[Marmel]

1946

April

In the AL East, the Red Sox close the month on a 7 game winning streak to finish at 16-9. They are 4 games up on both Cleveland and the A’s. Montreal and Washington are both 5 games back. In the West, Atlanta also leads the division with a 16-9 record. They are 4 games up on Vegas, LA and Detroit, while the Westerners are 5 back.

In the NL East, The Phillies are 17-8 and have a 2 game lead on the Giants. Pittsburgh is 4 games back, while Brooklyn is 8 back. Syracuse is already 10 games out. In the Midwest, Housotn is also 17-9 and are in first place by 3 games over Dallas. Cincinnati and St. Louis are both 5 games back, while the Cubs are 8 back.

May

Only 2 teams in the entire AL have winning records. In the East, it is Boston at 35-19. They lead Montreal by 8 games and Washington by 9 games. In the West, it is Atlanta at 35-19 and they lead the Tigers by 8 and the Las Vegas Aces by 9 games.

In the NL East, the Phillies are 33-21 and lead the Giants by 2 games. Pittsburgh is 5 back while Brooklyn is 6 back. In the Midwest, Housotn is 31-23 and they lead the Cubs by 5 games. Dallas, St. Louis and Cincinnati are 6, 7, and 8 games back respectively.

June

Boston is still in control of the AL East with a 51-30 record and a 7 game lead over Montreal. The A’s are the next closest team, but they are 13 back. In the West, Atlanta is 52-29, the best record in baseball. They lead Detroit by 10 games.

In the NL East, the Pirates have moved into first place with a 49-32 record and are 4 games up on the Phillies and 5 up on the Giants. Brooklyn is 7 behind the leader. In the Midwest, Houston is 47-34 and in complete control with a 9 game lead over both Dallas and St. Louis.

In the All-Star game, the AL won 5-4. Max West was 1 for 2 with a homerun and 2 RBI. He was named MVP.

July

Boston is in complete control in the AL East. They are 70-36 and hold a 15 game lead over Montreal. In the West, Atlanta is also looking pretty good at 62-44, with a 9 game lead over the Detroit Tigers.

In the NL East, Brooklyn has moved into first place with a 62-44 record, 2 games ahead of the Pirates. The Giants are 4 back while the Phillies are 5 back. In the Midwest, Houston looks like they will return to the playoffs. They are 14 games up on Dallas.

August

In the AL East, with just a month to play in the season, Boston’s magic number is already only 7. In the West, Atlanta is leading the division by 16 games. I think it is safe to say, the Black Birds and Red Sox will meet in the playoffs.

In the NL East, we have the only competitive division race. Brooklyn and New York are tied for first place with 78-56 records. Philly and Pittsburgh are both 7 back. In the Midwest, Houston leads the Dallas Braves by 10 games.

September 5, 1946

No surprise, the Red Sox have clinched the AL East.

In the NL East, Brooklyn has moved one game in front of the New York Giants.

September 15, 1946

The Atlanta Black Birds have clinched the AL West.

Brooklyn has moved out to a 2 game lead over the Giants in the NL East.

September 16, 1946

The Houston Astros have clinched the NL Midwest Division.

September 26, 1946

The Brooklyn Dodgers have clinched the NL East division, and the playoffs are set for the 1946 post season.


1946 Final Standings

AL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Boston 106 56 .654 -- .290 3.53
Montreal 80 82 .494 26 .289 4.95
Philadelphia (A) 76 86 .469 30 .278 5.25
Washington 75 87 .463 31 .269 4.43
Cleveland 69 93 .426 37 .288 5.32
West
Atlanta 96 66 .593 -- .276 3.53
Las Vegas 81 81 .500 15 .282 4.18
Detroit 79 83 .488 17 .290 4.71
San Francisco 76 86 .469 20 .283 4.78
Los Angeles 72 90 .444 24 .270 4.42
NL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Brooklyn 94 68 .580 -- .285 3.95
New York 88 74 .543 6 .288 4.28
Philadelphia (N) 83 79 .512 11 .282 4.78
Pittsburgh 83 79 .512 11 .290 4.67
Syracuse 72 90 .444 22 .271 4.39
Midwest
Houston 96 66 .593 -- .291 4.10
Dallas 82 80 .506 14 .298 5.00
Cincinnati 73 89 .451 23 .281 4.81
Chicago 70 92 .432 26 .289 4.50
St. Louis 69 93 .426 27 .275 4.44






