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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Coach Owens: Seriously, I'm going to move the A's to Seattle. Then you can cheer for them to your hearts content! Look for the big moving vans screaming up I-90 in a few years.

MAY 6, 1945

The team has an off day, so I managed to get a (relatively) productive day in at the office. It certainly isn’t quite the same without Elizabeth. The baby is doing well, by the way. It’s supposed to be due in about 2 months, but you never can tell with babies.

I was most pleased with the sweep of the Reds. Perhaps we revealed the Reds as paper tigers, and exposed ourselves as the team to beat again. We have players at or near the top of every major statistical leaderboard.

It’s really hard to pinpoint a weakness on this team. Our starters are going deep into games (Ruffing, Ripple, Hughes, and Roberts are among the top 6 in the NL in Innings/Game). While certain members of the offense aren’t clicking yet (Vern Stephens, Ron Northey), others are stepping their games up (Andy Seminick, Larry Doby), and we’re still one of the most potent units in the National League.

Still, the dealer inside of me couldn’t keep quiet. I started calling up my fellow general managers with the offer of C Mickey Livingston, SS Harry Marnie, and minor league 3B Ted Cieslak. The response was good, but not great. So I went back to the drawing board, threw in a SP prospect in Charlie Sproull, and called again.

I first called the GM in New York. The man on the other end practically wet himself over the package. So I managed to swing a blockbuster…

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MAY 7, 1945

The headlines across town screamed the news of yesterday’s trade.

DiMaggio to Phillies!

Unfortunately, the poor saps that bought the paper after reading the headline were to be in for a little letdown after reading the subhead.

Livingston, Marnie, 2 prospects to Giants for OF Vince

That’s right. Vince DiMaggio. Sorry for getting your hopes up.

New York Giants receive:
C Mickey Livingston (73) [30] – 2/5, 2B, 2 R
SS Harry Marnie (72/73) [26] – 1/4, RBI
SP Charlie Sproull (84/86) [26] – 3-3, 3.09 ERA (AAA)
3B Ted Cieslak (66/69) [28] - .469, 1 HR, 13 RBI (AA)

Philadelphia Phillies receive:
CF Vince DiMaggio (90) [32] – 6/12, 2 RBI

If there are any detractors out there, allow me to defend my actions.

Livingston is a backup catcher, plain and simple. I was paying him $4,000 a year to get into about 25-30 games a year, and most of those were late-inning-we-need-an-experienced-catcher situations. Besides, with Bill Peterman hitting .359 at AAA Utica, I felt that it was time for a change.

Marnie is in the same boat as Livingston: a backup. Unfortunately, because I was stupid enough to go to arbitration with the former Gold Glove winner, I was paying him $20,000 a year for 2 innings of defense per game. With Ray Hamrick, who is practically the same player, available, I felt that having a backup 3B/1B would be more beneficial than a player that is used only for defense. Enter 3B Ty LaForest (.301, 19 RBI) from AAA Utica, exit Marnie.

Cieslak was a throw-in, just to balance the talent levels and salaries.

Sproull I had some difficulty letting go. But while he is a talented prospect, he still has Ripple, Roberts, Hughes, Gerheauser, Mauney, Lambert, and many others that are younger and projected to be better than him. While it was not easy to part, I feel that it was best for both parties.

As for DiMaggio, he can play all 3 outfield positions, as well as some first base. He’s got good speed, a powerful bat, and an outstanding throwing arm. Plus, he was warming the bench for the Giants. Vince will get the chance to play left field and bat second in our new batting order.

SS Phil Rizzuto
LF Vince DiMaggio
CF Larry Doby
1B Gil Hodges
C Andy Seminick
3B Vern Stephens
RF Ron Northey
2B Danny Murtaugh

C Bill Peterman
1B Ed Murphy
IF Ray Hamrick
3B Ty LaForest
OF Nick Goulish
OF Leon Culberson

[3RunHomer]

I volunteer to be your first detractor. A 4-for-1 trade? Dude you already have a powerhouse team, why steal from the AI like that?

