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February 1, 1915
News
While the United States is still focused on the national pastime, all of Europe has become held in the grip of war. So far, America has remained neutral during the growing conflict, but there are those throughout the government who believe only American involvement can bring about a swift end to the war. Hopefully, baseball will not have to be pushed to the side to deal with the conflict, and for now, it appears as if Americans will remain spectators for both baseball and the European conflict.
In lighter news, it appears that the American and National Leagues have survived the initial Federal League threat. While some lesser known players have made the jump to the young league, all of the established stars have given any offer made by the Federal League the cold shoulder, further cementing Major League Baseball's dominance over the best baseball players in the country.
Also, in what appears to be an attempt to remove the losing stigma attatched to them, the Cleveland Bronchos have changed their name. From this point on, they are to be called the Cleveland Indians. While some people believe the name change is simply to have people think differently about Cleveland's performances in the World Series, the team is on record saying that the new name "invokes stronger images of power and grace that the Indians that lived in this area in the past embodied, and it is that power and grace that we see our team embodying."
Rookie Watch
While many of the past drafts have been top heavy with pitching talent, the 1915 amateur draft is ripe with the next generation of great hitters. Names like George Sisler, Braggo Roth and Elmer Smith could one day be mentioned in the same breath as Ty Cobb, Dieter Kahle or Nap Lajoie. However, there is one name that stands out above all the others in this draft.
Cristobal Torriente, RF/3B
An immigrant from Cuba, Torriente has talent that very few players before him have had. He already has a reputation as a tremendous bad-ball hitter, and his soft hands and quick feet make him a natural right fielder. The main issue surrounding Torriente is the fact that he is Cuban, and his skin color has stirred up some ill feelings from players and fans. However, once people get to see how well this young man can play, the color of his skin will become an afterthought to what he brings to his new team.
Current Ratings (Contact/Gap/Power/Eye/Avoid K): 45/51/19/27/44
Total Talent Ratings: 96/55/77/71/40
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