OCTOBER 15, 1962
GRID RAMBLERS SUFFER FIRST LOSSWhile it might feel like it after a ticker tape parade from near where construction on the arch is set to begin in five months down to the Forest Park Avenue stadium on Saturday, the news was not all good for the city of St. Louis. While sports fans in the Gateway City could celebrate Thursday night's World Championship Series clinching victory by their beloved Pioneers, Sunday proved to be much more sobering as the American Football Association Ramblers were knocked off for the first time this season. It was their cross-state rivals from Kansas City that did the honours with the Cowboys riding to a 22-9 victory at Pioneer Stadium yesterday.
In a defensive battle dominated by kickers for three quarters, Kansas City was nursing a 12-9 lead until second year quarterback Jeff Kelly strung together four straight passes in a quick 62-yard drive that culminated in a 16-yard Mike Peel touchdown run with just over three minutes remaining in the game. That score, the only touchdown of the game, gave the Cowboys some breathing room and a 19-9 lead before they added a late field goal to round out the scoring. The win improves the Cowboys season record to 2-3 and spoils a terrific 166 yard rushing day from Ramblers veteran back Dean Turgeon, who took over the league rushing lead with his big outing.
The loss leaves the Ramblers just a half game ahead of the 3-1 Chicago Wildcats for top spot in the West Division. The Wildcats, who dropped their season opener, have reeled off three consecutive victories, including yesterday's 15-7 win on the road over the Los Angeles Tigers. George Hornback ran for 133 yards including a 15-yard touchdown scamper on the opening play of the fourth period to lead the way for Chicago.
Defending West Division regular season champion Detroit evened its record at 2-2 with a 28-0 victory in Houston. Art Heal did most of the heavy lifting rushing for 148 yards while quarterback Dee Cann completed 10 of 19 pass attempts for 191 yards in a game that saw Detroit dominate the total offense by a margin of 373 yards to just 88 for the overmatched Drillers.
*** Stars Still Class of League ***
There appears to be no stopping the New York Stars, who have outscored their opponents 140-37 and ran their record to 5-0 with a 24-3 victory over the Philadelphia Frigates at Gothams Stadium yesterday. Orlin Youngs, who missed last week with an injury, split time at quarterback with Harris Kummer and the pair combined for 130 yards through the air for the two-time defending AFA champions.
Big plays proved the difference for New York as safety Rich Hewlett recovered a fumble deep in Frigates territory to set up the first New York touchdown and an Orlin Youngs to Matt Center 46 yard pass play just before the half led to a second Stars major.
Speaking of big plays, a 36-yard field goal by Dana Lawson with 13 seconds left on the clock gave the Boston Americans a 17-16 win over the San Francisco Wings at Golden Gate Park. The victory keeps the 4-1 Americans just a game back of New York heading into their showdown at Minutemen Stadium next weekend. Kevin Soba ran for 112 yards including a 15-yard first quarter touchdown that helped Boston build a 14-0 lead but the Wings kept it close thanks to Howie Roberts 37-yard scoring run late in the second period. A trio of Tom Calkins field goals had the Wings up 16-14 until Lawson's late game heroics which came after a 14-play, 81-yard late game drive from the Yanks.
Elsewhere Brad Kugler returned the opening kick of the game 107 yards for a touchdown as the Pittsburgh Paladins downed winless Washington 17-6 despite the fact the Wasps dominated most of the key offensive stats. Finally, in Buffalo the Red Jackets beat Cleveland for the second week in a row, blanking the Finches 21-0 at Red Jacket Stadium behind a pair of John De Jong touchdown runs. De Jong, a sixth year back out of Redwood University, was named the offensive player of the week for his efforts which included 122 yards on the ground.
LUBBOCK STATE GROUNDS AVIATORS
Top Ranked Cumberland Wins AgainThe Central Ohio Aviators were dealt a serious blow in their quest for their first-ever collegiate football national title after they were upended by Lubbock State 13-10 in a battle of top ten schools. With backs Paul Coddington and Rich Gingerich each surpassing the 100 yard mark rushing, the hosts from the Southwestern Alliance dominated the time of possession but it took a fourth quarter field goal from Bill Lumley to secure the victory for Lubbock State. The win moves the 5-0 Hawks up to number three in the latest rankings while the Great Lakes Alliance leading Aviators dip to 4-1 and fall from second to tenth. Central Ohio was the only top ten school to come up short this week.
Top ranked Cumberland won for the sixth time as the Explorers, behind three Steve Peach touchdown tosses, took care of business against Arkansas A&T on Saturday with a 24-13 victory on the road in Hot Springs. The Badgers, who were 7-4 a year ago and played in the Oilman Classic, continue to struggle this season as their record falls to 1-4. The Explorers have next Saturday off before finishing their season with section games against Bayou State (2-4), Mississippi A&M (4-1), Bluegrass State (3-2) and Opelika State (4-1). Cumberland's November 10 game in Nashville against Mississippi A&M will likely pose the biggest obstacle for the Explorers to match the 1954 Cumberland squad that went a perfect 11-0. The 15th ranked Generals beat Bayou State 28-19 to improve to 4-1 overall and match the Explorers 3-0 mark in Deep South Conference play.
