The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

I have been toying around with various iterations of this trade for a while, then rejig it one final time after the Friend injury, which comes not long after news that Law's return has been forestalled indefinitely.




The trade's origins are rooted in housekeeping, with Kellner, Raschi and Groth all in their walk year and you know I hate getting zip for them on the way out. But somehow despite everything that has happened / continues to happen, we find ourselves still in contention - and so the final version actually transacted upon includes McDermott, a rental who just ticks up our rotation in the absence of the other two.

We've been running Fred Marsh as our infielder of last resort, but Pendleton undoubtedly gives us a bit more flexibility in a utility role. Diering is an elite defender at all three OFs and I just feel this will really help us with him replacing Kiner in LF when we have a late lead. I question whether either are integral to our longer-term plans, but I think this is the old making silk out of a sow's ear sort of deal that improves us in the present and does no harm in the future. It should equally benefit the Tigers, who find themselves making a somewhat unexpected title tilt. The proverbial win-win. Watch us bump into the in the WS now...

[luckymann]

Rpy Campanella rings up two milestones in a matter of days, notching hit number 2000 and then home run number 300. That early start via his NeL stats has certainly given his career the appropriate amount of heft, with both of these tallies well in advance of his historical MLB stats. With 3-year recalc in effect, I still see him getting close to 400 career HR by the time he's done and maybe even a few more. Whatever the case, he's a HoF lock.

SIM




IRL

[luckymann]

No sign of either Thurston III or Lovey in the transaction logs.

[luckymann]

Look, I'll happily offer kudos to the group for working hard to get back into contention. But I remain part of the heathen unconverted mob with regard to whether they can parlay this into any meaningful success this year. In fact, especially after they limp out of July with 4 dreadful losses from their final five games, I call BS on them and have told them as much to their faces, challenging - nay, daring - them to prove me wrong in my assessment of their abilities. Time will, most definitely, tell.





As was the case last season, an argument can be put forth that our metrics are completely acceptable. Which, on the whole, they are. They are not, however, the metrics of a team destined for great things, but rather for unremarkable ones. Therein lieth the challenge over these final months.




It is obvious that, on an individual basis, there is much slack able to be picked up. Our sudden power vacuum is inexplicable and a reversal of it would help our cause no end, as would even a moderate improvement in performance from players like Kiner, Wertz, Piersall and Sievers. It's all a matter of converting potential into reality from this point on.




I'm not sure the pitching is quite so readily corrected. There are just too many things that are skewiff this year to be fixed en masse. That said, if we can just tighten up and the bats do show some improvement, we're far from without hope - especially in the absence of any dominant team to speak of. Mickey McDermott is injured in just his second start for us and we await the diagnosis.




Another superlative kiss of death from yours truly, sorry Indians fans. Instead of your boys, who finish the month still in the throes of a long losing streak currently at 10 games, it is actually the Tigers and newly-located Orioles who make the charge and look set to tussle with the two types of Sox and Yanks for this year's AL Pennant. The NL seems destined for a similarly tight finish, with five clubs still well in the mix.


News, Leaders and Top 20s








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Mickey Mantle (Yankees): 323 / 7 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Warren Spahn (Yankees): 6-1 / 2.65 / 33 K / 54.1 IP
• Rookie – Frank Lary (Tigers): 4-1 / 1.90 / 25 K / 47.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Joe Adcock (Braves): 350 / 9 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Art Ditmar (Dodgers): 5-0 / 0.70 / 16 K / 38.1 IP
• Rookie – Art Ditmar

July

American League

• Batter – Al Smith (Orioles): 376 / 3 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Jack Harshman (Orioles): 5-0 / 2.47 / 36 K / 47.1 IP
• Rookie – Joe Cunningham (Orioles): 338 / 1 HR / 22 RBI

National League

• Batter – Randy Jackson (Phillies): 396 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Joe Coleman (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.51 / 26 K / 47.2 IP
• Rookie – Jim Finigan (Cubs): 369 / 1 HR / 15 RBI

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Mickey Vernon
• The White Sox lose gun rookie reliever Don Mossi for the rest of the season after he develops bone chips in his elbow, while Yankees 1B Ferris Fain has his season abruptly terminated by a torn meniscus.
• The Red Sox look to strengthen themselves up the middle by trading for veteran SS Phil Rizzuto.
• Willie Mays is having another amazing season and he, Billy Pierce and Curt Simmons are each a decent chance of Triple Crowning.
• John Bruzga, who never made it to the bigs IRL, has not only done so in this save but is a breakout star and currently leading the AL batting title race.

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[luckymann]

Highest Batting WAR in Final Season

[luckymann]

There's a groundswell movement started for the club to retire his jersey...

[luckymann]

In the first of a two-game series that may well decide our season, we play out a classic with the Phillies to edge a game closer and well within reach.

[luckymann]

In the end, both ourselves and the Dodgers run out of games as the Phils hold on for a well-deserved Pennant win. For the neutrals, this sets up a fantastic World Series between them and the Tigers, two franchises who haven't enjoyed much success - just 3 titles between them and none since 1931. Rapture in particular for Detroit fans, as this is their first playoff appearance in exactly two decades.




Here's the tale of the tape for our club.





As much as you aim to and would like to, you can't win it all every year and in fact rarely do. Which necessitates other methods of assessing seasons at their conclusion. For mine, the main question I ask is, Are we better now than a year ago? While it may seem unprofessional to say so, my answer for this year is, I honestly don't know. Our pitching will undoubtedly benefit from the time passed, with our young arms like Pascual and Law and Podres and (hopefully) Friend and several others adding another year of experience. But our offence is at a peculiar juncture right now, with our best players for the most part either on the way down or the way out. It is the nett whole of these two disparate parts I am unsure about.




You can't really complain about 28 total bWAR, nor the outstanding seasons laid down by Smoky Burgess, Ray Boone and Vic Wertz in particular. Dick Groat wins the NL batting title by hitting 350, and both he and Pete Runnels have some projected upside to come. But Kiner's prime is almost certainly behind him now, and we'll be offloading both O'Connell and Burgess either over the offseason or early in '55 while they have some value retained as both will be in their walk year. Each is seeking in excess of $50k per over long contracts and I simply don't see the value for either.




Our pitching improved incrementally over the season's duration and again you can't gripe about the numbers they give us. This - apart from Haddix and Wight - is a very young group, especially our projected rotation. Pascual will be up on OD all things going to plan, and Kline will as well in a relief role. No doubt this is the foundation upon which we'll be basing our strategy for success moving forward.


The unheralded John Bruzga takes the AL batting title with 347, while Milwaukee's Joe Adcock leads both leagues with 34 HR and 116 RBI. Amazingly, Willie Mays racks up in excess of 9 bWAR without finishing top 3 in any of the TC categories.

Curt Simmons and Warren Spahn each finish with 20 wins, with Jack Harshman's 180 K just edging out Harvey Haddix for King of K. Mike Garcia sets the low ERA with 2.97, while the saves leader is Jim Hughes with 18.


Final Top 20s and Leaders







Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 307 / 7 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Bob Buhl (Orioles): 4-0 / 1.62 / 18 K / 33.1 IP
• Rookie – Danny Schell (Athletics): 356 / 4 HR / 25 RBI

National League

• Batter – Larry Doby (Phillies): 312 / 8 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Don Larsen (Dodgers): 5-1 / 1.16 / 17 K / 46.2 IP
• Rookie – Henry Aaron (Braves): 394 / 5 HR / 17 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Dick Kokos (Browns): 444 / 7 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Sain (Yankees): 3-0 / 0.86 / 12 K / 41.2 IP
• Rookie – Wally Moon (Athletics): 318 / 4 HR / 16 RBI

National League

• Batter – Joe Adcock (Braves): 344 / 8 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Don Liddle (Giants): 4-0 / 0.27 / 13 K / 33.1 IP
• Rookie – Art Ditmar (Dodgers): 3-0 / 2.88 / 10 K / 25 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• A wrist injury pulls the curtain down early on Braves star Eddie Mathews’ season, as does a knee injury for Cubs’ rookie Ernie Banks.
• The Athletics win their final four games to avoid losing 100.

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[luckymann]

Detroit Tigers (97-57) v Philadelphia Phillies (88-66)
Best-of-seven, Phillies with the home-field advantage.


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With no interleague play and having been deeply ensconced in our own little world, I haven’t paid much attention to the Tigers at all. Doing so now, I can see how they have arrived at this juncture – with a fine side that may not have too many superstars but more than makes up for that with any number of really solid and competitive players, both with bat and ball.

Still, I’m not sure they quite have what it takes to withstand how well this is all lined up for a Phillies side that has been on the up for a while now including that WS appearance just a couple years prior to this one. With the first two games in Philly and, presumably at least, the 1-2 combo of Roberts and Simmons pitching them, the Tigers will be under the pump from the off. Add to that the lack of playoff experience among the Detroit playing group and I believe they will be overwhelmed. Of course, should the Phillies not capitalise on this then everything changes, but even then I retain my leaning towards the Brotherly Lovers. I’ll hedge my bets and pick them in six games.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Philadelphia

Robin Roberts (18-10, 3.69) v Paul Minner (14-11, 3.38)

And so it begins, with Paul Minner – who has somewhat unobtrusively put together a handy enough career including an ERA title a couple years back – given the big Game 1 responsibility against the all-conquering Robin Roberts. As I mentioned in the preview, if the Tigers can come out strongly and even take one of these first two games in Philly then the whole dynamic of the series might also shift in their favour to a certain degree.

And that is precisely what they do, getting in front early and never looking threatened as Minner is excellent over 6+ while Roberts, despite going all 9, struggles. A scrappy affair played on the Tigers terms, and obviously the Phils will need to nip that in the bud as it levels the playing field.

Game 2 in Philadelphia

Curt Simmons (20-5, 3.38) v Hal Brown (11-9, 3.83)

Tigers lead series 1-0

Already you can sense a shift has happened and if Hal Brown and the Tigers can repeat the dose here against 20-game winner Curt Simmons that shift would become seismic.

But Simmons holds his nerve like the best in his trade usually do, allowing just a run on 7 over 8+ and the Tigers earn a split with a fairly comprehensive win reversing the scoreline of the previous game. Doby belts a solo homer and Dropo and Irvin each drive in a pair.

Game 3 in Detroit

Alex Kellner (13-10, 4.02) v Carl Erskine (14-11, 4.06)

Series tied 1-1

Now things start to get really interesting. Detroit at home and no Roberts or Simmons to deal with. In fact, this game features two of our offcuts in Alex Kellner for Detroit and Carl Erskine for Philly, each of who has had a pretty good year. Evenly matched, evenly poised—who blinks first, I wonder?

It is the Tigers, as Philly reasserts its advantage and takes the lead for the first time in the series with another strong performance and relatively straightforward 6-2 win. Oisk gives a nice controlled performance but it is Del Ennis who steals the show with 2 big homers and 4 RBI.

Game 4 in Detroit

Warren Hacker (12-8, 4.85) v Virgil Trucks (11-12, 4.86)

Phillies lead series 2-1

A nice story unfolding here for Virgil Trucks, making his first post-season appearance at age 37 and against his former club, to boot. He faces another ex-Pirate in Warren Hacker, a member of our 1950 Championship squad, and I’m expecting this one to have a fair few runs scored in it.

In fact, it doesn’t, as both pitchers handle themselves well and the Tigers square things up with a gritty one-run win. All the scoring is done early and Jim Mains gets the hosts home with 2+ shutout innings under the most dire pressure. Kudos to the Detroit boys for giving plenty and this series is definitely on the proverbial knife-edge now.

Game 5 in Detroit

Mel Parnell (1-0, 7.71) v Robin Roberts (0-0, 4.50)

Series tied 2-2

Nigh on impossible to preview this game without using the dreaded P-word, so I’m not even gonna try. This game, which pits the Game 1 opponents against each other once more, is just about as pivotal as they come.

For the first 7 innings, things unfold in fairly prosaic fashion as Roberts looks in control and his bats do enough to give the Phils a 3-1 lead.

Then, everything changes as the Detroit bats go ballistic with 6 runs off Closer Gordon Jones and just like that, they are back in front heading back to Philly. I can already hear the second-guessing about taking Roberts out and I’m not sure there’ll be much brotherly love on offer tonight in Philly.

Game 6 in Philadelphia

Mel Parnell (1-0, 7.71) v Robin Roberts (0-0, 4.50)

Tigers lead series 3-2

What a gripping series this has been and like all neutrals I’m hoping for the big finish it deserves. But, should it end today, nobody will be able to accuse the Tigers of getting there the easy way as they have Curt Simmons to deal with in this one.

And the Tigers do finish the job in fine style as Brown pitches the game of his life, outduelling Simmons over 8 as the Detroit bats – led by a 4-RBI game from Twig Terwilliger – pounce in the 6th with a 4-spot that proves the difference. All their runs are unearned, reflective of a really poorly-played series by the Phillies who will be devastated at this loss. That makes Detroit no less deserving winners and takes the Tigers’ Championship tally to three. Tigers shortstop Harvey Kuenn is named MVP.

DETROIT WINS SERIES 4-2

SERIES MVP: Harvey Kuenn (Detroit)

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[luckymann]

Our Winston-Salem lads take out another AAA World Series, this one over Beaumont in five.



EDIT Sorry Beaumont, the briefly reported triumph of yours was sadly destroyed in a tragic game crash and the second go-around went the other way.

[luckymann]

Axes falling all over the place as the White Sox (Ed Morgan), Giants (Oscar Charleston) and Cardinals (Jelly Gardner) are in the market for new Managers, with four GMs out of a job as well.

Art Houtteman voids his last contract year, while we execute Bill Wight’s final season with us. We send Smoky Burgess, Danny O’Connell, Chuck Diering and Irv Noren to arbitration and let Mickey McDermott walk. For a bit more pitching depth we offer reliever Dutch McCall a reasonable 1+1 deal, which he eventually accepts, and also extend Tommy Byrne on a cheap 1-year deal.

After a long and fruitful partnership, we decide not to renew Bench Coach Dixie Leverett, and later replace him with George Barnicle.

Players finishing their careers include Phil Cavaretta, Sam Jethroe, Fred Hutchinson, Tommy Holmes, Johnny Pesky, Connie Ryan, Snuffy Stirnweiss, Grady Hatton, Jeff Heath, Lou Boudreau, Murry Dickson, Luke Easter, Bus Clarkson, Roy Cullenbine and three big names I’ll deal with separately.

And another club is on the move, with the Athletics leaving Philly and heading west to Kansas City.

[luckymann]

Three more legends of the game hang up their hats, and I'm fairly sure we'll be seeing them again in five or so years.

Wild Bill Wright

A key member of our club for many years, and we have retired #23 in his honour. Bill leaves the game as its all-time steals leader and will always be remembered at our club for playing as if his hair was on fire.




Willard Brown

A rare player and an even-rarer one-club player with "Sonny" spending the entirety of his career at Cincy. It's a shame he couldn't give it just one more go-around, given how close he was to 3000 hits and 300 HR, but when it's time, it's time and he leaves the game with 4 Wagner-Lajoie Medals to his name and also as one of just 11 players with 100 career bWAR or more.




Johnny Mize

The Big Cat won Championships with both the A's (1937) and Yankees (1943) and closes out his stellar career with 349 homers and nearly 1500 ribbies.

[luckymann]

AL 1954 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1954 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


With the exception of Willie Mays' second Wagner-Lajoie win, all the others are first-timers: Al Kaline (AL Wagner-Lajoie); Mike Garcia and Curt Simmons (Johnson-Waddell); Walter Wilson and our own Nelson King (Paige Plate). RoYs for this year go to Bill Skowron and Henry Aaron.


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[luckymann]

Two big-name Marquees including one of our all-time greats join the league, along with four top-notch Legacy Players.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1955 Season:

Baltimore Orioles: Brooks Robinson (78.5; 2896 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100%
Pittsburgh Pirates: Roberto Clemente (94.8; 2433 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100%
Brooklyn Dodgers: Sandy Koufax (48.9; 397 – one-club player)
Detroit Tigers: Jim Bunning (59.3; 304)
New York Yankees: Clete Boyer (27.6; 1068)
St. Louis Cardinals: Ken Boyer (62.8; 1667)

Larry Jackson (52.0; 330) was also eligible for the Cardinals, but Ken Boyer’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Elston Howard (27.0; 1492) was also eligible for the Cardinals, but Clete Boyer’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 137 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 8 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1954 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (344)
2. Baltimore Orioles (351)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (468)
4. Detroit Tigers (442)
5. Brooklyn Dodgers (597)
6. New York Yankees (669)
7. Kansas City Athletics (331)
8. Chicago Cubs (416)
9. Washington Senators (429)
10. Boston Red Sox (448)
11. Cincinnati Redlegs (481)
12. Philadelphia Phillies (487)
13. Milwaukee Braves (578)
14. Chicago White Sox (610)
15. New York Giants (630)
16. Cleveland Indians (721)


Rounds 2 thru 8

1. Kansas City Athletics (331)
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (344)
3. Baltimore Orioles (351)
4. Chicago Cubs (416)
5. Washington Senators (429)
6. Detroit Tigers (442)
7. Boston Red Sox (448)
8. St. Louis Cardinals (468)
9. Cincinnati Redlegs (481)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (487)
11. Milwaukee Braves (578)
12. Brooklyn Dodgers (597)
13. Chicago White Sox (610)
14. New York Giants (630)
15. New York Yankees (669)
16. Cleveland Indians (721)


Plenty of buzz around our club on the eve of the Draft—understandably so, given who is soon to be joining us. Still, there’s plenty of other work to be done as we try to reposition ourselves ahead of the anticipated turnover among our group, and we view this as one of the most important Drafts for us in recent memory.

In the end, here’s who we take – please welcome our new recruits:

1. OF Roberto Clemente, 20

• The timing of Arriba’s arrival couldn’t be much better for us really, with Kiner out of contract next year and almost certainly to be let walk. The extra bonus with Roberto is his defence, undeniably elite, and with Jimmy Piersall in CF and Diering floating around in the background we are certainly on an upswing in this regard. A franchise-changing add.

2. C Pete Daley, 24

• More for tomorrow than today, although he looks ready. We’re fairly thin here and with the Burgess move almost a given we needed the reinforcement, even though he’s more a backup than everyday type.

3. P Tom Sturdivant, 24
4. P Frank Baumann, 21

• A close call between Tom and Hank Aguirre, but this time I opt for the full press and put the short-term ahead of the long-. Tom projects to be a solid low-spin / spot starter but I think will be more use in a stopper role for now. Frank is a slightly later, slightly lesser version thereof who we’ll stash at AAA for now.

5. IF Kenny Kuhn, 17
6. OF Tex Nelson, 18
7. SS Alex George, 16
8. P Mike Kume, 28

• MiLB filler

Obviously a really nice Draft for us.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

300-game winner Duke Derringer gets his plaque on the first try, as does Charlie Gehringer on his 8th. Lefty Gomez looks to have stalled, while Luis Tiant (senior, that is) makes a nice move and may get there yet.

[luckymann]

After a seemingly interminable wait, "Next Year" arrives for Dodgers fans as they finally get their well-deserved Championship in an unforgettable Series that goes the distance. Oh, if only they knew how fleeting their happiness would be...

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (96-58)
NL CHAMPIONS: Brooklyn Dodgers (98-55)
WORLD SERIES: Dodgers 4, Yankees 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 60-94, last in NL

AL MVP: Yogi Berra (Yankees)
NL MVP: Roy Campanella (Dodgers)

AL RoY: Herb Score (Indians)
NL RoY: Bill Virdon (Cardinals)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. WILLIE MAYS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .319 average, 123 runs, 185 hits, 18 doubles, 13 triples, 51 home runs, 127 RBIs, 79 walks, 24 stolen bases, .659 slugging percentage.
• Mays was a sore sight for the eyes of Dodgers fans, cranking out nine homers at Ebbets Field—but how to explain his meager total of doubles given the spaciousness within his home park at the Polo Grounds?

2. DUKE SNIDER, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .309 average, 126 runs, 166 hits, 34 doubles, 6 triples, 42 home runs, 136 RBIs, 104 walks.
• Snider’s continued monster output included the last three-homer performance by a Brooklyn Dodger. He might have won the MVP, but teammate Roy Campanella was given it under strange circumstances (see below).

3. TED KLUSZEWSKI, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .314 average, 116 runs, 192 hits, 25 doubles, 47 home runs, 113 RBIs, 25 intentional walks.
• Kluszewski became an anomaly among NL sluggers of the time, wrapping up a three-year binge in which he collected more homers (136) than strikeouts (109).

4. EDDIE MATHEWS, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .289 average, 23 doubles, 5 triples, 41 home runs, 101 RBIs, 109 walks, 20 intentional walks.
• Yet another 40-homer campaign, the third straight for Mathews—who would only surpass 40 one more time (in 1959) over his Hall-of-Fame career.

5. WALLY POST, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .309 average, 116 runs, 186 hits, 33 doubles, 40 home runs, 109 RBIs, 102 strikeouts.
• The 40 homers belted by the bust-out Post would have been good enough to lead the AL—but as a National Leaguer, he had to settle for sixth place.

6. STAN MUSIAL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .319 average, 97 runs, 179 hits, 30 doubles, 5 triples, 33 home runs, 108 RBIs, 80 walks, 8 hit-by-pitches.
• The Cardinals may have suffered their worst record (68-86) between 1924-78, but Musial was hardly to blame with his continued brilliance at age 34.

7. ERNIE BANKS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .295 average, 98 runs, 176 hits, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 44 home runs, 117 RBIs.
• Banks became the first shortstop to hit 40 homers; it was something the popular Cub would make a habit of it.

