After hitting .272 in 1933 as the Cubs centerfield replacement for injured Kiki Cuyler, who broke his leg in spring training, Demaree was sent to Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast League and responded with an MVP year (.383, 45 homers, 190 RBI, and 45 stolen bases in 186 games). Regaining the Cubs job in 1935, he had three consecutive excellent seasons, hitting .325, .350, and .324, with highs of 17 homers and 115 RBI in 1937. He was the starting centerfielder for the NL in the 1936 and 1937 All-Star games. In seven more ML seasons, he slipped to the status of journeyman reserve.
