Time Warp Baseball

[Big Six]

While Em Pelto and I both hope Virgil Lusk keeps his head down and returns safely home to his family, after helping defend our freedoms, Lusk's enlistment might give Em the chance he needs to establish himself as a major leaguer.

It's a nice twist of irony, since Uncle Em's real baseball career was interrupted by his own service in World War II.

[metsgeek]

CRIMINY!!

The Red Sox had half their top prospects go off to war!

[ifspuds]

Correct me if I'm wrong, metsgeek, but I get this feeling, this nagging feeling at the back of my mind, that you're in shock.

Seriously though -- wow. Lots of players headed off to the big one. Matt, I wanted to make sure you had my grandfather-in-law Ogden Wing down to go off to the Pacific at some point.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

Seriously though -- wow. Lots of players headed off to the big one. Matt, I wanted to make sure you had my grandfather-in-law Ogden Wing down to go off to the Pacific at some point.

30% of all players who played in the majors in 1942 headed off to war. Doing the math, that means every team lost 7.5 players. Next year (1944), every team will lose 6.25 players as 25% of all players from the '43 season go off to fight. In 1945 as the war nears an end, each team loses 4 players, which was the same number from 1942. By the 1946 season, all but a very small % are back, and all players that are coming back will be back by 1947. I will do up a more lengthy writeup on this soon.

As for Wing, yes I have him. And to all of you who signed up ancestors to fight, those who have not gone yet will go next season. Except for those who requested that their ancestors go right away, those who left this year were random. Everyone who asked to go and is still here will be gone next year.

For ancestors and all players at war, go to the team's roster page & look at the DL to see how long they will be gone. Some return after just one missed season, some miss 2, 3 or 4.

Also, I decided that all ancestors who were not given instructions to stay or go are left up to fate just like the rest of the non-ancestors. That's why you see some ancestors going who were not asked by their descendant to go.

More coming soon btw, but I have been swamped lately & I still need to test the league settings.

[DamnYankees]

Matt, what about the realities of how long they served? I told you my grandfather was only in the war for a few months, then came home since my uncle was born. Is Morris stuck in The Rhineland for 3 more years, or just the few months?

[jdw]

Matt wrote:

> Next year (1944), every team will lose 6.25 players
> as 25% of all players from the '43 season go off to
> fight.

Don't forget to send Doc off to war next year. All that lack of playing time over the years has allowed him to finish Med School and do some interning to become Dr. John C. Barton. Uncle Sam is going to need a few good doctors when they rush those beaches on June 6, 1944 and start pushing towards Berlin.


John, crossing his fingers that Doc can at least have *one* respectable season before heading off to war...

[Matt from TN]

Morris is only gone for one season as requested, and yes Doc is on his way next year. Since you suggested he be involved in D-Day, I held him out until '44. For those who asked specific things of me, I am trying to stick as closely as possible to their requests, such as Gordon McCarthy and Wolter Tjeenk-Willink being among the first to volunteer.

[jdw]

DamnYankees wrote:

> Matt, what about the realities of how long
> they served? I told you my grandfather
> was only in the war for a few months,
> then came home since my uncle was
> born. Is Morris stuck in The Rhineland
> for 3 more years, or just the few
> months?

I would think he's stuck. I'm not sure any ballplayers got to come home _and play_ while the war was going on due to having children born.

Sorta the reverse of my grandfather - he didn't go due to family and being a general practice Dr. here which was a certain "need" stateside as much as overseas. I kinda thought it would be fitting to send him off to war instead. Of course that would leave my grandmother with three young kids, but Doc was a frugal many with his baseball money so she should be okay.


John


John

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by jdw

I would think he's stuck. I'm not sure any ballplayers got to come home _and play_ while the war was going on due to having children born.

Actually, 1% of players who left to war in 1943 spent only 1 year at war. I used that 1% on Lutske. Although the reason behind him returning would likely be for reasons other than strictly the birth of a child.

[DamnYankees]

Oh, awesome. Matt, you are the man. Talk about getting your history straight.

Out of curiosity, who were that 1% in real life? And why? Anyonw know?

[DamnYankees]

Honestly, that's all he ever told me. He died when I was young, so I'm sure there were other reasons. He might have been injured and not wanted to tell me. I've honestly never asked. But the birthdate of my uncle does match up correctly, so it must have been part of the reason.

