The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-10-23
Jets GIN Eyes
First Place In 90
BY John Sanders
Jets Publicity Director

JefS PUBLICITY Drecfof
The Columbus Jets enter the 1860 season
figuring to have their first real shot at an International
League pennant.
Biggest needs of the club, which wound up second
last season after a fourth-place finish in 1858, are a
shortstop and a right-handed hitter with long-bal
punch. The latter could come in the form of a first
baseman or another outfielder.
This is the first year feel we really have a
chance" said General Manager Harold Cooper dream
ing merriIy of a possible 1860 pennant.
Il realize a lot of things can happen between mid
April and early September and that it's characteristic
to think big" during the winter months, but at the
same time this will be the first year we will have the
nucleus of a real good ball club before we 60 to spring
training.
Most of our key players will be back with US
again in 1860. And, after a second-place finish In 1859,
there is only one way to go-you never look back In
this game"
Julio Javier, whose speed on the base paths and
improvement both at bat and afield played an integral
part in the clubs second-place finish last season, prob
ably will be back at second base. He was placed on
PittSburgh'S winter roster to protect him from the
major league draft, and will get a s~prlngtime trial
with the Bucs.
He hit a ~creditabIe as in I35 games for the Jets
in 1859, after a paIfry $50 average fhe previous year
at Lincoln of the Class A Western League. He is one
OF the prize prospects in the Pittsburgh organization,
and after his vast improvement last season, figures TO
be one of the finest all-around ballPiayers Columbus
fandom has seen in many a year.
Leo Rodriguez, who possesses probably the finest
pair of hands in baseball, will be back at third base.
He batted .270 in Isl games last season, and Knocked
in SO runs.
Shortstop Ken Hamlin, who came fast late in the
season after a slow start, will either remain with the
Pirates or be dealt to another club. His options have
expired, and the only way Columbus could get him
back would be If Pittsburgh obtained waivers on HIM.
This possibility seems remote at the moment.
There is nothing within the organization that would
figure to help here, and Pittsburgh could help only
by adding another infielder who could play %shortstop.
Cooper feels he may have to deal to plug this expected
gap.
Bob Sagers, a .270 hitter at indianapolis last
season, and Spook Jacobs are two other infielders on
the Jets roster. SagerS, who warrants a long look In
the spring, was assigned to Columbus as a part OF the
deal that sent Ted KluszeWski to Chicago White Sox.
Tom Burgess l.2o4l, Nino Esealera (.2s8), and pos
sibly Joe Christopher t30ll will be back in the CO.
lvmbus outfieId in 1850. Burgess fine year included 20
home runs and o6 runs-bsfted-in Escalera, in addition
to his commendable stick work, did an excellent Job
Extensively in centerfieId. Both are Ieft-hsnded hitters
and offer the club adequate protection at first base.
Christopher was the clubs only 300 hitter last
season. He was the Jets regular right-fielder, but can
also cover the centerfield pasture.
Elmo Plaskett, a %youngster who bided his time be-
tween the Jets and Gastonia of the Glass A South At
lantic last year, and Larry Elliott are two outfield
prospects Cooper wants to take a good look at this
spring.
Plaskett, a right-handed hitter, battcd .262 in 43
games for the Jets, while the southpawswA-elng Elliott
hit Is home runs and knocked in IS tallies for Wilson
Of the Class B Carolina League.
Bill Hall, who experienced an off year last sea-
son, figures as the No. / catcher. After hitting .284 in
81 games at Pittsburgh the latter portion of the 1858
season, his average slipped to .248 fer the Jets in 1859.
The Jets are looking for a second catcher.
Southpaws AL jackson and Joe Gibbon, along with
right-handers Ron Blackburn and Don Williams, are
in the pitching picture again. All are on the Pirates
winter roster, but figure TO return TO Columbus If they
don't make the big club.
Jackson had a 14-3 record and posted a 2.33 ERA
for Columbus in 1859, while Gibbon was the big Win
ner for us with a 1863 Won-lost mark and a 260 ERA.
Blackburn posted a Al record after coming down from
Pittsburgh late in the season, while Williams did a
fine job in relief for us down the stretch. He had a
73 record in AZ appearances (ll in relief and was not
charged with an earned run in his last IL appearances.
Dick Lines could be one of the International
Leagues best pitchers in 1860. The 21-yearold south
paw finished with an encouraging $40 record during
his first season in AAA ball last year, and possesses the
stuff and poise to be a big winner in 1860.
Two other right-handers, Lynn L~ovenguth and
Dave Jimenez, will be back again. Lovenguth, troubled
by the home run ball in 1859, had a 1914 record in
Al games, Jimenez, the Latin-American speed-baller,
had a "a record in 20 appearances. 1t was also his first
taste of A competition.
IF we can improve our defense and add some
power, particularly right-handed hitting power, we
should be fighting for the top" said Cooper.
"our pitching, which was good last year, could
be even better in 1850. In comparison with other years,
we don't need q whole lot TO have a real shot at The
pennant."