|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TRADES |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
INJURED LIST |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United
League of
American Base Ball Clubs
est.
1951
LEAGUE
FILE (6/3) ·
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 (1957)
·
OOTP 6.1 PATCH
TOTAL UL
· 1951 ·
1952 · 1953 ·
1954 ·
1955 ·
1956
·
1957 DRAFTS
4/7 (Season Preview) ·
4/17 ·
5/1 ·
5/16 ·
6/1
|
|
Colts Charge Out of
Cellar
Horsies Back in Race
After 12-2 Surge
CHICAGO (June 1) -- A
resurgent pitching staff lead Chicago to a 12-2 surge in late May, pulling
the once-hapless Horsies within two games of .500 and just 5.5 games off
the pace in the West Division. Chicago faltered early on, stumbling
out of the gate to their worst start in their seven-year history.
The Colts opened the season with a 2-14 slump -- the worst start in UL
history, and were 12-23 in mid-May after a five-game losing streak.
But a 4-2 win over Brooklyn on May 17 was a turning point, as the club won
10 of 11 games, including four of five at first place Louisville and a
three-game sweep of Boston. Both the pitching and the hitting have
emerged from their early seasons slumps.
Robin Roberts was 5-1, 3.33 in May, after a 1-4, 6.54
April. Don Drysdale has as many wins in his last three starts as he
had in his first nine (3-5 vs. 3-0). And fifth starter Bob Purkey
has stepped up with some huge starts. The former Superba is 3-0 with
a 1.44 ERA in his last four starts, including a no-decision in a 4-3 win
over the Beacons on May 27, a game won by Bobby Thomson's walk off home
run. Equally important has been the emergence of Barney Schultz as
fearsome closer. Schultz allowed just one earned run in the month of
May (0.73), posting 10 saves in 12 appearances. Seven of Chicago's
last 12 wins have been by two runs or less.
Offensively, nearly the entire lineup has heated up.
Jim Finigan, Whitey Lockman, Ernie Banks, Bill Virdon, and Jim Landis are
all hitting at a .400 clip in recent days. Whitey Lockman, a platoon
first baseman, hit .513 (20-39) in his last 14 games. Gus Zernial
had 2 homers then 4 RBIs in back-to-back games against Louisville May
20-21 and led the team in home runs and RBIs in May. Gil Hodges has
warmed up as well. Hodges hit 1-for-13 in the five games after his
May 12 homer hat trick. But since then, Hodges is hitting .480
(12-25). But the keystone in the Chicago lineup was Ernie
Banks. "Mr. Colt" hit just .286 with 10 RBIs in April, but
in May, Banks hit .365 with 8 home runs and 22 RBIs, earning Batter of the
Month honors. It was Ernie's third BOM Award. He took home the
hardware twice last season, in back-to-back months July and August.
Separate Ways
Mons Sweep Bas, Win 8 Straight
WASHINGTON
(June 1) -- The Washington Monuments had another typical fortnight in late
May, winning 12 of 14 games and winning eight straight to extend their
lead over Brooklyn to nine games. The winning streak included a
three-game sweep at Frank Thomas Memorial Stadium and coincided with
Brooklyn's six-game losing streak. Washington's hottest player is
Willie Mays, who led the team with 8 HR and 20 RBI in May and is batting
.450 (9-20) in his last 6 games.
