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Tiger Fan · 11-26-2024, 09:47 PM

MARCH 26, 1962

UPSETS ABOUND IN AIAA CAGE QUARTERFINALS

It was an upset heavy weekend as three of the four collegiate basketball tournament quarterfinal games over the weekend were won by the lower seed and only one school ranked in the top ten at the end of the regular season remains as the top four prepare to gather at New York's Bigsby Garden for Saturday's semi-final games.

The lone survivor among top ten schools was Lane State as the West Coast Athletic Association champions, who finished the regular season 24-5 and ranked fourth in the nation, knocked off Carolina Poly and Whitney College last week to reach the semi finals for the second consecutive season. This will be the Emeralds fifth time reaching the semi-finals but the Oregon school has never won the national tournament.

Lane State, top seed in the West Region, defeated Canton State 40-34 in their opening game 10 days ago before following that up with a 46-35 victory over Carolina Poly, which was ranked 7th in the nation, in round two. The Emeralds were led in their win over the Cardinals but sophomore guard Wade Brann, who led all scorers with 13 points in the contest. Saturday's quarterfinal matched the top two seeds in the region with the Emeralds having an easier time than expected with Whitney College, dumping the Engineers 56-44 to punch their ticket to New York City.

Lane State was the only one seed to reach the semi-finals as both Noble Jones College and Maryland State bowed out in the quarterfinals. The Colonels, ranked #1 in the nation after a 28-2 regular season and a Deep South Conference title, had little trouble with Central Ohio in the second round, grounding the Aviators 70-63, but in the quarterfinals the Colonels proved no match for another Great Lakes Alliance quintet. It was Indiana A&M, ranked 12th in the nation and seeded second in its region, that advanced out of the South after the Reapers, led by 19 points from junior guard John Caffrey, outscored the Colonels 56-53. It marks just the second time Indiana A&M has reached the semi-finals with their first trip coming in the spring of 1950.

Maryland State entered the tournament ranked number 3 in the nation and the top seed in the Midwest Region. The Bengals, who were national champions two years ago but exited in the second round last year, were expecting another trip to Bigsby Garden and after wins over Northern Minnesota and Detroit City College seemed well on their way, especially after the region's second seed Rainier College fell 61-60 to sixth seeded Great Plains State in the other second round game in the Midwest. The Buffaloes, who have never advanced past the second round and were 4-15 all-time in the AIAA tournament entering this season, shocked the Bengals with a 63-53 upset yesterday. What added to the surprise was the fact that the Bengals two big names - guard Mark Robinson and forward Pepper Whitney- each scored 17 points but Maryland State still came up 10 points short. Five different Buffaloes scored at least 8 points in the contest led by center Hugh Leach's 13.

The East was the only region that did not see the top seed reach at least the quarterfinal game as three-time reigning South Atlantic Conference champion and #2 overall Charleston Tech was upset 53-40 by Lubbock State in the second round. Senior forward Tommy Johns was on fire for the Hawks, shooting 8-for-13 from the field to lead the way with 17 points as the sixth seeded champions of the Southwestern Alliance upset the Admirals.

Yesterday the Hawks had a much tougher time with Wisconsin State as Brewers guard Jack Jenson scored 22 points for the second seed, but it was not enough as the Hawks squeezed out a 57-55 victory with Artie Pugh scoring 11 and Johns adding 10. The victory sends Lubbock State to the national semi-finals for the fourth time in school history but the first since 1923.

DUKES OVERTAKE PACKERS FOR TOP SPOT, VALS CLAIM FOURTH

It went down to the final day of the season before the playoff seedings were decided and when the dust settled the Toronto Dukes finished with the best regular season record for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in the past nine years. It took a late charge as Toronto was chasing both Chicago and Detroit much of the past two months. The Motors faded in February while the Packers had clung to first place until losing their final three games of the season, allowing the Dukes -winners of three of their last four- to overtake Chicago and claim top spot.

Quinton Pollack finished with 92 points to win the NAHC scoring title for the record 8th time. It marked the fourth time he surpassed the 90-point mark, something no other player has ever accomplished. Toronto, with another stellar season from goaltender Justin MacPhee, surrendered the fewest goals in the NAHC this season.

The Chicago Packers were forced to settle for second place and will open the playoffs at home against Detroit with the Motors, a February slump seemingly in their rearview mirror, the hottest team down the stretch with points in each of their last 8 games, going 5-0-3. Detroit, which finished third last season as well before going on to win the Challenge Cup for the second time in the past four years, knocked off the Packers in five games in the finals last season.

The Dukes will face the Montreal Valiants, who rallied to pass the Boston Bees for fourth place in the final week of the season. The Bees went 6-14-3 in the final two months of the season including ending with 4 straight losses to finish a single point back of the Valiants for the final playoff berth.

NAHC RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK
TUESDAY MARCH 20

Detroit 3 at Chicago 2 : Goals by Emmett Hargreaves and Colin MacMillin 15 seconds apart late in the third period lifted the Detroit Motors to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Packers in what was a costly loss for the Packers as Chicago clings to just a 2 point lead on Toronto for first place in the NAHC.

THURSDAY MARCH 22

New York 6 at Boston 3 : Alex Kalmakoff and Byron Redmond each had 3 points to pace the visiting Shamrocks to a 6-3 victory over slumping Boston. New York will not make the playoffs but they may have crippled the Bees chances as Boston, just a single point ahead of Montreal for fourth place, has not lost four in a row.

Toronto 3 at Montreal 1 : Toronto moved into a first place tie with Chicago while Montreal remains a point back of Boston for fourth place after the Dukes won 3-1 at the Montreal Arena. Tim Brooks, Ken Jamieson and Charles Brochu scored for Toronto after Jamie Koebel had given the Vals the lead in the opening period.

SATURDAY MARCH 24

Chicago 1 at Montreal 3 : A huge game for both teams as the Valiants move into fourth place, a point up on Boston, while Chicago remains tied with Toronto for first after both lost on this night. Nathan Bannister came up big in the Montreal net with 38 saves while three defensemen -Gabriel Allard, Mark Moggy and Colton Keil- handled the Vals scoring.

Detroit 7 at Toronto 0 : Detroit will finish in third place but the Motors made a statement with a 7-0 pounding of the Toronto Dukes. Alex Monette, Hobie Barrell and Jack Chapman each had three points for the winners while Sebastien Goulet made 22 saves for his 6th shutout of the season. The 29-year-old Monette scored his 300th career NAHC goal in the game.

SUNDAY MARCH 25

Toronto 9 at Boston 1 : A fifth straight loss, getting blasted 9-1 at home by Toronto with their playoff lives on the line clearly raises questions as to what sort of changes will take place in Boston before next season. The Bees season came to an end while the Dukes claimed first place after Chicago fell in New York. Scoring champ Quinton Pollack had 4 assists for the Dukes to bring his season point total to 92 and the only player in NAHC history to accumulate at least 90 points in a season has now accomplished that feat four times. Pollack's 92 points are more than double that of any other Toronto player and only 3 other NAHC players this season had more points than Pollack, with 55, had assists. He also led the NAHC in goals with 37.

Montreal 0 at Detroit 4 : Detroit scored four times in the second period including a pair by Alex Monette and Sebastien Goulet recorded a shutout in back to back games as Detroit blanked Montreal 4-0. The loss did not prevent the Valiants from qualifying for the playoffs as they finished a point ahead of Boston.

