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

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MAY 15

I was getting final preparations for the team’s return to Philadelphia after their series with the Giants, when I received an urgent phone call from Ford Frick.
“Andrew, this is NL President Ford Frick. I don’t have a lot of time, and quite frankly neither do you.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Frick?”
“Andrew, Judge Landis has been moved to the emergency room of his Chicago hospital. He’s not doing well at all. The outlook is bleak, at best. I’m calling to summon you to New York City tomorrow, so the National League can formulate its own contingency plan should the commissioner pass.”
So instead of relaxing here in Philadelphia, I’d have to drive 3 hours to New York and attend meetings all day. Perfect.

*****

Before I could leave the office, I had to wait out the rest of the day. Around 3 PM, a middle-aged man walked into the office and patiently waited for me to finish pretending like I had something to do.
“Can I help you, sir?”
“I certainly hope you can. My name is Richard Zimmerman.”
“Nice to meet you, Richard. Please have a seat. Now, what exactly are you here for?”
“Well, Mr. Walsh, I...you don’t mind if I call you Andy, do you? Andy, I’ve got a proposition to make. It seems that I’ve wanted to own a baseball club for sometime now. Now I’ll level with you, you weren’t my first choice but it is an appealing prospect. Now, I’m willing to offer you $500,000 for the ownership rights to the Phillies. I’ll just need you to sign here and...”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa: you want me to sell you the Phillies?”
“Yes sirree, Andy, and at a bargain price. I know that you’ve been having some financial troubles and this will be a great opportunity for you to get out while you still can.”
“Wait, financial troubles? The team made over $25K last season, and we’re on pace to make even more this year. We continue to outdraw the Athletics in their stadium, and the team is competing despite their young age. I’m sorry Mr. Zimmerman, but the Phillies are not for sale.”
“Please? I mean, the team stinks.”
“Mr. Zimmerman, before I call security, the team is not for sale. Good day to you, sir!”
“Alright, I’m leaving, but you ain’t heard the last of me. He who laughs last, laughs best”, and he turned and walked out the door.
Boy, if I had a nickel for every time that happened, I’d be about 5 cents richer. Who in their right mind would willingly want...oh wait, I did. Oops.

OOC: Just waiting for BBM09 to come out. Trying to stall before getting it, but will probably get through the draft with 08 before starting play with 09.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Just before I continue, I'd like to let everyone know I switched to BBM2009 (v11.04).

Also, a trade went down.
New York Giants receive:
CF Vince DiMaggio (85) - .253, 4 HR, 14 RBI
Philadelphia Athletics receive:
RP Mike Budnick (66/80)
RP Mickey McGowan (64/75)
RP John Carden (64/80)
Looks like Connie Mack is starting to shed payroll. He might be in real financial trouble. I wonder if he's looking for cash...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MAY 16

The meeting was uneventful, as anticipated. It was just to establish an emergency plan in case the commissioner should be incapacitated. However, I did speak to several other owners, and every last one of them said that this Zimmerman character had asked them to sell their teams. I thought this was odd, so I made a mental note about it.

I made the long drive back and met with Bucky Harris. It seems that the manager I hired doesn’t deal with losing too well. I had to convince him to stay through the All-Star break. Hopefully that’s enough time for the kids to turn this around.

I also got a postcard from Nick today. Turns out he’s touring the African savannah until May 24, then flying to Tibet to meet with monks or something. At least he’s having fun.

Anyways, after the needed day off, the boys come back home for a series with the Dodgers.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

MAY 1943
PART II

With the team mired in 7th place, most fans and pundits agree that we’ll need a miracle to win this year’s pennant. I’m inclined to agree with them. I knew this year would be rough, and I figure that the next 2 years will also be a struggle. However, I still think we can make a run at finishing in the first division this year. If the hitters can start hitting and the pitchers can start pitching, then maybe we do have a shot at the pennant. But let’s just take it one game at a time from here on out.

However, we will make some changes. The lineup as a whole is struggling, primarily Chuck Klein. I’ll put him on the bench so Ron Northey and Earl Naylor can get solid playing time. Here is the new batting order.

