|
 Mr.
3000 and Counting
Pierce Notches Another UL
First
by Lance Mueller
CHICAGO (Aug. 29) -- In a career filled with milestones met and records
reached, Colts’ southpaw ace Billy Pierce chalked up another major achievement
by being the first pitcher in league history to strikeout 3,000 batters. After
pushing himself to the brink of the 3K K mark with a 10 strikeout performance
against Dallas on August 24th, Billy got the magical number #3,000 in the first
inning against the Spiders when he caught Jim Lemon looking to end the inning.
There was a twenty minute delay before the start of the second inning as the
Colts organization and local dignitaries and businesses lavished Pierce with
awards and gifts, the most humorous being free sausages for Billy and his family
(and their future offspring) from Bob’s House of Brat until the year 3000. Of
the hoopla, a humble Pierce simply said, “I was just doing my job.”
As Pierce’s illustrious career enters it’s twilight years, it’s
difficult not to wonder where this sure shoe-in for the UL Hall of Fame will end
up sitting in the league record books. Though Billy currently holds the #1 spot
in many statistical categories, fellow southpaw Johnny Antonelli is not far
behind in career wins, strikeouts and shutouts. Antonelli, almost exactly two
years younger than Pierce, will stand a good chance of passing Pierce in
strikeout and shutouts, and has an outside chance of racking up more wins before
his career is over. The only other pitcher who’s currently poised to even have a
shot a catching either of these great hurlers is Detroit’s Pedro Ramos, who, at
the age of 27, has quietly marched up the career leader board while playing for
mostly underachieving teams. In the end, it doesn’t really matter where Billy
Pierce ends up in UL record books. What matters is he has spent a career proving
himself a winner, a leader, and a true sportsman, both between the lines and in
the clubhouse, and when you’re a player like that it doesn’t matter what numbers
you end up with because you’ll always be #1 in hearts of the fans.
 “Davey!
Davey Williams! King of the Wild Frontier!”
DETROIT (Sept. 1) -- And the chant rings
out in Briggs Stadium, as the Griffins’ second baseman steps up to the plate.
Few outside of Detroit know the mild-mannered infielder who has outpaced
traditional batting leaders and firmly holds on to second place in the race for
the batting average crown – second, this reporter might add, only to the
greatest man to ever live on the face of the earth, Granny Hamner. With a 332
average, 17 homeruns and 51 RBIs, fans even outside of Michigan are starting to
take notice.
Born November 2, 1927, in Dallas, TX, Williams grew up during the
depression, which likely explains his refusal to take a ton of money for his
services. “Why should they pay me more? I’m not going to Labine anyone” stated
Williams (Reporter’s note – Clem Labine was DET’s “reliever” during the days of
the Sound and was often seen sporting around town in his new Corvette after
blowing save after save). “You got to produce, take what you’re worth, and be
happy.”
After being drafted in 30th round, 234th overall pick, by Brooklyn
in 1951, Williams saw decent action in his rookie year, but Glen “Don’t even try
to compete with my baseball acumen” Reed decided to leave Williams unprotected,
and the Sound picked him up in the 2nd round, 10th overall pick in the Reentry
in 1954. The “Quiet Man”, as he was known in the locker room, was a solid but
not astounding player for the Sound/Griffins until 1959, when he finished with a
.314 average, 15 homeruns, and 61 RBIs.
Unfortunately, Williams didn’t turn in a repeat performance until
this year, where he is making Glen “I’ll pull three more Perrys out of my butt”
Reed quake in his boots. He won the UL's Batter of the Month award for August
by hitting .418 with 9 HR, 19 RBIs, and an incredible .504 OBP. The “Quiet Man”
from Texas, though, downplays any heroics in his actions that are helping DET
and the other rebel forces blow up the Death Star and destroy Darth Reed…..sorry
– got carried away there.
