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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

DRAFT RESULTS

If this draft were to have a name, it would probably be the Year of the First Basemen. With 5 terrific options out there (Gil Hodges, Herb Gorman, Ted Kluszewski, Dee Fondy, Earl Torgeson), there should be plenty of great consolation prizes for teams that need a first baseman.

#  TEAM			PLAYER (PEAK)
1. Philadelphia (NL)	1B Gil Hodges (89)
2. Boston (NL)		1B Earl Torgeson (86)
3. Philadelphia (AL)	SP Lou Brissie (87)
4. Chicago (NL)		SP Hal Brown (90)
5. St. Louis (AL)	SP Travis Robbins (82)
6. Washington		C Sherm Lollar (84)
7. New York (NL)	SP Rex Barney (82)
8. Cleveland		2B Bobby Avila (91)
9. Detroit		SP Ted Gray (79)
10. Chicago (AL)	CF Irv Noren (85)
11. Pittsburgh		CF Dino Restelli (78)
12. Boston (AL)		RP Tom Hurd (83)
13. Cincinnati		1B Ted Kluszewski (84)
14. St. Louis (NL)	RP Jim Davis (85)
15. Brooklyn		RP Joe Black (83)
16. New York (AL)	SP Derick Neufeld (82)

17. Philadelphia (NL)	RP Phil Haugstad (78)
33. Philadelphia (NL)	CF Hal Jeffcoat (80)
49. Philadelphia (NL)	RP Vern Fear (77)
65. Philadelphia (NL)	SP Eric Whelan (76)
81. Philadelphia (NL)	RP John Hall (76)

20. Chicago (NL)	1B Herb Gorman (93)
24. Cleveland		3B Al Rosen (78)
28. Boston (AL)		RP Cal Howe (90)
48. New York (AL)	1B Dee Fondy (88)

It is said that you can't really judge a draft class until several years have passed. With that in mind. I'm going to try something new.

DRAFT UP!

OOC: Has anyone ever heard of "Seven Up"? It was a film by a British documentarian that chronicled the lives of people from age 7 onward, revisiting their subjects every 7 years (hence the films title). It really is pretty interesting and I recommend it, but I'm going to try and revisit draft classes every 5 years down the road just to check in and see how the players are progressing. Just to add a little in-depth analysis for you, the reader.

STILL OOC: Also, how am I doing so far? Please feel free to leave comments. As this is my first attempt at a dynasty, I am more than willing to accept advice or tips on how to run it more efficiently or how to make things easier to read etc.

And if you have any creative ideas (storylines, subplots, etc.), please feel free to submit them. I'll give credit where it is due, and you get the satisfaction of seeing your ideas in action!

Thanks for reading!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE 1942
PART II

On the off day, I made my way up to Rome, NY to see the debut of the first ever #1 pick, Gil Hodges. He went 1 for 4 with a double, but didn’t have any trouble in the field and made some great plays. I also got the chance to speak with Charlie Ripple. The kid seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and he hadn’t lost a game in his professional career until earlier this month. He just seems to be developing slowly. Hopefully our talk will get him back on track for the big leagues.

June 7-10: St. Louis (1st, 42-20, 5 GA) at Philadelphia (6th, 24-38, 18 GB)
7 – Johnny Podgajny notches his first win of the season, a complete-game six hitter, where, thanks to 2 Pinky May errors, he allowed 0 earned runs.
Phillies 7, Cardinals 2
W: Johnny Podgajny (1-3) L: Mort Cooper (9-3)

8 – In what was by far the longest game of the Phillies season, the pitching staff really stepped up their collective effort. 4 pitchers combined to allow 0 earned runs, and the bullpen went 5 innings of 1 hit baseball. Even *gulp* George Hennessey got into the act, going 1 perfect inning to pick up the win.
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1 (14)
W: George Hennessey (1-3) L: Murry Dickson (0-1)
HR: Bennie Warren (3)

9 – In an extraordinarily sloppy game (8 errors combined: chalk that up the fatigue factor after a 14-inning marathon), Tommy Hughes goes 8 strong innings, and Sam Nahem hangs on, barely, to close the door.
Phillies 7, Cardinals 6
W: Tommy Hughes (8-6) L: Howie Pollet (0-4)

