MAY 10, 1943
COUGARS AND CANNONS RISE TO TOP OF CONTINENTAL
Most experts have projected the Continental Association to be a two-team race between the Chicago Cougars and the Cincinnati Cannons this season and three weeks into the slate of games both of those teams are starting to assert their dominance atop the loop.
The Cannons have won 6 straight. The Cougars 5 in a row and 9 of their last ten. Cincinnati pitching led by Deuce Barrell (3-0, 0.30) and Butch Smith (3-0, 1.04), has allowed just 44 runs, 19 fewer than the next stingiest CA club, which of course is the Cougars. Adam Mullins (.397, 2, 11) leads the CA in batting while his Cannons teammate Chuck Adams (.312,4,14) is tops in homers and second in rbi's. The Cannons have scored 78 runs, second most in the CA but that total is dwarfed by the 114 the Cougars have put up so far. Newcomer Hank Barnett (.312,3,14) and fellow veteran Leo Mitchell (.338,1,18) had led the way for the Chicago nine, which despite the absence of Pete Papenfus and Donnie Jones, is still getting plenty of pitching from the likes of Jim Lonardo (3-1, 3.10), Dick Lyons (2-1, 2.25) and Harry Parker (2-0, 1.70). Toronto is gamely trying to hang in but this one has the feeling of a runaway two-horse race between the Cougars and Cannons.
*** EAGLES LOSE ELDER ***
The Washington Eagles have had a dream start to their season in the Federal Association but it quickly turned into a nightmare yesterday when starter Jack Elder had to leave the game in the fifth inning of what would turn out to be a 2-1 win to complete a doubleheader sweep of slumping Boston. The injury, to Elder's shoulder, is expected to be season-ending and puts a real damper on Washington's 15-5 start to the season, one of the best opening twenty games in franchise history and certainly their top start in the modern era. The 32 year old Elder, who was 3-2 with a 2.23 era in 6 starts, had been surprisingly healthy for a pitcher throughout his 11 year career, having never been sidelined for more than a week prior to yesterday's injury.
The rest of the Washington rotation: Lou Ellertson (3-0, 3.29), Del Burns (2-1, 1.32), Les Bradshaw (1-1, 1.53) and Dick Gibbs (1-1, 2.31), has pitched well. The Eagles do have Dan Everett, who went 6-17 as a starter a year ago, in the bullpen as a rotation option or perhaps they will reach down to Kansas City and promote either Tommy Shafer or Bill Willman to fill the vacant spot in their starting five.
Aside from Elder, the news was extremely positive for the long-suffering Eagles. Washington went 5-2 against Pittsburgh and Boston last week and enjoy a 3.5 game lead on the New York Gothams atop the Federal Association standings. Rookie outfielder Jesse Alvardo (.262,4,14) had an outstanding week, hitting two more homeruns, and now shares the Fed lead in that category with teammate Sig Stofer (.273,4,13).
This is the latest in a series of trades Jiggs McGee feels could benefit both teams involved. No guarantee any of them will happen, and to the best of Jiggs knowledge none of these have been discussed by the parties involved prior to appearing in this column. They are simply moves Jiggs would consider were he running the teams involved and at the very least perhaps get the trade juices flowing in this most unusual of times.
VIC CRAWFORD AND JAKE DEYOUNG FROM MONTREAL TO THE CHICAGO CHIEFS FOR SOLLY SKIDMORE, MEL HAYNES AND BOB CROWLEY
I find it very interesting that we suddenly appear to have a grave shortage of outfielders. That position, more than any other, seemed overloaded for much of the past couple of decades but no longer. Quality shortstops who could hit and field have always been at a premium, and certainly the same could be said for catchers. Pitching, too, is always in demand but corner outfielders used to be something you can find anywhere. No longer it seems. Uncle Sam has certainly contributed to the shortage, commandeering more than his share taking the old (Alex Ingraham, Frank Lightbody and Lou Williams), the veterans (Pablo Reyes, Joe Owens, Bill May), the young stars approaching their prime (Bill Barrett, Sal Pestilli and Mike T. Taylor) and the budding prospects (Joe Rutherford, Dick Blaszak and Otis Parker).
With so many of them gone off to join the war effort the time has never been better to deal an outfielder if you have a spare one kicking around. There could be some good ones available once the dust settles and the contenders are separated from the pretenders in the two pennant races. Brooklyn has the big one that could go on the block in Al Wheeler. If Pittsburgh continues to falter would the Miners consider moving the often injured Mahlon Strong? Detroit perhaps would part with Sid Williams and Rip Curry if things don't turn around. I could see St Louis being willing to deal Al Tucker or Gail Gifford if they decide contention is unlikely. So there is a chance the market at the deadline may be flooded with outfielders but if the races stay tight perhaps the best available might be someone like Dan Fowler out of Cleveland.
