Post War Baseball League

By Charles Hibernius Boyle, columnist, Boston Record-American

In its annual spring PR blitz for the hometown team, the Globe has, once again, printed the dependably disingenuous musings of Minuteman manager Yogi Berra, declining, once again, the opportunity to ask anything resembling a difficult question.

Predictably, the aging backstop takes a sunny view of the team's development and chances, ignoring his horrific 153-325 managerial record since the playoff-contending team of 1958 was dismantled at the start of the '59 campaign.

Here's a blow-by-blow translation of the puff piece for the team's beleaguered fans:

"I was hoping we would contend again before I hang 'em up, and, frankly, I don't think that's going to happen. We're still a couple seasons away..."

Folks, let's be clear: The Minutemen are, at minimum, a decade away from seriously contending. While Mr. Berra pays lip service to a youth movement, this is a team of aging sluggers at the corners (the leviathan Thomas at third, the fireplug-like Wertz at first) and behind the plate (Yogi himself), with an aging-slugger-in-the-making in right field (Frank Howard, a.k.a. the Bunker Hill Monument, which actually has greater foot speed than the plodding Boston fly-chaser.)

Where is the youth? Perpetual prospect (and disappointment) Don Buddin is 28. Every other infielder on the roster is on the wrong side of 30. Joe Torre is 21, Lou Brock - more on him later - 23, and that's about it. Even highly touted rookies Ted Savage and Dave Stenhouse are 26 and 28.

Speaking of the pitchers, that's where some experience might do some good. Instead, the Minutemen are going with a boatload of young arms, throwing these guys into the deep end, hoping to ride the ones who don't drown. Good luck!

"...this year's going to be especially tough, being in the same division [the Kiner] with Houston and San Diego, two of the league's powerhouses."

No kidding! Your humble correspondent sees this year's edition threatening last year's record-breaking 117-loss mark.

"But I do see the team improving enormously. Not to .500 yet, probably not, but enough that we'll cause problems and play a role in the league's pennant races."

When the time comes to compile an encyclopedia of the American vernacular, the above will serve as the entry for "Dark, Whistling in the."

I do agree with Yogi on one thing: This team will not play .500 ball.

Berra went on to assess his roster. Some choice comments:

"Frank Thomas is our anchor."

I'll say! Frank's got a post-career gig waiting for him at the U.S.S. Constitution.

"In the middle infield, Bob Lillis, Don Zimmer, and Don Buddin will split time. They all three can play second, short, and even spell Thomas at third."

Listen! Hear that? It's the collective sound of baseball fans in New England and the Canadian maritimes weeping and gnashing teeth. Is there another PWBL team that can boast a worse trio of no-range, no-offense, has-been/never-was infielders?

"Lou Brock will be in left, and leading off. He's going to be a real force, with his great speed."

As Minuteman radio voice Ned Martin is wont to say: Mercy. Boston fans are going to be treated to the leadoff stylings of a player who reached base exactly twice in 1961, albeit in just 21 plate appearances. It seems Yogi is not aware of the rule that prohibits stealing first base.

"And Dave Nicholson and Ted Savage will hold down center field."

I'm not feeling any better. Nicholson spent 1961 in Providence after whiffing 76 times in 181 at bats in 1960. Savage, while he has an undeniably major-league name, is an utterly unproved (and 26-year-old) quantity.

"Overall, the offense will improve."

Memo to Yogi: Wishing doesn't make it so.

"What killed us last year was our pitching - terribly inconsistent, and our lefties in particular had a hard time."

Yogi's putting lipstick on the pig. Sure, the pitching was awful in '61 - 941 runs allowed, league-worst, by 99 runs - but the offense stunk up the joint, too, scoring just 577 times - also a league-worst, by more than 100.

"Mudcat Grant had a fine season for us last year, and he's coming in as our number-one starting pitcher."

