SEASON PREVIEW: BROOKLYN WHALES
The Whales’ string of back-to-back Legacy Cups ended in 1917 when the Brooklyn franchise was quickly eliminated from the Eastern League Championship series by the ascendant New York Bakers. 81 year old manager Marques Williams will hope for a return to form from the Brooklyn team in 1918, but may face his most challenging season to date with the loss of 5 young men set to make the Opening Day roster to the war effort in Europe.
The 1918 Whales will be without starting catcher Arthur Rumford, backup catcher Gator Fawcett, starting left fielder Rocky Marino, starting first baseman Tommy Blenkinsop (acquired from the Pittsburgh Oilers in 1917), and reliever Brown Adams. In their stead, the Whales have looked outside the organization and brought in middle infielder Richmond Elliott (formerly of the St. Louis Beavers) and free agent bench bat Cornelius Fairlamb (formerly of the Providence Angels). In addition, Brooklyn will look to greenhorns catcher Thomas Casseldine, catcher James Nye, and outfielder Leroy Atkinson. Reliever Andrew Tice, on the roster bubble over the offseason, will begin the season in the bullpen in Brown Adams’ absence.
1918 will also mark the first season since 1901 without legendary catcher Deacon Dunkley set to don his chest protector for the Whales. The longtime Whale retired at the conclusion of the 1917 season, and is scheduled to be honored by the organization during the Whales’ home opener on April 8 against the New York Bakers where his number is set to be retired. Similarly, star middle infielder Leander Witheycombe and Brooklyn have mutually agreed to part ways in advance of the 1918 season with Marques Williams granting the 40 year old his release to seek alternate employment.
The Whales top prospect, 20 year old outfielder Loy Oldfield, is likely to make his debut early in the season if he can carve out playing time in an otherwise crowded Brooklyn outfield featuring Mac Cronshey, Slick Spackman, Raymond Nott, and Leroy Atkinson. AAA Jersey City Manager Tommy Hershey indicated to this publication that he believed the 20 year old, who debuted in the 1917 playoffs as a defensive replacement, was ready to test his mettle up north in the Legacy League and that it was only a matter of time before the exciting Oldfield would press the issue enough to make his regular season debut.
The formula for a successful Brooklyn season in 1918 will look similar to years passed: stellar defense, good pitching, and timely offense. The margins for Brooklyn’s continued success, however, are likely to be slimmer than in the past.
Letter from the Front
April 4, 1918
Somewhere in France
Dear Ma and Pa,
Well, today would’ve been Opening Day back home. I been thinkin’ on it since I woke up. They had us up before sunup, marchin’ through mud and drillin’ with bayonets, but my mind wasn’t on none of it. I just kept picturin’ Bromwich Park, the grandstands full, the smell of popcorn and cigars in the air, and ol’ Williams yellin’ at me from the dugout to hustle my tail.
It hurts, Ma. I ain’t gonna lie about it. This would’ve been my fourth season with the Whales, and I swear I was in the best shape of my life before they called us up. My throwin’ arm felt strong, and I’d been workin’ on my stance all winter with a broom handle and a sack of potatoes behind the boarding house. Now the season’s started without me, and I don’t even know who’s behind the plate for Brooklyn. Maybe they brought up that kid Casseldine from Jersey City. He’s got a good glove but a slow bat.
I miss the game somethin’ awful. I’d give anything to hear the crack of a bat, or the pop of the ball hittin’ my mitt. Over here the only pops you hear come from rifles, and they ain’t never aimed at nothin’ good. Still, I keep my mitt in my pack, wrapped up in oil cloth. Just holdin’ it now and then helps me remember who I am.
They say the Legacy League’s still goin’, even with a bunch of fellas called up. I heard from a fella in the motor pool that the Doves lost most of their pitchers to the Army, and the Whales signed a bunch of guys off the scrap heap just to fill out a roster. Ain’t the same, I reckon. Fans’ll cheer, sure, but their hearts ain’t in it like before. Not with so many boys over here.
