|
HIGHEST
PAID PLAYERS |
|
# |
Player |
Salary |
|
1 |
Billy Pierce, CHI |
12,950 |
|
2 |
Willie Mays, WAS |
12,050 |
|
3 |
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
9,750 |
|
4 |
Richie Ashburn, LOU |
7,200 |
|
5 |
Juan Pizarro, SF |
6,710 |
|
6 |
Gil McDougald, DET |
6,600 |
|
7 |
Lou Brissie, LOU |
6,120 |
|
8 |
Bobby Brown, BRO |
6,100 |
|
9 |
Gene Woodling, CLE |
6,036 |
|
10 |
Del Ennis, DAL |
6,020 |
|
11 |
Willie Jones, LOU |
5,884 |
|
12 |
Yogi Berra, CLE |
5,360 |
|
13 |
Frank Thomas, DAL |
5,300 |
|
14 |
Joe Presko, LOU |
5,284 |
|
15 |
Robin Roberts, LOU |
5,200 |
|
16 |
Bill White, CHI |
5,120 |
|
|
Gus Bell, MAN |
5,120 |
|
18 |
Herm Wehmeier, LOU |
5,028 |
|
19 |
Hank Thompson, CHI |
4,989 |
|
20 |
Nellie Fox, CHI |
4,900 |
|
|
Hank Aaron, LOU |
4,900 |
|
22 |
Ernie Banks, CHI |
4,800 |
|
|
Bob Rush, LA |
4,800 |
|
24 |
Lew Burdette, BRO |
4,700 |
|
25 |
Granny Hamner, BRO |
4,400 |
|
1962 OUTLOOK
survey of UL managers |
|
WEST DIVISION
|
EAST DIVISION
|
 |
Chicago Colts |
 |
Brooklyn Superbas |
 |
Louisville Colonels |
 |
Detroit Griffins |
 |
St. Louis Maroons |
 |
Boston Federals |
 |
Los Angeles Outlaws |
 |
Cleveland Barons |
 |
Dallas Texans |
 |
Manhattan Gray Sox |
 |
San Francisco Spiders |
 |
Washington Monuments |
|
|
OPENING DAY PROBABLES
|
| |
|
1961 Stats |
|
BOS |
Bob Friend |
23-12 |
3.00 |
|
MAN |
Bubba Church |
13-19 |
3.63 |
|
DET |
Pedro Ramos |
16-15 |
3.32 |
|
BRO |
Gene Conley |
24-8 |
3.20 |
|
WAS |
Stu Miller |
12-26 |
5.54 |
|
CLE |
John Tsitouris |
6-7 |
3.60 |
|
LA |
Art Mahaffey |
2-2 |
5.54 |
|
CHI |
*Billy Pierce |
16-8 |
2.63 |
|
STL |
*Herb Score |
16-13 |
3.10 |
|
LOU |
*J. Antonelli |
30-6 |
2.78 |
|
SF |
Ron Kline |
12-18 |
3.71 |
|
DAL |
Bob Miller |
16-8 |
2.57 |
|
|
*left-handed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
1 9 6
2 U N I T E D L E A G U E
P R E V I E W |
|
W
E S T D I V I S I O N
|
E
A S T D I V I S I O N
|
|
 |
CHICAGO
COLTS
Lance
Mueller |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
74 |
80 |
4/6 |
725 |
772 |
|
1960 |
86 |
68 |
2/4 |
687 |
635 |
|
1961 |
92 |
62 |
1/2 |
732 |
676 |
|
 |
BOSTON
FEDERALS
Shawn Martin |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
69 |
85 |
3t/7t |
744 |
765 |
|
1960 |
71 |
83 |
3/6 |
712 |
791 |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3t/5t |
639 |
694 |
|
CF
3B
2B
SS
1B
LF
C
RF
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
L
R
L
R
L
L
L
R
R
L
R |
Lenny Green
Hank Thompson
Nellie Fox
Ernie Banks
Norm Cash
Joe Adcock
Johnny Roseboro
*Spanky Spangler
Billy Pierce
Carl Erskine
Tom Sturdivant
Bud Daley
Don Elston
|
Colts Hitting Their Stride
Injuries to 1-2 starters Billy Pierce and Carl
Erskine spoiled Chicago's first World Series, but GM Lance
Mueller is Banking on a return appearance in 1962. The
West Division champs remain the team to beat this year, fielding
almost the identical team as last season. Mueller expects
big things from Norm Cash, Lenny Green, Johnny Roseboro, and Don
Demeter -- all under age 30, and rookie outfielder Spanky
Spangler hopes to make a splash. -- Tim Smith
IN: CF Jim Busby, 2B Danny
O'Connell, *LF Spanky Spangler
OUT: RF Gus Bell, 3B Don Hoak, 1B Marv Throneberry, C Sherm
Lollar
|
|

|
|
CF
RF
SS
1B
LF
C
3B
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
L
R
R
L |
Tony Gonzalez
Bob Skinner
Eddie Bressoud
Orlando Cepeda
Bob Allison
Roy Campanella
Gene Freese
Cass Michaels
Bob Friend
Joe Gibbon
Billy Loes
Sam Jones
*Dean Stone
|
High Hopes for Fenway
Return
Breakout
Prediction - Bob Allison - Will start the season batting
against both LH and RH pitchers, after basically
splitting his producted last year. Hit 21 HR in just
310 AB. Fenway will help. Watch for a big year from
"Bonus Baby" Bob.