10 – With a chance to sweep a four-game set from the NL-leading Cardinals, Rube Melton was sent to the mound. Through 7 innings, things were looking fantastic. Rube had a 2 run lead, and then everything collapsed. 4 runs against Rube in the 8th, and 3 more against Sam Nahem in the 9th give the Cardinals an improbable comeback win to avoid an embarrassing sweep.
Cardinals 8, Phillies 4
W: Lon Warneke (9-4) L: Rube Melton (3-7) SV: Clyde Shoun (3)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (8)

The good news is that Cy Blanton is healthy and ready to return to the rotation. We line him up to start tomorrow in Chicago, and demote Izzy Leon to AAA.

The bad news is that Sam Nahem has not been the effective setup man that I thought he could be. His 7.57 ERA is unacceptable for someone in that critical a role, so I’ll put some calls out and see what I can get for a 26-year-old reliever.

June 11-13: Philadelphia (6th, 27-39, 16 GB) at Chicago (5th, 32-34, 11 GB)
11 – Welcome back, Cy! 1 run on four hits over 8 innings, however, wasn’t enough today, as the bullpen (this time it was closer Ike Pearson), allows 3 runs in the ninth inning, making it two come-from-behind victories in as many days for Phillie opponents.
Cubs 4, Phillies 3
W: Vallie Eaves (2-0) L: Ike Pearson (1-1)

12 – I’m just going to tell you that Johnny Podgajny was not ready for his transition to the bullpen, and show you the score, because I quite frankly don’t want to talk about it. (9 ER in 1.1 IP)
Cubs 14, Phillies 1
W: Shaun Hale (6-5) L: Si Johnson (4-6)

13 – I’ll say it right now: the cure for stopping a losing streak is simple: Tommy Hughes shutouts, and facing Joey Lothian.
Phillies 3, Cubs 0
W: Tommy Hughes (9-6) L: Joey Lothian (1-13)

June 14-17: Philadelphia (6th, 28-41, 17 GB) at Boston (8th, 24-45, 21 GB)
14 – Rube Melton pitched magnificently as he tried to get back on track with a win. However, a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth quickly turned into another bullpen loss, as Sam Nahem is the culprit yet again.
Braves 3, Phillies 2
W: Manny Salvo (2-9) L: Sam Nahem (3-5)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (9), Nick Etten (4)

There weren’t many good offers for Sam Nahem when I put him on the block. I may have to lower my standards...

15 – Cy Blanton pitching masterfully (0 runs in 8 innings) + 8 starters getting a hit (2B Harry Marnie the exception) = blowout: a formula proven today by the Phillies. Isn’t math fun?
Phillies 13, Braves 0
W: Cy Blanton (5-5) L: Al Javery (3-5)
HR: Nick Etten (5)

16 – The only thing that I can say about the 1942 Phillies so far is that they’re consistently inconsistent. Exhibit A: yesterday to today.
Braves 4, Phillies 2
W: Jim Tobin (6-8) L: Si Johnson (4-7) SV: Jim Hickey (3)

17 – Ok, two things: they’re consistently inconsistent, and they infuriate me to no end. Warren Spahn two-hits the Phillies and Tommy Hughes is lit up like a Christmas tree.
Braves 14, Phillies 3
W: Warren Spahn (4-11) L: Tommy Hughes (9-7)

June 18-21: Cincinnati (6th, 29-44, 19 GB) at Philadelphia (6th, 29-44, 19 GB)
18 – Chuck Klein breaks out his mini-slump with two home runs: one to start the scoring and the other to finish it. Rube Melton goes the distance to collect his first win since April 28.
Phillies 3, Reds 2
W: Rube Melton (4-7) L: Paul Derringer (4-8)
HR: Chuck Klein 2 (13)

19 – If I were to tell you we lost this game in the usual fashion, what would you say? Yep, the bullpen blew a tie game by giving up 2 in the ninth.
Reds 5, Phillies 3
W: Johnny Vander Meer (7-4) L: Lefty Hoerst (2-5) SV: Walter Cress (3)

