The Cardinals vote yes.”
“The Yankees vote no.”

Tom Yawkey would cast the deciding vote.

“The Red Sox vote yes.”

And so it was official. At 5:21 PM on April 1, 1944, Happy Chandler became baseball’s second commissioner.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9865/10925yh8.jpg

Unfortunately, the lateness of the meeting forced all of us to miss all 4 Opening Day games. Oh well, with a new Commissioner in place, and that being the worst of our worries, I’d say that we were on easy street.

Well, Happy seems....Happy. I'm a little surprised Yawkey voted for him. Historically Happy brought integration, and he seems pro-civil rights for most of his career. Didn't the BoSox fight integration as long as they could?

It'll be interesting to see if Chandler's obvious charisma can win him the support to push baseball into the post-war era. Also, since HE doesn't have to integrate the game anymore, I wonder if it'll help his prospects in the '50 election!

From the book "Divide and Dissent: Kentucky Politics 1930-1963".

"...in this statement are contained many hints to the resiliency of Happy Chandler the politician. His ability to rationalize his own conduct and to condemn with great indignation others engaging in the same conduct; his habit of interpreting as sin actions which, committed by him, became virtue; and his willingness to state as fact things that the record showed were made up of whole cloth -- such tactics, employed consistently, stood the man in good stead throughout a long career."

It might give you some hint to his personality.

--Pet

CatKnight: Well, I wanted to put Happy in as commissioner, and baseball had already been integrated, so I sort of looked past that.

Petrel: Thanks! That'll really help out when I have to interact with the new commish later on!


APRIL 2

There is nothing like Opening Day in Philadelphia. The sun is shining, the grass is green, and there’s a full house at Shibe Park! Now, after a busy and tumultuous offseason, let’s Play Ball!

Jack Kraus went out to the mound to start the game for the Phillies. Our ‘ace’ last season, he went 19-13 with a 3.17 ERA, and was one of the finalists for the NL Cy Young Award. He got Andy Pafko to ground out, but plunked Rick Ferrell. He got out of the inning unscathed, as he got two more groundouts from Phil Cavarretta and Bill Nicholson to end the inning.

Claude Passeau would start the season for the Cubs. Passeau is an ex-Phillie, having played for the team from 1936-1939. He went 14-8 with a 3.40 ERA for the Cubs last season. He retired Phil Rizzuto, Ron Northey, and Gil Hodges in order.

Kraus managed to get Reggie Otero and Cy Block out, but surrendered a double to Pete Coscarart. He was obviously rattled, as he hit Tony York. But the thread was nullified when Passeau flied out to end the frame.

Passeau got Vern Stephens, Larry Doby, and Andy Seminick in order in the 2nd inning.

After retiring Pafko and Ferrell, Kraus allowed a Cavarretta double, but stranded him at second base by inducing a Nicholson fly out.

The bottom third of the order, Nick Goulish, Ray Hamrick, and Kraus does nothing against Claude Passeau, who cruises through the order without incidents.

Jack Kraus ran into trouble in the 4th. He walked Otero and Block, putting runners on first and second with nobody out. Coscarart struck out, but Tony York lifted a blooper into left field. It took a fine sliding catch by Nick Goulish to record the out, but it was a fantastic play. However, it would be topped by the next pitch. Claude Passeau smashed a vicious line drive that looked like a certain double, but little Phil Rizzuto stretched every part of his 5’6” frame to snag the ball at the peak of his jump! Jack Kraus gave him a well-deserved pat on the back, as two fine defensive plays keep the Cubbies off the scoreboard.

Rizzuto followed up his amazing play by lining the Phillies’ first hit back through the box. However, he managed to get picked off of first base. Not the way you want to start the season. As he sulked in the dugout, I saw Hack Wilson go over and talk to Scooter. Hack should know something about making bad plays. He misplayed a “routine” fly ball in the 1930 World Series that led to a 10-run inning, allowing the Philadelphia Athletics to seize momentum and win the World Series. Hopefully the kid can get his head on straight when we need him. Northey and Hodges both flied out to end the inning.

Pafko struck out to lead off the Cubs’ fifth, but Ferrell followed with a double. He was left standing on second, as Cavarretta struck out and Nicholson popped up to the second baseman.

Vern Stephens led off the Phillies’ fifth with a base knock. Doby struck out, but Seminick walked. Nick Goulish followed with a single to right, and Vern came around to score. Phillies 1, Cubs 0. Hamrick grounded out to end the threat.

The lead wouldn’t last, as Jack Kraus immediately allowed a triple to Reggie Otero, who scored on Cy Block’s RBI single. Phillies 1, Cubs 1. A sac bunt advanced the runner to second, when Garth Mann pinch hit for Tony York. Mann flied out, and Passeau popped out to end the threat.

Kraus, Rizzuto and Northey were retired in order.

Andy Pafko led off the 7th inning with a walk, and advanced to second on a Ferrell sacrifice. Cavarretta bounced a vicious shot back at Kraus, but Jack was able to stab it in midair, and wheeled to third to nab Pafko! The heads-up play goes for naught, however, as Bill Nicholson strokes an RBI double to give the Cubs their first lead. Cubs 2, Phillies 1. Otero struck out to end the inning.

