The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Six Pirates get a gong this year.

Grady Hatton of the Browns wins the Derby, while A's 3B Whitey Kurowski leads the AL to a 9-4 win in the big game.

[luckymann]

Things are going OK for us so far but, with last year's midseason fadeout fresh in my mind, I decide to use my trade ticket on a player I've had on my radar since returning to the fold to hopefully keep things headed in the right direction.

Eddie Joost was a bit of a late-bloomer IRL, finally coming good in his 30s after the war and that's the section of his career he is about to enter. Strikes out too much but has commensurate power as a tradeoff and plays plus D around the diamond. He's up for FA at the end of this season but has indicated he is open to staying on and we've tabled a 4+1 deal for his consideration.

I had no intention of exercising Muncrief's option for next year so it's worked out well for us here. Tom Hughes is the guy I see stepping into the role Leroy Matlock has held down so well for us over so many seasons. He'll do so immediately, with Leroy into the rotation. There were various other options on offer to complete this deal, but in the end we shipped Zientara and MiLB option deal signing Eddie Miller.

[Pelican]

I have played a lot with the 1952 A’s (long story - don’t ask), and Joost is a solid player, good power, good eye, excellent glove at SS. Not fast, so somewhat of a quandary where he fits in the lineup. I started with him batting third, on a relatively weak-hitting team, trying to take advantage of the OBP. Between Ferris Fain and Gus Zernial. But he ended up batting fifth or sixth. Unfortunately, he was both a late bloomer and then rapid decline with age - so only a few prime years. Still, in 1952 there were only a few SS who could/would hit 20 HR with potentially 80 RS and 80 RBI. Your lineup is solid. He bat seventh or eighth.

[luckymann]

Yeah, with the house rules in place and small market / tiny budget I need to get bang for every trade and value for every player. He fits the bill as a guy who plays 1B/2B/3B/SS well and has that adult-onset pop. Looks like we'll get him on a 4+1 deal for less than 100k all up which fits our financial capability and covers his productive peak. He's our everyday SS for now batting 7 v RHP / 6 v LHP but might shift to 3B when Young is moved on, with Mr Team moving to 1B. We'll see.

Of course, to confirm that I'm a verifiable baseball genius, we just happen to play our first full series after the trade against the Braves. Hughes gets bombed out of the pen and Joost makes a bunch of errors as we lose 2 of 3 at home.

Where's my plaque, man?

[luckymann]

The Yanks are on the right side of the ledger in the season's second no-hitter by Allie Reynolds against the White Sox.

[luckymann]

Well we have played our way into contention as we enter August with the lads putting in a really solid effort these past two months to give us a combined 34-23 since June 1. Most pleasingly, despite Ralph Kiner staying hot, the load has been more evenly shared.





Ralph's unbelievable rookie campaign continues as he wins another monthly hitting award. But as you can see from the numbers below, we are getting solid contributions from all but a handful of backups. In fact it is Elliott, and not Kiner, with the most bWAR to this point.




The pitching is similarly well-disposed, with every member of our staff WAR-positive and only one whose ERA is above 4. Surprisingly that player - Johnny Sain - also leads the group with 3.4 pWAR.




We've pretty much locked down all those we want to keep next year. Of this group, only Kerr remains unsigned and we'll see with him whether we can sort that out or will need arbitration - he's still under TC for two more years. Those spending their final season with us include Matlock, Shoun, Rosar, Craft, Arky Vaughan (who is spending his swansong for us at AAA), Bragan and Bowman.

So we are within reach of the Jints, with the Cubbies, Phils and Cards on our tail. Meanwhile, the BoSox' quest for a threepeat is looking good as they lead the AL by 5. Johnny Schmitz of the Cubs is giving the NL pitching Triple Crown a run.