Chicago 2 at New York 5 : While Toronto won three of its last four games, Chicago dropped each of its final three to surrender first place to the Dukes. The season ending loss was 5-2 to the last place New York Shamrocks, who scored three times in the final 15 minutes to pull out the victory.

END OF REGULAR SEASON

The Toronto Dukes managed to capture first place with 81 points after going 2-1 in the final week of the regular season passing the Chicago Packers, who dropped all three of their games to finish with 79 points. Toronto will face Montreal in semis after the Vals edged out Boston, losers of five straight, by a single point for the final playoff spot.

Toronto's lone loss during the week was to the suddenly hot Detroit Motors, a 7-0 shellacking in which the Dukes were outshot 49-21 at home. Coach Ari Bear termed the loss "our worst effort of the season, by far. That type of game will not work in the coming weeks." Motors will start their playoff series in Chicago.

Quinton Pollack won another scoring title leading the league both in goals, 37, and assists, 55. Pollack played the last week with a bruised chest after being hit with a puck in practice. The Dukes allowed the least goals in the league, 172 the only team to allow less than 180 over the 70 game schedule. Justin MacPhee leading the NAHC in GAA, 2.43, Save Percentage, .921. In 52 games MacPhee posted a 32-16-6 record. Two goaltenders Detroit's Sebastien Goulet, Boston's Oscar James appeared in all 70 of their team's games.

The playoff schedule has not yet been released by the league office awaiting on ice availability for the four playoff teams. Dukes are hoping for a delay to allow C Tim Amesbury, 14-22-36. time recover from a groin injury before the Montreal series.

Youngster Turning Heads in Camp

While in every spring training, teams tend to call up some of their top prospects, this season seems to be an anomaly. Not only are all three of the top prospects in camp, but 7 of the top 10, 9 of the top 12, and 15 of the top 25 This week, the team at TWFIS takes a look at how the top-10 is doing through two weeks, and how likely they are to stick.

CF Frank Kirouac, Boston Minutemen, #1 ranked prospect: Not only is Frank Kirouac, who Boston picked up from the LA Stars at last year's deadline for Bud Henderson and a prospect, the #1 prospect in baseball, but he's probably the most developed of any player with a prospect ranking. Taken 3rd by the Stars in 1956, he's spent most of his professional career ranked inside the top-10, recently surpassing last year's #1 Danny Davis (currently 3rd and in camp with the Pioneers) and expected to hold the top spot come Opening Day.

If Boston has their eyes set on contention, he should be in their Opening Day lineup, as the 24-year-old was probably big league ready last season. One of the most tantalizing talents in all of baseball, Kirouac projects to be an elite center fielder, with the range to stick, tremendous power, an excellent eye, and on top of all that, a hit tool that should allow him to hit well over .300. The power, eye, and defense are all developed, with the contact tool the last thing left to complete. Right now he's just a bit above average, and after a slow start he's got his spring line up to .231/.318/.436. The power is evident, he's already got two longballs in 44 PAs, and he's got a pair of doubles to go with it. He's striking out way too much, already set down 14 times, as their is some swing and miss in his game. Still, when he puts bat to ball, it goes hard and far, and there are very little weaknesses to his game.

2B Dixie Turner, Pittsburgh Miners, #2 ranked prospect: The only member of the top-5 that isn't a primary center fielder, Dixie Turner could play center if needed, but with his infield range and arm he's best suited for the left side of the infield. With reigning Fed hit leader John Moreland (328, 10, 109) at short, that's one of the spots taken, and despite a weaker arm, Reid Barrell has been getting the reps at third, leaving Turner to play second. It's his most familiar spot too, and with outstanding marks defensively, he could be a Diamond Defense award winner should the keystone be his long-term spot. Having not played above A ball and still just 20, an assignment to AA Birmingham may be both he right and safe call, but both second and third are weak spots in the lineup and he and/or Barrell could fill them quickly. Dixie has drawn his walks, 4 in 24 PAs, but he has just 4 hits and all 4 are singles. With plus power potential, it appears he's not quite at his peak yet, but he is more of a line drive hitter then a home run hitter. As he matures, expect huge extra base numbers, and with his speed he'll be on second and third more often then you might think. His versatility, well-rounded bat, and athleticism make him a lock for FABL playing time, and if all goes right he'll have an infield spot secured for the Miners' front office for over a decade. Expectations have always been high for the 1st pick of the 1960 draft, and so far, he's already done a superb job meeting them.

CF Danny Davis, St. Louis Pioneers, #3 ranked prospect: A little less then a year ago, it was Danny Davis who led the prospect rankings, but his drop to 3rd is no knock on his talent. In fact, it's a number he's familiar with, as the 22-year-old was taken 3rd in the 1958 draft. Another polished hitter for his age, he had a huge final month of the season, hitting .339/.385/.716 (201 OPS+) in 27 games for St. Louis' AA affiliate. He was mashing too, as he matched his 9 homers from 88 games in A ball, and over half (20) his 37 hits were for extra bases. He's shown no signs of slowing down either, hitting .350/.364/.650 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Already adept at putting the ball in play, he's struck out in just one of his twenty-two PAs, though his customary center field is being taken up by an even better defender in Bill Bather (.313, 22, 72, 11). When paired with a 139 WRC+, that's a guy you want playing everyday, and it's not like Davis can overtake former Whitney winner Jerry Smith (.289, 34, 103, 14). This leaves just right field, a position that might be best for him as he's got a strong arm and isn't as surehanded as you want for a center fielder. If I was in St. Louis, I'd be putting him in right field every day until Opening Day, and if the early results were good, he'd be in my lineup when the Pioneers welcome the Miners to St. Louis on April 17th.

3B Ernie Carter, San Francisco Sailors, #6 ranked prospect: Now you might see 3B and think there's no way Ernie Carter can play center field, but fear not young reader! He's versatile enough to go anywhere! A former 1st Rounder of the Kings, Carter came to the west coast in the Bill Guthrie deal, and has recently emerged as one of the top young players in the league. The 21-year-old has played everywhere but catcher and pitcher, and you can expect above average production from him pretty much everywhere but center. Better in the infield and maybe best at short, he's got the range and double play ability you love to see, but his arm might be his best tool. Plus, as somewhat of a lighter hitter, you might want him in the middle infield, where his bat should be well above average. Already with some experience in AAA, he went from A to AAA last season, though his .246/.290/.358 (78 OPS+) line in Sacramento may suggest the recipe is not quite complete. Paired with a .227/.320/.318 spring line and young studs like Carlos Jaramillo (.313, 12, 68, 40) and Heinie Spitler (.302, 9, 87, 11) in the middle infield, and I think I'd be comfortable waiting until he can hit his way up. Sure, Bob Gray (.267, 20, 86) isn't great, but he's got a ton of pop and an absolute cannon at third, and if he can give the Sailors another 95 WRC+, 2 WAR season, that's plenty of value for someone not expected to carry the team. With their eyes set on the pennant, the club may choose to stick with their vet, but I think there's a good chance Carter sees the hot corner at some point this season.

