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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MARCH 1942
PART I

In 1883, Al Reach and John Rogers entered a drawing. Not just any old drawing, however. This drawing would determine the newest member of the National League. Reach was a former outfielder himself, and a key member of the 1871 Philadelphia Athletics, the first champions of any professional baseball league. By now he owned a sporting goods store, and with his good friend and lawyer (Rogers), he submitted an application for a new team in the fledgling National League. The two men emerged victorious, winning an expansion franchise for the upcoming season. However, as so often the case has been throughout Philadelphia’s illustrious sports history, the bad news came: the team would be made up of the remnants of the recently disbanded Worcester (MA) Brown Stockings, who had just finished 1882 with a record of 18-66 (.214). As if it couldn’t get any worse, it did. The expansion Quakers went 17-81 (.173), establishing a record for ineptitude that has only been surpassed by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134, .130)

After that dreadful first season, the team managed some success over the next decade under Harry Wright. Yes, the same Harry Wright that founded the first professional team in Cincinnati back in 1869. The Quakers/Phillies (they changed their name in 1890) notched 7 seasons of .500 ball or better, and 2 seasons with a .496 winning percentage, finishing in the first division for all but 1 season. When Wright stepped down, however, so did the Phillies.

The Phillies remained a borderline team from 1895 until 1914. The border they constantly flirted with was the border between first and second division, occasionally rising from the pack to take second place (1901 and 1913). However, 1915 was different. Led by Triple Crown winner Grover Cleveland Alexander (31-10, 1.22 ERA, 241 K) and Gavvy Cravath (new single-season record 24 HR), the Phillies clinched their first pennant in team history, falling to the Red Sox in the World Series (4-1). The good times, though, were to be short lived, as tight-fisted owner William Baker traded Alexander for two prospects and $55,000. There is was fortunately some logic behind trading a 30-year-old with 190 victories under his belt, as Alexander was going to serve in the Great War, and Baker was hedging his bets in case his prize commodity was unable to continue his career after his tour of duty. 3 seasons after winning the pennant, the team was back in the cellar.

And there they would stay, continuing through last season. With only 1 foray into 4th place, the team has been mired in losing for 23 consecutive years. When Baker died in 1930, his nephew Gerald Nugent became the owner. Nugent was looser with money than his uncle, but there just wasn’t enough to go around. The team moved from the Baker Bowl to Shibe Park in 1938, but the team seemed to fare even worse. Now, with 4 consecutive 100 loss seasons looming behind them, and a forecast calling for more losing ahead, the Phillies are in desperate need of salvation.

Spring Training 1942 arrived, with the nation freshly embroiled in conflict on two fronts. The Phillies were scheduled to headquarter in Miami Beach, only there was one problem: they had no money. Nugent went to Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis asking for an advance in cash to get them through the spring. Landis, sensing that the league could crumble if the Phillies were cash-strapped for much longer, denied the request, and forced Nugent to sell the team to the league. Landis then began the search for a buyer who could afford to build a competitive team out of these perennial losers.

That’s were I come in. I’m Andrew Walsh. I heard about the Phillies’ financial problems and immediately offered my services and my check book to the Commissioner. I’ve been known for making some pretty risky investments, but there isn’t a better stock broker in the world today. However, my colleagues tell me that this may be my riskiest move to date. Only time will tell if that’s true, but one thing is for certain: I won’t be leaving Philadelphia without a World Series ring, no matter how long it takes.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MARCH 1942
PART II

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis is not a big man, but he carries with him a large personality. The man had been the commissioner of baseball since the office was created back in 1920, and had ruled for the last 22 years with an unflinching eye. He once fined the great Babe Ruth $5000, because “in this [commissioner’s] office, he’s just another ballplayer.” The other owners despised the man personally, but there was nothing they could do. Being a former federal judge, Landis insisted that his appointment be for life, and from the looks of things, the end may be coming soon. Landis was old (75), and looking extraordinarily frail for a man with such influence. As I waited in his office in downtown New York, I couldn’t help but pace back and forth. Meeting a man so influential was nothing new for me, but I was meeting the Commissioner to make my purchase official. There were butterflies the size of automobiles in my stomach.

