DMB-Blog
DMB's almost Opening Day Sale (Now Over)
Sale Ends May 31st, 2020.
Buy 1 past season, Get a 2nd past season for free!
Just because there's no baseball, doesn't mean we can't have baseball. From now until Opening Day the end of May, add to your stockpile of past seasons and then while away the hours pitch by pitch with Diamond Mind Baseball.
Buy any Classic or Deluxe past season database at regular price and receive a second past season of equal or lesser value for free. Offer applies to the purchase of all regularly priced Classic and Deluxe past season databases.
The discount will be applied automatically as long as the sale lasts. For the discount to be applied correctly, you need to add all eligible* items to your shopping cart before moving to the checkout and payment screen. This includes the item(s) that you need to buy to qualify for the discount as well as the item(s) that will be discounted. If eligible items with different prices are selected, then the lowest priced items will be discounted.
The discount will also work for any multiple of two databases included in the same order. For example, ordering four databases will get two for free, ordering six databases will get three for free and so on. In all cases, it will be the lowest priced items that are discounted within the order.
This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or coupon codes.
Visit the Diamond Mind website anytime starting Tuesday, March 24th and until Sunday, May 31st to place your order.
* The 2019 Annual Season database and 2020 ZiPS Projection Season database are excluded from this promotion.
Updated: May 26, 2020
1960 Deluxe Past Season with transaction and lineups available now!
1960: An End and A Beginning
by Steve Ehresman
Americans in the 1950s were on the move, enjoying unprecedented growth and prosperity, as well as a booming birth rate. More likely to be clothed in a gray flannel suit than to be “half naked [and] sweating” like Carl Sandburg’s personification of “Chicago,” we surged ahead, “under the terrible burden of destiny . . . as an ignorant fighter. . .who has never lost a battle.”
As General Electric bragged, “Progress is our most important product.”
When we turned the page and began writing a new chapter in our national narrative, few could have predicted the decade that lay ahead, ripe with promise and fraught with challenge. Perhaps we can think of 1960 as a moment when we looked back wistfully at what had seemed a time of innocence, then turned resolutely to face a future that would change how we thought about ourselves forever.
Kerry Keene wrote a baseball history called 1960: The Last Pure Season. It celebrates a season in the sun: one in which the Beaver got into and out of trouble, one in which Chubby Checker showed us how to Twist, and one in which the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series. Last wearing the World Series crown in 1925, the underdog Bucs faced baseball’s most storied franchise, the New York Yankees, and did something no team had done before them: win the World Series with a home run.
Lest we underestimate those Pirates, the Steel City’s 79th iteration of their Major League Baseball team, we must remember that the Bucs were not flukes. Finishing with a record of 95-59, seven games ahead of the second-place Milwaukee Braves, the Pirates earned the right to represent the National League in the World Series. With MVP Dick Groat, whose .325 average topped all of baseball, and Roberto Clemente, whose 16 home runs and 94 RBI led his team, the Pirates had star power. On the mound, Cy Young winner Vern Law (35 GS, 18 CG, 271.2 IP, 20-9, 3.08) and Bob Friend (37 GS, 16 CG, 275.2 IP, 18-12, 3.00) were durable and reliable. Elroy Face emerged from the Buc’s bullpen to do yeoman-like work (68 G, 61 GF, 24 SV, 114.2 IP, 3.28). For the season, the Pirates led the National League in runs scored (734) and tied for the fewest runs allowed (593).
The New York Yankees finished with a 97-57 record, winning their 25th pennant and finishing eight games ahead of the second-place Baltimore Orioles. With MVP Roger Maris (39 HR, 112 RBI, and a league-leading .581 SLG) and Mickey Mantle (40 HR, 94 RBI, and a league-leading 294 total bases) supplying the heavy ordnance, the Bronx Bombers outslugged the opposition. Deep and talented, the Yankee pitching staff featured four solid starters and one shut-down relief ace. Art Ditmar (28 GS, 8 CG, 200 IP, 15-9, 3.06), Whitey Ford (29 GS, 8 CG, 192.2 IP, 12-9, 3.08), Bob Turley (24 GS, 4 CG, 173.1 IP, 9-3, 3.27), and Ralph Terry (23 GS, 7 CG, 166.2 IP, 10-8, 3.40) made most of the starts for New York, while Bobby Shantz, listed at 5 feet, 6 inches and 139 pounds, enjoyed a superb year, appearing in 42 games, finishing 21, saving 11, pitching 67.2 innings, and posting a 2.79 E.R.A. New York led the American League in runs scored (746), home runs (193), earned run average (3.52), and saves (42), while allowing a record low 2.83 runs per game on the road.
