|
|
|
|
OPENING
DAY PROBABLES
|
|
|
1955
Stats |
|
BRO
BOS |
Tom
Gorman
Harvey Haddix |
27-8
16-12 |
3.03
4.59 |
|
DET
CHI |
Johnny
Podres
Whitey Ford |
0-0
24-3 |
0.00
2.89 |
|
STL
WAS |
Billy
Pierce
Carl Erskine |
17-13
25-9 |
3.36
2.82 |
|
LOU
LA |
Johnny
Antonelli
Curt Simmons |
14-13
15-13 |
3.20
3.75 |
|
NYG
SF |
Bubba
Church
Ewell Blackwell |
14-14
10-19 |
4.75
4.90 |
|
|
|
|
TRADES
|
|
MARCH
6 |
|
to
CHI:
|
SP Robin Roberts ($10,600)
SP Vic Raschi ($3200)
DET's 1st Rd rookie pick
|
|
to
DET:
|
SP Camilo Pascual ($700)
C Andy Seminick ($1000)
MR Gordon Jones ($500)
CHI's 1st Rd rookie pick |
|
MARCH
6
|
|
to
BRO:
|
SP
Don Mossi ($700)
MR Duke Maas ($500)
DET's 1st Rd reentry pick |
|
to
DET:
|
LF
Bob Nieman ($632)
MR Bob Grim ($500)
SP Art Ceccarelli (minors)
3B Ray Jablonski (minors)
BRO's '57 1st Rd Rookie pick |
|
MARCH
6
|
|
to
DET:
|
RF Jim King ($500)
|
|
to
LA:
|
SP
Bob Rush ($3000)
DET's 2nd Rd Reentry pick |
|
MARCH
6
|
|
to
LOU:
|
SP Steve Gromek ($4100)
SS Wayne Causey ($500)
STL's 2nd Rd Rookie pick
$2.5 million cash
|
|
to
STL:
|
MR
Ray Moore ($650)
SP Dick Donovan ($632)
LOU's 1st Rd Rookie pick
LOU's 2nd Rd Rookie pick |
|
MARCH
6
|
|
to
BRO:
|
MR Bob Miller ($668)
MR Ray Crone ($700)
|
|
to
LA:
|
SP
Curt Simmons ($768) |
|
|
|
|
INJURED
LIST
|
|
DET |
MR Gordon Jones (3 wks)
1B Ferris Fain (3 wks) |
|
LOU |
C
Harry Chiti (2-3 wks)
2B Billy Gardner (3-4 wks) |
|
WAS |
SP
Stu Miller (5-6 wks) |
|
|
|
|
HIGHEST
PAID PLAYERS
|
|
# |
Player |
Salary |
|
1 |
Stan
Musial, STL |
$11,200 |
|
2 |
Roy
Campanella, LA |
$11,150 |
|
3 |
Robin
Roberts, CHI |
$10,600 |
|
4 |
Warren
Spahn, SF |
$9,880 |
|
5 |
Larry
Jansen, WAS |
$9,450 |
|
5 |
Jackie
Robinson, NYG |
$9,450 |
|
7 |
Ralph
Kiner, DET |
$9,350 |
|
7 |
Billy
Pierce, STL |
$9,350 |
|
9 |
Larry
Doby, NYG |
$9,200 |
|
10 |
Richie
Ashburn, BRO |
$9,100 |
|
11 |
Vern
Stephens, STL |
$8,400 |
|
12 |
Don
Newcombe, SF |
$8,305 |
|
13 |
Jackie
Jensen, LOU |
$8,250 |
|
14 |
Gil
Hodges, BRO |
$8,200 |
|
14 |
Duke
Snider, WAS |
$8,200 |
|
14 |
Bobby
Thomson, CHI |
$8,200 |
|
17 |
Willie
Mays, WAS |
$8,050 |
|
18 |
Saul
Rogovin, LA |
$7,800 |
|
19 |
Mickey
McDermott, LOU |
$7,500 |
|
20 |
Gil
McDougald, WAS |
$7,000 |
|
21 |
Clem
Labine, DET |
$6,600 |
|
22 |
Bob
Porterfield, BRO |
$6,500 |
|
23 |
Ferris
Fain, DET |
$6,480 |
|
24 |
Yogi
Berra, CHI |
$6,300 |
|
25 |
Mickey
Mantle, BOS |
$6,250 |
|
|
|
|
United
League of
American Base Ball Clubs est.
