1920's Historical League Forming

[Driver 8]

- League name: American Baseball Federation
- League URL: Home/History
- League type (historical, fictional, etc): Historical beginning in 1924
- Special league rules
- Number of teams: 16
- OOTP version: 2007

The ABF will be getting off the ground with a re-draft of the teams beginning Wednesday night. Right now, 10 of 16 teams are filled and we're looking for owners for the following teams: Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. If you're interested, please e-mail me at b_kick(at)yahoo(dot)com.

[Driver 8]

After simming 23 seasons, all of the players have been released and this morning we begun re-drafting teams for the inaugural season of the ABF. We've made it through the first six picks so far:

February 16, 1924

#1 Jimmie Foxx, 16, 3B/1B



Foxx is a major talent, setting ABF records in homeruns (53) and RBIs (171) last season. The amazing thing about his record-breaking season was not that he did it as a rookie, but that he was just 15 years old. Having taken the nation by storm, the only real question is whether can he follow-up last season with an even better season, or fall back to mere super-stardom. While the world is his oyster, it does not come without controversy.

First, does employing a 15-year-old amount to exploitation? One GM, who wished to remain anonymous, stated: "Exploitation? I'll tell you what, name one other teenager making $2,500 a year. I dare you. As a matter of fact, my son needs a job. Exploit him!"

Although not necessarily controversial, the Athletics' wisdom was called in question by playing the young phenom at third throughout the season, as Foxx accumulated 103 errors. Athletics manager Connie Mack defends that decision: "Sure, it's easy to knock that decision, but we had nowhere else to play him. We had (Earl) Sheely knock in 100 runs and bat .336 over at first. And I can tell you this, Foxx looks like the second-coming of Wid Conroy compared to Sheely."

#2 Lou Gehrig, 20, 1B



Like Foxx, Gehrig was one of four teenagers to see significant action last season. Also like Foxx, Gehrig proved the gamble was worthwhile. Originally drafted by the Indians in 1922, Gehrig hit .303 splitting that season between AA Dayton and AAA Toledo before earning a late-season call-up with the Tribe. In 19 games Gehrig hit .315 with three homers, one more than he hit in 94 minor league games. The only real knock on him was the fact that he failed to draw a single walk in 73 at bats with the big league club.

Last season, Gehrig developed by leaps and bounds, hitting .342 with 10 homers and 88 RBIs in 146 games. Gehrig also displayed a better approach to hitting, drawing 49 walks to just 13 strikeouts. The young slugger might not contend for any gold gloves, but he does have Triple Crown potential.

#3 Rogers Hornsby, 27, SS/3B



At just 27 years old, Hornsby is already a 10-year veteran of the ABF. Drafted by the Pirates in 1914, Hornsby made the jump to Pittsburgh after just 32 games at Reading that season. Although he struggled, hitting .243 and .258, his first two seasons, he hit .292 in 1916 and seemed on the brink of stardom. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to a mere 56 games in 1917 and 1918, combined. Flash forward to 1921, when Hornsby turned in a .360-27-113 season that made him a household name. Cementing his place among the league's finest, Hornsby followed that season up by hitting .361 in '22 and enjoyed his best season yet, last year, when he set career-highs with a .372 average and 36 homers.

#4 Red Ruffing, 19, SP



Proving youth is king, Ruffing is the third teenager to see regular last season. Like Gehrig, Ruffing was also from the class of '22. He started that season with AAA Independence where he posted a 4-0 mark, with a 2.20 ERA, leading to a quick promotion to the Cardinals, where he went 17-8 with a 2.68 ERA. Although he "struggled" to a 13-8 mark last season, Ruffing has compiled 30 wins prior to his 20th birthday. With solid defense behind him, this groundball pitcher could be looking at a 20-win season.

#5 Goose Goslin, 23, LF



If there's one thing that most of the league's scouts agree upon, it's the fact that Goslin might be the best pure hitter in the league. Drafted 3rd overall in 1920, Goslin stepped right into a starting spot with the Cardinals and hit .318 as a rookie. Although he has yet to win a batting title, he did hit .378 and .381 the next two seasons. Last year, Goslin was off to a quick start, hitting .407 through 81 at bats before a pinched nerve in his neck ended his season.

#6 Al Simmons, 21, OF



Simmons, the second overall pick in the 1923 amateur draft, made the jump straight to Cleveland's starting line-up last season. In 140 games with the Tribe, Simmons hit .306 with 13 homers and 81 RBIs. Although he doesn't have Foxx's power, or Goslin's keen batting eye, Simmons could contend for batting titles and average 25-30 homers on a regular basis by the end of the decade. Simmons is also a hawk in the outfield and seems destined to win several gold gloves.

We're currently looking to fill vacancies with the Cardinals, Indians and Tigers. If you're interested, e-mail me at b_kick(at)yahoo{dot}com

[darkhorse]

Just curious, but WTF is Jimmie Foxx doing in the big leagues at age 15? I got a little weepy eyed when I noticed that the Babe flamed out as well.

No knock on Driver 8, a great commish and music lover.

[Driver 8]

I certainly did a double-take when I saw that. The PC had complete control of the rosters from 1901-23 and I was not quite sure what the AI was thinking when I took back control at the beginning of '24.

After checking all of the starting players on every team last year, I realized that there were only four teenagers receiving regular playing time (15, 17, 19 & 19). Since it doesn't appear to be a trend, I thought I'd leave it as is. An oddity, of sorts.

[darkhorse]

Originally Posted by Driver 8

I certainly did a double-take when I saw that. The PC had complete control of the rosters from 1901-23 and I was not quite sure what the AI was thinking when I took back control at the beginning of '24.

After checking all of the starting players on every team last year, I realized that there were only four teenagers receiving regular playing time (15, 17, 19 & 19). Since it doesn't appear to be a trend, I thought I'd leave it as is. An oddity, of sorts.

I'm guessing you're using a database that has players import at least two years before their ML debut since Foxx didn't hit the bigs until age 17?

[Driver 8]

Originally Posted by darkhorse

I'm guessing you're using a database that has players import at least two years before their ML debut since Foxx didn't hit the bigs until age 17?

With (slightly) unexpected results. I thought it meant that they would import two years early with muted ratings and normal potential, then hit the bigs at the same time as their real-life counterpart. Well, I'm hoping that's the case, anyway. If not, hopefully this will be a once in a quarter-century thing.

[darkhorse]

Well, this is a league I'm going to follow with great interest. I'm sure it will turn out as well and have the same lengthy run as the TSTBL.

[Driver 8]

The Tigers have been filled. We're still looking for owners in St. Louis (Cards) and Cleveland.

[miller41]

I would be interested in the Cardinals. I won 2007 and am currently an owner in the LBA and have been for 5 simmed seasons. We just converted to 2007 and I do like it alot.

[Biggieh685]

Hi,

I am wondering if you still needed someone to helm the Cleveland club.

If so, I would be interested.

Thank you,
Keith.

[Driver 8]

We've just completed the 1924 season and we're looking for a pair of owners:

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates finished at 84-70, good enough for 2nd place, and feature one of the leagues better pitching staffs. Ace Earl Yingling (20-10, 2.94) and Harry Keupper (20-10, 3.20) both won 20 games, while Bill Doak (11-11, 3.83) has reached that mark previously. Riggs Stephenson (.387-7-79) lead the team in hitting while Les Bell (.328-5-107) and Phil Todt (.299-13-101) both reached the 100 RBI plateau.

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies had a rougher time this past season, limping home with a 67-87 mark. On the bright side, the Phillies do have the top-ranked minor league system featuring Tony Murray (.287-3-16), Showboat Fisher (.270-2-24), Earl Whitehill (14-11, 4.31) and Lena Styles (.269-1-17), all of whom rank among the league's top-50 prospects. Still working their way through the system are Skinny Graham (AAA: 15-9, 2.54), Ted Wingfield (AAA: 16-11, 2.57) and Mickey Cochrane (A: .220-0-6).

If you're interested in either team, please drop me an e-mail at b_kick(at)yahoo.com

[Driver 8]

The Phillies have been taken and it appears the Pirates are still available.

[Driver 8]

The ABF is starting the 1924-25 off-season this evening with the first free agency sim, and as it stands, we're looking for someone to take over the Red Sox. The Sox finished 84-70 last season and have a solid team from top to bottom.

The offense revolves around 16-year-old Jimmie Foxx, who smashed league records by hitting 53 homers and driving in 171 runs in '23, but "fell back to earth" due to injuries last season, hitting .342 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 109 games. Supporting Foxx are Vic Saier (.244-15-76, 20 3B's), Joe Sewell (.319-13-104), Ossie Bluege (.344-4-55), Ray Blades (.287-13-67) and Val Picinich (.298-3-58).

On the mound, youngsters Sloppy Thurston (25, 15-13, 3.80), Ernie Wingard (24, 14-13, 3.87), Hub Pruett (24, 13-7, 4.04) and Walter Anderson (27, 14-8, 4.60) are joined by veterans George Mohart (13-12, 3.92) and Carroll Jones (10-15, 4.68). Top prospect Bob Osborn (A: 3-4, 4.09) is currently ranked as the 5th best pitching prospect in the league.

The team seems to be set at the plate and on the mound, they just need someone to put them in the right order. If you're interested, drop me an e-mail at b_kick(at)yahoo.com

[Kelric]

The Red Sox, ey? I may be interested.

[Driver 8]

We're still looking for an owner for the Red Sox. We started the free agency period last night, with no signings. There's still time to jump aboard and fine-tune the roster for 1925.

[Driver 8]

Still looking to fill the Red Sox. We've completed the free agency period and are now handling the amateur draft prior to the 1925 season. If you're interested, please drop me an e-mail.

[Driver 8]

We've just completed the 1925 season and we're still trying to a good fit for the Indians and the Red Sox.

Boston finished above .500 last season (78-76) and have a trio of great youngsters in Jimmie Foxx (.351-34-117), 18, Joe Sewell (.405-4-56 in 79 games), 26, and Ike Boone (.298-18-117), 28, ready to come back and fight for a post-season berth in '26. Sewell, who suffered through several injuries this past season, is a career .345 hitter who hit .404 four seasons ago. Foxx is single-season ABF leader in homers (53) and RBIs (171).

Other key players include: Ossie Bluege (.290-4-56), 24, and Freddy Leach (.294-8-65), 27.

Cleveland, on the other hand, is more of a project. The Tribe went 60-94 this past season and will have the 2nd pick in the upcoming amateur draft. While there are many holes to be filled, the cupboard isn't complete bare: Jimmy Welsh (.340-6-77), 22, Ivy Griffith (.283-1-46), 29, Harry Rice (.318-6-63), 23, Earl Combs (.315-6-61), 26, and Bill Barrett (.298-9-69), 25, all return.

If you check out the league-HTML (linked below), we do use a four-division format, which seems to reset to two-leagues every off-season. It will be corrected before the new season starts.

If you're interested in either team, please drop me an e-mail at b_kick(at)yahoo.com.

[Omar_Infante_FTW]

Lou should have gone #1. ... discuss.

[JoeRockHead]

e-mail sent