The door swung open. The venerable Judge entered and readied himself to speak.
“All right, I don’t have all day. Let’s get down to business.”
I tried getting a word in edgewise, but he just kept talking.
“You are now the official owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. Nick Stephens is the sole minority owner. Who will be your general manager?”
“I...uh...I will.”
“Okay. As majority owner, you are hereby prohibited from engaging in illegal gambling on the outcome of professional baseball, and are prohibited from tampering with players from other teams. Do you accept these restrictions?”
“Yes.”
“All right, sign here.”
I scribbled my signature on the contract and handed it back to him. He scratched his on the line below mine.
“Congratulations, Mr. Walsh. You are the new owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. I assume you have business to take care of down there, so I’ll keep you no longer. Good day.”
With that he left, and I was left sitting there with a puzzled look on my face. 5 minutes had passed. I guess he had something else on his mind...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MARCH 1942
PART III

After the world’s shortest meeting, I arranged to meet Nick Stephens in Newark. Nick and I go way back. We met each other growing up on the streets of Albany back in 1919. We became fast friends, attending Yale together, and even starting our own brokerage firm together after we graduated. We had agreed that I would live in Philadelphia while Nick ran the firm here in Newark. After a short lunch with Nick, I continued my drive until I reached Shibe Park at about 4:30pm. I was surprised, however, and a large contingent of fans was there to greet me. As I got out of the car, a cheer went up, and I found myself in the middle of a 50-man mob. Soon, the crowd was urging me to give a little speech, and, not wanting to disappoint the faithful, I obliged.
“Good evening to all of you. I’m so glad to be here in Philadelphia and I look forward to a successful season for our boys.”
“Good luck, Walsh, you need it”, a heckler shouted.
“Thank you. I hope to see all of you at Opening Day, this Sunday at 1:05 when we take on the Giants.”
The crowd cheered and left en masse, and I was finally able to locate my new office. Sitting on my desk when I got there was a file labeled “Caution: Volatile Contents”, with a note from my predecessor, Gerald Nugent. I opened the file slowly, and gasped as I saw the first page: it was my roster!

[CatKnight]

Very good opening! I like how you portrayed Landis - no nonsense, to the point, and could care less what the owners thought of him.

One nit: Assuming you're right about the 1883 Quakers (17-81 .173) they are not the worst team of all time. That 'honor' belongs to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134 .130)

Good luck!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: I completely forgot about the Spiders! Thanks for the reminder, and the post has been corrected. Thanks for reading!

HOUSE RULES

1. Do not talk about fight club.

Sorry, all kidding aside...

I will be simulating all games or watching from GM Mode of PbP.

These are my personal rules for trying to keep myself from beating up on the computer. Usually I play as a 1901 team, and with my cutthroat style, I usually end up winning pennant after pennant after pennant. I devised these rules (and borrowed a few others), and the parity has returned to some of my games. We’ll see if the same holds true for the 1942 Phillies.

I. FREE AGENCY AND TRADES
I get a maximum of 5 external roster moves per calendar year (starting April 1). This can be any combination trades and free agent signings (3-2, 4-1, 5-0, etc.), but if I exceed 5, there will be a heavy penalty levied against me.
FIRST OFFENSE: $50,000.
SECOND OFFENSE: 2 prospects (OVR < 80)
THIRD OFFENSE: 2 prospects (OVR > 85)
FOURTH OFFENSE: 3 prospects (1 OVR < 80, 2 OVR > 85)
FIFTH OFFENSE: Banishment from baseball for life.

There will be no modification of trade offers, excluding balancing cash. All user-proposed deals must come from the Trading Block.

I will not negotiate with free agents unless their compatibility with me is a “B-” or higher”.

II. RENEWING EXPIRING CONTRACTS
Starting in April, I can only renegotiate with players once every calendar month. Also, I can only make 2 offers per negotiating session. Finally, I will be able to negotiate with only 1 player per day.

III. THE AMATEUR DRAFT
There will be no restrictions on my first selection. However, every subsequent selection that I make will have to abide by the following rules:

1. The selection must be compatible with the team. (B- or better)
2. The selection must be worse than my first pick. (Explained below)
a. If selecting a player with a projected overall rating of 90+, the following picks must have projected overall ratings of at least 10 points lower.
b. If selecting a player with a projected overall rating less than 90, the following picks must have projected overall ratings of at least 8 points lower.
3. There has to be at least 2 pitchers and position players in each draft class. The remaining 2 selections are uncommitted.

As for Rule III.2, it was designed as a check so that I don’t build a dominating dynasty through out-drafting the AI. It puts added emphasis on the importance of first rounders, rather than the class as a whole.

Let’s take a hypothetical 1942 draft. If I had the first pick (which I do, by the way), I would take Gil Hodges (58/91). This would mean that in the second round, I would have to take a player the caliber of Clyde King (46/81), a solid pick, but not the Sherm Lollar (60/84) that I could have selected. Now, if I have the 10th pick of the same draft and decide on Ted Kluszewski (57/84), then my next pick has to be someone like John Simmons (50/76).

IV. MISCELLANEOUS
I will be customizing the universe, similar to a lot of the other dynasty writers in this forum. Therefore, I reserve the right to change some details and pull some strings to get certain events to unfold. Suggestions are more than welcome, but are subject to my approval (odds are that if I like it, it’ll happen).

I’ll also spend a lot of time fooling around with the simulation settings, so there might be some extraordinary numbers popping up every now and then. If anyone has suggestions for creating a realistic 1940’s engine, my door is always open.

If any other issues come up during game play (such as the continued dominance of the Yankees), I will address them when they arise.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 ROSTER

1942 Philadelphia Phillies (* denotes STARTER)

##	POS	NAME (OVR)		1941 STATS (AVG, HR, RBI, SB)
5	C*	Bennie Warren (74)	.214, 9, 35, 0
   Decent power, tremendous arm strength (52% CS), short-term solution.
6	C   Mickey Livingston (68/70)	.203, 0, 18, 2
   Basically just keeping the spot warm for prospect Andy Seminick.

1ST 
22	1B*	Nick Etten (74)		.311, 14, 79, 9
   Best overall hitter for the Phillies last season. Looks to repeat.
33	1B	Ed Murphy (71/80)	ROOKIE
   Little guy put up solid numbers in limited minor league action.

27	2B*	Danny Murtaugh (68/73)	.219, 0, 11, 18
   Reigning SB champ looks to repeat this season. Only 24 years old.
26	3B*	Pinky May (75)		.267, 0, 39, 2
   Needs to get the ball in the air more often (18 GIDP in 1941).
7	SS*	Harry Marnie (74/78)	.241, 0, 11, 0
   Converted to SS to get more playing time. Needs to prove his talent.
21	IF	Bobby Bragan (71)	.251, 4, 69, 7
   Middle infielder with solid bat will be the first off the bench.
24	IF	Al Glossop (66/71)	DNP (1940: .236, 3, 14, 1)
   Returns to the big leagues after a 1-year hiatus.

31	LF*	Danny Litwhiler (80/84)	.305, 18, 66, 1
   Leading power hitter on team also terrific in the field. Age 25.
30	CF*	Ed Freed (71/86)	ROOKIE
   Promising rookie to lead off this season. Never played above R.
3	RF*	Chuck Klein (84)	.123, 1, 3, 0
   The 1932 MVP moves back into the starting lineup. 300 career HR.
23	OF	Stan Benjamin (67/68)	.235, 3, 27, 17
   Speedster will spell regulars if they need a rest. 
34	OF	Lloyd Waner (78)	.292, 0, 11, 1
   Former All-Star will be first of the bench should someone falter.

##	POS	NAME (OVR)		1941 STATS (W-L, ERA, K, SV)
11	SP*	Cy Blanton (81)		6-13, 4.51, 64, 0
   The closest thing we have to an ‘ace’. Two time All-Star (’37, ’41).
16	SP	Si Johnson (77)		5-12, 4.52, 80, 2
   Elder statesman of the rotation (35). Should have positive effect.
15	SP	Tommy Hughes (73/89)	9-14, 4.45, 59, 0
   ‘Ace of the Future’ put up respectable numbers on an awful team.
17	SP	Rube Melton (76/81)	1-5, 4.73, 57, 0
   22-year-old returns for second season. Hopes to improve numbers.
20	SP	Johnny Podgajny (67/81)	9-12, 4.62, 53, 0
   Solid young pitcher with lots of potential. Will see some action.

19	CL	Ike Pearson (73/79)	4-14, 3.57, 38, 6
   Only pitcher with closing experience must fix career record (9-41).
18	SU	Sam Nahem (72/76)	5-2, 2.98, 31, 1
   The most promising pitching line returns in a key role this season.
14	SR	Lefty Hoerst (74/79)	3-10, 5.20, 33, 0
   Lefty control specialist looks to improve on last season.
8	SR	Paul Masterson (65/74)	ROOKIE (1941: 1-0, 4.76, 8, 0)
   Lefty power pitcher looks to make a splash during rookie year.
25	MR   George Hennessey (63/65)	ROOKIE (1937: 0-1, 10.29, 4, 0)
   He’s a body.
10	LR	Boom-Boom Beck (71)	1-9, 4.63, 34, 0
   Ex-starter trying to regain confidence.

