Time Warp Baseball

[jdw]

> Man, don't take the minor league
> glory away from the Commander!
> it's all i have to live for with him

Have no fear. Caneer is 36, and turns 37 in September. He has 203 career minor league HR after his 62 last year. There's an upper limit to how many he can hit with the time he has left on the clock - even if he hits 80 this year in A ball, it's still only 283 for a guy who would then be 37.

The Commander is fit 28, entering the prime of his career. He has 175 minor league HRs, and many years ahead of him. Perhaps Caneer can push his mark up to 400 and give the Commander something to shoot for.


John

[fvamos]

get out of town browns, I need the fans

[pat]

Originally Posted by fvamos

get out of town browns, I need the fans

Is it directed at me?

[Vris]

Don't worry, I'm leaving.

Oh wait. You meant the team, the Browns. Gotcha.

[Matt from TN]

WEB PAGES UPDATED


1951 Season Preview

American League

The White Sox had a thrilling season in 1950, winning their first pennant since 1938. However, they looked overmatched against the Cardinals as they lost yet another World Series. The franchise has been to 7 WS but has won only one - in 1920, when the Black Sox scandal was being uncovered and the team seemed to be out to prove something. It now seems as though the franchise has been cursed in a way by that Black Sox squad.

This season, Chicago will find defending their title to be quite a tough chore. They are not even the preseason favorite. That distinction rests with the Tigers, who added slugging Negro League catcher Joe "Smokey" Meacham to their roster. Meacham earned near-legendary status while playing for the Kansas City Monarchs. He is believed to have hit some of the longest homeruns in Negro Leagues history. That slugging style fits well with what is shaping up to be quite an impressive offense in Detroit. Meacham will be surrounded by fellow sluggers in Triple Crown winner Ray Kress (.362, 48, 144), Luther Ormiston (.268, 31, 109) and Matt Perly (.303, 25, 122). The key for this team is more stability from their pitching staff.

Meanwhile, the A's, Yankees and Indians all proved to be exciting, up-and-coming teams. And they should each play a major role in the pennant race. Any one of them could realistically win the pennant, and if they did, it would be the Indians 1st in 9 years, the Yankees 1st in 11 years and the A's 1st in 19 years. And with the addition of Negro Leagues pitcher Ernie Middleton, the Browns hope to be a serious contender this season as well.


1. Tigers (85-69, T-2nd) - Their offense is just incredible. Any improvement from Hal Andrew and company would almost make them a shoe-in for the pennant.

2. White Sox (87-67, 1st) - Some doubts exist over the strength of a rotation that counts heavily upon 24-year-old Bourbon Allen Jr and closer-turned-starter Gene Masarech.

3. Yankees (85-69, T-2nd) - Last season was just a glimpse into the potential this squad has. And New York City is rightfully buzzing about them. As Jimmy Ditty, the last remnant of the Yankees dynasty of the 30's, goes for 300 HR, he may have one more shot at a pennant.

4. Athletics (81-73, 4th) - A scintilating season ended poorly in September, but this is a very talented young team that should be battling Detroit and New York for many years to come. That youth needs another season or two before they really reach their potential though. And this is a very tough AL.

5. Indians (77-77, 5th) - Another young team on the rise, Cleveland's pitching needs more time to mature. Their offense could just be good enough to move them into the upper half of the standings.

6. Browns (72-82, 6th) - The addition of Middleton helps shore up their rotation. Cotton Simson almost single-handedly makes any team a contender.

7. Red Sox (69-85, 7th) - Their pitching really is this bad. They were the only team with an ERA above 5.00 in 1950. Where's a good war when you need one? Maybe the troubles in Korea will spell a pennant for this team soon.

8. Senators (60-94, 8th) - This team has really fell on hard times. Their pitching isn't too bad, but the offense may be dreadful. They will likely push toward 95+ losses.

[jdw]

> That distinction rests with the Tigers, who
> added slugging Negro League catcher
> Joe "Smokey" Meacham to their roster.
> Meacham earned near-legendary status while
> playing for the Kansas City Monarchs. He is
> believed to have hit some of the longest
> homeruns in Negro Leagues history. That
> slugging style fits well with what is shaping up
> to be quite an impressive offense in Detroit.
> Meacham will be surrounded by fellow sluggers
> in Triple Crown winner Ray Kress
> (.362, 48, 144), Luther Ormiston
> (.268, 31, 109) and Matt Perly
> (.303, 25, 122). The key for this team is
> more stability from their pitching staff.

