FABL - Detroit Dynamo's - Rise from the Ashes

[DD Martin]

Before the Rule 5 Draft

GM Thoughts - Thankfully the Winter Meetings are in the rear view mirror and we are moving forward. Tomorrow is the Rule 5, where we are not expected to be very active, or at least as active as we have been. I won't rule out picking a player in Round 1 and there is one "special" fit player I am looking at in Round 2, so it is possible we could get 2 players or just as easily since we are picking 3rd that we could get just 1 player.

To get the roster down to 38 we had to make some decisions, and as the club is slowly getting better, those decisions are becoming tougher and tougher to make. But make them we did.

Players DFA
1B Ralph Conner (age-26 B-L and has 1 option year left) Conner came up and played the forgettable 1935 season with the Dynamo's. Playing in 119 games he hit 263/348/717 with 4 homers and 57 RBI's. Not terrible numbers, but certainly not the type of bat we were looking for. Part of the issue was the lack of power as a lefty hitter at Thompson Field which prefers right handed hitters. He tore up AA in 36 and A in 37 hitting 343 and 383 respectively but slumped badly in the 2nd half last year at AAA Newark.

2B/IF Harry Fuller (age-32 B-R) Fuller was a late waiver claim pick up as a player I had always liked and was going to draft in the Indy draft at one time in Cleveland. He didn't fall to us and unfortunately for his career he didn't follow up on his 1935 season with Montreal where he hit 278. He only appeared in 31 games for us in the minors last year, hitting 373 at Class A but then in just 12 games between AA/AAA hit just 108.

P Donie Scheurmann (age 28 T-L) He was up with the Dynamo's in 35 after we traded veterans Ray Calfee, Wayne Robinson and Jack Beach in deals early in that season. He struggled going 5-10 with a 6.12 ERA in 25 and 16 starts. He moved to more of a bullpen role with AAA Newark in 36-37 and pitched respectably last season with a 3.57 ERA in 100.3 IP saving 11 games and going 3-5. He was being considered as a left hander out of the bullpen next season but was out of options. Scheuermann was a former 1st round draft pick of the Dynamo's in 1930.

We are considering a few more cuts over the weekend.

Players We Moved up and Protected

RP Jim Hawkins (age-28 T-R) Hawkins was up in 36 as a SP and had a rough couple of games before he was DFA in 36. He remained with the club but started working almost exclusively in the bullpen in 36 and then exclusively in 37. In 37 he threw 109 IP in 60 games with a 9-5 record, 15 saves and a sparkling 1.98 ERA. He is out of options so he has to show well in the spring or he will likely be DFA again or traded. He does have some value as several teams have inquired.

C Packy Peck (age 23 B-R) was protected to be the #3 catcher on the 40-man roster. He hit 270/361/742 at AA Akron but is clearly the 3rd catcher. We will see what he can do in spring.

RP Eddie Sequin (age-23 T-R) The scouting at the national headquarters has never been in love with him but he has pitched well in the minors and is only 23. My scout feels he will be an average RP someday and we have some age in our bullpen so Sequin might get the shot...someday. He saved 16 games at AA and 9 more at A ball last year. He has 59 total saves in his minor league career.

2B Arnold Allen (age-23 B-R) hit 381 in 77 games at AA but mostly off the bench. He will get shot at playing everyday this season at either AA or AAA. We have a glut of 2B currently and it might get even more so that way in the next few days with the Rule 5 draft. His promotion has put veteran IF Red Combs (33) in danger during the spring, or we will look to trade 2B Homer Ray.

SS Rich Conway (age 23 B-R) Protected for now after hitting 280 last season in A/AA ball. It is a shaky promotion and was done before the acquisition of SS Gil London who is the #69 prospect and also needed to be protected.

OF Woody Roseberry (age-23 B-L) Not a highly ranked prospect but hit well (348) last year in AA so he will get a look.

Next - Rule 5 Draft

[DD Martin]

The Rule 5 Draft

It was an interesting day for our club during the Rule 5. During my first two off-seasons in Detroit nobody even sniffed any of our guys left unprotected, but it looks like times are changing (or we just made some poor choices).

We picked up two guys in the Rule 5 and I will elaborate who on them below, but we lost technically 3 players (2 in the minors and P Donie Scheuermann who we had DFA last week). Here are the players we lost....

Here is the Rule 5 Draft (Detroit moves and players lost in bold)

Round 1
1.) New York Gothams select P Sammy Alger from the New York Stars
3.) Detroit select P David Rivas from the Chicago Chiefs
4.) New York Stars select 3B Gus Williams from Detroit
9.) St Louis Pioneers select P Donie Scheuermann from Detroit
11.) Chicago Cougars select OF Ernie Carson from Chicago Chiefs
13.) Philadelphia Keystones select OF Bobby McHenry from Phily Sailors
14.) Pittsburgh Miners select 2B Ed Turner from Detroit
15.) Philadelphia Sailors select 3B Alan Hawkins from Baltimore Cannons
16.) Brooklyn Kings select P Sonny Coleman from Phily Sailors

Round 2
1.) New York Gothams select 3B Ed White from Phily Keystones
3.) Detroit selects SS Jim Smith from St. Louis
4.) New York Stars select SS Floyd Briscoe from Phily Keystones
15.) Phily Sailors select P Dick Strunk from New York Gothams
16.) Brooklyn Kings select RP Hank Mittan from Pittsburgh Miners

Players lost
P Donie Scheuermann (28 T-L) 3-5 11 saves 3.59 ERA AAA Newark
We waived Donie because he was out of options, but he would have been eagerly welcomed back to the organization if he wanted to come back. I didn't really expect him to be drafted and I have some doubts that he sticks in St. Louis, but you never know. We will wish him the best with his new opportunity.

3B Gus Williams (age 23 B-R) 284/373/881 16-59 AA Akron
This one surprised me a bit since Williams wasn't ranked in the top 500 scouts. But he does hit the ball in the minor leagues and is very young at 23. Gus was originally a 15th round pick by the Dynamo's in the 1932 draft. The Stars are not contending next year so he does have a chance to stick with them and then continue to develop in the Stars system.

2B Ed Turner (age 23 B-L) 263/337/650 1-29 AAA Newark
Turner is the opposite of Gus Williams in that he is a ranked prospect (#249) but has not been great at AAA Newark the last 2 seasons. I was not shocked that he was selected but with his attitude I can't see a championship club like Pittsburgh keeping him around for a full season. He isn't a terrible guy but he is considered very selfish and that issue was one of the reasons why I elected to keep 2B Arnold Allen (that and Allen is a better minor league hitter) who is ranked #324.

Players we selected

P David Rivas (age 25 T-R) 8-14 3.53 at AA Memphis
Rivas was a player we have tracked for several years. While I am not confident that he will be an effective SP (He has a chance), I am envisioning him as a solid RP. With the age of our bullpen we do need to find some younger arms who have some effectiveness.

SS Jim Smith (age 27 B-L high leadership) 221/323/636 7HR 55 RBI 66 SB's at AAA Oakland
So the question was around the league, why did you take Smith. He has never been great with the bat, and that is a very true statement. What we saw is the 23rd man on the bench who could perhaps be a team captain AND he has tremendous speed with 66 stolen bases last season. We have not had a quality speed threat for late innings situations so between that and his leadership, that is why we selected him. I am a big team chemistry guy and I see him as a very good fit and could allow me to release last year's captain Irv Brady who is unhappy he is not starting.

Trades
We did make a minor trade of a player we picked up on waivers. The World Champion Brooklyn Kings GM and I were discussing one of the players on my roster that he was hoping to grab in the Rule 5 draft but I had protected him. So I offered up one of the players I had picked up off waivers. They were looking for some relief arms by evident from the Rule 5 picks, so we struck a bargain to trade RP Greg Harris for their 12th round draft pick (the last pick of human GM's in the June Draft). So while we don't get a huge pick, you never know maybe we will strike gold.

Waivers - We did pick up a popular veteran RP who we decided to keep in 32-year-old Gil Knight (T-L) who pitched in AAA last year with a 5-9 record, 17 saves and a 2.51 ERA. He is going to be allowed to fight for a bullpen spot and is likely replacing Donie Scheuermann on the roster.

[DD Martin]

Rolling through the Minor League Rule 5
Next Stop the Indy Draft

Yesterday we picked up our top choice in our minor league draft, although it is at a position where we have excess talent. We selected Houston 2B Dale Robbins (23 B-R). In limited chances during the 37 season he hit 333/429/998 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI's in 72 at-bats. He was rated the #1 prospect in the Lone Star Association and was rated as the #2 position player in the league.

Here is what our scout has to say about Robbins.......Dale Robbins is 6'0 2B from Dracut, MA. He was originally picked in the 1932 draft in the 16th round by the Baltimore Cannons. He has a chance to be an above average hitter with a loose, quick stroke that works inside the ball. He is a great runner using his speed to pick up an extra base when he can. At maturity he should have an above average eye and draw 80 walks a season. Robbins is projected to be a high contact leadoff type with speed and a good eye

He is exactly what we are looking for so he will start the year at AAA Newark and will be starting every day. We will need to sort out some of the 2B we have in the organization because it is over-flowing with them. Perhaps a few will get a chance to try the hot corner or LF.

As I said he was #1 on our list of players we submitted for the minor league draft. Another player on the list was OF William Walker who the NY Gothams took with the first choice. If he was not taken we would have had Walker high on the list for the Indy league draft tomorrow.

Roster Movement

We continue to tinker with the roster and add some bullpen arms through the waiver process. We had taken RP's Gary Harris (I think I called him Greg before) and Gil Knight in December. This time around we grabbed RP Jack Richardson 30, off waivers from St. Louis. Richardson was 10-5 last season with 8 saves but a 5.75 ERA. The bloated ERA stems from 3 RP appearances in August but before that he was holding his own with an ERA right at 4.00. He has been added for depth and will get a shot in spring training, but he is out of options. So he will have to make the team or go through waivers again. It's 50/50 if he would accept a AAA assignment if he went through waivers unclaimed.

