[Marmel]

1939

April

In the AL Est, the Washington Senators start off 14-11 and in first place, 1 game better than the Boston Red Sox. The Montreal Capitals are 1 game back. Both the Naps and the A’s are 4 games back. In the West, Atlanta is 16-9 and 2 games up on defending AL Champions, the San Francisco Westerners. LA is 3 back while Vegas and Detroit are just 4 back.

In the NL East, the Giants sit on top of the division with a 15-10 record. Brooklyn, fighting for the right just to stay in town are 14-11, and tied with the defending Champs, the Phillies, both 1 game back. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are both 6 games back already. In the Midwest, Cincinnati had a hot start, going 16-9 and they lead Chicago, Dallas and Houston by 3 games.

May

In the AL East, the A’s have moved into first place with a 31-23 record. They lead Montreal by 3 games, while Boston, Cleveland and Washington are all 5 games back. In the West, Atlanta remains in first with a 30-24 record, just 1 game ahead of Vegas. Detroit and San Francisco are 5 games back.

In the NL East, New York is still in first, but the Phillies are on their tail, just 1 game back. Brooklyn is hanging in there, just 3 out. In the Midwest, Cincinnati is still in first, but their lead is just 1 game over Chicago. Dallas and Houston are both 6 back.

June

In the AL East, Boston has pulled into a first place tie with Philadelphia. Both teams are 44-37. Montreal is just 3 back. In the West, Atlanta remains in first, 4 games up on San Francisco. Vegas has slipped to 7 back.

In the NL East, New York continues to lead the division at 40-41, a losing record! The Phillies are 2 games out while Brooklyn is 4 back and Pittsburgh 5 back. Syracuse is in the basement, 6 games back. In the Midwest, Chicago has moved into first place with a 47-34 record, 2 games up on the Reds and Houston Astros.

The AL won the All-Star game, 7-2. Ernie Lombardi was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and 2 doubles. He was named MVP.

July

Boston has moved out in front of the Capitals in the AL East by 4 games with a 58-48 record. The A’s are 7 back in third. In the West, Atlanta has pulled way out ahead with a 64-42 record and lead the Las Vegas Aces by 9 games.

In the NL East, Brooklyn had an excellent month and finish July with a 53-53 record. They are now in first place by 2 games over the Phillies. New York has dropped to 4 back. In the Midwest, Chicago widened the gap to 6 games over the Reds.

August

The AL East is the only real race in baseball this year. The Boston Red Sox are 74-60 and lead the Captials by 4 games with a month to play. In the West, the Atlanta Black Birds have moved 7 games ahead of the San Francisco Westerners.

In the NL East, Brooklyn has taken over first place and opened up a big 8 game lead over Philadelphia. The rest of the division is 9 back. In the Midwest, it is Chicago’s division to lose. They are 8 games up on the Reds.

On August 10, Los Angeles’ George Hockett threw a No-Hitter in a 5-0 victory over Atlanta. George struck out 4 and walked 1 on the day.

September 20, 1939

The Chicago Cubs have clinched the NL Midwest division! The rest of the division races are just a formality as all the teams have at least a 6 game lead.


September 24, 1939

The Brooklyn Dodgers have clinched the NL East.


September 25, 1939

The Atlanta Black Birds have clinched the AL West.


September 26, 1939

The Boston Red Sox have clinched the AL East.


September 29, 1939

Las Vegas’s 3B Ben Chapman is just the 4th man in baseball history to hit 50 homeruns in 1 season. He joins Babe Ruth, Chuck Klein and Chick Hafey on this illustrious list.

1939 Final Standings

AL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Boston 90 72 .556 -- .239 3.16
Montreal 83 79 .512 7 .236 3.67
Philadelphia (A) 82 80 .506 8 .229 3.48
Washington 79 83 .488 11 .231 3.78
Cleveland 74 88 .457 16 .233 3.80
West
Atlanta 92 70 .568 -- .234 3.13
San Francisco 84 78 .519 8 .236 3.42
Detroit 80 82 .494 12 .256 3.61
Las Vegas 79 83 .488 13 .235 3.95
Los Angeles 67 95 .414 25 .226 3.57
NL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Brooklyn 82 80 .506 -- .233 3.29
New York 76 86 .469 6 .236 3.90
Pittsburgh 75 87 .463 7 .235 4.11
Philadelphia (N) 71 91 .438 11 .232 3.96
Syracuse 71 91 .438 11 .234 3.91
Midwest
Chicago 95 67 .586 -- .248 3.35
Houston 88 74 .543 7 .246 3.84
Dallas 86 76 .531 9 .237 3.74
Cincinnati 85 77 .525 10 .237 3.56
St. Louis 81 81 .500 14 .240 3.40