1951
LEAGUE
FILE (3/11) ·
HEADLINES
· NEWS
LOG · TRANSACTIONS ·
INJURIES ·
FINANCES
STANDINGS ·
BOX
SCORES · SCHEDULE ·
BATTING ·
PITCHING ·
FIELDING · LEADERS
LEAGUE
RULES · TEAM INFO ·
ROSTERS ·
FREE
AGENTS · TOP
PROSPECTS · TOP
FARMS
TOP
PERFORMANCES ·
RECORD
BOOK · PAST
LEADERS · CAREER
LEADERS
BEGINNINGS ·
CITIES ·
BALLPARKS ·
PLAYER PHOTOS
TOTAL UL
· 1951 ·
1952 · 1953 ·
1954 ·
1955 ·
1956
DRAFTS
|
|
April
5, 1956
NEXT
SIM
Mon
3/15 (to
Apr 16)
Rosters
due
12pm PT
UPCOMING
SIMS
Sat
3/20 (to
May 1)
Wed
3/24 (to
May 16)
Sat
3/27 (to
Jun 1)
|
|
| |
|
Boston
Beacons
Charlie Qualls
1955 Record: 69-85 (8th) |
|
Brooklyn
Superbas
Glen Reed
1955 Record: 99-55 (1st) |
|
Chicago
Colts
Lance Mueller
1955 Record: 84-70 (3rd-t) |
| |
|
2B
1B
SS
CF
3B
C
RF
LF
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
S
R
L
S
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
L
R
R
|
Jim
Gilliam
Earl Torgeson
Harvey Kuenn
Mickey Mantle
Eddie Mathews
Bruce Edwards
Pat Mullin
Jim Delsing
Harvey Haddix
Larry Jackson*
Tom Brewer*
Hank Aguirre*
Frank Hiller
Dave Hilman*
|
|
CF
2B
LF
1B
RF
3B
C
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
L
L
R
R
L
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
R
|
Richie
Ashburn
Pete Runnels
Minnie Minoso
Gil Hodges
Gene Woodling
Bobby Brown
Smoky Burgess
Granny Hamner
Tom Gorman
Lew Burdette
Bob Porterfield
Gene Conley
Hoyt Wilhelm
|
|
|
CF
2B
RF
C
SS
1B
LF
3B
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
L
S
L
L
R
L
R
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
|
Bill
Virdon
Red Schoendienst
Gus Bell
Yogi Berra
Ernie Banks
Whitey Lockman
Gus Zernial
Johnny Pesky
Whitey Ford
Robin Roberts
Early Wynn
Don Drysdale*
Vic Raschi
Barney Schultz
|
|
|
IN: 2B
Jerry Priddy, C Matt Batts, MR Joe Ostrowski, MR Bob
Tiefenauer, RF Hank Bauer, RF Pat Mullin,
OUT: SP Warren Spahn, RF Johnny Lindell, SP Ed Lopat, SP Ralph
Branca, SP Bob Lemon (ret)
Yet
another youth movement at the bottom of the standings, as GM
Charlie Qualls follows up the Pitching Purge of '55 with the
Great Callup of '56. Three rookies in starting slots and
a rookie closer will replace the spaces left by underachieving
oldsters.
Harvey "Kitten" Haddix (16-12, 4.59)
inherits the ace job, for a half-decade the province of the
now-departed Warren Spahn. Among the rookies, the one to
watch is 25-year-old southpaw Hank Aguirre, this year's 4th
overall pick. And rookie Dave Hilman was pressed into
service in the closer role, but will be supported by Bob
Tiefenauer, probably the best reliever in the Reentry draft.
