journey back in time-A historical dynasty

[Lee]

This is the story of Anthony Crooks who is set to enter the world of professional Baseball at the dawn of the golden age of the game. While legends such as Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Eddie Collins and others wind down prolific careers, a new era is dawning with the powerfully built slugger Babe Ruth beginning to make people take note of a new phenomenon, the long ball. Other stars such as Rogers Hornsby, Frankie Frisch and Grover Alexander have also begun their ascent to the top of the Baseball Food Chain. Into this World walks a strapping 6’1” 180 lb hurler who is a Knuckleball specialist. After word of his exploits on the High School diamond spread from the rural western town of his birth back to the East, the scouts have come in droves……as the story begins he awaits his fate.

March 1st 1921

This is the big day; I sit in the local telegraph office waiting for the message that will change my life. After compiling a record of 14-0 with an ERA of 0.98 my final Season of High School Baseball the small town I reside in has been a beehive of activity. Major League scouts have been entertained by the entire population, between watching me throw, and searching frantically for the local still. A small crowd has gathered outside the Telegraph office waiting to celebrate the expected good news. I can not sit and wait and grab some Coffee…..I return to see the Telegraph operator pounding away……it is midway through round 2 and still no word, I go to catch some peace out back and drift into an afternoon slumber. Some time later I am awakened by a chorus of cheers, I run frantically back inside to receive the following.

3rd Round [stop] Next up, the New York Yankees [stop] The New York American Team selects [stop] righthanded Pitcher [stop] Anthony Crooks [stop]

I have been selected by the Yankees with the 40th pick overall, not bad, even better is the follow up telegraph informing me of an offer of a $200,000.00 signing bonus……TO PLAY BASEBALL!!! Off I go to single A with visions of fanning Cleveland’s Joe Jackson and Babe Ruth of the hated Red Sox in my head. Surely the World can not be prepared for my Knuckler!!

[Lee]

alas the World is not ready to be set ablaze and it takes me no time at all to see it wields a rather large and heavy hose against those who try. I arrive with cash and wild ambition, and after meeting with my personal trainer, head off to the Bar to celebrate. The Bar soon becomes my favorite place and on the eve of opening day I meet my Manager.....hoping to glean any information that may help me improve I ply him with drinks throughout the night.....after giving me information I was too drunk to remember, he tells me, get some rest, you're starting tomorrow!!!

I take the mound with a blistering hangover and get shellacked lasting only 1/3 of an inning as my knuckler like a sail boat on a frozen pond. After 3 Single A starts my stats are horrendous.
<pre><font face=courier>
Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1921, A 3 3 0 3 0 14.81 10.1 20 19 17 8 3 0 0
</pre></font>
I am beginning to ponder my options back home….the Coal mine or the Beet fields, when I am summoned to the Managers office. Expecting the worst I pack my locker first, it proves an excellent exercise in foresight as I am informed I am being PROMOTED to double A. My Manager explains that it takes time to adjust and the organization is still high on my potential. Wow, that has to be the most undeserving promotion in the history of the Majors, but if I will be famous for nothing else I will take it….off to double A!!7

[Lee]

Arriving in Newark I am excited to make my first double A start and put the awful experience of Helena Montana behind me. I know I will not start for 3 days, so I hit the Bar and run into former Major Leaguer Swede Risberg who has been relegated to the White Sox double A affiliate. Risberg is an unsavory character who has allegedly been banished by Chaz Comiskey for conduct detrimental to the team. After a few Beers he begins to get on my nerves and after about the 5th time he calls me a Rube we go to blows. Swede's reputation is well deserved as he blackens my eye, scratching the Cornea in the process. I am now day to day and my Double A debut is pushed back..........management can not be happy with me now and I have yet to even take a woman home in my Bar excursions........Hopefully my Mother will respond to my latest letter with words of encouragement and home made cookies.

[StacyDlacy]

This is so cool!

Do you play simleagues?

[Lee]

Thanks, thought it would be fun to face the Legends of the early years

I play in 1 low maintanence League cause I only have a few months of any appreciable free time between my Job, Football and hobbies.