1939 Statistical Leaders

TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.331 Luke Appling(SLN,NL)
.322 Taffy Wright(MON,AL)
.316 Chuck Klein( CHN,NL)
.312 Johnny Burnett(CIN)
.305 Pepper Martin(DET,AL)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
51 Ben Chapman(LV,AL)
47 Rudy York(PHA,AL)
46 Joe Gordon(DAL,NL)
41 Hank Greenberg(WS1)
40 Chuck Klein( CHN,NL)
TOP 5 in RBI :
143 Ben Chapman(LV,AL)
118 Chuck Klein( CHN,NL)
116 Don Hurst(CIN,NL)
115 Zeke Bonura(PIT,NL)
113 Joe Medwick(DET,AL)
TOP 5 in ERA :
1.88 Ad Liska( MON,AL)
2.07 George Hockette(LA,AL)
2.18 Bruce Cunningham(BOS,AL)
2.20 Schoolboy Rowe(ATL,AL)
2.34 Rip Sewell(BRO,NL)
TOP 5 in WINS :
26 George Hockette(LA,AL)
25 Bruce Cunningham(BOS,AL)
24 Rip Sewell(BRO,NL)
23 Schoolboy Rowe(ATL,AL)
22 Roy Sherid(NY1,NL)
TOP 5 in SAVES :
15 Ike Powers(CHN)
10 Bob Bowman( SLN)
10 John Michaels(CIN)
8 Hank Johnson( LV)
8 Bunny Hearn(MON,AL)



ALCS

In game 1, from Atlanta, the game was tied at 1 after 3 innings, and stayed that way until the ninth, when Boston exploded for a 5 run inning to take game 1. Atlanta responds in Game 2, with a 2-1 victory to tie the Series up as it heads to Boston for the next 3 games.

Atlanta rallies from a 3-1 deficit to win game 3, 5-3 in the late innings and take a 2-1 Series lead. Boston comes back in game 4 with a 4 hit shutout in a 3-0 victory to tie the Series up at 2 games each. Boston’s pitching brilliance carries over to game 5, where Atlanta manages just 2 hits in a 6-0 loss. Boston now leads the Series 3-2 as it heads back to Atlanta.

Atlanta turns the tables in Game 6 with a 3 hit shutout of their own in a 3-0 victory. This sets up a decisive Game 7 from Atlanta!

Atlanta gets on the board first in game 7, with a 1-0 lead after 2 innings. Boston responds with a run in the third to tie the game up at 1-1.

That score holds up until the ninth inning.

Boston gets a 1 out walk in the ninth, but the next batter hits into the double play and we head to the bottom of the ninth. Atlanta gets a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth, but he never gets off first base, and game 7 goes extra innings.

A leadoff single has the Boston dugout pumped, but 2 quick outs and then he is caught stealing second, and their chance is history in this inning. Atlanta gets a 1 out single in the bottom of the tenth, and then draws a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. An infield single loads the bases!

Atlanta’s Sam Leslie hit’s a grounder down the first base line. Boston gets one out at 2nd, and then they try to turn the DB…..

Leslie is a step to fast and he is safe at first, driving in the ALCS winning run! Boston once again falls short.


NLCS

Brooklyn got blanked on a 2 hitter in the Cubs home field, and Chicago takes a 1-0 Series lead. Chicago takes both games at home with a 6-2 win. Maybe the Dodgers are just happy to be in the playoffs?

It takes 12 innings, but the Cubs move 1 game from the World Series with a 6-4 win in Brooklyn, in game 3. Brooklyn stays alive for at least one more game with a 4-2 win at home in Game 4. Chicago doesn’t waste any time coming back and clinching the NL pennant. They dispose of the Dodgers, 6-2 in game 5 and win the Series 4-1!



World Series

The World Series opens in Atlanta, but it is the Cubs who use a 6 run 6th inning to propel them to a 6-4 game 1 victory. The Cubs hold off a late rally in game 2, and win this one also, 3-2 and now have a commanding 2-0 lead heading to Chicago.

In game 3, the Atlanta bats break out for 10 runs in a 10-2 victory, which gets them right back in this Series. Chicago comes back with 8 runs in game 4 for an 8-2 victory and are now just 1 win in the next 3 games away from being World Champions.

The Cubs get it done at home, in style, in a 10-0 victory in Game 5. The Cubs are your 1939 World Champions! This is the Cub’s third Title, and first since 1925. Atlanta failed to win their 3rd title in franchise history.

Champion Review

The Cubs pitching staff was solid, but not spectacular. Ownie Carroll won 19 games with a 2.91 ERA. Shit Wyatt won a team high 21 games with a 3.90 ERA. Bud Tinning won 14 games with a team best 2.63 ERA.

The Cubs offensive was obviously led by aging Superstar, Chuck Klein. Klein batted .316 with 40 homeruns and 118 RBI. 1B Jimmy Shevlin batted .291 on the year and stole 14 bases. SS Johnny Watson batted .277 with 10 homeruns. LF Wally Berger batted just .245, but also hit 37 homeruns. 2B Augie Galen batted a measly .217 but contributed with 33 homeruns.

Ty Cobb Award

AL: 3B Ben Chapman, LV, (573 AB, .302 AVG, 51 HR, 143 RBI, 108 R, 173 Hits, 1.044 OPS)
NL: RF Chuck Klein, CHN, (572 AB, .316 AVG, 40 HR, 118 RBI, 106 R, 181 Hits, .994 OPS) - This is Klein’s 10th Ty Cobb Award in the past 11 seasons.