Ahem. Williams believes he’s simply doing his job, and the way
he’s playing, he may have a job in DET for years to come.
|
 Cepeda Has Big-League August
Boston's Orlando Cepeda showed flashes of his potential future greatness in
August, hitting .333-10-27 with a 1.091 OPS in the best month of his five-year
career. Cepeda, the GothFeds' #1 draft pick in 1958, hit six homers in his
last nine games and broke into the top 10 in batting, home runs, RBIs, and OPS. |
Runs a Rarity for Sox
Manhattan GM Jeff Gurganus expected his
expansion Gray Sox to be the league's lowest scoring team, but until late
August, San Francisco held the dubious honor of being the league's most hapless
offense. But the Spiders overtook the
Sox in August, outscoring them 159-119 to climb out of the cellar of the league run table. Ironically, Manhattan scored more runs in
August than any month this season, after crossing the plate just 84 times in July.
Manhattan scored three runs or less in 14 of their 29 August games, and were
shut out four times, bringing their season total to 13. The low point,
offensively speaking, came in mid-May, when the Sox were shut out three times in
four days, and scored just 10 runs in 7 games. |
|
|
W
E S T D I V I S I O N
MILKIN'
ROOKIES by Charlie Qualls |
E A S T D I V I S I O N
MILKIN'
ROOKIES by Charlie Qualls |
|
 Al
Spangler, OF
Al “Spanky” Spangler wasted no time showing that he could be
another weapon in the Colts’ already impressive arsenal.
Though not possessive of the type of wheels GM M. Lance
Mueller usually likes to keep on his well-oiled machine,
Spanky offers himself as an excellent OBP guy, especially
vs. righty pitching. He also tends to thrive in
high-pressure situations, stepping up his game when
everyone’s looking.
ROY Rage Factor: Not Likely, but the Colts aren’t
complaining. Being part of a high-octane Offense, The
Spankster is mainly relegated to platoon status.
|
 Leo
Cardenas, SS
For Glen Reed, “Chico” IS the man. Man enough to be worth a first
round draft pick. Leo Cardenas has been impressive considering the
22-year-old never took a breath in the mines. However, what’s
impressive to most is barely passable for a Superba.
ROY Rage Factor: Until recently, his numbers had been comparable
to Tom Tresh’s, but he’s nowhwere near as valuable to his squad.
Whether or not the powers-that-be take that into consideration remains
to be seen.
|
|
Carl Sawatski, C
|
 Ed
Charles, 3B
Ed “The Glider” Charles did not even get a taste of the minors, and
may never have to. This 29-year-old rookie boasts a .333 Avg. with RISP.
He garnered a bit of national notoriety with his mashtastic Founder's
Cup performance. All that, plus rare speed for a third sacker.
ROY Rage Factor: Looking up. Being understudy to that other
“Ed” may have hurt his shot at freshman glory, but his recent trade to
the hot corner hungry Griffins may give “The Glider” the ABs he needs to
build a case for himself.
Bob Gibson, SP
It shouldn’t be cause for alarm that the biggest name in Pitching
Prospects is premiering at a 28% Quality Start ratio. With the Three
Kings Ramos, Jay and Koufax as contemporaries, Baby Bob can relax with
no pressure of being the team’s ace. Or worse, he’ll THRIVE on that
pressure! For the rest of the league's sake, I’m begging you, please
don’t piss him off! In any event, watch for Gibby to get his control
issues squared away and improve on his already ridiculous
average of 8 K’s per 9 innings.
ROY Rage Factor: No dice, Bob. But no gamblin’ man would ever
bet against you.
|
|
Chuck Hiller, 2B (by Mark Allen)
Chuck "The Thriller" Hiller was having a decent season for a 27 yr old
rookie and being drafted in the 4th round by Louisville in 1961. He has
progressed to being a part time starter and was hitting a decent .296
but only 4 walks in 196 AB's (for a paltry .314 OBP), sent him to AAA
when the Colonels picked up what they consider there future 2nd baseman
in Bernie Allen via trade when the
team grew tired of Al Kaline's continuing disappointing performance.
Chuck looks like he could spend a lot of time as a backup since Bernie
is hitting .381 in just 14 games so far. However, Chuck could go down
as the best rookie for the COlonels for the forseeable with the
laughable (AKA con-existent) farm system due to the owners drawing to an
inside straight and losing not only his money but the possible near term
future of the Colonels.
|
Joe Orsino, C |
|
 Dick
Radatz, CL
For the time being, “The Monster” is caged in his pen, where he finds his teeth to be as large as other closers'. But
Dick Radatz may eventually be bound for the Maroon rotation. Twice as
many K’s than BB’s? Try to keep this Bad Ass Radatz from spreading his
wings.