Gil Hodges popped out the start the 7th, but Vern Stephens walked. Larry Doby followed with a base hit, and Andy Seminick lashed a double down the left field line, scoring Stephens and tying the game. Cubs 2, Phillies 2. With two runners in scoring position and 1 out, rookie Nick Goulish stepped up to the plate, and sat back down in the dugout after striking out. The crowd roared as long-time Phillies outfielder Chuck Klein was called up to pinch hit for Ray Hamrick. Chuck got a 2-1 fastball and yanked it down the line. A towering fly ball that had every intention of going out was held up by a gust of wind, and fell harmlessly into Nicholson’s waiting glove, wasting the Phillies’ golden opportunity to bust the game open.

Cy Block led off the 8th with a single, took a wide turn and tried for second. But Larry Doby raced over and fired a perfect strike to Danny Murtaugh, who spun and applied the tag for the first out. I know one thing: Earl Naylor NEVER makes that play. Pete Coscarart and Eddie Stanky are retired and the inning ends.

Jack Kraus is lifted for a pinch hitter, Ed Murphy, to start the Phillies’ 8th. Murphy doesn’t disappoint, blooping a double into centerfield. Phil Rizzuto laces a single to right field, and Murphy scampers around third base to score just ahead of the tag! Phillies 3, Cubs 2. After outs to Northey and Hodges, Stephens singles, and Rizzuto slides into third base. He is stranded, though, as Doby grounds out harmlessly.

Ike Pearson was brought in to close out the game, and Harry Marnie was brought in at second base. I mention this now, because it will become crucial later.

The inning started innocently enough. Bob Johnson pinch hit for Passeau, and drew a walk. Pafko laid down a sacrifice, and Ferrell lined out on another outstanding defensive play by Goulish. Phil Cavarretta bounced a routine grounder to Marnie at second.

Now, Harry is listed as a shortstop, but is a second baseman by trade, and can play Gold Glove-caliber defense anywhere on the infield. He fielded the grounder, and inexplicably looked to third base. I don’t know if he was trying to get the lead runner (which you’re NOT supposed to do in this situation), but something distracted him enough to land his throw...in the second row of the grandstand. Johnson scored, and Cavarretta took second. Phillies 3, Cubs 3. Bill Nicholson followed with a single, and Cavarretta came around to score. Cubs 4, Phillies 3. Otero walked, but Block flied out. However, the damage was done.

Or was it? Whitey Miller came in to close the game for the Cubs. He got Seminick to pop out and Goulish to fly out. With two outs, Harry Marnie stepped up to bat. Obviously, he wanted to make up for his error in the top of the inning, so he battled. He must’ve fouled off 3 tough pitches before he got his fastball, and went the other way with it for a base hit. The Phillies were still breathing, but had rookie Johnny Blatnik coming up as a pinch-hitter. Blatnik, with nerves of steel, battled to a 3-1 count, then lined a fastball...past the diving Clyde McCullough at first base and down the right-field line! Marnie slid home safely, and the game was tied on Blatnik’s RBI double! Cubs 4, Phillies 4. Phil Rizzuto, signified the top of the order, and worked the count 3-0. He slapped a 95-mile-an-hour fastball towards deep short. Blatnik, who has excellent speed, took off on contact toward third base. Eddie Stanky tried to knock the ball down...BUT IT GOT PAST HIM INTO LEFT FIELD! Blatnik raced around third, touched home, and leapt into the waiting arms of Ron Northey! Rizzuto touched first, and joined in the celebration. Andy Pafko picked the ball up in left field, and just put it in his pocket. For the second consecutive year, the Phillies had won their home opener in walk-off fashion!

Phillies 5, Cubs 4
W: Ike Pearson (1-0) L: Whitey Miller (0-1)

2B: Andy Seminick (1), Ed Murphy (1), Johnny Blatnik (1)

I left the stadium a few hours after the game had ended, and I was in a sea of self-doubt. After the six NL teams that played on the first split their first two games, the 1-0 Philadelphia Phillies sit alone atop the National League. Maybe this team does have the stuff to make a run for the pennant? Something just doesn’t look right about this team, though. It’s missing something, but I just can’t put my finger on it...

APRIL – MAY 1944
PART I

April 2-4: Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies

2 – See recap above

3 – A fan was spotted with a sign that read: “Magic Number: 153”. I thought that was a little much, but the fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about in the past decade. On to the game: Tommy Hughes twirls a dandy, a four-hit shutout, and Nick Goulish stays hot with his first career home run.
Phillies 6, Cubs 0.
W: Tommy Hughes (1-0) L: Shaun Hale (0-1)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (1)
3B: Vern Stephens (1)
HR: Nick Goulish (1)

***

I suppose that renegotiating after a shutout victory with the winning pitcher is bad practice, but Tommy Hughes and I agreed to a long term extension: $18,000 per year through 1950, with 3-year options for the team ($23,000) and the player ($30,000). I know that he’s somewhat fragile, but when he’s on his game, he’s one of the best pitchers in the National League, and I want to keep a talent like that among my ranks.

***

Congratulations to Dodgers 1B Dolph Camilli. The former Phillie knocked in the 1000th RBI of his career as the Dodgers trounced the Reds, 14-2.

***

4 – The same fan was back today, holding a “Magic Number: 152” sign. It was funny the first day, buddy, but now it’s getting kind of lame! Anyways: Dick Mauney tosses a complete game, as Larry Doby has quite the day with a home run, a stolen base, and some fine defensive plays out in centerfield as the Phillies open their season with a sweep of the Cubs.
Phillies 6, Cubs 1.
W: Dick Mauney (1-0) L: Paul Troughton
HR: Larry Doby (1)
SB: Larry Doby (1)

***

Congratulations to Red Sox SS Joe Cronin, who knocked in his 1500th career RBI today in a 6-1 Red Sox win over the New York Yankees.