News, Leaders and Top 20s








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Charlie Keller (Yankees): 329 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Fred Hutchinson (Senators): 5-2 / 3.31 / 23 K / 54.1 IP
• Rookie – Grady Hatton (Browns): 348 / 4 HR / 14 RBI

National League

• Batter – Bob Elliott (Pirates): 378 / 3 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Al Smith (Giants): 6-0 / 1.13 / 17 K / 47.2 IP
• Rookie – Ralph Kiner (Pirates): 260 / 7 HR / 22 RBI

July

American League

• Batter – Willard Brown (Athletics): 392 / 5 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Dizzy Trout (Red Sox): 5-0 / 1.93 / 22 K / 51.1 IP
• Rookie – Yogi Berra (Yankees): 338 / 4 HR / 15 RBI

National League

• Batter – Ralph Kiner (Pirates): 297 / 9 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Stubby Overmire (Cardinals): 4-0 / 1.38 / 5 SV / 16 K / 32.2 IP
• Rookie – Ralph Kiner

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Dixie Walker reaches the 2000-hit mark.

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[luckymann]

Most Innings Pitched without Starting a Game

[CubMariner]

Better keep Ralph encased in bubble wrap...what a one-man wrecking crew! That late in the season and still nearly half the teams HR. I shouldn't overlook Elliott's contributions though

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by CubMariner

Better keep Ralph encased in bubble wrap...what a one-man wrecking crew! That late in the season and still nearly half the teams HR. I shouldn't overlook Elliott's contributions though

One quirk of the game is that rookies tend to come in with a FRAGILE injury rating that usually improves with time, then reappears toward the end of their career. I intend to make the players' injury proneness invisible when I move this save to v23 after 1949, to increase the challenge level. But, for now, it is visible.

Ralph, for whatever reason, hasn't suffered this fate - he is rated NORMAL. Watch him get hurt now that we've raised this issue... We'd probably miss his ribbie production more than the homers, although the two are obviously intricately linked.

[luckymann]

For just the twelfth time in 46 years - which seems less frequent than I expected, but maybe isn't - a player has hit consecutively in 30 or more games. This time it is Andy Pafko, and 30 is as far as he gets.

[luckymann]

A rousing stretch run by our lads that, without us ever really looking like overtaking the Jints, gets us pretty darned close all the same - an exemplary effort by the group.





Ralph Kiner's rookie season grabs most of the attention, and rightly so. He sets a new franchise record with 40 - only the second time one of our guys has hit 40 or more, the other being John Beckwith's 40 even in 1927 - and his numbers sit in the top 10 across a few other stat cats. But Bob Elliott also deserves his share of the credit. Not only did he hit behind Ralph, but contributed 6.5 bWAR to lead the team and cracked double-digits in HR for the first time while also adding a career high 89 RBI. Plenty of others played their part as well.




The pitching stays solid across the board, and with a few young live arms ready to come through we're finally in pretty good shape, staff-wise.




None of last season's dramas, although both divs stay live until very late before the Giants and Red Sox finally clinch in the shadows of the post.




The AL batting title goes to Ted Williams (368, 4th), while Stan Musial finally breaks through for his first by hitting 365.

Dizzy Trout leads the league with 24 wins, as does Hal Newhouser with a 2.24 ERA and 210 K. Nick Strincevich breaks the 30 save mark for the first time and eventually sets a new record with 36.


Final Top 20s





Final Leaders




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Johnny Mize (Yankees): 278 / 11 HR / 30 RBI
• Pitcher – Bob Feller (Indians): 4-0 / 1.53 / 31 K / 47 IP
• Rookie – Grady Hatton (Browns): 268 / 6 HR / 18 RBI

National League

• Batter – Buddy Blattner (Giants): 340 / 7 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Schmitz (Cubs): 6-0 / 1.89 / 29 K / 47.2 IP
• Rookie – Bobby Thomson (Giants): 343 / 9 HR / 22 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 405 / 7 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Hal Newhouser (Detroit): 3-0 / 1.84 / 47 K / 49 IP
• Rookie – Grady Hatton (Browns): 292 / 3 HR / 21 RBI

National League

• Batter – Ralph Kiner (Pirates): 344 / 11 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Hetki (Braves): 2-0 / 2.25 / 6 SV / 9 K / 16 IP
• Rookie – Ralph Kiner

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 hits: Billy Herman

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[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (96-58) v New York Giants (90-64)
Best-of-seven, Giants with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

NEW YORK GIANTS S+ PAGE

A long time between drinks for Jints fans, with their last playoff appearance back in 1929 - even longer since their sole taste of glory all the way back in 1911. But they come bearing gifts this time around, with a quality squad that is sure to give the Red Sox plenty of trouble. In Buddy Blattner, they have one of the game's premier leadoff men at the moment, and the heart of their order - Irvin, Greenberg and rookie Bobby Thomson - is up there with the best as well. And with a really solid rotation led by Mort Cooper, those bats don't have to score as many as some other teams to give themselves a good chance of winning.

