ST LOUIS BUBONIC PLAGUE 1933 PREVIEW
DRAFT
Cecil Travis was one of the highest-rated prosepcts in the draft, and wisdom has him as the shortstop of
the future for the Plague. They also grabbed Harry Danning, desperately needed as the catching corps in St Louis
ages. They addressed their pitching needs, but this team is aging quickly, and will need more rebuilding
soon.
Grade: B+
CATCHING
A lot is put into the hands of the veteran Luke Sewell and yougster Ray Hayworth. Jimmie Wilson is also sround,
but his skills have tapered off over the last few years. Whether or not the Sewell/Hayworth/Wilson thing can
work will have to be determined, but there is no production from either of them.
Grade: C+
INFIELD
Jimmie Foxx is at first base. No need to expand on that. Tony Lazzeri is very tough to beat at second base. Half the
infield.... things look good. Now we arrive at shortstop. Billy Urbanski is good enough defensively to
make the fickle St Louis fans (at least for a while) glad that it isn't Rabbit Warstler out there. But Urbanski's
hitting is suspect. Third baseman Joe Sewell, 34, has announced that this season will be his last. He is still
a decent hitter (probably the best contact hitter the game has ever seen) and he wants to go out as a winner. This
infield is very solid.
Grade: B+
OUTFIELD
Aside from Al Simmons (and we don't need to mention Al Simmons impact on the DBS), you have Earle Combs who is
still fine hitter and assett defensively. Sam West is also coming along, and should make an impact. After the starting
three, however, things get a little dicey with Woody Jensen, Hal Lee and Twitchy Porter rounding things out. Hopefully
no one gets hurt.
Grade: B+
STARTING PITCHING
The Plague have an excellent group of starters. Johnny Allen, Dizzy Dean, the much-maligned Guy Bush, and Mel Harder
They will carry this team through any rough spot on the schedule.
Grade: A-
BULLPEN
At 42, veteran Dolf Luque is the elder statesman of the club, and still has a wicked curveball. Bill Hallahan
and Sloppy Thurston will also make big contributions.
Grade: B+
OUTLOOK
St Louis has the horses, and has the experience. They shouldn't be underestimated at all. They could easily win this
thing if all the pieces fit as they should. Simply put, the SouthEast is a three-team race, with everything
up for grabs.
PROGNOSIS: Third Place
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