The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Last year's AL RoY has continued the excellent start to his career and lights 'em up here against the Sens.

[luckymann]

Charlie Keller is looking mean and hungry again in the early part of the season, as shown by this big game against the Sens.

[luckymann]

All-time leader is Babe Ruth with 1929.

[luckymann]

A better start for the Pirates than a year ago, although it is more of a slow-burn as they improve with each passing month: 9-8 in April; 17-14 in May and then a really strong 18-7 June that includes an 11-game win streak.





Offseason addition Wally Judnich has settled in nicely and it is he and Gibson who are leading the way on offence. For the others, it has been more a case of solid than spectacular.




Lanier has continued his good form from 1941, leading the rotation to a decent enough performance, although Johnny Rigney's 3-10 is a total eyesore. Leon Day is proving himself a nice add. The BP, while better than last season, is still having its moments.




The Bucs and Yankees each take a slight lead into July, and once again there is already a fairly prominent split between the top teams and the rest.




Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Charlie Keller (Yankees): 382 / 6 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Satchel Paige (Yankees): 4-0 / 2.29 / 25 K / 35.1 IP
• Rookie – Jesse Flores (White Sox): 2-1 / 2.01 / 10 K / 31.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Wally Judnich (Pirates): 356 / 3 HR / 10 RBI
• Pitcher – Bucky Walters (Dodgers): 4-0 / 1.25 / 14 K / 36 IP
• Rookie – Hank Wyse (Reds): 2-1 / 3.00 / 1 SV / 1 K / 6 IP

May

American League

• Batter – Johnny Mize (Athletics): 336 / 5 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Satchel Paige (Yankees): 6-0 / 1.83 / 34 K / 54 IP
• Rookie – Hiram Bithorn (Athletics): 3-1 / 1.84 / 21 K / 49 IP

National League

• Batter – Babe Young (Reds): 330 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Humphries (Cardinals): 6-0 / 2.10 / 13 K / 51.1 IP
• Rookie – Johnny Beazley (Braves): 3-1 / 1.31 / 10 K / 20.2 IP

June

American League

• Batter – Charlie Keller (Yankees): 386 / 8 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Ray Brown (Yankees): 6-0 / 1.36 / 33 K / 53 IP
• Rookie – Hiram Bithorn (Athletics): 4-2 / 1.31 / 15 K / 48 IP

National League

• Batter – Stan Musial (Cardinals): 400 / 0 HR / 15 RBI
• Pitcher – Dizzy Trout (Giants): 4-2 / 2.77 / 14 K / 48.2 IP
• Rookie – Johnny Beazley (Braves): 2-0 / 1.35 / 8 K / 13.1 IP

Other Observations and Points of Interest

• Chet Brewer and Duke Derringer both earn their 200th career win.
• The Keller-Williams battle for AL MVP honours is already shaping up as a ripper, with both all over the leaderboards.
• Satchel Paige wins his first 12 decisions of the season and now sits at 13-1.
• Cleveland’s big offseason signing Cecil Travis is set to miss three months with an abdominal tear. The Tribe’s bad luck continues a couple weeks later as they lose Bob Feller for a similar length of time to elbow inflammation.
• The Cards also suffer a setback, losing Luis Tiant for the season with a torn rotator cuff.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Most Games out of First

[luckymann]

5 Pittsburgh players get the nod again this season.




Joe DiMaggio wins the HR Derby, and Hank Greenberg the MVP as the NL narrows the running score to 6-4 with a 3-1 win.

[luckymann]

In a situation not too dissimilar to a season ago, the Bucs retain their lead in the NL without being quite able to put the Reds away. Still, at 8 1/2 clear they do look home.





Judnich aside, this will be remembered as a season of solid collective performances by Pirates players rather than brilliant individual ones, both on offence and pitching. Sadly, Whit Wyatt's season ends in early August courtesy of a shoulder injury.





The AL race has come to life, with the BoSox really putting up a fantastic fight to trail by just 3 1/2 games entering September.




News and Leaders.






Monthly Award Winners

July

American League

• Batter – Ernie Lombardi (Athletics): 466 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Roosevelt Davis (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.72 / 21 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Larry Doby (Indians): 247 / 5 HR / 16 RBI

National League

• Batter – Wild Bill Wright (Pirates): 336 / 2 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Claude Passeau (Cubs): 3-1 / 2.17 / 19 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Johnny Beazley (Braves): 1-0 / 2.02 / 4 SV / 9 K / 13.1 IP

August

American League

• Batter – Charlie Keller (Yankees): 275 / 8 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Lon Warneke (Yankees): 5-1 / 2.98 / 17 K / 51.1 IP
• Rookie – Willard Marshall (Senators): 355 / 4 HR / 18 RBI

National League

• Batter – Frank McCormick (Phillies): 348 / 5 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Lee Grissom (Phillies): 4-3 / 2.17 / 28 K / 54 IP
• Rookie – Tommy Hughes (Reds): 2-0 / 0.00 / 4 SV / 1 K / 7 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Ted Trent reaches 250 career wins, Ed Brandt 200.
• Cincy pitcher Vern Olsen’s season is brought to a premature end by a torn back muscle.
• A hamstring strain sidelines Cards young gun Stan Musial for 6 weeks.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Most SBs in Final Season

[luckymann]

The outcomes might turn out the same, but the journey to them could hardly be more different as the Yanks seem on cruise control, while the Pirates both figuratively and literally limp to the pennant - losing first Johnny Rigney and then Josh Gibson for the season in a disastrous final few weeks.







In the end, despite the lack of any real suspense, it is a fairly even season with no team really going close to losing 100. Even the run diffs are fairly tightly grouped.




Batting titles to the Splendid Splinter and Wally Judnich, while Charlie Keller takes both the HR and RBI titles with 42 and 122, respectively, with Williams finishing runner-up behind him in both.

Ray Brown finishes top 3 across the TC cats, including an MLB-high 21 wins. Satch wins 20 and leads the league with 167 K.

A nice moment for Paul Waner as he makes it to 2500 hits, and he'll leave the game as our all-time leader in the category, as well as in Games Played.

Final Top 20s, awards, news and leaders.








S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Most SBs in Debut Season

[luckymann]

New York Yankees (101-53) v Pittsburgh Pirates (90-64)
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


NEW YORK YANKEES S+ PAGE

PITTSBURGH PIRATES S+ PAGE

Were this any other group all I'd be saying here is, This could get ugly.

Still, I doubt this will end well for the Bucs - no Wyatt leaves the spin looking thin; no Gibson is obviously a massive loss. The home-field advantage means they should at least win a couple games, but that's about it the way I see things playing out.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

Max Lanier (14-13, 2.90) v Satchel Paige (20-7, 3.02)

The Series starts off in fine style with a game the Bucs must be rueing they let get away after taking an early 2-0 lead. The Yanks catch them in the 4th, then get home with singles in the 8th and 9th as Satchel gives them 7 quality IP and Closer Joe Beggs does the rest. Max Lanier tries his heart out but missed opportunities in those middle innings cost them big time.

Game 2 in Pittsburgh

Leon Day (16-8, 3.09) v Ray Brown (21-8, 2.38)

Yankees lead series 1-0

Once again the Pittsburgh bats go AWOL as they lose another winnable game in extras. Leon Day allows just 2 runs over 10 but his offence can muster only six singles all told against Ray Brown and company. In all reality, the Buccos should be heading to NYC two up but this already looks a forlorn hope from here with the next three at Yankee Stadium.

Game 3 in New York

Paul Derringer (19-7, 2.72) v Ken Heintzelman (8-3, 4.15)

Yankees lead series 2-0

The Pirates dig deep like they so often do to get a crucial win behind the surprising Ken Heintzelman, who allows just two runs on eight hits over 8+. Late homers to Elliott and Vaughan prove the difference and the Bucs can take plenty of heart from how competitive they have been so far.

