Angels in the Southland (Los Angeles baseball)

[Sctvman]

The city of Los Angeles has long been one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the country. By 1947, it had become one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, becoming the 3rd largest in the country behind New York and Chicago.

However, due to the slow development of air travel, there had been no thoughts of putting a major league baseball team in the region. The St. Louis Browns were within days of moving to the City of Angels in 1941, but World War II started and the move was tabled and eventually cancelled.

Meanwhile, professional football had become a very successful part of the Los Angeles sports landscape with the move of the Rams from Cleveland to Los Angeles in the NFL and an AAFC (All-American Football Conference) club as well.

West Coast expansion had long been thought of, but due to the arduous travel schedule, it was tabled every year. The American League, meanwhile, was looking to make more money and in 1947 decided to launch an expansion campaign.

Los Angeles and San Francisco were two of the favorites, but had to battle over a dozen cities which were looking for a franchise.

[Sctvman]

Trevor Morris was far from someone you'd expect to have a career in baseball. Orville Trevor Morris (named after Orville Wright, one of the first two to fly an airplane) grew up in the small town of Melville, Saskatchewan, northeast of the provincial capital Regina.

Given that the winters are long, cold and hard, there was not much time for baseball to develop into people's livelihoods. Like most Canadian towns, hockey was the number one sport in the region, and Morris developed most of his skills on the ice. He was a brave soul, a goalie not wearing a mask back in the days when these folks had to be ironmen.

Born in 1921, he grew up there and graduated HS in 1939, before immediately moving into the workforce and getting a job at the local Hudson's Bay Company department store. He did that for 2+ years before he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy for World War II.

He was on multiple ships and after serving in more than 20 combat missions was discharged in 1945. He was dating his high school sweetheart, which he hadn't seen during the war effort, Elizabeth, then they married. On October 27, 1946 baby Claude was born.

After Christmas that year, Orville resigned from his position at the Hudson's Bay Company, and decided he wanted to uproot his family and move to the United States.

[Sctvman]

The Morris family decided to go on a cross country road trip from Melville, to find a warm city and climate in the United States. They still had great family and loved the area, but the opportunities were very limited in the town of Melville. They had moved to Regina in order for Morris to achieve managerial responsibilities at Hudson Bay, but he couldn't move up fast enough and decided a move to America was the only choice.

They got passports and took the long trek. Driving down US 52 they drove through North Dakota in the cold winter during a snow storm, only making it to Minot, North Dakota their first day. Then Wahpeton, North Dakota. Followed by Mankato, Minnesota, then the weather got better and the fourth day they ended up in Burlington, Iowa.

Crossing the Mississippi they drove through Illinois and Indiana, stopping in Louisville. These were all cities they had never heard of, except for Louisville because of the Kentucky Derby. They took a battery of maps, driving their '39 Packard through the Midwest.

Once they got to Kentucky, they had to pause for a couple days as a freak snow hit Louisville. Then they pressed on, driving another day before finally finding themselves in Charlotte.

Charlotte was the major city of the Carolinas (North and South Carolina), but was not very well known outside of those areas. Orville was a radio nut, and had heard of the city because WBT 1110 was one of the clear channel radio stations, one of the furthest he heard. Living out in the prairies of Saskatchewan, radio was about the only thing that connected them with the world.

It was the 3rd of January, just starting the new year and the Morris family had just come into town. The thought was that Orville, as he called himself in the US, would get a job at the local Belk department store in Charlotte working in the electronics department.

Meanwhile, while he moved into town, the Charlotte Hornets baseball team put out a job posting in the two local newspapers, the Observer and the News. They were looking for somebody to join their team, perhaps in an on-field capacity, but definitely selling tickets and doing other things like that.

[Sctvman]

The Charlotte Hornets were the Tri-State League entrant for the Queen City, and a proud affiliate of the Washington Senators. The Griffiths, the owners of the Senators put a lot of money into the club in Charlotte and their stadium.

Morris originally got a job selling tickets for the team, but when the manager left in order to get a job higher up in the organization, Morris was called upon as an employee which had previously played baseball earlier in his career, until he turned 18.

