Discontinued

[KG Erwin]

The last time I did this, I chose the Pirates, and led them to two consecutive WS wins. This time, I'm taking the Dodgers. The format is similar to GADL I: finances OFF, 50-man rosters, early draft entry ON (to maximize real player population) , AI trades ON, injuries ON, player affinity OFF. Beginning year: 1946.

One reason I'm doing this is to test the player ratings with 1.70f. The other is to incorporate full minor-league rosters. As is my SOP, my team will be managed GBG.

Also, historical parks, logos & schedules will be used.

Who will be wearing Dodger Blue in this alternative universe?

Brooklyn lucked out and got the first pick in the draft, so I went for a favorite. Here's my first ten choices and their ages:

1. Warren Spahn, LHP, 25
2. Ralph Kiner, OF, 24
3. Larry Jansen, RHP, 26
4. Larry Doby, OF, 23
5. Roy Campanella, C, 25
6. Monte Kennedy, LHP, 24
7. Hank Wyse, RHP, 28
8. Red Schoendienst, 2B, 23
9. Carl Furillo, OF, 24
10. Milo Candini, RHP, 29

After the draft was completed, my projected starting lineup is:

Red Schoendienst, 2b
Carl Furillo, rf
Ralph Kiner, lf
Roy Campanella, c
Larry Doby, cf
Hank Thompson, 3b
Buddy Kerr, ss
Ferris Fain, 1b

[KG Erwin]

Well, the PSPN pre-season power-rankings place these teams as the top 5:

1. NY Yankees
2. Philadelphia As
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Cleveland Indians

In a few instances, players ended up being drafted by their historical teams. Bob Feller was taken by Cleveland, and Ted Williams is on the Red Sox. In other cases, there are drastic changes. Joe DiMaggio is now a Pirate, and Yogi Berra is now a Cardinal.

As for the Dodgers, yep, we're ranked dead last. As it happens, though, Brooklyn is also the youngest team in the majors, with an average age of 24.6.

I deliberately stocked the minors with pitching. In AAA, we have two youngsters with high potential -- 20-year-old Ralph Branca and 17-year-old Curt Simmons.

Interesting that the AL is already seen as the stronger league. The highest-rated NL team is the Giants, at 8th.

[KG Erwin]

Boston, Tuesday April 16, 1946: We open the season with a 2 game series vs the Braves. The pitching matchup: Brooklyn's Larry Jansen vs Boston's Harry Brecheen. 26 degrees at Braves Field, with the wind blowing out to CF@5 mph.

1st Inning. Schoendienst begins the season with a single to RF. Furillo grounds into a DP. Kiner strikes out.
Jansen then loads the bases in giving up three straight singles. However, RF Furillo saves the inning by snagging a flyball and throwing out Phil Rizzuto at the plate. What an arm! Bob Elliott flies out to CF to end the inning.

The Braves break out the tomahawks in the 3rd and score 4 runs.

Larry Doby counters with a solo HR to RF in the 4th.

Boston makes it 5-1 in the 5th with an RBI triple by Billy Johnson.

Tommy Henrich doubles in the 6th. Two runs score. 7-1, Boston.

Eddie Albosta relieves Jansen in the 8th.

Brecheen gets the CG win in front of a home crowd. He strikes out 7, while allowing 2 walks and 6 hits. Jansen takes the loss.
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Wednesday, April 17. Warren Spahn vs Denny Galehouse. Another cold day, 32 degrees, with the wind blowing out to RF@14 mph.

2nd Inning. With 2 outs and Kerr on first, Ferris Fain drives a triple into deep CF. 1-0, Brooklyn.
Billy Johnson hits a HR to RF. 1-1.

Boston takes a 4-1 lead in the 3rd. Wyrostek hits a solo HR to make it 5-1 in the 4th. They make it 6-1 in the 5th.

Spahn is relieved by Clem Dreisewerd in the 7th. Erv Dusak homers in the 8th. 7-1.

Galehouse gets the CG win. Spahn loses.

[KG Erwin]

Brooklyn, Thursday April 18. The home opener vs the Giants.