Game 4 in New York

Satchel Paige (1-0, 2.57) v Hugh Casey (5-4, 2.67)

Yankees lead series 2-1

The Yanks’ decision to press for the win by starting Satchel Paige on short rest may have blown up in their faces as an absolute gem by Hugh Casey gets the Pirates back on level pegging and guarantees them a trip home. Casey pitches 7+ innings of 1-hit ball and Clyde Shoun retires the four hitters he faces, while the bats score early and then again late to get them home. Worrying signs indeed for the New Yorkers, who are lucky to still even be in this Series by my reckoning.

Game 5 in New York

Ray Brown (0-0, 2.57) v Max Lanier (0-1, 4.50)

Series tied 2-2

Finally the Yanks’ bats come alive as they make sure they take a lead back to Pittsburgh with a fairly comprehensive 7-3 win. Scooter Rizzuto leads the way with 3 hits and 2 ribbies, while Brown pitches a typically controlled complete game against his former teammates.

Game 6 in Pittsburgh

Ray Brown (1-0, 3.00) v Max Lanier (0-1, 7.36)

Yankees lead series 3-2

The Pirates show nerves of steel to force a decisive Game 7 with a dominant win. Leon Day’s stature as a money pitcher grows as he goes all 9 but the bats give him a pretty cushy ride with 6 early runs, from which the Yanks never recover. Whatever the result tomorrow, this has been one of the finest performances in Pittsburgh history. An upset win would make it nothing short of legendary.

Game 7 in Pittsburgh

Jim Tobin (8-2, 2.26) v Paul Derringer (0-1, 4.00)

Series tied 3-3

Such a disappointing end for the Pirates as they simply run out of gas and the Yanks cruise to a 6-0 win and their 4th Championship. Duke Derringer doesn’t let nostalgia play a part, blanking his old club on 5 hits, while Tommy Henrich and babe Phelps pace the offence with three hits apiece. No disgrace for the Bucs whatsoever, but their efforts in the Series deserved a better sendoff than this.

NEW YORK WINS SERIES 4-3

SERIES MVP: Phil Rizzuto (New York)

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

The Amarillo Gold Sox lock down the second title in club history with a hard-fought win over Columbus in five.

[luckymann]

Just two skips out of a job this time around as the A’s cut Scott Perry and the Sens get rid of Bill Essick.

Retirements this year include Freddy Fitzsimmons, Leo Durocher, Charlie Root, Pepper Martin, Don Hurst, Dick Bartell and four others I’ll cover separately.

[luckymann]

We lose another four absolute greats this year - two from the annals of MLB; two from the NeL ranks.

Chuck Klein

As I've said before, other than perhaps Ted Williams I know not of a player this game loves more than Chuck Klein. He invariably rates at or near the max and performs out of his skin, as has been the case here. He just dominated the league those first half dozen or so in the late 20s / early 30s, winning 3 Wagner-Lajoie Medals in the process. Finishes his career t-8th with Shoeless Joe for BA (331), 4th in SLG (572), 4th in OPS (963) and 9th in HR (361). Only 68 lifetime bWAR, which is surprising, but I think he's a C-town lock for sure. The Phillies have retired #2 in his honour.

Gabby Hartnett

One of those guys who, with little fanfare, went out and got it done game after game, year after year. Finishes one position behind Chuck with 356 homers, and misses out on being a 300 career hitter by just 2 points. The Cubs have retired his #15.

Cool Papa Bell

The anti-Klein, poor old Cool, whom for whatever reason OOTP just doesn't like nor represent fairly in my opinion. Even with my annual guidance, the pressure always seems to be downward on CPB's productivity and ratings. Still, we got him to 2000 hits and of course he's among the all-time leaders in SB (575; 3rd) - so I'm happy enough, although I doubt he gets a plaque by the direct route.

Mule Suttles

Another one that the game struggles to adequately represent the greatness of, Mule in this save only really ever saw limited action except for 1932 and 1933, with the former being easily his best season with 6 bWAR (out of a career total of just over 20). I have no idea why this is the case, it is inexplicable to me. All the same, I feel he deserves to be included with these guys even if there's no chance of him getting the call from the Hall.

