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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: I tried to make him as eccentric as possible for someone (a real person, btw) that I know absolutely nothing about. You'll have to keep reading: I might drop some clues...

Just a point of clarification: Mrs. Stephens is not going to be my secretary. It was just the opening of a future storyline, giving Andrew the idea to look for his own secretary. Trust me, she will be younger, and childless, and single. Although I do understand the hilarity of the situation, this will be better long-term. Trust me.

Sorry if anyone is disappointed.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

LATE JUNE-JULY 1942
PART I

With ‘F’ on the payroll, and the All-Star break in the books, the Phillies look toward the second half of the season. They get 3 games in June before continuing on to July, and with the trade deadline looming on the 31st, expect a lot of teams shuffling players for a last minute push.

Speaking of trades, one was approved over the All-Star break.
Brooklyn receives:
P Johnny Vander Meer (86)
Cincinnati receives:
P Joe Black (60/83)*
P Johnny Van Cuyk (58/78)
RF Gene Hermanski (63/75)
As a penalty for trading a draft pick in his first year, the Dodgers surreneder Hermanski to the Reds. It doesn’t matter though. Unless Black develops into a star closer, this deal with favor the Dodgers.

Back to baseball!

June 28 – July 1: Boston (7th, 31-49, 22 GB) at Philadelphia (6th, 32-48, 21 GB)
28 – Both starters get rocked for 7 earned, and the battle of the bullpens turns up in the Phillies’ favor. FYI Nahem: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R. Hoerst: 2 IP, 1 H.
Phillies 10, Braves 9 (10)
W: Lefty Hoerst (4-5) L: Jim Hickey (2-3)
HR: Chuck Klein (14)

29 – Tommy Hughes did something that no Phillie has done since 1940: win 10 games in a season. This ties the season long win streak at 3.
Phillies 7, Braves 2
W: Tommy Hughes (10-8) L: Manny Salvo (2-11)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (10)

30 – Johnny Podgajny gets rocked, a late comeback falls short, and the Braves add some insurance. That’s all there is to it.
Braves 10, Phillies 5
W: Al Javery (6-5) L: Johnny Podgajny (1-5) SV: Johnny Hutchings (1)

1 – Danny Litwhiler goes 3-4 with 2 RBI as the Phillies take 3 of 4 from the last place Braves, and put some distance between them and the 7th place Reds.
Phillies 4, Braves 3
W: Rube Melton (5-8) L: Bill Donovan (0-1) SV: Lefty Hoerst (1)

JUNE AWARDS

Batter of the Month: RF Chuck Klein
Pitcher of the Month: P Tommy Hughes
The Phillies’ only All-Star gets his 2nd consecutive award, after his performance in the Midsummer Classic and throughout the month of June. Hughes went 4-2 this month, cementing his place as a pitcher to watch for the future.

Minor League Batter of the Month: 1B Gil Hodges
Minor League Pitcher of the Month: P Charlie Ripple
Was there really another choice? Hodges batted .433 at Rome (A), and started life at Trenton (AA) by going 4-for-8 with 3 RBI. Two-time winner Ripple was outstanding in his three A-ball victories, allowing only 6 hits over 18 innings.

July 2-4: Brooklyn (2nd, 52-32, 2 GB) at Philadelphia (6th, 35-49, 19 GB)
2 – Drama in Philadelphia! A bases-loaded, walk-off hit-by-pitch caps the 3-run bottom of the ninth inning comeback to give the Phillies the incredible win.
Phillies 5, Dodgers 4
W: Lefty Hoerst (5-5) L: Les Webber (1-2)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (11)

3 – Tommy Hughes allows 1 run over 8 innings of spectacular pitching, and the Phillies use their bats to remain the hottest NL team out of the All-Star break (the Yankees have won 8 straight).
Phillies 8, Dodgers 3
W: Tommy Hughes (11-8) L: Curt Davis (7-6)
HR: Chuck Klein (15)

4 – It appears our only weakness is backup starters. Johnny Pod (my new nickname for Podgajny) does an ok job, but 3rd round pick Frank Wurm allows only 4 hits over 8 innings in his Major League debut as the Dodgers avoid the sweep.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 1
W: Frank Wurm (1-0) L: Johnny Podgajny (1-6) SV: Jim Hughes (8)

July 5-8: Philadelphia (6th, 37-50, 19 GB) at New York (3rd, 51-36, 5 GB)
5 – In a slugfest where 26 total hits were tallied, the Giants victimized Lefty Hoerst after the Phillies tied it up in the top of the 8th.
Giants 10, Phillies 7
W: Ace Adams (10-4) L: Lefty Hoerst (5-6)

6 – Another slugfest where the Phillies fall behind, tie the score, then lose because a relief pitcher allows too many runs to make up. Welcome back to the club, George Hennessey. We’ve been expecting you.
Giants 15, Phillies 14
W: Woody Abernathy (1-0) L: George Hennessey (1-4) SV: Ace Adams (4)

7 – Poor Sam Nahem. He keeps getting trusted with leads or in tie game situations, and he continually blows it.
Giants 6, Phillies 4
W: Larry Jansen (3-0) L: Sam Nahem (3-6)

8 – Johnny Pod got another start, probably the last one of his Phillies career. Carl Hubbell just taught the youngster a lesson on how to pitch, that’s for sure. 5 straight losses for the Phillies.
Giants 5, Phillies 3
W: Carl Hubbell (10-5) L: Johnny Podgajny (1-7) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (11)

9 – DAY OFF
I pulled the trigger on a trade.
New York (AL) receives:
CF Vance Dinges (70/75)
Philadelphia (NL) receives:
3B Billy Johnson (60/78)
$1,000
Don’t know why they were so eager to get rid of Johnson, but I’ll happily give them an older, more expensive player that I’m not using for a younger, inexpensive player that I’m probably not going to use.

Cy Blanton is ready to return. Same deal as last time: Gerheauser to the bullpen, Leon to AAA.

In MLB News, the Yankees have 12 of their last 13 and 23 of their last 25, opening up an 11 game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the AL.

July 10-12: Philadelphia (6th, 37-54, 22 GB) at St. Louis (1st, 59-32, 4 GA)
10 – Rube Melton enters the 8th inning with a 4-1 lead. After the inning, the score is tied at 4. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals load the bases with one out, and from there, it’s elementary. The losing streak hits six games.
Cardinals 5, Phillies 4
W: Clyde Shoun (6-3) L: Lefty Hoerst (5-7)

11 – GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! (Four-hit shutout for Lohrman, seven-game losing streak)
Cardinals 1, Phillies 0
W: Bill Lohrman (9-1) L: Cy Blanton (5-6)

12 – I got a trade offer for Lefty Hoerst before I read the game’s recap. I should’ve taken that offer. Four runs in the bottom of the ninth!? 8 straight losses, at least it can’t get any worse...
Cardinals 9, Phillies 7
W: Howie Krist (6-3) L: Lefty Hoerst (5-8) SV: Clarence Beers (4)

With the trade deadline approaching, I might as well unload some unwanted cargo.
New York (AL) receives:
RP Sam Nahem (72/76)
RP Lefty Hoerst (74/79)
$5,000
Philadelphia (NL) receives:
RP Johnny Johnson (64/70)
RP Joe Page (67/80)
Hahahahahaha HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Translation: I win the trade. About time I won something...)

July 13-15: New York (2nd, 56-38, 6 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 37-57, 25 GB)
13 – Alright, this is too cruel. We rally to tie in the ninth, play until the 15th, and then a suicide squeeze plates the game-winning run. Ladies and gentlemen, your exercise in futility, the 1942 Philadelphia Phillies!
Giants 5, Phillies 4 (15)
W: Bill McGee (4-1) L: Izzy Leon (0-1)

14 – Sound the church bells! Cancel all classes! Declare a state holiday! THE PHILLIES WON! Si Johnson threw a complete game to finally end this long, dreadful losing streak.
Phillies 6, Giants 4
W: Si Johnson (6-7) L: Van Mungo (6-7)
HR: Chuck Klein (16), Ed Freed (4)

15 – You knew that after a win like that, a blowout would be on the horizon. Well, thanks to Johnny Mize, cousin Cliff Melton obliterates cousin Rube.
Giants 13, Phillies 2
W: Cliff Melton (9-7) L: Rube Melton (5-9)

STANDINGS AS OF JULY 16

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	64-33	-
Brooklyn	59-38	5
New York	58-39	6
Pittsburgh	49-48	15
Chicago		45-52	19
Cincinnati	38-59	26
Philadelphia	38-59	26
Boston		37-60	27

AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	67-30	-
Cleveland	56-41	11
Boston		54-43	13
Washington	47-50	20
Chicago		45-52	22
Philadelphia	44-53	23
St. Louis	38-59	29
Detroit		37-60	30

RACE TO THE #1 PICK
Boston (NL)	37-60	-
Detroit (AL)	37-60	-
Philly (NL) 	38-59	1
Cincinnati (NL)	38-59	1
St. Louis (AL)	38-59	1
Philly (AL)	44-53	7
Chicago (NL)	45-52	8
Chicago (AL)	45-52	8

RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY
Athletics	44-53	-
Phillies	38-59	6

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JULY 16
After 3 payments, I finally got a note from my ‘advisor’ F. However it’s written in code. So now I have try and decipher it on the train to Pittsburgh. It reads a little something like this:

I don’t trust the other tenants of your building, so I’ve written this in code. It is up to you to decipher. I have left another clue in Pittsburgh. You will find it when you get there. Only you can get the code.
F

BA1HK9NOB5

"A judge sits with a man who cannot stand.
Beneath a ball of fire, they discuss
Two chosen ones: one chosen by thousands,
One chosen by tribe. Both birdies now fly
And land at sea, where more will join them
Soon, unless the man who cannot stand
Decree it be so. Go to him, and make it so,
Save the birds from certain end."

Anyone out there have any guesses?

[CatKnight]

A judge sits....

Keensaw Mountain Landis

... with a man who cannot stand.

Franklin Roosevelt

Beneath a ball of fire, they discuss
Two chosen ones: one chosen by thousands,
One chosen by tribe.

...Robinson and Doby. Not sure where the thousands comes in, but the Tribe is the Indians.

Both birdies now fly
And land at sea, where more will join them

Landis is trying to get them sent to the War!

Soon, unless the man who cannot stand
Decree it be so. Go to him, and make it so,
Save the birds from certain end."

Unless Roosevelt immediately comes out against Robinson and Doby, you should go influence him otherwise.

[3RunHomer]

My guess: F's elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.

Are you playing Billy Johnson? If that nut-job F does predictions, he might tell you that Billy has some pretty decent years in his career. Billy must be about 24 years old so it's time for him to get a shot, and his ratings might progress quickly with major league playing time.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: You're incredibly close. I must confess I didn't think that anyone would get that close, but you proved me wrong. Congratulations!

3RunHomer: Billy Johnson (60/78) is currently in AAA, and is 23 years old. My current third baseman Pinky May is 31, so there will be plenty of opportunity for Johnson to break through.

And F isn't a nut job, he's just delightfully eccentric. And good at what he does.

I'm planning on finishing up with the riddle storyline shortly, then continuing on to finish July. Thanks for reading!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JULY 17
PART I

I got off the train in Pittsburgh, tired and worn out from trying to solve that stupid puzzle. Why was I even paying F? If he was just going to lead me on a wild goose chase, he is messing with the wrong fellow. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a man, dressed completely in black. I stopped and stared, but couldn’t see his face too well. He stood up, put his paper away, and looked over the top of his dark glasses. Those eyes! It was F! I realized this and started walking towards him, but he disappeared into the crowd. I had to stand on a bench just to spot his black fedora. He was heading straight for Forbes Field! There was no choice, I had to follow him. I got through the gate, and spotted him making his way up the owner’s boxes. He had to have been an athlete at some point, because he just flew up those stairs, and I lost sight of him. After I caught my breath, I started looking around in the first suite. It was immaculately clean for one. There were papers all over a desk, and I started to rifle through them, until I found a handwritten note:

“I met with Landis on the 12th. He doesn’t know I work for you. He told me his plan to exact revenge for how you embarrassed him in April. I’ll meet you in Boston and explain everything for you. Good work, Mr. Walsh.”

I stuck the note in my coat pocket, happy that I had finally ended this goose chase.
“Excuse me, can I help you?”
The voice startled me. “No, no I’m all set, thank you...”
I stopped the sentence short as I turned around, because I couldn’t believe who was blocking my exit.
“...Mr. President.”

