April 19: Yankees Rout Senators in Opening Day Massacre

Yankees Rout Senators in Opening Day Massacre

April 19, 1948

Charlie Keller knocked two balls out of the park for the only homers of the game. New York still had no problem driving in runs, as everyone but the pitcher had at least one RBI.

For a couple of innings, it seemed like Washington might have a shot of upsetting the defending champions of New York. Through two innings, Senators starter Early Wynn had retired all six batters, avenging a George McQuinn single in the second by getting the next batter to ground into a double play. The Senators then took a 3-0 lead with three runs in the bottom of the second inning after the first four batters all reached base.

New York responded in the third with four runs to take the lead. In the inning, the team batted for the cycle, with Phil Rizzuto leading off with a single, Snuffy Stirnweiss hitting a two-out double, Tommy Henrich driving both in with a triple, and Charlie Keller finishing it off with a homer. From there on out, the game would be all Yankees as Allie Reynolds would not surrender any other scores.

The Yankees scored exactly two runs in the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, then made it three in the ninth. The final score was 15-3 by the time the game was over.

President Truman was in attendance as he threw out the first pitch. While he has seen Washington win all three times that he has been in attendance outside of the team's home openers, the Senators are now 0-3 when's he been there to start the season. This was by far the worst performance of those three, though, even worse than last year's 7-0 rout also at the hands of the Yankees.

Keller led the team with five RBIs thanks to his two homers, the only ones of the game. Henrich and McQuinn tied at four hits, and the remaining seven Yankees all contributed at least one hit to their final total of 21. Only pitcher Reynolds missed out on an RBI. Joe DiMaggio had a quiet day, hitting a pair of singles in the final innings when the game was out of reach.

BOXSCORE: 1948 New York Yankees At 1948 Washington Senators         4/19/1948
 
  Yankees            AB  R  H RBI AVG     Senators           AB  R  H RBI AVG
  S.Stirnweiss 2B     5  2  2  1 .400     E.Yost 3B           4  0  1  0 .250  
  T.Henrich RF        6  4  4  3 .667     A.Kozar 2B          3  0  1  0 .333  
  C.Keller LF         5  2  3  5 .600     G.Coan LF           4  0  0  0 .000  
  J.Dimaggio CF       5  1  2  1 .400     M.Vernon 1B         4  1  1  0 .250  
  G.McQuinn 1B        6  2  4  1 .667     L.Culberson CF      3  1  0  0 .000  
  B.Johnson 3B        5  0  2  1 .400     S.Robertson RF      3  1  1  1 .333  
  P.Rizzuto SS        3  2  2  2 .667     M.Christman SS      4  0  2  2 .500  
  G.Niarhos C         4  2  1  1 .250     J.Early C           3  0  0  0 .000  
  A.Reynolds P        4  0  1  0 .250     E.Wynn P            2  0  0  0 .000  
                                        A-J.Wooten PH         1  0  1  01.000  
                                          R.Garcia P          0  0  0  0 ----  
                                        B-A.Evans PH          1  0  0  0 .000  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      43 15 21 15                 Totals      32  3  7  3
 
A-Pinch Hit For Wynn In 7th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Garcia In 9th Inning
 
Yankees......... 0 0 4  2 0 2  2 2 3  - 15 21  0
Senators........ 0 3 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  3  7  0
 
Yankees (1-0)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA  SCORESHEET
A.Reynolds WIN(1-0)       9       7   3   3   4   6   0   3.00  A1
Totals                    9       7   3   3   4   6   0
 
Senators (0-1)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA  SCORESHEET
E.Wynn LOSS(0-1)          7      14  10   9   0   2   2  11.57  A1 D7
R.Garcia                  2       7   5   5   3   1   0  22.50  D8
Totals                    9      21  15  14   3   3   2
 
