[Marmel]

1948

April

In the AL East, the Philadelphia A’s are 18-7 and lead the Boston Red Sox by 4 games. Cleveland and Montreal are both 6 games behind, while Washington is 9 games back. In the West, Atlanta and Las Vegas are tied for first place at 13-12. The LA Waves are 1 back while both Detroit and San Francisco are 2 behind.

In the NL East, Pittsburgh takes the early lead at 14-11. They are 1 game ahead of Brooklyn, New York, and Syracuse. Philadelphia is 5 games behind. In the Midwest, Chicago is in first place at 16-9. They lead Dallas by 1 game. Cincinnati is 3 back while St. Louis is 6 back. Houston brings up the rear, 7 games back.

May

In the AL East, the Montreal Capitals have moved into first place at 32-22. They lead Boston and Philadelphia by 1 game. Cleveland is 8 games back. In the Midwest, Atlanta and San Francisco are tied for first at 30-24. Vegas is 3 games back and LA is 5 back, while Detroit is in last, 8 games back.

In the NL East, Brooklyn has moved into first place by 5 games over the Pirates. New York is 6 games back while both Philadelphia and Syracuse are 7 games back. In the Midwest, Dallas has moved into first, 1 game ahead of the Reds and 2 games up on the Cubs. Houston is 8 games back.

June

In the AL East, the A’s have moved back into first place with a 47-34 record. They are 2 games ahead of the Red Sox, while the Captials have dropped to 5 games back. In the West, Atlanta has moved out to an 8 game lead over Las Vegas. San Francisco tumbled all the way down to 3rd place, 9 games back.

In the NL East, Brooklyn remains in first, by 5 games over the Pirates. Syracuse is 7 back. In the Midwest, Cincinnati has overtaken Dallas for first and now lead the Braves by 3 games. Chicago is just 4 back.

In the All-Star game, the AL beat the NL, 3-1. Red Roberts was 2 for 4 with an RBI. He was named MVP.

On June 16, Syracuse’s Johnny Rigney threw a No-Hitter in a 6-0 victory over the Phillies. Johnny struck out 7 batters on the day and walked just 1. The 1 walk was issued with 2 out in the tom of the ninth inning and that broke up the rare Perfect game.

July

In the AL East, another team takes over first place. This month it is the Boston Red Sox who move 3 games up on both the A’s and the Cleveland Naps. Montreal is still hanging around, just 5 games back. In the West, the Atlanta Black Birds are pulling away and it looks like they will make the playoffs. They currently lead the Westerners by 10 games.

In the NL East, Brooklyn retains that 5 game lead over the Pirates. New York and Syracuse are 7 and 8 games out respectively. In the Midwest, the Reds remain in first by 5 games over the Dallas Braves. The Cubs are 8 back.

August

With 1 month to play, the A’s have overtaken the Red Sox in the AL East. They are 76-58 and lead Boston by 2 games. Cleveland is right there, only 3 games out. In the West, Atlanta still leads the division by 10 games over San Francisco.

In the NL East, Brooklyn gained another game, and now lead the Pirates by 6 games. In the Midwest, Cincinnati has gone up 7 games on both the Cubs and Braves.

September 16, 1948

The Atlanta Black Birds clinch the AL West in style today. Atlanta’s Joe Haynes throws a No-Hitter against the Cleveland Naps. Joe struck out 10 and walked just 2 on the day.

September 19, 1948

The Cincinnati Reds clinch the NL Midwest Division. In the NL East, the Dodgers are still 6 games up.

In the AL East, the A’s lead the Red Sox by 4 games.

September 21, 1948

The Brooklyn Dodgers clinch the NL East Division.

In the only division not decided yet, the AL East, the A’s lead the Sox by 3 games with 7 to play.

September 24, 1948

The Philadelphia A’s clinch the AL East and the 1948 playoffs are set.


