July 7, 1947
No new news focused entirely on hockey this week as our commissioner works on the July 1 flip to the 1947-1948 season and the contraction of our league from seven teams down to six with the folding of the Brooklyn Eagles but there are some sports columnists who touch on hockey in their writings this week.
First, we have an article from our ChatGPT national columnist who weighs in with an occasional column on a number of sports happenings.
THE NIGHT PITTSBURGH WEPT
Melanson's Defeat Shakes the Steel City
Frank "The Tank" Melanson, the once-unlikely champion who emerged from the steel mills of Pittsburgh to conquer the world of boxing, suffered a devastating blow on the evening of July 4. The city's very own prodigal son, who had captured the middleweight crown in a stunning upset two years ago, was making his triumphant return to Fitzpatrick Park for his fifth title defense. The stage was set for a grand celebration, with fireworks illuminating the night sky after another resounding victory. However, fate had a different plan in mind, and John Edmonds crashed the party with a force that even the fiercest storm could not muster.
The fight unfolded with a palpable air of anticipation, as the Pittsburgh faithful filled the stands, eager to witness their beloved champion's dominance. Melanson, who had soared through 33 victories without a single defeat, had become a symbol of resilience and hometown pride. Yet, on this fateful night, the cheers turned to hushed whispers as Edmonds unveiled his tenacious spirit.
The climax came in the 14th round when the contest was abruptly halted. Though Melanson pleaded for the bout to continue, his plight was evident - blood cascading from a cut above his right eye had rendered him defenseless. Referee Ernest Byrd, despite enduring the wrath of the pro-Melanson crowd, made the difficult but necessary decision to protect the fallen hero. The scorecards had favored Melanson, and victory seemed within his grasp, but Edmonds, displaying unwavering determination, fought with the heart of a lion.
The fatal blow occurred early in the ninth round when the challenger from Munice, Indiana, landed two rapid-fire jabs, one of which found its mark, tearing open Melanson's eyebrow. Edmonds, ever the opportunist, seized upon the moment, relentlessly targeting the wound throughout the rest of the bout. Melanson's corner fought valiantly between rounds, attempting to staunch the flow of blood and extend their warrior's reign, but their efforts were in vain. The middleweight champion's crown slipped from his grasp, his time at the pinnacle of the sport coming to an unexpected end.
As the final bell tolled, a sense of somber reflection filled Fitzpatrick Park. The celebratory fireworks still exploded above, but they lacked the jubilant spirit they were intended to embody. Melanson, once an emblem of triumph over adversity, must now come to terms with his first taste of defeat. The road to redemption may be arduous, but if history has taught us anything, it is that the spirit of a champion can never be extinguished.
*** Ice Eagles Finally Down For the Count ***
While the world of boxing mourned the fall of Frank Melanson, another local sports institution faced its own devastating defeat. The Brooklyn Eagles, a team known more for its survival instincts than its on-ice triumphs, met its final demise after years of battling against insurmountable odds.
The Eagles' journey began in the heart of New York City, but it was the relentless claws of financial hardship -and the extortionet ways of the Bigsby clan- that forced the team's relocation to Brooklyn in 1940. Under the guidance of new owner Edward Faberge, the Eagles set their sights on a fresh start. However, their inaugural season was marred by a dismal performance, as they managed a mere eight victories in the Brooklyn Arena. The subsequent years only brought further despair, with consecutive seasons marked by a paltry three wins, pushing the team to the brink of oblivion.
Ironically, as the Eagles achieved their highest point total in Brooklyn history, accumulating 38 points with a 15-25-8 record, the team succumbed to its long-standing struggle to remain financially viable. Faberge, in a desperate bid to salvage the sinking ship, recruited promising talents from the minor leagues, hoping to build a winning team that would captivate the hearts of fans. Despite narrowly escaping the league's basement for the first time, the Eagles could not stave off the financial losses that plagued their balance sheet. Thus, the Brooklyn Eagles, once a symbol of resilience, now fade into the annals of history.
*** Cautionary Tales: Brooklyn Eagles' Demise Raises Concerns for St. Louis Pioneers ***
In the wake of the Brooklyn Eagles' collapse, St. Louis finds itself at a crossroads, teetering on the precipice of losing one of their two sports franchises. The St. Louis Pioneers, a storied baseball team that has languished in the shadows of mediocrity for far too long, now faces a stark reality. Despite their current position atop the Federal Association, boasting a first-place standing, the Pioneers find themselves struggling to fill the seats and capture the hearts of their disillusioned fanbase.
For over a decade, St. Louis baseball enthusiasts have exhibited a peculiar apathy towards their hometown team. The Pioneers, who last hoisted a pennant in 1921, have failed to recapture the glory that once electrified this city. The wounds inflicted upon the faithful by ill-fated trades, including the departure of the prodigious Max Morris, the titan of home runs, in the mid-1930s still sting today.
