January 8th, 1934 - The 1934 New York Giants

In real life 1934 (IRL), the 1933 defending World Series Winners New York Giants just missed the pennant by two games. Mel Ott, Jo-Jo Moore and player/manager Bill Terry (3b) provide the team's offensive spark. Carl Hubbell's phenomonal year overshadowed other superb seasons by NY pitchers Freddie Fitzsimmons and Hal Schumaker. Even New York's fourth starter, Roy Parmelee was better than average. The Giants bullpen was solid, but without a real "lights out" closer. They won two more pennants (1936 and 1937) before the decade ended. Player-manager Terry was just the second manager in Giants' history, having taken over for the legendary John McGraw during the 1932 season before leading the Giants to a World Series victory in 1933.

January 7th, 1934 - The 1934 Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals (known informally to their fans as the Senators) were the defending American League champions entering into 1934. Manager-Shortstop Joe Cronin, however, found 1934 rougher sledding, and the Nationals were unable to repeat, falling to 7th with a record of 66-86. Heine Manush was the Nats hitting star that year. Their starting rotation was, with the exception of Lefty Stewart, inadequate. The brightest spot on the Nats was their bullpen, led by Bobby Burke. The Nats finished the rest of the decade no higher than third, but no lower than sixth, making it a successful one by their standards.