PWBL 1948 Season Begins Tonight

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 04:05 PM

With the opening week of the PWBL's third season due to begin tonight, we take a look back at the off-season wheeling and dealing as teams sought to make up ground on the Colossal Cards, the league's defending champions.

American League Offseason Review

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's new and why the team in question will be much improved in '48.

Boston. New in town. FA signing Kirby Higbe p (BRO) and Joe Haynes P (CHW) will provide grist for the mill in AAA. 1st round ammy selection Ned Garver should play a key role for the BoSox in the pen or rotation. 2nd round selection, backstop Rube Walker, may very steal the job from last season's rookie starter, Dixie Howell. Lastly, this scribe forsees Bud Stewart taking the RF job from incumbent Leon Culberson. All in all, a splendid draft for the Beantowners.

Chicago. FA signings were two, Bob Chipman P (CHC) and Johnny Gorsica P (DET), two decent veteran pitchers. In the draft, much to the dismay of fans, management passed over super-slugger Hank Sauer and drafted brilliant pitching prospect Johnny Antonelli, a 17 year old with sky-high potential who could easily make the opening day roster. The team went with prospect for most of the draft though solid citizen, Dutch McCall, could have an impact.

Cleveland. The Indians picked up one of the leagues better hurlers in Phil Marchildon of the Athletics in a trade that sent top young 1B Eddie Robinson to begin a belated career in Philly. Vet MR Ken Heintzelman (PIT) was signed as an FA. In the ammy draft, the team also ignored slugger Sauer to select 19 year old pitching phenom Mickey McDermott. If he develops respectable control, McDermott should have a long, remarkable career. He will open at AA Oklahoma City. Cleveland went exclusively with prospects in the draft and will pin their hopes on the returning cast and hope Marchildon's excellence pushes them over the top.

Detroit. The Tigers one dip into the FA pool retrieved Bill Fleming P (CHC) and the vet MR may very well be moved into the rotation. Fleming is one of the prizes of the off-season and was much underused in the Windy City. 1st round selection Robin Roberts will most likely open the season in the rotation and remain there until the '60s roll around. A massive pitching talent. The team went with prospects for the remainder of the draft.

New York. Yankees replaced offseason FA losses in Elmer Valo and Randy Gumpert with FA acquisition, Mort Cooper (BSN) and first round steal Hank Sauer. It could be said the team was improved by this turnaround and payroll was certainly reduced. Cooper was the finest pitcher in the PWBL in '46 and Sauer is the finest slugger to enter the league in ages. FA signing Ace Adams MR (NYG) strengthens the finest staff in the PWBL. 3rd round selection P Howie Judson is a polished young hurler and may make the opening roster. All in all, a superb draft and off-season for the Bombers as they seem to be the prohibitive favorites in the American League.

Philadelphia. The AL's most active and improved team during the break. The team pulled the trigger on 4 deals and acquired C Dee Moore (PHI), wunderkind prospect Granny Hamner SS (PHI), 1B Eddie Robinson (CLE) ecstatic to finally begin a most promising career, and C Bill Salkeld (PIT) who is a good 1B and a stud backstop. 3B Jack "Lucky" Lohrke is the most improved player in the PWBL and looks mighty good on the hot corner. In the FA market, OF's Carden Gillenwater (BSN), Taffy Wright (CHW) and Wally Judnich (SLB) are all slated for significant playing time. The draft procured LF George Shuba in the 2nd round. He is slated to open the season in the cleanup spot. 3rd round pick, Jess Dobernic, will be handed the ball as the teams closer and 4th round selection Forrest Thompson will be placed in a setup role. With their first round selection, management agonized over whether to take Sauer, but in the end went with youth and stud C prospect Carl Sawatski.

St. Louis. Browns were very happy with FA acquisitions, 1B Ray Sanders (NYY), slotted into a starting role, and P Russ Bauer (CHC) another fine pitcher to fall off the cart in Chi-town. Bauer should excell in the pen or a starting role. Browns management were deliriously happy when C Roy Campanella slid to the 3rd selection overall. A prodigious slugger and superb defensive catcher, he will be the overwhelming favorite for AL ROY and a long and stellar career. 2nd round pick Bubba Harris is slated for immediate action in the Browns pen. 3rd rounder Cliff CHambers was a steal and possesses tremendous ability. He could make the starting rotation and caps a brilliant draft for St. Louis.