[m0ng00se]

Looks like Willie Young might get in one season as a starter if the Pirates don't make any big roster changes now that Vic is gone. Of course, Willie gets shipped off next year so he better make the most of this one.

[Matt from TN]

1943 Offseason News

The major leagues were decimated by the war over the offseason. 120 players who were on major league rosters at some point last season have gone off to serve in the various branches of the military. One of the most astonishing facts is that of the past 8 ROY winners, 7 of them are at war with the Giants' Jack Schoonover the only one still in the big leagues. There were 13 pitchers to win 20 or more games last season, and 7 of them are now gone. Three pitchers with over 260 career wins, and four hitters with 2400 or more hits have joined up.

It is difficult to say which team was hit hardest, but the defending world champion Indians lost two of their three all-star starting pitchers (Billy Crowell and Al Weidenheimer) as well as two former all-star hitters (Bill Berry and F.X. Ditty). The Yankees bid to reclaim the pennant took a hit when they lost another ace in Luke Riley as well as one of their top hitters in Clarence Davis. The Senators pitching staff was hurt by the loss of Leo Flowers and Claude Swin just a year after Chris Frays enlisted. Detroit lost Adolf Greisbach with his 2847 career hits and reigning homerun champion Denny Caneer.

In the NL, Brooklyn's offense took a shot by the losses of Brad Coffenberger, Flip DeLeon and Jonathan Wright. The defending NL champion Giants lost 3 former all-stars in Carlos Hulse, Hal Smith and Andy Martineau. Some of the veteran Cubs made a pact and joined the military together. Surrounded by a frenzy of journalists and constant flashing of camera bulbs, Punchy Cote, Dave Arkless, Mike Buntain and Kip Opitz enlisted together in Chicago.

Because of the instability in the league, few teams made any changes over the offseason except for the Yankees, who had to replace long-time manager Ervin Greiner. The second winningest manager in history, Greiner retired at the age of 69 after 32 years of managing the Cardinals, Giants and Yankees. His predecessor in New York, Carl Sweeney, who became a rival later with the Dodgers, is the only manager in history with more wins than Greiner. These two men combined to manage the Yankees since Sweeney's first season in 1904. Just the 4th manager in Yankees history will be former Yankees and Dodgers first baseman Jesse Passwater.

Here is a list of all ancestors who left for the war this offseason:

BOS - Morris Lutske
CHA - John Skoropat, Gordon McCarthy
CLE - F.X. Ditty, Bill Berry, Trent Roberts
DET - Adolf Greisbach, Bud Moore, Roland Fish, Buster Darling
WSH - Jim Dunkel
BSN - Francis Gilmartin
BKN - Jon Wright
CIN - Rick Vaughn, Peyton Arana
NYG - Carlos Hulse
PHI - Tank Lusk
STL - Genarito Nunez

In The News

Former Chicago Cubs 1B Howard "Cookie" Parrish died shortly after the 1942 season of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 39 in Chicago. Hall of Fame rules state that after death, a player foregoes the prerequisite 5-year waiting period. So Parrish will be added to the 1944 Hall of Fame ballot.

At major league meetings in December, owners decided to restrict travel to a 3-trip schedule, rather than the customary 4. Spring training was limited to locations north of the Potomac or Ohio rivers and east of the Mississippi.

Hall of Fame

The sole player elected by the BBWAA in 1943 is:

Bowie Castellon, SP
Cap: Cubs
Vote: 76.9%
Teams: Chicago N.L. 1905-1916, Boston N.L. 1916
Plaque: Bowie was an outstanding pitcher and he was a big reason why the Cubs did not have a losing season for 14 years. He put together 9 20-win seasons and in his other three seasons he won 19, 19 and 18. He finished his career with a 262-146 record (4th Most Wins All Time), 2.52 ERA (7th Best All Time), 1298 strikeouts, 397 complete games (7th Most All-Time) and 50 shutouts (8th Most All-Time). He won three POTY Awards and was part of the Cubs' first World Series championship team in 1905.

*Note that all rankings (i.e. 2nd All-Time) were at the time of the players retirement. What happened after they retired does not reflect on their plaque.

Castellon retired at the top of his game at age 37 just months after being traded to the Braves. He was quoted in 1916 as saying, "I am a Cub and I will always be a Cub. If I cannot play in Chicago and the Cubs organization no longer wants me, it's time for my career to end." At the induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York, Castellon mentioned that his pride was wounded at the time of his trade and he did not mean to offend anyone in Boston. However, after 12 years of dutiful service with the Cubs, he felt slighted by that organization. The 63-year-old former pitcher has not set foot in a major league stadium since the day he retired over 26 years ago.