20 – Si Johnson rebounds after a rough outing with a great 8-inning performance and Ike Pearson also bounces back to pick up his 9th save.
Phillies 3, Reds 1
W: Si Johnson (5-7) L: Elmer Riddle (3-7) SV: Ike Pearson (9)
HR: Ed Freed (3)

Unfortunately, Cy Blanton’s hand was badly hurt after he tried to stab a line drive with his bare hand. Preliminary tests showed a broken finger, and x-rays would confirm that. He’ll be out over 2 weeks. Johnny Podgajny will take his rotation spot, and Izzy Leon is recalled from AAA to take his roster spot.

21 – Tommy Hughes was great for 6 innings, but fell apart when no one (Hans Lobert) would pull him from the game despite his obvious fatigue. Consider the series split, meaning we couldn’t separate ourselves from the Reds. Oh, and Bucky Walters shut us out.
Reds 5, Phillies 0
W: Bucky Walters (9-3) L: Tommy Hughes (9-8)

I’ve been receiving a lot of trade offers for Nick Etten (.270, 5 HR, 39 RBI) lately. I haven’t been fielding them too seriously, but with the progress that Gil Hodges is showing at Rome (A: .429, 1 HR, 11 RBI in 49 AB), I’ll have to consider it more thoughtfully next time.

June 22-24: Philadelphia (6th, 31-46, 19 GB) at Brooklyn (2nd, 46-31, 4 GB)
22 – Not a lot was done by the offense as our scoreless inning streak was extended to 20, thanks to a shutout by Whit Wyatt.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 0
W: Whit Wyatt (10-4) L: Rube Melton (4-8)

23 – Freddie Fitzsimmons one-ups his teammate, allowing one fewer hit (5) in a shutout of his own. Our scoreless inning streak is extended to 29.
Dodgers 7, Phillies 0
W: Freddie Fitzsimmons (11-6) L: Johnny Podgajny (1-4)

24 – The game was scoreless entering the ninth inning, but the Phillies were the ones to victimize the other team’s bullpen. Bennie Warren’s RBI single broke the 37 inning scoreless streak, and also gave the Phillies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, sending the team to the All-Star break on a high note.
Phillies 1, Dodgers 0
W: Lefty Hoerst (3-5) L: Les Webber (0-1)

FIRST HALF RECAP COMING SOON

[PotatoOfCouch13]

FIRST HALF RECAP

STANDINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	53-27	-
Brooklyn	48-32	5
New York	46-34	7
Pittsburgh	42-38	11
Chicago		37-43	16
Philadelphia	32-48	21
Cincinnati	31-49	22
Boston		31-49	22

AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	53-27	-
Boston		48-32	5
Cleveland	43-37	10
Washington	41-39	12
Philadelphia	37-43	16
Chicago		36-44	17
Detroit		31-49	22
St. Louis	31-49	22