[luckymann]

AL 1942 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1942 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Charlie Keller repeats as AL Wagner-Lajoie medallist, while Pittsburgh's Wally Judnich deservedly wins his first.

Number 4 Johnson-Waddell for Ray Brown, number 1 for Mort Cooper.

RoYs to Larry Doby and Ron Northey of the Phillies.

The AL's best reliever is Cleveland's Steve Gromek, while the NL award goes to Johnny Beazley of the Braves.


S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Very quiet as WW2 obviously is having its effect on things – just two Legacies coming in.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1943 season:

Brooklyn Dodgers: Gil Hodges (43.9; 2006)
St. Louis Cardinals: Al Brazle (20.1; 442 – one-club player)


There are 146 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 8 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1942 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Brooklyn Dodgers (675)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (688)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (278)
4. Philadelphia Athletics (357)
5. Boston Braves (399)
6. Washington Senators (411)
7. Chicago Cubs (442)
8. Chicago White Sox (446)
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (449)
10. Detroit Tigers (474)
11. Cleveland Indians (487)
12. Cincinnati Reds (500)
13. St. Louis Browns (543)
14. New York Giants (559)
15. Boston Red Sox (612)
16. New York Yankees (669)


Rounds 2 thru 8

1. Philadelphia Phillies (278)
2. Philadelphia Athletics (357)
3. Boston Braves (399)
4. Washington Senators (411)
5. Chicago Cubs (442)
6. Chicago White Sox (446)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (449)
8. Detroit Tigers (474)
9. Cleveland Indians (487)
10. Cincinnati Reds (500)
11. St. Louis Browns (543)
12. New York Giants (559)
13. Boston Red Sox (612)
14. New York Yankees (669)
15. Brooklyn Dodgers (675)
16. St. Louis Cardinals (688)


This year, the Bucs pick the following players:

1. C Andy Seminick, 22
2. SS Buddy Kerr, 20
3. OF Tom McBride, 28
4. 1B Howie Schulz, 20
5. P Pinky Woods, 22
6. P John Burrows, 29
7. P Cookie Cuccurullo, 24
8. P Frank Seward, 21

FULL DRAFT LOG


Here are Rounds 1 and 2 in full:

[luckymann]

Just two new enshrinees, but they are big names indeed.

[luckymann]

Baseball ploughs on despite a thinning pool of talent and a country whose focus is understandably otherwise ensconced, with the Cards winning 105 and both them and the Yanks cruising to pennants. New York exacts its revenge for the previous season, dispatching St. Louis in five in the Fall Classic.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (98-56)
NL CHAMPIONS: St. Louis Cardinals (105-49)
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Cardinals 1

AL MVP: Spud Chandler (Yankees)
NL MVP: Stan Musial (Cardinals)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. STAN MUSIAL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 157 games, .357 average, 108 runs, 220 hits, 48 doubles, 20 triples, 13 home runs, 81 RBIs, 72 walks, .425 on-base percentage, .562 slugging percentage.
• Musial owned NL pitching in what some at the time believed was a deceiving case of overblown numbers against diluted wartime pitching. They had no idea.

2. BILL NICHOLSON, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .309 average, 95 runs, 188 hits, 30 doubles, 9 triples, 29 home runs, 128 RBIs, 71 walks.
• Nicholson led the NL in homers, something of a surprise given that neither he nor the Cubs homered until their 33rd game; he would be the only National Leaguer with at least 20 homers in 1943, let alone nearly 29.

3. BOB ELLIOTT, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .315 average, 82 runs, 183 hits, 30 doubles, 12 triples, 7 home runs, 101 RBIs.
• Ineligible for military service due to “head injuries,” Elliott had the first of three straight 100+ RBI seasons for the Pirates.

4. ARKY VAUGHAN, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 112 runs, 186 hits, 39 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, 66 RBIs, 60 walks, 20 stolen bases, 11 caught stealing.
• After a subpar year at the plate hindered, perhaps, by a move to third base, Vaughan returned to shortstop and experienced a revival in his hitting game.