Addition Primed To Fail: Roy Campanella - Roy's 39, and
coming off of two so-so part time seasons. Expected to
be full time starter, we'll see how long he lasts there.
Most "Important" Player: Joe Gibbon - If the third-year SP can have
a dominant year for the Federals, they might challenge.
If he flops, they will certainly fail.
Mid-Season Callup to Watch: Chris Short - Touted SP prospect may
challenge major-league batters this year, depending on
how his first months in AAA go.
And the #4 Starter Is: Sam Jones - Toothpick will start the year as
the #4 SP, although Pascual, Broglio and Short will
contend during the season.
Prediction - Fifth
- Team is firesaled by July, GM Martin goes on killing
spree. -- Shawn Martin
IN: SP
Toothpick Sam Jones,
2B Cass Michaels, 3B Eddie Yost, C Roy Campanella,
OUT: CF Whitey Lockman, SP Bob Purkey, 2B Danny O'Connell, MR
Curt Simmons
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
DALLAS TEXANS
Ben
DeGrass |
|
 |
BROOKLYN
SUPERBAS
Glen
Reed |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
105 |
49 |
1/1 |
839 |
558 |
|
1960 |
108 |
45 |
1/1 |
816 |
522 |
|
1961 |
102 |
52 |
1/1 |
807 |
561 |
|
CF
2B
3B
RF
LF
1B
SS
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
R
R
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
L
R |
Wally Moon
Pete Runnels
Frank Thomas
Wally Post
Norm Siebern
Marv Throneberry
Dick Groat
Gene Green
Bob Miller
Dick Donovan
Tom Brewer
Art Ceccarelli
Ray Crone
|
Wait, Isn’t This a
Football Team?
At least that’s what wary Dallas folk
have been saying to each other since the UL granted the city a
baseball team. And who could blame them? One look at the
Texans’ roster, and any inattentive baseball fan may dream of
the COLD, HARD TUNDRA OF LAMBEAU FIELD. Catcher Mean Gene
Green, 3B Frank “Thurman” Thomas, 1B Wally “Warren” Moon, OF
Roman “Gabriel” Mejias, and SP Dick “Art” Donovan will anchor
the Texans line-up.
The Good: The Texans are chock full of young talent,
especially on the offensive side. Boog Powell, Gary Geiger, and
Wally Post will be the backbone of the starting line-up. Bob
Miller and Dick Donovan will lead the rotation.
The Bad: Frank Thomas has underperformed in the past, and
no one knows how the popular jack-of-all trades will respond in
his new southern surroundings.
The Ugly: Once a team gets past the Texans’ number 1 and 2
starters, there isn’t much punch left. Newly signed and now
high-priced #3 Tom Brewer and leftie Art Ceccarelli haven’t
exactly torn the League up in the past, and the Texans pen is
still unproven and untested.
The Unknown: If
Brewer, Ceccarelli, and the bullpen don’t hold up, just what
will GM DeGrass do to right the ship? --
Sean Holloway
IN: Everybody
OUT: C Joe Ginsberg
|
|
 |
|
3B
LF
CF
2B
RF
1B
C
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
S
R
L
L
L
R
R
L
R
R
R
R |
Bobby Brown
Sandy Amoros
Mickey Mantle
Granny Hamner
Irv Noren
Jim Gentile
Hobie Landrith
*Chico Cardenas
Gene Conley
Whitey Ford
Lew Burdette
Johnny Kucks
Jim Perry
Dick Sisler
|
Brooklyn Meet Angelina; Angelina meet Brooklyn
Over the past 5 years, Brooklyn
(and I dare say manager Glen Reed) has been a bit like
Angelina Jolie – you either loved her or you hated her – you
either respected her humanitarian work or thought it little
more than Hollywood spin. But, either way, deep down you
knew she was had the best measurements in the room
(105-108-102). Well, now Brooklyn is like Angelina after a
little plastic surgery. The question is, will she go the
route of Pamela Lee -- a little too much work done and
contracting hepatitis -- or will she be even sexier then the
girl we knew before?
