JULY 26, 1943
DOES PIONEERS MOVE SET UP ANOTHER FLURRY OF DEALS?
VETERAN HURLER SHAFFNER RETURNS HOME TO ST LOUIS
With less than a week remaining until the FABL trade deadline one has to wonder if we will see a flurry of activity or was the period in mid-June --highlighted by the dismantling of the Brooklyn Kings-- the high point of trading. The St Louis Pioneers made a move that management describes as "low-risk" to try and make it a four team race in the Federal Association, by bringing 39 year old lefthander Joe Shaffner back home to St Louis in the only deal announced a week before the deadline.
The move saw Shaffner (7-4, 2.89), who spent the first four and a half season of his big league career as a Pioneer, come over from Detroit in a bid to help stabilize the inconsistent St Louis rotation. In return the Pioneers send former second round pick Gene Madison and their 1944 fourth-rounder to Detroit. Madison, a 20 year old San Francisco native, was 9-9 with a 4.52 era in his second season at Class A Hartford. OSA ranks him 248th on their prospect list.
JIGGS MCGEE'S TAKE: It was certainly a very reasonable cost for Shaffner, one clearly made with an eye towards contending now but without sacrificing the future. Pioneers brass correctly points out that Shaffner will likely not be around when the war is over but he is a piece that could help them win the pennant this year. At 8.5 games back and chasing 4 teams after a 1-5 effort this week it looks like a smart decision to acquire Shaffner instead of going after one of the higher priced arms that are available like Gus Goulding of the Gothams or one of the struggling New York Stars pitchers. For Detroit, it is simply getting what you can for an asset with some short-term value because of his strong season but due to his age not a player you can expect to get a top prospect for. Solid move by both clubs given limited options.
*** WILL WE SEE MORE? ****
The big question is will we see some other big moves this week or did the June rush in which the Cougars, Cannons, Wolves, Chiefs and Minutemen all made efforts to upgrade eliminate their desire and/or ability to pull the trigger on a late move?
The Continental may just be a two-team race now as Toronto, on a 2-8 stretch, has fallen 6 and a half games off the pace set by the Chicago Cougars. The Wolves did acquire outfielder Chink Stickels from the Stars last month but the recent tepid spell might have cooled Toronto's desire to sacrifice any more of it's future for an upgrade to make an attempt at a pennant run. The Cougars big move was to add pitcher Art White (9-8, 2.46) from Brooklyn three weeks ago to shore up their starting pitching depth but White arrived just as Harry Parker (6-3, 2.89) was lost for the season with elbow troubles. They suffered another injury blow just a few days ago when outfielder Cliff Moss (.318,6,32) fractured his hand and will be out until early September. Cincinnati, which made waves with deals to add Billy Dalton (.308,6,35), Sam Brown (.320,3,43) and Chris Clarke (7-10, 3.15) recently lost an outfielder of their own for the next month in all-star Fred Galloway (.268,2,25) so perhaps those two are both still in the market before the shops close on Sunday.
The Federal Association is also all of sudden very interesting. St Louis was not the only team to struggle last week as the Pioneers were joined in the dumps by the Chicago Chiefs, who lost 6 straight and are in the midst of a 2-8 slide. The Chiefs made a big move at the end of June to add 5-time Whitney Award winner Al Wheeler (.220,15,42) and veteran pitcher Bob Cummings (2-10, 4.43) from Brooklyn but now, suddenly in third place, is there one more prospect bullet they are ready to fire in an effort to win now? Boston also raided Brooklyn, adding shortstop Harry Barrell (.294,1,38) but with Dean Astle (5-2, 2.26) done for the year and both Bob Donoghue (.255,2,10) and Art Spencer (.270,4,51) nursing nagging injuries are the Minutemen ready to make another move?
And what of the surprising Washington Eagles? Some thought the Eagles were throwing in the towel when they sent veteran Sam Brown west to Cincinnati at the end of June but it turns out they had more than enough outfield depth to withstand Brown's absence and turned that glut into a number of prospects and an extra first round pick - items perhaps that could be turned into a pitcher to replace starters Jack Elder (3-2, 2.23) and the recently injured Les Bradshaw (7-5, 3.80), both of whom are done for the year. Washington's big test comes this week with 4 games against Chicago at Columbia Stadium, a team in which they are 1-9 against this year. Unfortunately with the deadline the Eagles will need to make a decision on whether or not to buy before they know the results of that crucial serious.
*** BUYERS AND SELLERS***
So what might each club be considering in advance of the final sim before the trade deadline? While Brooklyn has cleared most of it's collection of tradeable talent out there are still other options. Here is a look at the teams that are likely sellers
GOTHAMS: The Gothams have made it known that they are unhappy with Gus Goulding's inconsistency and, in the midst of a terrible tumble to the Fed basement, the 30 year old who played such a key role in their WCS win 10 months ago is on the block. Those interested might include just about all the contenders. Goulding seems like a perfect fit for either Boston or Washington to replace injured starters and perhaps even the Cougars might also be willing to pay what likely would be a hefty price. When he is on his game Goulding is outstanding, but the knock has always been his inconsistency.
The Gothams have made no mention of actively shopping outfielder Leon Drake (.309,5,34) but if it stands to reason they want to part with Goulding you have to think Drake could also be moved. The Chicago Cougars might be eyeing Drake as a replacement for the injured Cliff Moss.