I'm the biggest Dirt Bag fan on the board, but we're talking about currently a 4/4/5/4 hitter (Degal) vs. currently a 5/6/8/4 hitter (Meacham). Degal is 23, so he could go back to being the backup at C and 3B while he develops some more. Meacham looks like he has to start - we're talking about another 30+ HR man coming up behind Kress, Luther and Perly the Younger. Dirtbag eventually is a 30+ HR guy, and probably more when he maxes that 10 Power potential. But if one's trying to win, Smokey is the one.

John

[Matt from TN]

National League

After finishing 2nd or 3rd five times over the past decade, the Cardinals finally returned to the World Series. This pennant was their first in 26 years and finally put to rest the most dreadful period in franchise history - primarily when they recorded ten consecutive losing seasons from 1930-39. Schoolboy Emberling and Morton Chamblee went out winners, retiring shortly after the World Series victory. So other players now become even bigger focal points for this team. Both Emberling, who came over to the club in a June 1st trade with the Cubs, and Chamblee, a lifelong Cardinal, were clubhouse leaders. Someone now needs to step up into that role.

The Phillies are much less intimidating than they were two years ago, so the team expected to push St. Louis the most is now Boston. The Braves have a strong rotation that is anchored by Scottie Allen, who won his first POY last season. They also boast the biggest slugger in the NL since Oscar Vancini with Ken Chaucer, who has clobbered 125 homers over the past three seasons. That makes him and Vancini the only players with 40 or more HR in three straight seasons (Detroit's Ray Kress just missed with 40-39-40-48 from 1947-50). Boston also enjoyed a .313 average, 23 homeruns and 99 RBI from former Negro Leaguer Grady Fisher in his major league debut last season.

The Phillies now seem to be the best of a second tier of NL teams. That group also includes the Giants and Cubs. All three of those teams could win 80+ games, but it is unlikely that any of them has quite enought to beat out both St. Louis and Boston.


1. Cardinals (92-62, 1st) - Can Matt Keyes Jr have another solid season? The Cards certinaly need him to. The offense is probably the NL's best, although Chamblee's retirement leaves big questions in the outfield. They also need Herman Dunkel to stay healthy.

2. Braves (82-72, 3rd) - The rotation is a little shaky, but the offense is steadily improving. They have the potential to win their first pennant in 20 years, but they could also finish 10 games back of the Cards.

3. Phillies (83-71, 2nd) - A lot of people in Philly were angry with the team's rebuilding last season. However, most of the trades seemed to put a much brighter face on the long-term future of the franchise. They still have what it takes to make another pennant run, but many of their stars are getting pretty old (Bray 38, Dorsey 40, Alexander 38, Crocitto 39, Wright 36).

4. Giants (79-75, 4th) - A trade for Negro League star Walter Pond, who signed this winter with Brooklyn, certainly improves their chances, but some people doubt his ability to dominate in the majors. 1B Ervin Thompson, who faced Pond in the Negro Leagues, was quoted as saying that Pond was one of the toughest pitchers he ever stepped into the batter's box against. If the rotation pans out, this could be an 85-win team or better.

5. Cubs (73-81, 6th) - They went for it all last season and it didn't quite work out. However, the team is much better than the one that lost 88 games in 1949. The offense could rival St. Louis in potency. Pitching is a big worry though.

6. Reds (77-77, 5th) - Corky Stell is a good anchor for an otherwise unremarkable rotation. The offense has its strengths, but it doesn't scare anyone.

7. Pirates (68-86, 7th) - The rotation is rather mediocre, and the offense is too for that matter. Fans are wondering if they will ever see a winning season with this team.