[Lee]

Finally I make my Debut with Newark and get my first professional victory 5-4 over the Philadelphia A's double A squad. I cut back on the Bar scene and focus more on training. It is still a big jump from High School to double A for a 19 year old and feeling overmatched at times I come in with a record of 5-6 with an ERA of 8.43, hardly the stuff future legends are made of. I learn some valuable lessons in the Bar from my Manager and Steve Kuffrey, a sociable fellow who drinks lemonade and helped my poise considerably.

I am assured I will be back on the Double A squad next year and the Yankees look forward to my continued progress. The 2 players drafted ahead of me experienced polar opposite Seasons. #1 pick P Al Floyd shared the same growing pains as me. After 4 single Starts 1-1 11.17, he was called up to Double A and finished 5-7 8.52. The Yankees are pushing their young talent fast as 2nd round pick CF Johnny Mostil went straight to the big Club and responded admirably, hitting .317 with 4 round trippers and 89 RBI's. He looks to be ensconced in a Yankee outfield that feature young Bob Meusel in Left and veteran Harry Hooper in right.

I head home prepared for a Winter of hard work.........still without a single date as well!

[Lee]

Still without significant cashflow to obtain any books I tweak my training program and talk top as many people as possible in the Bar.......I also enlist in a Ju-Jitsu class after being humiliated by Markus Heinsohn in a bar brawl over tastes great VS Less filling. I arrive in Newark prior to the Season opener with the goal of no more than one more Season in Double A. The offense of this years squad looks to be much improved which will hopefully help with my growing pains. I also procure my first date from the Bar and though it is not quite the experience I had hoped for (frigid) I counting on it turning into a slump buster as I begin my second year as a Pro.

[Lee]

April 2nd 1922

I start strong in my second year of Double A (and as a Pro) winning my first start over the A's double A squad giving up 3 runs in 7.1 innings and striking out 5. I am much happier with my start and it seems my manager has more confidence in me as he shares some valuable information about poise over a late night celebratory Beer.

April 23rd 1922

I see the see the Boston Red Sox squad dining out on a trip into New York on a day off as they are in town to play the Highlanders/Yankees. Babe Ruth is an odd shaped yet imposing figure, spindly legs and a massive torso. None the less he is cordial and though only 27 himself he greets me with a robust Hiya Keed, as our eyes meet in the eatery, as though he was my grandfather. His contract expires after next Season and I can't help but think about how great it would be to see him as a Yankee. Much better than having to oneday face him as a Red Sox player!!!

June 12th 1922

With the White Sox Double A squad in town I remember a certain incident the prior Season in a dusky Newark Bar and the resulting shiner..........with a coy smile I drill the opposing Shortstop in the Ribs with the only Fastball I will throw in the game. Though I am saddled with a 6-4 loss I serve notice to one Swede Risberg that no good deed goes unpunished

1922 summary

I have my ups and downs but with a firmer grasp on in season fitness techniques and some sage advice from my Manager and teammates I improve my Stuff and gain a sharper mental edge that helps me to the following numbers for the year.

12-7 5.33 in 24 starts I also record my first professional shut out, a 2-0 triumph over the A's Double A affiliate in July.

My Career numbers to date.
<pre><font face=courier>
Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1921, A 3 3 0 3 0 14.81 10.1 20 19 17 8 3 0 0
1921, AA 20 20 5 6 0 8.43 104.2 149 103 98 66 61 0 0
1922, AA 24 24 12 7 0 5.33 160.1 152 102 95 92 151 1
</pre></font>
My new Idol, Babe Ruth won the AL Silver Slugger award finishing the year hitting .402 with 45 HR, 166 RBI...he is a God and the more I think about it, my knuckleball just might be the ticket to keeping him in check......still rather see him end up a Yankee though.