To make room for Richardson we had to let someone go. The player I DFA did a really nice job last season when he was picked up and is one of my former favorite players for a short time in Cleveland. I'm talking about 33-year-old 2B Russ Combs who hit 310/350/778 in 145 at-bats last season. The fact is Russ was taken a roster spot on the team and while he can play other infield positions some, he is in decline defensively and we again have a glut of 2B types on the organizational roster.

Prior to the Rule 5 draft we had DFA RP Jim Cavender (32) who has had about 9 lives in his career between Cleveland and Detroit. This is not the first time I have DFA Cavender and he has always found a way back to our 40-man roster. This time though he might have a tough situation getting back on the roster with all the RP pitchers we have coming into spring training.

Another player we DFA was corner OF Henry Reid. Reid was our 2nd Rule 5 pick last year and there were multiple times I considered sending him back. But by the time I had decided to do just that, we were so far into the season that we just kept him. He could be a decent OF/1B hitter but doesn't have much power. If he goes unclaimed I would assign him to AAA where he will likely play the opposite corner from the other Rule 5 pick last year Sid Williams. Williams needs everyday at bats and with the trade for Elmer Nodle last year, he wasn't going to get them likely in Detroit next year.

Added Update (because I forgot earlier) - In a surprise move the New York Gotham’s claimed DFA Hardin Bates 30 off waivers from Detroit. There was another claim by the Brooklyn Kings but because of their last place finish in the FA the Gotham’s won “the prize”. Now while Bates won an Allen Award with the Gotham’s years ago, he has not flashed anything close to that performance in over 2 seasons. With the massive building and youth movement by New York it caught me by surprise, but he was once a golden boy up there. I didn’t expect I’d retain Bates when I DFA because if no one took a chance on him via waivers, I figured he’d refuse a minor league assignment.

The trade we did to acquire Bates from the Chicago Cougars obviously didn’t pan out. We sent Luis Sandoval and a 6th round pick in that deal. This off-season Chicago traded Sandoval for a “4th” round pick. Bates was 7-13 with a 5.40 ERA and 3 saves. He wasn’t great in either a SP or RP pitching role, so we cut him loose. Maybe he will find the old magic again, but my guess is not.

Tomorrow - Indy League Draft and then we chug towards Spring Training

[DD Martin]

The Indy Draft comes and we see another player go

We got down to business for the Indy draft and I was surprised (a bit) that neither team made a choice. The player I was interested in I was necessarily thinking the NY Gotham’s would select because of his age (29) and their rebuilding. I was a little worried about the Baltimore Cannons as they desperately needed bats last year but they must be satisfied with their trade that brought in a few bats. So when it was our turn former Montreal Saints CF Bob Worley was our choice. Now before everyone jumps up and states the obvious, you have rookie of the year CF Sal Pestilli who hit a league leading 33 home runs last year….just wait.. I was eyeing Worley to play a 4th OF role, a left handed bench bat with pop who could spell anyone. He wasn’t brought in to replace Pestilli or even Leon Drake but more about competing with Elmer Nodle in LF and being insurance.

I was happy to get him and could of gone on without doing anything else. But the trader and builder in me was curious if there was really anyone else who might have wanted him. So I dangled him out there and didn’t set any expectations just to see. There were a couple of calls and then one very serious call from the Chicago Chiefs GM. The Chiefs had just been hit with news that there young CF Bennie Griffith 25 had suffered another setback in his return from injury and would not likely be ready for Opening Day. So they wanted the insurance of Worley being there and being given the chance to open the season as their CF. We discussed a few players and he threw out several SP in their minor league system. One was a 21-year old who was slightly farther along, and the other was SP Paul Grell who was just 18. Both were in the top 200 prospects although Grell just snuck in a #199.

So why did I end up agreeing to a 7th round pick next June and P Paul Grell. I liked Grell’s makeup and at the end of last season he added a pitch to his arsenal and also added some speed to his fastball. He jumped up from the upper 200’s in the prospect rankings up around 80 spots. It’s his potential and upward movement that has caught my attention. So we agreed to make Bob Worley join another Dynamo club this off-season. He joins Hank Barnett who also was traded to the Chiefs as players we acquired this off-season to never get fitted for a uniform.

I will say this, last year I handed Brooklyn the World Series by trading them C Jim Kyle (the legend continues to grow) and they broke their “curse”. Now we have traded both Barnett and Worley to the Chiefs, so if they get back to the top it might be said we assisted them as well.

Another minor trade
We did make another maneuver to deal with our glut of middle infielders, especially 2B. With the acquisition of 3B/2B Ed Stewart, SS Gil London, SS Erv Smith and minor league draft 2B Dale Robbins, we had too many of the same players.

The Chicago Cougars had asked about SS Tip Harrison for the last several off-seasons so I decide to try and make a deal for someone I strongly wanted at one time. So we shipped Harrison and 2B Homer Ray off to the Cougars and picked up CF Bert Wilson and a minor league OF Sherman Ring. The Cougs probably got the better end of that deal as they picked up Ray who was a ranked prospect, but one who I had kind of last faith in. This deal like won’t effect much in the big leagues for either team, at least to start the season. Wilson who has 2 options will likely start in AAA Newark but will be given the opportunity to beat out the out of options (and unmotivated) Pete Thomas this spring. We will likely never hear of Ring again.

Next - A long off-season slowly crawls towards Spring

[DD Martin]

Our sims will resume on Monday and Spring Training starts on Wednesday hopefully

While I was getting the family ready to go down to Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida I received a phone call. It was from another GM and he was shopping some pitching talent and since we are always sort of in short supply of quality big league arms I listened. He was willing to trade me one of his SP and another position player which had me intrigued, but I was waiting for the what he wanted in return (shoe) to drop. When he told me the name of the player, and it was just 1 player, my initial reaction was no that probably wasn't something I wanted to do. But I didn't reject it completely. He had some other balls in the air as well so he was going to sort it out and that would give me some time.

After the call I got our scout Fred Davis who was somewhere on the west coast scouting for next June's draft. I told Fred to check with his contact and give me a rundown on these guys. He liked the pitcher right off, he was even higher on his than the OSA scouting group. The position player he wasn't as high on but, he said it isn't because he isn't talented. I just haven't spent time looking at him. He confirmed that the OSA report was probably a little more accurate than his own in this case.

So I kept thinking about this potential deal. It had me intrigued despite the name they wanted in return. While the position players in the proposed deal were only a couple of years apart, one had some big league experience and the other did not. One was 24 and the other 22. One hit for a high average and I could foresee hitting 2nd in our lineup this coming season, the other would get there eventually but was a completely different type of hitter.

As we packed the kids up for the journey to Florida, I let the other GM know that I was still thinking about it. I would contact him once we got down to Florida as we are arriving several weeks ahead of the players. I tend to like to have organizational meetings where we chart the course for the year with all the different teams in the organization and the staffs.

The question is, could there be one more off-season deal that we pull off? The other question is should I do it? These will be the questions that are going through my mind on the long train ride to Florida.

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by DD Martin

One was 24 and the other 22.

If that 22-year-old is a big leaguer from a tiny state, you might want to put the Cougars on the phone

[DD Martin]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

If that 22-year-old is a big leaguer from a tiny state, you might want to put the Cougars on the phone

I misspoke, he's 21 currently

[DD Martin]

We are now approaching the time where my favorite words in February come into play, "Pitchers and Catchers will report to Spring Training". With that a burst of excitement is felt throughout the league and on this day there were a couple of trades that happened to shake up a couple of teams. I go to the trade that doesn't involve Detroit first.

The St. Louis Pioneers and Toronto Wolves made a deal. St. Louis will send 1B Fred McCormick (373/474/1.066 20HR 97 RBI's and 140 Runs scored 9.0 WAR) and backup C Clarence Howerton (343/407/836 0-15 1.0 WAR) to the Wolves. Both players are 28 years old. Going to the Pioneers is a good deal of starting pitching.

SP Otis Cook (age 28 T-L) 18-12 3.64
SP Jake Smith (age 28 T-L) 12-13 3.27
SP Buddy Long (age 23 T-L) 13-11 2.63 (AAA) Prospect #26
SP Russ Peeples (age 21 T-L) 7-9 4.01 (A) Prospect #219
CF Les Hendrix (age 23 B-R) 240/301/688 9-76 (AA) Prospect #51

For St. Louis this gives them a slew of LHSP's to add to their rotation with Buddy Long being the top prize. My guess is that Cook, Smith and Long join SP Sam Sheppard and David Abalo in the starting rotation. What this means long term for P's Red Ross and Ed Cornett remains to be seen.

For Toronto this adds a huge bat in McCormick to what was a pretty placid offense. Also adding Howerton as a catcher could be a big boost. He has hit well in a limited role but figures to be the regular starter in Toronto. While it was a lot of pitching to give up, Toronto kept its young ace Joe Hancock, and has top 5 prospect SP George Garrison and Top 40 SP prospect Jim Morrison likely ready for the 1939 season. Add the prospect bat of 3B Okie Holliday (prospect #9) and SS Charlie Artuso (prospect #27) and Toronto might have a very good offensive lineup in 39.

Now some might wonder why I am spending so much time on this deal, and the fact is that SP Buddy Long was someone who I was trying to acquire earlier in the off-season. When the conversation over Long didn't go far, I was also looking at SP Cook as well wanting to bring in some veteran SP and gives us an upgrade. So I am sad to see those arms go to St. Louis for selfish reasons. I think it is a good trade overall for both teams although it was a lot of pitching resources to give up. The move hopefully for St. Louis fans springs life into a team that has been close the last 5 years but hadn't finished the job. They make a deal that might just propel them into a pennant. Losing McCormick is a big loss but St. Louis brass feel that Zip Sullivan can have a big impact at 1B as well.

(The 2nd deal involves Detroit so I will let Freddie Farhat announce that deal and then give my thoughts on why I did it)

The Detroit World
Tuesday March 1st 1938
Sports
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Dynamo's Make Deal with Keystones to add Pitcher and 3rd Baseman
But was the Cost Worth It?

The Dynamo's made their 8th trade of what has become an incredibly busy off-season in the FABL. The Dynamo's traded future star 3B Prospect Hank Koblenz (prospect #31) to the Philadelphia Keystones for LHSP Frank Crawford (29) and 3B Frank Lemieux (24 B-R).

This would be the 3rd high profile minor league prospect the Dynamo's had traded this off-season along with SS Frank Davis (was #42 at July and graduated with 150+ big league at-bats) and C Pete Casstevens (Prospect #5 at the time of the trade now #12). Koblenz struggled mightily in his first season out of high school in 1936 but showed the power that many had been projecting. In the 1937 season after a slow start he really started to hit the ball and moved up from Class B all the way to AA at season's end. Many had projected he would spend 1938 between class AA Akron and AAA Newark and then contend for a starting job in 1939. Now he will be contending for the starting 3B job in Phily in 39.

So what did the Dynamo's get for their prized prospect? LHSP Frank Crawford who was 9-13 with a 3.76 ERA in 1937 and has a career mark of 70-63 with a 4.31 ERA in 167 big league starts. The 29-year-old has a below 500 record the last 2 seasons but pitched well in 1937. 1936 he struggled for a Phily team that underperformed but that looks more like a aberration than the normal for him. Detroit head scout Frank Davis likes him quite a bit and told me Crawford is "Crawford is a solid, healthy, valuable #2 starter and an ace on some teams". He will slot in to give the Dynamo's a more respectable 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup with SP Ron Coles.

The Dynamo's also acquired a young 3B in the deal that is a much different player than the prospect Koblenz who they moved in this trade. Frank LeMieux is only 24 years-old and bats right handed. He is a high batting average/on-base sort of player instead of the power bat in Koblenz. Dynamo's scout Frank Davis opines that could hit around 350 and will draw his fair share of walks. He is a solid investment.

So the Dynamo's trade a prospect for 2 big league players that should figure in prominently in their plans for the fast approaching 1938 season. Was it the right move? Time will tell.

GM Thoughts - This was a trade that I thought long and hard on the last few days. Part of me was hoping that the Keystones would go in a different direction, but that was not because of the two players we received. I was thinking very long and hard about moving Koblenz after trading so much in prospect capital. I loved Koblenz's power and he will hit a lot of home runs in the FABL, but with the bats we already have in CF Sal Pestilli, 1B Red Johnson, 2B/3B Ed Stewart, OF Leon Drake, and OF platoon Elmer Nodle/Wayne Morgan. We already have a lot of firepower. Would adding a 6th power bat really make the lineup that much better in 39? That was the question I was tossing around.

What we don't have a lot of is top of the order type of guys. Ed Stewart will move to 2B and probably the top of the order and I envision 3B LeMieux as a perfect #2 bat with with a high average and high on-base percentage to be on-base for Pestilli, Drake, Nodle/Morgan and Johnson coming up behind.

With Crawford he is a pitcher I really like. I think he has been a bit unlucky in Phily the last few seasons and he should be a very good starter for at least 5 more seasons. He was the youngest of the bunch that Phily mentioned as possible trade candidates with Ed Baker (32) and Art Myers (31) being more established but older options. With Crawford in the fold right now I see our starting 5 shaping up as follows:

SP Ron Coles
SP Frank Crawford
SP Roger Perry
SP Hank Spencer
SP Charlie Wheeler

Who knows I could even decide to flip Spencer or Perry during the spring as we have a lot of guys in line for that #5 spot that will now likely start the season at AAA Newark (Stumpy Beaman, Bob Walls, Jack Wood, Ben Watkins).

Farhat is right, time will tell if this was a wise move or not. Right now I'm liking it and feel that we are going to surprise a few teams in the FA this season. We will likely be tabbed #7 in the league, but a 500 record and finishing a couple of spots higher isn't out of the question.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Sunday March 20th 1938
Sunday Sports Final
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Welcome to Spring Training 1938

Yes you read that right. After a very long off-season tomorrow there will be baseball games being played. No they won't count but the FABL will have a full spring training set of games that 16 hopeful teams will gear up and prepare for the regular season. How will the Dynamo's do this season after an off-season that saw a lot of activity. Pretty much around the league many feel the Dynamo's have improved on the mound where with their acquisitions of SP Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler. Fans are also excited to see the 2nd season of CF Sal Pestilli who was named locally as the FABL's rookie of the year (no award exists in the league currently). Everyone is also excited to see the first full season with 1B Red Johnson as the Dynamo's hope to have a very power laden lineup to hopefully score more runs.

So let's give a brief breakdown of each area of the club who has invited 46 players to camp.

Starting Pitching (5 Spots)
Locks - Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler
Pretty Sure Bet - Roger Perry
Battling for the #5 Spot - Stumpy Beaman, Bob Walls, Hank Spencer, Ben Watkins and Jack Wood
Longshot - Earle Killebrew
Maybe Next Year - Bill Willman, Lou Robertson

We know those 3 (Coles, Crawford and Wheeler) will occupy the top spots in the rotation, but who will join them? There are probably 4 guys in line for those next two spots and the battle will be between SP Roger Perry who was fantastic after coming over from Cleveland last season (6-2 3.87 with Detroit). Also you are looking at SP Bob Walls who came over from the Chicago Chiefs hoping to get a chance to pitch in the rotation, along with SP Stumpy Beaman, Hank Spencer and Jack Wood. The odds are Perry is a lock so that means the other 4 are likely fighting for that last spot, of course barring injury. As a Dynamo fan it has to feel good to know that there is some depth in the organization.

Rounding out the players in camp are youngsters Lou Robertson and Bill Willman who are both Top 100 prospects as well as SP Earle Killebrew. Robertson and WIllman don't figure to be up in the big league camp too long as they are slated to both start at Class A Terre Haute and then hopefully move up to Class AA mid-summer.

Bullpen - (3-4 spots)
Locks - None
Pretty Sure Bet - Jim Hawkins
Fighting for 1-2 spots - Chuck Calvert, Ben Curtin
Long Shots - Russ Reel, Ed Petty Gil Knight
Maybe Next Year - Eddie Seguin
Rule 5 Likely - David Rivas

Nothing is really locked in for the bullpen but the Dynamo's have a fairly good idea of what they are going to do. RP Jim Hawkins has been pegged for the late inning role after a successful 2-year run at AAA Newark. While he will have to prove himself this spring, he is the front runner.

The odds are fairly good that Chuck Calvert and Ben Curtin will both return. Calvert has thrown his last pitch as a SP after the last 2 campaigns saw him struggle and he is getting up there in age (turning 35 June 3rd) but he has been a reliable bullpen arm with the Dynamo's and before that with the Gotham's. RP Ben Curtin was picked off the scrap heap from St. Louis last season and threw 52 innings of 3.46 baseball. If the Dynamo's go with this configuration the only issue is there will be no lefty in the bullpen unless they let one of the starting pitch some relief innings. The other option is that Hank Spencer (who is a lefty) doesn't make the rotation, he might be kept on the staff in the bullpen. Spencer is out of options and he pitch well last year. If that happens it could be the end of the line for either Calvert or Curtin.

The Wildcard in this equation is Rule 5 pick David Rivas who GM DD Martin has always liked and wanted to draft at one time. Rivas was plucked from the Chicago Chiefs and Martin says he will stay in the organization one way or the other. He might try and work out a deal with the Chiefs for a low round draft pick that would allow them to carry Rivas in the minors. If that doesn't happen he will be the 9th man on the pitching staff.

Last year the Dynamo's experimented with the 6 starting pitchers and 2 bullpen arms and allowing everyone to toss in the pen. They abandoned that during the season and at this point we are not sure if they will go back to it or not.

Veteran pitchers Gil Knight and Russ Reel are non-roster invitees to spring training. Reel is in the organization and pitched well at AAA last year where as Knight was picked up in the off-season off waivers. If he doesn't make the team he would have to be DFA and go through waivers and then if unclaimed elect to remain in the organization. Rookie Eddie Sequin is going to close in AAA Newark this year but he is getting work and letting the coaching staff see what he can do for at least a couple of weeks.

Catchers (2 spots)
Lock - Ben Richardson
Likely Backup - Clem Bliss
Longshot - Curt Squillante
Maybe Next Year - Packy Peck

Barring any trades, injuries or unforeseen actions, the Dynamo's appear set to have Richardson and Bliss be the top 2 catchers on the team. Richardson finally had a bit of a breakout at age 27 last year hitting 279 last season. He threw out 41% of would be base stealers and really improved his defensive game. Detroit management hoped that Bliss was to be last year's starting catcher, but a disastrous spring led to him going to AAA. He is known for his on base percentage in the minors as he is very good at drawing walks. His defense was less than hoped for last year and that could open the door. Hoping that door is cracked just a little bit is veteran Curt Squillante who was signed to a minor league pact with a big league option. He will have to show his bat some, but is a very solid defender and might be what the club wants as a backup. Packy Peck is #3 on the catching depth chart on the 40-man but is likely to be in Newark (AAA) this season.

Infield (4 spots with 3-4 bench spots)
Locks - 1B Red Johnson, 2B Ed Stewart, 3B Frank LeMieux
Likely make team - SS Erv Smith, IF Don Ward, IF Jake Shadoan
50/50 - SS Gil London, IF Claude Merrill
Maybe next year - 2B Dale Robbins, 3B Phil McKenna, 2B Arnold Allen
Rule 5 Lock - SS Jim Smith

Most of the positions and even the backup spots on the team are locked up. It is known going into the season that 1B Red Johnson, 2B/3B Ed Stewart and 3B Frank LeMieux will be starting. It is also fairly well known that Don Ward who can back up any spot on the infield and Jake Shadoan who can play 2B, 3B and 1B will also make the team. The true competition on the club will be at SS. That position is thought to be SS Erv Smith's at least for a year, but a strong spring by SS Gil London will perhaps force the team's hand.

Now some will look at this with SS Jim Smith (and some have) and wonder why he is even on the 40-man roster. Smith has a rare combination of speed that the Dynamo's sorely lack and that GM DD Martin has been searching for. Better than that he is the new team captain and with OF Irv Brady being DFA right before training camp. Smith is practically guaranteed a spot on the roster.

Management has soured some on 2B/IF Claude Merrill because while he has tremendous power, he can't seem to hit for a consistent average. He will likely be optioned to play 1B at Newark. 2B Dale Robbins (23) who was taken out of the Indy league in the minor league draft will start the year at AAA. 3B Phil McKenna (24) surprised a lot of people with his bat (314/418/911) last year and will likely be the opening day 3B for AAA Newark.

Outfield (5 spots)
Locks - CF Sal Pestilli, RF Leon Drake, LF Elmer Nodle
Fighting for backup spots - RF Wayne Morgan, RF Sid Williams, LF Jay Buckingham, CF Bert Wilson
Longshots - Pete Thomas
Maybe Next Year - Woody Roseberry

The starting OF is fairly well set with CF Pestilli, RF Drake and LF Nodle. The plan is that Nodle will start against right handed hitters and could platoon with either RF Wayne Morgan or RF Sid Williams. Williams was up last season and started well but faded some while Morgan who played at AAA Newark hit better the 2nd half of the year. Odds are the Morgan will get the chance to share the OF with Nodle but play RF against RHP's and Drake will slide over to LF. Drake who is versatile can play both corners and has been a very good CF in his career.

If spring survivor of Morgan/Williams takes one backup spot, the other one will be a battle Jay Buckingham who has hit well and has very good speed and Bert Wilson. Wilson has solid fielding credentials but didn't' find a lot of success with the Chicago Cougars. He also has very good speed and that is something the club very much wants on its bench. Wilson has options though and Buckingham doesn't, so that is likely the way it will shake out with Buckingham getting the spot.

Also in camp but facing a long hill is OF Pete Thomas. While listed as a CF he is definitely more of a corner OF defensively. While he is likely a better bat than the others mentioned (Buckingham and Wilson) he is one of the most unmotivated players I have seen. In talking with Manager George Theobald, he notes that Thomas will really have to hit lights out to force his way on the team. He is out of options so he would likely get taken (maybe) if exposed to waivers.

The rookie in camp is Woody Roseberry (23) who hit 348 and forced the Dynamo's to protect him during the off-season. He won't make the opening day roster and will likely be in the AAA OF with RF Williams, CF Wilson and look to play LF.

Coaches
Manager - George Theobald (career record 2237-1955, Detroit record 482-485)
Bench Coach - Dud Joerger
Pitching Coach - Jack Johncox
Hitting Coach - Jim Webb
1B Coach - Frank Robertson
3B Coach - John Michaels

There was quite the shake up from the start of last season to this season in the coaching staff as the only holdover from last spring is 1B Coach Frank Robertson. Veteran skipper (and minority team owner) George Theobald (75) takes over. Now some in the game have questioned how long Theobald will stay in the dugout at his advanced age but let me tell you he is the youngest looking 75-year-old man I have ever seen. George says his strict diet and a very clean living lifestyle have contributed to his health.

Bench Coach Dud Joerger (55) came over as having served as Seattle Thunderbirds manager for 3 seasons and has a 7 season career mark of 561-414.

Pitching Coach Jack Johncox came on mid-season last year and Hitting Coach Jim Webb was hired in the off-season. Webb specializes in power hitters so he should fit in even with his limited experience. John Michaels comes in as a well respected 3B coach and will work with the teams base running. 1B Coach Frank Robertson is very good as a defensive instructor for catching and the infield.

Overall the Dynamo's appear headed in the right direction, but will it be enough to escape a 7th place finish in the rugged Federal Association?

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday March 28th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Week One Spring Training In the Books

It was a full week of games for the Detroit Dynamo's here in the Sunshine State with a mixed bag of results. The club went 2-5 in these meaningless games but yet fans want them to do well and get off to a winning start. Manager George Theobald shrugged his shoulders at the mention of the 2-5 start and simply stated "It's spring training, ask me how I feel about the club at the end of May." Probably wise words from a very wise man who has seen a lot of these types of games.

Despite the 2-5 start on the field there was some good news on both sides of the dugout. 23-year-old rookie SS Gil London (23) had a take notice of me week and if he continues he could end up the Opening Day SS. London went 8-17 with 3 walks, a triple and a home run while scoring 4 runs and driving in 3. He looked pretty good defensively as well so he could change the Dynamo's plans on the SS position this spring. While London is a highly thought of prospect (current #69 overall) he struggled with the bat last season. The plan was to start him at AAA and see if he could get the bat going, but if he continues his pace those plans might go out the window.

Another player off to a nice start is another rookie (although he played some games late last season with the big league club) and that is 1B Red Johnson (20). Johnson went 9-20 with 5 walks and a double. He drove in 4 RBI's and scored 4 runs and continues to be very good at the plate with the 5 walks and no strikeouts. Johnson is young but he is becoming a very adept eye at the plate and continues to shine in the walk to K ratio at all levels.

C Clem Bliss (25) is making a case for playing time here early in camp. He had a 7-15 week hitting a home run and driving in 6 with 2 doubles. His star might rise this year as the assumed starting C Ben Richardson is again scuffling at the plate in the spring (1-10 100) but is coming off a fine season last year hit 279.

On the pitching side of things there are some scary ERA's which is to be expected in the spring. The toughest debut for a new Dynamo award has to go to SP Ron Coles on the Spring Opening Day. Pitching against Boston, Coles lasted only 1.2 innings and gave up 6 hits, 5 walks and 10 earned runs. Manager George Theobald shook off the outing as Coles missed the 2nd half of last season and just said, "he looked rusty today, but that is why we are here. To shake off the rust." Theobald looked to be right as Coles had a 2nd start late in the week and looked much sharper going 4IP giving up 4 hits, 1 run, with 2 walks and 2 K's lowering his spring ERA from 54.00 to just 17.47.

On the brighter side SP's Charlie Wheeler (2.25), Roger Perry (0.00) and Frank Crawford (0.00) looked very sharp in their initial outings. SP Stumpy Beaman was a late scratch for his scheduled start (GM screw up) with a touch of the stomach flu, but he will get in enough work in the next 3 weeks.

Players fighting for spots on the staff had varying degrees of success. leading bullpen candidates for late innings work Jim Hawkins (14.54) and Chuck Calvert (13.50) were hit hard. Hawkins who is in line to be the stopper in the pen gave up 10 hits in 4.1 IP and walked 6. 4 baserunners per inning worked is not going to get the job done. Calvert was only in 1 game and threw just 2/3's of an inning so there shouldn't be a huge concern there.

Of bigger concern was SP Bob Walls (10.38), RP Gil Knight (9.82) and last years SP Hank Spencer (6.75). Those 3 will have to really step up if they are going to make the 38 roster.

There were no cuts this week but you will likely see 6-12 names come off the list next week.

Next - Spring Training Week 2

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday April 4th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Week Two Spring Training - Moving on Up

The Dynamo's enjoyed their week 2 of action down here in Florida with a 5-1 week and move to an above 500 7-6 mark so far for the spring. The club did option 9 players to the minor league camp for reassignment bring the total players in camp to 37.

SP Lou Robertson and Bill Willman will be the season at Class A Terre Haute
CL Eddie Sequin, 3B Phil McKenna, SP Earle Killebrew and RF Woody Roseberry will go to AAA Newark
2B Arnold Allen, SS Rich Conway and SS Jim Parmelee will go to AA Akron

Recently DFA OF Irv Brady refused a AAA assignment after passing through waivers and was outright released.

P Ray Lee who the 2nd half of last season was DFA at the beginning of spring and was claimed by the Philadelphia Sailors.

This week SP Stumpy Beaman got in his first spring action with a start against the New York Gothams and looked very sharp in his 4 innings of work giving up just 3 hits and a walk. He will get several more chances to show that he should be in the rotation next week as he is slated for 2 starts.

SP Jack Wood who is clearly in a battle for the big league club had a nice 1st start in spring against the St. Louis Pioneers. He went 4 innings giving up 3 hits and a run but once again the control issues are something that management is looking at closely as he gave up 3 walks and that was what lead to the lone run scoring. Wood will have to continue to shine in week 3.

Speaking of shinning that is the word for SP's Frank Crawford (0.00 ERA 8IP), Roger Perry (1.12 ERA in 8IP) and Charlie Wheeler (1.12 ERA in 8IP). These guys all look locked in and will join Ron Coles in the rotation for sure.

On the position side C Clem Bliss is making a very large statement to be the starting C hitting 400/500/1.100 with a 10-25 spring. He has added 5 walks as well with 2 doubles and a home run, driving in 6 RBI's and scoring 6.

1B Red Johnson has been on fire here in spring 13-30 433/564/1.131 with a home run and a team high 9 RBI's. The club is very confident that Johnson is ready to be the Opening Day and full time starter at 1st.

SS Gil London (23) looks like he is going to open the season as the starting SS barring an injury or collapse. The rookie is hitting 419/486/1.131 with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run and 5 RBI's and 6 runs scored. If he stays hot next week, signs are pointing that he will be "the guy" to man SS.

The team will be very busy next week with another 7 games and then will wind up the spring the following week with just 4 games. Expectations are the team will get the roster down to roughly 30 players next week but may keep several more than that. Manager George Theobald is not a big believer in playing the starting position players the last week so while they might pinch hit expect a lot of minor league faces in those last 4 games.

Getting pitching starts next week will be - Stumpy Beaman (X2), Jack Wood, Frank Crawford, Charlie Wheeler, Roger Perry and Bob Walls. Ron Coles will work out of the bullpen but will get the first start of the final week as Theobald will want to line up his top 4 SP's for the Opening week series.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday April 11th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Week Three Spring Training - Camp Enters Final Week

After a slow spring start on the field the Dynamo's have won 9 of their last 13 games and now sport an 11-9 record. Veteran Manager George Theobald says that "The wins and losses in Florida are of little consequence. What is important is the guys get in shape and get their work in to prepare for the grueling 154 game regular season." Well getting their work in and winning a few is certainly more entertaining at least than losing while getting the work in.

With just 4 games left in the spring schedule the Dynamo's made a few more roster cuts but not as many as one might have thought. The club only sent 3 players down to the minor league camp with P's Ben Watkins, Bob Walls and Ed Petty are going down. That leaves the team with 34 players still left in camp and 11 more decisions to be made. When we asked GM Martin why so many still left in camp his answer was "George (Manager Theobald) doesn't want to play his regular position players much next week. He has seen what he needs to see and doesn't want to risk any injuries in meaningless games. Players will be available for pinch hitting duties and will get work in during morning training sessions."

With the lineup posted for today's game (Monday 11th vs Philadelphia Keystones), it appears that if what Martin said is true that rookie SS Gil London has made the opening day team. London (23) has gone out here and won the starting job hitting 422/480/1080 this spring. Theoblad stated that "the kid has looked awfully good at the plate and in the field. He has earned the right to be the starter opening day."

Monday's lineup vs Philadelphia Keystones
2B Dale Robbins 368
3B Don Ward 297
LF Sid Williams 308
RF Wayne Morgan 368
CF Pete Thomas 250
1B Claude Merrill 412
C Curt Squillante 200
SS Jim Smith 208
P Ron Coles 1-1 10.24

When asked why SP Ron Coles was going in Monday's game Theobald stated that the "SP's needed to get a few more innings in and he wanted to keep his pitchers throwing to get them ready. Coles had that bad outing the first game after returning from injury so he wants to get another outing under his belt." Based on what Theobald said he has his rotation set up as Coles, Frank Crawford, Charlie Wheeler in the 1-3 spots. SP Stumpy Beaman will start the spring finale and appears to be making the team in the starting rotation with a solid 2.25 spring ERA. Roger Perry while not starting this week figures to be the rotation as well as the #4-5 SP.

Out in the bullpen veteran LHP Russ Reel is making a real strong case to be included in the players heading to Detroit. Reel (35) spent last season at AAA Newark (9-7 3.77 ERA in a split role last year). This spring he has been sharp with a 1.04 ERA and will get the opportunity to close out games this week. RP Ben Curtin looks like he has also made the bullpen with a spectacular spring (0.00 ERA 11IP 10H 2BB 5K's). There are only so many spots in that pen and Theobald has stated he would prefer just 8 pitchers on the 23 man roster. With P Hank Spencer likely occupying one of those spots, it could mean that Rule 5 pick David Rivas is heading back to Chicago (Chiefs) and could spell the end of the line for Chuck Calvert (3.07 spring ERA 14.2 IP). The likely choice is that Calvert will be kept with Spencer, Ben Curtin and if they carry 9 pitchers Jim Hawkins. If it is 8 then its likely between Hawkins, Calvert and Reel via for that last spot.

We are down to the wire here in Lakeland (FL) for the last few games. Opening night is just a week from tomorrow (Tuesday April 19th)

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday April 11th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Detroit announces Two More Deals

The Dynamo's announced a pair of trades on Monday morning. The first of the two deals was with the New York Gotham's.

Trade - Dynamo's and Gotham's
Detroit trades (AAA) SP Earle Killebrew to the Gotham's for New York's 8th round pick in the 1938 Draft to be held in June.

Killebrew was a rule 5 pick up from Philadelphia (Keys) in 1936. Prior to the start of the season the Dynamo's returned Killebrew and then engineered a trade for at 9th round pick so that he could be not included on the 40-man roster. Killebrew (25) was just sent down to the AAA Newark Aces from the spring training roster last week. He was 23-20 3.62 ERA in his 2 seasons in the Dynamo's organization. When asked why he traded the pitcher GM DD Martin stated that the Dynamo's minor league system was pretty rich with pitching talent and quite a few of those guys are ahead of Killebrew. While he had 2 more option season (including 38 season), we felt the kid deserved a chance to go to a club where he might have a better opportunity."

Trade #2 Dynamo's and Philadelphia Keystones agree to a deal
In a shocking surprise, the Dynamo's traded veteran infielder 3B Don Ward (35) to the Philadelphia Keystones. In return the Dynamo's acquired veteran OF Grover Lee (32) and the Keystones 7th round pick in the 1938 June baseball draft.

This one came up quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. While rumor had it that the Dynamo's had floated the idea of trading the versatile veteran infielder, the offers they had received in the off-season were not to their liking. The thought was originally that Ward would man 3B this season while the club waited for former 3B prospect Hank Koblenz to get ready for the start of the 1939 season. But then Detroit added 3B/2B Ed Stewart and 2B/3B Hank Barnett. Then they shipped off Barnett to Chicago for SP's Ron Coles and Bob Walls. Then they sent Koblenz to Philadelphia for 3B Frank LeMuiex and SP Frank Crawford. Ward seemed destined for a utility role anywhere on the infield this season until the trade. GM DD Martin who is very fond of Ward stated "Don deserves a shot at winning another title honestly. He's 35 and working on the downside of his career and yet he is very well regarded as a 3B in this league. He can really plug in anywhere, so while we will miss that stability and versatility it also opens a door for another player to step up for a role that wasn't available just a few hours ago."

This off-season and now into early spring has seen the Dynamo's complete at minimum 10 different deals. It certainly has been one of the busier ones I have seen in my time covering Detroit baseball. Now we will see how it starts to pans out on the field in just over a week.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Sunday April 17th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Spring Training has Ended and Opening Day is just 2 Days Away!

The Dynamo's split their last 4 games of the spring using mostly backups and AAA players in their starting lineup. The good news is that the club finished the spring with no injuries which is always a concern each year. The team also went 13-11 in the spring and that shows some promise, but you can't put very much into the practice games. Tomorrow (Monday) is the official roster cutdown day and then Opening Day is on Tuesday as the Dynamo's host the St. Louis Pioneers who probably made the signature trade of the offseason with 1B Fred McCormick heading to Toronto for a host of SP's that might remake the Pioneers.

What we know right now is that the Dynamo's are likely to head into the season with 9 pitchers instead of 8. SP Stumpy Beaman with his sterling spring going 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA earned his way no only on the staff but into a top 4 starting pitcher role. It was thought early the Beaman might start the year at Newark, but his added velocity last last season has seemingly made him a very good starting pitcher. Manager George Theobald stated "That Beaman was one of the young guys that really went out there, worked hard every day and earned this opportunity." Beaman likely bumps P Hank Spencer into the bullpen which wasn't part of the plan going into the season but he will be with the big league club and will be ready to step forward if there is an injury.

While there was little doubt that 1B Red Johnson (20) would be the Opening Day 1st baseman, he went out and made sure there was no doubt with a very solid spring hitting 419/561/1096 and drove in a team leading 11 RBI's in 57 plate appearances that included 14 walks and just 1 strikeout.

Another rookie who we have talked about is also joining the big league club and he will be the starting SS and that is Gil London (23). Just as Johnson did, London hit over 400 (413) and added 5 walks and just 1 strikeout. His solid fielding at short will likely make people forget the off-season trade of Frank Davis (21). London looks legit and he will get to prove it. Manager George Theobald likes the makeup of London stating "He is a very smart player and he has a fluid swing. I'm sure there will be some growing pains but he has the potential to be the top SS in the Federal in a very short time."

All 3 of these guys are considered rookies even though Johnson and Beaman were up late in the season with the Dynamo's last year. The club also some "older" rookies on the club with team captain SS Jim Smith who is 27 years old. Smith was taken in the rule 5 draft and was definitely targeted as a backup player but GM Martin loved his speed and his leadership. He quickly was voted a team captain this spring by his peers and the club decided to part ways with former captain LF Irv Brady who was unhappy as a backup last season.

Another older player who is making a bit of a comeback is RP Jim Hawkins. While he has 49 days of previous experience several years ago with the Dynamo's this will be his first opportunity to really stick. When acquired he was considered a SP but that quickly fizzled and he spent most of 36 and all of the 37 season in the bullpen in Newark. He seemed to take to the stopper late inning role at Newark and he will be given a chance to succeed to start the season. He is under the amount of innings pitched to be a rookie but he spent 4 more days than the cutoff. So technically he is not a rookie.

With OF Grover Lee's arrival this week, that likely cost OF Wayne Morgan his chance to break camp with the Dynamo's. Morgan was looking like the platoon partner with LF Elmer Nodle. Both Morgan and Sid Williams will end up in Newark but both hit well with Morgan hitting 333 this spring and Williams hitting 320.

Another late addition to the club was former Dynamo OF Jose Serna rejoining the club late in the spring. Traded to the Keystones last year he was waived this spring and brought back to Detroit. He will be the 5th OF and likely cost OF Jay Buckingham his chance to open the season with the Dynamo's. Buckingham is out of options as well so he will be DFA on Monday. Both Morgan and Buckingham would have been 2 more rookies on the team.

The Dynamo's roster looks pretty set and we will have a full rundown tomorrow with who is on the 23-man team. I don't expect that this season they will be bringing in a lot of waiver claims like they have in previous years. Both Manager George Theobald and GM DD Martin like the group they have and with some of the young pitching prospects on the horizon, things might only get better.