Washington. The Nats snared a quartet of FA's during the spring. P Harry Feldman (NYG) could well make the starting four. RF Al Libke (CIN) is a great glove and solid hitter. He should get more than his share of playing time. 1B Howie Schultz (BRO) is marked for AAA after the Nats acquired Nick Etten in a late trade with the A's. Johnny Rigney (CHW) continued the exodus of good pitching talent from Chicago. He will get lots of work. In the draft, the Nats passed over Sauer for pitching phenom Billy Pierce. The only decision management will have to make is how soon to move this marvelous talent into the rotation. The team concentrated on prospects for the remainder of the draft.

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 04:09 PM

National League Offseason Review

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's new and why the team in question will be much improved in '48.

Boston. Braves traded the talented and mysterious SS Alvin Dark to the Cubbies for superb young P Russ "Melons" Meyer. A trio of FA's were snagged in P Charley Schanz (PHI) marked for AAA, aging 2B Billy Herman went FA but shocked all by signing with his old club and ,finally, the Braves hit the offseason jackpot stealing coveted SP Dizzy Trout to a bargain 5M per contract. In the draft, the team scored with super C talent Stan Lopata with their first selection. He will begin his career at Class A Hartford. 2O year P Erv Palica was another grand slam selection. He will make the opening day roster with ease and could debut in the rotation. He's that good. 3rd round pick Don Lang, a 33 year old 3B, will knock incumbent Nanny Fernandez from the lineup. A fine late pickup. Monk Dubiel was a 4th round steal and finished up an impressive talent haul.

Brooklyn. The Bums dipped into their massive pile of cash and signed OF Johnny Hopp to a scandalously high 4 year deal at $9M per. Consider that Red Sox slugger Ted Williams recently inked a 7 year deal at $9.7M. Later the team traded away 3 good young players for Pirates ace Nick Strincevich. With their first round pick, the team lassoed young P Bob Rush who will most likely make the opening day roster. An up and comer. 2nd round selection, C Ed Fitz Gerald, may very well steal the backstop job from Bruce Edwards. The team did an excellent job of rising to the challenge the Cards present in the NL.

Chicago. The team traded for the talented infield enigma that is the most aptly named Alvin Dark. Cubs were massively successful in the FA market. Prize OF Elmer Valo (NYY), woefully underused 2B Johnny Lucadello (SLB) and ditto for another ex-Brown in SP Sam Zoldak. Solid vet MR Don Black arrived in a trade with the Indians. In the draft, management continued to display a keen eye for talent and concentrated on immediate help. 1st round selection Vern Bickford will open the season in a setup role but has a bright future in the rotation. 2nd round pick, P Bobby Hogue, has much the same talent, role and future.

Cincinnati. No GM in the PWBL has done a finer job in the past two seasons of amassing young talent than Reds boss Paul Robinson. The teams one FA signing was the modestly talented C Mickey Livingston (PHA). In the draft, first round selection P Mike Garcia exhibits muchos grande talents. He will open at AA Columbia. 2nd round pick, P Alex Kellner is rated the PWBL's finest pitching prospect after wowing scouts and observers with his spring training performances. He has almost certainly secured a spot with be big league squad. In the 3rd and 4th rounds, the team went with talented teens P Alex Konikowski and P Charlie Bicknell.

New York. Giants were quiet during the FA period picking up only greybeard C Ray Mueller (CIN) to backup incumbent Walker Coooper. In the draft, P Carl Erskine was selected in the first round and his stay with AAA Jersey City should be brief. RF Dick Kokos was taken in the second round and should make the opening lineup. He is a stellar talent. Young catcher Joe Ginsberg was a brilliant choice in the 3rd round. He will open with the AA Jacksonville Tars. P Jocko Thompson was a 5th round steal and may make the big league roster for opening day.