The National League runner-up Milwaukee Braves had, arguably, the best one-two punch in baseball, as Hank Aaron blasted 40 home runs with a league-leading 126 RBI, while Eddie Mathews shocked 39 home runs with 124 RBI. Since Warren Spahn returned from World War II, he had been the leader of the Braves’ pitching staff. The 1960 season was no different, as the seemingly ageless Spahn pitched superbly (33 GS, 18 CG, 267.2 IP, 21-10, 3.50). Partnering with Spahn was the MVP of the 1957 World Series, control pitcher Lew Burdette (32 GS, 18 CG, 275.2 IP, 19-13, 3.36).
The third-place St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed fine seasons from pitchers Ernie Broglio (52 G, 24 GS, 9 CG, 226 IP, 21-9, 2.74), Larry Jackson (38 GS, 14 CG, 282 IP, 18-13, 3.48,) and Lindy McDaniel (65 G, 47 GF, 26 SV, 116 IP, 2.09). Slugging third baseman Ken Boyer (32 HR, 97 RBI, .304) was the offensive leader, while Redbird legend Stan Musial chipped in 17 home runs and 63 RBI.
For the defending World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Norm Larker hit .323; Maury Wills swiped a league-leading 50 bases; and Don Drysdale (36 GS, 15 CG, 269 IP, 15-14, 2.84) stood tall as the Dodger ace. For good measure, the 6-foot, 5-inch “Big D.” struck out 246 to lead the major leagues. Speaking of large, the Dodgers debuted a 6-foot, 7-inch All-American basketball star from The Ohio State University, Frank Howard, who socked 23 home runs, drove in 77 runs, and won the National League ROY Award.
The National League’s second division teams--only one of which finished above .500—could take solace in the exploits of their star players. In San Francisco, Willie Mays (29 2B, 12 3B, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 25 SB, .319) and Orlando Cepeda (36 2B, 24 HR, 86 RBI, 15 SB, .297) displayed excellent all-around firepower, while Mike McCormick (34 GS, 15 CG, 253 IP, 15-12, 2.70) was brilliant on the mound, leading the Senior Circuit in earned run average. Cincinnati enjoyed exceptional years from Frank Robinson (33 2B, 31 HR, 83 RB, 13 SB, .297I) and Vada Pinson (a major-league leading 37 2B, 12 3B, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 32 SB, .287). Chicago’s Ernie Banks, MVP in 1958 and 1959, was a one-man wrecking crew, leading the league in games played for a record fourth consecutive season. The finest shortstop of his era, Banks slammed 32 doubles, legged-out 7 triples, launched 41 home runs, and drove in 117 runs. Although Banks had little help offensively, veteran Richie Ashburn paced the league in walks (116) and OBP (.416). A couple of youngsters, Ron Santo and Billy Williams, seemed ready to make major contributions in the future. Finally, Philadelphia, 35 games off the pace, had little about which they could crow. Nevertheless, former Cub Tony Taylor (22 2B, 24 SB, .287) and Pancho Herrera (26 2B, 17 HR, 71 RBI) provided offense, despite Herrera’s record-setting 136 strikeouts in a 154-game season.
The American League runner-up Baltimore Orioles received offensive contributions from Brooks Robinson (27 2B, 9 3B, 14 HR, 88 RBI), and ROY Ron Hansen (22 2B, 22 HR, 86 RBI). In addition, Robinson won the first of his career 16 Gold Glove Awards, all at third base. Chuck Estrada (36 G, 25 GS, 12 CG, 209 IP, 18-11, 3.58), Milt Pappas (30 G, 27 GS, 11 CG, 206 IP, 15-11, 3.38), Hal Brown (30 G, 20 GS, 6 CG, 159 IP, 12-5, 3.06), Jack Fisher (40 G, 20 GS, 8 CG, 198 IP, 3.41), and Steve Barber (36 G,27 GS, 6 CG, 182 IP, 10-7, 3.21) gave the Birds a deep, talented, and versatile pitching staff. Knuckleball master Hoyt Wilhelm, who started 11 games himself, was effective coming out of the bullpen, as he appeared in 41 games, finished 24, and saved 7, en route to an 11-8 record, 147 IP, and a 3.31 E.R.A.
