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| TOP STORIES |
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Doug Aiton's Washington
Monuments became the first repeat champion in
the East in seven years, clinching the pennant
on the last day of the season. Boston
finished strong but came up one game short.
Joe Torre missed the Triple Crown and
single-season RBI record, but captured his third
batting title and is the front runner for Most
Valuable Player.
Atlanta will start the
World Series without shortstop Bernie Allen,
center fielder Albie Pearson (injury) and left
fielder Roy Foster (suspension), and with Torre
nursing a bruised knee suffered in the final
week.
Los Angeles slugger Frank Robinson
won his fourth home run title, but will miss the
first two months of next season after rupturing
a ligament on the next to last day.
Atlanta (+15 wins) and Dallas (+13) were the
most improved teams, while defending champion
Chicago lost 22 more games and dropped to 4th.
But for the rest of the league it was more of
the same; every other club finished within six
wins of its 1970 total.
|
| ON THE MEND |
|
ATL
|
SS
Bernie Allen (3 mo)
CF Albie Pearson (5 wk)
CF Bob Allison (3-4 wk)
LF Roy Foster (4 games)
1B Joe Torre (1 day)
|
|
WAS
|
SP
Don Wilson (7 mo)
MR
Steve Barber (6 mo)
3B
Richie Hebner (1-2 wk)
SP Clay Kirby (4 days)
|
|
BOS
|
MR Danny Coombs (7 mo)
SP Gary Nolan (6-7
mo)
|
|
BRO
|
--
|
|
CHI
|
--
|
|
CLE
|
--
|
|
DAL
|
--
|
|
DET
|
MR Rollie Fingers
(8 mo)
|
|
LA
|
LF Frank Robinson (8 mo)
|
|
MAN
|
--
|
|
STL
|
--
|
|
SF
|
--
|
|
|
|
min 4 months
new injury |
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|
 Rudi Can't Fail
Mons Clinch on Last Day, Again
ATLANTA (Sep. 30) -- For the second
year running, the Washington Monuments clinched the East
Division on the last day, after a 14-11 thrashing of the Gray
Sox in Manhattan, in which Joe Rudi had five hits and Bernie
Carbo and Al Oliver each homered twice. The Mons led the
game 14-3 and nearly blew it, after Don Drysdale and John
Strohmayer gifted the Sox eight runs. But, as usual, Ray Narleski was there in the ninth to put the nail in the coffin of
the Boston Federals, who were 5-1 in their last six games and
swept a pair of games at Detroit to force Washington to win on
the last day or face another tiebreaker like last year.
It was Narleski who saved four of Washington's six must-win
elimination games during their incredible run a year ago.
 But despite the drama of the last day clincher, the most
important win probably came two days earlier, when, with three
games left to play, Andy Messersmith struck out 11 Federals and
allowed just two hits in eight innings as the Mons nipped Boston
2-1, foiling their chance to move into a first place tie.
And who had the game-winning pinch hit in that game: Joe Rudi.
And who induced a Rico Petrocelli double play en route to the
save: Ray Narleski.
Unlike last year's miraculous
come-from-behind triumph, the Monuments held pole position for
most of the second half, but could never pull more than a few
games ahead of Boston and Detroit. Ironically, Rudi was a
non-entity for most of the season. The 25-year-old left
fielder hit just .259, with a .276 on-base percentage, and was
just fifth on the team in RBIs. He was hitting just .243
on Aug. 14, when he suffered an ankle sprain that sidelined him
for a month. But in the 14 games after his return he hit
.426 and drove in 9 runs.
Like last year, Washington
ranked third in runs allowed. But unlike 1970, Mons
pitchers could not rely on the league's top offense building
comfortable leads. This year, Washington had a
middle-of-the-road offense, putting pressure on the bullpen to
hold narrow leads, and the bullpen answered with flying colors,
with a league best 3.06 ERA. Narleski was not as
consistent as last year, but just like last year (when he was
1.14 with 14 saves after joining the club on July 20) he was
again unhittable down the stretch, with a 1.38 ERA, 2 wins, and
5 saves in his last 11 appearances. He did not allow a run
in five appearances after Sep. 16.
