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1939 Season Preview
American League
The White Sox were the first AL team in 6 years to lose the World Series. They enter the season as favorites, but not by much. The Yankees and Senators are both talented enough to win the pennnant this season. After these three teams, the rest of the AL needs some work.
1.
White Sox (92-62, 1st) - They finished last season very strong, and they certainly have enough talent to win another pennant. Ace "Stuffy" Zinn will miss April, so if the team plays well without him, they should be in great shape once he returns.
Top Starters:
SP Lewis Lamson (21-10, 3.36)
SP "Stuffy" Zinn (14-7, 3.16)
C Leonard "Sunny" Davie (.315, 21 HR, 82 RBI)
1B Louis Kirkes (.361, 63 RBI)
3B Rollie McCord (.298, 17 HR, 90 RBI)
SS Jamie Kubic (.329, 52 RBI, 21 SB)
LF Enos Fletcher (.353, 11 HR, 88 RBI)
CF David Oram (.339, 76 RBI)
RF John Shears (.294, 15 HR, 103 RBI, 40 SB)
Top Prospects:
SP Walt Gajan (Majors)
2.
Yankees (88-66, 2nd) - After two straight disappointing 80+ win seasons, Yankee management is up in arms. Ervin Greiner, the longest tenured manager in the majors, has even had his job security questioned. The team has some great pitchers and a potent offense. They have been ordered to win now.
Top Starters:
SP Art Booth (24-8, 2.92)
SP Luke Riley (21-8, 3.09)
SP Hale Scheepers (10-11, 3.89)
1B Doc Reed (.337, 11 HR, 84 RBI)
SS Clarence Davis (.347, 72 RBI, 21 SB)
LF Allen March (.305, 25 HR, 83 RBI, 20 SB)
CF Jimmy "The Schnozz" Ditty (.323, 34 HR, 118 RBI)
RF "Moonlight" Graham (.318, 13 HR, 88 RBI, 39 SB)
Top Prospects:
SP Mel Serrano (AA)
SP Chuck Williams (AA)
3.
Senators (79-75, 4th) - Last season was a disaster as Washington failed to defend their World Series title. They came on strong late in the season, and they hope to carry that momentum over to this season. They have perhaps the best pitching staff in the league.
Top Starters:
SP Chris Frays (17-11, 4.11)
SP Micky Guyton (10-16, 4.45)
SP Jethro "Dodge" Lee (21-15, 3.09)
SP Claude Swin (18-18, 4.24)
3B Carl "Dutch" Kahle (.283, 20 HR, 82 RBI)
SS Blake "Hitman" Crocitto (.372, 14 HR, 88 RBI)
LF Wolter Tjeenk-Willink (.340, 19 HR, 84 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Gordie Crum (Majors)
3B "Jungle Jim" Dunkel (AAA)
SP Johnny Gordley (AA)
SP Van Melbourn (A)
4.
Indians (70-84, 6th) - This is still a talented team, but will they ever put it all together? Losing 84 games last season was a big disappointment.
Top Starters:
SP George "The Joker" Bowers (11-14, 3.73)
2B F.X. Ditty (.347, 65 RBI)
RF Bill Berry (.318, 16 HR, 87 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP Marty Davie (AA)
1B Lonny Arrendale (A)
5.
Athletics (75-79, 5th) - As their greatest players continue to retire, depth is becoming a greater issue. They are still a solid team, but they don't have enough to be a pennant contender.
Top Starters:
CF "Mule" Beney (.347, 71 RBI)
RF Art Brandstetter (.276, 57 RBI, 59 SB)
Top Prospects:
1B Em Pelto (Majors)
CF "Peaches" Badeau (Majors)
6.
Browns (86-68, 3rd) - St. Louis had a great run last season and came close to their first pennant since 1922. However, their pitching staff never lived up to their lofty expectations, and now their top offensive performers are getting up in age. With no success to speak of, this team could soon be going through another rebuilding phase.
Top Starters:
SP George Cone (25-12, 3.71)
SP Gerald Saxton (13-10, 3.89)
2B Jude McGill (.330, 73 RBI)
3B Steven "Babylon" Bussell (.296, 12 HR, 81 RBI)
SS Ted Stuart (.308, 57 RBI)
Top Prospects:
SP "Cotton" Simson (Majors)
LF Cy Helbig (Majors)
CF Otto Wisley (A)
7.
Red Sox (63-91, T-7th) - Last season was another disappointing one and the team hired a new manager. The pitching staff is still a mess, but at least now there appears to be some help on the way. The offense could be turning a corner and may be able to lead this team out of the cellar, where they have spent the past 4 years.
Top Starters:
SP Mitchell Haynam (19-15, 3.54)
1B Jessie "Bing" Holt (.339, 17 HR, 87 RBI)
2B Pokey Dorsey (.311, 42 RBI)
SS Ricardo Bowden (.303, 70 RBI, 36 SB)
LF Al Arsenault (.290, 27 HR, 104 RBI)
CF Howard Sheridan (.296, 36 HR, 110 RBI)
Top Prospects:
C Cecil Marziani (Majors)
CF "Hackin' Jack" Zenisek (Majors)
RF Ben Hargey (Majors)
SP James Basford (AA)
SP Cort "Muscles" Nagel (AA)
C Chuck Rauch (A)
SS Nicky Barker (A)
CF Bart Batch (A)
8.
Tigers (63-91, T-7th) - Detroit was never able to build a respectable pitching staff, although it is currently better than in years past. However, most of their offensive stars are on the verge of retirement, and it looks like what was once the greatest offense in the league will have been squandered.
Top Starters:
1B Quenton Misisca (.320, 26 HR, 105 RBI)
SS Adolf Greisbach (.338, 80 RBI)
LF John Storback (.315, 18 HR, 80 RBI)
Top Prospects:
1B Denny Caneer (Majors)
SP Hal Andrew (AAA)
SP John Skoropat (AAA)
3B Clinton Darling (AAA)