FEBRUARY 5, 1945
NEW PRO BALL LOOP SET TO OPEN IN FALL
The rapid post-war expansion of sports has added a new player in baseball with news out of the Cuba that a winter professional league will set up shop on the island nation in the fall. The as of yet unnamed loop is expected to field 8 ballclubs and since it is playing strictly between November and January it will draw many of it's players from the minor leagues including some FABL affiliates. FABL President Sam Belton confirmed the new Cuban league will operate with the blessing and full support of both the Continental and Federal Associations while also clarifying that FABL will not be involved in the ownership of the league or its teams in any way.
The player pool will be combination of free agents, independent league players, Latino players from Caribbean nations and a handful of FABL minor leaguers. Early indications are FABL clubs will each be allowed to send two or three of their top prospects to the league in order to fine-tune their skills in advance of the March FABL training camps. Belton did add that this will be strictly minor league prospects and that no players on actual FABL rosters will be permitted to play in the winter league.
The Cuban League is the latest in a rapidly growing list of professional sports leagues that are eyeing a post-war startup. Football is the most competitive of all with three new loops including the Percy Sutherland led Continental Football Conference, which appears to be the most stable of the three. The CFC, with former St Blane All-American and Navy Lt. Commander Ben Montgomery as President, appears ready to go and is expected to start in the fall. There is also the United States League -a dream of Pittsburgh businessman Roland Payne and said to include a team based in Honolulu- planning a fall start but seems to be making little progress in that direction. Finally there is the fledgling West Coast League that lost two of it's 8 teams during its inaugural season but it appears unlikely to return for a second campaign.
*** Pro Cage Loop Likely ***
There is also a growing campaign to take another stab at a national professional basketball league. The college game is enjoying great success, as are many of the regional semi-pro loops scattered across the country so perhaps this time a big-league play for pay loop would succeed. It was attempted before as Bennie Guilder started the ball rolling as far back as 1920 and in the mid-twenties Jack Kristich, Rollie Barrell and other football magnates orchestrated the short-lived Federal Basketball League but it was a victim of bad timing, falling by the wayside as the Great Depression dawned.
Last summer an informal meeting was held involving owners of many of the key semi-pro basketball clubs and there was great support for a major cage league. Reportedly Chicago, Detroit, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh all had owners in place and willing to commit their support to a top flight pro league for cagers that draws former collegiate stars similar to the structure of the American Football Association.
*** Coast Baseball Plan Likely Dead ***
There had also been talk from several on the west coast, including Al Fouts -owner of the Great Western League's Hollywood Heroes- on plans to start a third major baseball association to compete with FABL. The Fouts plan calls for the Great Western clubs to renounce their AAA status and declare themselves a major league with the objective to go head to head with FABL teams for players but so far it has gained little traction and appears likely to wither without amounting to more than just idle chatter.
TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN
Globe & Empire Select an All-Time Canadian Team
Now that the holiday season has passed with 1945 well underway Brett has decided to bring about more debate in the hot stove league by selecting a team of the best natives of Canada who have played in the FABL. This comes after the much debated All-Time Wolves team brought to the readers just after Christmas. The paper received a great deal of response, both positive and negative, to this team. With the war news getting much better from Bastogne, the Battle of the Bulge beginning to lose steam hopefully this team will bring back memories to the older generation of readers along with sparking debate, research by some, while people wait for the weather to warm bringing with it a new baseball season.
P- Adolph Cash: This Aurora, Ont native had a successful albeit short FABL career spanning 1890-96 with four different FABL teams. He pitched for Cleveland (twice), Montreal in the CA, Chicago, Washington in FA. A four time 20 game winner, when winning 20 was expected not the high standard of today, Cash topped out at 24 with the Foresters in 1891, again after returning to them in '94. Cash logged over 400 innings on the hill twice, during his the 1894 campaign he did not allow a single HR in 424 innings. Adolph compiled a record of 111-103 3.21 ERA in 1847 innings with 149 complete games, as was the rule rather than the exception in those days, he issued more BB (691) than players he sent to the bench with via the strikeout (580). His record could have been much better if it were not for two lost seasons 1893 in which he had only 27 IP with the Chiefs, 1895 only 25 IP in Cleveland. He finished his FABL with style by winning 20 games for the Saints in 1896.