ATTENDANCE- 14,322 DATE- Monday, April 19th 1948 TIME- Day WEATHER- Average
UMPIRES- Bill McGowan, Cal Hubbard, Bill McKinley, 
T- 2:52
LEFT ON BASE- Yankees: 8  Senators: 6
DOUBLE PLAYS- Yankees: 2  Senators: 1
DOUBLES- S.Stirnweiss(1st), G.McQuinn(1st), P.Rizzuto(1st), S.Robertson(1st),
         M.Christman(1st)
TRIPLES- T.Henrich(1st)
HOME RUNS- C.Keller-2(2nd)
RBIs- S.Stirnweiss(1st), T.Henrich-3(3rd), C.Keller-5(5th), J.Dimaggio(1st),
      G.McQuinn(1st), B.Johnson(1st), P.Rizzuto-2(2nd), G.Niarhos(1st),
      S.Robertson(1st), M.Christman-2(2nd)
SACRIFICE HITS- A.Reynolds
SACRIFICE FLIES- S.Stirnweiss, P.Rizzuto, G.Niarhos
WALKS- C.Keller, J.Dimaggio, P.Rizzuto, A.Kozar, L.Culberson, S.Robertson,
       J.Early
STRIKE OUTS- S.Stirnweiss, A.Reynolds-2, M.Vernon-2, L.Culberson-2, E.Wynn-2
GIDP- B.Johnson, G.Coan, J.Early
PASSED BALLS- J.Early
2-out RBI- T.Henrich-3, C.Keller-3, G.McQuinn, J.Dimaggio
RLISP 2-out- E.Yost-2, S.Stirnweiss, B.Johnson-2, G.McQuinn
TEAM RISP- Yankees: 8 for 12  Senators: 2 for 9

National League Update: April 19th

National League Update

April 19, 1948

As is tradition, the Cincinnati Reds will host Opening Day. This year it will be against the Pirates. Ewell Backwell, 22-8 last season, will take the mound for the home team.

Upcoming Series

Pittsburgh (0-0) at Cincinnati (0-0)
Game 1 - Monday, April 19: Hal Gregg (first appearance) vs. Ewell Blackwell (first appearance)

American League Update: April 19th

American League Update

April 19, 1948

For the third straight year, President Truman will see the Senators' home opener, this time hosting the Yankees on Opening Day in Washington. This will be his sixth game in attendance at Griffith Stadium since assuming office.

Upcoming Series

Detroit (0-0) at Chicago (0-0)
Game 1 - Tuesday, April 20: Hal Newhouser (first appearance) vs. Joe Haynes (first appearance)
Game 2 - Wednesday, April 21: Dizzy Trout (first appearance) vs. Orval Grove (first appearance)
Game 3 - Thursday, April 22: Virgil Trucks (first appearance) vs. Howie Judson (first appearance)

New York (0-0) at Washington (0-0)
Game 1 - Monday, April 19: Allie Reynolds (first appearance) vs. Early Wynn (first appearance)
Game 2 - Tuesday, April 20: Ed Lopat (first appearance) vs. Sid Hudson (first appearance)
Game 3 - Wednesday, April 21: Vic Raschi (first appearance) vs. Mickey Haefner (first appearance)

Philadelphia (0-0) at Boston (0-0)
Game 1 - Monday, April 19: Phil Marchildon (first appearance) vs. Joe Dobson (first appearance)
Game 2 - Monday, April 19: Lou Brissie (first appearance) vs. Denny Galehouse (first appearance)
Game 3 - Wednesday, April 21: Joe Coleman (first appearance) vs. Dave Ferriss (first appearance)

St. Louis (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0)
Game 1 - Tuesday, April 20: Fred Sanford (first appearance) vs. Bob Feller (first appearance)

Season Preview: Predictions

American League

1. New York Yankees

They ran away with the pennant last year, so it's hard to pick against them now. The Yankees will need their aging outfield to stay healthy and another great season from Joe DiMaggio. The addition of Ed Lopat strengthens the pitching staff and keeps them ahead of Boston in a tight pennant race.

2. Boston Red Sox

Boston won the pennant in 1946 and has another great opportunity after winning the offseason with their acquisitions of Vern Stephens and Stan Spence. The best infield in the AL paired with Ted Williams is a recipe for a great lineup. The Red Sox will be heavy favorites to score more runs than anyone else. Unfortunately, pitching is holding them back from being the overall favorites. They should still compete for the pennant, but the Yankees have the overall advantage.