Cy Young Award

AL: George Hockette, LA, (Record: 26-11, 2.07 ERA, 352IP, 177 Ks, 70 BB)
NL: Rip Sewell, BRO, (Record: 24-12, 2.34 ERA, 350IP, 233 Ks, 115 BB)




Bob Meusel Award

AL: Bill Crouch, SF, (Record: 20-17, 3.74 ERA, 329.1 IP, 159 Ks, 119 BB)
NL: RF Ted Williams, DAL, (535 AB, .279 AVG, 38 HR, 112 RBI, 94 R, 149 Hits, .948 OPS)




1939-1940 Offseason

Retirees:

Chick Autry retires ...
Del Bissonette retires ...
Lloyd Brown retires ...
Tiny Chaplin retires ...
Goose Goslin retires ...
Stu Clarke retires ...
Gus Dugas retires ...
Tony Kaufmann retires ...
Gabby Hartnett retires ...
Jim Cronin retires ...
Denver Grigsby retires ...
Babe Ganzel retires ...
Jim Keesey retires ...
Ray Gardner retires ...
Danny Taylor retires ...
Joel Hunt retires ...
Roy Johnson retires ...
Frank Pearce retires ...
Billy Rogell retires ...
Leon Williams retires ...
Curly Ogden retires ...
Jimmy O'connell retires ...
Doc Ozmer retires ...
Harry Rice retires ...
Johnny Moore retires ...
Tony Rensa retires ...
Art Scharein retires ...
Fred Schulte retires ...
Blondy Ryan retires ...
Cy Moore retires ...
Dutch Ulrich retires ...
Johnny Stuart retires ...
Ed Strelecki retires ...
Elmer Tutwiler retires ...
Jim Tennant retires ...
Hughie Wise retires ...
Wes Schulmerich retires ...
Ab Wright retires ...
Matthew Bullen retires ...
CLE: Jack Knott retires ...
PHA: Charlie Sullivan retires ...
PHA: Phil Page retires ...
PHA: Beauty Mcgowan retires ...
WS1: Gordon Slade retires ...
ATL: Clay Roe retires ...
ATL: Ed Taylor retires ...
DET: Tony Lazzeri retires ...
LV: Eddie Dyer retires ...
LV: Ed Walsh retires ...
LV: Rudy Leopold retires ...
LA: Alex Hooks retires ...
SF: Mickey Cochrane retires ...
SF: Walt Masters retires ...
SF: Marv Gudat retires ...
NY1: Frank Waddey retires ...
NY1: Babe Herman retires ...
PHI: Joe Malay retires ...
SYR: Carlisle Littlejohn retires ...
SYR: Chad Firth retires ...
CHN: Red Kress retires ...
CHN: Ernie Wingard retires ...
CHN: Les Burke retires ...
DAL: Dutch Holland retires ...
DAL: Mike Ryba retires ...
HOU: Wayne Lamaster retires ...
HOU: Leroy Herrmann retires ...
SLN: Jesse Hill retires ...
SLN: Bernie James retires ...


League Outlook

Brooklyn made the playoffs, and it probably saved themselves at least a few more years in Brooklyn. If they can keep up their winning ways, it should not be a problem ever again. Syracuse is continuing to struggle. Their financial situation is excellent still, but that may not be enough to keep them in upstate New York forever.

Free Agency, of Note

We have a couple good hitters, and a couple superstar pitchers in the FA pool this season.

Fresh off a Championship with the Cubs, 2B Augie Galan (6-6-10) signs on with the Detroit Tigers for 4 years.

Syracuse resigns RF Red Nonnenkamp (7-2-5) to a 4 year deal. Red has been a lifelong Warrior.

Pittsburgh has singed one of the top 2 pitchers on the market. Former Wave, and the 1939 Cy Young winner, George Hockette (9-9-8) signs on for 4 years at nearly 10 million per year.

Brooklyn loses their top pitcher, Rip Sewell (9-8-7) to the San Francisco Westerners. He signs for 5 years at over 13 million per year!



Amateur Draft


Here is how the entire first round played out:

Los Angeles pick: P Steve Rachunok
Syracuse pick: CF Dom Dimaggio
Philadelphia (N) pick: P Tiny Bonham
Cleveland pick: P Bob Carpenter
Pittsburgh pick: P Bill Butland
New York pick: P Mickey Harris
Las Vegas pick: CF Pat Mullin
Washington pick: P Nick Strincevich
Detroit pick: P Johnny Gorsica
St. Louis pick: P Johnny Podgajny
Brooklyn pick: P Bill Fleming
Philadelphia (A) pick: CF Harry Walker
Montreal pick: P Sid Hudson
San Francisco pick: SS Pee wee Reese
Cincinnati pick: CF Wally Judnich
Dallas pick: P Art Johnson
Houston pick: 3B Pete Reiser
Boston pick: P Dutch Dietz
Atlanta pick: LF Elmer Valo
Chicago pick: P Earl Johnson