All things Figment - from the pages of The Figment Sporting Journal - Page 22 (2024)

Jiggs McGee

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JUNE 29, 1942

TWIFB ALL-STAR SELECTIONS

PAST ALL STAR GAME RESULTSYEAR LOCATION RESULT WINNING PITCHER MVP1933 Whitney Park Federal 8 Continental 5Ben Curtin STL Pete Asher Pit1934 Riverside Stadium Federal 11 Continental 7Chick Stout Pit Tom Taylor Cougars1935 Broad Street Park Federal 5 Continental 2Art Myers Keystones Freddie Jones StL1936 Pioneer Field Continental 6 Federal 4Tom Barrell BKN Dick Walker Sailors1937 Dominion Field Federal 2 Continental 2 (19)Don Attaway Keystones Don Attaway Keystones1938 Bigsby Oval Continental 5 Federal 4 (13) Bob Cummings BKN Fred McCormick TOR1939 Forester Stadium Continental 6 Federal 3 Art White BKN Fred McCormick TOR1940 Thompson Field Federal 7 Continental 4 Red Hampton Chiefs Billy Woytek Keystones1941 Kings County Continental 8 Federal 4 Pete Papenfus Cougars Fred Galloway Cincinnati

TWIFB PICKS FOR THE CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION ALL-STAR STARTERS

FIRST BASE: DAVE TROWBRIDGE New York Stars- Father Time (.302,8,45) is still showing few signs of slowing down despite being a little over a month away from his 44th birthday. He gets the call over Marion Boismenu (.320,2,14) of the Sailors and Cleveland's Hank Stratton (.309,2,25). Not sure he will make the club as a manager's addition but a player to perhaps watch in the second half of the season is 25 year old Chuck Adams (.314,9,28) of the Cannons. 'Bow Wow" had a slow start to the season but has really heated up of late.

SECOND BASE: MIKE ROLLINSON Toronto Wolves- Rollinson (.306,2,29) is making the most of his first opportunity to be a big league regular at the age of 27. Cincinnati's Jim Hensley (.274,5,27) is on the ballot as a second baseman and having a solid year but he has spent more time at shortstop this year. Montreal's Charlie Woodbury (.321,4,23) is another player to consider.

SHORTSTOP: SKIPPER SCHNEIDER Chicago Cougars- Add the 21 year old Schneider (.282,1,31) to the long list of very good CA shortstops. Oscar King (.290,0,25) of the Sailors is also having a fine year and one could not argue if he, Joe Angevine (.313,0,42) of New York, Toronto's Charlie Artuso (.257,4,24) or Brooklyn veteran Harry Barrell (.275,1,17) was the one to join Schneider on the final team.

THIRD BASE: RAY COCHRAN New York Stars- It looks like John Lawson (.250,5,37) of the Cougars will not get to play in his 9th all-star game, at least not this year as the veteran has had a slow start this time around. That opens the door for Cochran (.297,2,38) and likely Montreal's Mack Burns (.277,3,20) or Brooklyn's Frank LeMieux (.264,0,20) to be the backup.

LEFT FIELD: LEO MITCHELL Chicago Cougars- With all due respect to Lew Seals (.234,12,51) and Bert Lass (.323,2,44) the decision to select Mitchell (.342,9,33) for his third all-star game was possibly the easiest call in the CA.

CENTER FIELD: CARLOS MONTES Chicago Cougars- Some pretty good options here but the 26 year old Montes (.310,3,27) will get the start in his first all-star appearance if it is up to the staff at TWIFB. Chink Stickels (.252,2,37) of the Stars, Brooklyn's Rats McGonigle (.275,4,30), Tom Frederick (.302,1,23) in Toronto and Cincinnati's Fred Galloway (.279,1,25) are all in the running for a reserve slot.

RIGHT FIELD: BILL BARRETT New York Stars- Ok, we lied. Barrett (.357,8,34) was our easiest choice to make as the 22 year old is set to appear in his fourth consecutive all-star game. Toronto's Reginald Westfall (.286,3,39) might get his first all-star invite and his 4 assist game from a little over a week ago is still fresh in everyone's mind.

PITCHER: RUFUS 'DEUCE' BARRELL Cincinnati Cannons- There are a number of worthy candidates but Deuce (13-2, 2.32) is an easy choice to start the game. New York Stars ace Billy Riley (12-4, 2.25) and George Garrison (12-4, 2.22) are also deserving of consideration but Deuce has been the top pitcher in the first half of the season.