Er... 19 losses, 133 walks allowed, league-high 48 homers allowed, 155 runs allowed. Indeed, fine, fine work.

"We're moving Ray Washburn out of the bullpen and into the rotation."

This is the Ray Washburn who had to be shut down after throwing 24 innings, correct? Yes, move him into the rotation! Nothing could possibly go wrong with this plan!

"A guy I'm really excited about is Dave Stenhouse."

Mr. Stenhouse is this year's candidate for the annual role of overhyped late draft pick who won't amount to anything.

"I'm liking our flexibility - all of these guys can take on multiple roles as events warrant, just as a lot of our position players can move around as need be."

Move 'em anywhere you like, Yogi, they'll still stink the joint up.

"Bob Duliba will be our bullpen ace. He's a steady, veteran presence, just what you need in that role."

Duliba is the veteran who was 0-2 with a 7.64 ERA in 1960, then sat out most of last season nursing a sore arm. Just what you need in that role.

The rest of the interview was spent puffing up AAA ballplayers who won't amount to anything, I suppose in the hope of gulling some other team into overpaying for their "potential."

And, of course, the Globe again, in its role as mouthpiece for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, went to bat on behalf of building a new stadium, this latest iteration supposedly to be located in Allston. There's more chance of Harvard jumping across the river and snapping up that real estate!

Special to the Boston Globe

In a wide-ranging interview with the Globe, Boston player-manager Yogi Berra discussed his team's rebuilding efforts, plans to build a new stadium, and the winding-down of his own playing career.

"I was hoping we would contend again before I hang 'em up, and, frankly, I don't think that's going to happen. We're still a couple seasons away, and this year's going to be especially tough, being in the same division [the Kiner] with Houston and San Diego, two of the league's powerhouses."

"But I do see the team improving enormously. Not to .500 yet, probably not, but enough that we'll cause problems and play a role in the league's pennant races."

Yogi offered a position-by-position look at this year's edition of the Minutemen.

"At catcher, we're grooming Joe Torre to take over. I'll get some at bats, and we'll find playing time for Bob Schmidt, but going forward, the position is Joe's."

"Norm Larker will be at first base, though Frank Howard may play a bit there to give Norm a break against tough southpaws. Frank Torre's a good first sacker, too, but we may look to deal him somewhere he can get more playing time - there's a logjam for us at the position, especially with Tim Harkness now available. Vic Wertz is another fella can play the position, but I see him as our number-one pinch-hitter. Like me, he's winding down."

"Frank Thomas is our anchor. He'll play third, mostly, though we can move him around if - I suppose I should say when - we get hit by injuries. He'll be in the middle of the lineup, too, and I think he's going to have another monster season."

"In the middle infield, Bob Lillis, Don Zimmer, and Don Buddin will split time. They all three can play second, short, and even spell Thomas at third."

"And I'm really excited about our outfield situation. Frank Howard is going to be playing every day in right. I believe he's going to have a breakout season for us. Lou Brock will be in left, and leading off. He's going to be a real force, with his great speed. Lou spent all last season on the major-league roster, but we used him primarily as a pinch-runner, just getting his feet wet.

"And Dave Nicholson and Ted Savage will hold down center field. They'll be in a rotation with Brock, so they'll all get a lot of at bats."

"Overall, the offense will improve. I'm confident we've got a legitimate leadoff hitter now in Brock, and some guys who will drive in runs from the middle of the order."

"What killed us last year was our pitching - terribly inconsistent, and our lefties in particular had a hard time. It's not easy for them to learn to pitch in Fenway, but I think Chris Short and Steve Hamilton are poised to improve in a big way."

"Mudcat Grant had a fine season for us last year, and he's coming in as our number-one starting pitcher. We're moving Ray Washburn out of the bullpen and into the rotation."

"A guy I'm really excited about is Dave Stenhouse. He has a nasty slider and a knuckle-curve the league really hasn't seen before, and even though he's a rookie, I like his mental toughness. He'll be a swing man, getting some starts and working out of the bullpen both. I expect great things from him."

"Then we have a bunch of live arms in Bill Fischer, Barry Latman, John Wyatt, Lee Stange, and rookie Dave Giusti, who will all get some starts and some chances to establish themselves out of the pen. I'm liking our flexibility - all of these guys can take on multiple roles as events warrant, just as a lot of our position players can move around as need be."

"Bob Duliba will be our bullpen ace. He's a steady, veteran presence, just what you need in that role."

"We have some talented players who'll be playing in Providence [for the International League Grays] this summer. We just drafted Tommy Harper and Mike Shannon, and we want them to play every day. They both have a world of talent. They're outfielders, but we'll look at possibly using them in the infield as well. Boston fans will love Harper - like Brock, he's a speed demon."

Speaking of Fenway, and its offense-enhancing proclivities, rumors are swirling anew that the team is investigating the possibility of building a new, more pitcher-friendly ballpark on a parcel of unused land near the Allston-Brighton rail yard. Commented Berra, "Beantown politics being what they are, it may take a year or two for plans to be finalized, permits secured, and construction begun. Look, we all love Fenway, but that facility is now 50 years old. Boston's fans deserve a new stadium with all the modern amenities."

First round
1. St. Louis--Gaylord Perry, p
2. Philadelphia--Willie Stargell, of
3. Seattle [from Boston]--Tony Oliva, of
4. Dallas--Bob Veale, p
5. Cincinnati [from San Francisco]--Joe Pepitone, 1b
6. Chicago--Dave McNally, p
7. Cincinnati--Bob Bailey, 3b
8. Washington--Dick Radatz, p
9. Boston [from Seattle]--Tommy Harper, of
10. New York--Denis Menke, ss
11. Cleveland--Ken McMullen, 3b
12. Detroit--Cookie Rojas, 2b
13. Los Angeles--Pete Ward, 3b
14. San Diego--Manny Mota, of
15. Pittsburgh--Tommie Agee, of
16. Houston--Denny Lemaster, p

Second round
17. Boston--Dave Giusti, p
18. San Francisco--Don Lock, of
19. Dallas--Jack Hamilton, p
20. Chicago--Bob Tillman, c
21. Cincinnati--Diego Segui, p
22. Washington--Bernie Allen, 2b
23. Philadelphia--Bo Belinsky, p
24. Seattle--Dennis Bennett, p
25. St. Louis--Ed Charles, 3b
26. Cleveland--Jim Hickman, of
27. New York--Pete Richert, p
28. Detroit--Jim Bouton, p
29. Los Angeles--Ken Berry, of
30. Pittsburgh--Ed Kranepool, 1b
31. San Diego--Ed Kirkpatrick, c
32. Houston--Fredie Norman, p

Third round
33. Boston--Dave Stenhouse, p
34. San Francisco--Merritt Ranew, c
35. Dallas--Manny Jimenez, of
36. St. Louis [from Chicago]--Fred Whitfield, 1b
37. Cincinnati--Andy Etchebarren, c
38. Philadelphia--Sammy Ellis, p
39. Washington--Jose Tartabull, of
40. Seattle--Dan Osinski, p
41. St. Louis--Fred Newman, p
42. New York--Don Rudolph, p
43. Pittsburgh [from Cleveland]--Cal Koonce, p
44. Detroit--Max Alvis, 3b
45. Los Angeles--Ron Taylor, p
46. Pittsburgh--Jack Lamabe, p
47. San Diego--Dal Maxvill, ss
48. Houston--Gene Woodling, of

