AUGUST 16, 1943
ATTENDANCE SKYROCKETS THROUGH NEW WAR AID PLAN
Baseball's tremendous allure, and the opportunities for turning that allure into aid for the war effort, are being vividly demonstrated this season by a series of dramatic spectacles unparalleled in the history of the game. It is a program, that in direct results, goes beyond even the high accomplishments of 1942 and points the way to still greater possibilities of service.
FABL, as it did in 1942, staged it's war benefit contests and the annual All-Star game for the benefit of funds connected with the national effort. This season, however, has witnessed an extensions of this program in a sequence of spectacles conceived, in many cases, by sports writers or other well-wishers of the sport, and carried out through the enthusiastic co-operation of the game's officials and players.
Among the most effective of these events was the War Bond game held in Washington, D.C., the night of May 24. This event, promoted by the Washington Times with the assistance of William Stockdale, owner of the Washington club, produced more than $2,000,000 in War Bond sales, admission being based on bond purchases. It was featured by a game between the Norfolk Training Station team and the Senators.
That contest hatched a much bigger plan involving all 16 FABL clubs and is clearly the reason why attendance has skyrocketed across the league of late. Finalized just prior to the All-Star break, it is due to a two-pronged plan that sees free admittance to all service men, as well as the option for all working in war related industry to gain free admittance simply by contributing a portion of their weekly paychecks to the purchase of War Bonds. The league has not said how much has been raised so far, nor how long the program will continue but it is expected to remain in effect be for the balance of the regular season.
That initiative has packed ballparks across the league. For example a recent Tuesday evening game at Columbia Stadium between the Eagles and the visiting St Louis Pioneers saw 25,989 fans enter the park with close to 15,000 taking advantage of the new 'free ticket for service' programs. Last time St Louis invaded the nation's capital was in May, prior to the new ticket plan, for which the Eagles and Pioneers drew 18,501 - for the entire three game series combined. Of course, the Eagles are serious pennant contenders now, and that clearly helps with the level of interest but fans are also taking advantage of the opportunity to watch even the bottom rung teams. Cleveland, for example, was lucky to approach 10,000 a game in attendance earlier in the year, but in a city with plenty of war industry workers, the Foresters are regularly getting 15-to-20 thousand bodies pushing through the turnstiles at Forester Stadium every game.
Records for season attendance will surely be set at many, if not all, ballparks around the league. The 16 FABL ballclubs will cheerily note that they are not seeing any revenue from ticket sales as the servicemen are not paying, and the war workers are paying by purchasing bonds, but don't think for a minute the magnates who rule the league are not making out just fine. Many of those war workers are coming straight from the factory to the ballpark and bringing with them quite an appetite so while ticket revenue won't land in the magnates pockets, they will line their coffers with greatly increased concession sales and other income associated with the game.
So it is a win-win for baseball. FABL gets the goodwill that increased bond sales - to the tune of millions of dollars- generates for Uncle Sam and likely one more reason to assure that the powers in the Government will ensure the game will continue in 1943, while also adding untold dollars to their own coffers. Our soldiers and sailors get a much needed distraction with a few hours at the ballpark, as do the war industry workers who can take a break from the factory and enjoy some baseball while knowing they are aiding the cause with the purchase of War Bonds.
BIG WEEK AHEAD
The upcoming week could be a crucial one in the Continental Association race as the Cincinnati Cannons visit Chicago for 4 games against the Cougars in a meeting of the loop's top two clubs. After this week, the pair will meet just 3 more times- in the Queen City the final weekend of September. The Cougars, who trail the Cannons by 4 games, have won 8 of the 15 contests between the two so far this season.
Boston and Philadelphia each made out well in their first test during long road trips. The Keystones won 3 of 4 in St Louis and then split yesterday's doubleheader that opened a 4 game series in Chicago. Boston had similar results in the opposite order -taking 3 of 4 in the Windy City before splitting yesterday's twin bill with the Pioneers. Boston's lead on second place Washington is now 3 games after the Eagles stumbled to start their road swing by taking just 2 of 6 from bottom feeders Detroit and New York. The Eagles have one more in the Motor City today before heading to Chicago and St Louis for their next 8 contests. The Chiefs are 5 and a half games back in third, one ahead of fourth place Philadelphia and 2 up on St Louis.
