GRADES AND CRITIQUES: SouthEast Division
(Grades are based on how well the team was built as
well as current performance)
Mississippi Misfits:
Strengths:
Solid Draft
- This team was drafted by the greatest minds in the history of the DBS, so a
strong draft was inevitable. This team is loaded with what is today referred to as
"franchise players." Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett and Frankie Frisch, are at the
start of Hall of Fame careers, while Freddie Lindstrom and Goose Goslin are at the
epoch of theirs. Add George Sisler and Riggs Stephenson to this all-star lineup, and
each position is covered for seasons to come.
Starting Rotation
- A nice compliment of young arms and crafty veterans. Led by staff ace Burleigh Grimes,
all five members of the starting rotation are not only workhorses, but historically
have logged in low-ERA seasons. This is a big plus in what is basically an
offense-dominated league.
Strong Top of the Order � When you lead off with a guy who has a .340
career average(Sisler) and follow him up with a guy who scored 1500+ runs in his career
(Frisch), you're off to a pretty good start. Break it down this way; Riggs Stephenson,
who currently leads the DBS in RBI bats eighth in this lineup.
Weaknesses:
Little or No Depth - The Misfits only have 14 position players on their
roster (the minimum) and only 11 pitchers (one more than minimum). This team could be
in some serious trouble if any key players were to go down with any serious injuries.
Poor Fielders - Jackie Taverner and Red Kress, the shortstop
combination are akin to a sieve on the left side of the infield, Riggs Stephenson's
never recovered from his football injury, and Hack Wilson, when sober, is still a
terrible fielder at best. Granted, Sisler is an excellent fielder and Hartnett a
quality receiver, but Hartnett is gone next year, (injury in 1929) and Sisler's glove
declines. This has the potential to be a serious long-term problem.
Erratic Bullpen � Although they should not be called upon often, they
are comprised of what it says on their jerseys; misfits. Put it to you this way, the
bullpen is led by Flint Rhem, whose delusions of grandeur are legendary. Essentially,
this pen is comprised of some serious lukewarm arms hoping not to get the call while
they are busy checking the girlies in section 233.
OVERALL GRADE: A
Montgomery Burns:
Strengths:
Staring Line-up � Quite simply, a very strong lineup top to bottom.
Led by the Waner brothers and Heine Manush, this lineup should be very durable.
Similarly, this team can hit. The starting outfield rapped out 685 base hits and
have an average of .335. All this and you haven't even looked at Bill Terry yet.
Add to the mix a young Pie Traynor and Mickey Cochrane and here is a lineup that can
cause some serious damage.
Bullpen � Montgomery has one of the original firemen, Firpo Marberry.
Historically not many have been better in this role. Willis Hudlin is serving
an apprenticeship this season in the pen and is anxious for an opportunity, as is
Jesse Petty. When used correctly, Fred Heimach & Jake Miller can be highly effective.
Speed � Again led by the Waner boys, no team in the league can
match this team's footwork. Even Cochrane, the catcher, historically has had above
average speed. This can be a big plus when the majority of the teams in the league
are loaded with slow footed home run hitters. In this sense, the Burns are a
throwback to the bygone Dead Ball Era.
Weaknesses:
Strayed from Draft Plan � Historically, management of the Burns has
focused on two things � Team speed and pitching. Why the Burns decided to not go
after the best pitchers in the draft is anyone's guess. Even though there were not
an abundance of great pitchers available, there was a halfhearted effort on the Burns
part to get quality.
Starting Pitching � See #1. Sure Jesse Haines is the Hall of Fame but
he brown-nosed Frankie Frisch before, during and after his career. Many of these
starters are has-beens or never were's. A synopsis of the entire Burns rotation can
be summed up in one man: Ed Morris. A lot of promise and initial success, but you are
left wondering just what the heck went wrong.
Long Term Plan � Clearly, the Burns were built for the short term.
While there are some gems in the bunch, the Waners, Traynor, Terry, Cochrane, after
this season there will be some large question marks. The middle infield is suspect
as is nearly the entire pitching staff. No team ever embodied the phrase "Live in the
Now" more effectively.