SS Phil Rizzuto
2B Danny Murtaugh
3B Pinky May
LF Danny Litwhiler
1B Gil Hodges
C Andy Seminick
RF Ron Northey
CF Earl Naylor

4 rookies and only 1 player over 26 years old. Yikes.

May 17-20: Brooklyn Dodgers (28-15, 1st, 1 GA) at Philadelphia Phillies (15-28, T-7th, 13 GB)

17 – The Phillies score 6 times in the first three innings, as Jack Kraus pitches 8 strong while allowing only 1 run, and the Phillies coast to a victory.
Phillies 6, Dodgers 1
W: Jack Kraus (5-6) L: Kirby Higbe (2-1)

18 – The Dodgers jump out to an early 3-0 lead, and add plenty of insurance as they roll to an easy victory.
Dodgers 7, Phillies 2
W: Paul Derringer (6-3) L: Gene Lambert (1-3)

19 – Andy Seminick goes 3-3 with a home run and 4 RBI in support of Dick Mauney, who lowers his ERA to a team-best 3.17 with only 2 earned over 6 innings.
Phillies 8, Dodgers 3
W: Dick Mauney (4-2) L: Johnny Vander Meer (1-6)
HR: Andy Seminick (5)

20 – Johnny Podgajny goes the distance, allowing only 1 run, and the Phillies push the winning run across in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Phillies 2, Dodgers 1
W: Johnny Podgajny (2-6) L: Max Macon (0-1)

May 21-23: Philadelphia Phillies (18-29, 7th, 12 GB) at Boston Braves (20-27, 6th, 10 GB)

21 – Jack Kraus twirls a beautiful four-hit shutout, and Pinky May goes 3-4 with an RBI, as the Phillies win their third straight game.
Phillies 2, Braves 0
W: Jack Kraus (6-6) L: Jim Tobin (4-5)

22 – Despite 2 Phillies home runs and a 9-inning effort put forth by Gene Lambert, the game goes into extra innings, where crucial errors by Phil Rizzuto cost the Phillies the game.
Braves 4, Phillies 3
W: Elmer Singleton (1-0) L: Hugh Casey (1-1)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (6), Andy Seminick (6)

23 – Despite losing a 5-1 lead in the span of an inning, the Phillies fight back to score 2 in their next at bat, giving them the hard-earned victory.
Phillies 7, Braves 6
W: Joe Page (2-0) L: Dave Odom (1-1) SV: Emil Kush (2)
HR: Ron Northey

May 24-27: New York Giants (31-19, T-1st, 1 GA) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-30, 7th, 11 GB)

24 – I guess 2 consecutive great outings were too much to ask of Johnny Pod. He implodes in the 6th and 7th and the offense is unable to react.
Giants 8, Phillies 5
W: Van Mungo (6-5) L: Johnny Podgajny (2-7) SV: Ace Adams (4)
HR: Chuck Klein (5)

25 – A 13-inning marathon ends with a Johnny Mize home run, but there isn’t a whole lot to complain about. Tommy Hughes returned from injury and went 9 solid innings for us.
Giants 5, Phillies 4 (13)
W: Hoyt Wilhelm (4-2) L: Emil Kush (1-3)

26 – Jack Kraus and Ed Hanyzewski combine for a 3-hit shutout, and the offense explodes for 8 runs, as the Phillies roll.
Phillies 8, Giants 0
W: Jack Kraus (7-6) L: Hal Schumacher (7-2)
HR: Andy Seminick (7)

27 – Carl Hubbell 3-hits us for a complete game shutout. Wow.
Giants 2, Phillies 0
W: Carl Hubbell (6-3) L: Dick Mauney (4-3)

May 28: Day Off

[3RunHomer]

then flying to Tibet to meet with monks or something

Maybe he'll bring back Sidd Finch to pitch for your team!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3RunHomer: We certainly could use him!

MAY 28

I love these days off. It allows me to handle all the front office business that I can’t deal with on game days. It allows me to sit down and just think.

Mainly I think about the team. I think about all the things that we’ve accomplished in our 14 months of owning a ball club. I thought about buying the land to make a new stadium. I thought about Gil Hodges, Andy Seminick, and Ron Northey. I thought long and hard about what I could do to make this team a champion.

I thought about the past: Grover Alexander, Gaavy Cravath and the 1915 pennant-winning Phillies. I thought about the Baker Bowl, and the early days, when the team was managed by George Wright.