He took the position as the team manager, and went to spring training with the club in Orlando, Florida. His plan was to do some unconventional things with the Hornets, including focusing on pitching and baserunning, something which isn't usually done in the minors as most clubs follow their parent club's strategy.

Only Chattanooga and Orlando are above the Hornets in the Washington system.

[Sctvman]

The announcement of possible expansion (at the 1946 Winter Meetings) has placated cities wanting to become big league.

The American League has wanted to expand the pie and become a ten team league, and will do so for the 1948 season. After that, the National League could expand for the 1949 season.

All expansion requires an unanimous vote of the other 8 American League teams, or the 8 in the National League.

The vote will be announced June 12 in New York.

More than 15 cities have expressed interest in expansion teams. 33 of the 34 metropolitan districts in the US (all but Scranton-Wilkes Barre) have expanded population since 1940.

The cities which are interested in the expansion range from obvious choices such as Los Angeles and San Francisco to places like Memphis and Seattle who just want to gauge interest for a possibility later on. Each team will cost about $1.2 million. With as many as four cities being picked, this expansion could have impact for decades. I will go over the cities and analyze their chances.

Expected favorites

Los Angeles

1947 civilian population: 3,916,875

The City of Angels has been looked at as a possible Major League city for years now. There have been several false starts. The St. Louis Browns came within a day of moving there, but the start of World War II six years ago scuttled that.

Still, with a fast growing population, Hollywood + television, and the chance to tap into the largest market on the West Coast and the 3rd largest in the country, it looks to be an odds-on favorite. A problem is the two Pacific Coast League teams in the area (the Angels and Hollywood) which would likely have to move, which could cause a lot of issues with that league, who wants to be a 3rd major league. There is also a question on where the team would play. The cavernous LA Coliseum looks to be the only major league quality ballpark.

San Francisco

1947 population: 1,989,891

Being what Los Angeles is for northern California, a well-supported sports city with a lot of corporate money, plus many of the same benefits as Los Angeles, the Bay Area looks like a very good option to pair with Los Angeles in the same league, creating an instant rivalry.

The Bay Area is also a cosmopolitan region that would quickly adopt a team with its large, growing population. There is the same problem with the PCL as in Los Angeles, but Oakland would keep its PCL team.

Contenders

Baltimore

1947 population: 1,306,040

Baltimore has already proved itself as a city which will support almost any sports team, no matter what level. The AAA Orioles got crowds north of 50,000 for Little World Series games a couple of seasons ago, outdrawing the all St. Louis World Series. Baltimore is virgin pro sports territory, with well over a million people, but due to Washington being so close, they haven't had a Major League team since the early 1900s.

The Senators might look to be an obstacle to this because of Baltimore possibly cutting into their ticket and media revenue.

Kansas City

1947 population: about 800,000

Kansas City's population is understated, because of its position as a transportation hub for the Midwest and the gateway to the West. They also have a large stadium near downtown which can be expanded to Major League specifications and a AAA Yankees farm team which draws very well.

The Cardinals though might have an issue with a team here because of being in the same state as sharing some of the same territory.

Milwaukee

1947 population: about 850,000

The Brew City has had a legacy in baseball almost since the sport started, dating back to before 1900 with the Brewers. Much like the Green Bay Packers a couple hours up the road, the entire state of Wisconsin would support a baseball team in Milwaukee.

A problem is the only stadium that is large enough in Milwaukee is just 13,000 seats (Borchert Field). That could be a problem even for just a year as a temporary stadium.

Montreal

1947 population: 1,300,000

This is a definite option if MLB wants to expand into Canada for its first entry. Montreal is the major city in the country, and bringing a team here would bring a whole new market, possibly the entire nation of Canada into the fold. They also support the Dodgers AAA farm, where Jackie Robinson played last year before his entrance onto the Dodgers this year breaking the color barrier. An issue may be the difference in Canadian money and trying to find a large enough facility.

Minneapolis-St. Paul

1947 population: 1,006,278

Another virgin market, the Twin Cities has a well-educated population which would support a major league team very well. It would also have no competition except for University of Minnesota sports and hockey + pro basketball. One issue: where do you place the stadium? In Minneapolis or St. Paul. That is the big question.