The Monuments offense,
if not prolific, was at least balanced. No batter had more
than 80 RBIs, but 9 had more than 40. No batter had more
than 22 home runs, but six had more than 10. Richie Hebner
hit .341 and might have contended for the batting title were it
not for injuries, and Bernie Carbo (.286-19-80) and Al Oliver
(.292-22-78) were solid, if unspectacular, in the heart of the
order.
Washington now faces the Atlanta Hilltoppers, the
most offensive team in league history, and the pressure will be
on starters Johnny Podres, Andy Messersmith, Rick Wise, and/or
Bill Butler to keep the outgunned Monuments in the game.
 The Year
of the Near-Miss
The Boston Federals
photo-finish in the East was not the only near-miss in the
United League this year. On the contrary, many records and
milestones were threatened, but only a sparse few were actually
achieved. Joe Torre led all three Triple Crown categories
in mid-September, but had to settle for his third batting title
and the RBI title. He was on pace to set the single-season
RBI record, but fell two short of Dick Allen's 1965 record.
It was supposed to be the year that Mickey Mantle hit 3,000
career hits, and Frank Robinson hit 2,500. Instead they
fell 17 and six hits shy. Lou Brock led the league in
stolen bases for the ninth time, but with his lowest tally.
A year after Bill Singer set the single season ERA record, Jim
Palmer's ERA title doesn't even crack the top 15. And
while Singer repeated as the league win champion, his tally of
18 was the lowest for league-leader in UL history.
 All-UL
Team Unveiled
NEW YORK (Oct. 28) -- Frank Robinson earned his 8th trophy and
the champion Atlanta Hilltoppers very nearly swept the infield
accolades as the 1971 All-UL Team was announced today at league
headquarters. MVP Joe Torre won his seventh All-UL Team award
(or "Ullie") at a record third position after winning five times
at catcher and once at third base. He was joined by teammates
Felix Mantilla at second base and Bernie Allen at shortstop,
with only Boston third baseman Rico Petrocelli nudging Sal Bando
to block an infield sweep. Last year Washington nearly achieved
an "up-the-middle" sweep with Ullies for catcher Ray Fosse and
the middle infield tandem of Dave Cash and Gene Alley.
There were four first-time winners: Colts catcher Carl Taylor,
Outlaws center fielder Ken Henderson, who also took Rookie of the
Year honors, Barons Cy Young winner Jim Palmer, and Spiders
closer Tug McGraw. Robinson joins just four other players who
have won 8 Ullies: Johnny Antonelli, Ernie Banks, Gene Conley,
and Mickey Mantle.
 He's
Going Back, and He Gets It!
Aaron Snares Eighth Gold Glove
NEW YORK (Oct. 28) -- Brooklyn's 37-year old left fielder Hank
Aaron had one heck of a season, winning a league record 8th Gold
Glove Award to cap a season in which he hit his 500th career
home run. Aaron and eight other leather wizards were honored
today for their fielding prowess. Colts shortstop Bill
Mazeroski was the only repeat winner from last year's honorees,
and Outlaws first baseman Mike "Superjew" Epstein recaptured the
award after a one-year break. But six other fielders were
first-time winners, including a trio of St. Louis Maroons:
second baseman Joe Morgan, third baseman Graig Nettles, and
right fielder Reggie Smith. The other Gold Glove debutantes
were catcher Ellie Rodriguez of Manhattan, center fielder
Elliott Maddux of Cleveland, and (appropriately enough) Bill
Hands of Detroit.
League President Timothy J. Smith said
at the ceremony, "I don't have anything to do with picking the
Gold Glove winners, but if you look at the stats, these actually
make sense this year."
|
|
| |
|
|
|
WEST DIVISION |
|
|
Record:
98-62 (+15)
1st in Batting - 6th in Pitching
The most prolific batting order in UL history
and a 51-28 second half vaulted the Hilltoppers
to their second league title in four years.
Nearly a clean sweep of the All-UL infield
positions, with Mantilla, Bernie Allen, and MVP
Torre.
