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May 29, 1950
THREE-KNOCKDOWN ROUND KEEPS MIDDLEWEIGHT BELT WITH EDMONDS Bigsby Garden, New York, N.Y. – The rise, quick fall, and long way back to the middleweight title by John Edmonds has been overshadowed by a popular champion and by tragedy. Frank “Tank” Melanson lost to Edmonds, but won back the middleweight belt, claiming Edmonds as his victim. Edmonds regained the belt, but only after a hastily arranged fight against Bill Boggs following the tragic death of Edouard Desmarais. Edmonds has rarely been newsworthy on his own. In other words, boxing fans have not seen him for the fighter he is and the main event rather than the secondary part of the story. This time, however, Edmonds was the headliner. He was a heavy favorite and looked to take control of the middleweight division. Hugo Canio is an Italian by birth, but in a short time, he has become a New Yorker. This was essentially a home match for Canio, whose rooting section spanned from Canal Street to Canarsie. Canio must have been feeling the crowd’s electricity pulse through his fists because at the opening bell, he charged like a bull towards Edmonds, looking to open strong. Edmonds was ready for him and tried a couple of jabs that missed before Canio’s cross landed with aplomb. The Italian challenger tried to stay on the offense for the rest of the round and his uppercuts were especially effective, but he was unable to find rhythm and land them in bunches as the opening stanza came to a close. Canio took the fight to Edmonds again in the second round, but Edmonds matched him for the first half of the round. It was Canio’s unexpected left hand that caused Edmonds to protect his head, leaving himself wide open for a solid body shot. Canio buried a hard right hand into Edmonds’s ribs to leave the champion gasping for air. It was not until about halfway through the third round when Edmonds announced his arrival to this bout. A straight right by Edmonds led to a few scoring punches and the rhythm that Canio could not find was in Edmonds’s corner. Edmonds worked the body on Canio, which seemed to take a lot of steam away from his responses. Edmonds used that to his benefit by continuing to flick punches and keep the punches from returning the other way. The crowd was really getting into it, as the raucous atmosphere was likely due to the Italian challenger and his local New York following. It was a celebration of boxing in all of its glory and all of its gumption. With every hook, uppercut, and combination, there was a reaction. With every bell, a chance to cheer on both fighters. In Round 4, both Edmonds and Canio settled in for a long night. They circled, they measured each other up, and Edmonds was the first to strike about 40 seconds in with a big hook. Canio rebounded with a hook of his own, as both boxers continued the give and take. Canio seemed to take the worst of it with some swelling starting to appear around his right eye. An effective cross from Edmonds in the closing seconds of the round likely swung the round in his favor. Edmonds held Canio at bay in the fifth round and started to assert himself in the sixth round until about two minutes into the sixth when Canio drilled a combo to Edmonds’s head that caused the inside of the champion’s mouth to bleed. While not all that damaging, Canio fired away for the rest of the round, sensing a potential change in momentum. The seventh round proved to be a breather for both boxers until the tail end of the frame when Edmonds landed a hook that Canio may or may not have seen coming with his right eye now puffy from the continued swelling. But Canio pushed back hard in the eighth round, culminating in a flurry of punches from Canio that continued to show that he was no tomato can. With all the great boxing on this night, no one could foresee what happened in the ninth round. The fight had been even, with both men getting their punches in and each laying a claim to several rounds. Edmonds recovered after a slow start and Canio tried his best to keep the pressure on. However, in the ninth round, only one fighter essentially left his corner. In retrospect, Canio’s eye likely played a major role in the outcome of this round, but no one wanted to stop the fight early: not Canio’s corner, not referee John O’Brien, in his first title fight assignment, and certainly not the fans. Edmonds proceeded to knock Canio down three times in the round. The first was a body shot after the champion cornered Canio and knocked him to his knees for a five-count. Edmonds buried a hard right to Canio’s midsection, doing damage and sending him crumpled to the canvas. Upon standing after the referee had counted to three, O’Brien asked Canio if he could continue. Canio was game, but it was written all over his face that he did not have much time left. The champion moved in for the kill, capitalizing on the lack of a defense from the challenger. We have not seen this version of Edmonds since his first title shot in Pittsburgh against Melanson. Edmonds let a combination loose, followed by a cross that put his head on a platter for the final blow, a hook to Canio’s chin that turned out the lights. With only 12 seconds left in the round, it was over. Edmonds (32-3-0) showed some of what made him a middleweight champion three years ago and at 31 years old, it was about time that he had recaptured that level of boxing. Canio (17-1-2) acquitted himself very well on the evening. Coming into the bout, most thought Canio was not going to give Edmonds much trouble, as he was only 23 and only fighting in his 20th bout. Canio gave Edmonds all he could handle for the first eight rounds, as it was dead even on two of the judges’ cards. Canio’s time for a second shot at the middleweight crown might yet come, just as Edmonds got his second chance after winning, then losing his title. Finally, Edmonds grabbed the headlines on this night, his first successful title defense after first winning the belt in 1947. It took a loss and climbing the ladder to fight for it again, but Edmonds displayed the kind of redemption you can only get in this vicious, but breathtaking sport of boxing. BOLOGNA’S BIG BOPPERS Round 1: Canio, 1-0 (0:18 cross) Round 2: Canio, 2-0 (1:43 left, 2:14 right/ribs) Round 3: Edmonds, 1-0 (1:22 right) Round 4: Edmonds, 2-1 (E: 0:44 hook/face, 2:43 cross; C: 1:30 right/head) Round 5: None Round 6: Tied, 2-2 (E: 0:18 hook/midsection, 0:54 hook; C: 1:17 uppercut, 2:40 hook/head) Round 7: Tied, 1-1 (E: 3:00 hook; C: 0:31 hook/midsection) Round 8: Edmonds, 1-0 (1:27 cross) Round 9: Edmonds, 6-0 (0:52 right/ribs/knockdown #1, 1:11 right/head, 1:55 right/midsection/knockdown #2, 2:13 combo/midsection, 2:27 cross; 2:36 hook/chin/knockdown #3 TOTAL: Edmonds 13, Canio 7 https://i.imgur.com/kY4RuuZ.jpeg RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
CANNONS FIRING TO TOP OF CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION The hottest team in baseball at the moment is the Cincinnati Cannons, who have reeled off five straight victories and won 14 of their last 18 games to move within a half game of first place Brooklyn atop the Continental Association. The Cannons started the season with a middling 9-10 record, due largely to their inability to score runs. The offense has picked up slightly over the past couple of weeks but Cincinnati is still dead last in FABL with only 136 runs scored this season. The strength for the Cannons has been on the mound, where they have been nothing short of dominant. Cincinnati has surrendered just 104 runs in their 37 games this season. Number two on the list is the Kings, but they have allowed 49 more runs than the Cannons although Brooklyn has played 3 more games. There has been plenty of talk about the Chicago Cougars owning the best starting pitching in the Continental Association, but it pales this season in comparison to what the Queen City quintet has accomplished on the mound. The entire Cincinnati rotation's 2.38 combined earned run average would rank 8th among qualified FABL pitchers so far this season. Here is a look at which each of the Cannons starters have accomplished through the first six weeks of the campaign. Ace Deuce Barrell had a couple of tough outings early in the season but since then the 3-time Allen Award winner, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Saturday, has been his usual outstanding self. Barrell has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts and has reeled off four straight complete game victories while allowing just 4 runs total in that span. Barrell also recently claimed his 180th career victory. The other four Cincinnati starters are all off to career best starts including a pair of veterans in Jim Anderson and Charlie Griffith. Anderson, 34, went 13-14 a year ago and entered the season with a 43-42 record and a 3.61 era for his career. He has shaved well over a run off that earned run average with his showing in the early going this year. Griffith, 31, has a similar story to tell although he did show signs of stardom with a terrific 18-8 season in 1947 -which was his first full season with the Cannons after 4 years in the Navy and a year in AAA. Presently, Griffith's sparkling 1.74 era is the best in the CA. 24-year-old Tony Britten is certainly a surprise after going 11-15 with a 4.33 era in his first full season in the big leagues a year ago. A 1947 first round pick, OSA still does not seem to be sold on Britten, but it is hard to dispute the early results. Finally we have 28-year-old Mickey Mills, who clearly has to be the biggest surprise on the staff. An afterthought as a 13th round pick out of high school way back in 1939, Mills spent a full decade in the minors without ever getting a sniff of the big leagues, even during the years when rosters were depleted by the war effort. A year ago the Cannons kept him on the roster with the primary reason likely being the fact the lefthander was out of options and would have to be exposed to the waiver wire had they attempted to send him back to Indianapolis. He pitched in just 13 games, throwing only 51 innings of acceptable, but not outstanding work. This year everything seems to have come together, with a 5-2 record and the cherry on top being yesterday's 4-0 complete game shutout -the first of his career- over the Philadelphia Sailors. If the Cannons bats can get going, and there have been a few indications of that happening with Mike T. Taylor and Denny Andrews enjoying some recent success after ice cold starts to the campaign, Cincinnati may just surprise a few teams this year. It will be interesting to see what impact the hitting coach change has on the Cannons. Early in the streak, Cincinnati decided to part way with Roger Landry and replace the former St Louis Pioneers slugger with Bernie Gurrola. Landry really focused on power hitters and the Cannons brass felt a switch to someone with a more neutral approach was needed. Gurrola spent nearly a decade as Montreal's hitting coach before spending the past two seasons in the same role with the Great Western League's Dallas Centurions. EAGLES CONTINUE TO FLY HIGH IN FED After a strong weekend where they topped the struggling Boston Minutemen twice, the Washington Eagles continue to soar atop the Fed. Courtesy of their FABL best 25-14 record, the Eagles have excited the nation's capital, holding a 2.5 game lead over the Gothams, while their two victories against Boston pushing them down to 4.5. The Eagles have done the opposite of the Continental leading Kings, as the Federal leader has relied on the association's best rotation. Despite the 5-3 record, Buckeye Smith's return to form has been a major part of the Eagles success, as their 27-year-old ace leads all FABL pitchers with a 1.70 ERA (234 ERA+). Buckeye has a 0.96 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 12 walks in his 8 starts, with the two most recent outings losses where he was charged with just a single earned run. They have scored more for the rest of the rotation, as Billy Riley (7-1, 3.34, 19) is coming off a 5-hit shutout in Detroit. That makes it seven of eight starts with four or less runs allowed, which is generally enough to win you the game. Dan Everett (4-3, 3.88, 19) and Juan Tostado (5-2, 3.86, 11) have done a good job keeping them in games, and when your team is averaging five runs a game, four is all you need to stay on top. Pitch as deep as you can, but just know that Ike Keller can get you to the finish line if needed. The 6-Time All-Star has finished nine games, saving seven and recording a 1.47 ERA (271 ERA+) and 1.04 WHIP in 18.1 innings pitched. Having someone like that to call on late in games is huge, as the Eagles boast serious power in the middle of their order. Sig Stofer (.160, 9, 25) may be hitting below his weight, but he's always a threat to clear the fences, on pace for what will be his tenth consecutive season with twenty or more home runs. With Rats McGonigle (.252, 6, 23, 3) and Jesse Alvarado (.303, 9, 31, 4) ahead of him, odds are someone is on base, so if you can't get a big lead on this team, the game can change in an instant. The lineup is so deep that former Whitney Winner Mel Carrol (.296, 1, 10) bats eighth, as they've gotten plenty of production from Tom Perkins (.310, 21, 3), Bill Wise (.325, 14, 2), Ike Perry (.296, 1, 7), and Bob Coon (.323, 2, 11). Washington seems to have the perfect formula of youth and depth, which could help sustain a long pennant run. As shocking as it would have sounded last decade, the Eagles have been a perennial contender, well on their way to a sixth consecutive season with 82 or more victories. The coming week will be big for the 1946 Federal Association Champion, as the eighth of their eight games will be against the second place Gothams (22-16). Their five Jim Birdwell (2-4, 6.90, 20) is the projected starter to begin the week against second generation starter Alf Keeter (4-3, 3.83, 19), who's already an All-Star at 25. That's a tough match up on paper, and considering they'll have to travel to Pittsburgh for a double header with the Miners (17-24), they'll need Birdwell to right the ship. After the double header, they'll return to host the Pioneers (19-20) for three. There's no rest after the Gothams series either, as Washington is at the beginning of an arduous seventeen game stretch in just fifteen days. This is the type of run that can fuel a pennant run or allow the field to catch back up. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Have Another 3-4 Week On The Road - Toronto has another 3 win, 4 loss week to bring their record to 6-8 with two games left on their two week road trip. This week got off to a promising start when Jerry York, who has been pitching well of late, had a complete game 7 hitter in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Saints in Parc Cartier Tuesday night. Offensively Hal Wood hit his first homer of the year and Joe DeMott had 2 doubles while reaching base in all four plate appearances with 2 walks. The next two days were not as kind to the Wolves as Montreal pitching only allowed 1 run in each of them, surrendering a total of 6 Toronto hits to win 3-0 and 7-1. The second game was Joe Hancock's(5-1, 1.94) first loss of the season. On to Cleveland to face the Foresters 4 times in 3 days. In the first game on Thursday the Wolves bats awoke from their slumber in a 9-2 Jim Morrison victory. Harry Finney, 3 for 4 scoring 4 runs, and DeMott, who went 2 for 5 with 4 RBI led the 13 hit attack from the visitors. Jimmy Gibbs was lit up Saturday in front of 17,527 in attendance. Lasting only 4 innings, Gibbs surrendered 8 runs on 10 hits. Down 8-2 when Gibbs left the Wolves tried to mount a comeback, but the hill was too high to climb. Adam Czerwinski, in a bullpen saving move, pitched all 9 giving up 6 runs on 14 hits to bring his record to 4-5. In the first game of the Sunday doubleheader York pitched his second complete game of the week again only giving up one run on 8 hits and 1 walk. The York effort gave the Wolves their 18th win of the year, taking it by a 6-1 count. Glory was short lived as George Garrison was hit hard early and often, leaving the game after 3 trailing 8-1. Trying to comeback Toronto scored 3 in the fourth to close the gap, again it was simply too big of a deficit to overcome as the nightcap ended 10-6 Cleveland. The Wolves come home on Thursday after finishing their trip with 2 in Philly on Tuesday. Harry Finney's performance after returning from injury has been eye opening for the month of May putting up a line of .429/.510/.595 while providing adequate play in the field. This has cooled the talk of Wells promotion from Buffalo. Manager Fred Barrell has said at this time the youngster may be better served in AAA, while quickly reminding all that he is only 19. Joe DeMott's recent play may allow the platoon with John Fast to be a thing of the past. His bat seems to demand a spot in the daily lineup. Pitching remains an area of concern as the starters are get hit hard early far to often. There appears to be very little middle ground for the Wolves hurlers as it seems they either toss a complete game or head to showers very early in the contest. On the farm Tony Ballinger, Dee Choate and Tom B Davis are making enough noise with their bats that they may force some roster changes soon in Toronto.
MOTORS SIGN EX-SHAMROCK CORBEIL The Detroit Motors made a move to add to their depth up front with the announcement that former New York Shamrocks winger Gil Corbeil has signed a 2-year deal with the club. Detroit was hit hard by injuries to forwards last season and are drawn to Corbeil's flexibility in that he can play any of the three forward positions. A native of Brossard, Quebec, the 25-year-old Corbeil was a third round pick of the Shamrocks in 1944 and made his NAHC debut with the club two years later, tallying 7 goals and 28 points in 45 games. He dipped to 21 points his sophomore season but played in just 32 games because of a shoulder injury before splitting the 1948-49 season between New York and Philadelphia of the HAA. A late season ankle injury sidelined him most of the summer last year and he was cut by the Shamrocks in training camp despite scoring 2 goals in 5 preseason contests. Unable to catch on with another NAHC or minor league club, Corbeil spent last season playing in the Quebec Senior League. The Shamrocks also announced a signing this week, inking 20-year-old defenseman Griffin Dufresne to a three-year deal that will pay the young defenseman $4,300 per season. Dufresne was the first overall pick of last year's amateur draft and was the only player from his draft class to play in the NAHC last season, suiting up for 22 regular season games and a pair of playoff contests. He scored just 1 goal and added 1 assist but played very sparingly even when he was in the lineup. NAHC rules require 19-year-old's, which Dufresne was last year, to spend the entire season on an NAHC roster if they are signed away from junior hockey. They are not allowed to play in the minor league Hockey Association of America until their age 20 season. MAJOR COLLEGE CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT: THE DEEP SOUTH CONFERENCE Our look at the major collegiate conferences continues with the Deep South Coference. It was born out of rebellion as an 18 team section, known as the Great South Conference at the time, splintered into two different conferences. North Carolina Tech, Maryland State and Carolina Poly led the group of defectors, along with Georgia Baptist which reluctantly went along despite it meaning the end of its rivalry with in-state foe Noble Jones College, who formed their own conference primarily out of concern their basketball loop was far too watered down with all the extra schools. Ironically, that conference- called the South Atlantic Conference after a spell under the name Great Atlantic Conference- has expanded through the years and now consists of 16 schools, making it the largest conference in the nation. As for the schools left behind to form the Deep South Conference, they ended up faring quite well through the years and comprise of 12 schools of their own that have performed well in all sports but especially excelled in football. The conferenece membership has remained consistent since the fall of 1922 when Georgia Baptist, under pressure from fans in their home state to reignite its rivalry with Noble Jomes College, had a change of heart and left the South Atlantic Conference to join the Deep South. The only other change has been St. Andrew's College, which has dropped out of the conference entirely in 1947 after reducing itself to competing in just basketball in the late 1930s. The Deep South has prospered over the years, winning 5 national titles in baseball, three in basketball including Noble Jones College victory in the recently completed 1949-50 season and nine in collegiate football. Despite not having a Deep South Conference school finish number one on the gridiron since 1942 there have been some very close calls. Two years ago Mississippi A&M completed an unbeaten season with a 34-3 thumping of Texas Panhandle in the Oilman Classic but the Generals finished just 4th in the final rankings. Cumberland and Bayou State both went 10-0-1 in 1946 but had to settle for finishing second and third behind St Blane, which also tied a game that season, and in 1945 Alabama Baptist won all 10 of its games but the Panthers were voted second in the final poll behind 9-0 Rome State. The conference has had many legendary performers through the years such as football Christian Trophy winner Billy Bockhorst -the quarterback for the 1942 Noble Jones College title team- along with baseball stars like Frank Christian Award winner Bob Arman and the great Georgia Baptist duo of the late 1920s in Tom and Fred Barrell. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 5/28/1950
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June 5, 1950
JUNE 5, 1950 OSA MOCK AGREES. HOWE CLASS OF DRAFT With the conclusion of the collegiate and high school regular seasons nearly upon us, OSA has released its mock draft for the current crop of prospects and the scouting service is in complete agreement with the New York Gothams that Earl Howe is the class of the draft. The 18-year-old centerfielder from a high school in Bronx, NY, was selected first overall by the Gothams in January and after hitting .512 with a high school best 14 homeruns this season OSA has him at number one on its ranking of draft eligible players. For the most part the mock draft mirrored closely the top selections with some notable exceptions - and not just pitchers who usually do not fare well on the scouting service lists. Skinny Bennett, a college catcher out of Eastern Oklahoma, was selected 14th overall by the Toronto Wolves but did not make the five round (60 player) list revealed by the OSA. Here are the 16 players selected in round one with where they ranked on the mock list, as well as the six players listed in the first round of the mock who were overlooked by FABL clubs in the opening round. https://i.imgur.com/qPIVySY.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Q7JqrPn.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/xxqL3sN.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/oDbW2eR.jpeg THE DON BERRY ERA HAS ARRIVED AT BROAD STREET PARK The Keystones had all of the FABL debuts this week, as a trio of recent call-ups earned their first major league action. SS Red Ellis, the potential shortstop of the future and the league's #94 prospect, had the strongest week of the three, going 5-for-17 with 3 RBI and two doubles. 1949 first-round pick and #26 prospect Don Berry (3-for-17, RBI, 6 BB, 2 K) rose quickly through the ranks and will try to stick with the big club in left field. Rudy Minton (#44 prospect) was 1-for-6 in his first week and should split time at the corner infield positions, though Minton's major league status might be the most brief out of the three. As part of the roster makeover last week, CF Bill Heim and LHP Pat Williams were also promoted from AAA Louisville. Heim (7 HR, 28 RBI at AAA Louisville) will back up CF Charlie Enslow, who is off to a strong start this season of his own, while Williams will serve as the lone lefty in the rotation, temporarily replacing George Polk, who was sent down for additional seasoning. The results leading up to the five roster moves was a 16-23 start that left the Keystones tied for last, nine games out in the Federal Association. After the moves, Philadelphia was 4-2 this week and helped tighten up the standings, where first and last place are only separated by 7-1/2 games. With all of the moves, the biggest news is the arrival of Berry. The 1949 first rounder (4th overall) was a much publicized selection when his name was called 18 months ago. A star at Grange College, Berry was MVP of the 1947 Collegiate World Championship Series to go along with 3 first-team All-American selections and capped off by the 1949 Christian Trophy as the top player in AIAA baseball. After turning pro last July, Berry tore up AA pitching at New Orleans and earned a late season promotion to AAA Louisville. He then helped the Manzanillo Palms win the Cuban Winter League title and followed that up by hitting .341 with 6 homers in 38 games at AAA Louisville this season before getting the call to the big club. Berry is a top 25 prospect in the eyes of the OSA, but he is not the top prospect in his own family. Don's younger brother Dallas was a two-time High School All-American and was selected in the same draft as Dallas, but four picks later by the Cincinnati Cannons making them the first brother duo since the Schneider triplets to be selected in the first round of the same FABL draft. Dallas is just 18 and playing Class B in the Cannons organization but has bragging rights on his big brother as OSA ranks Dallas in its top ten prospects. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Return Home Go 3-3 For Week - Toronto returned home after finishing two weeks on the road by going .500 for the week. That keeps the Toronto ballclub 4 games under the breakeven point for season. The trip away from home finished with a second straight doubleheader for the team, this time in the City of Brotherly Love taking on the Sailors. The first game was a wild, high scoring affair with the lead seesawing back and forth until Les Cunha walked it off with a 3-run shot off Harry Phillips in the ninth. Hal Wood drove in 3 for the Wolves in another game that must have left Toronto manager Fred Barrell pulling his hair out. Toronto came back avenging the walkoff loss by trouncing the Sailors 11-1 in the second game, led by Keith Copeland's 4 for 4 with 2 HR, 6 RBI. The talk that Copeland may need more seasoning in Buffalo has probably ended, for now. Coming home Thursday to face the Cougars who had beat them in all 6 previous meeting this season. The first game had a result that is becoming all to familiar to home fans. Harry Phillips got knocked around in his first start of the season returning from a spring traaining injury, giving 6 runs in the second. Phillips left after 4 trailing 6-2 to eventually earn a no decision when the Wolves tied the game with 2 runs in their half of of the ninth only to fall short in extras when in the top of the tenth Chubby Hall put one the seats off Chick Wirtz while pinch hitting for David Molina. George Garrison returned to form after his recent funk leading the team to a 7-2 victory on Friday when he outdueled Donnie Jones. Joe DeMott, who now has a 10 game hitting streak, had 2 hits while driving in 2 for the home side. The winning streak ended at one when Jerry York had a rough outing after a successful last half of May when Cougars won 5-2 in front of a crowd numbering 22,2257. Cougars are now 7-1 against the Wolves in 1950. On a chilly Sunday afternoon a smallish crowd watched their team lay a licking on the Stars from New York. Scoring 6 in the second frame and 5 more in the fifth to send stars starter Vern Hubbard to the showers early. The game ended 12-4. Joe Hancock won his sixth game of the season but seemed to tire in the eighth giving up 3 runs. Joe DeMott again had a great day at the plate, 3 for 4 with 4 RBI bringing his line to .303/.398/.449 with 17 RBI seeming securing an everyday spot in the lineup at 2B or 3B to give Wood a day off. Tony Ballinger is making noise in the Union League winning the Player of the Week for the AAA loop, bringing his season line to .362/.414/.613. If Ballinger is brought up it would probably meaning sending Frank Brunch out, Barrell may want to keep his LHB on the bench. Ballinger raises the same question as Wells, is he better off in Buffalo playing every day or playing once or twice a week in the FABL? What Toronto needs desperately is bullpen help although it appears that no one is ready in the system. Management is keeping an eye on the waiver wire in case a team tries to slide someone through that could help the Wolves.
CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT: SOUTHWESTERN ALLIANCE The Southwestern Alliance debuted with 8 member schools in the fall of 1922 but a short time later Canyon A&M dropped out of football and by 1947, due to their inability to remain competitive in the conference, the Armadillos left the conference completely and shifted their basketball program to the Southern Border Association. The other 7 Southwestern Alliance schools have competed in the conference for the duration and it remains a seven school group. Football has always been the priortiy of the SWA schools, even before the conference was formed. Travis College won two national titles and Lubbock State one in the early days of the sport and the pattern of success continued for the section with Texas Gulf Coast, Travis College and Darnell Sate all winning national titles on the grid after the founding of the Southwestern Alliance. The SWA regularly places teams in the top ten of the polls including Travis College, which went 9-1 last season and finished 5th in the final rankings before the Bucks beat Minnesota Tech in the Oilman Classic. Many will argue the Bucks should have been crowned National Champions in 1947 when they were a perfect 11-0 after blasting Alabama Baptist 30-3 in the Cajun Classic but they had to settle for third in the rankings behind two other teams that had perfect seasons as well in St. Blane and Detroit City College. A year ago senior halfback Wally Dotson of Texas Gulf Coast was named an All-American for the third consecutive season. Dotson, who is eligible for the upcoming American Football Association draft, won the Christian Trophy as a junior and the Bryan Award as a sophomore. He is one of just 4 players to win both. The SWA has yet to win a national title in basketball but have seen conference members reach the National semi-finals three times including in 1947-48 when Texas Gulf Coast advanced that far. Over the past decade the Hurricanes have become the powerhouse of SWA basketball, but their streak of 9 straight section titles came to an end this past year. Texas Gulf Coast also recently produced a first overall Federal League draft pick in forward Darren Fuhrman, who was selected with the top pick by Syracuse two years ago, and a first team All-American in Vincent Passingham in 1948-49 before Passingham was a first round FBL selection. There has not been a lot of success on the diamond in recent years although Red River State did qualify for a pair of Collegiate World Championship Series in the past four years. Lubbock State won the conference's only national titles in baseball, prevailing in 1922 and again in 1928. The Hawks also have one of just 4 players to be named college baseball's best player two separate seasons in Bill Moore, who won back to back Frank Christian Awards in 1931 and 1932. The Christian Award, by the way, is named after Frank Christian who was the long-time manager of the Hawks baseball program. Christian's brother John is also a legendary coach with an award named after him, but his sport was football. The baseball Christian Award was also won in 1942 by Darnell Sate outfielder Nelson Flinn. WESTLAKE WASTING NO TIME GETTING BACK INTO THE RING New World Welterweight Champion Mark Westlake is getting right to business as less than three months after he defeated the previously unbeaten Mac Erickson to win the title he is planning to return to the ring. For Westlake, this marks his second stint as the king of the welterweight division. He won a unanimous decision over Jackhammer O'Keefe in the fall of 1946 only to lose the title in his first defense when Harold Stephens outpointed him. Westlake and his camp will hope for a better result this time around as the 32-year-old Mississippi native prepares to face Dale Roy at Detroit's Thompson Palladium on June 17. Westlake owns a career mark of 28-5-1 and included in his victories is a split decision over Roy in a 12-round bout fought seven years ago. Roy, also 32 and hailing from Binghamton, NY, is 36-7-1 and will be returning east for the fight after spending the past few months fighting on the west coast including an April unanimous decision over Arthur Shaw. It will be Roy's first title shot. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 6/04/1950
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June 12, 1950
JUNE 12, 1950 FIELD SET FOR COLLEGIATE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Top 16 Teams Gathered in Philadelphia to Crown AIAA Champ There are plenty of familiar names but also a number of newcomers as the top 16 teams from the recently completed collegiate baseball campaign are in Philadelphia preparing for the 5th annual Collegiate World Championship Series tournament. Eastern State, which won three straight college ball titles a decade and a half ago, is the top seed. The Monitors have participated in each of the four previous tournaments under the current format, but were knocked out in the second round on each of those occasions. Lane State, which won two of the previous four tournaments, failed to qualify this time around as the Emeralds finished behind Portland Tech in the West Coast Athletic Association, and they did not receive an at-large bid. Huntington State, the West Virginia school that reached the finals a year ago before falling to the Emeralds, is back and the Miners, despite being the number two seed, will have a tough opening round game against traditional baseball power Maryland State. Notable is the appearance of Noble Jones College as the Colonels try to follow up their collegiate basketball championship from April with another national title. Among the Colonels key players is second baseman Charlie Barrell who is likely to be an All-American in baseball once again and also helped lead the Noble Jones cagers to their perfect season on the hardwood. The tournament will be held in Philadelphia as both the Keystones and Sailors have been forced out on the road to clear space at Broad Street Park and Sailors Memorial Stadium for the tournament. The single elimination rounds will be held Tuesday-Thursday with the best of three final set for Saturday, Sunday and if necessary next Monday. Here is the tournament bracket and list of pas champions. HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICAN TEAM ANNOUNCED The top three selections last January in the opening round of the FABL draft all were named High School All-Americans as the 1950 team was unveiled over the weekend. Headlining the list is first overall selection Earl Howe, an outfielder drafted by the New York Gothams out of Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. Howe led all high school players this season with 14 homeruns while slashing .512/.596/1.238 in 21 games. It marked the third time that Howe had been named to the All-American team in his high school career. Sharing that distinction was Muncie, IN. high schooler Ralph Capriotti, and outfielder selected third overall by the Detroit Dynamos in the FABL draft. Sandwiched between them was Bob Gray, a Philadelphia high school infielder who was chosen second overall by one of his hometown teams in the Philadelphia Sailors. It was Gray's second time being named to the All-American team. Twelve underclassmen were named to the group of 18 players selected including junior Bob Porter, who made his third straight appearance and California sophomore John Samuel, who was named an All-American for the second time after hitting a high school best .606 this season. Samuel's batting average was also the fourth highest single season total ever recorded, trailing only Buddy Miller, Ralph Hanson and Walt Messer. That clearly puts the 15-year-old in some pretty select company. Here are the High School All-Americans for 1950. https://i.imgur.com/iCUmrPq.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/4HJwFcY.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/4b7o8d2.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Xv9TJW5.jpg TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Start Week Well, Finish Poorly -- Toronto begins the second week of June winning 3 of 5 against New York teams before dropping 4 straight, one to Brooklyn followed by a 3 game sweep at the hands of the Saints. That means the Wolves finish a 12 game, 11 day homestand with a 5-7 record. Now they head back out on the road and will not play at Dominion Stadium again until June 30th. 24-30 overall, Toronto sits seventh in the Continental Assocition, 7 and a half games back of front-running Cincinnati. The week started poorly as in Monday's game all the New York Stars needed was two big innings, scoring 4 in the second, 5 in the eighth to put the Wolves away 10-6 last Monday. The home side then won three straight: 7-6 over the Stars in 17 on Tuesday followed by 5-0 and 6-4 wins when Brooklyn came to town. George Garrison was masterful in the shutout, a four run 7th including another 2 RBI producing hit by Joe DeMott allowed the Wolves to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 victory on Thursday. Things turned ugly on the weekend with 4 straight losses. Leo Hayden held the Wolves in check Friday outdueling Hancock in 3-2 Kings win Friday. On Saturday Joe Austin's theft of third base in the 10th inning allowed Maurice Carter's sacrifice fly to score him with the winning run in Saints 4-3 victory. In a Sunday twin bill to close out the homestand the home squad was in neither game losing both ends, 9-1 and 5-1 to drop their season record at home to just 14-17. Fans leaving Dominion Stadium continue to complain about pitching. The starters ERA is 4.15 which is skewed by recent awful starts by Harry Stewart and Harry Phillips. The team does need to find at least one more reliable starter, if not two. One hoped for solution - a breakout season at AAA Buffalo by former first overall pick Les Ledbetter is not happening. The 21-year-old lefthander is clearly not ready as suggested by 0-8, 5.98 ERA 1.83 WHIP in AAA. Word around the offices is that Ledbetter will either sink or swim in AAA. He has been a major disappointment as the first overall pick in 1947. Ray Hatch may get a shot at the 5th starter. Hatch, 25, is a 1943 15th round selection who had a brief stint with the Wolves last season and is presently 4-3, 3.55 for Buffalo. Simply put: Pitching has to improve to keep the fans showing up to games. At the plate the team has been better than expected led by good starts by from Joe DeMott and Harry Finney along with the normal consistency from Hal Wood. Kirby Copeland is fitting in as the 24-year-old rookie is batting .303 with a club best 3 homeruns - a number which proves this team will not be praying for the long ball to save them in games. Fielding has been adequate, at best. Finney is improving at shortstop which will help although he is just marking time there until teenage sensation John Wells is ready. You can see skipper Fred Barrell starting to move away from Chink Stickels as the transition to youth begins for the Wolves.
PACKERS SIGN FORMER SHAMROCK FIRST ROUNDER It took a little time, but Bill LaChance found his way to the Windy City. The Chicago Packers signed the 20-year-old free agent to a contract last week after he was released over the winter by the New York Shamrocks. LaChance was drafted in the first round, fifth overall, last summer with the pick the Shamrocks had acquired from Chicago in the big Bert McColley deal from last spring. New York inked LaChance to a deal rather than have the Quebec native spend the season developing in the junior league. Due to his age, LaChance was too young to send to the minors so he spent most of the season in the press box, suiting up for just 8 regular season games for the Shamrocks. He was pointless in those contests and saw very little ice time in any of the games. Realizing his game was not ready for the pro level at this time, the Shamrocks cut him because he was unable to go to the minors and no longer allowed in junior due to the fact he signed a pro contract. LaChance will be permitted to play in the minors next season as a 20-year-old, so the Packers inked him to a 3-year deal, and he is expected to spend next year with the Pittsburgh Rovers of the Hockey Association of America. In other signing news the Toronto Dukes extended Bob Crone's contract for 2 years with a modest increase. The 27-year-old right winger, who made his Dukes debut in 1946 after spending time in Montreal, Boston and Chicago, had 3 goals and 6 points in 35 games for Toronto last season. The new deal will pay the Ottawa, Ont. native $2,000 per season. For his career, the much travelled Crone has appeared in 143 NAHC games, scoring 19 goals and adding 31 assists. He has also played 179 games in the minors over the past 9 seasons. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT: ACADEMIA ALLIANCE The Academia Alliance is no long a major factor on the college sports scene but in the early days of the AIAA it was the dominant force in collegiate athletics. Basketball in particular was owned by the 8 Academia schools for the first decade of the sport but it also enjoyed great success in baseball. Things changed suddenly in 1919 when, amidst allegations of athletes being paid to play for alliance schools and even some cases where non-students were participating in games, the presidents of the 8 institutions cracked down on eligibility requirements. Not only did the Academia Alliance eight move to police and prevent any sort of renumeration for student athletes but over the ensuing decade it also tightened eligibility requirements to a far more stringent standard than any of the other schools had on its student athletes. The result was many of the top players, who would have attended a school in the conference, no longer could qualify academically and they were forced to attend other schools. With those tighter standards the Academia Alliance quickly lost its status as the premier league for college sports. The conference that had won 6 basketball national titles between 1910 and 1918 would never win another one. Seven times in the first 12 seasons of AIAA basketball a player from the Academia Alliance was named the most valuable player (later named the Art Barrette Trophy) but no one from the conference has won one since. Baseball also suffered as, aside from a 2 year run in the early 1930s when Henry Hudson won back to back National baseball titles behind a pair of first overall FABL draft picks in Curly Jones and Joe Hancock along with George Gillard, who would be selected 5th overall, the section has faded away from prominence on the diamond. Hancock was one of three from the Academia Alliance to win baseball's MVP -the Frank Christian Award- following Henry Hudson's Sam Orr in 1927 and preceding Ellery College's Jim Carter, the 1943 winner. On the gridiron, the conference has not had a national champion since 1928 when Geoge Fox University completed the rare accomplishment of winning at least one national title in each of the three major team sports. In the early days of the sport, it would be rare not to see two or three names from the Academia Alliance included when the All-American teams were released but in the last decade only six players were so honoured including Charley Morrison, the Henry Hudson quarterback who has gone on to have a decent pro career first with the old Cincinnati Tigers and more recently with the New York Stars.
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June 19, 1950
JUNE 19, 1950 EASTERN STATE WINS COLLEGIATE WCS Loaded with a dozen players that are on the radar of pro scouts, although none of them elite prospects, a deep Eastern State ball squad cruised to the Collegiate World Championship Series title in Philadelphia last week. The Monitors, who entered the 16-team tournament as the number one seed, had little trouble pushing their way through the field to win the fourth AIAA baseball title in school history. Eastern State's three previous titles all came in succession beginning in 1936 and made the Virginia Beach school the only one to win the collegiate baseball title three consecutive seasons. Eastern State has been in the field each of the four previous seasons with the expanded 16-team field but in each of those years they won their opening game only to fall in the quarterfinals. This year's edition of the squad started off with a 9-7 victory over one of the surprise teams in the field as Minnesota Tech, led by a Christian Trophy candidate in talented Lakers freshman outfielder Dutch Wilson (.372,13,62), was a surprise winner of the Great Lakes Alliance section title. Wilson homered, doubled and drove in 5 runs for Minnesota Tech against the Monitors but they proved no match for Eastern State in falling by a 9-7 count. After it was their downfall each of the past four seasons, the Monitors had little trouble in the second round for a change this time around as Neil Loso and a pair of relievers combined on a 4-hitter to down the always tough Grange College Mustangs by a 5-1 score. That set up a semi-final meeting with Darnell State, which used their ace 11-game winning freshman Red Sheridan in a 6-0 shutout win over Central Kentucky in the quarters. With Sheridan unavailable a day later the Southwestern Alliance champs were no match for Eastern State and the Monitors advanced to the finals with an 8-4 victory. On the other side of the bracket, Noble Jones was marching through its opposition led by the Colonels three-sport star Charlie Barrell. The sophomore from the most famous family in sports recently finished celbrating a national cage title after helping the Noble Jones College basketball club to the first undefeated season culminating in a national title in AIAA basketball history. Barrell is equally talented on the diamond -he is a finalist for the Christian Trophy- and he went 5-for-7 with 4 rbi's in the Colonels first two rounds, wins over Ohio Poly and Maryland State. Barrell had two hits in the semi-finals but it was junior third baseman Ambrose Evans that was the hero, sending the Colonels to the title game with a 2-run double in the top of the 8th inning to lift Noble Jones College past Penn Catholic 6-5 in their semi-final meeting. Noble Jones College proved no match for Eastern State in the best-of-three finals. The Monitors took Saturday's opener by a 4-2 count before clinching the crown with a 7-3 victory Sunday at Sailors Memorial Stadium. Joe Ayers, a senior outfielder who was twice drafted in the 17th round by FABL clubs but never signed, was named the MVP after hitting .455 for the tournament and driving in 4 runs in the two game final. REPEAT WINNER BARRELL HIGHLIGHTS COLLEGE BALL ALL-AMERICANS College baseball's All-Americans were unveiled Friday evening at the annual AIAA tournament banquet and the menu featured a heavy serving of youth. Seven of the nine first team selections, including 5 freshman, were not yet FABL draft eligible and only one player named to the First Team was a repeat selection. That would be talented Noble Jones College three-sport star Charlie Barrell, a sophomore out of Washington DC who hit .323 with 11 homers and 48 rbi's this season despite missing the start of the campaign while he was winning a national basketball title with the Colonels cage squad. There was another repeat selection but that was on the second team where for the second consecutive season Empire State pitcher Tom Drill was selected. Drill, a junior, was the first pitcher selected in the January portion of the FABL draft at fifth overall by the Pittsburgh Miners. The Miners are expected to sign him very shortly and have visions of Drill perhaps evolving into the next Lefty Allen. The two juniors on the first team were also both drafted in January with Brunswick College outfielder Bill Harbin going to the Philadelphia Sailors in the fourth round and Jim Hatfield, a first baseman out of California Catholic, being selected in round eight by the Boston Minutemen. Joining Drill as second team All-Americans drafted by FABL clubs were outfielder Rod Shearer from small-school Plantersville A&M, who was a late second round selection of the World Champion Chicago Chiefs, Opelika State catcher Bob Longstreth who was selected by the Detroit Dynamos in round three and Freemont State second baseman Adam Ramsey who was the New York Stars sixth round choice. Eastern Kansas infielder Eddie Hooker and Central Kentucky outfielder Joe Cahill, a senior, are both draft eligible but were not selected in the opening 10 rounds. JOURNEYMAN ROY WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER WESTLAKE FOR WELTERWEIGHT TITLE Thompson Palladium, Detroit, Mich. – The Welterweight division has been a tough place to make a good living. The amount of championship turnover in the division has been dizzying. Mark Westlake has lived these two truths. If you have followed his entire career, you have seen his initial rise after the War, arrive at the top however briefly, rebound to get a second title shot and lose, and capture the belt rematch. Westlake is a survivor, winning 28 of 34 bouts, as he embarks on his second title defense – and his first successful title defense. In the case of Westlake, the 32-year-old Biloxi, Miss. Native has had multiple shots. However, Westlake’s challenger tonight, Dale Roy, has not had his shot. Roy is a journeyman, a veteran of 44 professional fights, was chosen to get his first chance at the welterweight title tonight. He had been toiling in anonymity for years. This was their second meeting, as Westlake won a split decision over Roy during the War, well before the division reset in 1946. Roy had fought out west and he is well-known in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, but the Binghamton, New York, native was not as much of a household name east of the Mississippi. Tonight, the 32-year-old Roy had the chance to finally put his long career on a different path. While there was a past bout between the two combatants, it was a long time ago. With both men gaining on the latter part of their careers, the atmosphere was one of necessary survival. At the age of 32, both men knew this chance at glory would likely be their last chance. With fans settled in their seats at a packed Palladium in Detroit, at the opening bell, both eager participants left their corners to capitalize on that chance. Roy met Westlake in the center of the ring, ready with a cross that marked his man, but Westlake used his experience against better talent over his career to carry the first round. Westlake was mixing his punches with hooks and uppercuts, but he was clearly aiming high. Once the initial butterflies wore off, Roy collected himself and started boxing. About two minutes into the second round, Roy connected on his first big shot, a combination that nearly floored the champion. The connection precipitated a vicious exchange of blows, as Westlake was both surprised and angered that Roy was able to easily get through Westlake’s defensive posture. Westlake countered his way to a solid third round and Roy, wanting to send a message, kept punching well after the bell. Referee Mark Nelson, in his first title bout, had to activate and get in between both fighters. The bad blood had started, and the crowd hooted and hollered for more. The extracurricular activity after the end of the third round seemed to energize Roy and his corner. The challenger went to work right away with a hammering hook, but gave way to Westlake’s own hook. Roy mainly kept Westlake at bay early in Round 5 while he found his rhythm, mixing his signals and Westlake guessed wrong on several attempts to block Roy. Roy’s barrage in the fifth caused some swelling around Westlake’s left eye, especially a hook late in the round that seemed to stagger the champion. The middle rounds were highlighted by Westlake’s eye starting to visibly get worse, while some serious leather was being traded by both fighters late in Round 8. Roy was getting the better of the action with a cross to the ribs that Westlake may not have seen coming and a hard right coming at the closing bell where Westlake leaned against the ropes, which seemed to be the only thing keeping him upright. Westlake took the ninth as Roy was more interested in circling and resting on his lead, but Roy was back in the back half of Round 10 with a violent right hand and a couple of combinations that, along with Roy cornering the champion a couple of times, limited Westlake’s ability to fight back. The swelling was becoming almost too much to bear and while Referee Nelson did not stop the fight, you had to wonder why he did not let the physician take a look. It was clearly hindering his peripheral vision and it was not only harder for him to defend, but his punches were missing the mark more often. Roy had a good lead heading into the later rounds. But in Round 12, Westlake missed with his right while his immediate follow-up hit the target. Westlake’s left hook opened a small cut on Roy’s left eyebrow. It was the time for Westlake to make a last-ditch effort to grab the momentum. In the 13th round, Roy was staying on the defensive while Westlake tried to take advantage. He gave everything he had with a hook that hurt Roy in his midsection, but that was temporary, and Roy shrugged it off by bouncing around the ring to close out the round. The fight went the distance and Roy had secured the decision during those middle rounds. Westlake’s eye was too much of an obstacle to overcome, but Roy was effective at showing up at the big moments and defending well enough when Westlake was able to counter. The final punching totals told a different story that what everyone witnessed in the ring. The Big Boppers were almost even with Roy holding a slight 18-16 edge. Roy had the edge in total punches landed by about six per round. But it was the damage Roy did with those punches that did more to influence the crowd and the judges. Roy’s arms were raised in triumph. The picture taken of Roy in victory will be featured in newspapers across the globe. His days of anonymity are now over. The 32-year-old Roy (37-7-1) has a new lease on his boxing life. For Westlake (28-6-1), he may not get a third chance at the welterweight title. He is 32 years old and there really should only room for one older guy at the top. The next generation is waiting in the wings and they may finally pass him by. BOLOGNA’S BIG BOPPERS Round 1: Westlake, 4-0 (0:57 uppercut, 1:52 right/head, 2:17 hook, 2:30 hook/head) Round 2: Roy, 1-0 (2:01 combo) Round 3: Westlake, 3-1 (W: 0:40 combo, 1:46 uppercut, 2:42 hook/midsection; R: 1:22 cross/face) Round 4: Roy, 2-1 (W: 0:45 hook; R: 0:13 hook, 1:48 cross) Round 5: Roy, 4-1 (W: 1:30 hook/side; R: 0:12 cross/face, 0:44 combo, 1:56 hook, 2:10 right/body) Round 6: Roy, 1-0 (2:08 left hook/body) Round 7: None Round 8: Roy, 3-1 (W: 2:04 right; R: 1:20 right/ribs, 2:28 cross/ribs, 3:00 right/head) Round 9: Westlake, 2-0 (1:39 hook/jaw, 1:56 combo) Round 10: Roy, 3-1 (W: 1:04 combo; R: 2:06 right, 2:20 combo, 2:45 combo/midsection) Round 11: Tied, 1-1 (W: 2:13 hook; R: 0:30 cross) Round 12: Westlake, 1-0 (2:29 combo) Round 13: Westlake, 1-0 (2:25 hook/midsection) Round 14: Roy, 1-0 (1:08 uppercut) Round 15: Roy, 1-0 (0:28 combo) TOTAL: Roy 18, Westlake 16 https://i.imgur.com/anbb5eG.jpeg RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH It is draft day in FABL! No, not the big one as rounds one through ten were completed in early January but today is the day the 16 FABL ballclubs each round out their draft classes by selecting 15 more players each to join those drafted in the winter bringing the total haul to 400 draftees. Out of the 160 selected in January here is one from each of opening ten rounds that was particularly impressive in the recently completed high school/college seaon. Cleveland Foresters Very few players can boast the baseball pedigree of Gus Melvin, who's father George is a Hall-of-Famer and widely considered to be the best defensive shortstop of the early days of FABL, if not in the entire history of the sport. Melvin has an absurd 840.4 zone rating in 2,156 games at shortstops, and in a sample of at least 1,000 innings (though I could go all the way down to 267 if I wanted), he never had an efficiency below 1.100, and at his time at short, he had a zone rating above 40 in each of his fifteen seasons there. And if that wasn't enough, Melvin was also a career .278/.357/.378 (118 OPS+), and his 168.12 WAR is sixth All-Time.1st Round, 16th Overall: SS Gus Melvin School: McKinely Macks Commit School: Huntington State 1950: .522/.604/.956, 111 PA, 9 2B, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 7 SB Career: .522/.604/.956, 111 PA, 9 2B, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 7 SB It would be unfair to expect anything close to this from his son, though I'm willing to go on record and say he was the steal of the first round. Taken with the final pick of the initial round, the Cleveland Foresters seemed to acquire their shortstop of the future by selecting the son of their shortstop for the final four plus seasons of his career. Part of the reason he fell could be due to not playing prep ball until his senior season, though he was more then worth the wait. Melvin hit an impressive .522/.604/.956 while slugging 10 homers in 22 games, earning him an All-American nod for the middle infield. That ranked fourth among draft eligible high schoolers, though none of the three hitters above him matched his .522 average. Power like this is coveted in young players, even more so when it comes from a slick fielding shortstop. Granted, defense isn't "The Meal Ticket's" specialty, as you look to Melvin for an impact at the plate. As evidenced by his ability to clear the .500 mark, Melvin should be able to hit at least .300, but in the right lineup I can even see him pushing .340. He has a quick bat and he puts a jolt into his swings, so even if he's not clearing the fence, he's going to be hitting the ball in the air. Combined with a great eye (4 walks in 111 PAs!), he's going to be a menace at the plate, and one of the toughest outs to get. He's also on the older side, 19 in November, which could allow him to fast-track himself to Cleveland. He'll cost the Foresters a pretty penny to sign, but for a potential top-15 prospect? More then worth it! Chicago Chiefs Gus Melvin may have been the steal of the first round, but Rod Shearer is the best player to remain unpicked after it. "Hot Rod" made it obvious why he earned that nickname, swiping 36 bags for the Panthers in his lone college season. Yet Shearer is so good, that's not one of the more impressive feats he accomplished!2nd Round, 31st Overall: CF Rod Shearer School: Plantersville A&M Panthers 1950: .335/.404/.656, 255 PA, 12 2B, 6 3B, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 36 SB Career: .335/.404/.656, 255 PA, 12 2B, 6 3B, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 36 SB The Odessa native hit an impressive .335/.404/.656 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs, putting together one of the more impressive collegiate seasons in 1950. It helps that he isn't in a big conference, but numbers like this are impossible to ignore. A hard working center fielder, he's got tantalizing tools, with elite raw power and a borderline elite hit tool. He may not when batting titles, he'll walk and swing for the fence a bit too much, but I can see him hitting comfortably above .300. Scouts are a big fan of his defense, and he's projected to be an everyday center fielder who even pennant contenders can rely on for production. This is great news for the Chiefs, who could be in need of a center fielder if Carlos Montes (.328, 3, 14) isn't able to stay healthy. Chicago has never been shy about promotion draftees quickly, who debuted last year's first rounder Ed Bloom for a cup of coffee, and just brought him back for the most recent week. Like Bloom, Shearer may need a little more seasoning, but the "Hot Rod" era could be remembered more fondly then Bill May (.236, 1, 11, 3) era. And May is still kicking around to mentor him! Brooklyn Kings In a draft that didn't have much depth on the mound, no team came out better then the Brooklyn Kings. They grabbed Elmer Sullivan (9-0, 0.71, 146) in the second half of the first, who went 32-0 at Perrysburg and is lauded as a potential top FABL pitcher, and two rounds later they got talented high school prospect Mule Crawford.3rd Round, 38th Overall: RHP Mule Crawford School: Fort Oglethorpe Warriors Commit School: Noble Jones College 1950: 5-1, 67.1 IP, 1.47 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 10 BB, 88 K Career: 5-1, 67.1 IP, 1.47 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 10 BB, 88 K Like the first two players I covered, Crawford didn't play until the 1950 season, where he went 5-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 9 starts and 6 relief outings. 18 in July, Crawford is one of the smartest guys on the field, and he earned himself a full ride to Noble Jones based on his brain, not his arm. I doubt he fulfils that commitment, as the Kings should be able to meet his modest demand, and the towering 6'5'' will likely make his way to Class C Marshalltown instead. A three pitch pitcher, Mule leads with his sinker, which is a key for rolling up double plays. His fastball and change are solid pitches too, and like his sinker, they have wicked bite and should generate plenty of swings and misses. He's a pretty hard thrower too, hitting 91 when in the groove, and the young righty is able to overpower lesser hitters up in the zone. With his size, I can't see 91 being his max, and in four years it wouldn't surprise me if he's sitting in the 93-95 range instead. If that's the case, you can pencil him into Brooklyn's rotation, where he could spend plenty of times starting games for them. Chicago Cougars There were rumors around the draft that the Ontario native would end up in Toronto, but instead the now 18-year-old (Happy Birthday!) will join an organization that is deep with center field talent. Denoted as a potential first round talent by OSA, Soeur likely would have gone in the lottery had the draft been done over, as OSA believes he "has the dynamic tools needed to make an impact in the majors." That's high praise for any prospect, but it's not all that surprising considering how consistent he was in his four years at Walla Walla. For some Cougar fans, that might ring a bell, as former 1st Rounder Otto Christian (.177, 2, 12) was a four year starter there as well. As good as the slugger is, Soeur could be even better, as he's a more complete player with enviable athleticism. A plus contact hitter, he's quick and can play quality defense, and scouts are projecting at least average power from him. Combined with the speed, he could be an extremely tough out, and he's worked well on elevating the ball when he makes contact. He'll now enter a system with plenty of competition for outfield innings, but there's enough raw talent here that he can separate himself from the pack.4th Round, 62nd Overall: CF Ike Soeur School: Walla Walla Warriors Commit School: Daniel Boone College 1950: .505/.579/.856, 116 PA, 13 2B, 6 3B, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 23 SB Career: .499/.566/.792, 493 PA, 43 2B, 22 3B, 11 HR, 127 RBI, 85 SB Boston Minutemen Corner outfielders don't get a lot of love in drafts, so it's no shock a projectable outfielder like Mike Malone fell to the fifth. He may not have the best high school stats, but he was a second rounder on the mock and has exciting power. A .432 average this season and .442 in four years isn't too exciting, but he added two homers a season as a junior and senior, finishing his time at Loyola with 22 homers. He set personal bests with 11 doubles, 10 steals, 35 RBIs, and 51 runs, as well as highs in slugging and WAR (2.4). A hard worker from New York, Boston may not be the best home for him, as they've already got highly ranked prospects Rick Masters (1sst) and Yank Taylor (8th), both corner outfielders in the top 10. Then there's Danny Taylor (58th) in the back half of the top 100, and 26-year-old Ben McCarty (.320, 9, 57) is arguably their best player. For Malone to shine, he'll need to rely on the longball, something he can hit over 25 times a season. If he was an up the middle player, Malone could have been a lottery pick, but instead he'll have a tough fight up the league's top system.5th Round, 71st Overall: LF Mike Malone School: Loyola Knights Commit School: Maryland State 1950: .432/.500/.766, 132 PA, 11 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 10 SB Career: .442/.517/.698, 489 PA, 34 2B, 2 3B, 22 HR, 123 RBI, 17 SB New York Stars The second Canadian to make our list, Adam Ramsey went to the New York Stars in the sixth round, and he's one of many Stars picks that rank high on the mock. This selection isn't the first time he was drafted, as the Wolves took him in the 19th Round of the 1947 draft out of high school. The decision proved to be of great benefit, as the 21-year-old second basemen has taken advantage of his work ethic to develop into a legit FABL prospect. OSA thinks he "is a reliable hitter in the organization's grand scheme" while making comments on his plate coverage and ability to hit to all fields. That's a great skill, and one that helped him hit above .315 in each of his three seasons at Fremont State. OSA also thinks he can hit for power, which shouldn't be too surprising after he hit nine homers as a sophomore. The Stars don't have an obvious need at second, with three ranked in the top 100, but with Ramsey's bat he'll force his way into a lineup. A few seasons from now, we could be looking at this pick as one of the sharpest, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he's playing in Dyckman Stadium by the 1953 season.6th Round, 90th Overall: 2B Adam Ramsey School: Fremont State Explorers 1950: .317/.397/.466, 216 PA, 8 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 24 SB Career (COL): .317/.396/.467, 671 PA, 22 2B, 3 3B, 20 HR, 119 RBI, 55 SB Career (HS): .473/.522/.652, 523 PA, 41 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 129 RBI, 25 SB Pittsburgh Miners A four year starter at Roosevelt High School in his local Brooklyn, Cliff McGuire saved the best for left, ending his prep career with a perfect 12-0 season. Aside from record, he set bests in ERA, starts (16), innings, WHIP, and BB/9 (2.1). 18 in just a few days, McGuire was throwing a tick harder from his sidearm position, and each increase in velocity is going to make his changeup that much better. It's a pretty great pitch already, while he projects to have a decent splitter and slider too. The fastball isn't great, and he's not always able to find the zone, but he made notable improvements since he debuted as a freshman. He's no longer the pitcher with a 2.64 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, and the strikeouts went up while the walks went down. Drafting pitchers this late is always a bit of a dart throw, but it seems the Miners did a good job here. He's not yet projected to be a big league starter, but with hard work and some honing in of his command, he could work his way into a back-end rotation role.7th Round, 97th Overall: RHP Cliff McGuire School: Roosevelt Cougars Commit School: North Carolina Tech 1950: 12-0, 118.1 IP, 1.29 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 28 BB, 151 K Career: 36-8, 441 IP, 1.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 133 BB, 551 K Detroit Dynamos A three year starter at Western Florida, Goldie Smith had a career season as a senior, hitting a personal best 7 homers with a .304/.378/.451 triple slash where he set bests in all three categories. His 1.1 WAR was also a career high, even after adjusting on a per plate appearance basis, and he showed a lot of the talent that made him a highly touted recruit out of his Georgia High School. This isn't the first time Goldie was selected, as he was the Cougars 18th Round selection three seasons ago, and the Marietta native made the right decision fulfilling his commitment to Western Florida. 21 next month, Goldie is an athletic outfielder who makes pitchers work, and he's got an above average contact tool. Not quite a .300 hitter, but he'll foul off a lot of pitches and work his share of walks. Once he's on base, he's always looking to run, something the Dynamos don't do one bit. With just nine steals, Joe Austin (14) and Billy Forbes (10) have more steals then the Dynamos as a team! The issue here, however, is Goldie doesn't have that innate desire to play baseball, and that may hold him back. OSA still thinks he can be an average big leaguer, and it's already looking like the Dynamos made a shrewd selection towards the end of the January portion.8th Round, 123rd Overall: CF Goldie Smith School: Western Florida Wolves 1950: .304/.378/.451, 254 PA, 8 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 33 SB Career (COL): .293/.367/.433, 783 PA, 29 2B, 5 3B, 19 HR, 146 RBI, 101 SB Career (HS): .467/.540/.655, 218 PA, 26 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 56 RBI, 28 SB Philadelphia Sailors Sure, Jackie Baker didn't match his 11-0 record from last season, but even with one dropped decision, the Sailors have to be happy with what they got form their 9th Round pick. A four year starter for the Burlington Blue Devils, Baker lowered his ERA and WHIP, and despite an increase in walks, the strikeout numbers were huge. He struck out a career high 177 batters in 106.1 innings, which was just a few outs more then his previous low for innings (104.2), and he actually faced more batters due to more runners who reached base. The recently turned 18-year-old finished his prep career 39-5 with a 1.60 ERA and 612 strikeouts, pretty impressive numbers overall from the 6'3'' righty. He's not the most polished pitcher, as his fastball and cutter are really just there to set up his changeup. It's hard to call it anything other then dominant, as it makes hitters look foolish -- and on the off chance you hit it -- it's not going very far. He does locate it well, but he doesn't have the same feel for the hard stuff. That could get him into trouble against tougher hitters, but even if he can't put it all together, the change is good enough on its own that he can handle a order one time through.9th Round, 130th Overall: RHP Jackie Baker School: Burlington Blue Devils Commit School: Chesapeake State 1950: 10-1, 106.1 IP, 1.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 38 BB, 177 K Career: 39-5, 445.1 IP, 1.60 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 163 BB, 612 K Toronto Wolves The Toronto Wolves went heavy on pitching at the end of the January draft, selecting pitchers in each of the last three rounds. I think Hank Lacey may end up being the best of them.10th Round, 152nd Overall: RHP Hank Lacey School: Orleans Bulldogs Commit School: Central Kentucky 1950: 7-2, 89 IP, 1.01 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 22 BB, 158 K Career: 30-8, 400 IP, 1.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 122 BB, 544 K A four year starter at Orleans, Lacey was sitting in the mid 80s most of his time in high school, but with an excellent offseason workout plan, his fastball and cutter were hitting 89 and his sinker was just a tick slower. It allowed him to really dominate, as after a previous best of a 1.60 ERA and one season of a sub-1 WHIP, he was down to 1.01 and 0.87, striking out a career high 158 batters in a career low 89 innings. The low in innings was about all that disappointed for the 6'2'' righty, as it didn't stop him from cracking the 5 WAR threshold for the first time (6.1). As a three fastball pitcher, velocity is going to be a must for Lacey, though his changeup is actually his best pitch. An anonymous scout explained how his stuff "has explosiveness" and most agree he should have no issues finding the zone. Command is a rarity in young prep pitchers, so Lacey is already a few steps ahead of his peers. Still, he's not quite a FABL starter, as he needs one of his fastballs to improve to compliment the change, because if guys aren't letting it get to two strikes, the change won't be able to shine like it should. Management is now breathing again at the Montreal second floor. After an awful season start, the Saints are finally playing as per expectations. With a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, the Saints have been able to push their way over .500 for the first time of the season. Winning 3 out of 4 against the Cincinnati Cannons in their last series, placed the Montreal squad only 2 games behind the leader in the crowded Continental Association pennant race. So crowded that it is easy to mistake it for the Federal Association - a loop that more often than not seems to have more than half of its clubs in contending even down to the wire. Well, the CA has taken over that distinction as of this morning 5 teams out of 8 are within 2 games from the 1st place New York Stars. A positive note on this winning stretch for the Saints is it's happening without veteran pitcher Pat Weakley and all-star shortstop Gordie Perkins. Each are out of lineup for injury. Weakley will be coming back next week in the starting rotation, meaning prospect Ted Coffin will get a train ticket to AAA Syracuse. Perkins still at least one more week of coming back as the Saints are having a 6 games week coming. No way would this column ever suggest holding off on bringing the duo back as soon as they are able but it is worth noting that the Saints have lost just once in the ten games since Perkins was knocked out of the lineup with elbow troubles and have gone 17-11 since Weakley last pitched. COUGARS OFFENSE ERUPTS TO FUEL 13-3 RUN As is the case every year, the Chicago Cougars enter the season with lofty expectations just to disappoint their rowdy fanbase. This year appeared to be the same. That is, until the calendar turned over to July. For the first fourteen days, it seemed more of the same, as the Cougars were playing a lot of close, low scoring games. Generally, that means plenty of losses, but something was starting to change. They competed in ten games decided by three or fewer runs, surprisingly, coming away with eight wins. Cougars teams of the past? Expect eight losses! Though on June 15th, a new Cougars lineup was awaken. They were looking to sweep the first place Cannons and their #1 pitching staff, though that staff had trouble with the Cougars earlier in the month. They coughed up 7 runs a piece in their first two matchups of the month, though the Cannons did held the Cougars to 1, 3, and 2 in the next three. But with Tony Britten (4-6, 3.93, 28) on the mound for the finale, a slumbering beast was awoken! The Cougars jumped on him for four in the second and four more in the third, all charged to Britten with one unearned, before Harry Thomas (0-1, 12.86, 3) stopped the bleeding after starting pitcher Duke Bybee (5-6, 4.18, 47) chased Britten out with a two run double. Thomas finished the 3rd, and put up zeros in the fourth and fifth, but things fell apart in the 6th. Starting with leadoff hitter George Sutterfield (.249, 3, 19, 2), seven of the top eight hitters reached base, giving Chicago a 13-2 lead. This brought up Duke Bybee with the bases loaded, and just like with Tony Britten, the southpaw chased out his opposition. It was in a dramatic fashion as well, as Bybee worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a tough pitch, and then put a 105.6 mph jolt in a poorly placed offering, clearing the bases with a triple to right center. Now 16-2, the Cougars were able to relax the rest of the way, as Bybee picked up his third consecutive complete game victory. But don't think the scoring was done. In fact, it was just beginning! The Toronto Wolves were next on the docket, and the Leo Mitchell (.407, 5, 27, 2) led offense piled on 13 more runs. Unlike the previous game, where all nine members of the starting lineup reached base, eight of the nine Cougars to start the game had two or more hits. No, starter George Oddo (5-4, 3.86, 45) was not the one to fail that criteria, as like Duke Bybee he did plenty to help his cause. It was shortstop Skipper Schneider (.230, 20, 3), who still managed to reach base via a walk in his 0-for-4 game. He was 2-for-4 with a double, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs the game before, while guys like Mitchell (4-10, 2 2B, R, 5 RBI), Red Bond (.254, 7, 21; 4-9, 3B, HR, 5 R, RBI, BB), John Moss (.227, 1, 23; 3-7, 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB), Eddie Howard (4-10, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI), and Charlie Woodbury (4-8, 2B, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB) were outstanding both times out. With 29 runs in two days, that surpassed their weekly total in all but two weeks this season, with one of those weeks last week where they played eight games in seven days. Even with all the runs this week, the Cougars rank 7th in runs scored (240) after spending most of the season hovering around .500. Now 32-28, they are percentage points below the Cannons (31-27) for second, with both teams a game and a half behind the first place Stars (35-28). The pitching is what makes this team good, but a few more weeks like this at the plate, and we could be crowning the Continental champ with a month left in the season. NO SLOWING FRANCO DOWN Hit Streak at 40! New Class B Record. Minor League third baseman Armand Franco hit safely in all six of the Salem Warriors games last week, extending the 21-year-old New York Stars prospects hitting streak to a Class B record 40 games. Franco, who was a third round pick of the New York Stars in the 1947 draft, is now setting his sights on the all-level minor league hitting streak, although he still has a long ways to go. The all-level minor league mark is still 17 games away, set by Ollie Miller of Evansville in the Class A Heartland League back in 1908. The FABL mark is 47, established by Rich Rowley of the Toronto Provincials (now Wolves) in 1900.
VETERAN DUKES FORWARD BURDETTE SET TO RETIRE Talk out of Toronto has veteran Dukes forward Herb Burdette expected to announce his retirement from the sport at the age of 35. The center/left winger has not been signed to an extension by the Dukes and it is believed he will announce his retirement on or shortly after July 1 when his existing deal with the team runs out. Burdette joined the Dukes prior to the 1945-46 season and played on a pair of Challenge Cup winners, being a key force in the 1948 Cup team when he scored 4 goals and 11 points in 9 games. He missed most of the 1946-47 season with a torn rib cage but other than that has been healthy most of his NAHC career. He broke in with the New York Shamrocks in the late 1930s but was traded to Montreal midway through the 1942-43 campaign in exchange for a draft pick. The Sault Ste. Marie, ONT., native spent two and a half seasons with the Valiants, playing a key role in their push to the finals in the 1943-44 playoffs. Toronto acquired him from the Valiants in the summer of 1945 in exchange for veteran Harry Edgerton.