1942 Promising Youngsters (Minor Leaguers with high projections)
AAA – N/A

AA – Trenton Packers
C Andy Seminick (66/90) - 21
OF Ron Northey (70/88) - 21
OF Johnny Blatnik (61/87) - 21

A – Rome Colonels
SS Ralph LaPointe (60/85) – 20

R – Miami Beach Phillies
SP Charlie Ripple (55/88) - 21

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 SEASON PREVIEW

NATIONAL LEAGUE (projected record)

1. Brooklyn Dodgers (94-60)
2. New York Giants (88-66)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (80-74)
4. Cincinnati Reds (79-75)
5. Chicago Cubs (75-79)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-82)
7. Boston Braves (69-85)
8. Philadelphia Phillies (60-94)

AMERICAN LEAGUE (projected record)

1. New York Yankees (96-58)
2. Boston Red Sox (88-56)
3. Detroit Tigers (81-73)
4. Cleveland Indians (77-77)
5. St. Louis Browns (75-79)
6. Chicago White Sox (72-82)
7. Washington Senators (71-83)
8. Philadelphia A’s (56-98)

And I thought we were bad. Well, we still are, but we may be the best team in Philadelphia...

1942 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

Yankees over Dodgers, 4 games to 2
The winners of 8 of the last 15 and 5 of the last 6 win another World Series, leaving the Dodgers still trophy-less.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL 1942
OPENING DAY

Is there anything as breathtaking as Opening Day? The smell of fresh outfield grass, the picture perfect blue sky, and the sun’s rays beating down; I don’t think that there is anything like it in the world. Another relative newcomer to the city, Mayor Bernard Samuel was on hand to throw the first pitch. The Phillies were lined up along the third base line, their home whites crisply shining in the midday sun before a capacity crowd of 33,000 fans at Shibe Park. The Giants were in town, and Carl Hubbell would toe the rubber against Cy Blanton.

In the first, both teams went down in order. The Giants managed a single in the second, but stranded the runner. The Phillies drew first blood in their half with two walks, a double-play grounder, and an RBI single by Bobby Bragan: Phillies 1, Giants 0. Both teams went down in order again in the third.

As the fourth inning started, Blanton was twirling a gem: 1 hit through 3 innings. However, with one out, the dangerous Mel Ott stepped into the box. After 3 consecutive balls, everyone in Shibe Park knew that Blanton had to throw a strike. My only regret was that he threw it right in Ott’s wheelhouse. In the blink of an eye, the ball soared over the Spite Wall in right field and knotted the game at 1. It wouldn’t stay that way, as three pitches later, Johnny Mize blasted a hanging screwball into the centerfield bleachers: Giants 2, Phillies 1. Only 1 hit, a double by Danny Litwhiler, would be recorded through the 6th inning, and the score remained in the Giants favor heading into the seventh.

The Giants increased their lead with a Harry Danning 2-run blast in the top of the seventh: Giants 4, Phillies 1. In the bottom half, the Phillies loaded the bases with 2 singles and a walk, bringing up Harry Marnie. Marnie slashed a single to center, scoring a run. A sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Lloyd Waner resulted in another run, and a wild pitch by Hubbell moved the runners to second and third. Rookie Ed Freed notched his first big league hit, and the two-run go-ahead double couldn’t have come at a better time. He was stranded at second, but the Phillies regained the lead: Phillies 5, Giants 4.

This is fantastic, I thought to myself. We have a one-run lead, and the only person I trust in our bullpen (Nahem) is our setup man! All 66,000 eyes at the game turned toward the Phillies bullpen, and from behind the gate strode...George Hennessey.

I got up and left immediately, making a mental note to meet with manager Hans Lobert after the Giants won the game. I didn’t even need to stay to know the outcome. A three-run home run in the eighth won the game for the Giants. The Phillies would get one in their half of the eighth, but were unable to rally in the ninth. Giants 7, Phillies 6.
WP: Larry Jansen (1-0) LP: George Hennessey (0-1)
HR: NYG – Mel Ott, Johnny Mize, Harry Danning, Hank Leiber

[CatKnight]

Owie. Looking at that lineup.... I think 60 wins might be generous.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: And with my weak farm system, it could be several years before I contend. Curse my affinity for worst-to-first stories!!!

APRIL 1942
PART I

Before I go any further, I’d just like to take a moment to congratulate Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, for becoming the first African-Americans to play in the Major Leagues. Robinson started at third base yesterday afternoon, going 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored, while Doby pinch-hit late in the game, drawing a walk. I’ll have more on this as the month progresses.

April 2 – Another 8th inning run kills the Phillies chances today, as they can’t come back from that deep a hole. Guess who allowed it? (Hint: his last name rhymes with ‘Fennessey’.)
Giants 5, Phillies 4
WP: Hal Schumacher (1-0) LP: Si Johnson (0-1) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (1)

April 3 – 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth, and two more in the tenth save both the starter Hughes and closer Pearson from defeat and give the Phillies their first win of the season.
Phillies 4, Giants 3 (10)
WP: Ike Pearson (1-0) LP: Ace Adams (0-1)

