The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-04-21
SPORTS of TIMES
III Memories
And '6I Jets
BY LOU FABRO
Times Sports Editor

If you're not a serious student of baseball or the
kind of a guy who spends his time reading record
books, chances are you weren't aware that in 194l:
Manager Leo Durocher led the Brooklyn bod
gers to the National League pennant and that St.
Louis finished second, BE games behind the Buns.
The New York Yankees who else?, under
Manager Joe Mccarthy, won the American League
pennant by finishing 17-thats right-17 games
ahead of runnerup Boston. And the Yankees went on
to win the World Series in five games.
RED SoX SLUGcER TED WILLIAMS led both
leagues in hitting with a tremendous .406 average. 1t
was the last time any major league player hit above
400 in a complete season.
Pete ReiSer of Brooklyn led the National
League in hitting with a .343 average.
"A 20-year-old former screamed pitcher by
the name of Stan Musial broke into st. Louis Cardi-
nails lineup. Stan was brought up to help the Cards in
their stretch drive with the Dodgers.
AND 1T WAS IN lo4l, DEAR READERS, that
a Columbus baseball team came through with a league
championship. Yes, the old Columbus Red Birds,
piloted by Burt Shotton, won the American AsSocia-
ton title and then went on to capture the Junior
World Series crown.
Not since that time has Columbus been able to
win a league championship. Judging by the guarded
comments in the daily newspapers, the long drought
probably won't end this year. 1t could be that eau
ton is being exercised because practically everyone
INDUCED in pennant talk last year, only to see the
Jets stall and nose dive from their 1859 second place
finish into a dismal sixth.
Also taking a tailspin was the attendance-from
2O4. 900 in 1859 to 1861 0-the lowest since 1854
when the fourth place Red Birds drew 100000. That
1854 showing was small enough to prompt the st.
Louis Cardinals to pull out of Columbus, thus CIV
ing birth to the Jets.
GETTING BACK TO THE CURRENT SEASON,
the odds are the Jets won't win the pennant, but they
will improve on last years performance. The big
plus factor is that Columbus is the only Triple-A club
attached to the Pittsburgh Pirate system and thus
gets first calls on the Pirates top minor league play
erS.
A quick look al this years Jets indicate vastly
improved catching, a stronger-hitting and more agile
outfield, a practically entire new but still question
able infield, and a pitching staff that may be as good
as that of 1859. But there are some question marks
on the hurting staff.
Returning from last years Jet squad and their
1859 records are pitchers Earl Francis ga, Alvin
Jackson Q0.14l, Bob Veale 900. Diomedes Olive
90, and Don Williams, TO- catcher Roberto Her
rera (235C infielders Dick Gray C258) and Ed Sada
G.241); and outfielders Johnny Powers C278) and Nino
Escalara 1853.
NEWCOMERS INCLUDE PITCHERS Tom Par
sons Q2-7 at Salt Lake, Don Gross $50 at Salt Lake.
Jack Lamabe Q510 at Savannah), Jim Stoll Q3-7 at
Savannah Bob Lee (3-5 at Savannah Alvin Nc
Bean 1916 at SaVannahG catchers Don Leppert C299
at AUSTIN and Elmo Plaskett (.295 at Grand FOrkSG
infielders Charley Leonard 900 at Savannah, John
Schaive G314 at Charleston. and Buddy Richard;
outfielderS Dom Clendenon 1885 at Savannah, Hank
Mitchell C301 at Salt Lake. and Larry Elliott l257 at
Savannah
Salt Lake, incidentally, is a TripIe-A club in the
Pacific Coast League; Savannah is a Class A club in the
Sally League; Charleston is a Glass A club in the South
Atlantic League; Grand Forks is a Class c team in the
Northern League; and Austin is a Class AA club in the
Texas League.
Field Manager Larry Shepard is enthusiastic
about the club and is confident that fans will find the
Jets exciting TO watch. It's a young club, he admits,
and a lot depends on how much potential will be trans
lated into base hits. good fielding and tight pitching.
LOOKING OVER THE REST of the International
League, we note a few changes for the benefits of
readers. San Juan and Syracuse are newcomers to the
league. San Juan is a Cardinal club and Syracuse is
linked with the Twins and Dodgers.
Richmond is still owned by the Yankees; Jer-
sey City remains with the Redlegs; Buffalo stays tied
to Philadelphia; Rochester this year is a Baltimore af-
filate; and Toronto is the only truly Independent club
in the Triple-A ranks.