5. BILLY HERMAN, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .330 average, 76 runs, 193 hits, 41 doubles, 2 home runs, 100 RBIs, 66 walks.
• A vintage effort that spurred memories of his peak years with the Cubs of the mid-1930s; only Pie Traynor (in 1931) knocked in more runs on as few or equal number of home runs since the end of the Deadball Era.

6. PHIL CAVARRETTA, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .291 average, 93 runs, 27 doubles, 9 triples, 8 home runs, 73 walks, 75 walks.
• At the halfway point of a 20-year career with the Cubs he began at age 18, Cavarretta finally found his footing as a borderline star outfielder at Wrigley.

7. AUGIE GALAN, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 139 games, .287 average, 83 runs, 26 doubles, 9 home runs, 67 RBIs, 103 walks.
• The former Cubs star from the mid-1930s experienced a wartime-fueled revival, making his first All-Star Game appearance in nine years.

8. ELBIE FLETCHER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .283 average, 91 runs, 24 doubles, 5 triples, 9 home runs, 70 RBIs, 95 walks.
• Before departing for the Navy, Fletcher just missed accumulating 100 walks and a .400+ on-base percentage for the first time in four years.

9. LOU KLEIN, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .287 average, 91 runs, 180 hits, 28 doubles, 14 triples, 7 home runs, 62 RBIs.
• In the only full-time campaign of his major league career, Klein did more than just fill the war-created talent void; he performed sharp at a second base position that had been one of the Cardinals’ weakest spots in recent years.

10. RAY SANDERS, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .280 average, 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 73 RBIs, 77 walks.
• Like Klein, Sanders filled another hole at St. Louis, this one at first base formerly owned by Johnny Mize. Unlike Klein, he’d hang out as a valuable asset for the wartime Cardinals.

AL Hitters

1. RUDY YORK, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 155 games, .271 average, 90 runs, 22 doubles, 11 triples, 34 home runs, 118 RBIs, 84 walks, .527 slugging percentage.
• One of the few pre-war stars who neither enlisted nor got drafted, York all but had the AL to himself. Half of his home runs were belted in August alone.

2. CHARLIE KELLER, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .271 average, 97 runs, 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, 106 walks.
• “King Kong” became the guy in the Yankees’ lineup, but only for a year as even he would soon be gone, becoming U.S. Naval material; unlike other star ballplayers, he wouldn’t see any time playing for wartime teams.

3. GEORGE CASE, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .294 average, 102 runs, 180 hits, 36 doubles, 5 triples, 61 stolen bases.
• No American Leaguer stole more bases in any year between 1931 and 1968 than Case, who led the league for the fifth straight season.

4. NICK ETTEN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .271 average, 78 runs, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 14 home runs, 107 RBIs, 76 walks.
• Classified 4-F by the military (thus allowed to keep playing in the majors), Etten began a productive wartime tenure with baseball’s gold standard (Yankees) after being traded from its disaster zone (the bankrupt Phillies).

5. LUKE APPLING, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 155 games, .328 average, 192 hits, 33 doubles, 3 home runs, 80 RBIs, 90 walks, 27 stolen bases, .419 on-base percentage.
• At age 36, Appling became the oldest AL batting champion (until Ted Williams) with the lowest league-leading average since 1908.

6. VERN STEPHENS, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 137 games, .289 average, 27 doubles, 22 home runs, 91 RBIs.
• Nearly half of Stephens’ 22 home runs came within five multi-homer games.

7. JEFF HEATH, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 118 games, .274 average, 22 doubles, 18 home runs, 79 RBIs, 63 walks.
• Heath hit twice as many homers as any of his Cleveland teammates despite missing nearly 40 games on the season.

8. DICK WAKEFIELD, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 155 games, .316 average, 633 at-bats, 91 runs, 200 hits, 38 doubles, 8 triples, 7 home runs, 79 RBIs.
• Baseball’s first bonus baby looked to be on target to meeting lofty expectations with a strong rookie showing—but it’s as good as it got for him.