West Coast Athletic Association leader Lane State moved up to second in the rankings after the Emeralds passed a key test in their bid to play on New Year's Day in Santa Ana for the first time. Lane State did qualify for the 1941 East-West Classic, a game in which they tied Noble Jones College 14-14 but due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the game was shifted to New York that year. Saturday afternoon at home in Eugene, the Emeralds were carried on the back of Harry Menard to a 17-9 victory over visiting Redwood. Menard, a sophomore halfback, scored a pair of touchdowns and ran for 191 yards in the win. The rushing total was 2 yards shy of the school record Menard established in an opening week win over Wisconsin Catholic.
At 4-0 in conference play and with just games remaining against Spokane State, Idaho A&M and in-state rival Portland Tech, Lane State has a pretty clear path to the WCAA title. Coastal California is also unbeaten in section play at 3-0 but does have a tough challenge in Redwood plus their annual season ending game against CC Los Angeles with both of those contests on the road. The Dolphins blasted Darnell State 47-3 in a non-conference game Saturday and are ranked 9th in the latest polls.
Three independents are in the top ten led by 4th ranked Penn Catholic, which beat winless Academia Alliance outfit Pierpont 24-14 on Saturday. Miami State moves up to 6th after the Gulls added to struggling Rome State's woes this season with a 23-13 victory. St. Pancras (6-0) is seventh after the Lions tamed College of San Diego 26-16 on the west coast Saturday evening.
The most dramatic finish among ranked schools occurred in Augusta where Scott Teague kicked two field goals of at least 40-yards each in the final three and a half minutes to enable the Noble Jones College Colonels to pull rank on the Alexandria Generals with a 25-24 victory. There was more good news for Noble Jones College this week as the Colonels revealed that Willie DeMarco, a defensive end out of Pennsylvania that is considered a top ten recruit, has officially committed to the Colonels. DeMarco, who was also being courted by Northern California, Georgia Baptist, Maryland State and Central Ohio, becomes the first top ten recruit to commit to a school for next year.
In other Saturday games of note St Blane (3-2) won for the second week in a row, holding off Minns College 19-17, 6th ranked Chesapeake State upended Georgia Baptist 33-17, Eastern Oklahoma improved to 5-0 and cracked the top ten with a 27-20 win over Payne State in the Midwestern Association opener for both schools, the bad season continues for Detroit City College after the 2-3 Knights were doubled 28-14 on the road by North Carolina Tech while out west Spokane State upended CC Los Angeles 37-20 and Northern California clobbered Idaho A&M 52-6.
WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCORES
Northern California Miners 52, Idaho A_M Pirates 6
Spokane State Indians 37, CC Los Angeles Coyotes 20
Rainier College Majestics 24, Portland Tech Magpies 17
Lane State Emeralds 17, Redwood Mammoths 9
Eastern Oklahoma Pioneers 27, Payne State Mavericks 20
Northern Minnesota Muskies 27, Ferguson Wildcats 24
McKinney State Renegades 24, Liberty College Bells 17
Boston State Pirates 24, College of Waco Cowboys 0
Miami State Gulls 23, Rome State Centurions 13
Commonwealth Catholic Knights 51, Wisconsin Catholic Cavaliers 14
St Pancras Lions 26, College of San Diego Friars 16
St Blane Fighting Saints 19, Minns College Mavericks 17
Chicago Poly Catamounts 41, Lambert College Stags 7
Lincoln Presidents 37, Topeka State Braves 10
Abilene Baptist Chaparrals 24, Bulein Hornets 21
Lubbock State Hawks 13, Central Ohio Aviators 10
Coastal California Dolphins 47, Darnell State Legislators 3
Cumberland Explorers 24, Arkansas A_T Badgers 13
Alabama Baptist Panthers 16, Potomac College Pelicans 6
Opelika State Wildcats 34, Petersburg Patriots 0
Western Florida Wolves 31, Mobile Maritime Middies 17
Noble Jones College Colonels 25, Alexandria Generals 24
Chesapeake State Clippers 33, Georgia Baptist Gators 17
Central Kentucky Tigers 34, Huntington State Miners 23
Maryland State Bengals 68, Richmond State Colonials 10
Annapolis Maritime Navigators 23, Charleston Tech Admirals 9
Northern Mississippi Mavericks 26, St Ignatius Lancers 7
North Carolina Tech Techsters 28, Detroit City College Knights 14
Cowpens State Fighting Green 33, Garden State Redbirds 7
Indiana A_M Reapers 26, Eastern State Monitors 23
Coastal State Eagles 20, College of Omaha Raiders 0