8. ROY CAMPANELLA, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 123 games, .318 average, 81 runs, 32 home runs, 107 RBIs.
• Campanella’s third MVP win might have been a mistake; one voter, said to be seriously ill, accidentally placed his name on the ballot twice. It nevertheless got counted.

9. HANK AARON, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .314 average, 105 runs, 189 hits, 37 doubles, 9 triples, 27 home runs, 106 RBIs.
• In his second year, Aaron changed his jersey number from #5 to #44—and began playing like #44, doubling his home run output from his rookie showing.

10. GUS BELL, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .308 average, 88 runs, 188 hits, 30 doubles, 6 triples, 27 home runs, 104 RBIs.
• Representing the first of at least three baseball generations, Bell quietly continued to be one of the Reds’ most consistent and sound hitters of the time—especially at cozy Crosley Field, where he hit .364.

AL Hitters

1. MICKEY MANTLE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 121 runs, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 37 home runs, 99 RBIs, 113 walks, .611 slugging percentage.
• Mickey Mantle ramped up the power (previous season home run high: 27) and nearly matched his famous tape measure shot of a couple years earlier in Washington by crushing a ball out of Chicago’s Comiskey Park and into a parked car, 550 feet away.

2. AL KALINE, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .340 average, 121 runs, 200 hits, 25 doubles, 8 triples, 27 home runs, 102 RBIs, 82 walks.
• Bucking the trend of “bonus baby” busts, Kaline became an immediate Detroit fixture with his most proficient of 22 seasons in the Motor City.

3. TED WILLIAMS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 98 games, .356 average, 77 runs, 21 doubles, 28 home runs, 83 RBIs, 91 walks, 17 intentional walks, .496 on-base percentage, .703 slugging percentage.
• Another partial yet extraordinarily potent showing from Teddy Ballgame, this time due to a springtime return from early retirement. We’ll spare you the calculator and multiple his numbers out to a 154-game season: 44 home runs, 130 RBIs and 143 walks.

4. JACKIE JENSEN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .275 average, 95 runs, 27 doubles, 6 triples, 26 home runs, 116 RBIs, 89 walks, 16 stolen bases, 12 sacrifice flies.
• Jensen’s knack for knocking in runners continued, winning his first of three RBI titles while pacing the AL in sac flies for the second straight year.

5. AL SMITH, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .306 average, 123 runs, 186 hits, 27 doubles, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, 93 walks, 15 hit-by-pitches, 11 stolen bases.
• In his second full year, Smith stole the limelight usually reserved for Minnie Minoso by putting up Minoso-like numbers.

6. LARRY DOBY, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 131 games, .291 average, 91 runs, 26 home runs, 75 RBIs.
• A wrist injury late in the year muted what likely would have been a much better year for Doby.

7. VIC POWER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .319 average, 91 runs, 190 hits, 34 doubles, 10 triples, 19 home runs, 76 RBIs.
• The flamboyant Power, not Uncle Tom enough to be the Yankees’ first black player, received a more comforting welcome from the A’s and thanked them for it on the field.

8. ROY SIEVERS, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .271 average, 25 home runs, 106 RBIs, 73 walks.
• Sievers wished that every day was a day against the A’s: Ten of his 25 homers came against Kansas City, eight of those among four multi-homer games to set a major league season record against one team.

9. NELLIE FOX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 154 games, .311 average, 636 at-bats, 100 runs, 198 hits, 28 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs, 59 RBIs, 17 hit-by-pitches.
• Fox tied a personal best with a whopping six homers—and here’s a fun fact: The future Hall of Famer hit more triples than home runs in each season from 1949-62.

10. YOGI BERRA, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .272 average, 84 runs, 27 home runs, 108 RBIs.
• Leadership from the catcher’s spot helped carry Berra to a third AL MVP award, and barely, eclipsing Al Kaline and Al Smith in the vote.

NL Pitchers

1. BOB FRIEND, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.83 ERA, 14 wins, 9 losses, 44 appearances, 20 starts, 200.1 innings, 52 walks, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Friend became the first ERA leader from a last-place team—and saved his best stuff from the bullpen, registering a 1.95 ERA in 24 relief appearances.

2. WARREN SPAHN, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.26 ERA, 17 wins, 14 losses, 39 appearances, 32 starts, 245.2 innings.
• His fastball fading, Spahn relied more on a newly-minted screwball, which certainly screwed with the heads of opponents who knew his baseball longevity would likely be extended.