[Lee]

1923

Shortly before Spring training I get the call that I will be reporting to Triple A Columbus for the 1923 Season. I will be 21 when the Season starts and have the following ratings.
Stuff 54/70
Control 52/70
Velocity 20/20 (Yep a blazing 72 MPH Fastball)
Poise 29/50
Endurance 78
Defense 46
Hitting 26
Pitches: Knuckleball, Curve, Screwball, sinker

I am tabbed to start opening day as the Number 1 hurler on a fairly nondescript Staff, that includes 1920 #1 pick Alfred Floyd, who I have generally outpitched to date. We have the good fortune to have a seasoned Catcher in Muddy Ruel on the team who has seen extensive time in the Bigs over the last 4 years. He should benefit me greatly if he does not get called up.

April 1 1923
I am on the hill for my triple A debut against the Athletics affiliate which results in a complete game 9-2 victory. I feel strong and the knuckler is dancing.

All-star Break
After 14 starts I am 7-2 3.97 and having visions of Yankee Stadium in my head. It seems the Big club, despite being in first is looking to cut payroll. The Outfield, once the deepest area of the Team is thinned as Riggs Stephenson the 1923 1st round pick is shipped off to Brooklyn for 2nd Baseman Richard Strickland, who
bats .298 in Single A. Stephenson starts for the Superbas and hits .306, does not look like we won on this deal short term. They also release career .300 hitter Harry Hooper in June and give his spot to Frank Bower, who responds with a very journeyman like performance hitting in the .250 range all Season, after 3 straight .300 plus Seasons to start his Career.

1923 Epilog
I suffer from back spasms the 2nd half of the Season and miss several starts. I go 1-4 after the All-star break but give up 3 runs or less in 3 of those Losses. On a positive note I have really begun to control the knuckler which results in 6 double figure strikeout games after the break. The Yankees, despite having no true superstar take the AL pennant, then sweep Pittsburgh in the 1923 World Series. The big club is lead by Fellow 1920 pick Johnny Mostil CF .309 6 83, Bob Meusel LF .286 12 67 and Ray Grimes 1B .296 11 70. On the Hill Rip Hagerman 24-11 2.65 and Hank Thormahlen 25-10 2.39 are the Two stalwarts for sure, but, Hagerman and fellow starters Fred Toney and Ray Fisher are all 35 and older and hopefully ready to make way for youth.

Boston's Babe Ruth wins the triple crown going .360 33 124 and becomes a free agent after the Season.......If only he would come to New York!!

My Career stats to date
<pre><font face=courier>
Year G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1921, A 3 3 0 3 0 14.81 10.1 20 19 17 8 3 0 0
1921,AA 20 20 5 6 0 8.43 104.2 149 103 98 66 61 0 0
1922,AA 24 24 12 7 0 5.33 160.1 152 102 95 92 151 1 1
1923AAA 23 23 8 6 0 4.09 163.0 159 79 74 66 162 2 0
</pre></font>

I head home for some R and R and hope to join the defending World Champs in the Spring!!

[Lee]

1924 PreSeason

I was hoping to be included on the big roster and my hopes were raised when the Yankees let Hank Thormahlen file free agency. Without so much as an overture to big Hank the Yankees go out and sign Big Jeff Pfeffer a career 140-119 3.27 hurler. He is coming off his best two seasons, a combined 53-19 record with the Cubs, but he is also 36 years old, will have to see how this plays out. Hank ends up signing a 4 year deal with the WhiteSox, I place him on my hope to pitch against and thrash list, only because how can you desert the Yankees?

They also sign Raymond "Rube" Bressler, a career journeyman who I hear is slated to spot start and work out of the Bullpen. The hope I have of making the Big club are quickly dashed as I report and are told I will again start the Season in Columbus. Manager Huggins announces the Yankees rotation will be:
Rip Hagerman
Jeff Pfeffer
Fred Toney
Ray Fischer

I am slated as the number 1 Triple A starter, my draft mate from 1920 Al Floyd is lasted as the spot starter and it appears the Yankees are not seeing a future for him with the organization.
Mostil, Meusel and Grimes will again lead the Yankee offense.

The 1924 draft featured some names that have people really excited, number 1 overall pick Hack Wilson is being touted as a mini Ruth, the Boston Braves win his services. There are also high expectations for first round picks Al Simmons, Gabby Hartnett and Kiki Cuyler. The Yankees take Pitcher Sheriff blake in the first round and another hurler, Dutch Stryker in the 2nd.

