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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST 1
PART II

Boy, do I sure love coffee! It helps take the edge off, makes people more pleasant, and helps jar you awake after you’ve walked a mile around downtown Philadelphia at 7 AM. Anyhow, I’m back at the office (no rest for the weary) with a major decision on my hands: who do I hire as my secretary? I’ve narrowed the choices down to three women. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Mary Stephens
Well, it looks like Nick’s mother really wants this job! She applied for it and made the final cut. However, I’m not sure how much Mr. Stephens would like his wife working over 200 miles away, and I’m not sure how comfortable I’d feel working with a Stephens that isn’t Nick. Thank you, but we’ve decided on another direction.

Prudence Walker
First impression: she’s ridiculously old. I mean, this lady was literally alive for the Civil War (the North won, by the way). She’s the sweetest old lady, but I don’t think she can physically outlast the daily grind for a few days, much less a few years. Thank you, but I think we’re going to look elsewhere to...

Elizabeth Harris
Talk about the total package. She’s smart, pretty, reliable, pretty, clean, pretty, and a great typist. Did I mention she’s pretty? A recent graduate of Villanova and a resident of nearby West Chester, she certainly knows the area well. Oh yeah, and she’s pretty. Did I already say that?

I guess the choice wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. With that out of the way, looks like we can head back to the daily grind.

[Overbay17]

So...you hired the old lady? Am I right?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Overbay17: she was a close second

AUGUST 1942
PART I

Batter of the Month: do I have to give one out? No one really deserved it.
Pitcher of the Month: Tommy Hughes. (2-1, 2.47 ERA) He’s threatening to be the NL Wins Leader.

Minor League Batter: Gil Hodges (.413, 4 HR, 22 RBI - AA Trenton). The kid is flying through the system.
Minor League Pitcher: Charlie Ripple (4-0, 3.62 ERA – AA Trenton). Speaking of flying...

The dog days of summer have hit Philadelphia. Unfortunately, no one has come down with a case of pennant fever, so the doctors have to worry about actual diseases. A few promotions and demotions to set the minor league roster for the remainder of the season, and it’s back to baseball!

August 2-5: Cincinnati (8th, 42-70, 33 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 44-68, 31 GB)
2 – Cy Blanton goes the distance, allowing only 1 run on 7 hits to put a little more separation between the two bottom-dwellers of the NL.
Phillies 3, Reds 1
W: Cy Blanton (8-7) L: Bucky Walters (10-8)

3 – Si Johnson one-ups his teammate, pitching a seven-hit shutout, and the offense goes off on the mediocre at best Reds pitching. Let’s hope this one-ups-manship continues until some throws a no-no.
Phillies 7, Reds 0
W: Si Johnson (7-8) L: Ewell Blackwell (4-4)

The Tigers won, keeping them (mathematically) alive for the pennant, but their elimination number is down to 2.

4 – Is it so wrong to want a four-game win streak that you’ll do anything for it? Not today as Reds pitchers dance around trouble all day, while Hughes finds it immediately.
Reds 7, Phillies 2
W: Pat Scantlebury (1-1) L: Tommy Hughes (13-10) SV: Joe Beggs (4)

With the Yankee win, the Tigers elimination number drops to 1. Detroit won to stay alive for another day.

5 – As if I didn’t already know my major weakness, the bullpen keeps piling on, giving me reminder after reminder after painful reminder (tying and go-ahead runs score in the ninth inning).
Reds 3, Phillies 2
W: Frank Dasso (1-0) L: Paul Masterson (0-4) SV: Walker Cress (8)

The Detroit Tigers lose, and are officially eliminated from pennant contention.

August 6-9: Brooklyn (3rd, 69-47, 8 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 46-70, 31 GB)

6 – A masterful performance doesn’t get rewarded, but this is a rare instance where I’m not mad. Cy Blanton allows 1 hit over 8 innings, but is lifted for a pinch hitter. Paul Masterson gets the win, as this one is settled on 6 combined hits.
Phillies 1, Dodgers 0
W: Paul Masterson (1-4) L: Kirby Higbe (6-2)

7 – Two crucial errors spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for the Phillies, as the Dodgers capitalize off of both, and add some insurance late.
Dodgers 7, Phillies 1
W: Larry French (8-9) L: Si Johnson (7-9)

8 – Tommy Hughes again comes up big for us, pitching eight innings of 4 hit ball, and Ike Pearson records the save without breaking a sweat. Hughes is now tied for the league lead in victories with Vander Meer (BRO) and Fitzsimmons (BRO).
Phillies 3, Dodgers 2
W: Tommy Hughes (14-10) L: Whit Wyatt (10-6) SV: Ike Pearson (11)

9 – The skeleton crew put up a darn good fight, but they just couldn’t get that tying run across in the bottom of the ninth as we conclude our season series with the Dodgers.
Dodgers 4, Phillies 3
W: Paul Derringer (8-13) L: Rube Melton (5-13) SV: Kirby Higbe (1)
HR: Chuck Klein (17)

Cincinnati’s elimination number is 2. That means that ours is 4.

August 10-12: Boston (6th, 51-69, 28 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 48-72, 31 GB)
10 – 2 early runs are all we get, as Boston knocks 13 hits and Jim Tobin only allows 5 over 8 innings of work to get the win.
Braves 4, Phillies 2
W: Jim Tobin (12-12) L: Cy Blanton (8-8) SV: Jim Hickey (6)

The Cardinals win and the Reds lose, eliminating Cincinnati from the pennant chase. Our own elimination number is down to 1.

11 – Si Johnson hurls a five-hit shutout as the offense peppers the Braves pitchers with five doubles and a triple.
Phillies 4, Braves 0
W: Si Johnson (8-9) L: Warren Spahn (9-15)

Our win and a loss by the Cardinals keeps us theoretically alive. The Browns aren’t as lucky, and are eliminated from playoff contention.