Minnesota Tech Lakers 59, Colorado Poly Redbirds 6
St Magnus Vikings 23, Wyoming A_I Prospectors 16
Western Iowa Canaries 30, Provo Tech Lions 23
South Valley State Roadrunners 24, Valley State Gunslingers 17
Ellery Bruins 20, St Patrick's Shamrocks 3
Whitney College Engineers 17, Henry Hudson Explorers 13
Brunswick Knights 34, Carolina Poly Cardinals 10
Grafton Scholars 34, Central Carolina Lions 31
Daniel Boone College Frontiersmen 23, Dickson Maroons 17
Penn Catholic Crusaders 24, Pierpont Purple 14
Pittsburgh State Finches 30, Sadler Bluecoats 27
American Atlantic Pelicans 21, George Fox Reds 7
Utah A_M Aggies 21, Tempe College Titans 6
Bayou State Cougars 19, Iowa A_M Bulls 16
Mile High State Falcons 41, Red River State Rowdies 6
Columbia Military Academy Cadets 25, Cleveland Tigers 0
Texas Gulf Coast Hurricanes 54, Wisconsin State Brewers 20
BANNER RAISED IN DETROIT TO DROP PUCK ON NAHC CAMPAIGN
But Biggest Celebration in Chicago as Packers Start Strong
The two-time defending Challenge Cup champion Detroit Motors got off to an impressive start with a 5-0 drubbing of the New York Shamrocks in their season opener on Thursday and then three nights later raised a banner to the roof of Thompson Palladium in honour of the franchise's sixth Cup victory. The Detroiters had to settle for a 1-1 tie with the team they defeated to win the Cup last April, the Montreal Valiants, on that night.
In between Detroit was dumped 4-1 in Chicago by the hottest team to start the season - the Chicago Packers. Led by a NAHC best six points in three games from veteran winger Ken York, the Packers were the only team in the league to win each of its first three contests. Defenseman Danny Connaughton scored with just over a minute remaining in the game to give Chicago a 4-3 season opening victory over Toronto on Wednesday. Goaltender Andrew Bomberry turned aside all but one of Detroit's 34 shots in a 4-1 Packers win on Saturday and Bomberry was just as impressive last night in Boston as the Packers beat the winless Bees 4-1.
NAHC RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10
Toronto 3 at Chicago 4: Ken York scored twice in the opening period and assisted on Chicago's other two goals including Danny Connaughton's game winner with 1:07 remaining in the game to give the Packers a 4-3 win over visiting Toronto in the opening game of the 1962-63 NAHC season.
THURSDAY JANUARY 3
Montreal 5 at Boston 1: Jocko Gregg scored twice including his 300th career goal to lift the Montreal Valiants to a 5-1 win over the Boston Bees at Denny Arena.
Detroit 5 at New York 0: After the Shamrocks lost all seven of their preseason games, the slump continued as they dropped a 5-0 decision to the defending Challenge Cup champion Motors in their regular season opener. Detroit outshot the Greenshirts 51-15 and to make matters worse for New York, defenseman Robert Ling, who was waived by the Shamrocks and claimed by the Motors, had a goal and an assist against his former team. Charlie Dell stopped all 15 shots he faced for a shutout in his Detroit debut while Colin MacMillan paced the Motors offense with a three point night.
SATURDAY JANUARY 5
Detroit 1 at Chicago 4: The Packers improved to 2-0 at Lakeside Auditorium with a 4-1 win over Detroit. Ken York, who had 4 points in the opener for Chicago, added another goal in this one while Packers netminder Andrew Bomberry stopped 33 of the 34 Detroit shots he faced.
New York 1 at Montreal 4: The Valiants won for the second game in a row while the Shamrocks losing skid including preseason games was extended to nine with a 4-1 Vals win at the Montreal Arena. Jocko Gregg, who began his career in New York, scored his third of the season for Montreal with Scott Ducek and Jamie Kobel each picking up two points for the winners.
Boston 1 at Toronto 4: The Dukes, who finished with the best regular season record in the league a year ago, rebounded from an opening night loss in Chicago with a 4-1 win over Boston, dropping the Bees to 0-2. Quinton Pollack had a pair of assists while 23-year-old Toronto winger Andrew Williams enjoyed his first career two point night.
SUNDAY JANUARY 6
Chicago 4 at Boston 1: Two teams heading in opposite directions as the Packers improved to 3-0 while the Bees lost for the third straight outing. Andrew Bomberry made 34 saves in the Chicago net while veteran Packers winger Ray Weller scored twice. The contest marked the NAHC debut for 19-year-old Bruce Callahan. Boston's first round pick, the youngest player in the league this season, did not pick up any points but did manage five shots on goal.