Toronto

1947 population: 1,010,000

Being Canada's 2nd market, Toronto has a lot of growth potential on Lake Ontario. They also have a history of well-supported teams in the CFL and with the Maple Leafs in the NHL. But the winds blow cold off the lake in April and May. The minor league baseball team in Toronto is also not as well supported as in other nearby cities.

Buffalo

1947 population: 1,035,000

Toronto's neighbor city to the south along Lake Ontario also has a pretty good case for a MLB team. Its Bills are well supported, along with the minor league Bisons.

Long shots

New Orleans

1947 population: 601,608

New Orleans, the major city in the South, would bring a completely different vibe into the sport as the first professional team in the South. It is probably the city in the region best prepared for pro sports, but its limited population might be a deterrent, along with the segregation laws.

Houston

1947 population: 760,000

Houston, the hub of the oil industry in Texas, has been incredibly fast-growing since the war ended. The city has possible owners with deep pockets which could perhaps swing a few of the undecideds their way. But the city's hot/humid summer weather may be a deterrent.

Dallas and Fort Worth

1947 population: 930,000

The Metroplex of Dallas and Fort Worth, mostly separated during this time, could go after a team. A problem is would people drive to downtown Dallas from Fort Worth or vice versa? Or would a stadium be built in the middle between the two cities.

Denver

1947 population: 471,460

Denver, as the major city in the Mountain West, definitely has an interest in becoming a big league city, but its small size of under 500,000 might make things tough for attendance in mid-week games in this city.

Northern New Jersey

1947 population: 3,433,586

Northern New Jersey (Newark, Jersey City, and neighboring cities) has a larger population than any city on the list other than Los Angeles. The problem is there are already so many teams nearby, with the 3 New York teams plus 2 in Philadelphia. There would be a lot of territorial fees to pay.

Seattle

1947 population: 602,910

Being out there in the Pacific Northwest far away from any other population centers, Seattle is mostly using this as a feeler for possible interest for possible teams moving from other cities.

Louisville

1947 population: 550,000

Louisville, being further north than other Southern cities, has looked like an interesting possibility for a team, but it might be hemmed in market area by Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis teams.

[Sctvman]

The Hornets had a very successful month of April in the Queen City, finishing 13-6 and up a game in first place to end the month.

[thehef]

Following with interest!!!

[Sctvman]

In a shocking move, the Memphis Chickasaws, the AA team in the Southern Association, has decided to fire both their GM and Manager and replace them with Orville Morris of Charlotte, in his first year of managing in baseball.

The team is only 13-32 in 45 games, and has struggled all season, only having a 15 man roster.

The goal is to get them to a competent level over this summer.

[Sctvman]

In Memphis, the Chicks have struggled as they have a short roster and a couple of injuries which have forced them to put their own manager on the roster to fill out a spot basically as a warm body.

A six game homestand against Mobile and Little Rock ended the month of May and began the month of June.

Mobile: 5/27-29

5/27: MOB 11, MEM 4; W: Head (1-0), L: Veverka (1-9); A- 1,557

This game the Bears jumped on Memphis with six first inning runs and never looked back.

5/28: MEM 12, MOB 4; W: Morris (1-0), L: Whitaker (0-2), S: Appleby (1); MOB HR- Calderone (1); A- 418

The Chicks poured it on Mobile on this day, as Trevor Morris, in his first appearance on a mound since he was in Canada, threw 7 2/3 innings, and Memphis had an incredible 23 hits. Bert Hodges had five hits, and five of the first six had at least 3.

5/29: MOB 12, MEM 5; W: Olson (2-0), L: Hanski (0-5); MOB HR: Phillips (1); A- 2,324

Memphis hit six doubles in the game but still lost by seven runs. Thomaier for the Bears had four hits and four RBIs.

Little Rock (5/31-6/2)

5/31: LIR 13, MEM 1; W: Acosta (7-1), L: Mulach (2-6); LIR HR: Hancock (8, GS); A- 2,568

One of the weirder games you'll ever see, as what was a 0-0 game into the 8th inning turned into a blowout as the Travelers put up an incredible 13-run inning. Eighteen batters went to the plate for Little Rock in this inning with 10 getting hits.