April 4 – Interesting starting pitcher match-up as cousins Rube and Cliff Melton square off. Younger cousin Rube, however, allows 6 hits over 7 2/3 innings, and outduels cousin Cliff, splitting the series with the Giants.
Phillies 9, Giants 5.
WP: Rube Melton (1-0) LP: Cliff Melton (0-1) SV: George Hennessey (1)

April 5-8: Philadelphia (2-2) at Pittsburgh (0-4)
5 – The Pirates back starter Rip Sewell with 12 runs, spoiling the Phillies’ first home run of the season, hit by Danny Litwhiler, and putting the game out of reach early.
Pirates 12, Phillies 7
WP: Rip Sewell (1-0) LP: Cy Blanton (0-1)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (1)

6 – A two-out, two-run, 10th-inning home run by Danny Litwhiler rescues the Phillies from the prospect of defeat, and allows Ike Pearson to notch his first save of the year.
Phillies 4, Pirates 3 (10)
WP: Sam Nahem (1-0) LP: Diomedes Olivo (0-1) SV: Ike Pearson (1)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (2)

7 – Poor Tommy Hughes. He goes 7 strong innings, giving up only 4 hits and 1 run, and Luke Hamlin tops him with a complete game 1-hitter!
Pirates 2, Phillies 1
WP: Luke Hamlin (1-1) LP: Tommy Hughes (0-1)

8 – The Phillies ground into 4 double plays and 2 Pirate runs in the 8th inning give the home team the win and the series.
Pirates 8, Phillies 6
WP: Bob Klinger (1-1) LP: Lefty Hoerst (0-1) SV: Diomedes Olivo (1)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (3), Chuck Klein (1)

Chuck Klein’s homerun was his 301st career, moving him into a tie for 6th place all time with Rogers Hornsby.

April 9-11: Pittsburgh (3-5) at Philadelphia (3-5)
9 – Guess who? Hennessey costs us his third game of the season, this time in extra innings, extending our losing skid to 3 games.
Pirates 5, Phillies 4 (10)
WP: Dutch Dietz (1-1) LP: George Hennessey (0-2)
HR: Nick Etten (1)

10 – Chuck Klein’s 302nd career homerun, a 3-run shot, gives him 6th all-time, only four behind Al Simmons for fifth, and gives the Phillies the victory. Si Johnson goes the distance, giving up 1 run on 7 hits.
Phillies 4, Pirates 1
WP: Si Johnson (1-1) LP: Max Butcher (0-2)
HR: Chuck Klein (2)

11 – Tommy Hughes pitches a complete game, and the offense supports him to the tune of 14 hits, giving the Phillies the game and the series.
Phillies 8, Pirates 3
WP: Tommy Hughes (1-1) LP: Bob Klinger (1-2)
HR: Bennie Warren (1)

April 12-15: Philadelphia (5-6) at New York (5-6)
12 – Cousins Cliff and Rube faced off again, but they were both long gone by the time this ended. A Chuck Klein grand slam and a two-run double in the top of the ninth by Danny Litwhiler keeps the Phillies on the winning track.
Phillies 11, Giants 10.
WP: Lefty Hoerst (1-1) LP: Ace Adams (0-2) SV: Ike Pearson (2)
HR: Chuck Klein

13 – Danny Litwhiler did his part. The young leftfielder hit 2 home runs, but a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth drives home the winning run and the Giants escape with a win.
Giants 11, Phillies 10
WP: Hoyt Wilhelm (1-1) LP: George Hennessey (0-3)
HR: Danny Litwhiler 2 (5)

Before the game, I sat down with Ike Pearson, and we hammered out an agreement for a contract extension through 1946, worth $2,100 a year. This leaves Chuck Klein, Cy Blanton, Lloyd Waner, Si Johnson, and Pinky May as the only Phillies unsigned for next season.

14 – What a pitcher’s duel! Si Johnson and Hal Schumacher shut down the offenses, allowing no runs combined for the first 7 innings. The 8th inning saw Sam Nahem enter the game, and one swing of Mel Ott’s bat proved to be the difference.
Giants 2, Phillies 1
WP: Hal Schumacher (2-2) LP: Sam Nahem (1-1) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (3)

15 – Tommy Hughes just didn’t have his stuff today. He gave up 3 in the first, 3 more in the fifth and 2 in the sixth to unofficially close out the game.
Giants 9, Phillies 3
WP: Van Mungo (2-0) LP: Tommy Hughes (1-2)

NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
TEAM		W-L	GB
Brooklyn	11-4	-
St. Louis	10-5	1
New York	8-7	3
Chicago		7-8	4
Cincinnati	7-8	4
Pittsburgh	6-9	5
Philadelphia	6-9	5
Boston		5-10	6

AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS
TEAM		W-L	GB
Boston		13-2	-
Cleveland	13-2	-
New York	11-4	2
St. Louis	8-7	5
Philadelphia	6-9	7
Washington	5-10	8
Chicago		4-11	9
Detroit		0-15	13

