 |
|
|
|
HIGHEST
PAID PLAYERS |
|
# |
Player |
Salary |
|
1 |
Willie Mays, WAS |
12,050 |
|
2 |
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
9,950 |
|
3 |
Davey Williams, BOS |
9,420 |
|
4 |
Johnny Antonelli, WAS |
8,000 |
|
5 |
Billy Pierce, CHI |
6,880 |
|
6 |
Juan Pizarro, SF |
6,710 |
|
7 |
Gil McDougald, DET |
6,600 |
|
8 |
Bob Chakales,
BOS |
6,400 |
|
9 |
Roberto Clemente,
DAL |
6,000 |
|
10 |
Hector Lopez, LA |
6,000 |
|
11 |
Bill Skowron, STL |
6,000 |
|
12 |
Bob Friend, BOS |
5,792 |
|
13 |
Pedro Ramos, DET |
5,500 |
|
14 |
Frank Thomas, DAL |
5,500 |
|
15 |
Joe Presko, BRO |
5,284 |
|
16 |
Hank Aaron, LA |
5,200 |
|
17 |
Herm Wehmeier, MAN |
5,128 |
|
18 |
Bill White, CLE |
5,120 |
|
19 |
Hank Thompson, CHI |
5,089 |
|
20 |
Ernie Banks, CHI |
5,000 |
|
21 |
Bubba Church, LA |
5,000 |
|
22 |
Lew Burdette, BRO |
4,900 |
|
23 |
Nellie Fox, CHI |
4,900 |
|
24 |
Granny Hamner, BRO |
4,900 |
|
25 |
Gene Conley, BRO |
4,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
1964: The Year In Preview
by Charlie Qualls
League Prognosticians have been on a long hiatus (who could
have seen that coming?) but it’s time once again for them to
dust off their thinking ahead caps and give us all a taste of
what’s to be in ’64.
A shaggy quartet from Liverpool will take the U.S. and
the “Ed Sullivan Show” by storm, while Japan’s worst
performance artist ever concocts the double fantasy of breaking
them up and getting naked in public as often as possible -
though no one will ever ask her to do either.
Herbie Hancock will release “Empryrean Isles,” which will
be critically acclaimed, though he’ll still regret not naming
the album the more easily pronounced “Meet The Beatles.”
Apartheid Bashing Rabble Rouser Nelson Mandela will
suggest a non-violent solution to South Africa’s
racial segregation woes, and he’ll get the crap beat out of him
for it. Oh, and he'll probably do a little
jail time.
Martin Luther King, Jr. will be awarded the Nobel Prize
for Peace, paving the way for inner city boulevards everywhere
to eventually have their names
changed to “Nobel Lane.”
Plans for two large towers to be built in New York City
to promote World Trade will be announced, but really they’ll be
erected to say to the rest of the world, “Hey look what WE can
build.”
San Francisco Giants draftee Robert Bonds will almost
name his son “Lamar” but will come to his senses, giving him the
much more chant-able name “Barry.”
President Lyndon B. Johnson will declare “War On
Poverty” followed by the even more controversial program: "Arm
The Homeless."
The first Ford Mustang will roll off the assembly line,
making it OK to name cars after horses. The “Bronco” will be
introduced two years later, but will get a bad rap and
eventually be replaced by the “Escape.”
A Federal jury will convict Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa
of tampering with a Federal jury, sending the
message that Federal juries take care of their own.
George Bush, Jr. celebrates his 18th birthday on July 6th. Guess
that makes him a Cancer.
|
|
 Colts
Still Juiced?
If
They Blow It, Here’s How It Happened
by
Charlie Qualls
CHICAGO (Apr. 1) -- No
thinking UL fan would bet against the Colts achieving
the West’s first 4-Peat. But for those of us who tend
to over think things (usually to our own detriment), we
might look for reasons Chicago might blow back into the
pack.
“A” Is For Antonelli
Signing Johnny Angel would have given the Colts their
wings for certain, but it was the Monuments who rang the
loudest bell. Fortunately for Colts GM Lance Mueller,
the Ant Man didn’t crawl to any of his West Division
competitors. Antonelli also surprised everyone by
signing on the dotted line on the first day of FA
bidding, thus avoiding a bidding war (and probably more
money).
Ray Of Hopeless
The Colts knew they were taking a chance on Ray “Where
the hell did THAT come from?” Herbert. In 12 UL
seasons, Herbert’s only had one successful year.