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JULY 17
PART II

“Mr. Walsh! How nice to see you! I was planning on going to Philadelphia to meet with you personally but I suppose we can do that here. Please have a seat.”
“Why, thank you sir.” I was absolutely dumbfounded. I had come here to watch a game, but was now sitting down with THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! I tried to make small talk. “So, how’s the war going?”
“Jumping right into business? I had you pegged for a man who enjoyed his small talk.”
Business? What was he talking about? “Well, we can talk baseball if you like.”
“I’d be glad to, Mr. Walsh.”
“Please, call me Andrew.”
And we spent the next hour and three innings talking about baseball. Thankfully, my boys had put up a 6-1 lead by then.
“So what brings you to Pittsburgh, sir? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”
“Well, Andrew, few people know this about me, but I absolutely love baseball. I mean, I grew up right around the turn of the century. As I was in my 20’s, I would watch Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, a real who’s who of the Majors. And with 3 teams in New York City, there was plenty of baseball to go around. Now that I’m president, that hasn’t changed, and I still make it my mission to see every ballpark each year. I’ll be in Philadelphia next month for a doubleheader.”
The Pirates brought in a new pitcher and Ed Freed flied out.
“Sir, I’ll be looking forward to it. But now, I have to ask you about business.”
“Well, Andrew, to be honest, I have given it much thought. So I suppose I could let you in on another secret of FDR’s. Back in the 1920’s I had been really sick. I was practically confined to my house for extended periods of time. As a matter of fact, the only thing that kept me alert and alive, was listening to radio. When baseball started on the radio, it was almost like Christmas had come early. Being able to listen to Babe Ruth and his Yankees was a godsend. And I still attribute baseball as being one of the keys to my survival.”
I remembered listening to those same broadcasts when I was still a child, and just the thought sent so many happy memories back. The Pittsburgh reliever got out of the inning.
“So Mr. Walsh, you wanted ballplayers to stay here and entertain the home front? Consider it done. When I get back to Washington tomorrow, I’ll make it an executive order.”
“Thank you very much, sir. But what about the ballplayers already serving, like Hank Greenberg and Bob Feller?”
Of course! These were the two birds that F was talking about! Feller was considered by many to be the best pitcher in the game today, and Greenberg was of Jewish faith, which, the Bible says, was broken into 12 tribes! ‘One chosen by thousands, one chosen by tribe’! It all made sense now!
“Well, Andrew, there’s really not a lot I can do about that. They do have to serve out their enlistment, but when that’s finished, they will be free to return to their respective teams.”
“Thank you very much, sir.”
The game continued, as the Phillies added 2 more runs in the 6th, making the score 8-1. At the seventh inning stretch, the President started to leave.
“Mr. President, before you go, let me say it was truly an honor to speak with you today.”
“It was my pleasure, Andrew. Anytime I can talk with someone as devoted to baseball as myself, it always is a pleasure.” He turned to go, but he turned back. “Oh Andrew? Don’t get too caught up with this losing. I know you’re a fantastic owner, and in a few years, you’ll be back where champions roam. Take care now.” Well, if the President says it, then it must be true!

[CatKnight]

Hm....maybe you shot over it, but I didn't see Walsh ask players to stay at home. If so, then someone (Judge Landis!?) asked FOR him... The plot thickens!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Well done!

I have an off day of August 1st, that's when I'm meeting F.

He'll explain everything.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JULY 1942
PART II

Before we got started on the (hopefully) better half of the month, we made our third trade of the year.
Boston (AL) receives:
1B Nick Etten (76)
Philadelphia (NL) receives:
3B Ty LaForest (60/73)
$2,000
Purely a salary dump. With better players waiting in the wings, it was Etten’s time to go.

I had been thinking more and more about what had gone on over the last few weeks. Not on the field of course. That could drive a man to depression. When I was in Newark last month, I was presented with a “secretary”, although she remains with her husband in Albany. Maybe Nick was right though. Running this office all by myself has really started to wear me down, and an extra body to take care of some things couldn’t hurt right? I’ll type up a classified in the morning.

George Hennessey came into my office today and officially told me he was going to retire. George was 1-4 with a 6.63 ERA and a save. He never recorded a full season in the big leagues. (CAREER: 1-5, 7.62, 1 SV)

Back to baseball!

July 17-19: Philadelphia (6th, 38-59, 26 GB) at Pittsburgh (4th, 49-48, 15 GB)
17 - 35-year-old Lee Riley got the call-up to make his first major league start at second base today. He went 1 for 3, and Cy Blanton went 8 strong to notch the win.
Phillies 9, Pirates 2
W: Cy Blanton (6-6) L: Johnny Lanning (5-4)

18 – The natural order of things continues to resurface, and once again, after a Phillies win, the Phillies lose the next game.
Pirates 4, Phillies 1
W: Luke Hamlin (8-5) L: Si Johnson (6-8) SV: Diomedes Olivo (16)

Two trades today.
St. Louis (AL) receives: SP Bill Bevens (73/86)
New York (AL) receives: 3B Harlond Clift (88)
Both teams should win, but if you’ve followed baseball over the last 20 years, you know the Yankees always win.