P- Johnson Ley: This native of Saint Charles Borromee, PQ spent his entire 5 year career in Washington. He was a member of 1913 World Champion Eagles. He posted a career record of 90-100, 3.44 over 1602 innings consistently eating up innings for Washington although he led the league in BB 1913 (157), 1914 (176). Ley bounced around the minors after losing his rotation spot in 1917 until 1920 trying regain his form.
P- Charles Atkinson: This Toronto native was a member of the FABL before it was a major league. He joined the Pittsburgh Miners in 1890 then managed to stay in the FABL for 10 seasons with the Miners, St. Louis, Chicago Chiefs, Toronto, Cleveland. His most successful season was with Chicago in 1895 going 32-11, 4.07. Thirty wins are impressive but 30 losses speaks to how the game was managed in the early days, Atkinson was the pitcher of record in 33 losses for the Miners in 1891 along with 30 for the Wolves in 1896. Career record of 133-163, 4.35 over 2555 innings shows Atkinson was valued even if he could not recapture his magic of 1895. Atkinson continued to pitch at the AAA level until 1906.
P- Al Allen: The son of perhaps the greatest pitcher in FABL history was born in Toronto while his famous father was pitching for the Wolves. A journeyman starter, Al Jr. managed to be in the FABL for at least parts of 9 season with Montreal, New York Gothams, finishing up in Detroit. Allen ended up with a winning record in the big leagues 58-56, 4.56 over 1057 innings. Baseball people recognized that Allen could pitch, although he was not stellar in the FABL, he managed to carve out a 17-year professional career that just ended in 1943. Or did it? Could he reappear if manpower shortages become critical in the upcoming season?
C- James Rice: Rice, born in Fredericton, NB had a 15-year FABL run as a mainstay behind the plate for Philadelphia Keystones where he spent all 14 seasons, after a debut in St. Louis in 1902. He started over 1300 games as a pitching staff receiver. He led the FA in plate appearances in 1907 with 609, a remarkable record for catcher given the number of foul tips a catcher is subject to over a season. Rice's motto was "Shake it off, put down the next sign.". Over a total of 1481 games James put together a .291/.335/.349 line which was consistently above league averages for his time. As his playing time decreased Rice spent his time tutoring younger players on the Keystone's bench acting as unnamed assistant to the coaching staff. With the advent of the veteran's committee there should be a movement to see Rice's name on this ballot.
Pete Casstevens may eventually replace Rice as Canada's catcher if he continues along the path he has shown early in the FABL.
1B- Paul Moton: Born in Hamilton, ON before the American Civil War in 1857 Moton is a name from baseball's early days. He witnessed all the -early days of baseball starting as a professional sport, the Century, Border, Peerless, Federal were all finding their way during Moton's playing days. Began his pro days with the Detroit Woodwards in 1879 then moved over to the Brooklyn Kings in 1885 before jumping, as was often the case in the 1880's, for more money to the Border Association's Syracuse Olympics in 1888. Over 11 seasons of loosely termed Major League play Moton's batting line was .270/.306/.371 in 1068 games, knocking in 540 runs while stealing a 178 bases as a first sacker. Paul earned a total of $2354 as a pro, an month's salary for some the 1944 players.
He will almost certainly be replaced if there is a newer edition of this list by Philadelphia Sailors Marion Boismenu when returns to the FABL from the RCAF.
2B- Jim Hoskin: Kelowna, BC native spent 9 years in the FABL, 1912-20, first two in his native county with the Wolves before moving to the Baltimore Cannons for the last seven years of his big league time. Steady, not spectacular, at the plate Jim was always a threat to swipe an extra sack. Hoskin led the league in PA (748) in 1914 posted career numbers of .265/.330/.326 in almost 900 games.
