Porterfield Keeps Sound Around
Hot Detroit Knocking on D.C.'s Door
DETROIT (July 1) -- Sound pitcher Bob Porterfield turned an 0-4 May into a 7-0 June using "deep breathing and relaxation techniques," leading the Detroit Sound to a 10-2 fortnight that closed the gap to just four games behind first place Washington. Inexplicably, the 42-32 Sound have built their success despite the second worse offense and middle-of-the-road pitching. "They really aren't that good," one disgruntled Detroiter commented. "Sure, they have DiMaggio, and Kiner, and Roberts, but in this league, having a seven-time home run champion, one of the greatest hitters of all time, and the most dominant pitcher of his era just isn't good enough... Besides, DiMaggio is on crutches, they have 18 outfielders, and an MVP outfielder playing catcher." [Bob Scheffing has since been recalled to the big club, while catcher Joe Tipton recovers from a broken hand.]
  Porterfield, a third round Initial Draft pick and $5 million man, was not even a part of the opening day rotation in Motown, losing his place to Ted Gray. But Bob Rush's pulled rotator cuff on June 2 opened the door to Porterfield's return, and the 27-year-old Virginian responded with 7 wins in 7 starts. Ace Robin Roberts (13-5, 3.23) has won three of his last four starts, and is on a 20-win pace with the league's fifth best ERA. Roberts was one win shy of 20 a year ago (that's 19, for the math-challenged...). But aside from Porterfield's 1.49 ERA and Roberts' 4.25, no other Detroit pitcher pitched under 5.00 in June.
   One factor in their ineffectiveness is the fact that Ralph Kiner has been pressed into catching duties, due to the injury to Tipton. Kiner has thrown out just 1 of 16 basestealers, and has committed 10 passed balls in 13 games. His hitting has suffered too, as the MVP hit just .188 in June after a .218 May. Kiner is not pleased with his situation, which he blames on GM Brad McNeely's outfielder fetish. "We could use some middle infielders and more than one catcher," Kiner complained recently during batting practice.

Joltin' Joe Explains Slump
Addressing a gaggle of reporters outside Briggs Stadium on June 17, Detroit star Joe DiMaggio admitted that he has been "distracted" during his recent hitting slump. After a scorching 1951 in which he hit .335 and drove in 114 runs, DiMaggio is showing his 36 years. Joltin' Joe hit just .238 through 55 games, but has since raised his average to .251 with just 28 RBI at the midway point of this season. "I've been working on other things besides my batting stance, if you know what I mean," DiMag winked coyly.
   Catfish Metkovich has responded well to his role as DiMaggio's platoon mate.  Catfish, who, as a Red Sok, played alongside brother Dom DiMaggio and the great Ted Williams, hit .452 in 17 games in June, and is emerging as a viable leadoff option for the speed-challenged Sound.
   And speaking of Old Detroiters...

Duke Does Detroit
Snider Equals Record 3 Dingers
Washington's Duke Snider had a homer hat-trick by the fourth inning, with homers in his first three at-bats June 25 in Detroit, but could muster only two walks and a double the rest of the way, falling short of his quest to become the first four-dingerer in UL history. His was the third 3-HR game in United League history, after Ralph Kiner and Gus Zernial.
   June was a big month for the Silver Fox, who batted .350, hit 7 home runs, and drove in 21 runs. Snider, last year's slugging leader and co-home run champ with 37, is just one dinger off the pace this season, with 16. The 23-year-old Southern Californian was full of potential when GM Jay Kaplan made him Washington's third pick in last year's Initial Draft. The youngster has not disappointed, earning every penny of his $5 million salary. The Silver Fox (.265-16-51) is not the .300 hitter he was last season, but his power numbers are right where they should be, his defense is solid, and he is developing into an accomplished base stealer (16 swipes already compared to 12 last season).

Maroons Are Black and Blue
Feller Joins Zoldak on DL
Things are going from back to worse in St. Louis. After losing Cy Young winner Sam Zoldak for the season on May 29, the Maroons suffered injuries (of varying degrees of severity) to its other three regular starters. On June 18, Bob Feller (4-5, 3.93) hurt himself throwing to Mickey Mantle in a 5-2 loss to Boston. "Rapid Robert" will miss five weeks with bone chips in his elbow. Two days later Sal "The Barber" Maglie (10-6, 2.75) pulled an elbow ligament in his throwing arm that shelved him for a week. Then on June 26, Billy Pierce hyperextended his elbow in Louisville, and injury that will keep him out of the rotation until early July. The rash of injuries forced St. Louis to slot relievers Steve Ridzik and Johnny Klippstein into the rotation. Klippstein beat New York 7-3 on June 23, getting his first win and first start, and rookie Ridzik got a no-decision on June 27. The Maroons' spot starters "Toothpick Sam" Jones, Paul "Lefty" Minner, and Duane "Dee" Pillette have been unimpressive, posting just one win in 8 starts, and none with an ERA below 5.00.

War Rages On, Military Draft July 12
"We are just 391 days from victory," U.N. commander Gen. Mark Clark declared at a July 1 press conference in Panmunjom, "but we need 17 fresh ballplayers to get the job done." There are presently 25 UL players serving in the armed forces, and another nine players who have yet to don a UL uniform. "We've done extensive wargaming using wooden men on a huge tabletop -- I took care of the sound effects myself -- and have concluded that 17 new ballplayers will permit us to accomplish our objective forthwith, which is to finish up this war by July 27, 1953, just in time for the victory parade."
   Louisville's Richie Ashburn is the highest profile player currently serving in Korea. The last place Colonels have sorely missed Ashburn, arguably the best leadoff man in baseball. In addition to 17 new recruits, each of the 25 players presently serving with have a 25% chance of reenlisting for a second year. "Why would I play baseball for $6 million a year when I can play with guns and make $6,020,000 in the army," Ashburn was quoted in Stars & Stripes.

League to Subsidize Clubs for Lost Players
"With this group of major league whiners, I can't believe nobody has complained about this yet," impolitic U.L. president Timothy J. Smith said July 1 at the unveiling of a league scheme to reimburse clubs for 50% of the salaries paid to players on active duty. "If I were paying a dude millions and then he didn't play due to some lame rule that supposedly adds 'realism', I'd demand compensation," he added. "But then again, I'm just the president." The announcement was music to the ears of Louisville GM Mark Allen, who was essentially paying millions to have Richie Ashburn shot at by Communists.
   The league will disburse a total of $14.475 million to the eight clubs, reimbursing each for half the salary of players presently on military service. The club breakdown is as follows:
   Boston $1,625,000
   Brooklyn $2,150,000
   Chicago $2,525,000
   Detroit $775,000
   Louisville $3,750,000
   New York $1,500,000
   St. Louis $150,000
   Washington $2,000,000

AROUND THE HORN