APRIL 18, 1944 : SPECIAL OPENING DAY EDITION
BASEBALL OUTLOOK COULD BE VERY BRIGHT By Jiggs McGee
Big league baseball faces its greatest gamble in the 1944 opening today. The game makes its step forward, with those who are left, against many of the toughest handicaps it ever has known. And yet, if there is no drastic change in the complex and complicated draft situation, it has a chance to know the success that racing, football, boxing, basketball, hockey and other sports have known, even under the shadow of the world's most crucial and devastating war.
In my opinion, after talking at close range with thousands of the wounded and the sick, plus those of fulough, baseball should be carried on to the limit, for I know it is their wish. Look back to last August and September for an example of what the sport can do for the country. FABL clubs threw open their doors to all involved in the war -soldiers, sailors and essential workers- and invited them to freely enter the big league stadiums for select games. The result was the greatest attendance the sport has ever enjoyed. Now as horse racing, football, AIAA basketball and boxing are setting new attendance records, why should baseball get the blackball and not be given the same chance to carry on over the summer? Every one knows the long list of stars who have left the diamond for Army and Navy service. But there still are a flock of good ballplayers left, eager to show their stuff.
All of this uncertainty might just be good for the game, at least so far as creating excitement. Look at the Federal Association from a year ago. It was quite something to see Washington and St Louis back within shouting distance of the flag and their supporters reacted accordingly. The race in the Continental might be a little more predictable with the Cougars, Cannons and Toronto Wolves likely still the creme of the crop, but the Fed promises to be a wild race once again. Fans will have plenty to cheer about all over the league, as there still are well-known veterans to watch and hustling kids coming up and if we see two close races with some unexpected participants...well, that just might make the game even more interesting that it is in normal times, so far as pennant races are concerned.
*** Cougars May Wreck Continental Race ***
A few nights ago, watching members of the Washington Eagles visit with the boys at a North Carolina army base, we had the privilege of facing many wounded soldiers from Europe, Asia and Africa -sea and jungle and sky. We asked them first if they wanted baseball to keep on. The affirmative answer was overwhelming.
And they wanted to know the coming pennant winners. For they were there from every section of the map and all had their own opinions, of course, but wanted to hear what we thought would happen.
In the Continental Association, we explained, the Cougars have a team of prewar class. There is the chance they even may wreck the flag parade. Manager Clyde Meyer's club has a big jump on his Association in the way of nearly everyting -- catchers, infielders and in the outfield. The pitching has been hard hit through the years by the war effort, but the injury to Deuce Barrell out in Cincinnati might just make the Cougars pitching staff the class of the loop as well. Maybe Cincinnati will prosper without the talented right arm of Deuce, but their offense was not overpowering to begin with and they are now without Adam Mullins and Fred Galloway this season. Toronto has a chance, but it's tough to feel like the Wolves can win it all without Joe Hancock on the mound every fourth or fifth day.
Outside of those three the Continental Association is an open scrap. But it is clear the Cougars can wreck all interest if they look as well on the ball field as they do on copy paper. I talked briefly last week with Steve Basile, 5th year manager of the Philadelphia Sailors. "We'll do all right," he said. "Hopefully even better than last year." "What about the Cougars I asked?"
"A strong prewar team," he replied. "and I mean prewar." This might be too bad for league interest if the Cougars wrap up the flag by August. But it is something that cannot be helped."
*** Looks To Be Between Boston and Keystones in Fed ***
The Federal Association never seems to disappoint when it comes time for a tight pennant race and there is promise of a much closer, keener pennant race than perhaps the CA will provide. This, of course, is the guessing contest with a draft board control that has done more guessing than any one else. It is not expected that more stars will suddenly be plucked from contenders over the summer, but the chance is always there and that means the guessing on what will happen now must be done from day to day, or from week to week. But as the situation stands the defending champion Boston Minutemen and the Philadelphia Keystones have a slight call.
You can name either team as your favourite. They might not be more than 2-3 games apart in a 154-game run. Both are good, but each suffered key losses over the winter. Can Boston replace Harry Barrell -who they added for the flag race a year ago from Brooklyn- and what of the Keystones. How much will the absence of Hank Koblenz hurt. Will missing Hard-Boiled Henry in the lineup mean Bobby Barrell sees far less pitches to hit this season?