Philadelphia. Greg Andrade made marked improvements to the sad sack Phillies in his brief, mercurial stay at the helm. New boss Mark Lee continued the fine work in the draft. Arriving in a blockbuster deal with the A's were pitchers Charles Wensloff, Russ Christopher and Gerry Staley. They shore up the teams most glaring weakness. CF Frank Baumholtz is another fine addition. Phillies signed coveted FA pitcher Randy Gumpert (NYY) for a bargain $5M and persuaded FA's LF Lou Novikoff and SS Danny Murtaugh to re-sign with their old club after testing the waters. Cubs CL Emil Kush was claimed off the waiver wire and may still have some fuel left in the tank. In the draft, Lee selected CF Richie Ashburn with the first overall pick. He will anchor the OF defense with his brilliant glove and give the team a prototype leadoff man. Ashburn is the favorite to claim the NL ROY award and should be an immediate star. 2nd round pick, RF Don Mueller, has perhaps the sweetest swing of any draftee. He will open in AA Utica.

Pittsburgh. Pirates GM Brian McGlashon made two outstanding trades during the off-season sending ace P Nick Strincevich to Brooklyn and stud 1B-C Bill Salkeld to the A's. In return Pittsburgh loaded up on fine young talent, receiving 6 high quality players in return. P Rube Melton, P Rex Barney and stud OF prospect Gene Woodling arrive from Brooklyn. 1B-OF Johnny Lindell, solid young C Joe Astroth and fine young OF Allie Clark arrive from Philly. In the draft, the team scored repeatedly, snagging superb SS talent Ray Boone in the 1st round. He'll begin his career at AA Albany. 1B-RF Joe Collins will join him there and is a fine hitting prospect. 41 year old Negro League legend Satchel Paige was acquired in the 3rd round and will be the opening day starter. His star will shine briefly but oh so brightly. P Preacher Roe has recovered completely from his gruesome injury prior to the '46 season. He has amazed observers with his spring training exploits. One to watch in '48. No team drafted better in the late rounds as the team picked up solid contributors in 1B Hank Arft and CF Clint Conatser. Both players could do yeoman's work for Pirates this season.

St. Louis. Faced with severe payroll problems, the Cards circled the wagons and held solid. No FA signings or trades and used the draft to bolster their scant farm system. 1st round choice Bob Porterfield is a star talent and will open at AAA Rochester. 2nd round pick Bob Chesnes could contribute immediately to the big league squad. The team picked up solid citizens with their picks in rounds 3-5 in 1B George Vico, LF Hal Rice and P Al Papai.

The Professor · 02-26-2003, 04:10 PM

Great league, fun to follow...

I hope Campy in a Brownies uniform is up to all the hype. I think the Bronx got a real steal in Sauer...that guy is a killer.

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Professor
Great league, fun to follow...

I hope Campy in a Brownies uniform is up to all the hype. I think the Bronx got a real steal in Sauer...that guy is a killer.

A collective groan went up through the American League when Sauer was announced as the Bombers choice with the 13th selection in the first round of the ammy draft. The rich just keep getting richer and the Dodgers and Cubs drafting directly behind the Yankees were both mad to get him aboard.

holyroller · 02-26-2003, 04:17 PM

Great write up as usual.

AccardoOutfit29 · 02-26-2003, 04:58 PM

Oh damn, there's a sim tonight?

vtbub · 02-26-2003, 05:05 PM

Very nice setup

holyroller · 02-26-2003, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AccardoOutfit29
Oh damn, there's a sim tonight?

LOL

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AccardoOutfit29
Oh damn, there's a sim tonight?

The Pale Hose offense put's the fans into a coma as well.

Delgadodawg · 02-26-2003, 06:19 PM

Great write up Darkhorse!

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Delgadodawg
Great write up Darkhorse!

Many thanks. I'm looking forward to an entertaining season and if my A's can't keep up with the AL frontrunners, we'll still have a fun team to watch.

holyroller · 02-26-2003, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkhorse
Many thanks. I'm looking forward to an entertaining season and if my A's can't keep up with the AL frontrunners, we'll still have a fun team to watch.

I am certainly interested to watch the progress of young Hamner, as well as the mysterious Dark.

darkhorse · 02-26-2003, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by holyroller
I am certainly interested to watch the progress of young Hamner, as well as the mysterious Dark.

If Hamner makes his way up the ladder from A ball to the bigs this season I would be mighty pleased.

I hope that Dark gets over his bout of Niarhos syndrome and has the fine career his talent deserves.

darkhorse · 02-27-2003, 02:52 PM

First Week Observations

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A's went looking for some cheap FA pitching only to realize they couldn't make any offers as they are the only team in the PWBL that has zero available money. Yikes!

