Time Warp Baseball

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by DamnYankees

What's going on with the power numbers? I know you said that your league totals end up mirroring the real life totals, but with the naked eye, it sure doesn't look like it. The year is now 1948, and we should be right in the middle of the power era stretching from The late 20s to te early 60s. But as of now, only 5 active players have as many as 225 homers, and their ages are 39, 37, 39, 38, and 35. Only 1 player on the top 25 active homer list is under 30 (Ray Kress) and he has only hit 88! Also, only 1 man has even hit 400 home runs.

I imported a RL league to look at the 1947 stats and there were 9 players with 30-40 HR's. Then there were 8 players with 20-29 HR, for a total of 17 players with 20-40. Also there were 38 players with 10-19 HR's.

In the TWB's 1947 season, there were just 5 players with 30-40 HR's, but there were 16 with 20-29 HR's (incl. 3 with 29) for a total of 21. That's 4 more players with 20-40 HR's than in RL. We also had 45 players with 10-19 HR's.

Looks to me like that is extremely realistic. I'm very, very happy with those results. If anything, we are lacking 1 or 2 top-notch sluggers and have more near-top & mid-range guys.

If someone knows of a place where I can see the real "active leaders" as of 1948, I'd love to see it. Baseball-Reference doesn't seem to have this ability.

This is the best I could find.

[DamnYankees]

Alright, sounds great Matt.

Hope you didn't take my question as criticism or anything. This league is amazing, and I was just curious as to that aspect. Keep it up!

[m0ng00se]

TRADE

In case you hadn't seen the TWB forums, Detroit and Cleveland have anounced a trade.

Detroit will be welcoming all-star SP Billy Crowell from Cleveland. In exchange the Indians get LF/RF Sherm Rorabeck.

I really hate giving up Rorabeck as he has a ton of talent. And, I've seen players struggle with injuries early in their career and then turn things around and have many productive years later on. I wouldn't be surprised if Sherm just needs a change of scenery.

Obviously we are giving up a part of our future to give us a legitimate shot at the World Series this year. Billy Crowell has been a rock for Cleveland ever since he got his first start in '38. We are hoping that at 35, he still has a couple of good season left in him. Our #1 need was stability in our rotation. Hopefully this trade will fill that need.

[fhomess]

The Indians are excited to get a player with Rorabeck's potential to get on base. With the pitching depth we have in the minors, trading our older starters isn't a big concern. Last season proved that a strong start (we were contending through May) isn't necessarily a sign of things to come (finished in 6th). Despite the fact we were contending, we were 15th in runs and middle of the pack in ERA, so it was only a matter of time before we feel back to the pack. Hopefully, this trade puts the Tribe in position to contend in the next couple of years.

Good luck to Detroit and Crowell. They both deserve a shot at a title.

[Matt from TN]

WEB PAGES UPDATED...


April 1948

Detroit and Chicago continue to battle in the AL with the Tigers now up by a half-game. The Tigers currently lead the majors in team batting average, homeruns and runs scored. Third baseman Luther Ormiston leads the AL with 8 homeruns, and he leads the majors by a wide margin in RBI (39 after one month). His .394 average also ranks 2nd in the AL. On the other side of the standings, defending AL champion Washington find themselves in sole possession of last place after being swept by the Browns and then by the White Sox in a 4-game series. At one point in the middle of the month, they lost 13 of 15 games.

After a 10-2 start, the Phillies were dealt a harsh dose of reality with a 6-8 stretch. Their pitching has been a concern with a 4.70 ERA. Bill Bailey is struggling with a 6.62 ERA and is at risk of being replaced in the rotation by 24-year-old Ed Lacivita, who the Phillies acquired this winter in the Rule 5 draft from Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have moved into 1st place thanks largely to the top offense in the NL, which is gaining more and more notice every day.


American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Billy Crowell (DET)!
He had a record of 6-1 in 7 games started, with an ERA of 1.94 and 1 shutouts.

American League-Batter of the Month:
Luther Ormiston (DET)!
He batted .394 in 104 AB, with 8 homers and 39 RBI.

National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Schoolboy Emberling (CIN)!
He had a record of 5-2 in 7 games started, with an ERA of 2.24 and 1 shutouts.

National League-Batter of the Month:
Maurice Misisca (PHI)!
He batted .404 in 94 AB, with 10 homers and 26 RBI.

