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

[RedsoxRockies]

I dont know, I think Elizabeth Mountain Landis sounds better. That would have been interesting if she dumped you for him if he survived.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RedsoxRockies: Alas, Landis is dead (I hope) so we have no fear of that happening (I hope).

CORRECTIONS DEPT.

I neglected to mention that the Yankees were sold! I guess in all the stress that planning a marriage in one month that I completely forgot about the sale of the Yankees! The Ruppert Estate sold the team, Yankee Stadium, and several minor league leases to Larry MacPhail, Del Webb, and Dan Topping for $2.8 million dollars. MacPhail will replace Ed Barrow as general manager.

FEBRUARY 6, 1945

I really shouldn’t be working on our honeymoon, but I just had to impart this nugget on you.

The Boston Red Sox unceremoniously dismissed player-manager Joe Cronin by trading him.

Chicago Cubs receive:
SS Joe Cronin (79)
C Matt Batts (72/75)
SP Joel Woodland (72/79)
Boston Red Sox receive:
1B Jerry Witte (81/82)

It appears that an era is over in Boston. With this move, Cronin is replaced as manager by GM Eddie Collins, and Jimmie Foxx appears to be relegated to a backup role.

*

By the way, the New York Giants named a new manager: former Giants pitcher Freddie Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons had retired after last season, and is now being brought back to the team.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MARCH 6, 1945

After being released today by the Dodgers, SP Carl Hubbell announced his retirement.

“King Carl” was one of the best pitchers of the last 15 years. The long-time Giant won 10+ games in all 17 of his seasons, winning a career 277 against 165 losses. The 2-time NL MVP (1933, 1936) and 10-time NL All-Star (1933-1938, 1940-1943) was most famous for using his devastating screwball to strike out 5 straight batters in the 1934 All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin.

Career Stats:
602 Appearances (19th)
503 Starts (12th)
4050.1 IP (14th)

277 W (10th)
3.09 ERA (18th)
1884 K (11th)

263 CG
40 SO (18th)
33 SV
.249 BAA

Future HOFer Carl Hubbell from a '37 Wheaties ad

*

MARCH 13, 1945

Finally got a chance to speak with the players today. Very interesting conversation with Andy Seminick. It appears that he’s not complacent with winning the title last season, so he spent the entire off-season working on his arm strength.

“Mr. Walsh, with all due respect, I want to be the best d*** catcher in all of baseball. I saw a weakness in my game, so I tried to solve the problem.”

“Andy, next off-season, you might want to work on that batting average!” I joked.

He shot a smile back at me. “Yeah, looks like my to-do list just got a little bit longer.”

*

FREE AGENCY UPDATE

BEST HITTERS
01. LF Stan Musial (95)[23] - 4Y/$46,500
	Signed 10/15 by Cincinnati Reds
02. SS Lou Boudreau (93)[27] - 5Y/$34,500
	Signed 10/29 by Pittsburgh Pirates
03. RF Enos Slaughter (93)[27] - 4Y/$34,600
	Signed 10/17 by New York Giants
04. RF Bob Elliott (93)[28] - 4Y/$34,600
	Signed 10/16 by Detroit Tigers	
06. C Roy Campanella (91)[22] - 2Y/$29,400
	Signed 12/27 by Detroit Tigers
07. LF Ralph Kiner (91)[21] - 2Y/$35,100
	Signed 11/17 by St. Louis Browns
08. C Walker Cooper (90)[29] - 4Y/$28,000
	Signed 10/16 by Boston Braves
11. 2B Frankie Gustine (86)[24] - 4Y/$25,800
	Signed 10/17 by Chicago Cubs
12. 3B Pinky Higgins (86)[35] - 2Y/$17,900
	Signed 11/20 by Washington Senators
13. CF Terry Moore (86)[32] - 4Y/$25,600
	Signed 10/15 by Boston Braves
15. 2B Eddie Stanky (84)[28] - 2Y/$19,600
	Signed 10/23 by New York Giants
16. SS Marty Marion (84)[26] - 2Y/$16,600
	Signed 11/23 by New York Giants
17. C Clyde McCullough (84)[27] - 2Y/$18,800
	Signed 10/24 by Chicago White Sox
18. C Phil Masi (83)[28] - 2Y/$13,400
	Signed 12/7 by Washington Senators
19. CF Charlie Gilbert (83)[25] - 3Y/$15,100
	Signed 10/17 by Chicago White Sox
20. 3B Jim Tabor (82)[27] - 4Y/$20,000
	Signed 1/8 by Detroit Tigers
21. RF Mel Ott (79)[35] - 2Y/$4,350
	Signed 3/4 by Brooklyn Dodgers
22. SS Luke Appling (78)[37] - 2Y/$3,050
	Signed 3/22 by Brooklyn Dodgers