Best Player:
Joe Torre (.373-43-149)
|
|
|
Record:
89-71 (+6)
5th in Batting - 4th in Pitching
Breakout year for Chuck Dobson (17-11), one of
three 17-game winners and career year for
slugger Frank Robinson as Outlaws notch sixth
straight winning season.
Best Player:
Frank Robinson (.328-48-116)
|
|
|
Record:
87-73 (+13)
3rd in Batting - 11th in Pitching
xxxxBreakout years for Willie Crawford and Cesar
Cedeno, and stellar debuts by Dave Kingman and
Chris Chambliss not enough to overcome long
season of pitching woes.
Best Player:
Willie Crawford (.336-21-91)
|
|
|
Record:
79-81 (-22)
10th in Batting - 2nd in Pitching
Disappointment of the season as defending West
champs swooned by 22 games after their lowest
run output in franchise history. Carl
Taylor crashed back to earth after last year's
batting title, and Clemente's broken kneecap
didn't help.
Best Player:
Bill Singer (18-11, 3.00)
|
|
|
Record:
76-84 (+3)
6th in Batting - 8th in Pitching
Maroons personified stagnation with almost
identical runs and runs allowed as last year.
Arrival of Boog Powell and emergence of Graig
Nettles were only two bright spots, as Curt
Flood, Jim Fregosi, and Nolan Ryan spent long
stretches on the DL.
Best Player:
Graig Nettles (.292-18-80)
|
|
|
Record:
76-84 (-3)
8th in Batting - 5th in Pitching
Inevitable pitching slump after last year's
high-water mark (2nd-rank 3.12 ERA).
Jenkins, Bosman, and Hedlund all flopped, but
Bob Moose turned in his third season in four
years with 17 wins, sub-3.00 ERA and 200+
strikeouts.
Best Player:
Bob Moose (17-7, 2.67)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EAST DIVISION |
|
|
Record:
86-74 (-3)
7th in Batting - 3rd in Pitching
Another year, another pennant won on the last
day of the season, followed by a World Series
flop.
Best Player:
Bernie Carbo (.286-19-80)
|
|
|
Record:
85-75 (+x)
2nd in Batting - 10th in Pitching
Agonizingly close to first pennant despite rash
of injuries to pitching staff. Seventh
100-RBI season for Cepeda and second All-UL nod
for Petrocelli.
Best Player:
Orlando Cepeda (.280-40-124)
|
|
|
Record:
82-78 (-6)
4th in Batting - 9th in Pitching
Jackson, Allen, Bonds, and Howard combined for
132 home runs, but pitching faltered down the
stretch, despite 11th 15-win season for Pedro
Ramos.
Best Player:
Reggie Jackson (.324-40-90)
|
|
|
Record:
74-86 (-1)
9th in Batting - 7th in Pitching
Holthaus candidate for GM of the year after
slashing $13 million in payroll and getting just
one less win. Breakout year for Tom Seaver,
but lineup missed Torre's bat.
Best Player:
Phil Niekro (15-8, 3.03)
|
|
|
Record:
70-90 (-5)
12th in Batting - 1st in Pitching
Cy Winner Jim Palmer anchored league's top
hurling crew, but 503 runs and .627 team OPS set
new standards for batting futility.
Best Player:
Jim Palmer (16-11, 2.27)
|
|
|
Record:
58-102 (+1)
11th in Batting - 12th in Pitching
Aaron's 500th home run and closer Ray Lamb's
stunning sophomore effort were about the only
highlights in an otherwise forgettable season at
the Frank.
Best Player:
Ray Lamb (0.74, 20 saves)
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|
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|
LEAGUE AWARDS |
|
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER |
CY YOUNG AWARD |
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR |
GOLD GLOVE AWARD |
ALL-UL TEAM |
 |
|
Joe Torre, ATL
.373-43-149 1.118 OPS |
|
 |
|
Jim Palmer, CLE
16-11 2.27
187 K |
|
 |
|
Ken Henderson, LA
.310-27-96 .924 OPS |
|
|
C |
Ellie Rodriguez, MAN |
|
1B |
Mike Epstein, LA (2) |
|
2B |
Joe Morgan, STL |
|
3B |
Graig Nettles, STL |
|
SS |
Bill Mazeroski, CHI (2) |
|
LF |
Hank Aaron, BRO (8) |
|
CF |
Elliott Maddux, CLE |
|
RF |
Reggie Smith, STL |
|
P |
Bill Hands, DET |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C |
Carl Taylor, CHI |
|
1B |
Joe Torre, ATL (7) |
|
2B |
Felix Mantilla, ATL (3) |
|
3B |
Rico Petrocelli, BOS (2) |
|
SS |
Bernie Allen, ATL (3) |
|
LF |
Frank Robinson, LA (8) |
|
CF |
Ken Henderson, LA |
|
RF |
Reggie Jackson, DET (3) |
|
SP |
Jim Palmer, CLE |
|
SP |
Bob Moose, SF (2) |
|
SP |
Bill Singer, CHI (2) |
|
RP |
Tug McGraw, SF |
|
|
|
FINANCES |
|
ATTENDANCE |
TOTAL REVENUE |
PLAYER EXPENSES |
NET PROFIT |
|
1971 ('000) |
Change |
|
Atlanta |
2,781 |
552 |
|
Manhattan |
x2,554 |
428 |
|
Washington |
2,414 |
-23 |
|
Boston |
2,375 |
268 |
|
Detroit |
2,335 |
189 |
|
Dallas |
x2,263 |
237 |
|
Los Angeles |
2,023 |
61 |
|
Cleveland |
1,833 |
41 |
|
Chicago |
1,825 |
-916 |
|
St. Louis |
x1,802 |
-268 |
|
San Francisco |
1,466 |
74 |
|
Brooklyn |
1,432 |
-96 |
|
Total
|
25,108 |
550 |
|
Average
|
2,092 |
+2.2%
|
|
|
1971 ($M) |
Change |
|
Boston |
71.32 |
0.61 |
|
Atlanta |
70.91 |
1.61 |
|
Chicago |
69.10 |
-14.40 |
|
Washington |
68.97 |
-0.57 |
|
Manhattan |
68.60 |
0.60 |
|
Detroit |
68.42 |
0.19 |
|
Dallas |
67.54 |
5.55 |
|
Los Angeles |
66.85 |
1.38 |
|
Cleveland |
64.52 |
3.07 |
|
St. Louis |
62.12 |
-1.27 |
|
San Francisco |
59.94 |
4.98 |
|
Brooklyn |
59.22 |
0.43 |
|
Total
|
797.51 |
2.18 |
|
Average
|
66.46 |
+0.3%
|
|
|
1971 ($M) |
Change |
|
Atlanta |
81.17 |
6.95 |
|
Washington |
80.30 |
17.99 |
|
Boston |
75.46 |
14.10 |
|
Los Angeles |
74.85 |
0.06 |
|
St. Louis |
72.20 |
-2.28 |
|
Chicago |
70.12 |
6.81 |
|
Manhattan |
66.67 |
-13.63 |
|
Brooklyn |
64.42 |
-3.18 |
|
Detroit |
63.91 |
-5.42 |
|
Dallas |
60.34 |
1.70 |
|
San Francisco |
58.40 |
-5.75 |
|
Cleveland |
57.04 |
-5.13 |
|
Total
|
824.88 |
12.22 |
|
Average
|
68.74 |
+1.5%
|
|
|
1971 ($M) |
Change |
|
Cleveland |
7.48 |
8.20 |
|
Dallas |
7.20 |
3.85 |
|
Detroit |
4.51 |
5.61 |
|
Manhattan |
1.93 |
14.23 |
|
San Francisco |
1.54 |
10.73 |
|
Chicago |
-1.02 |
-21.21 |
|
Boston |
-4.14 |
-13.49 |
|
Brooklyn |
-5.20 |
3.61 |
|
Los Angeles |
-8.00 |
1.32 |
|
St. Louis |
-10.08 |
1.01 |
|
Atlanta |
-10.26 |
-5.34 |
|
Washington |
-11.33 |
-18.56 |
|
Total
|
-27.37 |
-10.04 |
|
Average
|
-2.28 |
-58%
|
|
|
|
LEADERBOARDS |
|
BATTING AVERAGE
|
HOME RUNS
|
RBI
|
VORP
|
RUNS/GAME
|
|
Joe Torre, ATL
|
.373
|
|
Cesar Cedeno, DAL
|
.343
|
|
Willie Crawford, DAL
|
.336
|
|
Rod Carew, DAL
|
.332
|
|
Frank Robinson, LA
|
.328
|
|
Reggie Jackson, DET
|
.324
|
|
Ken Singleton, LA
|
.320
|
|
Rico Petrocelli, BOS
|
.318
|
|
Carlos May, CHI
|
.314
|
|
Dave Cash, WAS
|
.312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank Robinson, LA
|
48
|
|
Joe Torre, ATL
|
43
|
|
Orlando Cepeda, BOS
|
40
|
|
Reggie Jackson, DET
|
40
|
|
Dick Allen, DET
|
38
|
|
Rico Petrocelli, BOS
|
33
|
|
Sal Bando, ATL
|
32
|
|
Roger Maris, CHI
|
30
|
|
Rocky Colavito, BOS
|
28
|
|
Reggie Smith, STL
|
28
|
|
Willie Stargell, MAN
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe Torre, ATL
|
149
|
|
Orlando Cepeda, BOS
|
124
|
|
Rocky Colavito, ATL
|
116
|
|
Frank Robinson, LA
|
116
|
|
Rico Petrocelli, BOS
|
110
|
|
Dick Allen, DET
|
104
|
|
Reggie Smith, STL
|
101
|
|
Felix Mantilla, ATL
|
100
|
|
Sal Bando, ATL
|
99
|
|
Ken Henderson, LA
|
96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe Torre, ATL
|
99.5
|
|
Frank Robinson, LA
|
96.1
|
|
Reggie Jackson, DET
|
71.2
|
|
Willie Crawford, DAL
|
64.4
|
|
Roger Maris, CHI
|
64.1
|
|
Sal Bando, ATL
|
61.5
|
|
Ken Henderson, LA
|
60.3
|
|
Richie Hebner, WAS
|
58.8
|
|
Ken Singleton, LA
|
51.1
|
|
Rico Petrocelli, BOS
|
51.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATLANTA
|
5.9
|
|
|
DALLAS
|
4.7
|
|
|
DETROIT
|
4.7
|
|
|
BOSTON
|
4.7
|
|
|
LOS ANGELES
|
4.5
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS
|
4.4
|
|
|
WASHINGTON
|
4.4
|
|
|
MANHATTAN
|
3.9
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO
|
3.9
|
|
|
CHICAGO
|
3.7
|
|
|
BROOKLYN
|
3.6
|
|
|
CLEVELAND
|
3.1
|
|
|
EARNED RUN AVERAGE
|
WINS
|
STRIKEOUTS
|
VORP
|
RUNS ALLOWED/GAME
|
|
Jim Palmer, CLE
|
2.27
|
|
Wilbur Wood, CHI
|
2.49
|
|
Frank Reberger, CLE
|
2.65
|
|
Bob Moose, SF
|
2.67
|
|
Ron Reed, ATL
|
2.98
|
|
Bill Singer, CHI
|
3.00
|
|
Phil Niekro, MAN
|
3.03
|
|
Steve Kline, CLE
|
3.04
|
|
Bill Butler, WAS
|
3.08
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET
|
3.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bill Singer, CHI
|
18
|
|
Chuck Dobson, LA
|
17
|
|
Joe Gibbon, LA
|
17
|
|
Bob Moose, SF
|
17
|
|
Fritz Peterson, LA
|
17
|
|
Steve Carlton, ATL
|
16
|
|
Jim Palmer, CLE
|
16
|
|
Tom Timmermann, ATL
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry Dierker, LA
|
224
|
|
Andy Messersmith, WAS
|
221
|
|
Bill Singer, CHI
|
216
|
|
Bob Moose, SF
|
215
|
|
Steve Carlton, ATL
|
213
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET
|
212
|
|
Jerry Koosman, BOS
|
197
|
|
Fergie Jenkins, SF
|
192
|
|
Johnny Podres, WAS
|
190
|
|
Jim Palmer, CLE
|
187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jim Palmer, CLE
|
69.2
|
|
Wilbur Wood, CHI
|
51.8
|
|
Tom Seaver, MAN
|
50.7
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET
|
50.7
|
|
Bob Moose, SF
|
50.2
|
|
Ron Reed, ATL
|
50.1
|
|
Frank Reberger, CLE
|
47.9
|
|
Jerry Koosman, BOS
|
47.1
|
|
Phil Niekro, MAN
|
46.4
|
|
Steve Carlton, ATL
|
45.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLEVELAND
|
3.6
|
|
|
CHICAGO
|
3.7
|
|
|
WASHINGTON
|
4.1
|
|
|
LOS ANGELES
|
4.2
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO
|
4.2
|
|
|
ATLANTA
|
4.3
|
|
|
MANHATTAN
|
4.4
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS
|
4.4
|
|
|
DETROIT
|
4.5
|
|
|
BOSTON
|
4.5
|
|
|
DALLAS
|
4.7
|
|
|
BROOKLYN
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
AWARDS & MILESTONES |
|
BATTER of the MONTH
|
PITCHER of the MONTH
|
ROOKIE of the MONTH
|
MILESTONES
|
|
APR
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
|
MAY
|
Joe Torre, ATL |
|
JUN
|
Frank Robinson, LA |
|
JUL
|
Willie Crawford, DAL |
|
AUG
|
Joe Torre, ATL (2) |
|
SEP
|
Frank Robinson, LA (2) |
|
|
APR
|
Tom Seaver, MAN |
|
MAY
|
Tom Timmermann, ATL |
|
JUN
|
Fritz Peterson, LA |
|
JUL
|
Jim Palmer, CLE |
|
AUG
|
Larry Dierker, LA |
|
SEP
|
Bill Parsons, CHI |
|
|
APR
|
Dave Kingman, DAL |
|
MAY
|
Larry Hisle, SF |
|
JUN
|
Chris Chambliss, DAL |
|
JUL
|
Ken Henderson, LA |
|
AUG
|
Ken Henderson, LA (2) |
|
SEP
|
Bill Parsons, CHI |
|
Joe Torre, ATL
.373, 3rd batting title
387 total bases,
#1 all-time
Lou Brock, SF
83
stolen bases
led league a record 9th time
Hank Aaron, BRO
1,000
walks (Sep. 28)
#7 all-time
|
|
PLAYER of the WEEK
|
|
4/12
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
|
4/19
|
Ron Santo, MAN |
|
4/26
|
Dick Allen, DET |
|
5/3
|
Joe Torre, ATL |
|
5/10
|
Joe Torre, ATL (2) |
|
5/17
|
Tony Perez, CHI |
|
5/24
|
Rocky Colavito, ATL |
|
5/31
|
Ted Sizemore, BRO |
|
|
|
|
|
6/7
|
Bobby Bonds, DET
|
|
6/14
|
Bernie Allen, ATL
|
|
6/21
|
Rocky Colavito, ATL (2)
|
|
6/28
|
Willie Crawford, DAL
|
|
7/5
|
Joe Torre, ATL (3)
|
|
7/12
|
Rod Carew, DAL
|
|
7/19
|
Willie Crawford, DAL (2)
|
|
7/26
|
Rod Carew, DAL (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
8/2
|
Rico Petrocelli, BOS
|
|
8/9
|
Carlos May, CHI
|
|
8/16
|
Joe Torre, ATL (4)
|
|
8/23
|
Willie Crawford, DAL (3)
|
|
8/30
|
Orlando Cepeda, BOS
|
|
9/6
|
Tony Perez, CHI (2)
|
|
9/13
|
Joe Torre, ATL (5)
|
|
9/20
|
Chuck Hinton, BOS
|
|
|
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