Bios by John R. Balazs administrator@baseballhistorian.com

* Vern Stephens, Shortstop St Louis Browns/Boston Red Sox - Right-handed - a clutch power-hitting shortstop, he was an immediate success for the Browns with 92 RBIs in his rookie season - 1942. Junior Stephens led the AL three straight years in assists - 1947-1949, and led in fielding percentage once - 1945. And three times, he led the circuit in RBIs, including 109 in 1944 that helped the Brownies win the AL pennant... he reached career-highs in homers and RBIs in '49-'50 with 39 homers and 159 RBIs, and 30 and 144 - both seasons leading the majors... Browns 1941-47, '53; Red Sox 1948-52; White Sox/Orioles 1953-55.

* Jeff Heath, Outfielder Cleveland Indians, Bats LH, T - RH - one of baseball leading outfielders during the 1940s. A veteran of 14 major league seasons, he powered 31 doubles, 18 triples, hit 21 homers, scored 104 runs and had 112 RBIs in 1938... he twice led all AL players in triples with 18 in '38 and with 20 in '41.Heath reached career-highs in 1941, when he blasted 32 Ds, 20 Ts, 24 Hr and his 123 RBIs were second in the majors - trailing Joe DiMaggio's 125 RBIs... Indians 1936-45; Senators/Browns 1945-46; Red Sox 1948-49.

* George Case, Outfielder Washington Senators, Right-handed - one of the fastest runners in this era, he led the American League six seasons in stolen bases, including five consecutively - 1939-43, 1946. Using his high-speed, Case stole more bases from 1930-1960 than any player - 349. And, was also the hardest man in baseball history to double upon ground balls - one DP in 94 at-bats - until his record was broken by during the Don Buford in the late-'60. He also possessed a rifle throwing arm, and led the League with 21 outfield assists in '41. George Case hit better than .300 three times, had a .282 lifetime batting average, and collected 426 while striking out just 297 times... Senators 1937-45, 1947; Indians 1946.

* Elmer Riddle, Pitcher Cincinnati Reds, Right-handed - a big-name mound star during the early-1940s, the native of Columbus, Georgia broke into the majors on Oct 1, 1939 and in his first full season, 1940, used mainly in long-relief, he appeared in 15 games, going 1-2 with a 1.87 ERA... and fanned two batters in one inning of relief in that year's World Series. Moved into the starting rotation the next season, Riddle blossomed into one of the league's top star pitchers. In 1941, his sterling 19-4 record, .826 pct. was the highest winning percentage in all of baseball and he led both leagues with a stingy 2.24 ERA. In 1943, he went 21-11, with a 2.63 ERA - and his 21 wins that year also topped both leagues... Elmer Riddle career stats: 65-52, 3.40 ERA in 190G, 124GS, 57GC in 1,023 innings... Reds 1939-47; Pittsburgh 1948-49.

* Willie Puddin' Head Jones, Third Baseman Philadelphia Phillies - Right-handed - with cat-like quickness he led the National League seven times in putouts for third basemen. A team leader, his spirited play and late inning batting heroics helped Philadelphia's 'Whiz Kids' win the pennant in 1950 - 28 doubles, 2 home runs, 100 runs scored and 88 RBIs. A veteran of 15-major league seasons, he was well-regarded by fans...collected over 800 career RBIs... Phillies 1947-59; Cleve. 1959; Reds 1959-61.

Bob Muncrief, Pitcher St Louis Browns, Right-handed - posted 13 wins four times and tossed 11 complete game shutouts in a career that spanned 12 seasons. His 13-8 record in 1944 helped the Brownies win the AL pennant - was 0-1 in 2 games in the World Series, yielding five hits just 1-run in 6 2/3 innings. Worked over 200 innings in three different seasons - 13-9 record in 214 innings in '41, 13-12 in 205 innings in '43 and 13-8 in 219 innings in '44... also pitched two innings of relief in the 1948 WS while a member of the World Champion Cleveland Indians... born in Madill, Oklahoma... Bob Muncrief career stats: 80-82 Record, 3.80 ERA, 288G, 165GS, 67GC, in 1,401 innings... Browns 1937-47; Indians 1948; Pirates/Cubs 1949; Yankees 1951.