Time Warp Baseball

[DamnYankees]

Yeah, Morris. 2 things though. First, last name is Lutske, not Lutzke. I might have misspelled it in the signup sheet.

Secondly, he was born Feb 2, 1923. Did I write that wrong also? Wouldn't that mean he debuts in '41?

[Matt from TN]

Originally Posted by DamnYankees

Yeah, Morris. 2 things though. First, last name is Lutske, not Lutzke. I might have misspelled it in the signup sheet.

Secondly, he was born Feb 2, 1923. Did I write that wrong also? Wouldn't that mean he debuts in '41?

Yes I have his name down as Lutske... No, you signed him up as born in '24... I can do 1 of 2 things since this yr's draft is over... 1) add him in '42 as a 19 yr old (born in '23) and slightly more developed or 2) add him in '42 as a 18 yr old (born in '24)

[DamnYankees]

Well, add him in 1942 as a 19 year old I guess. I don't want to change his life. He was a sickly child anyhow, so lets give him another year to regain his strength. Hopefully he'll be like a 6th grader playing dodgeball with kindergartners.

Sorry about the confusion. I gotta learn to type better. Enough mentoring by the Allen family. **hic**

[Matt from TN]

1941 Offseason News

This past November, White Sox Hall of Fame pitcher Andrew Murphy, who won 339 games with a 2.10 ERA over his career, was defeated as a Republican candidate for the House of Representatives from Illinois. Just weeks after his defeat, his former teammate and outspoken member of the Black Sox 8, Kelly Bracky, died of heart failure in his suburban Chicago home. Murphy and most of his fellow teammates from the 1919 and 1920 White Sox attended the funeral. Notedly absent was Commissioner Kennesaw Landis and all other representatives of Major League Baseball.

Detroit hired pitching coach Lester Groh as their new manager. Groh is a former major league pitcher who had little success as a player. However, he has a gifted way of imparting pitching wisdom to the hurlers he has mentored over the past few seasons. Unfortunately, Detroit has not been blessed with many quality pitchers, so Groh's work will be cut out for him.

In the NL, Pittsburgh hired Joe Kenny as their new manager. Kenny was the all-time saves leader at one time and played most of his career with the Braves. He ended his career with Pittsburgh and was born not far from there. It is now his job to get this young team to perform up to the expectations that the team has had for them for several years.

After finishing in last place, Boston renamed themselves the Braves (mercifully) in hopes of recapturing some of the glory they once held when the team was a perennial contender. Of course, most Boston fans also remember the days when the Braves were a perennial doormat and fear that is the future ahead of this team. Outfielder George "The General" Ward has been named player-manager, the second time a team has done this over the past two years. Reportedly, the job was between Ward and fellow outfielder John Schmeider, but Schmeider is a quieter man and the team hopes to rely on "The General's" leadership skills.

Only one player was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1941:

Jean-Francois "Flaky" Arsenault, SS
Cap: White Sox
Vote: 81.3%
Teams: Chicago A.L. 1910-1930
Plaque: "Flaky" retired as one of the most successful hitters in history. He became the first player to surpass 3500 hits. He retired with a .336 average (9th Best All-Time), 3511 hits (Most All-Time), 351 doubles (15th All-Time), 1330 RBI (3rd All-Time), 1661 runs scored (2nd All-Time), 1012 walks (7th All-Time) and 359 stolen bases (8th All-Time). He won the 1920 World Series with Chicago, and he won 3 Gold Gloves. Despite all his accomplishments, he never won a batting title, only once led the league in hits and never won a BOY Award. Regardless, he was a great player and an offensive catalyst for several great White Sox teams over two decades.


*Note that all rankings (i.e. 2nd All-Time) were at the time of the players retirement. What happened after they retired does not reflect on their plaque.

War Update

In December, the major and minor leagues agreed that players taken into the military will not count against roster limits. Meanwhile in March, Phillies pitcher Ernie Shock became the first big leaguer drafted into the Armed Forces for World War II. After pitching 5 seasons with the Phillies, he has a career record of 65-77 and a 4.51 ERA.

