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

[gosensgo101]

Suspenseful. When you said defensive replacement, I immediently thought of Bill Buckner.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3Run, CatKnight: Thanks!

Coach:

GoSens: I know, suspense was what I was going for. There was the thought that he would hit another home run, which would've really screwed me, but thankfully, I had a SS playing at 1B!

Although, Gil won last year's 1B Gold Glove...

1944 SEASON AWARDS

NL MVP: Cardinals LF Stan Musial - .330, 31 HR, 115 RBI
Falling just 4 RBIs short of a Batting Triple Crown, Musial earns his 3rd MVP award in his 3rd season.

NL CY: Phillies SP Charlie Ripple – 21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K
NL ROY: Phillies SP Charlie Ripple - 21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K
Clearly the best pitcher in the National League. Unlike Musial, he won the Triple Crown (of pitching), and has an extraordinarily bright future ahead of him.

NL GG:
P – Tommy Hughes, Phillies (1)
C – Roy Campanella, Dodgers (2)
1B – Gil Hodges, Phillies (2)
2B – Frankie Gustine, Pirates (1)
3B – Bobby Rhawn, Giants (1)
SS – Huck Geary, Pirates (2)
OF – Stan Musial, Cardinals (2)
OF – Bob Elliott, Pirates (2)
OF – Joe Medwick, Dodgers (1)

AL MVP: Red Sox LF Ted Williams - .336, 38 HR, 117 RBI
What more can be said about the Splendid Splinter? This is his 2nd MVP award in 3 years, and he would’ve won last season if he didn’t get injured.

AL CY: Yankees SP Spud Chandler – 22-6, 2.95 ERA, 105 K
In a close race, Chandler beats out teammate Tiny Bonham and Cleveland ace Allie Reynolds. I think it was the no-hitter in August that tipped the scales.

AL ROY: Browns C Frank Mancuso - .209, 0 HR, 22 RBI
Seriously? This is the best rookie in the American League?

AL GG:
P – Dizzy Trout, Red Sox (1)
C – Ernie Lombardi, Indians (1)
1B – Rudy York, Tigers (2)
2B – Bobby Doerr, Red Sox (3)
3B – Ellis Clary, Senators (2)
SS – Pee Wee Reese, Yankees (2)
OF – Ted Williams, Red Sox (1)
OF – Tommy Henrich, Yankees (1)
OF – Stan Spence, Senators (1)

Now, for some in-house awards:
Chuck Klein Award for Best Major League Hitter
3B Vern Stephens

Grover Alexander Award for Best Major League Pitcher
SP Charlie Ripple

Crash Davis Award for Best Minor League Hitter
C Bill Peterman - .342, 4 HR, 96 RBI for AAA Utica

Ron Necciai Award for Best Minor League Pitcher
SP Charley Schanz – 11-2, 2.23 ERA, 28 K for AAA Utica

[RedsoxRockies]

You should give out your own major league awards, then we wont have ROY like Mancuso.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RedsoxRockies: A great idea! My AL ROY probably would've gone to Mancuso's teammate, Babe Martin. The 24-year-old LF went .247/4HR/31RBI/8SB for the Browns this season. Again, not spectacular, but well above the actual winner.

MANAGIERIAL NEWS

Giants player-manager Mel Ott will not be back next season, as he was not renewed by the Giants.

Browns manager Luke Sewell was fired today, and will be replaced by owner-GM Richard Zimmerman.

1944 FREE AGENCY

Fortunately, we only had 2 arbitration cases to deal with, and we declined both of them, so RP Paul Masterson and RP Emil Kush are free to negotiate with any team.

*

However, we did clean up our minor league system of all the riffraff that may have clogged up the development of some of our top prospects, so happy trails to:
2B Al Glossop
CF Hal Jeffcoat
2B Bitsy Mott
SS Bill Burich

*

A lot of young players are starting to reach their arbitration dates. With 3 years of Major League service, some of the biggest names in the game are on the open market.

