UBL crowns 1928 champions..........

[Cooleyvol]

LA's Angels capped a great year with an upset victory over the Foster League's New York Yankees in a sweep!

Congratulations to both Michael Quinn AND Rick Faulkner (aka Eckstein4Prez) on a great season.

I wonder what Negro League and Pacific Coast League rookies will join the league for 1929??

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Your 1928 World Champion Los Angeles Angels

Congratulations to the entire team for a spectacular turnaround this season, coming off a lowly seventh place finish in the inaugural UBL campaign to take the world championship in 1928. A special congratulations to the Angels pitching staff, who held the mighty Yankee hitters (including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Cochrane and Lefty O'Doul) to a .181 average in the Unified Series.

And now, introducing the world champs:

Larry Bettencourt, 3B - The Angels were thrilled to find him still available in the second round of the 1928 draft, as they had a gaping hole at third in 1927, which only got worse with the trade of the promising Les Bell. However, the rookie Bettencourt stepped right in and didn't miss a beat for L.A., with 11-70-.281 as his triple crown numbers, and being named to the Landis League All-Star team. At age 23, this young infielder is sure to have many good days ahead for the Angels.

Chester Brooks, 2B - As the eighth round pick of Los Angeles in the 1927 entry draft, Brooks was the first Negro Leaguer selected by GM Rick Faulkner. Although he suffered through a difficult rookie campaign, batting only .226 with 158 strikeouts, he improved dramatically in 1928, with 26-100-.254 as his triple crown numbers, and winning a Gold Glove at second base as well as his first All-Star appearance. Since Chester is only 23 years old, the Angels hope there will be many more such appearances in his future. Brooks hit .294 with a home run and four runs batted in in the Unified Series.

Andy Cooper, P - Although Cooper has been with the Angels from the beginning, he hasn't always had much of an opportunity with them. His 4-12 record in 1927 seemed not to be indicative of his true quality, and, sure enough, when not injured he provided some solid long relief and spot starting in 1928. In a shocker, Faulkner looked to him to start in the decisive fourth game of the Unified Series, and Cooper responded by shutting down the Yankees in a 4-3 complete game, championship-clinching victory.

Pepper Daniels, C - Veteran Negro Leaguer Pepper Daniels was acquired by the Angels to give them a veteran presence at the backup catcher spot, and due to injuries, he's gotten a surprisingly heavy amount of action behind the plate the last two seasons. Although Daniels hit only .199 in 1928 (one of the few Angels to be less productive than in 1927), his steady hand kept things together during the stretch drive as regular catcher Frank Duncan battled injuries.

Frank Duncan, C - Duncan has never really been known for his hitting, but he did hit .333 against the Yankees in the Unified Series. Duncan is the heart and soul of the Angels' defense however, and the press rewarded him with the Gold Glove Award in 1928. Duncan threw out an amazing 47% of the runners who tried to steal on him, making a running, aggressive style of play a bad bet against Los Angeles. Duncan hit a career-high ten home runs in 1928, despite playing in only 96 games due to injury. At age 27, he's right in the prime of his career, and should continue to be a key player for the Angels for years to come.

Gus Felix, OF - This steady veteran did not see much playing time in 1928, but did hit .319 as a pinch-hitter and utility outfielder. He is scheduled to be a free agent following the season, and his steady play will be sorely missed in Southern California.

Alex Ferguson, P - Ferguson, a spot starter for most of the 1928 season, went 5-5 for the Angels. He dropped a little from his 8-10, 3.87 ERA performance of 1927, but Ferguson can be counted on to give the Angels quality innings and will likely remain a solid part of the pitching staff well into the future.

Chick Hafey, LF - The one cloud on the Angels' championship run is that Hafey wasn't able to play against the Yankees in the Unified Series after breaking his finger on September 16. However, Hafey has been the heart and soul of this team from the start. The first player ever drafted by the Angels, the 25-year-old has been nothing but successful from the start. He led the Landis League in 1927 with 35 home runs, and his 21-95-.326 numbers in 1928 were, if anything, even better, as he also increased his OBP to .399. Hafey has won Gold Gloves in left field in both years of the UBL, and will likely remain a cornerstone of the Angels franchise far into the future.

Rats Henderson, P - This wily veteran may be a little old at 37, but he still gave the team some quality relief innings this season, despite his high ERA. Henderson went 4-6 for the Angels this season, and GM Rick Faulkner has promised that there will be a place for Henderson in the Angels family if he chooses to come back for the 1929 season.

Wattie Holm, OF - Although Holm lost his starting job in 1928, the young (26) outfielder still had a place on the team. His outstanding arm and great range in the outfield, coupled with his .337 average in limited duty made him one of the team's most indispensable bench players. Freed from the pressures of playing everyday, Holm blossomed from an uncertain hitter (.246 in 1927) to a solid contributor. The Angels, who nearly traded Holm in the Hack Wilson trade, are certainly glad he remained with the team this season.

Wally Hood, 1B - Although Hood plans on leaving the Angels in the free agent market this offseason, he'll certainly be missed. One of two Angels protected before the original dispersal draft, he's been a steady contributor for two years. In part-time duty at first base, Hood hit 7 homers and batted .269, filling in well when rookie Don Hurst went down in mid-season to injury. Although he and the Angels couldn't come to terms on a contract, his contributions to the team will always be remembered.

Don Hurst, 1B - In a controversial move, the Angels made Hurst, their 1928 first round draft choice and first baseman of the future, the first baseman of the present from the start of the 1928 season. Hurst struggled early, but ultimately had an outstanding rookie season - 26 home runs, 111 runs batted in, and a .361 on-base percentage. At age 23, he's another Angel who appears to have a future even brighter than his present.

Ray Jacobs, IF - Jacobs, the other Angel protected along with Hood in the original dispersal draft, was unfortunately injured for the Unified Series. However, the team has resigned him for the 1929 season, and his steady contributions will remain with the club. Although Jacobs hit only .234 in 1928, he proved a capable backup at three of the four infield positions, and at age 26 looks to continue to improve.

Jing Johnson, P - Jing has been one of the top Angels pitchers for two seasons now. After a 1927 campaign in which he went 17-13 for a losing team, he posted an 18-13 mark for the 1928 season. He's been the number two starter for two years now, and will likely remain a key piece of the Angels puzzle for years to come. He got his biggest win of the year in Game 2 against the Yankees, shutting the Bombers down for a 4-1 victory.

Eddie "Scrap Iron" Kenna, C - Kenna started the season in the minor leagues, and only injuries caused him to get the call up to the big leagues. However, his .362 OBP and 40% percentage of base stealers thrown out made him the Angels' backup catcher by the season's end. The 31-year-old veteran had never played a day in the big leagues before the 1928 season, and he was only a 6th round pick of the Angels, yet there is serious consideration to actually making Scrap Iron a starter for the 1929 campaign.

Ray Kremer, P - The most pleasant surprise of the season for the Angels. After an 18-17 1927 season, Kremer had a monster year for the Angels, going 21-9 with a 3.82 ERA. Although he tailed off somewhat toward the season's end, the venerable Kremer proved that, at 35, he still has what it takes to shut down opposing hitters. This 6th round pick of the Angels in 1927 has been more than worth the investment for Los Angeles.

Bernie Neis, OF - Another pleasant surprise for the Angels, he hit a mere .210 in 1927 and looked to be an extraneous player after the acquisition of Hack Wilson. However, he upped his average to .320 and his OBP to .401, ultimately becoming the starting center fielder against left-handers. Against the Yankees' left-handed staff, he hit .308 with a home run in the Unified Series. Neis, at age 33, may not have too many good seasons left, but his contributions will be valued as long as they last.

Bob Osborn, P - This long reliever was a key part of the Angels' staff. He appeared in 60 games, leading the Landis League, and went 7-1 with 9 saves. Although some observers have suggested that the 25-year-old might ultimately make a better starter than reliever, GM Rick Faulkner loves the versatility Osborn gives the staff.

Flint Rhem, P - After starting the year in the bullpen, Rhem was moved into the starting rotation and responded wonderfully. He went 14-11 with a 3.58 ERA for the year, and threw a three-hitter in the opening game of the Unified Series for a 5-3 win over the Yankees.