The one position that the Dynamo's would likely love to add some strength too is at C. Ben Richardson last year had a fine year, the best of his career. We will have to see if he can do it again.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday April 18th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

Final Roster Cut Down

As we begin to enter year 4 (officially GM DD Martin was hired on May 13th 1935) of the GM DD Martin regime here in Detroit, we look back on the first 3 years. What we got was a tremendous amount of roster churn with waiver claims, rule 5 claims and low level draft picks traded away for a hope and a prayer. We also got a lot of losing, in fact over the last 3 season no FABL club has lost more games in a 3-year period than Martin's Dynamos. With the historically bad 1935 and its 111 losses, Detroit has managed to lose 301 games over the last 3 years. And yet from the bottom they have improved 20 games from that 1935 season to look like a really solid (maybe even good) club during the last 3rd of last season when they went 34-17 to close out the season. The 1935 season saw 50 different players were a Dynamo's uniform. The 36 season saw 41 different players. Last year only 39 guys were up with the big league team. Martin has completed over 40 trades in his almost 3 full years in town. But this year something feels a little bit different.

We spoke with ailing team owner Ed Thompson and he said the rebuilding plan while painful has proven to so far be on track. Thompson hopes the club will finish around the 500 mark for the 38 season. Based on ticket sales and fan happiness the veteran owner appears to have calmed down a bit heading into the 1938 season. It doesn't feel like you will see weekly waiver claims this year with talent coming and going out. After years of band-aids, bubble gum, bailing wire and string, the club looks like it is held together this year by a young core and some key veterans sprinkled in.

The announced starting lineup for tomorrow Home Opener
Tuesday vs St. Louis
2B Ed Stewart
3B Frank LeMieux
CF Sal Pestilli
LF Elmer Nodle
RF Leon Drake
1B Red Johnson
SS Gil London
C Ben Richardson
P Ron Coles

The only thing missing from this opening of the season is the annual OSA pre-season predictions (Thanks OOTP). When they will be released is anyone's guess. I don't know if it is a printing press issue or just simply incompetence (at the OOTP level) that has delayed something that provides a lot of talk at the bar. Later I will have my own take on the 38 season along with the Dynamo's roster breakdown.

Next - Dynamo's Opening Day Roster &
Pre-season Predictions (Since OOTP can't seem to figure out how to do it correctly)

[ayaghmour2]

Excited for the new look Dynamos! I think they will surprise some this year with a really solid performance.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Monday April 18th 1938
Sports - Spring Training Lakeland Update
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

The FA Pre-Season Predictions

Since we haven’t yet received the Pre-Season Predictions from the OSA office in time for Opening. I have taken it upon myself to step in and fill the gap. Here is the 1938 Federal Association predictions by Fast Freddie Farhat.

The FA 1938 Pre-Season Predictions

Chicago Chiefs - (last season 83-71 3rd in the FA, Prediction 90-64 1st)
Early last season the Chiefs looked like they were cruising to a 2nd straight Fed title, but then something happened and the team just couldn’t right the ship until it was too late. They have added 2B/3B Hank Barnett from Detroit (via Montreal) and also OF Bob Worley who Detroit drafted in the Indy draft and then traded to Chicago. Worley will come in handy as the club awaits the return of CF Bernie Griffith who missed most of last season. The Chiefs are lead by a fabulous pitching staff with Rabbit Day, Al Miller and the newly freed from purgatory in New York Jim Lonardo as the top 3. Former Dynamo SP Jack Beach also returns along with Red Hampton in the rotation. The Chiefs offense led by C Tom Bird, 1B Ron Rattigan, 3B Bob Martin and SS Pete Layton should be very formidable group and should help the Chiefs regain the Fed Crown.

Pittsburgh Miners (last season 87-67 1st FA Lost in World Series, Prediction 87-67 2nd)
Last season the Miners were really a miracle. Not that they do not have top tier talent, they do. But the club was ravaged by injuries to so many of its position players that it was amazing they were able to win the league. Miners management hopes it can ease former OF Mahlon Strong’s injury woes (just 29 games last season) with a move to 1B. Strong is a fantastic power hitter when he can be on the field. OF Henry Jones after coming over from Detroit had an amazing run (376 11-54 in 60 games), can he do it again? Miners also added Jack Cleaves who along with his brother C George Cleaves has upgraded the offense. Some in Pittsburgh wonder how the defense will fair though. 1937 Allen Award winner P Lefty Allen (24) appears to be the real deal and will likely contend for many more Allen Awards over the years.

Boston Minutemen (last season 81-73 T-5th FA, Prediction 85.69 3rd)
The Minutemen made a huge splash at the beginning of the off-season when they acquired SP John Edwards from Baltimore. The young Edwards, 22 (11-19 4.42 ERA last season) is everything you want in a big young RHP at 6’5 and 195 lbs. But the question is can the club make up for the players it traded to add Edwards. The big loss was 1B/3B Ken Mayhugh but they also traded RF Ray White and 3B Denny Andrews for Edwards. A healthy season for 1B Bob Donoghue is a must as he has tremendous power, but is often found on the DL for large periods at a time. Great young pitching with Dick Higgins and John Edwards and steady Ed Wood all need to have good seasons for Boston to reach the top.

Philadelphia Keystones (last season 85-69 2nd FA, Prediction 82-72 4th)
Everyone is watching 1B Rankin Kellogg as he enters his age 35 season. He is the FABL’s 2nd all time leading home run hitter and people were talking about him maybe reaching Max Morris. That doesn’t seem possible now after only hitting 19 and batting 252/324/733. Was it just a bad year or the start of the decline players tend to go through when they hit their mid-30’s. They still have CF Bobby Barrell who is a tremendous talent but he can’t carry the offense by himself. 3B of the future Hank Koblenz should be arriving next year to maybe help Barrell and Kellogg with some more power in the lineup. Pitching is solid with 5 capable FABL pitchers in the starting rotation.

St. Louis Pioneers (last season 82-72 4th, Prediction 79-75 5th)
The Pioneers are a tough team to pick. They’ve added a lot of arms when they traded 1B Frank McCormick and C Clearance Howerton to Toronto. The headliner to me is rookie SP Buddy Long who has made the team and rotation to start the season. How 1B Zip Sullivan replaces McCormick at 1B is a big question. He has talent and he has a big mouth. The Pioneers will contend if Sullivan can be 75% of McCormick and the rotation of Sam Sheppard, Buddy Long, Jake Smith and David Abalo hold up their end of the bargain.

Detroit Dynamos (last season 63-91 7th, Prediction 77-77 6th)
This is a big jump for our Dynamos, looking to add a plus 14 in the win column. The club was almost hyper-active in the off-season with at least 10 trades, but it did bring in some talented arms. SP Ron Coles, Frank Crawford and Charlie Wheeler were not with the team at the end of last season, and with rookie SP Stumpy Beaman getting a great spring in and the seal of approval from Rufus Barrell. The Dynamo’s might have the makings of a solid starting rotation. There is a lot of youth and with youth are growing pains, but with CF Sal Pestilli (21), 1B Red Johnson (20), OF Leon Drake, 2B Ed Stewart, and rookie SS Gil London (23) this team is headed in the right direction.

Washington Eagles (last season 81-73 T-5th, Prediction 75-79 7th)
The Eagles were the hottest team in the Fed (along with Detroit) over the last third of the season. Why are they this far down? It’s simple the other more active off-season teams in the league have passed them by. Also while 3B Mel Carroll’s 1937 season was Whitney caliber (and winning), he can’t be expected to repeat that performance. The Eagles have a solid led by OF Moxie Pidgeon, 1B Harry Shumate and SS Jim Beard (along with Carroll), but it can only carry them so far. You just never know what you are going to get from the rotation with Bill Anderson, Karl Johnson, and Eddie Quinn day in and day out. Bobo White could be a solid pitcher for a number of years.

New York Gothams (last season 54-100 8th, Prediction 41-113 8th)
The Gothams have the #1 rate minor league system based on some drafting and trades where they gave up just about every player they had. While last year was bad, this year looks to be even worse as the kids aren’t even close to being ready and what is left behind is just not that good. This club has a chance to break Detroit’s 3-year record for losses which is 301. With last years 100 losses and what looks like easily another 100+ this year, the 39 season could break the record. New owner Leland Winthrop is known to be demanding, an economizer and likes profit. All those things look to be heading south.

[DD Martin]

The Detroit World
Tuesday April 19th 1938
Sports
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat

The CA Pre-Season Predictions

Well I missed my deadline yesterday at a bar in Detroit talking about the glories of the 1929 Dynamo's team that won the World Series. But have no fear, the CA predictions are here today.

1938 Continental League Predictions

The CA league went to overtime last year as the Brooklyn Kings won a 1-game playoff with the Philadelphia Sailors to secure the CA crown and then went out and ended the curse in a World Series victory. I don’t think much has changed in a fairly quiet off-season as the Kings and Sailors will battle again in a close race.

Philadelphia Sailors (last season 91-64 2nd place, Prediction 93-61 1st)
The Sailors surprised a lot of people last year. With their rise to almost take the CA crown last season. Pitching with SP’s William Jones, Doc Newell and Merritt Thomas at the top of the rotation has propelled them this far. The only thing really missing from the Sailors is a big bopper in the middle of the lineup. But they have enough consistent hitter led by 1B Dick Walker, RF Bobby Bond and 3B Bill Eppler to score enough runs. But if you plug in a top hitter mid-season, you might have the new CA winner for 38. I do think that 2B prospect Chick Wilhelm will join the club soon this season and he should help an offense at or near the top of the order.

Brooklyn Kings (last season 92-63 1st place, Prediction 91-63 2nd)
The curse is finally broken, as the Kings survived the regular season and won in overtime against the Sailors. They then swamped the injury riddle Pittsburgh Miners in the World Series in 5 games. Not much has happened this off-season with the Kings and why should it. They have arguably the best rotation in the CA and a very good offense with RF Al Wheeler, 3B Frank Vance, SS Harry Barrell, CF Bill May. So why do we have then just missing out this year? There are some cracks in the armor with C Fred Barrell having a significantly off year last year with the bat. 1B Joe Perret was the forgotten 5th OF but has returned to the lineup to take over at 1B for the retired Dan Barrell. Will SS Harry Barrell snap back offensively after his first below 300 season? So there are some questions but the biggest issue might be after winning their 1st title (and the long off-season) will they have a championship hangover?