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June 26, 1950
JUNE 26, 1950 LAKERS FRESHMAN WINS CHRISTIAN TROPHY Massachusetts Sophomore Hurler Claims Adwell Award For just the third time since it was first presented in 1927, a freshman has been named the winner of the Christian Trophy. Dutch Wilson of the Minnesota Tech Lakers, who led the nation with a .372 batting average and leading Minnesota Tech to its first appearance in the Collegiate World Championship Series, joins 1934 winner Sal Pestilli and the inaugural honouree Sam Orr back in 1927 as the only freshman named winners of the award presented annually to the player judged to be the best in collegiate baseball. Wilson, who will not be FABL draft eligible until 1952, easily outpointed Noble Jones College second baseman Charlie Barrell and fellow freshman Red Sheridan, a pitcher who won 11 games for Darnell State, to claim the award. Hammon College freshman outfielder Ray Cason and Texas Presbyterian University sophomore third baseman Henry Cusson were the other nominees. The race for High School's Adwell Award was much tighter with Massachusetts sophomore pitcher Mike Fresh narrowly outing first overall FABL draft pick Earl Howe for the award. Fresh, a righthander from Whitman High School, went 9-0 with a high school best 235 strikeouts and a 0.20 earned run average. His ERA was the lowest ever record in a post-feeder era high school season and only former first overall draft pick Les Ledbetter's 245 K's in 1946 were higher than Fresh's total this season. Howe, a product of Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, NY, was drafted first overall in January by his hometown New York Gothams. The centerfielder then went on to lead the nation's high schoolers in homeruns and slugging percentage this season and be named to the High School All-American team for the third consecutive season. The other finalists were Larry Knez, a freshman pitcher out of Barton High School in Brooklyn, Bob Porter a junior infielder and three time All-American from Edwardsville High in Illinois and Monrovia, Ca. High School outfielder John Samuel, a sophomore who had the fourth highest single season batting average in high school baseball history to make his second straight All-American team appearance. ROUGH ROAD TRIP DROPS EAGLES OUT OF FED LEAD The Washington Eagles are 24-9 at Columbia Stadium, owners of the best home record in either association, but they have been had a terrible time on the road with a 14-20 mark away from home and that caught up to them last week. The New York Gothams also caught up and passed the Eagles for top spot in the Federal Association after Washington dropped 8 straight games last week, including 3 at Gothams Stadium, before ending the skid with an extra innings victory in Detroit yesterday to close out a twin bill. The result is for the first time since May 8th the Eagles have not been at the top of the standings to start a week. The Gothams, with a 3-game sweep of the Eagles as part of a five game winning run before they stumbled in Philadelphia over the weekend, are now at the top of the Fed, but only a slim half game up on the Stockdales. Detroit, which overcame a dreadful 5-18 start but has gone 29-14 since May 14 is in third place, four games off the pace. The Continental Association continues to be a free-for-all, with the Cincinnati Cannons taking their turn at the top of the heap this week. The Cannons starting pitching, red hot to start the season, has only cooled slightly and the Queen City nine completed a very successful sojourn to the Big Apple last week with five wins in six games against New York and Brooklyn. The result is the Cannons displaced the Stars for top spot in the CA, but New York and Montreal are both just a game off the pace with Brooklyn 2 back and the Cougars trailing by three. Watch out for the defending champs as the Cleveland Foresters appear to have fought off the effects of their pennant hangover induced slow start and, thanks to a 16-10 June, are just 5 games back of their Ohio neighbors to the south. FORESTERS SET SIGHTS ON THIRD CZERWINSKI BROTHER In the world of baseball, the name Czerwinski carries weight, especially for the Cleveland Foresters. A family dynasty in the making with each son a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Polish immigrant dream, even though professional baseball may not have been what the father envisioned for his three sons. At the forefront stands Adrian, the "Mad Professor" of the pitching mound, whose artistry with the ball has etched his name in the stars. A mere 25 years of age, yet already a legend in the making, his arm the stuff of dreams and nightmares for batters far and wide. Under Adrian's leadership, the Foresters washed away a decade of futility with a Continental Association flag and an Allan Award for their young ace. Beside him looms Paul, the elder statesman of the trio, whose left arm may lack the fury of his brother's, yet possesses a craftiness and guile honed over years of toil in the minor leagues. A beacon of perseverance, his journey a testament to the dogged determination that courses through the veins of the Czerwinski clan. But it is the youngest scion of this noble lineage who one day soon will command the spotlight: Stan, affectionately dubbed "Stosh" by kin and comrades alike. A mere stripling of 16, yet possessed of a talent that belies his tender years, he has emerged as the prodigy of Pittsburgh's Carrick High School, just as his brothers did before him, but in this case by wielding the tools of ignorance with a skill and finesse that leave onlookers agog. No mere pitcher, young Stan has eschewed the mound in favor of the catcher's mask, utilizing skills gained in his youth by pestering his older siblings for inclusion in their practice time. Adrian and Paul say even then, who young Stosh was barely a teen, they recognized his prowess and potential as a catcher. With bat in hand, he weaves a tapestry of hits and home runs, his name whispered in awe across Pittsburgh high school diamonds. As the Foresters' brass gaze toward the future, they dare to dream of a trifecta, a triumvirate of Czerwinski brothers, united under the banner of the Forest City. Yet, questions linger, hovering like specters in the ether. Will Stan follow in the footsteps of his elder kin, blazing a trail from high school diamond to professional glory? Or will he heed the siren song of academia, as Adrian before him, seeking wisdom and renown on the collegiate stage before considering a pro career? There will be heavy family pressure on Stan to get an education as Adrian did - the middle brother starring at Whitney College and earning second team All-American recognition. The trailblazer, 29-year-old Paul admits there was plenty of backlash from the boys father when he passed on continuing his education and signed with the Foresters after being selected out of Carrick High in the 12th round of the 1939 draft. "Oh, he was not happy," exclaimed Paul. "But I have honoured my committment to attend school during the off-season. I was just lucky dad was busy with other projects at the time." Those "other projects" as Paul puts it where later revealed to be work towards ending the war, as the elder Czerwinski was contributing to the development of the bomb that ended World War II. A stalwart of intellect and industry, Polish-born Stanislaw Czerwinski stands as the bedrock upon which his sons' dreams are built. A physics professor at Pittsburgh State, his legacy is woven into the very fabric of scientific discovery, his contributions to the Manhattan Project a testament to his genius and resolve. With their intellect and talent, the Czerwinski brothers are poised for success, both on and off the field. For the Foresters, the prospect of adding Stan to their roster is certainly enticing, but only time will tell which path he chooses to pursue.
The future looks bright for the Chicago Packers. The club, according the OSA scouting service, is in possession of the top group of prospects in the North American Hockey Confederation. The scouting service, which scouts and assesses athletes in several major sports, gives the Packers top grade in its latest list provided to the six NAHC clubs. Leading the way for Chicago is 23-year-old defenseman Phil Stukas. Selected 5th overall by the Packers in the 1946 NAHC draft, Stukas has spent the past three seasons patrolling the blueline for the Vancouver Bears of the Great West Hockey League. The Ottawa native had 11 goals and 28 points last season, which was the last of a multi-year deal he had with the Bears. Unlike the HAA, where NAHC clubs can purchase contracts of players at any time, the coast league is not considered affiliated with the major loop so all contracts must be respected, meaning the Packers can only sign Stukas if he fails to agree to an extension with the Vancouver club. Adding to Chicago's prospect depth is Bill LaCance, who was recently signed as a free agent after the New York Shamrocks dropped the now twenty year during the season. LaChance was pointless in 8 games with the Greenshirts after they selected him 5th overall in last year's NAHC draft. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 6/25/1950
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June 26, 1950 - late addition
A late addition to this week's edition is a report on the state of the Wolves from Brett Bing of the Toronto Mail & Empire.
TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Will Stumble Home After Almost 3 Weeks On The Road - Toronto's baseball heroes will return to Dominion Stadium after a 15 game, 17 day road trip to face the Philadelphia Sailors for a weekend series starting on the last day of June. After today's travel day, the last leg of the toad trip is going to be a tough one, beginning tomorrow with the Wolves facing the CA leading Cannons of Cincinnati. Toronto enters the final stop on the road swing with a disappointing 3-9 mark so far. Brett is going to change his column a bit going forward. Instead of providing condensed recaps of games which most fans either know from listening to on the radio or can garner from the published box scores, he will concentrate on highlights then try to peer into the future. He will write about strengths and weaknesses of the current team along with possible upgrade plans that he will get from talking to his front office contacts. In the first series of the road trip the Wolves managed to take 1 of 3 from each of the Stars, Cougars and Saints before being swept by the Kings over this past weekend in Brooklyn. The team has been competitive in most games on road, including two losses in extra innings, with exception of one, a 13-5 embarrassment at the hands of the Cougars. The Wolves three victories have been lopsided 14-3, 9-4 and 13-0, so things go well when the bats come alive. Unfortunately, the bats seem to cool off fast after an explosion and then remain in the freezer for a period. At the moment the Wolves are 12 games under their unspoken objective of playing at least .500 ball for the season at 27-39. The team has not been able win the close games often getting walked off: Toronto is 5-12 in games decided by one-run including 2-6 in games that go beyond 9 innings. Reverse those games the Wolves would 34-32 and just three games behind the Cannons. The team has also struggled mightily against right handers with an FABL low of 16 wins against a pitcher that throws from the third base side of the mound. Righties have 28 wins when the Wolves are the opposition. Offensively, on the season Toronto has just scored seven fewer runs than they have given up for the season which suggests their record should much better than it actually is. The problem here is what is in evidence on this trip, they tend to win by big margins but then lose anything close. Many veteran observers feel that close games are where the manager shows his mettle, earns his pay. If this true then Fred Barrell's job should be on the line, according to Brett's insiders this is far from the case. Everyone from club owner Bernie Millard on down the organization knew there would be growing pains for Barrell when he took his first managing job at the highest level of the game on team that was heading into a transition. From all reports Barrell along with his staff have the full backing of the executive staff including Millard, who is not known for his patience in any of varied business interests of his empire. The Wolves have just announced that staff members Dick Dennis, Lloyd McGowan, Art Willis have been extended showing the faith ownership has in its on-field staff. The Wolves problems as mentioned earlier has been the inability to win the close ones. Lou Jayson, who missed the entirety of 1949, was pegged to be to the stabilizing factor for bullpen. Although Jayson's stats look impressive, he, along with the other relievers, have caused their own problems with the reliever killer - base on balls. Only one pitcher whose primary job has been out of the 'pen has struck out more batters than he has walked this season. That pitcher is Harry Phillips who has had other problems as batters are hitting .314 on his offerings to the plate. The starting rotation with the exception of Joe Hancock has been inconsistent, Hancock is only one with more batters retired on strikes than walks. Starters generally have been Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde, a good start followed by one or two starts where they look like they do not belong in the FABL. Barrell has often left between a rock and a hard place when going to pull the starter and not having any idea of what he is going to get from the guy coming into the game. Compounding the problem is there simply appears to be no solution in the minor league system where there is not a guy to go to. Bob Currier is making a case for himself in Buffalo. He may soon see himself north of the border, which will mean a current staff member will be DFA. Former first overall selection Les Ledbetter continues to terribly under perform in Buffalo, 0-9 with an ERA of 5.09. Every time his name is mentioned scouts run for cover. At the plate the team has been much better than expected even with a definite lack of power. They have hit an FABL low of 19 round trippers. Toronto's team batting average and on base rate have recovered to near league average after a very slow start. Harry Finney's .330/.396/ 440 line along with Joe DeMott's .289/.379/.409 have been pleasant surprises from Barrell. Hal Wood continues his normal rate at the bat. Fred McCormick continues to contribute even at age 40. Finney, DeMott and Wood's performances have left the staff with a little problem, although a good one. If fans where expecting to see John Wells in the FABL may have to wait a year because although he is doing well at AAA he would be a replacement for either Finney or DeMott and Barrell simply cannot afford to take either of their bats out the lineup. The Wolves other top prospects, Pat Todd, is destined to be Wood's replacement along with Tony Ballinger at first when McCormick hangs them up. Right now, fans, barring injury, should not expect to see any of the three in a regular role until 1951. Kirby Copeland early recall from Buffalo due to Hank Giordano's injury has been a success with a line of .312/.381/.406. Giordano is not expected back until August which will force decision in the outfield. Defensively the Wolves are improving but still have a long, long way to go to be adequate by Continental Association standards. Both Finney and DeMott have been better in the field with a lot of work with Lloyd McGowan, progress is being seen on almost a daily basis which should help the pitching. Overall, the Wolves have the basis of a good, not yet contending, team with the youth showing good signs at AAA. The change in minor league philosophy is, as expected, causing teams like AA Chattanooga to have rough seasons. Staff predict that will start to even out in 1951, releases of older players has been high this season, with more to come once Class C season begins in early July. |
July 3, 1950
JULY 3, 1950 GOTHAMS SIGN HOWE. QUICKLY JUMPS TO TOP OF PROSPECT LIST The New York Gothams now possess the number one prospect in baseball after second baseman Earl Howe agree to a $33,000 signing bonus and was instantly placed at the top of the OSA prospect pipeline. The 18-year-old, who was a 3-time High School All-American at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, will likely be at least a couple years away from making his big league debut at Gothams Stadium, but that journey will begin this week with the phenom commences his pro career in Albany. The Gothams have assigned their 18-year-old prodigy to the Albany Knickerbockers of the Class A Middle Atlantic League. Howe was not the only recent draft selection to crack the OSA's top ten prospect list. Like the Gothams with their Bronx native, the Philadelphia Sailors also went with a local product for their first pick and Bob Gray, a third baseman from Northeast High School in Philadelphia, is ranked #5 by the scouting service after the 17-year-old signed for a $34,000 bonus. The second overall draft pick, who was named a High School All-American for the second time, will debut at Class B Miami of the Southeastern League. Rounding out the trio of early signings to crack the scouting services top ten is outfielder Ralph Capriotti. The third overall selection is $33,000 richer after signing with the Detroit Dynamos. Like top pick Howe, Capriotti is a three-time High School All-American and is expected to make his pro debut at Class A after the Dynamos assigned him to Terre Haute of the Heartland League. Surprisingly, Capriotti's was not the biggest signing bonus paid by the Dynamos last week as word trickled out that pitcher Beau McClellan -the lefthander from Alabama that Detroit drafted in the second round- was convinced to turn pro by a $38,000 offer the Detroit ballclub made despite asserting throughout the draft process that he was set on going to college. McClellan's signing bonus is a record for the Detroit ballclub and believed to be the highest ever paid to a draft pick. The top three selections of the 1950 draft are all under contract and ranked in the OSA top ten. Three others chosen in the first sixteen picks in January are also counted among the early signings. They include 6th overall Eddie Webb, a high school pitcher out of South Carolina drafted by the New York Stars and signed for a bonus of $9,590. Webb just agreed to a deal shortly before press time so he will not be ranked by OSA until next week. Another pitcher, Perrysburg, OH., native Elmer Sullivan signed quickly with Brooklyn for a $10,510 bonus. The 17-year-old was selected 10th overall by the Kings and debuts at #64 on the scouting service prospect rankings. Finally, there is Gus Melvin, taken with the 16th and final selection of the opening round by the Cleveland Foresters. The shortstop out of Buffalo, NY's McKinley High, agreed to a $28,000 signing bonus and is just outside the top ten according to OSA, slotting in at #14 among all big league prospects. SAINTS HEATING UP No team is hotter then the Montreal Saints right now, who are looking to break their lengthy 28-year pennant drought. Winners of nine of their last ten, the Saints are coming off a 20-10 June before winning all three of their July games. This has completely erased a pathetic 3-14 start, and the Saints (43-32) now sit alone at the top of the Continental Association. The CA has seen plenty of change at the top, but they are now 2.5 games above the Cannons (38-32) and four above the Cougars (38-35), the only team that's bested them on their recent streak. A well rounded team who can both score runs and prevent them, one of the reasons they've had so much success lately is the performance of the always inconsistent Wally Reif. Reif, 30, was coming off the worst season of his career, going 5-15 with a dreadful 7.05 ERA (57 ERA+) and 1.78 WHIP. This season could not be any different, and the June Pitcher of the Month threw three shutouts and a fourth complete game without an earned run, going 4-1 with a 1.07 ERA (379 ERA+), 0.87 WHIP, 9 walks, and 25 strikeouts. He made six starts, with just one of those outings seeing Reif allow more then two runs. Even when the calendar flipped, Reif managed another complete game win, allowing 12 hits, a run, and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts, improving himself to 8-6 on the season. A likely second-time All-Star, he's worked to an impressive 2.62 ERA (154 ERA+) and 1.08 WHIP, striking out 58 while allowing just 29 free passes. Reif has always had his issues with the longball, allowing one per start, but he's done an excellent job limiting the damage to just those homers. Right now, the Saints have just one pitcher, Pete Ford (5-6, 4.16, 41), with an ERA above 4, and that's because his has jumped nearly 50 points in his last two starts. Pat Weakly (5-3, 3.15, 38) is healthy and in the midst of his best career season, while Bert Cupid (6-6, 3.69, 58) and Wally Doyle (8-6, 3.78, 67) have given the Saints countless quality starts. And even if you can chase one of their starters out, the pen is going to keep the lead. Lee Richardson has excelled as a stopper, saving 10 games and finishing 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA (239 ERA+) and 1.21 WHIP in 37.1 innings pitched. Ace Adams (3-1, 1.80, 8) and Bud Robbins (4-1, 1, 2.20, 7) can get the game to Richardson without much fanfare, and Andy Lyon (0-1, 3.79, 23) has worked well in a swing role. Then combine all that with an offense that can keep up with the best of them, and you have all the makings of a legit contender. The Parc Cartier is not conducive of home runs, but Big Moe Carter can mash with the best, tied for 2nd in the association with 16 longballs. The 27-year-old is the heart of the lineup, slashing a robust .285/.364/.506 (132 OPS+) with 34 walks, 42 runs, and 53 RBIs. He has plenty of guys able to get on base for him, as Gordie Perkins (.327, 3, 21) is healthy and back in the lineup, Joe Austin (.255, 5, 28, 17) can turn singles into triples, and despite a drop in slug, Otis O'Keefe (.263, 5, 31) is always on base, walking in nearly 15% of his plate appearances. Behind Carter, Luke Weaver (.304, 2, 24) has produced a 120 WRC+, the first of his five year career above 100, while Bill Greene (.253, 3, 20, 6) has managed above average WRC+ for an entire decade. There are very few weak spots in this lineup, especially if young catcher Jess Garman (.259, 2, 19) becomes more involved, as the 23-year-old sophomore has done well in a reserve role. As good as the Saints look, this race is still far from over, as five teams are still within five games at first. This is the opposite of the Federal Association, as after the Eagles have fallen out of the sky, no team is within five games of the New York Gothams. At 44-28, they have more wins and fewer losses then all other FABL teams, allowing the fewest runs while scoring the third most in the Fed. Surprisingly, it's been the back two in the rotation that have made a big difference, with the unproven Jerry Decker (7-5, 3.00, 39) and veteran Buddy Long (6-2, 3.00, 10) who share the team lead in ERA. Of course, neither is ace Ed Bowman, who is cementing himself as the toughest pitcher to best in the league. The likely 8-Time All-Star is on pace for a 26 win season, 13-2 with a 3.29 ERA (124 ERA+) and 1.26 WHIP in 17 starts. He's struck out 73 and walked just 13, and the team is 14-3 in his 17 starts. When he's on the mound, it's an almost guaranteed win, as the Gothams are able to provide him with plenty of runs. Walt Messer (.300, 19, 57) is a homer away from 20, George Cleaves (.327, 7, 38) doesn't look anything like a 36-year-old who has caught for fourteen seasons, and they've gotten so much support from the supporting cast that reigning Whitney Winner Red Johnson's (.251, 17, 48) uncharacteristic showing hasn't slowed themselves down in the slightest. Unless something changes, they could cruise to the finish line, awaiting whichever team survives what could be a brutal Continental pennant race. Believe it or not the Montreal Saints are in first place in the Continental Association! Ring the bells in town, the miracle that everybody asked for more than a decade is happening. Only the old fellows in town can remember the last time the Saints were in a pennant race at the All-Star game. After an awful April start, the Saints found the way to turn their season around, posting a 17-12 record in May, a 20-10 in June and still unbeaten after 3 games in July. Starting pitcher Wally Reif is back, after a disastrous 1949 season where everything was falling apart during what was the worst season in his career as he suffered through a 5-15 campaign with an abysmal 7.05 earned run average. Fear not, Saints supporters, as it looks like the Wally Reif who went 16-10 in 1948 is back. It is clear the extra work Reif put in over the winter to get back in shape has paid off. The 30-year-old is 8-6 with a sparkling 2.62 ERA. Even more impressive is that fact that Reif was just presented with the June pitcher of the month award for the CA and he is showing 4 shutouts already in 15 games starts. Reif has also gone the distance in 11 of his 15 starts this season after completing just 4 all of last year. The 1950 Saints roster is almost the same as last season where they stayed close to front-running Cleveland until September, when they ran out of gas toward the end, leaving local ball fans talking about "What if?" That was new ground for a city that had spent most of the past two decades saying "What happened" or even worse, getting so frustrated as to not saying anything at all. Oh, but that has changed this time around. Now the talks of town is "Is it the time? Is it the miracle year?" Only two players were added since end of the last season. Veteran catcher Homer Guthrie was brought in from Pittsburgh to bring reliability behind the plate and help keep the pitchers settled, while also working on grooming his eventual replacement in highly touted catching prospect Jess Garman. At first glance Gutherie is not having a great season, batting just .208, but what is not measured in mere numbers is the positive example he sets for the 23-year-old Garman and the calmness he brings to the pitching staff. Guthrie's work with Garman may just send the veteran to the bench quicker than expected. Garman has progressed to the point where he is outhitting Guthrie, earning more and more starts. That is not to say Guthrie has lost his value as the veteran brings the defensive skills to finish the game in Garman's place. Guthrie is responsible for the pitching squad's resurgence, being better at guiding them through a game with savvy pitch selection. The only other newcomer is the musical chair in the outfield, where since the season start we have witnessed Zeke Johnson, Ed Whitney and now Jerry Richardson as backup outfielder. So far, Richardson is the one doing decent at bat and why he still there. The question starting to be bandied about in the stands at Parc Cartier is one that management is also likely starting to consider. Does sitting in first place as we approach the all-star break mean the Saints will feel the need to make a move before trade deadline? That one is hard to guess. The Saints management has been preaching staying patient, and not making any drastic moves in the past. They have long said they believe in player development vs changing everything. But that was the past and they were not in first place with dreams of a first pennant win in nearly thirty years. In the past, being so far back of top spot at the trade deadline, the message was "Stick to the long term plan." Has that changed now that they are in first place? Perhaps the message may change in the next few weeks. But even if they were deciding to make a move, which move it will be? The conversation in the street on Rue Rachel East outside of Parc Cartier, and really all around the city of Montreal these days is sprinkled with hope. And that is something that has been absent from minds of Saints fans for far too long. HACKBERRY LONE DYNAMO WORTHY OF ALL-STAR BALLOT With all due respect to Dick Estes and the terrific breakout season he is enjoying, I am not quite enough of a 'homer' to pencil any Detroit Dynamos names beyond that of Edwin Hackberry on my ballot for the All-Star Game. The midseason contest, the 18th annual edition, makes its first stop at Gothams Stadium a week from tomorrow with the stars of the Federal Association looking to snap a four-year losing streak to the best of the Continental. A year ago, the venue was Tice Memorial Stadium in Cincinnati and the host Continental stars squeaked out a 4-3 victory to take the series lead for the first time ever. The CA stars, thanks to those 4 straight wins, now lead the series 9 wins to 8. A year ago, Hackberry, who has quickly established himself at the age of 23 to be one of the best players in the sport, was the lone Detroiter to start the game but was accompanied to the Queen City by pitcher Carl Potter and second baseman Del Johnson, who were named as reserves. Each year, writers who regularly cover the league are called on to cast an all-star ballot and here are my choices for the Federal Association starters along with some thoughts on the Dynamos campaign thus far at each position. CATCHER: Adam Mullins had a slow start but has picked up his game for the Dynamos as the season progressed. Mullins has been selected to 11 all-star games, a number only surpassed by Bobby Barrell's 13, but it won't be 12 this year as the Chiefs' Pete Casstevens as well as the Cleaves boys, George in New York and young Roger in Philadelphia, are all more deserving. Roger just seems to get better every year and the 26-year-old Keystones star gets my vote as the starting catcher. FIRST BASE: Another 26-year-old, Dick Estes, has done a wonderful job developing into the power hitting first baseman that the Dynamos so desperately needed. He is on pace for 35 homers and a career best batting average, and I would love to vote him to the all-star team, but I simply can't. I have to go with Tiny Hopkins, who at this writing already had 22 homers for the Chicago Chiefs and is the clear choice with Red Johnson having a down year, at least by his standards, in the Big Apple. Estes did make the team as a reserve in 1947 and he certainly deserves selection again this year. SECOND BASE: Del Johnson is having a solid season for the Dynamos, but certainly off his peak of a couple of years ago. Even a non-peak version of Johnson is still a solid big league second baseman for the Thompson Field gang. As for the starter, it was a tough call between New York's Tom Jeffries and Buddy Schneider of Boston but in the end, I went with the Gothams second sacker. SHORTSTOP: With all of the hype when he arrived in town at the tender age of 19, it is a mild surprise that Stan Kleminski has never been selected to play in the all-star game. The promise is still there, he is just 23 after all, but so far Kleminski has been a decent ballplayer but certainly not the dominating force we hoped for. His defense is still subpar, and he will never be mistaken for Harry Barrell with the glove, and in fairness were it not for Del Johnson I am sure Kleminski would be a second baseman by now. He is enjoying a productive season at the plate but is certainly not an all-star. Young Irv Clifford in Pittsburgh has impressed but my ballot will include the smooth fielding Boston Minutemen veteran Barrell at shortstop. THIRD BASE: While his talent with the glove at the hot corner is unquestioned, Tommy Griffin has had some struggles at the plate this season and maybe in risk of losing his starting job to fast rising 21-year-old rookie Jim Gaiter, a hot shot former 3rd round pick who tore up AA to start the season and is now doing the same after a promotion to Toledo. My pick for the all-star game starting job goes to another former hot shot Detroit prospect. That would be Hard Boild Henry Koblenz, who was a 1935 Dynamos first round draft pick but dealt to the Keystones, for whom he has starred since, in 1938. LEFT FIELD: Hard to believe that Dick Blaszak is the Dynamos starting left fielder after all the opportunities he has been given but failed to run with. The Polish Hammer is more like a crowbar now, the bullet he took in the shoulder will serving in the Pacific has robbed him of his power, but Blaszak has reinvented himself as a singles and doubles hitter who is scratching and clawing his way through the best half-season of what has been a very disappointing career to date. Certainly, nowhere near all-star standards of course, but it is good to see Blaszak finally proving something, although Detroit management will never live down the decision to trade the chance to draft Joe Stallings for Blaszak and another underachieving outfield prospect in Tommy Allenby, who is now failing to impress management in the Cincinnati Cannons organization. As for my all-star starter. I certainly gave some consideration to Ben McCarty of the Boston Minutemen but there is simply no way to not select Washington Eagles star Jesse Alvardo, who gets my vote. CENTER FIELD: There are a number of guys having good seasons. Names like Bill Burkett of Boston, Ernie Campbell in Pittsburgh, Charlie Enslow of the Keystones and the Eagles Rats McGonigle but it just feels like Dynamos star Hackberry is going to be a fixture in center for the Fed all-stars for most of the next decade. This will be the 23-year-old's fourth all-star game in as many full seasons in the Fed, and he has been incredibly consistent. RIGHT FIELD: The Dynamos were excited to see what a college outfielder selected a year ago in the draft would do as a starter in the Detroit outfield. The thing is though, that outfielder was supposed to be first rounder Joe Fulgham, the football All-American from St Blane, not second round selection Bill Morrison. Morrison, a star at Grange College, hit the ground running in the spring and never slowed down. The 22-year-old is still growing into his game, but Dynamos skipper Dick York is very impressed with both Morrison's work ethic and his production. He looks like a player who will stick around for a while but holding down a starting job long term may be a challenge with Fulgham and several other young outfield prospects on the way. Morrison likely won't be selected as a reserve for the all-star game. There is simply too much competition, but he may well give the Dynamos their fourth Kellogg Award winner in the five-year history of the top rookie award. As for the all-star starter in right field, Bobby Barrell is the sentimental choice, but we can't ignore what 40-year-old Rip Curry -yes the same Rip Curry the Dynamos thought was on his final legs when they moved him to Boston in 1946- has accomplished. Curry was batting over .400 at the time of this writeup and deserves to start the all-star game, an event he has only participated in once before and that was way back in 1935. PITCHER: It is not hard to place the blame on what caused the terrible opening month of the campaign for the local nine. Dynamos starting pitchers as a group simply had just an awful start to the season and while they have turned around somewhat, they are performing far below expectations. Even Allan Award winner Carl Potter, who went 22-8 with a 1.97 era a year ago, has struggled. Potter is just 7-9 and his era is still respectable at 3.05 but a far cry from where it was. Detroit's pitching was the class of the Fed in 1949 but it has been so bad this year that waiver wire pickup Rusty Petrick (2-2, 3.66) is suddenly the Dynamos number two starter. It has been showing some signs of recent improvement, but a turnaround is essential if Detroit wants to mount a serious pennant push in the second half. Potter was an obvious choice in my books a year ago for the All-Star pitching staff but Ed Bowman, the Gothams ace who started the game ahead of the local phenom last season, seems a lock to be on the hill for the first pitch at Gothams Stadium next Tuesday evening. Bowman is 11-2 with a 3.61 era and is the obvious choice for starting pitcher to complete my Federal Association ballot. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Enter July At The Bottom OF CA -Toronto approaches the halfway mark of the 1950 season with decisions to make with regards to the roster. For a team that has been known for its starting rotation since prior to the war this season's effort from the starter's has been disappointing at the very least to the fans. Only one starter has a winning record: Joe Hancock is 7-3, 2.82, and his ERA is also the only one among the starters under 4. As bad as the starters are the bullpen is a bigger minefield, probably the worst in the CA if not the entire FABL. Something has to change to give Fred Barrell a stable option to go to as the starter begins to tire. The team has just announced that Harry Stewart, 28, has been DFA with his roster being taken by Bob Currier who has toiled in the Wolves system for a decade since being drafted in the 12th round in 1940. Currier's numbers are good in Buffalo this season, maybe he can provide a spark to a beleaguered pitching staff. He will at least give the rapidly greying Barrell a different option to call on from the bullpen. For a team that use to pride itself on pitching the system is devoid of viable options for the starting rotation in the system. Expect lots of movement over the next two months in the minors as the team tries to push players up the system for options going forward in the Fifties. Fred Barrell must be surprised with the performance at the plate by his team. At start of the season, he was thinking that it would be a weak area of the team, to be successful the Wolves would have to have superior pitching coupled with defense. The pitching has discussed, the emergence of Harry Finney and Joe DeMott at the top of the order as capable FABL hitters has given the team an option to let younger players develop for another season at AAA. Problem with both Finney and DeMott is that their abilities in the field are lacking, and they are both below FABL average at their position. Barrell has to keep their bats in the lineup, and simply try to live with defense. Fred McCormick is beginning show signs of age, his replacement is now being groomed in Buffalo. The feeling that this writer gets from the front office is that the team will keep prospects in the minors for remainder of the season dependent on trade deadline moves from Toronto. Toronto may be aggressive for the first time in recent memory at the deadline. They have a few veterans that may interest any teams chasing a pennant. It is no secret that the Wolves are seeking pitching preferably young but either at or ready for the FABL. Fans could be in for a few lean years but one is certain, 1950 will be the last summer for many veterans in a starting role in a Wolves uniform.
