NORTH DALLAS 40 1931 PREVIEW
DRAFT
Ernie Lombardi is a top-rate backstop, and Gee Walker and Hal Schumacher will blossom into stars. The trade with Sahara allowed the 40 to garner some talent, including O'Dell Hale. Babe Phelps is a good catcher who will be a great replacement for Gus Mancuso in a back-up capacity.
Grade: A
CATCHING
Spud Davis and Gus Mancuso are gone, so Rick Ferrell is the man (at least until Lombardi develops). Charlie Berry will back-up. Too much inexperience.
Grade: B-
INFIELD
Bill Terry is coming off of another stellar year (.317, 108 runs). Newly acquired 2b Tony Cuccinello will handle the duties at second, and the 40 hope he is the key for years to come. He definetly appeared to have the skills this spring. Sparky Adams is quietly becoming one of the most solid thrid baseman in the league, and Luke Appling is showing some excellent form at short, but it will be a while before he subplants Travis Jackson, although offensively Jackson has been a disappointment. Jimmy Dykes and Johnny Burnett are very good back-ups.
Grade: B+
OUTFIELD
The weakest part of this team is the outfield. John Stone is unproven, and Kiki Cuyler is gone. Mel Ott (.279, 16 hr, 82 rbi) needs to produce more. Chick Fullis is expected to start. There are some decent players in AAA, but they are years away.
Grade: C-
STARTING PITCHING
Carl Hubbell, Charlie Root, Heinie Meine and Ed Brandt make up the best rotation in the league, save for Harlem. For years these players have been groomed, and this will be the year the plan comes together. A fifth man wouldn't hurt.
Grade: A-
BULLPEN
Hoyt, Ruffing, Cantwell..... too many question marks here. These guys might not be able to help out.
Grade: B-
OUTLOOK
North Dallas should end their lock on last place. In fact, if the pitching is as good as it looks on paper, these guys will win their division. But one wrong thing on the mound could spell easy disaster.
PROGNOSIS: Second Place
Back to Notes page