Chicago Cougars (last season 83-71 3rd place, Prediction 83-71 3rd)
The Chicago Cougars in my mind have the best and deepest minor league system in baseball. Yes the NY Gothams have top billing for all the top 25 talent they have, but the Cougars have a lot of pieces and some of them I would have thought would have been moved in the off-season after a surprising run last year to the upper division. The Cougars didn’t get the “big deal” done but that wasn’t because they didn’t try. They have 10 top 100 talents led by the new #1 overall prospect in Peter (the heater) Papenfus (20). Many feel he should be promoted to the rotation immediately after a dominant spring. Walks are a bit of a concern. With 4 top 41 SP pitchers in the system they are sure to be a top contender soon and for years to come, but not this year unless a move is made during the season.

Cleveland Foresters (last season 82-72 4th place, Prediction 78-76 4th place)
The Foresters have enjoyed a very good run of baseball since 1932, but the key pieces of that World Series team have or are winding down their careers. Max Morris has retired, 3B Charlie Barry has held up very well but is 39. Same with C TR Goins who is 37 ½. Who is going to take over for these veteran stars? The pitching as always is solid with SP Dean Astle who looks brilliant in spurts but has never put together that 1 full season to snatch an Allen Award. SP Sergio Gonzalez (26) broke out last season going 20-6 with a 3.19 ERA and looks to continue. There are a few players that we could see sometime this season in the top 100 prospects with SP Johnny Slaney (22 prospect #71), 3B Hank Straton (23 - prospect #92) and RF Eli Harkness (20 - Prospect #73) all nearing the bigs. But time is running out and I fear the window has closed on this team.

Baltimore Cannons (last season 60-94 8th place, Prediction 76-78 5th place)
The Cannons with the young starters beginning to come of age should improve (finally) and they did add the bat of 3B Mayhugh in the off-season which will help. But was it enough to get up into the 1st division of the CA? More needs to be done but the Cannons have a good upper level of their farm system with SP “Deuce” Barrel (#5 overall) that could be ready sooner rather than later to join the rotation. Can CF Fred Galloway (22 - prospect #23 overall) make the jump this year, he gets his chance. Still the team needs another bat and should be on the lookout for a top flight bat when one becomes available.

Toronto Wolves (last season 72-82 6th place, Prediction 74-80 6th place)
The Wolves have a very good top 3 pitching staff with Joe Hancock, Chuck Cole and Chick Wirtz, but some have to wonder how former prospect Buddy Long would have looked in that rotation this season. Of course the club had to do something to make the offense better and they did improve that greatly when they acquired 1B Fred McCormick and C Clarence Howerton from the St. Louis Pioneers. With McCormick in the lineup it should help RF Larry Vestal greatly to have another threat in the lineup. McCormick will give Brooklyn’s Al Wheeler a real run for the Whitney Award this season.

Montreal Saints (last season 74-80 5th place, Prediction 70-84 7th place)
The pieces are slowly coming together for the patient Saints franchise. LF Bert Lass (#28 prospect) and SP Karl Wallace (#82 prospect received from Detroit) should help. SS Frank Davis is just 22 and was acquired in the same deal as SP Wallace. His defense should help the pitching staff. Of course you have 1B Vic Crawford who is a fine hitter whose power is hurt by the ballpark and C Adam Mullins at 25 should be at the top of his game. This team is hard to predict and could be better than this prediction gives them credit for.

New York Stars (last season 63-91 7th place, Prediction 51-103 8th place)
The Stars were a solid club for a number of years but with age have fallen down the charts. This year looks to be rock bottom for the proud franchise and they do have some young talent in their minor league system that is nearing to get promoted. But this year it will be a last place finish and the top pick in the 1938 draft. This will likely be the first time in FABL history that both New York teams finish last in their respective leagues.

[DD Martin]

We are a few sims behind in our story but we will catch up this week and by the weekend we should be current.

Opening Day Detroit Dynamos
1938 Season

The Dynamo's decided to carry 9 pitchers after spring training. These are the guys that will be trusted to bring the Dynamo's a tremendous season of improvement over last year's 63-91 club.

Starting Rotation

Ron Coles (Age - 28 T-R) Acquired from the Chicago Chiefs November 1937
5'11 160 lbs 7th season
Last season 8-6 2 saves 3.75 ERA Career 54-39 28 saves 3.81 ERA
Coles is probably the closest thing that the Dynamo's have right now that would be considered a #1 starter. He is coming off the first big injury of his career but was effective last year prior to the injury. His walk numbers have risen a bit the last season or two and he did have a wild outing in his first one this spring.

Frank Crawford (Age -30 T-L) Acquired from the Philadelphia Keystones March 1938
6'0 180 lbs 7th season
Last season 9-13 3.76 ERA Career 70-63 4.32 ERA
Late spring training addition to the team that saw the Keystones trade him along with 3B Frank LeMieux for Dynamo power 3B prospect Hank Koblenz. Crawford will be counted on to be a workhorse #2 SP for the Dynamo's as the price they paid to acquire him was steep.

Charlie "Bitsy" Wheeler (Age 23 T-R) Acquired from the New York Gothams November 1937
5'7 155 lbs 2nd season
Last season 7-10 4.58 rookie season
Wheeler was a upper end prospect when the Gothams received him in a deal the prior off-season peaking at #43 last July before he lost prospect eligibility. The Dynamos really like him because he pounds the zone and has good movement on his pitches. He will slot in this season at #3 in the rotation and will have to have a good season if the Dynamo's are going to move up the Fed standings.

Roger Perry (Age-30 T-L) Acquired last season at the trade deadline from Cleveland
6'1 195 lbs 7th season
Last season 6-2 3.87 with Dynamos Career 74-41 3.75 ERA
Perry is a favorite of Detroit GM Martin as he had him in Cleveland where he had a 3-year stretch of 53-27 with a 3.35 ERA in 32-34 seasons. For whatever reason he fell out of favor with the Foresters after Martin's leaving so when it was announced he was being sent down, he was acquired for an 8th round pick. Perry is a proven winner who quickly got back on track when he arrived in Detroit and helped add to the Dynamo's late season surge last year where they won 34 of their last 51 games.

Stumpy Beaman (Age -24 T-R) Acquired last June 1937 from Chicago Cougars.
5'6 165lbs 2nd season
Last season 1-2 1 save 5.26 ERA (rookie season)
Beaman was a top 100 prospect and still is rated in the #80 range at the start of the season. He came up late last season to get some run with the Dynamo's in September. He will be counted on to be the #5 starter and some say he has a very bright future and even noted OSA guru Rufus Barrell states Beaman has the goods.

Rotation Summary - While not rivaling the Chicago Chiefs and their combo of Rabbit Day, Al Miller and Jim Lonardo top 3, the Dynamos have improved drastically of the crew that started last season. As you can see in the bio's none of these players were in Detroit to start last season and the top 3 were all off-season acquisitions prior to this season. There is some depth with younger starters Jack Wood, Ben Watkins, and newcomer Bob Walls. And the Dynamo's have a wealth of talented young arms in the system led by Bill Willman and Lou Robertson who are both top 40 prospects. David Molina is also in the top 60. This starting group while not elite and lacking that true "stud" at the top is a solid group that should help the Dynamo's flirt with 500 or above this season.

Bullpen

Jim Hawkins (Age -29 T-R) Acquired via waivers from Boston April 1936
5'10 180 lbs 2nd season
Last season AAA Newark 9-5 15 Saves 1.98 ERA Big league record 0-3 11.68
Hawkins was acquired to hopefully be a starting pitcher after Boston gave up on him. It didn't take long for the Dynamo's to also give up on him DFA after just 4 appearances. He remained with the Dynamo's AAA Newark team and start working at the stopper responded with decent numbers in 36 before having a very good season last year. He is being entrusted with the stopper duties this season in Detroit and will hope to build on his season last year. Expect a short leash.

Ben Curtin (Age-32 T-R) Acquired on Waivers May 1937 from St. Louis
6'2 200 lbs 8th season
Last season with Detroit 3-3 3 saves 3.46 ERA Career 48-36 71 Saves 4.54 ERA
Not much was expected of Curtin when he came in. The Dynamos liked how he had been the stopper in St. Louis before losing the role and struggling prior to his DFA from the Pioneers. He proved that he could still provide solid middle relief after his waiver acquisition and that is the role that he will once again fill.

Hank Spencer (Age - 28 T-L) Acquired in a trade with Chicago Cougars April 1936
5'9 160 lbs 4th season
Last Season 13-11 2 saves 4.29 ERA Career 23-30 4.72
He was last season's #2 SP after starting the year in the bullpen. He will return to the bullpen to start this year and is capable of filling in for an injury. He is the only lefty reliever on the team. He has improved his ERA each year in the big leagues but most (outside of Detroit) don't believe in him.

Chuck Calvert (Age-34 T-R) Acquired on waivers from New York Gothams July 1935
5'10 180 lbs 8th season
Last year 1-5 2 saves 4.16 ERA Career 40-51 41 Saves and 4.58 ERA
Calvert came to Detroit and they attempted to move him into the starting rotation in 1936. The results were not great 8-17 5.04 ERA but again the Dynamo's tried it last year but after 4 disastrous start with an ERA near 7 he moved back to the bullpen full time where he was extremely capable (ERA 3.50 range). He spot was not guaranteed but he survived spring training. While he is incredibly popular with the fans (for some reason) if he struggles he will likely not be around after Decoration (Memorial) Day.

Summary - Hawkins is a huge key for the Dynamos bullpen to be successful. If he isn't then the club will likely turn to Ben Curtin to become the stopper and then search for options. Spencer is versatile being capable of providing some quality starts and is the only lefty in the pen that isn't a starter. The Dynamo's will be fluid in their use of starters in relief and depending on how the season goes could change their philosophy.