LHP Danny Daniels, St. Louis Pioneers, #7 ranked prospect: St. Louis is lucky enough to double-dip with top-10 prospects and boast the #1 pitching prospect in FABL. The first of these guys with FABL experience, the young 23-year-old threw 3 scoreless innings out of the Pioneer pen last September, allowing just a single base runner (hit) with a pair of punchouts. Known for his wicked change, the young southpaw has tremendous stuff, that in short order may turn out to be elite. Right now the change is the clear headliner, but 5 of his other 6 pitches are average-to-plus offerings. The former Chief second rounder has exceeded all expectations with his repertoire, as he's been involved in two trades (Chicago to Cincinnati, Cincinnati to St. Louis), where even at the time it looked like organizations weren't valuing him correctly. St. Louis has since learned he's a guy to be developed, not exchanged, and at print they have them as their #5 starter. The top four is elite, with Frenchy Mack (7-8, 2.83, 131), Billy Hasson (19-8, 2.85, 188), Steve Madden (14-6, 3.17, 166), and Charlie Blake (10-10, 4.18, 150) all ace-worthy, and I see a few non-expansion teams out there that might consider Daniels to lead their rotation. Aside from the occasional use of his splitter, there's really nothing he does poorly, and he's already shown the ability to pitch deep in games. He's hardworking, a team leader, and filled with talent, but if there is one area he can improve, its the command. It's still already better then the average FABL hurler, but it could be even better, and a slight reduction in BB% could cement him as a true impact starter.

RHP Owen Lantz, Washington Eagles, #8 ranked prospect: Another team with two guys in the top 10, the Washington Eagles finish our list off, starting with a second potential ace that the Cannons had the misfortune of trading away. A former 4th Rounder, Owen Lantz was traded a year and a half after being drafted, netting Wally Hunter (5-2, 4.97, 44) and Eli Bowen in a second deal that Cannons fans wish their front office never accepted. The Chicago native is now the top right handed pitching prospect in FABL, boasting similar stuff to Danny Daniels. The difference, however, is how they approach things, as Daniels keeps you off balance before getting you to swing out of your shoes on a change, where as Lantz attacks you with a cutter/curve mix that have absurd movement out of his sidearm slot. A hard thrower, he can also whiz a 97 mph fastball by you up and away, and if you hit any of the low stuff, it's going to end up in an easy groundball out. Another difference between him and Daniels is the command, as Lantz is about as effectively wild as it gets. He's going to walk a ton of guys, including 80 to 79 strikeouts in 17 AA starts last season, but it's not going to be a major concern with his stuff. He's an ace, plain and simple, as he can overpower you and erase mistakes with a perfectly time grounder. Washington has used him out of the pen so far, allowing 8 hits and 4 runs in 6 innings, though shockingly he has zero walks to 5 strikeouts. Based on the usage and run totals I'd expect him to return to AA, but for a team with a weak rotation, it might not take too long before Lantz gets his go every fifth day.

3B George Whaley, Washington Eagles, #9 ranked prospect: To his point, all the prospects have either been excellent defenders or high stuff pitchers. George Whaley is the exception. Taken 1st last June, it's all for the bat, as this 19-year-old may be the best offensive prospect in the game, and his bat is not what you'd expect from a 19-year-old. He hasn't played much, just 0-for-7 with 3 walks as a replacement player, but I think in more regular playing time he could certainly hold his own. He does everything well, and even when he's not hitting, he can draw a ton of walks. He had a pristine 26.1 BB% in 153 Class-A plate appearances last season, and aside from 20-year-old superstar Tom Lorang (.305, 18, 62), there might not be a more disciplined hitter on the Eagles roster. Ironically, Lorang also plays third -- elite at that -- which really helps counter Whaley's defensive liabilities. There's no way he's replacing Lorang, so the Eagles can get ahead of the logjam and start working him out at first. Sure, Joe Holland (.295, 11, 34) is talented too, but the only thing he does better then Whaley is hit home runs. That may continue, though what 19-year-old really has all their strength already, but Whaley matches if not exceeds Holland's eye, and projects to have a well above-average contact tool. Expect lines around .290/.430/.510 from Whaley once he's fully ready, and if you weren't already scared of the Eagles young core, you certainly should be now. I think their 30ish year title drought won't make it to 40!

A PAIR OF TRADES AS SPRING TRAINING CONTINUES

FABL clubs completed a pair of transactions in the opening days of spring training. The bigger deal of the two saw the Cincinnati Cannons move on from infielder Al Farmer, dealing the 36-year-old two-time all-star to the Kansas City Kings in a straight one-for-one deal with 33-year-old outfielder Bryan Jeffress going the other way.

The move was seen as a cost cutting measure by the Cannons, who were slated to pay Farmer more than $110,000 this season while Jeffress, who began his career in Pittsburgh before spending the past 9 seasons with the Kings, will make $41,200 this year. An all-star in 1959, Jeffress lost his starting job in the Kansas City outfield last year and was limited to just 127 plate appearances, batting .295. OSA feels he is still a solid option as a corner outfielder.

Farmer has spent nearly his entire career at second baseman and made his big league debut with the Sailors in 1948 before being dealt to Cincinnati at the trade deadline in 1956. He was one of the Cannons most dependable hitters a year ago, batting .304 with 18 homers but his defense has been a liability in recent years. Prior to the move Farmer had been expected to shift to first base this season for Cannons despite the fact he has only ever played 2 games at the position and both were back in 1952. Despite the defensive concerns, OSA feels Farmer could still be an above average big league second baseman and he may end up battling ex-Toronto Wolve John Wells for the starting second base job in Kanas City although he could end up at first if the Kings opt to move Hank Williams back to the outfield.

The other trade saw the expansion New York Imperials make their second deal. A few weeks ago they sent veteran pitcher Bob Allen to the Chicago Cougars for prospects and now they made a deal with the other Windy City team. The Imperials sent catcher Ray Smith and first baseman Joe Flanagan to the Chicago Chiefs in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers and cash. Smith, 32, who had spent some time as Toronto's backup catcher before being selected in the expansion draft, will likely assume the same role as the caddy to Al Padgett with the Chiefs. Flanagan is a 28 year old first baseman who has spent time with several organizations but has yet to make his big league debut.

The big piece for the Imperials in the deal was Art Roberts, a 20-year-old lefthander ranked 215th on the latest OSA prospect list. A 1960 fifth round selection out of a Los Angeles high school by the Chiefs, Roberts split last season between Class B and A, posting a 9-4 record with a sparkling 2.09 era. OSA is not sold on Roberts ever making a big league rotation and it is expected he will be tested at AAA this year, since the Imperials will not have a AA or A club this season.

The other youngster moving to New York is 25-year-old outfielder Marty Hanna. He was a first round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Miners in 1955 and did spend some time in the top 100 but has now been traded three times and OSA has him outside its top 200 prospects suggesting his future would be as a bench piece only. Hanna's lone big league at bat came with Montreal in 1960 and he struck out in his only FABL plate appearance. Last season he hit .250 as a part-time player for AAA Fort Wayne.

Tales From The Den- Will a New Owner, Front Office Turn Reverse Wolves Fortunes?

The Wolves have begun spring workouts in warmer climes while diehard fans continue the hot stove league in Toronto debating whether the changes in ownership and the front office are going to lead the team back to the front of the CA . The team has finished no better than fifth in the standings since their last winning season in 1948 when a record of 82-72 brought the Wolves a third place finish with the likes of Fred McCormick, Hal Wood and Chink Stickels at the plate, smooth fielding Charlie Artuso gobbling up every ball hit on the ground to the left side of the infield and on the mound the quartet of George Garrison, Jim Morrison, Jerry York and Joe Hancock put fear into the hearts of all opposing batters.