6/1: MEM 8, LIR 5; W: McNair (4-5), L: Triner (4-4); HR: MEM- Hodges (1, GS), LIR: Unknown (1); Aickley (1); A- 2,873

After Hancock hit a granny the night before for Little Rock, Hodges answered the bell for the Memphis Chickasaws, hitting one of his own in the 6th inning which turned the game on its ear and provided Memphis enough runs to earn a victory.

6/2: LIR 15, MEM 3; W: Joslin (6-0), L: Morris (1-1); HR: MEM- Deal (4), LIR- Unknown (1); A- 3,089

A difficult loss for Memphis, as they held it to a single run deficit through the first four innings before Little Rock poured things on, scoring 9 runs in the final 3 innings.

[Sctvman]

The Chicks took a train trip to Atlanta and then followed that by facing the incredible Chattanooga Lookouts at home, which had one of the best records ever seen in the minor leagues at 44-11, serving as the Washington Senators top farm team.

@ Atlanta (6/3-5)

6/3: ATL 6, MEM 4; W: Diehl (6-4), L: Appleby (1-5, BS 1); A- 3,630

The Crackers come back from a 4-3 deficit with 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th to earn the first game of the series.

6/4: ATL 10, MEM 5; W: Kinney (4-5), L: Appleby (1-6), HR: ATL- Ellis 2 (6), Cieslak (3); A- 2,947

Babe Ellis had 2 homers and 5 RBI to provide the margin for Atlanta in this one to win the series.

6/5: ATL 14, MEM 4; W: Mistos (4-4), L: Unknown (0-1); HR: ATL- Trippi (6); A- 3,357

Memphis hit four doubles on the day but none of that was enough for the Chicks to earn the win. Atlanta scored multiple runs in 4 different innings to blow out the Chicks.

Chattanooga (6/6-8):

6/6: CHA 17, MEM 1; W: Wynn (6-3), L: LaCroix (0-1); HR: CHA- Wynn (1), Coan (7), Dowell (9); A- 3,063

One of the worst games possible for the home side, as the Chicks signed a Canadian pitcher recommended by a scout, Oscar LaCroix, and he only got five outs. Chattanooga got 8 in the first 3 innings then coasted while Memphis only scored in the 9th.

6/7: MEM 11, CHA 9; W: Unknown (1-0), L: Candini (2-1, BS 1); S: Hanski (1); HR: CHA- Throop (4), MEM- McNair (2); A- 3,726

The Chicks come back from the dead with a 7 run bottom of the 8th inning to come back from a four-run deficit and win by two. McNair had 4 RBIs on the day.

6/8: CHA 8, MEM 7; W: Zukowski (3-0), L: Plumbo (1-2, BS 1); S: Cary (11); A- 3,655

A brutal loss for Memphis, as Ralph McNair pitched his heart out, but had allowed 14 hits before being taken out with 1 out in the 9th inning as Vincent Plumbo allowed 3 runs to give Chattanooga another comeback victory.

[Sctvman]

The Chicks headed off on the train after Memphis to go to New Orleans for a series June 9-11. It was not the easiest for the local nine.

@ New Orleans

6/9: NO 3, MEM 1; W: Garciglia (1-0), H: Atkins (4), L: Veverka (1-10); S: Carter (2); A- 2,728

The Chicks lose a tough, close one allowing single runs in the 4th, 5th and 8th.

6/10: NO 19, MEM 9; W: Marion (1-1), L: Mulach (2-7); A- 2,854

The Pelicans do the almost unthinkable, scoring 5, 6, and 7 runs in 3 different innings to account for 18 of their 19 runs on the day.

6/11: NO 2, MEM 0; W: Davis (1-1), L: Unknown (0-1), A- 3,222

The Chicks fall again, allowing 2 runs in the 8th inning to provide the final margin in a series which was close except for the middle game.

[Sctvman]

There has been a long look at the possibility of expanding the major leagues from its present 16 clubs to more. It has been that since 1901, an almost unbelievable length of time. The country was only 45 states, now it is 48.