And before we go calling it a two-horse race, what of Washington and St Louis. The two surprise teams of last year also suffered some losses -but who didn't- and perhaps that little taste of success has each of them craving much more of that nectar. Yes indeed, the Federal Association has an interesting race ahead where there should be many shifts before October arrives. In short, as long as you don't squint to see the names missing from the rosters, this looks like a typical Federal Association free-for-all we have come to know and love over the past half dozen years. The Fed has no singular outstanding team like the Chicago Cougars, provided, of course, the erratic broom of the Selective Service draft doesn't scramble things again as it has done so often.
There is a chance of a highly scrambled race in the Fed as things stand today. I am betting Bobby Barrell still manages to get his hits even without the same support in the batting order and the Keystones prevail in a very tight Fed fight. Chicago runs away with the Continental Association in my mind. But of course all of this may change by June or July as one or two key calls by the draft board can turn this prediction into a scrambled omelette within a month.
WHAT THE MANAGERS ARE SAYING
FABL managers agreed today that draft uncertainties rather than actual playing ability, will have more bearing on the pennant races opening later today. The 16 leaders of the 8 Federal Association and 8 Continental clubs, polled by BNN, also held a universal view that the season shapes up as one of the most unusual and interesting in the game's history.
In the words of Joe Ward, long-time manager of the Chicago Chiefs "Why go out on the limb and try to predict anything for this season? That's an impossibility. All clubs were hit hard by Uncle Sam's call over the winter and who knows, more might be coming. The team with the most 4-Fs may be on top at the finish, but I am hearing there is talk they may even take the 4-F's now, so there you are again.
*** Comments of Other Pilots ***
Here are comments from other managers:
CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION
AD DORIA -Cincinnati Cannons, World Champions- My kids have the spirit and heart of champions and they'll start digging in Tuesday and go all the way. Losing Deuce certainly throws a monkey wrench into our plans, but I remind them we are the world champions and that makes us the team to beat."
BOB CALL -Toronto Wolves, 2nd last year: I have every confidence in our pitching staff and believe our hitting will pick up enough to give the other clubs plenty of trouble. The Stars are not to be underestimated.
CLYDE MEYER -Chicago Cougars, 3rd last year: Not knowing what the other clubs have, I would prefer not to make any prediction on the outcome of the race this year. I will say we are going to be a solid team.
STEVE BASILE -Philadelphia Sailors, 4th last year: We are hopeful to improve upon what was a solid season last year. But things can change in a moment if a key player is taken from a team by the draft.
HOMER MOORE -Montreal Saints, 5th last year: I can't tell you what the Saints will do this year. But I know darned well we won't be last. A lot depends on our pitching.
POWELL SLOCUM -Brooklyn Kings, 6th last year: I think the race will be pretty close and not a runaway for the Cougars as so many believe. If the Kings get pitching we can make the first division.
JERRY KANT -New York Stars, 7th last year: The Cougars still have so many of their first-line stars that you've got to rate them solid favorites. But other teams are strong too and if Chicago were to lose a key man or two, as we've done, what a scramble that would make out of the race. As for our club, I'm actually pretty happy with how our team shook out this year. All things considered, we're looking all right.
DICK GALLO -Cleveland Foresters, 8th last year: Other clubs will have more talent, but I think we'll make up for that in spirit. Every player feels we have a chance to go somewhere. It hasn't been that in the past few years.
FEDERAL ASSOCIATION
BILL BOSHART -Boston Minutemen, pennant winners: Personnel situation makes it look like a close race all the way. Only a crazy man would pick the winner, due to what has happened over the winter and the possibility of constant manpower changes during the season.
HUGH LUCKEY -St Louis Pioneers, 2nd last year: To be honest, the uncertainty of the times makes any prediction impossible. I do like our team and hopefully we can continue the success we enjoyed in the second half last year.
JOHN HEYDON -Philadelphia Keystones, 3rd last year(tie): If we are able to hold our present players I think we should be okay. A lot depends on our pitchers staying healthy.
JOHN LAWRENCE -Washington Eagles, 3rd last year(tie): We are in pretty good condition, including the pitchers. We are ready for the opener against Pittsburgh and we may have a few surprises for those who might think we are a second division club.
JOE WARD -Chicago Chiefs, 5th last year: Even at the rate that we are losing pitchers to the armed forces, it looks to me as though we are going to have a good club. At least as good as some of the others.
HANK LEITZKE -Pittsburgh Miners, 6th last year: We'll be lucky to finish in the first division. Probably entirely up to Uncle Sam.
DICK YORK -Detroit Dynamos, 7th last year: There have been a lot of changes everywhere but no where has there been more than here in Detroit. I think that is good thing. We have a fresh outlook and are hopeful we can surprise a team or two.
ED ZIEHL -New York Gothams, 8th last year: Three or four clubs may be a little weaker than the rest, but generally the Fed shows pretty good all-around balance. I look for a very interesting race.
COUGARS ARE EASY CHOICE IN CA, BUT FED PICTURE IS MUCH MORE MURKY
A Look at What Sportswriters Around the League See Happening in '43
The season-ending elbow injury suffered by two-time reigning Allen Award winner Rufus 'Deuce' Barrell has made picking a winner in the Continental Association seemingly an easy exercise this season. Nearly to man, sportswriters around the league are ready to hand the CA flag to the Chicago Cougars. Likely with good reason, as John Brinker -national baseball reporter for the New York Daily Mirror points out "the Cougars have lost a ton of talent, but that organization was so talented that they can weather the storm better than most. Cincinnati would have been the pick with a healthy Deuce Barrell, but unfortunately, he's out for the year."
Johnny Bologna of the Philadelphia Inquisitor agrees wholeheartedly but notes that while "the class of the Continental is Chicago, they have an aging core with only Skipper Schneider the only projected starting fielder under 29 and a good chunk of the projected starting rotation 29 or older." It seems only Artie Mortimer, the Daily Mirror's New York Stars beat reporter, thinks the Cannons have enough talent without Barrell to hold off the mighty Cougars.
Jiggs McGee of This Week in Figment Baseball makes his predictions at the start of spring training each year and rarely changes them but Barrell's battered wing caused him to rethink the TWIFB call, and he shifted from the Cannons to the Cougars. "I was worried about Cincinnati having enough offense," explained McGee, "but thought the pitching might just be strong enough for them to repeat. Take Deuce out of the equation and the Cannons fall to third in my mind."
Cleveland is once again the expected basement dweller in the CA, and that would be 5 times in the past 6 years for the Foresters should it comes to pass. "Cleveland's cupboard remains bare," says Brinker, "but the youth in the system should lift them... after the war ends. As for the rest, I don't think the OSA predications (sorry Dan!) have the middle sussed out correctly, but again, this is tough to predict."
"I like what they are putting together in Cleveland," noted McGee. "The team was decimated after their big run in the thirties and while they have some great young talent, the war has knocked their plans back a few years so this will be another long season on the shores of Lake Erie."
*** FED IS A DIFFERENT STORY ***
While the Cougars seem to be the choice of nearly everyone in the Continental Association, there are many different opinions about how the Federal Association race will shape up. Most are in agreement the Gothams and Dynamos will bring up the rear but the first division is a whole different ballgame. It is split nearly evenly between those calling on Boston to repeat and those who feel it is the Philadelphia Keystones will prevail but the order of the rest of the top sixth is the cause of plenty of debate.
Brinker had this to say about the loop. "Really tough to make predictions these days. The only thing I'm reasonably confident of, is that the Fed's bottom three will be the Gothams, Chiefs & Dynamos, but the order? No idea. As for the top five - throw a dart. But since we're going on record, let's go with the Keystones at the top (I pick them a lot, so why not go one more - they do still have Bobby Barrell and the pitching is better than the hitting which is something I never expected to see from Philly).
Bologna might be showing some home-town bias but the Philadelphia Inquistor scribe notes of the Keystones: "4 good pitchers in the rotation and Bobby Barrell. With the war depleting league rosters, that might be enough."
McGee notes it is almost too close to call saying "Even without Hank Koblenz I think the Philadelphia offense can survive and their pitching is not bad, but I would feel more comfortable about this choice if someone can emerge as a reliable fifth starter."
OSA YEARNS FOR '41 IN PREDICTIONS
Most people are dreaming of the pre-war days and hoping we could turn back the clock to simpler times. Well, Dan Barrell and his staff at the OSA are no different and they are calling for a return to 1941 -at least in terms of the pennant winners. The league scouting service has tabbed the Boston Minutemen and Chicago Cougars as the teams to beat in the two FABL Associations which, if it comes to be, would give us a rematch of that thrilling October of '41 when Boston prevailed in an exciting seven-game series between the two.
In the Fed, the birddogs sees the pitching of veterans Dean Astle, Ed Wood and Walt Wells being the key to a Minutemen repeat. It calls for Boston to finish with a 5 game bulge atop the loop, and surprisingly it is the Pittsburgh Miners -who many tab as a second division ballclub- that will be the closest competition for the New Englanders.
The Cougars are OSA's pick in the Continental with a big season expected from Harry Parker in his return from a serious elbow injury. The Cougars offense, led by veterans Leo Mitchell, Hank Barnett and Cliff Moss, will carry them to the top with Cincinnati, Toronto and the New York Stars rounding out the first division according to OSA.
- The Cincinnati Cannons have decided to give Denny Andrews a shot in leftfield. Always highly touted by OSA for his skills at the plate, Andrews has underachieved at first base and third base over the years, prompting the club to make deals for Chuck Adams and Billy Dalton. Some might argue that Andrews has never been given a chance to settle in as he has never been given a starting job for any long stretch of time. He had never played the outfield prior to getting a look in left this spring, but with confidence wavering in Rufus Daniel's and Alf Pestilli the Cannons felt it was worth taking a look at what Andrews can do in the outfield.
- Cannons fans are disappointed to see Moxie Pidgeon go despite the fact that the 37 year old has been a shadow of his former self at the dish the past two seasons. Makes sense though as Pidgeon nearly carried the team to a pennant in the club's Cincinnati debut a few years back.
- Jimmy Mayse will get a chance to be a big league regular after the Montreal Saints dealt the 27 year old to Detroit for minor league third baseman Eddie Barkley. Mayse split each of the past three seasons between Montreal and the minors, going 4-8 with a 5.40 era for the big club. He is out of options so Detroit will have to keep him on their active roster or run him through waivers.
- OSA released it's latest "top 100" prospect list and it is still dominated by pitchers, who hold down the first six slots and 7 of the top ten headed by Tom Buchanan of the St Louis Pioneers. Nine of the top ten are in the military with the lone expection being #10 on the list, 21 year old shortstop Gordie Perkins. Montreal drafted Perkins third overall in 1941 and he appears slated to start the season at AA Nashville.
- While many FABL organizations are understaffed in the minors because of war losses, the Chicago Chiefs are expected to start the season with just 21 players on their big league roster. The Chiefs might fill some of those holes quickly with waiver pickups, but it is clear just by looking at the Chiefs, how much of an impact the war has had on the sport.
TODAY IN THE NEWS
Current events from 4/18/1944
- 2,000 American Planes hammer Berlin and other Nazi Targets while the Reds are reported to be near a juncture at Sevastopol.
- Allies in India report progress northeast of the Imphal Plain in attempts to hold off Japanese invaders
- Secretary of the Navy Knox says invasion of a part of the Japanese Kurile Islands can be expected but refused to give a timetable.
- Prime Minister Churchill reiterated his hopes for the ideals of the League of Nations to be front and center in any postwar plans.
- The House Military Affairs Committee decided against any legislation to force 4-F's into essential jobs on the grounds that war agencies have sufficient authority at this time to solve their manpower problems.
- With the President attending to more urgent matters, Vice President Wallace will take part in a flag raising ceremony before the game and then toss out the first pitch before the FABL season opener between the Washington Eagles and the visiting Pittsburgh Miners today.