When Los Angeles movie producer Dee Rose assumed ownership of the team in 1940, hopes were raised for a renaissance. However, those aspirations quickly turned to disillusionment when it was revealed that Rose, in a move that reverberated through the sports world, had intentions to relocate the Pioneers to the sun-drenched shores of California. Fate, of course, intervened, delaying the ill-conceived migration as the shadows of war loomed on the horizon. Still, the wounds of betrayal inflicted upon the hearts of St. Louis fans remain fresh, casting a shadow of doubt over the team's future.
As the Pioneers now find themselves perched atop the league, their destiny rests not only on the shoulders of their players but on the fervor of their supporters. Will the citizens of St. Louis rise to the occasion, proving their undying loyalty, or will they mirror the apathy that condemned the Brooklyn Eagles to their final flight? Only time will reveal the answer.
The second column comes from the July 6 edition of the Detroit Times where Bob Murphy regularly writes about the Motor City pro and college teams.
Interesting to see the New York Gothams tearing things down again. Word is the Dynamos tried to get in on the buying frenzy but were rebuffed in their attempts to bring Sal Pestilli back to Thompson Field. Detroit refused to part with any prospects but was reportedly willing to send veteran pitcher Dixie Lee to New York in order to liberate Sal. In a lot of ways that move might have made more sense for the Gothams as Lee might have been the piece they needed to turn things around. Instead Sal went to the Continental Chicago clan and the Gothams shockingly moved another former Dynamos draft pick in Pete Casstevens to the Windy City Feds. Now, New York is dangling the picks they received in those deals for a top noth pitcher - say a Dixie Lee type- but word is they want someone younger than Lee. No idea who is going to crouch behind the plate at Gothams Stadium as they don't have a catcher any more. Really feels like the Gothams are using all those confusing street signs in Manhattan as their inspiration. Feels like no one in that organization has any idea which direction they are going.
*** Dynamos Hanging in Race ***
It is the all-star break and congrats to the three young Dynamos who will be making their first -of what we hope is many- trips to the all-star game. Carl Potter, Edwin Hackberry and Dick Estes are all very deserving and can rely on veteran Sid Williams to show them around. Williams is hardly an all-star regular -certainly no where near Bobby Barrell's record 11th appearance- but he is back for his second trip to the summer classic. Williams popped out as a pinch-hitter to end the 1941 game won by the Continentals 8-4 in Brooklyn.
Fans of the electric bolt have to be pretty happy looking at the standings today and seeing the Dynamos in second place. The rebuild is going quicker than expected, but there are some doubts the club can keep it up. Washington is very much in the mix and the Chiefs have added some pieces as well. You also have to think that Philadelphia is not willing to waste this amazing season Bobby Barrell is having on a second-division club. But unless someone can step up and join Lloyd Stevens as a productive contributor on the Keystones mound that might be just where they end up.
There was a crazy rumour circulating the Dynamos had sent a note to Toronto asking about Fred McCormick. If true, he would be a big addition and maybe the bat the Dynamos needed to put them over the top. Alas, Toronto sources insist McCormick is going to retire with the Wolves and probably just as well, as the price would be more than the Dynamos should likely be willing to pay, as the best course right now is stick with the plan to let all of their young talent develop together.
*** Ice Eagles Folding Good for NAHC, But Bad for Motors ***
While nothing official has been released by the league, it is clear that after years and years of rumours the Brooklyn Eagles have finally flown for the last time. Even in the late 1930's there was talk of the Eagles -run by current Detroit head scout Bill Yeadon back in those days- being squeezed out by the Bigsby's, who owned the New York Shamrocks and the Bigsgy Garden which the Eagles rented out. Maroons owner Rollie Barrell and several others rode to the rescue back then and the club found new life in Daniel Prescott's basketball stadium in Brooklyn. The team was awful on the ice, and few fans bothered to show up, leading to the rumours of its demise - rumours that now finally were realized.
A 6-team NAHC will be a much more stable loop. It is easier to schedule games, increases the talent pool and ensures that two-thirds of the league owners will get at least some playoff revenue. The problem is the timing could not be worse for the Detroit Motors as far as divying up the talent in Brooklyn. The Eagles really have two star quality players in 24-year-old goal scoring machine Quinton Pollack and 31-year-old legend Tom Brockers between the pipes. Those two seem all but assured of going to Toronto and Montreal, the teams that missed the playoffs along with the Eagles last season. New York finished fourth last season and picks third with promising 20-year-old defenseman Robert Sharpley the likely prize, unless Montreal grabs him instead of Brockers. So with the three key Eagles gone, each making the three teams that finished below the Motors a year ago a fair bit better, a second straight trip to the playoffs might just be a tough ask for Motor City icemen.
Full national sports coverage is available as always in the weekly editions of
THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL.