United League Baseball

Colts Break from the Pack
Chicago Widens Lead with String of 9 Wins
CHICAGO (June 29) -- The Chicago Colts went into the midsummer break with the league's best record (49-38) and a comfortable 6.5 game lead over second place New York. The Colts won 9 straight from June 15-24, including Mel Parnell's 10th win June 19th, Saul Rogovin's first shutout June 21, and a 9-8 extra-inning thriller against Detroit June 22.
   Parnell was one of the league's toughest pitchers in June, going 5-1 with a 3.92 ERA, and the first to win 10 games. His 6-2 loss at Washington on June 28, the last day of the first half, was his first loss since May 27, ending a 5-game winning streak. It also robbed the Colts of their 50th win, knocking them off their 100-win pace. Parnell and Rogovin each lost in the last week of June, but on June 27 Don Newcombe shut out the Monuments on six hits for his ninth win and first shutout. The trio of Parnell, Rogovin, and Newcombe is the winningest combination in the league (30 wins), and fourth starter Preacher Roe (8-6) has as many wins as the aces of three other teams.

Brooks Sweep Monthlies
Rapid Robert and Handsome Ransom Behind Brooklyn's Climb
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (June 28) -- The Brooklyn Superbas completed a two-game sweep of St. Louis today, extending their road winning streak to six games. The combined two-hitter by Bob Feller and Leo Kiely lifted the team over .500 for the first time since April 7 (3-2), and culminated the Brooks' hottest month to date, an 18-8 stretch that lifted the team from 7th place to a share of 3rd.
   It was Feller's finest outing of the year. The veteran right-hander from Van Meter, Iowa had a disappointing 1-4 start, interspersed with elbow problems. But after a month of quality relief work (2.00 in 8 appearances), Rapid Robert returned to the rotation on June 17, a 10-6 win at Yankee Stadium. Feller won all three of his June starts, and finished the month with a 4-0 record and 1.82 ERA, apparently solidify his starting role.
   Bobby Shantz (5-0, 3.88) and Ken Raffensberger (4-1, 3.12) also had big months. Shantz is 7-2 since coming out of the bullpen in mid-May and shut out Detroit on four hits June 16. Raffensberger turned things around in June as well. After losing four straight starts in May, Raffy had six starts without a loss, including a 4-hit shutout of Chicago June 9. Even his June 25 loss was a decent outing; Raffy allowed just three earned runs in a 4-3 loss to Boston, and set a league record with 11 strikeouts.
   Offensively, the Superbas exploded for 180 runs in 26 games (6.9 per game). Seven times (five time away from Ebbets) they tallied 10 or more runs, including 4 in a 5-game span at New York and Louisville June 17-22. Leading the hit parade was unsung leadoff man Randy "Handsome Ransom" Jackson. The 25-year-old from Little Rock, a 9th round selection in the Initial Draft, was batting just .239 through May, but exploded for a record-tying 40 hits in June, for a .396 clip and 18 RBIs. Jackson was POGed twice in June, on the 1st, when he hit 4-for-5 with two doubles in a 9-3 win over Boston, and again on the 22nd, when he was 3-for-6 with a home run in a 13-2 thrashing at Parkway Field.
   Other key hitters were: Minnie Minoso, who maintained his league batting lead with a .383 June average and led the team with 26 runs; Larry Doby, who led the Brooks with 8 HR and 22 RBI; Roy Campanella, who batted .356 with 19 RBI; and Vern Stephens, who had a breakthrough month with a .318 average and 21 RBI.

Jackie Picks Up Where He Left Off
NEW YORK (June 28) -- Jackie Robinson missed six weeks to a groin injury, but the time on the DL appears to have had no effect on his play. In 11 games since his return on June 16, Jackie hit .438 with 6 doubles, 8 runs, and 5 stolen bases. He collected three hits in three games and on June 26, in a 6-4 loss to Chicago, he was 4-for-5 with a home run. Robinson's replacement Billy Martin played a solid second base, with a .984 fielding percentage and 37 double plays in 40 games, but the Gothams will be glad to have the game's best leadoff man on the top of their lineup card.

Top Performances: The Best Single-Game Showings from the First Half
Ralph Kiner (DET), April 14 - The day after a 3-4, 5 RBI game, Ralph hit 4-for-5 and set league standards with first 3-homer game, and 8 RBIs.
Gus Zernial (BOS), May 9 - Gus snapped out of 2-17 mini-slump, went 3-for-4, homered twice and doubled, driving in 6 runs against Washington.
Ken Raffensberger (BRO) - June 9 - After just one win in previous 7 starts, Ken shut out Chicago on four hits, no walks, six strikeouts.
Peanuts Lowrey (LOU) - June 19 - After 2 RBIs in his previous 10 games, Peanuts drove in 6 with a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, including a home run and a double, in 13-9 win over Washington.
Warren Spahn (BOS) - April 16 - 9 days after a 6-hit shutout, Spahnie tossed a 2-hitter, blanking Chicago in 5-0 win.

Improvements to Parkway Field on Schedule
LOUISVILLE (June 28) -- The league's smallest ballpark is getting a little bigger. Construction of 4,000 bleacher seats above Parkway Field's famed "Red Monstah" is complete, bringing the capacity of the Colonels' park to 19,000 for their July 3-10 homestand against Detroit and New York. Further renovations will begin during the off-season to add an additional 4,000 seats in right field and along the first base line in time for Opening Day 1952. The stadium enhancements will bring Parkway's capacity to 23,000, still well below the next smallest parks, Ebbets Field and Griffith Stadium, which can hold 32,000 fans.

Military Draft Coming July 13
NEW YORK (July 3) -- With the UN police action in Korea dragging on longer than expected, the league announced today that 25 United League players would be drafted for military service in 1952. The affected players will be selected completely at random from the eight UL teams and their minor league affiliates and will not report for duty until the end of the 1951 baseball season.

AROUND THE HORN

49-28 -- 10-2	CHICAGO · Sweeps of Boston, Detroit among 9 straight wins June 15-24, league's longest win streak... 13-3 in last 16 home games... League leaders: Rogovin (3.24 ERA), Parnell (11 wins, tied), Newcombe (87 Ks)... Rogovin league-best 2.81 road ERA... Parnell .210 OBA vs L (3rd), .316 vs R (worst)... Thomson lead team with 7 HR, 19 RBI in June...Lockman .435, 8 RBI in last 7 games... Berra .118 (2-17), 6 RBI in last 5 games.
42-34 6.5 5-7	NEW YORK · Lost 5 straight, including sweep at St. Louis, June 12-17... Wertz 5 RBI in 10-9 loss June 21... Hodges 4-game HR streak June 21-24 (ties Berra), POW June 25, .311-6-24 in June... Robinson returned from injury June 16, hit .438 (21-48) in first 11 games, POW July 2... Wynn 8-2 in last 12 starts... Blackwell league-best .219 OBA vs R... Boudreau strained rotator cuff June 26, will miss 3-4 weeks, Church strained bicep June 28, will miss 3 weeks.
38-37 10 5-7	ST. LOUIS · Swept New York (June 14-16) and Boston (June 21-23), swept at Detroit June 17-19, lost 4 straight June 25-28... June batting: Willie Jones .354, Pesky .353, Mullin 5 HR, 20 RBI, POW June 18... Last 5 games: Musial .071, Joost .111, Jethroe .133... Pierce league-best 1.30 ERA in June, strained back June 21, will miss 4 weeks... Joost hit by pitch June 17, missed 10 days with scratched cornea.
39-38 10 9-3	BROOKLYN · 10-1 in last 11 weekend games... 4-7 against New York... Feller 5-0 since May 7... Shantz 5-0, 3.88 in June, 4-hit shutout June 16... Bickford league-worst 6.16 home ERA... Woodling dislocated shoulder June 22, will miss 5 weeks... Lovin' Louie: 10-2 vs. Colonels, averages vs. Louisville: Cavarretta .511 (24-47), Woodling .455 (20-44), 18 RBI, Campanella .378 (17-45), 15 RBI.
36-40 12.5 3-9	BOSTON · Lost 8 straight June 16-24, including sweeps at Chicago and vs. St. Louis... 10-25 since May 20... Spahn's win June 28 ended a 1-7 skid (May 21-June 24), during which his ERA was 5.92... Turnely was 0-3, 6.75 in his first 4 starts... June batting: Abrams .350, Zernial .337-5-21, Cooper .342-5-14, Brown .339... Mantle .074 (2-27) in last 7 games.
36-40 12.5 5-7	WASHINGTON · Lost 4 straight June 22-25... Koslo beat Boston 2-1 June 16, Jansen lost to Louisville 2-1 June 17, Palica beat Louisville 2-1 June 18 with 3-hitter... Koslo 6-1 from May 17-June 16... F Smith 0.82, 10 SV in 11 June appearances... Gordon .432 (35-81) since May 5... Snider led team with 5 HR, 18 RBI in June... Mays .588 (10-17) in last 5 games.
34-44 15.5 6-6	DETROIT · Swept St. Louis June 17-19, swept at Chicago June 21-23... 7-4 vs. Brooklyn, 7-4 vs. St. Louis... Roberts 1-6, 7.47 in June... Raschi lost 5 straight June 3-21, 7.91 ERA... Porterfield 5-2 at home, 1-8 on road... Fain .385 in June, .526 (10-19) in last 5 games... Kiner .158 (3-19) in last 5 games... J DiMaggio led team with 6 HR, 22 RBI in June.
32-45 17 5-7	LOUISVILLE · Worst home record (14-23), swept by Brooklyn June 21-23... Att: 12,300 per game... June ERAs: Morgan 8.15, Branca 7.31, McDermott 7.18... Kennedy 3-2, 3.44 in 5 June starts... Branca, McDermott have league's longest home losing streaks (5)... Jensen led team with 5 HR, 20 RBI in June... Ashburn .550 (11-20) in last 5 games... Valo hit .403 in June, league best clutch-hitter (.583) and pinch hitter (.500).
DAY-BY-DAY
Sat Jun 16 WAS 2, BOS 1 - Koslo 7.0, 5 H, 1 R; Turley 7.2, 2 ER in first UL game STL 9, NYG 0 - Pierce anchors 6-hit SHO, Mullin 3 RBI, Ennis 2 2B, 2 RBI BRO 3, DET 0 - Shantz 4-hit SHO, Minoso 2-3, Cavarretta 2B, RBI CHI 9, LOU 3 - Reese 4-6, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, Avila 3-6, E Robinson 2 RBI