Fowler is actually a player the Chiefs might look at but my bet is, if they don't make a big splash like pursuing Wheeler, the Chiefs look to Fowler's old Commonwealth Catholic teammate Vic Crawford as the solution to their problems in right field. The Chiefs General Manager has a long history of trading with his former team and Crawford, despite being 35 years old, looks like he still has a season or two left in the tank.
The Saints might still have visions of contending and if so they likely need to hold on to Crawford but a rough start may have been enough to convince them it makes sense to add to their already deep collection of young talent. It is hard to pin a value on Crawford as while he is certainly getting along in years - although age has never worried the Chiefs in making a deal- he has been extremely consistent. I would think the Saints would want a premium for Crawford right now as there is a shortage of supply and there are other teams besides the Chiefs likely searching for veteran outfield help and Crawford's value could skyrocket if the races remain tight and few other teams are sellers. Of course delaying a trade could backfire on Montreal if Wheeler, Strong and a couple of others suddenly go on the trade block.
Chicago has been in a lot of tight races in the Fed and the Chiefs, I believe, can sense that the war losses elsewhere have blessed them with an opportunity to win another title -maybe even two more - so my bet is Chicago will be willing to overpay for the chance at that next pennant. The Chiefs would be much closer to that pennant with the addition of Crawford and they would likely consider doing a straight up trade of Skidmore for Crawford, considering the fact Skidmore is in the Coast Guard and unavailable for the foreseeable future. I think this deal has the potential to be much bigger if the Saints do feel the plan is to build for the future so moving DeYoung to add two more solid pitching prospects -although Crowley is also in the military and won't be available for the duration- could make the Saints a very formidable once the war ends.
WHY I LIKE THIS DEAL FOR THE CHIEFS -Chicago has never been afraid to pull the trigger on a move that helps ensure short-term success and this one does that, but certainly at a long-term cost. Crawford immediately slots into right field and is reminiscent of the Cliff Moss deal that proceeded their 1936 and 1938 championship clubs. DeYoung gives the Chiefs another solid veteran arm to round out the rotation and perhaps even replace Red Hampton as the #4 starter. There is certainly a cost but two of the three prospects they would move are in the service and not available for quite some time. Skidmore might be hard to part with but veteran catcher Tom Bird is showing no signs of slowing down and the Chiefs have always been a let's deal with the future when we get there type of team.
In normal times I feel like this is too much for Chicago to give up, but these are far from normal. Prospects always have a degree of risk with them and when two of them will miss 2-3 seasons each because of the war that risk is compounded so I think the Chiefs need to perhaps overpay -in normal times terms- to get what they need to win now. The potential for a very short supply of outfielders available as we approach the trade deadline also becomes a factor. Were it to happen, this would mark the first time in FABL history that I believe a player in active military duty has been traded.
WHY I LIKE THIS DEAL FOR THE SAINTS -Skidmore gives them the elite catcher of the future to go with the rest of the terrific young talent they have accumulated. The two pitchers also slot in very nicely. There is risk that Skidmore and Bob Crowley are the same players coming out of the war as they appeared to be going in but Mel Haynes is a nice piece they can watch develop now. They are waving the white flag on a pennant-push this season by making such a deal but I am sure management in Montreal is questioning the legitimacy of calling themselves contenders this year to begin with. A step back for certain, but the addition of these three paces perhaps leads to a giant leap forward when everyone returns from the war.
Nearly every dynasty comes to a crashing end at some point. It's just something that sports fans have come to expect. If a team is outstanding for an extended period, in a league format that utilizes some sort of player draft to help level the competition, it is just a matter of time before most of those teams see their star players get old and they lack the high end young talent to keep the dynasty train on it's track. Don't be fooled by that brief stint the local nine spent at the top of the Continental Association a week ago. After running into a top quality outfield like the Chicago Cougars, who swept Brooklyn in a 4-game set at Kings County over the weekend, the crushing reality of just what the Kings are now is back into focus for the more than 60,000 fans who witnessed the action over the weekend. And what the Kings are my friend, is simply the latest victim of that time-honoured tradition where withdrawals made for long-term success are eventually repaid with a period of suffering. And it is now time for the Kings to start paying the piper.
The Kings were outstanding - winning an average of 94 games a season for five straight years from 1934-38 and likely should have won more than just 1 WCS during that run. They had the game's best hitter in Al Wheeler during that time period and he won 3 straight CA Whitney Awards. The top pitcher in Tom Barrell with his 3 consecutive Allen Awards plus an outstanding supporting cast that included the game's premier defensive shortstop during that stretch in Harry Barrell and a veteran core that featured Joe Shaffner, Mike Murphy, Frank Vance and Fred Barrell. All but Wheeler and Harry Barrell are now long gone and one could very easily make a case those two should be out the door before the trade deadline arrives this July.