I came to this reasoning. The window for a championship will be open for a long time: my core players are all in their early to mid-twenties. This is one advantage we have over the competition. However, we don’t have that dominant starting pitcher that can simply overpower the opposition. Tommy Hughes is nice, but he’ll probably only be a second option long term. If only there was such a pitcher in this season’s draft, I would hope he falls to us. I hear there is one next season, but I’m not sure if I want to purposely try and lose. I already hate losing as it is, I’m not sure I could stomach losing on purpose.

I then started to think about my future. I was certainly set for money. I owned a Major League franchise, for goodness sakes. But I was 29 years old. Eventually, I’d have to take Nick’s advice and start dating again. I had a girlfriend in college, but I caught her cheating on me with another guy. Ever since then, I’ve been a little gun-shy about starting a new relationship, in the fear that it could happen again.

I then thought about my parents. My father was killed in First World War, leaving my mother a widow. My mother died of pneumonia when I was only 7, so I was brought up by Nick’s family. My little brother Alexander went to live with my Aunt in San Francisco, and my baby sister Mary went to live with my grandparents. I hardly got to know my parents, but the Stephens’ said that they were great people. They certainly loved us, enough to give all 3 of us paid tuition to colleges across the country. It’s a shame that I never got to spend more time with them.

I thought about my business ventures. I started playing the market when I was still in college, and managed to hit a few lucky breaks. Afterwards, Nick and I started our own firm, and we had more great luck, becoming so successful that we sold the firm this year for $1 million each. I’d really like to start another company, hopefully one that I can keep this time. It’s nice to have the gate receipts, but it would certainly help if I had another source of income.

My daydreaming got interrupted by Elizabeth, who always looked like she’d stepped out of a dream. The news she gave me brought me back to reality:

“Andrew, there’s a call for you from President Frick. He says it’s urgent.”

TO BE CONTINUED...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

“President Frick?”
“Andrew, how are you?”
Ford Frick wasn’t really an intimidating man. He started his baseball career as a journalist. He started as the PR director of the National League in 1934, and became league president that same year. He was instrumental in the foundation of the Baseball Hall of Fame, which had become a huge success in its formative years.
“Well, Mr. Frick, I’m running a seventh-place ball club. I could be better. How about yourself?”
“The same, for different reasons obviously. Andrew, I’m calling on league business. First, the amateur draft will be held in New York City this year, and we will have an owner’s meeting the following day to vote on the sale of a team. Are you able to attend?”
“Yes sir, Mr. Frick. Who is selling?”
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to find out next week.”
“I see. Well, my staff and I will be there.”
“Excellent. Oh, and I need you to think about possible cities that would welcome a full-time baseball team.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why do I need to do that?”
“Oh, no reason. I just want to gather some ideas for the future. Baseball is a hot commodity, and I think that more of America would like to get a taste.”

*****

Speaking of the draft, I finally got that report from Larry, Moe, and Curly. Here are some of the best prospects available.

SP Sam Jones
3B Willie Jones
RP Cuddles Marshall
C Yogi Berra
LF Minnie Minoso
SP Harvey Haddix
SP Ned Garver
RF Vic Wertz
SP Bobby Shantz
SP Bob Rush
RP Alton Brown

I’m going to be looking primarily at pitching with my first selection, with one eye on Harvey Haddix. He has the best control of anyone in his class, and can also blow hitters away. I’ll hope he falls to us at #5. Other players that I'm keeping my eye on are 3B Willie Jones, LF Minnie Minoso, and C Yogi Berra.

A late-round selection that I have my eye on is 1B Eddie Gaedel. I know I already have a first baseman, but he’s got a pretty good eye for a high-schooler. My scouts tell me he’s “a little undersized”, but I’m sure he’s got the heart and determination to make up for it.

[CatKnight]

Hm. Frick's request for an owner's meeting sounds....troubling. At least it isn't the Judge this time!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

CatKnight: I think it will be an interesting meeting, and it will have a lot to do with the future of the game

As for the Judge, he's still recovering in the hospital, although I hear that he's getting worse by the day. It looks like that emergency plan will be put to good use sooner than expected...

BACK TO BASEBALL

May 29-June 1: Chicago Cubs (31-23, 3rd, 3 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (21-33, 7th, 13 GB)

29 – In a close game, Bill Lee and Jesse Flores are just good enough to beat Johnny Podgajny and Joe Page, giving the Cubs the win.
Cubs 5, Phillies 3
W: Bill Lee (6-2) L: Johnny Podgajny (2-8) SV: Jesse Flores (1)
HR: Chuck Klein (6)

30 – It’s good to have Tommy Hughes back. He reverted to last year’s form, tossing a 5-hit shutout for the easy win.
Phillies 9, Cubs 0
W: Tommy Hughes (3-3) L: Joey Lothian (2-5)
HR: Danny Litwhiler (7), Cecil Tyson (3)

31 – An extra-inning thriller gets decided when the Cubs push a run across in the 10th, as old friend Rube Melton gets the victory.
Cubs 3, Phillies 2 (10)
W: Rube Melton (5-0) L: Hugh Casey (1-2)

1 – We outhit the Cubbies, but Bill Nicholson’s 2-run home run (his 17th) is all the Cubs would need today, as Shaun Hale goes the distance.
Cubs 4, Phillies 1
W: Shaun Hale (8-4) L: Dick Mauney (4-4)

Danny Litwhiler pulled up lame after grounding into a double play. He has been diagnosed with a hip pointer, and will be out for a few days.

June 2-5: Cincinnati Reds (20-38, 8th, 16 GB) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-36, 7th, 14 GB)

2 – I wish there was a way to quantify how many good outings that Johnny Podgajny has had this year. Wait! There is! Wins (6-hit shutout for Johnny Pod)!
Phillies 3, Reds 0
W: Johnny Podgajny (3-8) L: Ewell Blackwell (1-2)

3 – It makes me sick when we outhit our opponents and still find a way to lose. Today, we just can’t seem to string those hits together.
Reds 3, Phillies 1
W: Frank Dasso (4-7) L: Tommy Hughes (3-4) SV: Earl Harrist (2)

4 – The offense explodes on Bucky Walters scoring 5 runs in the first two innings, as Jack Kraus dominates the Reds on the way to a complete game victory.
Phillies 6, Reds 1
W: Jack Kraus (8-6) L: Bucky Walters (5-3)
HR: Chuck Klein (7)

5 – This was a tough game. Andy Seminick’s 9th-inning home run tied the game and forced extra innings. In the 13th, the Reds are able to push across the eventual winning run.
Reds 2, Phillies 1 (13)
W: Junior Thompson (4-2) L: Joe Page (2-1) SV: Earl Harrist (3)
HR: Andy Seminick (8)

STANDINGS

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Brooklyn	39-23	-
New York	36-26	3
Chicago		34-28	5
St. Louis	34-28	5
Boston		30-32	9
Pittsburgh	29-33	10
Philadelphia	24-38	15
Cincinnati	22-40	17
			
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York	41-21	-
Boston		37-25	4
Cleveland	36-26	5
Detroit		31-31	10
Washington	31-31	10
Chicago		26-36	15
St. Louis	24-38	17
Philadelphia	22-40	19

[Overbay17]

Interesting, don't tell me somebody sold out to that Zimmerman punk!

[adam]

it's a tremendous dynasty.

I'm going to do a quick sim with it--my only difference is starting in 41, before the war. That way I have a slightly different world--where the players all were exempt, but I have full rosters.

--adam

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Overbay: I guess you'll have to wait and see...

adam: Thanks for reading! I would suggest, however, that you start in 1940. I know in 1941 that several players had already enlisted for service, most noticeably Hank Greenberg. It has been a drag without a lot of these talented players, but I'm just going to have to make do.

1943 AMATEUR DRAFT

The owners and their staffs gathered in New York City for the 2nd Amateur Draft. With last year’s #1 pick, Gil Hodges, already finding success at the Major League level, most people expected similar things from this year’s class. However, this class isn’t quite as deep as last years, so it will probably be quite a while before anyone makes an impact.

The Detroit Tigers were “awarded” the first overall pick, and used it to draft RP Clarence “Cuddles” Marshall. I don’t know if I would spend a first-round pick on someone nicknamed Cuddles, but the Tigers got a future relief ace with an incredible screwball.