***

April 5-7: Cincinnati Reds (1-2, T-5th, 2 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (3-0, 1st, 1 GA)

5 – Nick Goulish goes 3-3 (2 doubles and a triple) with 2 RBI, and Charlie Ripple pitches well in 7 innings of work to pick up his first Major League victory.
Phillies 8, Reds 5
W: Charlie Ripple (1-0) L: Ewell Blackwell (0-1) SV: Ed Hanyzewski (1)
2B: Nick Goulish 2 (2), Andy Seminick (2), Charlie Ripple (1)
3B: Nick Goulish (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (1)

***

Bad news for the defending AL Champions: Ace SP Lefty Gomez will miss the remainder of the season with a broken wrist. Team doctors also say that the wrist may never fully recover. Tough break for the Bombers.

OF Gene Moore retired. Moore played in 12 Major League seasons for the Reds (1931), the Cardinals (1933-1935), the Braves (1936-1938, 1940-1941), the Dodgers (1939-1940), and the Senators (1942-1943). He made the 1937 All-Star team as a representative of the Braves. His career stat line: .276, 48 HR, 320 RBI.

***

6 – Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Ron Northey and Gil Hodges hit back-to-back triples, and Vern Stephens follows with a double, giving Jack Kraus (CG, 3 R, 9 H) his first victory of the season.
Phillies 4, Reds 3
W: Jack Kraus (0-1) L: Bucky Walters (0-2)
2B: Vern Stephens (1)
3B: Ron Northey (1), Gil Hodges (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (2)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (1)

***

SS Billy Jurges retired. Jurges played 12 Major League seasons for the Cubs (1931-1938) and the Giants (1939-1942). He was a member of 3 NL All-Star teams: 1937, 1939, and 1940. His career stat line: .263, 35 HR, 571 RBI.

***

7 – Well, you can’t win them all. The Reds strike for 5 runs in the 7th and 8th to pull ahead and stay ahead, despite a last-minute push by the home team.
Reds 6, Phillies 4
W: Earl Harrist (1-0) L: Tommy Hughes (1-1) SV: Walker Cress (1)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (2), Gil Hodges 2 (2), Ray Hamrick (1)
SB: Ray Hamrick (1)

***

The Dodgers lost a key component today, when it was announced that 2B Jackie Robinson will miss the rest of the regular season with a torn Achilles tendon. If the Dodgers win the pennant, he will be able to return for the World Series.

In our nation’s capital, the Senators found out that their ace, SP Early Wynn, will be out for the season with a torn ACL.

And I thought Tommy Hughes was fragile. Dick Mauney will miss 5 weeks with a dislocated hip. Dick has been injury-riddled, and has gone on the DL four times in his brief (1+ seasons) tenure in the major leagues. Gene Lambert will take his spot in the rotation while Al Gerheauser gets the call-up from AAA Utica.

***

The New York Giants have won 5 in a row, tying us for the NL lead.

The Chicago White Sox are blazing hot, winning 4 straight and pulling to within one game of the 5-1 Washington Senators, who lead the AL. The Philadelphia A’s are still the only team that has yet to win a ballgame.

We now have to face our toughest test so far: a three-game trip to Brooklyn to face off with the Dodgers.

***

April 8-10: Philadelphia Phillies (5-1, T-1st, 1 GA) at Brooklyn Dodgers (4-2, 3rd, 1 GB)

8 – The Phillies use the strength of a 5-run third inning, and ride the great performance by Gene Lambert (7.1 IP, 3 R, 7 H) to pick up the road win.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
W: Gene Lambert (1-0) L: Carl Hubbell (1-1) SV: Paul Masterson (1)
HR: Larry Doby (2)

9 – The Phillies string together enough hits and walks to score 4 runs in the fourth inning, and Charlie Ripple controls the Dodgers offense for 8 innings, and the Phillies win again.
Phillies 4, Dodgers 1
W: Charlie Ripple (2-0) L: Larry French (0-1) SV: Ike Pearson (1)

***

The Giants lost to the Cardinals, giving the Phillies sole possession of first place!

***

10 – Ron Northey was just 4-38 on the season before today’s game. He goes 2-4 with a key 9th-inning three-run home run to put the game on ice for Jack Kraus (8 IP, 2 ER, 5 H) and the Phillies sweep the Dodgers in Brooklyn.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 2
W: Jack Kraus (2-0) L: Johnny Vander Meer (2-1)
2B: Nick Goulish (3), Johnny Blatnik (2)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (2), Andy Seminick (1)
HR: Ron Northey (1)

***

The Giants lost to the Cardinals again, increasing the Phillies’ lead to 2 games!

We take a day off on the 11th to travel to Pittsburgh for our first meeting with the Pirates. The Giants lost on our off day, so our lead increases to 2 1/2 games!

(For those of you wondering, our Magic Number is 143 :D)

***

April 12-14: Philadelphia Phillies (8-1, 1st, 2.5 GA) at Pittsburgh Pirates (3-6, T-7th, 5 GB)

12 – Gil Hodges’ 9th-inning RBI single helps Tommy Hughes to his second victory of the season, and keeps the Phillies on their newfound winning ways.
Phillies 3, Pirates 2
W: Tommy Hughes (2-1) L: Ace Adams (0-1) SV: Ike Pearson (2)
2B: Nick Goulish (4), Ray Hamrick (2), Ron Northey (1)

13 – Vern Stephens hits a grand slam, but the Phillies need a second four-run inning to put the Pirates away, and extend their winning streak to 5 games.
Phillies 8, Pirates 5
W: Gene Lambert (2-0) L: Harry Shuman (1-1)
2B: Larry Doby (1), Gene Lambert (1)
HR: Vern Stephens (1)

***

The National League Leader in batting average has been bitten by the injury bug. LF Bobby Estalella (CIN) will miss 2 weeks with a dislocated shoulder. He was hitting .475 (19-40) at the time of his injury.