Like Moton, Hoskins will probably be replaced on future lists by John Langille when John decides to hang 'em up.
3B- Tom Acker: This Toronto born player was the best of a very short list of Canadians who have played the hot corner. Like Moton, Acker was at the top level of baseball's pro ranks during the rollicking times of the 1880's. His time in the "bigs" was from 1882 until the formation of what is now the FABL in 1892, he spent one year in the Peerless' short life. His best years were as a member of Cleveland along with stops in Pittsburg, Buffalo. Career line was .248/.309/.331 in 2389 times at the plate. Eagle John Dunn was another consideration but his numbers were less inviting than Acker's.
LF- Jack Eaton: Jack hails from Springfield, MB is another player from the formative years of major league baseball. Jack played for the FABL Gothams, BA St. Louis Brewers, Boston Brahmins in the FABL along with years in the Peerless with Philadelphia Maroons. A member of three championship teams Brewers in 1884, Pioneers 1889, Maroons 1891. May be one of the only players with a FABL, Border Association, Peerless championship. Jack lead his league in hits twice 1887, 1888 along total bases in 1887 putting up an impressive .322/.381/.470 line in 1006 games he averaged 1.25 hits per game he played for his team.
CF- Tom Taylor: Known as the "Canadian Club" Abbottsford's, BC Taylor won back to back,1928-29, Whitney Awards as a member of the Sailors 1928-29. Tom was also a member of five championship teams, with the Sailors in 1928, 1930, Chicago Cougars1931, 1935. New York Gothams in 1938 after being acquired from the Cougars in July. Most of his time was spent in RF but Taylor was also an above average CF so he is selected here on the Canadian team. A power hitter who lead the league thrice in HR 1928, 1929, 1934 he was lifetime .296/.359/.498 hitter, a real thorn in the side of opposing pitchers. Twelve years in the majors. Tom may be the best players from Canada to have worn an FABL uniform up until this time. Who knows who will come out of Canada in the future?
RF- Abel Man: Montreal's Man is the reason Brett took liberties by placing Taylor in CF. Man spent 11 productive years, all with the Baltimore Cannons during their struggles during the 1930s. A productive hitter as .292/.345/.421 attests, in 1082 games Man legged out 57 triples. While feared at the plate his real value to the Cannons was his ability to cover ground in right taking away sure doubles off the bat from hitters. Man realized his skills were deteriorating during the 1937 season rather than hanging around the game in the minors he left game with his head held high.
MGR- Jimmy Hicks: Little is known about his early life other than Hicks was born in 1857 as Jim talks very little about his early life in Canada. After a career with Milwaukee in AAA along with two short stints in Pittsburgh, Hicks began a 23 year managerial tenure in 1895. He won two league championship with New Orleans and Newark before he joined the Baltimore Clippers in 1899 as an assistant in the dugout. Following three years in Baltimore he began a roving existence until 1919 with stops in Nashville, Oakland twice, Milwaukee, Providence, Denver. Always known as a manager who favoured speed both in the field, base paths, Hicks was in the game for over 35 years.
In this week's edition of Caught on the Fly we look at a team-by-team list of players who appeared in at least one FABL game last season but will miss 1945 due to the war:
BOSTON- 5: 14-18 pitching record, 1.5 batter war: C Buster Farrar (.251,3,33), P Dick Higgins (2-1, 10sv), P Paul Richardson (6-9, 4.81), P Butch Campbell (6-8, 4.29), OF Bob Bolton (.167,0,1).
BROOKLYN- 6: 20-23 pitching record, 3.5 batter war: P Jim Kenny (18-14, 2.99), P Curly Jones (1-9, 5sv), P Bob Ginger (1-0, 2sv), SS Tom Landowski (.246,5,48), C Freddie DuBois (.245,2,28), 1B Don Cress (.364,0,1).