[RedsoxRockies]

I know, that was a sort of a rip off, you traded a B-B+ prospect and some junk for an A- player.... I am disappointed with you VP!

[filihok]

Veto!!!

[gosensgo101]

Not the Dimaggio, not the other Dimaggio, but the other other Dimaggio.

[RedsoxRockies]

They say Vince was the best singer, so you should incorporate that into the dynasty

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3Run: Good to hear from you again! I really wanted to shore up my outfield after the Blatnik injury. Plus, by trading a few bench players, this allows me to 'unclog' my farm system a little bit to free up some potential starters from being trapped in the dark recesses of my system.

RedSoxRockies: I'm sorry to have failed you. Glad to see that you lost some signature weight, btw.

filihok: Trust me, I tried, but the Giants wouldn't take him back. Who knew?

gosensgo101: I am finding out every day why Vince is considered 'the 3rd DiMaggio'.

RedSoxRockies: Well, he'll have plenty of time to sing in his newest role, but you'll have to read on to find out!

APRIL-MAY 1945
PART III

May 6: Day Off

May 7-9: St. Louis Cardinals (12-19, 6th, 8.5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-11, 2nd, 0.5 GB)

7 – The Phillies put up 4 runs in the first inning and never look back. Robin Roberts tosses a complete game, improving his record to 7-0. Vince DiMaggio goes 1-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Phillies 10, Cardinals 3
W: Robin Roberts (7-0) L: Max Lanier (1-7)
2B: Andy Seminick (8), Gil Hodges (4), Nick Goulish (4), Vince DiMaggio (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (7), Vern Stephens (6)

8 – Red Ruffing tosses a shutout, his first on the season, as the offense tallies 8 runs en route to a victory that puts the Phillies back in first place.
Phillies 8, Cardinals 0
W: Red Ruffing (3-4) L: Lon Warneke (2-3)
2B: Larry Doby (9), Vern Stephens (4)
HR: Vern Stephens (7), Ron Northey (2)

*

But that wasn’t the best news of the day. Direct from Berlin, the news we’ve been wanting to hear for 4 long years has finally come to fruition.

THE WAR IN EUROPE IS OVER!!!

A full surrender made late last night by the remaining German forces means Victory in Europe!

However, the Japanese still fight onward, but now we can concentrate our entire military on one enemy. The war is nearing its conclusion. I can feel it.

*

9 – The Phillies score early, and survive a wild ninth inning rally to complete the sweep. Charlie Ripple joins his teammate Robin Roberts as 2 of 4 unbeaten National League starters.
Phillies 3, Cardinals 2
W: Charlie Ripple (5-0) L: Harry Gumbert (4-3) SV: Ike Pearson (5)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (13), Danny Murtaugh (4), Vince DiMaggio (2)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (6), Danny Murtaugh (3)

May 10-12: Pittsburgh Pirates (10-24, 8th, 13 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (23-11, 1st, 1 GA)

10 – Dick Mauney goes the distance, but the offense does not, leaving the tying run on base in the bottom of the 9th inning. The loss snaps the Phillies’ 7-game winning streak.
Pirates 3, Phillies 2
W: Ken Heintzelman (2-2) L: Dick Mauney (0-1) SV: Ace Adams (3)
2B: Vince DiMaggio (3)
HR: Andy Seminick (5)

*

Reds 1B John Corriden went 0-4 today, stopping his hitting streak at 20 games.

*

11 – Robin Roberts continues his incredible start to the season, tossing a complete game, as the offense overcomes 2 errors to beat the Pirates.
Phillies 6, Pirates 3
W: Robin Roberts (8-0) L: Bob Chesnes (1-7)
2B: Andy Seminick (9), Ray Hamrick (2)
3B: Gil Hodges (3)
HR: Ron Northey (3)

*

Baseball history was made in the Yankees 6-0 victory over the Athletics today. Yankees SP Tiny Bonham threw a complete game shutout, only throwing 76 pitches, striking out 2, walking none, and allowing 0 hits. The Yankees fielders, meanwhile, did not commit an error. In other words…

Tiny Bonham tossed a Perfect Game!

It is only the 6th perfect game in Major League history, and the first since Charlie Robertson turned the trick on April 30, 1922.

The perfect game lowered Bonham’s ERA to a miniscule 1.77.

*

12 – After getting out to a 4-0 lead, the Phillies survive several late charges by the Pirates, and manage to slam the door on the series.
Phillies 5, Pirates 4
W: Red Ruffing (4-4) L: Rip Sewell: (0-2) SV: Ike Pearson (6)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (14), Larry Doby (10), Vern Stephens (5)
HR: Larry Doby (4)

May 13: Day Off

May 14-16: Philadelphia Phillies (25-12, 1st, 1.5 GA) at Chicago Cubs (17-19, 5th, 7.5 GB)

14 – It certainly doesn’t feel as though we’re average in terms of fielding percentage. 3 errors allow the game-winning 3-run home run to happen, as the Phillies lose the series opener.
Cubs 8, Phillies 5
W: Jesse Flores (1-1) L: Hugh Casey (3-3) SV: Whitey Miller (7)
2B: Vince DiMaggio (4)
HR: Gil Hodges (8)

15 – Claude Passeau tosses a five-hit shutout. The lone bright spot? Joe Page goes 2 scoreless innings in relief.
Cubs 5, Phillies 0
W: Claude Passeau (5-3) L: Dick Mauney (0-2)

16 – It had to happen. Robin Roberts finally lost a game, but there’s no shame in losing to Shaun Hale, who has been one of the best pitchers in the NL this season.
Cubs 3, Phillies 2
W: Shaun Hale (7-2) L: Robin Roberts (8-1) SV: Whitey Miller (8)
HR: Vince DiMaggio (1)

May 17-19: Boston Braves (15-25, 7th, 10 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (25-15, 1st, 1 GA)

17 – Red Ruffing tosses a four-hit shutout, as Gil Hodges and Larry Doby both hit 2-run home runs, and the Phillies snap their losing streak.
Phillies 5, Braves 0
W: Red Ruffing (5-4) L: Al Javery (5-3)
2B: Red Ruffing (2)
HR: Gil Hodges (9), Larry Doby (5)

18 – A sacrifice fly by the suddenly-surging Ron Northey gives the Phillies the victory in the bottom of the 10th, and extends their league lead to 2 games.
Phillies 5, Braves 4 (10)
W: Ike Pearson (2-1) L: Jim Hickey (0-1)
2B: Ron Northey (8), Charlie Ripple (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (10), Nick Goulish (2)

19 – Dick Mauney can’t buy a win.
Braves 4, Phillies 3
W: Ethan Gornitsky (2-6) L: Dick Mauney (0-3) SV: Elmer Singleton (2)
HR: Nick Goulish (3)

STANDINGS (after games on May 19, 1945)

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
Philadelphia	27-16	---
New York	26-17	1.0
Cincinnati	25-18	2.0
Brooklyn	23-19	3.5
Chicago		21-21	5.5
St. Louis	17-26	10.0
Boston		16-27	11.0
Pittsburgh	16-27	11.0
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
Boston		27-15	---
Cleveland	25-17	2.0
New York	25-18	2.5
Washington	21-22	6.5
Philadelphia	21-23	7.0
Chicago		20-22	7.0
Detroit		17-25	10.0
St. Louis	14-28	13.0

[AthleticsFan2k8]

This is it, The War is almost over for U.S.A. if we do we want Japan to have an MLB Team in the 50's if not, keep what we already did. (including LA and Dallas)

[RedsoxRockies]

Yea, my signature appears to have shrunked. It went on that special K signature Beach diet, and stopped eating so many vowels, which were giving it a large waist line

[CatKnight]

Still going strong, potato! Think you can repeat?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AthleticsFan2k8: We'll see about Japan. I've already promised Coach a team in Seattle, so I have to honor that. I also have a plan for expansion. Let's just say that Chandler has a change of heart

RedsoxRockies: Good for you! Hopefully, the voters can see the weight-loss and see that you're dedicated to making yourself (and these forums) better for us all! Go A.L.!

CatKnight: Just trying to fill the void left by your broken computer! As I said at the beginning of the season, it's going to be fun. With 5 teams within 6 games of each other, I'm going to have one heck of a battle just winning back-to-back pennants. And of course, the Yankees wait for the winner of this fight. I'd like to say yes, but it's incredibly difficult to pick a winner now.

APRIL – MAY 1945
PART IV

With Dick Mauney seemingly unable to win, it is time to make a change. Gene Lambert will become the new #3 starter, as Mauney gets relegated to long relief.

May 20-22: Philadelphia Phillies (27-16, 1st, 1 GA) at St. Louis Cardinals (17-26, 6th, 10 GB)

20 – The Phillies take a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth, when a Hugh Casey blowup costs the team the game.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 2
W: Art Lopatka (2-3) L: Hugh Casey (3-4)
2B: Gil Hodges 2 (6)
SB: Ray Hamrick (1)

21 – Al Gerheauser does fabulously in his spot start, but Casey just hasn’t been on his game all season. He allows the winning run to score in the bottom of the 10th.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 4 (10)
W: Ted Wilks (1-1) L: Hugh Casey (3-5)
3B: Ron Northey (2)
HR: Vern Stephens (8)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (7)

22 – Charlie Ripple strikes out 8 over 8 innings of work, allowing just a solo home run, as the offense finally wakes up with some run support.
Phillies 6, Cardinals 1
W: Charlie Ripple (6-0) L: Harry Gumbert (4-4)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (15), Larry Doby (11), Gil Hodges (7)
HR: Vern Stephens (9), Vince DiMaggio (2)

*

With Hugh Casey off his game, I don’t know where else to turn. I’ll try demoting him to short relief, and let Ed Hanyzewski try his hand in the setup role. Meanwhile, John Fick has been impressive, allowing only 4 hits in 8 innings of relief this season.

*

May 23-26: Philadelphia Phillies (28-18, 1st, 1 GA) at Cincinnati Reds (27-19, 2nd, 1 GB)

23 – Gene Lambert was phenomenal, tossing a complete game 2-hit shutout, as Ron Northey powered the offense with a 3-run home run, giving the Phillies the win.
Phillies 5, Reds 0
W: Gene Lambert (1-0) L: Bucky Walters (6-2)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (16), Larry Doby (12)
HR: Ron Northey (4)

24 – Robin Roberts continues his incredible run with a 5-hit performance today, outdueling Ewell Blackwell for his 9th win of the season. Andy Seminick’s home run proves the difference.
Phillies 2, Reds 1
W: Robin Roberts (9-1) L: Ewell Blackwell (4-3)
2B: Ron Northey (9)
HR: Andy Seminick (6)
SB: Vern Stephens (1)

25 – Red Ruffing tosses a 4-hit shutout, and even knocks in 2 runs to support his own cause, as the Phillies are firing on all cylinders.
Phillies 5, Reds 0
W: Red Ruffing (6-4) L: Frank Dasso (4-3)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (17)
SB: Vince DiMaggio (1)

26 – Despite overcoming a four-run deficit, the Phillies bullpen costs them the game, as Hanyzewski gets victimized by the walk-off win.
Reds 6, Phillies 5
W: Clayton Lambert (4-3) L: Ed Hanyzewski (1-2)
HR: Vern Stephens 2 (11)

May 27-29: Pittsburgh Pirates (19-30, T-7th, 11.5 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (31-19, 1st, 3 GA)

27 – This wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination. Despite smacking 10 hits, the Phillies only score once, leaving the Pirates on an easy path to victory.
Pirates 4, Phillies 1
W: Paul Troughton (4-5) L: Gene Lambert (1-1)

*

Just as Tommy Hughes was about to come off the DL, Gene Lambert hops on. Lambert has a sprained back, and will be out until mid-June.

*

28 – Robin Roberts allows 7 doubles and 6 runs, as the Phillies comeback attempt falls just a little short.
Pirates 6, Phillies 5
W: Bob Chesnes (4-8) L: Robin Roberts (9-2) SV: Ace Adams (5)
2B: Andy Seminick (10)
3B: Danny Murtaugh (1), Ed Murphy (1)
HR: Larry Doby (6)
SB: Vince DiMaggio (2)

29 – Red Ruffing goes 8 innings, and the offense rallies in the bottom of the 8th to secure the win and avoid a sweep.
Phillies 4, Pirates 2
W: Red Ruffing (7-4) L: Harry Shuman (3-3) SV: Ike Pearson (7)
2B: Vern Stephens (6), Danny Murtaugh (5)
SB: Gil Hodges (1)

May 30: Day Off

[PotatoOfCouch13]

FIRST TRIMESTER RECAP

STANDINGS (after games on May 30, 1945)

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
Philadelphia	32-21	---
New York	29-23	2.5
Cincinnati	29-24	3.0
Brooklyn	27-24	4.0
Chicago		26-25	5.0
St. Louis	23-29	8.5
Boston		21-31	10.5
Pittsburgh	21-31	10.5
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
New York	32-20	---
Cleveland	31-20	0.5
Boston		30-22	2.0
Washington	26-26	6.0
Philadelphia	25-28	7.5
Chicago		24-28	8.0
Detroit		20-31	11.5
St. Louis	19-32	12.5

SEASON STATISTICS
Red denotes League Leader

BATTING

1945 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
LaForest, Ty              PHI    2  .500     6    3   0   0   0    1    0    0   0    2    0  .500  .571
Culberson, Leon           PHI   15  .333    15    5   1   0   0    3    3    0   0    1    5  .400  .444
Rizzuto, Phil             PHI   51  .322   211   68  17   2   0   20   11    7   2   32   22  .422  .381
Peterman, Bill            PHI    5  .308    13    4   0   0   0    1    5    0   0    3    1  .308  .357
Goulish, Nick             PHI   43  .304    92   28   4   1   3   11   11    0   0   11   18  .467  .375
Doby, Larry               PHI   53  .302   215   65  12   5   6   19   19    1   1   33   32  .488  .357
Murphy, Ed                PHI   29  .300    30    9   0   1   0    6    1    0   0    3    7  .367  .405
Stephens, Vern            PHI   53  .283   205   58   6   0  11   17   23    1   0   30   28  .473  .338
Seminick, Andy            PHI   52  .277   191   53  10   0   6   30   20    0   0   31   19  .424  .377
Hodges, Gil               PHI   50  .270   196   53   7   3  10   19   25    1   2   26   39  .490  .327
Lambert, Gene             PHI    2  .250     4    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .250  .250
DiMaggio, Vince           PHI   38  .245    94   23   4   0   2   10   18    2   0   10    9  .351  .314
Blatnik, Johnny           PHI   18  .243    70   17   3   1   0    8    6    0   0    8    6  .314  .321
Ripple, Charlie           PHI   13  .242    33    8   1   0   0    1   12    0   0    3    4  .273  .257
Northey, Ron              PHI   50  .241   174   42   9   2   4   17   18    0   0   20   19  .385  .311
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI   47  .237   118   28   5   1   0   14   13    3   2   12    6  .297  .321
Hamrick, Ray              PHI   39  .231    65   15   2   0   0    3    9    1   0    4    6  .262  .265
Ruffing, Red              PHI   13  .229    35    8   2   0   0    1    8    0   0    1    4  .286  .250
Roberts, Robin            PHI   13  .200    35    7   1   2   0    4   11    0   0    8    5  .343  .275
Hughes, Tommy             PHI    7  .176    17    3   0   0   0    1    6    0   0    1    1  .176  .222
Sanicki, Ed               PHI    4  .100    10    1   0   0   0    2    2    0   0    1    1  .100  .250
Mauney, Dick              PHI    4  .100    10    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    1  .100  .100
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    1  .000     3    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Hanyzewski, Ed            PHI   12  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Casey, Hugh               PHI   16  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Page, Joe                 PHI    3  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING

1945 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Fick, John                PHI    8.0  0.00    6   0   1   0   0    4    3  7.88
Pearson, Ike              PHI   13.2  1.98   12   0   2   1   7    6    3  7.90
Lambert, Gene             PHI   15.0  2.40    2   2   1   1   0    9    4  9.60
Roberts, Robin            PHI  105.0  2.49   13  13   9   2   0   31   36 11.23
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   52.0  2.60    7   7   2   3   0   24   15  9.87
Ruffing, Red              PHI  105.2  2.64   13  13   7   4   0   44   36 11.50
Ripple, Charlie           PHI   93.0  3.48   13  13   6   0   0   70   29 12.19
Casey, Hugh               PHI   24.1  3.70   16   0   3   5   1   10    7 11.47
Hanyzewski, Ed            PHI   19.2  4.12   12   0   1   2   2   12    3 11.90
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    8.0  4.50    1   1   0   0   0    3    2 14.63
Mauney, Dick              PHI   29.0  4.66    4   4   0   3   0   12   13 14.59
Page, Joe                 PHI    5.1  5.06    3   0   0   0   0    4    1 13.50

LEAGUE LEADERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Wally Judnich (NYG)	.347
HR - Stan Musial (CIN)		15
RBI - Stan Musial (CIN)		48
SB - Jackie Robinson (BRO)	8
     Jeff Cross (STL)		
				
W - Robin Roberts (PHI)		9
ERA - Al Javery (BOB)		2.33
      Shaun Hale (CHC)			
K - Charlie Ripple (PHI)	70
SV - Whitey Miller (CHC)	10
				
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Barney McCosky (DET)	.365
HR - Ted Williams (BOS)		14
RBI - Bobby Doerr (BOS)		45
SB - George Case (CHW)		10
				
W - Tiny Bonham (NYY)		9
    Dizzy Trout (BOS)		
ERA - Mickey Haefner (WSH)	2.23
K - Hal Newhouser (DET)		60
SV - Moe Burtschy (PHA)		9

I’m proud to announce a brand new segment in my dynasty. It’ll be a rundown of the movers and shakers in the Phillies’ minor league system. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I’m proud to present to you…

THE JOLLY FARM REVUE

TOP PROSPECT WATCH (peak of 90+)
SP Harvey Haddix (73/94) [19] – 4-1, 3.19 ERA, 23 K for AAA Utica
SP Jake Thies (58/92) [19] – 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 4 K for R Clearwater
RP Don Grate (80/93) [21] – 3-2, 2.21 ERA, 1 SV for AA Wilmington
1B Dale Long (56/95) [19] - .326, 3 HR, 13 RBI for R Clearwater

PROMOTIONS

FROM AA (Wilmington) TO AAA (Utica)
SP Bill McCahan – 6-0, 2.03 ERA in 62 IP
SP Eric Whelan – 6-0, 2.74 ERA in 69 IP
RP Don Grate – 3-2, 2.21 ERA, 1 SV in 53 IP
RP Hilly Flitcraft – 1-1, 2.85 ERA, 4 SV in 47 IP
C Bob Finley - .323, 32 RBI
3B Nick Picciuto - .401, 30 RBI

