Offseason
Major Retirements
Harry Heilmann (WS) 2317 games. 2724 hits, 185 HR, 1258 RBIs, .318 avg.
George Kelly (BOS) 1927 hits, 132 HR, 951 RBIs, .299 avg.
Bob O'Farrell (CHA) 1528 hits, 67 HR, 697 RBIs, .275 avg.
Johnny Bassler (PIT) 2433 hits, 832 RBIs, .304 avg.
Joe Judge (CIN) 2448 hits, 83 HR, 1171 RBIs, .296 avg.
Ross Youngs (BRO) 2126 hits, 72 HR, 864 RBIs, .329 avg.
Pete Kilduff (PHA) 1803 hits, 808 RBIs, .281 avg.
Charlie Jamieson (BSN) 1755 hits, .306 avg.
Hall of Fame
Jake Beckley Makes NABL Hall Of Fame
Thursday, October 6th, 1932
The way Jake Beckley played baseball made the word "superstar" seem inadequate. He played the game at an even higher level and that's why he is now one of the immortals in the North American BaseBall League Hall of Fame.
Beckley played in 2434 games with a .321 lifetime batting average. Among his 3086 hits were 656 doubles, 197 triples and 97 home runs. He also scored 1710 runs and drove in 1772 runs. Beckley was 39, when he retired. Jake hit .315 in 4 post season appearances, including 3 HRs in 1892 while with the series Champs NY Giants.
One of his teammates described the talented first baseman this way: "The greatness of Jake Beckley was something that had to be seen... and to see him was to remember him forever."
Jake Beckley was inducted into the Hall of Fame today after being elected by the Baseball Writers Association.
The new Hall of Famer told the audience, "I just went out and did my job every day... and I guess I must have done it pretty well. Thank you for the honor you have given me today."
Draft
NABL News: First-Year Player Draft
Wednesday, October 12th, 1932
Today is the North American BaseBall League amateur draft. Everyone wants to be drafted first, but the real story lies in the obscure pick several rounds removed from the limelight. These are players in the draft, who might never make the big leagues, but some who could just as easily become Hall of Famers. In any case, the quest to find that hidden nugget begins in earnest today. St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Washington will have the first five selections. BNN analysts have rated these players as likely high draft picks:
1. Ralph Birkofer, 23 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
2. Dolph Camilli, 25 year-old first baseman out of college.
3. Hank Leiber, 21 year-old center fielder out of college.
4. Cecil Travis, 19 year-old third baseman out of high-school.
5.
Schoolboy Rowe, 22 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
6. Pete Fox, 23 year-old center fielder out of college.
7.
Dutch Leonard, 23 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
8. Russ Van Atta, 26 year-old starting pitcher out of college.
9. Lonny Frey, 22 year-old shortstop out of college.
10.
Bob Johnson, 26 year-old left fielder out of college.
Draft Results
| Round 1 |
|---|
| Round 1, Pick 1 - St. Louis Cardinals: SP Schoolboy Rowe |
| Round 1, Pick 2 - Cincinnati Reds: 1B Hal Trosky |
| Round 1, Pick 3 - Philadelphia Phillies: SP Dutch Leonard |
| Round 1, Pick 4 - Cleveland Indians: LF Bob Johnson |
| Round 1, Pick 5 - Washington Senators: C Frankie Hayes |
| Round 1, Pick 6 - Boston Red Sox: 1B Dolph Camilli |
| Round 1, Pick 7 - Chicago Cubs: SP Ralph Birkofer |
| Round 1, Pick 8 - Detroit Tigers: SP Johnny Marcum |
| Round 1, Pick 9 - Boston Red Sox: LF Phil Weintraub |
| Round 1, Pick 10 - New York Giants: CF Hank Leiber |
| Round 1, Pick 11 - Chicago White Sox: 3B Cecil Travis |
| Round 1, Pick 12 - New York Yankees: MR Ray Prim |
| Round 1, Pick 13 - St. Louis Browns: SP Russ Van Atta |
| Round 1, Pick 14 - Boston Red Sox: MR Dick Barrett |
| Round 1, Pick 15 - New York Giants: MR Thornton Lee |
| Round 1, Pick 16 - Boston Braves: CF Pete Fox |
Washington Draft Results
Round 1, Pick 5 - Washington Senators: C Frankie Hayes
Round 2, Pick 5 - Washington Senators: LF Joe Mowry
Round 3, Pick 6 - Washington Senators: RF John Stoneham
Round 4, Pick 5 - Washington Senators: MR Charlie Butler
Awards
NL Honors Outstanding Fielders
Sunday, October 16th, 1932
Glove Wizard Awards are the symbol for defensive excellence, a recognition of the best of the best in defense. The National League Glove Wizard Award trophies for 1932 have been awarded to these outstanding fielders:
Pitcher: Lefty Williams (Chicago Cubs)
Catcher: Ernie Lombardi (Pittsburgh Pirates)
First Baseman: Al Niehaus (Philadelphia Phillies)
Second Baseman: Joe Cronin (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Third Baseman: Davey Claire (St. Louis Cardinals)
Shortstop: Billy Rogell (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Left Fielder: Ben Chapman (New York Giants)
Center Fielder: Sam West (Boston Braves)
Right Fielder: Pepper Martin (Boston Braves)
AL Rewards Top Defenders for 1932
Sunday, October 16th, 1932
On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the American League for 1932 has been announced, and the Glove Wizard Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:
Pitcher: Oral Hildebrand (New York Yankees)
Catcher: Spud Davis (Boston Red Sox)
First Baseman: Hank Greenberg (St. Louis Browns)
Second Baseman: Buddy Myer (Chicago White Sox)
Third Baseman: Joe Stripp (Philadelphia Athletics)
Shortstop:
Travis Jackson (Washington Senators)
Left Fielder: Mel Ott (Boston Red Sox)
Center Fielder: Earl Averill (St. Louis Browns)
Right Fielder: Dixie Walker (Boston Red Sox)
Vaughan Is NL's #1 Rookie
Monday, October 17th, 1932
He's the toast of the town in St. Louis -- the brand-new 1932 National League Newcomer of the Year Award winner -- shortstop Arky Vaughan.
In his debut season he compiled some good stats, hitting .335, batting in 95 runs and scoring 88 times, while playing in 131 games. The 20-year-old newcomer also had 26 doubles, 15 triples and 12 home runs.
American League Picks Top Rookie
Monday, October 17th, 1932
Today the American League announced that New York left fielder Joe Medwick is the winner of the 1932 Newcomer of the Year Award.
He finished the regular season with a .304 batting average, 39 doubles, 10 triples and 17 home runs. Medwick also had 88 RBIs and scored 83 times.
1932 NL Outstanding Pitcher Award Named
Wednesday, October 19th, 1932
Syl Johnson joined an elite group of pitchers today by picking up the National League Outstanding Pitcher Award for 1932.
The 31-year-old hurler finished the year 19-6 for the Boston Braves, piling up 247.2 innings, registering 87 strikeouts and walking 51 on his way to a solid 2.83 ERA.
Vance Chosen AL's Best Pitcher
Wednesday, October 19th, 1932
With speculation about his retirement gaining steam last offseason, White Sox ace Dazzy Vance had something to prove. He proved it in award-winning style as he accepted the American League Outstanding Pitcher Award today.
The veteran Chicago hurler posted a record of 20 wins and 13 losses this year with a 2.95 ERA. In 39 starts he struck out 166 and walked 92 in 311.2 innings.
1932 Premier Batter Selected By NL
Thursday, October 20th, 1932
It's been a year of triumph for veteran Lou Gehrig of the Boston Braves as he hit his way to the 1932 National League Outstanding Hitter Award.
The 29-year-old veteran compiled a .351 average and .440 on-base percentage by putting together 203 hits, 31 doubles, 10 triples, 36 home runs and 95 walks. He also scored 142 times and drove in 123 runs.
St. Louis's Ruth Takes 1932 Outstanding Hitter Award
Thursday, October 20th, 1932
Babe Ruth has been around North American BaseBall League enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 1932 season, he's taking home the Outstanding Hitter Award in the American League.
The St. Louis right fielder put up a batting average of .343 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, 35 home runs and 106 RBIs.
Trades and Signings
Washington-Chicago Announce Deal
Sunday, October 30th, 1932
The Washington Senators addressed a concern today, coming to terms with the Chicago White Sox on a trade that will send 25-year-old starting pitcher Dick Coffman from the Senators to the White Sox in exchange for 26-year-old third baseman Woody English.
English has played in 723 games with a .298 lifetime batting average. Among his 816 hits are 144 doubles, 42 triples and 16 home runs. He also has scored 389 runs and driven in 280 runs.
Thursday December 1st, 1932
Signed SP Sheriff Blake to a 3 year, $33,000 deal.