1942 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Benjamin, Stan            PHI    5  .500     2    1   0   1   0    0    0    0   0    1    0 1.500  .500
Melton, Rube              PHI    3  .500     6    3   0   0   0    1    0    0   1    1    3  .500  .571
Litwhiler, Danny          PHI   15  .344    61   21   5   2   5    9    7    0   0   13   17  .738  .429
Glossop, Al               PHI    4  .333     6    2   1   0   0    3    0    0   0    2    0  .500  .556
Murphy, Ed                PHI    4  .333     3    1   1   0   0    1    0    0   0    1    1  .667  .500
Marnie, Harry             PHI   15  .306    49   15   3   1   0    5    4    2   0   11    4  .408  .370
Bragan, Bobby             PHI   10  .300    20    6   2   0   0    2    3    0   0    6    2  .400  .364
Waner, Lloyd              PHI   13  .300    10    3   1   0   0    2    1    1   0    1    3  .400  .385
Freed, Ed                 PHI   15  .277    65   18   7   1   0    7   14    2   0   11    8  .415  .365
Hughes, Tommy             PHI    4  .273    11    3   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    1    2  .273  .273
Etten, Nick               PHI   15  .271    59   16   4   0   1    6    3    0   1    6    7  .390  .333
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI   10  .267    30    8   3   0   0    3    6    1   0    3    8  .367  .333
May, Pinky                PHI   15  .234    64   15   3   0   0    7    8    0   0   10    5  .281  .306
Johnson, Si               PHI    4  .222     9    2   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .222  .222
Klein, Chuck              PHI   15  .211    57   12   3   0   3    8    7    0   0    8   15  .421  .324
Warren, Bennie            PHI   15  .189    53   10   1   0   1   12    5    0   1    7    4  .264  .338
Livingston, Mickey        PHI    6  .167     6    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .167  .167
Blanton, Cy               PHI    4  .100    10    1   0   0   0    0    4    0   0    0    1  .100  .100
Hennessey, George         PHI    6  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Masterson, Paul           PHI    2  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1942 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Johnson, Si               PHI   30.0  1.80    4   4   1   1   0   16    6  9.60
Hoerst, Lefty             PHI    8.0  2.25    4   0   1   1   0    5    4 10.13
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   31.0  4.06    4   4   1   2   0   13   16 14.23
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI    2.0  4.50    1   0   0   0   0    1    0 18.00
Pearson, Ike              PHI    3.0  6.00    3   0   1   0   2    0    3 15.00
Hennessey, George         PHI    9.0  8.00    6   0   0   3   1    5    6 19.00
Masterson, Paul           PHI    3.1  8.10    2   0   0   0   0    1    1 24.30
Melton, Rube              PHI   16.2  8.64    3   3   1   0   0    6   13 18.90
Nahem, Sam                PHI    4.0  9.00    3   0   1   1   0    1    4 15.75
Blanton, Cy               PHI   25.2  9.47    4   4   0   1   0   14   10 17.88

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Joe Medwick (BRO)		.418
HR - Joe Medwick (BRO)		7
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG)		21
SB - Lonny Frey (CIN)		4
W - Freddie Fitzsimmons (BRO)	4
ERA - Si Johnson (PHI)		1.80
K - Van Mungo (NYG)		26
SV - Hoyt Wilhelm (NYG)		3

AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Lou Finney (BOS)		.525
HR - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		11
RBI - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		27
SB - 2 tied with		4
W - Mel Harder (CLE)		4
ERA - Spud Chandler (NYY)	1.88
K - 2 tied with			19
SV - John Burrows (PHA)		3

[broocks]

You could have at least started in the late 40's with Ennis and Roberts and Ashburn on the farm? Or would that make it too easy?

Good luck though, the beginning was quite auspicious of good things to come!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I thought about that, perhaps trying to repeat the 1950 Whiz Kids, but the challenge was just too much for me to overlook. Thanks for reading!

[broocks]

The Whiz Kids are one of my favorite teams. Richie Ashburn and Robin Roberts just seemed like such badasses.

I also just got the Trapped in the Basement reference

[PotatoOfCouch13]

broocks: I was hoping that someone would get it. Congrats. And the Whiz Kids give me something to shoot for: if I don't win a pennant by the end of the decade, then it'll have to go down as a mild disappointment.