SEASON STATISTICS
Red denotes League Leader

BATTING STATISTICS

1942 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Waner, Lloyd              PHI   68  .321   109   35   3   1   0    9   10    1   1   11   19  .367  .370
Klein, Chuck              PHI   78  .310   255   79  20   2  13   23   26    1   1   44   52  .557  .369
Murphy, Ed                PHI   25  .281    57   16   7   0   2    8    7    1   0    7   10  .509  .369
Freed, Ed                 PHI   75  .272   294   80  22   3   3   29   38    5   1   51   26  .398  .346
Litwhiler, Danny          PHI   76  .265   264   70  20   4   9   25   23    1   0   36   41  .473  .329
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI   68  .259   232   60  15   0   0   20   25    4   4   23   22  .323  .317
Etten, Nick               PHI   72  .256   242   62  17   1   5   35   20    2   3   28   39  .397  .343
May, Pinky                PHI   80  .254   319   81  22   2   0   26   33    1   0   39   20  .335  .313
Bragan, Bobby             PHI   51  .254   126   32   5   0   2    6   14    3   0   10   15  .341  .286
Benjamin, Stan            PHI   47  .227    97   22   5   2   0    4    9    3   1   12    8  .320  .255
Marnie, Harry             PHI   68  .219   196   43   7   1   0   13   15    3   1   23   12  .265  .267
Livingston, Mickey        PHI   30  .213    61   13   4   0   1    1    8    0   0    5    6  .328  .226
Warren, Bennie            PHI   71  .212   236   50   9   1   3   29   19    1   1   20   19  .297  .302
Glossop, Al               PHI   13  .167    12    2   1   0   0    3    1    0   0    2    0  .250  .333
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   20  .154    52    8   0   0   0    3   11    0   0    3    3  .154  .200
Johnson, Si               PHI   20  .143    42    6   0   0   0    1    7    0   0    2    2  .143  .163
Blanton, Cy               PHI   16  .143    42    6   0   0   0    1   12    0   0    2    1  .143  .163
Melton, Rube              PHI   18  .119    42    5   1   0   0    1   13    0   1    2    4  .143  .140
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   14  .067    15    1   0   1   0    0    3    0   0    0    1  .200  .067
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    1  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Hoerst, Lefty             PHI   16  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Nahem, Sam                PHI   28  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Masterson, Paul           PHI   14  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Hennessey, George         PHI   11  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING STATISTICS

1942 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Johnson, Si               PHI  141.0  3.06   20  20   5   7   0   57   27 10.98
Pearson, Ike              PHI   14.1  3.77   13   0   1   1   9    4    5  8.79
Hughes, Tommy             PHI  152.1  3.78   20  20   9   8   0   71   64 12.76
Melton, Rube              PHI  125.1  4.24   18  18   4   8   0   68   83 14.36
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   51.2  4.70   14   5   1   4   0   25   20 14.98
Hoerst, Lefty             PHI   31.0  4.94   16   0   3   5   0   13   16 13.65
Blanton, Cy               PHI  118.0  5.42   16  16   5   5   0   64   33 14.19
Masterson, Paul           PHI   16.2  7.02   14   0   0   1   0   10    9 19.98
Hennessey, George         PHI   15.0  7.20   11   0   1   3   1    9   10 18.00
Nahem, Sam                PHI   33.1  7.56   28   0   3   5   1   19   28 18.09
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    7.0 10.29    1   1   0   1   0    1    7 25.71

LEAGUE LEADERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Pete Reiser (BRO)		.363
HR - Johnny Mize (NYG)		15
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG)		68
SB - Gee Walker (CIN)		11
W - 3 tied with			11
ERA - Bucky Walters (CIN)	2.66
K - Whit Wyatt (BRO)		85
SV - Diomedes Olivo (PIT)	12

AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS
AVG - Rudy York (DET)		.373
HR - Jimmie Foxx (BOS)		21
RBI - Bill Dickey (NYY)		69
SB - Walt Chipple (WAS)		11
W - Mel Harder (CLE)		10
ERA - Roger Wolff (PHA)		2.63
K - Hal Newhouser (DET)		83
SV - Mace Brown (BOS)		12

MILESTONES

6/12: LF Bob Johnson (WSH): 1000th RBI
6/18: LF Joe Medwick (BRO): 1000th Run

MAJOR INJURIES

6/4: P Tex Hughson (BOS) out 2 weeks with a spiked achilles tendon.
6/8: P Bill Lee (CHC) out for the season with broken back vertebra. (Final Stats: 8-4, 3.37 ERA, 5 CG)
6/10: P Spud Chandler (NYY) out 3 months with a broken elbow.
6/13: P Joe Dobson (BOS) out 2 weeks with a separated shoulder.
6/15: P Tommy Bridges (DET) out 2 weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
6/15: P Harry Gumbert (STL) out 2 weeks with a spiked achilles tendon.
6/16: P Van Mungo (NYG) out 2 weeks with a broken wrist.
6/17: 1B Jimmie Foxx (BOS) out for the regular season with a broken ankle. (Final Stats: .359, 21 HR, 65 RBI) (will return in time for World Series)
6/19: P Larry French (BRO) out 2 weeks with a sprained finger.
6/20: CF Dom DiMaggio (BOS) out 1 month with a torn hamstring.
6/20: P Hal Newhouser (DET) out 2 weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
6/20: P Cy Blanton (PHI) out 2 weeks with a broken finger.
6/20: RF Chet Laabs (SLB) out 3 weeks with a sprained back.

