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Jiggs McGee · 07-30-2021, 11:52 AM

THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL

January 21, 1938 - Off-Season Edition

1938 EARLY PREVIEW

Spring training is still over a month away so there might well be more change coming but already a number of very talented ballplayers have switched teams over the winter. As of this writing you have to credit the Chicago Chiefs as doing the most to improve their pennant chances. The Chiefs, winners of the 1936 WCS, have added talented infielder Hank Barnett and veteran pitcher Jim Lonardo with each coming at a very minimal cost and as a result TWIFB has the Chiefs pegged as the early favourites in the Federal Association. While a number of Fed teams were quite busy so far this off-season, the teams in the Continental Association have, for the most part, been slumbering with only Baltimore's move to add slugging corner infielder Ken Mayhugh being considered a major acquisition. The Cannons should be improved this season but still won't challenge for the pennant which we expect will be another tight battle between the two-time defending CA champion Brooklyn Kings and the Philadelphia Sailors, who finished second to Brooklyn both times.

A lot can still change between now and Opening Day but here is how This Week in Figment Baseball sees the races at this point in time.

1-CHICAGO CHIEFS: If Jim Lonardo still has something left in his now 33 year old arm, and we are betting the 3 time Allen Award winner certainly does, the Chiefs rotation will be the best in FABL. Rabbit Day (18-13, 3.23) was inconsistent at times - at least compared to the Rabbit Day we have come to know - and a more solid 1938 is likely in store. Add in his former Gothams teammate Lonardo as well as Al Miller (19-13, 3.49), who's sophomore campaign was a bit of a drop off from his sensational rookie year but still better than 90% of the pitchers in the game, and the Chiefs are a team to be feared. Reuniting ex-Saints infielder Hank Barnett with his old manager in Montreal is another nice move at a cost of 2 pitchers the Chiefs could easily afford. The only concern is centerfield and will Bennie Griffith's elbow hold up but Chicago took steps to address that with the aquisition of another ex-Saint in Bob Worley, who hit 57 homers in the minors last season.
ADDED - Jim Lonardo P (8-19, 4.25), Hank Barnett 2B-3B (.276,19,95), Bob Worley (minor leagues)
LOST - Ron Coles P (8-6, 3.75), Bob Walls P (1-4, 5.40)

2- PITTSBURGH MINERS: The decision to move slugging 3B Ed Stewart was a bit of a surprise but the Miners must feel confident that Ray Cochran (.349,5,34) - a mid-season waiver pickup- can do the job full-time after a strong showing in the second half of 1937. In Sandoval and McCarthy the Miners add a pair of young arms that will round out the rotation this season and will be counted on heavily going forward. The defending champs will have their work cut out for them to keep pace with Chicago while trying to hold off several teams that are hot on their heels.
ADDED - Luis Sandoval P (3-3, 3.46), Ray McCarthy P (1-4, 6.21)
LOST - Ed Stewart 3B (.263,23,101)

3- BOSTON MINUTEMEN: Last season was an incredibly tight race among the top six Federal Association clubs and while we feel Chicago will distance itself from the pack the race for 2nd thru 6th will be just as tight this time around as it was a year ago. The Minutemen picked up 22 year old John Edwards, a pitcher with quite a future ahead of him, from Baltimore over the winter. The cost was heavy in talented young slugger Ken Mayhugh but with Edwards and young ace Dick Higgins the top of the Boston rotation should be set for years to come. It would take an awful lot going right, and much of it centered around often injured first baseman Bob Donoghue staying healthy, for the Minutemen to challenge for the pennant, but they will be right in the mix for second place.
ADDED -John Edwards P(11-19, 4.42)
LOST - Ken Mayhugh 3B (.299,17,82)

