PAWTUCKET FLYING DUTCHMEN 1933 PREVIEW
1932 RECAP
The Pawtuckets began the 1932 campaign as a young ball club in a period of transition. An early season
trade brought veteran slugger Hack Wilson to town and gave the Dutchmen their first legitimate longball
threat since Rogers Hornsby. Joe Medwick emerged in midseason to combine with Wilson to form a serious
threat in the Pawtucket lineup. Rookie pitchers Huck Betts and Snipe Hansen surprised many with their
durability and effectiveness. While a winning season was not in the cards, optimism abounded as many of
the youngsters continued to make great strides forward.
DRAFT
The Dutchmen landed the two premier offensive players available, outfielder Bob Johnson and first baseman Hal
Trosky. While it is expected that Johnson will start immediately, Trosky may not be ready until 1934. Either
way, the Dutchmen will find themselves with two explosive bats to add to Medwick. Ralph Birkofer is in the
same mold as Ray Kolp and may prove to be very effective out of the bullpen. Gilly Campbell and Bob Brennan
do not figure to spend much of 1933 in Pawtucket.
Grade: A
CATCHING
The revolving door behind the plate continues for the Dutchmen in 1933. Four catchers were competing in
camp, led by last year's starter Earl Grace. Grace is a decent receiver with some pop in his bat but
tires at times during the season. Odds are that he will be the starter again. Pressing Grace the most is
Tom Padden, who fared well in his short stints last season. Veteran Glenn Myatt is still around to add
experience as is youngster Frankie Pytlak, who insiders insist will be the team's catcher of the future.
Grade: C+
INFIELD
Second baseman Billy Herman is the crown jewel of the Pawtucket infield. The top pick in 1931 has finally
begun to blossom into the franchise player he was expected to be. Expect more improvement in 1933. Joining
him at the keystone will be Billy Rogell, finally healthy and coming off an awesome spring. The two form
one of the best double play tandems in the DBS. Concerns exist at the corners, however, where veteran Pinky
Whitney returns at third and Charlie Grimm at first. Both are excellent fielders but are not major run
producers, typically a necessity at those positions. Backups include Max Bishop, Buck Jordan, Art
Scharein and the ever-popular Bill Cissell.
Grade: B
OUTFIELD
Rookie Johnson will assume a position in the outfield as will prodigy Medwick. Their bats are essential to
Pawtucket's future although their gloves may be a detriment. Filling the final spot in the outfield has been
a dilemma for Pawtucket management, choosing between Hack Wilson, Johnny Frederick, Ernie Orsatti, or the
newly-acquired Lloyd Waner. All players bring different elements to the table, with Frederick as the most
balanced overall. This problem turns the Pawtucket bench into one of the deepest and most effective in the
league. Based on potential, this group can be great, however, right now the jury is still out on Johnson and Medwick.
Grade: B+
STARTING PITCHING
A blockbuster trade on the eve of the season removed ace Lon Warneke from Pawtucket in exchange for Waner,
Willis Hudlin and Russ Van Atta. The Dutchmen will also get Montgomery's first draft choices in 1934 and
1935. Pawtucket is hoping that last season's two rookie sensations, Betts and Hansen, will be able to
duplicate their freshman performances. With Warneke gone, they will have to. Pawtucket is also hoping
that lighting will strike twice by adding two new pitchers to the rotation in Bob Weiland and Monte Weaver.
Ray Benge has been an unheralded, yet effective, hurler even due to a serious lack of offensive support.
Bump Hadley is fully recovered from missing 1932 and could claim the fifth spot in the rotation.
Grade:
BULLPEN
The relief corps is led by fireman of the year Ray Kolp who set a DBS record for saves in 1932.
Kolp has assumed the role as top relief pitcher in the DBS. Setup men include Lloyd Brown and Ed
Durham whose strong performances were both instrumental in Kolp's success. Ownie Carroll returned
to camp and his performance in spring training may have earned him a spot on the staff. Willis
Hudlin and Russ Van Atta will round out the bullpen and add depth. Long-time Dutchman Sam Gray has been released.
Grade:
OUTLOOK
The trade of Lon Warneke was controversial by some in the media but gave a clear indication of the
Dutchmen's fortune's in 1933. The Dutchmen would have been a long shot in 1933 even with Warneke,
although stranger things have happened in the this division (Fremont, 1932). The Pawtucket brass
feel that the trade put them in a position to challenge by 1935 with the additional draft selections.
However, that won't help them much in 1933.
PROGNOSIS: Third Place
Back to Notes page