12 – How disappointing. To have your playoff dreams crushed by a 5-15 minor leaguer.
Braves 2, Phillies 0
W: Manny Salvo (6-15) L: Tommy Hughes (14-11)

We’re out. The Senators managed to survive, but the Athletics are also in danger now.

AUGUST 13 – DAY OFF
Not for me of course. Today is Elizabeth’s first day, so everything has to be just right. I have butterflies the size of tanks rumbling through my stomach.

August 14-17: Chicago (5th, 53-70, 28 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 49-74, 32 GB)
14 – Finally! The day has come where my boys get to victimize someone else’s bullpen! 5 runs in the bottom of the eighth flips the score, giving us the win.
Phillies 6, Cubs 5
W: Cy Blanton (9-8) L: Claude Passeau (12-9) SV: Ike Pearson (12)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (14)

Both the Athletics and the Senators lose, and the Yankees win, knocking both teams out of the pennant race.

15 – I could really get used to this rallying thing. The Phillies did it again, coming back from a 1-run deficit with one in the eighth and the winner in the ninth. Paul Masterson goes 2 no-hit innings of solid relief.
Phillies 4, Cubs 3
W: Paul Masterson (2-4) L: Emil Kush (4-4)

16 – Tommy Hughes rebounds from a poor outing last time with 8 shutout innings this go-round. The win re-ties him for the league lead in wins, and is the most by a Phillies pitcher since Wayne LeMaster in 1937.
Phillies 6, Cubs 0
W: Tommy Hughes (15-11) L: Joey Lothian (4-22)

17 – Well, it took the whole season, but I finally have my four-game winning streak, and a sweep of the Cubs to boot!
Phillies 10, Cubs 3
W: Rube Melton (6-13) L: Paul Troughton (1-4)
HR: Bennie Warren (5), Ed Freed (5)

Both Chicago teams (Cubs and White Sox) are eliminated on the same day, as both leaders win.

August 18-21: Philadelphia (6th, 53-74, 28 GB) at Cincinnati (8th, 46-81, 35 GB)
18 – The surprise of our 5th consecutive win was great, but the surprise after the game is what caught me off guard.
Phillies 6, Reds 3
W: Cy Blanton (10-8) L: Elmer Riddle (4-12)
HR: Ed Freed (6)

First, Cy Blanton will be out a week with a twisted ankle. Second, Rube Melton will be out 2 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. Finally, Si Johnson will be out for the season, miss the start of next season, and possibly be forced to retire due to severed knee ligaments (Final Stats: 8-9, 3.42 ERA, 3 SO). This gives me an opportunity to use my younger talents in key roles though. Jack Kraus, Dick Mauney and Johnny Podgajny take over the rotation spots. Joe Page gets called up from AAA to take Johnson’s roster spot.

19 – I had to expect this with all the injuries.
Reds 7, Phillies 0
W: Ewell Blackwell (5-4) L: Johnny Podgajny (2-9)

20 – Thank goodness for the one constant on my team: Tommy Hughes. Another 8-inning performance to write about: 7 hits, 1 earned run. He sits alone atop the leader board for wins in the NL.
Phillies 7, Reds 2
W: Tommy Hughes (16-11) L: Pat Scantlebury (1-3)
HR: Bennie Warren (6)

Danny Litwhiler pulled up lame during the game today. Later tests showed that Danny will be out for the rest of the season with a torn quadriceps muscle (Final Stats: .262, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 13 assists). Ron Northey will be called up from AAA to take his roster spot.

21 – Dick Mauney has found a permanent home in the rotation of the Philadelphia Phillies. The 22-year-old rookie from Concord, NC walked the third man he faced, then retired the next 17 in succession before giving up the only hit of the game. That’s right: a one-hit shutout in his second major league start.
Phillies 6, Reds 0
W: Dick Mauney (2-0) L: Bucky Walters (10-11)

In the American League, it’s all over but the crying, as the Yankees are running away with their 12th pennant since 1921. In the National League, it’s started to get down to the wire, as St. Louis can’t seem to find a win, because Brooklyn and New York are using them all. The Dodgers have won 8 of 10, while the Giants had pulled to within 2 games, but have since fallen back slightly.

STANDINGS AS OF AUGUST 22
23 games remaining
Green denotes eliminated

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	83-48	-
Brooklyn	80-51	3
New York	79-52	4
Pittsburgh	63-68	20
Boston		60-71	23
Chicago		56-75	27
Philadelphia	56-75	27
Cincinnati	47-84	36

AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	92-39	-
Cleveland	76-55	16
Boston		71-60	21
Chicago		62-69	30
Washington	61-70	31
Philadelphia	60-71	32
St. Louis	57-74	35
Detroit		45-86	47

RACE TO THE #1 PICK
Detroit Tigers	45-86	-
Cincinnati Reds	47-84	2

RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY
Athletics	60-71	-
Phillies	56-75	4

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Sorry for not keeping up with this with my usual speedy postings. I've been a little busy lately, but I will return soon to finish off this season and continue on through the 1940's in search of a World Series Championship!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST 22

I got a pleasant surprise today, as my good friend and co-owner Nick Stephens actually drove down from Newark to meet me in Philadelphia.
“Hey Andy! Just came to see how my majority owner is doing!”
“Nick! Good to see you, pal! What brings you to Philadelphia?”
“Well, I’m here for a little vacation. I’m starting here, going to spend the next 4 days in Chicago with you, then I’m flying down to Atlantic City to meet my cousin Vince. You remember him?”
“Yeah, I remember Vince.” Vince was a stereotypical Italian with a heavy Jersey accent. He always smelled like wine, and always had his shirt unbuttoned to show his chest hair. I hated having to remember Vince.
“Sounds like fun. You ready to go to Chicago?”
“You bet.”
As we left my office, I turned to my new secretary.
“Elizabeth, I’m taking Mr. Stephens to Chicago for the weekend. I’ll be back on Monday. You can take Saturday and Sunday off if you want to.”
“Thank you, Mr. Walsh.”
“Please, call me Andy.”

