TIGERFAN'S SPORTING DAILY : FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 1947
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
CUBS CLINCH PENNANT!
A 10th inning rbi single from catcher Tony Giuliani gave the Chicago Cubs a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates and allowed the Cubs to clinch their 3rd National League Pennant in 4 years.
The Pirates appeared to be in control when Billy Myers delivered a pinch-hit homer in the top of the 8th to give the Bucs a 3-2 lead. However, the Cubs tied it in the bottom half of the inning with a sacrifice fly against reliever Jim Tobin. In the 9th the Pirates again took the lead on a solo homerun, this one off the bat of Bob Elliott but again the Cubs answered when Ken O'Dea delivered an rbi single with 2 out in the bottom of the ninth. After a 1-2-3 10 for Pittsburgh Rip Russell delivered a one-out pinch-hit double to set the stage for Giuliani's game winning knock.
In other National League games the Giants beat Cincinnati 6-1 as New York attempts to avoid losing 100 games. With 3 to play New York remains stuck on 97 losses. Stan Hack drove in 3 runs as the Dodgers beat Philadelphia 8-5 while Johnny Hopp had 4 hits and 3 rbi's as St Louis dumped Boston 11-5.
WILLIAMS STILL CHASING TRIPLE CROWN
Ted Williams is inching closer in his bid to become just the third player in league history to win the triple crown. Only George Stone of the Boston Braves in 1913 and the Yankees Babe Ruth in 1926 have managed to lead their league in batting average, homers and rbi's in the same season. Ruth was the only one to lead all three categories outright as Stone tied for the rbi lead. Rogers Horsnby came very close in 1923, missing by 1 home run.
Williams had the day off yesterday as his Boston Red Sox were hammered 10-0 in Philadelphia. Teammate Johnny Hudson, who is challenging Williams for the batting title, went 2-for-3 and now trails Ted by .002 in the batting race.
Chet Morgan's pinch-hit homer in the 11th inning gave the St Louis Browns a 3-1 win over the Yankees in New York. Browns outfielder Wally Judnich, who trails Williams by 1 in the rbi race, did not improve upon his total.
Elsewhere, Detroit blasted Washington 8-1 while Cleveland tuned up for the World Series with a 12-4 victory in Chicago. Bob Feller picked up his 15th win of the season while Lou Boudreau had 3 of the Indians 16 hits.
Code:
AMERICAN W L PCT GB
*CLEVELAND 88 63 .583 x
BOSTON 82 69 .543 6.0
ST LOUIS 78 73 .517 10.0
WASHINGTON 76 75 .503 12.0
DETROIT 75 76 .497 13.0
NEW YORK 73 78 .483 15.0
PHILADELPHIA 69 82 .457 19.0
CHICAGO 63 88 .417 25.0
NATIONAL W L PCT GB
*CHICAGO 89 62 .589 x
PITTSBURGH 84 67 .556 5.0
PHILADELPHIA 83 68 .550 6.0
ST LOUIS 81 70 .536 8.0
CINCINNATI 79 72 .523 10.0
BOSTON 67 84 .444 22.0
BROOKLYN 67 84 .444 22.0
NEW YORK 54 97 .358 35.0
*clinched pennant
YESTERDAY'S GAMES
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit 8 Washington 1
St Louis 3 New York 1 (11 inn)
Cleveland 12 Chicago 4
Philadelphia 10 Boston 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
St Louis 11 Boston 5
Brooklyn 8 Philadelphia 5
Chicago 5 Pittsburgh 4 (10 inn)
New York 6 Cincinnati 1
TODAY'S GAMES
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Washington (R Barrett 12-11, 4.20) at Detroit (K Heintzelman 13-12, 4.54)
St Louis (E Lopat 18-15, 4.51) at New York (M Russo 12-5, 3.80)
Cleveland ( W Spahn 18-14, 3.08) at Chicago (B Fleming 2-10, 4.81)
Boston (E Johnson 22-9, 3.01) at Philadelphia (L Harris 4-5, 2.49)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Boston (H Bithorn 10-10, 3.76) at St Louis (E White 20-8, 2.51)
Brooklyn (L Webber 10-15, 4.70) at Philadelphia (M Macon 13-6, 2.80)
Pittsburgh (D Adkins 12-12, 3.65) at Chicago (V Olsen 23-9, 2.77)
Cincinnati (A Carter 16-17, 3.86) at New York (R Bauers 11-20, 3.92)
Code:
AMERICAN LEAGUE LEADERS NATIONAL LEAGUE LEADERS
BATTING BATTING
T Williams Bos .342 J Medwick Cin .362
J Hudson Bos .340 B Elliott Pit .335
B McCosky Det .329 G Rosen Bkn .324
HOME RUNS HOME RUNS
T Williams Bos 36 S Chapman Bsn 26
W Judnich SLB 23 J Gordon Phi 25
T Henrich Det 21 J Dimaggio Cin 24