*** TEAM IS AT A CROSSROADS- MUST ACT SOON ***
Aside from an 86-68 surprise finish in 1941, the Kings have gone 70-84, 73-81 and 72-82 over the past four seasons and had a terrible second half last season. War losses have hurt, but every team has that to deal with. The Kings still have some talent like Wheeler, Harry Barrell and pitchers Art White, Bob Cummings and Del Lyons but they are gettng older. Years of drafting late has left the Kings minor league system a mess, ranked the second worst in the league ahead of only the Gothams. There are a ton of holes in the lineup now from older players leaving without suitable replacements and that has been compounded by Selective Service taking talent. They desperately need help behind the plate, at third base and with Rats McGonigle gone in centerfield. The pitching is thin. It is hard to imagine this team the way it is presently constructed being a .500 club, even in a war-depleted league. And it will only get worse unless Brooklyn management acts soon.
Brooklyn has several assets that could be very valuable on the trade market. Let's start with Al Wheeler. The "Wonder Wheel" is not the player he once was but he still swatted 23 homers and led the CA in RBI's a year ago while posting a 125 OPS+. He is 35 and likely will not be a factor when the Kings are finally ready to contend again, but they could greatly enhance their recovery timetable by shopping Wheeler. With a surprising shortage of power-hitting corner outfielders suddenly, a player of Wheeler's skills could command a Kings ransom of prospects as teams would be falling all over each other trying to get to the front of the line to land Wheeler.
While you are at it shop Del Lyons. He will be 38 in June but led the CA in saves last season and has been an amazingly consistent relief pitcher for well over a decade. And how about Art White and Bob Cummings. Each are over 30 now but demand would likely be high and the Kings could replenish their farm system very easily moving those four.
Maybe even go for the big prize and see what Harry Barrell could command. Barrell is just 29 and still one of the best defensive shortstops in the game so it is not essential you move him, but ask around the league and see what the return could be. If you can get a top ten prospect and an established young stud or two in return maybe the time to move Barrell is now.
The Kings can finish in the second division this season with or without those five but moving some or all of the above-mentioned names - but only for the right haul in return- could position Brooklyn nicely to begin another streak of 90-win seasons in the very near future.
--- Sandy Giles sent to AAA after getting bombed in two outings. Monk Adams in the rotation and Bob Adams off the IL as extra starter.
--- Hank Cook and his sub .059 average sent to AAA. Max Alvarez recalled.
--- Bill Dalton will continue to get some looks in the OF with Walt Messer playing some 1B as Jameson and Moore struggle at the plate.
--- Ed Bowman continues to brush off the sophomore jinx as he posts a 3-1 record and 0.75 ERA
--- Billy Dalton continues to rake at the plate - .413/.456/.619
--- Leon Drake looks comfortable hitting in the 5 spot each day. .338/.372/.527 and a team leading (ties with Messer) 12 RBI
- The Chicago Cougars are catching fire with a 7-1 week with a +37 run differential. Of course, Billy Hunter took his first of many yearly injuries, as the infielder turned center fielder will miss 7 weeks with a torn hamstring.
- Offense seems to be hard to come by everywhere except Chicago. The Chiefs and Cougars are the only two teams with more then 80 runs, and both have surpassed 100. The Miners (56) have scored exactly half as many runs as the Chiefs, who have scored two less runs then the Cougars.
- As if the 8 games on the schedule last week were not enough, the Chiefs played an extra 14 innings on the week. Let's play 10!
- The Chiefs and Cougars have made a couple of deals the past couple of seasons but one the Fed side is regretting is Jim Lonardo for Ducky Jordan. Lonardo is 3-1 with a 3.10 era this season with the Cougars and recently notched his 250th career win. Jordan is one of those players about whom it is said, "he is exposed if he plays too much." He looks like he might be okay, and then you put him in the lineup for a week and he hits .200/.235/.200. A decent glove who can play multiple positions. That's it--that's his ceiling.
- Big loss in Washington with Jack Elder done for the year. The Eagles are promoting Tommy Shafer from AAA where he was off to a great start with Kansas City. Shafer, a 25 year old 1936 3rd round pick, has had a few trials in Washington before but really struggled in each of them. Eagles fans certainly are hoping this time will be different.
- It was a road trip from hell for Boston and it's just getting started. The Minutemen lost 4 straight in Philadelphia and then dropped 3 of 4 in the nation's capital. Now they are heading west to St Louis and Chicago with stops also in Detroit and New York before they finally return home after what will be a 22 game trip.