Little did the fans in '48 know that this would be the end of an era in Toronto baseball that had begun a decade earlier before the horrors and sacrifices of WWII. Under the ownership of controversial and outspoken Bernie Millard, who purchased the franchise in 1942, the Wolves were always in the news for both their play on the field along with the public musings of their crusty coal baron owner.

One the biggest changes is that Millard, 77, has retired to Florida divesting himself of all his businesses along with the sale of the Wolves after 20 years to Kingston, Ontario businessman Robert (Bob) Smith. Smith is said to be a less vocal owner with pockets as deep as Millard's ready to lead the Wolves out of the wilderness. In his few statements to the public Smith has said that 1962 is first step in a multi-year plan to revitalize the franchise. He has said that that early on his is impressed with the talent of his front office staff with whom he has had lengthy meetings to put together a plan moving forward. He has cautioned the long suffering fans that improvement will not be immediate, it will take time.

Smith says "My front office team has put a plan forward that outlines the reasons for failure over the last decade along with steps to bring back the glory days of baseball to Dominion Stadium that I witnessed early in my business career. I was following the Wolves most often through the Mail & Empire accounts along with listening to the games on radio. The GM has outlined a vision going forward to which he will be held accountable, as with in my other businesses I leave the day to day operation to the "experts". I will be involved in the Wolves more as question asker than a dictator, as has been said of my predecessor. Mr. Millard had his ways I have mine, give the people the resources they need then hold them to the agreed results. I will invest money into the Wolves but will not throw good money after bad. We have plans to spruce up the stadium for the fans along with bringing back some the old heroes. Plans have begun to honour Fred McCormick along with others this summer. I have made it clear to the staff that making a trip to the park to watch the Wolves must become a goal for every sports fan not only in Toronto but in southern Ontario. I want fans to be clamoring for tickets with lines forming pregame like they do at the Gardens for the Dukes."

A cursory look at the Wolves heading into the 1962 season would confirm Mr. Smith's staff's initial observations. At the FABL level any chance of improvement will rely on the pitching staff. A starting staff of Phil Colantuono, George Hoxworth, Arnie Smith, Hank Lacey should get the games off to good start. New manager Randy Hohlt, recently returned to the Americas after six years in Japan, will have to deftly handle his bullpen along with pitching coach Max Monell for the team to move up in the standings. The pitching will have to be successful as the Wolves seem destined to have a hard time scoring runs. Only powerful bats in the lineup appear to be LF Tom Reed, CF Sid Cullen with the rest of lineup being weak at the plate. Hohlt is going to have stress slick fielding to help the pitchers rather than outscoring the opposition on a daily basis. The staff focus will have to on development of players in the system. Team has a few catchers coming along and a prospect at each position in the field, it will be important to have these guys develop rather than washout in the system which has happened far too often over the last decade. On the mound fans should keep an eye on Bob Campbell, 21, who should start the season in Buffalo. Pitching, defense will be the key for the 1962 Wolves along with players moving up the system.

Detroit has finally caught St. Louis for second place in the Western Division, as the Mustangs (31-36) lead the Rockets (31-37) by a half-game with about a dozen games to go. Detroit passed St. Louis in the standings after the Mustangs defeated the Rockets in St. Louis on Friday night. Dick Murray scored 24 points and shot an amazing 11-for-15 from the field, as the Mustangs dominated to build a 34-point lead through three quarters and defeat the Rockets, 94-62. The Rockets are in the midst of a spell where they have lost seven of eight games after a four-game winning streak got St. Louis to the .500 mark.
The best either team can do is play for second, as the Toronto Falcons were the first team to clinch a division title this season. The Falcons are 48-19 with a 17-game lead and only 13 games to play. Toronto leads the league in points per game with 86.7 and while the Western Division admittedly plays defense only have the time, their point differential of points scored versus points allowed is second in the FBL at +5.7 points per game (Boston, +6.1).
There will likely not be any movement in the Eastern Division standings between now and the end of the season, which is less than four weeks away. Boston is 47-21 and has a seven-game lead on Philadelphia (39-27). Both teams have excellent home records, with Boston boasting a 26-7 mark at Denny Arena and Philadelphia owning a 25-9 record at Keystone Arena. New York (31-36) is 8-1/2 games behind Philadelphia in third place, but the Knights are not worried about missing out on the postseason because Washington (17-50) is last, 14 games out of a top three slot in the division and 29-1/2 games out of first place.
This is going to be Boston’s division to lose because while all teams win at home at a 65% clip or better, New York is 8-24 on the road, which does not bode well for a Divisional Semifinal where Philadelphia will likely get the extra home game. Philadelphia is 14-18 on the road, which may loom large in a series where Boston has the home-court advantage. Boston is on a good streak, winning consistently at home and on the road. Overall, the Centurions have won 11 of 13, with the only two losses over the last four weeks being a home loss to New York and a road loss at Philadelphia. Before Knights and Phantoms fans get excited, Boston defeated each team three times in the same 13-game sample, making up six of those 11 recent wins.

RECENT KEY RESULTS

Chicago born heavyweight Gene McCord ran his record to 31-9-2 with a 9th round knockout of Don Petty in a bout in the Windy City last Wednesday.
On Thursday in Kansas City, the pride of Watertown, CT., Harry Kimbro, scored an unanimous decision over hometown favourite Stanton Austen in a 10-round middleweight tilt. Kimbro, 26, owns a 38-4 record that included a title shot loss to George Quisenberry in December of 1959. He has not lost in five outings since then and is hoping for another shot at the crown, now held by Lyman King.

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

Apr 12 in Las Vegas: Longtime welterweight champion Lonnie Griffin defends his crown against Dan McMullan. The 30-year-old Griffn (40-5-1) has held the title on four different occasions and his bout against McMullan will be his third defense this time around. McMullan (22-1) is a 23-year-old rising star from South Carolina and is getting his first shot at the welterweight title.
May 10- San Francisco: Middleweight champion Lyman King (39-0) makes his first title defense against Steve Bradshaw (30-8-2). King, a 24-year-old Oakland, CA. native claimed a 5th round TKO victory over now-former champ George Quisenberry at New York's Bigsby Garden in January. King has never lost a fight and only went to the judges cards twice in his last 9 outings. Bradshaw, 25, originally hails from Pittsburgh, PA. and is coming off an impressive victory over Bill Sanderson but has lost in recent years to some top names such as George Hatchell, Davis Owens and Hugo Canio.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 3/25/1962

Terror attacks have ramped up in Algiers as the latest outbreaks resulted in close to 100 deaths. The rightest attacks had been expected since the Secret Army had warned of a campaign to keep Algeria French.
At the Geneva disarmament talks Britain has told Russia it would be willing to cut enforcement machinery to the "absolute minimum" in order to get an agreement on a nuclear test ban. It was part of an urgent appeal from the British at the 17-nation conference to get Russia to accept a "reasonable compromise."
Premier Khrushchev agreed to co-operate with the United States in space exploration including a program for sending vehicles to other planets. But he emphasized such joint ventures depend "in some degree on the solution of the disarmament problem."
US officials expect marked improvement in the next 90 days in the war against the Communists in South Viet Nam, a Defense Department spokesman said.
The White House issued a blunt denial of charges by former Vice President Richard Nixon that President Kennedy violated restrictions during a 1960 campaign in urging American support of intervention against Castro in Cuba.
President Kennedy's wife Jacqueline continued her Far East tour with a visit to Pakistan.