ROY Rage Factor: Dark Horse. We have yet to see a reliever find
gold at the end of the rookie rainbow, but this Dick could buck that
trend.
Joe Torre, C
Joe "Catcha" Torre has emerged as a hot young star for the New Look
Maroons. He popped into the bigs last year for a weak cup of coffee,
but this 22-year-old amounts to much more than a hill of beans. Torre's
adored and he won't spit on the floor in the friendly
confines of Sportsman's Park, where he's hocked up a .340 OBP.
ROY Rage Factor: Fire and Ice. JoTo needs to work on his
consistency if he hopes to find a first year bonus in his sweaty stocking.
|
 Jim
Hickman, 1B, OF
When all is said and done, Jim “Hayseed” Hickman may find himself in
a platoon role in the soon-to-be Monumental line-up. For the season
being, he’s slapping together an OK rookie campaign, though he’ll need
to work on bringing his K count down.
ROY Rage Factor: He’ll get a glance, but he needs to turn up the heat if he hopes to melt voters’ hearts.
|
|
  Tom
Tresh, SS, OF
Tom “Trailer” Tresh knows he’s going to have to work to
keep up with the rest of the future Outlaw offense, but he’s
got the tools to make it so. If his initial performance
piece is any indication, the league will be Talkin’ Tresh
soon enough. His .371 OBP, .429 SLG and 57 RBI are tops
among UL Rookies. Oh, and he’s a switch hitter, he’s
comfortable home AND away, and he plays multiple positions
with equal solid-tude. Yeah, he just might be OK.
ROY Rage Factor: Frontrunner among hitters for sure,
and probably overall. His ability to perform amidst a
middlin’ offense makes what he's doing all the more
impressive.
Art Mahaffey, SP
Perhaps Art “School” Mahaffey’s most impressive 1962 stat is
zero days on the DL. Injury plagued as a minor leaguer,
Mahaffey is working hard to live up to the hype that's
surrounded him. And despite a few minor setbacks, Artie's
been a welcome addition to the Outlaws pitch-poor rotation.
ROY Rage Factor: Not Realistic, but this young
righty is oozing potential.
|
Earl Francis, SP
The 1960 third round draft pick was a pleasant surprise for the
rebuilding Barons. The Slab Fork, WV escapee has been particularly
effective on the road, offering a 2.68 ERA on increasingly unfriendly
soil. Franny also constructed one of the season’s top
performances, weaving and leaving the spinning Spiders with but one hit.
ROY Rage Factor: Why Not? Well, would they or should they give
the honor to anyone with a losing record? A slam-dunk offense may have
made Early a shoo-in. |
|
Lou Brock, OF
Perhaps "Sweet" Lou could have used a little seasoning
before being invited to the Big Pepper Game out west.
In his year one effort, Little LouLou seems to be having
some trouble finding first base, but make no mistake, he
knows EXACTLY where second is. This speedy speedster
speedington is going to be keeping catchers (and
groundskeepers) on their toes for years to come.
ROY Rage Factor: Not for you, Lou. But you can just
wait until it's given out... then steal it!
|
Willie Davis, OF
Wanna talk tools? Willie “Hardware Store” Davis has a garage full
of them. After a brief but monstrous Minor League career, GM Shawn
Martin decided that Willie was show ready. And though WD’s not exactly
setting the rookie horizon ablaze, he’s shown us a glimpse of a star
that could go NOVA at any moment.
Add a pinch of power to taste.