1944 DRAFT PREVIEW
PART II: HIGH SCHOOL POSITION PLAYERS
A year ago when we took our very early look at the 1944 draft class we felt the pitchers led the way among high school stars but there was also a deep crop of position players that would be eligible as well. A year later that is still the case, although a number of the names have changed. Catcher in particular looks like a position with a wealth of high school talent to offer including a pair who may one day be considered among the best in the league. Those two are Joe Robinson, who hails from Warren, Pa., and Buffalo native Red Rodgers. Both are 6'3" and have loads of potential but there are also a few other catchers who slot in just below the two behemoths. It is a deep crop but here are who TWIFB sees as the top ten high school position players eligible for the 1944 FABL draft.
1: JOE ROBINSON - C - Warren (PA) HS: .505/.573/.798 4 HR, 35 RBI. A first team All-American selection as a junior, OSA calls "Big Joe" a player with the potential "to be an impact big leaguer." Last season was his first of high school ball and he led all catchers with a .505 batting average. He hit just 4 homers but with his frame (6'3", 200 lbs) one has to think at least gap power will come.
2: GARY BURGESS - SS - Downey (CA) HS: .430/.485/.702 2HR, 31 RBI. Another hard worker, Burgess saw his numbers dip as a junior compared to his high school debut season in 1942 but OSA projects him as "an elite big league shortstop."
3: RED RODGERS - C -Lewiston (NY) HS: .452/.544/.679 2 HR, 22 RBI. You will be hard pressed to find a harder worker than the Buffalo native Rodgers. OSA says he can be an "elite catcher on a contending team" and possesses a lot of talent. He was an honorable mention for the 1942 High School All-American squad as a sophomore.
4: BEN THOMPSON- RF - Yazoo City (MS) HS: .505/.579/.876 7 HR, 38 RBI. Already a two-time High School All-American selection including this past season despite the fact it was a little less productive than his sophomore year, which was the campaign that Thompson claimed the Adwell Award as the top player in high school ball. The three year starter from Mississippi projects to be an above average power hitter with the potential to hit for average as well. TWIFB would not be surprised if Thompson was the first high school position player selected (outside of the late additions with no high school experience that enter the draft).
5: DAVE McCRAW- SS - Xavier HS, New York City: .447/.521/.709 2 HR, 25 RBI. There does not appear to be a player that compares with Jim Adams Jr. or Homer Mills - the two elite shortstops selected in the first round last year- but McCraw has the potential to "make an impact on a top-tier team" according to OSA. Considered a talented contact hitter, a plus base-runner and possessing outstanding range in the field. We would have liked to see him improve on his pretty solid sophomore numbers but he actually regressed slightly so, like the top ranked college shortstops, perhaps there is some risk.
6: JIM FLOWERS- 1B - New Eagle (PA) HS: .447/.540/.573 1 HR, 28 RBI. Another big body (6'4", 210 lbs) so perhaps he needs time to grow into his frame as his numbers were certainly not overly impressive in his first season of high school ball. However, OSA projects great things for the 16 year old, who "has potential to unleash his obvious talent both on the field and at the plate." We worry he won't develop enough power to be an everyday first baseman but perhaps as he matures he becomes a Tim Hopkins-type player although our guess is he hits for a higher average than Tiny Tim but lacks the explosive power.
7- LOU McCRIGHT- 3B - Clark HS, New Orleans: .458/.554/.687 2 HR, 23 RBI. He did post the best slash line numbers of his three years of high school ball. OSA sees McCright as a player who can hit over .300 in the big leagues and has an excellent eye, which should inflate his on-base percentage. The scouting service sees a lot of upside but we worry if he has the desire to put in the necessary work to reach his potential.
8- CAL YEAGER- C - Lodi (OH) HS: .444/.545/.759 6 HR, 34 RBI. Yeager may one day prove to be the best catcher in this group due to his outstanding work ethic. Right now he is #3 behind Robinson and Rodgers but OSA feels the 17 year old can become "an above average, everyday big league player."