UNSIGNED
05. RF Augie Bergamo (93)[27]
09. CF Milt Byrnes (88)[27]
10. 1B Dolph Camilli (87)[37]
14. 3B Ellis Clary (85)[28]

BEST PITCHERS
01. SP Tex Shirley (83)[26] - 2Y/$9,400
	Signed 11/30 by Detroit Tigers
02. SP Mort Cooper (82)[31] - 2Y/$18,100
	Signed 12/7 by Brooklyn Dodgers
03. SP Rube Melton (82)[27] - 2Y/$22,000
	Signed 10/14 by New York Yankees
04. SP Dick Fowler (81)[23] - 2Y/$18,800
	Signed 10/17 by Chicago Cubs
05. SP Paul Derringer (81)[37] - 2Y/$26,800
	Signed 1/19 by Detroit Tigers
06. RP Gordon Maltzberger (81)[32] - 2Y/$5,100
	Signed 1/1 by Detroit Tigers
07. SP Marius Russo (81)[30] - 3Y/$13,400
	Signed 10/15 by Detroit Tigers
08. RP Emil Kush (80)[27] - 2Y/$13,700
	Signed 10/18 by Pittsburgh Pirates
09. SP Yank Terry (79)[33] - 2Y/$25,500
	Signed 10/17 by Chicago Cubs
10. SP Elmer Riddle (79)[30] - 2Y/$6,300
	Signed 2/10 by St. Louis Browns
11. SP Lefty Gomez (77)[35] - 2Y/$25,700
	Signed 10/20 by Chicago White Sox

[filihok]

After being released today by the Dodgers, SP Carl Hubbell announced his retirement.

“King Carl” was one of the best pitchers of the last 15 years. The long-time Giant won 10+ games in all 17 of his seasons, winning a career 277 against 165 losses. The 2-time NL MVP (1933, 1936) and 10-time NL All-Star (1933-1938, 1940-1943) was most famous for using his devastating screwball to strike out 5 straight batters in the 1934 All-Star Game: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin.

Hubbell was one of the greats. I'm honored that he spent his last with the Dodgers.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

filihok: yeah, Hubbell truly was great. He was (curiously) released after his contract expired, so he signed with the cross-town rivals.

Ironically, the same thing happened this season with Mel Ott.

DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS

I've been using more and more of these lately. Sorry guys!

I didn't update you on the Hall of Fame Class of 1944.

SP Carl Mays (207-126, 2.92 ERA, 231 CG, 31 SV)
Boston Red Sox 1915-1919
New York Yankees 1919-1923
Cincinnati Reds 1924-1928
New York Giants 1929
4-time WS Champion (1915, 1916, 1918, 1923)
AL Wins Leader - 1921 (27)
AL Saves Leader - 1915 (7), 1921 (7)
Most famous for hitting and killing Ray Chapman at home plate


Red Faber (254-213, 3.15 ERA, 273 CG, 28 SV)
Chicago White Sox 1914-1933
1 WS Championship (1917)
AL ERA Leader - 1921 (2.48), 1922 (2.81)
AL Saves Leader - 1914 (4)
DNP in the infamous 1919 World Series

*

While we're talking about HOF voting, there was no one elected to the Hall in 1945. The BBWAA didn't think anyone was deserving of the honor this year. Better luck next year, fellas!

[3RunHomer]

No free agents for the Phillies? Spend some of that post-season cash!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3Run: Nope! As mentioned before, I love to make that virtual money. I'm stockpiling it so I can get a swimming pool like Scrooge McDuck

Plus, my team's average age is 25.1 years old, so I don't really need to spend big money on free agents. I just have to wait for my talent to peak.

1945 SEASON PREVIEW COMING UP NEXT

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls; your defending World Series Champions… the 1945 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Red denotes Opening Day starter
* denotes 1944 All-Star

##	POS	NAME		  AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
21	C*	Andy Seminick	  24	89/94	.261, 13 HR, 73 RBI
6	C	Mickey Livingston 30	73/73	.190, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Andy is (one of) the best catcher(s) in baseball, and should only get better. Mickey’s job is in jeopardy, as Bill Peterman provides a serviceable backup that could do better at the plate than Livingston.

##	POS	NAME		AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
14	1B	Gil Hodges	20	88/89	.277, 23 HR, 86 RBI
33	1B	Ed Murphy	26	79/80	.226, 3 HR, 16 RBI

Gil is one of the best power hitters in the National League, and at the tender age of 20, will also only get better. Murph is a talented backup that provides a big pinch-hitting bat off the bench.