9. STAN SPENCE, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .267 average, 23 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 88 RBIs, 84 walks.
• The lifeless balata ball was particularly rough on Spence’s batting average, but the re-introduction of the ‘normal’ ball pumped his numbers back up to productive levels.

10. MICKEY VERNON, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .268 average, 89 runs, 29 doubles, 8 triples, 7 home runs, 70 RBIs, 67 walks, 24 stolen bases, 10 hit-by-pitches.
• The young first baseman warmed up toward better times after the war, in advance of two years’ worth of military service.

NL Pitchers

1. MORT COOPER, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.30 ERA, 21 wins, 8 losses, .724 win percentage, 37 appearances, 32 starts, 24 complete games, 6 shutouts, 274 innings, 12 intentional walks.
• Cooper leveled off a smidgen from his breakout display of a year earlier, but clearly remained the NL’s best pitcher; he threw one-hit shutouts in back-to-back starts late in the spring.

2. HI BITHORN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.60 ERA, 18 wins, 12 losses, 39 appearances, 30 starts, 7 shutouts, 249.2 innings.
• The majors’ first Puerto Rican, Bithorn was one of many to have a rising career severed by military service.

3. RIP SEWELL, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.54 ERA, 21 wins, 9 losses, .700 win percentage, 35 appearances, 31 starts, 25 complete games, 265.1 innings, 12 intentional walks.
• Sewell’s excuse for avoiding the military was a hunting accident in which he lost a small part of his foot—on December 7, 1941.

4. MAX LANIER, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 1.90 ERA, 15 wins, 7 losses, .682 win percentage, 32 appearances, 25 starts, 213.1 innings.
• Lanier joined Cardinals teammates Cooper and Howie Pollett as the three top ERA leaders in the NL.

5. ELMER RIDDLE, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.63 ERA, 21 wins, 11 losses, 3 saves, 36 appearances, 33 starts, 260.1 innings, 107 walks.
• Two years after copping the NL ERA title and a year after a mediocre attempt to encore, Riddle got himself back on track; his bid to take a 22nd win in his last start and own the NL victory crown for himself fell just short as he took the loss in a 3-2 complete-game effort at home against the Dodgers.

6. NATE ANDREWS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.57 ERA, 14 wins, 20 losses, 34 starts, 23 complete games, 283.2 innings, 6 hit-by-pitches.
• There was no way that Andrews deserved that poor of a record, but he got it thanks to very poor (2.5 runs per start) support; in six of his losses, the Braves were shut out.

7. WHIT WYATT, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.49 ERA, 14 wins, 5 losses, .737 win percentage, 26 starts, 180.2 innings, 43 walks.
• The early 1940s ace was used more sparingly—but was still getting the job done—as his arm began to tire at age 36.

8. AL JAVERY, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 17 wins, 16 losses, 41 appearances, 35 starts, 303 innings.
• The NL workhorse of the year certainly enjoyed the friendly confines of Braves Field, where he posted a 12-6 record and 2.09 ERA.

9. SCHOOLBOY ROWE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.94 ERA, 14 wins, 8 losses, 25 starts, 199 innings, 29 walks.
• The former Tigers ace of the mid-1930s showed he still had some strong fuel left in the tank, and gave Phillies teammates burdened by team bankruptcy issues something to smile about.

10. MAX BUTCHER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.60 ERA, 10 wins, 8 losses, 33 appearances, 21 starts, 193.2 innings.
• The veteran right-hander appeared to get an extended lease on baseball life as the talent level dwindled, beginning a wartime reign that was hardly spectacular but quite efficient.

AL Pitchers

1. SPUD CHANDLER, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 1.64 ERA, 20 wins, 4 losses, .833 win percentage, 30 starts, 20 complete games, 5 shutouts, 253 innings, 54 walks.
• Chandler registered the majors’ lowest ERA since 1919 and became the only Yankees pitcher to date to be honored with the AL MVP.

2. TINY BONHAM, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.27 ERA, 15 wins, 8 losses, 225.2 innings.
• Bonham matched his ERA, appearances (28) and innings from the year before, but he got less run support that led to a less remarkable (but still sweet) record.