NOTABLE RETIREMENTS

None

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 ALL-STAR BREAK

As the first half of the season comes to a close, we must look back at the good times we had, and what we accomplished.

32 wins – on pace for 62-92: avoid 100 losses for the first time since 1937.
Chuck Klein finding the fountain of youth (.310, 13 HR, 52 RBI)
Development of young players (Hughes, Freed, Northey, Blatnik, Seminick, Ripple, and Hodges, to name a few)

However, while there was good, there was also bad.

The bullpen – or lack thereof: 6.20 ERA (worst in the NL)
Offensive inconsistency: longest win streak is 3 games.

After looking backwards, we must now look ahead.

Financially, everything is fine. We spend the 7th-most in the farm system and scouting, and 5th-most in medical staff. I pride myself in providing affordable commodities, especially during wartime. Therefore, I lowered ticket prices 20%, so the average ticket now costs 8 cents, the cheapest in the majors.

I set my schedule for the rest of the month. I’m leaving this afternoon to go to the All-Star festivities, including the new Home Run Showdown. I’ll be staying in New York for the game on Tuesday, and drive down through Newark to meet with Nick and discuss the second half on Wednesday. I should get back to Philly early on Thursday, but the game doesn’t start here until 7 PM.

There was some more housekeeping business to attend to. Despite a worse record, we continue to outdraw the Athletics by an average 1,300 fans per game. This is great news for us. I’ve had big plans stowed away about building the Phillies their own separate stadium right here in downtown Philadelphia. Heck, maybe the NFL’s Eagles could get one of their own too...

Finally, some minor league promotions and demotions and it’s off to New York for the All-Star Game!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 HOME RUN SHOWDOWN

Before the actual game, another innovation came to life. Tom Yawkey was bragging to Ed Barrow about how terrific his power hitters were, and Ed challenged him to put up or shut up. Eventually it was expanded to a league wide event, to be held the day before the All-Star Game. The top 5 sluggers in each league would compete, gunning for the fences.

Up first for the AL was Charlie Keller. “King Kong” was spearheading the Yankees, and leading their charge into first place. Charlie set the mark to beat at 6, setting himself up in good position to finish in the top 4, and advance to the semifinal round. The NL sent up Dixie Walker, who could only manage 2 homers: same with Roy Cullenbine, Joe Medwick, and Tommy Henrich. As Mel Ott strode to the plate, the home crowd showed it’s appreciation for its beloved right fielder. Ott stroked 6 home runs, tying Keller for the lead. Ted Williams came up next, but could only manage 4. Chuck Klein was up next, with only 2 to go after him. Chuck did his best, knocking 5 out of the park, and setting himself in third place. A cheer went up as Jimmie Foxx stepped in wearing a plaster cast. Jimmie had broken his ankle just over a week ago, but he was the leading home run hitter in the majors. As he said before the contest, “I don’t need my ankle to hit home runs with.” Double X could only manage 4, setting the stage for Johnny Mize, the NL leader. Mize did his part to thrill the hometown fans, smashing 6 home runs, and finalizing the semifinal round: it would be Klein (PHI), Keller (NYY), Ott (NYG), and Mize (NYG)

Chuck led off the semifinal round. Unfortunately, he could only get 1 home run. So too, did Charlie Keller. This left easy pickings for the two Giants, as Mize and Ott both hit multiple home runs to advance to the final in their home stadium.

Mel Ott managed to knock two home runs out to start the final, but had to wait anxiously to see if Mize’s long fly ball to right-center would stay in the yard. It did, and Mel Ott won the 1942 Home Run Showdown.

ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS

FIRST ROUND (10 Outs)
PLAYER                          HOMERS
Charlie Keller (NYY)                 6
Johnny Mize (NYG)                    6
Mel Ott (NYG)                        6
Chuck Klein (PHI)                    5
Jimmie Foxx (BOS)                    4
Ted Williams (BOS)                   4
Tommy Henrich (NYY)                  2
Roy Cullenbine (SLB)                 2
Dixie Walker (BRO)                   2
Joe Medwick (BRO)                    2

SECOND ROUND (5 Outs)
PLAYER                          HOMERS
Mel Ott (NYG)                        3
Johnny Mize (NYG)                    2
Charlie Keller (NYY)                 1
Chuck Klein (PHI)                    1

FINAL ROUND (5 Outs)
PLAYER                          HOMERS
MEL OTT (NYG)                        2
Johnny Mize (NYG)                    1

     WINNER: Mel Ott

[Overbay17]

Well, I have to say, through the first half, I'm really enjoying this dynasty. In fact, I'd have to say it's one of the better ones out there, and you obviously pay great attention to detail, and enjoy writing it, and it shows.

Klein and Litweiler (or whatever) are looking really good on offense, and your starting pitching staff seems to be doing a pretty solid job.

Good job picking Hodges in the first round of the draft, I agree with the philosophy of not picking a reliever over Gil Hodges in the first round of the draft...quite sound.

Here's hoping less than 100 losses are in your future!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 ALL-STAR GAME

The Brooklyn Dodgers are the host team, though the game will be played at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants. Since all proceeds are going to the war effort, Dodgers President Larry MacPhail wanted to maximize the gate, so he moved to a stadium with a larger capacity than Ebbets Field. And by the looks of it, it was a good move, as a capacity crowd of 56,000 packed the Polo Grounds to see the 11th annual All-Star Game.

AL ALL-STARS

STARTERS		# ALL STAR GAMES
C  Bill Dickey (NYY)	9 (7 consecutive)
1B Jimmie Foxx (BOS)*	10 (consecutive)
2B Joe Gordon (NYY)	4 (consecutive)
3B Red Rolfe (NYY)	5
SS Lou Boudreau (CLE)	3 (consecutive)
LF Ted Williams (BOS)	3 (consecutive)
CF Joe DiMaggio (NYY)	7 (consecutive)
RF Tommy Henrich (NYY)	1
SP Dutch Leonard (WSH)	2
			
C  Rick Ferrell (SLB)	7
1B Rudy York (DET)*	3 (2 consecutive)
1B Elbie Fletcher (PHA)	1
SS Luke Appling (CHW)	5 (4 consecutive)
OF Charlie Keller (NYY)	3 (consecutive)
OF Roy Cullenbine (SLB)	2 (consecutive)
			
P  Al Milnar (CLE)	2
P  Red Ruffing (NYY)	6 (5 consecutive)
P  Joe Dobson (BOS)**	1
P  Roger Wolff (PHA)	1
P  Early Wynn (WSH)	1
P  Mel Harder (CLE)	5
P  Al Carrasquel (WSH)	1
P  Pete Center (CLE)	1
P  Johnny Murphy (NYY)	4
P  Andy Karl (BOS)	1

First-Timers: 8
Team Breakdown:
8 - Yankees
4 - Red Sox, Indians
3 - Senators
2 - Athletics, Browns
1 - Tigers, White Sox

* - Jimmie Foxx will not play due to injury.
Rudy York will take his place.

** - Joe Dobson will not play due to injury.

NL ALL-STARS

STARTERS
C  Harry Danning (NYG)	5 (consecutive)
1B Johnny Mize (NYG)	5 (4 consecutive)
2B Billy Herman (BRO)	9 (consecutive)
3B Stan Hack (CHC)	4 (2 consecutive)
SS Arky Vaughan (BRO)	9 (consecutive)
LF Chuck Klein (PHI)	3
CF Pete Reiser (BRO)	2 (consecutive)
RF Mel Ott (NYG)	9 (consecutive)
SP Bucky Walters (CIN)	5 (4 consecutive)
			
C  Walker Cooper (STL)	1
OF Stan Musial (STL)	1
OF Paul Waner (BSN)	5
OF Dixie Walker (BRO)	1
OF Joe Medwick (BRO)	9 (consecutive)
OF P. Cavarretta (CHC)	1
			