The Cincinnati Reds were next and selected SP Sam Jones. Jones is a strikeout artist with a great curveball. The only question seems to be if he can keep it in the strike zone.

The Chicago White Sox selected SP Bob Rush. Rush is a Major-League-ready pitcher with terrific endurance. His setback? The movement on his pitches could use improvement.

The St. Louis Browns selected SP Harry Byrd. Byrd has an electric fastball that could blow away a lot of Major League hitters. Control and movement are issues with him, however.

As our pick rolled around, I was overjoyed that our top 4 were still on the board, so after a brief discussion with my scouts, I practically ran up to the podium:

“With the 5th pick in the 1943 MLB Amateur Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select SP Harvey Haddix.”

The first round, as well as a few notable picks:

#  TEAM			  PLAYER (PEAK)
1. Detroit Tigers	  RP Clarence Marshall (91)
2. Cincinnati Reds	  SP Sam Jones (90)
3. Chicago White Sox	  SP Bob Rush (83)	
4. St. Louis Browns	  SP Harry Byrd (89)
5. Philadelphia Phillies  SP Harvey Haddix (87)
6. Boston Braves	  SP Rob Kelley (82)
7. Chicago Cubs		  SP Jason Rabbitt (82)
8. Philadelphia Athletics SP Ned Garver (85)
9. Washington Senators	  SP Brian Beaty (85)
10. Pittsburgh Pirates	  SP Bobby Shantz (85)
11. Brooklyn Dodgers	  C Yogi Berra (84)
12. New York Giants	  SP Reagan Calhoun (82)
13. Boston Red Sox	  SP Joel Woodland (82)
14. Cleveland Indians	  LF Minnie Minoso (90)
15. St. Louis Cardinals	  LF Del Ennis (84)
16. New York Yankees	  RP Peter Bagnall (84)

21. Philadelphia Phillies SP Kent Bickett (78)
37. Philadelphia Phillies SP Jeff Walker (76)
53. Philadelphia Phillies 1B Eddie Gaedel (77)
69. Philadelphia Phillies RF Joe Szekely (73)
85. Philadelphia Phillies C Ryan Scifo (65)

17. Detroit Tigers	  3B Willie Jones (92)
18. Cincinnati Reds	  RF Vic Wertz (85)
48. New York Yankees	  CF Bill Bruton (82)
79. St. Louis Cardinals	  RP Alton Brown (83)

Very interesting choices by both the Dodgers and the Cardinals. The Dodgers pick a catcher, when they have 21-year-old Roy Campanella already starting for them. The Cardinals have the reigning NL MVP, Stan Musial, patrolling left field, so they take a leftfielder. Interesting, but really, really dumb.

[3RunHomer]

Harvey Haddix - great great choice.

I think I've heard of that Berra kid. Maybe he and Ennis will be trade opportunities in a couple seasons?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

3RunHomer: Thanks. Even though I had my other targets fall to me as well, I always wanted Haddix. I felt that I needed starting pitching more than anything.

Come to think of it, I've heard of that Berra fellow too. I just can't remember where...

I was surprised with those two picks. I mean, Campanella's a young catcher not yet at his peak (which is greater than Berra's, BTW) and Musial's the reigining NL MVP, for crying out loud. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to see how it plays out...

JUNE 6

I walked from my hotel to the Commissioner’s Office. It was a beautiful morning in New York City, with the sun streaking between the skyscrapers. Maybe I’ll walk through Central Park after the meeting, if it gets out early enough. I’ve heard horror stories about these ownership meetings. This wasn’t an ordinary meeting, you see. This was to approve the sale of a team. The future of a Major League franchise was at stake. The decision of the 15 other owners would forever shape the fortunes of one city.

I took my seat next to Phil Wrigley and Bob Quinn. I asked them if they had heard who was selling, and they both gave me the same response: “I have no idea.”

All the other owners filed in, except for Donald Barnes of the Browns, and it soon became obvious: Barnes had finally found a buyer.

Donald Barnes had been threatening to move the St. Louis Browns ever since I took over as owner, and for a few years back even. He even had scheduled a meeting to approve a move to Los Angeles on December 8, 1941. Understandably, the league voted him down, as this was the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Barnes has been complaining that he wasn’t given a fair shake, but I think he should’ve coordinated with the Japanese before scheduling the meeting.

