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Mattymo · 09-11-2008, 04:01 PM

1907 World Cup Participants and Preview

Canada

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP Win Kellum (17-18, 2.32 w/Cleveland Indians in 1907)
Top Hitter: RF Bunk Congalton (.317 w/St. Louis Browns in 1907)

Outlook: After two disappointing finishes, Canada got down to business in 1906 finishing second to the Americans. It seems their problem has been looking past semifinal matchups to title tilts with the United States. Luckily for the Canadians, like in 1906, there will be no semifinals held. The Pitching staff is deep, but after Kellum, there are no true Major Leaguers. However, Ernie Ross and Alex Hardy are experienced, both professionally and internationally. The offense is led by Bunk Congalton but there isn’t much firepower compared to the Americans. CF Bill O’Neill (Boston Americans) and 1B *Tom Joly (New York Giants) are the other Major Leaguers in the lineup. The injury to C Nig Clarke (Cleveland Indians), who will miss the entire World Cup, could come back to haunt the Canadians.

Expectation: Canada needs to at least make the title game, which basically means taking care of business against Cuba and Puerto Rico. Then who knows, the United States has to lose sometime.

Cuba

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1904
Most recent: 0-3 in pool play in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP *Jose Rivera (Rookie League player in Philadelphia Phillies org.)
Top Hitter: C *Francisco Garcia (has played 415 games in Major League, spent 1907 with Brooklyn Dodgers batting .188)

Outlook: After finishing winless in pool play in 1906, the Cubans continue to have limited talent. Garcia is a legitimate Major League catcher, but 1B *Alfredo Hernandez is the only other player with Major League experience, and he played in 1 game for the White Sox in 1907. The pitching remains a huge Achilles heal, with none of their starters, Rivera, *Juan Mateo or *Antonio Davila, appearing in a game higher than Rookie level in 1907.

Expectation: There is a notable drop off in talent after the United States and Canada. The Cubans won’t admit it, but they’re playing for third place. A 1-2 pool record, and win over Puerto Rico, would suffice.

Puerto Rico

Highest finish: 2nd place in 1902
Most recent: 1-2 in pool play in 1906
Top Pitcher: SP *Julio Silva (career minor leaguer currently in New York Highlanders organization)
Top Hitter: SS *Greg Webster (career .275 hitter in 5 ML seasons. Got 9 ABs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907)

Outlook: According to the Puerto Ricans, they are primed for a big showing this year. Offensively they have some solid talent, with Webster and 2B *David Morales (Boston Doves) anchoring the lineup. The pitching is weak, with career reliever *Gilberto Vega being asked to start, alongside Silva, in order to make up for a huge lack of depth.

Expectation: Much like the Cubans, Puerto Rico is basically playing for third place. The Puerto Rico-Cuba matchup on Day 1 will have a lot of tension.

United States

Titles: 3 (1902-1906)
Top Pitcher: SP Eddie Plank (1906 Cy Young Award Winner, 22-2, 1.94 with Philadelphia Athletics in 1907)
Top Hitter: SS Honus Wagner (2-time NL MVP, .360/.429/.927 and 5 HRs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907)

Outlook: The main question for the Americans is; when will they lost their first game? It’s bound to happen sooner or later. However, don’t expect it to be this year, as the rest of the world hasn’t quite caught up. The Americans have yet to allow a run in a title game, and the most they’ve allowed in one game was 5 (to Dominican Republic in 1902), but that was a game where the Americans scored 22. This year should be no different, as the staff of Plank, Barney Pelty (Boston Americans) and Walter Johnson (Washington Senators) should be dominant. Offensively, as usual, there are a lot of top hitters with no holes in the lineup, anchored by Wagner. 1B Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), RF Johnny Bates (Boston Doves) and C Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders) are also very good and accomplished hitters.

Expectation: Finish undefeated and win their fourth consecutive title. Anything less would be considered a failure.

09-11-2008, 04:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mattymo All Star Starter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colchester, CT Posts: 1,424	1907 World Cup Participants and Preview Canada Highest finish: 2nd place in 1906 Top Pitcher: SP Win Kellum (17-18, 2.32 w/Cleveland Indians in 1907) Top Hitter: RF Bunk Congalton (.317 w/St. Louis Browns in 1907) Outlook: After two disappointing finishes, Canada got down to business in 1906 finishing second to the Americans. It seems their problem has been looking past semifinal matchups to title tilts with the United States. Luckily for the Canadians, like in 1906, there will be no semifinals held. The Pitching staff is deep, but after Kellum, there are no true Major Leaguers. However, Ernie Ross and Alex Hardy are experienced, both professionally and internationally. The offense is led by Bunk Congalton but there isn’t much firepower compared to the Americans. CF Bill O’Neill (Boston Americans) and 1B Tom Joly (New York Giants) are the other Major Leaguers in the lineup. The injury to C Nig Clarke (Cleveland Indians), who will miss the entire World Cup, could come back to haunt the Canadians. Expectation:* Canada needs to at least make the title game, which basically means taking care of business against Cuba and Puerto Rico. Then who knows, the United States has to lose sometime. Cuba Highest finish: 2nd place in 1904 Most recent: 0-3 in pool play in 1906 Top Pitcher: SP Jose Rivera (Rookie League player in Philadelphia Phillies org.) Top Hitter:* C Francisco Garcia (has played 415 games in Major League, spent 1907 with Brooklyn Dodgers batting .188) Outlook:* After finishing winless in pool play in 1906, the Cubans continue to have limited talent. Garcia is a legitimate Major League catcher, but 1B Alfredo Hernandez is the only other player with Major League experience, and he played in 1 game for the White Sox in 1907. The pitching remains a huge Achilles heal, with none of their starters, Rivera, Juan Mateo or Antonio Davila, appearing in a game higher than Rookie level in 1907. Expectation:* There is a notable drop off in talent after the United States and Canada. The Cubans won’t admit it, but they’re playing for third place. A 1-2 pool record, and win over Puerto Rico, would suffice. Puerto Rico Highest finish: 2nd place in 1902 Most recent: 1-2 in pool play in 1906 Top Pitcher: SP Julio Silva (career minor leaguer currently in New York Highlanders organization) Top Hitter:* SS Greg Webster (career .275 hitter in 5 ML seasons. Got 9 ABs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907) Outlook:* According to the Puerto Ricans, they are primed for a big showing this year. Offensively they have some solid talent, with Webster and 2B David Morales (Boston Doves) anchoring the lineup. The pitching is weak, with career reliever Gilberto Vega being asked to start, alongside Silva, in order to make up for a huge lack of depth. Expectation: Much like the Cubans, Puerto Rico is basically playing for third place. The Puerto Rico-Cuba matchup on Day 1 will have a lot of tension. United States Titles: 3 (1902-1906) Top Pitcher: SP Eddie Plank (1906 Cy Young Award Winner, 22-2, 1.94 with Philadelphia Athletics in 1907) Top Hitter: SS Honus Wagner (2-time NL MVP, .360/.429/.927 and 5 HRs with Pittsburgh Pirates in 1907) Outlook: The main question for the Americans is; when will they lost their first game? It’s bound to happen sooner or later. However, don’t expect it to be this year, as the rest of the world hasn’t quite caught up. The Americans have yet to allow a run in a title game, and the most they’ve allowed in one game was 5 (to Dominican Republic in 1902), but that was a game where the Americans scored 22. This year should be no different, as the staff of Plank, Barney Pelty (Boston Americans) and Walter Johnson (Washington Senators) should be dominant. Offensively, as usual, there are a lot of top hitters with no holes in the lineup, anchored by Wagner. 1B Frank Chance (Chicago Cubs), RF Johnny Bates (Boston Doves) and C Roger Bresnahan (New York Highlanders) are also very good and accomplished hitters. Expectation: Finish undefeated and win their fourth consecutive title. Anything less would be considered a failure. Last edited by Mattymo; 09-12-2008 at 09:05 PM.