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Minoso and Busby Standout Rookies Sox Youngsters and Yanks Mantle Top Candidates for Majors First Year Honors By NORMAN MILLER United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 15.— Outfielders Orestes Minoso and Jim Busby of the Chicago White Sox and Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees stood out as the outstanding rookies of the 1951 season today after one complete swing around the major league circuits. Minoso, obtained in a trade with the Cleveland Indians earlier this month, was batting .373; Busby had a .360 average and led both leagues in stolen bases with nine, and Mantle, with a .301 average, was second only to Vic Wertz of the Detroit Tigers in runs batted in with 22. As the teams embarked on their second swings around the leagues for a more conclusive test of the rookies prowess, the American League appeared to have a crop of freshmen stars superior to the National. Of the so-so group of first-year men in the National League, the four standouts thus far are batterymen. They are pitcher Bob Schultz of the Chicago Cubs, who has won three games and lost two; pitcher Tom Poholsky of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has won two games a two-hitter and a six-hitter and lost two both by one run; catcher Ed St. Claire of the Boston Braves, batting .271 with five home runs. Get Chance When Regulars Are Injured Four rookies got their crack at a regular job when first-stringers fell victims of injuries. Raf Noble took over catching for the New York Giants when Wes Westrum broke a finger; Jack Cusick, batting .229, moved into the Cubs* shortstop job after Roy Smalley broke a leg; third baseman Ransom Jackson, also with the Cubs .176 got his chance when Bill Serena broke a wrist, and Harry "Suitcase" Simpson of the Indians .190 is filling in at first base for Luke Easter, out with a leg injury. Two rookies who are batting well are third baseman Gil McDougald of the Yankees .326, and first baseman Dee Fondy of the Cubs .298. Other newcomers who are holding down regular jobs but show anemic batting averages are: First baseman Steve Bilko .222 and Solly Hemus .188 of the Cardinals; second baseman Bobby Young .257 and shortstop Johnny Bero .213 of the St. Louis Browns, and second baseman Roy McMillan of the Cincinnati Reds .214. Several rookies who started the season as regulars have been benched because either their hitting or fielding has been found wanting. In this group are third baseman Rocky Bridges of the Brooklyn Dodgers .276; outfielder Don Thompson of the Dodgers .083 ; outfielder Bob Addis of the Braves .195, and second baseman Gene Verble of the Washington Senators .173. Among the pitchers, other freshmen who look like they may stay around a while are Marv Rotblatt of the White Sox, who has three victories and one defeat; Roger Bowman 2-2, and George Spencer 1-0 of the Giants; Tom Morgan of the Yankees 2-1; Jocko Thompson and Leo Cris-tante 1-0 of the Philadelphia Phillies; Bob Chakales of the Indians 1-0 and Lou Sleater of the Browns, who has lost five decisions but pitched impressively. The Detroit Tigers lost one of the most promising rookie pitching prospects in the majors this season when Ray Herbert was called for induction into the Army after turning in four straight relief victories.