The population in the United States has also boomed, from 77 million to almost 144 million, with still the same number of clubs. In December 1941, the St. Louis Browns' move to Los Angeles was approved, but this was just days before World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the move was tabled until after the war.

Now, the Browns are actually doing pretty well at the box office and have made a World Series in 1944, and don't look to be a possibility to move to another city.

The American League though wants to find new markets for their ballclubs. While the National League is doing very well with their eight clubs around the nation, the American League has some franchises which are not doing as particularly well.

Getting $1.2 million in expansion fees for each franchise is big for the American League, especially the weaker teams like the Athletics and the Senators.

Both leagues met in Chicago in order to make decisions about their plans for 1948 and later. The American League however had the more important decision as they decided to expand by two clubs for the 1948 season.

[Sctvman]

The Chicks headed to Birmingham in order to face the Barons before returning home for a quick series against the Nashville Vols. The Chicks signed a 42 year old Cuban star, Martin Dihigo, to become the first black player in the Southern Association. They only allowed this because the Chicks were short of the minimum 20 players.

@ Birmingham (6/13-15)

6/13: BIR 6, MEM 2; W: Smith (6-5), L: Morris (1-2), HR: BIR- Guerra (1), Collins (6); A- 5,287

The Barons put it on Memphis at Rickwood, scoring 3 in the first two innings and holding on for a four-run victory.

6/14: BIR 9, MEM 1; W: McCahan (3-3), L: McNair (4-6); HR: BIR- Rosetti (1), Astbury (1); A- 6,591

The A's farmhand Bill McCahan dominated the Chicks, with a complete game on 93 pitches.

6/15: MEM 3, BIR 1; W: Dihigo (1-0), L: Stone (2-4), S: Hanski (2); HR: BIR- Collins (7), A- 5,281

Martin Dihigo, the 42 year old dominated the Barons on this Sunday, only allowing 7 hits and 1 run in 8 innings as Memphis ended a 6 game losing streak.

Nashville (6/16-18)

6/16: MEM 5, BNA 4; W: Hanski (1-5), L: Horton (1-3); HR: BNA- Byam (1); A- 1,112

A game winner for the Chickasaws by Vincent Plumbo, as Memphis came back from a 4-3 7th inning deficit to win in the bottom of the 9th on a double.

Martin Dihigo, after playing just two games in Memphis was signed by the Yankees organization, who assigned him to Kansas City AAA then quickly called him up to New York.

6/17: BNA 6, MEM 4; W: Woodward (4-6), L: Mulach (2-8), S: Reitz (13); HR: BNA- Block (1), Mills (5), Scire (6); A- 1,522

The Vols pulled out a victory in this one with 3 home runs and a dominating 9th.

6/18: MEM 10, BNA 8; W: Unknown (1-0); BS: Peterson (1), Reitz (8), H: Horton (6), L: Reitz (2-7); HR: BNA- Byam (2), Durrett (5); MEM: Bueschen (5, GW); A- 1,577

In one of the most exciting games of the season, Roy Bueschen ended the game in theatrics with a game winning 3 run home run in the 9th inning to turn a 1 run deficit into a 10-8 win. Memphis trailed the entire game until the clutch circuit clout.

[Sctvman]

The long-awaited day was upon us on June 12 in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria. The American League was set to expand from eight to ten clubs. The National League had done their meetings at a different hotel across the city.

Over a dozen cities were interested in the two slots, ranging from Milwaukee to Montreal to surprising entrants such as Seattle and Louisville. However, the two favorites were the two largest cities on the West Coast, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

There had to be a unanimous vote to ratify each club. Philadelphia A's owner Connie Mack and Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith were opposed to the idea of having teams on the West Coast because of the travel factor involved and schlepping his clubs who did not have the money clubs like the Yankees and Red Sox had. Still, the promise of more revenue took that off the table.

American League Commissioner Will Harridge made the decision on Thursday, June 12 at the Waldorf-Astoria. There was a huge mass of media from all over the world at this event, including dozens of media from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The decision was also broadcast nationally on Mutual Radio and on local stations in several different markets around the country.

They went through several hours of deliberations after all of the cities made their presentations to the ownership. Secret ballots were done in order to help to cut down the number of cities to the requisite two.