##	POS	NAME		AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
2	2B	Danny Murtaugh	27	76/76	.277, 0 HR, 28 RBI
5	3B	Vern Stephens	24	93/94	.273, 19 HR, 106 RBI
10	SS*	Phil Rizzuto	27	88/92	.283, 1 HR, 44 RBI, 12 SB
7	IF	Harry Marnie	26	72/73	.226, 0 HR, 5 RBI
22	IF	Ray Hamrick	23	78/84	.230, 0 HR, 18 RBI, 12 SB

Vern provides a huge power bat and solid glovework from the hot corner. Phil is great at setting the table for our big boppers. Danny and Ray are practically the same player, though Hamrick is faster and a little better with the glove. Marnie is a defensive dynamo.

##	POS	NAME		AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
16	LF	Johnny Blatnik	24	80/95	.296, 6 HR, 37 RBI
23	CF	Larry Doby	21	83/89	.235, 14 HR, 76 RBI
4	RF	Ron Northey	24	88/93	.291, 15 HR, 74 RBI
17	OF	Nick Goulish	28	87/88	.287, 8 HR, 58 RBI
24	OF	Leon Culberson	25	76/83	.267, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Ron is outstanding. Larry will improve by leaps and bounds this season. Johnny and Nick are similar, but the nod goes to Blatnik, who had a higher average in fewer at bats last season. Culberson provides a steady hand as a 5th outfielder.

##	POS	NAME		AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
20	SP1*	Red Ruffing	39	84/84	18-10, 3.17 ERA, 154 K
18	SP2*	Charlie Ripple	24	87/94	21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K
28	SP3	Tommy Hughes	25	84/92	12-13, 3.87 ERA, 100 K
36	SP4	Robin Roberts	18	81/94	ROOKIE

Ruffing and Ripple provide a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Red sits at 298 career wins, 2 shy of becoming the 8th pitcher all-time with 300 wins. Hughes hopes to regain his form from 1942, when he won 18 games. Roberts was the Phillies’ first draft pick last season, and is highly-touted as the future of the franchise after going 10-3 with a 3.23 ERA at AAA Utica after being drafted in early June.

##	POS	NAME		AGE	OVR/PK	1944 STATS
39	MU	Gene Lambert	23	79/88	7-3, 2.93 ERA, 80 K
15	LR	Dick Mauney	25	86/90	5-3, 4.00 ERA, 29 K
11	MR	Joe Page	27	81/82	0-0, 6.59 ERA, 15 K
27	SR	John Fick	23	73/91	ROOKIE
45	SR	Ed Hanyzewski	24	82/87	10-5, 3.27 ERA, 29 K, 2 SV
25	SU	Hugh Casey	31	81/81	4-7, 1.85 ERA, 23 K, 4 SV
12	CL	Ike Pearson	28	82/82	6-2, 2.51 ERA, 11 K, 18 SV

Lambert and Mauney are starters stuck in the bullpen. Page has had some trouble adjusting to the big leagues. Fick is a rookie, hoping to make a big impact. Hanyzewski, Casey, and Pearson are perhaps the best back 3 of the bullpen in the National League.

##	NAME		COACH
37	Bucky Harris	Manager
34	Hack Wilson	Hitting Coach
41	Walter Beck	Pitching Coach
48	Lee Riley	Bench Coach

PROSPECTS TO WATCH
The best at each position

SP - Harvey Haddix, Utica
SP – Jake Thies, Clearwater
SP – Al Gerheauser, Utica
C - Bill Peterman, Utica
1B – Dale Long, Clearwater
2B – Mike Goliat, Utica
3B – Ty LaForest, Utica
SS – Rudy Rufer, Clearwater
OF – Ed Sanicki, Utica
OF – Hal Jeffcoat, Greensboro
OF – Joe Szekely, Clearwater
RP – Don Grate, Wilmington
RP – Hilly Flitcraft, Wilmington

AAA Utica Blue Jays
SP Al Gerheauser (85/90)
SP Harvey Haddix (73/94)
SP Charlie Sproull (86/88)
SP Charley Schanz (79/88)
RP Al Verdel (73/80)
RP Dale Matthewson (75/84)
RP Deacon Donahue (78/86)
RP Barney Mussill (77/78)
C Bill Peterman (79/80)
2B Mike Goliat (73/74)
SS Jack Albright (69/84)
3B Ty LaForest (76/88)
LF Ed Sanicki (76/84)

AA Wilmington Blue Rocks
SP Andy Lapihuska (70/82)
SP Bill McCahan (73/84)
SP Eli Hodkey (76/79)
SP Eric Whelan (70/76)
RP Lefty Scott (76/78)
RP Homer Spragins (73/76)
RP Hilly Flitcraft (72/86)
RP Don Grate (79/91)
RP Mike Budnkick (70/80)
C Bob Finley (73/74)
2B Moon Mullen (72/73)
3B Ted Cieslak (71/72)
3B Nick Picciuto (74/84)

