United League Baseball

Louies Finally Get Some Pitching
Garver, Antonelli Emerge
LOUISVILLE (June 1) -- The Louisville Colonels have tried eight different starting pitchers this year, but only two have mustered enough consistency to win successive starts. The last place Colonels have followed the mantra "tinker forever, no chance" for much of their 2 1/2 year existence. When it comes to the Louisville rotation, guys like McDermott, Garver, Holcombe, and Morgan have been in and out more often than Mickey Mantle at a bordello. But one-third of the way through the 1953 season, Louisville finds itself in a unique position: with pitchers on the league leaders table. It may be too early to determine, but it appears that the struggling Colonels may, at last, have found a pair of consistent hurlers.
   Coming into this season, fifth round Initial Draft pick Ned Garver was widely considered perhaps the second biggest bust of the entire Initial Draft after teammate Mickey McDermott ($7.5 million/year, career: 13-29, 6.31 ERA). Garver, a $3.5 million man, won just a single game in 1951 (1-9, 6.45 in 19 games). Granted, he was only 24 and was probably rushed into big league service a bit too soon, but his second year in Louisville was actually worse. Despite winning more games (5-7), Garver allowed more than 13 H/9 and his ERA climbed to 6.71. The struggling right-hander was shopped around during the off season, but there was no market for his extra large salary and his penchant for sucking. After a dismal April (1-4, 8.42), it looked like old Ned was on his way to becoming the best-paid minor leaguer in Organized Baseball. But manager Mark Allen stuck with him, and on May 8, Garver reversed a string of four straight losses with a 6-hit win over Washington. Six days later, he shut down New York 4-1 on seven hits in eight innings. These wins help Louisville to a 7-2 run between May 8-18. And though Garver lost his next start on May 19, he only allowed two runs in 8.1 innings. But the highlight of Garver's season thus far was not the two-game winning streak (as magical as that was), but the 3-hit shutout of St. Louis May 31, a low-hit gem than landed him in the UL's top ten in Ratio (runners per nine innings).
   The Louies other emerging star is 23-year-old Johnny Antonelli, who was drafted as the third overall pick this spring by Brooklyn and dealt to Louisville in the Richie Ashburn trade. At one point in April, Antonelli was the league's worst pitcher. Again it seemed that Allen, out of necessity, had rushed a young arm to the front lines too soon. The young Rochester, N.Y. native allowed four or more runs in his first five starts (2-3, 7.15) through May 2, but has allowed three or fewer in four of his last five starts (3-1, 2.65). In his last three starts, Antonelli is 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA, including a 3-0 shutout of first place Washington on May 24. Though still erratic at times, Johnny has shaved his W/9 ratio from 7.6 in April to 5.1 in May, while increasing his strikeout/walk ratio from 1.3 to 2.2. The rookie has given his fireballer credentials a boost with three 10+ strikeout games, including 16 K's in a 7-hit complete game win over Brooklyn May 18, which tied Ted Gray's three-day old league record. Antonelli led the league with 55 strikeouts in May, climbing from 7th to 2nd.
   It will take more than two consistent pitchers to lift Louisville from the doldrums of the United League, but the Colonels' 13-14 record in May is a step in the right direction. And with 4/5th of its rotation age 23 and under, the slow emergence of Ned Garver is a timely reminder that Allen's long-term development strategy will take time to bear fruit.

Kiner Hot, Sound Not
DETROIT (June 1) -- Detroit's slugging leftfielder Ralph Kiner won Batter of the Month honors for the second time, with 10 HR and 22 RBIs in May, jumping to the top of the league HR table, and to second in RBIs. It was not such a happy month for Kiner's teammates. Detroit was 10-17 in May, and lost six of their last seven games, including a sweep at St. Louis and a mini-sweep at Brooklyn. The biggest problem, ironically, is a lack of power. Despite Kiner's league-leading 14 home runs, the team has a league-low 33 circuit clouts in 51 games and ranks 6th in batting and runs. Toby Atwell (.220), Ferris Fain (.236), and Bob Elliott (.244) had particularly rough months, and while Kiner was knocking 10 balls out of United League ballparks, only Monte Irvin (3), and Marty Marion (2) managed to hit more than one longball the entire month. Detroit's pitching, however, continues to be 'sound,' ranking third in both ERA and runs allowed. Kiner, the league MVP in 1951 and the career home run and RBI leader (86, 262), won the United League's first ever Batter of the Month in April 1951.