Brooklyn receives: SP Paul Derringer (87)
Cincinnati receives: 1B John Corriden (68/86)
Corriden’s a pretty talented prospect for a pitcher with a 5-10 record, but Derringer provides some depth for an already talented rotation, and I suppose his 3.10 ERA shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lee Riley retired. He had the option of going back to AAA or retiring, and he took the latter. He thanked me for giving him the opportunity to realize his dream: play a game in the Major Leagues. As a bonus, he got a hit and drove in a run. Very smart guy. Maybe I can have him comeback next year to manage... (CAREER: 1 G, 1/3, RBI, BB)

19 – Despite tying the game in the ninth to send it to extras, it really was inevitable, as the Pirates win the game in the 10th.
Pirates 4, Phillies 3 (10)
W: Jack Hallett (5-4) L: Paul Masterson (0-2)

July 20-23: Philadelphia (7th, 39-61, 28 GB) at Boston (6th, 40-60, 27 GB)
20 – Rube Melton gets roughed up for 6 runs in the first 2 innings, leading to a simple result for our heroes.
Braves 6, Phillies 3
W: Jim Tobin (10-9) L: Rube Melton (5-10) SV: Jim Hickey (5)

The Red Sox made a trade in a desperate (read: stupid) attempt to catch the Yankees.
Boston (AL) receives:
SP Schoolboy Rowe (81)
Detroit receives:
SP Rex Cecil (62/74)
RP Mel Deutsch (64/76)
The Red Sox win this trade, only because Rowe is signed through next season. The prospects they gave up should amount to marginal players at best.

21 – With Cy Blanton gunning for a complete game, manager Hans Lobert left him in with a 2-run 9th inning lead. The Braves scored twice, loaded the bases and won the game with a single.
Braves 6, Phillies 5
W: Johnny Hutchings (7-4) L: Cy Blanton (6-7)

22 – If the game is anywhere close to a lead, you know the bullpen will be there to set things right. This time, a tie turns into a four-run deficit, a lead too big for our comeback.
Braves 7, Phillies 5
W: Dick Errickson (2-4) L: Johnny Podgajny (1-8) SV: Johnny Hutchings (3)

23 – You ever have days where you wish you could save some offense? Well, that was today. Tommy Hughes was brilliant, spinning a five-hit shutout as the offense backs him well.
Phillies 6, Braves 0
W: Tommy Hughes (12-8) L: Manny Salvo (4-14)

I was a little miffed that I didn’t get to see F like he said. However, I got a telegram from our team’s road manager, reading something like this.

DID NOT BAIL STOP
GOT HELD UP OVERSEAS STOP
WILL MEET YOU IN PHILLY STOP

Oh well.

Also, Bennie Warren became eligible for arbitration at season’s end. He might as well save the lawyer fees, because he won’t be back. Despite his cannon arm (46.4 RTO%, 1st in the NL), we have a catcher in AAA that will be taking over next season: Andy Seminick.

July 24-27: Philadelphia (7th, 40-64, 30 GB) at Brooklyn (2nd, 64-40, 6 GB)
24 – Johnny Vander Meer strikes out 7 in a five-hit complete game victory, closing the Dodgers to within 5 of the Cardinals, and moving the Phillies into sole possession of last place.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 1
W: Johnny Vander Meer (13-4) L: Rube Melton (5-11)

After the game, I get a call from my manager at AA Trenton. He’s calling as a favor to Gil Hodges, whom he thinks should be promoted. After getting all his vital stats from him (.413, 4 HR, 22 RBI in 80 AB), I tell the manager to tell Hodges, he’s heading to one of the independent AAA teams we keep in stock. I have to get us a AAA affiliate.

25 – Cy Blanton again entered the ninth with a two-run lead, looking for a complete game. This time, he only allows one run, in a game where both teams only mustered 7 hits combined.
Phillies 2, Dodgers 1
W: Cy Blanton (7-7) L: Larry French (7-8)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (12)

I spoke with the owner of the Fort Worth Cats, a minor league team in the Texas League. He was willing to become our affiliate for the remainder of the season, for a small fee of course. I paid the man, and moved all of our AAA players to the Fort Worth Cats.

26 – About time Johnny Pod gets some lucky breaks. Podgajny is the beneficiary of 2 eighth-inning home runs as the Phillies have taken 3 of their last 4.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 5
W: Johnny Podgajny (2-8) L: Newt Kimball (1-4)
HR: Ed Murphy (3), Pinky May (1)

27 – Tommy Hughes (7 IP, 2 ER on 6 H) was terrific, but Paul Derringer was magnificent (CG four-hitter), giving the Dodgers the series split.
Dodgers 2, Phillies 1
W: Paul Derringer (6-12) L: Tommy Hughes (12-9)

A trade was announced, as the deadline moves closer.
New York (NL) receives:
LF Bob Johnson (83)
Philadelphia (AL) receives:
C Jim Gladd (62/82)
It’s always hard to find good catching prospects, and trading one for a 36-year-old outfielder makes this trade a draw. For now.

July 28-31: Philadelphia (7th, 42-66, 31 GB) at St. Louis (1st, 73-35, 7 GA)
28 – Rube Melton implodes in the 5th inning, giving up 5 runs and the game. Johnny Pod is certainly adapting to the bullpen well, though (3 perfect innings in relief).
Cardinals 5, Phillies 3
W: Howie Pollet (4-7) L: Rube Melton (5-12) SV: Art Lopatka (1)

29 – Dick Mauney made his Major League debut today, getting the spot start for Cy Blanton, who was complaining of headaches. I’m sure he didn’t want to start against 11-1 Bill Lohrman, but he showed no fear, going 7 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits, and Paul Masterson hung on for the 6-out save.
Phillies 5, Cardinals 4
W: Dick Mauney (1-0) L: Bill Lohrman (11-2) SV: Paul Masterson (1)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (13)

Another trade involving the New York Giants.
New York (NL) receives:
SP Denny Galehouse (79)
St. Louis (AL) receives:
2B Artie Wilson (58/77)
The Giants must think they can make up a 9-game deficit with 41 to play. Although they do have 4 at home against St. Louis to close the season...

30 – Despite four errors, the Cardinals manage to steal victory from the jaws of defeat due to, yep, another bullpen collapse (4 runs in the bottom of the 8th).
St. Louis 5, Philadelphia 4
W: Howie Krist (7-3) L: Paul Masterson (0-3) SV: Art Lopatka (2)

31 – Tommy Hughes was fantastic: 8 innings of outstanding pitching allowing only 2 hits and 0 runs. As a bonus, manager Hans Lobert went with closer Ike Pearson in the 9th, just so he could try and ruin it, but he escaped, and so did the Phillies.
Phillies 2, Cardinals 0
W: Tommy Hughes (13-9) L: Harry Gumbert (7-8) SV: Ike Pearson (10)

Two deadline deals:
Cleveland receives:
RF Ival Goodman (81)
Cincinnati receives:
C Ray Murray (64/74)
3B Eddie Turchin (60/76)
Trade two future bench players for a 34-year-old outfielder? Where do I sign? WINNER: Cincinnati

Boston (AL) receives:
C Mike Tresh (75)
RF Wally Moses (82)
3B Leo Wells (68/73)
Chicago (AL) receives:
P Ken Chase (80)
RF Lou Finney (75)
C Danny Doyle (61/70)
WINNER: No one.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JULY RECAP

STANDINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	75-37	-
New York	67-45	8
Brooklyn	67-45	8
Pittsburgh	57-55	18
Chicago		49-63	26
Boston		47-65	28
Philadelphia	44-68	31
Cincinnati	42-70	33

AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	78-34	-
Cleveland	65-47	13
Boston		61-51	17
Chicago		53-59	25
Washington	52-60	26
St. Louis	50-62	28
Philadelphia	50-62	28
Detroit		39-73	39

RACE TO THE #1 PICK
Detroit Tigers	39-73	-
Cincinnati Reds	42-70	3
Phila. Phillies	44-68	5
Boston Braves	47-65	8
Chicago Cubs	49-63	10
2 tied at	50-62	11

RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY
Athletics	50-62	-
Phillies	44-68	6