[jdw]

Matt from TN wrote:

> Kinda cool to see that the recent
> competition betw. the Yanks and Dodgers
> also include the 2 winningest managers
> in history... I knew Sweney was with the
> Yanks in their early heyday and is beloved
> in NY, but I didn't realize that he and
> Greiner were 1-2... incredible... Since
> Sweney came to Brooklyn, he has taken
> the team to 4 WS and all have been against
> the Yanks, wow.

Very cool.

Probably time to start thing about both of them retiring. Sweney has been managing since 1904. Let's say he was 30 at the time (not unreasonable), it would make him 67 this year. Greiner started in 1911, which would also put him over 60.

I know Mack managed forever, but he also owned the team and the last few years others essentially managed for him. I know others have managed into the 70s as well. But...

MLB has had only two managers who had 30+ seasons at the helm:

53 - Connie Mack (1894-1950)
33 - John McGraw (1899-1932)
29 - Bucky Harris (1924-1956)
26 - Gene Mauch (1960-1987)
26 - Sparky Anderson (1970-1995)
25 - Bill McKechnie (1915-1946)
25 - Casey Stengel (1934-1965)
25 - Tony LaRussa (1979-2003)
24 - Joe McCarthy (1926-1950)
24 - Leo Durocher (1939-1973)
23 - Harry Wright (1871-1893)
23 - Walter Alston (1954-1976)
22 - Bobby Cox (1978-2003)
22 - Joe Torre (1977-2003)
21 - Cap Anson (1875-1898)
21 - Dick Williams (1967-1988)
21 - Jimmie Dykes (1934-1961)
21 - Tom Lasorda (1976-1996)
20 - Clark Griffith (1901-1920)
20 - Ralph Houk (1961-1984)

Both were "special circumstances. Mack owned the club, and no one seemed to have the 'nads to tell him to stop managing. McGraw had a cut of the team if I recall correctly. Given both Sweney and Greiner have moved clubs, it's pretty clear they don't have a cut.

Sweney just finished his 35th, while Greiner ran past his 27th.

Seems about the right time for Sweeny to go first - the WS over the Yanks that he always wanted as "payback" against his former team, then getting back there for a second season (though swept). He probably should go after 1941 - perhaps even announce his pending retirement during the season at some point if there's a "need" to inspire the team (if they're in a tight race, or underperfoming).

Greiner... probably after 1944 depending how hard hit that Yanks get. That would take him up to 31 seasons as a manager. He'd want to stick around through his 30th season, and the team still has a talent base right now that he "loves". But he probably should be cleared off before new owners take over.


John

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by jdw

McCarthy had a cut of the team if I recall correctly.

That's a Freudian slip if I ever heard one.....Already thinking about the campaign to ban "Pinky" Arsenault from the game??

[jdw]

metsgeek wrote:

> That's a Freudian slip if I ever
> heard one.....

Just the typically crappy editing I do of my posts.


John

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by jdw

Just the typically crappy editing I do of my posts.

I like my conspiracy theory better.

[tward13]

OK! The General will start getting some notice. Good timing as he's closing in on 3000 hits and if he has a few decent years left could move up the list a bit.

[Carlton]

How about we send ALL the Phillies over ther...over there...

Their record won't change

[Matt from TN]

Ancestors Added in 1941:

"Samoan Ben" Giordano, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates



Ben is a strong kid with unmistakable power potential. He is also gifted with the ability to get on base with either hits or walks. He rarely strikes out and makes every at-bat count. First base is already a loaded position for the Pirates, but luckily Ben can also play 3B which is a position where the Pirates will need help in a few years when Ben should be ready for the majors. He will begin this season at AA.


Howard "Bud" Ayers, 3B, Philadelphia A's



Bud is a superb hitter who should one day find himself a star in the big leagues. He also hits for power and hits to the gaps as well. His plate discipline is strong, and 3B is a position of need for the A's, so he should have a job in the majors when he is ready. That should be a few years off however as he will begin his career in A-ball.


Frank "The Kid" Vamos, SP, Cincinnati Reds



Frank is a talented pitcher who allows few hits. He does this partly by mixing fastballs with nasty offspead pitches and partly with a curve and slider that consistently catch batters off guard. He can pile up strikeouts, and while he has good control, he does occasionally allow too many walks. He will begin the season at Single-A.