American League Standings 
  
Detroit          16 10 .615 -
Chicago (A)      16 11 .593 0.5 
Boston (A)       13 12 .520 2.5
Cleveland        13 12 .520 2.5
St. Louis (A)    13 12 .520 2.5
New York (A)     11 14 .440 4.5
Philadelphia (A) 11 14 .440 4.5
Washington        9 17 .346 7.0
 
National League Standings 
 
St. Louis (N)    17  9 .654 - 
Philadelphia (N) 16 10 .615 1.0
Cincinnati       14 12 .538 3.0 
Brooklyn         13 13 .500 4.0
Pittsburgh       12 14 .462 5.0
Chicago (N)      11 14 .440 5.5
New York (N)     11 14 .440 5.5
Boston (N)        9 17 .346 8.0

AL AVG
.425 Peaches Badeau, PHA
.394 Luther Ormiston, DET
.391 Emerson Meggs, CLE

NL AVG
.412 Tom Howard, NYG
.404 Maurice Misisca, PHI
.388 Jonathan Wright, BKN

AL HOMERUNS
8 Luther Ormiston, DET
6 Al Arsenault, BOS
5 Six Players Tied

NL HOMERUNS
10 Maurice Misisca, PHI
8 Ken Chaucer, BSN
8 Dewey Mickelsen, CHN

AL RBI
39 Luther Ormiston, DET
26 Frankie Bowers, SLA
25 Tony Seats, CHA

NL RBI
26 Maurice Misisca, PHI
26 Ted McMurray, STL
24 Artie Albrecht, CIN

AL STEALS
20 Ping Hung, NYA
10 Hershel Cooley, PHA
7 Hans Habermehl, PHA

NL STEALS
13 Jonny Perly, BKN
7 Jack Zenisek, BSN
7 Leroy Daurio, BKN

AL ERA
1.79 Bob Finley, WSH
1.94 Billy Crowell, DET
2.40 Cotton Simson, SLA

NL ERA
2.24 Schoolboy Emberling, CIN
2.29 Ace Shipley, CIN
2.65 Randall Bray, NYG

AL WINS
6 Billy Crowell, DET
5 Hal Andrew, DET
5 Bob Bussmann, CHA

NL WINS
5 Schoolboy Emberling, CIN
5 John Nolting, PHI
4 Six Players Tied

AL STRIKEOUTS
33 John Skoropat, CHA
32 Micky Guyton, WSH
32 Bob Finley, WSH

NL STRIKEOUTS
32 Scottie Allen, BSN
27 John Nolting, PHI
27 Schoolboy Emberling, CIN

AL SAVES
5 Rudolph Crago, BOS
3 Ray Seidel, SLA
3 Eric Slater, WSH

NL SAVES
9 Doyle Weaver, PHI
7 Ben Jaroslawski, STL
4 Rob Robison, CHN

[scprideandms]

Cognac managed to raise his avg to 236 (wish you could see week and month stats for minors

JD may be overmatched in AA 1-4 4.87

Tequila having off yr only hitting .266

Bourbon, Jr is probably overmatched in AAA 0-4 7.33

[mauboy]

Ervin is hitting horribly, but he's walking fantastically. He's already taken a hit in talent this year, and will probably continue to do so the rest of the season.

[Matt from TN]

May 15, 1948

Detroit seems unstoppable. The addition of Billy Crowell has worked beautifully, and with their incredible offense hitting on all cylinders, they have opened up a 7-game lead on the rest of the AL. The Red Sox are improving and have moved into 2nd place.

The Cardinals maintained their lead over the Phillies, although it grew by 1 game. Brooklyn is staying alive in 3rd, thanks to a resurgent offense and solid pitching behind their ace. Since their miserable 2-12 start, the Braves have gone 16-9. They have moved into 6th place, but they are just 2.5 games out of 3rd.

After worries about his April numbers, it is clear that Brooklyn's Frank Smith is back. He is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA so far in May, and his season numbers are leveling out at 7-1 with a 3.38 ERA. More importantly however is the fact that he became the second pitcher in history to win 400 games when he defeated the Cubs 7-1 on May 9th at Wrigley. In the bottom of the 3rd in that game with runners on 1st and 2nd and no one out, the Dodgers led 4-0 and Smith struck out the Cubs' two top sluggers, Will Groaning and Dewey Mickelsen back-to-back, giving him 3000 career K's. Five days later, Smith tossed a complete game in a 10-2 walloping of the Giants to give him win #401, moving him ahead of Jethro Lee for #1 all-time.

More and more people are talking about Smith as the best pitcher ever. If you look at the active leaders list, you will see his 2.66 career ERA is far ahead of every other pitcher except Cotton Simson. Before Simson came along, Smith was a full 1.00 ahead of all other pitchers.