Qualls has tinkered, rather than overhauled, the
batting lineup. Despite their starting credentials, new
additions 2B Jerry Priddy and C Matt Batts will have to win
jobs away from established starters Jim Gilliam (.315-7-69)
and Bruce Edwards (.279-14-78). Look for the M&M
brothers (Mantle & Mathews) to have their first 100-100
RBI seasons (a feat only Musial & Campy have pulled off).
On a team with the third most prolific offense, a
little pitching will go a long way. And that's exactly
what the Beacons have this year: a little pitching. Of
all the youth movements in Boston, Detroit and San Francisco,
the Beacons' is the least forced, as the Great Purge seems to
have coincided with the maturation of evolving talent.
|
IN:
SP Bob Porterfield, 3B George Kell, SP Don Mossi, MR Bob
Miller
OUT: 3B Eddie Yost, SP
Curt Simmons, LF Bob Nieman, MR Bob Grim, SP Bobby
Shantz
Bob
Porterfield and Bobby Brown are the only changes from last
year's opening day configuration. The champs bolstered
their rotation with the addition of Porterfield, the cream of
the Reentry crop, in a conscious effort to stay competitive
with Washington after Stu Miller returns.
The
Ba's also grabbed veteran 3B George Kell, who will platoon
with Bobby Brown at the hot corner.
In 1955, Brooklyn had two hitters jockeying for
the batting title, a Cy Young winner and two other starters
with 18+ wins, plus an all-star closer. All those
elements are in place again this year -- and them some -- so
Reed's Flatbushers must be considered at ;east even money to
retain the crown in '56.
|
IN:
SP Robin Roberts, SP Vic Raschi, SP Joe Presko
OUT: SP Camilo Pascual, 3B Al Rosen, C Andy
Seminick, MR Gordon Jones, MR Joe Ostrowski, RF Johnny Hopp, MR Vern Bickford
The
Colts spent the winter revamping their rotation. Only Cy
Young candidate Whitey Ford and veteran Early Wynn return,
while GM Lance Mueller adds former Sound stalwarts Robin Roberts and
Vic Raschi, along with Don Drysdale, the 19-year-old rookie
phenom.
The only change defensively is at third base, where
veteran Johnny Pesky and Don Hoak will fill the hole left by
Al Rosen's departure. Look for
Banks and Lockman to have breakout years, while Berra,
Thomson, and Zernial continue to anchor the most balanced
offense in the league (six players with 14+ home runs).
The Colts challenged last year, before fading in
the second half. The addition of Roberts gives the
Horses perhaps the best 1-2 punch in the league, and if
Drysdale meets expectations, look for the Colts to make a
serious run at their first title.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detroit
Sound
Sean Holloway
1955 Record: 55-99 (10th) |
|
Los
Angeles Outlaws
Chris McCreight
1955 Record: 77-77 (6th) |
|
Louisville
Colonels
Mark Allen
1955 Record: 80-74 (5th) |
|
RF
C
1B
LF
CF
3B
SS
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
L
L
L
R
L
R
R
R
L
R
L
R
R
|
Catfish
Metkovich
Toby Atwell
Joe Cunningham
Ralph Kiner
Jim King*
Ray Jablonski*
Alex Grammas*
Davey Williams
Johnny Podres*
Pedro Ramos*
Ted Gray
Camilo Pascual
Clem Labine
|
|
RF
CF
LF
C
1B
3B
2B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
R
L
R
R
L
R
R
R
R
L
R
R
R
|
Roberto
Clemente
Cal Abrams
Frank Robinson*
Roy Campanella
Dale Long
Willie Jones
Bobby Avila
Daryl Spencer
Ray Herbert
Curt Simmons
Bob Rush
Johnny Kucks*
Ray Narleski
|
|
2B
CF
RF
LF
1B
C
3B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
L
R
R
R
R
L
R
L
L
R
R
L
R
|
Nellie Fox
Al Kaline*
