MONDAY JANUARY 20, 1941
COLLEGE BASEBALL
YALE IS HOTTEST TEAM IN NCAA BASEBALL
After starting the season 1-4 the Yale Bulldogs have caught fire and have won their last 7 in a row including a 3-game sweep of the North Carolina State Wolfpack where the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 44-8. The key for Yale has been their offense, which leads the NCAA in runs scored thanks to a pair of junior outfielders in Jimmy Falbo and Jim Ruiz along with senior first baseman Gracie Crossfield.
Falbo (.442,1,10) and Ruiz (.417,2,15) are among the league batting leaders while Crossfield (.244,3,17) is tied for second in rbi's. A 22 year old Pasadena native, Crossfield may finally be starting to draw the attention of pro scouts. A 2-time Western Academy all-star and a member of the 1937 Central Texas Comets Western Academy championship team, Crossfield was undrafted so he enrolled at Yale for the 1939 season. He hit just .221 in 103 games last season but power, not average has always been his strong suit and he had 11 homers a year ago.
A pair of SEC teams lead the initial edition of the College Power Rankings. Preseason favourite Kentucky is ranked number one after the Wildcats swept Ivy League opponents Columbia and Dartmouth during the past week. The Wildcats strength is their pitching staff, led by sensational sophomore John Traeger (2-0,2.08) and senior lefthander Jimmy Evans (3-0, 4.43).
Tennessee also went 6-0 last week as the Volunteers have been getting terrific pitching from senior starters Jim Courcelle (2-0, 1.75) and Al Brock (3-0, 1.33). Junior first baseman Candy Arias (.365,1,14) has been the offensive leader.
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WEEKLY NCAA POWER RANKINGS
1- Kentucky 147.0
2- Tennessee 147.0
3- Wisconsin 138.0
4- Georgia 138.0
5- Yale 133.0
6- Michigan State 128.0
7- Texas 125.0
8- Washington State 108.0
9- Georgia Tech 108.0
10-Princeton 107.0
LONGHORNS LOSE GOMEZ FOR YEAR
The Texas Longhorns suffered a terrible blow when they learned that starting pitcher Baby Gomez is done for the season after suffering an arm injury. The native of Honduras, who pitched for the Brooklyn Bees academy team for 4 seasons before joining the Longhorns is expected to be sidelined for 14 months. He was 2-0 with a league leading 0.92 era in 3 starts this season. This is the second serious arm injury the 20 year old has suffered as his senior season in academy ball was cut short when he tore a rotator cuff a month before the major league draft. The injury scared off MLB teams and he was not selected in the 1939 draft.
COLLEGE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
North Carolina outfielder Barton Sawyer was named the NCAA East Player of the week. The 21 year old left fielder hit .455 (10-22) with 3 homers and 10 rbi's last week. On the season he is batting .396 with 3 homers and 18 rbi's. The Brunswick, Maine native played four seasons for the Queens Monarchs of the Northeast Academy League before joining the Tar Heels last season. He appeared in just 10 games a year ago, hitting .400 before earning a starting job this season.
The NCAA West player of the week is Michigan Wolverines outfielder Bill Baldwin. Baldwin was on fire last week, hitting .706 (12-17) with 2 homers and 5 rbi's. On the year he is batting .452 with 4 homers and 9 rbi's. Undrafted after 4 years with the Western Academy Dakota Loggers, Baldwin joined the Wolverines last season, hitting .317 with 3 homers and 21 rbi's in 36 games.
BULLDOGS RIDING HATT ATTACK
It is still too early to talk about breaking the NCAA record for homeruns in a season but Georgia Bulldogs fans are sure excited by the start to the season from third baseman Henry Hatt. The Miami native leads the NCAA with 6 homeruns through 12 games. Last season he only had 2 round-trippers but was given just 39 at bats.
The NCAA record is 26 homers shared by three players. The mark was set by LSU outfielder Harry Hardbarger in 1929 and Tully Desrochers of Oklahoma equaled the mark the following season. A third player, Caleb McCarty of Notre Dame, also hit 26 homers by turning the trick in 1938. Now retired, Hardbarger hit just 5 homers in 206 major league games with Detroit. Desrochers is with the Pittsburgh Pirates but hit .226 in 58 games last season. McCarty is presently in the Red Sox organization and spent last season in between Class A Shreveport and AA Rochester.