A Greensboro Patriots
SP Lynn Lovenguth (73/82)
SP Kent Bickett (77/82)
SP Jeff Walker (64/75)
RP Mitch Chetkovich (75/77)
RP Vern Fear (71/74)
RP John Hall (69/79)
2B Ed Walczak (73)
SS John O’Neil (74/86)
3B Bert Hodge (72/73)
CF Hal Jeffcoat (63/79)

R Clearwater Phillies
SP Jake Thies (58/93)
SP Bob Trice (52/82)
RP Armando Roche (53/78)
C Ryan Scifo (63/69)
1B Dale Long (58/94)
SS Rudy Rufer (53/91)
RF Joe Szekely (59/80)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1945 AMERICAN LEAGUE PREVIEW
All stats are 1944

1. NEW YORK YANKEES
1944: 102-53 (1st, AL Pennant)
1945 PREDICTION: 98-56
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1944
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1942

MANAGER: Joe McCarthy (15th season, 9 pennants, 7 World Series)

SP Tiny Bonham – 22-8, 3.34 ERA, 94 K
SP Spud Chandler – 22-6, 2.95 ERA, 105 K
SP Bill Bevens – 15-8, 3.14 ERA, 100 K
SP Atley Donald – 17-12, 4.20 ERA, 105 K
SU Joe Beggs – 11-10, 2.68 ERA, 28 K, 11 SV with Cincinnati
CL Howie Krist – 8-4, 1.79 ERA, 29 K, 15 SV

SS Pee Wee Reese – .293, 6 HR, 57 RBI, 13 SB
3B Harlond Clift – .281, 11 HR, 98 RBI
LF Charlie Keller – .338, 25 HR, 93 RBI
CF Joe DiMaggio – .333, 19 HR, 120 RBI
2B Joe Gordon – .267, 10 HR, 96 RBI
RF Tommy Henrich – .307, 21 HR, 99 RBI
C Bill Salkeld – .222, 14 HR, 47 RBI with Pittsburgh
1B Don Hanski - .257, 8 HR, 69 RBI with Chicago (AL)

2. BOSTON RED SOX
1944: 101-54 (2nd, 1 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 93-61
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1918
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1918

MANAGER: Eddie Collins (1st season)

SP Tex Hughson – 17-10, 3.40 ERA, 125 K
SP Dizzy Trout – 18-10, 3.37 ERA, 121 K
SP Sid Hudson – 14-8, 4.17 ERA, 81 K
SP Bill Butland – 15-8, 3.14 ERA, 120 K
SU Andy Karl – 8-7, 2.70 ERA, 27 K, 12 SV
CL James Atkins – 2-1, 2.27 ERA, 22 K, 25 SV

CF Dom DiMaggio – .282, 6 HR, 66 RBI, 14 SB
3B Bob Dillinger – .280, 1 HR, 46 RBI, 14 SB
2B Bobby Doerr – .297, 13 HR, 97 RBI
LF Ted Williams – .336, 38 HR, 117 RBI
1B Jerry Witte – .259, 3 HR, 27 RBI with Chicago (NL)
RF Ival Goodman – .304, 7 HR, 50 RBI
C Clyde McCullough – .239, 10 HR, 47 RBI with Chicago (NL)
SS Johnny Pesky - .268, 1 HR, 43 RBI

3. CLEVELAND INDIANS
1944: 96-58 (3rd, 5.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 87-67
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1920
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1920

MANAGER: Roger Peckinpaugh (1st season – 3rd stint as CLE manager)

SP Jim Bagby – 13-13, 4.53 ERA, 77 K
SP Les McCrabb – 14-8, 3.91 ERA, 110 K
SP Allie Reynolds – 14-7, 2.95 ERA, 158 K
SP Mike Garcia – 6-5, 4.01 ERA, 55 K
SU Steve Gromek – 11-4, 3.16 ERA, 56 K, 9 SV
CL Pete Center – 1-2, 2.08 ERA, 14 K, 18 SV

3B Stan Hack – .260, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 17 SB
CF Roy Weatherly – .356, 18 HR, 91 RBI
LF Jeff Heath – .308, 23 HR, 83 RBI
1B Luke Easter – .269, 32 HR, 100 RBI
RF Hank Edwards – .309, 9 HR, 66 RBI
C Ernie Lombardi – .287, 7 HR, 53 RBI
2B Whitey Wietelmann – .300, 1 HR, 30 RBI
SS Jackie Price - .216, 0 HR, 9 RBI

4. WASHINGTON SENATORS
1944: 75-79 (4th, 26.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 76-78
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1933
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1924

MANAGER: Ossie Bluege (3rd season)