The Giants are unable to keep pace with the torridly-hot Phillies, and drop another game in the standings, leaving them 3.5 back.

***

14 – The Pirates rally for 5 runs in the 8th inning, thanks to a Gil Hodges error, and avoid the sweep. I could get used to winning 5 of 6, though.
Pirates 7, Phillies 4
W: Bill Brandt (1-1) L: Ed Hanyzewski (0-1) SV: Diomedes Olivo (2)
2B: Ray Hamrick (3)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (2), Ray Hamrick (2), Nick Goulish (1)

***

The Giants win, so they pick up a game on us.

***

April 15: Off Day

We got back to Philadelphia late on Saturday (the 14th) night. With Sunday off, I wanted to get the players home so they could prep for our big series with the Giants starting on Monday. Waiting for us at Shibe Park was a throng of fans, maybe 200 deep! It was a madhouse! It was great to see so many people ready to welcome the team back home, and with 3 upcoming against the second-place Giants, I hope that they can fill the park with the same raucous atmosphere that they greeted us with!

STANDINGS (AFTER GAMES ON APRIL 15, 1944)

Code:

---

NATIONAL LEAGUE               
Philadelphia        10-2        -
New York        8-5        2.5
Boston                7-5        3
St. Louis        6-6        4
Brooklyn        6-7        4.5
Chicago                5-7        5
Pittsburgh        4-8        6
Cincinnati        3-9        7
                       
AMERICAN LEAGUE               
Washington        8-4        -
Boston                7-5        1
Cleveland        7-5        1
New York        6-6        2
Chicago                6-6        2
Detroit                6-7        2.5
Philadelphia        5-8        3.5
St. Louis        4-8        4

---

Magic number 140!

*joining the fan with the sign*

Booo! Go A's!

As a St. Louis fan might put it, "yeah, but you've not played New York or St. Louis yet. Let's see how well you do when you play a good team."

My definition of a good team: one with Gil Hodges, Phil Rizzuto and Larry Doby.

--Pet

CatKnight: Trust me, I know. That same guy must have season tickets...

Coach Owens: But the A's aren't as good as the Phillies...and you're a Mariners fan :D

Petrel: Yes, I'm aware that I've been beating up the bottom half of the NL. Funny that you mention the Cardinals and Giants: The Phillies' next 9 games are against those two teams.

APRIL – MAY 1944
PART II

Turns out that the Sporting News was keen to our hot start, so they sent a reporter to get a story for next month’s issue. I gave some terrific quotes, while attributing all the success to the players and coaches. I don’t bust my butt every night, I just assemble the talent and pay the bills. Maybe I should’ve given myself more credit...

April 16-18: New York Giants (8-5, 2nd, 2.5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (10-2, 1st, 2.5 GA)

16 – Harry Danning and Johnny Mize drive in all of the Giants’ runs, and the Phillies’ 9th-inning comeback attempt falls just short.
Giants 3, Phillies 2
W: Hal Schumacher (2-2) L: Jack Kraus (2-1) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (3)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (3), Larry Doby (2)
3B: Ron Northey (2)

17 – The Phillies almost make more errors than hits, as Van Mungo dominates the Philadelphia order, tossing a 5-hit shutout to pull the Giants within a half game of first place.
Giants 11, Phillies 0
W: Van Mungo (2-0) L: Tommy Hughes (2-2)

18 – With first place on the line, the Phillies under-whelm, managing only one run against Cliff Melton, who went the distance to move the Giants into first place.
Giants 3, Phillies 1
W: Cliff Melton (2-0) L: Gene Lambert (2-1)
2B: Gil Hodges (3), Vern Stephens (2)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (3), Ray Hamrick (3)

***

Wow. Well, at least the Giants will be without CF Wally Judnich for two weeks (separated shoulder).

***

April 19-21: Philadelphia Phillies (10-5, 2nd, .5 GB) at St. Louis Cardinals (7-8, T-4th, 3.5 GB)

19 – Andy Seminick goes 2-5 with 3 RBI as the Phillies snap their losing streak and keep pace with the first-place Giants.
Phillies 7, Cardinals 5
W: Charlie Ripple (3-0) L: Howie Pollet (1-2)
2B: Nick Goulish (5), Andy Seminick (3)

20 – Jack Kraus gets roughed up, giving up 2 home runs in 6 innings, as the Phillies don’t stand a chance today. Thankfully the Giants lose, keeping the Phillies 1/2 game back.
Cardinals 8, Phillies 3
W: Harry Gumbert (3-0) L: Jack Kraus (2-2)
2B: Vern Stephens (3)

21 – Gil Hodges and Vern Stephens hit back-to-back home runs...in an 11-0 game. The Giants lose again, so the Phillies manage to keep pace despite another poor showing.
Cardinals 11, Phillies 2
W: Lon Warneke (3-1) L: Tommy Hughes (2-3)
2B: Larry Doby (3)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (2), Andy Seminick (2)
HR: Gil Hodges (3), Vern Stephens (2)

April 22: Day Off

***

Congratulations to Red Sox SS Joe Cronin, who recorded his 2500th career hit in an 8-7 win over the Senators.