Because of expansion and age, Manager Reed is walking that
fine line between rebuilding and continued dominance. Out
are a number of veteran stalwarts, including the unsung Bob
Miller. Of course, why was Miller often the forgotten man?
Because of the likes of Conley, Burdette, Ford and Sisler,
who remain the backbone of the team. Joining them in the
pitching staff via trade and free agency will be Don
Cardwell, Billy Muffett and Jim Perry leaving Reed with just
two questions for what should remain the dominant staff in
baseball: who will be the fourth starter and who will close
things out (with the loveable Hoyt Wilhelm departing for San
Fran). Two nice questions to have.
While the Supra’s hallmark pitching should remain, there
have been major changes to the everyday lineup. The team is
likely to have new starters at short (Cardenas) and third
(Williams and/or Mantilla) with Charlie Neal becoming a jack
of all trades. And, like a an unfortunate horse at the
Preakness, there was the career ending injury to Squirrel
Sievers during the last Fall Classic, so depth at first base
is not what it was. Nevertheless, one thing remains
consistent – Granny Hamner returns for another year of
terrorizing pitchers and managers alike. In the outfield,
Mr. Mantle remains the man with the ageless wonder, Irv
Noren on one flank and Sandy Amaros on the other. The main
issue for Reed will be depth, particularly in the outfield.
A spat of injuries could reek havoc.
All said, Brooklyn remains the team to beat. The real
question is who is man enough to try?
IN:
3B Felix Mantilla, MR Billy Muffett, *SS Chico Cardenas
OUT: SP Bob Miller, SP Dick Donovan, CL Hoyt Wilhelm, SS Luis Aparicio, MR Tom Acker,
SS Tony Kubek, C Don Mueller
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
LOS
ANGELES OUTLAWS
Peter Vays |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
66 |
88 |
5/9 |
684 |
795 |
|
1960 |
65 |
89 |
5/8 |
635 |
746 |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3/5t |
619 |
701 |
|
 |
CLEVELAND
BARONS
Charlie Qualls |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
69 |
85 |
3t/7t |
705 |
790 |
|
1960 |
93 |
61 |
2/3 |
769 |
604 |
|
1961 |
73 |
81 |
3t/5t |
691 |
703 |
|
CF
2B
1B
RF
SS
3B
C
LF
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
R
R
L
S
R
R
R
R
L
R
R
R
|
Bill Virdon
Bill Mazeroski
Frank Robinson
Vada Pinson
*Tom Tresh
Billy Martin
Bob Schmidt
Bob Cerv
*Art Mahaffey
Hank Aguirre
Jim Bunning
Bob Rush
Ray Narleski |
It’s the Quiet Ones
You Gotta Watch
Well, George Carlin wouldn’t agree
with the above statement, but the UL would do well to take
notice to what Peter Vays has done in LA, as the Outlaws have a
*complete* infield of top young prospects waiting to tear the
League up.
The Good: The infield, led by 1B Willie McCovey and 2B
Dick McAuliffe. With the addition of SS Tom Tresh, 3B Mike “De
La Soul” Haz, and C Jim Pagliaroni, Vays is looking to build
upon his formidable outfield of Robinson, Pinson, and James.
The Bad: The Outlaws had worse luck than the Griffins in
the 1961 Free Agency Draft, with every player targeted by GM
Vays signed somewhere outside of the City of Angels.