Pete "Pooch" Nagel, 1B, St. Louis Browns



Son of the great "Professor" Nagel, Pete looks like he could be a star one day like his old man. Pete is not a pitcher like father Ahrend was, but he is a powerful, slugging first baseman. He also has the ability to be a consistent .300 hitter with good plate discipline. The Browns already have George Maringo as the future at 1B, but Pete can play third too, and that could possibly be his future, taking over someday for 35-year-old Steven "Babylon" Bussell. This year, Pete will start out at AA.


Matt "The Whale" Perly, 2B, Chicago White Sox



Chicago's jammed up middle infield situation just got a little tougher with Perly in the mix. He begins the season at AA, but he is an excellent hitter and he brings a rare power equation into the mix that few second baseman can offer. He hits doubles and homeruns and could be a middle-of-the-order guy for Chicago in the near future. Even though Chicago still has 4 middle infielders on the big league roster, 3 of them are in their 30's and should be nearing the end of their careers by the time Perly arrives.

[jdw]

Couple of items I missed:

* Yankees catcher Harry Finley won his 10th Gold Glove in 1939 before losing his job to Haung the Younger. With 10 Gold Glove, he broke a tie with Hall of Famer Harry Cohan to take sole possession of the record for catchers:

Gold Gloves by a Catcher
10 - Harry Finley NYA C (1927-31, 1933-36, 1939)
9 - Harry Cohan BSN/CHN C (1910-11, 1913, 1915-16, 1918-19, 1921, 1925)
8 - Willard Schwarz PHI C (1922-23, 1926-28, 1931-32, 1937)
5 - Vern Adameitz PIT C (1929-30, 1933-35)

In the career rankings regardless of position, the ten career gold gloves tied Finley with Cards second baseman Kevin Stines in third place behind Woody Woodson (12 awards) and "Ray of Light" Brown (11 awards won).


* Indians Left Fielder Charles Netzer won his 6th Gold Glove in 1939. That moved him into a second place tie for awards by a left fielder:

Leftfield
7 - Lawrence Barry DET/CIN LF (1926-31, 1933)
6 - Michael Borkholder PIT LF (1910-14, 1916)
6 - Pat Folyard WSH/DET LF (1914, 1916-20)
6 - Charles Netzer CHN/CLE LF (1929-32, 1937, 1939)


* Yankee Pitcher Art Booth's consecutive Gold Gloves in 1939 and 1940 ran his total to five, which also in second place for his position:

Pitcher
7 - Jassen Nelson NYA P (1906, 1908-10, 1912-13, 1916)
5 - Joe Taylor BKN/CHN P (1911, 1913-14, 1917, 1920)
5 - Babe Hardin CHA P (1927, 1929, 1931-32, 1937)
5 - Art Booth NYA P (1930, 1933, 1936, 1939-40)


* Lastly, Indians Center Fielder Joe Campbell won consecutive Gold Gloves in 1939 and 1940 to run his total to five. This also ties for second place for his position:

Centerfield
10 - Ray Brown PIT CF (1910-17, 1920-21)
5 - Montey Lawley WSH CF (1902, 1904, 1910-11, 1917)
5 - Dave Arkless CHN CF (1927, 1929, 1932-33, 1937)
5 - Joe Campbell CLE CF (1934-35, 1937, 1939-40)


John

[jdw]

Matt wrote:

Matt wrote:

> "Samoan Ben" Giordano, 1B, Pittsburgh Pirates



UNREAL!!!!

The Pirates draft Yet Another First Baseman!

Goose - I think it's time for Willie just to pack it in.

Hey... wait a minute... what this...


> Matt "The Whale" Perly, 2B, Chicago White Sox



> Chicago's jammed up middle infield
> situation just got a little tougher with Perly
> in the mix.

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!


'Shoot the Duck!'
-Daffy jdw


John

[Carlton]

Originally Posted by Matt from TN

1941 Offseason News

This past November, White Sox Hall of Fame pitcher Andrew Murphy, who won 339 games with a 2.10 ERA over his career, was defeated as a Republican candidate for the House of Representatives from Illinois. Just weeks after his defeat, his former teammate and outspoken member of the Black Sox 8, Kelly Bracky, died of heart failure in his suburban Chicago home. Murphy and most of his fellow teammates from the 1919 and 1920 White Sox attended the funeral. Notedly absent was Commissioner Kennesaw Landis and all other representatives of Major League Baseball.

