II. Spring Training 1952, Through April 14
The 1952 season begins on April 15. Before that, we have another month of spring training to run through. I’ll be visiting each club over this period, spending about two days each time. I won’t recap every individual trip, but if anything interesting comes up, you’ll know.
BULLETIN: Brooklyn’s Don Newcombe has been drafted to fight in the Korean conflict.
He told a newspaper in New Hampshire that baseball players shouldn’t be given special treatment, and so he’s off for as long as he needs to be there. Newcombe is 25 and went 20-9 last year with Brooklyn. In fact, over these first three seasons in the majors, Newcombe is 56-28. A terrific pitcher, but duty calls.
TRANSACTION WIRE: The Athletics purchase the contract of Joe Gordon from unaffiliated Sacramento.
The Chicago White Sox bought Whitey Ford from the Evangeline League, and the Cubs purchased the contract of 55-year-old catcher Lefty O’Doul.
Finally, the Boston Braves will be without Warren Spahn until just about opening day thanks to a shoulder injury.
As of
March 24, spring standings:
American League- New York Yankees - 15-4
- Boston Red Sox - 11-8
- Philadelphia Athletics - 11-8
- Chicago White Sox - 10-9
- St. Louis Browns - 10-9
- Cleveland Indians - 8-11
- Detroit Tigers - 6-13
- Washington Senators - 5-14
National League- Philadelphia Phillies - 12-7
- Brooklyn Dodgers - 11-8
- Chicago Cubs - 11-8
- Cincinnati Reds - 11-8
- Boston Braves - 9-10
- New York Giants - 9-10
- St. Louis Cardinals - 9-10
- Pittsburgh Pirates - 4-15
As of
March 30, another pitching injury for the Braves: Max Surkont out for three weeks with a strained forearm. At this point the Braves might have to go with 21-year-old Gene Conley and unproven starter Ernie Johnson for the first week or so of the season.
April 6: The Red Sox’s Ray Scarborough is on waivers. He recorded a 5.09 ERA last season; I feel like the Braves might want to take a flier on him.
April 8: Most of the larger minor leagues are about to begin their seasons. I won’t change anything this year, but I’m interested in consolidating the minor leagues. Some of my plans going forward aim at doing that; we’ll talk about those plans at the next owners meeting.
April 10: Cincinnati put starting right fielder Johnny Wyrostek on the disabled list. The 32-year-old hit .311/.373/.391 last season for the Reds. He’ll be out six weeks, at least.
Final spring training standings:
American League- New York Yankees - 29-7
- Chicago White Sox - 21-15
- Detroit Tigers - 17-19
- Boston Red Sox - 16-20
- Cleveland Indians - 16-20
- Philadelphia Athletics - 16-20
- St. Louis Browns - 16-20
- Washington Senators - 13-23
National League- Philadelphia Phillies - 23-13
- Brooklyn Dodgers - 20-16
- Chicago Cubs - 20-16
- New York Giants - 18-18
- Boston Braves - 17-19
- St. Louis Cardinals - 17-19
- Cincinnati Reds - 16-20
- Pittsburgh Pirates - 13-23