Montreal 1 at Detroit 1: A rematch of the Challenge Cup finals saw the visitors from Montreal take an early lead on a Matt Mercier goal but the Motors answered with a Louis Rocheleau marker midway through the third period in an evenly played game that ended 1-1. Goaltenders Tim Burrows of the Valiants and Detroit's Sebastien Goulet each had a strong game in what was the season debut for both.
Toronto 4 at New York 4: Dixon Butler scored midway through the third period to allow the Toronto Dukes to salvage a point in a 4-4 tie in New York. It ended a 9-game losing streak for the Shamrocks. Mitch Parsons paced the New York attack with two goals while Quinton Pollack enjoyed his second consecutive two assist night. Pollack has yet to score this season but does have 5 helpers.
UPCOMING GAMES
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17
Chicago at New York
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18
Boston at Detroit
Toronto at Montreal
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20
Boston at Montreal
Chicago at Toronto
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21
Toronto at Boston
Chicago at Detroit
Montreal at New York
Dukes Start Season 1-1-1
Toronto's icemen start the 1962-63 season with a win, a loss, a tie not bad but not what fans were expecting from the Dukes under Ari Bear for his third season as headman. The Dukes seemed to leave their legs in the dressing room on Opening Night in Chicago before a packed Lakeside Auditorium. Toronto could not find its way out of their own zone in the first 15 minutes not being able solve the hard forecheck of the Packers. Chicago was all around the Dukes' cage testing Mike Connelly time after time from the slot. Fortunately some of the Chicago shooters had trouble finding the net with shots going either high, wide, or both. The home side finally cashed in after Lou Galbraith was sent off for high sticking when Ken York scored from Mike Homfray, Mark Milot. Chicago increased their lead to 3-0 over the next five minutes with Pete Bernier and York, with his second, both found the twine behind Connelly. The Dukes seemed to wake up after the third goal, they were rewarded a gift they needed with 35 seconds remaining in the period when Mitch Moran deflected a Quinton Pollack pass past a sprawling Andrew Bomberry. If Bear thought the team had found their legs at the end of the first he would not have been able to tell in the middle frame. The Packers dominated the period peppering Connelly with 21 shots while Bomberry face only 4 in twenty minutes. Remarkably there was no scoring as the Packers still held a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Bear somehow lit a fire under his troops during the intermission. Toronto came out flying in the third narrowing the gap to 3-2 on Joe Pelkey's goal before the 5 minute mark.
The teams trade chances over the next 10 minute with both goaltenders forced to make tough saves. Dukes tied the game when Tim Brooks beat Bomberry with 6:11 left to play. It looked like the Dukes would secure an undeserved point until Danny Connaughton finally beat Connelly, who faced 48 shots on night, with a game winner at 18:53.
Bear put the team through two high tempo, hard skating practices along with a tougher than normal morning skate before their home opener at the Gardens on Saturday night. The 14199 on hand saw the results with Dukes on top of the visiting Bs in all phases of the game skating to a relatively easy 4-1 victory. Toronto was up 3-0 after 40 on goals by Ray MacDonald, Andrew Williams, Jimmy Cooper before Neil Wilson spoiled Connelly's shutout bid early in the third. Spencer Quinn's scored late for the final tally of the game.
It was a quick turnaround for the team with an overnight train trip into NYC to face the Shamrocks in Bigsby Gardens Sunday afternoon. Early on the Dukes seemed no worse for wear going up 2-0 in the first 10 minutes on goals by Williams, Bill Archer before Bruno Legg halved the lead at 13:21 of the first. Toronto restored a two goal advantage early in the second before NY rallied on goals by Chris Lafontaine, Mitch Parsons to send the game into the final 20 deadlocked at 3. Parsons gave the Shamrocks their first lead at 4-3 before the four minute mark of the third. Dukes fought back to escape the Big Apple with a point on a tying goal by Dixon Butler from Pollack at 10:21. That was Pollack's fifth assist of the young season. Both teams teams settled into defensive shell for the balance of the game that ended 4-4.
Coach Bear- " It is still early, lots of work to do in all areas. We seemed to lose focus for extended periods of time in both the road games. I will stress that the game is 60 minutes long we have to work for all 60."
Barrell, Ziehl Lead Group of Baseballers Moving On
Every season some FABL players, coaches, and executives decide to call it quits, but this season the game is losing two of its most prominent names. Even if one, the retiring of legendary hurler Rufus Barrell, was foretold, it's still a huge loss to the sporting world.
One of the most well-known athletes in the world, Rufus "Deuce" Barrell II pitched for 24 years, making his debut the same year soon-to-be 2-Time Whitney winner Bob Bell (.386, 46, 120, 6) was born in Missouri. All Barrell has done since is win 5 Allen Awards and 3 World Championship Series, selected to 12-All Star games while totaling 359 wins, 2,727 strikeouts, and 120.9 WAR. The 6'4'' lefty threw 5,437.1 innings pitched, worked to a 3.31 ERA (120 ERA+), and made 725 appearances, doing everything in his power to win games, either for the Cannons or Foresters.