11-26-2024, 09:47 PM	#1030
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,811	March 26, 1962 MARCH 26, 1962 UPSETS ABOUND IN AIAA CAGE QUARTERFINALS It was an upset heavy weekend as three of the four collegiate basketball tournament quarterfinal games over the weekend were won by the lower seed and only one school ranked in the top ten at the end of the regular season remains as the top four prepare to gather at New York's Bigsby Garden for Saturday's semi-final games. The lone survivor among top ten schools was Lane State as the West Coast Athletic Association champions, who finished the regular season 24-5 and ranked fourth in the nation, knocked off Carolina Poly and Whitney College last week to reach the semi finals for the second consecutive season. This will be the Emeralds fifth time reaching the semi-finals but the Oregon school has never won the national tournament. Lane State, top seed in the West Region, defeated Canton State 40-34 in their opening game 10 days ago before following that up with a 46-35 victory over Carolina Poly, which was ranked 7th in the nation, in round two. The Emeralds were led in their win over the Cardinals but sophomore guard Wade Brann, who led all scorers with 13 points in the contest. Saturday's quarterfinal matched the top two seeds in the region with the Emeralds having an easier time than expected with Whitney College, dumping the Engineers 56-44 to punch their ticket to New York City. Lane State was the only one seed to reach the semi-finals as both Noble Jones College and Maryland State bowed out in the quarterfinals. The Colonels, ranked #1 in the nation after a 28-2 regular season and a Deep South Conference title, had little trouble with Central Ohio in the second round, grounding the Aviators 70-63, but in the quarterfinals the Colonels proved no match for another Great Lakes Alliance quintet. It was Indiana A&M, ranked 12th in the nation and seeded second in its region, that advanced out of the South after the Reapers, led by 19 points from junior guard John Caffrey, outscored the Colonels 56-53. It marks just the second time Indiana A&M has reached the semi-finals with their first trip coming in the spring of 1950. Maryland State entered the tournament ranked number 3 in the nation and the top seed in the Midwest Region. The Bengals, who were national champions two years ago but exited in the second round last year, were expecting another trip to Bigsby Garden and after wins over Northern Minnesota and Detroit City College seemed well on their way, especially after the region's second seed Rainier College fell 61-60 to sixth seeded Great Plains State in the other second round game in the Midwest. The Buffaloes, who have never advanced past the second round and were 4-15 all-time in the AIAA tournament entering this season, shocked the Bengals with a 63-53 upset yesterday. What added to the surprise was the fact that the Bengals two big names - guard Mark Robinson and forward Pepper Whitney- each scored 17 points but Maryland State still came up 10 points short. Five different Buffaloes scored at least 8 points in the contest led by center Hugh Leach's 13. The East was the only region that did not see the top seed reach at least the quarterfinal game as three-time reigning South Atlantic Conference champion and #2 overall Charleston Tech was upset 53-40 by Lubbock State in the second round. Senior forward Tommy Johns was on fire for the Hawks, shooting 8-for-13 from the field to lead the way with 17 points as the sixth seeded champions of the Southwestern Alliance upset the Admirals. Yesterday the Hawks had a much tougher time with Wisconsin State as Brewers guard Jack Jenson scored 22 points for the second seed, but it was not enough as the Hawks squeezed out a 57-55 victory with Artie Pugh scoring 11 and Johns adding 10. The victory sends Lubbock State to the national semi-finals for the fourth time in school history but the first since 1923. DUKES OVERTAKE PACKERS FOR TOP SPOT, VALS CLAIM FOURTH It went down to the final day of the season before the playoff seedings were decided and when the dust settled the Toronto Dukes finished with the best regular season record for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time in the past nine years. It took a late charge as Toronto was chasing both Chicago and Detroit much of the past two months. The Motors faded in February while the Packers had clung to first place until losing their final three games of the season, allowing the Dukes -winners of three of their last four- to overtake Chicago and claim top spot. Quinton Pollack finished with 92 points to win the NAHC scoring title for the record 8th time. It marked the fourth time he surpassed the 90-point mark, something no other player has ever accomplished. Toronto, with another stellar season from goaltender Justin MacPhee, surrendered the fewest goals in the NAHC this season. The Chicago Packers were forced to settle for second place and will open the playoffs at home against Detroit with the Motors, a February slump seemingly in their rearview mirror, the hottest team down the stretch with points in each of their last 8 games, going 5-0-3. Detroit, which finished third last season as well before going on to win the Challenge Cup for the second time in the past four years, knocked off the Packers in five games in the finals last season. The Dukes will face the Montreal Valiants, who rallied to pass the Boston Bees for fourth place in the final week of the season. The Bees went 6-14-3 in the final two months of the season including ending with 4 straight losses to finish a single point back of the Valiants for the final playoff berth. NAHC RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK TUESDAY MARCH 20 Detroit 3 at Chicago 2 : Goals by Emmett Hargreaves and Colin MacMillin 15 seconds apart late in the third period lifted the Detroit Motors to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Packers in what was a costly loss for the Packers as Chicago clings to just a 2 point lead on Toronto for first place in the NAHC. THURSDAY MARCH 22 New York 6 at Boston 3 : Alex Kalmakoff and Byron Redmond each had 3 points to pace the visiting Shamrocks to a 6-3 victory over slumping Boston. New York will not make the playoffs but they may have crippled the Bees chances as Boston, just a single point ahead of Montreal for fourth place, has not lost four in a row. Toronto 3 at Montreal 1 : Toronto moved into a first place tie with Chicago while Montreal remains a point back of Boston for fourth place after the Dukes won 3-1 at the Montreal Arena. Tim Brooks, Ken Jamieson and Charles Brochu scored for Toronto after Jamie Koebel had given the Vals the lead in the opening period. SATURDAY MARCH 24 Chicago 1 at Montreal 3 : A huge game for both teams as the Valiants move into fourth place, a point up on Boston, while Chicago remains tied with Toronto for first after both lost on this night. Nathan Bannister came up big in the Montreal net with 38 saves while three defensemen -Gabriel Allard, Mark Moggy and Colton Keil- handled the Vals scoring. Detroit 7 at Toronto 0 : Detroit will finish in third place but the Motors made a statement with a 7-0 pounding of the Toronto Dukes. Alex Monette, Hobie Barrell and Jack Chapman each had three points for the winners while Sebastien Goulet made 22 saves for his 6th shutout of the season. The 29-year-old Monette scored his 300th career NAHC goal in the game. SUNDAY MARCH 25 Toronto 9 at Boston 1 : A fifth straight loss, getting blasted 9-1 at home by Toronto with their playoff lives on the line clearly raises questions as to what sort of changes will take place in Boston before next season. The Bees season came to an end while the Dukes claimed first place after Chicago fell in New York. Scoring champ Quinton Pollack had 4 assists for the Dukes to bring his season point total to 92 and the only player in NAHC history to accumulate at least 90 points in a season has now accomplished that feat four times. Pollack's 92 points are more than double that of any other Toronto player and only 3 other NAHC players this season had more points than Pollack, with 55, had assists. He also led the NAHC in goals with 37. Montreal 0 at Detroit 4 : Detroit scored four times in the second period including a pair by Alex Monette and Sebastien Goulet recorded a shutout in back to back games as Detroit blanked Montreal 4-0. The loss did not prevent the Valiants from qualifying for the playoffs as they finished a point ahead of Boston. Chicago 2 at New York 5 : While Toronto won three of its last four games, Chicago dropped each of its final three to