But you don't get the chance to win three Championships on the bounce if you aren't a top notch bunch, and that applies to this Red Sox group in spades. Not an obvious weakness in the entire group and, of course, the game's number one player in Ted Williams.

In the end I believe the Giants' lack of playoff experience will be the telling factor here, but I think it will be a really tight series that goes the distance or close thereto.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in New York

Dave Koslo (17-8, 3.11) v Tex Hughson (19-8, 2.89)

A wobbly start for both sides as the host Giants take the honours in a high-scoring opener. Neither starter sees the 7th as Giants rookie sensation Bobby Thomson belts 2 homers and Monte Irvin also goes deep and drives in 3.

Game 2 in New York

Mort Cooper (14-8, 3.19) v Dizzy Trout (24-4, 2.29)

Giants lead series 1-0

Dizzy Trout continues his magnificent form this year and the Sox bats fairly tear Cooper apart in an awesome display that puts the Giants in their place heading to Beantown. Bus Clarkson has 5 hits, the Splinter belts his second homer in the two games and Aaron Robinson chimes in with a 4-ribbie game.

Game 3 in Boston

Roger Wolff (18-7, 3.33) v Murry Dickson (17-11, 3.51)

Series tied 1-1

Another dominant game by Boston with both bat and ball as the Giants start looking horribly overmatched here. Murry Dickson doesn't make it out of the 1st and, while the NY BP keeps the Sox scoreless over the remainder, Roger Wolff pitches a fine CG for a comfortable win.

Game 4 in Boston

Kirby Higbe (7-12, 4.20) v Al Smith (15-6, 2.48)

Red Sox lead series 2-1

The Giants bats stay cold as Kirby Higbe pitches 8+ scoreless while giving up just 2 hits to lead the Sox to a dogged win and commanding series lead.

Game 5 in Boston

Tex Hughson (0-1, 9.53) v Dave Koslo (1-0, 4.50)

Series tied 2-2

A much better effort from the Giants is all for nought as the Sox come back numerous times before walking it off with 2 in the bottom 9th to complete their threepeat. This makes it six straight for AL clubs and brings the running score to 24-22 with the NL still just ahead. Ted Williams is named MVP for the second year running.

BOSTON WINS SERIES 4-1

SERIES MVP: Ted Williams (Boston)

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[luckymann]

Utica beats Austin in an epic World Series to claim just its second AAA title and first since 1921.

[luckymann]

Three skips are let go: Ed Morgan (Tigers), Ty Tyson (Senators), Jake Miller (Cardinals).

A few big-name retirements this time around, with those giving the game away including Lon Warneke, Chet Brewer, Harlond Clift, Bob Johnson, Ducky Medwick, Pinky Higgins, Whit Wyatt, Luis Tiant, Larry French, Zeke Bonura and one guy I’ll deal with on his own.

Our Scouting Director Maury Kent retires and, for now at least, I’ll handle those responsibilities myself.

We non-tender Bobby Bragan, while Buddy Kerr and Tom Hughes will head to arbitration. A bunch of others are let go as previously indicated would be the case. All budgets have started to move higher, faster, and we are no different. While the boss ups ours from $500k to $600k, it is 16th of 16 and by some margin.

[luckymann]

A tough one to know what to do with given the totally unique arc of his amazing IRL career, but in the end I decided he'd had a fair run and to leave things be when the game called time on him.

Satch leaves the game as its second most celebrated hurler behind only the great Walter Johnson. A 402-252 career record with a 3.33 ERA (124 ERA+) and 143 pWAR, give or take. He is the all-time leader in strikeouts with 4496, a record that might never be broken. Other leaderboard appearances include 837 games played (4th), 5659 IP (4th), 396 CG (8th) and 48 shutouts (13th). He also is tied for the single-season record in wins with 33 (which he did twice) and on his own for strikeouts with 469 in 1928.