The Ugly & The Unknown: Despite having a small army of
starters and relievers, there are major question marks floating
around the Arroyo Seco in LA. The Outlaws rotation is anchored
by 23-year-old top prospect Art Mahaffey, and Dick Ellsworth is
waiting in the minors, but no one is sure what kind of numbers
Aguirre, Bunning, and Bob “Hurry, hurry – come to me” Rush will
put up. Closer Ray Narelski and MR Joe Horlen can close things
out, but will the starting rotation give them the chance? --
Sean Holloway
IN: *Tom Tresh, *Joe
Horlen
OUT: SP Bubba Church, LF Norm Siebern, 2B Cass Michaels,
3B Eddie Yost, CL Ted Abernathy,
MR Bob Hooper
|
|
 |
|
1B
2B
RF
3B
LF
C
SS
CF
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
L
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
L
R
R |
Bill White
Billy Goodman
Gene Woodling
Eddie Mathews
Gus Zernial
Yogi Berra
Harvey Kuenn
Vic Wertz
John Tsitouris
Don Drysdale
Jack Kralick
Earl Francis
Russ Kemmerer
|
Get Young or Die Trying
What began with
last season’s trade of aging ace Billy Pierce has blossomed into
a full blown mantra for the Barons: youth is where it’s at,
baby. This off-season saw GM C. Benson Qualls pull the trigger
on two deals that landing him the young arms of Maloney, Hobbie,
and Barber, as well as two additional rookie selections. So what
do it all mean for this season? Well, the Barons still have
strong veteran talent to fill most of the starting roster spots,
but don’t be surprised to see a cavalcade of fresh faces, both
in the field and on the mound, throughout 1962. It’s clear that
Cleveland is ready and willing to play the waiting game…wait for
the Superbas to get old while Barons’ young talent develops and
then take a shot at ending Brooklyn’s dominance in the East.
Should be fun to see how it all develops. -- Lance
Mueller
IN: *Eddie Charles,
SS Maury Wills, LF Vic Wertz
OUT: SP Jack Sanford, SP Billy O'Dell, CF Richie Ashburn, SP Tom Gorman, MR Roy Face
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
LOUISVILLE COLONELS
Mark Allen |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
75 |
79 |
3/5 |
647 |
648 |
|
1960 |
95 |
59 |
1/2 |
768 |
639 |
|
1961 |
81 |
73 |
2/3 |
702 |
641 |
|
 |
DETROIT
GRIFFINS
Sean
Holloway |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
80 |
74 |
2/3t |
685 |
677 |
|
1960 |
55 |
99 |
5/10 |
566 |
741 |
|
1961 |
76 |
78 |
2/4 |
684 |
678 |
|
SS
CF
LF
1B
3B
C
RF
2B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
L
R
R
R
L
R
L
L
R
R
R
R |
Luis Aparicio
Richie Ashburn
Hank Aaron
Bill Skowron
Willie Jones
Don Mueller
Al Kaline
*Chuck Hiller
Johnny Antonelli
Herm Wehmeier
Baby Joe Presko
Tom Gorman
Cloyd Boyer |
Eggs, Meet Basket
The Louisville Colonels will either be measured
for
rings, or capsize. In his triumphant return to the
UL, Mark Allen wasted no time getting his squad back to fighting
strength. The offense, defense and speed numbers get a major
boost with the additions of Richie Ashburn, Willie Jones and
Luis Aparicio. Lined up with the backbone of Aaron, Kaline and
Skowron, the Cols look to stand as tall as anyone offensively.
But the mystery of why Frank Thomas was left in the lurch
remains a puzzler.
On the mound, Cy Young defender Johnny Antonelli will look for help
from an assortment of Geriatric Gents. Wehmeier, Brissie,
Gorman and Roberts hope to leave it all out on the hill, and I
don’t mean the contents of their collective bowels. Roy Face
and Tom Acker bring much needed depth to the bullpen. However,
in the process of building an experienced team, Louisville has
all but abandoned it’s farm system and spent almost all their
money, leaving little wriggle room to add any mid-season help.
Outlook: Taming the Ponies will be an uphill climb, but the aged
arms will get much back up from what looks to be the UL’s best
defense and a very scary bunch of bats indeed. --
Charlie Qualls
IN: 3B Willie Jones, CF
Richie Ashburn, SS Luis Aparicio, C Don Mueller, SP Tom Gorman,
SP Robin Roberts, MR Tom Acker, MR Roy Face
OUT: RF Wally Post, 3B Felix Mantilla, SS Rocky Bridges, 3B
Frank Thomas, 3B George Kell, RF Roman Mejias, MR Billy Muffett
|
|
 |
|
SS
2B
1B
RF
LF
CF
3B
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
R
L
L
L
L
R
L
R
R
L
R
R |
Gil McDougald
Davey Williams
Joe Cunningham
Daddy Wags Wagner
Jim King
Whitey Lockman
Frank Malzone
*Johnny Edwards
Pedro Ramos
Joey Jay
Sandy Koufax
Bob Gibson
Tex Clevenger
|
Money Can’t Buy Detroit Happiness
In what is becoming a sad story for the Griffins, no amount of
money is worth it to the vast majority of free agents, as
Detroit heard nothing but “I don’t like your organization” in
response to its numerous contract offers. To rub salt in the
wound, the Griffins went on a tear in the last month of the 1961
season and promptly sunk any chance at a solid draft pick.
