The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1962-05-04
SPORTS of TIMES
1OPSy-turUy
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By LOU FABRO
Times Sports Editor

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champions of the two major leagues, but it's well nigh
impossible to foretel with much success a minor
league champion.
For a good example, you don't have to look any
further than our Columbus Jets. In 1860, they were
picked to finish first or second; they wound up a dis
NAL sixth. Last year, the Jets were ticketed for the
second division; instead, they befuddled the so-called
experts and brought Columbus its first league base
ball championship in 20 years.
THE PICTURE IN THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
Is even more confused this season because of the Ma
tional League expansion from eight to ten teams. AS
a result, many minor league players were called to
the "big time" causing a vacuum that had to be fill
ed by many unknown or unteSted players.
Again we point to Columbus, which lost II play
ers from last years championship team to the majors.
The Jets starting lineup in last weeks opener included
seven players who spent most or all of last season in
the lower minors. Several other teams, of course, are
in similar circumstances.
A prognosticator has another thing going against
him in the International League-percentageS. There
have been only four repeat winners in the loop since
1910. The old formula of staying with the defending
champion just doesn't work out too well in this league.
MAJOR EAGUE CLUBS ADD TO THE FORE
CASTING problem by raiding their affiliated farm
clubs for talent during the course of a season. Thus, a
solid contender at the start of a season can wind up
as an alSo-ran because of parent club manipulations.
Now that we've gained your sympathy, let's take
a quick look at the International League. The Jets won
the title last year largely because of its firStclass
pitching staff. Most of that staff is gone. Because OF
this and the large number of rockies on the team, odds
are against the Jets repeating last years title run.
The Jets, however, do rate as a contending team.
First of all, Manager Larry Shepard, who played a key
role in last years success, is back at the helm. And
he's as enthusiastic as he was last year when others
we're booming the Jets to the second division.
ANOTHER FACTOR IN THE JETS AVG is
that nine of the rockies we're members of the Ashe-
vile Glass A. team which won the Sally League crown
last year. II these newcomers jel, the Jets will be
tough. But the situation is fifty"
The Jets do appear stronger extensively than last
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and their defense-especially the infield-is sure to
improve over last years squad which tied for last in
fielding ability.
Our top choices for the league crown, however,
are Atlanta and Toronto. Rochester, Buffalo and Co
lumbuS are second-level contenderS according to our
cloudy crystal ball. Richmond and a strengthened
Jacksonville team are long shots while Syracuse is
strictly nowhere.
ATLANTA NJ JACKSONVILLE, by the way,
are newcomers to the league. A team was landed in
Atlanta by way Of Charleston, San Juan and Miami.
The Jacksonville team performed in Jersey City last
year; and Jersey City had inherited the team from
Havana where things got pretty hot when Fidel, the
Bearded One" started his ranting, raving and exc
cutions.
Major league affiliations of International League
teams are: Columbus-Pittsburgh; BuffaIo-Phila-
delphia; Syracuse-New York Nets. Washington and
a few players from Cincinnati Syracuse needs help
badG Atlanta-St. Louis; Richmond-New York
Yankees; Observation-Disclosures Toronto-Milwau-
kee; and Observation-Disclosures.
Last years final standing, with games behind
listed in parens, are given below. We remind you
again that Charleston is now Atlanta and Jersey City
is now Jacksonville,
columbus 5-Tononto Q6I2)
2-CharleSt0n () 6-Jersey City (3D
3-Butfalo tl 6-Richmond 2D
4-Rochester (512) @SyracuSe (36)