OVERALL GRADE: B+
St. Louis Sentrys:
Strengths:
Draft Day Trade � The swap with the Jihad brought rising superstar Al
Simmons to the Plague Ward for pitcher Waite Hoyt. Either way you slice it, long term
or short, Simmons is a worthy addition to any lineup in the league. Kudos to the
management of the Plague to realize that quality will bring quality so sayonara Waite. It was the proverbial trade that helped both team's and a radical departure from the DBS's historic "Who can I rip off" trading mentality.
Youthful Team � First baseman Joe Judge and legendary Babe Ruth are the
only regulars on the team that are older than 30. Jimmie Foxx is basically a rookie
the season, but still puts up numbers that would flag him $40 million today. Some of
the pitchers, Bush, Genewich, Faulkner are young arms that are welcome additions to
any pitching staff.
Well Drafted Veterans � Unlike many teams, the plague decided to stock
the bench with former superstars, and future Hall of Famers. What young team wouldn't
benefit from the likes of Eddie Collins, Tris Speaker, Stan Coveleski, and Edd Roush?
Even 39 year old Pete Alexander has a prominent role on St. Louis's pitching staff.
Weaknesses:
Draft Day Trade � To play devil's advocate, the Simmons for Hoyt deal
created a significant hole in an already thin pitching staff. Much more reliance will
be on guys like Dolf Luque, Bob Smith and Sam Jones, veterans who are good pitchers,
but not what you are looking for out of a #2 or #3 man. Although Simmons is a welcome
addition there will be times when the Plague will be feeling the loss of Hoyt.
Bullpen � At the time of this report, the bullpen was a combined 3-16,
and the lowest ERA among 5 pitchers was 4.22. These guys don't come in to put out
the fire, they ignite it.
Babe Ruth � The greatest player in the history of the game tends to
carry lofty expectations, as well as the team that he plays for. Because he's Babe
Ruth most not only expect him to perform well, but carry the team he plays for to a
pennant. Sometimes, if not all times, this is unrealistic. As in all sports, the
best team wins not the best player. (Exceptions made to Michael Jordan, but everyone
knows that the NBA is fixed and we don't have time for that here�..)
OVERALL GRADE: B
North Dallas 40
Strengths:
Future Superstars - Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell and Wes Ferrell are all at
the embryonic stage of fabulous careers. Arguably, there are no three young
ballplayers currently in the DBS in which to build a franchise around. The long-term
plan of the Forty is obvious and they are off to the right start.
Solid Everyday lineup � While not loaded with big-name Hall of Famers
like some teams, North Dallas has found several quality regulars who have put in very
respectable seasons. Players such as George Grantham, Jimmie Dykes and Bob Fothergill
fit this criterion.
Diverse Rotation � Young, lively arms of Hubbell, Root and Ruffing are
mixed with the craftiness and experience of 40 year old Red Faber. This balance of
pitchers is a plus for any team.
Weaknesses:
Quest for Draft Picks � While an argument can be made for the timing of
some of North Dallas' selections, their picks definitely raised a lot of eyebrows on
draft day. Here's some examples of the first six rounds of drafting:
| North Dallas Picked: |
North Dallas Passed On |
| Travis Jackson |
Joe Sewell |
| Wally Gilbert |
Pinky Whitney |
| Jimmie Dykes |
Lloyd Waner |
Injury Prone � Due to the fact that several of the players chosen are
at the very start of their careers, they have/will be used much more than they should
be. This causes an entire strain on the lineup/pitching staff, because they will
consistently be compensating for an injury or unavailable player. As Custer can tell
you, it isn't a good idea to go into battle understaffed.
Weak Left Side of Infield � Travis Jackson is an overrated #4 pick,
there are countless other shortstops that were chosen later that are better fielders,
if not overall players. Add that to Sparky Adams playing out of position as the
everyday third baseman, and you are left with an error-prone infield in a league
primarily dominated by ground-ball pitchers and pull-hitting right handers. You do
the math on that one.
OVERALL GRADE: B-
Back to the Notes page