The Good: Ramos, Jay, Koufax, and Gibson – oh, my! Should
the Griffins’ staff continue to develop, the team should have
one of the most potent rotation’s in the UL.
The Bad: The Griffins’ offensive output was anemic, with
high-price free agent SS Gil McDougald underwhelming. With
Dusty Rhodes appearing to be destined for the DL, the Griffins
are counting on Daddy Wags, Jim King, and Joe Cunningham to be
the backbone of the line-up.
The Ugly: Detroit is in desperate need of a catcher, as
well as a bullpen that doesn’t implode. Johnny Edwards is hoped
to be the solution for the former, with John Wyatt likely to see
his first professional action early in the year.
The Unknown: With the rotation set, Detroit will be
banking on finding another big bat in Ron Fairly or Frank
Howard. If that happens, things in Detroit may start looking
up. -- Sean Holloway
IN: CF Whitey
Lockman, 2B Bill Serena, *Johnny Edwards, *MR John Wyatt
OUT: SP Johnny Podres, SP Art Ceccarelli, SP Tom Brewer,
CF Tom Umphett, 2B Bobby Richardson, SS Maury Wills
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
ST LOUIS
MAROONS
Tim Smith |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
80 |
74 |
2/3t |
739 |
693 |
|
1960 |
72 |
82 |
3/5 |
716 |
741 |
|
1961 |
70 |
84 |
4/8 |
744 |
709 |
|
 |
MANHATTAN GRAY SOX
Jeff
Gurganus |
|
RF
1B
LF
CF
2B
SS
3B
C
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
L
L
L
R
L
R
L
R
R
R
R |
Floyd Robinson
Frank Torre
Dick Kokos
Roger Maris
Don Blasingame
Rocky Bridges
Jack Dittmer
Earl Averill
Herb Score
Larry Jackson
Bill Monbouquette
Frank Lary
*Dick Radatz
|
Young and Cheap
After their third losing season in four years,
St. Louis enters a new, more aggressive phase of rebuilding, shunning geriatrics with large contracts in favor of
youth development. The Maroons faced their first
full-fledged financial crisis this offseason, after last year's
free agent spending spree shrunk the spending cap by $10
million. Gone are fan favorite 3B Willie "Puddin Head"
Jones and $5 million starter Robin Roberts. New faces include
shortstop Rocky Bridges and rookie hurlers Dick Radatz and Steve
Hamilton, both first rounders likely to compete for spots on the big league
roster. -- Tim Smith
IN: SS Rocky Bridges, *MR
Dick Radatz, *1B Lee Thomas, *MR Steve Hamilton
OUT: 3B Willie Jones, SP Robin Roberts, SS Dick Groat, C Gene
Green, MR Ray Moore, 2B Pete Runnels, SP Warren Hacker
|
|

Rocky Bridges |
|
CF
2B
1B
3B
RF
LF
C
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
R
R
L
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R |
Tom Umphlett
Bobby Richardson
Tito Francona
Gus Bell
Don Hoak
*George Altman
*Dick Brown
Tony Kubek
Bubba Church
Johnny Podres
Jack Sanford
Billy O'Dell
Ted Abernathy |
Meet the Girl with Braces
While Brooklyn is Angelina, Manhattan is much like the girl
in the fifth grade who just got braces. Will she blossom
into a swan or long remain the ugly duckling who happens to
have good teeth?
Manager Jeff Gurganus
targeted pitching, defense, team speed and youth in both
drafts (expansion and rookie) and free agency, not so
worried about winning today given the presence of cross-town
bully Brooklyn but hoping to lay the foundation for the
future – and for playing in the Polo Grounds. A team with
no power and limited offense prowess, Manhattan will almost
certainly be at the bottom of the league’s offensive
categories come October. Nevertheless, the Gray Sox boast a
lineup capable of giving “small ball” a decent name with
Tito Francona, Tiger Hoak and Gus Bell all getting chances
to start full-time again.
While offense may
struggle, the defense should not. The team boasts a number
of players with outstanding range, including four former
gold glove winners – Hoak, Kubek, Richardson and Umphlett.
Can defense make a difference?
