Offseason Recap & 1923 Season Preview:
YANKEES MOVE INTO NEW STADIUM!
So if Babe Ruth isn't Babe Ruth in my game, then the House That Ruth Built is The House That ? Built?
Hall Of Fame Inductees: None
A couple of retiring players were close to being HoF worthy, but not quite. The most notable name who retired was Smokey Joe Wood.
Yankees 1922 Award Winners: 3B Rogers Hornsby won his 4th career MVP Award, his 1st in the American League. 2B Dave Bancroft won his 6th straight AL Gold Glove. 3B Rogers Hornsby won his 2nd career Gold Glove, his 1st in the American League. SS Frank Parkinson won his 2nd straight AL Gold Glove.
Draft Recap: Hall of famers in this draft included (with team who drafted them) Hack Wilson (Philly A's), Red Ruffing (Detrtoit), Chick Hafey (Phillies), and of course Lou Gehrig (White Sox). The Yankees didn't get any of them. The one guy of note that we drafted was RF Eddie Moore, who I picked in case I give up on Babe Ruth.
Notable Offseason Transactions: I had lots of trade offers for Babe Ruth in the offseason, but none were worth making. Besides, with Yankee Stadium opening, I'm hoping Ruth finds his power with that short porch in right field. Most of the trades I made were just to acquire younger prospects.
November 23, 1922: Signed free agent P Bill Doak to a 3 year contract @ $32,000 per season (year 3 is a mutual option)
With Hank Robinson & Walter Johnson leaving for free agency, I had to reload the pitching rotation. Doak will probably by my #1 starter this season.
November 24, 1922: Traded P Hugh Canavan & $3,000 cash to the Boston Braves for LF Herschel Bennett
Just looking to upgrade my bench in the outfield.
November 26, 1922: Traded P Frank Okrie, P Fred Fussel, and $500 cash to the Boston Braves for P Earl Whitehill
Whitehill is a promising young leftie. I'll start him in AAA and see how he does.
November 27, 1922: Signed free agent CF Earl Smith to a 1 year contract @ $2,500 dollars
Another depth move. Smith has great speed and is a gold glove quality outfielder. He just can't hit. Now I'll have 2 E. Smiths in center field.
Strengths: Our pitching rotation certainly appears to be improved. And with Ruth, Hornsby, Suttles, and Meusel (who starts the season on the DL) batting 3, 4, 5, & 6 respectively, I think we have a "Murderer's Row" that's comparable to the real 1923 Yankees.
Weaknesses: Still waiting for Bill Warwick to develop at catcher. The bullpen might be a little weak.
Projected Record: The Yankees surprised me with that late season run last year and won 90 games. I'll say we'll equal that this year, and with a little luck we might win 95.
1923 Budget: $403,135
1923 Opening Day Salaries:
1923 Opening Day Roster:
