JANUARY 31, 1944
COUGARS ADD VETERAN ARM
The Chicago Cougars have what is likely the best offense in the Continental Association and they just took a step to upgrade a pitching staff decimated by war losses. The Cougars may now be the heavy favourite to win the 1944 CA Pennant after acquiring veteran lefthander Mike Murphy from the Detroit Dynamos. The cost was a pair of minor leaguers in 21 year old third baseman Johnny Weaver (presently in the Army) and 20 year old righthander Sam Hess.
For Murphy it is a homecoming of sorts as the 36 year old was originally drafted second overall by the Cougars out of Brooklyn State way back in 1928. He made just 4 appearances in a Cougars uniform before being part of a blockbuster deal -that include a pair of Barrell brothers- which sent him to Brooklyn in 1932. Murphy would go on to post a 167-121 record, make 3 All-Star teams and help the Kings win three pennants. He spent the past four and a half seasons with the Dynamos and was 6-7 with a 3.92 era last season.
JIGGS MCGEE'S TAKE ON THE DEAL: This move might be just enough to make the Cougars the preseason favourite in the Continental Association. The thinking was after the war losses TWIFB would place Cincinnati -last year's winner- slightly ahead of the Cougars but that might just change with the addition of Murphy. The Cougars offense is the best in the CA and while Cincinnati might still have the edge on the mound, if Murphy pitches like he is capable of the gap was narrowed substantially.
As for Detroit, there was little doubt Murphy would be moved by the once again rebuilding Dynamos but I am surprised they did not hold off until perhaps the trade deadline. I suppose they are worred that Murphy's down season last year was a sign of things to come and wanted to get what they could for him now. I do believe Murphy is going to be a decent starting pitcher this season -not an ace by any means but certainly no worse than a very dependable back of the rotation arm- so Detroit likely could have received a better return had they waited.
What the Dyanoms did receive was Johnny Weaver, a 21 year old third baseman taken in the fifth round out of Cumberland last summer and presently ranked 148th by OSA on the prospect list, along with 20 year old pitcher Sam Hess, who is ranked 224th and was the Cougars 10th round pick out of an Alabama high school in 1942. OSA thinks Weaver can be an above-average third baseman but after hitting .228 in Class B last year I am not sold on him. We won't know much about him for some time now as he was inducted into the Army last November. Hess is coming off a rather serious shoulder injury that cost him most of last season. OSA feels Hess projects to be a spot starter.
REGIONAL ROUND COMPLETED
The 16 FABL clubs finished off the winter portion of the 1944 amateur player draft by making their regional round selections. The third round, known as the Regional Round, forces each club to select one player from their designated home territory -which is defined as the state the club resides in or one that immediately neighbors it. Teams are not allowed to trade regional round selections and the draft is conducted in the same order of priority as all other rounds of the current draft. Here are the 1944 selections.
Code:
3RD (REGIONAL) ROUND SELECTIONS
# TM PLAYER POS AGE SCHOOL HOMETOWN
33 NYG Charlie Hoffman RHP 17 Clinton HS, Bronx New York, NY
34 CLE Ford Dunn CF 17 Rock Hill HS, Ironton Ironton, OH
35 DET Jack Entringer RHP 17 Bay City (MI) HS Bay City, MI
36 NYS Walter Smith RHP 17 Hopewell (NJ) HS Hopewell, NJ
37 PIT Len Bankston SS 17 Lincoln HS, Brooklyn Philadelphia, PA
38 BKN Harry Patterson CF 18 Easton(PA) HS Easton, PA
39 CHI Hubie Grant SS 17 Elgin(IL) HS Elgin, IL
40 MON Cliff Berwald C 17 Rensselaer (NY) HS Rensselaer, NY
41 WSH Mike Stehle C 18 St Christophers HS Washington, DC
42 PHS Lou Graham C 18 Woodbury (NJ) HS Sharon Hill, PA
43 PHK Harry Bennett CF 17 Orleans (VT) HS Moundsville, WV
44 CHC Harry Austin LF 17 New Athens (IL) HS New Athens, IL
45 STL Bill Robinson Jr 2B 17 Charleston (WV) HS Kansas City, MO
46 TOR Frank Williams Jr LF 17 Denver (CO) HS Vancouver, BC
47 BOS Paul Caissie RF 17 Warwick (RI) HS Warwick, RI
48 CIN Dee Hill C 17 Seneca HS, Louisville Louisville, KY
Every FABL team has been hit hard by the war and the Pioneers are no exception. This past offseason saw four St. Louis regulars trade in their bats for riffles. 27 year old second sacker Artie D’Alessandro is coming off his best season drawing career high 110 BB, the most in the FABL. 26 year old Dutch Breunig, who finished sixth in the FED in batting average in 1943, has joined a long list of STL first basemen to go off to war. 24 year old OF Buck Pusey spent years climbing through the minors to finally become a legitimate starter in the FABL before joining the war effort. Finally, the heart of the Pioneers squad, 29 year old catcher Heinie Zimmer joined the Navy knowing he might not every play another game in the FABL. At this point the Pioneers have been lucky that the pitching staff from last season’s surprise run to the top of the FED standings has not been touched by the military but they will have to find a way to replace half of their lineup. What do we have to look forward to in spring training?