A succesful season is a must as we need to increase fan interest and attendance and increase revenue streams to try and break even this season. Payroll has leapt each season, 20M total in '46, 46M total in '47 and now 59.6M. With revenues totaling only 50M last season a significant increase is needed to make ends meet.

Around the league, there were a number of oustanding debuts in the first week. Negro league legend, Satchel Paige, pitched 8 innings and gave up 2 hits on opening day for the Pirates in a 1-0 victory and subdued the high-octane offense of the Cubbies.

Paige would go 8 2/3 in his next outing, giving up 4 hits and a pair of runs in a 10-2 victory over the Braves. Way to go, Satch!

After a 6 year absence from the big leagues, Bud Stewart, the Red Sox third round selection in the draft, made his return count, winning the RF job from Leon Culberson and putting up a .385 BA, .526 OBP and .692 SLG. Welcome back, Bud, and well done.

Cincinnati supporters have been ever so faithful, enduring 55 win and 65 win efforts the past two seasons while management rebuilt the team. Those efforts paid off big in week one as the team posted a league best 5-1 record.

On the negative side, Swede Hansen tore his triceps and will be out for a minimum of 5 weeks. The 23 year old has shown great promise and will be missed.

Yankees slugger and 1st round selection, Hank Sauer, opened up his campaign with a bases loaded double and a two-run homer in the Bombers opening day 12-3 win over the A's. Sauer would finish the day with 6 RBI.

Sadly the former Reds farmhand, who picked up a cup of coffee in three seasons with the team, is over the career AB limit for qualification for the ROY award.

Pete Reiser, who hit 13 home runs total last season and has 61 for his distinguished career, went off on NL pitching and blasted a league leading 4 dingers on the week. Pete has definitely been eating his spinach.

Richie Ashburn, the first overall selection in the draft, rewarded the Phillies faith in his abilities hitting .357 with a .400 OBP and scoring 6 runs with 4 SB's in 6 games. Put Put was on his game all week.

The Detroit Tigers, cellar dwellers and 62 game winners in '47, rocketed to the top of the AL standings with a 4-2 showing. Prized rookie Robin Roberts, the 2nd overall selection in the draft, made good on his talent pitching a 4 hit shutout in his ML debut while the Tigers pasted the Indians 5-0.

Finally, Bryan Stephens, the AL Rookie of the Year in '47 kicked off his sophomore season with a pair of performances that earned him the AL Player of the Week Award. The naysayers that branded his rookie season a fluke were curiously silent after this awesome display.

Stephens hurled a pair of complete game victories giving up 4 hits and one run against the Browns and 2 hits and a lone run while stifling the Red Sox offensive machine. A 2-0, 0.50 ERA for the week and launching his quest for the Cy Young Award he came so tantalizingly close to winning last season.

