1947 Preview:
C- Yogi Berra is our first pick. He will be with the team for a long, long time. A rookie, we have hopes to keep him throughout the fifties and into the early sixties. Our backup is Dixie Howell, who should stay with the 'Canes for a year or two. Our emergency catcher is Ralph Houk.
1B- Babe Young and Howie Schultz are two different types of players. Young is the 3rd spot in the Opening Day order, because he can hit homers. Schultz will be the back-up.
2B- We have the best 2nd Baseman for 1947. Joe Gordon is winding down, but he is still pretty damn good. He hits homers, and will bat 5th. Johnny Berardino dutifully backs up Gordon for a couple years.
3B- Spider Jorgensen will occupy the 7-hole, as an OK-but-not-that-great kind of player. He is backed up by Ray Coleman, who also plays in the Outfield.
SS- Marty Marion is a fielder first, hitter second. That's OK. We'll be fine in regards to that. He has the 8-spot, so we have nothing to worry about. Skeeter Newsome is his backup.
LF- Catfish Metkovich will open up the action, in the 2-hole, as a role player. Al Zarilla is his successor, and Ray Coleman is a utility player who is classified as a Fielder, and a great guy in the clubhouse.
CF- Bobby Thomson (who also plays 3rd), bats clean-up for a reason. He hits a lot of home runs, and gets on base. Bert Haas, who can play any Outfield position, will likely back him up.
RF- Enos Slaughter is going to be fun to watch this year. He is going to probably be the MVP of the team. Bert Haas will back him up, and Al Zarilla will provide additional support if needed.
Rotation- A 4-man rotation, headed by one-year standouts Walt Masterson and Fred Hutchinson. Fred Sanford adds touch in the 3-spot, and Spec Shea should go out in a blaze of glory this year. Unfortunately, we don't have any ies in the rotation, but we certainly have plenty of firepower.
Bullpen- Bob Gillespie is a Long Reliever who seems capable of handling many situations. Hooks Iott will come in when dangerous ies come up to bat. Freddie Schmidt and Si Johnson will provide setup oppertunities, and former starter Hank Wyse will close out games.
TOTAL REVIEW: We're going to be dangerous this year. Period. We have so much to throw at you. It's going to be a fun year.