He only played for three clubs over his 20 seasons: the Red Sox for 14, the Yanks for 5 and the Giants in 1944.

He won 7 Johnson-Waddells, 6 Championships and was an All-Star 9 times.

In his honour, the Red Sox have retired his #26 and the league has announced that, effective immediately, the annual award handed out for relief work will be known as the Paige Plate.

It goes without saying that he is a first-ballot lock in five years' time.

Thanks for the memories, you legend of the game.

[luckymann]

AL 1946 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1946 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Willard Brown edges out Ted Williams to win his 3rd Wagner-Lajoie, while Stan Musial wins his second. First-time Johnson-Waddell winners in both leagues - Dizzy Trout and Johnny Schmitz. No surprises as Grady Hatton and Ralph Kiner take out the RoYs, with the newly-coined Paige Plate going to Nick Strincevich in the AL and Stubby Overmire in the NL.


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[luckymann]

Seven new Legacies entering the league this year, led by the mighty Duke Snider as the Dodgers’ pieces continue to fall into place.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1947 Season:

Boston Red Sox: Mel Parnell (27.7; 289)
Brooklyn Dodgers: Duke Snider (65.9; 1923)
Chicago White Sox: Nellie Fox (49.5; 2115)
Cincinnati Reds: Ted Kluszewski (31.4; 1339)
Cleveland Indians: Al Rosen (32.4; 1044 – one-club player)
New York Giants: Hank Thompson (30.5; 906 (conceded – one-club player / NeL)
Philadelphia Phillies: Curt Simmons (43.4; 325)

Larry Jansen (21.6; 283) was also eligible for the Giants, but Thompson’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Billy Goodman (27.2; 1177) was also eligible for the Red Sox, but Parnell’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Willie Jones (24.8; 1520) was also eligible for the Phillies, but Simmons’ higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 96 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1946 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Brooklyn Dodgers (615)
2. Chicago White Sox (481)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (448)
4. Cleveland Indians (442)
5. Cincinnati Reds (435)
6. New York Giants (396)
7. Boston Red Sox (675)
8. Philadelphia Athletics (318)
9. Pittsburgh Pirates (409)
10. St. Louis Browns (429)
11. Washington Senators (494)
12. Boston Braves (529)
13. Chicago Cubs (536)
14. New York Yankees (565)
15. Detroit Tigers (597)
16. St. Louis Cardinals (628)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Philadelphia Athletics (318)
2. New York Giants (396)
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (409)
4. Cincinnati Reds (435)
5. St. Louis Browns (429)
6. Cleveland Indians (442)
7. Philadelphia Phillies (448)
8. Chicago White Sox (481)
9. Washington Senators (494)
10. Boston Braves (529)
11. Chicago Cubs (536)
12. New York Yankees (565)
13. Detroit Tigers (597)
14. Brooklyn Dodgers (615)
15. St. Louis Cardinals (628)
16. Boston Red Sox (675)

Thanks to our IRL compadres’ underwhelming performance, we get a nice pick this time around and we enter this Draft ready with a number of strategies to deploy and three distinct first-round options in mind depending on what happens around us.

In the end, we choose the following players:

1. OF Vic Wertz, 21

• Opted for Vic first over Larry Jansen as I just feel we’re going to get more out of him in the longer term and that – for now, at least – our pitching is looking pretty good.

2. C Matt Batts, 25

• We need reinforcement here and really like how Matt profiles to back up Andy Seminick.

3. P Chuck Stobbs, 17

• One for a few years down the track.

4. P / OF Clint Hartung, 24

• An interesting two-way type that we deemed worth a punt.

5. 2B Cal Ermer, 23
6. P Buddy Lively, 21

• Filler no killer.

A nice Draft for our club.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

I spend my annual FA ticket on a guy who just gives us a bit more depth around the diamond, at SS in particular where we - and the league overall, for that matter - are thin. While 4/100 sounds like big money for us, just watch these salaries explode now.

[luckymann]

Or, in this case - five! One of the biggest intakes yet but all are very much deserving. Great to see two more NeL legends among them.