SEASON STATISTICS
Red denotes League Leader

BATTING

1942 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Mauney, Dick              PHI    1  .667     3    2   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    1    1  .667  .667
Johnson, Billy            PHI    3  .417    12    5   3   0   0    2    0    0   0    2    5  .667  .500
Klein, Chuck              PHI  107  .314   354  111  27   4  16   31   42    2   1   59   71  .548  .371
Waner, Lloyd              PHI   96  .311   180   56   5   2   0   14   16    2   1   20   29  .361  .359
Murphy, Ed                PHI   43  .279   111   31   8   0   3   17   10    2   1   13   20  .432  .380
Freed, Ed                 PHI  105  .279   405  113  27   3   4   44   50    9   3   64   41  .390  .357
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI   95  .259   328   85  22   1   0   26   39    6   5   34   35  .332  .312
Litwhiler, Danny          PHI  108  .255   369   94  24   4  13   37   31    1   0   54   53  .447  .324
May, Pinky                PHI  112  .252   441  111  27   2   1   43   41    2   0   59   32  .329  .321
Bragan, Bobby             PHI   65  .252   155   39   6   0   2    9   20    4   0   13   18  .329  .291
LaForest, Ty              PHI    7  .233    30    7   3   0   0    1    7    0   0    3    4  .333  .250
Livingston, Mickey        PHI   46  .229    96   22   6   0   1    4   10    1   0   10    7  .323  .260
Tyson, Turkey             PHI   12  .227    22    5   0   1   0    4    2    0   0    3    2  .318  .346
Marnie, Harry             PHI   97  .221   285   63   9   1   0   18   28    3   1   35   22  .260  .265
Warren, Bennie            PHI   99  .210   319   67  11   2   4   42   34    1   1   32   28  .295  .305
Benjamin, Stan            PHI   63  .203   123   25   5   2   0    7   16    3   2   14   10  .276  .244
Glossop, Al               PHI   24  .179    28    5   1   0   0    4    2    0   0    4    2  .214  .281
Johnson, Si               PHI   28  .175    63   11   0   0   0    1   13    0   0    3    4  .175  .188
Melton, Rube              PHI   24  .161    56    9   2   0   0    1   15    0   1    5    5  .196  .175
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   28  .127    71    9   0   0   0    6   17    0   0    5    4  .127  .195
Blanton, Cy               PHI   20  .113    53    6   0   0   0    1   15    0   0    2    1  .113  .130
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   22  .111    27    3   0   1   0    0    8    0   0    0    1  .185  .111
Masterson, Paul           PHI   23  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    4  .000     6    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING

1942 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Mauney, Dick              PHI    7.0  1.29    1   1   1   0   0    1    2 11.57
Kraus, Jack               PHI    3.0  3.00    2   0   0   0   0    0    1  9.00
Pearson, Ike              PHI   17.1  3.12   15   0   1   1  10    5    6  9.35
Hughes, Tommy             PHI  211.1  3.41   28  28  13   9   0   96   97 12.56
Johnson, Si               PHI  196.2  3.66   28  28   6   8   0   84   53 12.17
Johnson, Johnny           PHI    4.0  4.50    3   0   0   0   1    3    1 11.25
Melton, Rube              PHI  163.2  4.62   24  24   5  12   0   86  114 15.34
Blanton, Cy               PHI  150.2  4.78   20  20   7   7   0   80   45 13.50
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   92.2  4.95   22   9   2   8   0   39   42 14.96
Masterson, Paul           PHI   27.0  7.00   23   0   0   3   1   15   15 18.67
Leon, Izzy                PHI    1.0  9.00    1   0   0   1   0    1    0 18.00
Gerheauser, Al            PHI   18.0 10.50    4   2   0   1   0    6   14 23.50

LEAGUE LEADERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Stan Musial (STL)		.339
HR - Johnny Mize (NYG)		23
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG)		104
SB - Gee Walker (CIN)		15
W - 2 tied with			
14

ERA - Bill Lohrman (STL)	2.57
K - Johnny Vander Meer (BRO)	105
SV - Diomedes Olivo (PIT)	16
				
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Barney McCosky (DET)	.355
HR - Ted Williams (BOS)		26
RBI - Joe DiMaggio (NYY)	90
SB - Walt Chipple (WAS)		17
W - 2 tied with			15
ERA - Joe Dobson (BOS)		2.34
K - Hal Newhouser (DET)		110
SV - 3 tied with		12

MILESTONES
7/4: CF Joe DiMaggio (NYY): Hit for the Cycle
7/10: SS Arky Vaughan (BRO): 1000th Run

MAJOR INJURIES
7/1: SP Lon Warneke (STL) out 2 weeks with a broken finger.
7/3: SP Whit Wyatt (BRO) out 3 weeks with a torn hamstring.
7/4: SS Johnny Pesky (BOS) out for the season with a ruptured cervical disk. (Final Stats: .277, 0 HR, 11 RBI)
7/5: SP Tex Hughson (BOS) out 5 weeks with a broken wrist.
7/10: SP Eddie Smith (CHW) out 2 weeks with a broken ankle.
7/13: SP Thornton Lee (CHW) out 2 weeks with a separated shoulder.
7/21: SP Al Javery (BSN) out 2 weeks with a broken hand.
7/21: SP Tiny Bonham (NYY) out 2 weeks with a broken finger.
7/24: SP Tommy Bridges (DET) out 2 weeks with a broken foot.
7/24: SP Lon Warneke (STL) out 5 weeks with completely separated shoulder.
7/29: LF Gee Walker (CIN) out 2 weeks with a broken foot.
7/29: 1B Elbie Fletcher (PHA) out 3 weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
7/31: SP Virgil Trucks (DET) out 2 weeks with a broken ankle.