SAWYER SET FOR HISTORY MAKING TITLE DEFENSE Tomorrow evening when Hector Sawyer steps into the squared circle set up in the middle of Gothams Stadium, it will make history. Fireworks will follow, it is July 4 after all, but Sawyer plans to unleash a few of his own on challenger Cannon Cooper. The bout will be the 16th defense Sawyer has made since winning the title from Jochen Schrotter over a decade ago. He will join 1920's welterweight king George Grainger as the only fighters to step into the ring as champion for 16 consecutive bouts. Few give Cooper, a 30-year-old fight tactician hailing from Rockford, IL., a stones throw of a chance of dethroning the champ but that does not stop Cooper's camp from feeling optimistic. The challenger has certainly paid his dues, owning a 30-5-1 record that was tarnished slightly after his last outing when Cooper was a controversial loser on a split decision to another former victim of Sawyer in Dan Miller. The ink was already dry on the contract for the title fight, prior to the upset loss and Chester Conley, who was in attendance in Youngstown, Ohio on that night, said he felt Cooper was deserving of "a much better fate." However, the fact that Conley has been actively trying to sell tickets to Tuesday's bout at the 50,000 seat baseball stadium may have played a role in how he saw the Cooper-Miller tussle. Regardless, the champ -who turns 36 in 9 days- looks more than ready for this fight and at least one more when he eyes moving past Grainger and owning the record for consecutive title defenses all to himself. He is starting to show the signs of age, but so far at least, no younger fighter has been able to take advantage of the champ and the bookmakers are very much firmly planted in Sawyer's corner once more. https://i.imgur.com/evV4zor.jpeg Here are the quarterly rankings of the top fighters in each weight class. https://i.imgur.com/mrGS7Ox.jpeg RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/02/1950
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July 10, 1950
SAWYER’S 11th ROUND KNOCKOUT OF COOPER TIES RECORD FOR MOST TITLE DEFENSES Gothams Stadium, New York, N.Y., July 4 – The Cajun Crusher is still punching, still putting his legacy on the line in the hopes of having more successful title defenses in anyone in the history of boxing. With 15 wins as champion, Hector Sawyer continues to pummel his combatants and the ghosts of champions past. One of those ghosts is George Grainger, the long-time champion who had 16 wins after capturing the welterweight title shortly after the First World War. Grainger is the all-time leader in consecutive wins from the champion’s corner and a win tonight for Sawyer would tie him with Grainger for that record. It might be the only accolade left that Sawyer does not already own. Throughout his championship reign, Sawyer has rarely been challenged. He has 56 knockouts in 67 fights, so the endings have been similar, usually with Sawyer’s arms raised while the referee counts out his opponent, who is flat on his back. But some battles have been tougher than others. “Irish” Pat Harber took Sawyer the distance in a 1947 bout, but most have been wrapped up in the middle rounds. Cannon Cooper was a more formidable opponent when this fight was conceived. After the announcement of tonight’s bout, Cooper lost in a split decision to Dan Miller, so that has not helped build momentum to this fight. While there was no talk of changing the venue to a smaller stadium or arena, there has not been this much of a challenge to sell a ticket to a heavyweight title fight in many, many years. Yet, due to Sawyer’s star power, more than 50,000 tickets ended up being been sold. The fans at Sawyer’s bouts seem to be more interested in watching a living legend work than attending a boxing match. In other words, it is not even about his opponent. It is about the Cajun Crusher, and it has been about him for a long time. The referee for this match, Johnny Addie, handled Sawyer’s nasty homecoming in September of 1945, in a glorified street brawl against Army veteran Chris Sullivan. Sawyer enters this one almost five years older, just shy of his 36th birthday. Cooper puts the “heavy” in “heavyweight”, as he is oversized and there was some worry he would not be able to move well around the ring. After all of the pre-fight festivities, Cooper must have been tired of the pundits and the fans not giving him much of a chance in the fight or even much attention during the introductions. Cooper took a couple of light jobs, which did not deter him. Cooper advanced and landed a big hook after a Sawyer miss that caused the champion to step back. After referee Addie separated the two, Cooper hit Sawyer again with a right that opened a small cut over his right eyebrow. While Sawyer found his footing late in the round with a couple of big combos, Cooper’s corner felt confident they took the fight to the champion and sent a message. The cut above Sawyer’s right eyebrow was patched well by his corner men and it did not affect the champion at all throughout the fight. Cooper came out confident in the second round, but Sawyer quickly wrested control using his hook upstairs with great effect. Sawyer caught Cooper with several of them, causing Cooper to cover up. Whatever punches Cooper threw were often off the back foot and telegraphed. By the time the round ended, Sawyer made everyone forget the first couple of minutes of the first round. Sawyer was now in control. In the next couple of rounds, Cooper tried to look for an opening while Sawyer was biding his time. It was apparent that Sawyer was in much better shape than Cooper – Sawyer is in much better condition, even as a 35-year-old, than just about any other fighter in the sport – but Sawyer was content to wait it out. Sawyer started to attack more in the fifth round, especially in the second half of the round after Cooper managed to connect on a left hand to the champion’s side. Sawyer faked a punch to the body and staggered Cooper with a hook to the head that gave the challenger a case of jelly legs. As the bell sounded to end the round, both fighters wanted to continue, which prompted an intervention by referee Addie to push both men to their corners. The pattern in this fight was evident, where Cooper got his punches in early in the round and Sawyer rebounded to take the round with a barrage of fists late, with his best saved for the final seconds of the stanza. A hard uppercut in the last minute of Round 6 started his end-of-round push, almost scoring a knockdown. The uppercut did at least start to expose a swollen left eye. Sensing his moment, Sawyer began to attack with a right to the midsection and a vicious jab just before the bell. Sawyer was looking to finish the job and refused to sit on his stool between the seventh and eighth rounds. He came out quickly for a change and drilled Cooper with a hook. Cooper was losing his stamina, partially because of the continuous diet of punches from Sawyer, but also from his lack of conditioning, and he was a sitting duck. Sawyer chose to work the body to knock the remaining wind out of Cooper’s lungs instead of capitalize on Cooper’s puffy left eye in Round 8 before tenderizing Cooper’s face in Round 9. Cooper’s last stand was to try to hold Sawyer until he could think of a better plan. The challenger did not let Sawyer get loose and he was warned of a low blow, which was hardly a winning plan. But Cooper did survive to fight another round. The next round would be all it would take for Sawyer to end the fight. By the 11th round, Cooper’s left eye was in bad shape and Sawyer came around the side with a beautiful hook that landed on Cooper’s chin. Cooper dropped to the floor and referee Addie started his count. It took Cooper a seven-count to get back to a fighting stance. For a man of 56 knockouts, Sawyer knew to go for the gold. Cooper was reduced to nothing more than a punching bag and Sawyer punished him from pillar to post in the round, ending with a wicked uppercut to Cooper’s head that forced the challenger to fall backward. Cooper got to a knee at the count of seven, but never got to his feet and the referee waved his hands to end the bout. The photographers, reporters, and Sawyer’s corner men flooded the ring as Cooper (30-6-1) was still prone. Sawyer (64-3-1) is now tied with Grainger with 16 consecutive title defenses and all the talk was about whether his next fight would be his last. Sawyer just savored the moment, another historic win under his belt, and left that question for another day. BOLOGNA’S BIG BOPPERS Round 1: Tied, 2-2 (S: 2:06 combo, 2:27 combo; C: 0:47 hook, 1:29 right) Round 2: Sawyer, 5-0 (0:25 hook, 0:45 hook, 1:08 cross, 1:47 right, 3:00 combo) Round 3: Sawyer, 1-0 (1:31 hook/ribs) Round 4: Cooper, 1-0 (0:59 cross) Round 5: Sawyer, 3-1 (S: 1:38 cross, 2:17 combo; 2:57 hook/head; C: 0:58 left/side) Round 6: Sawyer, 4-0 (2:05 combo, 2:24 uppercut, 2:44 right/midsection, 3:00 jab) Round 7: Sawyer, 1-0 (0:52 right) Round 8: Sawyer, 2-0 (0:29 hook, 2:31 hook/midsection) Round 9: Sawyer, 2-0 (1:00 hook/jaw, 1:32 combo) Round 10: Sawyer, 1-0 (0:28 right/head) Round 11: Sawyer, 7-0 (0:20 hook/chin/knockdown #1, 0:42 combo, 1:16 right/head, 2:02 cross, 2:15 uppercut/head, 2:32 right/head, 2:41 uppercut/head/knockdown #2 TOTAL: Sawyer 28, Cooper 4 https://i.imgur.com/ZGuK5ey.jpeg RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
ROSTERS UNVEILED FOR 18TH ALL-STAR GAME All eyes will be on Gothams Stadium tomorrow evening as the home of the Federal Association New York Gothams plays host to the best in baseball with the 18th annual All-Star Game set to go. The Continental Association stars have won each of the past four contests including a 4-3 victory in Cincinnati a year ago, to take a 9-8 lead in the series. It marks the first time the stars of the CA have ever been ahead in the series as the Federal Association got off to a quick start with wins in the first three games and never trailed, until a year ago. You can forgive fans if they mistake the game for just another regular season contest for the mighty New York Gothams. The Gothams, who are running away with the Federal Association flag, led the way with 7 players from their club being selected to participate in the all-star game including George Cleaves, who is the elder statesmen this year with his 12th selection. Cleaves is one shy of Bobby Barrell, who to the surprise of some, was left off the Fed roster this time around and remains stalled with 13 all-star invitations in his illustrious career. Here are the players selected to the All-Star teams including a pair of injury replacements in the Federal Association. ALL-STARS BY TEAM NY GOTHAMS- 7: Ed Bowman (8), George Cleaves (12), Steve Groves (2), Tom Jeffries (1), Red Johnson (8), Buddy Long (5), Walt Messer (5) COUGARS- 5: Eddie Howard (1), Donnie Jones (4), Leo Mitchell (7), Pete Papenfus (4), Sal Pestilli (9) CLEVELAND- 5: Jim Adams Jr. (2), Sherry Doyal (1), Walt Hill (3), Larry McClure (1), Jim Urquhart (1) NY STARS- 5: Bill Barnett (2), Bill Barrett (9), Ed Cornett (2), George Scruggs (3), Mack Sutton (2) BOSTON- 4: Rip Curry (2), Johnny Harry (3), Ben McCarty (1), Charlie Todd (1) MONTREAL- 4: Maurice Carter (2), Gordie Perkins (4), Wally Reif (2), Lee Richardson (1) KEYSTONES- 4: Roger Cleaves (3), Charlie Enslow (1), Hank Koblenz (5), Jim Whiteley (3) PITTSBURGH- 4: Irv Clifford (1), Bob Lopez (1), Dave Low (1), Bill Traylor (1) DETROIT- 3: Dick Estes (2), Edwin Hackberry (4), Carl Potter (4) WASHINGTON- 3: Jesse Alvardo (5), Rats McGonigle (5), Buckeye Smith (2) CHIEFS- 2: Johnny Duncan (1), Tim Hopkins (2) CINCINNATI- 2: Deuce Barrell (8), Mickey Mills (1) TORONTO- 2: Joe Hancock (6), Hal Wood (4) BROOKLYN- 1: Ralph Johnson (4) SAILORS- 1: Billy Forbes (1) ST LOUIS- 1: Larry Gregory (4) [code] PAST ALL STAR GAME RESULTS YEAR LOCATION RESULT WINNING PITCHER MVP 1933 Whitney Park Federal 8 Continental 5 Ben Curtin STL Pete Asher Pittsburgh 1934 Riverside Stadium Federal 11 Continental 7 Chick Stout Pit Tom Taylor Cougars 1935 Broad Street Park Federal 5 Continental 2 Art Myers Keystones Freddie Jones St Louis 1936 Pioneer Field Continental 6 Federal 4 Tom Barrell BKN Dick Walker Sailors 1937 Dominion Field Federal 4 Continental 2 (19) Don Attaway Keystones Don Attaway Keystones 1938 Bigsby Oval Continental 5 Federal 4 (13) Bob Cummings BKN Fred McCormick Toronto 1939 Forester Stadium Continental 6 Federal 3 Art White BKN Fred McCormick Toronto 1940 Thompson Field Federal 7 Continental 4 Red Hampton Chiefs Billy Woytek Keystones 1941 Kings County Continental 8 Federal 4 Pete Papenfus Cougars Fred Galloway Cincinnati 1942 Fitzpatrick Park Federal 7 Continental 4 Ed Wood BOS Hank Barnett Chiefs 1943 Parc Cartier Continetal 7 Federal 3 Dick Lyons, Cougars Gail Gifford, St Louis 1944 Columbia Stadium Federal 1 Continental 0 Ed Bowman, Gothams Don Miller, Washington 1945 Cougars Park Federal 8 Continental 4 (10) Bill Anderson, Pit Chick Donnelly, Boston 1946 Minutemen Stadium Continental 2 Federal 1 Richie Hughes, Cle Sig Stofer, Washington 1947 Sailors Memorial Continetal 5 Federal 4 (10) Davey Morris, Cle Walt Pack, Cougars 1948 Whitney Park Continental 11 Federal 3 Bob Arman, Bkn Bill Barrett, NY Stars 1949 Tice Memorial Continental 4 Federal 3 Donnie Jones, Cougars Mike T Taylor, Cincinnati [code] COUGARS SURPRISINGLY SEND FIVE TO MID-SUMMER CLASSIC In a year with plenty of deserving candidates, there were only two Cougars I thought would be no doubters to represent the team: Donnie Jones and Leo Mitchell. Both will be attending, as Jones (4th) will join an impressive Continental Staff and Mitchell (7th) will be the lone Cougar starter out in left field. As the CA leader in average (.374) and OPS (.984) and his status as the early Whitney Frontrunner, the only surprise was that someone voted for Otis O'Keefe instead of him, as Mitchell's .374/.419/.564 (162 OPS+) batting line is far superior. Add in 12 homers, 45 RBIs, and a 177 WRC+, and the fact that the no-glove slugger's 3.3 WAR is second among all Continental Association players, and I'm hoping it was just a Montreal reporter giving credit to a talented young player. And like Mitchell, Donnie Jones has been quite impressive if you can look past his 7-8 record. The Cougar ace has a 2.86 ERA (141 ERA+) and 3.25 FIP (80 FIP-) in his 17 starts, striking out 61 with a 1.08 WHIP. Historically, one would expect Skipper Schneider's (.241, 3, 34, 4) attendance, though the 8-Time All-Star is having his worst offensive season (66 WRC+), and since the CA is taking just one shortstop, his 17.3 zone rating (1.139) wasn't nearly enough to overtake Gordie Perkins (.322, 4, 24), who like Mitchell, should have been unanimous. My guess is whoever voted Skipper sent their vote in early, but it was not your trusty Cougar beat reporter. In fact, Mitchell, Jones, and David Molina (6-4, 11, 3.65, 20) got my votes, though a blowout against the Kings (0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB, K) to end his first half likely kept him out. Instead, it will be Sal Pestilli (9th; .300, 1, 16, 10), Eddie Howard (1st; .298, 17), and Pete Papenfus (4th, 8-5, 3.02, 74) representing the Cougars in the Big Apple. Pestilli, home runs aside, has the talent for the game, producing a 137 WRC+ with his .300/.390/.459 (127 OPS+) triple slash, though the veteran outfielder has played just 47 games due to a pair of injuries. It will be the first of his nine appearances where he is listed as a right fielder, where his defense (7.1, 1.080) has been just as good as it was in center. Pestilli just returned to the Cougar lineup as well, and is riding a 8-for-24 week with 4 doubles and 4 walks into his ninth selection. For Eddie Howard, it's his first, and it might be due to the lack of talent behind the plate. No one was going to unseat Larry McClure (.321, 8, 49) who could run away with the Kellogg Award, but at least for a catcher, a 99 WRC+ and 1.1 WAR is pretty solid. Then with Peter the Heater, you can thank his popularity, as that might have made the difference between him and plenty of other worthy candidates. That or winning his last five decisions, capped off with a dominant 2-hit, 0-walk shutout of the New York Stars. 8-5 in his 17 starts, the fireballer has struck out 74 while working to a 3.02 ERA (133 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP. His 8.1 BB% would be a career best, and the All-Star selection is well deserved considering his storied career, and this game is meant for the fans to see their favorite stars in action! TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Hope to Reset During All-Star Break -- The Toronto Wolves head into the much needed 3 day break for the All-Star game with a 2-8 record since Dominion Day. The high hopes found in April, when they went 7-5 have long since faded and so has the ballclub. In fact, since the calendar turned to May the team has gone 24-44. They reach the break firmly ensconced in the Continetnal Association basement as their record leaves them trailing the seventh place Sailors by 6 and a half games. The Wolves now own the worst record in the FABL with 5 less wins than the Chicago Chiefs, who have gone from the penthouse to the outhouse in the Federal loop. If there is a bright spot to this season it is that the team had two players selected to participate in the mid-summer classic - veteran starting pitcher Joe Hancock along with third baseman Hal Wood. The bad news, aside from last week's dismal 2-6 record in which they were out scored by 28 runs 24-52, was that Hal Finney is back on the disabled list. He will certainly miss all 11 home games coming out of the break before the team heads out on a road trip. Fans are clamoring for the team to bring John Wells up from Buffalo. The teenage shortstop is currently ranked as the third overall prospect in midseason rankings. The question is "Where do the Wolves go from here?" There are meeting being held with owner Bernie Millard that started on the weekend while the team was in Philadelphia. Millard is said to be in town through the next homestand to talk to fans as they enter Dominion Stadium with his stated goal being to get a sense of the mood of the fans along with giving reassurances that 1950 is just a bump in the road. The main topic of discussions in the ongoing management meetings we are told will be centering around Wells, along with the prospect ranked at #7 overall by the OSA, 21-year-old pitcher, Les Ledbetter, which makes sense despite Ledbetter's dismal 0-9 mark in AAA given the team's struggle in the rotation at the big league level. The Mail & Empire has learned that the room is split on Wells, who has cooled off from his torrid start in AAA. The argument being used to promote is that this the perfect time as he can slide into the starting lineup during Finney's injury with little pressure given the the current state of the Wolves. If he struggles he can be sent back to Buffalo before the team heads out on the road with some important experience under his belt. Now, if Wells shines in his trial, well then there are a different set of issues to deal with on the roster. Millard is said to want answers to the plans laid out over the winter when the system focus was reorganized citing the positive, negatives, needed improvements. The staff is unanimous on Ledbetter - he should finish the season in Buffalo with the possibility of being a September call-up, but only if his record improves. Consensus at the moment is bringing up the 1947 first overall selection now would do more harm than good to his development. Millard is said to have told his entire staff he still has confidence in their abilities, and that he expected and is prepared to endure some rough times, but that he is only fine with that as long there is overall progress to the final goal. Millard wants his scouts to follow the Wolves minor league teams very closely, and to continue to push players up the system. Gathering information from sources, the sense of the meetings are that they appear to be much more cordial than the staff feared when the dates were set along with agenda for the meetings. A late breaking addition in that the Mail & Empire as just learned that the call has been made to Buffalo and Wells is on his way to Toronto. The 19-year-old will slide in at shortstop at least until Finney is ready to return in two weeks. The first overall selection in the 1949 FABL draft out of a Philadelphia High School, Wells is a perfect example of the fast-tracking through the Toronto system that Millard wants to see. After turning pro in late June, Wells split his first pro season between A and AA and has spent the first half of the season at the AAA level in Buffalo, where he hit .263 and played solid defense.
MAJOR BLOW FOR STRUGGLING CAGE LOOP Six Teams Fold Including Prescott's Bottlers The Federal Basketball League had ambitious growth over its brief four years of existence but the loop was been dealt a devastating blow recently with news that six of the 17 franchises will not return in the fall for the leagues fifth season. The news certainly is not a major shock to followers of the cash-strapped cage loop as rumours have been circulating for well over a year that many teams were in trouble and half empty arenas confirmed every game day that all was not well. Two of the FBL's eight charter franchises are gone in the Cincinnati Cyclones and Syracuse (formerly Toronto) Titans. American Basketball Association transfers in Hartford and Pittsburgh also announced the decision to shut down as did the St Louis Steamers, who made an ill-fated one year journey down the pro cage river last season, winning just 12 of 68 games. The news that each of those five would not be back is hardly unexpected but it is the sixth casualty that perhaps deals the biggest blow to the future of pro basketball. That would be the Brooklyn Red Caps as Daniel Prescott, Red Caps owner and founder of the American Basketball Conference, decided he no longer wanted to play in Rollie Barrell's Federal League's sandbox, and announced he is folding the most successful franchise ever to play professional basketball. *** Prescott Folds Red Caps, Is the Sale of the Kings Next? *** The Red Caps were one of the original ABC teams in 1937, ran by Prescott -the Brooklyn bottling baron who made pro basketball a reality after his first go at things, ironically enough with Rollie Barrell as his partner, crashed with the Stock Market in the early 1930s. Prescott's Red Caps won six of the eleven ABC titles and reached the championship series on two other occasions. Even after his league was stolen out from under him when a coup engineered in part by Barrell and Toronto Falcons owner Bernie Millard led to the demise of the ABC, Prescott still had the last laugh when his club, forced to join the FBL two years ago, won that league's championship in his first season in the Fed.Convinced others conspired against him, and even some he trusted implicitly stabbed him in the back, as they worked to destroy the league he created, Prescott grumbled for the duration of his stay in the Fed and really wanted nothing to do with Barrell or the Federal loop. He joined begrudgingly and only after there were no other options for his Brooklyn franchise. Winning the league title a year ago was primarily motivated by revenge as he knocked off Barrell's Detroit Mustangs in the championship series and even then, threatened to fold his team during a post-game scrum with sportswriters. His passion for a spot he once loved long gone, Prescott attempted to sell his team and his share of ownership in the dilapidated Flatbush Gardens arena over the winter but found no takers. Attendance was dwindling, the 25 year old building badly in need of an overhaul and his relationship with Barrell well beyond the point of repair, when news broke other clubs were folding, Prescott joined them in calling an end to his historic basketball franchise. "I have simply lost the desire to invest money in a losing business," a sullen Prescott told the Brooklyn Eagle when the news broke a few days ago. "The passion is gone. Because of certain individuals and underhanded tactics, I simply have no interest in running sports teams any more." That final comment prompted a wave of questions about baseball's Brooklyn Kings, which Prescott also owns. While Prescott did not flat out say the FABL club was for sale, his mannerisms and demeanor seemed to indicate that was a distinct possibility. *** Uneasy Future Ahead for Remaining Cage Clubs *** Perhaps this contraction, dropping from 17 to 11 clubs, will be the saving grace of professional basketball but it certainly does not feel that way right now although league President Rollie Barrell was quick to put a positive spin on things. Barrell noted the overall quality of play will be much improved with the best players from the six folded teams sure to find work on the remaining eleven and he paints a rosy picture of the future. "It is certainly disappointing to see six partners forced to leave," Barrell told the Detroit News on Friday, "but we will carry on and are excited to move forward with eleven stable ownership groups and strong fan bases in 11 cities that will be excited to see an even better brand of basketball. The pro game is an exciting spectacle to watch, and I am confident the Federal League will continue to prosper." Barrell refused to comment on Prescott or the Red Caps, beyond noting that all six clubs will be missed and continued to redirect talk to the improved quality of play a smaller league will deliver. Here is the expected division structure for the streamlined eleven team Federal Basketball League https://i.imgur.com/2BxBJXW.jpeg PRESCOTT SURE CAN HOLD A GRUDGE Rollie Barrell's cage loop was dealt a blow last week when six clubs announced they will not return for the upcoming season. In the long run that may well prove to be the best thing that could happen to pro basketball as the level of competition is bound to make the game one of a much higher quality. I am sure fans will not miss witnessing the awful play exhibited by the now defunct Syracuse Titans or St Louis Steamers, teams that combined to go 25-101 last season and were rarely competitive. However, one of those teams to go was the most successful professional basketball club in history as the Brooklyn Red Caps are included in the six that left and with the Red Caps departure it has removed a real thorn in Barrell's side in the form of his old business partner Daniel Prescott. Prescott made his fortune in the bottling industry, but he certainly was not one to bottle up his emotions. He left the sport an angry, bitter man with a profanity laced tirade in Brooklyn where he laid the blame for his club's demise squarely on the shoulders of Barrell, who the Brooklynite continues to blame for the destruction of his American Basketball Conference. In truth, Barrell really had no choice but to go along with the plan orchestrated by Bernie Millard, who found a willing accomplice in Washington Statesmen owner William Wright, who was sick of being second banana in the ABC. They presented Barrell with a plan that would ensure the survival of Rollie's postwar startup league and Barrell would have been foolish not to go along with it. Had he not, the Federal Basketball League may well have gone the way of the dodo bird, or the Great Western Baseball League or the Continental Football Conference. You get my drift. Barrell did nothing out of spite, he always held Prescott in high regard going all the way back to their joint venture in the first pro basketball attempt -the one that might have still be around were it not for the great depression. Give Barrell credit for taking the high road, although it is always easier for the winners to do that then the losers. Barrell could have blasted back at Prescott, blaming Brooklyn's sagging attendance on an arena that is falling apart and Prescott's refusal to pay for even the simplest maintenance but instead Barrell chose not to flame the fire and just gave the cursory answers - the departing clubs will be missed, the league will survive and prosper with eleven committed owners focused on the same thing. Prescott, on the other hand, has bashed Barrell for over a year, blaming the Mustangs owner and FBL President at every turn while seemingly making it his mission to cause Barrell and the Federal League grief at every opportunity. It is not surprising he goes out guns a blazing. Of course, the bitter words against Barrell and the cage loop, were bottom of the story items in the Brooklyn Eagle after Prescott also let slip, he is fed up with ownership of the Brooklyn Kings as well. This writer would not be surprised to see the Kings sold, and perhaps moved out of Brooklyn, in the not too distant future. After all, Daniel Prescott is a bitter man and while Barrell may now be out of his social circles, Millard -as the owner of the Toronto Wolves in addition to the cage Falcons- is still very much someone Prescott will be forced to interact with, at least until he makes good on his comments that he is done with sports ownership altogether. BEES HAVE TOUGH CHOICE FOR FIRST PICK IN NAHC DRAFT Selecting first in the NAHC's annual rookie draft is about the only benefit a team gains from finishing with the worst record in the league. It is uncharted territory for the Boston Bees, who have never selected higher than fifth in a draft before as they missed the playoffs and finished last this season for the first time since the NAHC implemented a rookie draft in 1941. Unfortunately for the Bees, they picked a bad year to own the top selection as this year's crop of 18-year-olds does not have a clearcut star available for selection. That being said, there is some pretty good talent available and at a variety of positions. Among the players that could draw interest from the Bees are a pair of high scoring forwards who were teammates with the St. Thomas Pachyderms of the Canadian Junior League last season. Manny Coutu is a left winger from Toronto who had 125 points and was second in league scoring while center Gordie Thomas, was a 102-point man who helped lead the Pachyderms to the league final. Defense has always been a strength of the Bees and perhaps they will look to add to their blueline depth with a player like Yan Tremblay, who had 93 points for Verdun, or a physical defenseman along the lines of Mathieu Harnois, who starred for the junior champion Saint John Saints this season. After Boston opens the draft, the Bees will be followed by the Detroit Motors with the second selection. Chicago, Challenge Cup winner Montreal, Toronto and finally New York round out the order for the 7 round draft. NAHC NOTES The Chicago Packers sent a three-year, two-way contract to highly touted prospect Phil Stukas. The 23-year-old was a former 1st Round Pick, and while expected to start his Packer career with the Pittsburgh Rovers, he will be given every chance to secure the 3rd defensemen role behind Bert McColley and a now healthy Jesse Santoro. The Packers have also extended contracts to 22-year-old Ian Goodleaf and 24-year-old Mark Levesque to bolster their forward depth. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/09/1950
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July 17, 1950
Walk Off Homer in Ninth Accounts For All Scoring in 4-0 Fed Win Despite smacking 19 homers in the first half of the season, this has been considered a down year for veteran New York Gothams first basemen Red Johnson. The 4-time Whitney Award winner is batting just .247 -by far the lowest batting average of his career and his slugging percentage is also far from its normal lofty perch but the man known as "Big Timber" made his presence felt with one swing of the bat in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Johnson, called on to pinch-hit with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth of what had been up to that point a scoreless game, delivered in a big way. The 32-year-old belted a 1-1 offering from the Chicago Cougars Donnie Jones more than 400 feet into the stands in right center, giving the Federal Association a dramatic 4-0 walk off grand slam victory and evening the series between the two loops at 9 wins each. Johnson was the walk-off hero, but it was his Gothams teammate Ed Bowman, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the game after Bowman hurled 5 scoreless innings before turning the ball over to the Federal Association bullpen. Washington's Buckeye Smith, who pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, was credited with the victory while Jones was saddled with the loss. Offense was at a premium as the two clubs combined for only 13 hits and Gothams infielder Tom Jeffries was the only participant on either side to have more than one base hit. Starting pitchers Ed Bowman of the Federal Association and Deuce Barrell, representing the Continental stars, kept the bats quiet and the game scoreless in the early going although Barrell ran into a heap of trouble in the fourth inning when he loaded the bases on singles off the bats of Roger Cleaves -Deuce's half brother- and Hank Koblenz before he walked Tom Jeffries to load the bases with nobody out. The call went to the bullpen for Barrell's Cincinnati teammate Mickey Mills and the lefthander playing in his first all-star escaped the jam unscathed primarily due to a rifle peg from Sailors outfielder Billy Forbes to nail Cleaves at the plate after Tim Hopkins failed sacrifice fly attempt. Mills walked Edwin Hackberry to reload the bases before ending the inning with a Ben McCarty fielders choice, keeping the contest scoreless. The Continental stars, who had won each of the last four all-star games, best chance to score came in the sixth inning after Jim Whiteley of the Philadelphia Keystones had relieved Bowman. One out singles from Leo Mitchell and Ralph Johnson put a CA runner in scoring position for just the second time in the game but Forbes flew out to rightfield, and the Whiteley fanned Cleveland's Larry McClure to end the threat. The Continental Association would not see another one of their runners reach second base the rest of the way. The Fed was not having much look of its own although they did see Edwin Hackberry, who singled and walked twice in the game, steal second with one out in the 7th inning but Pete Papenfus of the Chicago Cougars retired George Cleaves and Irv Clifford without incident to keep the game scoreless. Papenfus' Chicago teammate Donnie Jones, who took over in the 8th, was not nearly as fortunate. Jones had no issues in the 8th, retiring the Fed side in order but with a 1-2 count in the ninth, lead-off man Tom Jeffries slapped a perfectly placed single just beyond the reach of a diving Jim Urquhart. Tim Hopkins sacrificed Jeffries to second and Hackberry followed by working Jones for a free pass bringing Gothams slugger Walt Messer to the plate. Jones uncorked a wild pitch to move both runners up 90 feet, but trouble was averted, at least for the moment when Messer's ground ball was fielded cleanly by CA first baseman Bill Barnett, who threw home to nail Jeffries and keep the game scoreless. George Cleaves, another of the New York big bats, drew a walk from Jones to load the bases with one out. Up to the plate stepped Johnson as a pinch-hitter and on a 1-1 count Red brought the capacity crowd of 50,000 at Gothams Stadium, that had been quietly waiting all game for something to cheer about, to their feet with a line drive homerun into the seats in right-center, ending the contest with a grand slam and snapping a 4-game Continental Association winning streak. https://i.imgur.com/OeOch8Z.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/MzikrBg.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/c77UqKG.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Xv9TJW5.jpg TALES FROM THE LAIR Wells Debuts, Meetings of the Brass Continue in Toronto --The Wolves came out of the midseason break on fire which was quickly extinguished as the team wins once before falling three straight times after FABL resumed play post All-Star game. The biggest news was the callup of John Wells after Harry Finney was injured before the 3 days off when the league stars gathered in New York City. Like the team, Wells came out hot in first game at the highest level. He went 2 for 3 including a triple with 2 RBI in a 10-1 lopsided victory over the Stars. As the team cooled so did Wells, in back-to-back losses to New York then another to the Cougars, he went 0 for 9 along with making two errors in the field. When ask about Wells, Manager Fred Barrell said "Give the kid a chance. He is just 19. This is the biggest step he has ever made in his baseball life. The jump from AAA to the FABL is magnitudes higher than moving up level to level through the minor leagues. You can see the talent he has; he also has a motor than will not stop, constantly asking questions working on his hitting, fielding with our coaches. I think he may have been pressing this weekend. I know (Fred) McCormick told him to just let the game come to him, easier said than done. Both his errors came when he tried to rush a throw, (coach) McGowan has been refining his footwork. I know you want to know if he is going to stay when Harry comes off the DL. The answer to that question is that it is really up to John. He has a week to show whether or not he is ready, getting sent back to Buffalo to work on things is not the worse outcome for either him or the team. My prediction is that he will be around the FABL for a long time, it makes no sense to force it this season." Staff meetings continue and some results can already be seen as the Wolves are moving people through the system at a much quicker pace than in previous years. Whether this will continue in the future is a question, it was expected this year as the new minor league philosophy was implemented. Scouts continue to follow closely Buffalo, Chattanooga, Davenport, Vancouver, Tuscaloosa meeting with team managers daily to share thoughts and opinions on players. It is a good time to be young in the Toronto organization. We are told that many more players who have knocked around the minors for years will see that their time may be coming to end before the conclusion of this season. Bernie Millard's chats with fans entering the park has yielded one common stance from the fans. In Millard's words "The fans are willing to support a team in transition for a couple years as the young players grow into their new roles as long as the team doesn't "half ass" the transition. If you are going to cut, cut deep, then get on with it," Brett was able to confirm that Tom Frederick is on the trading block, and he has also been told that Hal Wood would also be available at the right price. According to one source everyone is available unless your name is Fred McCormick. Talks are said to be in their early stages with some teams looking to push for a pennant in the CA.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/16/1950
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July 24, 1950
JULY 24, 1950 FORESTERS FADING FLAG HOPES SUFFER MAJOR BLOW If the Cleveland Foresters have any hopes of successfully defending the Continental Association pennant that they claimed last season after a 14-year flag drought, the task just became a whole lot more difficult. The Foresters learned they will likely be without two-time all-star second baseman Jim Adams Jr. after the 28-year-old suffered a major knee injury in a loss to Montreal early last week. The Foresters, who had not won a pennant since 1935 entering last season, are still just 6 games off the pace despite being swept in a 3-game weekend series at home by the second place New York Stars so they are still in a tight race but losing Adams, combined with a pitching staff where the key arms have struggled to win games, makes it a very tall task to repeat. The Continental race may well be setting up for the most exciting finish that loop has provided in years with only struggling Toronto clearly out of contention. Seven clubs are within six and a half games of the lead invoking memories of that historic 1927 campaign when six teams finished within 7 games of the top including four that ended up separated by just 2 games when the dust settled. The Montreal Saints, despite losing three of their last four outings, remain at the top but the Saints lead has shrunk to just a half game on the streaking Stars, who won 6 of their last 7. The Cincinnati Cannons are third, a game a half back after the Queen City nine took both ends of a twin bill from the visiting Saints yesterday. The up and down Chicago Cougars, who started the week on a 4-game winning streak but concluded it with 4 straight losses are 4 back with the Brooklyn Kings, playing .500 ball, 5 off the pace followed closely by the Foresters and Philadelphia Sailors. The story is much different in the Federal Association where the loop that more often than not seems to give us a wild multi-team pennant race, at least into early September most years, is looking all but decided. The New York Gothams, after two straight second place finishes, seem to have things well in hand thanks to a new, much more patient approach from the organization. The Gothams, with a dominant lineup loaded with all-stars and the surprising Jerry Decker (9-6, 3.02) and a strong season from veteran Buddy Long (8-3, 3.40) having solidified the back end of the rotation, stretched their lead on second place Washington to 8 games and, barring a major collapse, may feel comfortable printing World Championship Series tickets before the end of August. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Continue To Slide - Toronto seems to have taken up residence for the balance of 1950 in the basement of the Continental Association after going 2-5 for the week. The week started with a result that is becoming all to familiar to fans when the Wolves managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Leading 6-2 going into the eighth Chicago rallied for 3 in the 8th frame and then 2 more in in the 9th on Red Bond's second HR of the game off Lou Jayson to win 7-6. Jayson is now 1-5 for the year - not something that is acceptable for your shutdown man in the 'pen. The team then ran their losing streak to 7 when the Cougars finished a sweep followed by two more losses to the visiting Saints before stopping a Montreal sweep with a 6-4 win on Thursday. The Wolves made it two in a row for a rare positive streak with a victory, 2-1, over the Kings on Saturday thanks to a solid outing from Ray Hatch backed up by Harry Phillips. Brooklyn split the short two game series with a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon to close out the Wolves' homestand. A homestand in which they have a record of 3-7, bringing their home mark for the year to 18-32 which is worse in terms of winning percentage than their woeful 16-25 record away from Dominion Stadium. The Wolves are the only team with losing record at home in the FABL. Brett will not sugar coat the fact that fans are probably in for more of the same for the remaining 63 games with 27 at home. The best the faithful can hope for is for signs of good things for the future, maybe the team can play a spoiler's role in the CA's final standings. The Continental is showing signs of being an exciting race for the flag, 7 teams are now within 6 and a half games of lead and the top three are separated by only a game and a half. Then come yours Wolves, bringing up the rear 16 and a half games behind the the first place Saints. Brett's sources tell him that John Wells is currently scheduled to remain with the big club for the balance of the year. Early in the week it looked like he would be sent back to Buffalo but a strong weekend, along with the Wolves current malaise, seems to have saved his roster spot. The general thinking is that although Wells is not quite a finished product, yet, he may as well finish his development at the highest level. Harry Finney is said to be delayed a bit in his recovery, and he will not be ready to be put back into the lineup for at least another week. This will leave 3 players, Wells, Joe DeMott and Finney for 2 lineup spots. Brett expects Barrell to use Finney at second against lefties then have him spell both DeMott and Wells against righties. With two of those three in the lineup, John Fast will more than likely be dispatched to Buffalo unless the team finds a proper deal for Hal Wood allowing DeMott to move over to third. The trade market seems to be quieter this year, but Brett still expects it pick up soon in the CA as teams assess their needs for a pennant chase. Fans should also expect to see more of Frank Bunch manning first, this may be setting up a platoon for next season with Tony Ballinger whose line at Buffalo, .299/.350/.524 9 HR, suggest he is ready if icon Fred McCormick decides it retire. Expect Barrell to move the outfield around to find a proper combination both at the plate along with in the field. Harry Pomeroy's resurgence of late has secured his position behind the plate as he continues to work with the staff and pitching coach Johnny Franklin to sort out the team's sore spot, pitching. Fans at Dominion Stadium are going to get a glimpse of the future for the balance of 1950. Barrell's motivation skills will be tested as he experiments with his lineups. On the farm Les Ledbetter finally picked up his first win of 1950 on Saturday, a 5-4 win over Charleston. His biggest problem remains control, he has walked 66 in just over a hundred innings of work in the Union League. Ralph Miller, this year's fifth round pick, is off to a hot start. After a week in rookie ball he has moved to Vancouver where he continues to tear the cover off the ball. He is being joined in BC by this year's top pick, C Skinny Bennett, who will catch along with some starts at first. Movement in the system continues, seems if you show signs of improvement you move up a level. In rookie ball Tuscaloosa was no hit by Keystones' prospect, George Hutchinson who strikes out 21 on 132 pitches. A bonus edition of Brett Bing for TWIFS readers this week as we also club Bing's column on the Toronto Sports Scene from the Sunday edition of the Mail & Empire. TORONTO TALES Sports Fans seemed to enjoy the first article so Brett will try the a second update on the three professional sports teams in Toronto.Tales From the Lair - The Wolves have just past the halfway point of what is turning out to be dismal 1950 FABL season. The once highly respected pitching staff is now statistically the worst in the Continental Association, both for starter and relievers. The problem for Manager Fred Barrell is that there does not seem to any help immediately available in the minors. In the revamped system none of their top prospects on the hill look anywhere close to be ready - either simply not performing well or are in the lower minors still developing their tools. Barrell's best hope for the balance of this season is that the likes of George Garrison, Jim Morrison and Lou Jayson bounce back towards their form shown in the Forties. Ray Hatch, Bob Currier have recently been added to the team, expect them to have more prominent roles, regardless of results, as they learn at CA level. Offensively the team is scoring more runs than anyone around the league expected this season. The team has already begun a subtle transition away from veterans. One example is in center fielder where Wally Boyer has taken the starter's role away from Chink Stickels. A move made necessary by the early injury to Hank Giordano, Kirby Copeland has found his playing time expanding since coming from Buffalo in April. He has a line of .330/.371/.425 in 223 plate appearances with 3 HR 31 RBI. The significance of the 3 HR is that total leaves Copeland tied for the lead on the team with Harry Pomeroy. Brett expects to see Fred McCormick's playing time to reduced a little more during August and September to give Frank Brunch more opportunity to show his wares. All-Star Hal Wood is said to be available on the trade market even though he is leading the team offensively in 1950. The Wolves are reported to be trying to make deals for pitching with a number of veterans like Stickels, Tom Frederick, Dom Tripp, Giordano available to teams chasing a pennant. Fans are beginning to see a team in transition and that will continue. The much-anticipated debut of teenage shortstop John Wells last week is just a sign of things to come. The minor league system has been strengthened over the last few years, to the point where it is now ranked 6th by OSA out of the 16 FABL clubs. The faithful should take heart that the team has more prospects like Copeland and Wells that seem ready to take the giant step to the FABL. Good reports are coming in from Buffalo on 1B Tony Ballinger, utility man Fred Miles and outfielder Al Parker. Expect roster changes as early as the end of July if the team can find trade partners or at latest over the off-season. There may be a few lean years but the future is shaping up for the Wolves if some pitching is found or develops over the next couple of years. Tales From the Manor: The Dukes are preparing for the upcoming amateur draft along with getting set for training camp in Northern Ontario again this season, which is set to begin in seven weeks. Coach Jack Barrell has already said Ken Jamieson will be joining the team in the Porcupine for camp. If he can force his way into the Dukes lineup he will stay, if not he will return to Junior. A number of battles for positions are expected in camp including the backup goaltender where inucmbent Terry Russel is said to be being shopped around the NAHC. Barrell wants Gordie Broadway's, 35, successor with the team over the 1950-51 season. Tales From The Nest: For the most part it is quiet in the Falcons camp after Bernie Millard's team lost in Game 7 of the FBL final. The biggest concern around the team is recovery of Major Belk from an Achilles injury. He led the team conversion from also rans to contenders in his first year in the league. He may be out until mid-season which is changing the Falcons draft target focus. The league has contracted, with six teams departing so there may be a free agent replacement, short term, for Belk. The training staff has given all players workout regimes for the off-season after injuries became numerous at the end of the 1949-50 season. Latest news is that George Chambers has retired as Head Scout, an offer is out for his replacement. MORE TALK OF BRIGHT FUTURE FOR DYNAMOS Yes, it feels like forever that we have be hearing "Just wait a couple of seasons and the Dynamos are going to be dominant," but maybe it will finally happen. 1929 is a year burned into the minds of Detroiters as we patiently wait for another pennant win. We thought we would get it more than a decade ago when names like Red Johnson, Koblenz and Pestilli were being bandied about as the next great group to lead the Dynamos to glory. They came close a few times but never quite got over the hump and those players have all gone on to enjoy success on other stages. The Dynamos have a new group now with an equally impressive young core led by Carl Potter, Edwin Hackberrry, Del Johnson and Stan Kleminski already in place but still we feel no closer to ending the longest pennant-less drought in the Federal Association. It is not going to happen this year. The Gothams, led by Red Johnson of course, are just too good and the Dynamos pitching - the clubs great asset a year ago- has fallen on hard times this campaign. Still, there is plenty of optimism being exhibited inside the club offices on 3rd Avenue. Hackberry is quickly becoming one of the best players in the game. Dick Estes has had a breakout season at first base as a 26-year-old. Johnson and Kleminski are a very good middle infield duo and Porter, despite struggling to a 9-13 mark this year, is still one of the best pitchers in the Federal Association and already owns 88 career big league wins despite just turning 24 years of age. There is more. Bill Morrison, barely a year removed from Grange College is producing nicely (.310,5,31) and may just be the front-runner for the Kellogg Award. And Joe Fulgham, the football All-American from St Blane who was selected one round ahead of Morrison with the 12th overall pick a year ago, made his big league debut last week in fine style, going 5-for-13 with 5 rbi's and proving he deserves a chance to start over the struggling Dick Blaszak in the Detroit outfield. 23-year-old Roy Schaub, who it only seems like he has been a top 100 prospect forever, is 4-2 with a 4.15 era and showing signs of being the pitcher the Dynamos dreamed he could become with back to back shutouts sandwiched around the all-star break. The Dynamos have claimed three of the past four Kellogg Awards with Wally Hunter, Hackberry and last year's winner Jack Miller and there may be a lot more coming beyond just this season's candidate Bill Morrison. Detroit has the 4th best minor league system according to OSA and it is loaded with nine players that the scouting service lists among its top 100 prospects. In AAA Newark, both Fred Washington and Jim Gaiter are turning heads in the Detroit scouting department. Both were recently promoted from AA and Gaiter, a third baseman, may just be in Detroit next month after his torrid .325/9/44 showing in 42 games at AAA. All that is holding him back from replacing a struggling Tommy Griffin at third base on the Thompson Field ballyard is the fact that Gaiter is still just 21 years old, and the Dynamos don't want to push the youngster who sits at #65 on the latest OSA top 100 list but was in Class A at this time last year too hard. Then there is Washington, #60 on the OSA list and a 22-year-old who had some struggles in the low minors after being selected in the second round of the 1946 draft. Washington seems to have put it all together this season and after a 9-4, 3.18 stat line in AA Akron, he had back-to-back complete game victories in his first two starts in Newark. Washington looks like a candidate for a September promotion. AA Akron has 1947 4th overall pick John Morrison still finding his way but there have been some positive signs. The first baseman, converted to outfielder, is batting just .242 with 5 homers and may have been better suited to Class A but the Dynamos hope this year of struggle, which actually is better than his showing in Class A a year ago, will pave the way for a breakout season next year. Speaking of breakout season, that is what 22-year-old 1949 6th rounder Johnny Young is enjoying. The pitcher out of Carolina Poly is 10-3 with a 2.36 ERA and will likely get the call up to Newark very soon. All that and we have still not touched on Detroit's top three prospects, all presently teammates in Terre Haute (Class A). First baseman Dino Sharp, at 20 is the oldest of the three and also the reason why John Morrison was converted to an outfielder. Sharp, the third overall pick of the 1948 draft is a Detroit native who was very impressive at Class B Chattanooga, where he hit 16 homers in 81 games, before being promoted to Terre Haute last week. He homered in his opening week at that level but went just 3-for-18 although Dynamos management is not worried as they continue to take the approach of challenging their top prospects. Top ten OSA prospect Ralph Capriotti was the Dynamos first round pick in this year's draft and the 3-time High School All-American was thrown right into Class A, where he has survived quite nicely with a .250 batting average and his first two professional homeruns in 16 games. McClellan, the second round pick is also fresh out of high school, but you wouldn't know he just turned 18 by looking at the lefthander's 3-1, 2.48 mark through 4 starts that has Dynamos scouts dreaming of comparisons to another pretty good young lefthanded pitcher in Detroit's Carl Potter. Yes, we have heard it time and again for well over a decade, good readers, but maybe this time is different. Maybe the Dynamos are actually on the cusp of greatness.
SCORING SENSATION COUTU TABBED BY BEES TO START NAHC DRAFT The Boston Bees, picking first overall in the NAHC draft for the first time in franchise history after their last place finish in the 1949-50 North American Hockey Confederation campaign, went for offense in an opening round of the draft that saw defense reign supreme. The Bees, who had their trouble scoring last season, hope that Manny Coutu may eventually help change that. Coutu, an 18-year-old who patrolled the left wing for the St. Thomas Pachyderms of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association last season, finished with 125 points in just 62 games including 47 goals. Those totals were strong enough to have the youngster named a finalist for the CAHA's most valuable player award and finish second in league scoring while helping the Pachyderms reach the league championship series. Coutu will likely not make the Bees roster this season - his focus on playing without the puck especially in the defensive zone is said to need work- but scouts rave about his skating ability and playmaking skills. The fact that he possesses good size, at 6'3" and 212 pounds, only aides his cause and has the Bees front-office dreaming that he may follow in the footsteps of another tall, Ontario-born left winger who has starred for the club for more than a decade. That would, of course, be Tommy Hart and asking Coutu to become the next Tommy Hart is a huge request, but perhaps there already are some comparables between the two as Coutu is a very similar skater to the Bees legend. Following the announcement that Coutu was taken with the top pick, there was a run on rearguards with the next four selections all being blueliners. Detroit, which joined Boston on the outside looking in at playoff time, went with Derek Veysey, an offensive-minded defenseman who had 92 points for the Verdun Argonauts. Veysey was a second team All-Star selection in the CAHA and, like Coutu, is a gifted skater but the knock on the 5'11" rearguard is he may not be physical enough to flourish on the blueline at the NAHC level. The third selection went to the Chicago Packers, and they opted for Mathieu Harnois, who was an assistant captain on the CAHA champion Saint John Saints. An Ottawa native, Packers sources were said to be going back and forth on Veysey and Harnois but were very happy with who they ended up with. Chicago scout John West confirmed his club liked both defensemen. "Vesey is the better offensive player, and he can play both sides and seems a bit further along, but I think Harnois has a bit more upside and I like that he had a leadership role in Saint John. He will need more seasoning." Montreal continued the trend of drafting defensemen as the Challenge Cup champion Valiants grabbed Mike Driscoll, who was Derek Veysey's defensive partner at Verdun. The hometown product -Driscoll was born in Montreal- plays much bigger than his 5'9" stature might indicate, but his real strength is an ability to make a good first pass along with his hockey IQ. The fifth selection belonged to the Toronto Dukes, who chose Dan Morrison from the St. Thomas Pachyderms with their pick. Morrison displayed plenty of offense in junior, with 30 goals and 91 points but will never be mistaken for the best defensive defenseman in the league. Morrison does have the upside that should see him play a regular shift in the NAHC down the road. The final selection of the opening round belonged to the New York Shamrocks and the Greenshirts decided to follow the trend, taking yet another blueliner with their first choice of the draft. New York went with Andy Critchlow, a defense first 18-year-old from Ottawa who spent last season as a teammate of third choice Harnois on the blueline for the junior loop champion Saint John Saints. This past season was nothing like Chicago Panthers fans have ever been used to, as the perennial contenders were 25-43 after a long series of playoff appearances. Part of the record can be blamed on a string of injuries as the regular starting five barely spent anytime on the court together. Only center Cory Myers (10.9, 13.8, 0.9) started all 68 games, with the biggest loss the times Richard Campbell (21.7, 13.5, 1.1) was off the court. He missed 22 games, though that didn't stop him from ranking 3rd in points per game. Eliseo Worth (9.8, 7.6, 3.4) missed three games, Joe Hampton (10.8, 10.1, 8.8) missed four games, so the lengthiest absence was the twenty-seven games Larry Serrano (13.4, 4.6, 1.7) wasn't a part of. There was a silver lining though... The Panthers were the worst of what's left. The big news of the offseason was the contraction of six FBL franchises, leaving the league with 11 for the 1950-1951 season. Although the Brooklyn Red Caps were a top team, most of the contracted teams were at the bottom of the standings, allowing the Panthers to "win" the draft lottery as the remaining team with the worst record. A #1 pick is a nice addition for any franchise, just ask the Boston Bees, who landed winger Manny Coutu with the first pick of the NAHC draft, coming off a season where he scored 47 goals and assisted on 78 more in 62 games. Though our prize is a little different. It's Two-Time Art Barrette Trophy winner Luther Gordon. Long expected to be an eventual #1 Pick, he's the third two-time winner, and a record holder in the college game. In his debut year with the Liberty College Bells he scored a season high 602 points, following that up with 677 in his draft year. He also grabbed 312 boards, becoming the 6th player to top the 300 mark. Still what may be most impressive is that he didn't lose a single game all season, or at least that was until the championship. Gordon will be hungry to repeat, and being line up next to a star like Richard Campbell, he should be able to truly shine. Gordon is almost unstoppable by the net, and he's not the guy you can just hack at and send to the line. He's an impressive free thrower shooter who's near automatic, and with athleticism he should be able to defend the paint and the perimeter. It may take him some time to adjust to the professional game, but expectations are already high for a potential great. Another side effect of the contraction is a dispersal draft, which has been discussed among the league office, that will allow teams to select players from the recently contracted teams. A team riddled with injuries like the Panthers was in desperate need of depth, the players gained should improve the overall quality of the team. There's hope for a quick turnaround for the 1946 Champions, but the Panthers are clearly one of the teams that are benefitting from surviving. Now they have to make to remind everyone what they are capable of.
RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/23/1950
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July 31, 1950
JULY 31, 1950 ALL QUIET ON TRADE FRONT Little Seems To Be Brewing As Trade Deadline Arrives FABL clubs still have a few hours remaining but at press time there has been no indication of any major activity in advance of today's baseball trade deadline. No moves have been made as of yet and the only players being offered are a few aging spare parts that appear to be drawing interest. The best known names mentioned as available are likely outfielder Chink Stickles and pitcher Dixie Lee but both are aging veterans who are struggling this season so finding a buyer may be a year too late for the two offering clubs - struggling Toronto in Stickles case and Detroit for Lee. Stickels is just 2 years removed from playing in his fourth all-star game but his production dipped last year to his worst since joining the Wolves from the New York Stars in 1943 and he has been even worse this season, batting just .213 and losing his starting job in the Toronto outfield. He is now 39 years old, and it is beginning to look like he has little left to give a team. The story for the 37-year-old Lee is very much the same. He missed much of his peak with four seasons lost to the war effort, but Lee still has won 99 career big league games including a 19-12 season split between the Stars and Dynamos in 1945. This season, with a youth movement in full force in the Motor City, Lee has been bounced to the Detroit bullpen and he is 3-2 with 2 saves but owns an ERA of 6.07. There is a shortage of buyers so the lack of players being dangled for trade is likely of little consequence. The New York Gothams had an 8 game lead atop the Federal Association at the All-Star break but have won just 6 of their last 17 games and perhaps opened the door a crack for the Washington Eagles or the Detroit Dynamos. Both are now 5.5 games back of the New York nine, but the Dynamos have already gone on record saying they are not going to be buyers and are happy to bring up more of their young talent for a possible pennant push. The Eagles always seem to feel they need pitching to make a run, and perhaps that is the case, but it would be a shock to see Washington pull off anything even close to a major trade before the day ends. While the Brooklyn Kings hit a rough patch and have faded slightly, the Continental Association still has four teams within 4.5 games of first place Montreal. It is hard to imagine the front running Saints making a deal and the same is likely true for the third place Cannons but perhaps the New York Stars and Chicago Cougars are busy working the phones scrambling to find a last-minute addition. In the case of the Stars, if they are searching it is almost assuredly a backend starter as Richie Hughes (5-9, 4.25) and Vern Hubbard (7-10, 5.49) have not been consistent although Hubbard is coming off a pair of pretty good outings. The Cougars always seem to be in this position. They have the best talent in the loop but time and again come up short. There are not a lot of upgrades that could be made to improve the club so it may simply once more be a case in the Windy City of just hope that things will break their way for a change. TALES FROM THE LAIR Things Going From Bad to Worse For Wolves --Toronto goes on a 7 game losing skid to finish July with a 5-22 record which has old timers trying to remember if this the worst record in any month in the team's history. The team is now in a definite tail spin, in the seven losses the team was honestly only in two games. They were an extra innings loss to the Cougars on Tuesday along with a wild 14-10 game at Parc Cartier with the Saints. Manager Barrell is aging by the day, he said on the way to New York after being swept in both Chicago and Montreal "We cannot seem catch a break lately, we just have get back to basics, believe in ourselves which is getting harder as losses mount daily. Guys are starting to press which is leading to further mistakes. I am glad July is done, August will be better." In a move that surprised Brett along with most other observers John Wells was sent back to Buffalo. Manager Barrell "The move with Wells came after much discussion up and down the organization. John was trying too hard at the plate, the failures there where affecting his work in the field. As a group we felt a short reset at AAA was best thing for his future. I talked to him before he left to tell him to keep working on fielding, this move was the best thing for him at this time because I could not give put him in the lineup everyday ahead of Finney and DeMott. Just go to Buffalo, get his mind in order we expect to see back in Toronto sooner rather than later. He took the news well saying that he would work his tail off to back here." Although Brett was shocked by the move he could see the sense for both Wells and the team. In 16 games his line was .208/.264/.312. even more telling was his work in the field. Wells had made 9 errors in 80 chances at short. It was hard to tell which was affecting him more, lack of success at the plate or in the field. Certainly, one was affecting the other and riding the bench was not going to help him Toronto. Right now, Buffalo is where he needs to be getting regular playing time. Brett has learned that the team is in serious trade talks that may lead to opening up a spot for Wells. He cannot get confirmation on who could be leaving Toronto, He knows Stickels has requested a trade.
After just two picks in four rounds last year, the Chicago Packers had possession of all three of their picks this go around, allowing them to bolster the #1 ranked farm system in the NAHC. With their first pick, third overall, the Packers were expected to choose between defensemen Derek Veysey and Mathieu Harnois. Despite both being defensemen, the two are somewhat different players. Veysey is the more complete player, capable of playing on the left and right side, providing a pretty nice long shot, and closer to his first round caliber potential. Despite being just 17, he'd likely fill at least the third pairing on defense already, and is coming off a season where he scored 30 goals and assisted on 62 more for the Verdun Argonauts. Harnois, on the other hand, is more of a raw and projectable prospect who's comfortable only on the right, and is more of a traditional defender. He's also considered more of a leader in the clubhouse, as he was St. John's second assistant in their dominant 109 point season (51-6-7). Perhaps lucky for the Packers, they did not have to pick between the two, as Veysey went second to the Motors, leaving the CAHA All-Star Harnois to become the team's first round selection. Coming off a 62 point season (13 G, 49 A) for the Saints, Harnois is expected to stay in the junior leagues until he is eligible to play for the Pittsburgh Rovers. This will allow him plenty of time to refine his game, as while there are questions there, none exist on his makeup. A bright young kid who all his teammates love, Harnois is the type of player who lives for the moment. Scouts have drawn comparisons of him to Packer defensemen Pete Moreau (4, 18, 22), a first line defender who skates well and is a force with his checking. A strong kid, if Harnois reaches his potential, the Packers could have one of the best blue lines in the league, led by young defensemen pairing Jesse Santoro and Mike Van Tol (4, 7, 11), with #1 ranked prospect Phil Stukas (11, 17, 28) now signed with the Packers after a productive season with the Vancouver Bears. Six picks later, the Packers added a player they considered a first round talent in Spencer Quinn. The run on defensemen early contributed to his slide, as did some injury concerns that the medical staff believes they can keep under control. A Blainville, Quebec native, Quinn missed a little under a month with a strained Achilles tendon, holding him to 52 games with the Sherbrooke Industrials. Quinn netted 24 goals and 38 assists, showing the ability to play on either wing aside first line center Luc Fournier (32, 63, 95). Considered a similar player to third line winger Derek Gubb (9, 23, 32), Quinn isn't a traditional forward, focusing more on using his speed, positioning, and checking ability as opposed to lighting up the lamp. A strong supplemental player, Quinn's talent has drawn comparisons to Packer wing Jeremy MacLean (10, 24, 34), who matches with Max Ducharme (16, 20, 36) and star Tommy Burns (26, 38, 64), giving the Packers a talented, albeit, risky prospect on offense. He's also fairly along the development path, and with a little effort, a Packers scout believes he could play similarly to Tommaso Brescia (17, 14, 31), who joined midseason from the Shamrocks. Rounding out the draft is center Denys Bergeron, a lefty shooter who tallied 25 points and 62 assists for the Kingston Cadets. More of a depth player who you'd want at the back of your lineup, Bergeron draw talent comps to veteran Ed Delarue (4, 13, 17), even if they have playstyle differences. A gifted passer with a real nose for the right pass, Bergeron is expected to set up his future teammates just like he did in Kingston, as he can zoom around the ice and find an open shot. He's not the greatest shooter, but if he's close to the net he can beat the goalie, and he's extremely lethal on a counter attack. He's a technically gifted player who is good as what he does, but the overall talent may hold him back from developing into a player on the top two lines LIBERTY COLLEGE SCORING LEGEND TOPS FBL DRAFT The news had long been known but the Chicago Panthers made it official over the weekend when they announced that Luther Gordon, the dominant center and two-time AIAA Red Barrette Trophy winner, would be the Panthers selection to open the FBL draft. Gordon, who led the Bells to a perfect regular season and to the AIAA championship game before coming up just short against Noble Jones College in the title contest, set a single season AIAA scoring record as a junior and then smashed that mark the following season. He might well have been a four-time All-American had he not struggled in high school, forcing the Brooklyn native to spend two years in a New York junior college before joining the Bells for his junior campaign. The second pick in the draft was also a first team All-American as the Rochester Rockets went with forward Carl Casswell, a four year starter at Lane State who averaged 14.3 ppg as a senior. Other notable picks include second team All-American Brian Threadgill from St Blane, who was selected fifth by the Boston Centurions and Mike Miller, the 7'1" center from national champion Noble Jones College, who was taken in the second round by the Chicago Wildcats giving them the largest duo out of their two draft picks. Miller averaged 10.2 ppg for the Colonels but was unable to play in what would have been a much-anticipated meeting with Gordon in the title game because he was injured in the quarterfinals. Miller is fully recovered and ready to finally square off against Gordon in the Wildcats training camp. NO SURPRISE. PANTHERS TAKE GORDON FIRST IN CAGE DRAFT Federal Basketball League President Rollie Barrell must be a man of mixed emotions at the moment. On one hand, the founder of the basketball loop is thrilled with some positive press after nothing but bad news for the loop with the word that six of the seventeen clubs had decided to fold up shop. On the other hand, when Barrell dons his club owners' hat, the boss of the Detroit Mustangs must be very concerned to see the most hyped college basketball product in years -and perhaps ever- to land with his team's main rival. That would be Luther Gordon. The center who played just two seasons of AIAA ball at Liberty College but was named the best player in the AIAA both seasons and rewrote the league scoring record. There seems little doubt that Gordon is going to develop into a star, and likely from day one, in the Federal Basketball League. He is a more hyped prospect that fellow Liberty College alum Ward Messer was when he joined Barrell's Mustangs two seasons ago. All Messer has done was win a rookie of the year award his first season and an MVP in his second. Messer should be happy he managed to win an MVP before Gordon's arrival. Now, there is a slim chance that it is all just hype and Gordon will not be the Max Morris of basketball but by the sounds on the streets and in the watering holes of the Windy City his arrival is all that seems to be discussed. The Chicago Panthers, a powerhouse to start in the four year old Federal loop, picked the right year to fall on hard times and they were rewarded with the first overall draft pick and the chance to take the potential franchise altering star. Put Gordon, all 6'9" of him, along with Richard Campbell and Cory Myers and you may just have the most imposing group of big men in the league. Add-in talented point guard Joe Hampton and it is easy to see why Barrell, the club owner, and everyone else in the West Division may be worried about matchups next season. At a time when the tavern talk is all Chiefs successes, Cougars collapses or looking forward to another great Wildcats season, it is certainly a breath of fresh air for the fledgling cage loop to take center stage in sports crazy Chicago. The challenge will be keeping that momentum going during the season but few feel there is any doubt the Gordon will be an impact player. CANARIES, COUGARS LEAD COLLEGE CAGE RECRUITING CLASSES The Western Iowa Canaries have the top class of incoming freshman according to OSA after the scouting service released its rankings of the best collegiate basketball recruiting classes. Western Iowa has been a power in the Great Lakes Alliance for over a decade, reached the AIAA National Semi-Finals last season in a 29-4 campaign, and has not missed selection for the year end 32-team field championship tournament since 1938. The Canaries are expected to be a contender for the national title again in the upcoming season and are led by a potential top pick in the 1951 Federal Basketball League draft in Darryl Baugher. The senior center from Chicago was the national freshman of the year in 1947-48 and has been a three-starter for the Canaries. He and sophomore guard Tim Jacobus, who was one of the top recruits a year ago, lead a strong club that will be augmented with the addition of an exceptional freshman crop that includes four players ranked in the top 30 high school seniors from last season. Leo Black, a center from Milwaukee, was considered to be the number one pivot in the nation and he will be joined by the best high school forward in the country -Hank Ledet out of Denver- as two big additions to the Canaries roster. The other two are Billy Hudson, a sweet shooting forward out of St Paul High School in Minnesota and Texan Skeeter Duquette. Black and Ledet were ranked 7th and 8th overall in the national recruit rankings while Hudson was slotted in at 17 and Duquette was #30. Together they may give Western Iowa the deepest lineup in collegiate basketball. The top recruit in the nation is Erv Corwin. The guard from Valdosta was named the top High School player in the state of Georgia and, despite heavy recruiting from both Noble Jones College and Georgia Baptist, opted to enroll at Bayou State. The Cougars, who had a losing record last season and have only made the AIAA year-end tournament twice since 1927, were a surprise destination for the prize recruit but he was joined by another top thirty player in forward Pete Barrier, who starred at Houston High in Texas. Below are the top recruiting classes and where the top thirty recruits will attend school in the upcoming season. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/30/1950
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August 7, 1950
AUGUST 7, 1950 WOLVES BEAT DEADLINE WITH PAIR OF DEALS Cougars Hope Jim Morrison Will Open the Door to a Flag The Toronto Wolves are fully into rebuilding mode after the struggling Continental Association basement dwellers completed a pair of deadline deals with two rivals each hoping to finish at the other end of the CA standings. The big move came just before time ran out on the July 31 deadline when the Wolves shipped veterans Hal Wood and Jim Morrison to the Chicago Cougars in exchange for outfielder Ducky Cole and three minor league pitchers. The other move, completed earlier in the day, dispatched 39-year-old outfielder Chink Stickels to the Montreal Saints for a minor league pitcher. The move of Wood, a 36-year-old third baseman who is hitting .332 this season and has spent his entire career in Toronto, paves the way for the Wolves to allow teenage shortstop John Wells to play every day as second sacker Joe DeMott will replace Wood at the hot corner and Harry Finney will shift from shortstop to second base to make room for Wells. The Cougars hope that Wood, who can play either second or third base, will continue to hit the way he has with the Wolves and if they can coax a few decent outings on the mound from the 35-year-old lefthander Morrison, perhaps that will be enough to finally get the Cougars back to the WCS, and put an end to decade of failing to meet the lofty expectations laid out for the perennial CA favourites year after year. The Saints are hoping a change of scenery may just coax a few more decent games out of the fading 39-year-old centerfielder Stickels, who has had an awful season punctuated by a 1-for-16 showing in the month of July. The cost was certainly reasonable for the Montreal side to feel comfortable taking a gamble on Stickels. The Saints part with Charlie Zimmerman, a 23-year-old lefthander they selected in the third round of the 1948 draft who has gone 7-6 with a 3.36 era in his first taste of AA ball. OSA feels Zimmerman, who it ranks 159th in a recent prospect pipeline, is likely on pace to be a spot starter and may be ready for the big leagues next season. Zimmerman is another arm the Wolves can add in to help rebuild a pitching staff with aging starters and a struggling bullpen. Toronto also lands righthander Zane Kelley, courtesy of the deal with the Cougars. Originally a Brooklyn 7th round selection back in 1947, Kelley had a pair of brief stints in Chicago earlier this season and last but despite a 3-2, 2.68 showing in 5 big league starts there was never room for him on the Cougars roster, so he spent the bulk of his time at AAA Milwaukee. Like Kelley, Cole is a former 7th round pick who has never really been able to find a place with the Cougars. He is just 26 years old, and the corner outfielder hit .306 this season but despite being on the big league roster all year, Cole had just 41 plate appearances with Chicago. Also moving to the Wolves organization from Chicago are George Carter, a 24-year-old 1947 9th round choice out of Bluegrass State who is 10-4 at AA Little Rock this season and Mike Emerson, a 21-year-old southpaw who was a 4th round pick in 1947 and is currently in his fourth season of action at the Class C level. TWIFS BREAKDOWN: While we are not sure either move does enough to fully tip the balance in the Continental Association race one can easily argue the Cougars once more made the biggest gains and were clear winners at the trade deadline, at least in the short term. Jim Morrison should more than improve upon the struggling George Oddo (5-11, 5.05) the rest of the way this season and Hal Wood's bat is certainly something that can perhaps prop up a Chicago offense that has underperformed. Both players are entering the homestretch of their careers, but each may just have enough left to finally be the difference makers that help the Cougars slay the dragon that has long breathed flames of missed opportunity down on the Cougars. It is almost inconceivable that the Cougars have been unable to win a pennant in a decade despite consistently year in and year out possessing the most talent in the CA. The Cougars also consistently add elite veteran talent - almost to the point where some of their CA foes feel like mere farm teams of the Chicago nine- but the final payoff is never realized. Perhaps it will be different this time around. The Montreal Saints, for one, certainly hope not. There was not a lot that Montreal could do this trade deadline, likely both due to a lack of impact talent available and their own unwillingness, and rightly so, to tear apart a nice group they are building at Parc Cartier. We have our doubts as to whether Stickels has anything left to give but the cost was low enough it warranted taking a chance. The Wolves have obviously dove headfirst into their rebuild and stocked up with some lottery ticket arms that perhaps one or two will pay off. We are anxious to see if Zane Kelley will take advantage of his opportunity to start regularly in the big leagues, as the expectation is for him to take Morrison's slot in the Toronto rotation. Kelley is the Wolves best hopes of winning this deal long-term as the ages of Hancock, at 39, and Wood, at 36, limited their potential return. That being said with the season Wood is enjoying (.332/.408/.448) and his long-term consistency we would like to have seen the Wolves have come away with one of the Cougars deep stash of top 100 prospects in the deal. TALES FROM THE LAIR Dawn of A New Era In Toronto -- The Toronto Wolves decided to turn the page at the trade deadline, moving out three veterans. Chink Stickles went to Montreal in return for lefty Charlie Zimmerman, 23, who will report to Chattanooga. In the biggest deal at a muted deadline the Wolves dealt All-Star 3B Hal Wood and P Jim Morrison to the Cougars in exchange for 4 players including right hander Zane Kelley, 24, who will immediately take Morrison's spot in the rotation. Toronto also aquired OF/1B Ducky Cole, 24, who will take Stickels' spot on the FABL roster, plus two minor league pitchers in George Carter, 24, a righty who will start in Chattanooga and lefty Mike Emerson, 21, who join the Tomcats in Tuscaloosa. The fans reaction was not at all positive as the loss of these 3 fan favourites left many with a sour taste, especially those who vividly remember the championship of 1940 along with pennant races of 1943-45. One of Brett's sources in the front office told him "We knew it was time to move on, to start moving our lineup to what it will look like in the future rather than trying to hang onto the past. We did not like dealing any of the veterans with such a rich history in Wolves uniform. The fans should notice that we dealt them all to two teams chasing the CA pennant. Montreal is leading with Chicago chasing only 5 games out with two months to play. We did the same for Charlie Artuso last season. Eventually we hope to prove to the fans these trade will benefit the Wolves in the long run." An immediate beneficiary of the trade was John Wells, who was immediately recalled from Buffalo after only one week in AAA. Manager Fred Barrell is said to be penciling in a daily infield of 1B Fred McCormick/Frank Brunch, 2B Harry Finney, 3B Joe DeMott and SS Wells for the vast majority of the 50 remaining games. The Wolves had another tough week week on the road running their losing streak to 10, being swept in 3 against the Kings, before finally winning 9-7 on Friday at Dyckman Stadium. They managed one more victory in the 4 game set against the Stars when they split Sunday's double header, winning the nightcap when Jimmy Gibbs pitched 8 strong innings before Jayson came in for the save in a 4-2 win. Gibbs will now take Ray Hatch's spot in the rotation. Hatch has been getting shelled early as of late, and it has been decided that he needs some time in the 'pen to regain his form. Manager Barrell: "I am excited to our welcome our new players. I have seen along with heard good things about both Kelley and Cole. Kelley will get a start in Philly. I will slot Cole into right by moving Copeland over to left against righties. The team all knew that with the way were losing the changes had to be made for us to move forward. We all regret that the 3 guys will no longer be part of the Wolves but they are all going to contenders. The veterans McCormick, Hancock, Garrison will make sure the new guys are comfortable with their new team. It is time to look forward not dwell on the past. I have set a goal for the team of a minimum of 28 wins in our last 50 to give everyone something to shoot for in this disappointing season. I hope the fans see the logic in why the deals were made along with continuing to support us during these difficult times. Better times are ahead for the Wolves." The Montreal Saints continue to set the pace in the race for the Continental Association pennant. It was a tough weekend with a pair of one-run losses at home to the Philadelphia Sailors before the bats came alive with a 10-2 victory yesterday. Entering the Sailors series, the Saints had been red-hot with six straight victories including a pair of big wins over the Cincinnati Cannons. Now it is time to head to the Big Apple for a week long trip to face both the Brooklyn Kings and New York Stars before the Saints return to Parc Cartier a week from tomorrow for a big three-game set with the Chicago Cougars. The Cougars added a pair of veterans at the deadline but so did the Saints, and the acquisition of 39-year-old outfielder Chink Stickels was well received by the fans. Saints manager Jim Cator tells us that Stickels is coming as a backup outfielder and to play defense in right field late in close game. The core group atmosphere is great in locker room from what we are hearing. The Saints have not been in lead of the pennant race for almost two decades. Still pinned in the locker room corner are the OSA predictions with the Saints in 7th place with a red circle around the newspaper edition of last April with a handwritten notes saying.. "Let's prove them we are not that bad!" *** Valiants Look Local For NAHC Draft Needs *** The Montreal Valiants did not need to look far to find their first two picks in the recent North American Hockey Confederation draft. A pair of Montreal lads were taken by the Vals including defenseman Mike Driscoll with their first round pick. The 18-year-old, who is equally adept at playing either the right or left side, averaged more than a point a game for the Verdun Argonauts junior club last season. Second round selection Yan Tremblay also calls Montreal home and was a teammate of Driscoll's with Verdun last season. The left winger was among the top scorers in the Canadian Junior loop last season with 39 goals and 93 points in 64 games. With their final selection the Valiants went back to the blueline in choosing Manitoba native Andrew Davies in round three. The 18-year-old suffered through an injury plagued season with the St. Thomas Pachyderms, limiting him to 38 games and likely a big reason why he was still available in the third round. It is expected that all three players will remain in junior for the upcoming season.