[DD Martin]

Opening Day Detroit Dynamos
1938 Season
Position Players

Catchers

Ben Richardson (Age -28 B-R) Acquired on Waivers from Washington June 1936
6'3 200 lbs 4th season
Last year 279/335/769 7-50 Career 258/306/709 15-94
Richardson finally had his best year as a batter in 1937. He started 99 games last season as he emerged from the rubble of spring training in 37. He split time early last year before winning the starting job and catching most of the games after the trade deadline. Can he follow up on it?

Clem Bliss (Age-26 B-S) Acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh October 1936
6'2 200lbs 4th season
Last year (AAA Newark) 250/367/751 7-35 MLB Career 234 in 81 career at bats.
Bliss has the skills to be a top fight on-base type of a guy. While not gifted as a defensive catcher is can be average behind the dish. He has not gotten a lot of opportunities across 4 different seasons to show what he can do. He is scheduled to get around 40% of the starts this season, but he will have to hit well and get on base drawing walks. If ne can't then veteran Curt Squillante (33) is just waiting for a chance to resume his big league career.

Summary - The Catcher position is one that has not been great the last few seasons after Dick York retired. York is now managing class A Terre Haute in the Dynamo's system. With the trade of future catching star Pete Casstevens to the Gothams in the SP Charlie Wheeler deal, don't be surprised if the Dynamo's are scouting the draft heavily at the position but also reviewing very closely any upper end catchers that might become available during the season. The team is hoping that C Ben Richardson's solid season last year was not just a mirage.

Infielders

1B Red Johnson (Age-20 B-R) Acquired as a 1st round draft pick (#2) in 1935 draft
6'1 200 lbs
Last Season 333/385/940 2-10 in 12 games (Rookie)
Rookie
Johnson had a rapid rise through the Dynamo's minor league system after struggling some his first year. He quickly moved through 4 levels last year hitting 30 home runs and continued to show incredible patience at the plate. He is also a very tough man to strike out. He is a legitimate threat to win the Dynamo's 2nd straight rookie of the year (Detroit version since there is no rookie of the year award yet). Just being 20 don't be surprised if he has a few struggles here and there, but his future looks extremely bright.

2B Ed Stewart (Age 29 B-R) Acquired in a November 37 trade with Pittsburgh
6'0 195 lbs 7th season
Last Season 263/301/729 23-101 Career 287/334/779 162-687
There is no doubt Stewart had a somewhat down season despite driving in 101 RBI's. His average was down in Pittsburgh last season and yet he still played a significant role in the Miners rise to the top of the Fed. The Dynamo's felt strongly that Stewart would fit in Thompson Field well and with the sluggers on the team he will hit leadoff to start the season. Not the typical leadoff guy in any stretch of the imagination.

3B Frank LeMieux (Age-24 B-R) Acquired from Philadelphia Keystones in March 1938
5-10 190 lbs 2nd Season
Last season (315/383/799 2-79 Career 290/360/750 2-94
Lemieux emerged as the Keystones starting 3rd baseman last season and the Dynamo's view him as a very solid #2 hitter in the lineup. Not a power hitter by any stretch but with the power bats already in the lineup, the Dynamo's felt they needed something different (average/onbase guy). The team gave up future 3B Hank Koblenz in the deal that brought SP Frank Crawford and LeMieux to Detroit, so obviously it will be important for LeMieux to continue to show the hitting that he did last season.

SS Gil London (Age 24 B-R) Acquired from the Philadelphia Sailors November 1937
5'8 155 lbs -Rookie
Last season AAA San Francisco 214/285/563 4-42
At the start of spring training I don't think anyone was thinking Gil London would break camp with the big league team. But after a spring 413/471 and played excellent defense, he was given the opportunity to be the everyday SS. If he can hit around 270 and play good defense, the team will be relatively happy with their young prospect who is #63 overall in baseball.

Infield Bench
Jake Shadoan (Age 30 - B-R) Acquired in a July 1937 trade with Brooklyn
6'1 195lbs 8th season
Last year with Detroit hit 302/344/735 3-21 Career 328/367/810 52-482
Shadoan came in and quickly solidified the 2B position for the Dynamo's down the stretch last season. Before the trades that brought Ed Stewart and Hank Barnett (Briefly) to Detroit, he was considered the starting 2B. he will now take over the Don Ward (who was traded to Phily) role and will be the top backup at 2B, 1B and if needed at 3B. Hopefully he can adapt to this new role quickly.

SS Erv Smith (Age -30 B-L) Acquired Trade with NY Gothams November 1937
6'2 190lbs 8th season
Last Season 245/317/618 0-41 with NY Career 285/346/715 4-344
Smith was brought in to be the stop gap starting SS as the club waited for Gil London to get some more seasoning at AAA to start this season. When London had a great spring and was named the starter some wondered if Smith would stick in Detroit. Prior to last year he had a 4-year run as a 298 hitter between Cleveland and New York and is a capable defender. If London struggles Smith will be the band-aid to hold the defense together.

Utility IF Jimmy Smith (Age 27 - B-L) Acquired via Rule 5 from St. Louis
5'10 185 lbs - rookie
Last Season with AAA Oakland 221/323/636 7-55 66 stolen bases - Rookie
Smith is here for 2 primary reasons. He is an incredible leader and quickly was named team captain in the first week of spring training. He also is a very valuable pinch runner. He has a decent eye and can draw walks but will never hit much higher than his weight in the big leagues.

Summary - A lot of youth with 1B Red Johnson, 3B Frank LeMieux and SS Gil London, but a lot of potential as well. 2B Ed Stewart can still play 3B if needed and Jake Shadoan could be a very valuable bench hitter and sub if injuries occur. The minor leagues doesn't have a ton of depth but there is power hitter 1B/2B/3B Claude Merrill who could come back up. Indy League pick Dale Robbins is playing his first season higher than AA and will be at AAA Newark.

Outfielders

LF Elmer Nodle (Age 30 B-L) Acquired Trade with Brooklyn July 1937
6'2 200lbs 5th Season
Last season with Detroit 284/421/888 6-36 Career 284/416/885 35-181
Powerful left handed batter who will get the starts against most RHSP's in the Dynamo lineup. He is one of just several lefties on the team just to get the others teams on their toes. Despite Thompson Field being a right-hander hitters park, Nodle is more than capable of hitting home runs here. Under-rated throughout his career, now he gets his chance to shine.

CF Sal Pestilli (Age-22 B-R) Acquired as #1 overall draft choice in 1936 draft
6'0 195lbs 2nd season
Last Season 306/365937 33-94 (rookie of the year)

Never played an inning of minor league ball, coming straight to Detroit from college. He led the FABL in home runs last season hitting 33 and looks like he has a shot to be the fastest to 100 home runs if he stays healthy. Truly the key that makes the Dynamo offense go hitting in the #3 spot. There is nothing that should keep him away from playing in the All-Star game for the next 15 years.

RF Leon Drake (Age -29 B-R) Acquired via trade with Cleveland October 1936
5'10 165lbs 8th season
Last Season 280/341/892 26-107 Career 271/384/952 112-558
Drake is a gifted athlete that came up as a CF but has moved to the corners simply because he has played with great CF with Dan Fowler in Cleveland and now Sal Pestilli here in Detroit. He has hit 20 doubles/20 triples/20 home runs or more in a season 2 straight years and almost did it a 3rd time in 1934 with Cleveland. Middle of the order bat who's only drawback is his strikeouts (last season 15.6%).

Grover Lee (Age-32 B-R) Acquired from Philadelphia Keystones April 1938 right before the start of the regular season
5'10 200lbs 7th season
Last year with Keystones 274/368/770 6-32 Career 280/358/819 110-388
Dynamo's were thrilled to pick up the veteran slugger from the Keystones at the end of the spring along with a 7th round pick for 35 year old 3B Don Ward. Lee has 3 20+ home runs seasons in his career and his bat should fit well at Thompson Field and will be potentially the perfect platoon partner with Elmer Nodle in LF. He also will be used often as a pinch hitter off the bench.

OF Jose "Roach" Serna (Age -25 B-R) Acquired waivers from Philadelphia April 1938
5'11 185lbs 3rd Season
Last year at AAA hit 264/330/692 1-18 FABL Career 287/324/750 6-71
Capable backup OF who can play all positions and has the ability to hit for average. Good speed as well. Dynamo's reluctantly traded him at the June Draft last year to acquire a 3rd round pick that was used to select Al Duster.

Summary - Clearly this is the strength of the position players as Detroit boasts arguably the top OF in baseball (certainly a top 3 group). With reigning rookie of the year and league home run king from last season CF Sal Pestilli returning for his 2nd season. He is joined by OF Leon Drake "Mr 20x20x20) who can cause a tremendous amount of damage with his bat and ability to hit to all fields. Then the platoon in LF of Elmer Nodle (strong side) and recently acquired Grover Lee and you have a very formidable group. OF Jose Serna rejoins the Dynamo's after having been traded at the draft last year but then being released (DFA) by the Keystones. He adds speed and can play good defense. The club also has OF Wayne Morgan who many thought would be the weak side of the platoon with Nodle before the acquisition of Lee and Sid Williams at AAA. Both are capable hitters who add different dimensions to the team. If Lee doesn't work out, expect one of them to be called up immediately.

Team Summary and Outlook - The Dynamo's were the busiest team in baseball this past off-season and the roster shows it. The club only has 2 home grown players on its 23 man roster with CF Sal Pestilli and 1B Red Johnson. Everyone else was acquired via trade or waiver claims. After hitting rock bottom in 1935 with a 43-111 season, the Dynamo's have improved to 55 and 63 wins. This year the club has to be shooting for 500+ which would be a big improvement. With the upgrades to the pitching staff and if the young position players deliver as hoped, some believe this team will at least being in the upper division of the Fed this year. But again a reasonable expectation is to play around 500 and maybe sneak into the 80 win club if everything breaks right.