Last year Nebraska infielder Bill Fitzgerald missed the record by one as he hit 25 homeruns. Now a senior, he is off to a slow start as he is homerless and batting .279 in 12 games.
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NCAA STANDINGS
NCAA EAST
ACC W L GB
Clemson 7 5 -
Georgia Tech 7 5 -
North Carolina 6 6 1.0
NC State 5 7 2.0
Maryland 3 9 4.0
Virgina 2 10 5.0
SEC W L GB
Kentucky 9 3 -
Georgia 9 3 -
Tennessee 9 3 -
LSU 5 7 4.0
Alabama 5 7 4.0
Mississippi 5 7 4.0
IVY W L GB
Yale 8 4 -
Columbia 7 5 1.0
Princeton 7 5 1.0
Harvard 5 7 3.0
Dartmouth 5 7 3.0
Brown 4 8 4.0
NCAA WEST
BIG 6 W L GB
Wisconsin 9 3 -
Michigan St 8 4 1.0
Notre Dame 6 6 3.0
Minnesota 5 7 4.0
Ohio State 5 7 4.0
Michigan 5 7 4.0
SOUTHWEST W L GB
Texas 8 4 -
Oklahoma 7 5 1.0
Arizona State 7 5 1.0
Arkansas 6 6 2.0
Texas Tech 4 8 4.0
Nebraska 4 8 4.0
PAC 6 W L GB
Washington St 7 5 -
UCLA 7 5 -
Oregon State 6 6 1.0
Stanford 5 7 2.0
California 5 7 2.0
USC 4 8 3.0
TOP 5 BATTING
Al Ward Oregon State .467
John Bumpus Tennessee .462
Bill Baldwin Michigan .452
Jimmy Wood Oklahoma .447
Jimmy Falbo Yale .442
TOP 5 HOMERUNS
Henry Hatt Georgia 6
Al Hughes LSU 4
Billy Baldwin Michigan 4
Andy Sieczka Cal 4
TOP 5 RBI'S
Barton Sawyer North Carolina 18
Jim Starkey Oklahoma 18
Harry Hatt Georgia 17
Gracie Crossfield Yale 17
Joe Durden Oklahoma 16
TOP 5 ERA LEADERS
Jimmy Carroll Oklahoma 0.79
Baby Gomez Texas 0.92
Thomas McGowan Arizona St 1.02
Will Cobb UCLA 1.04
Will Thomas Wiconsin 1.06
TOP 5 WINS
many tied with 3
STRIKEOUT LEADERS
Tom Bradbury Arizona St 20
Walt Skidmore Wisconsin 20
Joe Meacham Princeton 18
Granville Waters UCLA 18
Angelo Arias Texas 17
ACADEMY LEAGUE UPDATES
CENTRAL ACADEMY LEAGUE
The Virginia Beach Colonials suffered a key blow with news the Mid-Atlantic Division leaders would be without ace pitcher Dave Blanchard for the entire season. The 18 year old Smithtown, New York native who won 20 games a year ago, tore his elbow up and will not be able to throw another pitch until at least September. He was the Central Academy League pitcher of the year last season and was expected to be a first round selection in the June MLB draft.
The Colonials are also missing outfielder Bill Hayward, who hit .322 with 28 homers last season, but suffered a sprained ankle in the season opener. He is expected to miss another month. Hayward is also a likely selection in the June MLB draft. Despite the injuries, the Colonials are still first in the Mid-Atlantic Division and looking for their 3rd title in 4 years.
FLORIDA ACADEMY LEAGUE
The Tallahassee Rebels have the best offense but worst pitching in the Florida Academy League. As a result they are just 6-9 on the season despite the exploits of Pat Allen. The 19 year old from Theodore, Alabama was named player of the week and is batting an amazing .540 (27-50) on the season. He is in his final season with the Rebels but played just 56 games over his first three years with the program.
