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Old 05-07-2003, 08:14 PM   #74
Marmel
Grizzled Veteran
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Manchester, CT
1943

April


In the AL East, the Boston Red Sox start out 16-9 and lead the A’s by 3 games. The Cleveland Naps are 4 back while Montreal and Washington are both 5 back. In the West, Atlanta and Detroit are both 14-11 and tied for first. LA is just 1 game back while San Francisco is 3 back. Vegas brings up the rear, 4 games out.

The NL East saw some bad baseball, but at least it makes for an exciting division. Currently, Syracuse leads the division at 13-12. Brooklyn, New York, Philly and Pittsburgh are all 1 game back at 12-13. In the Midwest, Houston picks up where they left off last year. They have the best record in baseball at 17-8 and lead the Reds by 3 games. Dallas and St. Louis are 5 back.

May

In the AL East, Boston still leads the division with a 33-21 record. They are 3 games ahead of the Montreal Capitals and 5 games up on both Cleveland and Philadelphia. In the West, Atlanta has moved 3 games up on the LA Waves. Detroit is 4 back while Vegas is 9 back.

In the NL East, Pittsburgh has moved out in front with a 29-25 record. Brooklyn, Philadephia and Syracuse are all3 games back while the Giants are 5 out. In the Midwest, Houston is 33-21 and they lead Cincinnati by 4 games. Dallas and St. Louis are both 7 back.

June

The two best records in baseball are from teams in the AL East. The Boston Red Sox lead the division at 52-29, while the Philadelphia A’s are 5 back at 47-34. Montreal is the next closest team, but they are 10 back. In the West, Atlanta leads the way at 45-36. Detroit is 4 games back while Vegas is 7 back and LA is 8 back.

In the NL East, Philadelphia leads the way at 43-38 while the Pirates are just 2 games back. The 3 New York teams, Giants, Dodgers and Warriors are all 7 back. In the Midwest, Houston is clinging to a 1 game lead over Dallas, while Chicago is 3 back. Cincinnati and St. Louis are right behind, both 4 games out.

The AL beat the NL, 6-5 in the All-Star game. Ben Chapman was 2 for 3 with a homerun and 2 RBI and was named MVP.

July

The Boston Red Sox are still holding onto first place in the AL East with a 63-43 record. They are 3 games up on the Philadelphia A’s. Montreal is 9 back. In the West, Detroit is 59-47 and hold a 3 game lead over Atlanta and a 4 game lead over Vegas.

In the NL East, the Phillies are 62-44 and lead the Pirates by 6 games. The three New York state teams are all over a dozen games out. In the Midwest, Houston has opened up a 6 game lead over the Cubs and a 9 game lead over the Cardinals.

August

In the AL East, Boston’s lead has been trimmed down to just 1 game by the A’s. In the West, Vegas has caught, and moved past Detroit. Vegas is now 1 game up on the Tigers, while Atlanta is just 3 back. LA is hanging around at only 5 games back.

In the NL East, the Phillies have pulled away and wrapped up the division. They lead the Pirates by 13 games. In the Midwest, Houston has done the same. They currently lead the second place Cubs by 15 games!

September 16, 1943

The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros have clinched their NL divisions and will meet up in the NLCS.

In the AL East, Boston has fallen apart, and the A’s have run off 5 in a row to take a 3 game lead over the Red Sox. In the West, Vegas still holds a 1 game lead over the Detroit Tigers. Atlanta is only 2 games out.

September 21, 1943

The A’s still lead the AL East, but by just 2 games over Boston. In the West, Vegas has lost 7 in a row and now Detroit leads the division by 4 games over both Vegas and Atlanta.


September 27, 1943

The Philadelphia A’s have clinched the AL East.

Meanwhile, in the West, it is Detroit’s turn to hit a losing streak. A 4 game slide coupled with an Atlanta 4 game winning streak has both teams tied for the division lead. Vegas is just 1 game out with 2 to play!


September 29 & 30, 1943

Atlanta is on the road on the 29th and they shut out the Westerners, 4-0. Detroit and Vegas play each other, in Vegas. The Aces take the game 2-1, so with 1 day left in the season, Atlanta is 1 game up on both Detroit and Vegas.

On the 30th, Detroit hosts the Westerners in the early game and Vegas and Atlanta will square off in Atlanta.

