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1934 season
The expectations were not high for the Eagles entering the 1934 season. This was the year to start the turn around on the rebuilding process. The roster on opening day was composed of
C Mel Goldenberg / Ed Pinkham
1B Bert Barth / Babe Walsh*
2B Andy Carter
3B Larry Vestal / Hank Bullock
SS Grover Carson / Frank Piper
LF Sam Brown* / Johnny McCann*
CF Wally Flowers
RF Bill Fero
SP Karl Johnson, Bob Sanders, Harry Smith*, Phil Newcom, Mike Knight*
RP Archie Dickey, George Allen, Jim Sears*, Robert Curry
Manager : Jim Cathey
Rookies are identified with *
Early in the season, Eagles lean toward a losing record as their starting rotation was going to multiple promotions/demotions and injuries. In June, SS Grove Carson lost his starting role due to his poor defense playing and not so convincing batting skills and was replaced by SS Frank Piper in the starting role. Knowing the potential at shortstop position in the farming system, Piper was identify as a temporary solution to end the season and keep the highly ratedprospects growing in the organization.
Injuries on the starting rotation gave the opportunity to make trial on few other pitching prospects Frank Staples and Chuck Taylor. The most interesting performance came from SP Chuck Taylor, which was a late season promotion and surprise everyone with 1-2 record, 5 GS, 3.89 ERA and 113 ERA+ during a September stint. The other rookie that worth mentionning was SP Mike Knight who has a limited number of outings missing 10 weeks in June and July for an injury.
During the season, the Eagles continue the cleaning of the minor league teams by releasing older players and giving a chance to younger potentials players to be promoted within the organisation scheme. Packed with potential, A team Trenton Eagles won the championship in the MAL.
At the end of season 1934, Eagles finished with 55-99 record giving them the last place in the Federal Association, but securing the first overall pick in the 1934 amateur draft
Recent years drafted players shown progression and the Eagles are going in the right direction
Below is the prospect ranking at the end of 1934 season from Washington drafted player in 1932 and 1933
Draft year Player Team Ranking
1933 SS Johnnie Sunderg B Everett 43
1932 RF Roy Bradley AAA Kansas City 62
1932 2B Jack Ray AA Atlanta 54
1932 CF Don Miller C Pensacole 79
1932 SP Leron Conover AA Atlanta 65
1932 SP Georges Gilliard A Trenton 100
1933 SP Tommy Trott B Everett 71
When season ends, the Eagles clean the house in their managing crew and let go their manager Jim Cathey and replaced him by AAA Kansas City Jake Chamberlain. The hitting and pitching coaches were also released. Cathey was a good manager but not at the right time for the organisation. Eagles needs a manager who can develop young players and bring them to the next level. Few other promotions were made into the minor league management teams.
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