9- EARLE HALEY- SS - Hamburg (IA) HS: .472/.529/.639 0 HR, 27 RBI. Very athletic, Haley should be a solid defensive shortstop once he matures. He is an aggressive hitter but his eye grades out as above average - factors that contribute to OSA's belief that Haley "has the talent to flourish in the majors. We see Haley as very comparable to Win Hamby, who was a second round pick of the Cannons a couple of years ago but now is in the Dynamos system.
10- ED DUNCAN - CF - Troy (KS) HS: .447/.535/.882 6 HR, 34 RBI. The High School All-American selection is projected to have a very nice combination of speed and power once he matures. OSA sees him as a potential second division starter at center field but some sources TWIFB talked to feel he just might develop into even more than that.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Buddy Brumbaugh 3B Wallingford (CT) HS
Harry Bennett CF Orleans (VT) HS
Mike Stehle C Richmond (VA) St. Christopher's HS
Joe Richmond 2B Visalia (CA) HS
Leo Warren 2B Warwick (RI) HS
Paul Caissie RF Warwick (RI) HS
King Allen 2B Marietta (GA) HS
Hank Mortell C Lansing (MI) HS
Next edition our 1944 Draft Preview continues with a look at the top high school pitching candidates.
Ol’ Doc here predicted this would be the beginning of a pivotal road trip for the Minutemen as they look to secure their second league title in a three season span. It would appear the gatekeepers of this fine publication also believe in Ol’ Doc’s assessment of the club and have decided to send myself on the train with the club as they make every stop. So instead of Ol’ Doc disseminating information from his prodigious network of sources while the club is on the road, he gets to report to the fans directly. The first stop on the trip takes us to “windy city” Chicago for a four game stretch against the Chiefs.
8/11/43: 11-6 Win
This game was a battle of all-star arms as both clubs sent their top man to the hill for battle. For Boston that was Walt Wells going up against five time all-star Al “The California Kid” Miller. Just shy of 32,000 patrons packed Whitney Park in expectation of witnessing pitching mastery. However, if pitching was what fans were looking for they were sorely disappointed. Wells couldn’t get out of the 5th before skipper Bill Boshart finally pulled the plug on his day. By this point Wells had given up six earned on ten hits and not factor into the final decision. Miller on the other hand had not been much better but was able to give the Chiefs a bit more length as he pitched the first seven innings giving up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits himself. Chicago manager Joe Ward went with Charlie Bingham to start the eighth inning and the Minutemen would have their way with him. Bingham never officially recorded an out and gave up five earned on four hits before Bob Cummings mercifully relieved him. Those five runs were enough for a Boston bullpen that used Dick Higgins, Johnny Harry and Dutch Day to hold the Chiefs scoreless over the games final 5.2 innings. Offensively for Boston Pete Day and Bill Moore each knocked in 3 R.B.I.'s with Chick Donnelly right behind them with two himself. It was a good win to start the series.
8/12/43: 7-1 Loss
It could be argued that the pitching matchup in the second game of the series was potentially more intriguing than Wells vs. Miller from game one. For Boston it would be 17 game winner Ed Wood going up against newly acquired Gus Goulding who was acquired from the Gothams in their semi-annual sell-off. Goulding was acquired specifically to beat Washington and the Minutemen who sit above the Chiefs in the standings. It was another capacity crowd of just over 32,000 that saw Goulding completely dominate the Minutemen. Goulding would go the distance, scattering eight hits and only giving up a single earned run. For Boston Ed Wood just didn’t have it on this day. Wood lasted just over five innings giving up seven earned runs. Ron Rattigan and Sam Orr paved the way for Chicago. Boston had two hits each from Pete Day, Bob Donoghue and Art Spencer but it was far from enough to keep the offense competitive.