Smith's 400th Win and 3000's K
Smith's 401st Win

In The News

May 8: At Griffith Stadium, Detroit's Ray Kress pounded a 408-foot homer to CF, which hit the loudspeakers 35 feet high to help the Tigers top the Senators 8-6. Ray's ball bounced back onto the field and was initially declared in play. The 6th-inning two-run homer was the longest home run in the stadium's history.

American League Standings 
  
Detroit          27 11 .711 -
Boston (A)       20 18 .526 7.0
New York (A)     19 19 .500 8.0
St. Louis (A)    19 19 .500 8.0
Chicago (A)      19 21 .475 9.0 
Cleveland        18 20 .474 9.0
Philadelphia (A) 18 21 .462 9.5
Washington       14 25 .359 13.5
 
National League Standings 
 
St. Louis (N)    24 14 .632 - 
Philadelphia (N) 23 16 .590 1.5
Brooklyn         20 18 .526 4.0
Cincinnati       19 20 .487 5.5 
Pittsburgh       19 20 .487 5.5 
Boston (N)       18 21 .462 6.5
Chicago (N)      16 23 .410 8.5
New York (N)     16 23 .410 8.5

AL AVG
.423 Peaches Badeau, PHA
.378 Luther Ormiston, DET
.374 Emerson Meggs, CLE

NL AVG
.375 Tom Howard, NYG
.367 Jonathan Wright, BKN
.362 Maurice Misisca, PHI

AL HOMERUNS
10 Jimmy Ditty, NYA
9 Al Arsenault, BOS
9 Ray Kress, DET

NL HOMERUNS
12 Maurice Misisca, PHI
11 Ken Chaucer, BSN
11 Mitch Leibowitz, BSN

AL RBI
42 Matt Perly, DET
41 Luther Ormiston, DET
40 Al Arsenault, BOS

NL RBI
38 Jonathan Wright, BKN
36 Maurice Misisca, PHI
34 Morton Chamblee, STL

AL STEALS
23 Ping Hung, NYA
15 Hershel Cooley, PHA
12 Hans Habermehl, PHA

NL STEALS
17 Jonny Perly, BKN
11 Leroy Daurio, BKN
10 Ogden Wing, STL

AL ERA
1.77 Billy Crowell, DET
2.18 Bob Finley, WSH
2.79 Chief Harrington, NYA

NL ERA
2.02 Ace Shipley, CIN
2.21 Schoolboy Emberling, CIN
2.65 Randall Bray, NYG

AL WINS
9 Billy Crowell, DET
7 Bob Bussmann, CHA
6 Hal Andrew, DET

NL WINS
8 John Nolting, PHI
7 Frank Smith, BKN
7 Rock Charnley, STL

AL STRIKEOUTS
52 Cotton Simson, SLA
49 Chief Harrington, NYA
47 John Skoropat, CHA

NL STRIKEOUTS
50 Scottie Allen, BSN
49 Ron Fleischmann, PIT
45 Wally Saeger, STL

AL SAVES
6 Rudolph Crago, BOS
5 Herman Curoe, SLA
5 Lloyd Wyman, DET

NL SAVES
11 Doyle Weaver, PHI
8 Ben Jaroslawski, STL
5 Rob Robison, CHN

[MattStewNYY]

Matt from TN --

I remember adding Charlton Brown and Arnold Stewart in the other thread, but I can't find them in any files, any standings, and to be honest I'm confused.

Help!

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by MattStewNYY

I remember adding Charlton Brown and Arnold Stewart in the other thread, but I can't find them in any files, any standings, and to be honest I'm confused.

They will both be added to the draft prior to next season.

[canadiancreed]

geeze my team needs a kick in the ass or something

[Carlton]

^^^

Do0d, your whole team retired!!
I hope you didn't think "repeat" after seeing them all grab a fishing pole after the Series

[DamnYankees]

Wow, I guess my power numbers post made an impact. Morris Lutske has had 3 straight years of 600 ABs, and his HR totals were 3, 1, and 3. Now, 38 games in to 1948, he has 5! I'm smelling a Brady Anderson...wdll, maybe not. But it's still odd.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Carlton

^^^

Do0d, your whole team retired!!
I hope you didn't think "repeat" after seeing them all grab a fishing pole after the Series

Hey I can dream cant I

besides it looks like you've got your hands full with this years version of the Pirates(meaning the surprising Cardinals)

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

besides it looks like you've got your hands full with this years Pirates

Actually, its the Cardinals who should worry him.

