Time Warp Baseball

[haggis007]

Originally Posted by jdw

The White Sox have bagged a pennant in every decade until the 40s. With two years left, they're at risk of that streak ending.

The Yanks won in 1940 to keep their streak going. If the Sox don't match them, the Yanks will be all alone. Small consolation for what runs the risk of being the worst decade in Yankees history. They're 585-647 for the decade after never being under .500 in any prior decade (though the 20s were a tight 777-763). The one pennant is the worst (2 in the 20s), and their one WS tops only the hapless 0 won on the 20s.

At 62 games under .500 with two seasons left, it would take a miracle for the proud franchise to get their head above water. A second straight 90 loss season, the third in four years, doesn't give much hope.


John

Ouch.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Jan 30: Tim Lopresto, the 59-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher and Cardinals manager, collapsed in a New York hotel lobby and died a short time later at a local hospital. Plans were announced to honor his memory at the Cardinals' home opener. A successor to his managerial job has not yet been announced.

I wrote up a eulogy on the TWB site.

[rogmax11]

Nice write-up about a terrific career. It gets a little eerie when the line between reality and make-believe blurs so severely that you have to stop for a minute or two and sort out the two. When I first stumbled across this "news", I had that brief disorientation that accompanies thoughts like Dang! I missed this! How could Tim die so young?.

On another note, I saw that Remmy Paul had disappeared from the Dodgers' roster and indeed has seemingly retired. This is a head-scratcher for several reasons: he was only 7 wins from 300, was an All-Star in '47 with 19 wins and multiple top-ten placings in important pitching stats, and appeared not to have suffered an injury. I assume this was a game-directed retirement, but it feels too arbitrary to go unchallenged; what are your feelings, Matt? Can-or should-this be undone? Looking at the fading Dodger roster, and noting the lack of help on the farm, this is a brutal setback for the Brooklyn GM.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by rogmax11

I assume this was a game-directed retirement, but it feels too arbitrary to go unchallenged; what are your feelings, Matt? Can-or should-this be undone? Looking at the fading Dodger roster, and noting the lack of help on the farm, this is a brutal setback for the Brooklyn GM.

Yes it was game-directed. I decided to keep my hands out of decisions like these and determine that he had his personal reasons for retiring. Either he needed time with his family, or he tired of the recent disappointments in Brooklyn with no run support. Who knows? But he must've just tired of the grind. I was equally surprised.

[canadiancreed]

same here, I remember that Paul always gave my team hell, even more than Smith, so reading his retirement was a shocker and a half

[Matt from TN]

Key Retirees:


Remmy Paul, SP
Brooklyn Dodgers 1932-47



Paul was part of the height of Dodgers baseball, anchoring an NL dynasty along with future HOF'ers Oscar Vancini and Frank Smith. He won 18+ games in 11 of his final 12 seasons, failing to do it only in an injury-shortened 1940 season. He won 20+ games 8 times. He threw a no-hitter in 1939, and was the NL POY in three consecutive seasons from 1944-46. He was an 8-time all-star who retired with a 293-176 record (15th Most Wins All-Time), 3.40 ERA, 1632 BB, 2278 K (9th All-Time), 395 CG (23rd All-Time), 45 SHO (20th All-Time) and a 1.30 WHIP. He was part of 3 WS with the Dodgers, winning two and even won one Gold Glove.


Jessie "Bing" Holt, 1B
St. Louis Cardinals 1927-29
Boston Braves 1929-36
Boston Red Sox 1936-47



Bing developed into a slugger of some renown after being traded to the Red Sox and getting regular playing time late in his career. He won three BOY awards, his first in 1940, and became the premier AL hitter during the war years. He won one Gold Glove and led the Red Sox through the best years of that franchise's history, when they won three consecutive pennants and two World Series from 1943-45. He retired with a .314 average, 2183 hits, 278 doubles, 225 homeruns, 1178 RBI, 963 runs, 580 walks, and a .828 OPS.



Other Notable Retirees:

John Shears, RF
A's 1931-32
White Sox 1932-40
Senators 1940-47

.290, 2629 H, 417 D, 155 T, 135 HR, 1024 RBI, 1433 R, 581 BB, 589 SB, .748 OPS

Shears was a solid all around player, good in the field, good at the plate and fast on the basepaths. He spent the early part of his career with the White Sox where he played in one World Series. Little was known about him until he was traded to the Senators in 1940. Despite an off season, he helped lead the Senators to a 1941 World Series championship, where he hit .333. He was on the stolen base leaderboard throughout his career, despite never leading the league, and his 589 career steals is 16th most all-time.


Pee Wee Osborne, SS
Reds 1931-47

.293, 2493 H, 504 D, 131 HR, 1162 RBI, 1299 R, 1399 BB, .809 OPS

Osborne was a major part of every Reds team over his 17-year career. It was only fitting that he and some other lifelong Reds players were able to enjoy their city's first ever World Series championship in his final season.



Honorable Mentions:

Joe Campbell, CF
Indians 1928-45
Dodgers 1945-47

.272, 2198 H, 399 D, 164 T, 69 HR, 874 RBI, 1250 R, 617 BB, 724 SB, .711 OPS

Retired 8th all-time in career stolen bases.


Vic Gorin, SP
St. Louis Cardinals 1931-45
Detroit Tigers 1945-47

215-234, 4.24, 2232 BB, 2333 K, 254 CG, 22 SHO, 1.49 WHIP

Retired 7th all-time in strikeouts. Threw 2 no-hitters in less that a year.


Roy "Boots" Mills, SP
Reds 1930-47

226-232, 4.06, 1709 BB, 2121 K, 353 CG, 22 SHO, 1.39 WHIP

Retired 17th all-time in K's. Threw a no-hitter in 1946. Was 1932 NL ROY.


Benny Eremitani, C
Reds 1932-47

.294, 1949 H, 265 D, 69 HR, 921 RBI, 791 R, 783 BB, .741 OPS

Another lifelong Red who went out with a bang. Three hitting streaks of 20+ games. 6-time all-star.


Foster Hempkins, 3B
Senators 1934-37
Yankees 1938-41
Reds 1942-47

.340, 1043 H, 143 D, 56 HR, 527 RBI, 460 R, .852 OPS

Didn't become a regular until 1943, war years in Cincy. But he made the most of it, finishing in the top 5 of the batting race each of his final 4 seasons. His .340 lifetime average amazingly ranks 13th all-time.


Tom "The Octopus" Mierhofer, SP
Cubs 1930-32
Indians 1932-40
Phillies 1940-47

224-219, 4.05, 1351 BB, 1283 K, 319 CG, 29 SHO, 1.43 OPS

Never completely lived up to potential, but had a successful career and flashed signs of brilliance. Pitched Perfect Game in 1941.


Keith "Dead-Eye" Laverick, CF (Ancestor)
Cardinals 1927-37
Senators 1937-45
Reds 1945-47
Phillies 1947

.277, 2285 H, 479 D, 120 HR, 1153 RBI, 1050 R, 1070 BB, .746 OPS

[jdw]

haggis007 wrote:

> Ouch.

I wasn't aiming that one at the Yanks GM. He took over a team that was aging, very thin on talent, already was playing poorly, and not with a ton of prospects. He'd probably be wise not to try to rush it up into contention, and instead grab a few more high draft picks. Looks like a studd with the #2 overall pick. But since he looks ready for the majors, Chief is ready for the majors, and there might be the desire to get the last drops our of Ditty and Ping, there's the temptation to try to roll the dice in the next year or two.

They are a team to watch to see where they go in the next five years.


John

[jdw]

On Remmy retiring, sure... it's odd to retire a few wins shy of 300. But we've had a number of those happen in the past. Jed Burke retired a few hits shy of 3,000, and he wasn't terribly old. The two most "famous" recent cases were:

Kaiser Kahle

and:

Wolter Tjeenk-Willink

Wolter might just be the youngest "top" player ever to retire. It was inexplicable at the time. He went off to war earlier than most. At a point during the war, he "sent back word" that he was retiring.

Kaiser was older, but just as strange.

He was leading the chase for both the All-Time Wins record and the first to won 400 career games. He wasn't washed up. He was still pitching well. He would be just 37 the following year. The war was on (1944 and 1945 seasons still to be played), and with the thined talent there was a strong likelihood his team would have tried to keep him pitching *and* that he would have pitched well.

OOTP decided he wanted to retire. There was a lot of head scratching at the time.

We sort of have to come up with our own reasons for it, unless his decendant wants to chip in (Mets, I think). But perhaps:

(i) after so many years in Boston, the trade to 1941 St. Louis had a bit of a delayed impact on him. He would have been of the age of having children, and they probably stayed behind in Boston. All those months apart, especially during a war with such a heavy vibe going on. If he had a son when he was around 20, that son would be getting to the age where he might be drafted. By the end of 1943 it may just have hit him, and come spring training of 1944 he sent word to the Cards that he just didn't have the fire anymore and wanted to spend time with his family.

(ii) Kaiser was amazingly healthy through his career. But prior to 1943, he had these injuries:

Injured on 5/28/1931 with a Pulled Tricep Muscle, out for 4 weeks...
Injured on 5/3/1934 with a Torn Tricep Muscle, out for 7-8 weeks...
Injured on 8/3/1934 with a Strained Back Muscle, out for one week...
Injured on 5/15/1941 with a Strained Back Muscle, out for 5 weeks...

That's pretty darn healthy. After the Tricep tore, he went nearly a decade without a arm injury of note. His back problems cropping up again in 1941, right before the trade to St. Louis, may have given a hint. Then in 1943 (his final season), he got hit with this:

Injured on 4/7/1943 with a Strained Back Muscle, out for 1-2 weeks...
Injured on 8/9/1943 with a Ruptured Tricep Tendon, out for 3 weeks...
Injured on 9/18/1943 with a Sore Back, out for one week...

The old tricep injury coming back, and enough to put him on the DL. And wrapped around that a pair of additional back injuries, one closing out the season. Kaiser's lack of other injuries of note in his career shows he was "tough" and would "pitch through" the typical wear and tear that might put a normal pitcher on the DL. Those three injuries were probably worse than he let on, and perhaps by the end of the year and as he headed into spring training, he decided he didn't want to face another season of pitching hurt.

Of course I'm pulling this out of the air.

But it's what you try to do when someone retires.

When Jed Burke faded in 1921 and retired "early", it always struck me that as one of the Clean Sox, he was totally disillusioned with the game, his banned teammates that betrayed them, and especially Sox ownership and their manager that "allowed it to happen". Of course it's pulling it out of the air again, but it also has over time come to fit the persona we roll out here for bitter, grumpy Jed who doesn't want anything to do with the game (and wouldn't at all if it wasn't for his old friend Muph).

So someone probably can come up with a good reason for Remmy to retire. The disappointing play of the Dodgers coming out of the War might have something to do with it.


John


John

[jdw]

Open question that may have been discussed before. What happened to "Peaches" Badeau during those two season that were messed up? An injury isn't listed, and it's an odd time to miss due to the war (half of one season, nearly all of the next, but back in 1945).


John

[DamnYankees]

Wow, what a great reason for Burke to have retired. Really adds to his character.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by jdw

Open question that may have been discussed before. What happened to "Peaches" Badeau during those two season that were messed up? An injury isn't listed, and it's an odd time to miss due to the war (half of one season, nearly all of the next, but back in 1945).

He did indeed serve in the war. He left sometime in '42 (I think July) and came back late in '43. When looking at the percentages, there must've been 1 player to miss only 1 to 1.5 years at that time & he was the lucky one.

[jdw]

DamnYankees wrote:

> Wow, what a great reason for Burke
> to have retired. Really adds to his
> character.

I think I wrote something up in one of the many "Jed For The HOF" posts in the HOF Threads, or possibly in one of the Black Sox discussions in the Big Thread.


John

[Matt from TN]

Ancestors Added in 1948:

Boris "Dancing Bear" Zimyanin, 3B, Boston Braves



Some say the Braves passed up on other more talented players, but Boston is convinced they have a great future member of their team with the Dancing Bear. Boris is a talented hitter with power potential. He sometimes needs to walk more and strikeout less, but the team believes that is something he can improve upon. His is solid defensively and is already projected as the future 3B when 38-yr-old Rocky D'Urso calls it quits.


Chip "Mr. 1 Million" Sinton, LF, Chicago Cubs



Without ever having played a day as a pro, Sinton has already gotten the nickname "Mr. 1 Million" partly because of the huge bonus paid to him by the Cubs and partly because of his perceived potential. He is a powerful outfielder who gets a lot of extra-base hits, especially homers, and has a rocket arm. He could develop into the future replacement for Dewey Mickelsen, especially with the team's #1 overall pick from two years ago, Walter Davis, showing signs of not matching his once incredible potential.


Abraham "Grumpy" Noel, LF, Brooklyn Dodgers



It was Christmas in Brooklyn when the Dodgers announced the signing of Noel. With the team desperate for offensive help, he could be on the fast track to the majors, even though he won't turn 18 until the summer.