The defending American League Champion Chicago White Sox had a great deal more to offer than did their crosstown rivals, the Cubs. Roy Sievers (28 HR, 93 RBI), Luis Aparicio (a league-leading 51 SB), Al Smith (31 2B, .315), and Minnie Minoso (32 2B, 20 HR, 105 RBI, 17 SB, .311) provided reliable bats for the Pale Hose. On the mound, two familiar faces, Billy Pierce (30 GS, 8 CG, 196 IP, 14-7, 3.63) and Early Wynn (35 GS, 13 CG, 237 IP, 13-12, 3.49), and one newcomer from the Red Sox, Frank Baumann (47 G, 20 GS, 7 CG, 185 IP, 13-6, and a league-leading 2.67), supplied the quality pitching often associated with Chicago’s South Siders. In addition, Gerry Staley (64 G, 45 GF, 9 SV, 115 IP, 13-8, 2.43) was the star of the White Sox relief corps.
On April 17, 1960, the Cleveland Indians’ General Manager Frank Lane engineered one of baseball’s most memorable--if not most infamous--trades: the American League home run champion of 1959 (Rocky Colavito, who hit 42 homers.) for the American League batting champion of 1959 (Harvey Kuenn, who batted .353.). This trade formed the premise of Terry Pluto’s The Curse of Rocky Colavito. Whether one believes in curses or not, the trade did nothing to improve the fortunes of Cleveland or Detroit, as both squads failed to break even in 1960.
The Cleveland Indians finished fourth in the American League (76-78), 21 games behind the Yankees. Harvey Kuenn, wearing his new Cleveland uniform, hit .308; shortstop Woody Held connected for 21 homers; center fielder Jimmy Piersall smacked 18 long balls while swiping 18 bases; and left fielder Tito Francona enjoyed a solid all-around year (a league-leading 36 2B, 17 HR, 79 RBI, .292). The Tribe pitching staff featured Jim Perry (36 GS, 10 CG, 261 IP, 18-10, 3.62) and reliever Johnny Klippstein (49 G, 30 GF, 14 SV, 74 IP, 2.92).
All of the teams in the second division of the American League finished with records below .500. Washington, which would become Minnesota in 1961, enjoyed good production from Jim Lemon (38 HR, 100 RBI) and twenty-four-year-old Harmon Killebrew (19 2B, 31 HR, 80 RBI). Their pitchers carried the water, as Camilo Pascual (22 GS, 8 CG, 152 IP, 12-8, 3.02), Pedro Ramos (43 G, 36 GS, 14 CG, 274 IP, 11-18, 3.45), Jack Kralick (35 G, 18 GS, 7 CG, 151 IP, 8-8, 3.04), and Chuck Stobbs (40 G, 13 GS, 119 IP, 12-7, 3.33) labored to put wins into the record book. In Detroit, Rocky Colavito (35 HR, 87 RBI) adjusted nicely to his new team. Perennial star Al Kaline (29 2B, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 19 SB) produced solid numbers. The third Bengal outfielder, “Sunday Charlie” Maxwell, slugged 24 home runs and drove in 81 runners. Two veteran hurlers anchored Detroit’s pitching staff: Frank Lary (35 GS, 15 CG, 274 IP, 15-15, 3.51) and Jim Bunning (34 GS, 10 CG, 252 IP, 11-14, 2.79). Boston’s season was a farewell to Ted Williams--who arrived in 1939, who became an immediate star, who lost all or part of five seasons serving his country during war, and who hit a home run in his final at bat on September 28, 1960 at Fenway Park. Forty-one years of age, Williams dominated in limited at bats during the 1960 season: 310 AB, 15 2B, 29 HR, 72 RBI, 75 BB, .316 BA, .645 SA). Complementing Williams in the Sox lineup was American League batting champion Pete Runnels (29 2B, .320). Boston’s pitching staff was far from impressive, but Bill Monbouquette (30 GS, 12 CG, 215 IP, 14-11, 3.64) and reliever Mike Fornieles (a league-leading 70 G, a league-leading 48 GF, 13 SV, 109 IP, 2.64) posted good numbers amid mediocrity. Finishing 39 games behind New York, Kansas City enjoyed solid seasons from former Yankees, first baseman Norm Siebern (31 2B, 6 3B, 19 HR, 69 RBI) and second baseman Jerry Lumpe (19 2B, 8 HR, 53 RBI). On the mound, Ray Herbert (33 GS, 14 CG, 253 IP, 14-15, 3.27) pitched well in a losing cause.