In sad news, baseball said goodbye to two Hall of Famers at this year's ceremony. Raymond Gindler died from heart failure at age 67 in his Massachusetts home this past January, and Campbell Ditty died of a stroke just weeks later. Gindler was a four-time POY and one-time owner of the Braves. He was well-loved in St. Louis from his playing days and in Boston where he owned the Braves and spent most of his post-baseball career. A memorial service in Boston was attended by the mayors of Boston and St. Louis as well as some of Gindler's former Browns teammates and past and present members of the Braves organization. Ditty's funeral services were attended by many current and former players. Campbell's son F.X. was able to attend the funeral, but he was due to ship out for Italy later in the spring. Unfortunately, Campbell's other son Jimmy was not able to attend because he is serving as part of the US Army's ski corps in northern Europe.

[Matt from TN]

Key Retirees:

Moonlight Graham, RF
Tigers 1923-30
Yankees 1930-42

.301, 2009 H, 292 2B, 129 HR, 1119 RBI, 1339 R, 1159 BB, 592 SB
For much of his career, Graham was a force in a feared Yankees lineup. He was often considered a complete player. He won just one Gold Glove but was considered a good fielder. Add to that his ability to hit for average and power as well as his gift of speed. He won 6 World Series with the Yankees.


William O'Neill, SP
Pirates 1927-39
A's 1939-40
Indians 1940-42

242-193, 3.76 ERA, 1189 BB, 1934 K, 337 SHO, 29 CG, 1.33 WHIP
He burst onto the scene in 1929 in his first season as a full-time starter and won 21 games. He won 20+ games 4 times, pitched a perfect game in 1940 with the A's and was traded 6 weeks later to the Indians where he would be part of the 1942 World Series champions.


Dale Cisek, RP
Browns 1923-39
Pirates 1939-40
Senators 1940-42

51-47, 173 Sv, 2.85 ERA, 221 BB, 362 K, 1.11 WHIP
Cisek retired as the all-time saves leader with 173. He never appeared in a World Series until 1941 when he won it with the Senators at age 39.


Jude McGill, 2B
Cardinals 1927-30
Braves 1930-33
Browns 1933-42
Red Sox 1942

.311, 1601 H, 197 2B, 652 RBI, 704 R, 685 BB
McGill won 2 Gold Gloves and the 1931 WS with the Braves. In a span of 4 years from 1935-39, he won a batting title and had 2 hitting streaks over 20 games.


Slim Fitzgerald, SP
Reds 1927-41
Tigers 1941
Senators 1942

219-219, 4.16 ERA, 1001 BB, 1399 K, 294 CG, 27 SHO, 1.32 WHIP
The 1927 ROY and a 3-time GG winner. Won 20+ games 4 times.


Irv Seda, RF
Browns 1922-42

.298, 1758 H, 395 2B, 709 RBI, 889 R
He was a constant with the Browns for many years, although much of his later seasons were on a part-time basis.

[Matt from TN]

Retiring Ancestors:


"Fat Gus" Kahle, 3B
New York Yankees, 1921-42



Kahle was a major part of the great Yankees dynasty. With them, he won 5 World Series and two Gold Gloves. In 1927, he won his only batting title and he had a 34-game hitting streak which still stands as an American League record. He retired as the all-time hits leader among third basemen with 3424 (3rd All-Time). He also had a .323 average, 477 doubles (21st All-Time), 194 homeruns, 1501 RBI (15th All-Time), 1556 runs scored (17th All-Time) and 974 walks.

[tward13]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Key Retirees:

Moonlight Graham, RF
Tigers 1923-30
Yankees 1930-42

.301, 2009 H, 292 2B, 129 HR, 1119 RBI, 1339 R, 1159 BB, 592 SB
For much of his career, Graham was a force in a feared Yankees lineup. He was often considered a complete player. He won just one Gold Glove but was considered a good fielder. Add to that his ability to hit for average and power as well as his gift of speed. He won 6 World Series with the Yankees.

Wonder if he's been going to med school in the offseason? Too late for him to become Doc Graham back in Minnesota?