As we sat on the plane (first class all the way), Nick began to talk.
“So glad you took up my secretary idea. She’s a nice catch.”
“Yeah, she is easy on the eyes. So what exactly did you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to check in on my investment and see how we were doing this year. That little spurt we had last week probably helped us avoid last place, and now with the Cubs falling apart, we could move as high as 5th!”
“That would be something. Imagine us turning around a 100-loss team into a 5th-place team almost overnight?”
“We also have a talented farm system, so we can easily supplant the players that we’re not going to resign. I would like to establish a permanent AAA club, instead of the rental you got us from Fort Worth. Hopefully somewhere closer. You know, I’ll talk to my friends up in Utica, they’ve been wanting to move the Braves out of the Can-Am League for a few years. Maybe we can help with that.”
“Is there anything you want me to do?” I asked.
“Actually yes, there is. I need you to speak before the Philadelphia City Council.”
“What?”
“How much money are we going to make this season?”
“About $25,000. Why are you asking?”
“Andy, I want the Phillies to have their own stadium.”
“Well, I can ask the folks at the Baker Bowl to see if we can play there next season...”
He cut me off: “No Andy, I want the Phillies to have a brand new stadium.”
I had had plans for building a separate stadium for the Phillies, but this caught me aback. “Now? During wartime? Where will we get supplies? How are we going to finance this?”
“Easy, Andy, calm down. We don’t need to buy the supplies. We just need to buy the land. The stadium comes later. Just meet with the City Council after the season and get back to me with the cost of buy a plot along the Schuylkill River. There’s a whole bunch of parkland that could be ripe for the taking”
“I’ll talk with them. But how will we get the money?”
“Sell the contracting license. We take some money from the company and invest it in the team, and have enough money to hire a construction company to build a new stadium.”
“Hang on. First: don’t take money away from the company. Second: How am I going to get the City Council to sell park land to a struggling baseball team?”
“Don’t worry about that now. Wait until after the season. Tonight, let’s just enjoy Chicago!”

[PotatoOfCouch13]

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1942

With the Yankees riding high in the AL, and the NL race going down to the wire, I’ll keep you posted on any and all updates concerning the pennant race.

August 23-26: Philadelphia (6th, 56-75, 27 GB) at Chicago (6th, 56-75, 27 GB)
23 – Jack Kraus made his first Major League start, and didn’t disappoint, pitching a complete game six-hitter with only 2 walks. However, those walks were back-to-back in the bottom of the 8th inning, and two sacrifice bunts later, the Cubs had the only run of the game.
Cubs 1, Phillies 0
W: Emil Kush (5-4) L: Jack Kraus (0-1)

The Boston Braves lost, eliminating themselves from pennant contention. The top 3 NL teams all won, while the Yankees picked up a full game on the Indians (MAGIC NUMBER: 6).

24 – Johnny Pod does a fantastic job, allowing 2 runs on seven hits, and Ike Pearson needs 8 pitches to retire the side in order to record the save.
Phillies 4, Cubs 2
W: Johnny Podgajny (3-9) L: Vern Olson (5-13) SV: Ike Pearson (13)

The NL’s top 3 all won again, but Pittsburgh didn’t, so the Pirates are eliminated. The Yankees continue to win, and the Indians continue to lose, dropping the Yankees’ magic number down to 4.

25 – In an odd twist of fate, the league leader in wins faces the league leader in losses. But neither Tommy Hughes nor Joey Lothian factor into the decision, as Babe Dahlgren hits for the cycle and hammers a walk-off 2-run home run to beat the Phillies.
Cubs 7, Phillies 5
W: Emil Kush (6-4) L: Paul Masterson (2-5)

The Boston Red Sox lost leaving just the Indians able to catch the Yankees, who won again (Magic Number: 3). The Cardinals won, and both the Giants and the Dodgers lost, giving the Cards leads of 4 and 5 games, respectively.

26 – Everyone was on pins and needles to see if Dick Mauney would be able to do it again. There questions were answered early, as he gave up 5 runs in the first inning, and the Phillies get shut out.
Cubs 7, Phillies 0
W: Shaun Hale (9-11) L: Dick Mauney (2-1)

The Yankees won their fifth straight, cutting their magic number to 2. The Cardinals won and both New York teams lost, so the Cards pick up another game. We host St. Louis at Shibe Park, while the Giants host the Dodgers in a make-or-break series.

August 27-30: Philadelphia () at St. Louis ()
27 – A late inning tie forces extra-innings, where the Phillies prevail thanks to a walk-off single by Bobby Bragan.
Phillies 3, Cardinals 2 (10)
W: Ike Pearson (2-1) L: Art Lopatka (0-3)

The Giants beat the Dodgers 4-3, moving them into a tie with said Dodgers 5 games behind St. Louis.

A Cleveland loss coupled with a Yankee win confirms the obvious:

THE NEW YORK YANKEES ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

This is the Yankees’ 2nd consecutive pennant, their 6th in seven years, and 13th in 21 years.

28 – Joe Page’s first two innings of relief are outstanding, allowing the Phillies to come back and take the lead. In his third, he gives up the tying runs, but the offense saves the day with their second consecutive walk-off win. The win also clinches the Phillies’ first winning month since we bought the team.
Phillies 8, Cardinals 7
W: Joe Page (1-0) L: Howie Krist (7-4)

The Dodgers beat the Giants 8-3, pulling themselves to within 4 games of the Cardinals with 17 games to play. The Giants sit 5 behind the leaders.

29 – Chuck Klein’s 18th home run of the season is not enough for the Phillies to overtake the Cardinals again, thanks to Lon Warneke’s complete game.
Cardinals 4, Phillies 2
W: Lon Warneke (14-4) L: Tommy Hughes (16-12)
HR: Chuck Klein (18)

The Dodgers won their second straight, 5-4, over the Giants, keeping them 4 games back, while the Giants fall to 6 back.