CHIEFS- 4: 4-15 pitching record, 2.2 batter war: P Luis Sandoval (4-15, 4.55), C Frankie Kitchen (.234,1,21), OF Wayne Newcomb (.250,2,37), OF Ducky Pugh (.244,0,16).
COUGARS- 3: 0-0 pitching record, 14.2 batter war: OF Leo Mitchell (.357,14,90), 3B Hank Barnett (.295,16,90), 2B Billy Hunter (.298,8,53).
CINCINNATI- 5: 18-13 pitching record, 4.9 batter war: P Chris Clarke (12-10, 2.44), P Vic Carroll (6-3, 3.29), 2B Tony White (.226,3,22), SS Clifton Smith (.227,0,10), OF Bob Griffith (.291,5,63 traded to Philadelphia Keystones)
CLEVELAND- 4: 14-12 pitching record, -0.4 batter war: P Johnny Slaney (14-12, 3.76), C Tex Whitaker (.143,0,2), SS Glenn White (.322,0,15), OF Hal Burres (.250,2,47).
DETROIT- 5: 30-22 pitching record, 5.9 batter war: P Jimmy Mayse (15-6, 3.13), P Pug Bryan (10-9, 3.73), P Willie Montgomery (5-7, 15sv), 2B Gil London (.281,2,42), C Herb Hartman (.250,0,1).
MONTREAL- 5: 15-14 pitching record, 3.0 batter war: P Bill Ross (14-11, 3.85), P Bert Cupid (1-2, 3.25), P Rudy Finch (0-1, 5.40), 2B John Cooper (.167,0,1), 3B Spud Bent (.273,6,63).
NY STARS- 3: 1-0 pitching record, 6.3 batter war: P Red Wiese (1-0, 6.75), C Cliff Ray (.232,4,37), 3B Gary Carmichael (.289,8,68).
NY GOTHAMS- 3: 1-2 pitching record, 0.2 batter war: P Bucky Palmer (0-1, 6.75), P Johnny Massey (1-1, 3.96), 3B Eddie Ziehl (.286,0,5), manager Ed Ziehl.
KEYSTONES- 3: 15-12 pitching record, -0.3 batter war: P Pepper Tuttle (15-12, 2.85), C Charlie Gagnon (.111,0,2), SS Tim Humphrey (.208,4,35).
SAILORS- 3: 6-3 pitching record, 7.5 batter war: P Hannibal Davis (6-3, 17sv), 1B Marion Boismenu (.354,3,71), OF Ernst Glass (.273,4,39).
PITTSBURGH- 5: 6-10 pitching record, 6.8 batter war: P Speed Brown (6-10, 11sv), 2B George Darnell (.296,2,50), SS Rafael Mendoza (.260,1,56), OF Luke Berry (.299,11,78), OF Jasper Wright (.282,3,19).
ST LOUIS- 3: 21-12 pitching record, 0.0 batter war: P Buddy Long (21-12, 2.60), SS Jackie Washington (.250,1,24), OF Pershing Christian (.261,9,50).
TORONTO- 5: 30-27 pitching record, 4.3 batter war: P Bernie Johnson (17-13, 2.66), P Jimmy Gibbs (12-11, 3.16), P Bob McRae (1-3, 10sv), 2B Hal Wood (.300,3,56), OF Reginald Westfall (.238,1,17).
WASHINGTON- 4: 6-3 pitching record, 10.6 batter war: P Les Bradshaw (6-3, 1.86), pitcher Don Orr (0-0, 5sv), 3B Mel Carrol (.347,6,63), OF Jesse Alvardo (.275,15,70).