Ultimately, the decision was pretty cut and dry on who would get the franchises.

At 3:45 PM ET, Harridge made his announcement in front of the assembled media.

Two envelopes were out on a long table that would be opened by the Commissioner. They were securely brought in by a local accounting firm hired by the AL and opened up. Only one person (the accountant) knew which two cities it was. Most of the possible owners who were in the running were in the room.

After introducing himself opening up the press conference, Frick walked up and opened the envelopes. Frick opened up the first envelope.

President Frick: "Contained in this envelope will be the name of the city of the 17th major league franchise. By a vote of 8-0, the 9th club in the American League will go to the city of..... Los Angeles!"

Los Angeles is seen as no surprise for a franchise. The City of Angels is the third largest city in the country, and has a metro area of between 3.5 and 4 million. It already has two professional football teams, and has a very large baseball fan base already with two Pacific Coast League teams in the city in the Los Angeles Angels and the Hollywood Stars.

Some issues may occur with how difficult it may be to travel via train, considering teams will have to fly there. The Washington Senators was the only team to oppose the expansion to Los Angeles. Owner Clark Griffith was against the move because of the excess travel. Other issues may be where the team will play. Either Wrigley Field, which is only 20K seats, or the 93,000 seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

President Frick: "Contained in this envelope will be the name of the city of the 18th major league franchise. By a vote of 8-0, the 10th club in the American League will go to the city of... San Francisco!"

San Francisco, as the City by the Bay, is northern California's major city, and also has a population in the metro area over one million. This was the logical choice after Los Angeles was selected, to give them a rival and a travel partner. San Francisco also has a professional football team, the 49ers.

It also has a fervent minor league fan base with the Seals and a decent sized stadium. The two California cities are the largest in the country without Major League Baseball currently, but they will have a franchise in the 1948 season. Each city has millions of fans who are hungry for any chance at watching the highest level of professional baseball.

No one knows if the two new teams will keep their PCL names or get new ones.

[Sctvman]

The Chicks found an offensive groove on the road, winning two of three in Mobile including a 15 run effort and stealing the last game in Little Rock.

Little-known C Kerry Martin is the offensive spark for Memphis, blasting four home runs in 8 games.

More shockingly, the Philadelphia Athletics have taken the 2nd wildcard in the American League.

[Sctvman]

The Chicks shockingly took two of three on the road at Chattanooga after only getting one game against Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the American League race has ever tightened with the Philadelphia Athletics within just one game of the Yankees as we near the 4th of July.

[Sctvman]

Chatanooga continues their absolute domination of the Southern Association with a 65-20 record. Stan Musial won the MVP of the All-Star Game as the National League beat the American League 5-0 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, July 8.

[Sctvman]

After skipping over a couple of months in the proceedings here, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been vociferously getting ready for their new major league franchises. Each franchise has been received incredibly well in their communities, as to many having these teams puts them in the class of "big league" cities.

Sure, both have professional football teams, Los Angeles multiple, but baseball being the national sport helps to put the profile of the cities on the map across the country and around the world as well.

Los Angeles will play its regular season games, the vast majority of them inside the 93,000 seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which they hope will help to provide a record attendance in the club's first year.

San Francisco will play in the city at Seals Stadium, their previous AAA ballpark. Both clubs will take the names of their Triple A franchises, Los Angeles being the Angels and San Francisco being the Seals, which should help provide some name recognition for the clubs.

The AAA franchises for the two cities will move to other West Coast cities. Los Angeles will move to neighboring city Long Beach, while San Francisco's destination remains undetermined. Cities such as Spokane, Washington and Fresno have inquired about acquiring the New York Giants affiliate.

Offices have been set up for the two teams, and both will participate in the upcoming MLB Draft, the first one ever done, for high school and college players in November or December. Each will also participate in an expansion draft to help to populate the two rosters.

No favors have been made though by the 16 other MLB clubs. Each will pick 17th and 18th in the prospect draft, and only 2-3 players per organization will be allowed to be picked in the expansion meeting.

These clubs will have to go through things the hard way, but after being jilted by the major leagues for decades previously, they will take having a seat at the table.