30 – Dick Mauney continues to impress, going the distance for the victory. This means that the Phillies split the season series with the Cardinals (11-11).
Phillies 5, Cardinals 3
W: Dick Mauney (3-1) L: Howie Pollet (8-10)

The Dodgers beat the Giants for the 3rd straight day, 5-4, putting them 3 behind the NL-leading Cardinals. The Giants’ loss keeps them 6 back with 15 to play. The Giants come to Philly for four games, while the Dodgers host the 6th-place Braves, and the Cardinals host the struggling Pirates.

August 31 – September 3: New York (3rd, 82-57, 6 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 60-79, 28 GB)
31 – Cy Blanton makes his return to the rotation, and pitches a complete-game gem, allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits in a winning effort.
Phillies 3, Giants 2
W: Cy Blanton (11-8) L: Denny Galehouse (14-9)

21-year-old Stan Musial is practically trying to will his team to the pennant. The Cardinals outfielder is hitting .500 (15/30) over his last 10 games, including his 18th home run in today’s victory. The Dodgers lost, increasing the Cardinals’ lead to 4 games with 14 to play.

1 – Once again, my manager (Hans Lobert) leaves a starter (Johnny Pod) in to try and get a complete game, but it backfires, when my opponent (the Giants) scores runs (3), causing my team to trail (and ultimately lose). On a brighter note, September call-ups were made. The complete list is posted below, but one Gil Hodges made his Major League debut today, popping out to end the game with the tying run on second.
Giants 5, Phillies 4
W: Ken Trinkle (2-2) L: Johnny Podgajny (3-10) SV: Hoyt Wilhelm (21)

Both the Cardinals and Dodgers win, keeping the deficit at 4 games with 13 to play. These Cardinals will certainly have to work for their pennant: they have the Dodgers in penultimate series and the Giants (7 GB) in the final one.

SEPTEMBER 1 CALLUPS
OF Danny Litwhiler (84) [19] - .262, 14, 61 for Philadelphia
OF Johnny Blatnik (64/93) - .326, 9, 76 in 2 stops (AA-AAA)
C Andy Seminick (70/93) - .290, 7, 81 in 2 stops (AA-AAA)
1B Gil Hodges (69/92) - .383, 8, 60 since Draft Day (6/5)
3B Billy Johnson (64/76) - 5/12, 5 RBI for NYY in 1942
OF Earl Naylor (71/93) - 11/15 SB % in minors
SS Ralph LaPointe (64/88) - .326, 1, 38 at AA Trenton
2B Ray Hamrick (66/80) - .977 fielder at AAA Fort Worth
C Benny Culp (68/70) - 28 year old lifer looking for first game

SP Si Johnson (73) [242] - 8-9, 3.42 with Philadelphia (NL)
SP Charlie Ripple (64/90) - 13-6, 3.70 ERA in 4 stops (R-AAA)
RP Dale Matthewson (66/78) - 3-1, 2.77 ERA in over 100 IP
SP Jocko Thompson (65/84) - 6-4, 3.30 ERA in 2 stops (AA-AAA)
SP Gene Lambert (66/84) - 2-6, 4.32 at AAA Fort Worth
SP Charlie Sproull (63/85) - 8-3, 2.94 ERA in 3 stops (A-AAA)

2 – It was a match-up to die for: 16-12 Hal Schumacher vs. 16-12 Tommy Hughes. Hughes, however, didn’t live up to his end of the bargain, allowing 6 runs over 7 innings.
Giants 9, Phillies 3
W: Hal Schumacher (17-12) L: Tommy Hughes (16-13)
HR: Ron Northey (1)

A strange double whammy after the game: 1B Ed Murphy will be out for the season with a broken wrist (final stats: .273, 3 HR, 28 RBI). Joining him, Bobby Bragan will be out for the season after suffering a sprained finger (final stats: .258, 2 HR, 24 RBI).

All 3 of the top NL teams won, keeping them the same distance apart with only 12 games to play.

3 – Late-season call-up and August surprise Dick Mauney keeps it rolling into September, striking out 9 Giants on the way to an 8-inning, 2-hit performance. Ike Pearson nailed down the save.
Phillies 2, Giants 0
W: Dick Mauney (4-1) L: Cliff Melton (13-13) SV: Ike Pearson (14)

The Dodgers win, but the Cardinals lose, so the Dodgers move up a game (3 GB), but the Giants stand pat (7 GB). The Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh next, the Dodgers square off against the Braves in Boston, and we travel to the Polo Grounds to face the Giants.

September 4: Off Day

September 5-7: Philadelphia (7th, 62-81, 29 GB) at New York (3rd, 84-59, 7 GB)
5 – A 13-inning marathon where we just ran out of good pitchers to throw at them (read: Manager Lobert used the wrong guy).
Giants 3, Phillies 2
W: Ace Adams (13-6) L: Izzy Leon (0-2)

Both the Dodgers and the Cardinals lost, pulling the Giants to within 6 games of the lead with 10 to play. It’s not impossible...

6 – Chuck Klein’s home run did more than enough to support Tommy Hughes, who bounces back with an outstanding 8-inning, 5-hit, 1-run performance.
Phillies 5, Giants 1
W: Tommy Hughes (17-13) L: Van Mungo (10-10)
HR: Chuck Klein (19)

The Cardinals lost, but the Dodgers won, pulling the Bums to 2 games out of first place.

7 – Joe Page’s 3 scoreless innings of relief are rewarded as the team rallies for an 8th-inning run to give the Fireman the win.
Phillies 4, Giants 3
W: Joe Page (2-0) L: Hal Schumacher (17-13)

Both the Cardinals and the Dodgers lose, freezing the standings.