SAILORS KNOCK OFF ST PATRICK'S IN ROUGH WEEK FOR SHAMROCKS
All eyes in college basketball were focused Baltimore Friday evening for a classic matchup between the two of the top teams in college cage action. It mattered little that St Patrick's -the number one team in the nation had been upset just 3 days earlier by Garden State as there was still plenty of excitement as the Annapolis Maritime Navigators put their 13 game winning streak on the line against the Shamrocks. It was a low scoring affair with the Navigators taking a 15-13 lead at the half enroute to a 40-32 victory. It was not enough for the sailors to overtake the Shamrocks for top spot in the polls but it did vault them past Carolina Poly and Rainier College into second position.
It was a rough week for a number of the top teams. The Shamrocks, as mentioned, lost twice but did rebound Sunday with a 56-35 blowout of Troy State to improve to 22-4 on the season. Carolina Poly won in Boston over Commonwealth Catholic early in the week but ended on a losing note with a 52-44 loss to Lexington State that evened the Cardinals section record at 2-2. Rainier College barely escaped Los Angeles with a win early in the week, holding off Coastal California 48-46 but they also lost on Sunday, falling 54-46 to Idaho A&M for their first lost in West Coast Athletic Association play this season.
GAMBLING SCANDAL AT BIGSBY GARDEN
There are few details at press time but there are reports that multiple players from the Jersey City Tech basketball team have been suspended from the team following allegations of them being involved in a point-shaving scandal at two recent games held at Bigsby Garden. The school has made no comment other than to confirm that four starters have been suspended but would not reveal who the players are or any other details surrounding the decision. It is believed the accusations stem from a mid-January loss when they were favoured to beat Manhattan Tech. Jersey City Tech, a member of the newly formed Liberty Conference, has an 11-9 record this season.
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COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL RANKINGS
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
1. St. Patrick's (72) 22-4 1800 1 Indy Northeast
2. Annapolis Maritime 23-2 1726 4 Indy South
3. Carolina Poly 16-3 1606 2 South Atlantic Conference
4. Rainier College 18-2 1569 3 West Coast Athletic Association
5. Liberty College 23-3 1503 5 Indy East
6. North Carolina Tech 16-4 1497 6 South Atlantic Conference
7. Mobile Maritime 16-3 1347 8 South Atlantic Conference
8. CC Los Angeles 17-3 1304 9 West Coast Athletic Association
9. Western Iowa 16-3 1227 7 Great Lakes Alliance
10. Garden State 16-4 1143 11 Liberty Conference
11. Ohio Poly 19-5 1115 12 Indy Midwest
12. Chesapeake State 14-5 961 13 South Atlantic Conference
13. Noble Jones College 15-4 845 17 Deep South Conference
14. St. Martin's College 19-6 806 16 Indy Northeast
15. St. Blane 16-7 782 10 Indy East
16. Mississippi A&M 14-6 702 14 Deep South Conference
17. Middlesex 20-5 694 20 Indy Northeast
18. St. Pancras 18-5 601 19 Indy East
19. Conwell College 18-6 471 24 Indy East
20. Wichita Baptist 17-5 409 25 Midwestern Association
21. Dickson 15-6 287 NR Academia Alliance
22. Lincoln 13-6 262 21 Great Lakes Alliance
23. Eastern State 17-7 201 NR Indy South
24. Plover College 16-6 120 NR Indy Midwest
25. Coastal California 13-8 72 NR West Coast Athletic Association
Others Receiving Votes:
Charleston Tech 14-5 69 South Atlantic Conference
Miami State 18-7 62 Indy South
Empire State 14-5 57 Liberty Conference
Lane State 12-8 43 West Coast Athletic Association
Western Florida 14-6 42 Deep South Conference
Texas Gulf Coast 13-7 36 Southwestern Alliance
Alabama Baptist 14-6 23 Deep South Conference
Harper College 17-6 15 Indy East
Brooklyn State 12-8 3 Liberty Conference
RESULTS INVOLVING RANKED TEAMS
MONDAY JANUARY 29
#3 Carolina Poly 61 Commonwealth Catholic 54