Now that he wasn’t going to be able to move the Browns in the near future, Barnes had apparently found someone to take the dreadful Browns. The Browns were just as bad as the Phillies, except we actually had a pennant to show for our efforts. The Browns had nothing. “First in shoes, first in booze, and last in the American League”, as many fans would say. The Cardinals had begun to draw fans away from the Browns as well, so attendance was lagging. Barnes may have been desperate, so he was willing to sell to any loser that walked into his office.

And right on cue, in walked Donald Barnes with Richard Zimmerman smiling like a kid in a candy store.

Ford Frick and Will Harridge followed the two men in the room, and the doors closed behind them.

“Seeing as we are all here, I suppose we can begin.” Will Harridge was taking charge of the meeting. The AL president was the longer-serving of the two league presidents, and was to serve as interim commissioner for these types of meetings. However, when it came to league matters, the presidents had jurisdiction over their respective leagues.

“Gentlemen, last week, it was brought to Ford’s and my attention that Mr. Zimmerman’s offer to buy the Browns had been accepted by Donald Barnes. Donald, if you would like to back out, now is your chance to do so.”

“Mr. Harridge, I am comfortable in my decision. I will allow the sale.”

“Very well. We will now commence the voting. Please respond with a yes or no answer. The League Presidents DO NOT have a vote.”

We all got a nervous laugh over that.

“Alright, the measure needs 10 votes in the affirmative to pass. Is that understood?”

We all nodded our heads in agreement. Zimmerman was still smiling like he couldn’t move his face.

“Let’s start with the National League. Powel, how do you vote.”
Crosley stood: “No.” Crosley had been approached by Zimmerman as well, and was very wary of him.
“Andrew Walsh?”
I stood: “No.” The smile was starting to fade on Zimmerman’s face.
“Will Benswanger?”
The Pirates GM stood: “Yes.” His owner, Florence Dreyfuss hadn’t been approached, and he was banking on an improved Browns knocking the Cardinals off the top of the NL food chain.
“Bob Quinn?”
The Braves owner stood: “Yes.”
“Sam Breadon?”
The Cardinals owner had made a ton of money with Barnes as the owner, and he didn’t want things to change. “No.”
“Phil Wrigley?”
“Yes.” Phil was also interested in seeing the Cardinals hurting.
“Horace Stoneham?”
“Yes.”
“Branch Rickey?”
“Yes.”
The Dodgers and the Giants were in the same boat as the Cubs and Pirates: they didn’t want a strong Cardinals team, so they wanted a strong Browns team to keep them in check.
“Connie Mack?”
The Grand Old Man stood: “Yes.”
“Harry Grabiner?”
The White Sox GM had been approached by Zimmerman, but he liked the man. “Yes.”
“Clark Griffith?”
“Yes.”
“Walter Briggs?”
“Yes.”
“Alva Bradley?”
The Indians owner was approached by Zimmerman, and simply couldn’t stand the man. “No.”
“Tom Yawkey?”
“Yes, a million times over.”
“Ed Barrow?”
The longtime Yankees GM stood: “It doesn’t make a lick of difference, but no.”

Harridge and Frick tallied up the votes. “With a total of 10 to 5, this measure passes. Donald, thank you for your service, and Richard, welcome aboard.”

I could tell that the AL teams thought that a new owner in St. Louis would help fight the Yankees’ dominance. I just wish that Zimmerman had gone to every owner just so they could’ve seen his dreadful personality.

“Now gentlemen, I believe that Mr. Zimmerman has a statement prepared.”

“Fellow owners,” he began with that toothy grin, “it really is a dream come true to be working with all you. I know that I may be a little green, but I’ll do my darndest to get the Browns back to competitiveness.”

There was the obligatory courtesy applause, and the meeting was adjourned.

***

After the meeting, Richard Zimmerman came up to me.

“Hey there Andy! How have you been? Well, I just came here to talk business with you. You had this great centerfielder last season. Ed Freed, was it? Well, I just wanted to know the asking price of acquiring a player like that.”