surrender first place to the Dukes. The season ending loss was 5-2 to the last place New York Shamrocks, who scored three times in the final 15 minutes to pull out the victory. END OF REGULAR SEASON The Toronto Dukes managed to capture first place with 81 points after going 2-1 in the final week of the regular season passing the Chicago Packers, who dropped all three of their games to finish with 79 points. Toronto will face Montreal in semis after the Vals edged out Boston, losers of five straight, by a single point for the final playoff spot. Toronto's lone loss during the week was to the suddenly hot Detroit Motors, a 7-0 shellacking in which the Dukes were outshot 49-21 at home. Coach Ari Bear termed the loss "our worst effort of the season, by far. That type of game will not work in the coming weeks." Motors will start their playoff series in Chicago. Quinton Pollack won another scoring title leading the league both in goals, 37, and assists, 55. Pollack played the last week with a bruised chest after being hit with a puck in practice. The Dukes allowed the least goals in the league, 172 the only team to allow less than 180 over the 70 game schedule. Justin MacPhee leading the NAHC in GAA, 2.43, Save Percentage, .921. In 52 games MacPhee posted a 32-16-6 record. Two goaltenders Detroit's Sebastien Goulet, Boston's Oscar James appeared in all 70 of their team's games. The playoff schedule has not yet been released by the league office awaiting on ice availability for the four playoff teams. Dukes are hoping for a delay to allow C Tim Amesbury, 14-22-36. time recover from a groin injury before the Montreal series. Youngster Turning Heads in Camp While in every spring training, teams tend to call up some of their top prospects, this season seems to be an anomaly. Not only are all three of the top prospects in camp, but 7 of the top 10, 9 of the top 12, and 15 of the top 25 This week, the team at TWFIS takes a look at how the top-10 is doing through two weeks, and how likely they are to stick. CF Frank Kirouac, Boston Minutemen, #1 ranked prospect: Not only is Frank Kirouac, who Boston picked up from the LA Stars at last year's deadline for Bud Henderson and a prospect, the #1 prospect in baseball, but he's probably the most developed of any player with a prospect ranking. Taken 3rd by the Stars in 1956, he's spent most of his professional career ranked inside the top-10, recently surpassing last year's #1 Danny Davis (currently 3rd and in camp with the Pioneers) and expected to hold the top spot come Opening Day. If Boston has their eyes set on contention, he should be in their Opening Day lineup, as the 24-year-old was probably big league ready last season. One of the most tantalizing talents in all of baseball, Kirouac projects to be an elite center fielder, with the range to stick, tremendous power, an excellent eye, and on top of all that, a hit tool that should allow him to hit well over .300. The power, eye, and defense are all developed, with the contact tool the last thing left to complete. Right now he's just a bit above average, and after a slow start he's got his spring line up to .231/.318/.436. The power is evident, he's already got two longballs in 44 PAs, and he's got a pair of doubles to go with it. He's striking out way too much, already set down 14 times, as their is some swing and miss in his game. Still, when he puts bat to ball, it goes hard and far, and there are very little weaknesses to his game. 2B Dixie Turner, Pittsburgh Miners, #2 ranked prospect: The only member of the top-5 that isn't a primary center fielder, Dixie Turner could play center if needed, but with his infield range and arm he's best suited for the left side of the infield. With reigning Fed hit leader John Moreland (328, 10, 109) at short, that's one of the spots taken, and despite a weaker arm, Reid Barrell has been getting the reps at third, leaving Turner to play second. It's his most familiar spot too, and with outstanding marks defensively, he could be a Diamond Defense award winner should the keystone be his long-term spot. Having not played above A ball and still just 20, an assignment to AA Birmingham may be both he right and safe call, but both second and third are weak spots in the lineup and he and/or Barrell could fill them quickly. Dixie has drawn his walks, 4 in 24 PAs, but he has just 4 hits and all 4 are singles. With plus power potential, it appears he's not quite at his peak yet, but he is more of a line drive hitter then a home run hitter. As he matures, expect huge extra base numbers, and with his speed he'll be on second and third more often then you might think. His versatility, well-rounded bat, and athleticism make him a lock for FABL playing time, and if all goes right he'll have an infield spot secured for the Miners' front office for over a decade. Expectations have always been high for the 1st pick of the 1960 draft, and so far, he's already done a superb job meeting them. CF Danny Davis, St. Louis Pioneers, #3 ranked prospect: A little less then a year ago, it was Danny Davis who led the prospect rankings, but his drop to 3rd is no knock on his talent. In fact, it's a number he's familiar with, as the 22-year-old was taken 3rd in the 1958 draft. Another polished hitter for his age, he had a huge final month of the season, hitting .339/.385/.716 (201 OPS+) in 27 games for St. Louis' AA affiliate. He was mashing too, as he matched his 9 homers from 88 games in A ball, and over half (20) his 37 hits were for extra bases. He's shown no signs of slowing down either, hitting .350/.364/.650 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Already adept at putting the ball in play, he's struck out in just one of his twenty-two PAs, though his customary center field is being taken up by an even better defender in Bill Bather (.313, 22, 72, 11). When paired with a 139 WRC+, that's a guy you want playing everyday, and it's not like Davis can overtake former Whitney winner Jerry Smith (.289, 34, 103, 14). This leaves just right field, a position that might be best for him as he's got a strong arm and isn't as surehanded as you want for a center fielder. If I was in St. Louis, I'd be putting him in right field every day until Opening Day, and if the early results were good, he'd be in my lineup when the Pioneers welcome the Miners to St. Louis on April 17th. 3B Ernie Carter, San Francisco Sailors, #6 ranked prospect: Now you might see 3B and think there's no way Ernie Carter can play center field, but fear not young reader! He's versatile enough to go anywhere! A former 1st Rounder of the Kings, Carter came to the west coast in the Bill Guthrie deal, and has recently emerged as one of the top young players in the league. The 21-year-old has played everywhere but catcher and pitcher, and you can expect above average production from him pretty much everywhere but center. Better in the infield and maybe best at short, he's got the range and double play ability you love to see, but his arm might be his best tool. Plus, as somewhat of a lighter hitter, you might want him in the middle infield, where his bat should be well above average. Already with some experience in AAA, he went from A to AAA last season, though his .246/.290/.358 (78 OPS+) line in Sacramento may suggest the recipe is not quite complete. Paired with a .227/.320/.318 spring line and young studs like Carlos Jaramillo (.313, 12, 68, 40) and Heinie Spitler (.302, 9, 87, 11) in the middle infield, and I think I'd be comfortable waiting until he can hit his way up. Sure, Bob Gray (.267, 20, 86) isn't great, but he's got a ton of pop and an absolute cannon at third, and if he can give the Sailors another 95 WRC+, 2 WAR season, that's plenty of value for someone not expected to carry the team. With their eyes set on the pennant, the club may choose to stick with their vet, but I think there's a good chance Carter sees the hot corner at some point this season. LHP Danny Daniels, St. Louis Pioneers, #7 ranked prospect: St. Louis is lucky enough to double-dip with top-10 prospects and boast the #1 pitching prospect in FABL. The first of these guys with FABL experience, the young 23-year-old threw 3 scoreless innings out of the Pioneer pen last September, allowing just a single base runner (hit) with a pair of punchouts. Known for his wicked change, the young southpaw has tremendous stuff, that in short order may turn out to be elite. Right now the change is the clear headliner, but 5 of his other 6 pitches are average-to-plus offerings. The former Chief second rounder has exceeded all expectations with his repertoire, as he's been involved in two trades (Chicago