#11 Ohio Poly 53 Granville 44
North Carolina Atlantic 50 #15 St Blane 37
TUESDAY JANUARY 30
#10 Garden State 55 #1 St Patrick's 42
#2 Annapolis Maritime 58 Potomac College 45
#5 Liberty College 42 Kansas Agricultural 34
Queen City 43 #24 Plover College 42
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31
St Andrews College 41 #16 Mississippi A&M 48
#17 Middlesex 49 Penobscot State 39
#19 Conwell College 53 Flagstaff State 40
#21 Dickson 48 Henry Hudson 32
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1
#6 North Carolina Tech 57 Central Carolina 32
#7 Mobile Maritime 48 Coastal State 33
#9 Western Iowa 41 #22 Lincoln 38
Columbia Military Academy 46 #12 Chesapeake State 39
#14 St Martin's College 58 Bay State 36
#20 Wichita Baptist 51 Freemont State 33
#24 Plover College 58 Oklahoma Bible College 45
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2
#2 Annapolis Maritime 40 #1 St Patrick's 32
#4 Rainier College 48 #25 Coastal California 46
#8 CC Los Angeles 40 Redwood 30
#11 Ohio Poly 60 Elyria 38
#18 St Pancras 47 Talmadge State 38
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3
Lexington State 52 #3 Carolina Poly 44
#5 Liberty College 52 Penn Catholic 30
#6 North Carolina Tech 52 Bulein 21
#7 Mobile Maritime 63 Cowpens State 35
#9 Western Iowa 54 Whitney College 47
#10 Garden State 46 Empire State 45
#12 Chesapeake State 45 Petersburg 32
#13 Noble Jones College 49 Baton Rogue State 22
#14 St Martin's College 59 Ogdensburg 31
#17 Middlesex 53 West Corners(NY) 51
#22 Lincoln 52 Minnesota Tech 48
#23 Eastern State 51 Narragansett 44
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4
#1 St Patrick's 56 Troy State(NY) 35
Idaho A&M 54 #4 Rainier College 46
#8 CC Los Angeles 41 Spokane State 16
College of Cairo 52 #15 St Blane 39
#25 Coastal California 55 Redwood 44
JACKSON SCORES BIG VICTORY
Veteran west coast heavyweight Andrew Jackson improved his record to 25-9-2 with a win over Ben Compton in Los Angeles last night. Jackson won with a 6th round knockout improving the 38 year old's record to 25-9-2 and marks his 9th straight decision without a loss. Originally from Montana, he has been fighting up and down the west coast the past couple of years.
There was also a rare professional fight card in England -something we have not seen a lot of in the past few years. This one in London saw Welsh heavyweight Shawn Burnaby (22-10-5) fight Englishman Stuart Maunder (7-8-1) to a 12 round draw. Out of England also come reports that World Middleweight Champion Archie Rees is preparing for a cross-Atlantic trip to New York where he reportedly will defend his title in a late March bout at Bigsby Garden.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 2/04/1945
- Soviet tanks continued their drive toward Berlin as they reached the Oder River and are now less than 40 miles from the Nazi capital. On the western front, American tanks and troops continue to thrust forward as well with the 3rd Army vanguard setting the pace by mushing through knee-deep snow.
- Hitler's 12th anniversary radio address was seen as a warning that Germany will fight on -even after the fall of Berlin- regardless of the consequences for as long as his Nazi regime can control the army and restless hordes of war workers.
- "We will enter Manila today" declares General MacArthur after reinforcements landed early in the week and are approaching the Philippine capital. The latest landing occurred without a shot being fired as Philippine troops had cleared the beaches in advance of the Americans arrival.
- Speaker Sam Rayburn today urged the House to reject all amendments proposed to the new war work draft bill. Among those was a proposal to keep the manpower program for essential war jobs strictly on a volunteer basis.
- A grand jury investigation into a college basketball bribery scandal has been ordered. Jersey City Tech players are accused of receiving money from bookmakers to throw a game at the Bigsby Garden.