When the Hall calls his name, he'll go in as a Cannon, where his name is all over the team leaderboards. He ranks 2nd in wins (216), strikeouts (1,679), shutouts (34), and WAR (74.6), in both cases behind Hall-of-Famer Mike Marner (309, 2,606, 67, 111.8), who threw over 4,000 innings for the Baltimore Cannons and 3rd in starts (417) and complete games (211). Of course, unlike Marner, he had a decade in Cleveland, and even iin Foresters history he's top-10 in wins (7th, 143), WAR (5th, 46.4), starts (7th, 279), shutouts (4th, 22), strikeouts (5th, 1,048), and WHIP (7th, 1.25), while his 2.3 K/BB is best among pitchers with 500 innings. To be as good for as long as Barrell is the perfect combination of luck and natural talent, and it was almost like he had the career of two All-Star level pitchers mixed into one.
When you put it together, you get an All-Time great, as Deuce finishes Top-5 All-Time with 359 wins (3rd), 696 starts (4th), 5,437 innings (5th), 2,727 strikeouts (3rd), and 120.93 WAR (4th), though with all the pitches he threw, his 396 home runs allowed are most of any FABL pitcher. With no active pitcher within 100, it may be a record that's his for a time, but 50 years from now no one is going to remember that. They'll remember start after start where he took the bat right out of opposing hitters hands.
Our other notable retirement comes from the bench, as after one season at the helm of the New York Imperials, Hall-of-Fame player and manager Ed Ziehl announced his re-retirement from baseball. An infielder with 3,496 career hits and 170.5 WAR, the 75-year-old Ziehl ended a decades long hiatus from coaching, leading his New York expansion team to a FABL worst 38-116. Obviously, the blame can't be put on him, this is a guy who won 5 pennants and 2 titles with the Gothams, but those teams had stars and all this team has is Turk Ramsey (.282, 36, 89) and a group of misfits.
It didn't take long for a replacement to be named, as while the job might not have been an enticing one from outside the organization, the Imps will look internally. Going with another former Gothams player and manager won won a pennant, Bud Jameson was named Ziehl's replacement, earning the promotion from bench coach to manager. Bud also took a decade off coaching, but from 1945 to 1952 he was at the helm of the Gothams. Bud won 85 or more games in 6 of his 8 seasons, but don't expect much more then 70 for the new skipper.
Other Notable Retirements
LHP Duke Bybee (40, 147-140, 13, 3.84, 1,216): Pitcher for the Cougars, Saints, and Sailors. Was taken by the Wranglers in the expansion draft, but was injured and out for the season in the spring. Was once ranked among the top pitching prospects in baseball and was an All-Star in 1947 and 1951. A rough 1952 saw the new Cougar front office cast him off, but he carved out a nice career as a useful innings eater.
LF Larry Gregory (39, .296, 173, 1,117, 61): Initially a two-way player who came up with the Stars, but was traded away in an ill-fated deal for Ed Cornett. Made his full season debut with the Pioneers in 1945 where he was named to his first of six All-Star games. Won WCS MVP in 1947 and won the Federal Whitney in 1951. Despite the award and hitting .320/.404/.530 (150 OPS+) with 20 homers, 115 RBIs, and a Fed high 47 doubles, internal tension led to him being benched for the next three seasons.
Eventually, the Pioneers saw the error of their ways, and moved him back to the starting lineup in 1955. He rewarded them with another season with a WRC+ above 125, and he made 100 or more starts through 1960. His offense cratered in 1961, leading him to transition into a bench role. He made just 277 PAs that year and 48 this year, but the well-known veteran got to end his career with his 3rd championship. He was 0-for-2 this time around, but in four postseason trips he hit .386/.485/.595 (194 OPS+) with 2 homers, 10 RBIs, and 11 walks. Gregory ends his career top-10 in Pioneer history for slugging (10th, .449), OPS (9th, .833), at bats (3rd, 3,400), runs (2nd, 1,184), hits (3rd, 2,187), homers (3rd, 173), RBIs (3rd, 1,106), and walks (2nd, 1,091), and is the Pioneers all-time position player leader with 2,306 appearances and 448 doubles. All but 30 of his 2,336 games came in a Pioneer uniform, and there are some within the organization that expect his #16 to be retired by the team.
RHP Wally Hunter (41, 126-95, 35, 4.01, 836; .242, 7, 67): Another guy who came up with the Stars as a two-way player, Wally Hunter debuted for the Stars in 1943, but didn't play again for them as he drafted into the war effort. During that he was involved in a huge trade with the Gothams in January of 1945, shipped off later that August to Detroit in the Sal Pestilli for Jim Lonardo trade. "Big Game" Hunter broke out in 1946, 17-9 with a 2.38 ERA (139 ERA+) in 30 starts, but the Fed walk leader (105) had an up-and-down career. He sort of reached that level again in 1951, but he was more solid then great, and by 33 he was banished to a pen role. Was a big part of the Dynamos dynasty in the 1950s, winning four titles before leaving town. Won the Kellogg as a rookie in '46 and was an All-Star in 1951.
