1940: Tough first season in organized baseball

BY JEAN BARRETTE, Spalding Official Baseball Guide 1940

Playing in organized baseball for the first time, the Quebec Provincial League's sixth campaign started with six teams but lost two members due to war conditions. Drummondville closed its operations July 1. Sherbrooke lasted a month longer.

St-Hyacinthe, managed by Mel Simons, won the pennant, while Three Rivers has an easy time disposing of St-Hyacinthe and Granby to win the Shaughnessy playoffs. St-Hyacinthe lost its first play-off game to Three Rivers and then quit when rain kept them inactive for four consecutives days. Granby just nosed out Quebec three games to two. In the finals, Three Rivers won four out of five games.

Both the playing season and the playoffs were financial disappointments. War and bad weather played havoc with all bankrolls. The owners are not the least discouraged, because the 1941 season should be a more prosperous one, on account of the works done all over the Province of Quebec.

Batting honors went to George Andrews, the 44-year old first baseman of St-Hyacinthe, who rolled up .339 in 76 games at the same time hitting 26 two baggers, the season's record. Three-baggers were scarce as indicated by the two leaders, Paul Martin of Three Rivers and Joe Doljack of Granby, whose contribution is onlu 7. James Walsh, Granby's 1B, led the league in home runs with 17. Joe Doljack of Granby had 13 sacrifices hits, and Anthony DeNubilo, Three Rivers, stole 23 bases.

Québec's Lou Lépine led the pitchers in lowest earned run average, marking up 1.67. Bruno Shedis, right-hander for St-Hyacinthe, had a won and lost average of .783 for 18 victories and 5 defeats. Bill Yocke of Quebec pitched 21 complete games.

The annual all-star team, selected by sports writers and managers of the circuit and compiled by the National Association press bureau, is given herewith. Players receiving one or more votes but failinf to place in the lineup are given honorable mention.

All-Star Team: 1B Walsh, 2B DeNubilo, 3B Banta, SS Albertson, LF E. Martin, CF Cicero, RF Platek, C Galen, RHP Shedis, LHP Yocke, UT Paul Martin, Mgr Del Bissonette.