MILLERS EYE RETURN TO PLAYOFFS IN '38
With the start of a new baseball season fast approaching the Minneapolis Millers are feeling pretty confident about their ability to return to the playoffs and perhaps even win their second title in three seasons. On paper at least, the club looks much improved offensively with the biggest changes coming in the outfield courtesy the addition of 19 year old wonderkind Ted Williams and the acquisition of veteran Chuck Klein, who hit .352 with 16 homers for Milwaukee a season ago. Klein was brought in at the expense of pitching, to try and upgrade the offense, which was in the bottom half of the league last season. The 33 year old Indianapolis native will in all likelihood be just a one year player as the slot he is occupying will undoubtedly go to Ted Williams when he requires one next season.
The team defense should also be much improved as Red Kress and his 65 errors in 115 games have returned to the St Louis Browns. Kress (.313,9,76) handled himself well at the plate but every ball hit to him at shortstop was an adventure. Newcomer John Mihalic comes to the Millers after two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. Mihalic, who hit .301 for the Phillies last season, should provide solid defense at second base allowing veteran Miller minor slot player Rabbit Warstler to shift back to his natural shortstop position full-time. Warstler (.286,12,71) might not make up for the departure of Kress with his bat but will be a huge upgrade with the glove.
The other change is behind the plate with 25 year old Otto Denning agreeing to a four year deal to play for the Millers after hitting .338 for Elmira of the NY-Penn League a season ago. Denning was a real life Miller until getting promoted to Cleveland in 1942. The returnees in the starting lineup are 1B Earl Browne (.316,11,43), third baseman Fresco Thompson (.275,6,60) and center fielder Buzz Arlett (.299,18,66).
Pitching was the Millers strength a year ago but Minneapolis was forced to release Archie McKain (16-5, 3.28) to free up a slot for Klein. McKain was quickly signed by Toledo but the Millers are hoping newcomer Roy Parmelee, who was 12-7 for the World Series champion St Louis Cardinals a year ago, can replace McKain without requiring an Elite Slot this season. Carl Hubbell (23-21, 2.44), Denny Galehouse (25-18, 3.38) and Vern Kennedy (13-14, 4.35), all slotted, will return to fill out the rotation.
The Millers won their American Association crown in it's first season as a 'major league' but finished third last season, missing the two team playoff by just a single game to second place Toledo. The Mud Hens would lose the American Series to the first place Kansas City Blues.