Catcher
24 year old Herbie Johnson was plucked from the Chicago Chiefs organization with the 12th pick of the first round of the Rule 5 draft. The Pioneers are hoping that Johnson takes hold of the position right away after hitting .292 and slamming 14 homers 433 A Ball plate appearances. He also walked more than he struck out last year but his defense(25 errors) could be a problem. Veteran Red Bryant should make the team, hopefully as a backup, but he could start full time if he had to. He backed up Zimmer last season and hit .274 against lefties and would probably platoon with Johnson if all goes to plan.
Veteran to watch: Clyde Farr(27 years old) hit .295 at AAA as the main backstop for Oakland and is one of the better defenders at the position. If things fall apart he could end up on the major league roster either as the starter or the backup.
Prospect to watch: In a perfect world 22 year old Ed Tracy would win the job as a non-roster invitee. Tracy was a 17th round pick in the ammy draft this year that showed better hitting skills in the pros than he did in college. The front office would be ecstatic if he were to jump up and win the job.
First Base
As I was reminded of this offseason, first base is the easiest position to fill. It’s true that just about any professional baseball player could adequately fill the position from a fielding standpoint the Pioneers would also like that player to be able to at least replicate the hitting success of the incumbent Breunig. Bill Becker, a 21st round selection in the surprised everyone last year when he made the jump from A ball to the majors with just 50 AAA plate appearances in between and he hit .362 for the Pioneers to boot. A platoon between Becker and 29 year old Mike Roberson is the most likely scenario.
Veteran to watch: Hal Sharp has been squeezed out of the OF log jam in recent seasons by younger players that can hit and field. He can still get on base and he can play a decent first base.
Prospect to watch: Dick Sanders has proven he can hit at any level but the majors. With four starting first basemen off the fight the war this could be his best shot at making the team as his glove is nowhere as good as his bat. If only there were a position where guys could hit and not worry about fielding at all?
Second Base
Maybe the barest position in the Pioneers’ cupboard is second base. With the departure of D’Alessandro St. Louis has very little ready to take over the starting spot. A platoon of Jim Koch and Bob Wheeler, two guys who each had about 250 PA in AAA last year, is a real possibility. Koch is a third round pick from last season’s draft that went straight to AAA so he may be the future at the position. Wheeler has made significant improvement. After hitting just .209 in AA during the 1942 season he hit .255 in AAA this past year.
Veteran to watch: Don’t count out veteran Ray Russell. He will make the team no matter what so he should get a shot at the starting 2B and SS positions in spring training.
Prospect to watch: Koch will turn 22 before the season starts so I guess he should go here. Options beyond those mentioned above are slim.
Shortstop
When STL traded away Freddie Jones for five prospects before the 1939 season they thought they had their shortstop of the future. At 23 Ivan Cameron came out in 1939 and hit .276 and played steady defense in 153 games but it has been down hill at the plate and in the field ever since. To the point that Cameron will have to earn the job back this spring if he can. The frontrunner right now is veteran minor leaguer Jack Helmig who hit .293 and played spectacular defense in AAA last year. It’s Helmig’s job to lose at this point but the brass our still rooting for Cameron to come out on top.
Veteran to watch: Russell will get a chance but most believe he is best suited for the utility role he played last season.
Prospect to watch: Last season’s first round pick, Homer Mills, struggled hitting at AA but dominated A after a demotion. His glove looks to be major league ready so he will get an opportunity to take the job away from Helmig and Cameron.
Outfield
Veteran Gil Gifford has always been able to hit but it was the combination of that and his fielding ability that made him special. In the past few seasons his fielding ability has been questioned and he lost some luster. The 1943 campaign saw Gifford reach new heights in the field(15 OA, 2 Errors) while continuing to provide a solid bat at the plate. Gifford combined with rookie Cal Page(7 OA, 2 errors 73 CF starts) makes for some pretty good outfield defense against lefties where the veteran shifts to left field. Right field belongs to the 1943 FABL batting champ Al Tucker. At .345 Tucker hit 15 points higher than the number two hitter and while he can’t cover as much ground in the outfield as he use to he still has a cannon for an arm registering a career high 16 outfield assist last year. His message to the league “Keep trying to run on me!”Left field against right handed batters is the only starting spot left and the upper hand goes to another rule 5 draft pick in Pershing Christian. Christian hit over .300 against righties at AA last year while drawing 61 walks and playing serviceable defense.
Veteran to watch: Everything would have to go very, very good for Hal Sharp or very, very bad for the Pioneers in general for him to step foot into the outfield again. The entire franchise is hoping that doesn’t happen.
Prospect to watch: Another rule 5 pick, Archie Sharp, can play outstanding defense all around the outfield. If he can prove that his bat belongs in the bigs during spring trainingthen he’ll get his chance.
Rotation
While the war took it’s toll on the lineup this offseason it was very kind to the entire STL pitching staff. The starter’s ERA was fifth in the FED last year but that should drop lower with a full year of Joe Shaffner and a continued return to form of fan favorite Sam Sheppard. If they are on top of their games then they are a formidable one, two punch. Throw in returners Buddy Long, Jasper Moore, and Danny Hern and you have five starters for four spots. Not a bad problem to have.
Veteran to watch: Ed Cornett fancies himself as a starter but he’s never really found success at the major league level. Last season he was a valuable member of the Pioneers’ bullpen despite only logging 25 innings.
Prospect to watch: 22 year old Ben Fiskars had a very good year split between AA and AAA last season totaling 18 wins and 163 strike outs. He’s knocking at the door and will get a shot in spring training. What do you do with 26 year old Herb Armstrong? All he did was win 13 games at AAA while posting a 2.22 ERA and giving up ZERO homers in 170 innings pitched.
Bullpen
Russ Peeples struggled a little bit early, suffered through a horrible July, before pitching lights out during the final two plus months of the season keeping the Pioneers within striking distance of the top of the FED. He’ll return to his stopper role where he can hopefully avoid the ups and downs of 1943. He will be joined by Preacher Pietsch, Ed Cornett, and the two guys who do not make the rotation. The only player who may be in danger of losing his spot would be Harry Sharp. The former third round pick started his career off strong as a starter but back to back 5+ ERA seasons pushed him to the bullpen where he continued his struggles.
Veteran to watch: Don Orr’s time in the majors has mostly been disappointing. He put up great AAA numbers last season and may get one last chance to make the big league club.
Prospect to watch: 22 year old Pinky Sowell excelled in the bullpen during stops at A and AA during the 1943 season. He could work his way into the STL pen by the end of the 1944 season if everything falls right for him.
TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN
Wolves Offseason. 1944 Outlook -- As another muted Christmas season passes 1944 begins, the war rages on both in Europe and the Pacific, it is time to give Wolves fans something else to think about rather than daily shocking war reports. Brett will assume that the war continues to be fought during the upcoming baseball season, that the advances in both theatres will not be enough to bring victory to the Allied forces during 1944.
The Toronto squad, along with all other teams in the FABL, has lost a number of key players to war after the conclusion of the 1943 season. Wolves most prominent losses have been SP Joe Hancock, RP Lou Jayson, C Homer Betts, 2B Mike Rollinson leaving the team for the war. This leaves major lineup adjustments to be made for 1944. These players along with the unexpected retirement of manager Charlie Reed has left rookie manager Bob Call with a daunting, but doable task in the CA. The latest count in the organization has 53 players either serving Uncle Sam or King and Country.
Now a look at what the Mail & Empire believe will be the lineup manager Call hands to the umpiring crews before the start of 154 games.
C- Clarence Howerton- can the clubhouse leader again start behind the plate for over 110 games? At 34 is this too much to ask? Although the official schedule has not been released there probably will the same number of twin bills as in '43 making a reliable backup a "must have" for all teams. With Homer Betts off serving over the skies in Germany this role will likely be passed to 25 year-old Walter Loera who was acquired in a deal with the Cougars last summer. Wolves hope that they have just drafted their catcher of the future in Cal Yeager but he is a number of years away from Canada.
1B- This is a position that will be familiar to returnees to Dominion Stadium. Walt Pack will handle the majority games at the first sack relieved by aging Al jensen when called for as games pile up during the season.
2B- Although the loss of Rollison's bat may diminish some the offense Hal Wood should be able to handle the position on an everyday basis. Frank Huddleston is expected to see more action in 1944 if Wood is called on to relieve Charlie Artuso at SS.
SS- Charlie Artuso will, as usual, log the majority of innings at this key position. If he rebounds from a subpar year at the plate, .235/.289/.317, overall the loss of Rollison may not even be noticed in '44.
3B- Ockie Holliday returns with management hoping that 1943 were the realistic, expected stats from this former highly regarded prospect. Pack, Wood or Joe Bell can spell Holliday if required by Call.
LF- Juan Pomales is set to patrol left again in '44. The only change would be if the Wolves cannot find a suitable substitute for Hancock and Chuck Wirtz does not recover some of his form.
CF- Chink Stickel, last summer stretch run acquisition from the Stars, will start the season in Toronto. He rebounded a bit after coming north putting up .261/.341/.333 numbers with the Wolves. All of Toronto is hoping this former All-star can turn back the clock.
RF- Initial thoughts are that right field will be split between Gus Hull, Reginald Westfall with Call riding the hot hand. Would be a perfect platoon except they are both LHB. Larry Vestal is seen as the 4th/5th outfielder if his 34 year-old body can handle the rigors of another season.
SP- This is an area where the Wolves have been strong for a number of years but the loss of Hancock a year after George Garrison went off to war has raised concern in the front office. Can Bernie Johnson lead the staff? Will Jimmy Gibbs repeat his rookie season? Will Bob Walls be able to handle another 240+ innings? Can Jim Laurita make the big step from AAA, Buffalo? Will vet Chuck Wirtz return to some semblance of form at age 35? Will Pomales be forced to handle two-way duties? Many questions, few answers.
A rotation of Johnson, Gibbs, Walls, Laurita, Wirtz looks good on paper but how will it play out when the games count?
Toronto will bring a number of arms into camp for evaluation. May be someone will impress enough to come north with the team.
RP- Another area of worry with the loss of Jayson who anchored the 'pen in 1943. With Ron Coles probably out for the season the bullpen will marked different this season. Can the old men Phil English, 39, Bob McRae, 34. Bill Crosby, 33 provide enough depth if a starter runs into early troubles? Again more questions than answers. Expect a brigade of arms trying to fight for jobs in spring training.
THE TOP FIRST ROUND SELECTIONS FROM EACH DRAFT SLOT
EDITOR'S NOTE: With this column we officially welcome a new contributor to TWIFB. Elmer Farrington, a former minor league player and self-described baseball historian, will share his insight and love for the game with an occasional column.
In the spirit of draft season my love for history and baseball was itching at me tonight. I thought I would slap together an unofficial best ever list based on first round draft picks. What is fun about this list is that it looks at draft position. There are no caveats with this list. I don’t care if it was the human era or not. Whether feeders were active or disbanded. Did a top player go to WWII or are they still a hot prospect in the minors? Doesn’t matter. All this represents is a snapshot in time as of January 1944. All batters will be sorted by WAR. Which I understand is not the best metric for some because it factors in defense. I understand that when lists are created offense only is what most care about, but I like defense, and I made the list! :grin: With pitchers I decided to go with innings pitched as it was an easy sort that gave you an idea of longevity, which at least tells us who the AI and the human GM thought good enough to keep on the active roster. Does IP=Greatness? Sometimes yes, but not always. Lots of straight innings eaters on this list.
In our universe the draft has been around since 1911 giving us 33 years worth of data to unpack. The importance of the first round pick is well established. There is a mystique about drafting the next great Max Morris every year for GM’s. Of course, the greatest emphasis all GM’s put on the draft revolves around that first round pick. I wanted to examine that idea with this list. I think there are some interesting takeaways that can be gleaned by the data. Will it change perceptions toward how people view first round picks in general? Who knows. I don’t think I had such lofty goals when I created the list, I was mainly just up all night with a one month old and needed something to do!
Round 1 Pick 1
We have two Hall of Farmers (so far) from this group.
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Max Morris: 1913 Cleveland 135.9 (HOF)
Rankin Kellogg: 1922 Keystones 98.2 (HOF)
T.R. Goings: 1919 Washington 86.1 Retired
Harry Barrell: 1931 Cleveland 77.5 Active
Al Wheeler: 1925 Detroit 76.1 Active
Worst:
Charlie Ross 1937 Cleveland -1.2 Active
Pitchers: (IP)
Tom Barrell 1929 Cougars 2368.1 Active
Joe Hancock 1933 Toronto 2162.1 Active
Walker Moore 1924 Keystones 1751.1 Retired
Dick Dover 1918 Brooklyn 1591.2 Retired
Tommy Wilcox 1928 Brooklyn 1554.1 Retired
Honorable Mention: Max Morris 1461.2
Round 1 Pick 2
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Freddie Jones 1931 St. Louis 54.6 Active
Red Johnson 1935 Detroit 35.6 Active
Danny Clark 1912 Cleveland 32.9 Retired
Tom Roberts 1923 Toronto 27.8 Retired
Freddie Malley 1922 Toronto 24.8 Retired
Worst:
Al Swain 1919 NY Stars 3.8 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Mose Smith 1914 Cleveland 4425.1 Retired
Mike Murphy 1928 Cougars 2560.0 Active
Eddie Quinn 1925 Toronto 2330.0 Retired
Hap Goodwin 1918 Pittsburgh 2296.1 Retired
Gus Goulding 1934 Baltimore 2030.2 Active
Round 1 Pick 3
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Pablo Reyes 1932 Montreal 53.2 Active
Tod Barnes 1911 Cleveland 46.6 Retired
Bud Jameson 1925 NY Gothams 45.2 Retired
Fred Barrell 1926 Cougars 32.4 Retired
Vic Crawford 1929 Montreal 29.7 Active
Worst:
Frank Shropshire 1928 St. Louis -.3 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Ernie Henderson 1916 Keystones 2061.1 Retired
Bernie Johnson 1931 Toronto 1925.0 Active
John Edwards 1933 Baltimore 1213.0 Active
George Garrison 1935 Toronto 1120.0 Active
Del Burns 1934 Detroit 925.1 Active
Round 1 Pick 4
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Pete Layton 1921 NY Stars 86.2 Retired
George Cleaves 1931 Pittsburgh 52.8 Active
Tom Taylor 1923 Sailors 52.5 Retired
Newell Winn 1911 Keystones 49.3 Retired
John Kincaid 1922 NY Gothams 44.3 Retired
Worst:
Johnny Turner 1930 Cleveland .2 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Lefty Allen 1932 Pittsburgh 2417.0 Active
Chuck Cole 1928 Toronto 2194.0 Active
Al Miller 1933 Chiefs 2090.0 Active
Delos Dunn 1918 Baltimore 1692.0 Retired
Larry Brown 1926 Detroit 819.0 Active
Round 1 Pick 5
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Gordie Loftus 1920 NY Stars 45.9 Retired
Bill May 1931 Montreal 34.9 Active
Rube Blair 1914 Keystones 29.5 Retired
Paul Bailey 1916 Washington 28.7 Retired
Don Ward 1924 Cleveland 25.2 Retired
Worst:
Lee Griffin 1926 Montreal -1.3 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Rabbit Day 1923 Baltimore 4608.1 Active
Bob Miller 1922 Baltimore 1990.2 Retired
Bob Paxton 1918 Keystones 969.2 Retired
Earle Robinson 1933 Brooklyn 291.0 Active
Preacher Pietsch 1937 Cougars 131.2 Active
Round 1 Pick 6
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Bobby Barrell 1928 Keystones 72.2 Active
Doug Lighbody 1925 Brooklyn 48.8 Retired
Adam Mullins 1934 Montreal 44.8 Active
Pedro Valenzuela 1911 Chiefs 44.2 Retired
Dan Fowler 1929 Boston 42.3 Active
Worst:
Phil Brothers 1915 Keystones 1.1 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Pete Papenfus 1936 Chiefs 727.0 Active
George Johnson 1926 Chiefs 316.2 Retired
Donnie Jones 1938 Toronto 261.2 Active
Willie Gonzalez Jr.1937 NY Gothams 6.2 Active
Huck Moore 1927 NY Gothams 5.0 Active
Round 1 Pick 7
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Jim Carreon 1917 Washington 43.4 Retired
Skipper Schneider 1939 Cougars 22.2 Active
Lew Seals 1934 Pittsburgh 20.7 Active
Jake Shadoan 1929 Brooklyn 19.3 Active
Jay Fry 1911 Brooklyn 19.3 Retired
Worst:
Tom Eggleton 1930 Chiefs -.1 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Ed Cheetham 1914 Pittsburgh 2801.1 Retired
Del Plummer 1916 Pittsburgh 2480.2 Retired
George Thomas 1928 Montreal 1928.2 Active
Bob Cummings 1933 Brooklyn 1481.2 Active
Bunny Edwards 1936 NY Gothams 480.2 Active
Round 1 Pick 8
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Dick York 1917 Detroit 32.4 Retired
Sandy Lovelle 1919 Baltimore 23.7 Retired
Woody Stone 1934 Sailors 21.3 Active
Hal Turner 1914 Sailors 18.7 Retired
Buddy Schnieder 1939 Boston 14.7 Active
Worst:
Rex Kaiser 1926 Boston -1.9 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Bob Simmon 1915 Pittsburgh 2781.2 Retired
Red Adwell 1913 Pittsburgh 2302.0 Retired
Wally Doyle 1936 Montreal 741.0 Active
Nate Spear 1933 Pittsburgh 425.2 Active
Pat Weakley 1938 Montreal 209.0 Active
Round 1 Pick 9
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
George Sanders 1917 NY Gothams 31.4 Retired
Eddie Gaiser 1915 Toronto 29.1 Retired
Jake Moore 1923 Cleveland 19.7 Retired
Mike Pierce 1919 Boston 12.8 Retired
Hal Carter 1933 Sailors 7.0 Active
Worst:
Jack Rosenthal 1916 NY Gothams 1.7 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
George M. Brooks 1934 Keystones 1342.0 Active
Toby Runlon 1920 Toronto 1174.2 Retired
Bob Walls 1932 Chiefs 1146.0 Active
Dick Alexander 1921 Boston 1033.2 Retired
Al Colby 1914 Detroit 980.1 Retired
Round 1 Pick 10
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Jack Cleaves 1925 Sailors 67.3 Active
Alex Diaz 1921 Sailors 32.1 Retired
Andy Carter 1927 Washington 32.0 Retired
Wally Flowers 1928 Washington 26.6 Active
Norm Baker 1912 NY Stars 25.9 Retired
Worst:
Lou Cimno 1911 Boston 1.9 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Jimmy Clinch 1918 St.Louis 3266.0 Retired
Max Wilder 1916 Baltimore 2710.1 Retired
Sammy Butler 1915 NY Gothams 2646.1 Retired
Frank Crawford 1926 Philadelphia 2216.1 Active
Dutch Leverett 1924 Baltimore 2140.0 Retired
Round 1 Pick 11
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Joe Masters 1920 Chiefs 65.1 Retired
Frank Shafer 1923 Detroit 22.1 Retired
Bob Donoghue 1934 Boston 14.5 Active
Frank Huddleston 1926 Toronto 8.9 Active
Denny Andrews 1936 Boston 6.7 Active
Worst:
Willie Rouser 1911 NY Stars -.2 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Don Cannaday 1914 NY Gothams 3661.1 Retired
George Davis 1912 Detroit 3379.1 Retired
Art Myers 1925 Keystones 2338.0 Active
Verdo Burt 1917 Boston 2313.0 Retired
Chris Clarke 1933 NY Stars 870.2 Active
Round 1 Pick 12
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Billy Elson 1914 NY Stars 34.1 Retired
Bert Hartman 1920 Montreal 33.9 Retired
Joe Chattman 1917 Baltimore 31.2 Retired
Jim Watson 1927 Chiefs 29.5 Active
Charlie Malkin 1912 Cougars 28.3 Retired
Worst:
Art Murphy 1911 Washington -.2 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Oscar Morse 1924 Sailors 2695.2 Retired
Chuck Murphy 1930 Montreal 1723.0 Active
Jim Wilson 1923 Cleveland 380.0 Retired
Bud Canfield 1935 Keystones 214.0 Active
Art Roe 1921 Cleveland 137.2 Retired
Round 1 Pick 13
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Rip Curry 1930 Keystones 29.9 Active
Bill Moore 1932 Detroit 28.8 Active
Clint Casstevens 1917 Montreal 28.5 Retired
Dewey Benton 1913 Cougars 13.5 Retired
Art Cascone 1934 St. Louis 9.8 Active
Worst:
Mike Williams 1926 Cleveland .2 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Bill Anderson 1927 Toronto 1619.1 Active
Carl Briggs 1914 Boston 1344.1 Retired
Charlie Wheeler 1935 Cougars 1222.2 Active
Len Moore 1918 NY Stars 675.1 Retired
Paul Vandenburg 1920 Detroit 588.1 Retired
Round 1 Pick 14
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Gene Aldrich 1917 Cleveland 24.2 Retired
Johnny Malcolm 1914 Montreal 16.6 Retired
John Wallace 1911 NY Gothams 12.9 Retired
Billy Hunter 1932 Cougars 12.1 Active
Red Jackson 1924 NY Gothams 11.2 Retired
Worst:
Jake Allen 1922 NY Stars .5 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Charlie Stedman 1923 Chiefs 4360.1 Retired
George Manning 1912 Baltimore 2272.2 Retired
Al Bishop 1918 NY Gothams 750.0 Retired
Round 1 Pick 15
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Bernie Trumaine 1912 Boston 36.9 Retired
Lou Williams 1929 Sailors 26.4 Active
Jim Hensley 1934 Baltimore 20.4 Active
Ben Hathaway 1920 Cleveland 11.6 Retired
Rabbit Mudd 1927 Brooklyn 11.5 Active
Worst:
Cal Blackshear 1919 Cougars .8 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Mel Strom 1916 Detroit 3287.1 Retired
Benny Walker 1913 Baltimore 1018.0 Retired
Gene White 1932 Keystones 770.1 Active
Chuck Calvert 1924 Washington 740.1 Retired
Charley O’Hare 1918 Cougars 566.2 Retired
Round 1 Pick 16
Code:
Batters: (WAR)
Bob Marceaux 1920 St. Louis 25.9 Retired
Joe Richards 1915 Boston 25.7 Retired
Woody Armstrong 1926 Cleveland 18.5 Retired
Stan Bass 1917 Chiefs 7.1 Retired
Joe Nichols 1934 Boston 5.7 Active
Worst:
Dwight Becker 1916 Montreal 2.5 Retired
Pitchers: (IP)
Carl Mellen 1914 Baltimore 3350.0 Retired
Stu Pic 1912 Brooklyn 2717.0 Retired
Lou Martino 1925 NY Stars 1939.0 Retired
Jim Whiteley 1933 Keystones 1524.0 Active
Charlie Johnson 1921 St. Louis 368.2 Retired
- So far as the White House is concerned, organized baseball now must stand on it's own feet and solve its manpower problems under conditions laid down by the Selective Service Act and the regulations governing the manpower situation generally. Another green signal for the game will not be flashed by President Roosevelt, as was done in 1942, because it is felt the situation is different today.
- Expect even more night games this season. FABL President Samuel Belton is championing that cause and many, but not all of the team magnates are on board with that plan. The number of night games was dramatically increased a year ago after President Roosevelt casually suggested that more night contests be booked for the benefit of war workers.
- Baseball owners are set to meet next week and one of the main topics of conversation will be the challenge of funnelling former ball players to diamond jobs again after peace is declared. By law soldiers are supposed to be given their pre-war job back but baseball is certainly a unique situation and a lot of former big leaguers may have a tough time claiming a roster spot with such a lengthy sabatical and newcomers in their places.
BRUNER WORKS OUT HIS RADICAL BASKETBALL IDEAS
Webb Bruner, long-time basketball coach at CC Los Angeles and chief advocate of high baskets, isn't a guy you can quote briefly, but his ideas about the court game always get attention. His latest communication runs some seven closely typewritten pages about such things as 12-foot goals, a 6-foot margin for under-the-basket operations, 3-point field goals and smaller basketballs.
But the high point is that Webb really has experimented with buckets placed too high for 'mezzanine hurdlers" =those 6-6 to 7-foot boys- to dunk the ball in. "We have had two 12-foot baskets in our gymnasium for 15 years," Bruner says. "We use them for the purpose of teaching our boys correct arching of the ball." We have heard plenty of guys says what's wrong with basketball -including several who disagree violently with most of Webb's suggestions- but we never heard one say he actually had tried out any of these ideas.
*** UPSETS IN WEST ***
It was a much better week for Bruner and his Coyotes team. After falling to Coastal California and Rainier College the previous week, CCLA got back on track with a pair of wins over Northern California and Lane State to improve to 3-2 in West Coast Athletic Association play. The Coyotes Los Angeles rivals were the big losers last week as Coastal California dropped to 2-3 in conference play after losing to Spokane State 52-47 and then being shocked by lowly Custer College 46-43. Those two losses dropped the Dolphins from 2nd to 8th in the national rankings. Rainier College remains number one even after the Majestics fell 47-45 to Spokane State to suffer their first conference loss of the season.
*** RECRUITING NEWS ****
Some big news for St Blane as the Latrobe, Pa. school has locked up it's first top-ten recruit in 4 years with word that Josh Samuels - a 6'9" center out of New York City- has committed to the Saints. He also had offers from CCLA, Detroit City College and North Carolina Tech. All but 2 of the top twenty-five recruits have declared their intentions for next season.
The two remaining non-committed to twenty-five players are both centers. Kenny Roberts of McComb, MS. is weighing offers from Mississippi A&M and Lane State, while Brooklyn native Luther Gordan appears set on joining the marines and is unlikely to play college ball next season.
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AIAA COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
1. Rainier College (71) 16-2 1798 1 West Coast Athletic Association
2. Western Iowa (1) 16-2 1725 3 Great Lakes Alliance
3. North Carolina Tech 15-2 1655 4 South Atlantic Conference
4. Ohio Poly 20-3 1581 5 Independent
5. CC Los Angeles 14-4 1480 12 West Coast Athletic Association
6. Minnesota Tech 16-2 1373 9 Great Lakes Alliance
7. Brooklyn State 14-3 1349 7 Northeast Conference
8. Coastal California 14-4 1280 2 West Coast Athletic Association
9. Chesapeake State 14-4 1210 6 South Atlantic Conference
10. Liberty College 14-4 1135 13 Northeast Conference
11. Perry State College 17-2 1047 11 Midwestern Association
12. Detroit City College 13-4 1037 16 Great Lakes Alliance
13. Frankford State 14-3 977 10 Northeast Conference
14. Annapolis Maritime 18-4 903 15 Independent
15. Indiana A&M 13-4 858 8 Great Lakes Alliance
16. Carolina Poly 13-5 678 19 South Atlantic Conference
17. Brookland 19-4 646 17 Independent
18. Garden State 13-5 550 14 Northeast Conference
19. St. Ignatius 11-6 528 21 Great Lakes Alliance
20. Bronx Tech 16-5 429 18 Independent
21. Spokane State 13-5 316 NR West Coast Athletic Association
22. Brooklyn Catholic 16-6 239 20 Independent
23. Whitney College 10-7 209 NR Great Lakes Alliance
24. Sadler 14-5 144 NR Academia Alliance
25. St. Pancras 13-5 84 NR Northeast Conference
Others Receiving Votes:
Piedmont University 14-5 43 Independent
Central Ohio 10-7 41 Great Lakes Alliance
Texas Gulf Coast 13-5 33 Southwestern Alliance
Bayou State 13-6 21 Deep South Conference
Dickson 14-5 13 Academia Alliance
Northern California 12-6 7 West Coast Athletic Association
Lincoln 11-6 4 Great Lakes Alliance
Hamman 18-6 4 Independent
Central Kentucky 10-7 3 Deep South Conference
RESULTS INVOLVING RANKED TEAMS
MONDAY JAN 24
#4 Ohio Poly 54 Miners College 37
#7 Brooklyn State 53 #13 Frankford State 45
St Matthew's College 54 #18 Garden State 45
TUESDAY JAN 25
#14 Annapolis Maritime 39 Three Rivers State 37
#20 Bronx Tech 65 Hartford Wesleyan 61
#22 Brooklyn Catholic 54 Bethlehem College 32
WEDNESDAY JAN 26
#10 Liberty College 61 St Martin's College 39
#24 Sadler 34 Middlesex 24
#25 St Pancras 45 Commonwealth Catholic 42
THURSDAY JAN 27
#2 Western Iowa 42 #19 St Ignatius 32
#3 North Carolina Tech 36 Alexandria 22
#6 Minnesota Tech 51 Central Ohio 49
Columbia Military Academy 42 #9 Chesapeake State 27
#11 Perry State College 52 Freemont State 39
#12 Detroit City College 47 Lincoln 42
#23 Whitney College 61 #15 Indiana A&M 33
#16 Carolina Poly 53 Maryland State 35
#17 Brookland 44 Piedmont University 36
Narragansett 46 #20 Bronx Tech 37
FRIDAY JAN 28
#1 Rainier College 61 Lane State 38
#5 CC Los Angeles 50 Northern California 46
#21 Spokane State 52 #8 Coastal California 47
SATURDAY JAN 29
#2 Western Iowa 54 St Magnus 44
#3 North Carolina Tech 55 Richmond State 45
#6 Minnesota Tech 62 Lincoln 46
Commonwealth Catholic 47 #7 Brooklyn State 40
#9 Chesapeake State 44 Maryland State 32
#10 Liberty College 32 St Matthew's College 24
#12 Detroit City College 42 Wisconsin State 39
#13 Frankford State 46 #18 Garden State 35
#14 Annapolis Maritime 58 Jersey City Tech 44
#16 Carolina Poly 50 Poweshiek 42
#19 St Ignatius 41 #15 Indiana A&M 32
Allentown State 45 #22 Brooklyn Catholic 37
Central Ohio 47 #23 Whitney College 45
#24 Sadler 45 Grafton 34
#25 St Pancras 50 Brunswick 31
SUNDAY JAN 30
#21 Spokane State 47 #1 Rainier College 45
#4 Ohio Poly 46 Michigan Lutheran 38
#5 CC Los Angeles 45 Lane State 25
Custer College 46 #8 Coastal California 43
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 1/30/1944
- The U.S. is outraged after reports that the Japanese exterminated at least 7,700 American war prisoners and at least 800 captured British troops.
- The French invasion coast was the main target to start the week as nightly bombing runs continued. Berlin and Frankfurt were the focus as the week came to a close.
- Allied forces are now within sight of Rome's suburbs as they continue to push forward in Italy. Secretary of War Stimson says a big battle for Italy's largest city is near.
- After a two year siege Leningrad has been "completely freed of the enemy blockade and enemy shelling" according to Moscow radio.
- Argentina broke off all diplomatic relations with Germany and Jpan, charging that the Axis had committed a deliberate act of aggression against Argentina by fostering a vast network of spies throughout the nation.
- An attempted revolution against the government in Paraguay was crushed by police.
- President Roosevelt assailed as a 'fraud' on service personnel the so-called States' rights soldier vote legislation. FDR called upon Congress to provide a single Federal ballot, which he said would enable all members of the armed forces to vote for Federal officials this November.
- Senator Van Nuys (D, IN) chairman of the important Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Sentate since 1932, died unexpectedly at his home in Virginia. He was 69.