02-26-2003, 04:05 PM	#1
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	PWBL 1948 Season Begins Tonight With the opening week of the PWBL's third season due to begin tonight, we take a look back at the off-season wheeling and dealing as teams sought to make up ground on the Colossal Cards, the league's defending champions. American League Offseason Review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What's new and why the team in question will be much improved in '48. Boston. New in town. FA signing Kirby Higbe p (BRO) and Joe Haynes P (CHW) will provide grist for the mill in AAA. 1st round ammy selection Ned Garver should play a key role for the BoSox in the pen or rotation. 2nd round selection, backstop Rube Walker, may very steal the job from last season's rookie starter, Dixie Howell. Lastly, this scribe forsees Bud Stewart taking the RF job from incumbent Leon Culberson. All in all, a splendid draft for the Beantowners. Chicago. FA signings were two, Bob Chipman P (CHC) and Johnny Gorsica P (DET), two decent veteran pitchers. In the draft, much to the dismay of fans, management passed over super-slugger Hank Sauer and drafted brilliant pitching prospect Johnny Antonelli, a 17 year old with sky-high potential who could easily make the opening day roster. The team went with prospect for most of the draft though solid citizen, Dutch McCall, could have an impact. Cleveland. The Indians picked up one of the leagues better hurlers in Phil Marchildon of the Athletics in a trade that sent top young 1B Eddie Robinson to begin a belated career in Philly. Vet MR Ken Heintzelman (PIT) was signed as an FA. In the ammy draft, the team also ignored slugger Sauer to select 19 year old pitching phenom Mickey McDermott. If he develops respectable control, McDermott should have a long, remarkable career. He will open at AA Oklahoma City. Cleveland went exclusively with prospects in the draft and will pin their hopes on the returning cast and hope Marchildon's excellence pushes them over the top. Detroit. The Tigers one dip into the FA pool retrieved Bill Fleming P (CHC) and the vet MR may very well be moved into the rotation. Fleming is one of the prizes of the off-season and was much underused in the Windy City. 1st round selection Robin Roberts will most likely open the season in the rotation and remain there until the '60s roll around. A massive pitching talent. The team went with prospects for the remainder of the draft. New York. Yankees replaced offseason FA losses in Elmer Valo and Randy Gumpert with FA acquisition, Mort Cooper (BSN) and first round steal Hank Sauer. It could be said the team was improved by this turnaround and payroll was certainly reduced. Cooper was the finest pitcher in the PWBL in '46 and Sauer is the finest slugger to enter the league in ages. FA signing Ace Adams MR (NYG) strengthens the finest staff in the PWBL. 3rd round selection P Howie Judson is a polished young hurler and may make the opening roster. All in all, a superb draft and off-season for the Bombers as they seem to be the prohibitive favorites in the American League. Philadelphia. The AL's most active and improved team during the break. The team pulled the trigger on 4 deals and acquired C Dee Moore (PHI), wunderkind prospect Granny Hamner SS (PHI), 1B Eddie Robinson (CLE) ecstatic to finally begin a most promising career, and C Bill Salkeld (PIT) who is a good 1B and a stud backstop. 3B Jack "Lucky" Lohrke is the most improved player in the PWBL and looks mighty good on the hot corner. In the FA market, OF's Carden Gillenwater (BSN), Taffy Wright (CHW) and Wally Judnich (SLB) are all slated for significant playing time. The draft procured LF George Shuba in the 2nd round. He is slated to open the season in the cleanup spot. 3rd round pick, Jess Dobernic, will be handed the ball as the teams closer and 4th round selection Forrest Thompson will be placed in a setup role. With their first round selection, management agonized over whether to take Sauer, but in the end went with youth and stud C prospect Carl Sawatski. St. Louis. Browns were very happy with FA acquisitions, 1B Ray Sanders (NYY), slotted into a starting role, and P Russ Bauer (CHC) another fine pitcher to fall off the cart in Chi-town. Bauer should excell in the pen or a starting role. Browns management were deliriously happy when C Roy Campanella slid to the 3rd selection overall. A prodigious slugger and superb defensive catcher, he will be the overwhelming favorite for AL ROY and a long and stellar career. 2nd round pick Bubba Harris is slated for immediate action in the Browns pen. 3rd rounder Cliff CHambers was a steal and possesses tremendous ability. He could make the starting rotation and caps a brilliant draft for St. Louis. Washington. The Nats snared a quartet of FA's during the spring. P Harry Feldman (NYG) could well make the starting four. RF Al Libke (CIN) is a great glove and solid hitter. He should get more than his share of playing time. 1B Howie Schultz (BRO) is marked for AAA after the Nats acquired Nick Etten in a late trade with the A's. Johnny Rigney (CHW) continued the exodus of good pitching talent from Chicago. He will get lots of work. In the draft, the Nats passed over Sauer for pitching phenom Billy Pierce. The only decision management will have to make is how soon to move this marvelous talent into the rotation. The team concentrated on prospects for the remainder of the draft. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