NOTABLE RETIREMENTS
7/27: SP Jim Turner
1937-1939 Boston Braves
1940-1942 Cincinnati Reds
1938 All-Star
60-57, 3.20 ERA, 71 CG

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST 1
PART I

I sat in front of Independence Hall. The Birthplace of America, as some folk like to call it. This is where a lot of history was made: the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are just the major events everyone likes to focus on. It was here back in 1883 that Al Reach and John Rogers announced to the faithful that they would be getting a baseball team. It was here back in 1915, when I was still in diapers, when the Phillies won their only pennant that fans came to celebrate en masse, causing massive damage to several city properties. Alas, those are the high points for Phillies fans. These are some of the best fans in the league. How often do you see 27,000 screaming fans turn out for a team 40 games under .500? It’s really a shame that a city has suffered so much heartbreak, so much pain, and having to suffer a city only 2 hours northeast winning year after year after year. No wonder Philadelphia fans are miserable.
It was now 6:52 AM. I had no idea why F wanted to meet me here so early. All I know is that I was getting an explanation for this Landis-Roosevelt meeting or else. As usual, he came without much notice, this time sneaking up behind me.
“Let’s walk.”
We started east on Chestnut Street, towards New Jersey. It was silence for the first block.
“Well,” he said, almost reluctantly, “what do you want to know?”
“Everything. I want to know all about this secret meeting between Roosevelt and Landis. Then I want to know what kept you from meeting me in Boston. Then I want to know just who the h*** you really are.”
“Easy there, one thing at a time, and by the looks of it, we might only get to the first two.”
“What the ... oh whatever. I won’t forget this though.”
“Alright, the ‘secret meeting’: as it turns out, Judge Landis has been harboring some feelings of resentment towards you. I spoke with him last month. He doesn’t know I’m working for you, and it would be nice if it stays that way, understood? Anyhow, he had been in contact with one of the President’s aides, and he asked for a meeting so he could discuss how baseball could help the war effort. The whole thing was rotten to begin with. Lots of leading questions from Landis, looking for the opening he needed. The minute FDR mentioned the possibility of having a draft, Landis sprung his trap. He volunteered Major League players for a special private draft, which Roosevelt agreed to, with much hesitation, as I understand. Fortunately, you were able to get to him soon enough to prevent that from ever happening.”
“Why the draft though? What does that have to do with me?”
“Easy. The judge could do this multiple ways, but the easiest would be to weight the individual players, so that they have three, four, five or more entries into the draft pool. This makes it easier for your players, or Branch’s or MacPhail’s players to be drafted into service, and increase the chances that they don’t return, thus putting you out of business.”
“So wait, he’s plotting against all the dissenters?”
“Correct: you, the Cardinals, Brooklyn, the Cubs, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. All personnel have a figurative black mark next to their name in the office of the Judge. Especially you.”
I could see why. I mean, I’d just foiled two of the Commissioner’s plots.
“I think your best hope is to hold out until he dies. I mean, the man’s 75 years old, so it can’t be too far off. And let’s face facts: he’s certainly not the most well liked man in the world.”
This was absolutely true. Most owners had grown tired of the iron fist that Landis ruled baseball with, and while none of them would dare to make it public, all secretly couldn’t wait to see the old man six feet under. By this time, we had rounded back onto Market Street.
“So what’s the Judge’s next move?”
“I’m pretty sure he has at least 1 more trick up his sleeve before he moves on. I’m sure it will be much more difficult to stop also. You know what they say: ‘save the best for last’.”
“Thanks for the info. Remember to stop by every Friday. I don’t want to have the bums reaching into the mailbox and finding $100.”
“I’ll do what I can. But I have to go. I’m already late.”
“Late for what?”
He smiled knowingly back at me, and looked over the top of his dark glasses, revealing his bizarre eyes. “You think I only work for you? I’ve got to keep my options open.”
With that he stepped out into the street, ignoring the oncoming car. I screamed for him to watch out, but the car zipped past before I could get the words out. I turned away for a second, then looked back expecting to see the worst. Instead, I saw no mutilated carcass, but some fingers slipping below the cover of a manhole just before it closed. Maybe I’ll get all the answers someday.

[Overbay17]

Uh-oh. Better hope the Judge kicks it soon!

This storyline is getting pretty exciting...good work!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Uh-oh. Better hope the Judge kicks it soon!

Everyone was thinking it! It had to be said!

Thanks again for reading and commenting. I do appreciate the comments. They really help drive me to keep going late into the night and early in the morning.