FROM A (Greensboro) TO AA (Wilmington)
SP Kent Bickett – 4-0, 2.65 ERA in 37 IP
SP Jeff Walker – 5-1, 3.00 ERA in 66 IP
3B Bert Hodge - .414, 41 RBI
SS John O’Neil - .416, 42 RBI

FROM R (Clearwater) TO A (Greensboro)
SP Jake Thies – 1-0, 3.00 ERA in 24 IP
1B Dale Long - .326, 3 HR, 13 RBI

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE – JULY 1945
PART I

The blockbuster trade I had hoped for has backfired to some degree. Vince DiMaggio is hitting only .207 (17/82) since putting on a Phillies uniform. He’ll be replaced in left field by Nick Goulish.

May 31 – June 2: Philadelphia Phillies (32-21, 1st, 2.5 GA) at New York Giants (29-23, 2nd, 2.5 GB)

31 – Charlie Ripple stays perfect on the season, striking out 5 over 8 innings, as Ike Pearson survives a scare to nail down the save.
Phillies 3, Giants 2
W: Charlie Ripple (7-0) L: Van Mungo (3-6) SV: Ike Pearson (8)
2B: Larry Doby (13), Gil Hodges (8)
SB: Nick Goulish (1)

1 – Larry Jansen goes 8 strong, and Tommy Hughes is again on the wrong end of the decision.
Giants 4, Phillies 3
W: Larry Jansen (5-4) L: Tommy Hughes (2-4) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (7)
2B: Gil Hodges (9)

2 – Robin Roberts continues his torrid season, becoming the first National League pitcher to 10 wins, as the Phillies roll to take the series from the Giants.
Phillies 6, Giants 1
W: Robin Roberts (10-2) L: Bill Voiselle (6-4)
2B: Andy Seminick (11), Gil Hodges (10), Danny Murtaugh (6)

*

The all-time leader in Saves officially retired today.

Johnny Murphy pitched 12 seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the New York Yankees. He was a 4-time All-Star, and won 7 championships. His 103 saves is the all-time record, and is at least 1 great season away from being equaled.

*

June 3-5: Cincinnati Reds (32-24, 2nd, 2 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (34-22, 1st, 2 GA)

3 – A 14-inning thriller before a sellout crowd of 33,000, the Phillies manage to walk-off with a victory after Vern Stephen’s 12th home run of the season.
Phillies 5, Reds 4 (14)
W: Hugh Casey (4-5) L: Walker Cress (1-4)
2B: Gil Hodges (11), Vern Stephens (7), Red Ruffing 2 (4)
3B: Phil Rizzuto (3)
HR: Vern Stephens (12)
SB: Larry Doby (2)

4 – Everything was going great until a 5-run 7th inning by the Reds, giving Charlie Ripple his first loss of the season.
Reds 10, Phillies 1
W: Frank Dasso (6-3) L: Charlie Ripple (7-1)
2B: Charlie Ripple (2)

5 – The Phillies pound out 12 hits in support of Tommy Hughes, who only allows 2 runs over 8 innings of work, giving the Phillies the series.
Phillies 6, Reds 2
W: Tommy Hughes (3-4) L: Bucky Walters (7-4)
2B: Vern Stephens (8), Nick Goulish (5), Vince DiMaggio (5)
HR: Vern Stephens (13), Larry Doby (7)

NATIONAL LEAGUE		
Philadelphia	36-23	---
Cincinnati	33-25	3.0
Brooklyn	31-25	4.0
Chicago		30-26	4.5
New York	31-26	4.5
Pittsburgh	24-34	11.5
St. Louis	23-34	12.0
Boston		23-35	12.5
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE		
New York	36-21	---
Boston		35-23	1.5
Cleveland	33-24	3.0
Washington	29-29	7.5
Chicago		28-30	8.5
Philadelphia	27-32	10.0
Detroit		22-35	14.0
St. Louis	20-36	15.5

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[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE 5, 1945
MLB DRAFT

