Baseball What If's

[Moose]

1) The Color Barrier- Jackie Robinson was NOT the first African American player to reach the majors. In 1884, Fleet Walker became one. Three years later, African American players were probihited to play in the majors. It would be 60 years later when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Dodgers. If it weren't for the color barrier, hundreds of Negro League stars such as Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Buck Leonard would've had their opportunities to display their skills in the Majors.

 

2) The Selling of Babe Ruth- Babe Ruth came up as a pitcher with the Red Sox in 1914. He was the best southpaw in the American League. He led the Sox to three pennants (1915, 1916, 1918). Boston then-owner Harry Frazee sold his star to the Yankees for $125K. Ruth became the best slugger in baseball history and played on seven pennant winners in New York between 1921 and 1932. The Yankees were the dominant team in baseball while the Red Sox didn't win a World Series title since 1918 (until 2004, of course). If Ruth weren't sold to New York, perhaps Boston would've become baseball most storied franchise. The Yankees, who never won a pennant before aquiring Ruth, may have remained also-rans.

 

3) The Trading of Christy Matthewson- The Cincinnati Reds thought they made a good deal in 1900 when they traded 21-year-old Matthewson for 29-year-old Amos Rusie. Known as the Hoosier Thunderbolt, Rusie had already won 243 games while Matthewson had not yet won a game. Matthewson won 372 games for the Giants between 1901 and 1916, while Rusie never won another game. The Giants won 4 pennants with Matthewson between 1905 and 1913 and became one of National League's successful teams. The Reds did not win their first title until 1919. If the trade had not been made, Cincinnati might've won several more pennants and Giants' manager John McGraw may not have become a legend.

 

4) The Cub Clipper- Joe DiMaggio was a hot prospect in the minor leagues until he tore the cartilage in his knee while getting out of the cab in 1934. The Cubs had a chance to purchase DiMaggio's contract but he declined because of the concern about the injury. The Yankees signed DiMaggio and became one of the best players in his era. He helped the Yankees maintain their excellence despite Ruth's departure. New York won ten more pennants between 1936 to 1951. The Cubs have not won a pennant since 1945 nor a World Series title since 1908. If the Cubs were successful in purchasing DiMaggio, the Cubs might have won a few more championships and pennants. That may have changed the direction of their franchise.

 

5) If Fidel Castro Became a Senator- No, not a political senator. A Washington Senator. When Castro was young, he was a talented pitcher in Cuba. He was so promising that he was given a tryout by the Washington Senators. In the 1950's, Washington signed Cuban pitchers Camilo Pascual and Pedro Ramos. Just like young pitchers, Castro had great stuff but he had control problems. That's why he wasn't signed by the Senators. Soon after, he gave up on baseball and became a revolutionary in Cuba. In 1959, Castro led a communist revolt that overthrew the government. Since that time, he's become a communist. If Washington had signed him, we might've known him as a Senator. Cuba may not have become a communist country and would still have diplomatic relations with the United States. There might've been no Bay of Pigs invasion or Cuban Missile Crisis.

 

6) Cobb in Cleveland- The best trades are often the ones not made. In 1908, the Detroit Tigers considered trading hot-tempered young outfielder Ty Cobb for the 1905 batting champ Wlmer Flick. The Guardians turned down the trade that they would soon regret. Flick was bothered by a stomach ailment and only played 99 games in his last three seasons. He retired in 1910. Cobb won a dozen batting titles until 1926. If Ty Cobb was traded to the Guardians, they would've won more pennants.

 

7) The Brooklyn Dodgers- The Dodgers were the pride of Brooklyn from 1890 to 1957. During the last decade of their existence, they won 6 pennants. Their powerful lineup included Duke Snyder, Roy Campanella, Pee-Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges. When then-owner Walter O'Malley moved the team the Los Angeles, devoted Dodger fans in Brooklyn were heart-broken. But in Los Angeles, the Dodgers reached even greater heights, winning nine more pennants and 5 more world championships. The move of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants to California signaled an exodus of teams to the west. Major League Baseball finally became a bi-coastal game. If the Dodgers had remained in Brooklyn, the New York Mets may have never existed and L.A. would've never enjoyed the talent of Koufax and Drysdale. Los Angeles' team today would've been the Angels. :thumbdown

 

8) Bill Veeck's Phillies- The color barrier was broken in 1947. It would've been broken in 1944. Maverick owner Bill Veeck attempted to buy the Philadelphia Phillies. His plan was to stock the team with stars from the Negro Leagues. However, then-Commisioner Kenesaw Landis was not yet ready to allow African American players to play in the Majors. The Phillies were quickly sold to another owner. If Veeck had purchased the Phillies, the integration in baseball would've been expedited. Philadelphia, who often finished second in the division would've been instant contenders. Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in 1947, would not have become a cultural icon. Great Negro League catcher Josh Gibson would've had the opportunity to play in the majors.

 

9) The Black Sox Were Never Banned- The Chicago White Sox threw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinatti Reds. Players involved in the fix were outfielders Shoeless Joe Jackson and Oscar Feisch; infielders Chick Gandil, Buck Weaver, Swede Risberg, and Fred McMullin; and pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams. Once the scandal was exposed, the eight players were tried in Chicago but were aquitted after their signed confessions mysteriously disappeared. However, new Baseball Commisioner Kenesaw Landis banned the players from baseball for life. If the fix had not been uncovered, Shoeless Joe Jackson, a .356 career hitter would've been a Hall of Famer. Pitcher Eddie Cicotte, who won 208 games might have made it to Cooperstown. The White Sox, who have not won a World Series since 1917, might've remained a contender instead of spending most of the two next decades in the second place. The job of the Baseball Commisioner was to re-store public confidence in the honesty of the game.

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Lots of what if's, but then again... Who knows?

[26 to 6]

good stuff Moose.

 

I actually did a lot of background on the Fleet Walker thing. (The first I ever heard of it was in the movie Little Big League years ago) He certainly wasnt a good player. Both him and his brother played on the team (Toledo Blue Stockings I believe).

 

But anyways, good stuff here.

[RedRuffing15]

I have one too...if thats like what this is for, sorry if its not

Its about Red Ruffing(My Member name)

 

Trading of Ruffing- Red Ruffing was 39-96 in 6 Seasons as a Boston Red Sox. On May 5, 1930 he was traded to the Yankees for $50,000 and OF Cedric Durst. In his time with the Yankees, he went 234-129, also going 7-2 in 7 World Series(6 of which the Yankee won). Cerdic Durst retired after the 1930 season after batting only .240, his lowest since being a Yankee, and 25 StrikeOuts, His most ever.

 

 

But yours were really good too, I enjoyed reading them

[MC Hammer]

Actually I believe if the Red Sox didn't sell Babe Ruth there would be no more fenway park, and there would no longer be a team in Boston. If I'm not mistaken the Red Sox needed that money desperatly to keep the team afloat. It wasn't just Boston making a mistake.

 

Good stuff though.

[Sizzlin22]

If I'm not mistaken the Red Sox needed that money desperatly to keep the team afloat.

They had pleabtly of money, Frazee jsut wanted more money for his theater crap, the money didn't go to No No Nanette, that came out years later, but they definitly didn't need the money at that time.

[RedRuffing15]

Another big what-if for both the Sox and Yankees is what if Aaron Boone never would have broken his leg or whatever happened. Then the Yankees wouldn't have went after A-Rod, and he probly woulda went to the Sox, and be hated by Yankee fans and gotten into a fight with Posada and stuff like that...maybe :dunno:

[riverside sluggers]

or the "what if" of all, Red Sox organization letting go Clemens not knowing what seasons he would have after leaving Boston

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I find the Fidel Castro one really interesting. The thought that just not making a baseball team has changed relations between countires for years and might of caused a nuclear war is crazy.

 

A few more what if's i came up with:

 

What if Nomar was never hurt? Would the red sox have stayed the same horribly defensive team, no chemistry, and would of lost in the ALCS?

 

What if Jason Giambi never used steriods? Would the red sox be the 2003 American League Champions?

 

What if David Ortiz stayed the same .260, 20hr 70rbi player he was in Minnesota?

 

What if the red sox had gotten Jose Contreas instead of NY? Could he have been as good as they say he would of, or would he have been just as bad?

 

 

 

 

[RedSoxRooter]

or the "what if" of all, Red Sox organization letting go Clemens not knowing what seasons he would have after leaving Boston

That's not really the what if of all. What if they resigned Clemens? Pedro doesn't come to Boston and he probably winds up in NY for the most dominant portion of his career.

 

Here's one. What if Thurman Munson owned a parachute?

[26 to 6]

That's not really the what if of all. What if they resigned Clemens? Pedro doesn't come to Boston and he probably winds up in NY for the most dominant portion of his career.

 

Here's one. What if Thurman Munson owned a parachute?

whats a parachute going to do to help him? He died 15 seconds off the runway. Its not like he was in the air and the plane was going down.

[RedSoxRooter]

What if he had a rocket pack? :dunno:

[MANNYHOF24]

What if Shea Hillenbrand wasnt traded in 03' and Big Papi never got full playing time

[Moose]

Here's a big "what if":

 

What if moron Fred Claire didn't trade Pedro for Delino f***ing DeShields? I also blame this on Lasorda for saying he's not "big" enough to be a Big League pitcher. One of the worst trades of all time.

[26 to 6]

Here's a big "what if":

 

What if moron Fred Claire didn't trade Pedro for Delino f***ing DeShields? I also blame this on Lasorda for saying he's not "big" enough to be a Big League pitcher. One of the worst trades of all time.

certainly was

[Optimist]

...

[26 to 6]

In case anybody is interested in Fleet Walker, here is a really interesting link about him.

 

http://www.jockbio.com/Classic/Walker/Walker_bio.html

 

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/1746/walker21tn.gif

[Optimist]

This is probably one of the bigger 'What Ifs' of baseball, at least in recent memory....

 

What if MLB has decided against creating the Wild Card?

[26 to 6]

This is probably one of the bigger 'What Ifs' of baseball, at least in recent memory....

 

What if MLB has decided against creating the Wild Card?

then baseball wouldnt be as exciting and the Red Sox would still be without a championship

[Moose]

Or the Marlins and Angels.