4- PHILADELPHIA KEYSTONES: While Chicago, Boston and Pittsburgh made moves the Keystones have been very quiet this winter. That might change soon as their are rumours circulating Philadelphia is willing to part with one of it's 3 veteran arms (Art Myers, Ed Baker or Frank Crawford) for offensive help but for no nothing has really changed from the club that finished 2 games back of Pittsburgh a year ago. Without an upgrade it is quite conceivable the Keystones fall to 6th place especially if veteran first baseman Rankin Kellogg (.252,19,80) has another rough start but they could also finish as high as second if things come together.
ADDED - Bobby McHenry OF (.203,0,4)
LOST - Earl Farrar P (1-1, 9.64), Bill Groom OF (.208,0,3),Ed Petty P (0-0, 4.50)

5- WASHINGTON EAGLES: Like Philadelphia, the Eagles have been very quiet this off-season, perhaps feeling their outstanding finish is a sign of things to come next season. Offense is certainly not an issue with probably the best lineup 1-8 in the Fed but their pitching is hit and miss. The big question is which Bill Anderson will show up on the mound for the Eagles? The one who won 20 games in 1936 and finished 1937 by going 4-0 with a 2.05 era or the one who was awful for the first four months of last season? Anderson's performance in 1938 will go a long ways towards determining the Eagles fate.
ADDED - None
LOST - None

6- ST LOUIS PIONEERS: St Louis might have missed it's opportunity to become a true contender this season. The Pioneers stood pat early in the off-season and watched Chicago and Boston each add a quality arm. The Pioneers offense is strong but their pitching is up and down which prompted them to shop all-star first baseman Fred McCormick in hopes of landing an elite young arm. The issue is there are not a lot of those available and the one that was, Baltimore's John Edwards, was moved to one of the Pioneers main competitors a month before St Louis decided to start looking for a trade. There is plenty of offense on the banks of the Mississippi but the question is how far will the arms of Sam Sheppard, David Abalo and Dixie Lee take the Pioneers. They have had a few close calls recently including back to back second place finishes in 1934 and 1935 but you can't help but feel the window is slowly closing on this group.
ADDED - None
LOST - Jack Richardson P (5-8, 5.75)

7- DETROIT DYNAMOS: You have to give the Dynamos credit as they made a lot of moves over the winter, and we are only halfway through it. Stewart should help the offense and Wheeler and Coles have the makings of decent pitchers but all eyes in Detroit will be on youngsters Sal Pestilli and Red Johnson. Pestilli is looking to follow up on an all-star rookie season and Johnson is just 20 years old but a very highly anticipated slugger. Detroit won't be in the mix to win a pennant this season but they will be a lot of fun to watch and their offense should be much improved from the team that finished 7th in runs scored last season.
ADDED - Manager George Theobald, Ed Stewart 3B (.263,23,101), Charlie Wheeler P (7-10, 4.58),Erv Smith SS (.245,0,41), Ron Coles P (8-6, 3.75), Bob Walls P (1-4, 5.40), Jack Richardson P (5-8, 5.75),
LOST - Manager/1B Max Morris (.251,9,52), Chuck Murphy P (14-16, 3.78), Ray McCarthy P (1-4, 6.21), Karl Wallace P (2-1, 3.24), Frank Davis SS (.270,1,22), Hardin Bates P (7-13, 5.40)

8- NEW YORK GOTHAMS: You thought last year was bad Gothams fans? Wait until you see what happens this year. The club may be challenged to win 50 games this time around. The only good thing is there is help around the corner as the Gothams have amassed an incredible group of young prospects but most will not be ready until the year after the Gothams new stadium in Astoria Park debuts in 1939.
ADDED - Hardin Bates P (7-13, 5.40)
LOST - Jim Lonardo P (8-19, 4.25), Charlie Wheeler P (7-10, 4.58), Erv Smith SS (.245,0,41), Johnnny McDowell 3B (.305,0,34), Gary Harris P (3-7, 7.80)

The CA was spooky quiet compared to the Federal Association over the winter. The previously mentioned Baltimore Cannons big trade with Boston was the only impact move made.

1- BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings appeared prepared to send virtually the exact same roster on to the field for 1938 that won the last two CA pennants. That changed slightly with late news that Dan Barrell's bad knee has had enough and the 34 year old has decided to retire. That leaves a hole at first base but the Kings should have little trouble filling it with one of their surplus of outfielders.
ADDED - Gary Harris P (3-7, 7.80)
LOST- Dan Barrell 1B (.305,11,71)

2- PHILADELPHIA SAILORS: The Sailors did add a solid pitcher in Chuck Murphy and while it certainly lacks the excitement of a Jim Lonardo or John Edwards deals, it might be just enough to lift Philadelphia past the Kings. At this point it is likely a toss up between the two teams that finished deadlocked after 154 games a year ago and injuries quite likely will be the deciding factor this time around.
ADDED - Chuck Murphy P (14-16, 3.78),
LOST - David Merchant OF (.000,0,0), Ben Yancy P (0-0, 9.00), John Kincaid 3B (.222,1,25)

3- CHICAGO COUGARS: The Cougars are coming is something we have mentioned for a couple of years now. They took a big step forward last season improving from two straight 6th place finishes to 3rd in 1937. They are likely on the verge of a pennant run and it could be this season if all goes right but perhaps 1939, when they move into a new stadium, will be the year to celebrate for Cougars fans. The devastating injuries to former ace Tommy Wilcox set the franchise way back but his replacement is nearly here. Pete Papenfus is just 19 years old but the best pitching prospect in the game and just might make his big league debut sometime late in the 1938 season.
ADDED - Johnny McDowell 3B (.305,0,34)
LOST - Luis Sandoval P (3-3, 3.46)

4- CLEVELAND FORESTERS: A very quiet off-season so far for the Foresters who seem to be on a downswing as their offensive stars age. There are still a pair of elite pitchers in Dean Astle and Sergio Gonzales so there is always a chance Cleveland catches fire but it is looking like the club is starting to pay the pirce for loading up on talent a couple of years back. It was certainly worth it as they won a pair of pennants and the first World Championship in franchise history but there may be some lean years ahead.
ADDED - NONE
LOST - NONE

5- BALTIMORE CANNONS: The Cannons string of 4 straight last place finishes might finally come to an end as their young pitchers begin to mature and they have finally taken some steps to upgrade their anemic offense. They are still a long ways from making the first division, something the Cannons last accomplished in 1931, but the building blocks are there.
ADDED- Ken Mayhugh 3B (.299,17,82)
LOST- John Edwards P(11-19, 4.42)

6- MONTREAL SAINTS: The addition of Frank Davis should be a huge upgrade defensively for Montreal and will certainly help the worst pitching stats in the CA but the Saints just seem like one of those teams that is forever stuck in the middle of the pack. Montreal has not finished higher than third place in the CA since they won the pennant in 1921 and they have only finished 7th or 8th twice in the past 16 years so what you get is a team that consistently lands in the middle of league. This season won't be much different but an improving Baltimore club likely drops the Saints to sixth.
ADDED - Karl Wallace P (2-1, 3.24), Frank Davis SS (.270,1,22)
LOST - Hank Barnett 3B (.276,19,95)

7- TORONTO WOLVES: Like their Canadian cousins in Montreal the Toronto Wolves have not seen much success over the past couple of decades. In fact, Toronto has the worst record in all of baseball since the modern era (human GMs) began in 1926. The club does have some talent, particularly on the mound in Otis Cook and Joe Hancock and there is some very good talent in the farm system so the current management has the club on the right path. 1939 could be a great season for the Wolves if highly touted prospects George Garrison and Ockie Holliday - each of whom might debut sometime in the second half of the upcoming season - can approach their lofty expectations.
ADDED - NONE
LOST - Birdie Smith P (2-7, 4.64)

8- NEW YORK STARS: Poor pitching and lack of offense are a recipe for disaster and the current group of Stars look like master chefs in that regard. The Stars have two straight 7th place finishes and have not finished last in the CA since 1919 but there is a good chance that streak comes to an end this season. ADDED - None
LOST - Dick Luedtke P (5-5, 5.51), Rollie Beal P (2-8, 6.24), Bobby McHenry OF (.203,0,4)

07-30-2021, 11:52 AM	#212
Jiggs McGee All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 677	This Week in Figment Baseball: Off-Season edition THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL January 21, 1938 - Off-Season Edition 1938 EARLY PREVIEW Spring training is still over a month away so there might well be more change coming but already a number of very talented ballplayers have switched teams over the winter. As of this writing you have to credit the Chicago Chiefs as doing the most to improve their pennant chances. The Chiefs, winners of the 1936 WCS, have added talented infielder Hank Barnett and veteran pitcher Jim Lonardo with each coming at a very minimal cost and as a result TWIFB has the Chiefs pegged as the early favourites in the Federal Association. While a number of Fed teams were quite busy so far this off-season, the teams in the Continental Association have, for the most part, been slumbering with only Baltimore's move to add slugging corner infielder Ken Mayhugh being considered a major acquisition. The Cannons should be improved this season but still won't challenge for the pennant which we expect will be another tight battle between the two-time defending CA champion Brooklyn Kings and the Philadelphia Sailors, who finished second to Brooklyn both times. A lot can still change between now and Opening Day but here is how This Week in Figment Baseball sees the races at this point in time. 1-CHICAGO CHIEFS: If Jim Lonardo still has something left in his now 33 year old arm, and we are betting the 3 time Allen Award winner certainly does, the Chiefs rotation will be the best in FABL. Rabbit Day (18-13, 3.23) was inconsistent at times - at least compared to the Rabbit Day we have come to know - and a more solid 1938 is likely in store. Add in his former Gothams teammate Lonardo as well as Al Miller (19-13, 3.49), who's sophomore campaign was a bit of a drop off from his sensational rookie year but still better than 90% of the pitchers in the game, and the Chiefs are a team to be feared. Reuniting ex-Saints infielder Hank Barnett with his old manager in Montreal is another nice move at a cost of 2 pitchers the Chiefs could easily afford. The only concern is centerfield and will Bennie Griffith's elbow hold up but Chicago took steps to address that with the aquisition of another ex-Saint in Bob Worley, who hit 57 homers in the minors last season. ADDED - Jim Lonardo P (8-19, 4.25), Hank Barnett 2B-3B (.276,19,95), Bob Worley (minor leagues) LOST - Ron Coles P (8-6, 3.75), Bob Walls P (1-4, 5.40) 2- PITTSBURGH MINERS: The decision to move slugging 3B Ed Stewart was a bit of a surprise but the Miners must feel confident that Ray Cochran (.349,5,34) - a mid-season waiver pickup- can do the job full-time after a strong showing in the second half of 1937. In Sandoval and McCarthy the Miners add a pair of young arms that will round out the rotation this season and will be counted on heavily going forward. The defending champs will have their work cut out for them to keep pace with Chicago while trying to hold off several teams that are hot on their heels. ADDED - Luis Sandoval P (3-3, 3.46), Ray McCarthy P (1-4, 6.21) LOST - Ed Stewart 3B (.263,23,101) 3- BOSTON MINUTEMEN: Last season was an incredibly tight race among the top six Federal Association clubs and while we feel Chicago will distance itself from the pack the race for 2nd thru 6th will be just as tight this time around as it was a year ago. The Minutemen picked up 22 year old John Edwards, a pitcher with quite a future ahead of him, from Baltimore over the winter. The cost was heavy in talented young slugger Ken Mayhugh but with Edwards and young ace Dick Higgins the top of the Boston rotation should be set for years to come. It would take an awful lot going right, and much of it centered around often injured first baseman Bob Donoghue staying healthy, for the Minutemen to challenge for the pennant, but they will be right in the mix for second place. ADDED -John Edwards P(11-19, 4.42) LOST - Ken Mayhugh 3B (.299,17,82) 4- PHILADELPHIA KEYSTONES: While Chicago, Boston and Pittsburgh made moves the Keystones have been very quiet this winter. That might change soon as their are rumours circulating Philadelphia is willing to part with one of it's 3 veteran arms (Art Myers, Ed Baker or Frank Crawford) for offensive help but for no nothing has really changed from the club that finished 2 games back of Pittsburgh a year ago. Without an upgrade it is quite conceivable the Keystones fall to 6th place especially if veteran first baseman Rankin Kellogg (.252,19,80) has another rough start but they could also finish as high as second if things come together. ADDED - Bobby McHenry OF (.203,0,4) LOST - Earl Farrar P (1-1, 9.64), Bill Groom OF (.208,0,3),Ed Petty P (0-0, 4.50) 5- WASHINGTON EAGLES: Like Philadelphia, the Eagles have been very quiet this off-season, perhaps feeling their outstanding finish is a sign of things to come next season. Offense is certainly not an issue with probably the best lineup 1-8 in the Fed but their pitching is hit and miss. The big question is which Bill Anderson will show up on the mound for the Eagles? The one who won 20 games in 1936 and finished 1937 by going 4-0 with a 2.05 era or the one who was awful for the first four months of last season? Anderson's performance in 1938 will go a long ways towards determining the Eagles fate. ADDED - None LOST - None 6- ST LOUIS PIONEERS: St Louis might have missed it's opportunity to become a true contender this season. The Pioneers stood pat early in the off-season and watched Chicago and Boston each add a quality arm. The Pioneers offense is strong but their pitching is up and down which prompted them to shop all-star first baseman Fred McCormick in hopes of landing an elite young arm. The issue is there are not a lot of those available and the one that was, Baltimore's John Edwards, was moved to one of the Pioneers main competitors a month before St Louis decided to start looking for a trade. There is plenty of offense on the banks of the Mississippi but the question is how far will the arms of Sam Sheppard, David Abalo and Dixie Lee take the Pioneers. They have had a few close calls recently including back to back second place finishes in 1934 and 1935 but you can't help but feel the window is slowly closing on this group. ADDED - None LOST - Jack Richardson P (5-8, 5.75) 7- DETROIT DYNAMOS: You have to give the Dynamos credit as they made a lot of moves over the winter, and we are only halfway through it. Stewart should help the offense and Wheeler and Coles have the makings of decent pitchers but all eyes in Detroit will be on youngsters Sal Pestilli and Red Johnson. Pestilli is looking to follow up on an all-star rookie season and Johnson is just 20 years old but a very highly anticipated slugger. Detroit won't be in the mix to win a pennant this season but they will be a lot of fun to watch and their offense should be much improved from the team that finished 7th in runs scored last season. ADDED - Manager George Theobald, Ed Stewart 3B (.263,23,101), Charlie Wheeler P (7-10, 4.58),Erv Smith SS (.245,0,41), Ron Coles P (8-6, 3.75), Bob Walls P (1-4, 5.40), Jack Richardson P (5-8, 5.75), LOST - Manager/1B Max Morris (.251,9,52), Chuck Murphy P (14-16, 3.78), Ray McCarthy P (1-4, 6.21), Karl Wallace P (2-1, 3.24), Frank Davis SS (.270,1,22), Hardin Bates P (7-13, 5.40) 8- NEW YORK GOTHAMS: You thought last year was bad Gothams fans? Wait until you see what happens this year. The club may be challenged to win 50 games this time around. The only good thing is there is help around the corner as the Gothams have amassed an incredible group of young prospects but most will not be ready until the year after the Gothams new stadium in Astoria Park debuts in 1939. ADDED - Hardin Bates P (7-13, 5.40) LOST - Jim Lonardo P (8-19, 4.25), Charlie Wheeler P (7-10, 4.58), Erv Smith SS (.245,0,41), Johnnny McDowell 3B (.305,0,34), Gary Harris P (3-7, 7.80) The CA was spooky quiet compared to the Federal Association over the winter. The previously mentioned Baltimore Cannons big trade with Boston was the only impact move made. 1- BROOKLYN KINGS: The Kings appeared prepared to send virtually the exact same roster on to the field for 1938 that won the last two CA pennants. That changed slightly with late news that Dan Barrell's bad knee has had enough and the 34 year old has decided to retire. That leaves a hole at first base but the Kings should have little trouble filling it with one of their surplus of outfielders. ADDED - Gary Harris P (3-7, 7.80) LOST- Dan Barrell 1B (.305,11,71) 2- PHILADELPHIA SAILORS: The Sailors did add a solid pitcher in Chuck Murphy and while it certainly lacks the excitement of a Jim Lonardo or John Edwards deals, it might be just enough to lift Philadelphia past the Kings. At this point it is likely a toss up between the two teams that finished deadlocked after 154 games a year ago and injuries quite likely will be the deciding factor this time around. ADDED - Chuck Murphy P (14-16, 3.78), LOST - David Merchant OF (.000,0,0), Ben Yancy P (0-0, 9.00), John Kincaid 3B (.222,1,25) 3- CHICAGO COUGARS: The Cougars are coming is something we have mentioned for a couple of years now. They took a big step forward last season improving from two straight 6th place finishes to 3rd in 1937. They are likely on the verge of a pennant run and it could be this season if all goes right but perhaps 1939, when they move into a new stadium, will be the year to celebrate for Cougars fans. The devastating injuries to former ace Tommy Wilcox set the franchise way back but his replacement is nearly here. Pete Papenfus is just 19 years old but the best pitching prospect in the game and just might make his big league debut sometime late in the 1938 season. ADDED - Johnny McDowell 3B (.305,0,34) LOST - Luis Sandoval P (3-3, 3.46) 4- CLEVELAND FORESTERS: A very quiet off-season so far for the Foresters who seem to be on a downswing as their offensive stars age. There are still a pair of elite pitchers in Dean Astle and Sergio Gonzales so there is always a chance Cleveland catches fire but it is looking like the club is starting to pay the pirce for loading up on talent a couple of years back. It was certainly worth it as they won a pair of pennants and the first World Championship in franchise history but there may be some lean years ahead. ADDED - NONE LOST - NONE 5- BALTIMORE CANNONS: The Cannons string of 4 straight last place finishes might finally come to an end as their young pitchers begin to mature and they have finally taken some steps to upgrade their anemic offense. They are still a long ways from making the first division, something the Cannons last accomplished in 1931, but the building blocks are there. ADDED- Ken Mayhugh 3B (.299,17,82) LOST- John Edwards P(11-19, 4.42) 6- MONTREAL SAINTS: The addition of Frank Davis should be a huge upgrade defensively for Montreal and will certainly help the worst pitching stats in the CA but the Saints just seem like one of those teams that is forever stuck in the middle of the pack. Montreal has not finished higher than third place in the CA since they won the pennant in 1921 and they have only finished 7th or 8th twice in the past 16 years so what you get is a team that consistently lands in the middle of league. This season won't be much different but an improving Baltimore club likely drops the Saints to sixth. ADDED - Karl Wallace P (2-1, 3.24), Frank Davis SS (.270,1,22) LOST - Hank Barnett 3B (.276,19,95) 7- TORONTO WOLVES: Like their Canadian cousins in Montreal the Toronto Wolves have not seen much success over the past couple of decades. In fact, Toronto has the worst record in all of baseball since the modern era (human GMs) began in 1926. The club does have some talent, particularly on the mound in Otis Cook and Joe Hancock and there is some very good talent in the farm system so the current management has the club on the right path. 1939 could be a great season for the Wolves if highly touted prospects George Garrison and Ockie Holliday - each of whom might debut sometime in the second half of the upcoming season - can approach their lofty expectations. ADDED - NONE LOST - Birdie Smith P (2-7, 4.64) 8- NEW YORK STARS: Poor pitching and lack of offense are a recipe for disaster and the current group of Stars look like master chefs in that regard. The Stars have two straight 7th place finishes and have not finished last in the CA since 1919 but there is a good chance that streak comes to an end this season. ADDED - None LOST - Dick Luedtke P (5-5, 5.51), Rollie Beal P (2-8, 6.24), Bobby McHenry OF (.203,0,4) __________________ Lead Columnist of The Figment Sporting Journal The Scripture of Sports Last edited by Jiggs McGee; 07-30-2021 at 12:16 PM.