8/13/43: 8-4 Win
In a counter to the Goulding acquisition in Chicago, Boston went out and picked up 29 year old starting pitcher Paul Richardson from the Philadelphia Sailors. The move was surprising to many as Boston gave up last year's top draft pick 3B Frank Gonnella and a 7th rounder to acquire the services on a 29 year old starter who came into the 1943 season with five career wins. Richardson was 7-6 with a 2.67 ERA in 141.2 innings before the deal which Boston must have felt was good enough to take a heavy chance on. For the Sailors, not a bad flip for a player they claimed off of waivers in 1941. In the game Richardson would give Boston 6.1 innings of work giving up four earned runs which proved to be enough to secure his first win in a Boston uniform. Chicago starter Les Zoller with seven earned in 3.1 innings and took the loss. The Minutemen enjoyed multi-RBI performances from Pete Day, Bill Moore and Art Spencer. The win gave the Minutemen a 2-1 series advantage going into the final game of the series.
8/14/43: 7-6 Win
In the series finale the Minutemen sent 13 game winner Duke Hendricks to the mound to face off against John Douglass. The Chiefs were able to get to Hendricks early and had built up a 3-0 lead going into the fifth inning before the Boston offense woke up to score three runs to tie the game. Lew McClendon’s one out RBI single followed by Bill Moore’s two RBI double accounted for the Boston runs. Frank Davis singles in Jim Watson in the bottom half of the fifth to put the Chiefs back on top 4-3. The score held until the seventh when Joe Ward made the decision to keep Douglass in the game and the Minutemen pounced for four runs. Newly acquired outfielder Jay Buckingham delivered a crushing two run triple to give Boston the lead for good. Sam Orr and company gave their best effort to get back into things by scoring two runs off of Johnny Hary in the bottom of the eighth but it wasn’t enough as Martin, Watson and Bird would go 1-2-3 with ground outs to end the game.
The 3-1 series win was just what the Minutemen needed to kick off a successful road trip. On a personal note Ol’ Doc would like to publicly thank the proprietors of the “Twin Anchors” on Sedgwick Avenue for their hospitality. Ol’ Doc sincerely hopes to find such a wonderful establishment on our next stop in St. Louis.
8/15/43: Game 1: 6-0 WIN; Game 2: 3-2 Loss
St. Louis, “The Gateway to the West” and the next stop on the road trip. The Pioneers enter into the series with a 57-53 record 7.5 games back in the FA. Although the club is sitting in fifth position they have been one of the hotter teams in the league since the trade deadline. St. Louis would also catch Boston’s back end of the rotation after a long train ride from Chicago. The Sunday doubleheader at Pioneer Field was a great opportunity for St. Louis to carve into the division lead. Don’t tell any of that to Boston starter Joe Sargent though. The 25 year old Sargent was promoted to the starting rotation earlier this season and at times has looked great, while at other times has looked lost. In the first game of the double dip it was one of the good times for Sargent. Sargent gave Boston eight shutout innings allowing five hits. Offensively both Pete Day and Bob Donoghue had multi-hit games and Bill Van Ness added a two run triple in the victory.
In the irony that is baseball the Minutemen were hoping to build on their game one momentum with Walt Wells taking the mound in the second game of the doubleheader. St. Louis though was sending their top hurler in Sam Sheppard to the mound to entertain the 39,000 that made it through the turnstiles. Wells was much better than he was four days ago in Chicago and was close to equal in every way to Sheppard who was very effective against the Boston offense. In the end it was St. Louis who capitalized on some fielding miscues by the Minutemen that led to a pair of unearned runs. The loss would give the Minutemen a 4-2 record for the week.
Checking the standings it looks like everyone in the FA aside from St. Louis (7-3) has been in the .500 range over their last ten ball games. Next for Boston is 2 more games in St. Louis before the club travels to New York before heading back to Detroit for a Sunday doubleheader against the Dynamos. Eight games in seven days will surely test the rotation yet again. Currently, Boston enjoys a three game lead over second place Washington who will play Detroit on Monday. From there the Eagles will head to Chicago for four games and St. Louis for their own Sunday doubleheader.
TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN
Wolves Hit The Road- As the Toronto ballclub hits the road for the balance of August into September not to return home until Labour Day weekend Brett Bing looks at, makes predictions on the 6 upcoming series. These games will undoubtedly decide the fate of the Wolves 1943 season. Rumours around the Wolves offices are that management feels 16-7 is minimum standard required to have dreams of October baseball remain in Toronto.