With 8 games remaining, here’s how the National League stands:

TEAM			GB	REMAINING SCHEDULE
St. Louis Cardinals	-	4 vs BRO, 4 at NYG
Brooklyn Dodgers	2 GB	4 at STL, 4 at CHC
New York Giants		6 GB	4 at CHC, 4 vs STL

It's conceivable that the pennant could come down to the last pitch of the season! The only thing more exciting would be if the Phillies were actually in this race.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

SEPTEMBER 1942
PART II: The End of the Season
I got a call from Nick, saying that he was going to stay in Atlantic City until next week, when he’ll meet me here for the season finale. I told him not to lose all his money, but he laughed me off and claimed he was in the middle of a ‘business’ meeting. I was puzzled but wished him well.

September 8-11: Philadelphia (6th, 64-82, 27 GB) at Cincinnati (8th, 57-89, 34 GB)
8 - Despite Billy Johnson going 4 for 5, Paul Masterson blows another game, giving up a pinch-hit 3-run home run to Ernie Koy.
Reds 7, Phillies 5
W: Bucky Walters (13-11) L: Paul Masterson (2-6) SV: Walker Cress (10)

The Giants beat the Cubs 10-3, but don’t make up ground as the Cardinals beat the Dodgers 5-3, dropping the Dodgers to 3 games back with 7 to play.

Dick Mauney broke his hand receiving too many high-fives and congratulatory handshakes, so he’s out for the season (final stats: 4-1, 2.68 ERA, .241 BAA).

9 – Elmer Riddle twirls a three-hit shutout, as the Phillies are blanked for the 11th time this season.
Reds 1, Phillies 0
W: Elmer Riddle (6-14) L: Cy Blanton (11-9)

A Giants loss and a Cardinals win eliminates the Giants from pennant contention. The Dodgers now are 4 back of the Cardinals with 6 to play. The only hope for the Bums is to win their next two in St. Louis, and hope that New York doesn’t give up against these same Cardinals. CARDINALS’ MAGIC NUMBER: 3.

10 – Tommy Hughes allows 0 earned over seven innings, but a Turkey Tyson home run isn’t enough to stop the Reds from taking 3 straight from us.
Reds 2, Phillies 1
W: Ewell Blackwell (7-6) L: Tommy Hughes (17-14)

St. Louis beats Brooklyn again. The Cardinals have a chance to clinch the pennant tomorrow in St. Louis

11 – I don’t want to talk about just getting swept by the last place Reds.
Reds 8, Phillies 5
W: Junior Thompson (3-8) L: Rube Melton (6-14) SV: Joe Beggs (6)
HR: Bennie Warren (8)

The Dodgers stave off elimination with a big win. However, if they are to win the pennant, they can’t drop a game to Chicago, and have to hope that the Giants sweep the Cardinals. If that happens, there would be a playoff.
September 12: Off Day

September 13-16: Pittsburgh (4th, 71-79, 23 GB) at Philadelphia (7th, 64-86, 30 GB)
13 – Don’t want to talk about it.
Pirates 10, Phillies 3
W: Max Butcher (12-9) L: Johnny Podgajny (3-11)

The Dodgers beat the Cubs, and the Giants beat the Cardinals, cutting the lead to 3 games with 3 to play.

14 – I’ll talk about this one: every starter gets a hit, and Cy Blanton throws a six-hit complete game, as the Phillies lock up 7th place.
Phillies 8, Pirates 1
W: Cy Blanton (12-9) L: Johnny Lanning (6-10)

The Cardinals finally beat the Giants today. The Dodgers knew the outcome before they stepped onto the field:

THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS ARE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

This is their first pennant since 1934, and their 6th overall.

15 – With nothing but individual titles now on the line, Tommy Hughes makes one last stab at a share of the Wins title. He notches his 18th with 8 innings of four-hit shutout ball.
Phillies 2, Pirates 0
W: Tommy Hughes (18-14) L: Ken Heintzelman (6-7) SV: Ike Pearson (15)

16 – Tonight’s theme might as well have been ‘The Future is Now’. Lobert, in his final game as manager (I made sure he knew that), started all of our top prospects, including Andy Seminick, Ron Northey, Ralph LaPointe, and Gil Hodges, with Chuck Klein. Charlie Ripple got to make his Major League debut as the starter. In the end, however, it was Paul Masterson, who’s been with the team all year, who blew the game for us.
Pirates 5, Phillies 3
W: Nick Strincevich (8-4) L: Paul Masterson (2-7) SV: Diomedes Olivo (21)

SEASON OVER

[Overbay17]

Congratulations on meeting the goal of not losing 100 games. Hopefully more improvement to follow next year. Hope you get that stadium land. And, in the meantime, hoping the Cardinals manage to pull out a World Series Title, but not betting on it.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 SEASON REVIEW

STANDINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis	95-59	-
Brooklyn	91-63	4
New York	91-63	4
Pittsburgh	73-81	22
Boston		69-85	26
Chicago		69-85	26
Philadelphia	66-88	29
Cincinnati	62-92	33
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	106-48	-
Boston		92-62	14
Cleveland	92-62	14
Washington	72-82	34
Philadelphia	70-84	36
St. Louis	65-89	41
Chicago		64-90	42
Detroit		55-99	51

RACE TO THE #1 PICK
Detroit Tigers		-
Cincinnati Reds		7
Chicago White Sox	9
St. Louis Browns	10
Philadelphia Phillies	11

Detroit will pick first in 1943. The Phillies will pick 5th.

