TIGERFAN'S SPORTING DAILY : SATURDAY AUGUST 18, 1947
BOXING
EZZARD CHARLES KO'S JOE LOUIS
A shocking conclusion to the World Heavyweight championship as Ezzard Charles, after being knocked to the canvas 3 times in the first two rounds, recovered to knock out previously unbeaten Joe Louis in the third.
The first round was even in the early going as each fighter scored on several punches. With just under a minute remaining Louis spotted an opening and landed a devastating combination that knocked down the challenger. Charles regained his feet quickly but was clearly hurt. He spent the final 30 seconds of the round trying to run away from the champ.
Charles had not recovered fully heading into the second round and Louis again sent him to the canvas with a short, clean combination. Charles lurched to his feet on the count of 8 but there was no question he was in trouble. For the next minute and a half Louis reigned blows on Charles but few landed squarely until the champ connected with a tremendous shot under Charles' ribcage that sent him crumbling to the canvas. Charles again struggled to his feet and beat the count. The referee asked him if he wanted to continue and Charles nodded that he could. Louis would land a few more punches in the final seconds of the round but nothing that could finish off Charles.
As the bell rang to begin the third round Charles appeared to have regained his wits but looked in bad shape with his right eye nearly swollen shut. Louis sensing, as it would turn out falsely, that he could finish the fight right here charged in after Charles. Charles flailed wildly trying to hold the champ off. Louis dodged the blows and countered when all of a sudden one of Charles' wild swings caught Louis flush, nearly buckling the champ. Louis again lurched forward when Charles unleashed a lightning bolt and the champ was on his back. Unlike Charles, Louis could not regain his feet. His legs would not support him and as the referee counted 10 Louis rolled over on his back. Ezzard Charles was the new heavyweight champion of the world.
Charles, who's career record is now 21-1, says he will give Louis a rematch but not before the end of the year. Louis sees his record drop to 9-1 but vows he will get his title back.
ORTIZ AND CASTILLO CLASH TONIGHT
California native Manuel Ortiz hopes to take another step towards regaining the World Bantamweight Title he lost last fall when he faces Mexican champ Luis Castillo in San Francisco. Ortiz was 37-0-2 before falling to Canadian Fernando Gagnon in the post-war tournament title bout. He also lost a controversial decision in February to Luis Galvani, who is now the title holder in the division.
Castillo, 27-12-3, is among the 10 best bantamweights in the world and should provide a real test for Ortiz. He looked very good in his last fight but tired late and lost on points to Galvani.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
CUBS KNOCK OFF PIRATES 6-5 IN SERIES OPENER
The Chicago Cubs continue to be the hottest team in major league baseball as they have now won 20 of their last 23 games after holding on to be the Pirates 6-5 in the opener of their 4 game series in Pittsburgh. Seldom used backup catcher Tony Giuliani was the hero for Chicago belting a pair of homers off of Pirates reliever Jim Tobin who entered the game in the second inning when reigning Cy Young winner Cliff Melton reaggraveted his back injury and was forced to leave the game. Melton, who missed 3 weeks early in the season with a sore back, is listed as day-to-day. The Cubs built a 6-1 lead before Pittsburgh mounted a comeback attempt with 4 runs in the final two innings. Johnny Schmitz bailed out starter Ed Head (13-10, 4.20) in the ninth for his 5th save of the season. The win moves the Cubs ahead of Pittsburgh and into second place in the National League.
The first place Philadelphia Phillies had what basically amounted to batting practice in Brooklyn, rapping out 18 hits in a 10-4 win over the Dodgers. Ray Sanders had 4 hits for the Phils while Joe Gordon and Buster Adams each homered.
In Cincinnati pinch-hitter Sam Mele delivered a 2-run double with 2 out in the bottom of the ninth giving the Reds a 3-2 win over the New York Giants. Dave Koslo had a 4-hitter over 8 innings work for New York but he did not factor in the decision. In Boston, Chuck Workman delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 12th to lift the Braves past St Louis 4-3.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
The front running Cleveland Indians lost yesterday but St Louis and Boston failed to take advantage as they each came up on the short end of the scoreboard as well. In Cleveland, Detroit second baseman Joe Wood had 3 rbi's and Ken Heintzelman outduelled Warren Spahn in the Tigers 4-1 win over the Tribe.
6 homeruns helped the Philadelphia Athletics blast St Louis 16-11. While he didn't homer, George Kell did have a big day for the A's, getting 4 hits and driving in 4 runs.
In Boston Max Lanier threw a 5-hit shutout as the Yankees blanked the Red Sox 7-0. Gene Hermanski had 4 hits including a homer for New York.
In the other American League game Washington trimmed Chicago 6-5. Dick Errickson (9-15, 4.05) pitched 8 solid innings for the win. He left after 8 with a 6-3 lead and the Sens bullpen nearly blew the game before Marino Pieretti got a strike out, a short pop fly and a ground out to end the inning with the bases drunk with Athletics.
[CODE]
AMERICAN W L PCT GB
CLEVELAND 67 47 .588 x
ST LOUIS 60 54 .526 7.0
BOSTON 58 54 .518 8.0
WASHINGTON 59 56 .513 8.5
PHILADELPHIA 56 57 .496 10.5
DETROIT 55 58 .487 11.5
NEW YORK 52 63 .452 15.5
CHICAGO 48 66 .421 19.0
NATIONAL W L PCT GB
PHILADELPHIA 66 45 .595 x
CHICAGO 65 48 .575 2.0
PITTSBURGH 66 50 .569 2.5
CINCINNATI 59 55 .518 8.5
ST LOUIS 55 56 .495 11.0
BOSTON 53 58 .477 13.0
NEW YORK 45 67 .402 21.5
BROOKLYN 42 72 .368 25.5
YESTERDAY'S GAMES
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Washington 6 Chicago 5
New York 7 Boston 0
Detroit 4 Cleveland 1
Philadelphia 16 St Louis 11
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Boston 4 St Louis 3 (11 inn)
Philadelphia 10 Brooklyn 4
Cincinnati 3 New York 2
Chicago 6 Pittsburgh 5
TODAY'S GAMES
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chicago (B Byerly 5-10, 5.47) at Washington (J Haynes 14-9, 2.43)
New York (M Russo 5-4, 3.74) at Boston (B Bowman 6-5, 4.15)
Detroit (H White 6-9, 4.35) at Cleveland (R Poat 9-10, 3.18)
Philadelphia (S Overmire 7-9, 4.12) at St Louis (R Scarborough 10-10, 3.52)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
St Louis (E White 12-8, 2.89) at Boston (H Bithorn 7-6, 3.91)
Philadelphia (M Macon 13-5, 2.66) at Brooklyn (R Barney 7-9, 3.46)
New York (R Bauers 10-13, 3.62) at Cincinnati (H feldman 13-8, 4.55)
Chicago (V Olsen 18-6, 2.86) at Pittsburgh (V Raschi 5-12, 4.05)
Code:
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
BATTING BATTING
M Almada Bos .340 B Elliott Pit .347
W Judnich SLB .329 G Rosen Bkn .334
B McCosky Det .327 H Leiber NY .328
HOME RUNS HOME RUNS
T Williams Bos 25 S Chapman Bsn 22
O Grimes Cle 17 H Clift Chn 21
T Hafey Cha 16 J Gordon Phi 20
RBI'S RBI'S
D Litwhiler Cha 78 B Elliott Pit 80
T Williams Bos 77 S Chapman Bsn 75
W Judnich SLB 76 H Clift Chn 72
WINS WINS
A Jurisch Det 17-9 V Olsen Chn 18-6
A Karl Bos 16-7 C Schanz Phi 18-9
F Hutchinson Wsh 15-13 P Roe Pit 17-4
ERA ERA
B Lohrman Cle 1.55 C Melton Pit 1.84
J Haynes Wsh 2.43 K Raffensberger Bsn 1.99
B Feller Cle 2.53 H Wyse Chn 2.58
STRIKEOUTS STRIKEOUTS
A Jurisch Det 150 E White StL 152
V Trucks Det 147 R Barney Bkn 145
W Spahn Cle 147 P Roe Pit 131
GOLF
DALY HAS LEAD AT U.S. OPEN
Irishman Fred Daly has a one stroke lead at the mid-point of the United States Open. The course again proved very tough as only 8 golfers sit below par after 36 holes.