Jackie Jensen
Hank Aaron
B ill Skowron
Ed Bailey
Billy Cox
Wayne Causey*
Johnny Antonelli
Herm Wehmeier
Steve Gromek
Toothpick Sam Jones
Tom Morgan
|
|
| |
IN:
SP Camilo Pascual, C Andy Seminick, MR Gordon Jones, LF Bob
Nieman, RF Jim King, MR Bob Grim, SP Art Ceccarelli, 3B Ray
Jablonski
OUT: SP Robin Roberts, SP Bob Porterfield, SP Vic Raschi, 3B
George Kell, SP Don Mossi, MR Sheldon Jones
Were
it not for the Spiders, Detroit would be fielding a record
number of rookies this year, as first-year GM Sean Holloway
tries to pull the troubled club out of an extended five-year
free fall. Gone are Robin Roberts, Bob Porterfield, and
Vic Raschi, as the staff fields a pair of rookies in the #1-2
slots, a UL first. Three-fourths of the rotation is
under 22 years old. Podres, Ramos, and Pascual were all
first round picks in recent years. They are joined by
three more rookies in the bullpen: Bob Trowbridge, Jack Meyer,
and "Chic" Ceccarelli.
Offensively, the Sound ranked dead last in '55,
scoring a paltry 3.98 runs per game, the lowest in UL
history. A trio of rookies will debut on Opening
Day. CF Jim King, from Los Angeles, looks to be the most
promising, though "Jabbo" Jablonski is a longball
threat.
The defense is a shambles, with only Catfish
Metkovich as the only passable fielder. The young
pitching corps will pay the price. Still, Holloway is to
be commended for prudent decisions in the most dire of
circumstances.
|
IN: SP
Curt Simmons
OUT: SP Don Newcombe, MR Bob Miller, RF Jim King
A
deft expansion draft and a blockbuster trade made the Outlaws
a .500 team in their first year. Winning the draft
lottery and trading for Curt Simmons should improve the team
even more.
The pitching staff remains GM Chris McCreight's
biggest concern. A lineup card peppered with the names 'Clemente',
'Robinson', and 'Campanella'
will never have trouble scoring runs, but the Outlaws gave up
879 runs (5.7 per game), the third most in UL history.
Simmons is the only pitcher who had more than nine wins and an
ERA under 4.50 last year, but he comes to the City of Angels
at the cost of Bob Miller and Ray Crone, two of the Outlaws
top relievers. And while Ray Narleski led the league
with 37 saves, rookies Johnny Kucks and Ed Roebuck will offer
little relief. And there isn't much coming through the
pipeline, either.
But with this offense, it hardly matters.
After all, despite the third worst staff in league history,
the club still managed as many wins as losses. If
anything, the lineup is more potent this year.
Campanella is coming off an MVP season, Clemente is entering
his second year after hitting .302 as a rookie, and
20-year-old Robinson has the potential to become the best
player in the league.
|
IN:
SP Steve Gromek, SS Wayne Causey, MR Sheldon Jones
OUT: LF Sid Gordon (ret), MR Bob Tiefenauer, RF Hank Bauer
The
Colonels made a giant leap last year (a franchise-best 80
wins, 16 more than in 1954), thanks to the long-awaited
maturation of its young pitching staff. Herm Wehmeier
(21-6, 2.76) emerged as the club's first true ace, and Johnny
Antonelli (14-13, 3.20) continued his ascent. The staff
allowed just 694 runs (4.5 per game), fourth best in the
league and 172 runs fewer than in 1954. GM Mark Allen is
hoping the adding of starter Steve Gromek will further
strengthen the rotation. Closer Tom Morgan is coming off
career bests in ERA (3.36) and saves (34), but he is join in
the pen by three rookies: Tex Clevenger, Jim Davis, and Rusty
Kemmerer.