RACE FOR CITY SUPREMACY
Athletics	70-84	-
Phillies	66-88	4

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
Northey, Ron              PHI   24  .352    71   25   6   1   1   12   12    1   0   10    9  .507  .452
Johnson, Billy            PHI    9  .324    34   11   3   1   0    5    2    0   0    4    8  .471  .415
Waner, Lloyd              PHI  129  .308   234   72   7   4   0   19   21    3   1   24   39  .372  .357
Klein, Chuck              PHI  148  .288   483  139  35   5  19   41   54    6   1   76   85  .499  .348
Tyson, Turkey             PHI   50  .282   103   29   3   1   1   10    8    1   1   15   14  .359  .342
Freed, Ed                 PHI  144  .276   548  151  34   3   6   63   61   15   6   85   57  .381  .356
Murphy, Ed                PHI   69  .273   205   56  13   0   3   25   25    2   1   29   28  .380  .359
Murtaugh, Danny           PHI  131  .271   451  122  31   1   0   38   51   10   8   43   44  .344  .325
Litwhiler, Danny          PHI  123  .262   423  111  26   4  14   41   37    1   0   59   61  .442  .330
Bragan, Bobby             PHI   92  .258   229   59   9   1   2   14   27    5   0   21   24  .332  .299
Marnie, Harry             PHI  132  .242   364   88  13   2   0   24   34    4   1   46   29  .288  .285
May, Pinky                PHI  150  .236   572  135  34   2   1   52   57    2   1   69   41  .308  .302
LaForest, Ty              PHI    7  .233    30    7   3   0   0    1    7    0   0    3    4  .333  .250
Livingston, Mickey        PHI   61  .222   117   26   6   0   1    7   14    1   0   11   11  .299  .272
Mauney, Dick              PHI    5  .214    14    3   1   0   0    0    4    0   0    1    2  .286  .214
Warren, Bennie            PHI  137  .209   440   92  19   2   8   56   49    1   1   44   44  .316  .300
Benjamin, Stan            PHI   82  .208   154   32   7   3   0    9   19    4   3   18   11  .292  .250
Kraus, Jack               PHI    7  .200     5    1   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .200  .200
Glossop, Al               PHI   39  .195    41    8   2   0   0    4    4    0   0    5    4  .244  .267
Johnson, Si               PHI   32  .162    74   12   0   0   0    1   16    0   0    3    5  .162  .173
Melton, Rube              PHI   29  .159    69   11   2   0   0    1   20    0   1    6    6  .188  .171
Blanton, Cy               PHI   30  .139    79   11   0   0   0    1   22    0   0    5    3  .139  .150
Hughes, Tommy             PHI   39  .129    93   12   1   0   0    9   26    0   0    6    5  .140  .206
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI   29  .111    36    4   0   1   0    2    9    0   0    0    1  .167  .158
Hodges, Gil               PHI    4  .000     7    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
LaPointe, Ralph           PHI    4  .000     4    0   0   0   0    1    2    0   0    1    0  .000  .200
Seminick, Andy            PHI    1  .000     4    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Blatnik, Johnny           PHI    3  .000     8    0   0   0   0    3    1    0   0    1    0  .000  .273
Ripple, Charlie           PHI    2  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Gerheauser, Al            PHI    6  .000     6    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Masterson, Paul           PHI   41  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Page, Joe                 PHI    6  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

PITCHING

1942 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Pearson, Ike              PHI   25.1  2.13   22   0   2   1  15    8   10  8.17
Kraus, Jack               PHI   20.1  2.21    7   2   0   1   0    2   10 12.84
Mauney, Dick              PHI   37.0  2.68    5   5   4   1   0   21   11  9.97
Hughes, Tommy             PHI  290.1  3.13   39  39  18  14   0  129  131 12.31
Johnson, Si               PHI  228.2  3.42   32  32   8   9   0  105   61 11.85
Blanton, Cy               PHI  229.2  3.88   30  29  12   9   0  116   65 12.46
Ripple, Charlie           PHI    9.0  4.00    2   1   0   0   0    8    2 12.00
Johnson, Johnny           PHI    4.0  4.50    3   0   0   0   1    3    1 11.25
Melton, Rube              PHI  197.2  4.60   29  29   6  14   0  103  138 15.57
Podgajny, Johnny          PHI  135.2  4.91   29  15   3  11   0   50   54 14.86
Leon, Izzy                PHI    3.2  4.91    4   0   0   2   0    1    3 22.09
Page, Joe                 PHI   12.0  6.75    6   0   2   0   0    5   10 18.00
Masterson, Paul           PHI   51.1  6.84   41   0   2   7   1   32   27 17.18
Gerheauser, Al            PHI   22.0  9.41    6   2   0   1   0    6   16 20.86

LEAGUE LEADERS

NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Stan Musial (STL)		.348
HR - Johnny Mize (NYG)		29
RBI - Johnny Mize (NYG)		128
SB - Billy Werber (NYG)		23
W - Hal Schumacher (NYG)	18
    Tommy Hughes (PHI)		18
ERA - Paul Derringer (BRO)	2.82
      Max Butcher (PIT)		2.82
K - Johnny Vander Meer (BRO)	161
SV - Hoyt Wilhelm (NYG)		22
				
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS		
AVG - Ted Williams (BOS)	.346
HR - Ted Williams (BOS)		41
RBI - Ted Williams (BOS)	125
SB - George Case (WSH)		29
W - Red Ruffing (NYY)		21
ERA - Tex Hughson (BOS)		2.77
K - Red Ruffing (NYY)		147
SV - Tom Ferrick (CLE)		22

MILESTONES

8/5: OF Mel Ott (NYG): 2500th Hit
8/17: 1B Joe Kuhel (CHW): 1000th Run
8/21: 2B Billy Herman (BRO): 2000th Hit
8/25: 1B Babe Dahlgren (CHC): Hit for the Cycle
8/29: OF Bob Johnson (NYG): 1000th Run
9/9: 2B Billy Herman (BRO): 1000th Run