SP Bobo Newsom – 13-11, 3.71 ERA, 124 K
SP Dutch Leonard – 16-10, 3.37 ERA, 91 K
SP Early Wynn – 1-0, 3.52 ERA, 7 K
SP Dick Newsome – 5-16, 5.65 ERA, 52 K
SU Vern Curtis – 5-8, 3.48 ERA, 53 K, 3 SV
CL Bill Kennedy – 4-6, 3.41 ERA, 19 K, 22 SV

CF Walt Chipple – .277, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 21 SB
RF Chet Laabs – .283, 11 HR, 46 RBI
3B Pinky Higgins – .263, 2 HR, 45 RBI with Detroit
1B Mickey Vernon – .340, 16 HR, 86 RBI
LF Stan Spence – .249, 18 HR, 82 RBI
C Phil Masi – .242, 11 HR, 46 RBI with Boston (NL)
SS Johnny Berardino – .261, 1 HR, 40 RBI
2B Bill Knickerbocker - .240, 1 HR, 34 RBI

5. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
1944: 74-80 (5th, 27.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 68-86
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1919
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1917

MANAGER: Jimmie Dykes (12th season)

SP Jim Tobin – 9-14, 3.92 ERA, 72 K
SP Ed Lopat – 16-9, 3.00 ERA, 102 K
SP Schoolboy Rowe – 10-17, 4.00 ERA, 90 K
SP Lefty Gomez – 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 K with New York (AL)
SU Johnny Humphries – 3-2, 3.76 ERA, 26 K, 1 SV
CL Len Perme – 4-2, 4.52 ERA, 30 K, 9 SV

CF Charlie Gilbert – .302, 2 HR, 16 RBI with Chicago (NL)
2B Don Kolloway – .314, 3 HR, 53 RBI, 19 SB
1B Neill Sheridan - ROOKIE
LF Roy Cullenbine – .306, 12 HR, 68 RBI
3B Jimmy Grant – .284, 5 HR, 47 RBI
RF Bud Sketchley – .198, 1 HR, 28 RBI
SS Eddie Miller – .247, 7 HR, 50 RBI
C Ken O’Dea - .244, 11 HR, 61 RBI

6. DETROIT TIGERS
1944: 55-99 (7th, 46.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 67-87
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1940
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1935

MANAGER: Steve O’Neill (3rd season)

SP Paul Derringer – 16-11, 3.63 ERA, 78 K with Brooklyn
SP Hal Newhouser – 8-19, 4.53 ERA, 150 K
SP Brett Mathews – 3-7, 4.05 ERA, 30 K
SP Tommy Bridges – 5-17, 6.08 ERA, 87 K
SU Joe Orrell – 6-3, 3.94 ERA, 33 K, 2 SV
CL Al Benton – 2-3, 5.19 ERA, 28 K, 5 SV

CF Barney McCosky – .330, 2 HR, 48 RBI
RF Bob Elliott – .291, 20 HR, 90 RBI with Pittsburgh
C Roy Campanella – .253, 25 HR, 110 RBI with Brooklyn
1B Rudy York – .253, 24 HR, 86 RBI
LF Ned Harris – .311, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 14 SB
3B Jim Tabor – .269, 15 HR, 79 RBI with Chicago (NL)
2B Red Borom – .266, 0 HR, 12 RBI
SS Bobby Bragan - .217, 1 HR, 24 RBI

7. PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS
1944: 66-88 (6th, 35.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 65-89
LAST A.L. PENNANT: 1931
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1930

MANAGER: Connie Mack (45th season, 9 pennants, 5 World Series)

SP Ted Lyons – 13-20, 3.70 ERA, 96 K
SP Cy Blanton – 9-11, 3.28 ERA, 91 K with Washington
SP Thornton Lee – 13-15, 3.86 ERA, 95 K with Chicago (AL)
SP Greg Hill – 3-14, 7.70 ERA, 28 K
SU Tom Ferrick – 5-4, 2.18 ERA, 33 K, 8 SV
CL Moe Burtschy – 6-4, 1.80 ERA, 21 K, 15 SV

CF Woody Wheaton – .257, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 18 SB
3B Jimmy Brown – .281, 0 HR, 36 RBI
1B Elbie Fletcher – .275, 8 HR, 65 RBI
LF Danny Litwhiler – .307, 13 HR, 85 RBI
RF Taffy Wright – .339, 1 HR, 1 RBI
SS Jack Wallaesa – .277, 10 HR, 53 RBI
C Mickey Owen – .227, 2 HR, 20 RBI
2B Irv Hall - .191, 0 HR, 7 RBI

8. ST. LOUIS BROWNS
1944: 48-106 (8th, 53.5 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 62-92
LAST A.L. PENNANT: NONE
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: NONE