MELANSON RETURNS TO THE RING: SET TO FACE OLD RIVAL EDMONDS FOR WORLD TITLE In a move that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, former world middleweight champion, Frank 'The Tank' Melanson, has officially declared his return to the squared circle. The stage is set for September 29th, where Melanson will renew his storied rivalry with current world champion John Edmonds at the hallowed grounds of New York's Bigsby Garden. This impending clash will mark the third encounter between the venerable Tank and Edmonds, each bout serving as a testament to their pugilistic prowess. Melanson, hailing from the industrial heartland of Pittsburgh, carved his path to prominence with a stunning upset victory over the reigning middleweight king, Archie Rees, in Philadelphia back in the spring of 1945. His subsequent title defenses, including grueling battles against Todd Gill and the late Edouard Desmarais, have etched his name in boxing folklore. However, it was his unforgettable encounter with Edmonds on Independence Day of 1947 that still reverberates in the annals of boxing history. A 14th-round TKO defeat on home soil was avenged six months later in Chicago when Melanson turned the tables with a 12th-round TKO victory of his own. The upcoming bout promises to be a fitting chapter in their storied rivalry. Yet, the Melanson who will step into the ring in late September may be but a shadow of his former self. Absent from the ring since his second consecutive loss against Desmarais in January of 1949, the 33-year-old Tank has only recently resumed training after a year and a half hiatus. While Melanson's career has been defined by defying the odds, the toll of time away from the ring cannot be underestimated. In contrast, Edmonds, aged 31, remains in the prime of his career, coming off victories against formidable young opponents like Bill Boggs and Hugo Canio. With youth on his side and a recent track record of success, Edmonds undoubtedly enters the bout as the overwhelming favorite. However, in the storied world of boxing, where legends are made and records are shattered, counting out a seasoned warrior like Melanson would be a grave mistake. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
https://i.imgur.com/8IPr7fo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RqzJKbH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lJcPrH5.jpeg The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 8/06/1950
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August 14, 1950
AUGUST 14, 1950 GOTHAMS STRETCH FED LEAD TO DOUBLE DIGITS The New York Gothams latest winning streak, an 11-game run, finally came to an end in the back half of a twin bill in St Louis yesterday but the streak increased the Gothams lead to 10.5 games over their nearest rival in the race for the Federal Association pennant. The Gothams, who have not won the Fed flag since 1942 despite a star-studded lineup, were the only team in either loop to reach 50 wins by the all-star break and led the Washington Eagles, who were second at the time, by 8 games. New York struggled out of the break, winning just 7 of their first 19 games before turning things around beginning with a pair of wins over Philadelphia in which the Gothams offensive exploded for 10 runs in each contest. Three game sweeps over Washington and Chicago followed and then on the weekend the Gothams took three from St Louis before falling to the Pioneers in yesterday's nightcap. The Keystones are now taking their turn in second place, as the Philadelphia nine -after limping out the Big Apple two weeks ago, has won 7 of its last 8 games but failed to gain any ground on the leaders during that stretch. Washington and Detroit, a pair of teams that were withing 5.5 games of top spot at the beginning of the month, have each fallen off the torrid pace set by the Gothams and now both sit 12.5 behind. There seems little doubt the Gothams will be seeing plenty of action this October. The question is who will they be facing in the World Championship Series with three Continental Association clubs separated by just a game and a half at the top of the standings and the always dangerous Chicago Cougars just 5 back. The Montreal Saints still hold the CA lead, but are feeling the heat after a rough weekend. The Saints began a six-game trip to the Big Apple with 3 straight wins over the Brooklyn Kings, but Dyckman Stadium was nowhere near as kind to the French Canadian outfit with the Stars sweeping a 3-game set to pull back to within a game. There was plenty of drama in New York but it all ended poorly for the visitors. Friday's series opener was a marathon 15-inning tussle where the Saints rallied to tie with two runs in the top of the ninth, took a 5-3 lead in the 11th only to see the Stars tie it in the home half before New York finally pushed the winning run across the plate when Elijah Bourdeau hit a solo homer to end it in the bottom of the 15th. Barely 10 hours later they were back at it with a Saturday matinee that saw Bill Barnett emerge as the hero with a second straight walk-off home run win for the Stars, taking it 5-4 in nine innings. Yesterday, with Eli Panneton on the hill and the big bat of Bill Barrett booming, the Stars completed the sweep by holding on for a 3-2 win. This may well be a make it or break it week for the Saints, who return to Parc Cartier for visits from the Chicago Cougars and then a return engagement with the Stars. If they survive those six games in first place it does not get any easier the following week, which for the Saints begins with a trip to Cincinnati. The Cannons started the month with back to back losses in Quebec, but have lost just once since then - winning 9 of their last ten outings and thanks to an assist from the New York Stars over the weekend have closed to within a game and a half of first place. More good news for the Cannons is shortstop Jim Hensley, who has been out since mid-July, is said to be just days away from returning from a hip injury. Young Jim Mako has filled in during Hensley absence, but his defense has been suspect, to say the least, so the return of the two-time all-star glove wizard will be very much welcomed by the Cannons pitching staff, which remains the best in the CA. PENNANT RACE BASEBALL AT ITS BEST While the Fed has been long decided, even if the Gothams did just see their eleven game winning streak snapped, the Continental has a very exciting race developing. After the Chicago Cougars swept the New York Stars, Montreal entered a big series with with a three game lead over those same Stars. This would prove to be one of the biggest, most exciting series of the year, at it all started with some late heroics. Montreal led 4-2 after seven, and then scored a fifth on Luke Weaver's (.310, 6, 41) RBI triple. That looked to be enough for Pat Weakly (8-5, 3.07, 59), who was cruising early on, but he did what no pitcher anywhere ever should do: he walked the leadoff hitter. Sure, he got two quick flyouts as a bounce back, but you never want to face extra hitters. Especially when that hitter is Bill Barrett (.320, 14, 71, 3). William the Conqueror conquered Weakley's weak offering, hitting his first of two homers in the series to bring the Stars back within one. Weakly got a third flyout to end the eighth, and hitting for himself in the 9th, he singled home Jess Garman (.263, 2, 24) from second for a crucial insurance run. Saints Manager Jim Cator should have ended Weakley's night there, opting for All-Star stopper Lee Richardson (5-2, 15, 1.66, 35) in the ninth, but he trusted his starter enough to face Jack Welch (.269, 24, 67). Quickly proved to be the wrong choice, Welch slammed a 1-2 mistake to bring the game back within one, though it was not enough to knock Weakley out of the game. A single, error, and walked loaded the bases, still with none outs, before a Ed Holmes (.252, 6, 35, 7) sac-fly tied the game. Bob Riggins (.263, 2, 13, 6) kept things going with an eleven pitch walk, finally convincing Cator that it was time for Lee Richardson. Richardson had no trouble with the double Bs, getting two quick outs despite the loaded bases, sending the game into the tenth. This brought in another talented stopper, George Scruggs (9-2, 13, 2.32, 38), but the Saints' late inning hitting would not be stopped. Again it was Luke Weaver making noise, as he doubled with one out, reached third after an intentional walk to new Saint Chink Stickels (.219, 2, 16) and an unintentional walk of Hank Smith (.269, 7, 19), before scoring on a Garman sac-fly. Scruggs managed to get Richardson out to end it, and the Saints stopper needed three more outs to secure a four game lead in the standings. A Mack Sutton (.269, 26, 88) leadoff single gave them life, but former #1 pick Ralph Hanson (.344, 13, 4) lined into a double play at first, before a ground out sent the home fans home unhappy. Lucky for those loyal to Dyckman Stadium, they would be treated with three more exciting games, each that they would win! The Stars got off to an early 3-1 lead in the second game, but the Saints got to Vern Hubbard (8-10, 5.25, 55) for two in the ninth to tie it. This was courtesy of a Bill Greene (.255, 4, 29, 7) two-run single while down to his last strike, and Greene also started a rally in the 11th. He walked with one out, later scoring on another two-run single, this time from the speedy Joe Austin (.230, 6, 40, 25) with two gone. Not ready to go down without a fight, the Stars invoked the power of a two-run, two-out single as well, with yesterday's final out Paul Watson (.262, 5, 60) tying the game at five. Dan Finch (.273, 2) came ever-so-close to winning it, but defensive sub Ralph Hanson threw a charging Bob Riggins out at home to force a 12th. The two teams traded zeros until the 15th, where pinch-hitter Elijah Bourdeau (.267, 1, 3) sent the fans home happy with a walk-off homer. With momentum clearly with the Stars, they outlasted the Saints twice more, winning 5-4 and 4-3 to cut the Saints deficit back down to one, where it was when the week started. They had the walk-off magic working in the 5-4 win too, as after the Saints tied it with three in the seventh, Bill Barnett (.285, 27, 75) doubled home Ralph Hanson for the win . Both teams are now off to start the coming week, but they'll play three more against each other over the weekend. This time it will be in Montreal, after the Saints host the fourth place Cougars (57-53) for three. New York will be at Dyckman Stadium, though they play just two against the visiting Kings (54-57). The Kings and Cougars just squared off in Brooklyn, where the Kings took three of four from Chicago to prevent them from making up ground in the three team race. The Cannons (60-49) are a game and a half behind Montreal, so if the two teams in front of them beat up on each other Cincinnati could emerge on top after a strong week. Even Cleveland (8 GB), Brooklyn (8.5) and Philadelphia (8.5) are closer to the Saints then anyone in the Fed is to the Gothams, as things are shaping up to be a pennant chase to remember in the Continental Association as we start the 1950s. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Go 2-3 On The Road With New Lineup --The new look Wolves sandwiched two wins around three losses in visits to Philadelphia and Cleveland this week. During a short two game set in the City of Brotherly Love the Wolves split with both winning team scoring 10 runs in each game, Toronto won 10-4 on Tuesday before getting destroyed 10-1 the following day. In the loss Zane Kelley made his first start in a Toronto uniform, it is one that he would like to erase from his memory. After his teammates gave him a 1-0 lead, Kelley allowed the Sailors to counter with 5 in their half of the first. Kelley did not make it out of the third before getting chased after giving up 7 runs on 12 hits. Going into Forester Stadium on Friday George Garrison cruised into the fifth in a scoreless game. He didn't survive the fifth, he retired the first hitter he faced before giving up 8 runs without getting another out before manager Fred Barrell mercifully came get him off the mound. This is a situation that is becoming alarming for the team. Garrison's control seems to vanish for no good reason at some point in every game which results in a big inning for the opposition. Cleveland took a pitcher's duel on Saturday with Gordie Irwin prevailing over Joe Hancock 2-0. Toronto took the series finale 5-2 before heading into Cincinnati for games Monday, Tuesday to finish a 19 game, 21 day road trip. Wolves return home for the balance of August midweek to face the Sailors then the Foresters over the weekend. The front office are hoping for good sized crowds to see their newcomers. The new look infield was only together for 2 of the 5 games this week. Barrell thinks they will be fine defensively once they get their timing down. Wells, after his short stay in Buffalo, actually played one of his games in rightfield and found his bat as the teenager slashed .545/.545/.545 going 6 for 11 with 3 RBI. Harry Finney hit .571 and Joe DeMott .333 for the week. If they can be at least average in the field the trio can be a force offensively for the Wolves. The other acquisition from the Chicago Cougars, Ducky Cole, had a slow start in limited action. Cole seems to strength the outfield defense where Boyer has had his challenging moments. Copeland seemed to take the move to left all in stride. The team received bad news on Hank Giordano who suffered a setback when starting conditioning work after tearing his groin in April. He may be sent out on rehab stint next week with a planned return to the FABL sometime after roster expansion in September. This season may be a total loss for the 29 year old. All eyes will be one Zane Kelley Tuesday when he takes hill against the Cannons hoping to make amends for his first start. 1951 FABL DRAFT PREVIEW This year will be a streamlined version of the TWIFS draft preview. In the past, retired TWIFS editor Jiggs McGee completed a multi-part preview of the FABL draft each August with a deep look at not only the upcoming draft class but also future classes. Jiggs is now retired and only an occasional contributer to TWIFS but the preview will continue with a list, courtesy of a big assists from the OSA, of the top twenty-five prospects for the January draft. Before we get to the current list here is how Jiggs McGee had the top candidates ranked a year ago when he provided his "Way Too Early Mock Draft" for the 1951 class in the summer of 1949. CURRENT TOP TEN 1: CHARLIE BARRELL - 2B Noble Jones College Barrell has been at the top of the charts for FABL scouts ever since he debuted as a high school freshman in the spring of 1945. He was a three-time High School All-American at Capital Academy in Washington DC where he lived with his uncle and current FABL President Dan Barrell. Most expected Barrell to be a top five, and maybe even the number one selection in the 1948 draft but he opted out of the draft, telling all FABL clubs he had committed to and would honour that commitment to Noble Jones College. Barrell, excelled in basketball and football as well as on the diamond and now, as he prepares to enter his junior season with the Colonels there are fears from FABL scouting directors that he will once more pass on the draft in order to complete his senior season at school. He has already helped the Colonels basketball squad to a national title as a guard and is said to be a first round draft candidate for the Federal Cage loop in the spring of 1952, should he not turn pro in baseball. Football may also beckon, as he is still a little raw on the gridiron, but big things are expected this season and next, if he stays, from Barrell as quarterback of the Colonels grid entry. On the college diamond he was a two-time All-American and twice a finalist for the Christian Trophy. The second baseman also helped Noble Jones College reach the finals of the AIAA World Championship Series tournament in June after leading them to the semi-finals as a freshman. OSA says Barrell has the highest ceiling imaginable as an elite second baseman and projects him to be one of the best pure hitters of his generation. The question is not whether Barrell will be the first overall selection of the draft. It is will he opt out in order to complete his college eligibility in the other sports, and will we ever see him on a professional diamond or does his future have a different path charted? 2: ALEX HAFER - LHP Lawrence (MA) High School There are some pretty talented hitters available in this class, but FABL General Manager's just cannot pass up a high ceiling pitcher and Hafer has the makings of a top of the rotation arm according to OSA. The 17-year-old lefthander from Lawrence, MA., was ranked #9 on the Jiggs McGee way too early mock draft a year ago and at that time the scouting service felt he had the ceiling of a number two starter. A 9-0 season with a 1.05 era and 136 strikeouts with just 18 walks in 94 innings as a junior prompted OSA to elevate Hafer to front of the rotation potential. He is 20-0 in three seasons of high school ball and OSA feels his three pitch arsenal, which has no weak link with a nice sinker, good cutter and good fastball indicates he can eventually front a FABL rotation. 3: JIM UPCHURCH - 1B Haddonfield (NJ) High School The native of Mineola, NY has not posted outstanding numbers in his three seasons at Haddonfield High, slashing a rather pedestrian .443/.551/.761 for a top high school prospect but just as they did a year ago, OSA feels Upchurch will play in multiple all-star games once he grows into his 6'3" frame. He is young, Upchurch will not turn 17 until later this month, and OSA feels he can be a .350 hitter and should have above average power. Perhaps a good comparison might be a Tim Hopkins type of player at his peak. 4: HARRY SWAIN - RF Houston (TX) High School Swain, who was ranked 6th on the list at this time last year, is the first of four corner outfielders with extremely high ceilings according to the OSA. The 17-year-old has been a three year starter at Houston High, a school with a rich history dating back to the feeder era and one which has produced more than its share of big league talent. The power has not arrived yet for the Houston born teen - he did hit 5 homers as a junior after just 2 each of his first two seasons but OSA feels when he matures Swain will have the strength to put a charge in the ball and will hit an above average number of dingers. 5:LARRY CURTIS - RF West Goshen State A newcomer to the list, the 21-year-old Brooklyn born outfielder made his debut at West Goshen State as a sophomore, transferring in from a junior college program. He showed plenty of pop with 16 homers in 47 games although his school does not compete against the top college competition. OSA scouts saw enough in the one year to suggest he has the highest ceiling imaginable for an elite right fielder and raw power that can send a fastball a mile. 6: DICK HEARD - RHP St. Patrick's Prep, Boston, MA. High school arms can be very unpredictable, and we certainly have some concerns about the 17-year-old Weymouth, MA. native Heard. He was a swingman both seasons he played for his high school club, starting just 15 games total but going 10-0 with an 0.52 era. A year ago, Heard was the top pitcher on our list and had the makings of a future ace according to the OSA. They have only backed off that assessment very slightly, calling him a pitcher who can "be at the top of the rotation someday" but we would feel a lot better if he was the ace of St. Patrick's Prep and started 12-16 games a season. 7: FRED MURRAY - RF Gatesville (TX) High School Murray made big gains his junior season of high school, rising from 23 on the mock a year ago to a spot firmly in the top ten and drawing comparisons to fellow Texas born corner outfielder Harry Swain. Described as a solid defensive player with above average potential, Murray could make multiple trips to the All-Star game according to OSA sources. 8: REX PILCHER - RF Ohio Poly The "Buckeye Bomber" as the 20-year-old Cleveland native is known to teammates has plenty of pop and hit 14 homers in each of his two seasons at Ohio Poly. OSA raves about his hitting skills and notes he has power but is still patient enough to show great strike zone recognition. Pilcher, who was a first team college All-American his freshman year and second team selection last season, was ranked #14 on the mock draft a year ago. 9: HUGH FEREBEE - CF Waxahachie (TX) High School The third Texas born high school outfielder may well be the most talented of the trio but there is some question about his dedication and focus. The San Antonio native is 17 and new to the top 25 mock this year. OSA seems him as possessing the talent to develop into a franchise cornerstone as a center fielder. 10: DICK GREEN - 1B Central City (KY) High School Green burst on to the scene last year, earning All-American status his first season of high school ball when he hit .505 with 11 homers in 26 games. OSA sees the raw 17-year-old, who was born in Hendersonville, TN., having a solid mix of power and contact potential, with the potential to become a franchise cornerstone.
RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 8/13/1950
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August 21, 1950
AUGUST 21, 1950 SAINTS PASS BIG TEST BUT LOSE AUSTIN The Montreal Saints took another small step closer towards claiming their first Continental Association pennant in three decades, but they also suffered a blow with an injury to a key piece of their infield. The Saints, who last won a flag in 1921 -the longest active drought for any team in FABL- had a big test last week with back to back series against a pair of contenders and passed both by taking two out of three games in each of them. The week, a key one for the Montreal squad which was reeling after three tough losses in New York last weekend, began with a series against the increasingly desperate Chicago Cougars. The Cougars, long-time favourites in the Continental Association whose struggles the past decade have been well documented, missed an opportunity to close the gap on first place by dropping the opening two games of the series to fall 7 games back of the front-running Saints. Bert Cupid (10-10, 4.08) was at his best in Tuesday's series opener, spinning a 5-hitter while Luke Weaver drove in both runs in a 2-0 Montreal victory. The Saints suffered a pair of final at bat losses in New York just a few days earlier but managed a walk-off victory of their own on Wednesday as Maurice Carter delivered a 2-run single in the bottom of the ninth to push Montreal past the Cougars 6-5. Chicago had some late inning heroics of their own the next night, pulling out a 4-3 win to salvage a game from the set and, temporarily at least, claw to within 6 games of the leaders. The Saints opened their weekend rematch against the Stars in the same fashion as they began the Chicago series, with a tremendous pitching effort. This time it was Wally Reif (13-9, 2.73) who went the distance on a 4-hit shutout to trim Eli Panneton and the Stars 1-0. New York evened the series Saturday afternoon, breaking open a tight game with 6 runs in the top of the 13th and eventually claiming a 7-2 victory to pull within a game and a half of the front-runners but that lead returned to 2.5 games thanks to another dramatic result yesterday. The Saints trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth but scored once in each of the final two frames to claim a 4-3 victory. The Stars, after dropping two of three in Montreal, are actually in third place as the Cincinnati Cannons, winners of 7 of their last 10 games, sit in second spot, 2 games back of the Saints and waiting patiently at Tice Memorial Stadium for the train from Montreal to arrive and commence a short two-game series between the two clubs beginning tomorrow afternoon. The train ride will be missing a key piece of the Montreal infield as yesterday's win over New York came at a price. Joe Austin, the Saints speedy sophomore second sacker, suffered what has been diagnosed as a fractured thumb and there is speculation he may not return until the World Championship Series, assuming the Saints can get there. The Continental flag field did get thinned out slightly last week as the Cougars, who followed up dropping two out of three in Montreal, continued their hard-luck story against the Brooklyn Kings by losing three-straight to Tom Barrell's boys on the weekend and now sit tied with the Kings, a full 8 games back of the lead. Brooklyn has gone 14-3 against the Cougars so far this season. The only series more one-sided this year in either association is the Cougars 16-2 mark against the last place Toronto Wolves. The Federal Association race, long since decided, saw the first place New York Gothams win six in a row last week before finally being slowed with a 6-0 loss against St Louis yesterday. The strong week allowed the Gothams to add another game and a half to their lead, which now sits at 11 and a half games on the Philadelphia Keystones.
