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Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 12-7-2011

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 8, 1941:

CHICAGO, Ill., Dec. 7—“It is impossible just now to say what effect the war will have on baseball,” said William E. Benswanger, president of the Pirates. “I do not know any more about it than the other fellow, but one thing is very certain at this time: We must keep our heads cool and keep our feet on the ground.”

The Pittsburgh executive had a radio installed in his suite…it was his intention to hear a concert on the air this afternoon, but shortly after tuning in the news of a naval engagement was flashed and Bill spent the remainder of the day listening to reports of hostilities at sea.

Bummer. The guy just wanted to hear some tunes, man.

Jefferson Manship (Dan Lee) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:40 AM | 36 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dugout, history, international, japan

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1. Jefferson Manship (Dan Lee) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:44 AM (#4009035)

Birthday Team:
C: Johnny Bench
1B: Tino Martinez
2B: Hobe Ferris
3B: Deacon White
SS: Ryan Theriot
LF: Alex Johnson
CF: Shane Mack
RF: Paul Dade

SP: Dick Donovan
SP: Don Cardwell
SP: Denny Galehouse
SP: Fausto Carmona
SP: Tom Lovett
RP: Bo Belinsky

DL: Eric Chavez
Born on December 7, 1941, but in Panama: Rupe Toppin

Chavez is way too good to sit the bench, but there's nowhere to play him. In real life, they'd probably try him (or Deacon White) as a right fielder.

2. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 01:14 PM (#4009055)

From Tom Hardricourt of the Journal-Sentinel:

Dallas - I just spoke with Paul Kinzer, the agent for third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who told me he considers the Brewers "a favorite" to sign his free-agent client.

Kinzer, who has met with the Brewers at the winter meetings, said three teams are showing "serious" interest in signing Ramirez. Kinzer didn't say who the other two teams were but all indications are they are the Phillies and Angels. Ramirez visited with the Angels last week.

Kinzer indicated he is looking for a three-year deal for Ramirez and said the third baseman has reciprocal interest in the Brewers.

"He likes that team," said Kinzer. "He wants to go to a team that has pitching and gives him a chance to win a ring. He thinks the Brewers can do that."

Whether the Brewers would meet Ramirez's contract demands remain to be seen. It probably would take $40-45 million over three years to sign him.

3. morineko Posted: December 07, 2011 at 01:49 PM (#4009068)

It's not an offseason until Doug Melvin makes a completely inexplicable major league free agent signing.

4. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 02:01 PM (#4009074)

morineko

Getting outbid for Barmes supposedly threw Melvin off. I don't want to believe that was the cornerstone of his offseason approach, but rumors abound that now he feels that he is scrambling.

I know they are desperate to avoid resigning Yuni but are feeling trapped.

I would be delighted to hear that I am full of sh*t.

5. morineko Posted: December 07, 2011 at 02:04 PM (#4009075)

Signing Ramirez doesn't fix the "no shortstop" problem, though, so they'd still have to re-sign Yuni unless they really want to stick Eric Farris out there.

6. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 02:48 PM (#4009094)

Morineko

The belief being that Aramis offsets some of Yuni's deficiencies both offensively and defensively.

Again, I think giving Casey another shot is stupid. He's fat, he's slow and he's already 30 years old. Scr*w it.

7. Starring RMc as Bradley Scotchman Posted: December 07, 2011 at 02:52 PM (#4009099)

Also, on December 8, 1941, the American League was expected to approve the St. Louis Browns shift to Los Angeles. Oops.

8. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: December 07, 2011 at 03:09 PM (#4009114)

Also from 70 years ago today, a piece up at THT notes that Lefty Grove's retirement overshadowed by other news on that day.

Then comes a list of other events occurring on Dec. 7 over the years, including: Bonds pleads not guilty, Cubs trade too much for Juan Pierre, A's get Chad Bradford from White Sox, Yanks get Tino Martinez and Jeff Nelson in a trade, Brewers sign Don Sutton to A's, Boston purchases Juan Marichal, J. G. Taylor Spink dies, and Johnny Bench is born.

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 03:15 PM (#4009123)

Also, on December 8, 1941, the American League was expected to approve the St. Louis Browns shift to Los Angeles. Oops.

I find relocation/expansion stuff fascinating - what happened to nix the move?

10. just plain joe Posted: December 07, 2011 at 03:30 PM (#4009134)

I find relocation/expansion stuff fascinating - what happened to nix the move?

Apparently they decided that the long train trips from Chicago were just too disruptive of the league schedule, what with the two days off needed for the trip (each way), which would necessitate week long series for every team going to LA.

11. The Yankee Clapper Posted: December 07, 2011 at 03:31 PM (#4009135)

I find relocation/expansion stuff fascinating - what happened to nix the move?

I'm guessing the other AL teams' aversion to traveling to the west coast to play one team was a factor.

EDIT: There is a beer in the bar car waiting for just plain Joe.

12. just plain joe Posted: December 07, 2011 at 03:41 PM (#4009141)

I'm guessing the other AL teams' aversion to traveling to the west coast to play one team was a factor.

Guys, my comment in #10 was intended to be a joke. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on 12/7/41, thus dragging the US into WWII. There was no way the American League was going to travel back and forth to Los Angeles to play baseball, even if they wanted to (as far as I know the AL had worked out a schedule for the LA Browns). Supposedly, on a similar note, the Cubs had purchased lights for Wrigley Field but donated the equipment to the war effort.

Thanks for that beer though; does anyone have any idea what would have been the best beer available in the US in December, 1941?

13. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 04:11 PM (#4009172)

Huston Street to the Padres for a PTBNL. Padres take on most of the contract.

Don't really get this from either point of view. Rox seemingly could have gotten more if they ate more money, Pads need a closer? Really?

14. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 05:13 PM (#4009260)

O Captain, my Captain, Yanks win rights to Hiroyuki Nakajima.

15. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 05:15 PM (#4009263)

The belief being that Aramis offsets some of Yuni's deficiencies both offensively and defensively.

If you're signing Aramis to help on defense, you're doing it wrong.

16. Starring RMc as Bradley Scotchman Posted: December 07, 2011 at 05:49 PM (#4009317)

I once created an OOTP dynasty in which the Browns actually move to LA. (Basically, America gets the atom bomb in 1941 and wipes out Berlin, ending the war and keeping the US out of it.) The Browns move into (LA's) Wrigley Field, then into the Coliseum, where they make oodles of money. After Landis' death in 1944, the Browns sign Satchel Paige, which the owners allow -- if Satch pitches home games only (this is dropped two years later when the Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson). The Browns win the pennant in 1945, then get competition on the West Coast the following year when the Philadelphia A's move to San Francisco ("The A's By The Bay"). And so on...

17. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 06:40 PM (#4009398)

If you're signing Aramis to help on defense, you're doing it wrong.

It's possible you have not been exposed to the wonders of Casey McGehee, the only man known to turn a 3 hop ground ball to his right into a grizzly bear batting salmon exhibition.

And given all the big talk out of Milwaukee how the Brewers managed to get outbid on both Barmes AND Hairston is really puzzling.

18. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 06:50 PM (#4009414)

Pirates sign P Erik Bedard - 1/$4.5

19. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:04 PM (#4009433)

It's possible you have not been exposed to the wonders of Casey McGehee, the only man known to turn a 3 hop ground ball to his right into a grizzly bear batting salmon exhibition.

I really, really laughed at this.

20. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:10 PM (#4009440)

Thanks for that beer though; does anyone have any idea what would have been the best beer available in the US in December, 1941?

Well, if you were a 1940s hipster, there's always PBR. Although, frankly, I think something like Pearl Harbor probably calls for liquor.

21. Davo Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:12 PM (#4009444)

I'm very surprised Bedard couldn't command more money than that.

22. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:16 PM (#4009451)

I don't understand. Are the Pirates now the Island of Misfit Toys? What the h*ll is the plan?

23. Bob Evans Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:16 PM (#4009453)

I once created an OOTP dynasty in which the Browns actually move to LA. (Basically, America gets the atom bomb in 1941 and wipes out Berlin, ending the war and keeping the US out of it.)

OOTP is a considerably deeper game than I suspected.

24. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:19 PM (#4009457)

Davo

Time Harvey's proctologist takes looking for issues >>> Time between Erik Bedard DL stints

25. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:20 PM (#4009459)

OOTP is a considerably deeper game than I suspected.

It certainly can be, depending on how you choose to run things. I've wasted considerable hours on it.

Or are you snarking about the atom bomb/etc. stuff? :)

26. Javy Joan Baez (chris h.) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:21 PM (#4009461)

I don't understand. Are the Pirates now the Island of Misfit Toys? What the h*ll is the plan?

I laughed a lot at this, too. You're on a roll today, Harveys.

27. just plain joe Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:28 PM (#4009469)

Well, if you were a 1940s hipster, there's always PBR. Although, frankly, I think something like Pearl Harbor probably calls for liquor.

That's right, Jim Beam and plenty of it.

28. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:39 PM (#4009483)

find relocation/expansion stuff fascinating - what happened to nix the move?

Apparently they decided that the long train trips from Chicago were just too disruptive of the league schedule, what with the two days off needed for the trip (each way), which would necessitate week long series for every team going to LA.

Well, that and the whole WWII thing. Taking up valuable transcontinental railway space for the purpose of playing a baseball game was not consistent with the war effort. Hell, the 1945 All Star game was cancelled due to travel restrictions.

Wrigley Field was also supposed to install lights, but the owner donated them to the war effort.

29. Sweatpants Posted: December 07, 2011 at 09:54 PM (#4009636)

Rosenthal says that Buehrle's a Marlin.

30. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:03 PM (#4009644)

4 years/$58 million. I guess Buerhle's not retiring. And its apparently 1997 all over again in Miami.

31. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:09 PM (#4009652)

Did Florida strike oil while they were buidling the new stadium? Find gold? The underground Fountain of Youth? The Lost Ark?

32. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:12 PM (#4009655)

Jim Duquette reports Jimmy Rollins re-signing with the Phils, but Jayson Stark says his sources deny they have an agreement yet.

The underground Fountain of Youth?

Indeed.

33. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:19 PM (#4009660)

AG

What in the Sam Hill is THAT???

34. Nasty Nate Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:29 PM (#4009669)

That thing is the centerpiece to the new Marlins stadium...

first discussed in this thread

35. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: December 07, 2011 at 11:04 PM (#4009717)

Jim Duquette reports Jimmy Rollins re-signing with the Phils, but Jayson Stark says his sources deny they have an agreement yet.

i think it's too early in the process for that to be a good thing. i really hope that's not as ugly as i think it might be.

36. Bob Evans Posted: December 08, 2011 at 01:37 AM (#4009791)

Or are you snarking about the atom bomb/etc. stuff? :)

C'mon, this is BTF. Snarking! 8-D

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Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 12-7-2011

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