Granted, the last three years were spent in Brooklyn,
where he really wasn’t needed, but still, no one could
have predicted Herbert’s rebounding into one of the
League’s best. If he reverts back to his old Ray ways,
the Colts could be in trouble.
Kemm On ‘A My House
Studly stopper Russ Kemmerer has developed a nasty habit
of getting off to a slow start. Luckily, the Colts
added him mere seconds after he’d apparently gotten all
the suck out of his system in Cleveland last year. If
Rusty isn’t oiled and ready right out of the gate, it
could cost the Colts some crucial early season W’s.
35-And-Up Club
Billy Pierce, Don Mossi, Nellie Fox, Hank Thompson and
Joe Adcock have all had a big hand in Chicago’s recent
success. But they’re all being spanked by the big hand
of father time. How long before they’re each sent
to their room for
good?
Texans 2: Electric Boog-A-Loo
With most of the East scratching and rebuilding to be the next Superbas, watch for the rest of the West to pop and lock
their way to a tighter race. The Outlaws and Spiders
are putting together some frightening future O’s. And
don’t count out the Maroons and Texans, who each slapped
near .500 seasons together in ‘63. Expect everyone but
the Kiddie Colonels to
improve in the
West.
Ouch! That Hurts!
The Colts have a long and painful relationship with the
Disabled List, including two seasons ago when their two
aces were forced to watch the World Series from the
infirmary. And though the Injury Insect hasn’t bitten
much lately, if history re-asserts itself, the Colts
could limp their way back into obscurity.
Keep Demeter Running: Why They WILL Win
OK, all bad luck scenarios aside, the Colts still boast
the meanest guns in the West. And with Don Demeter,
Ernie Banks and Norm Cash all in their prime, the
offense should be more than up to the challenge of
taming the West.
|
|
OPENING DAY PROBABLES
|
| |
|
1963 Stats |
|
BOS |
Bob
Friend |
24-12 |
4.50 |
|
MAN |
Herm
Wehmeier |
14-27 |
4.64 |
|
STL |
*Herb
Score |
13-15 |
4.34 |
|
DAL |
Dick
Donovan |
19-17 |
3.59 |
|
SF |
*Juan
Pizarro |
14-14 |
3.63
|
|
LOU |
Ken
Johnson |
13-15 |
4.92 |
|
WAS |
*John
Antonelli |
15-16 |
2.70 |
|
BRO |
Gene
Conley |
24-6 |
2.02 |
|
CLE |
John
Tsitouris |
12-9 |
3.57 |
|
DET |
Pedro
Ramos |
22-15 |
2.84 |
|
LA |
Art
Mahaffey |
22-11 |
3.28 |
|
CHI |
*Billy
Pierce |
18-18 |
3.28 |
|
|
*left-handed |
|
|
|
FRANCHISE TRENDS
(Change in wins, 1963) |
|
UP |
+25
+19
+17  +10
 +9 |
|
LEVEL |
+0
+0
+0
-1 |
|
DOWN |
-17
-24
-28 |
|
THE SANDS OF TIME
(Age of Opening Day rosters) |
|
Team |
Median |
<27 |
28-32 |
>33 |
|
BRO |
33 |
3 |
11 |
10 |
|
CHI |
33 |
4 |
13 |
8 |
|
DAL |
32 |
6 |
15 |
4 |
|
STL |
31 |
3 |
16 |
6 |
|
BOS |
31 |
6 |
13 |
6 |
|
DET |
30 |
4 |
17 |
4 |
|
LA |
30 |
7 |
11 |
7 |
|
MAN |
29 |
5 |
16 |
4 |
|
SF |
28 |
7 |
13 |
5 |
|
WAS |
28 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
|
CLE |
27 |
9 |
13 |
3 |
|
LOU |
27 |
12 |
9 |
4 |
|
| |
Oldest Players |
| |
