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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MARCH 31, 1946

This day just won't seem to end!

Well, as it turns out, the schedule makers for MLB screwed up the Giants' schedule, so we had a brand new one distributed. We open at home against the Dodgers tomorrow!

I made a call to Nebraska. Mr. Alexander was perfectly willing to push back his ceremony to the 20th, where (on paper) it will be a duel between Warren Spahn and Robin Roberts.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL 1, 1946
OPENING DAY

Robin Roberts kicked, wheeled, and delivered. The fastball was straight and true, and Arky Vaughan watched it go by for strike one. The sellout crowd of 40,000 watched as their 19-year-old hero toed the rubber, went into his windup, and fired a vicious sinker for strike 2.

Nick was gracious enough to accompany me and Elizabeth to the owner’s box today. You all remember Nick, don’t you? I haven’t seen too much of him over the last few years. He is my director of scouting, so he’s constantly traveling across the country, keeping tabs on young talents as well as established veterans. He’s also my best friend.

Nick also brought a date: actress Anne Baxter. Apparently, he spends a lot of his time around the Los Angeles area, and got introduced to Anne at a party. She’s just come back from the Rocky Mountains for her latest film, The Razor’s Edge. She has a surprising knowledge of baseball, having grown up in New York City during the heyday of Babe Ruth, but eventually she and Elizabeth ended up talking about dresses or something. I wasn’t really paying attention.

Roberts tossed one of his slow curveballs, and Vaughan tapped feebly to Phil Rizzuto at shortstop for the out.

Having Nick travel for me really was a godsend come draft time. He always had neatly printed reports in my hand a few weeks before the draft, which is a huge part of our success at the yearly event. But I did have some questions for him.

“Nick, did you hear Ford’s announcement yesterday?”

“Andy, I think the proper question would be who didn’t. What is the old man thinking?”

“I honestly don’t know. But Phil Wrigley seems pretty intent on expansion, so I’m inclined to agree with him. Anyways, you spend a lot of time on the West Coast. What’s baseball like out there?”

“Honestly? I think it’s even better than here.”

“You’re kidding me!”

“I’m serious. Andrew, San Francisco is home to the DiMaggio family, Bobby Doerr and Ted Williams are from southern California. Some of the biggest stars in the game call the left coast home.”

Pete Reiser popped out, but Jackie Robinson followed with a single.

“Needless to say”, Nick continued, “all of Hollywood is waiting for a team. There is going to be a lot of money pouring from the turnstiles in Los Angeles.”

“So if we promise them a team for 1950…”

“They’ll be competitive in 3 years, tops. Same story for San Francisco. There are so many people that would go to the games, the money would just come pouring in. Baseball has truly become a national game, and everyone is starting to want a piece of the pie. Pretty soon, they’ll be playing it in Japan, of all places. Our national pastime may become an international sport.”

Jack Graham flied out to end the top of the 1st.

*

As for the game, Robin Roberts was great, allowing only 3 runs in a complete-game effort, but he couldn’t have won without the effort from Andy Seminick. The new manager helped get his first career win with a solo home run in the 2nd, and a 2-run single in the 5th to put the game out of reach.

Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
W: Robin Roberts (1-0) L: Kirby Higbe (0-1)
2B: Gil Hodges (1), Vern Stephens (1)
HR: Andy Seminick (1)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (1)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL 2, 1946

Just a few days ago, National League President Ford Frick cast down the gauntlet, saying that if Commissioner Chandler did not submit to the NL’s demands for expansion, the National League would withdraw its affiliation with the American League, becoming its own separate entity.

Well, Commissioner Chandler has answered the challenge in resounding fashion.

“If President Frick wants to play hardball with Major League Baseball, I have no choice but to let him. If Mr. Frick agrees, this season’s World Series will determine the future of the Major Leagues.

“Should the American League representative win, both leagues would remain at 8 teams until further notice.

“Should the National League representative win, the NL will expand to 10 teams in 1950, with the AL following suit 2 years later.”

No word from Frick on his thoughts on the proposal.

*

[Eds. Note: It's been 6 months since I started this dynasty, and it's been one heck of a ride! I wanted to thank everyone for reading and responding. Keep it up, because this saga will continue!]

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL – MAY 1946
PART I

April 1-3: Brooklyn Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies

1 – See above.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 3
W: Robin Roberts (1-0) L: Kirby Higbe (0-1)
2B: Gil Hodges (1), Vern Stephens (1)
HR: Andy Seminick (1)
SB: Phil Rizzuto (1)

*

For petrel, and anyone else who was wondering...

After being released by the Boston Braves today, OF Pete Gray announced his retirement.

Most famous for his physical disabilities, Gray had only one arm, yet still produced a solid career. In 92 AB, he hit .228 with 1 home run and 9 RBI.

*

2 – After 7 shutout innings, both offenses come alive, but Ed Hanyzewski slams the door with the tying run at 3rd base, giving the Phillies the win.
Phillies 4, Dodgers 3
W: Ed Hanyzewski (1-0) L: Cy Buker (0-1)

*

First trade of the new season!

