United League of American Base B

Ford Fans 15 Twice
ST. LOUIS (May 23) -- Maroons ace Whitey Ford fanned 15 Boston Federals tonight, becoming the first pitcher in UL history to strike out 15 in back-to-back games. Frustrating for St. Louis fans, Ford failed to win either game. On May 18 against San Francisco, he pitched eight innings of two-hit ball, but took no decision after leaving the game at 0-0. The Spiders scored two on his replacement, Gordon Jones, but St. Louis pulled out the victory anyway, thanks to a three-run homer by Roger Maris in the bottom of the ninth. On the 23rd, Ford gave up 8 hits and 2 runs, but again lacked run support, and Boston won 2-1. The double-15 caps a big month for the 33-year-old southpaw. On May 10, Ford became the third member of the 3,000 K club, joining Johnny Antonelli and Billy Pierce.
   Ford pitched seven seasons in Chicago, surpassing 200 strikeouts just three times. But in the last six years, he has averaged 258 Ks per year, becoming especially dominant in the last two seasons. In 1964, pitching for Brooklyn and Washington, Ford struck out a career high 317 batters. His career best 26 wins and 1.92 ERA helped him earn his first Cy Young Award, though he had put up Cy-type numbers almost a decade earlier. In his third year with the Colts in 1955, Ford posted a 24-3 record and 2.89 ERA with 263 Ks, but despite a superior ERA and strikeout total, lost the Cy balloting to Brooklyn's Tom Gorman (27-8, 3.03, 142 K).
   Ford's were the 20th and 21st 15-K games in UL history, and he was the first to perform the feat since, well, Whitey Ford, who struck out 16 on May 28, 1964. Ford now has four 15-K games--three past the age of 35--tied with Herb Score for the second most ever. 13 of the 21 games have been pitched by St. Louis pitchers, including 7 of strikeout king Billy Pierce's 8 (see chart below).
   Ford is blowing away the rest of the league, already racking up 140 strikeouts--43 more than the next closest competitor (Cleveland's Bob Friend)--on a pace to challenge Herb Score's 1962 record of 421. If he stays healthy and maintains his present pace, he has a chance to reach 4,000 strikeouts.

Washington On 10-5 Roll

Point, Counterpoint Part 3: Chicago Colts
Where's the Love? by Sean Holloway
With all the hoopla surrounding other teams in the UL, many have forgotten how quietly the Colts are kicking collective ass from Lake Michigan to Lake Okefenokee and the Bay Bridge. With that in mind, let's further review this juggernaut from the West.

Point: Micheal Wilbon
It's as if Michael Jordan is Playing Baseball!
Wait a minute - maybe that's a bad analogy. But you get my point. Find me a team that can even hold a candle to the Colts. And no, unlike other obnoxious Chicagoans from the South Side (paging Mr. Thomas; Mr. Isiah Thomas), not one member of your family will be harassed at a game.

Reason 1: The Pitching Staff
Damn! The Colts are in the top three in SIX of the UL's 10 pitching stats, and no lower than 6th in any of the remaining four. Sturdivant, Mossi, Herbert, Brunet - they just keep coming. And even if you do manage to rough up a starter, you then get to deal with the best bullpen in the entire League. Nichols, Grim and Kemmmmmmmmmeeerrrerererrerererrrrrrrrrr - it's like a bad dream, with only TWO losses for the entire pen!!!

Reason 2: The Offense
Damn!!!! There just isn't a much you can do facing this Terminator-like line-up. Norm Cash (8HR, 19RBI) goes down, and he's replaced by Don Demeter (9HR, 20 RBI)? That's just not fair. There simply isn't a weak link. And if it's power you want, the Colts will give you more juice than Marion Jones on.....wait....than Marion Jones. First in slugging percentage, runs scored, extra base hits, and HRs. Adcock, Banks, Allison, Cash - all capable of ending a game quickly. Get to the ballpark in Chicago early, kids, or you may arrive to find the game already out of reach.

Counterpoint: Tony Kornheiser
Wilbon, give me something to watch tonight! Wait! We're not to that part of the show yet, are we? Ok, let's talk about how the Redskins will beat Dallas and Tony Romo - hey, Wilbon, isn't that Jessica Simpson lovely? Who do you like - Simpson or Beyonce?

Reason 1: The Pitching Staff
Well, if you ask me, as good as the staff is, these guys are getting up there in age. I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but hasn't Don Mossi been around since before WWII? And Grim and Sturdivant are rumored to be in the Mitchell Report, Part II, which is soon to be released. What if one or two of these guys go down a la BRO's starters last year? Does CHI have enough arms to replace them? And CHI is 6th in something called "BABIP". If I were a real sportscaster I'd know what that meant, but it sure sounds bad, doesn't it?

Reason 2: The Offense
Hey, where's Anna Kournikova been? Wilbon! Kournikova or Maria Sharapova? Who you got? What? Talk about the offense? Oh, and isn't the offense as old as the pitching staff? And I think they strike out a lot as well. Wilbon interrupts - you don't know what the hell you're talking about, do you? Kornheiser - no.

Voice of Reason
Are the players a bit old? Yes. Do they come to play every day? Yes. Is there another team that can compete with CHI's level of skill on the field or at the plate? No. Barring a slew of injuries or unexplained slumps, CHI should win the West again and look to repeat. And since you asked, we're watching "Boston Legal" tonight.