8. Dodgers (62-92, 8th) - The roster just doesn't look the same without Frank Smith, who had been a Dodger since 1928, when they were actually called the Robins. That feels like ages ago, and so does the time when Brooklyn was a NL powerhouse. Those days are gone, but fans are quietly optimistic with young talents like J.D. Allen, Mark Silcox and newly acquired Bryce Ostrander. There is still a lot of work to be done however.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by jdw

I'm the biggest Dirt Bag fan on the board, but we're talking about currently a 4/4/5/4 hitter (Degal) vs. currently a 5/6/8/4 hitter (Meacham). Degal is 23, so he could go back to being the backup at C and 3B while he develops some more. Meacham looks like he has to start - we're talking about another 30+ HR man coming up behind Kress, Luther and Perly the Younger. Dirtbag eventually is a 30+ HR guy, and probably more when he maxes that 10 Power potential. But if one's trying to win, Smokey is the one.

I agree. It would be a shame if Smokey was on the bench. Besides, Degal is just 23. Power typically kicks in around 25.

[canadiancreed]

6. Reds (77-77, 5th) - Corky Stell is a good anchor for an otherwise unremarkable rotation. The offense has its strengths, but it doesn't scare anyone.

At least we're not picked to finish 7th, that's a start

[Vris]

Wow, some kind words said about a team that probably isn't that good. At least we backed it up with a 6-4 sim and among the top offenses in the league!

[bigjas]

Meanwhile, the White Sox offense decided to take the sim off, and despite good performances out of our rotation, we only managed to win 3 games.

[DamnYankees]

Ahh...there are few things better in life than checking southernbaseball.com and seeing that 4/16 date at the top of the standings page. Here we go again!

[ifspuds]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

7. Pirates (68-86, 7th) - The rotation is rather mediocre, and the offense is too for that matter. Fans are wondering if they will ever see a winning season with this team.

Mediocre offense? This is a team that was 2nd in the NL in runs scored two seasons ago and maintains exactly the same core, plus Negro League rookie Moses Bottoms at leadoff. And note who's in first in runs scored league-wide after 2 weeks!

Sure, we won't hit .326 and lead the league in homers all season, but I bet we finish in the top half of the league in runs scored.

Add to that the fact that Martin Gwaltney's got a sub-2.00 ERA in 3 starts and his movement went up last sim from 6 to 7, and maybe even the rotation won't be mediocre.

Yeah, I'm probably being overoptimistic. Someone in Pittsburgh has to be.

[kreitena]

Thirty year old 3B for the Cinncinati Reds James Jones has had a real slow start with a mediocre .034 BA and has never been a real threat with the bat throughout his career, however I'm not trying to disparage his ability with the glove. Could this be an indication of his entire season? If so this could be another long season for the Reds. Therefore, I feel Single A stud 3B Sam Kreitenberg could be on the Major League squad sooner then expected. He seems to have shown that he is not a real K victim only striking out only 6 times in 48 ABs. His power numbers are not what is expected but that will always come with more seasoning.

Or, I might even suggest that if Bill Reed were to come up before Kreitenberg that Kreitenberg would be traded to the Red Sox nation where an aging Tequila Allen and a subpar Darrell Thomas man the hot corner. This would also set up a hot race between Kreitenberg and and George Clapper for the future 3B for the Red Sox because the way I see it AA 3B Chris Javel is not going to cut it.

[Vris]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

Mediocre offense? This is a team that was 2nd in the NL in runs scored two seasons ago and maintains exactly the same core, plus Negro League rookie Moses Bottoms at leadoff. And note who's in first in runs scored league-wide after 2 weeks!

Sure, we won't hit .326 and lead the league in homers all season, but I bet we finish in the top half of the league in runs scored.

Add to that the fact that Martin Gwaltney's got a sub-2.00 ERA in 3 starts and his movement went up last sim from 6 to 7, and maybe even the rotation won't be mediocre.

Yeah, I'm probably being overoptimistic. Someone in Pittsburgh has to be.

Certainly seem to be tearing the cover off the ball right now.

[canadiancreed]

Or, I might even suggest that if Bill Reed were to come up before Kreitenberg that Kreitenberg would be traded to the Red Sox nation where an aging Tequila Allen and a subpar Darrell Thomas man the hot corner. This would also set up a hot race between Kreitenberg and and George Clapper for the future 3B for the Red Sox because the way I see it AA 3B Chris Javel is not going to cut it.