NORTHEAST ACADMEY LEAGUE
The Staten Island Ports have been one of the top teams in the Northeast Academy League, with 4 division titles in the past 9 years and they are off to a great start again this season. At 12-3, they share the best record in any of the 4 academy leagues with the St Peterburg Redbirds.
The Ports have scored the most runs in their division thanks in a big way to senior catcher Bill Adkins (.415,1,16) who has been a starter all 4 years of his acaademy career. 17 year old outfielder John Zannusi (.317,3,9) is picking up where he left off last season when he hit 24 homers and drove in 98 runs. The pitching staff has also done a great job led by 17 year old righthander Livian Pena (3-1, 1.63) and draft eligible Joseph Domino (2-0, 3.80) who was 18-6 a year ago.
WESTERN ACADEMY LEAGUE
Oregon Timbers outfielder Hunkey Maynard has pro scouts drooling at the opportunity to draft him. The 19 year old from Sacramento has had at least one hit in every game this season and going back to last year is riding a 20 game hitting streak. Maynard is batting .459 through 14 games this season and may be a candidate for the first overall pick in the June major league draft.
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CENTRAL ACADEMY STANDINGS
Midwest Div W L GB
St Louis Arches 10 6 -
Chicagoland Bombers 10 7 0.5
Michigan Lakers 9 7 1.0
Fort Wayne Tincaps 8 7 1.5
Ohio Redcoats 6 10 4.0
Pennsylvania Nationals 5 11 5.0
Mid-Atlantic Div W L GB
Virginia Beach Colonials 10 6 -
Philadelphia Quakers 10 6 -
Milford Sandpipers 9 7 1.0
Carolina Kings 8 9 2.5
District Capitals 7 8 2.5
Washington DC Chiefs 4 12 6.0
FLORIDA ACADEMY STANDINGS
Atlantic Divison W L GB
Miami Beach Pelicans 9 5 -
Daytona Beach Cubs 9 6 0.5
Palm Beach Cardinals 8 7 1.5
Jupiter Hammerheads 8 7 1.5
Ft Lauderdale Lobsters 8 7 1.5
Orlando Sun Sox 7 7 2.0
Key West Conchs 7 8 2.5
Jacksonville Whales 4 11 5.5
Gulf Division W L GB
St Petersburg Redbirds 12 3 -
Port Charlotte Anglers 11 4 1.0
Panama City Flamingos 8 7 4.0
Bradenton Mauraders 7 8 5.0
Tallahassee Rebels 6 9 6.0
Sarasota Stone Crabs 5 10 7.0
Pensacola Bees 5 10 7.0
Lakeland Pilots 5 10 7.0
NORTHEAST ACADEMY STANDINGS
Cape Cod Divison W L GB
Harwich Mariners 9 5 -
Cotuit Kettlers 9 6 0.5
Chatham Anglers 9 6 0.5
Brewster Whitecaps 8 7 1.5
Yarmouth Dennis Red Sox 7 8 2.5
Bourne Braves 7 8 2.5
Falmouth Commodores 6 9 3.5
Hyannis Harbor Hawks 4 10 5.0
Metro NY Division W L GB
Staten Island Ports 12 3 -
Yonkers Bears 9 6 3.0
Manhattan Pigeons 9 6 3.0
Long Island Ducks 7 8 5.0
Brooklyn Bees 7 8 5.0
Queens Monarchs 6 9 6.0
Coney Island Tigers 6 9 6.0
Bronx Bombers 4 11 8.0
WESTERN ACADEMY STANDINGS
Pacific Divison W L GB
Hawaii Islanders 10 5 -
Los Angeles Chargers 9 6 1.0
Dakota Loggers 9 6 1.0
Arizona Desert Dogs 9 6 1.0
Northern Cal. Stars 8 6 1.5
Oregon Timbers 6 8 3.5
San Francisco Miners 5 10 5.0
California Seals 3 12 7.0
Desert Division W L GB
Austin Marshalls 10 5 -
Sioux Falls Canaries 9 6 1.0
New Mexico Aztecs 9 6 1.0
West Texas Spiders 8 7 2.0
North Texas Cubs 8 7 2.0
Utah Stars 6 9 4.0
Central Texas Comets 6 9 4.0
Oklahoma Oilers 4 11 6.0
TOP 10 BATTING
Pat Allen Tallahassee .540
Pat Bluhm Daytona Beach .475
Hunkey Maynard Oregon .459