Was he serious? He wanted to trade for someone who would be out for the rest of the season? Now the moral dilemma came: do I take advantage of him, or do I try and do the right thing? Before I could decide what to do, I had a gut reaction.

“Vern Stephens.”

“Well, I think I might have to pry another player away from you before I just go giving my starting shortstop to you. How about Freed, Billy Johnson and some cash for Stephens?”

My conscience caught up with me. “Look, Richard, I’ve got to level with you: Ed Freed’s out for the season with a busted knee. He might not be the same player when he returns. I just can’t execute this trade without letting you know that.”

“Oh I know about the injury. Thing is, I’m not going to be able to afford Wally Judnich come the end of the season, and I wanted a capable reserve outfielder. Have we got ourselves a deal?”

“We sure do. I’m sorry I was so short with you Richard when we met last month. You just caught me at a bad time.”

“You? Geez, you should’ve seen the reactions I was getting from the other owners! I know I’m not the most likable guy, but hey, I like to think I know what I’m doing.”

“Nice dealing with you, Richard, and good luck in St. Louis.”

“Thanks Andy. You too!”

Maybe I was wrong about Zimmerman. Perhaps he is an OK guy. He certainly knows how to make good trades.

Philadelphia Phillies receive:
SS/3B Vern Stephens (86/94)

St. Louis Browns receive:
CF Ed Freed (71/89)
3B Billy Johnson (73/84)
$10,000

Vern Stephens will play 3B for us, as Pinky May is relegated to the bench. I’ll be shopping him come the trading deadline.

After an eventful few days in New York City, I drove back to Philadelphia, where Connie Mack had begun preparations for this year's All-Star Game, which was now only 3 weeks away.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

JUNE 1943

I know that the draft had just passed, but one of my scouts passed me along the report on one of the top prospects in next year’s draft: Robin Roberts. From everything I’ve read, this kid looks like the next Grover Alexander. I mean, he won’t turn 18 until after the season, and he’s Major League ready! This looks like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As much as I hate to lose, I seriously have to consider it in order to get a talent like Roberts.

June 7-10: Philadelphia Phillies (24-38, 7th, 15 GB) at Chicago Cubs (34-28, T-3rd, 5 GB)

7 – Chuck Klein gets 3 hits, but Bill Lee and Whitey Miller are able to hold the rest of the lineup to only 4 as the Cubs pick up a game on the Dodgers.
Cubs 2, Phillies 0
W: Bill Lee (7-3) L: Johnny Podgajny (3-9) SV: Whitey Miller (10)

Harvey Haddix made his professional debut for the A Memphis Chickasaws, going 6.2 innings, allowing only 1 unearned run on 3 hits as he picked up the win.

8 – Bill Nicholson’s pinch-hit grand-slam chases Tommy Hughes from the game, and eliminates any hope that the Phillies have for winning today’s game.
Cubs 8, Phillies 3
W: Joey Lothian (3-6) L: Tommy Hughes (3-5)

9 – Claude Passeau tosses the shutout, giving up 10 hits, as Andy Pakfo and Bill Nicholson add home runs in the Cubs’ rout.
Cubs 6, Phillies 0
W: Claude Passeau (5-4) L: Jack Kraus (8-7)

10 – The Phillies rally to tie the game in the top of the 8th inning, but Joe Page allows the go-ahead run in the bottom half as the Cubs sweep the Phillies, and pick up another game on the Dodgers.
Cubs 4, Phillies 3
W: Shaun Hale (9-4) L: Joe Page (2-2) SV: Whitey Miller (11)

It is a sad day for Philadelphia, as both the cities’ baseball teams occupy the bottom spot of the standings with identical 24-42 records.