P  Rip Sewell (PIT)*	1
P  Lon Warneke (STL)	6 (2 consecutive)
P  Whit Wyatt (BRO)	4 (consecutive)
P  F. Fitzsimmons (BRO)	1
P  Claude Passeau (CHC)	2 (consecutive)
P  Carl Hubbell (NYG)	9 (3 consecutive)
P  Johnny Allen (BRO)	2
P  Max Lanier (STL)	1
P  John Hutchings (BSN)	1
P  Jack Hallett (PIT)	1

First-Timers: 9
Team Breakdown:
8 - Dodgers
4 - Cardinals, Giants
3 - Cubs
2 - Pirates, Braves
1 - Phillies, Reds

* - Rip Sewell will not play due to injury.

The game started plainly enough. With Bucky Waters on the hill, the AL sent three straight Yankees to the plate. After retiring Red Rolfe, Tommy Henrich singled, and Joe DiMaggio hit a towering home run, putting the AL on top. AL 2, NL 0.
The game was really uneventful until the bottom of the seventh. Johnny Mize led off with a walk against Red Ruffing. One batter later, Chuck Klein and Paul Waner walked back to back. The NL had loaded the bases with only 1 out. But Ruffing reared back, and got Billy Herman to pop out to second, and forced Johnny Allen to ground out to end the threat.
As the bottom of the ninth approached, the score was still 2-0 in favor of the Americans. Alex Carrasquel was on for his second inning of work, looking for the 6-out save. He got Phil Cavarretta and Chuck Klein to ground out, but then walked Paul Waner, who immediately stole second base. Billy Herman followed with an RBI double, and Johnny Allen capped the comeback with a dribbler just past the second baseman. AL 2, NL 2.
The Americans went quietly in the 10th, but the Nationals would make some noise. Stan Hack slapped a high-bouncer that couldn’t be fielded in time. With the winning run on third, and two Giants upcoming, the crowd started to roar. Mel Ott slashed the 3-1 pitch down the third base line, but a great diving catch robbed him of potential extra bases. Johnny Mize hit one just as hard, except he got a single. Phil Cavarreta worked a full count before flying out to center field. With two outs now, and two men on, Philadelphia’s Chuck Klein strode to the plate. Chuck was our only representative at the All-Star Game this season, so I told him before the game to make us proud. Chuck worked the count 2-0, then started looking for a fastball, after a curve caught the corner, Cleveland pitcher Pete Center tried to blow a fastball by Klein. Chuck slashed it over the head of the leaping second baseman, and into the gap for the game-winning double. Stan Hack raced around third and touched home, where he was mobbed by his NL teammates. Final Score: NL 3, AL 2 (10)
Max Lanier got the win for his 1/3 of an inning of work in the top of the 10th. Pete Center got the loss.
The MVP Trophy went to Johnny Allen (BRO), for his 3.2 innings of 1-hit relief, and his 9th-inning game-tying single. I thought it should’ve gone to one Chuck Klein, for obviously selfish reasons.

For all you record buffs out there, the AL now leads the overall series 6-4.

[3RunHomer]

Have you considered moving Pearson to a spot in the bullpen where he'd get more innings? I often put my best RP at setup or short relief, and a lesser pitcher in to close. The closer tends to get lots of rest, which seems to enable the lesser pitcher to get results above his ratings.

Maybe closer is where Nahem would thrive?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Overbay17: Thanks as always for the kind words. It's been my goal all along to avoid 100 losses at all costs, then build from there. Hopefully these standings hold for me, and I can stay out of 8th altogether!

3RunHomer: Well, I put Pearson at closer because he was the only one with multiple saves, and he's done a more than admirable job not only in save situations (9/11 saves/opps) but in regular duty as well. I would've thought Nahem to do better because of the numbers he put up last season (5-2, 2.98 ERA), although I probably should've expected a drop off from someone rated 72/76. Anyways, I recently dropped him down to short relief, and bumped Lefty Hoerst to the setup position, and haven't had many problems in the week or so since then. If this doesn't work, then I may have to move Pearson.

