MONTGOMERY BURNS 1933 PREVIEW
DRAFT
The Burns traded away their first round pick, and from there drafted 3 pitchers, albeit not great ones. Johnny Marcum probably has
the most upside, but Frank Pearce won't set the world on fire. Russ Van Atta was quickly sent to Pawtucket.
Grade: C
CATCHING
Mickey Cochrane is the best field captain in the DBS. Montgomery doesn't have much in the way of a back-up, but Black Mike
is the tops.
Grade: A-
INFIELD
The fortunes of the Burns changed on Draft Day, when an 11th hour deal brought veteran second baseman Frankie Frisch
from Hattiesburg. Frisch is an outstanding player, and along with veteran 3b Pie Traynor brings leadership to an infield
that will feature youngsters (Crosetti at shortstop, Kuhel at first) at the other positions. Kuhel has been hitting
rockets all spring, and Crosetti has shown ability with the glove.
Grade: B
OUTFIELD
The outfield is a little thin, but again we see the return of Heinie Manush and Paul Waner. Evar Swanson, reputedly the
fastest man in the league, will also start. There isn't much depth here. An injury could a problem.
Grade: B-
STARTING PITCHING
You've got to like the rotation, now that they have added Lon Warneke from Pawtucket. An underachiever, he is now
face with the task of showing his stuff in a pennant run he most likely would not have seen in Pawtucket. Add the talents
of Tommy Bridges, perennial ace Pat Malone, Tex Carleton and Fred Marberry and you might have the strongest 5-man
rotation in the league.
Grade: A
BULLPEN
The bullpen of the Burns is talented, and experienced. Wes Ferrell and Jesse Haines will be formidable, and free agent
signee Gordon Rhodes has been very tough.
Grade: A-
OUTLOOK
The Montgomery Burns went from re-build to re-tool the second they grabbed Frisch. And the benefits will show. The Warneke
trade will pay immediate dividends, and now the Burns look for another push into the limelight. North Dallas may be
the paper favorite, but the Burns have their 4th pennant in their sights.
PROGNOSIS: Second Place
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