[Matt from TN]

Ancestors Added in 1943:

Joe "Ox" Lutske, SP, Boston Braves



Ox is a strikeout pitcher who makes it tough for opposing hitters to get on base. He allows few walks and even fewer hits. At age 21, he begins his career in AAA. With rosters thinned due to the war, he could very likely see action in the majors this season.


Bud Ulrich, SP, Detroit Tigers



Bud is another tough young pitcher who holds opponents to a very low average. He has good control and is able to keep homeruns to a minimum, which is key to a pitcher's success in Tiger Stadium. He will begin his career in AA.


George "The Instigator" Young, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies



Young becomes the third top 1B prospect for the Phillies, and he will share time with fellow prospect Lonny Arrendale at Single-A. Young is a good hitter with great power potential.


Hans "Ace" Habermehl, SS, Philadelphia A's



Hans is an excellent-hitting shortstop with good speed. He is the type of player the A's were looking for as they continue to rebuild their offense. He begins the season in AA, but with his speed and abilities, he could be in the majors soon.


Buck "Go Go" Tomlinson, 3B, Cincinnati Reds



Buck is a well-rounded hitter with a good ability to get on base, both via walks and hits. His strength is just that, in terms of homerun power. He is also a great defender. He begins the season at AA but is seen as the eventual replacement for 35-year-old Alan Liao.


Carpenter Erickson, SP, New York Yankees



The Yanks have long believed in the strength of pitching, and at the outset of an attempt to rebuild their empty farm system, they drafted Erickson. He is a strikeout pitcher with a blazing fastball. His has the kind of raw talent that could one day make him a star or a journeyman. He begins the season at Single-A.


Ben "Butch" Lutske, 3B, Chicago Cubs



Lutske is a good hitter with a knack for hitting balls in the gaps. He gets a lot of doubles, but he has enough power to earn several line drive homeruns as well. He begins the season at A-ball but the Cubs desperately need help at the hot corner now that veteran David McAuliffe will be forced to spend time in their decemated outfield.


Delmar "Gramps" Yordy, LF, Pittsburgh Pirates



Yordy is a power hitter who can also hit for average. He collects his share of doubles too, and is a solid defender. He begins the season at Single-A, but with so many payers off at war, he could get the call to the major leagues any day.

[m0ng00se]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Ancestors Added in 1943:

George "The Instigator" Young, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies



Young becomes the third top 1B prospect for the Phillies, and he will share time with fellow prospect Lonny Arrendale at Single-A. Young is a good hitter with great power potential.

Right on. Granddad has arrived.

If they kept a stat for instigating bench clearing brawls, George would be a league leader for sure. Advice to opposing pitchers... don't pitch too far inside.


EDIT: Just took a peek at George's single A competition... this is not good. Lonny Arrendale is quite the prospect. GEORGE demands a trade!!!!!

[Matt from TN]

1943 Season Preview

American League

With so many players lost to military service, it is tough to predict what will happen in the 1943 season. One thing we do know is Washington has the makings of a dominant club, despite their losses. They have rock-steady ace Jethro Lee and 18-game winner Micky Guyton guiding perhaps the best staff in the AL. Their offense is still potent with Carl Kahle and Blake Crocitto even with a deadened ball. The top contenders will be the Yankees and Browns. Cleveland hopes to defend their title, but after losing 3/4ths of their pitching staff and the heart of their offense in Bill Berry, that is unlikely. Even though the Senators look like they have the ability to run away with the pennant, there is also the chance that upstart teams like the Red Sox and White Sox can surprise the league.

Due to the loss of players to war, I have included a "Potential Stars" section for every team. These are lesser-known players who could step up and make an impact.

1. Senators (85-69, 2nd) - As mentioned above, they have a potentially dominant rotation plus some key offensive ingredients. Don't forget how hot they were over the final two months of last season.

Top Starters:
SP Micky Guyton (18-12, 3.17)
SP Jethro Lee (18-14, 2.39)

1B Sugar McDonald (.228, 13 HR, 65 RBI)
3B Carl Kahle (.272, 19 HR, 85 RBI)
SS Blake Crocitto (.336, 12 HR, 63 RBI)
RF John Shears (.248, 47 RBI, 37 SB)

Potential Stars:
SP Bill Finley (8-5, 3.06)

Top Prospects:
SP Van Melbourn (Majors)
SP Don Vonkitzing (AA)


2. Yankees (77-77, 4th) - After a disappointing season, longtime manager Ervin Greiner hung up his clipboard. His bench coach, Jesse Passwater, takes over a team desperate to reclaim the pennant. Even with their war losses, they are one of the teams to beat.