Bobby Reeves, IF - Reeves, installed as the opening day third baseman in 1927, proved to be a disaster, hitting only .223. Although he is known as a superb defender, that wasn't nearly enough, and it looked like the 24-year-old might have trouble finding a place on the Angels roster. He was offered to the Cubs as a throw-in in the Wilson trade, and Cubs GM Jeff Cobb didn't even want him. Similarly, Faulkner wasn't interested in finding a place for Reeves early in the season, but Reeves ultimately played his way into the lineup, hitting .313 and again displaying stellar defense. Ultimately, Reeves got to start in three games against the Yankees in the Series and hit .364 on the world's biggest stage. Reeves is now regarded as the shortstop of the future for the Angels.

Ed Strelecki, P - Rookie Ed Strelecki had trouble getting going early in the season, as the rookie jitters seemed to give him trouble. However, Strelecki rallied and became a solid member of the starting rotation, going 12-16 with a 4.99 ERA on the year. He started Game 3 against the Yankees and shut them down for a 6-2 complete game victory, while hitting a towering home run to help himself in the victory.

Myles Thomas, P - In 35 games of solid long relief, Thomas posted a 1-2 record and a 3.68 ERA. Although he is an often-overlooked member of the pitching staff, his relief pitching was key this season, as many of the Angels' starters do not have the endurance to go nine innings.

Specs Toporcer, IF - He didn't get to play much this season, but is a solid defensive replacement and utility infielder.

Lloyd Waner, CF - This guy is the absolute picture of consistency for the Angels. He won the batting title in 1927 with a .390 average and 7 home runs. In 1928, he again hit 7 homers and batted .382, which was better than everyone in the Landis except for his own brother in Pittsburgh. He hit a spectacular .529 against the Yankees in the Series, and scored four runs.

Frank Warfield, SS - Warfield was only intended to be a defensive specialist at shortstop, and, sure enough, the Negro League veteran won the Gold Glove in 1927, but batted only .249 with 149 strikeouts. However, he added a new dimension to his game in 1928, upping his average to .301 and hitting 11 homers with 70 runs batted in. Because of the Yankees' lefty-heavy staff, Warfield didn't get to play much in the Series, but the Angels would never have been there without his contributions.

Hack Wilson, RF - The final piece of the puzzle, Wilson had a monster year for the Cubs in 1927 (31-120-.302). In the preseason, the Angels and Cubs pulled off a blockbuster trade, as the Angels traded ace pitcher Garland Braxton, along with veteran outfielder Ray Rohwer and third baseman Les Bell, to get the star outfielder. Most observers thought the trade slightly favored the Cubs, and indeed, Braxton had a big year (17-15, 3.14) and Rohwer proved a huge surprise for Chicago (14-66-.320). However, Wilson was just as great for Los Angeles, hitting 24 home runs and batting .301 with a .393 OBP. He hit .385 against the Yankees, and won a Gold Glove in right field, along with his second straight All-Star appearance.


Congratulations guys! Good luck in 1929!

[Cooleyvol]

Rick,

I don't know if you noticed, but Ed Strelecki hit a TOWERING HR (460 ft) in his one outing in the Unified Series as a PITCHER!!

Nothing like helping yourself!!

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

That's right! I did notice that and forgot to put it in..... time for an edit I guess.

[woody5254]

Congrats on a great season, Rick!!

Next year will be the Pirates year.....I hope

[asamford]

bahhh....the Grays have been cheated out of their rightful spot at the top of the Landis for two years straight now. The new divisional alignment in 29 should guarantee that I make the playoffs, after which winning the rest of the thing will be a piece of cake.

[The Professor]

Congrats Eck & the Angels!

[asamford]

oh yeah, i forgot, congrats Angels...

[Eckstein 4 Prez]

Originally posted by asamford
bahhh....the Grays have not been the best team in the Landis for two years straight now. The new divisional alignment in 29 should guarantee that I make a quick exit from the playoffs.

^ fixed that for you.....

Thanks for the congrats....... Angels in 29!