Top of the League

In their usual tones of authority, the sports-page experts picked the Boston Braves, seventh last year, for another second-division finish in the National League race this year. But when the Braves were moved to Milwaukee (TIME, March 30), they suddenly found that they were local celebrities instead of a Boston institution ranking with but after Fanueil Hall. The Milwaukee fans showered them with cheers and presents, and began to buy more ballpark tickets than any other fans in the league.

The Braves reacted like a bunch of summer-stock actors hitting Broadway; they played over their heads. But this week, as the Braves came home to the wide-open arms of Milwaukee after winning 15 of 21 games on the road, they were still running neck and neck with the Brooklyn Dodgers for the league lead. And National League fans were not so sure that the Braves were playing over their heads after all.

Young & Old Pros. Wherever he goes, Manager Charlie Grimm is asked a standard question: "What in the world happened to your team?" "jolly Cholly" grins happily and gives a standard answer; "The farm system is paying off--Sure, the enthusiasm of the Milwaukee fans has been a big help. But you don't win ball games just on enthusiasm in the stands."

Milwaukee has been winning games for Grimm by performance on the field, notably, the batting and fielding performances of three eye-catching youngsters, Sophomore Third Baseman Ed Mathews, 21, Rookie Negro Centerfielder Bill Bruton, 23, and strapping (6 ft. 4 in., 210 Ibs.) First Baseman Joe Adcock, 25. Mathews, a left-handed power hitter, leads both leagues in home runs (19), is second in runs batted in (52), and is hitting at a .318 clip. Often awkward last year, Mathews is "a major-league third baseman now," says Grimm. Fleetfooted Outfielder Bruton (30 stolen bases last year), usually the Braves' lead-off batter (.273), ranges centerfield like a hawk. Flanking Bruton are a pair of old pros, Leftfielder Sid Gordon, 34, and Rightfielder Andy Pafko, 32. They are the only men in the regular starting line-up who are in their 30s, and the only ones with more than a couple of years of major-league seasoning: 15 men on the roster spent part of last season in Milwaukee as minor leaguers.

Pitching & Pratfalls. The Braves have been getting some tight pitching from two old Bostonians, Lefthander Warren Spahn (7-1) and Righthander Max Surkont (8-1), who recently set a record of eight consecutive strikeouts. Another big boost has come from a battery of youngsters just back from the Army: Pitcher Johnny Antonelli (6-2) and Catcher Del Crandall, who is hitting at a .325 clip.

Grimm, a retired first baseman who has had his ups & downs in 30 years as a major-league player and manager, used to throw himself into hilarious pratfalls along the third-base coaching line whenever one of his team hit a homer. Nowadays, though "I still clown with my boys," Grimm no longer mugs for the fans. "It isn't that I've gone dignified," he explains. "It's strictly age" (54). "Jolly Cholly," who prides himself in being "the only left-handed banjo player in the majors," wisely refuses to pick Milwaukee for the pennant, but his banjo is plunking away on an old tune this week: Happy Days Are Here Again.

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