Montreal- August 11th-14th- Wolves begin the trip with four in Parc Cartier against the Saints. The Saints are an up and coming team but have a losing record at home this season, 22-28. Wolves have a 8-6 record head to head while facing Montreal this season.
Brett's Prediction- Given the two rest days before opening the series allowing Toronto to set up their pitching will allow the Wolves to go 3-1.
EDITOR'S NOTE- This was a weekend edition story and the Wolves actually did live up to Brett Bing's prediction by going 3-1 against the Saints. They also split yesterday's doubleheader with the Cougars to open their four game set in Chicago.
Chicago- August 15th-17th- This is the only series that allows Toronto to make up the most ground on teams ahead of them during the road trip as they do not face the Cannons. Four games in three days after an overnight train trip from Montreal to Chicago. Wolves have a 9-6 record will facing the Cougars this season but that is misleading as the recent record is 2-6 after the Chicago squad picked up the pace.
Brett's Prediction- Although a sweep would be the best of all world's Brett sees a split 2-2. Not gaining on the Cougars but not losing ground.
New York- August 18th-21st- The Stars were active at the deadline along the Gothams. Both teams seem to looking past 1943. Wolves have a favourable 11-4 record in games with the Stars this season.
Brett's Prediction- Expect the Wolves to continue their winning ways with Chink Stickle providing a spark in a 3-1 series win.
Brooklyn- August 22nd-25th- Toronto will not have to travel or even change hotels for this series thanks to some forward planning by the team's travel secretary. The Kings, as they have been through out history, are proving to be a thorn in the paw of the Wolves with an even 6-6 record during this season.
Brett's Prediction- Due to the ability to remain in one place for over a week along with importance of the games Brett thinks this series will also be 3-1 in Toronto's favour.
Cleveland- August 27th-29th- After the only off day during the entire trip Toronto arrives on the banks of the Ohio river for a 4 game weekend series. The Wolves sport a 9-5 against the Foresters this season.
Brett's Prediction- IF, that is a big if, Toronto handles the first 16 games according to Brett's predictions he will go out on a limb to predict a 4-0 sweep.
Philadelphia- August 30th- September 1st- The Sailors, Wolves have played exciting and close games all season with Toronto holding a slight 9-8 edge in the season series.
Brett's Prediction- After a grueling road trip with the end in sight, overnight travel to Philadelphia after a double header Brett thinks the Wolves may stumble to lose this series 1-2.
So overall Brett predicts that the Wolves will reach the management's minimum requirement of a 16-7 trip. Will there be heroes or goats during this trip? The Mail and Empire will provide all the required coverage for Wolves faithful.
- New York Gothams manager Ed Ziehl thinks baseball for 1944 is assured. "Ninety-five per cent of the country and our soldiers and sailors all over the world want the game continued," said the 56 year long-time New York skipper. "I also think we should have teams spend some time in Florida next spring, assuming the transportation department is fine with it."
- There has been talk of cutting rosters down to 20 or 18 players per team, an idea recently floated by Brooklyn Kings owner Daniel Prescott, but Ziehl feels that is too low. "Perhaps we could make do with 21 but injuries and the daily grind make a lower number out of the question for me."
- Due for a promotion. Jim Adams Jr. - Cleveland's top draft pick- was named player of the week in the AA Eastern Association for the second time in as many weeks. Adams is hitting .435 in 24 games in that loop and likely should be headed to Cleveland soon.
- Due for a promotion part two. Brooklyn's top selection, outfielder Pat Petty who went third overall, had quite the start at Class C Marshalltown. The 18 year old hit .300 with 3 homers and 9 rbi's in his first 11 games of pro ball. Petty debuted at #8 on the OSA top prospect list.
- Bob Griffith (.299,1,51) singled off the Stars Billy Riley in the third inning of the Cincinnati Cannons 3-1 win in the second half of their twin bill yesterday. That runs his hitting streak to 21 games - longest in FABL this season.
