The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-07-21
of TIMES
Jets Defy
Statistics
BY LOU FABRO
Times Sports Editor

They say statistics don't lie, but when you study
the averages in the International League, you wonder.
And the longer you dwell on these averages, the more
you wonder.
Consider these items for a starter: the Columbus
Jets rank fifth in team-batting average; sixth in over
all fielding; and have pulled the least lumber of
double plays in the league. Not a single Jet player is
batting over 300 and not one is ranked among the
leagues hitting leaders, either in average, home runs
or RIBS.
While the Jet pitching has been a strong point,
CharieStons overall hurting has been more impress
sive. Rochester's Fingers also show up well in the
earned-run department.
TO coMPLIcATE THINGS FURTHER, the Jets
have been subjected to a revolving door policy" by
the parent Pittsburgh Pirates. No less than II players
have been shuttled off to other clubs since the season
began.
Some of these were sent off to lower minors while
others were promoted to the major leagues. One play
er, however, Roberto Herrera-the best catcher in the
league by far-noW plays for Charleston. And in case
you haven't noticed Charleston has been the Jets chief
rival for leadership.
The Jets current roster lists 13 players who be-
gan with Columbus. Requirements haven't, on the
whole, been too impressive. Three of them, statistics
show, rank in the lower half Of the squad in hitting.
Two of these have the lowest batting averages on the
team. Three pitchers who were added show the worst
earned-run averages on the squad.
DESPITE HI MANY OBVIOUS WEAKNESSES,
despite the constant shutting of players, despite the
numerous injuries and the lam-up OF doubleheaderS in
June, and despite the fact that Columbus wa rated
a second division club at the start Of the season, the
Jets have astonished the so-called experts and rival
teams by leading the leogue for all but Is days of the
1861 season!
Some ask if Manager Larry Shepard does it with
mirrors; others wonder if the league is weaker; and
still others wonder if the Jets can continue to defy the
averages and come romping home with the first
league championship for Columbus since way back in
1941.
No, Shepard doesn't do it with mirrors, but he
probably wished he could. He is, however, a sharp
hocahoI1 cfrafn0icf Vubn Lpo,uc ha,u IN 0nf fha roav;
mum mileage from his players. He proved this in
1859 when he guided Salt Lake City to the Pacific
Coast League crown with a team largely composed of
Columbus rejects.
SHEPARD is ABOUT THE FINEST manager Co
lumbus has seen in many moons. He's also about the
least noticed skipper the Jets have had. He isn't flam-
boyant. Quite frankly, he lacks color. However, as
long as he keeps the Jets in the thick of the pennant
fight, fans won't mind if Shepard's face maintains the
same d~ead-pan expression all season long. At least,
he's no "grandstander' who argues with umpires only
to be noticed.
Yes, despite the counter-claims, the league is
weaker from top to bottom. The addition Of two teams
in the American League drained off a lot of talent
from the minor loops, including the International.
The last point will the Jets win? - is difficult
to decide. One is inclined to say that if the Jets
could stay If front as long as they did despite the many
obstacles, they should be able to keep it up for the
balance Of the season.
COLUMBUS, HOWEVER. WON MANY KEY
games thanks to the efforts of players no longer with
the club. And, as said earlier, most of the replace
ments haven't been able to fill the empty shoes very
well as yet. Moreover, the Jets have won two out of
three games decided by a single run and who's to say
they can maintain this average?
On the credit side, the infield has been frightened
considerably by flashy shortstop Jim Mahoney. His
hitting, however, has been unimpresSive thus far. Re-
placing Weak-hitting first baseman Charley Leonard
with Dom Clendenon strengthened the Jets in the hit
ting department.
Nino Escalera, who rode the bench most of the
time at the start of the season, has seen more action,
the past month and has delivered consistently with
his hitting and fine fielding.
MMl UP. THERE'S STILL a lot of skep-
ticiSm that the Jets will make it home in first place.
The second line pitching will have to show improve
ment and a couple of key players like Johnny Powers,
Larry Elliot, and the recent newcomers, will have to
up their batting average if the Jets are to win.