3. Cleveland Indians

The Tribe has a better pitching staff than either of the teams above them, but question marks in the outfield have expectations lower. Their infield is nearly as strong as Boston's, but no one knows what to expect with two rookies starting. Bob Feller remains the most intimidating pitcher in baseball and the pitching staff behind him is more than capable. If the outfield can be just average, the Indians will certainly be in the pennant hunt come September.

4. Detroit Tigers

Though they finished second last year, the Tigers will face an uphill battle to match that in 1948. Detroit was silent during the offseason, leaving their weaknesses as is. The offense has no power just two years after Hank Greenberg departed. Hal Newhouser remains just as dominant as Feller, but the pitchers after him are not as strong as Cleveland's. The Tigers seem to have lost a step and should not be a factor in the pennant race.

5. Philadelphia Athletics

The A's shocked the league last year with their most competitive season in a long time. Philadelphia lacks a real superstar, but the result has been greater than the sum of its parts. Topping .500 would be a successful season for Philadelphia, but after last year who knows how far up they might reach in the standings.

6. Washington Senators

With Chicago losing Lopat, the Senators have the best pitching of the final three teams in the standings, who are interchangeable. Sixth is the highest they can finish, but last place is still a threat if they underperform.

7. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are old, so using this year as a learning experience won't do much with much of their roster in the second half of their careers. 41-year-old Luke Appling is the best batter in the lineup, an impressive feat but also showing where the team is at.

8. St. Louis Browns

A fire sale over the winter saw the Browns saw most of the team's talent dealt and a lot of new faces brought in. After finishing last last year, they can't finish any worse, so the big gamble is that this will improve the team in the long run. It is very hard to predict where the Browns will end up with so much uncertainty around the roster, but if a few of their additions work out they could reach up to sixth.

MVP: Ted Williams

Coming off a triple crown season, the only reason Williams didn't win last year was Boston's distant third place finish behind DiMaggio's Yankees. Williams should be good for 30 homers, 110 RBIs, and a .340 average... At a minimum. With the Red Sox more competitive this time around, Williams should be considered the favorite to win MVP in another tight race with DiMaggio.

National League

1. St. Louis Cardinals

Three World Series victories in the last six years are no coincidence. The Cardinals are favorites once again even after making almost no changes during the offseason. Stan Musial's worst season was still better almost any other player's best. If he can find his form again, there's no stopping St. Louis.

2. Boston Braves

The Braves were aggressive in the offseason, trying to make the jump from third to first. They definitely appear to have improved, but the fight for first will be tough. MVP Bob Elliott and the intimidating combo of Johnny Sain and Warren Spahn are among the three best players in the league right now. If those roster moves work out, the Braves can make the jump to first.

3. Brooklyn Dodgers

The Dodgers were only third in scoring both for and against last year. While still a good team, it will be hard to repeat without luck on their side. The Dodgers make a lot of moves in the offseason, but many do not look to improve the team immediately. Jackie Robinson has a bright future in the majors and can help the Dodgers improve if he himself can take his game to the next level now with a season in the National League under his belt. It's tough to place the defending champions so low, but they are obviously still capable of making another run at the World Series.

4. New York Giants

It was a record-breaking season in power for the Giants last year. It is tough to imagine that they can match it so the Giants will have to find other ways to improve to make up ground from their fourth place finish in '47. The Giants signed some veteran pitching to try and help out Larry Jansen, the only reliable starter they had.

5. Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati could mix it up with the Giants, but they need more offense. The pitching as a whole can improve even if Ewell Blackwell can't recreate the season he had last year. The offense is average but unspectacular. The Reds will fight for .500 but could sink lower if no one steps up.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

With so many new faces, Pittsburgh has the most wide open range of outcomes because of the uncertainty. Ralph Kiner may not have even reached his peak yet, a scary thought for opposing pitchers. The Pirates could finish in the first division or come in last depending on how it all shakes out.

7. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are a team of old meets new, with many players at the very end or very beginning of their time in the majors. They seem to have a bright future if their prospects can work out, but success in 1948 is far out of reach as the rookies get their first bits of playing time. The Phillies will need veterans Dutch Leonard and Schoolboy Rowe to continue pitching well even in an otherwise meaningless season to avoid the cellar.