The 1960 World Series bordered on the miraculous, as the Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27, scored the most runs by one team in World Series history, and won three blow-out games (16-3, 10-0, and 12-0). Nevertheless, with the score tied 9-9 in the bottom of the 9th in Game Seven, Bill Mazeroski made history by smashing a 1-2 pitch from Ralph Terry over the left field wall at Forbes Field. Improbably, Mazeroski had just hit a game-ending home run to win the World Series. In another first, Bobby Richardson was named the Series MVP, the only time a player from the losing team has received this honor. For everyone except Yankee fans, the 1960 season had come to an historic and thrilling conclusion.
In 1960, Jim Brosnan’s The Long Season upset the conservative baseball community. Years later, Jim Bouton would truly shatter myths with Ball Four. The Philadelphia Phillies were no-hit twice by the Milwaukee Braves (Lew Burdette on August 18 and Warren Spahn on September 16). In addition, Juan Marichal one-hit the hapless Phillies in his debut on July 19. Don Cardwell no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals on May 15 in his Cubs debut. The innovative Paul Richards, manager of the Baltimore Orioles, devised a catcher’s mitt that was 50 inches in circumference to handle Hoyt Wilhelm’s knuckleball. Pitchers made history in 1960, whether on the printed page or on the baseball diamond.
Pitchers were not alone in their achieving memorable feats in 1960. George Crowe of the St. Louis Cardinals hit four pinch hit homers, giving him a Major League record of fourteen. Elmer Valo, splitting the season between New York and Washington, received a Major League record 18 walks as a pinch hitter. In the Junior Circuit, Pete Runnels went 6 for 7 in a 15-inning game on August 30. In the Senior Circuit, Dick Groat went 6-6 in a game on May 13.
The year 1960 was a memorable opening of a decade both for our nation and for Major League Baseball. We can never go back to those Sandlot days, but we can remember them. We can use them as a framework that entertains us, that inspires us, and that unites us. For America, the year 1960 was a watershed moment. For Major League baseball, the year 1960 was unmatched for its legendary personalities and events. Order the 1960 season from Diamond Mind Baseball, and in your replay, you just might save Casey Stengel’s job.
The 1960 Deluxe Past Season database contains everything you need to play games using teams and players from the 1960 season -- a full set of ratings and statistics for every player who appeared in the big leagues that year, plus team rosters, manager profiles, ballpark ratings and league schedules. Statistics include official batting, pitching and fielding totals with left/right splits for all batters and pitchers.
Also included is a complete set of real-life player transactions -- trades, disabled list moves, promotions, demotions, suspensions, and more -- plus the actual starting lineups for every regular-season game played.
If you are a registered owner of the 1960 Classic Past Season, you are eligible for upgrade pricing for this item. Send an email to dmb_info@imaginesports.com to request your discount promotion code.
** Important Note ** This season database is a companion product for the Diamond Mind Baseball version 11 game. To use this database, you must also have Diamond Mind Baseball version 11. The game software provides you with all of the tools you need to play simulated games, make roster moves, produce dozens of statistical reports, generate league schedules, and more.
2020 Projection Season Available Now!
For 2020, we have again partnered with Dan Szymborski to bring you our projections database featuring stats and ratings generated by Dan's highly regarded ZiPS projection system.
The 2020 Projection Season database includes updated rosters that incorporate off-season player moves; the new schedule; projected batting and pitching stats for more than 2500 players, including many top prospects; and manager profiles set up with rotations, lineups, and depth charts that represent our assessment of how the players will be used during the season.
Even if you're not all that interested in playing simulated games, you may find that an investment in the DMB game and the projections database will pay off as you plan for your fantasy baseball season. You can use the game's powerful reporting system to generate dozens of standard or customizable reports using the projected statistics or the statistics from simulated seasons.
Ballparks: We have added two new DMB style ballpark diagrams for the 2020 season: Globe Life Field (new in 2020) and Marlins Park (new outfield dimensions). These image files are available for free download from our Park Images page.