The start of the second half should be up tonight. Thanks for reading, everyone!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE 27

“That was some game, huh? I mean, the way it ended with Chuck getting that double. Probably the most exciting All-Star Game of all-time!”
“Easy there, Nick,” I said. “So what did you want me to come here for? You made it sound like an emergency.”
“It’s not really an emergency, just a surprise. I know you’ve been running the team almost single-handedly, but I thought you might like some help down there. So I got you a secretary.”
“A secretary?” my eyes lit up at the thought. “Very interesting, indeed. Is she here today?”
“You’re darn right! Andy, may I present your new secretary!”
I looked into the office. The face looked awfully familiar. She started to speak and I recognized the voice immediately.
“Andy Boy! How are you? It’s been so long since I saw you last!”
“Hi Mrs. Stephens. I’ll be right with you, I just need to talk to Nick for a minute. Nick: outside.”
Nick closed the door behind him, and I really leaned into him.
“Your mother? Are you kidding me?”
“Well, honestly, I just wanted to get her off my back. You know she’s been after me for not being married yet.”
“She’s not coming down to Philadelphia with me. You can’t just ship your problems down to me. Listen, you live 30 minutes from New York City. You ought to go in there on some Friday night with some of the guys, or go down to Atlantic City for a weekend. Who knows what’ll happen?”
“Thanks. Oh, and I got you another surprise. I told him to meet you tomorrow around 10 AM at your office.”
I paused for a second, before asking my last question.
“It’s not your dad, is it?”

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE 28
10:01 AM

“Are you Mr. Walsh?”
“Yes, who’s asking?”
The mysterious stranger pulled up a chair in the corner of my office, where I couldn’t get a good look at his face. “None of that matters now,” he said, “but what does matter is that I want to work for you.”
“That’s all well and good, but come payday, who do I make the checks out to?” I said, trying to get him to reveal his identity.
“Just leave an envelope in the third mailbox from the right at 3:00 PM on Friday. I’ll come pick it up, and my identity can stay a secret.”
I had had just about enough of this. “Well, what do you do? We certainly could use another groundskeeper...”
“I don’t keep grounds,” he interrupted, “I sow the seeds of knowledge. I am an informant. I played in the Major Leagues and still have some connections, and my connections have connections. I figure that I am at least 1 contact removed from 10 players in each locker room, even your own.”
“Interesting, and you’ve spoken with Nick?”
“Nick was the one that started the search for me. I must admit, I thought I was hiding pretty well, but he found me. Smart kid.”
“Yeah, it’s all a front” I said. “Listen, I’m going to need something to call you by just so I know it’s you and not some nutcracker off the street.”
“Call me ‘F’”, he said. “That should be easy for you to remember, Ivy Leaguer.”
“Easy there, F. So $100 a week, third mailbox from the right, every Friday at 3?”
“Mr. Walsh, you will not regret this.”
“Just don’t get yourself made”, I shouted as he walked out the door.
He turned slowly to face me, looking over the rims of his dark glasses. For the first time I could see his eyes. They were the strangest color I had ever seen. “Mr. Walsh, you have bigger things to worry about. Leave this to me.”

Baseball is coming soon, I promise.

[kevarms]

LOL at your new secretary. I'm enjoying your dynasty so far. Good choice for your #1 draft pick by the way.

[kevarms]

I meant to mention... I remember the Up documentaries. We had to watch them in school and even then they were pretty old. Those kids must be approaching middle age by now. Great idea to check up on draft picks. I do that with my former players, never thought about doing it with draft picks. Interesting.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Kevarms: thanks so much for the support. My primary goal is to entertain, so I'm glad to hear that the mission is being accomplished, even if I have to pull the ol' switcheroo

As for checking up on the draft picks, I'm always left wondering what happened to so-and-so after they got drafted in other dynasties, so hopefully I can shed some light on those and other questions that people have.

If anyone has any questions, comments, ideas, death notes, anything really, just shoot 'em over to me and I'll get back to you ASAP. I should have the first part of July up by midnight tonight, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

[CatKnight]

F looks pretty interesting. At least he's not 005 or 006

As for your secretary....yes, LOL!