8. Chicago Cubs

Chicago finished sixth last year and didn't make any major additions, but another year puts them farther away from their '45 pennant and their trajectory would seem to take them down with no changes. It's tough to find anything to get excited about with this team as they will battle at the bottom of the league all season long.

MVP: Ralph Kiner

With his team expected to lose more than it wins, Kiner will have to overcome his team's struggles to win MVP, usually an award given to the best player on one of the top teams in baseball. But after hitting 51 home runs at age 24, anything seems possible with this slugger. If the Pirates are remotely competitive, it will probably be because of Kiner, suggesting he truly is the most valuable player in the National League.

Season Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

Last Season: 89-65, 2nd in NL

Manager: Eddie Dyer (3rd season in St. Louis, 3rd total)Offseason: St. Louis almost went the entire offseason without making a single move that would affect their major league roster. Finally, on April 7th, they traded backup first baseman Dick Sisler to the Phillies for Ralph LaPointe. LaPointe had 56 games of experience in his rookie year for Philadelphia and hit .308. He played exclusively at shortstop, but with this talented of an infield he will be played all around the diamond as a reserve.Catcher: The catcher spot is up for grabs and a pair of Del's will fight for it. Del Rice was the primary backstop last year, but his bat could not make up for his pitch calling and defensive abilities. A .218 average has led to a shakeup with Del Wilber getting the starting spot to start the year. He didn't do much better last year in his rookie season, and a slow start could put him back on the bench in a reserve role. Should neither stand out, the Cardinals will also turn to Joe Garagiola.
Infield: 1944 MVP Marty Marion will be remembered as one of the best players of the decade, consistently playing at a high level since his debut in 1940. He is the best defensive shortstop in the league and above average for the position at the plate. After a down season hitting in 1946, Marion bounced back to hit .272 last year. He will once again turn double plays alongside Red Schoendienst, who has also established himself as an elite fielder in his three seasons for the Cardinals. Schoendienst led the league in steals in his rookie season in 1945 and was an All-Star the following year. Last year's 27 home runs by Whitey Kurowski were easily the most by a Cardinal since Johnny Mize back in 1940. Kurowski has now topped 20 homers in three of the last four years and hit above .300 for three years straight. With All-Stars at every other position, first base is the one question mark in the infield. Rookie Nippy Jones, who has played mostly at second base in his limited time in the majors, will move to first since it is the only position open where he can see serious playing time. LaPointe can back up anyone in the infield. Don Lang can too as he enters his second season ten years after his rookie campaign in 1938 in Cincinnati. Lang has spent all of the time in between in the minors, minus his service in the war, and finally gets promoted again after hitting .346 in Columbus at AAA level last year.Outfield: First baseman opened up because Stan Musial returns to the outfield, where he played before the war. Musial is coming off the worst season of his career after an inflamed appendix and tonsillitis led a horrible start last year. Musial had his appendix and tonsils removed during the offseason and looks to bounce back to another MVP to join the awards he won in 1943 and 1946. For almost any other player, his season last year would've been a career year. Eddie Dyer hopes last year was an aberration and that Musial can once again reclaim his spot as the best player in the National League. He will move to right field because Enos Slaughter returns in left. The two can easily be switched, but Slaughter will start in left field because that's where he primarily played last year. Slaughter exclusively played in right for most of the last decade until he moved over just last year. His .294 average last year was his