Top Starters:
SP Jack Andrade (14-8, 2.71 before SEI on 8/8)
SP Art Booth (21-12, 2.53)

C Rollie McCord (.268, 46 RBI)
1B Doc Reed (.308, 73 RBI)
2B Murray Hofer (.305, 67 RBI, 23 SB)
LF Allen March (.213, 13 HR, 60 RBI)
CF Ervin Skjerly (.271, 54 RBI)
RF Ping Hung (.381, 76 RBI, 68 SB)

Potential Stars:
SP Lewis Lamson (2-4, 7.33, Can he make a comeback as the #3 starter?)

Top Prospects:
SP Carpenter Erickson (A)


3. Browns (83-71, 3rd) - They were in the hunt all last season before a late fade. They have the makings of a solid pitching staff plus some capable bats.

Top Starters:
SP Mitch Haynam (12-16, 4.12)
SP Mark Ponfick (18-14, 3.00)
SP Cotton Simson (22-15, 3.27)

1B Bill Simard (.234, 61 RBI)
2B Clyde Verhage (.312, 44 RBI in 276 AB)
3B Steven Bussell (.284, 46 RBI)
LF Carmack Alford (.256, 16 HR, 89 RBI)
RF Tony Monachino (.304, 59 RBI, 18 SB)

Potential Stars:
SS Tim Frevele (hit .300 in 4 of last 6 seasons but just .269 in 1st year with Browns last year)

Top Prospects:
RF Guss Brown (A)


4. Indians (90-64, 1st) - Perhaps no team was hit harder in the offseason than the defending champs, who lost 3/4ths of their rotation and two key hitters. They still have some talent, but it likely is not enough. For many old vets, this could be their shot at one last ride into the sunset.

Top Starters:
SP George Bowers (21-16, 2.89)

C Fred Storey (.300, 62 RBI)
1B Daniel Lutzke (.229, 17 HR, 94 RBI)
2B Kid Fite (.260, 41 RBI in 346 AB)
LF Big Lou Zaitz (.271, 11 HR, 62 RBI)
CF Joe Campbell (.229, 41 RBI, 34 SB in 398 AB)

Potential Stars:
SP Zolly Schoeter (7-6, 3.74 and now the #2 starter)

Top Prospects:
SP Len Banty (AA)
SP Frank Vamos (AA)


5. Red Sox (75-79, 5th) - They could have the most explosive offense in the majors this season, and they have the makings of a dependable rotation. That could spell a huge jump in the standings.

Top Starters:
SP Rusty Canter (7-11, 3.92)
SP Vance Marx (20-15, 3.62)

C Chuck Rauch (.262, 11 HR, 73 RBI)
1B Jessie Holt (.317, 14 HR, 81 RBI)
2B Pokey Dorsey (.250, 11 HR, 73 RBI)
3B Tequila Allen (.308, 65 RBI)
LF Al Arsenault (.290, 61 RBI)
CF Howard Sheridan (.243, 14 HR, 59 RBI)
RF Ben Hargey (.272, 66 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SP Sloppy Mosich (8-18, 3.55, once one of the top prospects around, this 30-year-old could make a huge splash this season and put Boston in the pennat race)

Top Prospects:
SP Cort Nagel (Majors)
SP Buster Davis (AA)
C Don Lock (AA)
C Biff Betters (A)


6. White Sox (71-83, 6th) - They have a good looking pitching staff which should make them competitive. But their offense is too big a mess to make serious waves.

Top Starters:
SP Bill Bailey (8-8, 3.20)
SP Earl Boyd (12-11, 3.87)
SP Bob Bussmann (2-2, 2.96 as a reliever, has not started since 1938)

C Leonard Davie (.264, 14 HR, 62 RBI)
2B Danny Lazo (.250, 74 RBI)
LF Enos Fletcher (.286, 63 RBI)

Potential Stars:
1B Ed Rossi (.383 in 107 AB, the 1B job is his now and he looks primed for a breakout year)

Top Prospects:
SP Willard Carte (Majors)
1B Ed Rossi (Majors)
RF Stu Cripps (Majors)
2B Rex Seelinger (A)


7. Athletics (69-85, 7th) - They could be a tough opponent, but a winning season should be out of reach. They have some fine looking players, but too many of them are unproven.