Offensively, the Colonels hope to have a healthy
Hank Aaron all year. The Hammer miss two months early in
his rookie campaign, and played in only 85 games.
Another sophomore, Bill Skowron, figures to be a key
contributor, and rookies Al Kaline, 21, and Wayne
Causey, 19, are expected to get major playing time.
Much hinges on Gromek and the wave of newbies in
the 'pen, but don't be surprised to see the Louies improve
again this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
New
York Gothams
Jackie Robinson
1955 Record: 73-81 (7th) |
Gothams
Hire From Within
 New
York (March 10) -- With the regular season fast approaching
and the skipper's chair still unoccupied, the New York Gothams
chose to look within themselves for their next manager.
And what they saw was veteran second baseman Jackie Robinson,
who will become the first player-manager in UL history.
Robinson broke the color line with the Brooklyn
Dodgers in 1947, won three UL batting titles in four years,
and owns the best batting average in UL history (.331).
At 37, Robinson is in the last year of his contract, and will
earn a player salary of $9.45 million this year, plus whatever
he earns as manager. The Gothams will continue to search
for a full-time manager.
Outlaws
Order New Ballpark
 Los
Angeles (March 10) -- The Los Angeles Outlaws announced plans
today to build a new home for the UL expansion team. The
Outlaws began operations last season, and have been playing
their home games in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum,
which GM Chris McCreight characterizes as "wholly
inadequate."
The new ballpark, as yet unnamed, will be located
in the Arroyo Seco area of South Pasadena, after local
residents successfully challenged an attempt to buy up land in
the Chavez Ravine neighborhood just north of downtown.
The 56,000-seat facility will open in 1958.
|
| |
2B
LF
1B
CF
RF
C
3B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
R
R
L
L
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
|
Jackie Robinson
Jim Busby
Wally Moon
Larry Doby
Irv Noren
Hobie Landrith
Ray Boone
Ted Lepcio
Bubba Church
Billy Loes
Bob Friend
Jim Hearn
Bob Hooper
|
|
| |
IN:
3B Al Rosen, MR Andy Hansen,
MR Vern Bickford, LF Roy Sievers,
OUT: SP Mike Fornieles (ret), C Matt Batts, RF Pat Mullin, SP Joe Presko, SS Lou Boudreau
No team dropped farther than New York last season (12 fewer
wins than in 1954), leading to GM Don Carrington's
resignation. The pitching was adequate, but the Gothams
scored 136 fewer runs, nearly one less per game, a situation
that was addressed by the acquisition of 3B Al Rosen.
The lineup is mostly unchanged, except that Rosen will bat
cleanup vs. lefties and Ted Lepcio will be the everyday
shortstop.
The club is still reeling from the loss of ace
Mike Fornieles to a career-ending arm injury. Rookie
Frank Lary will debut as a spot-starter, and veterans Andy
Hansen and Vern Bickford will shore up the bullpen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
St.
Louis Maroons
Tim Smith
1955 Record: 84-70 (3rd-t) |
|
San
Francisco Spiders
John Nellis
1955 Record: 56-98 (9th) |
|
Washington
Monuments
Jay Kaplan
1955 Record: 93-61 (2nd) |
| |
SS
CF
RF
3B
LF
C
1B
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
R
L
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
|
Luis
Aparicio*
Gil
Coan
Stan Musial
Vern Stephens
Dick Kokos
Del Crandall
Bill White*
Hector Lopez
Billy Pierce
Spec Shea
Sam Zoldak
Bob Keegan
Roy Face
|
|
|
|
|
SS
CF
1B
RF
LF
C
3B
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
|
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
R
R
L
R
L
L
R
|
Solly
Hemus
Tom Umphlett
Vic Wertz
Rocky Colavito*
Wes Covington*
Hal Smith*
Ken Boyer*
Dick Williams*
Ewell Blackwell
Warren Spahn
Tom Sturdivant*
Herb Score*
Bobby Shantz
Steve Ridzik
|
| |
|
|
|
SS
1B
2B
CF
RF
C
LF
3B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
L
L
R
L
L
R
R
R
R
L
R
R |
Gil McDougald
Billy Goodman
Hank Thompson
Willie Mays
Duke Snider
Joe Ginsberg
Joe Adcock
Dick Groat
Carl Erskine
Larry Jansen
Dave Koslo
Warren Hacker
Ted Abernathy*
|
|
|
|
|
|
IN:
SP Dick Donovan, MR Ray Moore
OUT: Steve Gromek, MR Andy Hansen, MR Bob Chipman, SS Wayne
Causey
GM Tim Smith essentially acknowledged that the
Gromek trade was a flop, shipping the four-time All-Star to
Louisville for Dick Donovan, Ray 'Farmer' Moore, and a rookie
pick that netted shortstop Luis Aparicio, who, with Bill
White, gives the Dark Reds their speediest lineup since the
days of Sam Jethroe.