02-26-2003, 04:09 PM	#2
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	National League Offseason Review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What's new and why the team in question will be much improved in '48. Boston. Braves traded the talented and mysterious SS Alvin Dark to the Cubbies for superb young P Russ "Melons" Meyer. A trio of FA's were snagged in P Charley Schanz (PHI) marked for AAA, aging 2B Billy Herman went FA but shocked all by signing with his old club and ,finally, the Braves hit the offseason jackpot stealing coveted SP Dizzy Trout to a bargain 5M per contract. In the draft, the team scored with super C talent Stan Lopata with their first selection. He will begin his career at Class A Hartford. 2O year P Erv Palica was another grand slam selection. He will make the opening day roster with ease and could debut in the rotation. He's that good. 3rd round pick Don Lang, a 33 year old 3B, will knock incumbent Nanny Fernandez from the lineup. A fine late pickup. Monk Dubiel was a 4th round steal and finished up an impressive talent haul. Brooklyn. The Bums dipped into their massive pile of cash and signed OF Johnny Hopp to a scandalously high 4 year deal at $9M per. Consider that Red Sox slugger Ted Williams recently inked a 7 year deal at $9.7M. Later the team traded away 3 good young players for Pirates ace Nick Strincevich. With their first round pick, the team lassoed young P Bob Rush who will most likely make the opening day roster. An up and comer. 2nd round selection, C Ed Fitz Gerald, may very well steal the backstop job from Bruce Edwards. The team did an excellent job of rising to the challenge the Cards present in the NL. Chicago. The team traded for the talented infield enigma that is the most aptly named Alvin Dark. Cubs were massively successful in the FA market. Prize OF Elmer Valo (NYY), woefully underused 2B Johnny Lucadello (SLB) and ditto for another ex-Brown in SP Sam Zoldak. Solid vet MR Don Black arrived in a trade with the Indians. In the draft, management continued to display a keen eye for talent and concentrated on immediate help. 1st round selection Vern Bickford will open the season in a setup role but has a bright future in the rotation. 2nd round pick, P Bobby Hogue, has much the same talent, role and future. Cincinnati. No GM in the PWBL has done a finer job in the past two seasons of amassing young talent than Reds boss Paul Robinson. The teams one FA signing was the modestly talented C Mickey Livingston (PHA). In the draft, first round selection P Mike Garcia exhibits muchos grande talents. He will open at AA Columbia. 2nd round pick, P Alex Kellner is rated the PWBL's finest pitching prospect after wowing scouts and observers with his spring training performances. He has almost certainly secured a spot with be big league squad. In the 3rd and 4th rounds, the team went with talented teens P Alex Konikowski and P Charlie Bicknell. New York. Giants were quiet during the FA period picking up only greybeard C Ray Mueller (CIN) to backup incumbent Walker Coooper. In the draft, P Carl Erskine was selected in the first round and his stay with AAA Jersey City should be brief. RF Dick Kokos was taken in the second round and should make the opening lineup. He is a stellar talent. Young catcher Joe Ginsberg was a brilliant choice in the 3rd round. He will open with the AA Jacksonville Tars. P Jocko Thompson was a 5th round steal and may make the big league roster for opening day. Philadelphia. Greg Andrade made marked improvements to the sad sack Phillies in his brief, mercurial stay at the helm. New boss Mark Lee continued the fine work in the draft. Arriving in a blockbuster deal with the A's were pitchers Charles Wensloff, Russ Christopher and Gerry Staley. They shore up the teams most glaring weakness. CF Frank Baumholtz is another fine addition. Phillies signed coveted FA pitcher Randy Gumpert (NYY) for a bargain $5M and persuaded FA's LF Lou Novikoff and SS Danny Murtaugh to re-sign with their old club after testing the waters. Cubs CL Emil Kush was claimed off the waiver wire and may still have some fuel left in the tank. In the draft, Lee selected CF Richie Ashburn with the first overall pick. He will anchor the OF defense with his brilliant glove and give the team a prototype leadoff man. Ashburn is the favorite to claim the NL ROY award and should be an immediate star. 2nd round pick, RF Don Mueller, has perhaps the sweetest swing of any draftee. He will open in AA Utica. Pittsburgh. Pirates GM Brian McGlashon made two outstanding trades during the off-season sending ace P Nick Strincevich to Brooklyn and stud 1B-C Bill Salkeld to the A's. In return Pittsburgh loaded up on fine young talent, receiving 6 high quality players in return. P Rube Melton, P Rex Barney and stud OF prospect Gene Woodling arrive from Brooklyn. 1B-OF Johnny Lindell, solid young C Joe Astroth and fine young OF Allie Clark arrive from Philly. In the draft, the team scored repeatedly, snagging superb SS talent Ray Boone in the 1st round. He'll begin his career at AA Albany. 1B-RF Joe Collins will join him there and is a fine hitting prospect. 41 year old Negro League legend Satchel Paige was acquired in the 3rd round and will be the opening day starter. His star will shine briefly but oh so brightly. P Preacher Roe has recovered completely from his gruesome injury prior to the '46 season. He has amazed observers with his spring training exploits. One to watch in '48. No team drafted better in the late rounds as the team picked up solid contributors in 1B Hank Arft and CF Clint Conatser. Both players could do yeoman's work for Pirates this season. St. Louis. Faced with severe payroll problems, the Cards circled the wagons and held solid. No FA signings or trades and used the draft to bolster their scant farm system. 1st round choice Bob Porterfield is a star talent and will open at AAA Rochester. 2nd round pick Bob Chesnes could contribute immediately to the big league squad. The team picked up solid citizens with their picks in rounds 3-5 in 1B George Vico, LF Hal Rice and P Al Papai. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."