RBI'S RBI'S
T Williams Bos 108 B Elliott Pit 103
W Judnich SLB 107 J Medwick Cin 94
B Young Bos 102 H Clift Chn 93
WINS WINS
A Jurisch Det 25-10 V Olsen Chn 23-9
E Johnson Bos 22-9 P Roe Pit 20-10
F Hutchinson Wsh 19-16 E White StL 20-8
ERA ERA
B Lohrman Cle 2.11 C Melton Pit 2.19
J Haynes Wsh 2.56 E White StL 2.51
T Bonham NYY 2.68 H Wyse Chn 2.70
STRIKEOUTS STRIKEOUTS
B Feller Cle 220 E White StL 204
V Trucks Det 209 R Barney Bkn 196
A Jurisch Det 198 P Roe Pit 167
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
RAVENS LOOK TO KEEP PERFECT RECORD INTACT
The NFL's only remaining unbeaten team, the Baltimore Ravens, are back in action Sunday after a bye last week. The Ravens travel to 2-1 Cleveland in one 13 games on Sunday. The Monday night contest pits a pair of 2-2 clubs meeting in Seattle as the Seahawks are home to Minnesota.
After going 0-for-6 over two weeks of predictions the TSN staff has mercifully decided not to make any predictions this week.
SUNDAY'S GAMES
New Orleans Saints (2-2) at New York Giants (3-1)
Washington Redskins (1-3) at Atlanta Falcons (3-1)
Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Baltimore Ravens (3-0) at Cleveland Browns (2-1)
Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
New England Patriots (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
San Francisco 49ers (3-1) at Chicago Bears (3-1)
New York Jets (3-1) at Tennessee Titans (3-1)
Green Bay Packers (3-1) at St. Louis Rams (2-2)
Indianapolis Colts (1-3) at Miami Dolphins (0-4)
Houston Texans (3-1) at Buffalo Bills (0-4)
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Detroit Lions (1-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at Dallas Cowboys (0-4)
MONDAY'S GAME
Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
CANADIAN FOOTBALL
Just one game in the Canadian leagues this evening as the Ottawa Trojans travel to Sarnia to face the winless Imperials in ORFU action. A busy Saturday has 5 games on the slate including Regina visiting Winnipeg while Calgary host Edmonton out west. In the IPRFU the 4-0 Montreal Alouettes host second place Toronto while Hamilton entertains the Ottawa Rough Riders. The lone ORFU game Saturday sends the Toronto Balmy Beach squad to Windsor to face the Royals.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
SEYMOUR RETURNS TO KINGS
Veteran guard Mike Seymour has been invited to camp by the team he began his NBA career with 12 years ago. The Kansas City Kings, who drafted Seymour 10th overall in 1935, have signed the free agent. Seymour spent 4 seasons as a starter in the Kings backcourt before moving on to Cincinnati for 4 years. He would also spend 2 and a half seasons in Dallas before having stops in Indianapolis and Kentucky the past 2 seasons. He is a veteran of 842 NBA games and played at New York University before joining the NBA.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BIG WEST CONFERENCE PREVIEW
A small conference that rarely sends more than it's tournament champion to postseason play. San Jose State and Idaho have been the dominant teams in recent years. The Vandals are the only Big West team to win a tournament game, stealing one in the NCAA's in 1942 and winning the NIT championship the following year. San Diego State center John *Mandic is the best pro prospect in the conference.
Code:
BIG WEST CONFERENCE
YEAR BY YEAR CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
1932-33 Pacific
1933-34 UNLV
1934-35 San Diego State
1935-36 Nevada
1936-37 Idaho
1937-38 Pacific
1938-39 Idaho
1939-40 Pacific
1940-41 San Jose State
1941-42 San Jose State
1942-43 Idaho
1943-44 San Jose State
1944-45 Nevada
1945-46 Pacific
1946-47 Idaho
BIG WEST NCAA TOURNAMENT RECORDS
Idaho 1-4
Pacifc 0-4
San Jose State 0-3
Nevada 0-2
San Diego State 0-1
UNLV 0-1
NIT TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
1941-42 Idaho defeated South Carolina 78-76 to win NIT
BIG WEST CONFERENCE PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1- SAN DIEGO STATE : Led by preseason all-conference selections John *Mandic and Haven Hulse the Aztecs should contend for the conference title.