The way its' looking, if Reed gets his head together at AAA, he coudl challange for the 3B spot in 1952. This will create an intresting delemia, As you'd have Jones fighting to stay there, while Reed woudl be fighting to get on the major league roster, while fending off Kreitenberg.

Should make for intresting times for sure.

[pat]

Middleton has struggled. Grant took a hit. Menard and Perly both cold at the plate.

[jdw]

> Thirty year old 3B for the Cinncinati Reds
> James Jones has had a real slow start with
> a mediocre .034 BA and has never been a real
> threat with the bat throughout his career,
> however I'm not trying to disparage his ability
> with the glove.

Great glove at 3B - probably the best in TWB.

Here's one critical thing to remember:

In the first full year of their rebuilding project, the Reds stuck with Jones despite his hitting .182/.259/.240/.498. They then ran him out again last year. They've been through his 1/29 slumps before.

He was fair with the bat last year at .269/.335/.397/.732. His talent is 5/6/3/4 over 7/7/3/5. One suspects the Reds fear that the instant the give up on him and trade him somewhere, he's going to max out that 7 Contact and become a nice hitter to go along with the Gold Gloves.


> Could this be an indication of his entire
> season?

As bad as he's hit in the past, he's shown that he's *not* an .039 hitter.


> If so this could be another long season for
> the Reds.

Especially for a team that finished at .500 last season despite being picked for 7th after trading off (the good) half of their rotation and their star SS.


> Therefore, I feel Single A stud 3B Sam
> Kreitenberg could be on the Major League
> squad sooner then expected. He seems to
> have shown that he is not a real K victim only
> striking out only 6 times in 48 ABs. His power
> numbers are not what is expected but that will
> always come with more seasoning.

3/4/3/2 over 6/6/9/3 talent. Something tells me we won't be seeing Kreitenberg anytime soon. He has a long, long, long way to go as far as seasoning.


> Or, I might even suggest that if Bill Reed were
> to come up before Kreitenberg that
> Kreitenberg would be traded to the Red Sox
> nation where an aging Tequila Allen and a
> subpar Darrell Thomas man the hot corner.
> This would also set up a hot race between
> Kreitenberg and and George Clapper for the
> future 3B for the Red Sox because the way I
> see it AA 3B Chris Javel is not going to cut it.

Obviously Reed will make the big roster before Kreit.

The Reds, despite their .500 record last year, have stated often that they are rebuilding. Why they would trade their #1 pick for a washed up 36 (going on 37 in a month) year old _and_ the Sox #8 hitter is beyond me. Granted, Chris has a rep for making nutty deals (despite having a strong 1950 in deals which seems to get no respect). But to make that deal, he's have to be hitting the bong.

You wouldn't happen to be a Red Sox Fan, would you? Are you next going to suggest that the Tigers trade Kress to the Sox for Helbig and "hot" prospect Hutch Kahle?


John

[DamnYankees]

Kreitena is a friend of mine. We just thought it'd be fun if we shared the left side of an infield. Gotta have son fun with this stuff!

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by jdw

Obviously Reed will make the big roster before Kreit.

The Reds, despite their .500 record last year, have stated often that they are rebuilding. Why they would trade their #1 pick for a washed up 36 (going on 37 in a month) year old _and_ the Sox #8 hitter is beyond me. Granted, Chris has a rep for making nutty deals (despite having a strong 1950 in deals which seems to get no respect). But to make that deal, he's have to be hitting the bong.

I didn't read it as suggesting he trade Kreitenberg for Thomas and Tequila. Looked to me like he was just saying that Kreitenberg would fit nicely there in the future. I doubt Chris is THAT trade-crazy

You wouldn't happen to be a Red Sox Fan, would you? Are you next going to suggest that the Tigers trade Kress to the Sox for Helbig and "hot" prospect Hutch Kahle?

Why does it seem like you enjoying knocking on Hutch? Yes, I brought him up early...but I didn't have much of anything else and I persoanlly think that he'll eventually be a .300 hitter with 15-20 HR and 85-95 RBI each year...probably by '53. Watch out...you may just jinx Doug Williams into having a worse career than The Hutchmeister