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1935 Season Preview
American League
Frustrated with their lack of success over the past several seasons, Detroit decided it was time to find a new manager. They could not find anyone within their own organization whom they felt could properly handle the job, so they turned to former Cubs manager Willie Bevan, who had a 769-771 record in 10 seasons for Chicago. He was largely credited with turning around that franchise after 5 consecutive seasons with 90 or more losses. In his tenure, the team finished 2nd in the NL three times and the season after he departed, they went to the World Series. The Tigers hope he can do the same thing for them - rebuild the team and bring respectability to the franchise.
1.
Yankees (87-67, 1st) - They struggled at times last season, but proved they were still the top dog on a crowded porch. They won their 4th straight World Series by defeating a tough Cubs team. Some key players are aging, but the team began to phase them out last season, so the conversion to newer players should not be too tough. For a great veteran team, these guys are actually quite young.
Top Starters:
SP Art Booth (22-9, 2.83)
SP Luke Riley (21-16, 4.06)
SP Hale Scheepers (15-12, 4.06)
C Harry Finley (.286, 61 RBI, 37 SB)
1B Ralph "Thunder" Tumbridge (.281, 22 HR, 86 RBI)
2B Swervin' Ervin Skjerly (.334, 83 RBI)
SS Clarence Davis (.495 in 111 AB)
LF Jimmy "The Schnozz" Ditty (.296, 30 HR, 120 RBI)
CF Ping "The Outlander" Hung (.351, 78 RBI, 75 SB)
RF "Moonlight" Graham (.309, 61 RBI, 54 SB)
Top Prospects:
3B Chi Hung (Majors)
SS Billy Alexander (AAA)
SS Nicky Barker (A)
2.
White Sox (79-75, T-4th) - They are coming off a mediocre season, but there is a lot of talent here. Strong starting pitching and a growing offense. Pitching depth would be their biggest concern.
Top Starters:
SP George Cone (19-14, 3.18)
SP Babe Hardin (21-15, 3.52)
SP Ken "Stuffy" Zinn (16-10, 4.15)
C "Sunny" Davie (.257, 14 HR, 81 RBI)
C/1B/3B Rollie McCord (.318, 13 HR, 97 RBI)
SS Jamie Kubic (.302, 57 RBI)
CF Julius Meilleur (.302, 48 RBI)
- btw, he was the very last pick in the 1931 draft!
Top Prospects:
SP Bob "Stretch" Bussmann (Majors)
1B Gordon "Scotty" McCarthy (Majors)
SP Bill Bailey (AA)
SP Hale Sullivan (AA)
3.
Athletics (82-72, 2nd) - They had a great run last season and gave the fans something to cheer about once more. As has always been the case, their picthing staff is a big question. Does this team have enough gas in the tank for one more run?
Top Starters:
SP Abraham Dickens (18-17, 3.85)
SP Mark Ponfick (18-13, 3.87)
1B Sal Rossi (.349, 92 RBI, 103 BB)
2B Jerry "Slap" Hertzog (.287, 59 RBI)
SS Sean Carlin (.305, 93 RBI)
LF "Bull" Zegri (.324, 74 RBI)
Top Prospects:
RF Hershel Cooley (AAA)
SP Mel Kauble (AA)
SP Terry Lucewicz (AA)
SP Sam Stumm (A)
1B Dwight Searcy (A)
4.
Indians (80-74, 3rd) - Frustration is beginning to set in after several near-misses. Manager Ben Lafayette's job may be on the line, and several key players are now up in age with nothing to show for their efforts.
Top Starters:
SP George "The Joker" Bowers (21-13, 3.48)
SP Sam Vidas (16-17, 3.81)
C Cookie DeWitt (.305, 11 HR, 69 RBI)
LF Charles Netzer (.339, 50 RBI)
RF Bill Berry (.362, 10 HR, 89 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Billy Crowell (AAA)
C Fred Storey (A)
3B Paul Varghese (A)
5.
Browns (79-75, T-4th) - With such great pitching, they're bound to have a good season right? They have some key players on offense, but need more. It's about time for the lower half of the rotation to really show their worth after years of talk on their "potential."
Top Starters:
SP Lewis Lamson (20-12, 3.92)
SP Gerald Saxton (17-12, 3.54)
2B Jude McGill (.364, 89 RBI)
3B Steven "Babylon" Bussell (.349, 81 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Tony Krinke (Majors)
SP "Schoolboy" Emberling (AAA)
SP "Cotton" Simson (AA)
SP Don "Chubby" Allen (A)
6.
Senators (79-75, T-4th) - They started and finished well last season, but everything in between was terrible. Franchise icon Will Miller is gone, taking his sometimes burdonsome presence in the lineup off their shoulders. They have a solid pitching staff and some good, young hitters. Like the 5 teams above them, they have the potential to capture the pennant.
Top Starters:
SP Jethro "Dodge" Lee (26-8, 2.62)
SP Micky Guyton (15-20, 4.63)
3B Carl "Dutch" Kahle (.331, 23 HR, 127 RBI)
SS Blake "Hitman" Crocitto (.340, 10 HR, 79 RBI)
LF Wolter Tjeenk-Willink (.352, 70 RBI)
CF Sam Kass (.293, 14 HR, 101 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Leopold Funk (AAA)
SP Johnny Gordley (AA)
3B "Jungle Jim" Dunkel (AA)
LF Genarito Nunez (AA)
SP Gordie Crum (A)
CF Al Yawn (A)
7.
Red Sox (61-93, 8th) - They have one of the better offenses in the AL, but their pitching situation is still disastrous. Converting closer Mitch Haynam to a starter was a mild success, and they hope rookie Mickey Lonergan can help - because he's their only solid pitching prospect left in the system.
Top Starters:
SP Mitchell Haynam (16-17, 4.65)
CF Howard Sheridan (.275, 24 HR, 88 RBI)
RF Tyrell Chestnut (.305, 11 HR, 65 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Mickey Lonergan (Majors)
RF Hackin' Jack Zenisek (AA)
C Cecil Marziani (A)
8.
Tigers (69-85, 7th) - This franchise still seems to be going nowhere. Along with the Red Sox, they have won just one pennant in the league's 36-year history. They continue to build on offense, but their woeful pitching staff needs more help. They have some good pitching prospects, but they are all in the low minors.
Top Starters:
C Gordon Meadows (.320, 60 RBI)
1B Quenton Misisca (.285, 31 HR, 117 RBI)
3B Troy Kinnear (.303, 25 HR, 89 RBI)
SS Adolf Greisbach (.344, 61 RBI)
LF John Storback (.321, 15 HR, 72 RBI)
Top Prospects:
C Bud Moore (Majors)
1B Denny Caneer (AAA)
SP Alex Footwangler (A)
SP Clay Pattishall (A)
SP Scott Solderits (A)