2- SAN JOSE STATE : After playing in the postseason for 4 straight years to start the decade the Spartans have had 3 losing seasons in a row. They hope freshman guard Kevin Beverly can turn things around. The Los Angeles native has outstanding skills on the court but his poor grades scared away the major schools. Preseason all-conference selection Martin Hart will provide veteran leadership.
3- NEVADA : In Cale Lovridge and Miles Smith the Wolfpack have by far the best backcourt tandem in the conference. Whitten, missed half of last season with an injury but appears to be 100%. Up front Nevada is expecting big things from freshman center David Kendall, a 6'11" force from Fort Yates, North Dakota.
4- BOISE STATE : Senior center William Fuller and PF Thomas Barr enter their third year as starters with the Broncos but have yet to enjoy a winning season. Boise State has never played an NCAA or NIT tournament game.
5- PACIFIC : With four starters back Pacific should be much improved from the 10-19 season they suffered through a year ago. In seniors Joseph Tanner, Wendell Gardner and Tyler Dockal the Tigers have three terrific outside shooters.
6- IDAHO : The greatest moment in conference history remains the Vandals 1942 run to the NIT title. The season's club will be the youngest in conference history as it is composed of 10 freshman. The veterans on the roster, 1 senior and 2 juniors, averaged a combined 5 minutes of playing time per game a year ago. Forward Eldrick High from North Pole, Arkansas and guard Jon King from Las Vegas are the freshman to watch.
7- CAL POLY : The Mustangs return a veteran roster but aside from guard/forward Tyler Younger there is not a lot of talent.
8- UNLV : The Runnin' Rebels made the NIT tournament a year ago after a 20 win season. However, with all 5 starters graduated it is back to square one for UNLV. Sophomore guard Sean Berl looks ready to guide the offense but this team is too inexperienced to contend.
BIG WEST PRESEASON ALL CONFERENCE TEAM
G Tyler Younger Cal Poly
G Miles Smith Nevada
F Martin Hart San Jose State
F Haven Hulse San Diego State
C John *Mandic San Diego State
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
SEVERAL ROOKIES POISED TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN NHL
With NHL training camps preparing to open here is a quick look at some of the new faces who may make an impact in the league this year. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings could have as many as three rookies in their lineup. A leading candidate for rookie of the year honours is Leonard 'Red' Kelly. The 20 year old from Simcoe looks like a future allstar. A tough but clean rearguard, Kelly was a championship boxer at Toronto's St Michael's College in addition to an outstanding hockey player. He should play a big role on the Wings this season.
Other Detroit rookies to watch include forwards Jim McFadden and Don Morrison. Born in Belfast 27 year ago, McFadden is a veteran of the Pacific and Quebec leagues. He started last season with Ottawa of the Quebec Senior League and after scoring 34 points in 16 games was moved up to Buffalo of the AHL. McFadden had 19 goals in 31 games for the Bisons and appears ready to make an impact with the Red Wings. Morrison spent the past two season with the Omaha Knights of the USHL where he led the league in scoring with 76 points last season.
Toronto's best newcomer should be forward Sid Smith. After starting the season with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Senior league, the Leafs signed the 22 year old and placed him with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the AHL. He scored 12 goals and 5 assists in 23 games in Pittsburgh. A Toronto native, Smith starred for the Oshawa Generals in junior.
The Boston Bruins are excited about American Pete Babando. The Pennsylvania native spent last season in Hershey, racking up 45 points in 51 games.
Montreal has a veteran squad that will be tough to crack but winger Jacques Locas looks like he should make the team. The 21 year old had 35 points for the Montreal Royals of the Quebec Senior league last season. He also scored 11 goals in 14 games as the Royals won the Allan Cup, emblematic of senior hockey supremacy in Canada.
Rebuilding Chicago expects big things from winger Metro Prystai. Just 19, the the Yorkton, Saskatchewan native should get plenty of ice time with the Hawks this season. An icon in his province, Prystai led his Moose Jaw Canucks to three straight Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championships and a trip to the Memorial Cup finals.
The New York Rangers have no rookies of note this year.