Sun Jun 17 BRO 10, NYG 6 - Campanella 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, Jackson, Minoso, Woodling 3 H CHI 3, BOS 2 - Roe 5-hit CG, Lockman, Berra 2-4, RBI; Miksis HR, Stanky error in 9th LOU 2, WAS 1 - Morgan CG, Ashburn 2-4, SB, R; H Thompson, McDougald 3 H DET 3, STL 2 - Rush 8.2, 2 R, Fain, Rojek 2-4, RBI; Schoendienst 2-4, RBI
Mon Jun 18 NYG 6, BRO 4 - Noren 2B, 3B, 2 R, Batts HR, Boudreau 2 RBI; Stephens 3-4 CHI 11, BOS 6 - Thomson 4-5, HR, 2 RBI, Reese HR, 3 RBI; Spahn 2-3, 3 RBI WAS 2, LOU 1 - Palica 3-hitter, Adcock 2-4, RBI, H Thompson RBI DET 5, STL 3 - Kiner 3-run HR (#20) in 7th tied game, Irvin, Kell RBIs in 8th
Tue Jun 19 BRO 13, NYG 6 - Reiser 2-4, 2 RBI, Minoso, Doby, Cavarretta, Strickland 2 RBI CHI 9, BOS 2 - Parnell CG, first 10-game winner, Avila 4-4, Reese, Thomson 3-5 LOU 13, WAS 9 - Lowrey 4-4, HR, 6 RBI, Valo 3 RBI, Fox 3-5; Mays, Garagiola HR DET 5, STL 2 - Porterfield 8.0, 2 R, 5-run 8th, Rojek 3-3, 2 RBI, Metkovich 2 RBI
Wed Jun 20 NO GAMES
Thu Jun 21 BRO 12, LOU 4 - Campanella 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, Woodling 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, Doby 3 RBI CHI 8, DET 0 - Rogovin 6-hit SHO for 10th win, Lockman HR, 4 RBI, Westlake 4-5 WAS 10, NYG 9 - WAS: 6-run 7th: Slaughter GSHR; Wertz HR, 5 RBI, Hodges HR, 4 RBI STL 11, BOS 4 - Pierce inj, Landrith 4-5, 4 RBI, Schoendiest, Pesky 3 H, W Jones 3 R
Fri Jun 22 BRO 13, LOU 2 - Doby 3-run HR in 1st, 8-run 2nd: Cavarretta 3-run HR, R Jackson 3-6, 3 RBI CHI 9, DET 8 (12) - Thomson 3 RBI, Lockman 2 RBI, E Robinson GW hit in 12th NYG 9, WAS 6 - Wynn 10th win, Hodges 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, Robinson 3-5; H Thompson 3-4, 3 RBI STL 6, BOS 5 - Zoldak 10th win, Mullin HR, 4 RBI, Jethroe 3-5; Cooper 3-4
Sat Jun 23 BRO 7, LOU 1 - Feller 7.2, 0 R, Campanella 2-3, 3 RBI, Cavarretta 2-4, 2 R CHI 5, DET 3 - Newcombe beat Roberts, Rosen 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, G Bell 2-3, HR NYG 6, WAS 3 - Williams 3-3, HR, Hodges 2-3, HR, 3 RBI; H Thompson 2-4, HR STL 13, BOS 7 - W Jones 4-5, Pesky 3-4, 3 RBI; Zernial 4-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Sun Jun 24 DET 9, WAS 5 (12) - Pafko GSHR in 12th, Fain 3-5; McDougald 4-6, 2 RBI STL 10, LOU 2 - W Jones 4-5, 4 RBI, Coan 3-4, 3 RBI, Pesky 3-4, Musial 3 BB, 3 R BRO 12, BOS 3 - Stephens 4 RBI, Minoso 3-4, 2B, 3B, R Jackson 3-5; Cooper 3-4 CHI 8, NYG 2 - CHI: W9, Berra 2 HR (GS in 1st), 5 RBI, Westlake HR, 2 RBI; Robinson 3-4
Mon Jun 25 DET 3, WAS 2 - Raschi 8.2, 2 R, J DiMaggio HR, Fain, 2-4, 2B, RBI; Kluszewski HR, 2 RBI LOU 4, STL 3 - Chambers 8.0, 3 R, Bauer 3-run HR; Ennis 3-run HR BOS 4, BRO 3 - Lopat 8.0, 2 ER, D DiMaggio 2-4, HR, Stanky 2 RBI; R Jackson 3-3, 2 RBI NYG 4, CHI 1 - Blackwell 3-hitter, Yost 3-4, RBI, Boudreau 2 RBI
Tue Jun 26 WAS 5, DET 3 - Jansen 8.0, 2 ER, Mays 3-3, 3 RBI, SB, Snider 3-4 LOU 1, STL 0 - McDermott 6-hit SHO, Jensen HR in 9th; Zoldak CG, 8 H, 1 R BOS 4, BRO 3 - Reynolds 8.0, 2 ER, 2-4, Cooper HR, Torgeson 2-5 CHI 6, NYG 4 - Rosen 3B, 2 RBI, Ryan 2-5, 2 R; Boudreau inj, Robinson 4-5, 2 RBI
Wed Jun 27 BRO 8, STL 4 - BRO: 6-run 9th, Cavarretta 3-run HR, R Jackson, Doby 3 H; W Jones 3-4, 3 R CHI 6, WAS 0 - Newcombe 6-hit SHO, G Bell HR, 3 RBI, Avila HR, 2 RBI, Thomson HR NYG 10, DET 1 - Wynn CG, 0 ER, Yost 3-4, 3 RBI, Robinson 3-4, 2 R, Hodges 3-5 LOU 8, BOS 4 - Ashburn 4-4, Lowrey 2-run 2B in 9th, Valo 2-4; Brown 2-4, HR
Thu Jun 28 BRO 3, STL 1 - Feller 8.0, 2 H, 1 R, Doby HR, 2 RBI, Souchock HR, Cavarretta 2-4 WAS 6, CHI 4 - McDougald HR, 2 RBI, Lollar 2-4, 2 RBI, Mays 2-4, 2 R DET 3, NYG 2 - Porterfield 8.0, 2 R, Priddy, Rojek back-to-back 3B, Furillo 2-4 BOS 13, LOU 3 - Brown 3-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI, Rizzuto 3-3, 3 RBI, Abrams 3-4, 4 R
Fri Jun 29 - Mon Jul 2 NO GAMES - MIDSUMMER BREAK