worst since 1938, but the Cardinals aren't worried about a decline. Besides Musial, Slaughter was arguably the best hitter on the World Series championship teams in 1942 and 1946. Utility player Erv Dusak winds up in center field again but may be called upon to play at other positions throughout the season. Dusak has played at five different positions over the last two years and may not be the final option the Cardinals want to go with in center field for a whole season. Veteran Terry Moore will get plenty of playing time there, too. He is near the end of his career but he still has a good glove and arm. Ron Northey will play in the corner outfield and would be good enough to start on most other clubs in the league. Chuck Diering doesn't offer much at the plate but the Cardinals looked to him as a defensive replacement in the outfield at the end of games last year. Rounding out the team is Joe Medwick, who has not actually signed a contract for 1948 but is expected to return once again for his 17th season in the majors. Medwick will not play a major role on this team like he did in the '30's, but his first season back in St. Louis went well as he his .307 in 150 at bats.Rotation: For the first time since 1941, the Cardinals did not have a 20-game winner last year. No one was even close, perhaps the reason the Cardinal's streak of seasons with at least 90 wins ended at six. In their last World Series two years ago, the ace was Howie Pollet. The two-time All-Star had a career ERA of just 2.16 entering last year, when his ERA more than doubled that. Pollet is still young, but the sharp contrast in the results of his last two seasons are worrying after such a strong start to his career. Murry Dickson gets the Opening Day start after having the lowest ERA of the five Cardinals pitchers with at least 20 starts last year, but he was also the most unfortunate as it still led to a team-worst 16 losses. The 20 start qualifier was significant because Al Brazle, who made 19 starts, was even better, even though he also had a lot of relief work. St. Louis will try to use him even more as a starter this year as he starts the season as part of the rotation. Last year's win co-leaders, George Munger and Harry Brecheen, were both Al-Stars and should be good for 30 starts apiece.Bullpen: When they weren't using starters for relief work, the Cardinals usually turned to either Ken Burkhart or Ted Wilks out of the bullpen last year. Unfortunately, neither was very good as both had ERAs above 5.00. Both are back again this year, but the Cardinals will continue to use starters who've had a few days of rest as often as possible if neither can improve. This includes Jim Hearn, who should still get more than a dozen starts this year but will be called upon to help out the weakest unit on the team. Gerry Staley was much better in his first season in the majors than either Burkhart or Wilks even with limited appearances, so he may garner more innings this time around. Ken Johnson is also available after not giving up an earned run in ten innings of work last year. Nine of those came in a complete game one-hitter in the second-to-last game of the season. With a stacked rotation, he will still be used mostly out of the bullpen.Outlook: St. Louis has won the World Series in each of the last three even year seasons. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but the Cardinals have a very good shot at keeping this streak alive with the best all-around team in the league. Catchers and the bullpen are the only two weaknesses on the team, a fault most teams share across baseball. If Musial were still at first base, the Cardinals would undoubtedly have the best infield in baseball. Instead, he moves back to the outfield, meaning both parts of the defense in the field are very strong. The Cardinals also have several pitchers capable of winning 20 games, especially with this offense behind them. Last year, they scored more runs than the Dodgers and allowed significantly fewer than the pennant-winning Dodgers, suggesting bad luck was the biggest reason for their second place finish. Anything less than another pennant will be a disappointment for the best franchise in baseball this decade.

Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

Last Season: 62-92, T-7th in NL

Manager: Billy Meyer (1st season in Pittsburgh, 1st total)Offseason: After just one offseason, the Pirates are almost completely unrecognizable from last year. The changes started in mid-November, when they purchased a pair of bench players, Stan Rojek and Ed Stevens, from the Dodgers who will immediately start in the infield for Pittsburgh. Four days later, they traded three players to the Braves for Johnny Hopp and Danny Murtaugh. December saw another pair of minor trades with the Dodgers and Indians in the first week. Then, on December 8th, they finalized a big trade with Brooklyn. Billy Cox, Gene Mauch, and Preacher Roe were sent east for Hal Gregg, Vic Lombardi, and Dixie Walker. Two days later, they purchased starting pitcher Elmer Riddle from the Reds. A few more purchases in the winter continued to add new faces to the roster. In total, the Pirates will have 13 players they acquired in the offseason on the Opening Day roster, most of them in starting roles.Catcher: The Pirates split the catcher role almost evenly last year between Dixie Howell and Clyde Kluttz. With Howell traded to San Francisco in the PCL, the job now belongs to Kluttz. He will still receive plenty of days off, when rookie Ed Fitz Gerald will fill in. Fitz Gerald hit .363 in the PCL last year and may see increased playing time if that success carries over to the majors.
Infield: The only infielder on the roster returning from last year is starting third baseman Frankie Gustine. Gustine has bounced around the infield during his nine years in Pittsburgh, but last year he finally made the full time move to third. He has has been selected to the All-Star Game in the last two years and hit a career high .297 in 1947. Stevens takes over first following the retirement of Hank Greenberg. Even though Greenberg was struggling at the plate as his age caught up to him, this will still leave a big hole trying to replace his 25 homers and league-high 104 walks. Stevens was the primary first baseman for the Dodgers in 1946 but only played in five games last year. Rojek at shortstop also saw limited work with Pee Wee Reese locking down the position for the Dodgers. The Pirates will now put him at leadoff and believe his speed and glove will make him one of the top shortstops in the league. Second base will see a mix of rookie Monty Basgall, who will make his major league debut on Opening Day, and Danny Murtaugh. Murtaugh led the NL in steals for the Phillies back in 1941 but has only played in nine games over the last four years. Billy Meyer will also make use of newcomers Eddie Bockman and veteran Don Gutteridge.Outfield: With all of the trading done, Ralph Kiner's 51 home runs last season were more than the rest of the position players on the roster on Opening Day combined. After leading the NL with 23 homers the year before in his rookie season, the Pirates expected big things from the young slugger. But no one could have expected his 51 home runs at just the age of 24. Though Greenberg is now gone, his one year on the team paid off in any many ways as he may have trained his successor as baseball's top slugger. While Johnny Mize matched his total for New York, Kiner is only at the start of his career and still has room to grow. Longtime Cardinal and recent acquisition from the Braves, the solid hitter and speedy Hopp will start in center. 37-year-old Walker will start in right, but don't let his age fool you. He has been an All-Star for the last two seasons, including finishing second in MVP voting in 1946, led the league in RBIs in 1945, and won a batting title in 1944. He does not show signs of stopping anytime soon and may have a couple more quality years left, though expect more days of rest. This will allow Wally Westlake back in the lineup, the only player on the roster other than Kiner with double digit homers last year. His rookie season went well so he will still get plenty of playing time despite the suddenly crowded outfield. Max West, a strong player for the Braves around the start of the decade, will also factor in in his return to the majors.Rotation: Gregg was an 18-game winner for the Dodgers in 1945, but he has just ten total wins over the last two seasons. With a wide open rotation, he will still be given the honor of starting the first game of the season. Kirby Higbe was also once a successful pitcher for the Dodgers, leading the league in wins at 22 in 1941 and also winning 17 just two years ago for them. But since being traded from them early in the season last year, he has struggled to win with a weaker lineup behind him as he lost 17 games. Fritz Ostermueller returns at 40, though not on the roster to start the season. The veteran is 41-31 since joining the Pirates four years ago and has never had a losing record in any season over that span, even with the Pirates struggles over the last two years. Older than him as he turns 41 next month, Rip Sewell returns once again to the rotation. Sewell had back-to-back 21-win seasons during the war and hasn't dropped off that much since then, only he struggles to pitch as much with just 32 starts over the last two years. Riddle won 21 games himself in 1943 and had the best ERA in the majors in 1941, but the years since have him on a short leash as a starter with his new team. Riddle has a total of four wins over the last four years and an ERA of 6.96 over that time. One more former 21-game winner, doing so in 1942 for the Yankees, Tiny Bonham returns for his second season in Pittsburgh after a quiet but solid campaign in '47.Bullpen: Lombardi had three good years in Brooklyn and should get some starts, but expect to see him out of the bullpen as the Pirates try to find someone they can turn to to preserve their leads late in games. Mel Queen saw 12 starts for the team last year but will have to prove himself through relief work before earning more. Elmer Singleton and Nick Strincevich also return.Outlook: Back-to-back seasons with more than 90 losses were unacceptable for the Pirates, so the total overhaul of the roster was done to try and put the club back on a competitive track. While the league has already taken notice of Kiner, they may have to look out for the rest of the team with some of the moves made this offseason. The Pirates should be more competitive than they were the last two years, but whether they can compete for a pennant just yet remains to be seen.