TWIFB PICKS FOR THE FEDERAL ASSOCIATION ALL-STAR STARTERS

FIRST BASE: MAHLON STRONG Pittsburgh Miners: Another tough decision as Strong(.330,11,51) has plenty of competition. There is Washington's Sig Stofer (.280,13,55), who we would like to see make his first all-star team this year, as well as the Chiefs Ron Rattigan (.277,5,30), Bill Moore (.283,6,43) in Boston and perhaps even the Gothams Bud Jameson (.300,6,33). A slow start cost Red Johnson (.270,13,43) the starting spot but it likely comes down to him and Stofer for a backup role.

SECOND BASE: BUDDY SCHNEIDER Boston Minutemen- Washington youngster Al Gross (.257,1,22) is helping make Eagles fans a little more forgiving of the decision to deal the first overall draft pick away but he is not quite an all-star despite a strong year. Bob Martin (.307,2,29) is finally healthy again in Chicago and Marshall Stickland (.275,2,21) is making the departure of Billy Woytek to the Navy a little more palatable in Philadelphia but our pick is the give the Schneider (.244,0,42) boys another reunion to follow up their showdown in last year's WCS.

SHORTSTOP: MULE MONIER New York Gothams- In the Fed shortstop battle there is Monier (.360,3,26) and there is everybody else. If I am selecting a backup I would go with Boston's Lew McClendon (.272,2,22) but this position still is very weak in the Fed when compared to the collection of shortstop talent in the Continental Association.

THIRD BASE: HANK BARNETT Chicago Chiefs- A nice collection here as we could easily list six players and be happy with any one of them but Barnett (.291,10,43) gets our pick although we sure are rooting for Frank Vance (.288,5,26) to make his 9th trip to the all-star game. As great a story that would be for the 40 year old Detroit Dynamos star, he will be hard pressed to nose out all of Hank Koblenz (.274,14,39), Mel Carrol (.305,5,24), Art Spencer (.316,2,41) and Tommy Wilson (.275,3,32) for a roster spot.

LEFT FIELD: WALT MESSER New York Gothams- It was a bit of a wait for the two-time Adwell Award winner to break out but Walt Messer (.310,16,57) has entered the discussion for best outfielder in the game. He is not quite there yet but getting closer. The Chiefs Jim Watson (.333,6,32), Pittsburgh's Pinky Pierce (.284,10,33) and Chick Donnelly (.330,2,42) of Boston are all in the running for a backup outfield spot.

CENTER FIELD: PABLO REYES Pittsburgh Miners- Reyes (.313,5,46) edges out Sal Pestilli (.282,13,43) for the starting spot as Pestilli - like nearly the entire Detroit roster- had a very slow start but he has been hot in June.

RIGHT FIELD: BOBBY BARRELL Philadelphia Keystones- An easy choice to select the Georgia Jolter (.327,17,51) for his 8th all-star appearance. Washington's Bob Coon (.330,1,20) has been a pleasant surprise in his first full season and for a while Chicago's Alf Pestilli (.224,8,32) was looking like the better of the brothers but he has cooled off of late.

STARTING PITCHER: CHARLIE STEDMAN Pittsburgh Miners- A lot of options here but we finally went with the 40 year old Stedman (11-6, 3.17). There were many possibilities such as the Boston duo of Ed Wood (9-5, 2.40) and Dean Astle (9-3, 2.02), rookie sensation Ed Bowman (9-4, 3.51) of New York, Philadelphia's Lloyd Stevens (10-3, 2.71), Jim Birdwell (9-3, 3.21) of Washington and Denny Hern (11-5, 3.00) of St Louis.

NEW YORK! NEW YORK!

While it is no surprise the Stars are in contention as we head towards the All-Star break, it does come as a bit of a shock that the New York Gothams are very much a factor in the Federal Association. The Gothams young offense has been strong for a while and now, thanks to Ed Bowman (9-4, 3.51), Rusty Petrick (10-6, 3.64) and Harry Carter (9-7, 2.85) the pitching seems to have finally stabilized. The Gothams haven't been within shouting distance of the first division since their big sell off of 1936 that followed back to back pennant winning seasons. All that young talent they gathered up with plenty of early draft picks is finally starting to pay off with Mule Monier (.360,3,26) and Walt Messer (.310,16,57) -both certain all-stars- leading the way.