2B Del Johnson (39, .278, 95, 742, 193): Like Wally Hunter, Del Johnson was a 4-time title winner, as the second basemen was a crucial part of their lineup functioning as perfectly as it did. Taken 6th in 1945, he debuted that September, and spent a decade as the Dynamos everyday second basemen. He went to three All-Star games, including during his aged 32-season in 1955 where he hit an excellent .323/.408/.482 (134 OPS+) with 41 doubles, 14 homers, 90 RBIs, and 18 steals. An excellent base stealer, defender, and contact hitter, he also showed out in the playoffs, hitting .330/.423/.453 (142 OPS+) in five series with Detroit. He got two more in Cleveland, where he spent part of 1958, part of 1961, and the two full years between them, but most of it was as a reserve. He spent the last season and a half with the Chiefs, though he was cut early this season. A useful lead-off/#2 hitter, Johnson finished his FABL career with a .278/.348/.393 (103 OPS+) line, adding 193 steals, 326 doubles, and 1,035 runs.
SS Cecil LaBonte (37, .281, 85, 754, 219): Former Gotham first round pick who spent just a month in the minors before debuting with the Gothams in 1947. A quality defender, hitter, and base runner, he was an All-Star at 23 in 1949, and for a six-year period he was a top-3 shortstop. Only problem is he never hit above average in a year after his aged 26 season in 1956, and once he hit 30 almost all his production was gone. Was always a solid defender, even giving decent second base work for the Saints this season. But hitting .201/.239/.276 (32 OPS+) makes it look like you pitch, and hat was all it took for LaBonte to call it quits. Almost a Gotham lifer, he played 1,808 of his 1,981 games in two stints in the Big Apple.
LHP Carl Potter (36, 139-131, 3.54, 1,462): One of the best cases of "What If". Carl Potter burst onto the scene at 19, going 14-11 with a 2.79 ERA (124 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts. He kept that up, continuing to provide the Dynamos with ace-level production, and in 1948 the 22-year-old led the Fed in ERA (2.89) and WHIP (1.20). 1949 was his big breakout, as the already elite Potter delivered one of the best pitching seasons of the decade. The Allen winner led the Fed in wins (22), ERA (1.97), innings (293), WHIP (1.05), and WAR (9.3), and with 162 strikeouts he was so close to a tripe crown.
In 1950, his luck started to change, as after a 20-win season he lost a Fed high 20 games. It wasn't really his fault, his 2.87 ERA (143 ERA+) was outstanding and he did start a Fed high 36 games, leading as well in innings (304.2), strikeouts (177), and WHIP (1.15). Poised for a big year at 25, he felt a pinch in his elbow, leaving his first start of the season. It ended up as the only, as the young ace tore his UCL, and dealt with a lengthy recovery. When he finished, he wasn't nearly the same, as his 4.43 ERA (80 ERA+) was nothing like he's ever shown, the first season with not only a below average mark, but one that wasn't at least 24% above average. After leading the league in WHIP three years running, that was up to 1.56, and the in command Potter walked 100 with just 73 strikeouts. With his age, there was still hope he'd recover, but the Dynamos had no faith. He was moved to the pen, then traded to the Cougars, and he continued to bounce around before his eventual retirement this season.
Including his 30 games with the Minutemen this season, he ended up with 139 FABL wins, which is still a solid mark. But when you consider he had 92 before he turned 25, it's nothing short of disappointing. Injuries ruined what would have been an extremely promising career, and some Dynamo fans still cling on to the Potter of the late 40s they thought would lead their Dynamos to the promise land. Which I guess he did. For one of their titles. Lucky Dynamo fans...
THREE MORE LINKS TO DYNAMOS GLORY DAYS HANG UP THE SPIKESThree players who each contributed to some of the Dynamos six pennants between 1952 and 1958 have retired: Del Johnson, Carl Potter and Wally Hunter.
Johnson, the long-time Detroit second baseman, played in 5 WCS for the Dynamos before moving on to Cleveland and winning two more pennants. He finished with the Chicago Chiefs and ends his career with 1,938 hits in 1,949 games. Johnson broke in with Detroit as a 22-year-old in September of 1945 after being drafted sixth overall out of West Goshen State that same year. He finished second to teammate Hunter in the 1946 Federal Association Kellogg Award voting and would be a three time participant in FABL's all-star game. His 1,732 games in a Detroit uniform are fifth all-time and he also ranks fifth in hits as a Dynamo.