The Westerners take out the Tigers 2-1, and Detroit is eliminated from the playoffs.

Vegas will need to win today to force a 1 game playoff. If Atlanta wins, they are in.

Atlanta strikes first with a 2-0 lead after 2 innings. Vegas gets one back in the 3rd to make it 2-1.

Another pair of runs in the 4th inning give the Aces a 3-2 lead.

Atlanta answers with a big 4 run inning in the bottom of the 5th to take a 6-3 lead.

Las Vegas comes back with another pair of runs in the 8th to make the score 6-5 Atlanta heading into the ninth.

Vegas gets a 2 out single to put the tying run on base. Burns steps to the plate and hit’s a hard chopper up the middle. The Atlanta defense is able to turn the play and get Burns at first and the Black Birds win 6-5!


1943 Final Standings

East
Philadelphia (A) 97 65 .599 -- .241 3.03
Boston 94 68 .580 3 .247 3.15
Montreal 88 74 .543 9 .236 3.41
Cleveland 72 90 .444 25 .232 3.80
Washington 69 93 .426 28 .232 3.67
West
Atlanta 83 79 .512 -- .238 3.31
Detroit 81 81 .500 2 .252 3.59
Las Vegas 81 81 .500 2 .234 3.67
San Francisco 74 88 .457 9 .235 4.14
Los Angeles 71 91 .438 12 .226 3.97
NL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Philadelphia (N) 95 67 .586 -- .240 3.44
Pittsburgh 80 82 .494 15 .232 3.72
Brooklyn 75 87 .463 20 .228 3.57
New York 75 87 .463 20 .236 3.45
Syracuse 66 96 .407 29 .228 3.81
Midwest
Houston 98 64 .605 -- .239 2.99
St. Louis 84 78 .519 14 .228 3.24
Dallas 80 82 .494 18 .231 3.76
Chicago 80 82 .494 18 .241 3.40
Cincinnati 77 85 .475 21 .213 3.73





1943 Statistical Leaders

TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.310 Frank Doljack( LV,AL)
.305 Bob Seeds(PHI,NL)
.293 Charlie Keller(ATL,AL)
.291 Buddy Blair(DET,AL)
.288 Les Scarsella(MON BOS,AL)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
48 Bill Nicholson(HOU,NL)
43 Johnny Rizzo(DAL NY1,NL)
42 Max West(CIN,NL)
39 Hal Trosky(PHA,AL)
36 Hank Greenberg(SLN,NL)
TOP 5 in RBI :
122 Johnny Rizzo(DAL NY1,NL)
117 Johnny Mize(MON)
109 Mel Ott(HOU,NL)
109 Hal Trosky(PHA,AL)
103 Bill Nicholson(HOU,NL)
TOP 5 in ERA :
1.72 Cliff Melton(HOU,NL)
1.94 Bill Swift(SLN,NL)
2.28 George Hockette(PIT,NL)
2.28 Jim Bagby(HOU)
2.39 Al Benton(ATL)
TOP 5 in WINS :
27 Cliff Melton(HOU,NL)
26 Dizzy Dean(BOS,AL)
24 Al Brazle( BOS,AL)
24 Fabian Kowalik(ATL,AL)
24 Carl Doyle( PHA,AL)
TOP 5 in SAVES :
16 Jim Henry(BRO,NL)
12 Gordon Maltzberger( PHI)
11 Ed Fallenstein(HOU)
11 Norm Branch(LV)
10 Joe Gonzales(NY1)



ALCS

The ALCS opens in Philadelphia, but the Black Birds get a 4 hit shutout from their pitcher and take game 1, 4-0. Atlanta pitching throws another 4 hitter in game to en route to a 7-1 victory and a 2-0 Series lead as the Series now shifts to Atlanta.

The A’s get themselves back into the Series with a 3-2, 11 inning victory in game 3. In game 4, Philadelphia takes a 4-1 win to tie the Series up at 2 games each. The home team has not won a game in this Series yet.

The road team winning trend continues in game 5, as the A’s take it 4-2. The A’s have come back to lead the Series 3-2 as it heads back to Philadelphia for the final 2 games.

A 6-0 A’s win in game 6 sends Philadelphia into the World Series!

NLCS

Houston hosts the first two games of the NLCS and takes the first step in defending their title in game one with a 13-3 ass kicking of the Phillies. In game 2, a 3 run 3rd inning is all Houston needed to get by the Phillies in a 3-2 nail biter of a game. The Astros now lead 2-0 heading to Philly.

Houston’s bats remain on fire in game 3, as they beat the Phillies 9-0 and are 1 win away from the World Series. Houston completes the NLCS sweep in game 4 with a 4-2 victory and they are now headed to the World Series for the 3rd consecutive year, and will try to repeat as Champions!



World Series

The Series opens in Philadelphia, and the A’s break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 victory in game 1. Houston comes back from an early 1-0 deficit in game 2, to win 2-1 and tie the Series up at 1 game each as it shifts to Houston.

Both teams get 10 hits in game 3, but it is the A’s who convert those hits into the most runs. They win 6-2 and take a 2-1 Series lead.

In game 4, a 5 run 7th inning propels the A’s to a come from behind victory, 5-4, and they are now just 1 game away from becoming the Champs.

Houston comes alive in game 5 to win 6-1 and at least get the Series back to Philadelphia, where they will have to win both games.

The A’s take care of business at home in game 6 with a 4 hit shutout in a 6-0 victory. The Philadelphia A’s are the 1943 World Champions. They denied Houston back to back titles in the process. This is the A’s 4th titles. The others coming in 1926, 1927 and 1932.

Champion Review

The A’s pitching staff consisted of 3 aces, all 20 game winners. Spud Chandler went 23-12 with a 2.81 ERA. Joe Haynes went 22-14 with a 2.80 ERA. Carl Doyle went 24-13 with a 2.83 ERA.

1B Hal Trosky was the offensive leader for the A’s. He lead the team with a .282 batting average. He also led the team in homeruns with 39 and RBI’s with 109. CF Barney McCoskey batted .266 with 5 homeruns. RF Roy Weatherly batted .248 with 17 homeruns. 2B Tony Robello batted .234 with 10 homeruns. C Rudy York batted just .209 but hit 19 homeruns.

Ty Cobb Award

AL: 1B Hal Trosky, PHA, (511 AB, .282 AVG, 39 HR, 109 RBI, 100 R, 144 Hits, 1.003 OPS)
NL: LF Johnny Rizzo, NY1, (526 AB, .253 AVG, 43 HR, 122 RBI, 81 R, 133 Hits, .835 OPS)




Cy Young Award

AL: Dizzy Dean, BOS, (Record: 26-8, 2.42 ERA, 335IP, 194 Ks, 72 BB) - This is Dean’s second Cy Young Award.
NL: Cliff Melton, HOU, (Record: 27-5, 1.72 ERA, 308IP, 204 Ks, 51 BB) - This is Melton’s second Cy Young Award.




Bob Meusel Award

AL: Al Brazle, BOS, (Record: 24-12, 2.42 ERA, 324 IP, 164 Ks, 141 BB)
NL: Stubby Overmire, CHN, (Record: 19-15, 2.85 ERA, 322.2 IP, 183 Ks, 87 BB)




1943-1944 Offseason

Retirees:


Beau Bell retires ...
Bob Boken retires ...
Ownie Carroll retires ...
Vince Barton retires ...
Harry Child retires ...
Gilly Campbell retires ...
Joe Coscarart retires ...
Jack Cummings retires ...
Dick Coffman retires ...
Ed Boland retires ...
Gibby Brack retires ...
Bill Dietrich retires ...
Art Daney retires ...
Paul Easterling retires ...
Lou Gehrig retires ...
He will be in the Hall Of Fame!

Johnny Hodapp retires ...
Len Koenecke retires ...
George Caithamer retires ...
Ted Gullic retires ...
Danny Macfayden retires ...
Benny Frey retires ...
Tom Hughes retires ...
Don Hurst retires ...
Buck Jordan retires ...
Bert Haas retires ...
Wally Hebert retires ...
Art Mahan retires ...
Johnny Murphy retires ...
Chink Outen retires ...
Clarence Pickrel retires ...
Skinny Graham retires ...
Ed Montague retires ...
Al Reiss retires ...
Dutch Lieber retires ...
Bob Logan retires ...
Les Mallon retires ...
Frank Makosky retires ...
Pinky May retires ...
Tom Seats retires ...
Jim Mosolf retires ...
Monk Sherlock retires ...
Chet Morgan retires ...
Jimmy Pattison retires ...
Glenn Spencer retires ...
Ray Starr retires ...
Lefty Willis retires ...
Marv Owen retires ...
Billy Werber retires ...
Dick Newsome retires ...
Hal Schumacher retires ...
Bud Tinning retires ...
Allyn Stout retires ...
Jack Owens retires ...
Joel Latham retires ...
Robert Chaney retires ...
Kristofer Beale retires ...
Deon Calhoun retires ...
William Weathersby retires ...
Al Smith retires ...
Vince Sherlock retires ...
Steve Sundra retires ...
BOS: Red Dorman retires ...
BOS: Gus Mancuso retires ...
BOS: Buzz Boyle retires ...
BOS: Tom Winsett retires ...
CLE: Johnny Mccarthy retires ...
CLE: Paul Richards retires ...
CLE: Tony Piet retires ...
CLE: Wayne Vivanco retires ...
CLE: Michael Ward retires ...
MON: Johnny Burnett retires ...
PHA: Willis Hudlin retires ...
WS1: Tony Cuccinello retires ...
ATL: Orville Jorgens retires ...
ATL: Carl Fischer retires ...
ATL: Mike Kreevich retires ...
LV: Roy Parmelee retires ...
LV: Si Johnson retires ...
LV: Jim Levey retires ...
LV: Jim Mooney retires ...
LV: Ollie Bejma retires ...
LV: Andy Spognardi retires ...
LV: Nig Lipscomb retires ...
SF: Rip Sewell retires ...
SF: Shanty Hogan retires ...
BRO: Tommy Bridges retires ...
BRO: Harlan Pyle retires ...
SYR: Dusty Cooke retires ...
CIN: Skeeter Newsome retires ...
HOU: George Quellich retires ...
HOU: Luther Harvel retires ...
SLN: Bill Sweeney retires ...





League Outlook

Syracuse has recovered a bit and is on stable ground. Brooklyn remained level this past season, which just means they are still on shaky ground. The Washington Senators are really struggling to draw fans and compete. This will probably be their last season in Washington barring a major turnaround.

Free Agency, of Note

Boston, falling just short of the playoffs, improve their rotation by signing SP Jim Bagby (8-8-8) to a 5 year deal at 11 million per year.

The New York Giants throw money at 38 year old LF Bob Johnson (6-6-7). They give him 5 million over 4 years.

Cleveland signs CF Gee Walker (7-3-6) to a 3 year deal.

The Detroit Tigers sign a great hitter in LF Max West (6-7-8) for 3 years at 9 million per year.

Houston toughens up their rotation with the signing of SP Reese Diggs (8-8-5).

The A’s counter with the biggest signing of the off-season. They steal Bill Nicholson (4-9-10) from the Houston Astros. Bill has hit 50 homeruns twice in his career, and has also won the Ty Cobb Award twice. The A’s beat Houston in the Series, and then sign their best player, by far, 30,000,000 dollar contract over 3 seasons!

Amateur Draft

Overall, a pretty weak draft, especially for pitchers.

Here is how the entire first round played out:

Syracuse pick: P Jim Konstanty
Washington pick: P Ted Wilks
Los Angeles pick: P Monk Dubiel
Cleveland pick: P Al Jurisich
San Francisco pick: P Arnold Carter
New York pick: P Ed Lopat
Brooklyn pick: P Joe Page
Cincinnati pick: P Bill Bevens
Pittsburgh pick: P Al Verdel
Dallas pick: P Jake Eisenhart
Chicago pick: 3B Eddie Yost
Las Vegas pick: P Jack Brewer
Detroit pick: P Earl Henry
Atlanta pick: P Baby Ortiz
St. Louis pick: P Charlie Gassaway
Montreal pick: P Len Gilmore
Boston pick: P Jack Franklin
Philadelphia (N) pick: P Charley Schanz
Philadelphia (A) pick: LF Augie Bergamo
Houston pick: P Clem Dreisewerd
__________________
81-78

Cincinnati basketball writer P. Daugherty, "Connor Barwin playing several minutes against Syracuse is like kids with slingshots taking down Caesar's legions."
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