Читать книгу Bad Boys, Bad Times. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Prewar Years, 1937–1941 онлайн

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Big Hal Trosky had a lock on the first baseman’s job, usually leading the team in home runs and RBIs every season since 1933. Trosky had the misfortune to play in the American League at the same time as superstars Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Hank Greenberg, who left Trosky somewhere in the shadows. Sammy Hale had been with the Indians for six seasons, alternating between second and third base. Hale had arm issues that hampered his throwing, although his skill at the plate had not been affected. Lyn Lary entered his second year as the Indians shortstop with little competition. The front office expected him to play steady ball and be a leader out on the field.

The pitching staff had proven winners in Johnny Allen and Mel Harder. Bob Feller had shown a world of potential in his first two campaigns, and now was expected to be among the best pitchers in the game. Willis Hudlin and Earl Whitehill were the only other candidates for the starting rotation. Both pitchers were well past their primes, with Whitehall at thirty-nine years old and Hudlin thirty-two. Between them they had spent twenty-seven years in the American League. If either one had just had ten or twelve wins left in his arm, that would be enough to complement the other three starters.