Code:
US OPEN LEADERBOARD
RD 1 RD 2 TOTAL
Daly 69 69 -4
Riegel 74 65 -3
Ward 69 70 -3
Boros 69 71 -2
Cerda 72 68 -2
de Vicenzo 71 69 -2
Fleck 73 67 -2
Horne 70 70 -2
Ferrier 73 69 E
Haefner 72 70 E
Bulla 74 69 1
Demaret 71 72 1
Harbert 72 71 1
Hogan 71 72 1
Little 70 73 1
Wall 71 72 1
xTibbetts-a 73 70 1
Hamilton 74 70 2
Middlecoff 76 68 2
Barron 74 71 3
Bolt 70 75 3
Bruen 70 75 3
Harrison 71 74 3
Keiser 75 70 3
Mangrum 71 74 3
Von Nida 71 74 3
Adams 70 76 4
Fazio 72 74 4
Ford 72 74 4
Harper 77 69 4
Lees 72 74 4
Nelson 75 71 4
Sarazen 74 72 4
Wood 73 73 4
Worsham 76 70 4
MISSED CUT
Burton 73 74 5
Dutra 76 71 5
Metz 72 75 5
Oliver 75 72 5
Rees 74 73 5
Burke Jr 73 75 6
Carr-a 77 71 6
Cotton 76 72 6
Furgol 76 72 6
McSpadden 70 78 6
Snead 70 78 6
Turnesa 77 71 6
Harmon 75 74 7
King 76 73 7
Revolta 78 71 7
Weetman 74 75 7
Ghezzi 74 76 8
Shute 73 77 8
Smith 78 72 8
Faulkner 72 79 9
Mackay Jr 73 78 9
Bradshaw 74 78 10
Byrd 74 78 10
Thomson 80 72 10
Hebert 80 73 11
Runyon 77 76 11
Stranahan 75 78 11
Locke 75 79 12
Van Donck 75 79 12
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PACKERS WIN SHOOTOUT WITH TEXANS
Rookie Frank *Albert sure gave Green Bay management plenty to think about. Given a chance to make his first preseason start *Albert passed for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 51-41 win over Houston. Playing the entire first half the Green Bay starting offense looked outstanding. RB Tony *Canadeo ran for 114 yards while all-pro receiver Don *Hutson had 7 catches including 2 touchdown grabs. The Houston offense was also on fire led by starting QB EJ Atoe's 226 yards passing.
The defense was another story as both teams starting units looked awful. The game was tied 24-24 at half time when the starters gave way to reserves.
GIANTS 19 STEELERS 13
The New York Giants got their first win of the preseason at the expense of winless Pittsburgh. Rookie New York signal caller Harry *Gilmer completed 16 of 22 passes for 186 yards including a pair of touchdown strikes to receiver Steve Hawkins. Veteran linebacker Mel Hein had a big game for New York, making 7 tackles and getting one of the club's 5 sacks on the day. Second year backup DE Bob Mayberry had 3 sacks for New York.
VIKINGS 13 DOLPHINS 10
The Vikings and Dolphins are both 2-1 after Minnesota won 13-10 thanks to a 39 yard touchdown pass from rookie Paul *Governalli to receiver Ken Carpenter late in the third quarter. Running back Stacy Jolley had a strong game for Miami, scoring the Dolphins only touchdown while rushing for 96 yards. Jolley also had an 18 yard reception. Dolphins first round pick, ex Notre Dame offensive tackle George *Connor had his best effort of the preseason, leading the way for Jolley and recording 3 pancakes.
PRESEASON WEEK 3
Last Night
Houston 41 at 51 Green Bay
Pittsburgh 13 at 19 New York Giants
Miami 10 at 13 Minnesota
Today
San Francisco at San Diego
St Louis at Oakland
Jacksonville at Chicago
Atlanta at Tennessee
New England at New Orleans
Seattle at New York Jets
Sunday August 19
Baltimore at Detroit
Cincinnati at Philadelphia
Buffalo at Washington
Carolina at Kansas City
Cleveland at Denver
Arizona at Dallas
Monday August 20
Indianapolis at Tampa Bay
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA>
CELTICS RESIGN HERNANDEZ
A quiet day as the BAA free agent signing period came to a close. The biggest news was the Boston Celtics announcing that Phil Hernandez has decided to return to Boston for a 14th season. There had been rumours the former Boston College star was going to leave the New England area and sign with defending champion Dallas but Hernandez elected to finish his career in the same city he started it. Taken 5th overall by the Celtics in the 1934 draft Hernandez has played 921 games in a Boston uniform, only Cameron Belli who played in 1013 for New Orleans has appeared in more games with one team. The point guard averaged 10.3 ppg and 5.1 apg last season.
The Celtics resigned another local college product yesterday. Former Holy Cross G Holt Dodson inked a 1 year deal with Boston. He played in 24 games for Dallas and Boston last season but has played just 82 games since being drafted in the first round 3 years ago.
The Fort Wayne Pistons signed journeyman backup SF Justin Sorrells to a 1 year deal. Sorrells averaged 7.3 ppg for New Orleans last season. He has also played for Kansas City, Philadelphia and Boston since being selected from Oregon in the first round of the 1940 draft. Bigger news in Fort Wayne was the fact that the Pistons did not sign a veteran center as insurance in case Noah Baldin suffers another injury. The 6th overall pick in the 1945 draft, Baldin has been limited to just 62 games because of numerous injuries including a torn achillies tendon that cost him all but 5 games last season. All conference his final season at Oklahoma A&M the 6'10" center has outstanding potential and if he can stay healthy he is certainly a player to watch in the league.