Fourth round
49. Boston--Mike Shannon, of
50. San Francisco--Don Pavletich, c
51. Dallas--Jim Roland, p
52. San Francisco [from Chicago]--Joe Koppe, ss
53. Cincinnati--Jim Hannan, p
54. Washington--Don Hoak, 3b
55. Philadelphia--Paul Toth, p
56. New York [from Seattle]--Diomedes Olivo, p
57. St. Louis--Al Weis, ss
58. Cleveland--Dean Stone, p
59. New York--Joe Bonikowski, p
60. Detroit--Don Landrum, of
61. Los Angeles--Bob Humphreys, p
62. San Francisco [from Pittsburgh]--Doc Edwards, c
63. San Diego--John Tsitouris, p
64. Houston--Joe Gaines, of

Fifth round
65. Boston--Ted Savage, of
66. San Francisco--Joey Amalfitano, 2b
67. Dallas--Bobby Darwin, p
68. Chicago--Jim Golden, p
69. Cincinnati--Carroll Hardy, of
70. Philadelphia--Julio Gotay, ss
71. Washington--Tex Clevenger, p
72. St. Louis--Elio Chacon, ss
73. New York--Bob Botz, p
74. Cleveland--Phil Linz, ss
75. Detroit--Bill Tuttle, of
76. Los Angeles--Doug Gallagher, p
77. Pittsburgh--Bob Oldis, c
78. San Diego--Bob Uecker, c
79. Houston--Eddie Yost, 3b

Sixth round
80. Cleveland [from Boston]--Roger Craig, p
81. San Francisco--Chet Nichols, p
82. Dallas--John Boozer, p
83. Chicago--Leo Burke, of
84. Cincinnati--Rod Kanehl, 2b
85. Washington--Doug Clemens, of
86. Philadelphia--Sam Jones, p
87. St. Louis--Tommie Aaron, 1b
88. Boston [from Cleveland]--George Banks, 3b
89. New York--Cuno Barragan, c
90. Detroit--Mike Joyce, p
91. Los Angeles--Jim Marshall, 1b
92. Pittsburgh--Bob Sadowski, 2b
93. San Diego--Bill Smith, p
94. Houston--John Kennedy, 3b

Seventh round
95. Boston--Tim Harkness, 1b
96. San Francisco--John Schaive, 3b
97. Dallas--Jay Hook, p
98. Chicago--Frank Sullivan, p
99. Cincinnati--Dick Tracewski, ss
100. Philadelphia--J. C. Hartman, ss
101. Washington--Cecil Butler, p
102. St. Louis--Jim Pendleton, of
103. New York--Russ Kemmerer, p
104. Cleveland--Tommie Sisk, p
105. Detroit--Billy Consolo, inf
106. Los Angeles--Pass
107. Pittsburgh--Jake Gibbs, c
108. San Diego--Moe Thacker, c

Eighth round
109. Boston--Ted Bowsfield, p
110. San Francisco--Dan Pfister, p
111. Chicago--Larry Burright, 2b
112. Cincinnati--Nelson Mathews, of
113. Washington--Jim Mahoney, ss
114. St. Louis--Luis Arroyo, p
115. Cleveland--John Goryl, inf
116. New York--Tom Burgess, 1b
117. Detroit--Julio Navarro, p
118. Los Angeles--Jimmie Schaffer, c
119. Pittsburgh--Ron Nischwitz, p
120. San Diego--Norm Sherry, c

Ninth round
121. Boston--Felix Torres, 3b
122. San Francisco--Bud Zipfel, 1b
123. Chicago--Elder White, ss
124. Cincinnati--Dale Long, 1b
125. Washington--Dave Sisler, p
126. St. Louis--Ray Moore, p
127. Cleveland--Jim Campbell, c
128. Los Angeles--Dave Roberts, 1b

Tenth round
129. San Francisco--Marv Breeding, 2b
130. Chicago--Howie Goss, of
131. Cleveland--Ruben Gomez, p

San Diego - Later this afternoon, San Diego General Manager Gene Mauch is set to announce the hiring of former Padres manager Preston Gomez as the new third base coach on Vern Stephens' field staff.