1948 Final Standings

AL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Philadelphia (A) 96 66 .593 -- .245 3.49
Boston 91 71 .562 5 .260 3.30
Cleveland 85 77 .525 11 .249 3.69
Montreal 78 84 .481 18 .248 3.94
Washington 66 96 .407 30 .242 3.82
West
Atlanta 94 68 .580 -- .242 3.23
San Francisco 81 81 .500 13 .249 3.46
Las Vegas 80 82 .494 14 .256 3.93
Detroit 75 87 .463 19 .257 3.86
Los Angeles 64 98 .395 30 .242 3.89
NL Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East
Brooklyn 89 73 .549 -- .238 3.67
Pittsburgh 84 78 .519 5 .263 4.16
Syracuse 79 83 .488 10 .237 3.47
New York 78 84 .481 11 .249 3.76
Philadelphia (N) 76 86 .469 13 .247 3.98
Midwest
Cincinnati 96 66 .593 -- .239 3.15
Dallas 82 80 .506 14 .253 4.13
Chicago 81 81 .500 15 .244 3.30
Houston 76 86 .469 20 .266 4.05
St. Louis 69 93 .426 27 .245 4.11





1948 Statistical Leaders

TOP 5 in BATTING AVG :
.331 Spider Jorgensen(PHI DAL)
.328 Milt Byrnes(HOU,NL)
.319 Jimmy Bloodworth(LV,AL)
.314 Jerry Priddy( BOS,AL)
.308 Richie Ashburn( HOU)
TOP 5 in HOMERUNS :
47 Bill Nicholson(CIN)
40 Johnny Lucadello( PIT,NL)
38 Max West(CHN,NL)
38 Earl Torgeson(SLN,NL)
36 Chet Ross(CHN,NL)
TOP 5 in RBI :
145 Johnny Lucadello( PIT,NL)
113 Stan Musial(PHA,AL)
110 Earl Torgeson(SLN,NL)
108 Frankie Hayes(HOU,NL)
107 Bill Nicholson(CIN)
TOP 5 in ERA :
2.22 Steve Gromek(SYR,NL)
2.24 Stubby Overmire(CHN)
2.25 Jake Wade(BOS,AL)
2.47 Bob Feller(ATL)
2.58 Joe Haynes(ATL)
TOP 5 in WINS :
24 Jake Wade(BOS,AL)
22 Johnny Babich(DAL)
22 Howie Pollet( CIN)
22 Joe Haynes(ATL)
22 Dick Mulligan( PHA,AL)
TOP 5 in SAVES :
44 Max Lanier(PHA)
39 Hugh Casey(BOS)
38 Ben Cardoni(SF,AL)
38 Dale Matthewson(PHI,NL)
38 Andy Hansen(ATL,AL)



ALCS

The ALCS opens in Philadelphia, but the defending champion Black Birds win on the road in game 1, 6-3. In game 2, the Birds have no trouble sweeping the first two games on the road with a 9-2 win.

In Atlanta, the Black Birds win game 3, 6-4, and now they have a 3-0 Series lead in their quest to repeat. Atlanta completes the 4 games sweep of the A’s with a 8-5 win in game 4. The Black Birds will be in the World Series and set to defend.


NLCS

The NLCS opens in Cincinnati and the hometown Reds win game 1 with ease, 8-1. Cincinnati also wins game 2 at home by a final score of 6-4.

In game 3, from Brooklyn, the Dodgers get themselves back into the series with a 3-1 victory. In game 4, both teams are only able to manage 4 hits each, but the Reds score 1 run off those hits, and take the game 1-0. They also take a 3-1 Series lead. Game 5 goes 12 innings before the Dodgers are able to take the game 5-4, and force the Series back to Cincinnati, where the Reds just need 1 win at home.

The Reds take care of business in game 6 with a 5-1 win and they are headed for the World Series for only the second time ever. Way back in 1914 they lost it.


