United League Baseball

Torgy and Spahn
Boston Out in Front
BOSTON (Apr. 30) -- Earl Torgeson singled in the 7th inning today, plating the game-winning run and extending his hitting streak to 13 games, as the Boston Beacons ended the month 16-8 and atop the United League. The "Earl of Snohomish" batted .512 in his last 10 games (21-41), driving in 11 runs over that span. Torgy leads the league in batting (.400), is 2nd in hits, total bases, and steals, and ranks in the top five in slugging, OPS, and RBIs. Meanwhile, staff ace Warren Spahn contributed three shutouts in his first five starts, and beat Don Newcombe twice, en route to a 4-1, 3.08 start. Boston blanked Chicago twice on April 16-17, with Spahn going the distance for a 2-hitter Monday, and Mike Garcia anchoring a combined 3-hitter the next night. Garcia (4-0, 2.62) suffered an injury on Apr. 28, and will require 4 weeks to fully recover from a strained bicep muscle. He will most likely be replaced in the rotation by Bob Lemon, who pitched well in his only start, a 3-2 loss to St. Louis in the Beacons' home opener Apr. 6. After that loss, Boston won 8 straight games at Fenway, and leads the league with a 10-3 record in home games.

New York Stung by Injuries
Robinson Out 5 Weeks, "Baby Joe" Ruptures Tendon, "Walking Man" Limps
BOSTON (Apr. 30) -- "Did you see Jackie Robinson pull that groin? He slid into second, and then he grabbed his balls. Yes, yes, Jackie pulled up lame..." The New York Gothams will be without the services of the 15th overall pick for the entire month of May, as second baseman Jackie Robinson recovers from a groin pull suffered in Apr. 28 win over Brooklyn. Robinson is batting .369, is 3rd in OBP, 3rd in SLG, and 2nd in OPS. Jackie suffered defensively in the season's first week, committing 4 errors in his first 6 games, but has gone errorless since.
   Just three days earlier, New York suffered its first major injury of the season, as pitcher 'Baby Joe' Presko hurt his arm in an 8-3 loss to Louisville Apr. 25. Presko, a 21-year-old sixth round pick, was dropped from the rotation after a pair of debacles, but has found his element in the bullpen, where he has allowed just one earned run in 5.1 innings (1.69) in four games.
   In a final cruel twist, the "Walking Man" Eddie Yost sprained his ankle on Apr. 30 after doubling off Allie Reynolds in a 3-2 loss at Boston. Yost's 8th inning double put the tying run in scoring position, but on the next at-bat, pinch runner Billy Cox was doubled up on Matt Batts' line drive to Eddie Stanky.

Is Newk the Weak Link?
Colts Pitching Dominant Despite Wobbly Ace
CHICAGO (Apr. 30) -- Preacher Roe's two-hit masterpiece in today's 3-1 win over Brooklyn confirms what has been apparent all season: Chicago's pitching is whiz-bang! Roe (3-2, 2.82) leads the staff and is second in the league with just 9.2 runners per nine, but Mel Parnell (4-2, 3.00) and Saul Rogovin (4-1, 2.64) have been just as dominant. Mel, Preacher, and Saul have combined for and 11-5 record, 2.83 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 10 complete games in their 18 starts. Meanwhile, nominal ace Don Newcombe, the fourth overall pick, has suffered, losing four of five decisions with a 6.05 ERA
   But the real strength of the Chicago staff is its bullpen, which has allowed just 5 earned runs in 26.2 innings (1.69). Between them, Al Brazle, Monk Dubiel, and Dizzy Trout have yet to allow a run in 8 appearances.
   Despite allowing a league low 3.8 runs per game, the Colts have been struggling to score runs. Despite the best homer total in the UL (28-Yogi Berra 6, Wally Westlake 6, Bobby Thomson 4), the Colts are dead last in batting and runs scored. Westlake is the only regular hitting over .288, and 21 players have at least as many RBIs (15) as team leader Bobby Thomson.

Figurines are Phoney
No sooner was Jackie Robinson placed on the disabled list than counterfeit Jackie Robinson Groin Injury^TM commemorative figurines began appearing on hawkers' tables outside the Gothams box office. The league issued a stern warning to nobody in particular, and reminded fans that when they purchase their own Jackie Robinson Groin Injury^TM commemorative figurine, to be sure to confirm its authenticity before shelling out the $1.95 asking price.