to Cincinnati, Cincinnati to St. Louis), where even at the time it looked like organizations weren't valuing him correctly. St. Louis has since learned he's a guy to be developed, not exchanged, and at print they have them as their #5 starter. The top four is elite, with Frenchy Mack (7-8, 2.83, 131), Billy Hasson (19-8, 2.85, 188), Steve Madden (14-6, 3.17, 166), and Charlie Blake (10-10, 4.18, 150) all ace-worthy, and I see a few non-expansion teams out there that might consider Daniels to lead their rotation. Aside from the occasional use of his splitter, there's really nothing he does poorly, and he's already shown the ability to pitch deep in games. He's hardworking, a team leader, and filled with talent, but if there is one area he can improve, its the command. It's still already better then the average FABL hurler, but it could be even better, and a slight reduction in BB% could cement him as a true impact starter. RHP Owen Lantz, Washington Eagles, #8 ranked prospect: Another team with two guys in the top 10, the Washington Eagles finish our list off, starting with a second potential ace that the Cannons had the misfortune of trading away. A former 4th Rounder, Owen Lantz was traded a year and a half after being drafted, netting Wally Hunter (5-2, 4.97, 44) and Eli Bowen in a second deal that Cannons fans wish their front office never accepted. The Chicago native is now the top right handed pitching prospect in FABL, boasting similar stuff to Danny Daniels. The difference, however, is how they approach things, as Daniels keeps you off balance before getting you to swing out of your shoes on a change, where as Lantz attacks you with a cutter/curve mix that have absurd movement out of his sidearm slot. A hard thrower, he can also whiz a 97 mph fastball by you up and away, and if you hit any of the low stuff, it's going to end up in an easy groundball out. Another difference between him and Daniels is the command, as Lantz is about as effectively wild as it gets. He's going to walk a ton of guys, including 80 to 79 strikeouts in 17 AA starts last season, but it's not going to be a major concern with his stuff. He's an ace, plain and simple, as he can overpower you and erase mistakes with a perfectly time grounder. Washington has used him out of the pen so far, allowing 8 hits and 4 runs in 6 innings, though shockingly he has zero walks to 5 strikeouts. Based on the usage and run totals I'd expect him to return to AA, but for a team with a weak rotation, it might not take too long before Lantz gets his go every fifth day. 3B George Whaley, Washington Eagles, #9 ranked prospect: To his point, all the prospects have either been excellent defenders or high stuff pitchers. George Whaley is the exception. Taken 1st last June, it's all for the bat, as this 19-year-old may be the best offensive prospect in the game, and his bat is not what you'd expect from a 19-year-old. He hasn't played much, just 0-for-7 with 3 walks as a replacement player, but I think in more regular playing time he could certainly hold his own. He does everything well, and even when he's not hitting, he can draw a ton of walks. He had a pristine 26.1 BB% in 153 Class-A plate appearances last season, and aside from 20-year-old superstar Tom Lorang (.305, 18, 62), there might not be a more disciplined hitter on the Eagles roster. Ironically, Lorang also plays third -- elite at that -- which really helps counter Whaley's defensive liabilities. There's no way he's replacing Lorang, so the Eagles can get ahead of the logjam and start working him out at first. Sure, Joe Holland (.295, 11, 34) is talented too, but the only thing he does better then Whaley is hit home runs. That may continue, though what 19-year-old really has all their strength already, but Whaley matches if not exceeds Holland's eye, and projects to have a well above-average contact tool. Expect lines around .290/.430/.510 from Whaley once he's fully ready, and if you weren't already scared of the Eagles young core, you certainly should be now. I think their 30ish year title drought won't make it to 40! A PAIR OF TRADES AS SPRING TRAINING CONTINUES FABL clubs completed a pair of transactions in the opening days of spring training. The bigger deal of the two saw the Cincinnati Cannons move on from infielder Al Farmer, dealing the 36-year-old two-time all-star to the Kansas City Kings in a straight one-for-one deal with 33-year-old outfielder Bryan Jeffress going the other way. The move was seen as a cost cutting measure by the Cannons, who were slated to pay Farmer more than $110,000 this season while Jeffress, who began his career in Pittsburgh before spending the past 9 seasons with the Kings, will make $41,200 this year. An all-star in 1959, Jeffress lost his starting job in the Kansas City outfield last year and was limited to just 127 plate appearances, batting .295. OSA feels he is still a solid option as a corner outfielder. Farmer has spent nearly his entire career at second baseman and made his big league debut with the Sailors in 1948 before being dealt to Cincinnati at the trade deadline in 1956. He was one of the Cannons most dependable hitters a year ago, batting .304 with 18 homers but his defense has been a liability in recent years. Prior to the move Farmer had been expected to shift to first base this season for Cannons despite the fact he has only ever played 2 games at the position and both were back in 1952. Despite the defensive concerns, OSA feels Farmer could still be an above average big league second baseman and he may end up battling ex-Toronto Wolve John Wells for the starting second base job in Kanas City although he could end up at first if the Kings opt to move Hank Williams back to the outfield. The other trade saw the expansion New York Imperials make their second deal. A few weeks ago they sent veteran pitcher Bob Allen to the Chicago Cougars for prospects and now they made a deal with the other Windy City team. The Imperials sent catcher Ray Smith and first baseman Joe Flanagan to the Chicago Chiefs in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers and cash. Smith, 32, who had spent some time as Toronto's backup catcher before being selected in the expansion draft, will likely assume the same role as the caddy to Al Padgett with the Chiefs. Flanagan is a 28 year old first baseman who has spent time with several organizations but has yet to make his big league debut. The big piece for the Imperials in the deal was Art Roberts, a 20-year-old lefthander ranked 215th on the latest OSA prospect list. A 1960 fifth round selection out of a Los Angeles high school by the Chiefs, Roberts split last season between Class B and A, posting a 9-4 record with a sparkling 2.09 era. OSA is not sold on Roberts ever making a big league rotation and it is expected he will be tested at AAA this year, since the Imperials will not have a AA or A club this season. The other youngster moving to New York is 25-year-old outfielder Marty Hanna. He was a first round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Miners in 1955 and did spend some time in the top 100 but has now been traded three times and OSA has him outside its top 200 prospects suggesting his future would be as a bench piece only. Hanna's lone big league at bat came with Montreal in 1960 and he struck out in his only FABL plate appearance. Last season he hit .250 as a part-time player for AAA Fort Wayne. Tales From The Den- Will a New Owner, Front Office Turn Reverse Wolves Fortunes? The Wolves have begun spring workouts in warmer climes while diehard fans continue the hot stove league in Toronto debating whether the changes in ownership and the front office are going to lead the team back to the front of the CA . The team has finished no better than fifth in the standings since their last winning season in 1948 when a record of 82-72 brought the Wolves a third place finish with the likes of Fred McCormick, Hal Wood and Chink Stickels at the plate, smooth fielding Charlie Artuso gobbling up every ball hit on the ground to the left side of the infield and on the mound the quartet of George Garrison, Jim Morrison, Jerry York and Joe Hancock put fear into the hearts of all opposing batters. Little did the fans in '48 know that this would be the end of an era in Toronto baseball that had begun a decade earlier before the horrors and sacrifices of WWII. Under the ownership of controversial and outspoken Bernie Millard, who purchased the franchise in 1942, the Wolves were always in the news for both their play on the field along with the public musings of their crusty coal baron owner. One the biggest changes is that