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ifspuds · 03-23-2008, 05:47 PM

1942: Making Strides

Team Record: 53-47, 3rd place, 2 games behind
Top Pitcher: Eddie Walter (16-11, 2.75 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 4.53 K/9, 2.35 BB/9)
Top Hitter: Curtis Joseph (.291/.352/.399, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 31 SB)
Awards: Outstanding Pitcher: Eddie Walters (1st award)

The stroke of genius that was the Eddie Walters trade of 1941 became abundantly clear the following season. Cole Phillips, 1941's top pitcher, was not an ace, but in a good year, he could prove to be a solid #2. The addition of Walters, however, gave the Rainiers a legitimate #1 starter for the first time. When you further consider that the players the Portland Timbers got in return for Walters either barely made the PBPL( Miguel Flores) or joined the war effort after 1941 (Tony Brady) and never raised a bat in anger again, it becomes even more of a coup for the Rainiers organization. Walters led the staff to a 2nd place finish in runs allowed, behind those Portland Timbers, and for the first time, allowed fewer runs than they scored.

If they'd had a little bit more of the offense they'd flashed in past seasons, they might have snuck into the postseason for the first time. Unfortunately, power was still a concern and their run-scoring ability depended strongly on their ability to put the ball in play and run like hell. The latter skill they had in spades: the Rainiers' 110 stolen bases ranked 2nd behind the San Diego Suns, while no other team had more than 75. But their top power hitter, Jackson James, turned out to have just the one skill (.216/.265/.368, 13 HR). To the Rainiers' credit, their hitters were very young. Only one player that appeared in 50 or more games was over the age of 26. Time would have to tell whether or not they were young and improving or just plain young.

03-23-2008, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,092	1942: Making Strides 1942: Making Strides Team Record: 53-47, 3rd place, 2 games behind Top Pitcher: Eddie Walter (16-11, 2.75 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 4.53 K/9, 2.35 BB/9) Top Hitter: Curtis Joseph (.291/.352/.399, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 31 SB) Awards: Outstanding Pitcher: Eddie Walters (1st award) The stroke of genius that was the Eddie Walters trade of 1941 became abundantly clear the following season. Cole Phillips, 1941's top pitcher, was not an ace, but in a good year, he could prove to be a solid #2. The addition of Walters, however, gave the Rainiers a legitimate #1 starter for the first time. When you further consider that the players the Portland Timbers got in return for Walters either barely made the PBPL( Miguel Flores) or joined the war effort after 1941 (Tony Brady) and never raised a bat in anger again, it becomes even more of a coup for the Rainiers organization. Walters led the staff to a 2nd place finish in runs allowed, behind those Portland Timbers, and for the first time, allowed fewer runs than they scored. If they'd had a little bit more of the offense they'd flashed in past seasons, they might have snuck into the postseason for the first time. Unfortunately, power was still a concern and their run-scoring ability depended strongly on their ability to put the ball in play and run like hell. The latter skill they had in spades: the Rainiers' 110 stolen bases ranked 2nd behind the San Diego Suns, while no other team had more than 75. But their top power hitter, Jackson James, turned out to have just the one skill (.216/.265/.368, 13 HR). To the Rainiers' credit, their hitters were very young. Only one player that appeared in 50 or more games was over the age of 26. Time would have to tell whether or not they were young and improving or just plain young. __________________ Jeff Watson TWB (co-commissioner): Pittsburgh Pirates GM (team dynasty here, #5 Dynasty of 2005!) (TWB Champs 1966, 1967, 1973, NL Champs 1968, NL East Champs 1969, NL Champs 1970, 1971 NPBL: Illinois Jethawks GM Outpost League: A Fictional World Dynasty (#9 (tie) Dynasty of 2005!)