1933 AMATEUR DRAFT
ROUND 1
Washington pick: P Schoolboy Rowe
Chicago (A) pick: 1B Hal Trosky
Chicago (N) pick: 1B Dolph Camilli
Boston (N) pick: LF Bob Johnson
Pittsburgh pick: P Dutch Leonard
Detroit pick: P Johnny Marcum
Philadelphia (N) pick: P Ira Hutchinson
Boston (A) pick: P Luke Hamlin
St Louis(A) pick: RF Phil Weintraub
Cincinnati pick: P Ray Prim
New York pick: P Elden Auker
St. Louis (N) pick: P Ralph Birkofer
New York (N) pick: P Russ Vanatta
Brooklyn pick: P Thornton Lee
Philadelphia (A) pick: C Frankie Hayes
Cleveland pick: CF Hank Leiber
1933 FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
National League clubs played revolving first basemen as Lou Gehrig left Cincinnati for the Cubs. Cincinnati found a more than adequate replacement in ex-White Sox third baseman Jimmie Foxx. Foxx, at 26 years of age and just 3 years removed from a .398, 170 rbi season, will shift from third to his natural first base position with the Reds. The Phillies lured Jim Bottomley away from the Giants. The Giants found a suitable replacement by luring Joe Hauser away from the World Series champion Indians.
The biggest signing in the American League was the Cleveland Indians ability to resign World Series MVP Freddie Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons originally refused to negotiate with the Tribe but had a change of heart in the offseason and elected to remain in Cleveland. The White Sox inked the other marquee free agent pitcher, signing Hal Wiltsie who was 15-13 for the Dodgers last season. Former rookie of the year Chuck Klein signed with Detroit.
HOB 1933 SEASON RECAP
NEW YORK - NEW YORK
Babe Ruth has accomplished almost everything you could dream of doing as a baseball player. 12 MVP Awards, 2 allstar game MVP's, 4 gold gloves, he is the alltime homerun king and the only man to more than once hit over 50 homers in a season, having done that 5 times including a record 61 in 1930. However, there is one thing the second overall pick in the 1914 draft has yet to accomplish - Ruth has never played in the World Series...until now.
After 6 losing seasons with the Browns in St Louis, Ruth signed with Cleveland in 1922 and expected to see plenty of postseason action with the defending American League champs. Things did not work out that way and Ruth and the Indians never did make the World Series together. In 1932, despite still being a fan favourite at Cleveland Stadium, Ruth left for the big money and big spotlight only the Big Apple could provide. He signed with the Yankees figuring this would be his chance at the World Series. You can only imagine how much Ruth must have second guessed himself when it was the Indians and not the Yankees who won the 1932 Pennant. However, in 1933 Ruth got his World Series wish at the age of 38. Personally, it was the worst offensive season in over a decade for the Babe but he was finally on a team with a decent pitching staff.
Despite season ending injuries to key starters Pat Caraway (20-13) and free agent pickup Ted Blankenship (9-1), the Yanks had plenty of depth on the mound. Hal Wiltse (13-13), Carl Hubbell (14-10), Tim McCabe (12-7) and Roy Parmelee (12-7) all saw significant time in the rotation. George Milstead pitched just 27 innings but won 7 games and saved 12 more.
The Indians finished second mainly on the strength of their offense. First baseman Joe Hauser left via free agency but was replaced by Paul Waner, who joined his brother Lloyd for the first time in their careers. Lloyd hit .342 but lost the batting crown to Washington's Wally Roettger by less than .0005. Roettger enjoyed a breakout season with Sens after 3 years in the Siberia of the American League - St Louis.
Despite finishing a distant 6th the Athletics had both the MVP and the Markle Award winner. Frank Shellenback (20-7, 1.96) had one of the greatest seasons ever in the HOB2 especially considering the team he pitched on. The A's era without Shelleback was 4.87, nearly 3 runs worse. Hack Wilson, who was overshadowed first by Lou Gehrig while he was in the National League and last year by Ruth, finally moved center stage. Wilson won his first MVP and home run crown.
First overall pick Schoolboy Rowe didn't dissappoint, jumping straight to the majors and was named the top rookie after going 16-15 for the Senators.