We get the day off to rest up for another huge confrontation with the Giants, this time at the Polo Grounds.

***

April 23-25: Philadelphia Phillies (11-7, 2nd, .5 GB) at New York Giants (12-7, 1st, .5 GA)

23 – Chuck Klein’s pinch-hit RBI groundout in the top of the 9th inning puts the Phillies ahead to stay, and gives the visitors sole possession of first place.
Phillies 5, Giants 4
W: Hugh Casey (1-0) L: Ken Trinkle (0-3)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (4), Gil Hodges (4), Andy Seminick (4), Ron Northey (2), Gene Lambert (2)
3B: Gil Hodges (2), Vern Stephens (2)
HR: Andy Seminick (1)

***

Last season’s #1 overall pick, RP Clarence Marshall, will miss 1 month with some ruptured knee ligaments.

***

24 – The most consistent starter for the first-place Phillies? Rookie Charlie Ripple, whose 8 innings of 3-run ball is enough for the win, and to extend the lead to 1.5 games.
Phillies 6, Giants 3
W: Charlie Ripple (4-0) L: Walter Ockey (0-2) SV: Ike Pearson (3)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (5), Ron Northey (3)
3B: Ray Hamrick (1)
HR: Ron Northey (2)

25 – Jack Kraus and Emil Kush combine to shut out the Giants offense, and the Phillies return the favor, sweeping the Giants in their home stadium. Revenge is sweet.
Phillies 6, Giants 0
W: Jack Kraus (3-2) L: Hal Schumacher (2-3)
2B: Andy Seminick (5), Vern Stephens (4), Ron Northey (4)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (3)

***

The excitement of an early-season pennant run certainly has Phillies fans all agog: we’ve actually recorded some sellouts! I’m not going to lie: this is certainly the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here. We’re going to need a whole lot of fans tomorrow, as we start a huge series with the Dodgers.

***

April 26-28: Brooklyn Dodgers (12-10, T-2nd, 2.5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-7, 1st, 2.5 GA)

26 – Perhaps there is nothing better than baseball on a Thursday night under the lights! Well, there is something better: a Phillies win on a Thursday night under the lights! Tommy Hughes allows 4 runs over 8 innings, but still picks up the win as Emil Kush survives a wild 9th inning. The Giants win to keep pace.
Phillies 9, Dodgers 8
W: Tommy Hughes (3-3) L: Larry French (0-3)
2B: Vern Stephens (5)
3B: Larry Doby (1)
HR: Vern Stephens (3), Nick Goulish (2)

27 – In a complete 180, today’s game features a pitching clinic by Gene Lambert. The 23-year-old from Crenshaw, MS struck out 11 Dodger hitters, en route to a complete-game five-hit victory. The Giants lost, giving the Phillies a 3.5 game lead.
Phillies 4, Dodgers 1
W: Gene Lambert (3-1) L: Johnny Vander Meer (3-4)
2B: Phil Rizzuto 2 (7), Nick Goulish (6)

***

SP Vern Kennedy retired. Kennedy pitched 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, with the White Sox (1934-1937), the Tigers (1938-1939), the Browns (1939-1941), the Senators (1941), the Indians (1942), and the Giants (1943). He was selected to 2 All-Star Games: 1936 & 1938. His career stat line: 88-97, 5.00 ERA, 100 CG in 212 starts.

***

28 – Larry Doby falls a double shy of the cycle, going 4-5 with 5 RBIs, helping rookie Charlie Ripple to a perfect 5-0 record. The Giants lose again, giving a 4.5 game advantage to the Phillies who have won 6 straight.
Phillies 7, Dodgers 1
W: Charlie Ripple (5-0) L: Paul Derringer (2-4)
2B: Nick Goulish (7), Vern Stephens (6), Ray Hamrick (4)
3B: Larry Doby (2)
HR: Larry Doby (3)

***

It may take the New York Giants a little longer to catch us than usual. Team doctors announced that RF Mel Ott will be out for nearly 2 months after getting hit by 2 pitches in today’s game. Also, Giant C Harry Danning will miss 2 weeks with a mild shoulder separation.

***

April 29 – May 2: Philadelphia Phillies (17-7, 1st, 4.5 GA) at St. Louis Cardinals (11-13, T-5th, 6 GB)

29 – Jack Kraus holds the Cardinals to 5 hits in 7 innings of work. However, Johnny Beazley holds the Phillies to 3 hits in 8.1 innings. With the rest of the NL idle, the Phillies give a half-game back to field, leaving the Giants 4 back.
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1
W: Johnny Beazley (1-1) L: Jack Kraus (3-3) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (3)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (4)

***

Another injury hits the Phillies rotation, as NL strikeout leader Gene Lambert will miss 2 weeks of action with a sprained back. Marius Russo will get the call up from AAA Utica.

***

30 – A 13-inning marathon that the Phillies win with an RBI single by Andy Seminick. The Giants loss moves the Cubs into second place, now 4.5 games behind the league-leading Phillies.
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1 (13)
W: Hugh Casey (2-0) L: Gordon Maltzberger (0-1)
2B: Nick Goulish (8), Andy Seminick (6), Ron Northey (5), Harry Marnie (1)
3B: Nick Goulish (2)
SB: Nick Goulish (2)

1 – Marius Russo digs the Phillies into a 5-0 hole that the offense just can’t quite get out of. The Cubs win, cutting the league lead to 3.5 games.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 4
W: Johnny Rigney (2-5) L: Marius Russo (0-1) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (4)
2B: Larry Doby (4)
HR: Johnny Blatnik (1)

2 – Charlie Ripple is in rare form, as he holds the Cardinals to just 3 hits over 8 innings of outstanding work, and Emil Kush comes in to complete the shutout. The Cubs lose, moving the Giants back into second place, 4 games back.
Phillies 5, Cardinals 0
W: Charlie Ripple (6-0) L: Harry Gumbert (4-2)
2B: Harry Marnie (2)
3B: Larry Doby (3)
HR: Vern Stephens (4)

STANDINGS (After games on May 2, 1944)

Code:

---

NATIONAL LEAGUE               
Philadelphia        19-9        -
New York        15-13        4
Chicago                14-13        4.5
Cincinnati        13-14        5.5
Brooklyn        13-15        6
St. Louis        13-15        6
Boston                12-18        7
Pittsburgh        12-18        7
                       
AMERICAN LEAGUE               
New York        18-9        -
Boston                17-10        1
Cleveland        16-11        2
Washington        15-12        3
Detroit                13-14        5
Chicago                12-15        6
Philadelphia        9-18        9
St. Louis        8-19        10

---

Why do the teams I cheer for always suck? :( :p

Well why the heck did you pick the A's? By 1944 they're well into "we really, really suxx0r" mode.

4 games in front entering May! Awesome job! Now...can you hold the lead? :)


Oh, lest I forget: Magic Number 123! :)

My rule has always been that it's okay to split a series with a good team, or even drop such a series on the road. But you have to mop the floor with crappy teams!

I think this Phillies team can go all the way.

--Pet

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by petrel

My rule has always been that it's okay to split a series with a good team, or even drop such a series on the road. But you have to mop the floor with crappy teams!

I think this Phillies team can go all the way.

--Pet

---

2007 Mariners anyone? :D

Coach Owens: Don't think of them as sucking. Think of it as "perpetual rebuilding". :p

CatKnight: I certainly hope a 4-game lead can be held. Especially with the fun I'm having with trades right now (blockbuster coming up - stay tuned)!

Petrel: I certainly hope you're right!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Sporting News

MAY 1, 1944

LOOK OUT, NL, HERE COME THE PHILLIES?
Young upstarts off to a blistering start.
By Stanley J. Smith, SN staff writer

For having two perennial losers for baseball teams, the city of Philadelphia has its hopes high that someday, a team will bust through with the right assemblage of talent and leadership and capture a World Series title for their fair city.

Perhaps that this season’s version of the Phillies will be that team.

It has been over 28 years since the Phillies won their only pennant. The 1915 team included two future Hall-of-Famers in Grover Alexander and Eppa Rixey, as well as superhuman performances from Gavvy Cravath and Dave Bancroft.

This season, the Phillies are made up of kids.

The Phillies only field two players over the age of 30: outfielder Chuck Klein and reliever Hugh Casey. Only one other player has more than four years of Major League experience under his belt. While the experience is not there, the talent certainly shows.

“The kids are fantastic players, and have the world ahead of them,” says manager Bucky Harris. “If they can all stay healthy, they could bring multiple championships to Philadelphia.

“It really has been remarkable to see the transformation from glossy-eyed rookie to regular player. Each one of these guys has turned into a reliable player.”

Perhaps the brain trust behind the team could shed some light on why the Phillies are having such success: “I guess that it just clicked for all of them at the same time,” says team owner Andrew Walsh. “The results tend to be unpredictable when you get a bunch of young guys together. Fortunately, they’ve reacted with a fantastic start.”

Walsh should get more credit than he lets on. With a series of smart personnel moves, he’s quite possibly put together the best team under 25 ever. Trades for Phil Rizzuto, Vern Stephens, and Larry Doby are really just the tip of the iceberg for Walsh.

“We take great pride in developing our own talent. The Cardinals get a lot of praise for such a great farm system, but if you look at our roster, we have plenty of home-grown talents that are putting up great performances for us.

“Our rotation is entirely home-grown. [Jack] Kraus, [Tommy] Hughes, [Dick] Mauney, and [Charlie] Ripple have all come up from the minors and put up great performances so far. We have Andy Seminick behind the plate, Ron Northey and Nick Goulish in the outfield, and Ray Hamrick and Gil Hodges on the right side. I think that our system is really paying dividends.”

Walsh should know about dividends. He was a Wall Street stockbroker, who purchased the Phillies from Gerald Nugent after he ran out of money. It may have been the smartest business decision of his life.

But how are the players reacting to their newfound success? Elder statesman Chuck Klein, who has witnessed 14 seasons worth of losing in a Phillies uniform:

“They’re great. They bring a youthful energy to the team, and I really think that they believe in themselves, and that’s what counts.”

Sophomore catcher Andy Seminick gives credit to Klein: “Chuck has been a huge influence on us all. He’s been around the block a few times, so if we have questions, we know we can go to him and [Hugh] Casey.”

With a 10-2 record as of April 15, the Phillies are the best team in baseball. But the question on everyone’s mind is: do they have the discipline and the stamina to lead for the remaining 142 games?

“I think they do”, manager Harris said. “They’re a very driven, very talented bunch. If they feel that the pennant is within their grasp, they’re gonna try and take it.”

“Even if we don’t get it this year”, continued Walsh, “we’ll certainly put the rest of the National League on notice. This isn’t just a one-time thing. This team is built for 5, 10, even 15 years down the road. We could be a perennial force like the Yankees.”

Seminick has a different take. “When it all comes down to it, it doesn’t matter if we win the pennant this year. We’re just 25 guys that like to have fun. It is just a game, after all.”

Although that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, the young catcher is right. However, if the Phillies keep winning their games, these ‘Whiz Kids’ could be parading down Broad Street with their first World Series title come October.

---

APRIL – MAY 1944
PART III

May 3-5: Boston Braves (12-16, T-7th, 7 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (19-9, 1st, 4 GA)

We’ll get the best the Braves have to offer, with Tobin, Ruffing, and Spahn scheduled to start for the visitors. We’ll counter with Kraus, Hughes, and Marius Russo.

3 – Despite shutting the Braves out for the first 5 innings, Jack Kraus needed to throw four more, and the Braves jumped all over Phillies pitching in the last four to pick up the win.
Braves 7, Phillies 3
W: Jim Tobin (2-4) L: Jack Kraus (3-4)
2B: Vern Stephens (7), Chuck Klein (1)
HR: Ron Northey (3)

***

Well, we won’t counter with Marius Russo in game 3 of this series: turns out that Russo has a stress fracture in his ankle, and will be out 2 weeks. We need a replacement, and fast. I went to the Braves’ hotel in downtown Philadelphia, and made this deal:

Boston Braves receive:
SP Jocko Thompson (77/80) – 0-1, 3.94 ERA at AAA Utica
Philadelphia Phillies receive:
SP Red Ruffing (86) – 2-4, 3.86 ERA for Boston
$10,000

A veritable coup, if you will. Yes, Ruffing is 39 years old, but we needed a veteran pitcher to lead the staff. Plus, with all the injuries to our rotation (Russo, Lambert, and Mauney), this trade should add much needed depth should someone else get injured. It’s awfully difficult to see a downside to this deal from our perspective.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have leapfrogged the Giants into second place, capitalizing with a win, cutting the Phillies lead to 3.5 games.

***

4 – Tommy Hughes gets plenty of support from 3 home runs, as he goes and shuts out the Braves, as the Phillies rough up former teammate Jocko Thompson (7 hits in relief).
Phillies 5, Braves 0
W: Tommy Hughes (4-3) L: Bob Klinger (0-1)
HR: Vern Stephens (5), Gil Hodges (4), Ron Northey (4)

***

I’m so glad I made that trade yesterday, because Tommy Hughes will miss two weeks with a broken hand.

***

5 – Now I’m really glad I made that trade. A capacity crowd of 33,000 (our 11th consecutive sellout) cheers as Red Ruffing shuts out his former team in his first start as a Phillie.
Phillies 4, Braves 0
W: Red Ruffing (3-4) L: Warren Spahn (3-3)
2B: Nick Goulish (9), Gil Hodges (5)
HR: Andy Seminick (2)

***

The Cubs lost, increasing our lead to 4.5 games.

The Senators lost 1B Mickey Vernon for 2 weeks with a sprained ankle.

***

May 6: Day Off

May 7-9: New York Giants (16-15, 3rd, 5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (21-10, 1st, 4.5 GA)

7 – Rookie sensation Charlie Ripple had given up only 3 hits through 8 innings, but was left out in the ninth with a 3-0 lead. The Giants stormed back with 5 runs, but the Phillies tied it with a two-out triple by Nick Goulish, forcing extras. In the bottom of the 10th, Ron Northey hit a walk-off two-run home run to win the game for the Phillies.
Phillies 7, Giants 5 (10)
W: Hugh Casey (3-0) L: Hoyt Wilhelm (0-1)
2B: Larry Doby (5), Danny Murtaugh (1)
3B: Nick Goulish (3)
HR: Ron Northey (5)

8 – Trailing 8-2 entering the bottom of the 8th, the Phillies offense explodes for 7 runs, pulling out the most amazing of victories with an incredible comeback.
Phillies 9, Giants 8
W: Ed Hanyzewski (1-1) L: Ken Trinkle (0-4) SV: Ike Pearson (4)
2B: Vern Stephens (8), Andy Seminick (7), Larry Doby (6), Ron Northey (6)
HR: Nick Goulish (3)

9 – Bucky Harris decides to bump Red Ruffing up a spot, due to the injury to Tommy Hughes. Red goes 8 strong, but the game would be decided on a 12th-inning walk-off home run by Gil Hodges, as the Phillies sweep the Giants.
Phillies 4, Giants 3 (12)
W: Ike Pearson (2-0) L: Dave Koslo (1-2)
2B: Vern Stephens (9), Ray Hamrick (5), Ed Murphy (2)
HR: Gil Hodges (5)
SB: Danny Murtaugh (1)

***

Despite our sweep, we are unable to increase our lead over the Cubs, as they swept the Braves. Right now, the top of the NL features 3 teams on a roll:

Code:

---

Philadelphia        24-10  -  W5
Chicago                19-14  4.5  W3
St. Louis        18-16  6  W4

---

***

May 10-12: St. Louis Cardinals (18-16, 3rd, 6 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (24-10, 1st, 4.5 GA)

10 – We got a big surprise, as Dick Mauney was cleared to play about a week earlier than expected. He returned to form, allowing only 4 hits over 7 innings, as the Phillies won their 6th straight game in front of their 15th straight sellout crowd.
Phillies 3, Cardinals 2
W: Dick Mauney (2-0) L: Murry Dickson (1-1) SV: Hugh Casey (1)
2B: Danny Murtaugh (2)
HR: Larry Doby (4)