(sniff)

Despite waht Uber Stat boy John says.

Kelly Bracky didn't throw that Series...his .222 was slightly lower than his talents suggested...he was no Flaky or Burke.

I remember that little going up to Arsenault in 1920 with the words that echo to this day

"Say it fake, flake...say it ain't fake!"

[jdw]

Carlton wrote:

> (sniff)
>
> Despite waht Uber Stat boy John says.

*sigh*


> Kelly Bracky didn't throw that Series...
> his .222 was slightly lower than his
> talents suggested...

It's possible that this math is beyond me, but you might be able to help me, Carlton. Isn't:

.319 - .222 >>> .356 - .346

.319 = Bracky BA for 1919 Regular Season
.222 = Bracky BA for 1919 WS

.356 = Burke's BA for 1919 Regular Season
.346 = Burke's BA for 1919 WS




> he was no Flaky or Burke.

No doubt.


> I remember that little going up to
> Arsenault in 1920 with the words
> that echo to this day
>
> "Say it fake, flake...say it ain't fake!"

Now that is funny.


John

[jdw]

Matt wrote:

> 1941 Offseason News
>
> This past November, White Sox Hall of
> Fame pitcher Andrew Murphy, who won
> 339 games with a 2.10 ERA over his career,
> was defeated as a Republican candidate
> for the House of Representatives from Illinois.

Defeated? Murph? In Illinois, in his home district where he's a Beloved Hero? You jest~!


> Just weeks after his defeat, his former
> teammate and outspoken member of the
> Black Sox 8, Kelly Bracky, died of heart
> failure in his suburban Chicago home.
> Murphy and most of his fellow teammates
> from the 1919 and 1920 White Sox attended
> the funeral. Notedly absent was Commissioner
> Kennesaw Landis and all other representatives
> of Major League Baseball.

As was Jed Burke, continuing his long standing policy of having no involvement with baseball since his retirement in 1921. In his only public statement on the matter, he indicated he would have "no comment" about Bracky out of respect for his widow and children. He did restate his often quoted comment that there was "a special place in hell for Eddie Whalen, Fred Glass and Charles Commiskey."

There remains a question on whether Burke would show up to the HOF induction ceremony if elected. Andrew Murphy has been quoted as saying he would do whatever it would take to get Burke there if it happened. Murphy is the only former White Sox player or employee that Burke remains in contact with.


John

[Matt from TN]

WEB PAGES UPDATED... INCLUDING PLAYER PAGES


1941 Season Preview

American League

The Yankees are putting together the top dynasty in history. They have already supassed the great Phillies mark. The Phillies won 6 pennant and 5 WS in 10 years and the Yanks have now won 7 pennants and 5 WS over the same span. New York once again enters the season as favorites with great pitching and a strong offense. Their best competition will be Washington, but the Indians, Browns and surprising Red Sox are breathing down their neck.


1. Yankees (97-57, 1st) - New York had a dominant 1940 season, winning the pennant by 8 games and sweeping the World Series. They enter this season with a team that is just as talented as their 97-game-winning club from last year.

Top Starters:
SP Art Booth (24-12, 3.08)
SP Luke Riley (26-10, 3.84)
SP Hale Scheepers (22-8, 2.62)

1B Louis Kirkes (.345, 68 RBI)
2B Ervin Skjerly (.318, 46 RBI)
SS Clarence Davis (.388, 80 RBI, 24 SB)
LF Allen March (.266, 12 HR, 80 RBI)
CF Jimmy Ditty (.307, 32 HR, 105 RBI)

Top Prospects:
NONE


2. Senators (89-65, 2nd) - They have 5 valid stars between their pitching staff and offense, more than any other team. They are surrounded by a great supporting cast. Now they have to get it done on the field to knock off the Yankees. They want to get back to the WS before Jethro Lee decides to hang it up.

Top Starters:
SP Micky Guyton (17-9, 2.92)
SP Jethro Lee (26-10, 2.61)

3B Carl Kahle (.315, 30 HR, 106 RBI)
SS Blake Crocitto (.370, 13 HR, 81 RBI)
LF Wolter Tjeenk-Willink (.352, 13 HR, 96 RBI)
CF Sam Kass (.259, 22 HR, 98 RBI)
RF John Shears (.312, 10 HR, 61 RBI, 32 SB)

Top Prospects:
3B Jim Dunkel (AAA)
SP Lonnie Aldrich (A)
SP Van Melbourn (A)



3. Indians (72-82, T-4th) - It all rests on an incredible pitching staff. Their offense needs to carry more of the load. They are definite contenders, but surpassing the Yanks will be a tough feat.

Top Starters:
SP George Bowers (21-10, 3.20)
SP Billy Crowell (18-17, 3.51)
SP William O'Neill (20-14, 3.81)

1B Daniel Lutzke (.230, 35 HR, 103 RBI)
LF Lou Zaitz (.308, 13 HR, 68 RBI)
CF Joe Campbell (.242, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 66 SB)
RF Bill Berry (.306, 10 HR, 49 RBI)

Top Prospects:
SP Ben Uren (A)


4. Browns (71-83, 6th) - Yet another disappointing season for St. Louis, but the promise of better days is still apparent. They have plenty of talent on this team, but finding consistency is a key.

Top Starters:
SP Mark Ponfick (19-15, 3.71)

1B Bill Simard (.320, 14 HR, 81 RBI)
LF Carmack Alford (.256, 20 HR, 88 RBI)
RF Tony Monachino (.290, 11 HR, 57 RBI, 32 SB)

Top Prospects:
SP Cotton Simson (Majors)
1B George Maringo (Majors)
SP Paul Rivest (AAA)
SP John Skoropat (AAA)
C Gus Tioni (AA)
1B Pete Nagel (AA)
SP Sam Cumby (A)
SP Corky Stell (A)


5. Red Sox (78-76, 3rd) - Finally some hope on the horizon! This team finished in 7th or 8th for 5 straight years and 7 of the past 9 years. They barely finished above .500 in 1940, but posting a winning record and finishing 3rd in the league may do wonders for the psyche of these players. Great things should come from this team soon.

Top Starters:
SP Mitchell Haynam (13-14, 3.51)

1B Jessie Holt (.338, 27 HR, 104 RBI)
2B Pokey Dorsey (.283, 10 HR, 54 RBI)
3B Tequila Allen (.282, 14 HR, 82 RBI)
SS Ricardo Bowden (.305, 62 RBI, 51 SB)
LF Al Arsenault (.290, 18 HR, 72 RBI)
CF Howard Sheridan (.298, 28 HR, 95 RBI)


Top Prospects:
SP James Basford (Majors)
2B Maurice Goza (AAA)
SP Ed Aul (AA)
C Biff Betters (A)


6. White Sox (72-82, T-4th) - Their offense is good, but not great, and their pitching staff needs to get in order. They have a lot of decent starters (along with two bonafide regulars), but they need to sift through these arms and determine which guys can really endure the starter's burden and help this team.

Top Starters:
SP Stuffy Zinn (15-8, 3.15)
SP Babe Hardin (14-11, 3.80)

C Leonard Davie (.284, 24 HR, 75 RBI, 23 SB)
3B Rollie McCord (.293, 12 HR, 72 RBI)

Top Prospects:
SP Mel Serrano (AA)
2B Matt Perly (AA)
CF Homer Jewell (A)


7. Tigers (67-87, 8th) - They have a bonafide ace, but the rest of the rotation is a disaster. Their offense is still strong, but it is not what it used to be.

Top Starters:
SP Bob Guilderson (26-11, 2.44)

1B Quenton Misisca (.240, 29 HR, 100 RBI)
2B Ray Dimeo (.321, 49 RBI)
3B Robert Studley (.321, 63 RBI)
SS Adolf Greisbach (.308, 61 RBI)
LF John Storback (.298, 20 HR, 87 RBI)
CF Carlton Affee (.295 in 353 AB)
RF Ricky Osterholt (.280, 11 HR, 61 RBI)

Top Prospects:
CF Roland Fish (Majors)
SP Hal Andrew (AA)
LF Ray Kress (AA)
SP Russ Treadaway (A)


8. Athletics (70-84, 7th) - Sal Rossi did a superb job with this team last year, getting them off to a great start and having them play hard all season long. They have some quality players, but not enough to compete with much of anyone. The good news is, help is on the way as they begin to rebuild their minors.