41 - Roy
Campanella, BRO |
|
38 - Irv Noren,
STL |
|
38 - Billy
Goodman, LOU |
|
38 - Bobby
Brown, STL |
|
37 - Herm
Wehmeier, MAN |
| |
|
| |
Youngest Players |
| |
19 - Tony
Conigliaro, LOU |
| |
20 - Denny
McLain, LOU |
| |
21 - Jim
Fregosi, CLE |
| |
21 - Sam
McDowell, LOU |
| |
21 - Dave
Morehead, LOU |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
1 9 6
4 U N I T E D L E A G U E
P R E V I E W |
|
W
E S T D I V I S I O N
|
E
A S T D I V I S I O N
|
|
|
CHICAGO
COLTS
Lance
Mueller |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
92 |
62 |
1/2 |
732 |
676 |
3 - 3 |
|
1962 |
101 |
61 |
1/2 |
787 |
627 |
2 - 2 |
|
1963 |
100 |
62 |
1/2 |
702 |
546 |
5 - 2 |
|
|
BOSTON
FEDERALS
Shawn Martin |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3t/5t |
639 |
694 |
9 - 5 |
|
1962 |
71 |
91 |
5/9 |
686 |
715 |
8 - 5 |
|
1963 |
86 |
76 |
2/4 |
728 |
681 |
3 - 6 |
|
RF
C
CF
SS
1B
LF
3B
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
CL |
L
L
R
R
L
R
L
L
L
R
L
R
R
L |
Spanky Spangler
Hobie Landrith
Don Demeter
Ernie Banks
Norm Cash
Joe Adcock
Jerry Lynch
Nellie Fox
Bill Pierce
Tom Sturdivant
Don Mossi
Ray Herbert
Russ Kemmerer
Chet Nichols
|
IN: C Hobie Landrith, MR
Chet Nichols, MR Bob Grim, 2B Chuck Schilling, *SP Al Downing
OUT: RF Gus Bell, C Johnny
Roseboro
One to Watch: Don
Demeter had a breakout year in his fifth season, hitting
.314-35-98 with a .926 OPS, and was second only to Ernie Banks
in production.
|
|
|
|
CF
SS
1B
LF
RF
C
3B
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
R
R
R
L
R
R
R
R
L
L
L
R |
Tony Gonzalez
Eddie Bressoud
Orlando Cepeda
Bob Allison
Willie Davis
Bill Freehan
Andy Carey
Davey Williams
Bob Friend
Chris Short
Joe Gibbon
Mickey McDermott
Bob Chakales
|
IN: SP Mickey McDermott, MR
Bob Chakales, C Yogi Berra
OUT: 3B Bobby Brown, MR Bob Grim
One to Watch: Bob
Allison, a first round pick in 1959, led the Feds with 95
RBI while hitting a career high 27 home runs and playing solid
outfield.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
DALLAS TEXANS
Ben
DeGrass |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1960 |
108 |
45 |
1/1 |
816 |
522 |
|
|
1962 |
97 |
65 |
2/3 |
760 |
693 |
4 - 4 |
|
1963 |
80 |
82 |
4/7 |
767 |
676 |
2 - 5 |
|
|
BROOKLYN
SUPERBAS
Glen
Reed |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
102 |
52 |
1/1 |
807
|
561 |
1 - 1 |
|
1962 |
105 |
57 |
1/1 |
907 |
585 |
1 - 1 |
|
1960 |
115 |
47 |
1/1 |
839 |
473 |
1 - 1 |
|
CF
2B
1B
LF
3B
RF
SS
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
R
R
L
R
L
R
R
R
R
R
L
R |
Roberto Clemente
Dick Groat
Steve Bilko
Boog Powell
Frank Thomas
Wally Moon
Zoilo Versalles
Gene Green
Dick Donovan
Bob Purkey
Tom Brewer
Art Ceccarelli
Ray Crone
|
IN: *Gaylord Perry
OUT: none
One to Watch:
SP Art
Ceccarelli was a big factor in the Texans' 17-game dip last
year, and will need to regain his top form for Dallas to
contend. "Chic" went from 25-11 to 7-15, while his ERA
nearly doubled from 2.97 to 5.83.
|
|
|
|
2B
LF
CF
SS
1B
RF
3B
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
S
R
L
R
R
L
R
R
R
L
R |
*Dick McAuliffe
Sandy Amoros
Mickey Mantle
Granny Hamner
Jim Gentile
Al Kaline
Felix Mantilla
Tim McCarver
Gene Conley
Lew Burdette
Jim Perry
Whitey Ford
Dave Sisler
|
IN: C Roy Campanella, *MR
Joe Grzenda
OUT: 3B Willie Jones, C Hobie Landrith, LF Irv Noren,
MR Bill Fischer
One to Watch:
Whitey Ford had the best year of his career, posting a
2.05 ERA to accompany a 21-5 record, his third 20-win
season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOS
ANGELES OUTLAWS
Peter Vays |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3/5t |
619 |
701 |
10 - 6 |
|
1962 |
70 |
92 |
5/10 |
685 |
758 |
9 - 10 |
|
1963 |
89 |
73 |
2/3 |
672 |
657 |
8 - 4 |
|
|
CLEVELAND
BARONS
Charlie Qualls |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3t/5t |
691 |
703 |
5 - 7 |
|
1962 |
76 |
86 |
4/7t |
673 |
730 |
10 - 7 |
|
1963 |
76 |
86 |
5/9 |
623 |
688 |
10 - 7 |
|
2B
CF
LF
RF
C
3B
1B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
L
R
R
R
R
L
R
R
L
R
R
R
|
Hector Lopez
Vada Pinson
Frank Robinson
Hank Aaron
Bill Sarni
Ted Lepcio
Willie Stargell
Bill Mazeroski
Art Mahaffey
Hank Aguirre
Jim Bunning
Bubba Church
Ray Narleski |
IN: SP Bubba Church,
OUT: None
One to Watch: SP
Art Mahaffey (22-11, 3.28) helped the Outlaws'
pitching staff improve from 10th to 4th in the league. The
25-year-old right-hander became the club's first 20-game winner
and made a run for the Cy Young.
|
|
|
|
1B
CF
SS
3B
2B
RF
LF
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
CL |
L
R
R
L
L
L
L
L
R
R
L
R
R
L |
Bill White
Curt Flood
Harvey Kuenn
Eddie Mathews
Bernie Allen
Mack Jones
Whitey Herzog
Frank House
John Tsitouris
Don Drysdale
Steve Barber
*Bob Sadowski
Turk Farrell
*Pete Richert |
IN: 2B Bernie Allen, RF Gus
Bell, C Johnny Roseboro, *SS Jim Fregosi, *SP Bob Sadowski,
OUT: C Yogi Berra, 2B Chuck Schilling
One to Watch: Curt
Flood improved his average nearly 100 points last year,
collecting 205 hits and finishing second in batting (.349).
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOUISVILLE COLONELS
Mark Allen |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
81 |
73 |
2/3 |
702 |
641 |
4 - 2 |
|
1962 |
82 |
80 |
3/5 |
736 |
726 |
6 - 6 |
|
1963 |
58 |
104 |
6/12 |
698 |
854 |
6-12 |
|
|
DETROIT
GRIFFINS
Sean
Holloway |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
76 |
78 |
2/4 |
684 |
678 |
7 - 4 |
|
1962 |
89 |
73 |
2/4 |
764 |
680 |
3 - 3 |
|
1963 |
61 |
101 |
6/10t |
614 |
781 |
11-10 |
|
3B
CF
1B
C
2B
LF
SS
RF
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
L
L
L
R
L
R
R
R
L
L
R
R
R |
*Jim Ray Hart
Vic Davalillo
Willie McCovey
Ed Bailey
Ron Hunt
*Gates Brown
Leo Cardenas
*Tony Conigliaro
Ken Johnson
*Sam McDowell
Jim O'Toole
*Denny McLain
*Luis Tiant
Tom Acker
|
IN: *3B Jim Ray Hart, *SS
Nate Oliver, *LF Gates Brown, *RF Tony Conigliaro, *SP Sam
McDowell, *Denny McLain, *SP Luis Tiant, *MR Dave Morehead, *MR
Jim Roland, SP Jim O'Toole, SS Leo Cardenas,
OUT: SP
Johnny Antonelli, 2B Bernie Allen,
MR Seth Morehead
One to Watch:
SP Ken Johnson, 13-15, 4.92 in his first full year last
year, anchors a rotation with three rookies: McDowell, McLain,
and Tiant, the 1st, 4th, and 10th overall picks.
|
|
|
|
CF
SS
RF
LF
1B
3B
C
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
R
R
L
R |
*Mike Hershberger
Lou Clinton
Joe Cunningham
Frank Howard
Ed Bouchee
Ed Charles
Johnny Edwards
Denis Menke
Pedro Ramos
Joey Jay
Bob Gibson
Sandy Koufax
Tex Clevenger
|
IN: 1B Ed Bouchee, MR Bill
Fischer, *CF Mike Hershberger
OUT: SP Mickey McDermott
One to Watch:
LF Frank "Hondo" Howard
is poised to become the Motor City's best power hitter since the
days of Ralph Kiner. "Hondo" hit .327-24-63 in 101 games
last year, with the highest OPS in the league (1.055).