Special Bundle Price! If you don't already own the Diamond Mind Baseball Game: Version 11 you can buy the game together with the 2020 Projection Season database and get the projections database for 35% off the regular price. Add both items to your cart and enter shopping code PROJ20BUN on the checkout page to apply the discount.
1946 Deluxe Past Season with transaction and lineups available now!
1946: The Boys Are Back in Town
by Steve Ehresman
In 1946, Winston Churchill gave his famous Iron Curtain Speech; Nazi war criminals were sentenced to death by the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg; the General Assembly of the United Nation met for the first time; and—for Major League Baseball—the stars returned from the War to treat America to a new era of seasons in the sun.
Despite the challenge posed by Jorge Pascual’s Mexican League, Major League Baseball, under the leadership of Commissioner Albert “Happy” Chandler, experienced a record-breaking year, as turnstiles clicked at nearly double their 1945 rate, which happened to be the old record for putting fannies in the seats. All sixteen teams enjoyed an increase in attendance. Even the lowly Washington Senators and Philadelphia Phillies surpassed the magic million mark. In all, five teams drew over a million fans for the first time, and the New York Yankees became the first team to attract two million customers.
These fans were rewarded with a baseball season that historians still celebrate. In Boston, the Red Sox put together a 15-game winning streak in May and captured their first pennant in 28 years, winning 104 games and breezing past the defending World Series champs, the Detroit Tigers, by 12 games.
Despite the “Williams Shift,” devised by Cleveland Indian player-manager Lou Boudreau, “Teddy Ballgame”, 27-years-old and hungry after serving as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, won the MVP, compiling a .342 batting average, walloping 38 home runs, drawing a major league-leading 156 walks, and driving in 123 runs. Williams was not alone in his offensive exploits, as Rudy York (30 2B, 17 HR, 119 RBI), Bobby Doerr (34 2B, 18 HR, 116 RBI), and Johnny Pesky (208 hits, 43 2B, .335) came through with seasons that put the Red Sox atop the American League in runs (792), hits (1441), doubles (268), RBI (736), walks (687), and batting average (.271).
“The Sawx” also possessed one the most effective pitching staffs in the American League. Featuring Boo Ferris (40 G, 35 GS, 26 CG, 274 IP, 25-6, 3.25), Tex Hughson (20-11, 39 G, 35 GS, 21 CG, 278 IP, 20-11, 2.75), and Mickey Harris (17-9, 34 G, 30 GS, 15 CG, 236 IP, 17-9, 3.63), Boston pitching was both talented and deep.
The American League could boast of a Herculean performance by the Detroit Tigers’ Hank Greenberg in his first full season after the War. Smashing 44 home runs and recording 127 RBI, both major league highs, Greenberg enjoyed one of his most productive seasons. Hal Newhouser, the ace of Detroit’s 1945 champs, put together a stellar season against much tougher competition. “Prince Hal” dominated with a 25-9 record, along with 37 G, 34 GS, 29 CG, 293 IP, 275 K, and a major league-leading 1.94 ERA.
The New York Yankees featured a comeback by “The Yankee Clipper” Joe DiMaggio (20 2B, 3 3B, 25 HR, 95 RBI, .290), a fine all-around performance by teammate Charlie “King Kong” Keller (29 2B, 10 3B, 30 HR, 113 BB, 101 RBI), and a superior season on the hill by Spurgeon “Spud” Chandler (20-8, 34 G, 32 GS, 20 CG, 257 IP, 138 K, 2.10).
James “Mickey” Vernon of the Washington Senators captured the American League batting title with a.353 average. slamming 51 doubles to lead the Majors Bob “Rapid Robert” Feller of the Cleveland Indians enjoyed one of his best seasons (48 G, 42 GS, 36 CG, 371 IP, 26-15, 348 K, 10 SHO, 2.18). Nevertheless, their teams finished fourth (76-78) and sixth (68-86), respectively. Far below the .500 mark were Connie Mack’s cellar-dwelling Philadelphia Athletics (49-105), a whopping 55 games behind the Red Sox.
The National League provided drama for baseball fans, with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers slugging it out in a pennant race that might not have happened. Not only did the Red Birds lose two stalwart pitchers—Mort Cooper to the Boston Braves and Max Lanier to the Mexican League--but manager Billy Southworth, who had led St. Louis to two World Series championships during the War (1942 and 1944), flew the coup to join Cooper in Beantown. Further, Whitey Kurowski, Enos Slaughter, and Stan Musial were close to joining Max Lanier South of the Border before they backed off and remained in St. Louis.
In a season similar to 1942, the Dodgers charged into the lead, only to see the Cardinals mount a late stretch-run to end the season in a flat-footed tie with Brooklyn (each team finishing at 96-58), forcing an unprecedented three-game playoff to determine the National League’s representative in the World Series. The Cards took two straight games from the Bums to claim the pennant.
MVP Stan “The Man” Musial put together an historic season, as he scored 124 runs, recorded 228 hits, slammed 50 doubles, legged-out 20 triples, blasted 16 home runs, and knocked in 103 runs, while batting .365 to lead the Major Leagues and slugging .587 to lead the National League. Assisting Musial were George “Whitey” Kurowski (32 2B, 14 HR, 89 RBI, .301) and Enos “Country” Slaughter (30 2B, 18 HR, 130 RBI, .300). Musial’s 366 total bases were 83 more than National League runner-up Slaughter collected.
On the hill, the Red Birds were powered by a three-pronged attack comprised of Howie Pollet (40 G, 32 GS, 22 CG, 266 IP, 21-10, 2.10), Murray Dickson (47 G, 19 GS, 12 CG, 184 IP, 15-6, 2.89), and Harry “The Cat” Brecheen (36 G, 30 GS, 14 CG, 231 IP, 2.49). The depth of the Cardinals’ pitching staff was underscored by contributions from Al Brazle (37 G, 15 GS, 6 CG, 153 IP, 3.29) and Ted Wilks (40 G, 95 IP, 3.41)
Despite their falling in a play-off to the Cardinals, the Brooklyn Dodgers gave the Ebbets Field faithful much to cheer. Harold “Pee Wee” Reese (16 2B, 10 3B, 10 SB, 60 RBI, .284), Carl Furillo (335 AB, 18 2B, 6 3B, .284), and Fred “Dixie” Walker (29 2B, 116 RBI, 14 SB, .319) steadied the Dodgers all season and might have parlayed their leadership into a pennant, had it not been for Pete Reiser’s broken ankle. Without Reiser (21 2B, 73 RBI, 34 SB), Brooklyn experienced the first of many seasons that ended in disappointment. Perhaps it was here that the cry “Wait till Next Year!” was born.
Like their rivals in St. Louis, the Dodgers featured an outstanding pitching staff: Kirby Higbe (42 G, 29 GS, 11 CG, 211 IP, 17-8, 3.03), Joe Hatten (42 C, 30 GS, 13 CG, 222 IP, 14-11, 2.84), and Vic Lombardi (41 G, 25 GS, 13 CG, 193 IP, 13-10, 2.89). Swing man Hank Behrman (47 G, 11 GS, 151 IP, 11-5, 2.92) and relief ace Hugh Casey (46 G, 100 IP, 11-5, 1.98) were also valuable members of Brooklyn’s mound crew.
Plagued by injuries to Don Johnson, Stan Hack, Mickey Livingston, and Andy Pafko, as well as by slumps, the Chicago Cubs, defending National League champions, dropped to third place (82-71). No one in “The Windy City “could have foreseen that the Cubs would wait 71 years before appearing in another Fall Classic, redeeming themselves by breaking a 108-year drought to become World Series Champions.
Although Ralph Kiner’s Pittsburgh Pirates finished a dismal 7th (63-91), the twenty-three-year-old rookie slugger blasted a league-leading 23 home runs to tie Pittsburgh’s team record set by another rookie, Johnny Rizzo in 1938. In addition, Kiner drove in 109 runs. Before the 1946 season, Pirate manager Billy Herman and principal owner John Galbreath possessed the foresight to bring in the left field wall at Forbes Field. The close-in seats of left field were dubbed “Greenberg’s Gardens” when the Pirates acquired “Hammerin’ Hank” in 1947. After Greenberg’s retirement, this homer-friendly territory, 340 feet from home plate, earned a new and enduring nickname, “Kiner’s Korner.”