MID APRIL 1942
Well, at least it was better than expected. There were some columnists at the [Philadelphia] Inquirer that said we’d lose all 15 of our games, but we showed them. At least were not as bad as the Tigers, who are still winless as we hit the halfway point of April and turn for May. However, one thing has been stuck in my craw for the past few weeks: Commissioner Landis has ordered the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians not to start Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, respectively. The players in question can still play; they just can’t be in the starting lineups. The most interesting thing about this is that both teams are in the top 2 of their league. As expected, Lou Boudreau of Cleveland and Leo Durocher of Brooklyn are not at all happy with this decision. They’ve requested a meeting of team owners and GM’s to meet in New York at the end of the month. The primary topic will be race in baseball, and apparently, Phillip Wrigley has a novel new idea that he says “will change the course of history.” Let’s hope he’s right.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL 1942
PART II

April 17-19: Chicago (7-8, 4 GB) at Philadelphia (6-9, 5 GB)
17 – Claude Passeau twirls a dandy, giving up only one run on seven hits, extending the Phillies losing streak to 4 games.
Cubs 6, Phillies 1
WP: Claude Passeau (2-1) LP: Cy Blanton (0-2)

18 – The Cubs offense explodes, scoring 4 in the first and piling on, beating the Phillies, who are suddenly unable to pitch well.
Cubs 13, Phillies 4
WP: Bill Lee (3-2) LP: Si Johnson (1-2)

19 – This time, the Phillies offense dominates, and Tommy Hughes allows only 3 runs over 8 innings to pick up his team-leading 2nd victory.
Phillies 11, Cubs 3
WP: Tommy Hughes (2-2) LP: Joey Lothian (0-3)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (6)

April 20-22: Cincinnati (7-11, 7 GB) at Philadelphia (7-11, 7 GB)
20 – The Phillies bats go suddenly cold and are shut out for 8 innings by Elmer Riddle.
Reds 8, Phillies 3
WP: Elmer Riddle (2-0) LP: Rube Melton (1-1)
HR: Ed Murphy (1)

21 – A five-run outburst in the 6th inning is enough for “ace” Cy Blanton to pick up his first win of the year, a complete game 6-hitter.
Phillies 5, Reds 3
WP: Cy Blanton (1-2) LP: Bucky Walters (3-1)

22 – Whoever is fooling with the switch, can you set it to on please? The bats go cold again as Cincinnati wins the series.
Reds 4, Phillies 2
WP: Paul Derringer (2-2) LP: Si Johnson (1-3) SV: Frank Fanovich (3)

April 23-26: Boston (5-16, 10 GB) at Philadelphia (8-13, 7 GB)
23 – The top 5 in the lineup go a combined 9-18 with 5 runs and 5 RBI, and Tommy Hughes keeps the Braves offense at bay for 8 innings.
Phillies 5, Braves 3
WP: Tommy Hughes (3-2) LP: Manny Salvo (0-5) SV: Ike Pearson (3)

24 – Rube Melton is fantastic allowing one run on four hits over 8 innings, out dueling Warren Spahn. Danny Litwhiler adds his 7th home run of the year.
Phillies 2, Braves 1
WP: Rube Melton (2-1) LP: Warren Spahn (1-3) SV: Ike Pearson (4)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (7)

25 – The Braves end their 9-game losing streak by plastering Cy Blanton for 10 runs over 3 innings. Enough said.
Braves 13, Phillies 4
WP: Dick Errickson (1-3) LP: Cy Blanton (1-3)
HR: Nick Etten (2)

26 – A slugfest. The Braves put up 13 for the second consecutive game, thanks to a 5-run eighth that put the result on ice.
Braves 13, Phillies 9.
WP: Elmer Singleton (1-0) LP: Lefty Hoerst (1-2)

April 27-29: Philadelphia (10-15, 8 GB) at Cincinnati (11-14, 7 GB)
27 – Enough with the shootouts! Although I don’t mind them if I win them. Funny how that works out.
Phillies 12, Reds 9
WP: Sam Nahem (2-1) LP: Tommy de la Cruz (0-1)
HR: Chuck Klein (4), Bennie Warren (2)

28 – The Phillies strike early, and manage to hang on late.
Phillies 6, Reds 5
WP: Rube Melton (3-1) LP: Elmer Riddle (2-1) SV: Sam Nahem (1)

29 – It took over 5 hours to play all 16 innings, but the Reds prevail thanks to a heads-up play in the bottom of the 16th.
Reds 7, Phillies 6
WP: Joe Beggs (2-2) LP: Johnny Podgajny (0-1)
HR: Bobby Bragan 2 (2)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	20-8	-
Brooklyn	18-10	2
Pittsburgh	17-11	3
New York	15-13	5
Philadelphia	12-16	8
Cincinnati	12-16	8
Chicago		11-17	9
Boston		7-21	13

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston		20-8	-
Cleveland	19-9	1
New York	17-11	3
St. Louis	16-12	4
Washington	14-14	6
Philadelphia	11-17	9
Chicago		8-20	12
Detroit		7-21	13