1946 Statistical Leaders

TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.370 Bill Brubaker(SF,AL)
.369 Enos Slaughter(PHI,NL)
.365 Stan Musial(MON,AL)
.351 Woody Williams( CLE)
.350 Johnny Pesky(BOS)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
36 Bill Nicholson(PHA,AL)
31 Chet Ross( CHN,NL)
28 Max West(DET,AL)
26 Bobby Doerr(PHI,NL)
24 Joe Gordon(DAL)
TOP 5 in RBI :
129 Babe Young( ATL,AL)
125 Bill Nicholson(PHA,AL)
117 Bobby Doerr(PHI,NL)
114 Don Gutteridge(CIN)
113 Ted Williams(DAL,NL)
TOP 5 in ERA :
2.08 Jake Wade(BOS,AL)
2.44 Johnnie Wittig(SLN,NL)
2.83 Jim Bagby(BOS,AL)
2.85 Howie Pollet(ATL)
2.87 Stubby Overmire(CHN SYR)
TOP 5 in WINS :
27 Johnny Babich(DAL,NL)
26 John Dagenhard(BRO,NL)
25 Al Brazle(BOS,AL)
23 Jake Wade(BOS,AL)
21 Cliff Melton(HOU,NL)
TOP 5 in SAVES :
38 Hugh Casey(BOS)
33 Jim Henry(BRO,NL)
33 Mickey Haefner(WS1)
32 Jack Salveson(PIT CLE,AL)
31 Woody Abernathy( DET,AL)




ALCS

The ALCS opens in Boston, but Atlanta massacres the Red Sox, 17-2 in Game 1. Game 2 goes 10 innings, and Atlanta goes up 2-0 in the Series with a 6-4 victory.

In Atlanta, the Black Birds take game 3, 5-3 and now have 2 chances to wrap up the Series at home, as they lead 3-0. The Red Sox score 3 in the 9th inning to avoid the sweep in game 4, and win 5-3. They still trail 1-3 in the Series.

In game 5, Boston is able to squeeze out a 5-4 victory in the later innings to get this Series back to Boston. The Sox still trail the Black Birds, 2-3.

Boston breaks a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning of game 6, to set up a decisive game 7, after trailing the Series 0-3.

In game 7, the score remains 0-0 until the bottom of the 8th inning, when the Red Sox are able to put up 3 runs. They are now 3 outs away from coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win the ALCS.

The Black Birds go down in order in the ninth inning and the Red Sox win, 3-0 and win the Series 4-3!


NLCS

Houston has the home field advantage for the NLCS, but Brooklyn takes it away from them in Game 1, with a 3-2 victory. Houston gets shut out at home in game 2 by a 5-0 final score and they now trail the Series 0-2 as it heads to Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn bats really come alive in game 3, and they beat up on the Astros, 10-6, to go up 3-0 in the Series. Brooklyn completes the sweep at home with a 4-1 victory in game 4. The Dodgers are headed to the World Series.




World Series

The World Series opens in Brooklyn, and the Dodgers take game 1 at home by a final score of 5-2. Boston is able to split the first two games in Brooklyn by winning game 2, 4-1. The Series is tied as we head north to Boston for the middle 3 games of the Series.

Boston trailed by 1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but they come away with 2 runs and a 5-4 victory in game 3 to take a 2-1 Series lead. In game 4, Brooklyn scores 3 runs in the first 2 innings, and then hold on for the 3-2 win to tie the Series up at 2 games each.

In game 5, Boston is able to win at home, 5-3 to go up 3-2 in the Series, but they will need to win one of the final two games back in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn dominates game 6 and wins it 5-1 to set up a decisive game 7 for the World Championship!

In game 7, the Dodgers get on the board first, with 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

Each team sores 1 run in the third, so the score is 3-1, Dodgers.

That score holds until the ninth inning.

The Red Sox get a 1 out single in the top of the ninth inning.

Stu Martin grounds to first, but he is quick enough to avoid the double play, but there are now 2 outs for Boston.

Walker Cooper hit’s a long ball that bounces of the very top of the outfield wall. He cruises into second base with an RBI double, and the Dodgers lead is now just 3-2. Boston has a man on 2nd and 2 outs in the ninth inning.

Paul O’Dea is up for Boston and hit he a sharp grounder to third. Brooklyn fields it and throw O’Dea out at first to claim the 1946 World Championship! This is the Dodgers very first World Series appearance and their first World Title in franchise history!

Champion Review

Brooklyn’s rotation was led by John Dagenhard. He went 26-8 with a 2.90 ERA. Pete Sivess won 18 games with a 4.28 ERA.

1B Derek Hayter led the team with a .323 batting average. He also stole 25 bases. 2B Lou Chiozza batted .320 with 9 homeruns. CF Bud Hafey batted .319 with 10 homeruns. LF Joe Marty batted .284 with a team high in homeruns (17) and stolen bases (32).

Ty Cobb Award

AL: RF Bill Nicholson, PHA, (536 AB, .310 AVG, 36 HR, 125 RBI, 109 R, 166 Hits, .986 OPS) - This is Bill’s third Ty Cobb Award.
NL: 2B Bobby Doerr, PHI, (602 AB, .312 AVG, 26 HR, 117 RBI, 114 R, 188 Hits, .902 OPS)



Cy Young Award

AL: Jake Wade, BOS, (Record: 23-12, 2.08 ERA, 329.1IP, 184 Ks, 52 BB)
NL: Johnny Babich, DAL, (Record: 27-5, 2.88 ERA, 297.1IP, 284 Ks, 59 BB) - This is Babich’s second Cy Young Award.



Bob Meusel Award

AL: RF Del Ennis, DET, (613 AB, .315 AVG, 10 HR, 83 RBI, 104 R, 193 Hits, .835 OPS)
NL: C Fats Dantonio, NY1, (515 AB, .348 AVG, 2 HR, 56 RBI, 86 R, 179 Hits, .852 OPS)



1946-1947 Offseason

Retirees:

Joe Abreu retires ...
Elden Auker retires ...
Orville Armbrust retires ...
Mark Christman retires ...
Calvin Chapman retires ...
Max Butcher retires ...
Mays Copeland retires ...
Herman Franks retires ...
Wes Flowers retires ...
Debs Garms retires ...
Howard Craghead retires ...
Lee Handley retires ...
Frenchy Bordagaray retires ...
Johnny Hudson retires ...
Joe Mack retires ...
Pinky Higgins retires ...
Whitey Hilcher retires ...
Ed Heusser retires ...
Whitey Moore retires ...
Heinie Mueller retires ...
Max Marshall retires ...
Bruce Ogrodowski retires ...
Bob Seeds retires ...
Jimmy Shevlin retires ...
Jack Radtke retires ...
Joe Vosmik retires ...
Burgess Whitehead retires ...
Bernie Walter retires ...
Bill Lohrman retires ...
Jimmy Outlaw retires ...
Ralph Winegarner retires ...
Archie Wise retires ...
Steven Dewberry retires ...
Micheal Purtell retires ...
Blaine Miranda retires ...
Spike Merena retires ...
Ace Parker retires ...
Lew Riggs retires ...
Vito Tamulis retires ...
Buck Rogers retires ...
Hank Steinbacher retires ...
Bennie Warren retires ...
Al Unser retires ...
CLE: John Kroner retires ...
CLE: Wilbert Derr retires ...
LA: Babe Phelps retires ...
SF: Hank Greenberg retires ...
BRO: Bill Fleming retires ...
PHI: Phil Marchildon retires ...
PIT: George Hockette retires ...
SYR: Ray Lucas retires ...
SYR: Mike Guerra retires ...
CIN: Roy Weir retires ...
CIN: Kerby Farrell retires ...
HOU: Steamboat Struss retires ...
SLN: Spud Chandler retires ...





League Outlook

Both Washington and Los Angeles suffered at the gates this past season. Washington suffered even more because of Boston’s great regular season, which eliminated them from contention early. LA was a victim of similar circumstances. However, both teams need to step it up in the next year or two.

Free Agency, of Note

This year’s free agency pool is great. They are some real power hitters. A three time Ty Cobb winner, a young stud named Stan Musial. And Max West is the Premier power hitter right now. There are also a few top notch pitchers available.

The Red Sox make the very first signing of the year. LF Ralph Hodgin (7-3-6) signs for 4 years.

Cincinnati signs the best pitcher on the market. Cliff Melton (10-8-8) will leave the Astros, his only team in his career to play for the Reds for 4 years.

The Reds also sign 3 time Ty Cobb winner, RF Bill Nicholson (4-9-10). Bill played in Houston, then signed with the A’s and will now return to the NL Midwest with Cincinnati. He signed for 8 years!

The Reds continue to gobble up talent by signing LF Tommy Henrich (6-7-9) for 3 yeas.

Cleveland signs SP Johnny Gorsica (9-8-8) to a 4 year deal.

The Cubs sign LF Max West (6-10-8) to a 7 year deal at 10 million per year.

The Phillies sign SP Tom Early (8-7-6) to a 4 year deal.

The A’s sign RF Stan Musial (6-7-7) to a 4 year deal at over 6 million per year.



Amateur Draft


It was a bit surprising to see a guy everyone has pegged as an All-Star, Jackie Robinson fall to the 13th pick and the Dallas Braves.

Here is how the entire first round played out:

Cleveland pick: CF Duke Snider
St. Louis pick: 3B Al Rosen
Chicago pick: P Larry Jansen
Los Angeles pick: P Curt Simmons
Syracuse pick: 2B Hank Thompson
Cincinnati pick: 2B Larry Doby
Washington pick: P Lou Brissie
San Francisco pick: RF Vic Wertz
Philadelphia (A) pick: P Jim Hearn
Detroit pick: 1B Earl Torgeson
Montreal pick: P Buddy Lively
Las Vegas pick: P Clint Hartung
Dallas pick: 1B Jackie Robinson
Pittsburgh pick: C Wes Westrum
Philadelphia (N) pick: P Spec Shea
New York pick: 3B Willie Jones
Brooklyn pick: P Ken Johnson
Atlanta pick: 1B Ted Kluszewski
Houston pick: P Cot Deal
Boston pick: RF Sam Mele