I don’t know when I’ll be back, but when I do, I aim to win that job back. No disrespect to Casseldine or whoever’s catchin’ now, but that plate belongs to me. Williams told me before I shipped out: “Keep your head down and your knees bent, Rummy. We’ll be waitin’.” I sure hope he meant it.
Tell Anna I’m still dreamin’ about her. And tell Little Ed I’m expectin’ him to tell me how the Whales are doin’ in the standings. If he can find a paper that prints the scores, I want ‘em all—win or lose. I don’t care if they go 0 for April, they’re still my boys.
Well, I better wrap this up before the candles go out. I’ll write again soon, if the mud don’t swallow me first.
All my love,
Arthur
Pvt. Arthur Rumford
Co. D, 142nd Infantry
(formerly Catcher, Brooklyn Whales)
P.S. Tell Pa I bet he could still hit better than half the fellas playin’ this year. Just don’t let him try.
A New Wave Looms for Brooklyn
With what already amounts to the 6th youngest team in the Legacy Baseball League, fans would understand if the 81 year old Manager/General Manager Marques Williams were looking to solidify the major league roster to take advantage of a war-weakened Legacy Baseball League and to try to snag a tenth Legacy Cup victory before hanging up his uniform for good. But, instead, the wizened captain of Brooklyn’s franchise seems to have his eye on legacy planning.
On the eve of Opening Day, Williams agreed to terms with the Providence franchise to exchange two outfield prospects–Moses Thorndyke, Brooklyn’s top selection in the 1917 draft, and Willard Bovey, Brooklyn’s fifth round selection in the 1917 draft–for the wiry teenage slugger Denver Marklin on the eve of his 20th birthday.
The departing toolsy 23 year old outfielder, Moses Thorndyke will look to play in Providence’s outfield in 1918 where his range and strong arm should help to solidify the Angels’ defense while he works to solve professional pitching.
Marklin, on the other hand, is an ongoing project that, if lead Brooklyn scout Malcolm Franklin is correct, could be the foundation that the future Brooklyn lineup is built upon. The lanky Texan has many in the Brooklyn organization gleefully recalling another young slugger from Texas, Audie Blennerhasset, albeit in conspiratorial whispers. If he’s able to harness his raw offensive potential, Marklin could torture Eastern League pitching for many years to come–he’s got a patient, effortless line drive swing that sees the ball explode off the barrel and hints at some untapped power potential that could manifest as he fills out. A work in progress with the glove, Brooklyn has every incentive to keep working with Marklin in the outfield to see if they can sneak his bat onto the grass in the smaller right field in Browmich Park rather than relegate the wiry slugger to first base (where many observers believe he will ultimately end up).
Perhaps most interesting about Marklin, other than his ability to pack a wallop with his bat, is his age. At 20 years old, Marklin’s age aligns with a wave of youngsters being penciled into future Whales’ lineups. Lead by 22 year old, three year veteran, third baseman Chicago Jack Hales, the Whales could soon be flooded with young ballplayers.
Centerfielder Loy Oldfield, just a month older than Marklin, is pushing to make the major league squad in short order from Jersey City. In AA Sleepy Hollow, the beginning of the 1918 season may have allowed fans to catch a glimpse of the Whales’ future lineup. Alongside Marklin, catcher Lewis Sidney (20) features a good bat and improving defense, middle infielder Grant Anderson (19) looks like he could stick up the middle while proving to be a tough out at the plate, third baseman Adam Mounsey (19) projects to have a high offensive ceiling and could pair nicely with Marklin in the middle of the lineup, and Obie Eddicott (19) looks like a potential infield/outfield utility man with a hit tool that could carry him to the major leagues.
In 17 games for Sleepy Hollow, Marklin gave fans no reason to doubt his ability to tap into his full offensive potential. The youngster hit .277/.382/.431 and drove in 10 runs from the middle of the Cranes’ batting order. Seven of his 18 hits went for extra bases (4 doubles and 3 triples) and he drew 11 walks prior to earning a promotion to AAA Jersey City.