New York Yankees receive:
RP Ed Kleiman
1B Earl Conyers
RP Earl Henry (AAA)

Cleveland Indians receive:
3B Don Savage
SS Ralph LaPointe
CF Woody Wheaton

WINNER: Indians
Cleveland gets 2 players that step into starting roles immediately, and the 3rd becomes the 4th outfielder.

*

3 – The Dodgers put up 7 runs in the 6th and 7th innings to bury the Phillies and avoid the sweep.
Dodgers 10, Phillies 5
W: Johnny Vander Meer (1-0) L: Charlie Ripple (0-1)
2B: Don Kolloway 2 (2)
HR: Vern Stephens (1)

4 – Day Off

*

[PotatoOfCouch13]

APRIL 4, 1946

"Well Ford, have you thought about my proposal?"

"Mr. Commissioner, I accept!"

[CatKnight]

So obviously we can't let the Phillies win, because the Yanks will paste them.

[RedsoxRockies]

Potato, back in the beginning, you said you wanted the readers to help with ideas and influence events. So I would like to know if you could create a player , name him Gustav Forkhann, make him from Norway and a 3B, and give him a lot of power, an okay glove, a good eye, and some contact, and make him a free agent. And if that does not work out, hire Elvis Presley as an advisor . Or Mick Jagger

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: Well, if no other team steps up, the Phillies may be forced to defend the National League. Yikes!

RedsoxRockies: How's this?

He should be an average contact hitter, plus-plus power, and above-average glovework.

[RedsoxRockies]

sweet!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. School just started here recently, and my cross-country team is taking up most of my time. The updates will continue, probably mostly on weekends. Thanks for your patience!

[RedsoxRockies]

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. School just started here recently, and my cross-country team is taking up most of my time. The updates will continue, probably mostly on weekends. Thanks for your patience!

Your school aged? I always thought you were in your 40's

[CDuffy26]

Hey, good story so far, and the Phils did win the world series so its not like you defending the league will be a bad thing, right?

And hope your cross country season goes well, I used to run when I was in High School, but then I got lazy

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CDuffy: Could be worse. The Pirates could win the pennant...

And yeah, so did I. I actually made the state championship my senior year and finished 101st! It just got so difficult to remain dedicated to running when I didn't have to be. I'm actually coaching at a middle school near my house, so I definitely have my hands full!

RedsoxRockies: I'm 20. My dad is in his 40's. Not looking forward to the balding

APRIL – MAY 1946
PART II

April 5-7: Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) at Chicago Cubs (1-2)

5 – The Cubs score 8 runs after the stretch, blowing the game wide open.
Cubs 11, Phillies 2
W: Dick Fowler (1-0) L: Harvey Haddix (0-1)
HR: Larry Doby (1), Gil Hodges (1)

6 – Despite being 19 years old, Robin Roberts has shown no signs of pressure. The kid just goes out and pitches. He tosses a 3-hit shutout, stopping our losing skid.
Phillies 3, Cubs 0
W: Robin Roberts (2-0) L: Claude Passeau (0-1)
HR: Vern Stephens (2), Nick Goulish (1)

*

Former Pirates great and Phillies outfielder Lloyd Waner retired today.

*

7 – Tommy Hughes allows only 5 hits en route to a shutout of his own, and Gil Hodges’ solo shot in the 9th inning ices the game.
Phillies 2, Cubs 0
W: Tommy Hughes (1-0) L: Joey Lothian (0-1)
HR: Gil Hodges (2)

April 8: Day Off

*

Senators 3B Pinky Higgins drove in his 1000th RBI today on a home run.

*

April 9-11: New York Giants (5-1) at Philadelphia Phillies (4-2)

9 – Monte Irvin falls a double shy of the cycle, and the Giants blow a close game open with a 5 run sixth inning.
Giants 10, Phillies 4
W: Hal Schumacher (2-0) L: Charlie Ripple (0-2) SV: Adrian Zabala (1)
2B: Don Kolloway (3)
SB: Don Kolloway (1)

*

It may be too early to panic, but Larry Doby is only hitting .107. Ron Northey (.304) slides up to the cleanup spot while Doby drops down to 7th.

*

10 – The Giants score 3 times in the last 2 innings to steal this one from the Phillies. The New Yorkers have won 7 straight games.
Giants 7, Phillies 4
W: Murry Dickson (2-0) L: Harvey Haddix (0-2) SV: Ken Trinkle (2)
2B: Phil Rizzuto (1)
HR: Ron Northey (1)

11 – The Phillies ride the arm of Robin Roberts and 3 home runs of their own to stopping the Giants winning streak.
Phillies 5, Giants 3
W: Robin Roberts (3-0) L: Max Lanier (1-1)
2B: Andy Seminick (1)
3B: Nick Goulish (1)
HR: Gil Hodges (3), Vern Stephens (3), Larry Doby (2)

*

After going 5-7 with his home run the past two games, I think Larry got the message. He’s moving back up to the cleanup spot.

*

[RedsoxRockies]

anyone sign Gustav? Maybe you should

[CatKnight]

Oh please. He wants GOOD players on his team.