- Deuce Barrell (14-6, 2.07) halted his first losing streak of the season with a 5-3 win over Brooklyn on Saturday. Deuce had lost his previous two decisions -first time for back-to-back losses all season for the 26 year old lefthander.
- Cougars starter Joe Brown (14-7, 2.55) is on an outstanding run, throwing three consecutive shutouts to improve to 14-7 on the season. In eight of his last nine starts, Brown has allowed one or fewer earned runs while going 7-2 in the span. The 29-year-old has been huge in keeping the Cougars in the pennant race, working to a 2.55 ERA (134 ERA+) and 1.05 WHIP with 43 walks and 77 strikeouts. His 14 wins are tied for second in the CA, and he's pitching at a near 6 WAR pace. The Cougars are now down four on the Cannons, but the Illinois native is doing his best to help his hometown team return to the postseason.
- The Fed batting race is getting interesting. Al Tucker (.345,5,53) of St Louis still leads the Chiefs Jim Watson (.340,5,50) but they are headed in opposite directions in August. Watson is following up a .226 July with .389 so far in August while Tucker is hitting .260 on the month including just .190 over the past week.
- The Chiefs Al Wheeler broke out of his slump with a triple in the first Boston game. He ended up hitting .333/.440/.714 with 2 HR on the week.
- Red Johnson's hitting has picked up since the trade from Detroit to the New York Gothams, but still not up to his usual standards. In 11 games with New York he's .279/.354/.465 with 2 homers and 5 RBI.
- Is the inexperienced starting pitching showing signs of finally cracking in Washington? Yesterday's doubleheader loss to seventh place Detroit did not go well for either Eagles starter. 27 year old rookie Dick Gibbs (7-8, 4.40) had his worst outing of the season and one of the worst starts for any FABL pitcher this year, allowing 9 runs on 7 hits while getting pulled in the second inning of a 9-7 loss in the opener. The nightcap did not go much better as 24 year old Mack Brubaker (1-3, 3.96) allowed 5 Detroit runs in the second inning and only made it through 4 frames of a 6-3 defeat.
- Eagles rookie outfielder hit 3 homers last week. Washington management was not sure if he was ready as he was still just 19 years old on Opening Day, but Alvardo is hitting a solid .285 with 17 homers and 63 rbi's on the season. Only teammate Sig Stofer, with 18, has more round-trippers in FABL than Alvardo.
- Positive news from the Stars outfield, a position that has been a source of frustration all season. Chubby Hall (.275,6,38) seems to finally be finding his stride. The long awaited awakening of the right fielder seems to finally be happening. And Hank Jones (.259,10,42) seems to be surging again. After slumping for a bit he's back to hitting the ball hard again. However, Gary Carmichael is mad about not being the full time third baseman and wants out. It's a slap in the face to Ray Cochran (.255,2,30) to pull him entirely, and with 45 year old Dave Trowbridge still on the team, the Stars can't move him to first. Jones is killing it as a left fielder, so they can't move Cochran there either. Decisions need to be made about the Stars lineup.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 8/15/1943
- The Allies increase the heat on Italy with more aerial attacks on Rome, Turin and Milan while British warships blast a naval yard in the Gulf of Naples. Allied ground forces in Sicily are within sight of the Italian mainland and increased their bag of prisoners to 125,000.
- The bombings of Rome prompt the Italian government late in the week to declare that Rome is now an 'Open-City'. Acceptance would spare the center of the Catholic world from future bombings, but as of yet there has been no response from Washington.
- Germany was not spared as several targets were shelled this week including a late week bombing raid on Berlin.
- Rumours are circulating that a military coup may soon dislodged Adolf Hitler from power in Germany.
- Weather, soft ground that is easy for digging trenches and absorbs the shock of bomb blasts and a protected location, makes Kiska - site of the last Japanese holdout in the Aleutians a tough not to crack. But it remains a key objective for American troops.
- Fear spreads in Tokio as an American bombing raid hits targets on the northern end of the Japanese Kurile Island chain.
- Russian troops have German occupied Kharkov surrounded and the fall of the city appears imminent.
- Roosevelt and Churchill met face-to-face in Canada for yet another war strategy meeting.