Can both New York nines sustain it and remain in the pennant race for the duration? It seems a certainty for the Stars and grows more and more likely each day for the Gothams. But there is a lot of baseball to be played and the constant fear continues for all teams that Uncle Sam will intercede on the pennant races with a tap on the shoulder from Selective Service calling for a key piece. While it is business as usual for the gang at Dyckman Stadium, the excitement of watching a contender is something entirely new for patrons of the still relatively new Gothams Stadium. It is certainly a different feeling in Queens and Gothams fans are enjoying it while they can.

COAST-TO-COAST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES IS A POSSIBILITY

It's merely someone's idea now- a pipedream that the 'wise guys" may try to laugh off- but there's a chance the club owners next month may vote to put the classic on rollers. One suggestion that will be before the owners is to revert to the old standard of five-out-of-nine but play each contest in a different city, covering every section of the country.

FABL President Sam Belton, who has been in charge of all details for the Series since he took office as the game's ruling force, dodges all efforts to pin him down on the chances of the series plan being changed.

"I've had a million and one suggestions as to what should be done about the series, Belton said, "and that's all they are now - suggestions. I don't know what, if anything, is going to be done. Neither does anyone else at the minute. To change the Series plan would necessitate altering the FABL agreement. That's a question for the club officials to decide. Then they'll tell me and I'll administer whatever plan they decide upon. But no one can speak with any degree of certainty until after the Pittsburgh meeting."

Shifting the Series around the country is just one of the proposals for the Series the owners will discuss when they meet in Pittsburgh. The suggestions are coming as a result of the feeling from several of the magnates that baseball should be doing more to aid in the war effort. Other ideas on the table are said to be:

• Have the clubs turn over all the profits of the World Championship Series to the service relief funds. This would not affect the players.
• Donate to the Army-Navy chest the $100,000 which is received for the radio broadcasting rights of the WCS.
• Another scheme in which after the WCS winner is settled, to move the two Series participants around the country for a series of exhibition matchups for the benefit of relief funds.

FABL ROOKIE DRAFT COMPLETE- NOW THE PROCESS OF SIGNING BEGINS

Another high school All-American selection signed immediately. That was pitcher Frank Pershing, who was selected by the Philadelphia Keystones in the second round out of New Mexico Military Institute. It is almost unheard for a pick as high as Pershing was to sign immediately but he wanted to get to playing baseball and, as a second round selection last January, had plenty of time to iron out the details with the Keystones.

Pershing is an 18 year old lefthanded pitcher and reported to Beaumont of the Gulf States League. He was 11-0 with a 0.81 era as a high school pitcher this season but he had a rough introduction to pro ball. His first appearance went fine, an inning of work in relief in which he notched a save, but next time out Pershing was shelled, charged with 5 earned runs after walking one and allowing 4 hits in 1 inning of a 10-2 loss to Hattiesburg. OSA does like the youngster, slotting him immediately in at #205 on their top prospects list.

Gothams Announce Their Arrival

The line-up still features, the "Infield of the Future", although Walt Messer roams leftfield as the ageless Bud Jameson continues to provide leadership and offense at 1B. Jameson led the way this week hitting .571 with two homers. SS Mule Monier continues to league the majors with a .360 average while Messer remains among the top sluggers.

Now at midseason, the team is playing at a pace not seen since the champions of 1935. That they are beating the better teams bodes well for the second half.

TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN

Toronto management is now trying to rejig their system with draftees, losing George Roch to military service was unexpected, Roch was thought to be going off to war but not until the season ended, the team wishes him safety above all during his time in the Canadian Army.