3. DIZZY TROUT, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 6 saves, 44 appearances, 30 starts, 18 complete games, 5 shutouts, 246.2 innings, 101 walks.
• Th right-hander broke out late in the year, going 11-4 with a 1.93 ERA from mid-July on; it provided momentum for an even better campaign in 1944.

4. BUTCH WENSLOFF, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.54 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 18 complete games, 223.1 innings.
• A fine rookie effort for the 28-year-old Wensloff, one of many whose baseball careers was disrupted by war in midstride.

5. MICKEY HAEFNER, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 2.29 ERA, 11 wins, 5 losses, 6 saves, 36 appearances, 13 starts.
• The knuckleball artist followed up three fair minor league seasons at Minneapolis with a much better ERA in his major league debut at age 30.

6. JIM BAGBY JR., CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.10 ERA, 17 wins, 14 losses, 33 starts, 273 innings.
• A near-carbon copy of his previous season, and that was a good thing for the fastball pitcher.

7. AL SMITH, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.55 ERA, 17 wins, 7 losses, .708 win percentage, 208.1 innings.
• The veteran lefty, at age 35, authored the lone sub-3.00 ERA of his 12-year career; he was a combined 10-0 with a 1.45 ERA against the A’s and White Sox.

8. EARLY WYNN, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 2.91 ERA, 18 wins, 12 losses, 37 appearances, 33 starts, 256.2 innings.
• In the midst of an inconsistent first decade of his major league career, Wynn gave a glimpse of how consistently terrific he would be in his second decade.

9. JOHNNY NIGGELING, ST. LOUIS-WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: 2.59 ERA, 10 wins, 10 losses, 201.1 innings.
• After a sluggish start to the year with the Browns, Niggeling was dealt to the Senators—where he furnished a 0.88 ERA over 51 innings.

10. TOMMY BRIDGES, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.39 ERA, 12 wins, 7 losses.
• Like ex-mate Schoolboy Rowe with the Phillies above, the veteran right-hander showed he still had life in his arm at a certain age.

[luckymann]

The Yanks and Red Sox pretty much dominate the offseason market.

Here are the pick of the transactions:

• 1B Johnny Mize: Yankees, 5 years / $185000
• P Bucky Walters: Red Sox, 5 years / $153800
• OF Dixie Walker: Tigers, 4 years / $132000
• OF Jim Gleeson: Red Sox, 4 years / $120000
• C Bill Dickey: Yankees, 3 years / $102400
• P Whit Wyatt: Cubs, 3 years / $97400
• 1B Dolph Camilli: Braves, 3 years / $89600
• OF Hank Steinbacher: Senators, 3 years / $80400
• P Spud Chandler: Cubs, 4 years / $79400 (extension)
• P Satchel Paige: Red Sox, 2 years / $74400
• OF Chet Laabs: Red Sox, 3 years / $70200
• OF Johnny Hopp: Indians, 4 years / $70000 (extension)
• P Dizzy Trout: Giants, 4 years / $62900 (extension)
• P Ted Trent: Tigers, 2 years / $59600

• C Ray Lamanno from Pirates to Cardinals for P Red Ruffing
• P Art Johnson from Dodgers to Phillies for P Benny Frey
• P Barney Brown and C Joe Schultz jr from Cardinals to Red Sox for C Kenneth Raddant and 2B Creepy Crespi
• OF Pete Kousnagan and P Dick Conger from Reds to Dodgers for SS Eddie Joost
• OF Sam Jethroe from Browns to Pirates for 1B Johnny Lindell
• C Walker Cooper from Braves to Tigers for P Hank Borowy
• P Tommy Bridges from Dodgers to Yankees for 2B John Sullivan and OF Earl Naylor

ALL TRANSACTIONS

The Bucs go 11-7 in ST, with Ken Heintzelman picking up an elbow niggle that will keep him on ice until May.

The boffins see a super tight race in the AL with the Red Sox just pipping the Yanks, with another comfortable NL Pennant on the cards for the Pirates.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS