United League Baseball

OPENING DAY 1951
UNITED LEAGUE TAKES THE FIELD
Wertz slam lifts Gothams in League opener
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 3) -- With ceremonies in New York and Washington, the United League of American Baseball Clubs opened its inaugural season today. Babe Ruth and Casey Stengel were among the dignitaries present at Yankee Stadium, where Vic Wertz' seventh inning grand slam off Warren Spahn gave the Gothams a 9-7 opening day win over the Boston Beacons.
In the nation's capital, southpaw President Harry S Truman threw the first pitch at Griffith Stadium, where the Monuments preserved the tradition of Washington baseball by losing their opener 5-4 to the St. Louis Maroons.

OPENING DAY ROUNDUP
NEW YORK 9, BOSTON 7
Vic Wertz sent 23,428 paying customers home happy after his seventh inning grand slam chased Warren Spahn and gave the home Gothams a dramatic win in the United League's first official game. Both Early Wynn and Warren Spahn had their opening day jitters surely compounded by the pomp and circumstance of the occasion. Wynn gave up three runs out of the gate on Mickey Mantle's 3-run double, but the Gothams tallied five in their half on doubles by Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges. Both pitchers settled, and Spahn was downright dominating for five shutout innings while the Beacons scratched back one run at a time. Mantle wrote history with the league's first home run, a monumental blast in the sixth inning measured at 501 feet that gave the Beacons a 7-5 lead. But Spahn got into trouble in the next frame, walking a pair to load the bases for Wertz, whose grand slam gave the New Yorkers a memorable 9-7 win.

ST. LOUIS 5, WASHINGTON 4
Sam Jethroe was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, including the game-winner in the ninth, as the St. Louis Maroons spoiled Washington's opening day festivities. Enos Slaughter's two-run double tied the game in the sixth, but Jet's heroics were enough to give Sal Maglie the opening day win.

BROOKLYN 8, CHICAGO 4
In Brooklyn, the Superbas plated six runs in two innings to sink Chicago ace Don Newcombe. The game was tied 1-1 before the Brooks blew it open with a 3-run fourth and 3-run fifth. Phil Cavarretta homered twice and Ken Raffensberger got the win.

DETROIT 10, LOUISVILLE 3
In the first major league baseball game in Louisville since 1899, Robin Roberts pitched a seven-hit complete game and Monte Irvin and Ralph Kiner homered to lead Detroit to a 10-3 win. Bob Elliott drove in three runs as the Sound touched loser Mickey McDermott for 10 runs and 7 walks in 7 innings.

LEAGUE FIRSTS
First hit: Gus Zernial, BOS (infield single in first inning)
First RBIs: Mickey Mantle, BOS (3-run double in first inning)
First ejection: Charlie Qualls, BOS (in fifth inning, arguing caught stealing call)
First home run: Mickey Mantle, BOS (solo shot in sixth)
First grand slam: Vic Wertz, NYG (seventh inning)
First win: Bob Hooper, NYG
First save: Chet Nichols, NYG

AROUND THE HORN

			WASHINGTON · The Monuments bounced back from their Opening Day loss with five straight wins, including a sweep of St. Louis. Duke Snider drove in 10 runs, including four in Saturday's 17-3 thrashing of New York, and #2 man Steve Gromek won his first two starts.
			CHICAGO · The Colts managed to go 4-2 despite two Don Newcombe losses. Yogi Berra homered in four straight games to open the season and had the game winning single in Friday's 11-inning 3-2 win over Detroit... Mel Parnell (2-0) leads league in strikeouts (10)... Held Detroit to 6 runs in 3 games.
			BOSTON · Mickey Mantle got his career off to a roaring start with 2 homers and 6 RBIs in his first two games. Gus Zernial was Player of the Week, slugging .920 with 8 RBIs -- he and Walker Cooper are 1-2 in OPS. Spahn beat St. Louis Saturday with a 6-hit shutout.
			BROOKLYN · Ace Ken Raffensberger (2-0, 5.00) got plenty of run support in a pair of blowout wins. Joe Dobson strained his back and Roy Campanella drove in 4 in Friday's 11-3 win over Louisville. Cavarretta (.478) and Woodling (.440) are first and sixth in batting... Leads league in team batting, OBP, and SLG.
			LOUISVILLE · Ralph Branca and Ken Holcombe salvaged a series win over Detroit after Mickey McDermott's opening day thrashing. Branca went the distance Sunday for his 2nd win. Richie Ashburn hit 12-26 and is 2nd in batting (.468). Just two homers in 6 games has manager Mark Allen concerned about offense.
			DETROIT · Scored 10 runs opening day, but only 11 in next 5 games. Team is 0-4 when Robin Roberts (2-0, 2.65) doesn't start. Bob Rush pitched 10 innings in a no-decision Friday; Chicago won 3-2 in 11. Fain, Elliott (4 RBIs) are only players with more than 3 RBI.
			NEW YORK · Pitching and defense worries (league high 7.49 ERA and 13 errors). Early Wynn and 'Baby Joe' Presko were each shelled twice. Held opponents to fewer than 7 runs only once in six games. Ted Williams was 3-for-4 in Thursday's 9-7 win over Boston, batted .455 for the week (tied for fourth).
			ST. LOUIS · League low .254 batting and 20 runs scored. Stan Musial hit 2-17 (.118) in first 5 games. Billy Pierce effective (2.70, 13.1 IP, 7 H) in two no-decisions. Sam Jethroe hit .421 with 6 RBIs. Eddie Joost hit go-ahead 3-run double in 9th Sunday, Boston rallied to win 5-4 in 11... All six games decided by one run.