• FABL boss Sam Belton and the 16 owners are talking about a travelling WCS. A great idea for a great cause but to be certain a World Championship Series caravan would entail big problems with the most worrisome being the weather. If the two teams are marching across the country and have dates booked in various venues what happens should they suffer a rain out in Memphis say? How does that affect their ability to get to Dallas for the next game and then they are behind schedule for finishing up in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Not to mention the reaction from long-time supporters in the two cities that win the pennants. Be a lot of unhappy folks in say Philadelphia should the Keystones make the WCS for the first time in a decade only to find out the games that matter most will be played far away from Broad Street Park.
• Baseball should do more to provide aid. Some owners have been going well beyond the call but others seem to have little interest in anything but lining their own pocketbooks. A donation of part or all of the Series proceeds makes sense. A travelling Series is a great idea in theory, but really not a practical one.
• Navy officials estimate that enlistments have increased anywhere from 15 to 60 percent in the cities where Lt. T.R. Goins' Great Lakes Naval Training Station baseball team has played, including Chicago after the game at Cougars Park a little over a week ago.
• Just baseball alone has committed 532 players to the war effort. That is the total of professional players (including a number of players just drafted by FABL) to either enlist or be picked by Selective Service for the military. It includes 63 players who appeared in at least one FABL game last season with Sandy Grabow being the latest to go. The 30 year old spent last season with the Gothams and played in 7 games for the Chiefs this season but after they released him he spent a week with a Philadelphia Sailors minor league outfit before deciding to be a sailor in real life and join the Navy.
• Looks like Doc Love still has a little something left in the tank. Cut loose by Cincinnati and waived through the league, the 35 year old has resurfaced in San Diego with the independent AAA Conquistadors. All he did in his first 6 games of minor league action since 1930 was hit .444 with a homerun and 7 rbi's and may be just the piece San Diego needs to catch Sacramento for top spot in the Great Western League.
• It won't happen this season, but Chicago Chiefs bench boss Joe Ward will pick up his 1000th managerial win next season. There are 18 managers with at least 1000 wins in history. Only one never won a pennant: Sylvester Skaggs, who managed the Chiefs and Gothams in the early part of the century. His best season was 1918 when he guided the Gothams to a 70-56 record and a 2nd place finish. (Note that he was the pitching coach on the 1907 pennant-winning Pittsburgh club.)
• 1942 hasn't gone as the Cougars intended, but it's hard to blame it on the loss of Pete Papenfus. In his absence, Donnie Jones has stepped into the rotation, and the 22-year-old has arguably been better. Sure, he doesn't get the strikeouts like Peter the Heater, but the young leader is an unlucky 7-6 with a 2.32 ERA (150 ERA+), 1.04 WHIP, 35 walks, and 53 strikeouts through 112.2 innings pitched. The Cougars are underperforming their run differential, and after winning a lot of close games last season (until the playoffs...), they have fallen to 7-13 in one run games and 3-5 in extras.

• Look for more big news to pop any day now on the athletic teams that have been doing a fair country job of advertising our armed forces. But don't ask us to guess which direction it will pop. A lot of hints have been buzzing around that there's pressure from the upper regions to give the athletes less publicity and to keep them at their training chores, but there's also the unanswerable fact that their appearances speed up enlistments.
• Line of the week- From Tommy Fitzgerald of the Louisville Courier Journal: "Scout Dicky Nee of the Boston Minutemen has gone to Florida to sign contracts with a couple of the Minutemen draft picks out of high school. Well, they've said all along if there's any baseball next year we'll probably have to use kids in Nee pants."

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 6/28/1942

• An 'unidentified craft.' presumed to be a Japanese submarine, fired six to nine shells into a sandy waste on the Oregon coast last week in what was the second attack on the North American Pacific shore in 24 hours. A night before a few shells were lobbed in the direction of the Canadian Government telegraph station on Vancouver island. There was no damage or casualties in either incident.
• The R.A.F. launched a second major air raid on Dunkirk. The British fliers also launched attacks on Rommel's Axis troops and tanks in the Egyptian desert. Britain also rushes reserves to Egypt as the Axis forces mass paratroopers to aid in the Rommel's push.
• Thousands of civilians are evacuated out of Sevastopol as fighting between Russian and Nazi forces intensifies.
• Estimates place the number of war dead worldwide in 1941 to be at 1.25 million, or more than five times as many as in 1939-40 combined following an assessment done by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The huge increase was due mainly to the Russo-German war on the eastern front, but it also noted that spread hostilities to the Balkans, the Far and Near East and United States entry also boosted the number of fatalities.
• President Roosevelt signed a bill authorizing deferment of family men until the reservoir of single men is exhausted and also the provision of financial aid for dependents of servicemen in the four lowest ranks.
• The President also disclosed that American production figures show a record almost 4,000 airplanes were built in May and more than 1,500 tanks. The US also produced over 100,000 guns last month alone, with more than half being machine guns of all types- including infantry, aircraft and anti-aircraft.
  

  

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