MAJOR INJURIES
8/3: OF Joe Medwick (BRO) out 2 weeks with a sprained back.
8/5: 3B Ken Keltner (CLE) out 5 weeks with a broken collarbone.
8/8: SP Dizzy Trout (DET) out 2 weeks with a sprained finger.
8/11: SP Ken Chase (CHW) out for the season with a broken ankle. (Final Stats: 9-12, 4.94 ERA for Boston (AL) and Chicago (AL))
8/17: SP Carl Hubbell (NYG) out 4 weeks with ruptured knee ligaments.
8/18: C Walker Cooper (STL) out 3 weeks with a sprained back.
8/20: SP Tommy Bridges (DET) out 2 weeks with a broken finger.
8/20: SP Harry Gumbert (STL) out 2 weeks with a stretched ankle ligament.
8/26: OF Tommy Henrich (NYY) out for the season with a broken ankle. (Final Stats: .328, 27 HR, 108 RBI)
8/29: CF Barney McCosky (DET) out for the season with a torn quadriceps muscle. (Final Stats: .333, 5 HR, 59 RBI)
8/31: SP Mort Cooper (STL) out 2 weeks with a sprained back.
9/3: SP Paul Derringer (BRO) out for the season with a broken finger.
(Final Stats: 11-14, 2.82 ERA, 4 CG)
9/7: SS Joe Cronin (BOS) out for the season with a broken foot.
(Final Stats: .301, 8 HR, 77 RBI)
9/7: SP Lon Warneke (STL) out for the season with a spiked achilles tendon. (Final Stats: 15-5, 3.25 ERA, 9 CG)
9/10: C Walker Cooper (STL) out for the season spiked achilles tendon. (Final Stats: .328, 15 HR, 104 RBI)
9/11: C Bill Dickey (NYY) out for the season with broken neck vertebra. (Final Stats: .335, 19 HR, 111 RBI)

NOTABLE RETIREMENTS
None

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

1942 AL CHAMPION NEW YORK YANKEES
C Aaron Robinson - .184, 1 HR, 5 RBI
1B Buddy Hassett - .288, 2 HR, 71 RBI
2B Joe Gordon - .272, 14 HR, 94 RBI
3B Harlond Clift - .300, 8 HR, 67 RBI
SS Phil Rizzuto - .300, 3 HR, 58 RBI
LF Charlie Keller - .302, 26 HR, 115 RBI
CF Joe DiMaggio - .323, 14 HR, 116 RBI
RF George Selkirk - .269, 1 HR, 21 RBI

SP1 Lefty Gomez - 19-6, 3.73 ERA, 135 K
SP2 Red Ruffing - 21-7, 3.33 ERA, 147 K
SP3 Tiny Bonham - 12-3, 3.81 ERA, 78 K
CL Johnny Murphy - 1-3, 1.88 ERA, 16 SV

KEY INJURIES:
C Bill Dickey
RF Tommy Henrich

The Yankees look to ride their dominant season to another World Championship. The losses of Dickey and Henrich hurt a lot, but look for the pitching staff to pick up as much slack as possible, and the 1-2 punch of Keller and DiMaggio can never be overlooked.

1942 NL CHAMPION ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
C Ken O'Dea - .268, 2 HR, 16 RBI
1B Johnny Hopp - .290, 8 HR, 65 RBI
2B Creepy Crespi - .295, 2 HR, 61 RBI
3B Jimmy Brown - .272, 1 HR, 58 RBI
SS Marty Marion - .272, 1 HR, 59 RBI
LF Stan Musial - .348, 21 HR, 127 RBI
CF Terry Moore - .301, 8 HR, 49 RBI
RF Enos Slaughter - .282, 11 HR, 63 RBI

SP1 Mort Cooper - 16-4, 3.21 ERA, 121 K
SP2 Harry Gumbert - 9-9, 3.93 ERA, 60 K
SP3 Bill Lohrman - 13-4, 3.34 ERA, 77 K
CL Max Lanier - 4-4, 3.02 ERA, 9 SV

KEY INJURIES:
SP Lon Warneke
C Walker Cooper
1B Ray Sanders (will return after game 1)

The Cardinals don't pack as much pop as much as the Yankees but they win in the old-fashioned manner: pitching and defense. 21-year-old rookie turned NL batting champ Stan Musial spearheads the offensive attack.

MY PREDICTION:
Yankees in 6
MVP - Joe DiMaggio

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Congratulations on meeting the goal of not losing 100 games. Hopefully more improvement to follow next year. Hope you get that stadium land. And, in the meantime, hoping the Cardinals manage to pull out a World Series Title, but not betting on it.

I second everything you said.

Thanks for reading!

World Series Game 1 coming up today!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 WORLD SERIES
GAME 1

We arrived at Yankee Stadium about 2 hours before the first pitch was scheduled. Nick brought a baseball out on the field with him, so we tossed it around while the players were warming up. It was intimidating to be walking on the field at Yankee Stadium. Just standing there and thinking about Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and all the great ones that played at Yankee Stadium gave me goosebumps, and I’m not even a player.

The first pitch would be thrown out by 4 men: the Hall of Fame Class of 1942.

Rogers Hornsby
National League batting champion 7 years – 1920 to 1925; 1928. Lifetime batting average .358 highest in NL history. Hit .424 in 1924, 20th century Major League record. Manager 1926 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. MVP in 1925 and 1929.

Harry Heilmann
Right-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman, won American League batting championship 4 times: 1921, 1923, 1925, and 1927. In 1923, batted .403. Collected 2660 hits and 183 home runs in 2146 Major League games. Had lifetime batting average of .342 and fielding mark of .975.

Frankie Frisch
Jumped from college to the Majors, the “Fordham Flash” was an outstanding infielder, base-runner, and batter. Had a lifetime batting mark of .316. Holds many records. Played in 50 World Series games. Managed St. Louis from 1933 through 1938 and won World Series in 1934. Current manager of Pittsburgh (1940 – 1942)

Bill Terry
Batted .401 and tied NL record for base hits with 254 in 1930. Made 200 or more hits in six seasons. Retired with lifetime batting average of .341, a modern NL record for left-handed batters. 1930 NL MVP. Succeeded John McGraw as manager in 1932 and won pennants in 1933, 1936, and 1937

Every one of them is deserving of that honor.