Fenway's Unfriendly Confines
Beacons Can't Win at Home
BOSTON (June 1) -- The Boston Beacons were one the league's hottest teams in late May, climbing to within a game of third place, but the Charles River nine continues to be plagued by roadsickness. Boston is 14-13 on the road this season, the UL's third best road record, but only 10-14 at home, continuing a pattern started last season when the Beeks won three fewer home games than road games. "I can't explain it," Mickey Mantle said, "but we seem to do better when the fans aren't rootin' for us."

BOSTON Batting
Player	Home OPS	Road OPS	Diff.
McCullough	.969	.535	+434
Torgeson	1.032	.719	+313
Kuenn	.927	.689	+238
Zernial	.938	.757	+181
Mathews	.765	.740	+25
Mantle	.913	.891	+22
Gilliam	.586	.656	-70
BOSTON Pitching
Pitcher	Home ERA	Road ERA	Diff.
Konstanty	3.77	0.00	+3.77
Reynolds	6.26	3.86	+2.40
Lopat	5.30	3.89	+1.41
Hiller	3.92	3.72	+0.20
Spahn	4.83	5.12	-0.27
Bickford	5.73	6.20	-0.47
Kiely	3 SV	9 SV	-6 SV

With the exception of Junior Gilliam, Boston's key batters all perform better -- and most, much better -- at home than on the road. But Fenway is a hitters' park, so this isn't surprising, as a glance at the pitching splits bears out. The key to the 'roadsickness' riddle may lie in the peculiar performance of one man: closer Leo Kiely. Leo has a 2.25 home ERA, but only 3 saves, but 9 saves with a 6.10 ERA on the road. It seems that all three of Kiely's blown saves have been at Fenway, presumably with the help of unearned runs... Alas, the times may be a-changin'. The Lighthouses were 4-2 in their latest homestand, notching series wins over New York and Chicago, after winning just six of their first 18 home dates.

NEW DRAFT LOTTERY PROPOSAL

MOVERS, SHAKERS, & BIZARRE RECORDS

	WASHINGTON MONUMENTS 36-15 -- 9-5	Gordon 4th in OPS after .652 slugging, 1.019 OPS in May... Jansen 2nd (tied) in wins after 6-1 May, including five straight wins.... Jansen holds the UL record for consecutive wins (11)... Gromek and Jansen share UL record with 8 consecutive road wins... Frank Smith record 17 consecutive save opportunities converted.
	CHICAGO COLTS 30-21 6 8-6	Ernie Banks has most at-bats without an extra-base hit (46)... Mel Parnell has highest batting average for a pitcher (.400, 12-30)
	NEW YORK GOTHAMS 25-26 11 8-6	Wertz 6th in RBI after 9 in three games (May 26-28) and 17 in last 13 games... Doby has 8-game run streak, 3 shy of UL record held by teammates Jackie Robinson and Vic Wertz, and Stan Musial... Chet Nichols won on May 10, ending a UL record 11-game losing streak (tied with Ken Raffensberger).
	ST. LOUIS MAROONS 25-26 11 7-7	Willie Jones 17-game hitting streak ended May 31... Sam Zoldak and Ken Raffensberger share UL record with 8 consecutive home wins... Bob Feller (0-3, 7.41) has lost 9 consecutive decisions, last won in May '52....
	BOSTON BEACONS 24-27 12 9-5	Leo Kiely holds the longest current home losing streak (6)... Eddie Lopat holds record for most hits allowed in a game (17)... Jim Konstanty has most innings pitched without a loss (23.1).
	BROOKLYN SUPERBAS 22-29 14 5-9	Richie Ashburn has most at-bats without a HR (194)... Gene Woodling holds league record with 11-game RBI streak... Lou Brissie 5th in ERA (3.21) after 2.27 ERA in last 5 starts... Bobby Shantz has most RBI for a pitcher (8)... Smoky Burgess leads all catchers with 3 stolen bases.
	DETROIT SOUND 22-29 14 5-9	Gray 1st in strikeouts after record 16 on May 15 and 23 more in last three starts... Porterfield 1st in CGs (8) after 5 straight May 7-27, 4th in R/9 after just 29 hits, 10 walks in last 45 innings... Priddy 4th in batting after 11 hits in last 19 AB (.579).
	LOUISVILLE COLONELS 20-31 16 5-9	Antonelli 2nd in strikeouts after league-high 55 in May... Ned Garver holds UL record for consecutive home losses (11), Art Houtteman is 2nd with 10... Wehmeier has most innings pitched without a win (49.2).

