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Bobby Brown: Hit Machine
"That's My Prerogative," Superba Says 
BROOKLYN (July 31) -- Bobby 'Doc' Brown was one of the silence background contributors to the champion Brooklyn Superbas in 1957.  The journeyman third baseman had played for four teams in his first six UL seasons, finally breaking in as a full-time playa with Brooklyn in 1955 after coming over from San Francisco in the Elston Howard-Herb Score deal.  But 'Doc' had his best campaign last year, establishing new highs in hits (139), runs (84), batting (.342), and on-base percentage (.406).  Indeed, Bobby was just 17 plate appearances short of giving the Bas a clean sweep of the top five batting averages, which brings us right back to precisely why Brown is a relative unknown in UL circles: he may be the fifth best hitter in the league, but he's not even one of the four best on his own team.
   All that might be changing in 1958.  You see, Doc Brown has quietly hit safely in 24 consecutive games, breaking Minnie Minoso's Brooklyn record by one game, and climbing within two games of Roy Campanella's UL record.  The streak began in June 20 against Detroit, and includes an amazing 13 multi-hit games, including six straight multi-hit games since July 19.  Brown hit .451 (32-71) in 18 games in July, and .481 (13-27) in his last seven games.  He was used as a pinch hitter on July 31, drawing a walk, and thus preserving, though not extending, his hit streak because he wasn't charged with an official at-bat.  Brown's low-key approach and 'can-do' attitude has made him a clubhouse favorite at The Frank.  Granny Hamner said of him, "He will do everything asked of him, and more."  His hitting coach says, "Bobby has above average eye-hand coordination.  He makes frequent contact."  And an Amazon.com reviewer said, "This brutha had some slammin' jams back in the day."

Maroons Solve the Riddle of the Stick
Surging Dark Reds Score Runs by the Dozen
ST. LOUIS (July 31) -- Manager Timothy J. Smith just got off the phone with Brooklyn GM Glen Reed, turning down a 'Puddin Head' Jones deal that would put up the white flag in the Gateway City.  "Damn, maybe he should go," Smith muttered, as his club lost five of six games to Washington and New York the week of July 14.  But from July 20 on, the Dark Reds are 9-1, and their offense (third worst just 15 days ago), surged, producing 84 runs in 10 games.  Ironically, Puddin Head himself has been instrumental in St. Louis sudden rediscovery of the art of hitting.  Jonesy is hitting a ludicrous .545 (24-44) with 12 RBIs in his last 12 games, raising his season average 30 points to .333, the sixth highest in the league.  The other big stick has been new acquisition Cass Michaels, who is hitting .384 (19-39) in his last 9 games, including three three-hit games.  Before this season Michaels' career high was six home runs.  In 77 games this year with Los Angeles, Cass hit five.  In his first 13 with St. Louis, he has doubled his tally, including a pair in his Maroon debut on June 16.  Stan Musial has come back to life lately as well.  The $11.5 million man was hitting .268 at the Midsummer Break, but got hot toward the end of July, hitting .304 for this month and driving in 20 runs.  The added run support has helped settle a shaky pitching corps.  Jack Sanford won all six of his July starts despite a 4.60 ERA.  Billy Pierce (7-9, 4.04) won three games in a row for the first time all year, and Paul 'Lefty' Minner had his best monthly ERA of the year (2.72), despite going 1-1 in five starts.
   In the tightly-packed West, a 9-1 surge is good enough to climb from fifth to second, and that's exactly what the Maroons have done in late July.  Despite being seven games under .500 (47-54), they sit just three games behind Louisville, a comfortable position for a team notorious for September surges.

This Is The Tale Of Your Cast-a-ways…
by Charlie Qualls
   The Beacons are setting sail for their first winning season ever.  And it’s all thanks to the rest of the UL and the fish they let slip off the deck…
Berra/Lollar:  An expensive but effective backstop tandem, and both are solid glove men.  Aging but still hungry, Beacon starting catchers (including Edwards) have feasted on a combined 17 Ding Dongs and 79 Ribs.  Mmm… that’s tasty.
Hemus/Westlake:  Brought aboard as platoon men, both have earned regular starting spots.  Hemus has been besting career numbers despite limited playing time.
Gil Coan:  At 35, still putting up the same damn “coan”sistent numbers he always has with a couple off-setting exceptions:  He’s getting on base more than ever, but is also getting caught stealing more often.  Que–se-dia!  Whatever with cheese.
Roy Face:  Shaken, but finally stirred -  Face got a figurative black eye early in the year, but is seeing better now, blossoming into one of the League’s more dependable savesters with 22 (2nd).
Kemerrer/Arroyo:  Two rrock solid rrelieverrs keeping it rreal with ERA’s at or underr 4.00.
Lou Brissie:  OK, technically a trade.  But he was a combination cost-cutting / “I still got 4 better guys” cast-a-way from Brooklyn.  Anyway, we only gave up a 3rd rd. rookie pick (Mean Gene Green).  “Who Knew?” Lou has become the team’s ace, posting a 17-6 record and a 3.68 ERA.  Cy Guy numbers?  Not quite.  But a mean, green steal nonetheless.
Dave Koslo:  Not quite what he once was, but a stable 4th starter (even at 70%).  He seems to be picking up steam, however, earning POG honors in 5 of his last 8 starts.
Curt Simmons:  Well, he helped bring Billy O’Dell over.  Results still pending…
Throw Me Back  - or - What’s My Line?:  Big Fish George “Boy, Do I” Susce compiled a 14.30 ERA in 7 games before getting the hook.

Random Brothers Grimm Quote of the Week:
"You stupid fools!  You should have cut off the stem of the rose bush, and plucked one of the roses, and brought them home with you as quickly as possible.  You must go again a second time."

Random Minnie Minoso Quote of the Week:
"Si usted me permite la acompañare a su casa."  (If you don't mind I'll take you home.)