ROY Rage Factor: Willie? Or won’t he? Things could fall his
way if he polishes his tools.
|
|
|
BATTING
AVERAGE |
HOME RUNS |
RBI |
OPS |
RUNS
SCORED |
|
Granny Hamner,
BRO |
.369
|
|
Davey Williams,
DET |
.332
|
|
Bill Skowron,
LOU |
.324
|
|
Ernie Banks, CHI |
.321
|
|
Joe Cunningham, DET |
.321
|
|
Joe Adcock, CHI |
.302
|
|
*Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
.302
|
|
Billy Williams,
SF |
.301
|
|
*Don Blasingame,
STL |
.300
|
|
Frank Thomas, DAL |
.299
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Willie Mays, WAS |
40
|
|
Wally Post, LOU |
31
|
|
Hank Aaron, LOU |
30
|
|
*Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
29
|
|
Jim King, DET |
29
|
|
Roger Maris, STL |
29
|
|
Harmon Killebrew,
SF |
27
|
|
Frank Thomas, DAL |
27
|
|
Norm Cash, CHI |
26
|
|
*Eddie Mathews,
CLE |
26
|
|
Bill Skowron,
LOU |
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
Granny Hamner,
BRO |
113
|
|
Willie Mays, WAS |
104
|
|
Mickey Mantle,
BRO |
97
|
|
Ernie Banks, CHI |
95
|
|
Roger Maris, STL |
91
|
|
Leon Wagner, DET |
91
|
|
Jim King, DET |
90
|
|
*Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
88
|
|
Dick Kokos, STL |
85
|
|
*Bill Skowron,
LOU |
85 |
|
Frank Thomas, DAL |
85 |
|
|
|
|
|
Eddie Mathews,
CLE |
.988 |
|
Granny Hamner,
BRO |
.981
|
|
Ernie Banks, CHI |
.961
|
|
Willie Mays, WAS |
.957
|
|
Mickey Mantle,
BRO |
.942
|
|
*Davey Williams,
DET |
.939
|
|
Bill Skowron,
LOU |
.937
|
|
*Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
.934 |
|
Roger Maris, STL |
.926
|
|
Jim King, DET |
.918
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BROOKLYN
|
753
|
|
CHICAGO
|
682
|
|
DETROIT
|
651
|
|
DALLAS
|
639 |
|
ST. LOUIS
|
624
|
|
LOUISVILLE
|
607
|
|
LOS ANGELES
|
584
|
|
WASHINGTON
|
558
|
|
BOSTON
|
553
|
|
CLEVELAND
|
550
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO
|
549
|
|
MANHATTAN |
521 |
|
|
EARNED
RUN AVERAGE |
WINS |
STRIKEOUTS |
RATIO |
RUNS
ALLOWED |
|
Lew Burdette,
BRO |
2.00
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET |
2.34
|
|
Billy Pierce, CHI |
2.45
|
|
Johnny Antonelli,
LOU |
2.49
|
|
Carl Erskine,
CHI |
2.63
|
|
Joey Jay, DET |
2.63
|
|
Gene Conley, BRO |
2.70
|
|
Don Mossi, CHI |
2.84 |
|
Johnny Podres,
MAN |
2.84
|
|
Whitey Ford, BRO |
2.87
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Billy Pierce, CHI |
23
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET |
23
|
|
Lew Burdette,
BRO |
21
|
|
Johnny Antonelli,
LOU |
20
|
|
Dick Donovan, DAL |
20
|
|
Art Ceccarelli,
DAL |
19
|
|
Jim Perry, BRO |
19
|
|
Gene Conley, BRO |
17
|
|
6
tied with |
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herb Score, STL |
355
|
|
Johnny Antonelli,
LOU |
295 |
|
Billy Pierce,
CHI |
274
|
|
Toothpick Jones, BOS |
260
|
|
Art Houtteman,
WAS |
256
|
|
Whitey Ford, BRO
|
240 |
|
Bob Miller, DAL |
238
|
|
Gene Conley, BRO |
235
|
|
Sandy Koufax,
DET |
230 |
|
Pedro Ramos, DET |
228
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lew Burdette, BRO |
8.7
|
|
Billy Pierce, CHI
|
9.0
|
|
Pedro Ramos, DET |
9.1 |
|
Johnny Podres,