MANAGER: Richard Zimmerman (1st season)

SP Roger Wolff – 13-10, 3.22 ERA, 94 K with Philadelphia (AL)
SP Elmer Riddle – 10-12, 4.00 ERA, 80 K with Cincinnati
SP Whit Wyatt – 13-16, 3.20 ERA, 94 K
SP Butch Wensloff – 1-3, 3.48 ERA, 27 K with New York (AL)
SU Stan Ferens – 5-9, 3.64 ERA, 50 K, 1 SV
CL Lefty West – 6-6, 4.01 ERA, 49 K, 3 SV

CF Jess Pike – .212, 2 HR, 17 RBI
3B Billy Johnson – .261, 6 HR, 42 RBI
RF Willard Brown – .213, 5 HR, 57 RBI, 18 SB
LF Ralph Kiner – .263, 30 HR, 106 RBI with Pittsburgh
1B Roy Valdes - .204, 1 HR, 12 RBI
2B Stu Martin – .265, 2 HR, 44 RBI
SS Merl Combs – .206, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 10 SB
C Frank Mancuso - .209, 0 HR, 22 RBI

*

AL Awards Projections

AL MVP
1. Ted Williams, LF, BOS
2. Joe DiMaggio, CF, NYY
3. Mickey Vernon, 1B, WSH

AL CY
1. Allie Reynolds, SP, CLE
2. Ed Lopat, SP, CHW
3. Dizzy Trout, SP, BOS

AL ROY
1. Neill Sheridan, 1B, CHW
2. George Kell, 3B, PHA
3. Hank Bauer, RF, NYY

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1945 NATIONAL LEAGUE PREVIEW
All stats are 1944

1. BROOKLYN DODGERS
1944: 89-65 (3rd, 7 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 88-66
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1941
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: NONE

MANAGER: Leo Durocher (7th season, 1 pennant)

SP Johnny Vander Meer – 10-10, 3.61 ERA, 101 K
SP Kirby Higbe – 8-3, 4.19 ERA, 42 K
SP Mort Cooper – 4-2, 5.12 ERA, 36 K with St. Louis (NL)
SP Ed Head – 10-1, 2.65 ERA, 42 K
SU Cy Buker – 10-5, 2.19 ERA, 59 K, 4 SV
CL Jim Hughes – 4-4, 2.36 ERA, 31 K, 22 SV

SS Arky Vaughan - .318, 10 HR, 62 RBI, 10 SB
2B Jackie Robinson - .222, 0 HR, 1 RBI
RF Carl Furillo - .280, 4 HR, 24 RBI
1B Jack Graham – .252, 14 HR, 54 RBI
3B Ken Keltner - .278, 18 HR, 83 RBI
LF Joe Medwick - .277, 13 HR, 74 RBI
CF Pete Reiser - .290, 11 HR, 58 RBI
C Ferrell Anderson - .214, 0 HR, 1 RBI

2. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
1944: 94-60 (2nd, 2 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 85-69
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1943
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1943

MANAGER: Billy Southworth (6th season, 2 pennants, 1 World Series)

SP Lon Warneke – 16-10, 3.56 ERA, 92 K
SP Max Lanier – 13-3, 2.46 ERA, 98 K
SP Johnny Rigney – 8-8, 3.01 ERA, 85 K
SP Harry Gumbert – 17-6, 3.69 ERA, 86 K
SU Freddy Schmidt – 5-2, 2.92 ERA, 63 K, 5 SV
CL Ted Wilks – 17-5, 2.66, 51 K, 12 SV

SS Jeff Cross – .219, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 11 SB
2B Lou Klein – .263, 2 HR, 43 RBI
LF Johnny Hopp – .316, 1 HR, 25 RBI
1B Ray Sanders – .274, 14 HR, 70 RBI
3B Whitey Kurowski – .256, 10 HR, 47 RBI
CF Bill Howerton – ROOKIE
RF Harry Elliott – ROOKIE
C Ken Sears - ROOKIE

3. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
1944: 96-58 (1st, World Series Champions)
1945 PREDICTION: 81-73
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1944
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1944

MANAGER: Bucky Harris (3rd season, 1 pennant, 1 World Series)

SP Red Ruffing – 18-10, 3.17 ERA, 154 K
SP Charlie Ripple – 21-9, 2.89 ERA, 194 K
SP Tommy Hughes – 12-13, 3.87 ERA, 100 K
SP Robin Roberts - ROOKIE
SU Hugh Casey – 4-7, 1.85 ERA, 23 K, 4 SV
CL Ike Pearson – 6-2, 2.51 ERA, 11 K, 18 SV