3. DON NEWCOMBE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 20 wins, 5 losses, .800 win percentage, 31 starts, 233.2 innings, 38 walks, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Newk got a whopping 7.1 runs per start, but he had something to do with that—hitting .359 with seven homers over 117 at-bats.

4. JOE NUXHALL, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.47 ERA, 17 wins, 12 losses, 50 appearances, 33 starts, 257 innings, 5 shutouts, 31 grounded into double plays.
• After famously debuting (and bombing) in the majors at age 15, Nuxhall completed his long and winding road toward a worthy All-Star Game roster spot.

5. BOB BUHL, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 38 appearances, 27 starts, 201.2 innings, 109 walks.
• After a rough start, Buhl settled in, ascended to full-time rotation duty and placed the NL’s third-best ERA.

6. JOHNNY ANTONELLI, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.33 ERA, 14 wins, 16 losses, 38 appearances, 34 starts, 235.1 innings, 11 hit-by-pitches.
• Nobody expected Antonelli to pitch any better than his top-of-the-charts performance from the year before, but he certainly deserved a better record on a 3.33 ERA; he had to win his final four decisions just to upgrade the mark to so-so status.

7. ROBIN ROBERTS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.28 ERA, 23 wins, 14 losses, 3 saves, 41 appearances, 38 starts, 26 complete games, 305 innings, 53 walks.
• Roberts won 20-plus games for the sixth straight (and last time), but it started to become apparent that the bill was coming due on his taxing workload; despite the quality ERA, he gave up more doubles, triples and home runs than any other NL pitcher—for the second of three straight years.

8. BOB RUSH, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.50 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 234 innings, 23 stolen bases allowed.
• A recent move to wearing glasses sharpened Rush’s numbers as well as his vision.

9. CLEM LABINE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 3.24 ERA, 13 wins, 5 losses, .722 win percentage, 11 saves, 60 appearances, 8 starts, 144.1 innings.
• After a series of spot starts just didn’t work out, Labine was moved exclusively to the bullpen at the end of July and responded by winning four, saving nine and posting a 0.99 ERA over his final 29 appearances.

10. WILLARD SCHMIDT, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.78 ERA, 7 wins, 6 losses, 20 appearances, 15 starts, 129.2 innings.
• Brought on at midseason, Schmidt looked to be on the verge of something big as opponents hit just .197 against him—but future years would repudiate his 1955 success.

AL Pitchers

1. WHITEY FORD, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.63 ERA, 18 wins, 7 losses, 39 appearances, 33 starts, 18 complete games, 253.2 innings, 113 walks, 34 grounded into double plays.
• Ford pitched two of his three career one-hitters in back-to-back starts in early September—each time giving up the one hit in the seventh inning. (He never threw a no-hitter.)

2. BILLY PIERCE, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 1.97 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 33 appearances, 26 starts, 6 shutouts, 205.2 innings.
• Pierce gave the majors its only sub-2.00 ERA between 1946-64—and it was even better in his home base at Comiskey Park, posting a 1.35 figure.

3. EARLY WYNN, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.82 ERA, 17 wins, 11 losses, 31 starts, 6 shutouts, 230 innings.
• Wynn’s early path to another 20-win season was derailed by a rough patch in July and August; his 17 were still just one short of the league lead.

4. BILLY HOEFT, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.99 ERA, 16 wins, 7 losses, .696 win percentage, 29 starts, 7 shutouts, 220 innings.
• Nearly half of Hoeft’s 16 wins were shutouts (seven), including three against lowly Washington.

5. FRANK SULLIVAN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.91 ERA, 18 wins, 13 losses, 35 starts, 260 innings, 100 walks.
• Whereas Billy Pierce (above) gave the majors a rare view of sub-2.00 ERA pitching, Sullivan gave the Red Sox their only sub-3.00 ERA effort of the 1950s—and managed to win three more games than Pierce.

6. BOB TURLEY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 17 wins, 13 losses, 34 starts, 6 shutouts, 246.2 innings, 177 walks, 210 strikeouts.
• In his first year with the Yankees after a mammoth 17-player trade with Baltimore, Turley struggled to retain his wildness, but opponents still could only hit .193—and slug a remarkably low .282—against him.

7. BILL WIGHT, CLEVELAND-BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 6 wins, 8 losses, 3 saves, 36 appearances, 14 starts, 141.1 innings.
• The veteran lefty was equally good as a reliever in Cleveland as he was a starter at Baltimore, even if the won-loss record didn’t reflect it.