DAY BY DAY
Saturday, May 16 BRO 6, WAS 5 (10) - Hamner 3-5, 3 RBI, GWRBI, Ashburn 4-6, SB; Adcock 3-4, HR STL 5, CHI 2 - Raffensberger 7.1, 0 ER, Coan 2-4, SB, Campy 2 RBI; Red 2-4, RBI NYG 8, LOU 3 - Robinson 2-3, HR, 4 RBI, Busby, Noren, Batts 3-5; Mizell hit by ball BOS 5, DET 4 - Bickford 8.1, 3 ER, Cole 2-4, HR, 3 RBI; Kiner HR, 2 RBI
Sunday, May 17 LOU 5, BRO 3 - Branca 7.2, 2 R, Lowrey 2-3, 2 R, Kluttz 2 RBI; Westrum PHR WAS 7, NYG 4 - Mays 3-5, 2 R, Kluszewski 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Noren HR, 2 RBI BOS 6, STL 5 - Jethroe 2 HR, Mathews 2-4, HR, Mantle HR, 2 RBI, Lopat inj. DET 7, CHI 1 - Porterfield 5-hit CG, Irvin 2-4, HR, Priddy 2 RBI; Evers 2-4
Monday, May 18 LOU 8, BRO 2 - Antonelli 7-hit CG, 16 K, Dark 3-5, HR, Kluttz 3-5, Bauer 2-4, 2 RBI NYG 11, WAS 3 - Noren 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, Doby, Wertz 3-run HR, Yost 3-4, 3 R BOS 7, STL 6 - Gilliam 2-5, 1st career HR, Mantle 2-3, SB, 2 R; W Jones 3-4, 2 RBI CHI 8, DET 6 - 4-run 9th, Lindell 2 2B, 3 RBI, Westlake 3-5; Priddy 2 RBI, Labine BS
Tuesday, May 19 BRO 3, LOU 2 - Hutchinson 12-hit CG win, Hodges 2-run HR; Garver 3-hit CG loss WAS 9, NYG 3 - Miller CG, 3 R, Piersall 4-5, 2 RBI, McDougald 3-4, 2 RBI, Lollar 3-4 STL 8, BOS 7 - W Jones HR, 4 RBI, Musial 3-run HR, Coan 2-5, 2 R; Edwards 2-4, 2 R CHI 8, DET 3 - Bell 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, Reese 2-run HR; Rush inj
Wednesday, May 20 NO GAMES
Thursday, May 21 CHI 8, BRO 1 - Newcombe 8-hit CG, McCormick 4-4, 3 RBI, Reese, Avila, Gernert 3-4 WAS 4, STL 2 - Gromek 8.0, 5 H, 2 R, 3-4, Gordon, Lollar 3-4, McDougald, Furillo HR BOS 7, NYG 2 - Spahn 8-hit CG, Mantle 3-run 3B in 6-run 8th; Noren HR, 2 RBI DET 5, LOU 3 - Roberts 8.0, 8 H, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, Marion 2 RBI; McDermott 8.2, 10 K
Friday, May 22 CHI 7, BRO 3 - McCormick 2-4, 4 RBI, Bell 3-4, Rosen 2 RBI; Burgess HR, 2 R WAS 5, STL 2 - Jansen 8.0, 6 H, 2 R, Gordon HR, 4 RBI; W Jones HR NYG 14, BOS 8 (11) - Adams 4-6, 3-run HR in 11th, 5 RBI, Busby 3-4; Torgy 2 HR DET 4, LOU 1 - Gray 6-hit CG, Kiner 3-5, HR, Metkovich 2-5, Fain 2-4; Mizell 8.1, 1 ER
Saturday, May 23 CHI 6, BRO 2 - Rogovin 5-hit CG, Lindell 3-5, 4 RBI, Berra 4-5, 2 RBI; Ashburn 2-4, SB WAS 8, STL 7 - Gordon GSHR in 2nd, Michaels HR, 2 RBI; Ennis 3-4, Wyrostek HR BOS 8, NYG 2 - Bickford 6-hit CG, 2 RBI, Torgeson 3-5, HR, Mathews 3-4 DET 10, LOU 2 - Porterfield 4-hit CG, 3 RBI, Kiner 3-5, 2 HR, Fain 3-5, Priddy 2 RBI
Sunday, May 24 NYG 2, BRO 1 - Poholsky 7-hit CG, 6 K, Robinson 2-4, 2 SB; Ashburn 2-4, SB BOS 7, CHI 2 - Hiller 7-hit CG, Torgeson 2-4, HR, 4 RBI, Mantle 3-4, HR, Kuenn 2-4 LOU 3, WAS 0 - Antonelli 9-hit SHO, 2 W, 7 K, Fox 2-3, Jensen RBI 2B in 8th STL 10, DET 5 - Dom 3-5, 2 RBI, Red 3 RBI, Musial 2-3, 2 R, SB; Priddy 4-4, 2B, 3B
Monday, May 25 NYG 8, BRO 6 - Doby HR, 3 RBI, Noren 3-5, 2 R, Boudreau 2 RBI; Minoso HR, Joost inj CHI 9, BOS 2 - Parnell CG, Westlake 2 HR, 4 RBI, Berra HR, 3 RBI, Lockman 3-5, HR WAS 7, LOU 6 - Kluszewski 3-5, 3 RBI, Slaughter 2-5, 2 RBI; Tiefenauer GL WP in 9th STL 3, DET 2 - Pierce 8.0, 5 H, 2 R, W Jones GWRBI in 9th, Musial, Pesky RBI in 8th
Tuesday, May 26 NYG 8, BRO 2 - Fornieles 9-hit CG, Wertz HR, 5 RBI, Noren 3-5, Doby 2 RBI, 2 R BOS 2, CHI 1 - Spahn 9-hit CG, Mantle 2-3, R, Zernial GWRBI in 8th; McCormick 2-4 WAS 6, LOU 3 - Jansen 8.0, 5 H, 3 R, McDougald 3-run 2B in 7th, Mays HR, 2 RBI STL 4, DET 0 - Raffensberger 5-hit SHO, W Jones 3-5, 2 2B, Musial HR, 2 RBI
Wednesday, May 27 BRO 4, DET 1 - Brissie 8.1, 1 R, Hodges 2-run HR in 8th, Minoso HR; Kiner 2-3, HR CHI 3, LOU 2 - Trout 7.2, 2 R, Westlake 2-3, 2 RBI, Rosen RBI; Fox 2-5, SB, R BOS 5, WAS 3 - Lopat 8.0, 2 R, 7 K, Kuenn 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI, Zernial HR; Michaels 2 2B STL 5, NYG 1 - Zoldak 5.1, 0 R, inj, Wyrostek 2-4, HR, inj, W Jones 2-5; Doby 2-4, SB
Thursday, May 28 BRO 7, DET 6 - Minoso 4-4, HR, 3 RBI, Woodling 3-4, O'Connell GWRBI in 9th LOU 10, CHI 2 - Branca 7-hit CG, Valo 5-6, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, Dark 3-4, Collins 3 RBI WAS 6, BOS 4 - Miller 8.0, 5 H, 3 ER, Piersall 2 RBI, SB, Gordon 2-4; Mantle HR NYG 10, STL 8 - Doby 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, Ginsberg 3-4, HR, Wertz 3 RBI; Stan, Red 3 RBI
Friday, May 29 NO GAMES
Saturday, May 30 DET 2, WAS 1 - Roberts 8.0, 7 H, 1 R, 6 K, Priddy 2-4, Irvin RBI; Gordon 3-4, HR STL 7, LOU 0 - Pierce 4-hit SHO, Musial 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, W Jones 3-4, 17g HS CHI 8, NYG 7 - Bell 3-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI, Lindell 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Yost, Doby HR in 8th BRO 6, BOS 5 - Burgess 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, Hamner 3-4; Edwards 4 RBI, Mathews HR
Sunday, May 31 WAS 5, DET 4 (10) - Garagiola GWRBI, McDougald 3-5, SB, Goodman 2 RBI in 9th LOU 5, STL 0 - Garver 3-hit SHO, 0 W, 3 K, Jansen 3-4, HR, Dark 3-5, Kokos HR NYG 4, CHI 3 - Busby 2-run GW single in 9th, Boudreau 2-4; Reese 3-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI BOS 3, BRO 1 - Spahn 5-hit CG, Mantle 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, Rivera 2 2B