But without question, the biggest free agent prize is LF Stan Musial. The reigning 3-time NL MVP was declined arbitration by the Cardinals and released into the free agent pool. There are also many nice consolation prizes if you fail to land Stan the Man, including Lou Boudreau, Roy Campanella, and Ralph Kiner.

Here are some of the best available players:

BEST HITTERS
01. LF Stan Musial (95)[23] - 4Y/$46,200
	1944 STL - .330, 31 HR, 115 RBI
02. SS Lou Boudreau (93)[27] - 5Y/$35,300
	1944 CLE - .303, 6 HR, 68 RBI
03. RF Enos Slaughter (93)[27] - 5Y/$34,600
	1944 STL - .325, 15 HR, 80 RBI
04. RF Bob Elliott (93)[28] - 5Y/$34,600
	1944 PIT - .291, 20 HR, 90 RBI
05. RF Augie Bergamo (93)[27] - 3Y/$25,800
	1944 STL - .260, 5 HR, 22 RBI
06. C Roy Campanella (91)[22] - 3Y/$36,200
	1944 BRO - .253, 25 HR, 110 RBI
07. LF Ralph Kiner (91)[21] - 3Y/$37,600
	1944 PIT - .263, 30 HR, 106 RBI
08. C Walker Cooper (90)[29] - 4Y/$28,000
	1944 STL - .245, 16 HR, 75 RBI
09. CF Milt Byrnes (88)[27] - 3Y/$24,700
	1944 SLB - .249, 1 HR, 38 RBI
10. 1B Dolph Camilli (87)[37] - 2Y/$28,400
	1944 BRO - .291, 23 HR, 69 RBI
11. 2B Frankie Gustine (86)[24] - 4Y/$25,700
	1944 PIT - .297, 3 HR, 48 RBI
12. 3B Pinky Higgins (86)[35] - 3Y/$22,700
	1944 DET - .263, 2 HR, 45 RBI
13. CF Terry Moore (86)[32] - 4Y/$25,500
	1944 STL - .279, 9 HR, 52 RBI
14. 3B Ellis Clary (85)[28] - 2Y/$26,100
	1944 WSH - .299, 2 HR, 54 RBI
15. 2B Eddie Stanky (84)[28] - 2Y/$20,400
	1944 CHC/PHA - .272, 0 HR, 27 RBI
16. SS Marty Marion (84)[26] - 3Y/$21,400
	1944 STL - .284, 0 HR, 20 RBI
17. C Clyde McCullough (84)[27] - 3Y/$19,600
	1944 CHC - .239, 10 HR, 47 RBI
18. C Phil Masi (83)[28] - 4Y/$19,700
	1944 BOB - .242, 11 HR, 46 RBI
19. CF Charlie Gilbert (83)[25] - 3Y/$15,100
	1944 CHC - .302, 2 HR, 16 RBI
20. 3B Jim Tabor (82)[27] - 4Y/$20,000
	1944 CHC - .269, 15 HR, 79 RBI

BEST PITCHERS
01. SP Tex Shirley (83)[26] - 2Y/$13,300
	1944 PHA - 1-0, 3.60 ERA, 22 K
02. SP Mort Cooper (82)[31] - 3Y/$25,000
	1944 STL - 4-2, 5.12 ERA, 36 K
03. SP Rube Melton (82)[27] - 2Y/$22,300
	1944 CHC - 4-4, 3.81 ERA, 52 K
04. SP Dick Fowler (81)[23] - 2Y/$19,500
	1944 PHA - 13-19, 4.74 ERA, 94 K
05. SP Paul Derringer (81)[37] - 2Y/$26,800
	1944 BRO - 16-11, 3.63 ERA, 78 K
06. RP Gordon Maltzberger (81)[32] - 2Y/$11,600
	1944 STL - 2-7, 3.19 ERA, 25 SV
07. SP Marius Russo (81)[30] - 3Y/$15,070
	1944 PHI/BOS - 5-2, 3.88 ERA, 22 K
08. RP Emil Kush (80)[27] - 2Y/$14,200
	1944 PHI - 0-0, 5.67 ERA, 0 SV
09. SP Yank Terry (79)[33] - 2Y/$25,500
	1944 BOS - 14-5, 3.38 ERA, 73 K
10. SP Elmer Riddle (79)[30] - 3Y/$22,100
	1944 CIN - 10-12, 4.00 ERA, 80 K

The Cardinals will have basically a brand new outfield next season, as Musial, Slaughter, and Moore all look to be headed to different teams. Also, perhaps the Dodgers like that Berra kid they have in their system a lot more than Campy?