OFF-SEASON SIGNING NEWS There is no action on the ice but that does not stop NAHC clubs from taking care of business off of it with news of a number of contract signings. The biggest one, and only one involving an established NAHC player, was the Toronto Dukes coming to terms on a deal with veteran winger Alex Lavalliere. The 25-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Toronto and was a key playoff contributor to their back-to-back Challenge Cup wins beginning in 1948 when he scored two goals in each of the two playoff runs. Lavalliere suited up for 69 games for the Dukes this past season but earned just 9 points before being held pointless in a 5-game playoff loss to Montreal in the semi-finals. The Challenge Cup champion Montreal Valiants signed former Vancouver Bears winger Gordie Campbell to a 3-year deal. The 22-year-old had a breakout season for the Great West Hockey League playoff finalists, notching a team best 60 points including 28 goals in 60 games last season after collecting just 15 points the previous year in his pro debut. Campbell was a 1949 third round selection by the Valiants out of London, ONT. The Chicago Packers have signed winger Max Lamoureaux, a 23-year-old they originally drafted back in 1946 with their fourth round selection. The Toronto area native finished his junior career and then, after a year of senior hockey, signed with the Pittsburgh Rovers last season. He suited up for 51 games for the Hockey Association of America side, scoring 6 goals and adding 10 assists. In Detroit, the Motors have agreed to a three year deal with top scorer in the CAHA last season. Bart Bradford, a 20-year-old center, who was named the top player in the junior loop after a 52 goal, 143 point campaign for the St. Thomas Pachyderms has decided to turn pro. The undrafted Fort William, ONT., native will likely spend the upcoming season with Detroit's HAA affiliate -the Buffalo Bears. Finally, the New York Shamrocks have brought Mark Levesque back to their organization. The 25-year-old winger was a 1945 fifth round selection of the Greenshirts who played in Seattle last year after suiting up for the Philadelphia Rascals each of the two previous seasons. Levesque had 58 points in 56 games for the Emeralds last season -the same club he began his pro career with before moving to the Rascals. Now, inked by the Shamrocks, the Noranda, QC., native will be back in Philadelphia with the Shamrocks HAA affiliate for the coming season. https://i.imgur.com/s4DfHSc.jpeg RECENT KEY RESULTShttps://i.imgur.com/3WxbcHi.jpg OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15 Charleston (IL) at Bulein SAUTRDAY SETPEMBER 16 Texas Panhandle at Queen City Mile High State at Lambert College Abilene Baptist at El Paso Methodist Baldwin City College at Eastern Kansas McKinney State at Central Kentucky Everman State (TX) at Payne State Kit Carson University at Cache Valley Flagstaff State at Canyon A&M Western Montana at Wyoming A&I https://i.imgur.com/O4dytfw.jpg
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 8/20/1950
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August 21, 1950 - Special weekend edition from pages of Toronto Mail & Empire
TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Showing Slow Signs of Improvement -- Although the Toronto Wolves are showing signs of improving, Brett thinks the remainder of 1950 will be challenging for the fans along with all the staff. To Brett it seems that the team has adopted a "what you see is what you get" stance for the balance of the season. The team has made their bed, now they have to lie in it for better or worse. The club has committed to John Wells as their shortstop of the future and Kirby Copeland to a corner outfield spot. Some veteran observers think that the commitment to Wells, 19, may have come at least a year too early but Manager Barrell puts it this way: "He is a big part of our future, time to take the training wheels off he is going to complete his development in the FABL. His talents, work ethic are obvious, there might be some trying times ahead for him especially on defense. The organization has total confidence in him to continue advancing. He is a work in progress, we ask our fans to see, recognize his talents, give him time. For a player to be a starter in this league at 19 when he was playing High School ball a year ago is a feat very, very few can achieve, he will be fine with time." This past week the team split with the Cannons to end their long road trip with a 5-15 record. After winning the last road game the team strung two wins back to back for the first time in over three weeks with an 8-6 victory at home over the Sailors. That game showed the biggest area of the Wolves need going forward. George Garrison pitched 8 strong innings, when his mates scored 7 in their half of the 8th frame, Barrell decided to hand the ball over to Chick Wirtz after an error by McCormick on a Wells throw with the Toronto club leading 8-0. Wirtz didn't retire a batter before Barrell came back to get him with the score 8-6. The big blow being a Grand Slam by Frankie Gonnella. Lou Jayson came in to preserve the victory for Garrison after a number of tense moments. The relief corps has surrender far too many leads this season. Barrell has to find someone to lock in victories for the starters. Brett believes the main area of focus should be finding arms within or outside the organization to shore up the bullpen. When rosters expand in September fans can expect to see a number of new arms in the bullpen. For the balance of the season Brett expects to see Barrell experimenting with the staff along with the lineups. Fred McCormick seems to be growing older by the day, he had 3 miscues in the game when Sailors staged their ninth inning rally. Frank Brunch Jr will probably see more time at first over the final six weeks. There are positives to build on. The team looks strong up the middle of the diamond if Wally Boyer's defense improves. Harry Pomeroy has made big step this year behind the plate. The likes of Dom Tripp, John Fast, Frank Frady, Randy Hendrix are probably playing to save their big league spots through the end of September. The same is true for most of the relievers with the possible exception of Jayson. Conspicuously absent, by his silence, has been Owner Bernie Millard. Brett is told that he approved all the changes made at the end of July. He is currently watching the results closely, he was told that he should prepare for some difficult times as the roster turns over in the final two months. The telling time will be at the end of September when the year end meetings take place in the Wolves' offices during the World Series. Attendance is down 8% but the staff is now trying to boost numbers by advertising the new players along with cutting admission prices. SUNDAY SPORTS WITH BRETT BING A Look at the Wolves Future --[/b] Now that the transition at the FABL level has begun in earnest the Mail & Empire will take a look at the Wolves' system for players that fans may be seeing in the next few years. Now that John Wells is firmly a member of the Wolves he will look at each team in the system listing the, in Brett's opinion, the top hitting, top pitching prospect along with where applicable the biggest disappointment. Buffalo Nickels (41-72, 7th Union League) The team has a number of hitting prospects including 3B Pat Todd, CF Tom B. Davis but Brett thinks 1B Tony Ballinger, 22, has the most potential on the team. Ballinger line in 263 PA is .290/.350/.458 10 HR 32 RBI. If Fred McCormick decides that he will retire after this season the fans could see Ballinger next season in platoon role with Brunch Jr. Hopefully his power will improve over time as the Wolves need a homerun threat in the lineup.On the mound recently acquired starter George Carter, 22, has impressed since coming over from the Cougars. In 3 starts at AAA he is 3-0, 2.53 1.27 WHIP . Expect to see him in Toronto when rosters expand next week. Biggest disappoint goes without saying; but it is Les Leadbetter, 21, who is 2-16, 5.84 1.82 WHIP in 23 starts with continued control issues. Chattanooga Reliables (49-65, 7th Dixie League) Another deadline acquisition Charlie Zimmerman, 23, who has shown through out the full season between Chattanooga, Nashville he is ready form the next step in his progression. Combined this season he is 8-7, 3.23. He still has a few control issues, if Carter get the call to the FABL expect Zimmerman to move up to Buffalo. At the plate 3B Bill Parent, 24, whose line of .306/.399/.369 certainly deserves a look at AAA. Parent can also serve as a utility man being able to man 2B, 3B, SS, CF, RF. Disappointment goes to LHS Doc Kidney, 26 who progressed up the system rapidly then has failed to handle AAA. He may get another shot at Buffalo in 1951. Davenport Dusters (51-62, 5th Heartland League) Top hitting prospect has to be a June draft choice CF/1B Ralph Miller, 21, who was taken in the fifth round. He has already had stops in Tuscaloosa, Vancouver this summer. He has hit very for the short stints at each level. Expect Miller to be put on the fast track up the system. He has proven he can hit, he needs to work on his play in the field. Most of the pitching staff are on their way down or out of the system having landed in A-ball by default, A fringe prospect would be Joe Gallo. 23, who was selected in the 24th round of the '49 draft. Vancouver Mounties (58-56, 4th COW) Pitching is another deadline pickup from the Cougars. Lefty Mike Emerson, 21 who has been impressive in 2 starts. His next move will be Davenport as early as September. First round pick Skinny Bennett, 21 made a brief stop in Alabama after being drafted a second time by the Wolves. He will spend the balance of 1950 at B before being slotted higher over the winter when the system is again revamped to separate the wheat from the chaff. Tuscaloosa Tomcats (25-18, 2nd Gulf States League) There are a number of bats that have shown promise including 1B Carle Patterson, 21, with 8 HR in 36 games, 2B Earl Dziedzic, 20, C Joe Hyder, 22. On the hill are two flame throwers who have trouble locating the strike zone Kid Moore, 22 along with Joe Sigler, 18. Moore has to figure out how get the ball in the zone the quickest of the two. Brett has also decided to add a couple of quick notes on the other two pro teams. Tales from the Manor The hockey Dukes took D Dan Morrison in the first round of the draft then selected wingers Jerry Belanger, Ryan Alavie to complete the draft. All three will likely spend the winter with their junior teams. As the team readies to head north for camp in less than two weeks the team resigned Alex Lavalliere to a three year contract. Jack Barrell is said to like Lavalliere's game being able to handle both wings, he is a useful depth piece. Rumours around the Dukes include the movement of their 1949 first round pick Ken Jamieson to the left wing for camp as he will not secure a spot as a center. Most people think he will at least start the year in Cleveland as the team felt that leaving him in junior would be the waste of a year. A battle watch at the McIntyre Arena will be for Broadway's backup between Terry Russell, Charlie Dell. Whether Dell stays or goes to Cleveland is the question, if he stays the Dukes will try to trade Russell. Fans can expect a high spirited camp after last year's playoff disappointment for the team. Tales From the Nest The cage Falcons drafted PG Robert Smith and C Edgar Stilwell then signed PF Merrill Abell. The team is quiet at the moment said to be waiting for the fallout from possible league contraction. If players become available the staff will busy before the start of training camp. |
August 28, 1950
AUGUST 28, 1950 SAINTS STUMBLE BUT RETAIN TWO GAME LEAD The Montreal Saints had a losing week that included be swept in a 2-game series in Cincinnati, but when the dust settled the Montreal club finished the week the way it started - with a 2 game lead on the second place Cannons as the race for the Continental flag prepares for the final month of the campaign. Tuesday's lid lifter to the week was over nearly before it began as the Queen City hosts welcomed Saints hurler Wally Doyle with 6 runs in the bottom of the first. It was not vintage Deuce Barrell for the Cannons, but Barrell pitched well enough, with a late assist from Les Bradshaw, to lead the Cannons to a 6-5 victory. A day later it was another big inning -this time a 5-run outburst in the bottom of the 8th- that proved the difference in 7-5 Cincinnati win that left the two clubs tied for top spot. That would prove to be the high water mark of the week for the Cannons who then proceeded to drop 4 of their next 5 games at home to Brooklyn and New York. Meanwhile, the Saints proved to be only moderately more successful in stops in Toronto and Cleveland, taking two of three from the last place Wolves before splitting a Sunday twin bill in Northern Ohio. The result restored Montreal's two game lead on the second place Cannons with the New York Stars also remaining unchanged from a week ago at 2.5 games off the pace. Chicago and Brooklyn each made up some ground with winning streaks to close out the week leaving the Cougars six back, a half game ahead of the fifth place Kings. The Federal Association leading New York Gothams continue to widen the gap on the pack and the only question remains is will the finish the season with the biggest gap on a second place team in the Federal Association this century? The Gothams, at 79-45, currently hold a 13.5 game lead on second place Washington. The last team to win by a wider margin was the 1896 Gothams, who ended up 17 games ahead of second place Detroit that season. Since the turn of the century the standard is 12 games set by the 1912 Boston Minutemen. END OF SEASON DOUBLE-DIGIT LEADS IN FEDERAL ASSOCIATION HISTORY 1947 St Louis 10 games 1928 Chicago 10 games 1920 St Louis 11.5 games 1916 Detroit 10 games 1912 Boston 12 games 1900 Pittsburgh 11 games 1899 Pittsburgh 12 games 1896 New York 17 games 1895 New York 24 games https://i.imgur.com/foLzV9a.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/5uSDOtr.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Xv9TJW5.jpg TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Have First Winning Week Since April - The Toronto Wolves go 4-3 for the week. This was the first time time the team has more wins than losses in a calendar week since the week of April 24-30 when they went 5-1. They have weeks of .500 since but none in which there were more victories than losses. The week started with a 3 game sweep of the Kings, who are the only team Toronto has a winning record against. Fred Barrell's boys are 10-9 in games with Brooklyn in 1950. They ran their winning streak to four with a 6-2 score over the Saints on Thursday before dropping the last three games of the week, two to Montreal then one to Chicago. The Wolves could have easily ran the streak to five, but a pitching meltdown by Zane Kelley and Harry Phillips turned a 6-3 lead after six into an 11-8 loss to Montreal on Friday before 15,871 fans. Phillips only retired one while giving up 4 runs, the big blow being a 3 run shot by Saints 3B Luke Weaver. On Saturday George Garrison again surrendered a big inning, 5 runs in the 8th, as Montreal won 9-1. Garrison's run of one bad inning per start has the on-field staff in panic mode. He seems to be cruising along when all of a sudden, the roof caves in on Garrison without warning, often turning a win into another loss. In the field the team seems to be improving by the day although Fred McCormick has had a rash of miscues of late - something that has many calling for a late inning defensive replacement at 1B. McCormick has never been a vacuum cleaner at first though his errors this season seem to come at critical junctures in games. The Mail & Empire has learned from contacts that with roster expansion the team may be only adding a couple arms from Buffalo. Both Carter's, Jim and George, are said to be heading to Toronto in an attempt to strengthen the dismal pitching staff. With the recent changes to the lineup the front office, along with manager Barrell, feel the time will be better used for the current Wolves to get more accustomed to playing with each other. As a result, callups would get very little, if any, playing time. The team has sent Hank Giordano to Buffalo for conditioning after being out for 4 months with a torn groin. He could be with the Wolves in a few weeks to give Barrell a preview of the 1951 team. In an associated move Curt Brooks was DFA. Brooks is not seen as part of the future outfield. Brett spoke earlier of the a winning record facing the Kings this season. The other end of the scale is against the rest of the team in the Continental. Here is the Wolves 1950 record: Cleveland Foresters: 8-9 New York Stars: 8-10 Philadelphia Sailors: 7-10 Cincinnati Cannons: 6-7 Montreal Saints: 4-16 Chicago Cougars: 2-17 Chicago, Montreal have feasted on the Wolves this season.
BEES SIGN 1949 TOP PICK BANKS TO CONTRACT The Boston Bees have signed their first round selection from a year ago, inking right winger Vince Banks to a 3-year deal worth a reported $2,000 per season. The 20-year-old was selected 6th overall by the Bees in the 1949 draft, out of the London Lions junior club. A Sudbury, Ont., native, Banks had a season he would rather forget a year ago. Multiple injuries limited the youngster to just 29 games for the Lions, who finished fifth in the six team West Division and missed the playoffs. When he was healthy Banks, who was an assistant captain in London, produced. He averaged nearly a point game with 27 points including 9 goals in 29 games. He is expected to spend the upcoming season in the minors with the Bees HAA farm club the Springfield Hornets. Banks becomes the fourth first rounder from his draft to sign a pro deal, following Griffin Dufresne and Bill LaChance, who both signed with the Shamrocks although LaChance is now with the Chicago Packers organization, and Ken Jamieson who agreed to a deal with the Toronto Dukes last month. The two other first rounders, Montreal goaltender Nathan Bannister and Detroit defenseman Emmett Hargreaves are likely going to return to the CAHA for their final season of junior hockey. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 8/27/1950
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September 4, 1950
SEPTEMBER 4, 1950 FIGHTING SAINTS TOP PRESEASON GRID POLL The St. Blane Fighting Saints are no strangers to the top of the college football rankings but the Saints, absent from the number one spot when it matters most each of the past two years, will begin a new decade as the number one ranked team in collegiate football. The Latrobe, Pa. football power was unbeaten in both 1946 and 1947 to top the final rankings, released each December but both last season and in 1948 the Fighting Saints found themselves serving as bridesmaids with back to back second place finishes. This year the pundits that cast their votes weekly from mid-October until mid-December are putting St Blane first, and expecting a big season from quarterback Bill Thomas, who was an All-American as a junior for the Saints a year ago. St Blane is closely followed in the early rankings by another two-time champion the past decade in the Rome State Centurions. The military academy no longer enjoys the pick of the litter, as it did during the war years, but Rome State has finished in the top ten each of the past two years including an 8-0-1 finish a year ago that earned them the number four slot in the final poll. Detroit City College, which went a perfect 9-0 and won the National Title in 1948 after finishing second to the Saints despite a perfect season the year prior, stumbled through a dismal, by their standards, 5-4 season but the pollsters feel the Knights will once more be a team to fear when the 1950 grid campaign kicks off in less than two weeks. Sitting in the number four seat are Deep South power Cumberland as the Tennessee school is coming off a 7-2-2 campaign that culminated in a decisive New Year's Day Classic win over Iowa State in the first-ever Ozark Classic. Southwestern Alliance champion Travis College, which capped it's 10-1 season with a 16-10 win over Minnesota Tech in last year's Oilman Classic is fifth while defending National Champion Oklahoma City State, which was a perfect 11-0 and blasted Bayou State 24-7 in the Lone Star Classic is sixth in the preseason rankings. https://i.imgur.com/JBnTf1E.jpeg OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15 Charleston (IL) at Bulein SAUTRDAY SETPEMBER 16 Texas Panhandle at Queen City Mile High State at Lambert College Abilene Baptist at El Paso Methodist Baldwin City College at Eastern Kansas McKinney State at Central Kentucky Everman State (TX) at Payne State Kit Carson University at Cache Valley Flagstaff State at Canyon A&M Western Montana at Wyoming A&I WHO WANTS IT? CA FLAG RACE WIDE-OPEN Saints, Cannons, Stars All Struggling The Continental Association pennant race gets more confusing by the day. A week ago, both the Chicago Cougars and Brooklyn Kings seemed to be fading and we appeared to be down to a three team slugfest for the flag over the final month of the season. But now, after big weekends from both against teams ahead of them in the standings, a mere four and a half game separate the top five clubs in the loop with just 4 weeks remaining in the campaign. The Saints are still first, clinging to a half game lead on Cincinnati after suffering through a 6-game losing skid before finally salvaging the finale of their three game weekend set with the Chicago Cougars - who suddenly seem inspired again after taking 3 of 5 from the top two teams in the loop last week. It is the club that the Cougars are now tied with at 4.5 games off the pace that is the hottest team of late. That would be the up and down Brooklyn Kings who completed 3 game sweeps of both Cincinnati and the New York Stars over the past 10 days but sandwiched those sweeps around a pair of dreadful mound performances in dropping two games in Cleveland. Any given week it is different teams that either appear on the rise or struggling. The Saints have managed to hang on to top spot but since the loss of lead-off man Joe Austin the Montrealer's have dropped 8 of their last 12 games and appear to be just barely hanging on. The Cannons were swept by Brooklyn a week and a half ago, derailing their progress, and went 3-3 over the past 8 days with splits against the Stars, Cougars and Foresters. The Stars have been up and down all season and may well be in first place by the time today comes to an end as they host Montreal in a double-header today before finishing the week with 2 game sets against the Cougars and Kings. The Kings are a bad word at Dyckman Stadium right now after Brooklyn ruined the Stars weekend with a 3-game sweep to keep New York in third place. Here is how it sits right now, with the Saints -who will play 18 of their final 24 games at Parc Cartier- still the favourites, The second place Cannons are saddled with a tough final month as the schedule-maker has the Queen City nine on the road for 21 of its final 27 contests. Like Montreal, the New York Stars have plenty of home games as 15 of their last 21 will be at Dyckman Stadium. It promises to be an interesting final four weeks in the Continental Association. https://i.imgur.com/lf08rDC.jpeg It was a strange week in the Montreal clubhouse. First an awful week with 1-4 sim. Probably not the best time to get this record in the middle of a tight pennant race that has the Saints clinging to a mere half-game lead on the Cincinnati Cannons with three other teams well within shouting distance. https://i.imgur.com/EhwnU8l.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/7jU7XRM.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/z61sUiZ.jpeg The injury bug also bit again as the latest casualty is third baseman Luke Weaver, who is lost for the rest of the year after suffering an ankle injury in a loss to the Chicago Cougars on Saturday. Weaver joins 1949 Kellogg Award winner Joe Austin on the sidelines as the Saints embark on their most crucial month in decades, hoping to end a three decade long pennant drought. The absence of Austin's speed is clearly showing, losing the leadoff hitter is reducing the number of runs produced by the team and they have struggled to win games as a result. The Saints are just 4-8 since the speedy second sacker was hurt and have scored 2 runs or less in five of those losses. Now with Weaver, who was batting .290 with 8 homers and 45 rbi's, out as well it looks like veteran Jake Hughes will be asked to take over at the hot corner. The 34-year-old is a career .280 hitter but has been anything but hot this season, struggling with a .196 batting average in a reduced role. Saints skipper Jim Cator is said to be toying with the idea of using first baseman Hank Smith at third, but that is a position the 26-year-old slugger has never played so if the move is made it will certainly be a big gamble as Cator has to hope Smith's offensive production (.257,7,20 in 105 at bats) will be enough to offset what could be a real adventure for the 26-year-old in the field. The pitching rotation is doing a solid job led by Bert Cupid, who was named CA pitcher of the month in August with 5-1 record and 1.55 ERA. When your starters are giving 3 runs or less per start and still losing 4 games out of 5, it certainly means something is going wrong on offense, which emphasizes just how much the table-setting skills of lead-off man Joe Austin have been missed. How solid has the pitching been? The table below show the best 4 performances of the week in pitching, but only Wally Reif got the win as the offense scored 8 runs in that game. The offense got cold in the other 4 games with only 1 run per game in 3 of those. Fans are hoping the offense will wake up in the next week to stay in the pennant race. Summary of the week, Saint lead is now 0.5 game ahead of Cincinnati and a game and a half up on the New York Stars with a big double-header set for New York's Dyckman Stadium today. Saturday afternoon at Gothams Stadium was a historic day in what has become a historic season for the New York Gothams. Closing in on a pennant that finally exorcises the ghosts that have haunted this franchise on the mound the past half a dozen years, the attention was focused squarely on one of the big bats in a loaded lineup on this day. That would be Red Johnson as the 32-year-old smacked his 27th homerun of the season in a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Chiefs, but more importantly it was the 400th round-tripper of Johnson's illustrious career. He is now in pretty select company as only Hall of Famers Max Morris, Al Wheeler and Rankin Kellogg along with certain Hall of Famer to-be in Bobby Barrell have scaled such lofty heights. Johnson, who will turn 33 on the day the Gothams close out the regular season against his former club, the Detroit Dynamos, should still have plenty of longballs left in his bat and it is likely a good bet that by the time the 4-time Whitney Award winner is ready to hang up his cleats only Morris and Barrell will have hit more homeruns than the Gothams #4, Big Timber Red Johnson. Drafted second overall in 1935 by the Detroit Dynamos -he followed a pretty good pitcher by the name of Deuce Barrell who went #1 to the old Baltimore Cannons that draft- Johnson made his big league debut with the Dynamos as a 19-year-old in 1937. His first homerun came in his third big league game, but once more a Barrell overshadowed him. That was September 15, 1937, and the big story was Bobby Barrell blasted a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to give the Keystones a 9-6 win over the Dynamos. Interesting to note is that Rankin Kellogg, another member of the exclusive 400 homer club, also went deep that day. Like Barrell's big blast that Wednesday afternoon, Johnson's first career homer also made a big splash as it, too, was a grand slam. Red's came in the opening inning off a pitcher who would eventually be his teammate in Detroit, an Allan Award winner as well, by the name of Frank Crawford. Interesting how the circle of baseball is as Crawford would be traded to Detroit for another player who seems destined to become the sixth member of the 400 homerun club. That would be Hank Koblenz, who like Johnson got his start in the Detroit system and was dispatched to the Keystones for Crawford and Frank LeMieux in 1938. TALES FROM THE LAIR Toronto Enters Last Month of Season - The Wolves closed out August with a record of 12-17. As bad as that sounds it was their best winning percentage, .417, since a 5-3 record way back in April. it follows July's 5-22 mark when the team decided to head in a new direction. A losing record is still not good, but fans must take heart in the improvement of 7 wins in August. The team had a chance to have a winning homestand after a 2-1 win, in a 13 inning marathon, over the Cougars on Monday before losing two to the Stars, 7-0 then 9-4 to finish 6-8 during the two weeks at home. The Wolves split in Philly, the win being a 3-0 complete game shutout by 37-year-old Joe Hancock after an another one-run loss on Saturday. Looking ahead, Cleveland will host the traditional Labour Day doubleheader today before the team returns home for a quick 6 day, 6 games set that begins with 3 against the Cannons, who are only a half game back of first place Montreal. Then it will be a weekend series hosting the Sailors for Toronto. Fred Barrell has stated the goal of the team, aside from establishing a hierarchy for 1951 spring training, is to make things difficult for any contender "We will not be a walkover for any team, the players still have their pride. It has been difficult season, regardless we will play to win each and every game. We are improving each and every day." Kirby Copeland should be getting serious consideration for Rookie of the Year in the CA. He is now third in the league hitting at .327 and reaching base at .380 rate. He also had a league high hitting streak of 21 games recently broken at home. Copeland is one of success stories in an otherwise dismal season. the new infield of Finney, Wells, DeMott seems to be making progress defensively which is key going forward. All three can hit, their lines for August were: Wells .400/.431/.527, Finney .327/.388/.413, DeMott .314/.354/.397. Rumours of Fred McCormick's demise seem to be premature after an August of .314/.404/.904 with 10 XBH 12 RBI including 2 triples for the old man. No speedster McCormick surprisingly has 177 career three baggers. Will he stay around for another year to provide sage advice to the youngsters? The Wolves have the nucleus of a good, young, hitting team albeit lacking power. Over the winter the team has to find pitching, it has been awful all season. Wolves have a long way to go, there are encouraging signs. Next year's focus should be getting back to the first division in the CA.
RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 9/03/1950
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September 11, 1950
SEPTEMBER 11, 1950 NEW YORK! NEW YORK! Stars Take Continental Lead, Subway Series Ahead? On the strength of starting last week with a doubleheader sweep of Montreal, the New York Stars have climbed into top spot in the unpredictable Continental Association pennant race. With just three weeks remaining in the season the Stars are a game and a half up on the second place Saints and talk has already begun of a third installment of the Subway Series. The New York Gothams, coasting to the Federal Association flag with an 11.5 game lead on Washington, are all but assured of being one of the participants in the Fall Classic and may well end up meeting the same team the Gothams played last time they reached the World Championship Series. That would be the cross-town Stars, who have faced the Gothams twice before. The most recent meeting, in 1942, was one of the most exciting series ever contested with the Gothams rallying from a 3 games to two deficit to take games six and seven on the road, including a 3-1 extra innings victory in game seven that was decided by back to back doubles in the top of the 10th inning off the bats of Walt Messer and Billy Dalton. The only previous Subway Series between the two New York ballclubs occurred in 1925 and the Stars prevailed in 5 games to win their third WCS in as many years. The Gothams seat at the World Championship Series table is secure but the Stars still have some work to do, although the odds-makers are firmly in their camp. The New York Continentals have five home games this week with the Stars welcoming Toronto and Cleveland to Dyckman Stadium for two contests each before finishing off Sunday with a single game against the Philadelphia Sailors. Still ahead are four meetings with the Chicago Cougars and two each against the Cincinnati Cannons and the Montreal Saints. The Saints have led much of the way but have fallen on hard times of late as they have been battered with injuries that have taken much of the charge out of their offense. Slugging first baseman Maurice Carter (.267,24,86) is the latest to go down: done for the season with a sprained knee. Carter joins lead-off man Joe Austin and Luke Weaver on the sideline with the only positive news for Saints supporters being that Austin may return next week. It won't be soon enough for the struggling Saints, who have gone 6-12 without their speedy second baseman. Montreal was shut out twice by New York in the twin bill last Monday, ending a long Saints reign in first place in the process, and then split a pair of 2-game series with sinking Brooklyn and the hard-luck Chicago Cougars. It may well be the Cougars that have the best chance of catching New York as they have 4 games remaining head-to-head but the Chicago nine will need a big showing in their 10-game homestand that begins tomorrow with a trio of games against the Cleveland Foresters. Cincinnati will be part of the Cougars homestand and the Cannons ran into trouble last week against their Ohio neighbors as the Cleveland Foresters took 3 of 4 from the Queen City nine, part of a 3-7 run that has the Cannons two games back with a big series coming up with Montreal at the end of the week and perhaps an even bigger one the following weekend in New York. A sleeper pick would be the hard-charging Cleveland Foresters. The defending Continental Association champs ended well over a decade of futility with a flag last year, but they meandered along much of this season, never quite in contention. However, thanks to an 11-2 run the Foresters are now within 4.5 games of the lead and still have two contests remaining with New York and three against Montreal. Not in the Foresters favour is all five of those games, and all but 3 of their remaining 20 contests, will be on the road. FORESTERS CATCHING FIRE Despite a dreadful start after their first pennant in almost fifteen years, the Cleveland Foresters have gotten right back into the Continental Association race. Just 61-63 when September started, Cleveland has won eight of their last ten, with a back half of a double header loss in Cincinnati to end the week, snapping their win streak at eight. The offense has exploded, led by their young outfield. Both Frenchy Sonntag and Sherry Doyal have really caught fire, though Doyal has been doing it all season. Part of the blockbuster Hiram Steinberg deal, Doyal is starting to look like the star the front office once believed he could be, as after a 10-for-26 week with 3 homers, 7 walks, 9 RBIs, and 11 runs, he's now hitting an impressive .314/.387/.507 (129 OPS+) on the season. His 145 WRC+ is best among Foresters with more than 400 trips to the plate, and he's got some insane counting stats. 30 doubles. 20 homers. 84 runs. 89 RBIs. 60 walks. The only thing he doesn't do is steal bases, and his defense is just average. Sonntag, a year younger at 21, was a more recent callup, and it took the former 1st Rounder a little to get going. Frenchy had a three homer week of his own, going 11-for-29 with 3 doubles, 12 RBIs, 8 runs, and 5 walks. That more then doubled his homer total, as he's got 5 in his first 36 games, and he's collected 6 doubles, 21 runs, 21 RBIs, and a nice 16-to-12 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Superstar catcher Larry McClure (10-24, 5 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 4 R), slugger Lorenzo Samuels (8-24, 2B, 2 HR, 5 R, 7 RBI, 6 R), and recent second rounder Lloyd Coulter (10-25, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB) all had weeks that were worthy of the Player of the Week Frenchy came home with. The pitching got some big starts from Adrian Czerwinski, who beat the Wolves (9 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3) and shutout the Cannons (9 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K), improving the reigning Allen Winner to 15-13 in 31 starts. "The Mad Professor" has a strong 3.71 ERA (111 ERA+) and 1.45 WHIP, striking out 94 in 257.1 innings pitched. Aside from midseason callup Larry Beebe (5-8, 3.27, 52), Czerwinski's the only Forester with a sub-4 ERA, putting some pressure on the offense to perform. They certainly have the bats to make an impact, and now just 4.5 games behind the first place Stars, there's still a chance for a repeat pennant for the surprise Foresters, who remain one of the seven teams within seven games of the Continental leaders. TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Fall Deeper Into The Abyss - When the loyal fans of Toronto's baseball team think that things cannot get any worse, they do, witness the past 1-7 week. In the seven loss they gave up an average of 8 runs. Even in Little League you are not going to win many games when the opposition scores eight. A loss of both of a doubleheader to the Foresters was just the start of the week of misery. The first game on Labour Day was over almost before it started when Cleveland sent thirteen men to the plate in a 9-run second. After dropping the second game the Wolves came home to be embarrassed 11-3 by the Cincinnati Cannons on Tuesday in a game they led 3-1 after five innings. After another loss to Cincinnati a day later, the Wolves finally won their only game of the week when two star pitchers of the Forties -Deuce Barrell and George Garrison- met on the mound with Garrison tossing a complete game 5-1 victory before just over 14,000. Fans who hoping that this would turn the team around were wrong as the Philadelphia Sailors swept a weekend series leaving the Wolves at 48-85 for the season, by far the worst record in either association. Many fans are thankful that the Wolves now head out on the road for two weeks before returning home for 6 games to close out the season the last week of September. The Wolves will undoubtably have the worst record in the FABL. With the way the team is playing at the moment it may be a struggle to avoid 100 losses in 1950. The team last had triple digit losses in 1932 with the likes of Jack Mack, Sam Orr in the lineup and Buddy Adams, Bert Sweet pitching. The team is heading got its worst staff ERA since 1934. Owner Bernie Millard, surprisingly, has been quiet during the season. Known for his hatred of losing along with his meteoric temper, Millard has not publicly called out any of the Wolves staff or players this year. The Mail & Empire has been told, although quiet in public, Millard is expressing his displeasure privately, on a daily basis and demanding to know what the plans are for the future. His ire is routinely directed at the scouting department and General Manager about the state of the pitching staff. Even a novice knows that the Wolves are going nowhere without better pitching which was long a source of pride in Toronto. To think that soon to be 38-year-old Joe Hancock will be the staff ace in 1951, first overall selection in 1933, is unrealistic for the team. George Garrison and Jerry York could rebound and maybe Zane Kelley will be a year wiser, even with that slim possibility Toronto needs desperate help in the bullpen. Even this reporter is having tough time finding good things to write about the team, and the focus, of both this reporter and sports fans is now more on the Dukes that have started the training camp up north. Wolves manager Fred Barrell continues to maintain a strong outward appearance in a season that has obviously taken a toll on him. "We have 21 games remaining for players to prove themselves along with spoiling some other team's seasons. I have made it clear that everyone is being evaluated as to their prospective role in 1951. There are no guaranteed lineup or pitching staff spots going forward."
ALL EYES ON CHAPPELL AND THE COWBOYS AS PRO GRID SEASON KICKS OFF Much has changed in the land of the American Football Association since the Chicago Wildcats rallied for two touchdowns in the final two minutes last December 18 to defeat the Philadelphia Frigates 28-27 in what has to be the most dramatic finish to an AFA championship game ever witnessed. The Wildcats and Frigates are both back, and both expected to once more be contenders. Chicago was named the team of the decade by this magazine not too long ago and the Wildcats, winners of back to back AFA titles and four wins in total -to go with six appearances- in the title tilt are always a team to fear but there is plenty of uncertainty this time around as the league welcomed three new teams while restructuring its divisions. The three new clubs come courtesy of the now disbanded Continental Football Conference, an outfit that was a pain in the behind for Jack Kristich and the AFA owners for the past four seasons but has finally succumb to financial distress. The newcomers will be the San Francisco Wings, New Orleans Crescents as well as the mighty Kansas City Cowboys. The Cowboys, led by former Noble Jones College national title winning coach Pete Walsh, and a deep collection of offensive weapons with none bigger than quarterback Pat Chappell, who was clearly the best player in the brief history of the Continental loop. Under Chappell's guidance, the Kansas City offense dominated the CFC and won three of the four championship games. The big question is just how good will the Cowboys be when they have to compete against the likes of the Philadelphia Frigates, Cleveland Finches and others in the AFA Continental Division. That is correct, we said Continental Division. Gone is the old East and West Division format, a fixture of the AFA since 1933, and in its place are the Continental and American Divisions. The clubs of the Continental (top row below) are the Boston Americans, Cleveland Finches, Kansas City Cowboys, New York Stars, Philadelphia Frigates and St Louis Ramblers. The American Division will feature seven clubs including the defending AFA champion Chicago Wildcats, Detroit Maroons, Los Angeles Tigers, New Orleans Crescents, Pittsburgh Paladins, San Francisco Wings and Washington Wasps. Here is the divisional structure for the upcoming season, which kicks off in earnest this weekend. https://i.imgur.com/kOcBVg3.jpeg DUKES SIGN GOALTENDER OF THE FUTURE While Gordie Broadway may still feel he has plenty left in the tank, the Toronto Dukes took steps to ensure their net would be secure long after the 36-year-old Broadway has decided to move on. Toronto came to a contract agreement with Scott Renes, who will add to a crowded net as the 23-year-old, along with another recent signing in Charlie Dell, gives the Dukes three goaltenders capable of being a number one netminder in the NAHC, either now or down the road. Broadway, who started 57 games last season despite his advancing age, is showing no signs of slowing down and is a two-time Juneau Trophy winner who helped the Dukes win 4 Challenge Cups. However, he may be pressed for playing time by the newly signed Renes, who is expected to displace veteran Terry Russell for the backup job. Renes, a 24-year-old Nesbitt, Manitoba native was named the best goaltender in the Great Western Hockey League last season and won a pair of GWHL titles in his six seasons in the loop. The Dukes selected Renes in the third round of the 1945 draft but with Broadway the clear starter, let him develop in the GWHL. When it comes time for Broadway to step back Renes will quite likely have competition for the number one job. That would be in the form of Charlie Dell, a 22-year-old from Powell River, BC, who was selected 4th overall by the Dukes in the 1948 NAHC draft. Dell spent the past three seasons with the Toledo Tigers of the HAA before signing with the Dukes last month. It is expected Dell will return to the HAA in the upcoming season but will be assigned to the Cleveland Eries, who are the Dukes minor league affiliate. Toronto had a busy week as the Dukes management also reached an agreement to resign 26-year-old defenseman Miles Norman. Norman spent two years with the old Brooklyn Eagles but his time since joining the Dukes organization after the Eagles folded has primarily been spent in Cleveland although he did participate in 9 playoff games during the Dukes Cup run in the spring of 1948. A veteran of 105 NAHC regular season games, Norman spent all of last year with the Eries, scoring 10 goals and adding 17 assists in 62 games on the Cleveland blueline. He does give the club flexibility as he is equally adept on either the right or left side but with 16 rearguards under contract it is expected Norman will be once more ticketed for Cleveland. SEVERAL COLLEGES ARE LAUNCHING FOOTBALL SEASON THIS WEEK END Despite mid-summer temperatures and one even hotter baseball race, college football begins its schedule this weekend. Nearly a dozen games are booked, including such schools as Central Kentucky, Lambert College and Eastern Kansas. Charleston University out of Illinois and South Atlantic Conference member Bulein are the first of the major schools to send their elevens into action. They will play Friday evening in Greenville, SC, with the Hornets hoping to get off to a quick start after a disappointing 3-5-1 campaign a year ago. There will be entirely different feelings at Lexington, KY. and Logan, UT. on Saturday. The Central Kentucky Tigers, looking to build off an impressive 9-2-1 season a year ago that culminated in a Sunshine Classic shutout of Maryland State, will be looking to run up the score against Texas weakling McKinney State. Meanwhile in Utah, Cache Valley -which tasted victory just once a year ago- will begin with a rivalry matchup as the Cowboys entertain their in-state and Rocky Mountain Athletic Association rival Provo Tech. The Lions finished 5-5 a year ago including a 33-0 whitewashing of the Cowboys. Speaking of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Association, defending section champion Wyoming A&I also gets an early start as the Prospectors welcome Western Montana to Cheyenne in hopes of continuing an unbeaten string that saw them go 9-0-1 a year ago. Here is the list of weekend games. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15 Charleston (IL) at Bulein SAUTRDAY SETPEMBER 16 Texas Panhandle at Queen City Mile High State at Lambert College Abilene Baptist at El Paso Methodist Baldwin City College at Eastern Kansas McKinney State at Central Kentucky Everman State (TX) at Payne State Kit Carson University at Cache Valley Flagstaff State at Canyon A&M Western Montana at Wyoming A&I https://i.imgur.com/O4dytfw.jpg
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 9/10/1950
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September 18, 1950
After a week hiatus because our commissioner was travelling for work, we are back.
