Time Warp Baseball

[jdw]

> Nope... 8 years w/out a winning season.

"The Dodgers snapped a franchise record 8-year losing streak..."
-intro to the article

"Brooklyn Dodgers
Longest Winning Streak: 13 Seasons (1934-46)
1951-60: 0-5"
-body of article

"Record: 79-75
Finish: 4th in NL NL Division"
http://catobase.southernbaseball.com.../bkn/1955.html

The middle one needs to be corrected to 1-4.


John

[Matt from TN]

Key Retirees:


Peaches Badeau, CF
Philadelphia & Kansas City Athletics 1939-55



After graduating from Rutgers, Badeau went straight to the majors in 1939 where he hit .328 in 137 AB. And he never hit below .300 throuhgout his career. He missed half the 1942 season to WWII and returned to the majors to play the final 7 games of the 1943 season. He won 3 batting titles over a four year span from 1945-48, twice hitting above .390. He retired with a .341 career average which is 10th best all-time and the best ever by a CF. He won 2 GG's in his final two seasons as well as the 1951 WS. He retired with 2677 hits, 325 doubles, 150 HR, 1138 RBI, 1367 runs, 1089 walks and a .882 OPS.


Chuck Rauch, C
Boston Red Sox 1934-47
Philadelphia Phillies 1947-50
Chicago Cubs 1950-55



Rauch was a late bloomer. He debuted in the majors at age 20 but he did not surpass 100 AB in a season until age 25. He was not a full time player until WWII began depleting rosters at age 27. But oh, did he make his mark. He found his stroke during the war, playing in three consecutive WS with Boston, but the Red Sox were not convinced that he would ever live up to the potential they once thought he had. In June of 1947, he was shipped to the Phillies and in 1948 his presence was finally fully felt when he hit .318 with 30 HR and 114 RBI at age 33 to lead the Phils back to the WS. He and the Phillies won the 1948 and 1949 WS, and Rauch quickly became known as one of the top catchers in the game. In April of 1950, he was traded to the Cubs, and in his final season he helped lead them to their first WS in nearly two decades. By the time he retired, his 314 career homeruns were the 11th highest total in history and the 2nd most ever by any catcher, behind only to Willard Schwarz. He retired with a .281 average, 2038 hits, 342 doubles, 1281 RBI, 1089 runs, 955 walks and a .828 OPS. He won 9 GG's and can be considered one of the best defensive catchers ever. He won the 1950 NL BOTY and four WS.



Other Notable Retirees:

Frankie Bowers, C
Browns 1941-43, 1946-51
Pirates 1951-55

.308, 1306 H, 207 DBL, 137 HR, 749 RBI, 606 R, 282 BB, .822 OPS

Bowers was quietly one of the top catchers of his day. He missed three prime seasons to WWII, but returned in 1946 to hit .332 with 18 HR and 102 RBI and lead the Browns to the WS. He won one GG and went to 5 AS Games.


Scottie Allen, SP
Braves 1937-55

189-190, 3.29 ERA, 3694 IP, 959 BB, 1847 K, 140 CG, 34 SHO, 1.22 WHIP

Many people think Allen was a much better pitcher than his record shows. Some even say he underperformed for much of his career. Others have even said he did not know how to win, but many blame much of his poor record on the offense that supported him. Regardless of what people say, Allen posted one of the best career ERA's during his time but he finished his career one game below .500. He never won a POTY Award and amazingly he went to just one AS game.



Honorable Mentions:

Don "Chubby" Allen, SP
Athletics 1943-44, 1946-48
Cubs 1948-49
Browns/Orioles 1950-54

133-139, 4.32 ERA, 2552.1 IP, 1419 BB, 1579 K, 123 CG, 13 SHO, 1.46 WHIP


Carl Sandoz, RF
Tigers 1942-55

.311, 1583 H, 274 DBL, 41 HR, 583 RBI, 695 R, 357 K, 494 BB, .769 OPS

1944 AL ROY. 26-Gm hitting streak in that season. Won 4 WS with Detroit.


Artie Albrecht, CF Ancestor
Reds 1938-49
Phillies 1949
Giants 1950-55

.283, 1866 H, 348 DBL, 131 HR, 838 RBI, 978 R, 762 BB, .776 OPS

Won 1 WS with the Reds. Won 1 WS with Phillies. Went to 2 WS with Giants. Won 1 GG.


Mitch Liebowitz, LF Ancestor
Reds 1938-47
Braves 1947-1954
Giants 1954-55

.242, 1531 H, 346 DBL, 209 HR, 1051 RBI, 927 R, 824 BB, .757 OPS


Bud Moore, C Ancestor
Tigers 1935-49
Braves 1950-53
Pirates 1953-55

.292, 1822 H, 324 DBL, 107 HR, 896 RBI, 774 R, 608 BB, .757 OPS



Other Retiring Ancestors:

Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn, P
Reds 1938-42, 1946-51
Cubs 1952-54
Orioles 1954

22-35, 27 Sv, 5.83 ERA, 373.1 IP, 266 BB, 189 K, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 1.79 WHIP


Clinton "Buster" Darling, 3B/LF
Tigers 1934-42, 1950-55

.289, 354 H, 48 DBL, 27 HR, 168 RBI, 160 R, 160 K, 86 BB, 12 SB, .755 OPS

Won 3 WS with the Tigers.


Willie Young, 1B/SS/2B
Pirates 1935-44
Dodgers 1944, 1946-52
Cubs 1953-55

.246, 777 H, 140 DBL, 47 HR, 401 RBI, 517 R, 450 BB, 128 SB, .704 OPS

[canadiancreed]

Artie Albrecht, CF Ancestor
Reds 1938-49
Phillies 1949
Giants 1950-55

.283, 1866 H, 348 DBL, 131 HR, 838 RBI, 978 R, 762 BB, .776 OPS

Won 1 WS with the Reds. Won 1 WS with Phillies. Went to 2 WS with Giants. Won 1 GG.

One of the best OF's during my tendure, and the man that would eventully cost me my job as GM at the end of 1949. He manned the position of CF admireably for his tendure with the Reds, and he was sorely missed as it took five years to fill it. originally one of the dream team OF'ers to be drafted in teh late 30's (along with Leibowitz, Rutty, and Baily), he would be the only one that would ever live up to his billing. COnsidered a good luck charm with his four years in the World Series, winning two rings

Mitch Liebowitz, LF Ancestor
Reds 1938-47
Braves 1947-1954
Giants 1954-55

.242, 1531 H, 346 DBL, 209 HR, 1051 RBI, 927 R, 824 BB, .757 OPS

Mitch never got along with the new management when I rolled in and I traded him quick to the Braves from Pat Vega. It turned out to be a good move for both. Vega proved clutch in the stretch, and Leibowtiz trired for years after to prove that it was a msitake to trade him. Eventully he'd team up with his former OF partner in New York to wind down their careers

Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn, P
Reds 1938-42, 1946-51
Cubs 1952-54
Orioles 1954

22-35, 27 Sv, 5.83 ERA, 373.1 IP, 266 BB, 189 K, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 1.79 WHIP

A starter that never really lived up to his billing, he had amazing speed, but never had the control. His releif career was also dotted with success and failures, but would never get the elusive control to earn permanent success at the major league level.

[m0ng00se]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Willie Young, 1B/SS/2B
Pirates 1935-44
Dodgers 1944, 1946-52
Cubs 1953-55

.246, 777 H, 140 DBL, 47 HR, 401 RBI, 517 R, 450 BB, 128 SB, .704 OPS

Poor Gand Unc Willie. Clearly not the Hall of Fame career that this #1 pick could have / should have been.

[ifspuds]

Originally Posted by m0ng00se

Poor Gand Unc Willie. Clearly not the Hall of Fame career that this #1 pick could have / should have been.

I, on behalf of the past Pirates administration that ruined his career, apologize.

