1933 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
FIRST BASE
Hank Greenberg vs. Bill Terry
Harlem rookie Greenberg has established himself as the starter in his first season and has put up
decent numbers (.277 11 64). North Dallas veteran Bill Terry has shared some time with Joe Judge
(.279 3 16), but should start in the series. Terry is currently hitting .378, although he does not
have enough plate appearance to qualify for what would be his second batting title.
ADAVANTAGE: North Dallas
SECOND BASE
Buddy Myer vs. Charlie Gehringer
Both of these players represented their divisions as All-Stars back in July and their quality of
play has not dropped off a bit. Gehringer has rebounded from a disappointing 1932, hovering
around .300 and collecting more than 185 hits. He has also scored more than 100 runs and has
been a pivotal part of the North Dallas lineup. Myer, meanwhile, has put up some very solid
numbers (.289 80+ runs scored) and is very solid defensively. Gehringer, however, has had a
slightly better year overall.
ADAVANTAGE: North Dallas
SHORTSTOP
Joe Cronin vs. Luke Appling
Cronin has quietly emerged as one of Harlem's team leaders and producing one of his best seasons.
His batting average has been over .300 for most of the season and his power numbers are among the
tops among shortstops in the DBS. Appling is very similar to Buddy Myer; a solid performance in 1933,
yet a little short in comparison to their World Series opponents.
ADAVANTAGE: Harlem
THIRD BASE
Pepper Martin/Pinky Higgins vs. Billy Werber/Odell Hale
Coincidentally, the hot corner is the one spot where both teams have not had an established starter
in 1933. Expect the platoon to continue into the World Series for both squads. North Dallas'
combination of Werber & Hale have done a good job of driving in runs (80+), but the Harlem contingent
has done a better job of getting on base and scoring them. Additionally, Martin and Higgins are more
solid defensively, while Werber and especially Hale are better suited for other positions.
ADAVANTAGE: Harlem
CATCHER
Bill Dickey vs. Rick Ferrell
Ferrell has had a good campaign in his first term as the full-time catcher and scored over 100 runs
out of the leadoff position. Dickey, however, has had a simply outstanding season. Batting nearly
.330 and driving in over 100 runs, Dickey is one of the primary run producers in the Harlem lineup
and a solid MVP candidate. Without Dickey, Harlem is an also-ran instead of a contender
ADAVANTAGE: Harlem
LEFTFIELD
Randy Moore vs. Babe Ruth
In his first season, Moore has put up some impressive numbers despite missing significant playing
time with an injury. Maintaining an average over .350 his loss was significant to the Harlem offense,
as the slugging outfielder has taken over from longtime veteran Lefty O'Doul. Ruth, on the other hand,
has put together the finest season of his DBS career. Among the league leaders in many significant power
categories, he would be the slugger of the year if not for Jimmie Foxx.
ADAVANTAGE: North Dallas
CENTERFIELD
Roy Johnson vs. Fred Lindstrom
Lindstrom was one of the catalysts of the 1928 World Champion Mississippi Misfits, and he has put
together a solid season in 1933 with North Dallas. Converting to the outfield, Lindstrom has been
among the league leaders in base hits and extra base hits. However, he is a converted infielder,
spending his first full season in the outfield. Johnson has more natural grace in the outfield and
has quietly put together an impressive season, including 100 RBI and almost 100 runs scored with a
.310+ average.
ADAVANTAGE: Harlem
RIGHTFIELD
Chuck Klein vs. Mel Ott
Ott has had an MVP-caliber season for North Dallas, an offensive display only overshadowed by Foxx.
His 200+ hits and 130+ tallies in runs and RBIs make him the main man in the North Dallas lineup.
Two-time MVP Klein (.343, 20, 104, 124 R) hasn't matched Ott in 1933 in terms of production, but he
is capable of such domination, especially in the World Series. In 13 DBS Series games, Klein is a
prime-time performer, batting over .400 and clubbing eight home runs.
ADAVANTAGE: Push
STARTING PITCHING
In this category, North Dallas has one overwhelming advantage in Carl Hubbell. The probable Pitcher of the
Year became the first 20 game winner in DBS history (21-6) and lead the league in ERA (2.20) and quality
starts. Behind him in the rotation is Bill Swift (13-5) who not only trailed Hubbell for the league ERA
title (2.74) but DBS hitters had the lowest batting and slugging average in the league against him
(.231/.255) Veteran castoff Ed Wells surprised everyone turning in 14-6, 3.21 season. Rounding out the
North Dallas rotation are Ben Cantwell and Hal Schumacher. Both had decent seasons, but Cantwell cooled
after a hot start and Schumacher has been the most inconsistent North Dallas starter.
The Harlem rotation has been unspectacular but effective. Three starters (Mungo, Crowder & Fitzsimmons)
rank in the top five in run support and Lefty Grove rarely beats himself with walks or home runs. Crowder,
especially, has been Harlem's best pitcher down the stretch, turning in a 14-5 mark in only 23 starts.
Left-hander Larry French completes the rotation, but like Schumacher, he too showed signs of inconsistency.
ADVANTAGE: North Dallas
BULLPEN
In the World Series, some starters will be probably placed in the bullpen, and at press time,
starting rotations were not announced. Without that consideration, the Harlem setup men of Watty Clark,
Red Lucas and Si Johnson excelled when the needed. 15 relief wins, led by Johnson's nine, proved an
effective bridge to the closing tandem of Clint Brown & Tom Zachary. North Dallas' group wasn't used
as often, but they were no less effective. The group of Waite Hoyt, Schoolboy Rowe, Bobby Burke and
Red Ruffing combined for an ERA under 3.00 when counting spot-starts.
ADAVANTAGE: Push
CLOSERS
Clint Brown/Tom Zachary vs. Joe Heving
Heving (8-5 2.64) came out of nowhere this season to lead the DBS in saves (29) and save percentage
(.829). He consistently made the big pitch when needed and provided North Dallas with their best
closer in club history. Zachary already holds that distinction with Harlem, but he split duty with
Brown, combining for 32 total saves (16 apiece). The 37-year old Zachary, however, appeared in 80
games recording a career-high 5.51 ERA and blew 10 save opportunities. Brown, on the other hand,
lead the league with 93 appearances, and won 11 to go along with his 16 saves. His stamina is also
questionable.
ADVANTAGE: North Dallas
INTANGIBLES
The Harlem Knights were determined to return to the DBS' biggest stage after their collapse in
1932, they have done so and are looking to win their second World Championship. With a host of
veterans with championship experience, they not only know how to make it to the Series, but how
to win it as well. North Dallas' meanwhile has never appeared in the Series before and is eager
to once and for all answer their critics with the championship. North Dallas won the season
series against Harlem 13-9.
ADVANTAGE: Push
OUTLOOK
The old saying goes, �Anything can happen in a short series,� applies here. Led by Mel Ott, Carl
Hubbell and Babe Ruth, North Dallas has dominant performers that make them hard to beat. They also
have demonstrated an uncanny ability this season to pull out wins when defeat seemed imminent.
Harlem is a scrappy, persistent team that can score runs and shows that they have what it takes
to win. Their veteran leadership in big games may prove invaluable. However, North Dallas' advantage
in starting pitching will deliver them their first DBS title.
PREDICTION: North Dallas in five games
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