DETROIT : It would take a special offer to pry Red Johnson away from the struggling Dynamos but Detroit management has made it no secret that anyone is available in the right deal and were rumoured to be pondering an offer a month ago for the 25 year old 3-time all-star first baseman. George Dawson seems a more likely possibility but it is hard to see any of the contenders outside of possibly Washington looking for an upgrade at the shortstop position. Dawson is 32 and would certainly be an upgrade on Jack Bush in the nation's capital. There also might be limited interest in veteran Detroit pitchers Cy Sullivan or Mule Earl and I could see a package deal where Washington addresses it's pitching depth and shortstop in one more with the Dynamos.
PITTSBURGH : An injury to Mahlon Strong (yes, that is a shock) precludes him from being included in trade discussion but perhaps veteran infielders Johnny McDowell or Jack Cleaves attract some offers. And what about Lefty Allen? Hard to imagine the Miners consider moving the 29 year old ace in the midst of a down year but stranger things have happened. A more likely scenario if the Miners are dealing a pitcher is they part with George Phillips, Karl Johnson or 37 year old Gene Stevens, who has been outstanding out of the pen and looked even more impressive in 3 recent starts.
CLEVELAND : The Foresters unfortunately have little in the way of veterans of value they would part with. Perhaps a team like Cincinnati or the Cougars settles on Dan Fowler as a depth piece to help with injuries in the outfield but that would be the extent of what Cleveland has to offer a contender.
NEW YORK STARS : Like the Gothams, war losses have destroyed the Stars season. They already moved Chink Stickels to Toronto and Chris Clarke to Cincinnati but there could be more coming. Vern Hubbard or Billy Riley might be trade targets for teams looking for mound help and while Stars brass has raved about Henry Jones I could see them considering parting with the 39 year old for the right offer.
MONTREAL: 30 year old Bill Ross would certainly attract some interest from a team like Boston or Washington but I am not sure the Saints want to move the righthander. Vic Crawford would likely be available but I do not expect there is a taker for the 35 year old first baseman
BROOKLYN: Pretty well everything that wasn't nailed down is already sold but a team in the market for a pitcher might eye Jim Crawford, a 37 year old having a strong season, or if they want bullpen help maybe someone thinks Del Lyons might just have a little more to give at the age of 38.
Perhaps nothing happens and the deadline is overshadowed by all the trade noise generated last month but there are some fits that look like they would make good moves for both the buyers and sellers. It will be an interesting week.
- A reminder that a portion of the proceeds from all 9 big league games being played on Wednesday will be presented to the fund that is being used to send sports equipment to servicemen around the world. In addition a portion will go to the Red Cross. Plenty of exciting events are planned in each of the parks that day. Columbia Field in Washington will see the 85-piece Air Forces Band play "The Star Spangled Banner" with the world's largest American Flag - one measuring 120-by-80 feet and requiring 400 men to handle- being on display and then followed by 60-yard races between outfielders, infielders and pitchers of the two teams and finally the ball game. All that starts at 8pm but the game will be halted at 9:30 for amplification of President Roosevelt's speech.
MEAD WANTS ANNAPOLIS MARITIME-ROME STATE TILT ON BIG STAGE
Senator Mead, of New York, has proposed to War and Navy Department officials that the Rome State-Annapolis Maritime football game be played as a night contest this fall in either New York or Philadelphia as part of the Treasury's War bond selling campaign. Mead wrote Acting Secretary of War Robert P Patterson and Undersecretary of the Navy James V Forrestal, suggesting that the annual clash between the service teams be arranged on a grand scale as "a morale-building spectacle."
There has been some doubt as to whether the game will be played at all. It is now tentatively scheduled for Rome, Georgia. Last fall the clash was help at Annapolis with attendance limited to residents of the immediate area because of transportation problems.
The New York Senator said he thought it would be a mistake either to eliminate the game or to arrange it anywhere except in a big city. "If it were played in New York," Mead said, "the game could take place at night, after the rush hour is over and the transportation system can care for the crowds.
"I think it could be made a magnificent spectacle that would give the whole Nation a lift," he declared. "There is nothing like seeing the cadets and midshipmen march onto the field. The radio would carry a vivid description to all corners of the world where our boys are fighting. I know they would get a bang out of it."
Senator Mead said the game might be made the vehicle for selling millions of dollars worth of War bonds besides providing upwards of $400,000 for Army and Navy relief purposes.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 7/25/1943
- Historic Palermo, capital and largest city in Sicily fell without firing a shot in it's own defense to American troops armored columns converging from 3 directions. Thousands cheered and threw gifts of flowers and fruit as the Americans entered the city, including many unarmed Italian soldiers still in uniform. The majority of the Island is now under Allied control.
- Allied forces raided Rome for the first time, concentrating on railway and aviation facilities in the ancient city.
- The Axis already sees Sicily as lost and now with growing fears of an invasion on the mainland, Mussolini may move his government to Verona, 260 miles north of Rome.
- American Flying Fortresses pounded targets in Trondheim, leaving the big German U-boat base a raging mass of exploding bombs and flaming oil tanks in the first Allied bombing mission to Norway.
- Late in the week the Allied flyers also began a large scale offensive against Crete. German broadcasts called it a test of Axis defenses, presumably in advance of major operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- American forces are said to be near ready to attempt a drive to expel Japanese forces from their last Aleutian Island base.