World Series

The World Series begins in Cincinnati. Game 1 was tied 3-3 heading into the ninth inning, but the visiting Birds put up 6 runs in the top of the ninth to take game 1, 9-3. Cincinnati comes back in game 2 with a 2-1 victory to tie the Series up at 1 as it heads to Atlanta.

Game 3 goes to the tenth inning. The Reds score 1 in the top of the tenth, but the Birds come back with 2 in the bottom to take the game, 5-4, and take a 2-1 Series lead. The Reds respond in game 4 with a 4-0 shutout and tie the Series up at 2 each.

In the final game from Atlanta, the hometown Birds take it 3-1 and are now just 1 game away from becoming repeat champions, however, they will have to win 1 on the road.

In game 6, the Reds score 6 runs in the first 3 innings and then hold on for a 7-5 victory to set up a final and decisive game 7!

In game 7, the teams manage 1 hit, combined through the first three innings. Atlanta puts up 2 in the top of the fourth and the Reds get one back in the bottom of the 4th to make it 2-1 in favor of Atlanta.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Reds put up 2 runs to take a 3-2 lead.

Another Cincinnati run in the 8th gives the Reds a 4-2 lead as we head to the ninth.

The Birds go down in order in the top of the ninth and the Cincinnati Reds win their first World Championship!!!!

Champion Review

The Reds had a terrific pitching staff this season. It was led by Howie Pollett who went 22-15 with a 2.65 ERA. Dave Ferriss went 21-9 with a 2.82 ERA. Cliff Melton went 17-11 with a 2.78 ERA, and Les McCrabb won 19 games with a 3.19 ERA.

SS bobby Wilkins led all full time Reds batters with a .283 batting average. CF Wally Judnich batted .281 and hit 25 homeruns. 3B Don Gutteridge batted .271 and hit 19 homeruns. RF Bill Nicholson batted .237 and hit a team high 47 homeruns and a team high 107 RBI. LF Tommy Henrich batted just .215 but he did hit 23 homeruns and had 78 RBI.

Ty Cobb Award

AL: RF Stan Musial, PHA, (577 AB, .270 AVG, 33 HR, 113 RBI, 98 R, 156 Hits, .863 OPS)
NL: 3B Johnny Lucadello, PIT, (563 AB, .302 AVG, 40 HR, 145 RBI, 114 R, 170 Hits, .982 OPS)




Cy Young Award

AL: Jake Wade, BOS, (Record: 24-9, 2.25 ERA, 336.1IP, 211 Ks, 45 BB) - Jake has won his third consecutive Cy Young Award.
NL: Steve Gromek, SYR, (Record: 21-13, 2.22 ERA, 348.1IP, 178 Ks, 110 BB)



Bob Meusel Award

AL: RF Dick Kokos, MON, (541 AB, .270 AVG, 14 HR, 90 RBI, 66 R, 146 Hits, .773 OPS)
NL: C Roy Campanella, DAL, (427 AB, .274 AVG, 34 HR, 90 RBI, 63 R, 117 Hits, .917 OPS)



1948-1949 Offseason

Retirees:

Bill Atwood retires ...
Bob Bowman retires ...
Norm Branch retires ...
John Burrows retires ...
Ben Chapman retires ...
Frankie Crosetti retires ...
Soup Campbell retires ...
Buster Bray retires ...
Jimmie Deshong retires ...
Emerson Dickman retires ...
Dizzy Dean retires ...
He will be in the Hall Of Fame!
Jake Early retires ...
Hal Epps retires ...
Stan Hack retires ...
Guy Curtright retires ...
Mike Garbark retires ...
Stan Ferens retires ...
Johnny Humphries retires ...
Ernie Koy retires ...
Lou Chiozza retires ...
Mickey Livingston retires ...
Swede Larsen retires ...
Andy Gilbert retires ...
Harlond Clift retires ...
Chico Hernandez retires ...
Jake Mooty retires ...
Monte Pearson retires ...
Warren Huston retires ...
Paul Dean retires ...
Dick Midkiff retires ...
Buster Maynard retires ...
Roy Hughes retires ...
Lew Krausse retires ...
Frankie Pytlak retires ...
Jo-jo Moore retires ...
Andy Karl retires ...
Bill Mcgee retires ...
Dick Siebert retires ...
Ed Moriarty retires ...
Hersh Lyons retires ...
Pat Mclaughlin retires ...
Bob Swift retires ...
Sam Narron retires ...
Freddy Schmidt retires ...
Ken O'dea retires ...
Larry Rosenthal retires ...
Buck Ross retires ...
Spades Wood retires ...
Bud Thomas retires ...
Don Padgett retires ...
Joe Mulligan retires ...
Fred Sington retires ...
Butch Sutcliffe retires ...
Nick Tremark retires ...
Walter Stephenson retires ...
Ernie Sulik retires ...
Al Williams retires ...
Le grant Scott retires ...
Oad Swigart retires ...
Xavier Rescigno retires ...
BOS: Mel Deutsch retires ...
BOS: Bob Maier retires ...
MON: Taffy Wright retires ...
WS1: Reese Diggs retires ...
ATL: Kirby Higbe retires ...
ATL: Boots Poffenberger retires ...
DET: Satchel Paige retires ...
LV: Wally Moses retires ...
LA: Bobby Mattick retires ...
SF: Steve Peek retires ...
SF: Jim Tobin retires ...
SF: Dick West retires ...
BRO: Lou Novikoff retires ...
SYR: Oris Hockett retires ...
CHN: Frank Mccormick retires ...
HOU: Jim Shilling retires ...
HOU: Ben Geraghty retires ...





League Outlook

This will most likely be the last season for the Waves In Los Angeles. This was once a proud franchise, but they have been one of the worst teams in baseball for a decade now. They can’t sell tickets, their payroll is very small, and they are still losing money. Barring a huge turnaround this season, they will be relocated.


Free Agency, of Note

If you are in the market for aging, past their prime hitters, you are in luck. On the other hand, if you need an All-Star or Cy Young type pitcher, they are there too.

The Dallas Braves make the first big signing by getting SP Stubby Overmire (9-9-9) for 5 years at 10 million per year!

Vegas signs SP Joe Haynes (10-9-8) from division rival Atlanta. Haynes signs for 7 years at over 9 million per year. Joe has thrown 3 No-Hitters in his career.

Vegas signed Haynes to make up for the loss of 27 year old superstar SP, Warren Spahn (9-8-8). Spahn signed with the Pirates for 4 years at 6 million per year. Quite a bargin.

The Reds sign the best closer in the game, George Jeffcoat (10-9-7) (B/B/G). He signed for 4 years at over 6 million per year.

New York signs the last impact pitcher out there in SP John Gaddy (9-7-6). Gaddy signs for 4 years.

Amateur Draft


Here is how the entire first round played out:

Los Angeles pick: CF Roy Sievers
Washington pick: LF Wally Post
St. Louis pick: P Don Newcombe
Detroit pick: RF Minnie Minoso
Houston pick: 1B Steve Bilko
Philadelphia (N) pick: 2B Solly Hemus
Montreal pick: LF Gus Zernial
New York pick: P Morrie Martin
Syracuse pick: C Smoky Burgess
Las Vegas pick: P Bill Werle
San Francisco pick: C Del Crandall
Chicago pick: P Wally Hood
Dallas pick: LF Cal Abrams
Pittsburgh pick: P Jack Bruner
Cleveland pick: CF Bill Higdon
Brooklyn pick: 3B Bill Serena
Boston pick: 3B Tommy Glaviano
Atlanta pick: 1B Walt Dropo
Cincinnati pick: 2B Bobby Avila
Philadelphia (A) pick: CF Bill Howerton