Potter looked like a future hall of famer when he won 79 games before his 24th birthday including a 22-8 Allen Award winning season in 1949. An injury on opening day 1951 derailed his career but Potter still finished with a 139-131 career record, leaving Detroit in 1953 and bouncing around with multiple stints in Boston and with the Chiefs before a brief return to the Motor City. The 4-time all-star was on a pair of Dynamos pennant winners.
Hunter pitched in 9 WCS games over five seasons for Detroit, finishing with a 126-95 career regular season record that began with the New York Stars before he went off to war and continued with 13 seasons in Detroit before stops in Washington and Cincinnati. Hunter won the Kellogg Award in 1946 and was a twenty-game winner on the 1952 Dynamos.
*** Double Barrell Attack ***
It looks like Badger Rigney has decided to put the Barrell brothers together on the same line. 21-year-old Hobie Barrell, already considered one of the best players in the NAHC as he enters his third season. Hobie is coming off a 79 point season -second only to Toronto living legend Quinton Pollack- and has been a fixture for most of his time in Detroit on the left wing alongside pivot Alex Monette. Monette missed some time last year with an injury and there are some worries that the 29-year-old five time Challenge Cup winner may have slowed a bit.
Rigney scoffs at that notion but perhaps more telling of Rigney's true feelings is the recent move to put Monette on the third line and have him swap places with Benny Barrell. Hobie's older brother is 24 and embarking upon his fifth season with the Motors. Benny has primarily been used in a checking line role but did collect 47 points each of the previous two seasons. Four goals in training camp including a hat trick in a friendly against New York caught the coaches attention and Benny's ice time has increased.
A slow start by Hobie, with no goals and just 1 assist in the first three games, has prompted the coach to put the brothers together on the top line with veteran right winger Jake Clark. Monette will drop to the third line between Pete Stojanov and veteran Louis Rocheleau. Rigney has given no indication if this is a permanent move but both Barrell brothers were looking forward to being linemates when the Motors take the ice Thursday at the Palladium against a hungry Boston Bees club still searching for its first victory.
*** Mixed News From Gridiron ***
A week off allowed the Detroit Maroons to get back on track as the local football club halted their two game losing streak. The Maroons offense and its much maligned defense were both humming as the club improved to 3-0 all-time against the sophomore Houston Outlaws with a 28-0 victory.
As great as it was to see Art Heal run for 148 yards and Dee Cann have a strong game under center following a couple of weeks of struggles, the big news was the Maroons defense. A dominant performance to hold Houston to just 88 yards of total offense and force 3 turnovers.
Naysayers can point to the fact that Houston is only a second year club, and won just 3 times a year ago as an expansion outfit, but they entered the game with a 2-2 record including a win over Kansas City the previous week. The big test for the Maroons comes next week when they host the Chicago Wildcats at Thompson Field. Detroit beat Chicago in the season opener but the two clubs have a habit of coming up with road victories in the long-standing series between the pair.
News on Saturday was much worse as this is clearly a lost season for Detroit City College. The Knights lost for the second week in a row and third time in five outings after heading east and being embarrassed 28-14 by North Carolina Tech. It was the Knights first-ever game against the Techsters and one that is best quickly forgotten. It will be a tough test next Saturday when Noble Jones College, always among the best teams in the nation, makes a visit to the Motor City. The 4-1 Colonels are loaded with talent again this year and boast one of the stingiest defenses in the nation, surrendering an average of just 13 points per game.
Tales From The Den
A Wolves Recap, Look Ahead to 1963 Part One
While neither a .500 nor a 7th place finish would seem like accomplishments to most FABL teams both of these seemed to have given baseball fans on the north end of Lake Ontario hope for the future after years in the dark. With expansion to ten teams in the FA, CA this was the first time since 1956 that three teams finished behind the Wolves in the standings. Toronto improved their record by 18 games over 1961 which is the biggest improvement since a difference in wins of 35 between 1896, 1897 for franchise the has been around for 80 years starting in the old Border Association in 1882. The team had four winning months April (7-6), May (15-14), July (15-10), October (2-1) to go with three losing months June (11-17), which deflated the supporters as Toronto had become famous for collapsing as spring turned to summer over the last decade, August (14-15), September (13-14). After a slow start the pitching staff, in particular the starters, came around to lead the team finishing in the top half of all statistical categories in the CA.
Two things must be mentioned here: 1) Randy Hohlt's stressing fielding helped the pitchers day in, day out by turning hits into outs snuffing out rallies instead of as in the past turning outs into hits or errors, The Wolves were third in the league in fielding, 2) The pitching staff had three significant injuries that skewed the statistics.
Phil Colantuono was limited to 10 starts after an arm injury during the spring, George Hoxworth was out from the end of May due to elbow issues, Jim Jackson missed the entire season due to a shoulder injury. Jackson was being counted for some stability in relief during 1962. The bullpen, which was better but still not good, was led by Zeke Blake who obviously tired down the stretch due to the volume of work. Jackson is not expected back until next July after being injured in March. The hitters kept the Wolves' heads above water until the pitching staff stabilized then faded to what was expected, a team that would have to scratch out every run. Tom Reed led the batters until he received some much needed help in September from Ed Savage, 25, who tore up the league with a line of .442/.513/.797 with 10 HR 36 RBI 21 XBH in 152 PA for an an OPS of 1.281.