1942 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Benjamin, Stan            PHI   11  .462    13    6   0   1   0    0    0    1   0    2    1  .615  .462
Murphy, Ed                PHI    8  .417    12    5   3   0   1    1    1    0   0    3    5  .917  .462
Waner, Lloyd              PHI   24  .393    28   11   1   0   0    3    2    1   0    2    6  .429  .438
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI   22  .316    79   25   8   0   0    7   14    2   1   11   16  .418  .372
Bragan, Bobby             PHI   17  .306    36   11   3   0   2    5    5    0   0    8    5  .556  .390
May, Pinky                PHI   28  .293   116   34   8   1   0   14   11    0   0   20    8  .379  .371
Litwhiler, Danny          PHI   28  .292   106   31  10   3   7   13   10    0   0   22   26  .642  .367
Etten, Nick               PHI   28  .286   105   30   7   1   2   11    7    0   1   12   17  .429  .347
Marnie, Harry             PHI   25  .284    81   23   4   1   0    8    7    3   1   14    6  .358  .348
Freed, Ed                 PHI   28  .276   116   32  12   2   0   13   21    2   0   19   13  .414  .364
Klein, Chuck              PHI   28  .257   105   27   7   0   4   15    9    0   0   19   25  .438  .360
Glossop, Al               PHI    6  .250     8    2   1   0   0    3    1    0   0    2    0  .375  .455
Melton, Rube              PHI    6  .214    14    3   0   0   0    1    1    0   1    1    3  .214  .267
Warren, Bennie            PHI   25  .198    91   18   1   1   2   16    9    0   1   13    9  .297  .318
Livingston, Mickey        PHI   13  .174    23    4   2   0   0    0    5    0   0    1    2  .261  .174
Hughes, Tommy             PHI    7  .167    18    3   0   0   0    2    6    0   0    2    3  .167  .250
Johnson, Si               PHI    7  .154    13    2   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .154  .154
Blanton, Cy               PHI    8  .111    18    2   0   0   0    0    5    0   0    1    1  .111  .111
Hennessey, George         PHI    6  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Nahem, Sam                PHI    9  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Masterson, Paul           PHI    6  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI    6  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Beck, Boom-Boom           PHI    1  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1942 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Beck, Boom-Boom           PHI    5.0  0.00    1   0   0   0   0    0    1  7.20
Pearson, Ike              PHI    7.0  3.86    6   0   1   0   4    1    4 11.57
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   12.2  4.26    6   0   0   1   0    5    8 18.47
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   52.0  4.50    7   7   3   2   0   27   26 14.54
Johnson, Si               PHI   47.0  4.79    7   7   1   3   0   24   13 13.40
Melton, Rube              PHI   39.1  5.26    6   6   3   1   0   20   21 13.73
Nahem, Sam                PHI   10.2  5.91    9   0   2   1   1    7   12 16.03
Hoerst, Lefty             PHI   13.2  6.59    7   0   1   2   0    7    9 14.49
Hennessey, George         PHI    9.0  8.00    6   0   0   3   1    5    6 19.00
Blanton, Cy               PHI   52.2  8.37    8   8   1   3   0   28   19 17.43
Masterson, Paul           PHI    7.1  9.82    6   0   0   0   0    4    4 27.00

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Stan Musial (STL)		.397
HR - Johnny Mize (NYG)		9
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG)		34
SB - 2 tied with		6
W - Freddie Fitzsimmons (BRO)	6
ERA - Mort Cooper (STL)		2.17
K - Van Mungo (NYG)		37
SV - Diomedes Olivo (PIT)	6

AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Stan Spence (WSH)		.443	
HR - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		16
RBI - 2 tied with		40
SB - 5 tied with		4
W - 2 tied with 		5		
ERA - Spud Chandler (NYY)	3.20
K - Denny Galehouse (SLB)	33
SV - 2 tied with		4

MILESTONES
4/3: 3B Dick Bartell (NYG): 2000th Hit
4/15: 1B Jimmie Foxx (BOS): Hit for the Cycle
4/26: 1B Jimmie Foxx (BOS): 4 HR in a Game

MAJOR INJURIES
4/5: C Billy Sullivan (BRO) out for the season with a broken wrist (Final Stats: 3 H/13 AB, 2 RBI)
4/14: P Lefty Gomez (NYY) out 3 weeks with a spiked achilles tendon
4/24: P Bobo Newsom (WSH) out 2 weeks with a sprained finger
4/26: 3B Harlond Clift (SLB) out 5 weeks with a broken cheek bone
4/26: RF Bruce Campbell (WSH) out 3 weeks with ruptured knee ligaments