[canadiancreed]

i think this is the first class of retirees that I've actualyl felt connected too. It's very cool, yet sad, moment.

on a lighter nite, where's those season previews

[m0ng00se]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

I, on behalf of the past Pirates administration that ruined his career, apologize.

No worries. Just scary how my "Young" ancestors have under achived so badly as it mirrors real life way too much.

Speaking of ancestors... I see grandpa O has been traded again. Arg.

And now Henry "Gato" Cruz has been traded even before he's seen a minor league at bat. Not sure that he's ready for AAA... a bit worried about that assignment.

My poor ancestors just want to feel loved. All this moving around is bad for their confidence.

[canadiancreed]

they shoudl play for the Reds. Look at how well ancestors play when they're with the Reds

[kreitena]

Hey, not to say that Sam Kreitenberg is ready to play in the major leagues just yet but on the Senators, he may be their best option in LF.

Let's look at the current LFs on the Senators big league club:

Boyd Mylchreest
4/4/1/3/3
4/4/2/4/3

Steve Keisling
1/5/1/3/4
1/6/2/4/5

Sam Kreitenberg
4/5/5/2/4
6/6/9/3/3

That is all.

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

on a lighter nite, where's those season previews

Late tonight

Originally Posted by kreitena

Hey, not to say that Sam Kreitenberg is ready to play in the major leagues just yet but on the Senators, he may be their best option in LF.

Let's look at the current LFs on the Senators big league club:

Boyd Mylchreest
4/4/1/3/3
4/4/2/4/3

Steve Keisling
1/5/1/3/4
1/6/2/4/5

Sam Kreitenberg
4/5/5/2/4
6/6/9/3/3

That is all.

Sam clearly should start. I was pushing for him last year. Perhaps new management will see things my way.

[pat]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

Late tonight

Can't wait.

[goroyals]

It is my plan to start Sammy Baby.

[Matt from TN]

Ancestors Added in 1956:

Albert "Postzegel" Esselink, 1B, Milwaukee Braves



Despite his young age, Esselink has impressive hitting abilities. The Braves see him as a future .330 hitter, and his ability to make contact is already so well developed that he could start his pro career at AA Atlanta. The Braves also signed two other 1B prospects in Jonnie Schooley and Donnie Rounds. Both of them display more power than Esselink, but most scouts believe that only Schooley has much of a chance at a considerable major league career. The problem is where they each fit into the team's future plans. None of them are gifted defensively and they each have poor arms. Esselink could play RF, but more than likely, one or two of these players will become trade bait. With the rumor mill pointing to a trade of future HOF 1B Ken Chaucer (35), a player like Esselink could find himself in the majors soon. However, the team already has yet another talented 1B prospect in the majors - David "Lumberjack" Lawrence, who looks like the heir apparent to Chaucer's job. But he can never fill Chaucer's shoes, which is another reason why Esselink could see the big leagues in a few short years.


Alfred "Al Dandy" Danzig, SP, Chicago White Sox



In their quest to rebuild, the White Sox landed yet another talented young pitcher. Danzig throws hard and has good control. He gives up the occaisional HR and duration could one day be a concern. However, he is young and has a ways to go yet, so there is no telling what could become of him. He begins the season at Single-A Waterloo, but if he lives up to his perceived abilities, he will someday be part of a mighty rotation in ChiTown.


Lucien "Lulu" Arbour, CF, Boston Red Sox



The Red Sox were excited to sign the speedy Arbour out of college in Quebec. He struggles defensively, but he is fast and there are no doubts about his hitting abilities. He makes great contact and could develop into a 25 HR, 80 BB hitter. He should begin the season at AA Montgomery, but expect a quick promotion to AAA and possibly a callup to the majors. Boston desperately needs a quality OF on their roster. After being acquired in a spring trade with Brooklyn, RF Jack Caufield (whose twin brother Simon also plays for AA Montgomery) should join Arbour in the big leagues soon.


