The winning Doves teams of a few years ago were driven by players in their 30s, so it was perhaps inevitable that the team would then face a major rebuilding period. Management has tried filling in the gaps with marginal free agents and trade acquisitions, trying to appease owner Jack Vaughn, but with very limited success as of yet. 1912 should however, represent a turning point of sorts; GM Chico Ruiz is finally ready to begin filling as many holes as he can with young talent. Let’s take a look:
PITCHING: Isidore Lee enters his third season hoping to bounce back from a lackluster 1911. Bonnie Kaye similarly suffered through a bad season, and lacks the stamina to pitch deeply into games. A return to form from both is essential. The third starter position was a revolving door last year. Ransom Hunter ended the season as the #3; he’ll be challenged by trade acquisition Oren Mance. John Barnes may come up from Springfield to help the pen, but all in all, the minor league system is a pitching wastelend.
CATCHING: Young Avery Bell looks to be a fixture here. Hyman Frohock is marginal as a backup.
INFIELD: Max Noden was moved from second to first in midseason in an attempt to improve team defense, and responded with another fine year. Third baseman Parker Pettigrew is 38 and the last vestige of the Doves playoff years, but he should have enough left to hold onto his job. Middle infield slots will be some combination of vets Eugenio Carne and Van Hollier, and youngsters Guillerm Gallally and Abe Kearney.
OUTFIELD: Fred Ronsell is an anchor in left field and still only 30. In center, Frank Armitage may yield to rookie Calvin Culliford. Incumbent right fielder Carson Swaffeld faces a similar challenge from young Leslie Dicks, among others.
OUTLOOK: Owner Jack Vaughn has generally preferred that the team rely on veterans rather than rookies, but he is currently vacationing in Europe, so when the cat’s away… The Doves will still be a bad team in 1912, but the hope is they will be a bad, young team rather than a bad, old team, which is the worst thing you can be.