Lex "Tanden Trekker" Tjeenk-Willink, SP, Cleveland Indians



The Indians have always stockpiled good young pitchers, and this year is no different with the signing of the Tanden Trekker, son of former Senators outfielder Wolter Tjeenk-Willink, who never returned from the Netherlands after WWII.


Kenneth Whitt, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates



Some scouts thought this kid from Kentucky was overrated, but the Pirates are one of the teams that were drooling at the chance to sign him to a contract. He has decent speed and is solid defensively, but Whitt has an impressive knack for reaching base. He set a Kentucky high school record last season with a .585 OBP. He will begin the season in A-ball, but the team is itching to get together their impressive future infield with Whitt at SS, Herm Vardaman (AAA) at 2B and Bill Reed (AA) at 3B.


Irving "Mozart" Korr, 1B, St. Louis Browns



The Browns were thrilled to find a player of Korr's ability left to be signed. He could become a top-of-the-line 1B someday. He has a long way to go from Single-A, and the team desperately needs to rebuild their farm system. What better place to start than with the kid already called Mozart because of his graceful swing.


Whiskey "J.D." Allen III, SP, St. Louis Cardinals



J.D. (he insists on not being called Whiskey) comes from the most heralded family tree in all of baseball. He carries one of its most recognized names. He knows the burden of potential, and he hopes to rectify the "stain" left on his family name by his own father who became the losingest pitcher in history before he hung them up.


Ray "Spud" Micks, C, Philadelphia Phillies



Micks is a slugging catcher who could be very successful in hitter-friendly Shibe Park. He doesn't hit for high average and has been labeled by some as the second coming of Willard Schwarz.


Ryan "Gorgeous" Xavier, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals



Xavier is nicknamed Gorgeous, and his looks may be all he has going for him. He is a powerful hitter with a decent eye for drawing walks, but he struggles defensively and may never be more than a .250 hitter in the majors. Plus, the Cards already have an exceptional 1B prospect in Ted McMurray, who should be manning that position for years to come.


Reggie "Speedy" O'Hara, CF, New York Giants



O'Hara is aptly nicknamed speedy, and baserunning is his biggest asset. He is a capable fielder and underrated as a hitter. He lacks any power and has poor plate discipline, but he still has the makeup of a potential major leaguer. He may have landed in the best possible situation too, since the Giants are in desperate need of OF help.


John "Chief" Harrington, SP, New York Yankees



Chief was the most successful pitcher in Negro Leagues history, and now he will be the oldest rookie in major league history. He will likely be the new ace of the Yankees, a franchise that has fallen on hard times. Chief got his nickname from his partial Native American heritage, and he made that name well-known nearly two decades ago as the pitching ace for the Kansas City Monarchs, Brimingham Black Barons and New York Black Yankees.

[Elendil]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

He could develop into the future replacement for Dewey Mickelsen, especially with the team's #1 overall pick from two years ago, Walter Davis, showing signs of not matching his once incredible potential.

It's sad, isn't it - my only ancestor. Oh well, I'll have to offer another ancestor at some point I guess, & hope that one works out.

[tward13]

Giants were happy to get a couple of OF in the draft.

McElyea, teh first round pick is advanced enough to get a shot with the big club out of spring training.

There are also plans to see how quickly Rodabaugh can be moved through the system. He was the Giants #1 two years ago but missed a year and a half with injuries.

With the Giants old, lame and not very talented group a young outfielder could get a chance very quickly.

[Vris]

The Braves understand there were more talented players in the draft, but they drafted based on necessity instead of talent. Knowing Baker and Sinton are going to be great someday, the Braves took Zimyanin knowing D'Urso is going to hang it up sooner, rather than later. Just enough time for Zimyanin to learn the system.

It was an entertaining draft, and we will see who comes out on top.

[canadiancreed]

I personally didnt think I had a very good draft myself. If anyone makes it from the class of 1948 for the Reds, I'll be pretty surprised

[haggis007]

The Yankees were "fortunate" that they had need at every position in this draft, making it easy to take the best available & were thrilled to land Baker, who is likely to be given every chance to skip the minors & start in OF right out of Spring Training. Also happy to land Stickney, who I'd projected in Round 1, at the start of round 2 & Hoffman in Rd 3--hopefully he surprises and can fill part of the void when Ditty leaves in a couple of years.

[Theowannabe]

Not to be cocky, but i predict a HOF career for Chip Sinton

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by Theowannabe

Not to be cocky, but i predict a HOF career for Chip Sinton

I think that's fitting, hence the nickname "Mr. 1 Million." We'll portray him as a cocky player. Hopefully he can back it up.