We were gathered in Chicago, almost 1 year exactly after the D-Day invasions. It would be decision time for many franchises as the 4th Annual Amateur Draft was set to take place. It was such a nice feeling having the last pick: I was like a hawk, carefully studying all that unfolded before me. I had run through about 20 different scenarios in my head, and had a plan for every one. Here was my mini-board as I sat at the table:

1. SP Billy Pierce
2. SP Bill Miller
3. CF Richie Ashburn
4. 1B Joe Adcock
5. RF Jackie Jensen

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However, the top 4 on my board were gone by the time I had a chance to think about it. Pierce went to Cincinnati at #3, Ashburn went to the Cubs at #7, Miller was taken at #10 by the Giants, and Adcock was selected right after by the Dodgers. So when I stepped up to the podium, my mind was pretty much made up.

“With the 16th pick, the Philadelphia Phillies select RF Jackie Jensen from San Francisco, CA.”

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In the 2nd round, I decided to address my 2nd base issue. Danny Murtaugh is the starter, but is putting up regrettable numbers. Ray Hamrick is the backup, but not only is he putting up worse numbers, I feel that he’s better as a utility player. With a few options available, I decided to take the kid from St. Thomas, PA: 2B Nellie Fox.

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Hudson and Arroyo are practically the same pitcher: lefty relievers with a power tendency. I only had 5 lefty pitchers in my minor league system, so those are the obvious choices.

I decided to take a flier on the 16-year-old Pullen. My report says that he can hit 95 consistently, so he could be a star in the making.

Usher was the best player, in my opinion, left after 95 others had gone before him.

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Jensen will begin his professional career in A Greensboro, while the other 5 draftees will report to R Clearwater.

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#   TEAM		   PLAYER (PEAK)
1.  St. Louis Browns	   RP Dick Weik (92)
2.  Detroit Tigers	   RP Dick Welteroth (93)
3.  Cincinnati Reds	   SP Billy Pierce (86)
4.  Boston Braves	   SP Herm Wehmeier (92)
5.  Philadelphia Athletics SP Dick Donovan (88)
6.  Pittsburgh Pirates	   SP Chris Whalen (86)
7.  Chicago Cubs	   CF Richie Ashburn (91)
8.  Chicago White Sox	   SP Cloyd Boyer (91)
9.  Washington Senators	   SP Brett Wade (85)
10. New York Giants	   SP Bill Miller (92)
11. Brooklyn Dodgers	   1B Joe Adcock (95)
12. St. Louis Cardinals	   SP Cal Hogue (91)
13. Cleveland Indians	   RP Doug Shoemake (82)
14. Boston Red Sox	   RP Bob Chakales (86)
15. New York Yankees	   SP Jack Harshman (82)
16. Philadelphia Phillies  RF Jackie Jensen (91)

32. Philadelphia Phillies  2B Nellie Fox (80)
48. Philadelphia Phillies  RP Hal Hudson (81)
64. Philadelphia Phillies  RP Luis Arroyo (78)
80. Philadelphia Phillies  SP Jason Pullen (76)
96. Philadelphia Phillies  1B James Usher (72)

17. St. Louis Browns	   C Smoky Burgess (88)
33. St. Louis Browns	   RP Johnny Klippstein (83)
39. Chicago Cubs	   1B Vic Power (84)
67. Cincinnati Reds	   2B Davey Williams (81)
71. Chicago Cubs	   RP Tommy Lasorda (83)
92. St. Louis Cardinals	   LF Dusty Rhodes (71)

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Does anyone else find it weird that the top 5 players on my board all went to the top 5 teams in the National League?

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Unable to catch on with another team, free agent 1B Dolph Camilli retired today.

Dolph played 12 seasons with the Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers, winning the MVP award in 1941 (.285, 34 HR, 120 RBI) and helping the Dodgers to the World Series. The 38-year-old Camilli was a 4-time All-Star, and finishes his career with 285 HR, which is good for 8th all-time.

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