An Old Ballplayer’s Guide to the 1946 National League
By Your Trusty Baseball Scribe, Who’s Seen It All
The war is done, the boys are back, and baseball—real baseball—is finally returning to its rightful place at the heart of America. But this ain’t the same old National League you knew before the world went dark. No, sir. The Players League has wiped the slate clean, and every team—every city—has the same shot at glory.
But don’t be fooled. History still lingers in the dugouts, in the creases of old uniforms, in the names carved into wooden seats at every ballpark from Boston to St. Louis. Some clubs are looking to reclaim old glory. Others are looking to finally find it. Either way, the road to 1946 is paved with promise.
Let’s take a stroll through the National League, alphabetically speaking, and see where these teams stand as they step into the great unknown.
Boston Braves
The Braves have always been one of those teams you just feel should be better. Some years, they surprise you. Other years, well… let’s just say Boston is a city used to waiting. But now, in the wide-open field of The Players League, they’ve got a chance to rebrand their legacy. If they can figure out how to harness their talent, Braves Field might just see a banner worth remembering.
Brooklyn Dodgers
Ah, Brooklyn. The borough where baseball beats like a drum, where Ebbets Field is more cathedral than stadium. The Dodgers—Dem Bums, as they’ve been lovingly (or not-so-lovingly) called—are always knocking on the door. The question is, will 1946 be the year they finally kick it down? One thing’s for sure: the faithful in Brooklyn are ready for a winner.
Chicago Cubs
You can talk about curses and bad luck all you want, but the Cubs keep showing up. Wrigley Field is still one of the most beautiful sights in baseball, ivy and all, and Chicago fans still pack the house no matter the standings. A clean slate means hope, and if there’s a team that thrives on hope, it’s the North Siders. Maybe this is the year their patience pays off.
Cincinnati Reds
This town was built for baseball. The Reds have been around longer than just about anyone, and their fans? They expect effort, they expect grit, and they expect to win. The Reds don’t always get the national spotlight, but don’t let that fool you—this team knows how to scrap, and if the chips fall the right way, they might just make some noise in the new Players League landscape.
New York Giants
The Polo Grounds. A place where giants—literal and figurative—have walked. If history tells us anything, it’s that the Giants don’t stay quiet for long. They’ve got the city, they’ve got the stadium, and they’ve got a history of winning. The league may be starting fresh, but don’t be surprised if New York finds itself right back where it always seems to be—on top.
Philadelphia Phillies
Let’s be honest: the Phillies have spent most of their existence trying to get out of their own way. But what’s the beauty of The Players League? It means that history doesn’t matter anymore. The Phillies have the opportunity to rewrite their story, and if they can get their pitching straight, maybe—just maybe—Philadelphia can finally call itself a baseball town without a sigh of regret.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Steel. Grit. Toughness. That’s Pittsburgh, and that’s the Pirates. Forbes Field still stands as one of the game’s finest ballparks, and the fans in the Steel City know their baseball. The Pirates don’t do glitz and glamour—they just play hard, and they play to win. With the slate wiped clean, don’t be shocked if Pittsburgh is one of the first teams to plant its flag in the new era.
St. Louis Cardinals
If you think the Yankees are the only team with a culture of winning, you haven’t spent enough time in St. Louis. The Cardinals don’t rebuild—they reload. This team has won before, and you can bet your last nickel they plan to do it again. Sportsman’s Park is still home to some of the most passionate fans in the game, and they expect nothing less than excellence. The Players League may be new, but the Cards are still the Cards. Watch out.
And there you have it—the National League, reborn in 1946, ready to write its next chapter. The history books don’t matter anymore. The ghosts of past failures don’t carry any weight.
It’s a brand-new game, and everybody’s got a shot.
Now, find your seat, grab a scorecard, and let’s play ball.
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