Now a quick look forward to 1963:
C- Ty Rusconi fulfilled the role acceptably backed up by Dixie Williams. Al Curtis made an impression after helping Buffalo to their first Union League title in 42 years. Early betting is that Rusconi may move to a fourth OF slot going forward which leaves Carl Clark's future in doubt with the Wolves.
1B- Charlie Harvey was the starter for most of the season until Savage was called up. Tom Reed then moved to first severely diminishing Harvey's playing time. Reed may be at 1B going forward although some staff are of the opinion that Savage should spend the winter with a first baseman's glove learning the position to hopefully reduce his defensive limitations. Two moves, which could be a harbinger of things to come, have already been made with both Rocky Stone, 32, Jake Buck, 34, being DFAd at end of the World Series in a move to free up spaces on the 40-man roster.
2B- Phil Story had a better than expected year at the plate along with providing sound defense. His season has been raising questions about the Roy Demonbreun, who has been with the Wolves since 1954, value to the team going forward.
3B- Clyde Fisher hit .309 with acceptable defense at the hot corner. He was backed up Cal Wells who also can play 1B, SS. Wolves also have Stan Merrick, 20, on the way. Merrick had a line of .335/..407/.546 20 HR in AA. Fans can expect to see him in camp during March. His only drawback is that hits from the left side of the plate. Wolves are desperate for RHB(s) to balance Hohlt's lineup.
SS- Jesse Taylor like his double play partner, Story, surprised a little on the positive side with the bat along with reminding older fans of Charlie Artuso with his defensive ability at short.
LF- OF seems to be strength for the Wolves with young players ready to take on the FABL. Most observers see a platoon in left between Chick Reed, 26, along Frank Hardin, 25, who dominated in AAA before coming to Toronto in July. Two injuries limited Hardin's playing time in the big leagues over the last two months of the season.
CF- Sid Cullen's smooth fielding a in tandem with a some power means center is locked up for a few years unless the oft injured Cullen cannot answer the bell.
RF- Ed Savage's bat will keep him patrolling the grass in right unless he make the transition to 1B which would move Tom Reed back to the OF.
This ends Part One of the Wolves' recap. Look for Part Two in which Brett will preview the pitching staff along with the challenges faced by the team in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. With 28 players available to other teams unless they are put on the 40-man roster. Brett, before he moves to Dukes coverage, sees some tough decisions having to be made in the Wolves' offices before December.
RECENT KEY RESULTS- Frank Seeley, a young New York City born heavyweight is a fighter to keep an eye on. The 21-year-old improved to 7-0-1 with a six-round unanimous decision over Jim Rice in a fight in Rice's hometown of Philadelphia last week.
- Two other rising young heavyweights with strong records met in Washington DC. Colton Matthews, who hails from Richmond, VA., improved to 17-2 with a third round TKO win over Matt Ryan (17-3-1).
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS
- November 1- Heavyweight champion Walt Phillips, a 25-year-old San Francisco native, who was the surprise winner of a title fight with Harry Pratt in July, makes his first title defense against 26-year-old George Galleshaw. Phillips enters the bout with a 34-7 record. Galleshaw, a native of Syracuse, NY, who held the title for a year and half beginning in 1960, is 34-2-1 with his only two losses to Brad Harris and Bert Parks coming in title fights.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 10/14/1962
- The 87th Congress finally adjourned after giving President Kennedy a substantial part of his New Frontier program.
- Kennedy blasted Republican critics of his Cuban policy, denouncing "self-appointed generals and admirals who want to send someone else's sons to war." A day early Indiana Senator Capehart called during his re-election campaign for military action against Castro's Communist regime in Cuba.
- The United States has assured West Germany that it is determined to maintain the right of civilian and military access to West Berlin against any new Soviet move aimed at isolating the city.
- Communist guerrillas shot down to United States Air Force plans in South Viet Nam, killing at least the three Americans aboard one of the planes.
- Algerian Prime Minister Ben Bella received a red carpet reception on the White House lawn when he arrived for a conference and luncheon with President Kennedy.
- Kennedy will step up an already vigorous stretch of campaigning aimed at rousing supporters of his New Frontier programs to the importance of voting on November 6.
- The Justice Department asked that Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett be fined $100,000 for failing to purge himself of contempt of court in connection with James Meredith's admission to Mississippi A&M.
- A portable device for shocking the heart has proved successful in restoring the "dead" to life, a Baltimore surgeon has announced. The unit, which places electrodes on the chest, may become a new tool for rescue squads and emergency ambulance teams to use on persons who have collapsed, drowned or been electrocuted.