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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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.

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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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!

[CatKnight]

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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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...

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.

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!



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.”

[3RunHomer]

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.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3Run: Only time will tell

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.

“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.

“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.

***

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.

[Coach Owens]

***

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.

Are you psychic or something?

[petrel]

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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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...

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)

##	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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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.