The game started out as a pitcher’s duel, but the Yankees loaded the bases in the second, and proceeded to score 4 runs. That was all they would need, as Lefty Gomez kept the Cardinals off balance all day.
Yankees 4, Cardinals 1 (Yankees lead series, 1-0)
W: Lefty Gomez L: Mort Cooper

MVP: P Lefty Gomez (NYY) – CG, 1 ER, 5 H, 6 K (W)
LVP: STL 1-5 hitters – combined 1-19 (hitless until 9th inning)

Game 2 is tomorrow at Yankee Stadium again, and there are rumors floating that the great Babe Ruth will be here tomorrow!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 WORLD SERIES
GAME 2

Another beautiful day in the Bronx, as Yankee fans went to the stadium in droves to cheer on their team. Also in attendance was the immortal Babe Ruth, who happily strode out to the pitcher’s mound and fired a strike for the best first pitch I’ve ever seen.

The game started with AL Wins Leader Red Ruffing getting hammered. No matter where he threw the ball, the Cardinals hit it hard. After allowing a first-inning run, the Yankees seemed to settle down, and soon the Cards starting hitting lasers right at the Yankee fielders. In the Yankee second, Joe Gordon lashed a single to right, and tried to stretch it into a double. A good throw by Enos Slaughter cut him down, a mistake magnified by the next batter, George Selkirk, who blasted a home run. Yankees fans wondered if Gordon’s baserunning mistake would cost their team.

Their thoughts were later shelved, however as in the third inning, the Bronx Bombers scored three more times, twice on a Charlie Keller HR. Both teams’ pitchers proceeded to shut down the batters through the 6th inning: Yankees 4, Cardinals 1 after 6 innings.

In the seventh, a Stan Musial groundout scored a runner from third, cutting the lead to two. The Yankees managed to put a runner on third base, but couldn’t get him home. The Cards went in order in the 8th, while the Yankees again left a runner stranded at third.

In a move that will be questioned for years, Yankee manager Joe McCarthy brought in Norm Branch instead of relief ace Johnny Murphy. The first man reached on an error, and Terry Moore followed with a home run, tying the game at 4 and forcing extra innings. Yankees 4, Cardinals 4 after 9 innings.

In the 10th, Branch started the inning, but couldn’t retire either of the two men he faced, and was lifted in favor of old friend Lefty Hoerst. Lefty allowed the two runs to score, and the Yankees were stopped by a borderline third strike called against Keller with DiMaggio waiting on deck. Cardinals 6, Yankees 4 (10)
(Series tied, 1-1)
W: Max Lanier L: Norm Branch SV: Art Lopatka
HR: George Selkirk, Charlie Keller, Terry Moore

MVP: CF Terry Moore (STL) – 3-5, BB, 3 R, HR 2 RBI, SB
LVP: CF Joe DiMaggio (NYY) – 0-4, K (0-8 in the series)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 WORLD SERIES
GAME 3

It is said that postseason baseball makes heroes out of the unlikeliest sources. This series is no different, while the big stars like Joe DiMaggio and Stan Musial (2-17 combined, Joe D hitless) are struggling mightily, the lesser known players like Marty Marion (5-9, RBI) and George Selkirk (3-8, HR) are shining brightly. However it is also said that the biggest players make the biggest plays in the biggest games: so we’ll see which old adage holds true during Game 3 tonight in St. Louis.

The game started, and the stars had the upper hand: Phil Rizzuto walked, stole second, and scored on Joe DiMaggio’s first hit of the series: a double. The Cardinals would answer in the second, with a walk and two singles. After that, both Bill Lohrman and Tiny Bonham clamped it on, and there was only one difference in the stat line come the end of the fifth inning:

    R H E
NYY 1 2 1
STL 1 2 0

The Cardinals struck again in the 6th, with back-to-back RBI hits by Enos Slaughter and Stan Musial, but the Yankees countered right back, with home runs by Joe DiMaggio and Aaron Robinson accounting for 3 runs, putting the Bombers back on top after 7: Yankees 4, Cardinals 3.

The 8th inning would be the Yankees’ demise, however. 2 errors, a few sacrifice bunts and another Musial RBI single produced 2 runs, and gave the lead back to the Cardinals, where it would stay when Art Lopatka retired the side in order in the ninth inning. Cardinals 5, Yankees 4. (Cardinals lead series, 2-1)
W: Max Lanier (2) L: Tiny Bonham SV: Art Lopatka (2)
HR: Joe DiMaggio, Aaron Robinson

MVP: LF Stan Musial (STL): 2-4, 2 RBI
LVP: 3B Harlond Clift and LF Charlie Keller (NYY): 0-8 combined

[PotatoOfCouch13]

1942 WORLD SERIES
GAME 4

With the Cardinals leading the series 2-1, and with two games still to play at Sportsman’s Park, the spirits were high in St. Louis. However, Game 4 would be a pitching rematch of Game 1, and Lefty Gomez looked ready to duplicate his efforts in order to get the series back to New York.

You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you know you’re watching something special unfold? Well, that was the feeling today. Baseball purists everywhere were rejoicing over this game. Lefty Gomez was phenomenal. Mort Cooper was every bit as good, but made two crucial errors: back-to-back home runs for Harlond Clift and Charlie Keller. The Yankees had already scored a run in the second, but the 2 homers would be the first, second, and only hits the Yanks would get. As for Gomez, he limited the Cardinals to 1 hit for 7 innings, allowing another in the eight before giving the ball to Norm Branch, who closed the door. Yankees 3, Cardinals 0 (Series tied, 2-2)
W: Lefty Gomez (2) L: Mort Cooper (2) SV: Norm Branch
HR: Harlond Clift, Charlie Keller (2)

MVP: SP Lefty Gomez (NYY): 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K
LVP: STL 3-8 hitters: 0-19, 5 K