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by MattStewNYY

Matt from TN --

I remember adding Charlton Brown and Arnold Stewart in the other thread, but I can't find them in any files, any standings, and to be honest I'm confused.

Help!

Yep, you added them after the 1948 rookie had already been created.

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by DamnYankees

Wow, I guess my power numbers post made an impact. Morris Lutske has had 3 straight years of 600 ABs, and his HR totals were 3, 1, and 3. Now, 38 games in to 1948, he has 5! I'm smelling a Brady Anderson...well, maybe not. But it's still odd.

Even more amusing to me is the fact that I pumped 8 points into Contact during Spring Training, 6 into Eye, and dropped Power to 1

[jdw]

canadiancreed wrote:

> geeze my team needs a kick in
> the ass or something

Baily went 10/17 in his last 6 games with 2 HR. That hides for the moment that he's hitting .277/.364/.309 with 0 HR in his other 29 games. This is a Wing OF.

Your other wing OF, Rutty, is hitting .255/.320/.358. This is an improvement over his horrendous .231/.296/.338 from last year, but still pretty wretched. It looks more and more like Rutty will never get back to the player he was before the war.

Everyone knew that wing OF would be a sore spot with the team. Flamingo, as the platoon RF, is hitting .244/.373/.366. Fulltime, that would be an improvement over the talent level of Baily and what Rutty has sunk to. Flamingo also has the upside of hitting for more power (6 power but 7 potential), but the downside of the Contact number. His defense in RF is not good, though Baily's is just okay. Rutty's defense in LF is horrible - 1/4 level. The problem is that Flamingo doesn't play LF, which is sorta nutty.

Sort of need to get a LF, and get Flamingo into RF.

Sennelnekoff is a blackhole at catcher. There are no other options on the roster or in the system.

Doc is in an eight game slump that's trashing his season. If it's not a slump, but a sign of what he's going to hit at, that a big negative.

Skeeter is exceptional. Mitts is at Mitts level. Albrecht is a bit above what he did last year, but boy would the team love to see him get to 1946 levels.

Tomlinson is taking his lumps. The average is way down, but that has room to grow. The batting eye looks fully developed. Really, the key for him is to flip the switch on that power rating going up. I flat out wouldn't pull the plug on him. He needs to take those lumps and get it out of his system. *However*, he's not a #5 hitter this year. Maybe a #6, but he's being exposed at #5 until he develops.

Which does go to the need for a true wing OF - one who could slip into the #4 role, because Albrecht really isn't a #4 hitter. On a great team he'd be a stretch for a #5 hitter, but that moot since the Reds don't have the depth. But the team needs a real big hitter behind Skeeter.

The tricky part is - do you have enough pitching depth to be able to move Abraham Emberling or Ernie Janke for someone you could slot into the #4 hole and into LF? You've got McMurray in his *3rd* year of A ball. Are you willing to say, "Aw screw it... let me toss him to the dogs and see if he can hold a spot"? If you keep him down there much longer, those ratings may just tank-o-rama. Dittos Makris.

Tough position.


John

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by jdw

Baily went 10/17 in his last 6 games with 2 HR. That hides for the moment that he's hitting .277/.364/.309 with 0 HR in his other 29 games. This is a Wing OF.

Ya it kinda sucks because on one hand I want Baily to succeed. Dont ask me why, but I've taken a shine to him. This year is pretty much the one that I'll decide if I'll jsut keep him there barring a decent offer, or look at any prospects on the farm. I'd prefer the later. The prospects arent looking good.

Originally Posted by jdw

Your other wing OF, Rutty, is hitting .255/.320/.358. This is an improvement over his horrendous .231/.296/.338 from last year, but still pretty wretched. It looks more and more like Rutty will never get back to the player he was before the war.

Sadly I'll have to agree. It's my repayment for the Leibowitz trade and not thinking of a successor for him. Rutty is not working out, as with his hitting he needs to have great fieldling, and with his fielding, he needs to be pulling a Tom Howard. I'm half debating trying Deets(yes I am getting desperate) at that position if he doesnt revent to his 1946 form very soon.

Originally Posted by jdw

Everyone knew that wing OF would be a sore spot with the team. Flamingo, as the platoon RF, is hitting .244/.373/.366. Fulltime, that would be an improvement over the talent level of Baily and what Rutty has sunk to. Flamingo also has the upside of hitting for more power (6 power but 7 potential), but the downside of the Contact number. His defense in RF is not good, though Baily's is just okay. Rutty's defense in LF is horrible - 1/4 level. The problem is that Flamingo doesn't play LF, which is sorta nutty.