Millard, 77, has retired to Florida divesting himself of all his businesses along with the sale of the Wolves after 20 years to Kingston, Ontario businessman Robert (Bob) Smith. Smith is said to be a less vocal owner with pockets as deep as Millard's ready to lead the Wolves out of the wilderness. In his few statements to the public Smith has said that 1962 is first step in a multi-year plan to revitalize the franchise. He has said that that early on his is impressed with the talent of his front office staff with whom he has had lengthy meetings to put together a plan moving forward. He has cautioned the long suffering fans that improvement will not be immediate, it will take time. Smith says "My front office team has put a plan forward that outlines the reasons for failure over the last decade along with steps to bring back the glory days of baseball to Dominion Stadium that I witnessed early in my business career. I was following the Wolves most often through the Mail & Empire accounts along with listening to the games on radio. The GM has outlined a vision going forward to which he will be held accountable, as with in my other businesses I leave the day to day operation to the "experts". I will be involved in the Wolves more as question asker than a dictator, as has been said of my predecessor. Mr. Millard had his ways I have mine, give the people the resources they need then hold them to the agreed results. I will invest money into the Wolves but will not throw good money after bad. We have plans to spruce up the stadium for the fans along with bringing back some the old heroes. Plans have begun to honour Fred McCormick along with others this summer. I have made it clear to the staff that making a trip to the park to watch the Wolves must become a goal for every sports fan not only in Toronto but in southern Ontario. I want fans to be clamoring for tickets with lines forming pregame like they do at the Gardens for the Dukes." A cursory look at the Wolves heading into the 1962 season would confirm Mr. Smith's staff's initial observations. At the FABL level any chance of improvement will rely on the pitching staff. A starting staff of Phil Colantuono, George Hoxworth, Arnie Smith, Hank Lacey should get the games off to good start. New manager Randy Hohlt, recently returned to the Americas after six years in Japan, will have to deftly handle his bullpen along with pitching coach Max Monell for the team to move up in the standings. The pitching will have to be successful as the Wolves seem destined to have a hard time scoring runs. Only powerful bats in the lineup appear to be LF Tom Reed, CF Sid Cullen with the rest of lineup being weak at the plate. Hohlt is going to have stress slick fielding to help the pitchers rather than outscoring the opposition on a daily basis. The staff focus will have to on development of players in the system. Team has a few catchers coming along and a prospect at each position in the field, it will be important to have these guys develop rather than washout in the system which has happened far too often over the last decade. On the mound fans should keep an eye on Bob Campbell, 21, who should start the season in Buffalo. Pitching, defense will be the key for the 1962 Wolves along with players moving up the system. Detroit has finally caught St. Louis for second place in the Western Division, as the Mustangs (31-36) lead the Rockets (31-37) by a half-game with about a dozen games to go. Detroit passed St. Louis in the standings after the Mustangs defeated the Rockets in St. Louis on Friday night. Dick Murray scored 24 points and shot an amazing 11-for-15 from the field, as the Mustangs dominated to build a 34-point lead through three quarters and defeat the Rockets, 94-62. The Rockets are in the midst of a spell where they have lost seven of eight games after a four-game winning streak got St. Louis to the .500 mark. The best either team can do is play for second, as the Toronto Falcons were the first team to clinch a division title this season. The Falcons are 48-19 with a 17-game lead and only 13 games to play. Toronto leads the league in points per game with 86.7 and while the Western Division admittedly plays defense only have the time, their point differential of points scored versus points allowed is second in the FBL at +5.7 points per game (Boston, +6.1). There will likely not be any movement in the Eastern Division standings between now and the end of the season, which is less than four weeks away. Boston is 47-21 and has a seven-game lead on Philadelphia (39-27). Both teams have excellent home records, with Boston boasting a 26-7 mark at Denny Arena and Philadelphia owning a 25-9 record at Keystone Arena. New York (31-36) is 8-1/2 games behind Philadelphia in third place, but the Knights are not worried about missing out on the postseason because Washington (17-50) is last, 14 games out of a top three slot in the division and 29-1/2 games out of first place. This is going to be Boston’s division to lose because while all teams win at home at a 65% clip or better, New York is 8-24 on the road, which does not bode well for a Divisional Semifinal where Philadelphia will likely get the extra home game. Philadelphia is 14-18 on the road, which may loom large in a series where Boston has the home-court advantage. Boston is on a good streak, winning consistently at home and on the road. Overall, the Centurions have won 11 of 13, with the only two losses over the last four weeks being a home loss to New York and a road loss at Philadelphia. Before Knights and Phantoms fans get excited, Boston defeated each team three times in the same 13-game sample, making up six of those 11 recent wins. RECENT KEY RESULTS Chicago born heavyweight Gene McCord ran his record to 31-9-2 with a 9th round knockout of Don Petty in a bout in the Windy City last Wednesday. On Thursday in Kansas City, the pride of Watertown, CT., Harry Kimbro, scored an unanimous decision over hometown favourite Stanton Austen in a 10-round middleweight tilt. Kimbro, 26, owns a 38-4 record that included a title shot loss to George Quisenberry in December of 1959. He has not lost in five outings since then and is hoping for another shot at the crown, now held by Lyman King. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS Apr 12 in Las Vegas: Longtime welterweight champion Lonnie Griffin defends his crown against Dan McMullan. The 30-year-old Griffn (40-5-1) has held the title on four different occasions and his bout against McMullan will be his third defense this time around. McMullan (22-1) is a 23-year-old rising star from South Carolina and is getting his first shot at the welterweight title. May 10- San Francisco: Middleweight champion Lyman King (39-0) makes his first title defense against Steve Bradshaw (30-8-2). King, a 24-year-old Oakland, CA. native claimed a 5th round TKO victory over now-former champ George Quisenberry at New York's Bigsby Garden in January. King has never lost a fight and only went to the judges cards twice in his last 9 outings. Bradshaw, 25, originally hails from Pittsburgh, PA. and is coming off an impressive victory over Bill Sanderson but has lost in recent years to some top names such as George Hatchell, Davis Owens and Hugo Canio. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 3/25/1962 Terror attacks have ramped up in Algiers as the latest outbreaks resulted in close to 100 deaths. The rightest attacks had been expected since the Secret Army had warned of a campaign to keep Algeria French. At the Geneva disarmament talks Britain has told Russia it would be willing to cut enforcement machinery to the "absolute minimum" in order to get an agreement on a nuclear test ban. It was part of an urgent appeal from the British at the 17-nation conference to get Russia to accept a "reasonable compromise." Premier Khrushchev agreed to co-operate with the United States in space exploration including a program for sending vehicles to other planets. But he emphasized such joint ventures depend "in some degree on the solution of the disarmament problem." US officials expect marked improvement in the next 90 days in the war against the Communists in South Viet Nam, a Defense Department spokesman said. The White House issued a blunt denial of charges by former Vice President Richard Nixon that President Kennedy violated restrictions during a 1960 campaign in urging American support of intervention against Castro in Cuba. President Kennedy's wife Jacqueline continued her Far East tour with a visit to Pakistan. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles Last edited by Tiger Fan; 11-26-2024 at 10:04 PM.