Man, if only I could write stories like you...
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Man, if only I could write stories like you...
A huge second here. Keep up the good work.Quote:
Originally Posted by PotatoOfCouch13
Potato, mbanghar: Thanks guys. Much appreciated!
*******
May 3, 1928
Standings
*******Code:National League
Team W L GB
St. Louis 18 6 --
Cincinnati 13 11 5
New York 13 12 5.5
Boston 12 12 6
Philadelphia 12 13 6.5
Brooklyn 11 13 7
Pittsburgh 10 16 9
Chicago 9 15 9
American League
Team W L GB
St. Louis 15 10 --
New York 14 11 1
Chicago 12 12 2.5
Boston 12 12 2.5
Philadelphia 12 13 3
Washington 12 13 3
Cleveland 11 13 3.5
Detroit 11 15 4.5
National League Leaders
Average: Paul Waner (PIT) .396, Ethan Allen (CIN) .375
HR: Three tied with 4
RBI: Paul Waner (PIT) 24, Wally Berger (BSN) 20
Steals: Jack Smith (BSN) 6, Two tied with 4
Wins: Pete Alexander (STL) 6, Four tied with 4
ERA: Flint Rhem (STL) 1.58, Dazzy Vance (BRO) 1.82
Strikeouts: Hal Carlson (CHC) 25, Dazzy Vance (BRO) 22
Saves: Three tied with 3
American League Leaders
Average: Pie Traynor (CLE) .442, Buddy Myer (BOS) .406
HR: Lou Gehrig (NYY) 8, Babe Ruth (NYY) 8
RBI: Lou Gehrig (NYY) 25, Al Simmons (PHA) 25
Steals: Ossie Bluege (WSH) 6, Six tied with 4
Wins: Six tied with 4
ERA: Howard Ehmke (PHA) 1.54, Dolly Gray (SLB) 1.80
Strikeouts: Lefty Grove (PHA) 30, Red Ruffing (BOS) 28
Saves: Steve Slayton (BOS) 6, Jess Doyle (SLB) 5
Chicago Cubs Leaders
Average: Gabby Hartnett .320
HR: Kiki Cuyler 4 (1st-T)
RBI: Harry Rice 17 (5th-T)
Steals: Kiki Cuyler 2 (9th-T)
Wins: Hal Carlson 3 (6th-T)
ERA: Art Nehf 2.61 (4th)
Strikeouts: Hal Carlson 25 (1st)
Saves: Claude Jonnard 3 (1st-T)
*******
Major Injuries
BSB-3B Les Bell (78) [26] (.319 0-12 0) - July
BRO-1B Babe Herman (87) [24] (.235 1-2 0) - September
NYG-SS Travis Jackson (85/94) [24] (.225 2-9 0) - June
PHI-C Jimmie Wilson (79) [27] (.267 0-4 0) - June
STL-3B Andy High (72) [30] (.222 0-5 0) - June
SLB-RP Ed Strelecki (70/77) [23] (1-1 9.00 0) - August
*******
Trades
CHC-CIN: 3B Elmer Yoter (64/68) [27] (.222 0-5 0 in 1927)
CHC-CIN: RF Cliff Heathcote (77) [30] (.294 2-25 6 in 1927)
CHC-CIN: SP Sheriff Blake (76) [28] (13-14 3.29 13 CG in 1927)
CIN-CHC: 3B Chuck Dressen (71) [29] (.292 2-55 7 in 1927)
CIN-CHC: 2B Hughie Critz (77) [27] (.278 4-49 7 in 1927)
CHC-DET: LF Riggs Stephenson (88) [30] (.294 1-7 1)
DET-CHC: LF Paul Easterling (69/88) [22] (Minors)
DET-CHC: RF Harry Rice (82) [26] (.275 0-10 1)
CLE-PIT: 3B George DeTore (55/65) [21] (Minors)
CLE-PIT: CF Luther Harvel (69/81) [22] (Minors)
CLE-PIT: 1B George Burns (81) [35] (.217 0-5 0)
PIT-CLE: C Johnny Gooch (75) [30] (.364 0-1 0)
PIT-CLE: 3B Pie Traynor (83) [29] (.400 0-6 0)
*******
Milestones
NYG-SS Travis Jackson (85/94) [24] (.225 2-9 0) - Hit for the Cycle
PHA-CF Tris Speaker (87) [40] (.213 0-6 0) - 1500 RBI
STL-SP Pete Alexander (92) [41] (6-0 2.63 3 CG) - 350 Wins
*******
Retirements
Lena Blackburne (SS, White Sox): 41 years, 1 season(!?)
1928: DNP. Released.
Career: .214 4-139 54: 387 H
Teams: White Sox (10, 12, 14-15, 27), Reds (18), Braves (19), Phillies (19)
Mike Gazella (3B, Yankees): 32 years, 3 seasons
1928: DNP. Released.
Career: .243 0-30 6: 72 H
Teams: Yankees (23, 26-27)
Billy Mullen (3B, Browns): 32 years, 0 seasons
1928: DNP. Released.
Career: .125 0-0 1: 4 H
Teams: Browns (20-21), Robins (23), Tigers (26)
Bernie Hungling (C, Browns): 32 years, 0 seasons
1928: DNP. Released.
Career: .217 1-13 2: 23 H
Teams: Robins (22-23)
Wally Gerber (SS, Browns): 36 years, 13 seasons
1928: DNP. Retired.
Career: .261 7-443 36: 1,225 H
Teams: Pirates (14-15), Browns (17-27)
Bill Morrell (RP, Giants): 35 years, 1 season
1928: DNP. Retired after moderate injury (3 wks).
Career: 3-3 5.30 1 CG 1 SV: 16 K 70 IP
Teams: Senators (26)
Art Delaney (RP, Braves): 33 years, 0 seasons
1928: DNP. Retired after minor injury.
Career: 1-0 1.80 1 CG: 2 K 20 IP
Teams: Cardinals (24)
Patsy Gharrity (C, Senators): 36 years, 8 seasons
1928: DNP. Retired after minor injury.
Career: .262 20-251 32: 513 H
Teams: Senators (16-23)
Clyde Manion (C, Browns): 31 years, 7 seasons
1928: DNP. Released.
Career: .227 0-40 1: 84 H
Teams: Tigers (20-24, 26-27)
May 2, 1928
I sat in the first row just above the visitor's dugout of Wrigley Field on a temperate, but humid day. My hat and coat occupied the slat seat next to me, my sleeves rolled up to my elbows as I leaned over the chair in front of me and studied 'my' team.
Joe McCarthy had the men lined up along the third base line, giving some sort of speech in staccato bursts emphasized with finger pointing and occasionally smacking his palm with his fist. I could hear only every third or fourth word - general encouragement, promises that work and sweat equated with victories, and promises of vengeance against our new sworn enemies, the Philadelphia Phillies.
If you're wondering when the Phils became our mortal enemies, get in line, chum. For the most part players nodded dutifully at the right points, no doubt thinking, "Yeah, sure skip," but the younger faces like relievers Lon Warneke and Bill Lee listened to him as gravely as if he were the Messiah offering a last shot at redemption.
Our 'enemies' had scouts of course. Two men sat exactly opposite me. The fatter one sat, like me, in a shirt loose at the collar with rolled up sleevers. His thinner friend seemed immune to the humidity, for he dressed as if about to take his lady to dinner and kept studious notes.
"Mister Catrett? Do you have a minute?"
I looked up to see another thin man, this one with thin black hair and wearing a ragged jacket that might have come off the rack in 1910 or so. "And you are?"
"Doug Raines, Chicago Tribune." He sketched a half bow and sat next to me. "How are you today?"
"On the record or off?"
Raines grinned. "I promise you, Mister Catrett. Everything you say today is off the record unless you say otherwise. I just want to ask some background questions."
I studied him. Nothing in his expression encouraged my trust, but of course if he betrayed me, he could be pretty well assured the Tribune would never hear from me again. "Alright."
"Off the record," he emphasized. "How do you think the Cubs are doing?"
"We're in eighth place by percentage points. How do you think we're doing?" I watched McCarthy, standing to one side of his line of players, drop his arm. This started a ragged, uneven race across the diamond to the line between first and second.
"Why do you think that is? That you're in eighth?"
"I don't think there's any particular reason. Several players are not playing up to their potential so far and..."
"Who?"
I shook my head. "No comment."
"Off the record?"
His magical phrase. I shook my head again. "Off the record, the stats speak for themselves."
"Clyde Beck batting .122 at short for example, after you used him to replace Woody English, who is batting .115?"
"That would be one example."
"And Hack Wilson's having trouble breaking .250, while Earl Webb sits on the bench with a .293 average."
"I've been back and forth with Joe on that." Indeed. We spent a good part of the morning arguing about it. McCarthy finally told me that switching spots on so many Cub veterans wasn't very fair to the team itself, and wasn't doing much for morale. "We've decided to give Hack a little while longer and see how he does."
"And if he doesn't produce, he'll be replaced?" Raines pressed.
"Possibly. Off the record, anything's possible."
Raines wrote a few more notes. "How about the pitching?"
"We're sending Percy Jones to one of the clubs we have a contract with. That's public record," I said. "As for the rest, we're going to make sure Nehf gets a lot more playing time." Art Nehf was 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA so far. "The rest we're going to go with for now."
"Now, ON the record." He held up one finger as a signal. "Tell me about the Phillies."
"What about them?" I asked uneasily, remembering my conversation with Jack Carr about their finances.
Raines looked at me as if I'd gone stupid. "Can we take 2 of 3?"
"I think so. We're here at Wrigley, and I'm sure the fans will support us." I smiled blandly. I could talk 'on the record' as well as most.
"Who are their dangerous players?"
I frowned. I didn't memorize Philly's lineup. After a moment, Raines prompted: "CF Freddy Leach is batting .340 with 4 homers. Clarence Mitchell is 3-3 with a 2.39 ERA, and their closer and setup hurlers both have ERAs as good if not better. Them maybe?"
"If you say so, Mister Raines." I didn't like feeling like an idiot.
A few more notes. "Alright, one last question. People saw you during a recent game visiting George "Bugs" Moran. What were you talking about?"
"On or off the record?"
Raines' turn to frown: "On?"
"As a guest at Wrigley Field, especially one who went to the trouble of renting a box, I took his request to meet me very seriously. The Cubs feel they have an obligation to make themselves accessible to their fans."
Raines nodded. "You learn fast, Mister Catrett. Alright. Off the record?"
"Territorial dispute." I grinned.
*******
Early May 1928
Well, I lied, chummers. Though not on purpose. It's true that we're nine games back just like the Pirates, but we are still in last place alone. Seems they've won one more game (and lost one more) than us, boosting their percentage.
Veeck's grown quiet on me. I wonder if Bugs is trying to convince him to give up 30% of the team again. It's not even his decision, but Wrigley's.
Charlie Grimm at first has been tired lately, and Tolson's been starting in his place. I wonder what's up.
*******
Philadelphia (12-13) (5th, -6.5g) at Chicago (9-15) (8th, -9g)
3: They score 1 in the first, and we answer with one in the third and fourth both. Things are going well until the eighth when Bush gives up three singles, a walk and a wild pitch to put this one out of reach. Phillies 4-2
LP: Bush (1-3)
4: They rock Carlson for 5 in the first. We struggle back with Cuyler's 5th homer and English (who apparently really likes being here) going 3 for 4 with 2 runs and a RBI of his own. Not enough chums. Phillies 5-4
LP: Carlson (3-5), HR: Cuyler (5)
5: Nehf is fantastic, getting a shutout and 2 of our 3 RBI! What else is there to say? Cubs 3-0
WP: Nehf (3-1)
*******
And just like that the Phils don't look so bad, sitting in a tie for fourth. I don't know who's going to catch the Cardinals though despite their losing four straight.
Now for a team that's gone to the birds.
*******
Brooklyn (13-14) (6th, -5g) at Chicago (10-17) (8th, -8g)
7: A pretty game that we didn't deserve, but got anyway. Trailing 3-0 then 5-1, we scored one in the 7th but left two on. In the ninth Danny Taylor hit a sac fly with the bases loaded, then Rice tripled to tie the game. With two outs and the bases once more loaded Charlie Grimm singled to right for the win. Cubs 6-5
WP: Warneke (1-0), HR: Rice (2)
8: Once more they squander a 5-1 lead. Cuyler and Hack hit home runs in the fifth, and Rice hits a 2 RBI single to tie the game after six. In the eighth English walked, stole second, and came home on McMillan's single. Ballgame. Cubs 6-5
WP: Osborn (1-1)
9: Too good to last. Nehf pitches effectively, but leaves after seven trailing 3-2. They add to it in the ninth. Tolson retaliates with a homer to start the ninth, but three batters later our winning streak ends. Robins 4-3
LP: Nehf (3-2), HR: Tolson (1)
*******
Setting up some interesting rivalries.
Charlie Grimm has almost no playing time since April. I finally asked Joe about Charlie's illness.
"Grimm is one for five since coming to the bench, and was doing much worse before hand," McCarthy replied. "Tolson routinely gets one to two hits a game. He's turning into one of the most productive players on the team."
"Aren't you the one who told me too many changes are bad for the team?"
He looked blank. "Grimm's played with us four years, Tolson three. They've played off each other for years. They're used to it."
Watching the way the two look at each other, I'm not so sure about that.
Meanwhile, Earl Webb keeps looking for ways to break back into the lineup. Here Joe proved even less conciliatory. "Have you watched his numbers fall? It's been over a week since the man has a hit. Any hit. As a pinch hitter he's a rally killer. No. Even Wilson, who's struggled, is at least reliable."
Webb's remained quiet after his initial complaint to me. Perhaps he, too, realizes he's not playing well. Or he's biding his time.
*******
Chicago (12-18) (8th, -7g) at New York (14-17) (6th, -5.5g)
10: Better. Bush avoids embarassing himself, though we do fall behind 3-1. Webb (PH for Bush) finally makes a contribution with an RBI double followed by Rice's RBI to tie it. In the eighth Critz scores Hartnett for the win. Cubs 4-3
WP: Osborn (2-1)
11: Root pitches his first game in ten days (as a result of being demoted to #4 starter) and is pathetic, giving up 7 R, 5 ER in 5.2 IP. New York's starter is even worse giving up 6 in 2. Tied up at six after two thanks primarily to Wilson's 2 RBI double in the second, we take the lead when Cuyler doubles, scores on Hartnett's triple, and our catcher comes home on a grounder. They retake the lead 9-8 in the sixth, and another rally makes it 10-9. They get two more in the eighth, and this time the Cubs can't come back. Wilson had 3 RBI, Hartnett and Tolson 2 each. Of the 30 combined hits and 21 combined runs, none are homers. Giants 11-10
LP: Osborn (2-2)
12: Our offense continues where it left off with a six run 1st led by McMillan's 2 RBI double. They nickel and dime, but we still lead 6-3 when we score four more in the ninth led by Hartnett's 2 RBI single with the bases loaded. This time they retaliate as Jonnard tries hard to lose this, giving up three in the last frame. Cubs 10-6
WP: Carlson (4-5)
*******
Not really enough to catch anyone, but at least we're no longer embarassing ourselves.
Received a nice letter from Ken Penner today. Penner's a reliever we had a reserve contract for. He had all of four games to his credit, going 1-0 for the Indians in 1916. He very nicely told me to shove off, that he wouldn't be pursuing a baseball career any more.
Sorry, chum, but you simply weren't good enough.
Meanwhile, Chuck Dressen sprained his ankle and will miss the next two weeks or so. Norm McMillan's been filling in when he can, and is so far batting .333. Dressen's .319.
*******
Boston (17-16) (2nd, -5g) at Chicago (14-19) (8th, -8g)
14: Our pitching tries very hard to give this one away but our offense, led by Chick Tolson (3 for 3, HR, R, 2 BI), won't let them. Time and time again we trade the lead until Wilson's 2 RBI 8th inning double ends it. Cubs 8-6
WP: Osborn (3-2), SV: Jonnard (4), HR: Rice (3), Tolson (2)
15: Bush decides not to give this one up, going the whole game. Wilson brings home all of our runs over three innings. Cubs 3-2
WP: Bush (2-3), HR: Wilson (3)
16: They score 3 in the eighth ruining Root's shutout, but by then it's too late. 5 singles, a double and an error in the 5th gives us more than enough as both Rice and Cuyler bring two in. Cubs 7-3
WP: Root (2-4)
*******
We beat one of the stronger teams in the league so far. Better, we swept them, and leapfrog in the standings.
National League
Cardinals (23-13) (--)
Robins (19-17) (4)
Reds (18-18) (5)
Pirates (18-20) (6)
Cubs (17-19) (6)
Braves (17-19) (6)
Phillies (17-20) (6.5)
Giants (17-20) (6.5)
American League: Yankees (22-15) lead Browns by 1 and Senators by 2.5
Just a quick note. I'm getting married on Sunday, and obviously that's going to keep me busy for a bit. I'll be back to this once things settle down again.
Take care all :)
Congrat's!Quote:
Originally Posted by CatKnight
Just caught up reading this dynasty. I anxiously wait for the next installment, though obvouisly understand the reasons for the delay. My dynasties have suffered from neglect due to an increasingly crazy life as well, but good luck with the wedding and everything that goes with it.