The team’s future will
be determined by its pitching. A sound bullpen, led by the
former L.A. duo Owens and Abernathy, is in place, though it
may be dogged by the lack of a true closer. Meanwhile,
veterans Bubba Church and Jack Sanford will allow youngsters
Big Daddy Williams, Ray Sadecki and Dean Chance the chance
to mature in the minors, hopefully to develop the next great
threesome. Like the fifth grader, one can dream of the
future.
IN:
Everybody
OUT: *SS Leo Cardenas
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
SAN
FRANCISCO SPIDERS
John
Nellis |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
87 |
67 |
1/2 |
738 |
671 |
|
1960 |
68 |
86 |
4/7 |
661 |
712 |
|
1961 |
64 |
90 |
5/10 |
687 |
795 |
|
 |
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
Doug
Aiton |
| |
W |
L |
Place |
R |
OR |
|
1959 |
65 |
89 |
5/10 |
645 |
782 |
|
1960 |
57 |
97 |
4/9 |
576 |
775 |
|
1961 |
66 |
88 |
5/9 |
664 |
811 |
|
C
2B
LF
RF
CF
1B
3B
SS
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
R
R
L
R
R
R
R
R
L
R
R
R |
Joe Ginsberg
Hector Lopez
Rocky Colavito
Billy Williams
Jim Lemon
Harmon Killebrew
George Kell
Chico Carrasquell
Ron Kline
Juan Pizarro
Tom Cheney
Vern Law
Bob Hooper
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Pizarro Spider-Man
Like the girlfriend that keeps dumping you and begging you to
come back, the Spiders keep folding the Chosen Juan back into
the Matrix. And despite the loss of inning hoarder Bob
Porterfield, San Fran managed to pump some arms into the system
via Free Agency. Oh, and they opted to slide rookie Lou Brock
into an already deep pile of young outfielders. But sadly, it
may be more of the same for the dangling Spiders. The aging
offense still has a lot of pop to drop, but the future
superstars are still a little moist behind the lobes. The
pitching looks to only be slightly stronger than last year.
Kline and Pizarro should be their dependable selves, but it
gets inky from
there. Tom Cheney hopes to show last year was just
sophomore jitters. Vern Law hasn’t had a meaningful gig in
years and is being asked to pin down the number 4 rotation spot.
Willard Schmidt may be called upon to
spot start if things get too ugly. The bullpen gets a shot of
Oldrenaline in the wrinkled forms of legends Hoyt Wilhelm and
Bob Hooper, but they should be helpful, despite pushing hard on
40.
Outlook: The Arm Owie got a Spider-Man Band-Aid, but the cut is
deeper than it looks. Its tough to see this team competing
anytime soon, unless the rules change to accommodate a five-man
outfield. -- Charlie Qualls
IN: 3B George Kell, CL
Hoyt Wilhelm, C Joe Ginsberg, CL Bob Hooper, *LF Lou Brock, *1B
Fred Whitfield
OUT: CF Jim Busby, 1B Tito Francona, C Roy Campanella
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1B
LF
CF
C
2B
SS
RF
3B
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL |
L
L
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
L
R
R |
Sammy Taylor
Norm Larker
Willie Mays
Johnny Romano
Dick Howser
Ron Hansen
*Jim Hickman
Ron Santo
Don Larsen
Stu Miller
Claude Osteen
Earl Wilson
Bob Chakales
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A-Wash in Talent
There’s a
danger in the capital city. It starts with “P” and rhymes
with exponential. We’re talking “potential” people, and no
team in the UL has more of it…seriously. Mays, Romano,
Hansen, Howser, Santo, Yastrzemski, Hickman, Callison, B.
Robinson, Kaat, Osteen, Ortega…I mean, really folks, this is
downright ridiculous. Ahhh, but there’s a huge difference
from being a star “prospect” and being a star player, and
most of the guys on that list have a ways to go before
they’re full-fledged freaks. GM Doug Aiton wisely picked up
young guns Osteen and Ortega to help a pitching staff in
desperate straits, but like so many of their fellow Froshes,
they’ve yet to prove themselves on the big stage. However,
from the looks of things, the Monuments of ’62 may well
feature more raw, young talent in starting roles than any
team in recent memory. Question is, when will all that “P”
translate into “W”s? -- Lance Mueller
IN: *Jim Hickman, *Claude
Osteen, *Earl Wilson, MR Ray Moore, SP Warren Hacker, C Sherm
Lollar
OUT: SP Toothpick Sam Jones, LF Felipe Alou, 1B Dick Cole, 2B Bill Serena
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