Desmond "Diamond" Booker, SS, Philadelphia Phillies



The Phillies have been trying to fill the SS position ever since now-manager Ted Stuart left the club. After Branimir Gljivica flamed out, the Phils looked hard for another talented middle infielder. They found one in Booker, whose brother Asa plays for AAA Syracuse and should be up with the Phillies this year. Desmond is great with the glove and he projects as a .300 hitter. He has a decent eye but little power. However, its the defense and contact that Philly coveted, and they think they got their man. At age 22, he should begin his career at Single-A Reidsville, but a quick callup to AA is likely.


Henry "Gato" Cruz, C, Milwaukee Braves



After signing with Baltimore, Cruz was traded at the end of spring training to the Braves for outfield prospect Pete Pugliese. "Gato" plays incredible defense and has a cannon for an arm. He looks to be a good hitter as well, but he is expected to play all year at Single-A Jacksonville. If he could develop ever so slightly in the hitting category, he could be in the majors next year with that defense of his. I think most teams would live with a .190-hitting catcher with those skills. However, Milwaukee will likely stand pat with their current also-rans behind the plate and be relatively patient with Cruz. After all, 29-year-old backstop Joe Manzano plays some darn good defense himself.


Brett Evans, 2B, Brooklyn Dodgers



The Dodgers have long been pleased with the defense of Ed Impens Jr at second, but he is 27 and a career .206 hitter. He hit a career high .239 last season, and Brooklyn thinks they have finally found his eventual replacement in Evans. Evans is adequate defensively, but he is not up to Impens' standards with the glove. However, he is a far superior hitting talent with the potential to be a batting champ someday. He has good plate discipline and makes good contact. He will begin the season at Single-A Elmira, but a promotion to AA is likely later in the year.


Howard "Huck" Burley, RF/1B, Kansas City Athletics



The A's are loaded with outfield talent, so Burley is expected to concentrate on 1B in the minors. However, the A's also have a 28-year-old first baseman by the name of Charlton Brown who has hit 90 HR's over the past two seasons. Many scouts say Brown has the most power they have ever seen, rivaling even the great Oscar Vancini. In other words, Burley's chances of playing in the majors with the A's could be slim, barring a trade or injury to someone above him. However, he is 10 years younger than Brown, so he could eventually move in to replace him. Just as likely are the chances that he could be dealt to another team. Regardless of where he eventually ends up, Huck will start this season at Single-A Lancaster. His homerun power is his biggest asset, and he projects as a .270 hitter with 30 HR potential.


Stephen Sit, SS, Washington Senators



Sit, a native of Hong Kong, is a gifted natural athlete. He has plenty of speed and plays remarkable defense at either 2B or SS. He has only average offensive abilities, but if all the offensive talent in Washington's farm system pans out, Sit won't need to do much with the bat. With his defensive abilities and speed, he should almost certainly walk into a major league roster spot someday soon. As for this year, he will attempt to adjust to a new culture while playing ball at Single-A Rock Hill.

[rudel.dietrich]

Cruz belongs to the Det GM correct?
Who added Esselink?

[kreitena]

Originally Posted by goroyals

It is my plan to start Sammy Baby.

Thank goodness, I've been waiting a long time for this. Hopefully he hits his full potential of his power.

[canadiancreed]

probably the Indians GM

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by kreitena

Thank goodness, I've been waiting a long time for this. Hopefully he hits his full potential of his power.

I was hoping to teach him 2B in the minors. He would make a hell of a middle IF

[fhomess]

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

Who added Esselink?

Albert's my uncle.
Stephen Sit's my father-in-law. I don't think he'd have any idea what to make of it, but my wife thinks it's way cool that I added him.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by fhomess

Albert's my uncle.

Here is to him having a long carer.
If he does not mutilate himself chasing a fly ball in the OF
Yeesh, that defense makes me cringe.

[kreitena]

Another note, Sammy Baby may also be able to start 3B over Ernest Bearden. That guy is horrible. Not only would you probably be getting a better hitter in Sam but Sam has gold glove potential at 3B. 7 Range and a 10 Infield Arm.