- The sweep of Boston got things rolling in Philadelphia as the Keystones picked themselves up from their usual season-starting slump (3-8 this time) with the Boston sweep followed by taking 3 of 4 from Pittsburgh.
- Without the leadership of George Cleaves and Charlie Stedman the Miners look lost. The club is 5-15 and dead last in FABL for runs scored.
- The New York Stars are thrilled with the start from waiver wire pick-up Austin Moore. The 28 year old was claimed from the Keystones last week to fill their hole at 2B. His numbers: 27 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .296 AVG, .811 OPS
DICKSON COLLEGE HALTS INTERCOLLEGIATE FOOTBALL
Disregarding the hopeful attitudes of most of it's traditional rivals, Dickson, for the third time in it's long football history, announced it was out of intercollegiate gridiron competition. It was not unexpected, as the Maroons entire coaching staff entered the armed services months ago.
*** Termed Game Too Rough ***
The schools had previously dropped football twice. Back in 1885, well before the formation of the AAIA, the Maroons were ordered to drop the game because the faculty considered it "too rough to be a sport." The second interruption, in 1917, resulted from the First World War.
According to the office of Dickson's athletic director, all of the college's opponents on it's 1943 slate of games had been notified of the Maroons request to cancel. The reaction from it's rivals were varied. George Fox University felt it would have no problem finding a replacement to fill the open date. The director of athletics at Sadler University said "Plans for continuing football at Sadler have not been abandoned." Grafton reported that sufficient detailed information upon which to base a final decision was lacking but that the Scholars hoped to maintain modified intercollegiate schedules in all sports. Ellery College says it will not make any 1943 football plans until after the new semester opens on July 1, and Henry Hudson's athletic director indicated that the Explorers would attempt to schedule a service team to replace Dickson on October 2.
*** Plays Intramural Football ***
Dickson will continue football on an intramural basis next fall and had hopes of arranging informal games with neighboring teams. The school athletic director explained that the intercollegiate football suspension was the result of the reduction in the number of undergraduates available for sports, the heavy war demands upon the university's facilities, the training programs of it's huge Army and Navy units and the accelerated academic schedules.
NORTHEAST CONFERENCE ON SHAKY GROUND
There is talk out that the Northeast Conference, one of the most prolific in college basketball, is close to dissolving. The loop -which has been home to the National Tournament Champion in six of the past eight years- may fold due to in-fighting between a number of schools. There has always been an uneasy alliance between the 9 member schools. They have long competed as league in both baseball and basketball with most also icing college hockey teams but have gone their own way in football.
The issue is that because of the recent dominance on the hardwood of Brooklyn State, Liberty College and Garden State a number of the other schools feel they could enjoy more success competing as independents just as they do in football. While the big three schools have been winning titles and enjoying great success in the tournament, others have not and feel the blame for that failure falls squarely on just how difficult their conference schedules are as only the Great Lakes Alliance would be considered a more difficult loop to compete in.
Frankford State, for example, used to be a fixture in the post-season tournament but the Owls have not played in the tourney since losing the championship game in 1928. St. Pancras and Commonwealth Catholic have had similar droughts and St Patrick's, while it has a couple of trips to the semi-finals in recent years, believes it could have had more success as an independent. Only St Martin's College, the Connecticut school credited with being a key player in the creation of college basketball, seems content among the also-rans of the Northeast.
The two Boston schools in Commonwealth Catholic and St Patrick's have both enjoyed great success as football independents and each seems set on trying to duplicate that on the hardwood. Pulling their baseball teams out of the Northeast Conference seems a less likely scenario, due to the rich history of the loop, but certainly can not be ruled out as a possibility. Those two schools, along with Frankford State, are believed to be the institutions leading the charge to leave the loop and the feeling is they may use the war to justify a decision to bolt. It won't happen for 1943-44, although there is always a slim chance a school or two drops the sport due to insufficient numbers, as they all have a year remaining on their most recent conference agreement, but the summer of 1944 might see the basketball teams break off into two conferences or perhaps all become independents.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 5/09/1943
- Striking coal miners returned to work after a "truce" was agreed to by their union boss John L. Lewis. The Miners take home pay will be augmented but Solid Fuels Administrator Harold Ickes put the nation's coal-miners on a six day work week.
- US forces have tightened their grip on more of the Solomon Islands and no occupy territory in the Solomons within 100 miles of the main Japanese base in the region.
- There is also a major American offensive in the Aleuthians, as the US drives to seize the Japanese-held island of Kiska.
- Allied forces have taken thousands of prisoners and are proceeding to mop up scattered units still resisting in Tunisia.
- With control of North Africa now in hand, speculation on the long-anticipated Allied invasion of Europe is ramping up