BASEBALL; Jenkins joins exclusive circle

One of the most fascinating careers in baseball belongs to right-hander Ferguson Jenkins of the Texas Rangers, who recently became only the fourth pitcher to win 100 games in both the National and American circuits.

The strapping 6 ft. 5 in. native of Ontario spent the first part of his career pitching for the Chicago Cubs. When a 14-16 record in 1973 followed six consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins, Jenkins was traded to Texas in the American League, where he's remained.

The change of scenery must have helped, because he immediately won 25 games and was named the AL's Comeback Player of the Year. When his Ranger stats fell off, he was shipped off to Boston before returning to Texas to win 18 games in 1978.

If he had pursued a hockey career after high school, he would have been one of the few black players in the game. As it is, "Fergie's" turned into a dependable winner on the mound, one who yields very few walks.