8. FRANK LARY, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 3.10 ERA, 14 wins, 15 losses, 36 appearances, 31 starts, 235 innings, 28 grounded into double plays.
• Al Kaline wasn’t the only rookie wowing ‘em in Detroit; the 25-year-old right-hander, despite a blasé record, easily showed that he would be a fixture for years to come.

9. HERB SCORE, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.85 ERA, 16 wins, 10 losses, 32 starts, 227.1 innings, 154 walks, 245 strikeouts, 12 wild pitches.
• Beating out Kaline for Rookie of the Year honors, Score appeared to be perfect refresh tonic as aging Cleveland star pitchers Bob Feller, Bob Lemon and Mike Garcia began to fade.

10. DICK DONOVAN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 15 wins, 9 losses, 29 appearances, 24 starts, 187 innings, 23 grounded into double plays.
• After failing to hook on with either the Braves or Tigers, Donovan enjoyed a breakout campaign that stalled at the end of July when he was stricken with appendicitis; he was only 2-5 with a 5.17 ERA in eight appearances afterward to finish the season.

[luckymann]

While I'm still up in the air about how to proceed with Burgess - the more I think on it, the more I am leaning toward keeping him on and really pushing for it this season, sunk cost be damned - I make the following move to at least get something coming in for O'Connell.




Klaus solves two dilemmas, one of course being the utility IF role, but he also gives us a bit better balance batting from the left.

Purkey, coming off an excellent 1954 campaign, adds to our pitching depth and is a really nice-looking middle rotation piece for down the track, whilst Kemmerer projects as a solid upgrade from Schmidt.

This costs us not just the outgoing players mentioned, but also Irv Noren and Don Zimmer. Noren has become the odd man out and being in his walk year was soon to be lost anyway, with Simpson the preferred option. Zimmer, whilst handy enough, is a fairly interchangeable piece and easily enough replaced if needs be.

[luckymann]

The quietest offseason I can remember, perhaps an indication that rosters are fairly settled for the moment. Here’s the key moves that are made, including the ungainly prospects of Joltin’ Joe not in pinstripes, Gil Hodges in the American League and Rapid Robert with a logo other than Chief Wahoo on his cap.

• OF Dick Kokos: Cubs, 5 years / $338000
• P Bob Porterfield: Cardinals, 4 years / $312000
• 1B Earl Torgeson: Phillies, 4 years / $296000
• P Art Houtteman: Cubs, 4 years / $291000
• 2B John Bruzga: Tigers, 5 years / $216400 (extension)
• 1B Gil Hodges: Red Sox, 4 years / $212000
• OF Joe DiMaggio: Cardinals, 3 years / $203000
• OF Enos Slaughter: Yankees, 4 years / $146400
• 1B Joe Collins: Tigers, 2 years / $142000
• 3B Sid Gordon: Cardinals, 2 years / $136000
• 2B Bill Serena: Braves, 3 years / $135000
• P Lew Burdette: Red Sox, 4 years / $104000 (extension)

• C Hobie Landrith, 1B Mel Roach, 1B Dale Coogan and OF Pete Whisenant from Athletics to Senators for 3B Eddie Yost
• P Bob Feller from Indians to Red Sox for P Ramon Monzant and 2B Gair Allie
• 2B Sammy Esposito and 3B Joey Amalfitano from Tigers to Redlegs for P Willard Nixon
• P Bob Miller, P Dick Hall and P Paul Foytack from White Sox to Red Sox for 3B Bob Elliott

Big Cubs acquisition (and ex-Pirate) Art Houtteman is injured and will miss the first of those 4 seasons he is signed up for.

ALL TRANSACTIONS


13-5 again for ST with the only injury concern a hamstring niggle for Pete runnels that need some nursing, and ourselves and the Yanks are slated by the pundits for narrow wins.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

One can deep dive at one’s leisure HERE.


Not being overconfident in any way here, but I go into this season with the firm belief that we are ready. Which, in fact, scares me quite a bit because it leaves little room for upside and a whole ocean of disappointment at the ready.

We have made the difficult decision to send Ralph Kiner to AAA for now. His offence has tailed off to the point where it barely covers his defensive liability, and I just feel we are a better-balanced side with him out of the picture. Obviously, he'll be the first called up as soon as we have need of him, and in particular when rosters expand in the late part of the season.

Clemente will start in RF straight off. Kiner's absence means we can move Wertz to 1B and Sievers to LF. Camilo Pascual also gets the call-up, but will kick things off in the SP5 slot. Sturdivant takes the Stopper role to begin with.