Top Starters:
SP Mickey Lonergan (15-10, 2.94)

Top Prospects:
CF Peaches Badeau (Majors)
SP Terry Lucewicz (AAA)
1B Lee Richardson (AAA)
1B Laszlo Szabo-Nagy (AA)
1B Rik Kaladimos (A)
3B Howard Ayers (A)

[jdw]

Matt wrote:

> 6. White Sox (72-82, T-4th) - Their offense is
> good, but not great, and their pitching staff needs to
> get in order. They have a lot of decent starters (along
> with two bonafide regulars), but they need to sift through
> these arms and determine which guys can really endure
> the starter's burden and help this team.

They needed to trade some of that excess middle infield to fill holes such as the pitching staff.


John

[Matt from TN]

National League

The Cubs and Dodgers remain atop the league, but slowly each of them are slipping closer to the rest of the pack. For the first time in a long time, they both have some serious concerns. The Cardinals and Giants have the best chance of beating these teams out and breaking the death grip they have held on the NL pennant. Either Brooklyn or Chicago has won the pennant for the past 7 years. If you go back to the Phillies and Braves days of dominance, those 4 teams have won each of the last 16 NL pennants!


1. Dodgers (89-65, 1st) - The way they finished last year hardly inspired confidence in this group. There have been rumblings that manager Carl Sweney may even call it quits. They have very good pitching, but for the first time in many years, they have some offensive holes. Perhaps the biggest question is if Oscar Vancini will bounce back from his lowest average in 7 years and a 26 HR and 26 RBI drop from 1939, or if this was a sign of his declining skills at age 36.

Top Starters:
SP Edwin Impens (18-11, 3.86)
SP Remmy Paul (13-7, 4.25)
SP Frank Smith (23-13, 2.18)

1B Jeff Bundy (.294, 28 HR, 109 RBI)
2B Brad Coffenberger (.311, 77 RBI)
3B Flip DeLeon (.327, 71 RBI)
SS Jonny Perly (.278, 57 RBI, 78 SB)
LF Oscar Vancini (.279, 33 HR, 98 RBI)
RF Jonathan Wright (.293, 13 HR, 75 RBI)

Top Prospects:
C Leroy Daurio (Majors)
SP James Bajofer (A)
1B Dennis Kitterman (A)
3B Paul Varghese (A)


2. Cubs (83-71, 2nd) - They are still anchored by an incredible rotation, but injuries have sabotaged the past 2 seasons. If you go back to their first two WS appearances in 1936-37, injuries hurt them there too. In one of their only relatively injury-free seasons (1938), they won 101 games and the WS. Can their pitchers remain healthy? If not, this offense cannot carry them with so much other talent across the league. Is it a coincidence that this team has not won another pennant since Cookie Parrish's last year before announcing his sudden retirement?

Top Starters:
SP Mike Buntain (17-12, 3.20)
SP Punchy Cote (22-12, 2.58)
SP David Wickersham (12-16, 4.17)
SP Alex Winterhalter (16-9, 3.37)

C Earle Clipp (.268,12 HR, 64 RBI)
1B Dan Troge (.284, 23 HR, 94 RBI)
CF Dave Arkless (.254, 20 HR, 83 RBI)
RF Dewey Mickelsen (.322, 18 HR, 49 RBI in 369 AB)

Top Prospects:
SP Jay Wallsworth (AAA)
CF Chris Hulliberger (A)

3. Cardinals (81-73, 3rd) - This is an exciting young team on the verge of reclaiming the Cardinals' glory of 20 years ago. Their rotation is finally coming around thanks to the late addition of Brett Smith last season. However, the team had to coax Smith to come back after he was on the verge of retiring. He did return, but how comfortable will he be? After spending the past 10 years in Cincinnati, he was noticably uncomfortable in the Cardinals locker room, although it never spilled out onto the field, where he was brilliant.