SEPTEMBER 18, 1950 COWBOYS MAKE AFA DEBUT A MEMORABLE MOMENT CFC Power Beats Boston 20-7 in AFA Debut Pat Chappell and the Kansas City Cowboys looked right at home in their long-awaited debut as part of the American Football Association. A powerhouse in the now-defunct Continental Football Conference, it took four years and cost some $8,000,000 before the Cowboys, who won 3 of the four CFC titles and reached the championship game in the year they did not win it all, before they could be tested against an AFA eleven. The long-awaited game finally was staged, only because the Cowboys, along with the San Francisco Wings and New Orleans Crescents, joined the AFA. While the opponent was unfamiliar, the result was one that Cowboys fans had long grown accustomed to with a packed house of 14,250 jammed into tiny Packer Park to witness a 20-7 victory over the visiting Boston Americans. It took a little time for the Chappell, long considered the best player in the folded loop, to make his mark in the AFA as the Cowboys were forced to settle for long field goal attempts on each of their first two possessions. Reuben Walston was successful from 51 yards out on his first try but missed the mark from 46 shortly after Boston quarterback Del Thomas threw his first of 4 interceptions. Chappell, who did connect with fullback Mason Matthews for a pair of first down passes but seemed off with longer attempts in the opening quarter, settled down in the second period after finding ends Bill Tammaro and Pat Hill for a pair of solid gains as part of a 42-yard touchdown drive to make the score 10-0 after Thomas threw his second interception. Chappell called his own number on a 1-yard plunge for the Cowboys first AFA touchdown. Boston would score its only points on a 5-yard toss from Thomas to Lamar Wright in the closing seconds of the opening half to cut the Kansas City lead to 10-7 but that would be as close as the Americans would get. A Boston fumble early in the fourth quarter gifted the Cowboys with great field position once again and Chappell connected with Pat Hill on a 1-yard throw for his first scoring pass in the new league and Walston would close out the scoring with his second field goal of the day. The numbers were far less gaudy than we are used to seeing from the Kansas City offense. Chappell threw for 188 yards, completing 11 of 24 attempts with just one touchdown and a single interception. Bruising back Mason Matthews carried the ball just 10 times for 55 yards and the receiving duo of Ernie Orr and Bill Tammaro combined for just 4 catches but it was certainly enough to get the Cowboys the victory on this day. In other action it was a rough trip to the west coast for the two-time defending league champion Chicago Wildcats as the Los Angeles Tigers scored three first quarter touchdowns and rolled to a 41-28 victory over the Chicago eleven. Rich McKowen threw for 211 yards and a pair of scores to pace the Cleveland Finches to a 17-10 road win in Philadelphia. It was the Dusty Sinclair show in Pittsburgh as the former Los Angeles quarterback adapted nicely to life at Fitzpatrick Park, with a 320 yard passing day to lead the Paladins to a 27-7 victory over the New York football Stars. There may be a new coach in Detroit as Tom Bowens replaced Frank Yurik but the result was unchanged with the St Louis Ramblers slamming the Maroons 38-0. In the final contest of the weekend the other two CFC survivors, New Orleans and San Francisco, battled to a 14-14 draw. COUGARS CHARGE INTO CA FLAG RACE The Chicago Cougars have become well known for their stumbles down the stretch over the past decade but that might be changing as the Cougars are suddenly the hottest team in a packed Continental Association pennant race and only a half game out of first place with two weeks remaining in the season. Five wins in their last six games while the rest of the contenders had a rough week as the Cougars hot on the heels of co-leaders Montreal and New York with games for the Chicago nine against both of those clubs coming up beginning Friday. The injury-riddled Saints dropped 3 of their last 4 games but do have the luxury of playing 8 of their final 12 games at Parc Cartier although two of the four remaining road contests will be in the Windy City beginning next Monday. The Stars have dropped 4 in a row and have a quiet week ahead with just 4 games on the docket - all at home- beginning with a pair against Cincinnati midweek before the Cougars and Stars meet in what could be a crucial two-game set at Dyckman Stadium this weekend. In total, the Stars have 10 games left on their docket with the final six on the road. One cannot completely count out the two Ohio clubs either as both Cincinnati and Cleveland remain in the mix, although odds are long for both. https://i.imgur.com/LI83GOY.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/QFLV84y.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/9MvpGGH.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/moXHxYB.jpg COUGARS HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR A CHANGE Winners of nine of their last twelve, the Chicago Cougars have caught fire at perhaps the perfect time. The Cougars have made up a full four games in two weeks, moving within a half game of the Montreal Saints and New York Stars, who sit atop the Continental Association. Pennant contention seemed like an after thought as recently as late August for the perennial disappointers, who were a full eight games out of first less then a month ago. Since August 21st, the Cougars have gone 17-8, and with thirteen games left, they'll be in Chicago for eleven of them. The only two road games come this weekend against the Stars, as the Cougars have one more with the Cannons, three with the Sailors, three with the Kings, and two with the Stars at Cougar stadium to finish things off. Despite being somewhat unimpressive at home (35-31), this should be a huge advantage over the teams around them, as the other four teams within 2.5 games of the lead have far more road games. What's helped the Cougars the most in September has been the starting pitching, as four of the five rotation members have ERAs below 2.65. The one member that doesn't, Pete Papenfus (5.16), has won two of his three starts, and for the season his is at 3.45 (114 ERA+) with 134 strikeouts, one behind staff ace Donnie Jones for second in the Continental Association. Jones himself has won a pair of starts, working to a 2.61 ERA (151 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in 31 innings. His brother Johnnie has won both his outings, with a 1-run complete game win over the Kings and a 6-hit shutout of the Wolves to improve to 14-8 on the season. Duke Bybee has allowed just 4 runs and 4 walks with 13 strikeouts in 25 innings, while Jim Morrison is 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA (156 ERA+) as he continues to improve from his rough start to his Cougar career. Stopper David Molina has been huge late, winning two games and saving three more, as its been really tough to get runs on this talented staff. The offense has been a point of weakness throughout the season, and it seems like a lot of wins have been in spite of it. Stars Leo Mitchell (.278, 8, 1) and Skipper Schneider (.212, 2) have been ice-cold in September, while the formerly red hot Charlie Woodbury (.250, 3) has seen his stick freeze. Luckily, slugger Red Bond has led the way, slashing .364/.440/.545 (164 OPS+) with 2 doubles, 2 homers, and 11 RBIs, but the true catalyst of the offense has come from an unlikely source. That would be one of the team captains, Don Lee, who was only in the lineup because of the John Moss injury. The former All-Star has taken full advantage of his newfound at bats, hitting an impressive .400/.500/.633 (203 OPS+) with 4 doubles, a homer, a steal, 7 RBIs, 8 runs, and 6 walks. With Moss returning to patrol center this week, Lee will see some of his at bats slip away, but the 28-year-old outfielder has done enough to pick up valuable at bats down the stretch. Used mainly in a bench role, Lee has started just 13 of his 73 appearances, but the former 2nd Rounder has hit an impressive .306/.438/.518 (156 OPS+) in 107 trips to the plate. The speedy Lee has added 3 steals, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 15 RBIs, 17 runs, and 20 walks, while making an impact on the field and in the clubhouse. The Cougars strong leadership core has been tested in this up-and-down season, but Lee, Mitchell, and Duke Bybee have done excellent job keeping the team together. This coming week will be a major one in determining their success in the 1950 season, and with all the blown opportunities early in the season, the Windy City Kitties have no one to blame but themselves. They are now forced to be at their best the rest of the way, starting with their chance to sweep the Cannons. Duke Bybee (12-11, 3.73, 93) will be on the bump against Jim Anderson (13-8, 3.41, 97) in the finale, with Pete Papenfus (13-10, 3.45, 134), Johnnie Jones (14-8, 3.04, 85), and Jim Morrison (8-15, 3.94, 86) scheduled for the Sailors series. After the last day of the offseason, the Cougars will finish their docket of road games, as co-aces Donnie Jones (16-11, 2.86, 135) and Peter the Heater look to best what could be the first place Stars. All eyes and all the pressure are locked on to the preseason favorites, who have a chance to do what they've been expected to do each season since they were edged in the 1941 World Championship Series: Win the pennant! TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Trying to Play Spoiler On The Road - In this lost season for the Toronto Wolves, they are the only team mathematically eliminated in the Continental Association. However, their remaining games could still have an impact on the pennant race. This past week the Wolves went 2-3, splitting at Dyckman Stadium with the Stars, before dropping both in Chicago to the fast charging Cougars who are now only a half game behind both the Stars and Saints at the top of the standings. The Wolves finished the week by winning 2-0 in Parc Cartier, further raining on the Saints pennant parade plans. Skipper Fred Barrell tells the team everyday that all these games have a direct affect on the CA final standings they have to play with intensity and pride, not just play out the string. Barrell tells the Mail & Empire "We will not be an easy win for any team in our remaining 13 games. Our players are playing not only for their jobs but to spoil other teams hopes in 1950 which has been disappointing, to say the very least for everyone in the organization but especially for our fans." "This year, thankfully, we are finished with the Cougars who dominated us, winning 19 of 22. I do not ever remember an FABL team with a season record like that in all my years around this league." This week the team finishes a series in Montreal before heading into Brooklyn with the goal of spoiling the Kings fading title hopes in a three games midweek series. This will determine if the Wolves can win a season series against one team in the CA. Wolves are currently 10-9 facing Tom Barrell's charges, winning 2 of 3 would give the Wolves their only winning record against a rival in 1950. This is aside from the family implications over family get togethers over baseball's off-season. The Wolves then travel into the Queen City for three with the Cannons before returning home to finish the year at Dominion Stadium next Tuesday. Both wins last week were shutouts with Joe Hancock stifling the Stars followed by George Garrison's gem over the Saints on Sunday. Defense is still leaky on the infield - they were charged with 7 errors last week including three more by Wells at short giving him 18 in only 204 chances at the big league level. Wells' winter will involve fielding ball after ball after ball at short daily. The team is not sure if they can send him to Cuba this winter. In hockey news, Brett has learned that the Dukes training camp up North is going well with players fighting for jobs both literally and figuratively. There have been a number of fights during inter squad games. In a telephone conversation with Dukes bench boss Jack Barrell, he told Brett "Yes there have been a number of guys pairing off in camp, some guys are still smarting from the way the season ended in April. I have no problem with that, as long as it does not get out of hand along with no one getting hurt. Guys are competing for roster spots."
WHAT WILL CHARLIE BARRELL DO? Three Sport Star May Opt Out of FABL Draft Again FABL clubs, especially those out of the pennant race, are anxiously looking forward to the 1951 draft this January at what looks like a very talented group of players among the top half of the first round. The final draft order will not be determined until the end of December when the annual weighted draft lottery takes place and with the Continental Association selecting first it appears the best chances for landing the number one pick will be with the Philadelphia Sailors and Cincinnati Cannons, assuming the Cannons do not win the pennant. There is plenty of talent at the top of the draft led by a half dozen position players that the league scouting service, the OSA, feels can develop into future all-stars. The list is dominated by high schoolers including infielders Chuck Clark, Joe Flanagan and Jim Upchurch, catcher Jim Hauer and outfielder Harry Swain. Boston high school pitcher Dick Heard may also be in the conversation for the number one pick, but that designation may end up falling to the OSA's top ranked college player. That would be Charlie Barrell. With baseball royalty coursing through his veins, the 19-year-old second baseman from Noble Jones College seems a lock to be the first overall selection, unless he again opts out of the draft. Barrell was a certain top-five pick as a high school senior three years ago but withdraw from consideration for the FABL draft after committing to attend Noble Jones College. Charlie, who is the half-brother to current FABL stars Deuce Barrell and Roger Cleaves, is not just a baseball phenom. He helped lead the Colonels cage team to an AIAA title last April and is forecast as a high first round pick in the 1952 Federal Basketball League draft assuming he stays for his senior season at Noble Jones College. Football may also be an option, as Barrell is the quarterback of the Colonels grid squad when he is not playing baseball or basketball. The 6'1" native of Los Angeles is not yet considered an elite passer but his father Joe was a star on the gridiron in the twenties and Charlie is said to have lots of room to grow in that sport. Unlike football and basketball which wait for the conclusion of an athlete's senior season, FABL drafts players as college juniors and while many late round picks opt to stay in school instead of signing pro contracts after being drafted, no college player ever selected in opening round of the draft has ever turned down a baseball contract. But then again, no player other than Charlie Barrell has ever elected to officially opt out of the FABL draft as a high school senior. The question is - Will he opt out again? COLLEGE GRID SEASON UNDERWAY It was a soft opening for long parade of collegiate football games on their way over the coming months as a few teams, mostly in the southwest, got an early start on proceedings. Among the highlights include junior quarterback Pete Capizzi running for two touchdowns and passing for a third score to lead Central Kentucy to a 28-0 victory at home over McKinney State. The Tigers are considered one of the teams to beat in the Deep South Conference after a strong 9-2-1 season that culminated with a shutout of Maryland State in the Sunshine Classic on New Year's Day. In other action Lambert College doubled Mile High State 20-10 behind a 102-yard rushing day from Stags back Jerry Maddux. Cache Valley, which won just once a year ago, started 1950 off on the right foot with a 37-16 drubbing of in-state rival Kit Carson University. The Southern Border Association became the first section to stage a conference game this decade with a pair of them: Abilene Baptist downed El Paso Methodist 31-12 while Canyon A&M thumped Flagstaff State 65-23. While many of the top schools are still nearly two weeks away from their opening kick-off, the schedule does pick up next Saturday with four of the preseason top ten seeing their first action of the season. Those games include 4th ranked Cumberland hosting Mississippi Tech, #5 Travis College on the road to face College of Waco, 7th ranked Redwood entertains Minns College while #10 Texas Gulf Coast faces a stiff opening week challenge with a visit from the Georgia Baptist Gators to Houston to face the Hurricanes. WEEKEND RESULTS Bulein 17 Charleston (IL) 0 Utah A&M 24 Snake River State 13 Queen City 20 Texas Panhandle 14 Mobile Maritime 10 Paris Island Marines 0 Lambert College 20 Mile High State 10 Abilene Baptist 31 El Paso Methodist 12 Eastern Kansas 10 Baldwin City College 7 Central Kentucky 28 McKinney State 0 Payne State 24 Everman State (TX) 0 Cache Valley 37 Kit Carson University 16 Canyon A&M 65 Flagstaff State 23 Wyoming A&I 52 Western Montana 0 St. Benedict (PA) 16 Strub College 13 https://i.imgur.com/RTpfNhV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FtUEXvX.jpg PRESCOTT UNVEILS PLANS FOR BARNSTORMING CIRCUIT Daniel Prescott may be done with the Federal Basketball League, but he just cannot get the sport out of his blood. Prescott, who founded two professional basketball leagues and owned the most successful pro cage outfit of all-time in the Brooklyn Red Caps, folded his team at the conclusion of last season saying he had no interest in being part of the Federal League, which forced the disbanding of Prescott's American Basketball Conference a little over two years ago. Prescott announced a new endeavor this week and has lined up an impressive collection of talent, one that might even rival the Federal loop for best of the sport. His Brooklyn Red Caps will continue on as a team but will not have a set schedule or even a home location. The Red Caps, along with three other 'teams' of players assembled by Prescott, will tour the country as a barnstorming league. Prescott purchased the contracts of nearly every key player who played for one of the seven Federal League clubs that folded over the summer and will use those players to stock the three other squads that will compete with his Red Caps. The move comes as a blow to the Federal League, which had hoped to increase its overall quality of talent with top names like Red Caps star guard Ivory Mitchell but instead Mitchell and many others will be part of Prescott's new loop. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 9/17/1950
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September 25, 1950
https://i.imgur.com/9c9C0OA.jpeg SEPTEMBER 25, 1950 Buckle up. It looks like the final week of the season has the potential to be one for the ages in the Continental Association. Over the years the Federal Association has become known for its multi-team races that stretched into the final few days of the season, but you have to go all the way back to 1930 when four Continental Association clubs finished within 4 games of each other at the top of the table for a finish that compares to what we seem certain to see next week. The New York Stars and the hard-charging Cleveland Foresters, winners of 7 consecutive games, are tied for top spot with identical 80-68 records. They are a game and a half up on the Chicago Cougars with the slumping Montreal Saints now two games off the pace. Even Brooklyn, at 3.5 back, still has a faint flicker of hope, something that is all but snuffed out in Cincinnati where the Cannons have fallen on tough times the past week and a half and while not yet officially eliminated, sit 4.5 games behind the co-leaders. So what can we expect in the week ahead? At this time last week, it was the Chicago Cougars who held the hot hand, but the Windy City Kitties cooled off somewhat with a 3-3 week that concluded with a weekend split in New York. The Cougars have the luxury of playing all six of their remaining games at home but need to make up a game and a half on the co-leaders. One of those co-leaders is the defending champion Cleveland Foresters, who suddenly look like a team ready to repeat. The Foresters enter the final week of the season tied for top spot thanks to a torrid stretch that has seen them go 22-5 including 7 straight victories last week. Cleveland also has a friendly schedule that sees the Foresters play their final six games against the bottom two teams in the loop. The New York Stars have only had one winning streak of more than four games all season (7 straight July 22-28) but perhaps this week is the time to change that. It will be difficult for the Stars as, although they are tied with Cleveland for top spot, they have a much tougher closing stretch of games than the Cleveland nine will face. Injuries seemed to have ended any dreams for Saints fans of seeing Montreal win its first pennant since 1921 and the club is trending in the wrong direction with four losses in its last five games. Brooklyn has seemingly far too high a hill to climb at 3.5 games back but the Kings, with games remaining against the Stars, Cougars and Saints, could certainly play spoilers. *** MESSER SETS SINGLE GAME HOME RUN RECORD *** The New York Gothams made official what had been obvious for quite some time as the club clinched its 10th Federal Association pennant in franchise history and will have a relaxing final week as they wait to see who they will face in the World Championship Series. The Gothams showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas last week with six wins in their last eight outings. Included in those victories was a record-setting performance by Walt Messer on Thursday in a 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Miners. The 32-year-old outfielder became the first player in FABL history to hit 4 homeruns in a single game when he took Adam Grayson deep three times before finishing with a blast off of Miners reliever Billy Ligons. He also homered once the game before and also the game after making it 6 homeruns in 3 games for Messer, who now has 37 on the season. Messer was not the only Gotham slugger to go deep six times last week as Red Johnson also hit 6 longballs to give him 36 on the year. FORGET KINGS PAIR, McCLURE IS MY CHOICE FOR TOP CA NEWCOMER The Brooklyn Kings have produced three of the past four Kellogg Award winners in the Continental Association and have a pair of quality candidates again this season in 21-year-old outfielder Charlie Rogers (.317,7,59) and ex-Chicago Cougars pitching prospect Ron Berry (17-11, 3.30). While the New York media machine is suggesting the duo should finish 1-2 on this year's ballot in my mind if voting was today I wouldn't pick either King for the Kellogg. My top choice would be Cleveland catcher Larry McClure, followed by Berry and then Rogers. At least to me, the Foresters backstop is the clear frontrunner, qualified hitter or not, as his emergence has been huge for the Foresters. In 395 trips to the plate, McClure has hit .329/.388/.535 (137 OPS+) with 35 doubles, 12 homers, and 72 RBIs. His 152 WRC+ is would rank fourth among qualified FABL hitters, trailing just Hank Koblenz (173), George Cleaves (160), and Ralph Johnson (153). Pretty elite company there. McClure is on pace for a 4 WAR season, and in 106 games he ranks 4th in the CA for doubles, and leads all rookies in homers, RBIs, WAR (3.8), and WPA (3.04). Among Continental Rookies with more then 250 trips to the plate, McClure leads in all three triple slash categories, as well as OPS+ and of course WRC+. Head to head he stacks up well with Charlie Rogers, but I can see the case for Ron Berry. At 17-11, he has a chance to lead his association in wins, and as long as his 31st start sees two outs in the fifth, he'll give the Kings a 250 inning season at 24. His 3.30 ERA (123 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP are quite impressive, and while he has seen some early command lapses (10.9 BB%, 0.8 HR/9), he's struck out 133 hitters, currently fourth in the CA with second very much at risk. Been quite good lately too, with 2 or fewer earned runs in his last eight starts. He can take the lead with a strong finish. The streak started too with back-to-back shutouts of the Cougars, who certainly could have used him not in Brooklyn that day. I'm not the least bit surprised Berry is pitching so well in Brooklyn, but it has to hurt for Cougars fans seeing John Moss hit so poorly in Chicago. Moss and Berry where the key pieces in a five-player deal made between the Cougars and Kings over the winer. It has been a rough year for Moss as even the defense isn't quite what it usually is. There is even talk the Cougars would prefer he stay on the injured list, where he has been for the past couple of weeks while the Chicago nine started to get hot. A source within the Cougars confided "We were so good with (John Moss) on the IL, I'm almost not sure I want him back. He'll be eased back into center, but unless he comes back hitting bombs it's going to be a complete lost season for a pretty consistent player." TALES FROM THE LAIR Wolves Stumble in Brooklyn to Lose Season Series -Toronto had a poor start to the week, losing 4 straight before taking two in Cincy over the weekend to all but extinguish the Cannons' hopes of a pennant. The Wolves finished a short two game series in Montreal, who have suddenly fallen to third place in CA, with a 7-4 loss to the Saints who ambushed Joe Hancock for 6 runs in less than 6 innings. On to Kings County Park II to face Brooklyn where they were swept by scores of 5-2, 5-1 and finally a heartbreaking 2-1 loss on Thursday that allowed the Kings to take the season series 12-10. That final loss in Brooklyn also saw Fred McCormick pulled from the game, with a hip strain, after going first to third on a single. Reports are that Fred is done for the season even though he will not be placed on the DL with the expanded roster. The 40 year old will finish the season with a line of .257/.369/.738 5 HR 51 RBI with 516 PA in 130 games 112 as a starter. The question front and center for all fans in Toronto as well as the entire FABL is "Was that McCormick's final hurrah? Will he be back at age 41 in 51?" Tony Ballinger has been added to the 40-man roster, he will be available during the last week for the Wolves. The Wolves finished the week with 6-2 and 4-1 wins at Tice Memorial sending the Cannons down to sixth place in the CA. The final week will have Toronto playing one in Cincinnati on Monday before returning home to close the season with three against the suddenly hot Foresters, who are tied atop the CA thanks to a 9-1 run, then three over the final weekend hosting the Cannons. The games that the entire league will be watching in Toronto are the three against Cleveland starting Tuesday. The Foresters have a day off today before heading to Toronto, and afterwards they return home for three against the Sailors to finish the regular season barring a tie for the pennant. The Wolves could even the season series, along with crushing Cleveland's hopes with a sweep at home. The team also has a chance to win the season series with the Cannons, currently each team has 9 wins with four to play. It is only team that the Wolves could end with a winning record against for 1950. Work has already begun in the team's system with scouts, minor league staff meetings in Toronto to give recommendations on which level players should start the 1951 season at in the system. Brett will have more reporting on this during October.
TIGERS IMPROVE TO 2-0 WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER NEW ORLEANS The Los Angeles Tigers have already matched their win total from all of last season after a dominant 63-13 thumping of CFC survivor New Orleans in weekend American Football Association action. The rout over the Crescents comes on the heels of a surprising 41-28 victory over two-time defending AFA champion Chicago in the Tigers season opener and at 2-0 matches the wins the Tigers needed 12 games to accumulate a year ago. The big story in Los Angeles is certainly the passing of second year quarterback Charlie Thomas. The Tigers signal caller threw for 366 yards and 5 touchdowns as he shredded the Crescents defense. The high scoring Tigers offense, which has 104 points in two games, also boasts an impress ground attack keyed by new additions Al Lewis and Nate Tyson, who have combined for 402 yards rushing and each has already enjoyed a 100-yard game. The Tigers, transplanted from Cincinnati prior to last season, entered this year with a 20-47 all-time franchise mark and went just 3-21 over the previous two seasons. In other AFA action Pat Chappell and the Kansas City Cowboys have found the AFA a little more difficult than the Continental Football Conference was. Chappell scored a pair of touchdowns with his legs but was held to just 167 yards passing as the Cowboys record evened at 1-1 with a 34-21 loss to the Cleveland Finches. Dane Sutherland threw a pair of fourth quarter touchdown passes to Ben Starry to help the Finches overcome a 21-7 third period deficit. The Chicago Wildcats salvaged one game from their two-week sojourn west. After falling in Los Angeles in the season opener, the AFA champs held off the San Francisco Wings 24-10. Lee Keith led the way for the Wildcats, making 10 tackles and forcing 3 San Francisco fumbles. The Wings had trouble all day holding on to the ball, committing a total of 10 turnovers including 4 in their final five possessions while stalled any hopes for a comeback. After a bye week the Washington Wasps staged their season opener at Columbia Stadium and sent the fans home happy with a 24-14 triumph over Philadelphia. Wasps end Monte Harriman, who caught a record 23 touchdown passes a year ago, wasted little time in collecting his first scoring grab of the new season when Tommy Norwood, the former Portland Tech All-American, found him for a six-yard scoring catch less than 6 minutes into the contest. Norwood threw for 246 yards in his Wasps debut, 87 of which landed in Harriman's arms. Tom Bowens must be wondering what he got himself into. The freshman Detroit Maroons coach took over for long-time Detroit boss Frank Yurek after back to back 2-10 seasons but, hard as it might be to believe, the once proud franchise may be even worse this year. In two games under Bowens stewardship the Maroons have failed to score a point after being shutout for the second week in a row - this time by a 20-0 score to the Pittsburgh Paladins, who improve to 2-0 and are tied with Los Angeles for top spot in the National Conference. John Sweat completed just 7 passes all afternoon for the St Louis Ramblers but one of them was a 39-yard scoring strike with less than two minutes remaining in the game to lift the Ramblers to a 17-14 victory over winless Boston. In all, Sweat threw for 109 yards and 2 scores while also pacing the Ramblers ground game with 61 yards on 12 carries. TOUGH WEEKEND FOR GEORGIA SCHOOLS AS GRID SEASON SWINGS INTO FULL GEAR There are a number of talented elevens representing the Deep South Conference this year, leading to preseason speculation that it may well be the deepest section, top to bottom, in all of collegiate football. A year ago five Deep South members in Central Kentucky, Bayou State, Baton Rogue State, Cumberland and Georgia Baptist all saw action in New Year's Day and that total may well be matched again this time around. However, the new campaign did not get off to a roaring start for the two Georgia members of the Deep South Conference as both Georgia Baptist and Noble Jones College came out on the wrong end of the score on Saturday. To be fair, both were playing against top quality opponents, but a better result was anticipated for each. The Gators, who had a strong 8-2-1 season a year ago, were on the road in Houston where they dropped a 47-16 decision to the Texas Gulf Coast Hurricanes. Philo Bennett's blistering runs and towering passes felt like a hurricane as the senior back propelled Texas Gulf Coast to the lobsided victory. Bennett shot down the Gators with two touchdown runs and two touchdown passes with Tyler, Tx. native's 75-yard dash for one score being the top thriller of the night. In Augusta, Noble Jones College found the Maryland State Bengals just too much of a challenge in the Colonels 26-14 setback. Things started well enough for the hosts as John Duke scored a pair of touchdowns to give Noble Jones College a 14-10 lead at the break. The tall senior end scooted 43 yards for the first touchdown and caught a short pass from Charlie Barrell for the second score. The game turned when the Bengals, up 16-14 early in the fourth period recovered a Barrell fumble deep in Colonels' territory that was quickly turned into 7 points. The rest of the Deep South schools had much more success as Cumberland, Mississippi A&M, Opelika State, Alabama Baptist and Bluegrass State all were winners. There was an early Deep South section match on the weekend calendar as well and that saw Central Kentucky win at home over Bayou State 30-7. Fullback Ike Greathouse exploded for a dazzling 54-yard smash off tackle in the second quarter to spark the Tigers to victory. Driving like a bulldozer, the 195-pound junior fullback had four other vital smashes at the rugged Bayou State line to key the Central Kentucky victory. Other games of note saw big Dennis Davenport uncork a potent attack through the ground and air to lead St. Ignatius to a 21-10 victory over Lane State at Lansing. Davenport, a six-foot-four-inch giant from Charlevoix, Mich., was responsible for all three Lancers scores, catching a pair of touchdown grabs and scoring the third on a 17-yard run. City College of Los Angeles blanked Portland Tech 17-0 in the opening section contest for the West Coast Athletic Association while North Carolina Tech shutout Charleston Tech 21-0 in their South Atlantic Conference opener. https://i.imgur.com/Ka25N9s.jpeg WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS EAST George Fox 10 Constitution State 7 Brooklyn State 10 Eastern Virginia 3 St. Pancras 34 Garden State 7 Penn Catholic 40 Strub College 13 Huntington State 31 Lakeview (OH) 19 Eastern State 30 Potomac College 9 Conwell College 6 Schuylkill College 0 SOUTH Cumberland 68 Mississippi Tech 0 Central Kentucky 30 Bayou State 7 Maryland State 26 Noble Jones College 14 Mississippi A&M 28 Knoxville 0 Opelika State 20 Spartanburg Baptist 0 Alabama Baptist 24 Western Tennessee 0 Bluegrass State 31 Murfreesboro Tech 3 Richmond State 33 Alexandria 24 Northern Mississippi 10 Blue Mountain College 0 North Carolina Tech 21 Charleston Tech 0 Petersburg 13 Ashland State 13 Lexington State 40 Bulein 10 Coastal State 34 Charleston (IL) 0 Cowpens State 23 Commonwealth Catholic 3 Columbia Military Academy 17 Carolina Poly 10 Western Florida 17 Mobile Maritime 6 MIDWEST Wisconsin Catholic 24 Great Plains State 3 St. Ignatius 21 Lane State 10 Iowa A&M 41 Boulder State 24 Fond du Lac 23 Central Illinois 14 Northern Minnesota 40 South Michigan State 0 Lawrence State-Larned 10 Lambert College 9 SOUTHWEST Lubbock State 24 Wyoming A&I 10 Arkansas A&T 41 Eastern Oklahoma 13 Texas Gulf Coast 47 Georgia Baptist 16 Travis College 20 College of Waco 10 Darnell State 44 Kit Carson University 6 Lawrence State 20 Amarillo Methodist 17 Texas Panhandle 42 El Paso Methodist 7 Abilene Baptist 23 Queen City 21 Ferguson 17 Salamanca State 6 WEST CC Los Angeles 17 Portland Tech 0 Northern California 20 Sunnyvale 3 Redwood 21 Minns College 0 Rainier College 55 Eastern Kansas 3 Spokane State 27 Cache Valley 0 Colorado Poly 27 Mile High State 17 Idaho A&M 21 Provo Tech 14 Custer College 17 Cheney State 3 South Valley State 47 Flagstaff State 20 California Catholic 24 Gates University 10 San Francisco Tech 31 Payne State 17 Golden Gate University 23 College of San Diego 20 Tempe College 73 Utah A&M 7 Valley State 40 Canyon A&M 37 https://i.imgur.com/8IPr7fo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RqzJKbH.jpg THREE VETERAN PIVOTS STILL CLASS OF THE NAHC Training camps are underway, and the six North American Hockey Conferderation clubs will hit the ice for preseason contests later this week as the Montreal Valiants attempt to defend the Challenge Cup they were surprise winners of last spring. Each year we ask the OSA, which handles scouting duties for many of the major professional and collegiate sports, to give us its annual rankings of the top players on each club. Those are presented below as players are assigned a grade on a 5-star system. As was the case last year, only three players in the loop rate a perfect 5-star assessment and all three, unchanged from a year ago, are centers. Tommy Burns of the Chicago Packers, who won three straight McDaniels Trophy's as league MVP from 1946-48, had a slow start a year ago but still finished fifth in scoring with 64 points and is still capable of big things as he turns 30. He is joined by Boston Bees veteran center Wilbur Chandler, also a three-time winner of the McDaneils Trophy, who scored 42 points in a season limited by injury, along with 28-year-old Quinton Pollack of the Toronto Dukes. Pollack had 75 points last season including an NAHC best 58 assists. He was the McDaniels Trophy winner two years ago. Last year's McDaniels recepient, Orval Cabbell of the New York Shamrocks, saw his rating drop slightly and is now considered a 3-star player. Cabbell had 80 points in 70 games last season. Here are the players sorted by team that the OSA considers at least 2.5 star performers. UPCOMING PRESEASON GAMES WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27 Chicago at Detroit Toronto at New York Boston at Montreal THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 28 Detroit at Montreal New York at Boston Toronto at Chicago SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30 Detroit at Toronto Boston at New York Montreal at Chicago SUNDAY OCTOBER 1 Boston at Montreal Chicago at Detroit New York at Toronto https://i.imgur.com/O4dytfw.jpg MELANSON SET FOR RING RETURN, TO FACE EDMONDS FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN It has been more than 20 months since Frank Melanson last stepped into the boxing ring, and closing in on three years since his last victory but the popular 33-year-old former World Middleweight Champion is making his ring return Friday evening at Bigbsy Garden when he looks to regain the title he lost in July of 1948. The Pittsburgh factory worker, who became an unlikely champion when he shocked Archie Rees to win the title in 1945 had been retired since losing back to back fights to the late Edouard Desmarais with the final one coming in January of last year. Now, well over a year and a half later, Melanson has been lured out of retirement for another title match against current champ John Edmonds. It will be the third time Edmonds and Melanson have clashed, with the ABF belt on the line in each of those meetings. Melanson suffered a TKO loss to Edmonds in his hometown at Fitzpatrick Park on Independence Day 1947 but regained the title in a rematch in Chicago five months later. Edmonds, who turned 32 earlier this month, once more has the title he briefly had grabbed from Melanson, winning the belt last March when the Muncie, IN., native scored a unanimous decision over Bill Boggs for a title made vacant after the tragic death the previous fall of Desmarais in a plane crash. Edmonds followed up the March win over Boggs with a 9th round knockout of Italian Hugo Canio at the end of May and now will put his title and his 32-3 record on the line in a third meeting with Melanson. RECENT KEY RESULTS
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 9/24/1950
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