Well Rutty didnt play left last year either, I forced him into the position, which might explain the bad ratings, I dont know. I coudl probably do the same with Maringo, give him more playing time and leave Deets as the outfield. We'll see what happens, as right now I have Maringo platooning with Baily.

Originally Posted by jdw

Sort of need to get a LF, and get Flamingo into RF.

That I do, I'm working on some ideas. Thank goodness its' the weekend

Originally Posted by jdw

Sennelnekoff is a blackhole at catcher. There are no other options on the roster or in the system.

Well I didnt think he woudl be THIS bad this year. At first I though it wouold jsut be an early season slump, but now i'm starting to wonder. he's got defense, but with that type of hitting, he'd need 10 range/10 arm to keep his job if he had any competition. But Linus is on the way out, and Gentry I jsut got for defense and see if it woudl kick Label in the ass. So far ti hasnt worked.

Originally Posted by jdw

Doc is in an eight game slump that's trashing his season. If it's not a slump, but a sign of what he's going to hit at, that a big negative.

Yes I'm starting to wonder about Doc as well. While I'm not going to kick him out of his job this early(serisouly who woudl I give it too?!) If he doesnt step up, and I get a trade offer for a good shortstop....welll......

Originally Posted by jdw

Skeeter is exceptional. Mitts is at Mitts level. Albrecht is a bit above what he did last year, but boy would the team love to see him get to 1946 levels.

Yep the big three are doing what I expected them too this year. Artie going back to 1946 levels woudl be sweet but i'm content with what he's doing right now. Mitts while doing well I'd consider trading if the season goes in the tank.....it kinda brings up the loyalty question as well with him, havent decided on that yet.

Originally Posted by jdw

Tomlinson is taking his lumps. The average is way down, but that has room to grow. The batting eye looks fully developed. Really, the key for him is to flip the switch on that power rating going up. I flat out wouldn't pull the plug on him. He needs to take those lumps and get it out of his system. *However*, he's not a #5 hitter this year. Maybe a #6, but he's being exposed at #5 until he develops.

Ya Tomlinson IMO was brough up too soon and that's why he's havign issues now. However, I dont really know what to do with him. I've got Jones in the background, and Deguet in the foreground, neither of these three players is worthy of the starting job (tomlinson cant field and hasnt turned the corner on power, deguet jsut cant hit, despite his .400 average, and Jones is at least a year away IMO). So hopefully one of these threee will make up their minds soon.

Originally Posted by jdw

Which does go to the need for a true wing OF - one who could slip into the #4 role, because Albrecht really isn't a #4 hitter. On a great team he'd be a stretch for a #5 hitter, but that moot since the Reds don't have the depth. But the team needs a real big hitter behind Skeeter.

ya I need someoen with some power that actually can hit the ball more than once in a blue moon. Leibowitz I though would be the guy, but he coudlnt hit. No-one else with decent power has been able to imrpess me so I'll probably have to trade for him......blah

Originally Posted by jdw

The tricky part is - do you have enough pitching depth to be able to move Abraham Emberling or Ernie Janke for someone you could slot into the #4 hole and into LF? You've got McMurray in his *3rd* year of A ball. Are you willing to say, "Aw screw it... let me toss him to the dogs and see if he can hold a spot"? If you keep him down there much longer, those ratings may just tank-o-rama. Dittos Makris.

Well for that id' ahve to answer no. Once you get past Emberling, Shipley and Janke, what's left for starters?

Smith seems to be too damn flaky
Basford is better but not by much.
Masarech has the control of Mitch 'Wild Thing' Williams. as a closer that's not too bad. As a starter it gave me ulcers. No thanks. Also he's a perfect example of why the star rating system is wack.
Risner I'm not looking foreward to relying on.
McMurray cant even pitch well in AA, let alone the bigs.
Makris I jsut got this year, but he's looking the best of the bunch so far IMO.

So ya my depth in starters is pretty grim

Originally Posted by jdw

Tough position.


John

Damn skippy

[jdw]

Congrats to Frank Smith. These two things (400 wins and the All-Time Wins Record) have long been predicted by the regulars here in the Big Thread, but it's still a joy to see him get it. Lots of things could have kept him from getting there, such as more time in WWII, injuries, and his talent going out after the war. Instead, he's continued to be a machine even as the Dodgers hit a bumpy spot in the road.

I'm pretty certain that Gindler, Murph, Presto, Dodge and Smith would be my picks for the TWB Starting Rotation of the First Half Century. The order would be a trickier question.


John