A startling new system of rating major league baseball pitchers, disclosed by George Sisler, Jr., president of the International league and his father in the April 12 Sports Illustrated this year is of interest to Brainerd baseball fans.

Listed sixth and seventh of the all-time great hurlers are Chief Bender, who was born in Brainerd, and Herb Score, who signed with the Cleveland Indians after hurling for the semi pro Brainerd Braves in 1951.

The numerical values worked out by the Sisters represent a combination of performance and potential. They say that while earned run averages and wins and losses are taken into consideration, "those only tell you what kind of team a pitcher plays for, not how good he is. But walks are important very important."

Thus, Score, with barely more wins than losses in a career cut short by a line drive off the bat of Yankee Gil McDougald (injurying an eye), is credited with 782 points off a life-time record of 55-46.

Just ahead of him, Bender won 208 and lost 127 games and has 808 points. They trail Sandy Koufax (165-87) for 1,661 points; Ed Walsh (194-130) for 966; Don Drysdale (204-162) for 922; Walter Johnson (413-277) for 883; and Christy Mathewson (367- 186)for 848.

Completing the Top 20 are Dazzy Vance (197-140, Dizzy Dean (150-83), Whitey Ford (236- 106), Robin Roberts (286-245), Grover Cleveland Alexander (374-208), Carl Hubbell (253-154), Don Newcombe (149-90), Cy Young (509-316), Warren Spahn (363-245), Lefty Gomez (189-102), Bob Feller (266-162), Hal Newhouser (207-150 and Rube Marquard (205-177).

In efficiency rating, Vance is credited with 775 points, Dean with 712, Ford with 711, Roberts 674, Alexander 670, Hubbell 651, Newcombe 647, Young 623, Spahn 621, Gomez 617, Feller 615, New Houser 566 and Marquard 552.

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).