11 – Rookie sensation Charlie Ripple gets tagged with his first loss of the season, through no fault of his own: 8 IP, 1 ER on 8 hits. The offense just couldn’t touch Harry Gumbert today.
Cardinals 1, Phillies 0
W: Harry Gumbert (6-2) L: Charlie Ripple (6-1) SV: Gordon Maltzberger (7)
2B: Nick Goulish (10)

12 – Jack Kraus is able to coast to his 4th victory of the season thanks to an offensive explosion, led by the 5-8 hitters in the Phillies lineup (Northey, Doby, Seminick, and Murtaugh: 9-16, 5 R, 9 RBI combined).
Phillies 11, Cardinals 3
W: Jack Kraus (4-4) L: Max Lanier (0-1)
2B: Andy Seminick (8)
3B: Larry Doby (4), Gil Hodges (3)

***

While we were taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals, the Cubs were losing 2 of 3 to the Dodgers, increasing our league lead to 5.5 games.

Many condolences to Bob Elliott of the cross-town Athletics, whose 24-game hitting streak was snapped today in a 1-0 loss to the Senators.

***

May 13: Off Day

STANDINGS (after games on May 13, 1944)

Code:

---

NATIONAL LEAGUE               
Philadelphia        26-11        -
Chicago                20-16        5.5
St. Louis        19-18        7
Brooklyn        18-19        8
New York        18-20        8.5
Cincinnati        16-20        9.5
Pittsburgh        16-21        10
Boston                15-23        11.5
                       
AMERICAN LEAGUE               
Cleveland        24-13        -
Boston                22-14        1.5
New York        22-15        2
Washington        18-18        5.5
Detroit                17-20        7
Chicago                17-21        7.5
Philadelphia        15-22        9
St. Louis        12-24        11.5

---

That trade turned out to be quite fortuitous. Maybe luck is on the Phillies' side after all this time.

Careful, though. You don't want a 1964-esque downturn.

--Pet

Petrel: Knock on wood, it looks like that we might be on the right track. I shouldn't get ahead of myself though, as there are still over 115 games left in the season.

MAY 13

“Andy, Nick Stephens is on the phone for you.”

“Thank you Elizabeth.”

It had been a while since I’d heard from Nick. He was always so interested in traveling. I couldn’t blame him for not settling down back in New Jersey. When you’re young and have a million dollars at your disposal, you have the world at your feet. I picked up the receiver.

“Nick! How are you doing?”

“I’m great Andy! Listen, I was hoping that you could meet me for lunch downtown. Cheesesteaks on me!”

“Well, you know I can’t turn down a free cheesesteak. I’ll meet you in 30 minutes.”

***

We settled on a crowded diner. Not the fanciest place in town, but they made some mighty fine steaks!

“So what drove you to call the office?”

“Well, Andy, as you know, I’ve been doing quite a lot of traveling lately. I just wanted to let you in on where I was.” He reached into his satchel and pulled out a large wad of papers, neatly stapled.

“What is this?”

“This, my friend, is a complete, thorough analysis of our minor league system. I spoke with everyone: players, coaches, even the groundskeepers. I traveled to Utica, Wilmington, Memphis, and Clearwater. I compiled every possible statistic known to man in that report. There isn’t a stone left unturned.”

I flipped through the pages. He had done an outstanding job: Heights, weights, dates of birth, hometowns, batting averages, earned run averages, and many more.

“Oh, I was meaning to tell you. You know that first baseman you drafted last season? Gaedel?”

“Edward. Yeah I know him. What about him?”

“Turn to his page.”

I flipped to his bio:

Code:

---

GAEDEL, EDWARD CARL (EDDIE) – A Memphis Chickasaws
Born: June 8, 1925
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Bats: R
Throws: L
Height: 3’7”
Weight: 65 lbs.

---

“Andy, you drafted a midget.”

I flashed back to last year’s draft...

“What about this Gaedel kid?”
One of my scouts chuckled: “Well, he’s a little undersized.” The other scouts were trying to contain their laughter.

Those sneaky sons of...

“Nick, I need to run into the office. You better come too, because I’m giving you a new title.”

***

“Jerry, Dick, and Ross! I need to see you in my office NOW!”

The three scouts hustled from their respective offices into mine. As much as I tried to hide it, there was an underlying anger in my voice.

“Did you three know about Eddie Gaedel last June?”

“Well, sir, yes we did.”

“And you decided to let me draft a midget?”

“We, uh, tried to, um, warn you?”

“You did nothing of the sort. I’ve had enough of your fooling around. Clean out your desks, all of you! I’m making my good friend Nick Stephens Director of Amateur and Professional Scouting.”

“Wow, thanks Andy!”

“No problem. Now, you get to travel, and you get paid to do it! Now, I’d like for you to take a few trips to scout out this upcoming draft class. I hear there are some talented young pitchers that will be available for us at #3.”

“I’ll get right on it. I’ll have that report ready for you before draft day!”

“It won’t do us much good if it arrives afterwards.”

***

I spoke with Eddie Gaedel after I fired my scouts. He thanked me for the opportunity, but he felt that he just wasn’t cut out for baseball. I can’t say that I don’t blame him. I suppose that it must be really tough to be just 3’7” at 18 years old, but I’m glad that I could’ve made his day a little brighter just by drafting him.

Gaedel is in the game!?

COOL!