Before the amateur draft was introduced in the 1960s, leveling the playing field a bit in terms of acquiring the best talent, it wasn’t unusual for really good players to be trapped in the Yankees’ minor league system for years. New York was always good, and always had a great pipeline of talent waiting, and there was little recourse for players that were simply never promoted to the big leagues.
Bill McKechnie was a Hall of Fame manager, but he favored defense to an extreme degree. It usually improved his teams at first, but over time they tended to flounder because they didn't have enough punch in the lineup. Hank Sauer got caught in that trap, because he was not a good defensive outfielder, but obviously a good enough hitter to make up for that, to most. The Reds would still not have been a good team in 1946 and 1947 with Sauer in the lineup, but they would have been better.
Bill McKechnie was a Hall of Fame manager, but he favored defense to an extreme degree. It usually improved his teams at first, but over time they tended to flounder because they didn't have enough punch in the lineup. Hank Sauer got caught in that trap, because he was not a good defensive outfielder, but obviously a good enough hitter to make up for that, to most. The Reds would still not have been a good team in 1946 and 1947 with Sauer in the lineup, but they would have been better.
Great article thanks!