AROUND THE HORN

16-8 8-4			BOSTON · 10-3 at home... Warren Spahn 3-0, 0.67, 3 CG in last 3 starts, won POW 4/23 (2-0 with 2 shutouts)... Joe "Professor" Ostrowski 0 walks in 10 appearances... Cal Abrams .391 (9-23) in last 7 games... Earl Torgeson 4-5, 5 RBI Apr. 20 in 10-6 win at Louisville... Gus Zernial leads team with 6 HR, 2nd in SLG (.582)... Bobby Brown hitting .340, .357 vs righties
14-10 6-6			CHICAGO · Leads league in ERA (3.30) and complete games (12-Parnell 4, Roe 3, Rogovin 3)... Bullpen 1.69 in 26.2 innings... League worst AVG, OBP and OPS... 1-4 hitters (Reese, Avila, Bell, Rosen) batting combined .251... Westlake (.338) only regular over .288... Yogi Berra .545 (6-11) in last 5 games... Exactly half of their league high 28 HRs have been away from the 'friendly confines' of Wrigley.
14-10 8-4			ST. LOUIS · Won 6 straight Apr. 14-20... Del Ennis 2-run double beat Chicago 5-3 Apr. 23, next game Red Schoendienst HR in 11th beat Colts 4-2... Beat WAS 11-3, 11-6 on Apr 29-30, Musial 6-10, HR, 2 doubles, Clyde McCullough 3-4, 2 HR on Apr. 29... Sam Jethroe .563 with RISP... Ellis Kinder leads league with 7 saves... Billy Pierce leads team with 22 strikeouts... Sal Maglie lost twice after 3-1 start.
13-11 5-7			DETROIT · League's top offense (6.3 runs/gm), leads league in walks (125-Kiner 17, Kell 17, Masi 16), OBP (.383-Kiner .450, Elliott .437, J DiMaggio .433), and OPS (.825-Kiner 1.105, Elliott .994)... Lost 6 straight Apr. 16-23... Ralph Kiner 0 HR in 12 games since Apr. 14 hat trick... Vic Raschi 2-hitter on Apr. 19, league best 6.8 K/9... Joe DiMaggio three doubles in 8-6 loss at Boston Apr. 23... Monte Irvin 4 RBI on Apr. 20 and again Apr. 30 in 8-7 win at Louisville.
12-12 7-5			LOUISVILLE · First in batting (.302-Ashburn .385, Kluttz .349) and stolen bases (32-Jensen 12, Ashburn 8), last in home runs (6) and slugging (.385)... Small-ball Colonels had 17 hits (16 singles) in 9-8 win over Washington Apr. 17, then 17 hits (15 singles) in 12-8 win over Detroit Apr. 29... Alvin Dark homered Apr. 12 and Apr. 28. In between, the Colonels went 11 games without a home run... Elmer Valo league high 7 pinch hits.
12-12 8-4			NEW YORK · 9-2 run Apr. 14-28... Robinson, Hodges homer against Brooklyn in first meeting of crosstown rivals Apr. 16; NY wins 2-0 behind Early Wynn 5-hitter... Harry "The Cat" Breechen back-to-back shutouts Apr. 19 and 24, Vic Wertz HR for only run in 1-0 win at Detroit Apr. 19... Swept Sound in Detroit Apr. 19-21... Ted Williams 4 RBI vs Louisville Apr. 23... Irv Noren 4-5, 3 RBI in 14-8 win over Brooklyn Apr. 28.
8-16 4-8			BROOKLYN · Second in home runs (25) and runs scored (5.6 per game)... 0-5 in one-run games... RF Gene Woodling won POW honors 4/30 (.417-2-5)... Pete Runnels 14-31 (.452) since joining club Apr. 16... Roy Campanella .111 (4-36) in last 9 games... Ken Raffensberger leads league with 6 CGs in 6 starts... Joe Dobson has not given up a double in 119 BF... Allowed league high 30 HR (Raffensberger 7, Dobson 6).
7-17 2-10			WASHINGTON · 2-16 since Apr. 8, 1-12 on the road... 3-2 win over Chicago Apr. 20 snapped 9-game skid, Erv Palica anchored 4-hitter, Sid Gordon 2-run homer... Five days later Palica ruptured tendon, will miss 5 weeks... Steve Gromek league best 214 batters faced without a home run allowed... Frank Smith 0-3, 8.59, 3 blown saves... Hank Thompson leads team in batting (.344), hits (31), and slugging (.544).