Top Starters:
SP Ossie Costin (19-16, 2.89)

1B Sal Rossi (.267, 58 RBI)
3B Rem Kelley (.253, 11HR, 69 RBI, 20 SB)
SS Ted Stuart (.274, 60 RBI)
LF Hershel Cooley (.277, 36 RBI)
CF Lee Friedman (.254, 12 HR, 55 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SP Jeronimo Arsenault (6-8, 3.50, at age 29, could this finally be his year?)

Top Prospects:
3B Bud Ayers (Majors)
SS Hans Habermehl (AA)
SP Chubby Allen (A)
3B Ike Walker (A)


8. Tigers (66-88, 8th) - Even with so many stars gone to war, the Tigers have a tough time fielding a competitive team.

Top Starters:
SP Billy Cogbill (14-16, 4.64)
SP Alex Footwangler (12-10, 2.53)
SP Bob Guilderson (10-13, 3.81)

2B Ray Dimeo (.274, 49 RBI, 34 SB)
LF John Storback (.228, 39 RBI)
CF Carlton Affee (.258, 50 RBI)
RF Ricky Osterholt (.267, 52 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SP Hal Andrew (1-1, 1.42 in 6.1 IP and 11-10, 2.69 at AAA, at age 22, he has a lot of development to go, but he will be given a shot at the #4 spot in the rotation)

Top Prospects:
SP Hal Andrew (Majors)
LF Ray Kress (Majors)
SP Bud Ulrich (AA)

[Matt from TN]

National League

Brooklyn is once again favored to win the pennant, and once you get a glimpse of their rotation, you will know why. There are still several other teams in the hunt, like New York, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Chicago. There is even a slim possibility that the Phillies will field a strong team. In a league where just 5 games separated the top 5 teams last year, anything can happen.

Due to the loss of players to war, I have included a "Potential Stars" section for every team. These are lesser-known players who could step up and make an impact.

1. Dodgers (82-72, 4th) - With aces Frank Smith and Remmy Paul, Brooklyn has an intimidating rotation. Throw in sluggers like Oscar Vancini, and you see why they are the early favorite.

Top Starters:
SP Max Baxter (11-14, 3.02)
SP Stephen Dzurik (13-15, 3.83)
SP Remmy Paul (20-13, 2.01)
SP Frank Smith (24-6, 1.78)

C Moe Sieferman (.265, 50 RBI)
1B Jeff Bundy (.259, 14 HR, 66 RBI)
SS Jonny Perly (.242, 50 RBI, 80 SB)
LF Oscar Vancini (.267, 19 HR, 89 RBI)
CF Mickey McWhorter (.274, 56 RBI, 34 SB)

Potential Stars:
3B David Axelsson (.235 in 81 AB, all he has ever asked for is a starting job, and now he has one)

Top Prospects:
1B Dennis Kitterman (Majors)
SP Peanuts Haefner (AA)
SP James Bajofer (A)
SS Mike Fellner (A)


2. Giants (86-68, 1st) - New York wins back-to-back pennants and still gets no respect. They are like a magic show and no one knows how they keep on winning. Luckily, a lot of their veterans have avoided military service.

Top Starters:
SP Randall Bray (17-17, 3.31)
SP George Cone (14-13, 3.51)
SP Jack Schoonover (11-12, 3.50)
SP Kyle Stevens (11-7, 3.57)

C Lloyd Johnson (.259, 15 HR, 81 RBI)
2B Bobby Martin (.291, 81 RBI)
3B Dale Lamberty (.257, 23 HR, 85 RBI)
LF Anson Morgenstern (.256, 10 HR, 75 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SS Tom Howard (.295, 15 HR at Single-A, he has impressed the team and won the SS job)

Top Prospects:
SS Tom Howard (Majors)
SP Willie Goldrich (AAA)


3. Cardinals (81-73, 5th) - A strong rotation and tough lineup could be good enough to finally get the Redbirds back to the Series after a 19-year absence.

Top Starters:
SP Abe Dickens (19-13, 3.26)
SP Otto Kahle (24-10, 2.84)
SP Gerald Saxton (18-17, 3.26)

C Herman Dunkel (.293, 13 HR, 82 RBI)
1B Danny Watteau (.262, 45 RBI)
SS Rob Forrestal (.279, 73 RBI)
RF Ogden Wing (.265, 49 RBI, 25 SB)

Potential Stars:
SP Vic Gorin (3-5, 4.64, after an off year, he could be primed to break out)
LF Gene Bucknam (.291 in 127 AB, he is a career .329 hitter and has his starting job back)

Top Prospects:
1B Steve Skinner (Majors)
SP Johnny Gundich (A)


4. Pirates (85-69, 2nd) - They had an amazing late run last season and finished just out of first. Their offense could be one of the best in the NL, but pitching has become a big question.