Top Starters:
SP Abe Dickens (21-11, 3.45)
SP Brett Smith (24-10, 2.98)

C Herman Dunkel (.266, 10 HR, 71 RBI)
2B Joe Christie (.307, 11 HR, 48 RBI in 287 AB)
3B Genarito Nunez (.318, 11 HR, 94 RBI)
LF Phil Starkey (.295, 69 RBI)
CF Morton Chamblee (.307, 18 HR, 94 RBI, 21 SB)

Top Prospects:
2B Edwin Keesaer (Majors)
CF Francis Gilmartin (Majors)
SP Clyde Eakes (A)
SP Roy Wolfe (A)


4. Giants (79-75, 4th) - They have a very good mix of pitching and offensive talent. They should be near the top of the league, but to really contend for the pennant, they need some of their young pitchers to step up and some of their veteran hitters to rebound.

Top Starters:
SP George Cone (18-19, 3.33)
SP Clint Rohm (17-14, 3.46)

C Lloyd Johnson (.217, 19 HR, 70 RBI)
1B Carlos Hulse (.291, 13 HR, 60 RBI)
2B Bobby Martin (.316, 66 RBI)
3B Dale Lamberty (.282, 31 HR, 92 RBI)
CF Froggy Borgert (.234, 31 HR, 102 RBI)

Top Prospects:
SP Jack Schoonover (Majors)
2B Walt Fabbricatore (Majors)
SP Tom Zonneveld (A)
RF Stu Cripps (A)


5. Pirates (70-84, T-6th) - Their offense could be one of the best in the league, and with some pitching help, they could emerge as a surprise contender.

Top Starters:
SP Bill Blakemore (20-18, 3.63)

1B Teddy Plihtov (.323, 47 RBI in 269 AB)
1B Vic Ullom (.326, 11 HR, 50 RBI in 368 AB)
3B Eric Teeuw (.315, 80 RBI)
SS Elmer Menard (.296, 56 RBI in 368 AB)
CF Bud Breckenridge (.321, 18 HR, 92 RBI, 47 SB)
RF Rudy Young (.270, 11 HR, 69 RBI)

Top Prospects:
SP Marvin Herpel (AAA)
SS Russell Kalin (AAA)
1B Ben Giordano (AA)


6. Braves (69-85, 8th) - Last season was a disaster. They finished in last place and fired their manager. They handed over the reigns to respected outfielder George Ward to lead the club as player-manager. This team is better than they showed last season but likely still not good enough to win the pennant.

Top Starters:
SP Elmer Finch (13-12, 2.88)
SP Otto Kahle (21-16, 2.88)

3B Rocky D'Urso (.298, 40 RBI in 255 AB)
RF George Ward (.310, 69 RBI)

Top Prospects:
SP Sonny Faulkner (Majors)
SP Zachariah Smith (Majors)
2B Bonnard Shadle (Majors)
2B John Valcarcel (A)
SS Cutter Brekke (A)


7. Phillies (75-79, 5th) - They have enough talent to keep from embarrassing this franchise's legacy, but most young help is still far, far away.

Top Starters:
SP Randall Bray (14-10, 3.29)
SP Tom Mierhofer (15-17, 3.16)

C Virgil Lusk (.279, 12 HR, 48 RBI in 276 AB)
1B William Suggs (.261, 18 HR, 65 RBI)
2B Augie Cost (.264, 14 HR, 62 RBI)
3B Kid Fite (.269, 14 HR, 60 RBI in 294 AB)

Top Prospects:
1B Lonny Arrendale (A)
1B Bobby Johnson (A)
RF George Petty (A)


8. Reds (70-84, T-6th) - They threw in the towel last season and got some good prospects for Brett Smith. They continue to build an impressive farm system, and their major league team should continue to benefit from it.

Top Starters:
SP Schoolboy Emberling (10-17, 3.69)

1B Hank Faver (.298, 16 HR, 85 RBI)
2B Pee Wee Osborne (.289, 11 HR, 82 RBI)
CF Flint Rutty (.291, 81 RBI)

Top Prospects:
2B Skeeter Schaldemose (Majors)
RF Herman Baily (Majors)
1B Edward Rossi (AAA)
SP Ace Shipley (AA)
SP Gene Masarech (A)
SP Frank Vamos (A)

[tward13]

Just checked the Braves roster. Bourbon Allen, he of the 390 career wins, is listed at AAA on the opening day roster?