MAN |
9.2
|
|
Johnny Antonelli,
LOU |
9.4
|
|
Gene Conley, BRO |
9.8
|
|
Carl Erskine,
CHI |
9.9
|
|
Whitey Ford, BRO |
10.2
|
|
*Don Mossi, CHI |
10.2
|
|
*Art Ceccarelli,
DAL |
10.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BROOKLYN
|
477
|
|
CHICAGO
|
514
|
|
DETROIT
|
539
|
|
DALLAS
|
589
|
|
BOSTON
|
608
|
|
MANHATTAN |
610
|
|
ST. LOUIS
|
613
|
|
CLEVELAND
|
618
|
|
LOUISVILLE
|
622
|
|
LOS ANGELES
|
641
|
|
WASHINGTON
|
669
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO
|
771
|
|
|
|
BATTER OF THE MONTH |
PLAYER OF THE WEEK |
MILESTONES |
|
APR
|
Roger Maris, STL |
4/9
|
Roger Maris, STL |
7/9 |
Marv Throneberry,
DAL |
Gus Zernial, CLE |
|
MAY
|
Willie Mays,
WAS |
4/16
|
Don Mueller, LOU |
7/16
|
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
350th home run
(Aug. 30), #2 all-time |
|
JUN
|
Ernie Banks,
CHI |
4/23
|
Carl Erskine, CHI |
7/23
|
Lew Burdette, BRO
(2) |
Billy Pierce, CHI |
|
JUL
|
Mickey
Mantle, BRO |
4/30
|
Whitey Ford, BRO |
7/30
|
Sandy Koufax, DET |
3,000th
strikeout (Aug. 29), #1 all-time |
|
AUG
|
Davey
Williams, DET |
5/7
|
Bill White, CLE |
8/6
|
Harry Anderson,
LOU |
Lew Burdette, BRO |
|
SEP
|
|
5/14
|
Bill Skowron, LOU |
8/13
|
Johnny Antonelli,
LOU |
1,500th
strikeout (Aug. 28), #10 all-time |
|
PITCHER OF THE MONTH |
5/21
|
Joey Jay, DET |
8/20
|
Hank Aaron, LOU |
|
|
APR
|
Gene Conley,
BRO |
5/28
|
Willie Mays, WAS |
8/27
|
Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
|
|
MAY
|
Billy Pierce,
CHI |
6/4
|
Granny Hamner, BRO |
9/3
|
|
|
|
JUN
|
Johnny Podres,
MAN |
6/11
|
Wally Post, DAL |
9/10
|
|
|
|
JUL
|
Lew Burdette,
BRO |
6/18
|
Ernie Banks, CHI |
9/17
|
|
|
|
AUG
|
Art Ceccarelli,
DAL |
6/25
|
Lew Burdette, BRO |
9/24
|
|
|
|
SEP
|
|
7/2
|
Orlando Cepeda,
BOS |
10/1 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
UNITED LEAGUE CHAMPIONS |
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
|
CY YOUNG AWARD
|
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
|
|
1951 |
ST. LOUIS MAROONS
|
Ralph Kiner, DET |
Sam Zoldak, STL |
Jackie Jensen, LOU |
|
1952
|
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
|
Jackie Robinson, NYG |
Larry Jansen, WAS |
Stu Miller, WAS |
|
1953
|
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
|
Mickey Mantle, BOS |
Stu Miller, WAS |
Smoky Burgess, BRO |
|
1954
|
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
|
Stan Musial, STL |
Billy Pierce, STL |
Ed Bailey, LOU |
|
1955
|
BROOKLYN SUPERBAS
|
Roy Campanella, LA |
Tom Gorman, BRO |
Gene Conley, BRO |
|
1956
|
WASHINGTON
MONUMENTS
|
Ralph Kiner, DET |
Johnny Antonelli, LOU |
Frank Robinson, LA |
|
1957
|
BROOKLYN SUPERBAS
|
Granny Hamner, BRO |
Gene Conley, BRO |
Roger Maris, BOS |
|
1958
|
LOUISVILLE COLONELS
|
Willie Mays, WAS |
Carl Erskine, WAS |
Orlando Cepeda, NYG |
|
1959
|
SAN FRANCISCO SPIDERS
|
Granny Hamner, BRO |
Gene Conley, BRO |
Vada Pinson, LA |
|
1960
|
BROOKLYN SUPERBAS |
Hank Aaron, LOU |
Gene Conley, BRO |
Joe Gibbon, NYG |
|
1961 |
BROOKLYN SUPERBAS |
Granny Hamner, BRO |
Johnny Antonelli, LOU |
Dick Howser, WAS |
|
|
|