|
|
|
|
|
|
ST LOUIS
MAROONS
Tim Smith |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
70 |
84 |
4/8 |
744 |
709 |
2 - 8 |
|
1962 |
76 |
86 |
4/7t |
748 |
755 |
5 - 9 |
|
1963 |
85 |
77 |
3/5 |
708 |
738 |
4 - 9 |
|
|
MANHATTAN GRAY SOX
Jeff
Gurganus |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1960 |
108 |
45 |
1/1 |
816 |
522 |
|
|
1962 |
77 |
85 |
3/6 |
631 |
737 |
12 - 8 |
|
1963 |
77 |
85 |
4/8 |
613 |
722 |
12 - 8 |
|
CF
LF
C
RF
1B
3B
2B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
R
L
R
L
L
R
L
R
R
R
R |
Albie Pearson
Floyd Robinson
Joe Torre
Roger Maris
Bill Skowron
Bobby Brown
Don Blasingame
*Billy Consolo
Herb Score
Ray Culp
Bob Bruce
Dick Radatz
Billy Hoeft
|
IN: 3B Willie Jones, 3B Bobby Brown, SP Billy O'Dell,
LF Irv Noren
OUT: C Roy Campanella, MR Chet Nichols
One to Watch: C
Joe Torre, at age 23, was four shy of 100 RBIs last year,
batting .308 with 24 HR.
|
|
 |
|
RF
2B
1B
3B
CF
LF
C
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
R
L
L
L
R
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
R |
Tom Umphlett
Bobby Richardson
Tito Francona
*Pete Ward
*Jimmie Hall
Felipe Alou
John Orsino
Tony Kubek
Herm Wehmeier
Johnny Podres
Bob Anderson
Ray Sadecki
*Dean Chance
Ted Abernathy
|
IN: *CF Jimmie Hall, MR Don
Cardwell, MR Seth Morehead
OUT: 1B Ed Bouchee, SP Jim
O'Toole
One to Watch:
LF Felipe Alou, in his first full year as a regular, won
a Gold Glove and led the club with 21 HR and 97 RBI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SAN
FRANCISCO SPIDERS
Jeff
Tonole |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
64 |
90 |
5/10 |
687 |
795 |
6 - 9 |
|
1962 |
61 |
101 |
6/12 |
673 |
895 |
10-12 |
|
1963 |
61 |
101 |
5/10t |
632 |
827 |
9-11 |
|
|
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
Herb
De Spain |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
Rank |
|
1961 |
66 |
88 |
5/9 |
664 |
811 |
8 - 10 |
|
1962 |
67 |
95 |
6/11 |
688 |
837 |
7 - 11 |
|
1963 |
84 |
78 |
3/6 |
691 |
644 |
7 - 3 |
|
CF
2B
LF
3B
RF
SS
C
1B
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
CL |
L
S
L
R
L
R
L
L
L
R
L
R
R
R
R |
Lou Brock
Pete Rose
Russ Snyder
Harmon Killebrew
Billy Williams
Eddie Kasko
Joe Ginsberg
Fred Whitfield
Juan Pizarro
Jack Fisher
Jack Kralick
Tom Cheney
Ron Kline
Cloyd Boyer
Johnny Klippstein
|
IN:
MR Cloyd Boyer, MR Bobby Locke
OUT: xx
One to Watch:
Center fielder Lou Brock, in his second UL season,
swiped a league record 104 bases while hitting .266 and driving
in 56 runs.
|
|
|
|
2B
C
CF
LF
3B
RF
1B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
L
R
L
R
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
R |
Dick Howser
Sammy Taylor
Willie Mays
*Carl Yastrzemski
Ron Santo
Jim Hickman
Don Mincher
Ron Hansen
Johnny Antonelli
Don Larsen
*Bob Veale
*Sonny Siebert
Art Houtteman
|
IN: SP Johnny Antonelli, 2B
Pete Runnels, *SP Bob Veale, *Sonny Siebert, *MR Dan Osinski, *MR
Cal Koonce
OUT: CL Bob Chakales
One to Watch:
LF Carl Yastrzemski is an early favorite for Rookie of
the Year, and hopes to build on the Mons' breakthrough year last
year, their first winning season in five years.
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