June 11-13: Philadelphia Phillies (24-42, 8th, 17 GB) at Cincinnati Reds (25-41, 7th, 16 GB)

11 – Gene Lambert started today in an effort to shake things up. Despite striking out 7, Lambert gives up 4 runs in a losing effort, extending the losing streak to 6 games.
Reds 5, Phillies 3
W: Elmer Riddle (5-5) L: Gene Lambert (1-4) SV: Walker Cress (5)

12 – Tommy Hughes and Ed Hanyzewski combine for a six-hit shutout, snapping the losing streak and putting the Phillies back in the right column.
Phillies 6, Reds 0
W: Tommy Hughes (4-5) L: Ewell Blackwell (1-4)

13 – Jack Kraus pitches 8 innings, allowing only 1 run on 6 hits, and Hugh Casey slams the door in the 9th inning to record the save and notch back-to-back Phillies wins for the first time since May 20-21.
Phillies 2, Reds 1
W: Jack Kraus (9-7) L: Bucky Walters (5-4) SV: Hugh Casey (5)

June 14-17: Philadelphia Phillies (26-43, T-7th, 16 GB) at Boston Braves (31-38, 5th, 11 GB)

14 – Andy Seminick goes 3-5 with 2 RBI and Cecil Tyson adds a home run as Dick Mauney allows 2 runs over 8 innings in the third consecutive Phillies victory.
Phillies 6, Braves 2
W: Dick Mauney (5-4) L: Manny Salvo (2-7)
HR: Cecil Tyson (4)

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have allowed both the Giants and the Cubs pull even with them, creating a 3-WAY TIE FOR FIRST PLACE in the National League. In the AL, the Red Sox can’t seem to get close enough to the Yankees, who remain 4 games ahead.

15 – Johnny Podgajny pitches well, but gets absolutely no run support, as Al Javery 2-hits the Phillies, ending their modest winning streak.
Braves 2, Phillies 0
W: Al Javery (7-7) L: Johnny Podgajny (3-10)

16 – Tommy Hughes is the beneficiary of a 7-run 9th inning, as the Phillies pour on the offense on the way to a laugher of a win.
Phillies 13, Braves 4
W: Tommy Hughes (5-5) L: Jim Tobin (7-7)
HR: Chuck Klein (8), Ron Northey (3)

17 – Warren Spahn twirls a beauty, allowing an unearned run on four hits as the Braves win and split the four-game series.
Braves 5, Phillies 1
W: Warren Spahn (8-6) L: Jack Kraus (9-8)

June 18-21: Philadelphia Phillies (28-45, 7th, 16 GB) at St. Louis Cardinals (41-32, 4th, 3 GB)

18 – The offense exploded for 6 early runs, then added 3 late as the bullpen tossed 3 scoreless innings in a Phillies win.
Phillies 9, Cardinals 6
W: Joe Page (3-2) L: Murry Dickson (1-1) SV: Hugh Casey (6)
HR: Gil Hodges (6), Vern Stephens (6), Dom Dallessandro (2)

19 – We keep trotting out Johnny Podgajny every fourth game. We keep getting the same result. We really are kind of stupid, huh?
Cardinals 7, Phillies 5
W: Murry Dickson (2-1) L: Johnny Podgajny (3-11) SV: Art Lopatka (11)

20 – Andy Seminick records 2 hits. That was it. However, this game was decided on a rare bullpen implosion by Emil Kush.
Cardinals 3, Phillies 0
W: Max Lanier (3-0) L: Emil Kush (1-4) SV: Art Lopatka (12)

21 – A contest between two of the NL’s top 5 in ERA turns into a battle of the bullpens won on an Andy Seminick home run in the 12th inning.
Phillies 5, Cardinals 4 (12)
W: Hugh Casey (2-2) L: Murry Dickson (2-2)
HR: Andy Seminick (9)

June 22-24: Brooklyn Dodgers (46-31, T-1st, 1 GA) at Philadelphia Phillies (30-47, 7th, 16 GB)

22 – A Phillies rally falls one run short as the Dodger bullpen manages to hang on the win and a share of first place.
Dodgers 5, Phillies 4
W: Johnny Vander Meer (5-7) L: Dick Mauney (5-5) SV: Jim Hughes (13)

23 – Dolph Camilli homers twice off of Gene Lambert as Kirby Higbe holds the Phillies to 3 hits on his way to a complete game victory.
Dodgers 8, Phillies 1
W: Kirby Higbe (3-2) L: Gene Lambert (1-5)

24 – Another late Phillies rally is unable to dig the team out of the hole its starter (Al Gerheauser) dug for it, and the Dodgers sweep the Phillies.
Dodgers 6, Phillies 4
W: Larry French (8-5) L: Al Gerheauser (1-5) SV: Les Webber (3)

FIRST HALF RECAP COMING SOON