Gomez, 38 years old, first worked as an international scout for the old Milwaukee Gold Sox before being hired during the 1953 season by the recently retired Rogers Hornsby as the first field manager under the new ownership. At the time, he was by far the youngest manager in the PWBL, and his inexperience showed. After taking over from the fired Casey Stengel, he guided the Sox to a 10-28 record to end the season.

Following the franchise move to San Diego, Gomez wouldn't fare much better, guiding the ball club to a league worst 42-114 record before reaching just 60 and 59 wins in successive seasons. While manager, he was often criticized for not giving developing players such as Harmon Killebrew, Curt Flood, Frank Torre, and Cura Smith a chance to play for the struggling team. In the end, Gomez would be dismissed by Hornsby for philosophical differences. He finished with a managerial record of 171-337 for a .337 winning percentage, the lowest in PWBL history for anyone with more than two years at the helm.

Despite his failure in leading the team on the field, Gomez has always been held in high regard by team and peers for his strategic insight and scouting ability. He takes over for coach Pinky Higgins, who leaves the team to tend to his ailing father's ranch in Red Oak, Texas.

Padres Personnel

Manager: Vern Stephens

First Base coach - Rudy York

Third Base coach - Preston Gomez

Pitching coach - Lefty Gomez

Bench coach - Lefty Gomez

Owner: Jim Correll

General Manager: Gene Mauch

Play by Play: Harry Caray

Color: Gus Mancuso

Following another disappointing playoff defeat, the Pittsburgh Panthers today announced that the team has cleaned house, firing one-year manager Buddy Kerr and his entire coach staff.

Replacing Kerr will be 71-year-old Casey Stengel. "The Old Perfesser," as he is affectionately known, last managed the Washington Senators, taking them to 98 losses and a fifth-place finish in the PWBL Blue in 1957.

"I feel greatly honored to be named manager, especially since I was fired the last time I was one," Stengel said at Forbes Field, where GM Pie Traynor introduced him to the press. "I plan to tell the guys, 'Look, if we're going to win the pennant, we've got to start thinking we're not as good as we think we are.'"

Last year Kerr guided Pittsburgh to 100 wins and first place in the PWBL Kiner in his rookie season at the helm. But the team lost to the Houston Buffs in five games in the Mulcahy Cup finals. It was the six straight year that the Panthers have gone to the postseason, only to come home empty-handed.

Kerr assistants Don Padgett and Eddie Smith were pink-slipped along with their boss. Three former Panther players have been hired to serve as Stengel's new coaches.

Former catcher Pete Daley will coach first base, where Padgett used to roam. Willie Miranda will coach third base and work with infielders.

Gerry Staley, who announced his retirement following Pittsburgh's playoff loss to the Buffs, will return to the team as pitching coach, replacing Smith. Staley finished his career with 103 wins against 68 losses, for a winning percentage of .602 and an ERA of 3.87.

"Managing is not so hard," Stengel concluded. "You simply take credit for all the homeruns that somebody else hits."

Most Valuable Player
1946  Stan Musial, Philadelphia
1947  Ted Williams, Brooklyn
1948  Stan Musial, Philadelphia
1949  Bobby Doerr, Houston
1950  Andy Pafko, Detroit
1951  Sid Gordon, Boston
1952  Sid Gordon, Boston
1953  Roy Campanella, Detroit
1954  Gil Hodges, Chicago
1955  Duke Snider, N.Y. Gems
1956  Mickey Mantle, St. Louis
1957  Mickey Mantle, St. Louis
1958  Richie Ashburn, Chicago
1959  Eddie Mathews, Pittsburgh
1960  Eddie Mathews, Pittsburgh
1961  Harmon Killebrew, San Diego (Federal League)
      Rocky Colavito, Houston     (Players League)

Cy Young Award
1946  Bob Feller, Milwaukee
1947  Hal Newhouser, Houston
1948  Bob Lemon, Brooklyn
1949  Howie Pollet, N.Y. Mets
1950  Ewell Blackwell, N.Y. Gems
1951  Don Newcombe, Detroit
1952  Bob Lemon, Cleveland
1953  Robin Roberts, N.Y. Mets
1954  Curt Simmons, Chicago
1955  Billy Pierce, Houston
1956  Johnny Antonelli, Philadelphia
1957  Curt Simmons, Chicago
1958  Billy Pierce, Houston
1959  Camilo Pascual, Houston
1960  Bob Friend, Pittsburgh
1961  Sandy Koufax, Detroit (Federal League)
      Jim O'Toole, Houston  (Players League)

Rookie of the Year
1946  Ralph Kiner, St. Louis
1947  Larry Jansen, St. Louis
1948  Hank Sauer, Milwaukee
1949  Billy Pierce, Houston
1950  Al Rosen, Milwaukee
1951  Minnie Minoso, Pittsburgh
1952  Eddie Mathews, Pittsburgh
1953  Jim Gilliam, Houston
1954  Frank Sullivan, Detroit
1955  Wally Post, Chicago
1956  Frank Robinson, Philadelphia
1957  Jim Bunning, St. Louis
1958  Orlando Cepeda, Houston
1959  Vada Pinson, Houston
1960  Ron Hansen, Pittsburgh
1961  Carl Yastrzemski, Chicago  (Federal League)
      Billy Williams, Washington (Players League)

Pepto Bismol Award
1946  Hugh Casey, Philadelphia
1947  Spec Shea, Washington
1948  Ted Wilks, Houston
1949  Al Benton, Detroit
1950  Jim Konstanty, Boston
1951  Ellis Kinder, N.Y. Gems
1952  Joe Black, Detroit
1953  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1954  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1955  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1956  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1957  Ken Lehman, Chicago
1958  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1959  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1960  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh
1961  Hoyt Wilhelm, Pittsburgh (Federal League)
      Clem Labine, St. Louis   (Players League)

Manager of the Year
1946  Pie Traynor, Pittsburgh
1947  Moe Berg, Houston
1948  Bill Terry, N.Y. Mets
1949  Yogi Berra, Boston
1950  Mel Ott, N.Y. Gems
1951  Al Lopez, Cleveland
1952  Al Lopez, Cleveland
1953  Mel Ott, N. Y. Gems
1954  Leo Durocher, Pittsburgh
1955  Charlie Dressen, Detroit
1956  Del Crandall, Pittsburgh
1957  Al Lopez, Cleveland
1958  Joe Schultz, Seattle
1959  Bobby Bragan, Los Angeles
1960  Lou Boudreau, Washington
1961  Eddie Joost, Houston

FEDERAL LEAGUE
Kiner                       WON LOST  PCT   GB
1961 Pittsburgh PIT         100  62  .617 ----
1961 Detroit DET             97  65  .599  3.0
1961 Seattle SEA             78  84  .481 22.0
1961 Chicago CHI             66  96  .407 34.0


Gordon                      WON LOST  PCT   GB
1961 San Diego SDO          106  56  .654 ----
1961 Cleveland CLE           84  78  .519 22.0
1961 Cincinnati CIN          69  93  .426 37.0
1961 Boston BOS              45 117  .278 61.0

PLAYERS LEAGUE
Lemon                       WON LOST  PCT   GB
1961 Houston HOU            116  46  .716 ----
1961 Washington WAS          72  90  .444 44.0
1961 Dallas DAL              64  98  .395 52.0
1961 San Francisco SFG       63  99  .389 53.0


Williams                    WON LOST  PCT   GB
1961 Los Angeles LOS         97  65  .599 ----
1961 New York NYM            84  78  .519 13.0
1961 St. Louis STL           83  79  .512 14.0
1961 Philadelphia PHI        72  90  .444 25.0