Season Preview: Philadelphia Phillies

Last Season: 62-92, T-7th in NL

Manager: Ben Chapman (4th season in Philadelphia, 4th total)Offseason: With one of the worst teams in the league and plenty of room for qualified players to get a chance, the Phillies were very active in the Rule 5 draft. Johnny Blatnik makes the jump to the majors and should see playing time in a very young outfield. Monk Dubiel was selected and returns after a couple of seasons with the Yankees during the war. He should make the rotation. They also claimed Ed Heusser off of waivers to add to their bullpen and purchased Bama Rowell from the Dodgers.. On the trading market, they dealt veteran pitcher Tommy Hughes to Cincinnati for another veteran, Bert Haas. Another trade two months later saw Johnny Wyrostek sent to the Reds for slick-fielding shortstop Eddie Miller. They also traded Ralph LaPointe for Dick Sisler, son of legend George Sisler. In total, Philadelphia has 11 men on the Opening Day roster that did not play for the Phillies at all last year.Catcher: The Phillies have a young prospect ready to join the starting lineup at just about every position except catcher. That's because they have Andy Seminick, who is 27 and approaching his prime. He has averaged over 100 games per season over the last three years and led the team in home runs last year. His consistency at the toughest position could lead to some All-Star game appearances in the near future. The backup catcher will be Al Lakeman, who has a career average of just .210 in six seasons.
Infield: The only starter that was on the team last year is Emil Verban. The former All-Star's days may still be numbered, though, with rookies Granny Hamner and Putsy Caballero on the bench and looking for playing time. Verban may be a prime trade target mid-season for a competitor looking for a second baseman with great defense. Haas will start at third base but has also historically played out in center field and first base, as well. Miller will be the new shortstop coming off what was quietly one of the best seasons of his career. Miller led the league in doubles and had career highs in homers and RBIs. Sisler rounds out the starters at first base, like his father. He will finally get the chance to be an every day starter unlike his two years with the Cardinals. Rookie Willie Jones may see some playing time, too.Outfield: Last year's batting champion, and probably baseball's most improved player, Harry Walker, returns out in center field. Walker hit .237 in 1946 and was traded after just ten disappointing games from the Cardinals to his new home in Philadelphia. His majors high 16 triples and .363 average seemingly came out of nowhere and gave the Phillies faithful a reason to come out and see an otherwise underwhelming offense at Shibe Park. Del Ennis also flashed his potential out in left field with 29 homers and 154 RBIs in his first two seasons. This year, he will move over to right field to make room for 21-year-old rookie Richie Ashburn. Ashburn will make his major debut on Opening Day as the leadoff man after hitting .362 in Utica last year. He has speed and, if his minor league success can carry over to Philadelphia, could one day challenge Walker as the best contact hitter on the team. Rowell will act in a reserve role after a wild March that saw him traded from the Braves to the Dodgers and then purchased by the Phillies. Blatnik, like Ashburn, has never played in the majors, though at 27 his future doesn't look quite as bright.Rotation: The oldest rotation in the majors is surprisingly still going strong for the most part. After some impressive years in Washington, Dutch Leonard saved one of his best years yet for his first campaign in Philadelphia. Leonard is 135-113 over the last decade and shows no sign of slowing down at age 39. His 2.68 ERA last year was the best of his career. One year younger, Schoolboy Rowe did not have the ERA of Leonard, but he still found success with his second 14-win effort in his last three seasons. Rowe's best days as an ace on the Tigers dynasty in the mid '30's are long gone, but Rowe can still be counted on for at least 25 starts where his team has a chance to win. Older than both at 40, Oscar Judd may be in his final season and will only see limited starts after a 4-15 season as the outlier. Blix Donnelly is young by this group's standards at 34 and will be a regular starter. Dubiel will also join the rotation. On the other end of the spectrum, 18-year-old Curt Simmons has earned a spot and begins what looks to be a promising career. Simmons threw a complete game five-hitter in the final game of the season last September after a 13-5 record in Wilmington in the minors.Bullpen: By using Donnelly as a starter, the Phillies have no returning reliever with an ERA below 4.00 with at least 20 innings pitched. Ken Heintzelman will also get some starts but has been relegated to relief work to start the year. Veteran Heusser will also be in the mix. The Phillies will also throw plenty of rookies out on the mound, including Charlie Bicknell, who has been called up at the age of 19.Outlook: The Phillies are a team finding its new identity after a long period of struggle. They have not won 70 games in a year since 1932, and that streak does not look it will end this year. However, with its veteran players still around mentoring its plethora of young talent, Philadelphia's future may look brighter by the start of the next decade. They will have to fight to avoid last place this year but the lessons learned could proved handy for the 1950's.