Back from the War but suffering a broken bone in his hand, Johnny Mize of the New York Giants made the most of his opportunities (377 AB), as he slammed 18 2B, blasted 22 HR, and drove in 70 runs, while batting .337 and slugging .576. Nevertheless, “Big Jawn’s” team plummeted to the cellar (61-93), as Sal Maglie, Harry Feldman, Ace Adams, and Danny Gardella jumped ship to join the Mexican League. Frustrated by his having to manage a Swiss cheese roster depleted by defections, manager Mel Ott was ejected from both games of a doubleheader when his Giants dropped a twin-bill to the Pirates on June 9.
It’s hard to believe, but Kiner and Mize were the only National Leaguers to reach or exceed 20 home runs. For the season, the National League hit 562 homers, while the American League, bolstered by Hank Greenberg (44), Ted Williams (38), Charlie Keller (30), Joe DiMaggio (25), Pat Seerey (26), and Sam Chapman (20), launched 653.
Quietly putting together a solid pitching staff, the Boston Braves featured Johnny Sain (37 G, 34 GS, 24 CG, 265 IP, 20-14, 129 K, 2.21) and a southpaw who had barely had a cup of coffee in the Big Leagues before going to war. This twenty-five-year-old, Warren Spahn (24 G, 16 GS, 8 CG, 128 IP, 8-5, 2.93), showed promise that he had a bright future. In 1947, he would begin to fulfill that promise.
The 1946 World Series, a seven-game struggle between Williams’ Red Sox and Musial’s Cardinals, featured clutch performances by Harry Brecheen, who picked up three victories, and Enos Slaughter, who, despite a painful elbow, starred in one of Major League Baseball’s iconic October moments. On first base with two outs, Slaughter took off when Cardinal left fielder Harry Walker hit a line drive over the head of Boston shortstop Johnny Pesky. When Len Culberson fielded the ball and relayed it to the infield, Slaughter, ignoring a stop sign from third base coach Mike Gonzalez, slid safely into home, putting St. Louis ahead 4-3 with what proved to be the winning run in the decisive seventh game. Red Sox nation is still replaying “Slaughter’s Mad Dash” in their nightmares.
Diamond Mind Baseball presents the 1946 season, the first of the post-War era. In a year when bikinis went on sale in Paris, Tupperware appeared in department and hardware stores, and Dean Martin, Bill Haley, and B. B. King began their musical careers, Major League Baseball ruled the sporting world. With the Greatest Generation back home, America could take a long, deep breath. Unforeseen challenges lay ahead, but for one summer, the summer of 1946, we could relax and enjoy our freedom.
The 1946 Deluxe Past Season database contains everything you need to play games using teams and players from the 1946 season -- a full set of ratings and statistics for every player who appeared in the big leagues that year, plus team rosters, manager profiles, ballpark ratings and league schedules. Statistics include official batting, pitching and fielding totals with left/right splits for all batters and pitchers.
Also included is a complete set of real-life player transactions -- trades, disabled list moves, promotions, demotions, suspensions, and more -- plus the actual starting lineups for every regular season game played.
If you are a registered owner of the 1946 Classic Past Season, you are eligible for upgrade pricing for this item. Send an email to dmb_info@imaginesports.com to request your discount promotion code.
Note: This season database is a companion product for the Diamond Mind Baseball version 11 game. To use this database, you must also have Diamond Mind Baseball version 11. The game software provides you with all of the tools you need to play simulated games, make roster moves, produce dozens of statistical reports, generate league schedules, and more.
2019 Season Database Update
Earlier this week, we updated our master copy of the 2019 Annual Season Database to correct the injury ratings for a number of composite player records. (Please refer to the Scope of Changes note on the 2019 Season Database Changes web page for details.)
All customers who have purchased the 2019 Season Database so far have been sent a notification email that includes information about the update and a new link to allow you to download a copy of the updated season. If you have not received the update notification, you can contact us directly at dmb_info@imaginesports.com
To check if your copy of the 2019 Season Database is up to date, have a look in the Notes tab of the Organizer window with your installed copy of the 2019 season as the active database. If the date of the "2019 Updates" note is 12/20/2019 or later then you have the most up to date version.
In addition, we have released a season update patch that will allow you to update your already installed copy of the 2019 season. The update patch is not a complete copy of the 2019 season database. It is a program that applies the corrections to an already installed copy of the 2019 season without disturbing the work you may have already done to your team rosters and league structure. Instructions on using the 2019 season update patch and the link to download it can be found on the 2019 Season Database Changes web page.
We apologize for these errors and for any inconvenience.
Updated: 12/21/2019