SS Phil Rizzuto – .283, 1 HR, 44 RBI, 12 SB
LF Johnny Blatnik – .296, 6 HR, 37 RBI
RF Ron Northey – .291, 15 HR, 74 RBI
1B Gil Hodges – .277, 23 HR, 86 RBI
3B Vern Stephens – .273, 19 HR, 106 RBI
C Andy Seminick – .261, 13 HR, 73 RBI
CF Larry Doby – .235, 14 HR, 76 RBI
2B Danny Murtaugh - .277, 0 HR, 28 RBI

4. NEW YORK GIANTS
1944: 78-76 (4th, 18 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 80-74
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1937
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1933

MANAGER: Freddie Fitzsimmons (1st season)

SP Van Mungo – 13-8, 2.96 ERA, 136 K
SP Hal Schumacher – 14-12, 4.41 ERA, 111 K
SP Larry Jansen – 12-7, 3.43 ERA, 98 K
SP Bill Voiselle – 7-3, 3.04 ERA, 61 K
SU Diomedes Olivo – 4-4, 2.52 ERA, 24 K, 19 SV with Pittsburgh
CL Hoyt Wilhelm – 4-6, 3.72 ERA, 29 K, 21 SV

3B Bobby Rhawn – .297, 6 HR, 40 RBI
RF Enos Slaughter – .325, 15 HR, 80 RBI with St. Louis (NL)
CF Wally Judnich – .293, 12 HR, 53 RBI
1B Johnny Mize – .327, 21 HR, 119 RBI
LF Monte Irvin – .249, 3 HR, 43 RBI
C Harry Danning – .250, 8 HR, 71 RBI
SS Eddie Joost – .252, 10 HR, 61 RBI
2B Eddie Stanky – .272, 0 HR, 27 RBI with Philadelphia (AL)

5. CHICAGO CUBS
1944: 74-80 (5th, 22 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 79-75
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1938
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1908

MANAGER: Charlie Grimm (2nd season – 2nd stint as CHC manager, 3 pennants)

SP Claude Passeau – 13-14, 3.60 ERA, 135 K
SP Johnny Podgajny – 14-9, 3.16 ERA, 79 K
SP Shaun Hale – 13-17, 4.33 ERA, 77 K
SP Phil Marchildon – 5-14, 4.76 ERA, 86 K
SU Dale Alderson – 10-6, 2.51 ERA, 50 K, 8 SV
CL Whitey Miller – 3-5, 2.56 ERA, 11 K, 18 SV

2B Frankie Gustine – .297, 3 HR, 48 RBI with Pittsburgh
1B Garth Mann - .319, 20 HR, 82 RBI
CF Phil Cavarretta - .311, 13 HR, 75 RBI
LF Andy Pafko - .292, 17 HR, 72 RBI
RF Bill Nicholson - .314, 22 HR, 96 RBI
SS Joe Cronin – .307, 2 HR, 35 RBI with Boston (AL)
3B Cy Block - .256, 0 HR, 2 RBI
C Rick Ferrell - .198, 1 HR, 10 RBI

6. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1944: 66-88 (6th, 30 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 71-83
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1927
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1925

MANAGER: Lou Boudreau (1st season)

SP Max Butcher – 13-12, 3.34 ERA, 70 K
SP Paul Troughton – 1-2, 5.75 ERA, 3 K with Chicago (NL)
SP Bob Chesnes – 9-13, 4.60 ERA, 89 K
SP Ed Bahr – 6-6, 3.16 ERA, 51 K
SU Harry Shuman – 6-5, 4.28 ERA, 42 K, 2 SV
CL Ace Adams – 10-7, 2.40 ERA, 32 K, 4 SV

LF Jim Russell – .183, 2 HR, 18 RBI
RF Tommy O’Brien – .311, 0 HR, 6 RBI (1943)
SS Lou Boudreau – .303, 6 HR, 68 RBI with Cleveland
CF Wally Westlake – .225, 10 HR, 43 RBI
3B Bob Kennedy – .302, 7 HR, 58 RBI
1B Hank Sweeney – .292, 0 HR, 10 RBI
2B Jack Merson – ROOKIE
C Hank Camelli - .200, 0 HR, 1 RBI

7. BOSTON BRAVES
1944: 62-92 (7th, 34 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 68-86
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1914
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1914

MANAGER: Bob Coleman (3rd season)

SP Warren Spahn – 15-12, 3.45 ERA, 147 K
SP Al Javery – 14-10, 3.41 ERA, 110 K
SP Rob Kelley – 3-5, 5.64 ERA, 26 K
SP Ethan Gornitsky – 1-3, 5.12 ERA, 11 K
SU Elmer Singleton – 4-8, 4.02 ERA, 39 K, 4 SV
CL Jim Hickey – 6-6, 3.72 ERA, 41 K, 13 SV with New York (AL)