The offense tumbled from 1st to 7th last year
with the departure of Roy Campanella and Puddin' Head
Jones. Rookies Luis Aparicio and Bill White give St.
Louis legit leadoff man and a solid power hitter,
respectively, but the bottom of the order is still peppered
with unproven hitters.
Donovan will jostle with Bob Keegan and Paul Minner
for the #4 starter job, while Moore helps shore up a bullpen
decimated first by expansion, and then by expiring
contracts. Roy Face takes over the closer role, while
youngsters George Susce, 24, and Billy Hoeft, 23, figure to
pitch a lot more innings.
|
IN:
SP Warren Spahn, SP Don Newcombe, SP Bobby Shantz
OUT: 2B Jerry Priddy
San Francisco will witness a UL first on opening
day, when five straight batters will get their first major
league at-bat. The Spiders are fielding a UL record five
rookies in its starting lineup, with another two rookies in
the starting rotation. Only 1-2-3 hitters Solly Hemus,
Tom Umphlett, and Vic Wertz return from last year's lineup,
though Elston Howard and Chico Carrasquel will platoon against
lefties. Of the rookie crop, the most promising hitter
is RF Rocky Colavito, the 2nd overall pick, who will bat
cleanup.
The Spiders gave up the third most runs in the
league last year, prompting GM John Nellis to go fishing for
some hurlers. Money was no object, as they Baysiders
netted Warren Spahn, Don Newcombe, and Bobby Shantz for a
total of $22 million. Spahn and Newcombe were first
round picks in the '51 Inaugural draft, but have failed to
live up to expectations. They will get a new lease on
life in S.F., though as of opening day, only Spahn has a
starting job (#2). Rookies Tom Sturdivant and Herb Score
are ready for the show, and should give the Arachnids a lift.
|
IN:
MR Bob Chipman
OUT: RF Enos Slaughter (ret)
Very few changes in D.C. this winter. The
lineup looks essentially the same as it has for three
years. And why change a winning formula? The
Monuments have won 90+ games for four years running.
Mays (.310-36-106) continues his ascent to superstardom, and
the heart of the order ("Willie, Hankie, and the
Duke") is perhaps the most formidable in baseball.
All three had at least 18 HR and 80 RBI in 1955.
Overall, the club scored just 14 runs fewer than Los Angeles,
despite playing in one of the most pitcher-oriented parks in the
league.
Pitching has always been Washington's forte, and
this year is no exception. Cy candidate Carl Erskine
(25-9, 2.82) inherits the ace mantle, displacing Larry Jansen,
whose string of three 20-win seasons came to an end last
year. Southpaw Dave Koslo had his best season in three
years, and Stu Miller will round out the rotation when he
returns to action sometime in May, after a yearlong injury.
In the bullpen, rookie Ted Abernathy takes the
closer job from two-time All-Star Frank Smith, who shifts to a
setup role. Rookies relievers Marion Fricano and Lou
Sleater will join the big club.
With a prodigious offense and the deepest
pitching staff in the league, there is no reason Washington
shouldn't recapture its lost pennant in '55. |
|
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