Top Starters:
SP Tex Blakemore (19-11, 3.51)
SP Chester Hester (13-9, 3.24)

C Reggie Woodson (.324, 68 RBI)
IF Hal Dumais (.274, 48 RBI)
IF Eric Teeuw (.257, 58 RBI)
SS Elmer Menard (.294, 10 HR, 88 RBI)
CF Bud Breckenridge (.319, 11 HR, 75 RBI, 56 SB)
RF Rudy Young (.291, 76 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SS Dennis Liebl (.398 in 93 AB, .284 career)
1B Willie Young (.217 in 92 AB, finally getting his shot at age 26, Willie is a prime breakout candidate)

Top Prospects:
1B Ben Giordano (Majors)
LF Delmar Yordy (A)


5. Cubs (83-71, 3rd) - They still have two formidable aces, but the rotation is questionable after them. And as always, health is a major concern. The offense has been nearly picked clean.

Top Starters:
SP David Wickersham (9-6, 2.56 in 16 G before SEI on 6/25)
SP Alex Winterhalter (19-15, 3.18)

SS Vincent Weatherly (.272, 43 RBI)
LF/3B David McAuliffe (.256, 57 RBI)
RF Dewey Mickelsen (.299, 20 HR, 76 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SP John "Bucky" Smith (0-4, 7.80, as the #3 starter, this could be his last shot at salvaging his career)

Top Prospects:
SP Michael Roach (Majors)
SP John Caffee (A)
SP Charlie Lustgarten (A)
3B Ben Lutske (A)


6. Phillies (66-88, 7th) - They could have one of the better rotations in the NL and their offense is coming around.

Top Starters:
SP Dusty Havlak (5-4, 2.87)
SP Tom Mierhofer (17-15, 2.65)

1B William Suggs (.263, 11 HR, 74 RBI)
3B Maurice Misisca (.271, 15 HR, 73 RBI)
SS Mitch Cole (.298, 28 RBI in 366 AB)

Potential Stars:
2B Nicky Barker (.255, 32 RBI in 263 AB)

Top Prospects:
SP John Nolting (Majors)
1B Bobby Johnson (AAA)
RF George Petty (AA)
SP Marty Fippinger (A)
1B Lonny Arrendale (A)
1B George Young (A)


7. Reds (69-85, 6th) - A decent offense is not enough to mask a mediocre rotation in this league.

Top Starters:
SP Schoolboy Emberling (19-19, 3.29)
SP Roy Mills (17-19, 3.58)

C Benny Eremitani (.234, 50 RBI)
1B George Maringo (.246, 13 HR, 38 RBI)
3B Alan Liao (.254, 46 RBI)
SS Pee Wee Osborne (.267, 58 RBI)
LF Mitch Leibowitz (.221, 56 RBI)
RF Otis Sistruck (.296, 45 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SS John Barton (.245 on 208 AB, he has looked impressive this spring and with a starting job, he could be a big player this season)

Top Prospects:
3B Buck Tomlinson (AA)
SP Sam Cumby (A)
SP Gene Masarech (A)


8. Braves (64-90, 8th) - They could make it out of the cellar, but one ace is not going to carry a team with this lousy of an offense.

Top Starters:
SP Scottie Allen (16-14, 2.33)
SP Buck Anderson (10-22, 3.94)
SP Dean Fahndrich (17-11, 3.39)

1B Pat Vega (.276, 54 RBI)
3B Robert Studley (.253, 35 RBI in 273 AB)
CF Jonah Henderson (.248, 59 RBI)
RF George Ward (.261, 48 RBI)

Potential Stars:
SP Fred Francis (5-14, 4.54, once a top prospect, this could be the year he puts it all together)
3B Rocky D'Urso (.206, 25 RBI, he needs to - and should - bounce back in a big way)

Top Prospects:
SS Cutter Brekke (Majors)
SP Joe Lutske (AAA)
SP Glenn Howell (A)
SP Roy Wolfe (A)
2B John Valcarcel (A)