My Skills after Spring training are looking close to Major League, my desire to win at all costs has paid huge dividends here. The pluses mark my improvement from opening day last Season.
Stuff 65/70 +11
Control 62/70 +10
Velocity 20/20 N/A
Poise 32/50 +3
Endurance 83 +5
Defense 47 +1
Hitting 27 +1

[Lee]

April 1924

I start the Season on fire striking out 13 Tiger Farmhands en route to a 6-1 opening day win. Also over the course of the Month I string 19.1 scoreless innings together and finish the Month with the following numbers
..............G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1924, AAA 5 5 3 2 0 2.01 40.1 28 10 9 16 60 2 1

The starters on the Big Club all have ERA's under 2.50 except Fred Toney, who is struggling. I have a vested interest in his progress, hey this is a tough business and it's all about success.

[Nukester]

Nice.....How are you dealing with the fictional players that come into the league ? Are they performing to modern standards ?

[Lee]

Thats the one area that is requiring some extra work, I am editing any outrageous power numbers for now, will probably stop around 1930. It would be nice if you could set historical parameters so fictional players met the criteria of the time

[Lee]

May 1924
I start the month losing 3-0 to Philadelphia who rides Ed Wells 3 hitter to the victory, though I gain a small measure of success by holding a long time nemisis of mine, Pie Traynor to a 1 for 5 performance, he has always just raked me.

May 15th 1924
A Telegraph comes from Miller Huggins. Crooks [stop] we are aware of your tremendous progress [stop] We feel you can help us in New York [stop] pack your bags [stop] Ticket awaits at columbus station [stop]

I am off to the Show, bring on the Red Sox and that fat so and so Ruth!!! At the time of my call up I am 4-3 2.26 with 78 Strikeouts in only 55.2 Innings, the knuckler is dancing like Gilda Gray!! (obscure reference for you prohibition era historians)

Broadway, here I come!!

[Lee]

June 9 1924
I am on the wrong New York Team!! The Yankees are second in the Majors in complete games with 55, while the Giants have only 39. What this means to me, is 3 weeks in the Big show and still no appearances. I stay focused and work on my game. I am now 70/70 in stuff and 69/70 in control.....all I need is a shot, but it does not seem likely to happen soon. In the meantime I pitch BP and get as much information as I can form my teammates and Manager. I also hook up with a fairly attractive older lady and that has bene my major league highlight to date.

1 notable event in May is Walter Johnson wins his 400th Career game beating Washington ironically on May 4th 5-0. His St Louis Browns reside in first with a record of 38-26. The Yankees reside in 7th, though only 8 games back at 30-34.

[Lee]

As I progress through this dynasty let me know if there are any Historical players you would like to see profiles/stats on and I will include them in my updates.

[Lee]

June 30th

The Month draws to a close and either Miller Huggins thinks walking to the Mound more than once a week is too much exercise or he has not faith in the Bullpen. Yankee Starters are completing their games at an 80% clip and I have yet to see the field for anything other than shagging BP. I decide to approach him, though a 22yr old Rookie relegated to the Mop up spot should probably keep quiet....the key word is.....22yr old.

AC: Mr Huggins......
MH: What is it Rook?
AC: I was wondering........I have been with the Yankees for the better part of 6 weeks....
MH: Whaddya want, a commemorative plaque or a Cigar......are you old enough for a Cigar? (snorts)
AC: I am 22 sir.
MH: Well get to the point Rook
AC: Well, ah I was wondering if I was going to see any duty soon sir?
HM: Ahhhh, lets see, you are my Mop up Pitcher?
AC: Yes sir
MH: You have zero wins in the bigs
AC: Yes sir
MH: I don't know if Babe Ruth would make you wet your pants or cry.....
AC: Well I don't think...
MH: And we are paying you a Big League Salary after all that still......
AC: ah, well
MH: Well what, whaddya want Busher?
AC: I was just wondering if I could go now Sir?
MH: I though as much, and shut the door Rube!!!
AC: Yes sir......

Well that went just great, I guess I go back to waiting for someone to score 3 Touchdowns against us.