02-26-2003, 04:10 PM	#3
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Great league, fun to follow... I hope Campy in a Brownies uniform is up to all the hype. I think the Bronx got a real steal in Sauer...that guy is a killer. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

02-26-2003, 04:17 PM	#5
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	Great write up as usual. __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”

02-26-2003, 04:58 PM	#6
AccardoOutfit29 All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 531	Oh damn, there's a sim tonight? Last edited by AccardoOutfit29; 02-26-2003 at 05:15 PM.

02-26-2003, 05:05 PM	#7
vtbub Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 143	Very nice setup

02-26-2003, 06:19 PM	#10
Delgadodawg All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Vancouver Posts: 800	Great write up Darkhorse!

02-27-2003, 02:52 PM	#14
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	First Week Observations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A's went looking for some cheap FA pitching only to realize they couldn't make any offers as they are the only team in the PWBL that has zero available money. Yikes! A succesful season is a must as we need to increase fan interest and attendance and increase revenue streams to try and break even this season. Payroll has leapt each season, 20M total in '46, 46M total in '47 and now 59.6M. With revenues totaling only 50M last season a significant increase is needed to make ends meet. Around the league, there were a number of oustanding debuts in the first week. Negro league legend, Satchel Paige, pitched 8 innings and gave up 2 hits on opening day for the Pirates in a 1-0 victory and subdued the high-octane offense of the Cubbies. Paige would go 8 2/3 in his next outing, giving up 4 hits and a pair of runs in a 10-2 victory over the Braves. Way to go, Satch! After a 6 year absence from the big leagues, Bud Stewart, the Red Sox third round selection in the draft, made his return count, winning the RF job from Leon Culberson and putting up a .385 BA, .526 OBP and .692 SLG. Welcome back, Bud, and well done. Cincinnati supporters have been ever so faithful, enduring 55 win and 65 win efforts the past two seasons while management rebuilt the team. Those efforts paid off big in week one as the team posted a league best 5-1 record. On the negative side, Swede Hansen tore his triceps and will be out for a minimum of 5 weeks. The 23 year old has shown great promise and will be missed. Yankees slugger and 1st round selection, Hank Sauer, opened up his campaign with a bases loaded double and a two-run homer in the Bombers opening day 12-3 win over the A's. Sauer would finish the day with 6 RBI. Sadly the former Reds farmhand, who picked up a cup of coffee in three seasons with the team, is over the career AB limit for qualification for the ROY award. Pete Reiser, who hit 13 home runs total last season and has 61 for his distinguished career, went off on NL pitching and blasted a league leading 4 dingers on the week. Pete has definitely been eating his spinach. Richie Ashburn, the first overall selection in the draft, rewarded the Phillies faith in his abilities hitting .357 with a .400 OBP and scoring 6 runs with 4 SB's in 6 games. Put Put was on his game all week. The Detroit Tigers, cellar dwellers and 62 game winners in '47, rocketed to the top of the AL standings with a 4-2 showing. Prized rookie Robin Roberts, the 2nd overall selection in the draft, made good on his talent pitching a 4 hit shutout in his ML debut while the Tigers pasted the Indians 5-0. Finally, Bryan Stephens, the AL Rookie of the Year in '47 kicked off his sophomore season with a pair of performances that earned him the AL Player of the Week Award. The naysayers that branded his rookie season a fluke were curiously silent after this awesome display. Stephens hurled a pair of complete game victories giving up 4 hits and one run against the Browns and 2 hits and a lone run while stifling the Red Sox offensive machine. A 2-0, 0.50 ERA for the week and launching his quest for the Cy Young Award he came so tantalizingly close to winning last season. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."