2B Frank Drews – .260, 1 HR, 21 RBI
CF Terry Moore – .279, 9 HR, 52 RBI with St. Louis (NL)
RF Tommy Holmes – .307, 9 HR, 67 RBI
1B Sam Gentile – .296, 13 HR, 75 RBI
C Walker Cooper – .245, 16 HR, 75 RBI with St. Louis (NL)
LF Max West – .239, 0 HR, 11 RBI with Washington
SS Alvin Dark – .234, 7 HR, 53 RBI
3B Sibby Sisti – .243, 3 HR, 13 RBI (1943)

8. CINCINNATI REDS
1944: 57-97 (8th, 39 GB)
1945 PREDICTION: 64-90
LAST N.L. PENNANT: 1940
LAST WORLD SERIES WIN: 1940

MANAGER: Bill McKechnie (8th season, 1 pennant, 1 World Series)

SP Bucky Walters – 7-21, 4.07 ERA, 106 K
SP Arnold Carter – 7-4, 3.73 ERA, 30 K
SP Ewell Blackwell – 7-15, 5.30 ERA, 137 K
SP Frank Dasso – 3-13, 4.60 ERA, 104 K
SU Junior Thompson – 4-4, 3.49 ERA, 44 K, 4 SV
CL Walker Cress – 3-8, 4.63 ERA, 21 K, 8 SV

2B Lonny Frey - .264, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 16 SB
3B Red Rolfe - .280, 7 HR, 41 RBI
1B Babe Young - .214, 4 HR, 32 RBI
LF Stan Musial – .330, 31 HR, 115 RBI with St. Louis (NL)
RF Bruce Sloan - .244, 11 HR, 58 RBI
CF Fabian Gaffke - .245, 9 HR, 46 RBI
C Ray Murray – .213, 0 HR, 8 RBI
SS Charlie Brewster - .233, 0 HR, 19 RBI

*

NL Awards Projections

NL MVP
1. Stan Musial, LF, CIN
2. Johnny Mize, 1B, NYG
3. Vern Stephens, 3B, PHI

NL CY
1. Warren Spahn, SP, BOB
2. Charlie Ripple, SP, PHI
3. Kirby Higbe, SP, BRO

NL ROY
1. Robin Roberts, SP, PHI
2. Bill Howerton, CF, STL
3. Ken Sears, C, STL

[PotatoOfCouch13]

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

Dodgers over Yankees, 4-3

The Dodgers, led by the double-play tandem of Jackie Robinson and Arky Vaughan, take the series to the limit, winning their first World Series crown.

*

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone think it’s a little weird that 3 members of the same infield (1922-1926 Washington Senators) are now managers?

3B Ossie Bluege – WSH
SS Roger Peckinpaugh – CLE
2B Bucky Harris - PHI

Those teams managed 2 AL pennants and a victory in the 1924 World Series. Something in the water maybe?

*

[filihok]

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION

Dodgers over Yankees, 4-3

The Dodgers, led by the double-play tandem of Jackie Robinson and Arky Vaughan, take the series to the limit, winning their first World Series crown.

Awesome!!! Let's make it happen

[gosensgo101]

There's no way in **** that you don't win the Pennant.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

filihok: Well, they have to get through the Phillies first! But it should be an incredibly exciting season.

Gosensgo: Yeah, the National League predictions are probably weighted too much on last year's results. The Cardinals will be (much) worse: I don't see how you can lose your starting outfield and still contend. The Reds will be better: Stan Musial alone makes them so.

Ultimately, I think that it will come down to three teams: the Dodgers, the Giants, and the Phillies. Whichever team gets the most wins, will win the pennant

APRIL 1, 1945

The baseball season is officially here! And while the Phillies don’t open until tomorrow, 4 games were finished today.

In Cincinnati, Stan Musial’s Reds debut was a happy one, as Stan goes 2-4 and the Reds beat the Pirates, 2-1.

In Boston, Warren Spahn tosses a complete game, and former Cardinals Walker Cooper and Terry Moore victimize their old team in the Braves’ 8-2 thumping of St. Louis.

In Brooklyn, the rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants was reignited in grand fashion, as the Dodgers, thanks to a home run by Jackie Robinson, eek out a victory, 3-2.

And in Cleveland, the Yankees get back-to-back home runs from Joes’ DiMaggio and Gordon, as they hang on to spoil the Indians’ home opener, 3-2.

*

Perhaps the most important event today, however, was the presentation of the World Series rings to the members of last season’s championship winning team. Nothing special, just something to wear next to my wedding band, but it does say “World Series Champions 1944”, and that’s special enough.

[filihok]

In Brooklyn, the rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants was reignited in grand fashion, as the Dodgers, thanks to a home run by Jackie Robinson, eek out a victory, 3-2.

Coast to Coast baby