If anything, I’m just going to lay low, and hopefully I can scoop up Musial when the price is right. I know that I have a lot of work to get Stan to like Philadelphia (currently a D in compatability), but seriously, it’s the best hitter in the National League!

[gosensgo101]

That's one heluva free agent pool.

[RedsoxRockies]

When you have Campy rated 6th best in the market... I have to agree with you

[CatKnight]

God. Put those FAs together into a new team and they'd have a credible run at the pennant.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Gosensgo, RedsoxRockies, CatKnight: Yeah, if I had to pick a year to be in rebuilding mode, this would be it!

OCTOBER 15

Well, the Stan Musial Sweepstakes is over on the 2nd day of free agency. And surprisingly, it wasn’t the Yankees! Matter of fact, it wasn’t an East Coast team at all. The highest bidder is…

…the Cincinnati Reds!

The Reds immediately go from one of baseball’s worst teams to one of the middle teams. Good to see Powel Crosley spending some money to make some more at the gate.

The newest Cincinnati Red: LF Stan Musial

[Coach Owens]

So what's going to happen to Seattle since they finished in like third or whatever?

[gosensgo101]

Did I miss it or have you made the expansion post yet?

[RedsoxRockies]

Yea who made it?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Coach: Something positive will happen with Seattle. I guarantee it!

Gosensgo & RedsoxRockies: No, you didn't miss the post yet. It'll be coming at the Winter Meetings, which are actually coming soon. But first...

NOVEMBER 8, 1944

I grabbed today’s Inquirer, and two stories caught my eye.

ROOSEVELT THUMPS DEWEY!
Wins Unprecedented 4th Term
Decimal System Not Enough For Republican to Overcome Incumbent

But the big one:

ARREST MADE IN SLAIN PITCHER CASE
DA: Case now ruled a murder, ex-ballplayer prime suspect

Ed Fallenstein, a former Major League pitcher, has been arrested and charged with the murder of former Phillies pitcher Jack Kraus. Fallenstein’s lawyer was not available for comment.

Kraus was scheduled to start Game 3 of this fall’s World Series, but was found dead in his home the night before. Originally ruled a suicide, the District Attorney has since revised this ruling to a homicide.

Fallenstein was a relief pitcher, that played two years in the Major Leagues, 1931 with the Phillies, and 1933 with the Braves. He had been working for the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball from after his retirement until the death of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis this February.

Fallenstein’s lawyers advised him not to comment, but the suspect shouted as he entered his holding cell, “You brought this upon yourself, Walsh!”

Fallenstein’s trial begins the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 27.

Odd. How could a man that played for the team 10 years before I took over be calling me out? Unless I’ve dealt with him since I took over the team…

Oh s***.

[AthleticsFan2k8]

Can't wait for Mr. Fallenstein's Trial on the 27th of November, 1944

[RedsoxRockies]

So Fallenstein is F, makes sense, his last name starts with it...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AthleticsFan2k8: Me neither, should be fun. Unless, of course, I decide to throw y'all a curveball!

RedsoxRockies: All the pieces are starting to fall into place, huh?

Just as an FYI, here are the Noll-Scully ratios of my dynasty compared against reality thus far (thanks to CatKnight for his nifty spreadsheet!):

1942 - 2.41 (100W=1, 90W=5, 90L=3, 100L=0) [IRL = 2.99]
1943 - 2.75 (100W=1, 90W=3, 90L=4, 100L=1) [IRL = 2.31]
1944 - 2.81 (100W=2, 90W=3, 90L=3, 100L=1) [IRL = 2.02]

Granted, the real-life 1944 had a lot more external issues than mine, but the trend is still a little troubling.