Roscoe Merkel Fort Wayne .448
Abe Tyson Lakeland .444
Alex Ruiz Brewster .453
Henry Flynn West Texas .447
Bill Taylor St Petersburg .436
Bill Warnack Oregon .429
Bob DuBose Arizona .426
TOP HOMERUNS
Carmelo Garcia Chatham 6
Charlie Cline Bourne 5
Ted Rogers Cotuit 5
many tied with 4
TOP RBI'S
Carmelo Garcia Chatham 22
Joe Burrows Chatham 22
Ollie Whritenour Brewster 21
Bob DuBose Arizona 20
Edward Savage Hawaii 20
TOP 5 ERA LEADERS
Gus Todd Oklahoma 0.00
Jake Pope Utah 0.00
Jackie Gomes St Petersburg 0.59
Toby Chaney Northern Cal 0.63
Bill Ward New Mexico 0.73
John Moore Brooklyn 0.75
Caleb Stewart Philadelphia 0.81
Pop Finn Northern Cal 0.90
John Foster Panama City 0.92
Fred Rude Michigan 0.95
TOP 5 WINS
Sam Herrera Austin 4-0
Gil Dolle St Louis 4-1
several tied with 3
STRIKEOUT LEADERS
Jim Bartlett Utah 29
Ducky Munn Chatham 25
August Aldrich Ft Lauderdale 24
Paul Eades Ohio 23
Geronimo Nieto Hyannis 21
Michael Ryan Ft Wayne 20
Andy Olin Harwich 20
Livian Pena Staten Island 20
Cowboy Bonner West Texas 20
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
FRANK ON FIRE FOR AMERICANS
The Boston Bruins are likely regretting their decision to trade 31 year old winger Neil Frank to the New York Americans earlier this season. Frank has moved up to second in the league scoring race after picking up 8 points in 3 games last week. Despite the heroics from the Calgary native, the Americans managed just a win and a tie in their 3 games this week and remain on the outside looking in at a playoff berth.
Frank's week started with a 2 goal, 2 assist effort in a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night. Two nights later he had a pair of assists as the Americans tied the Canadiens 3-3 in Montreal. On Saturday night in Toronto Frank again had 2 assists but it was not enough as the Americans lost 6-5 in an important game against the team they are chasing for the final playoff berth.
The Leafs won two of three games last week to stretch their lead on the Americans and the Chicago Blackhawks to 7 points. In addition to the victory over the Americans the Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 at home on Sunday after starting the week with a 4-2 loss in Montreal to the same Canadiens squad.
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NHL STANDINGS GP W L T PTS
Detroit 49 27 9 13 67
NY Rangers 50 23 15 12 58
Boston 48 23 13 12 58
Toronto 51 21 20 10 52
NY Americans 50 19 24 7 45
Chicago 48 15 18 15 45
Mon Canadiens 50 14 27 9 37
Mon Maroons 50 13 29 8 34
SCORING LEADERS TM GP G A PTS
Ryan Dirk NYR 50 34 22 56
Neil Frank NYA 49 21 34 55
Anthony Manca DET 49 23 27 50
Matt Jambrosich BOS 48 25 22 47
Chris Maxwell TOR 51 12 35 47
Chris Bishop TOR 51 23 23 46
Conner Hendricks DET 49 21 24 45
Tyler Wing NYA 50 18 27 45
Nicolas Frenette NYR 50 12 32 44
Lukas Borik NYR 50 14 28 42
Darren Vaness TOR 51 13 29 42
Jean Fulatte NYR 50 6 36 42
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
The Hershey Bears have been the hottest team in the American Hockey League over the past month and a half, going 16-2-1 since December 10th to move into first place in the league. The Detroit Red Wings farmclub, which last won the Calder Cup in 1931, has relied on the top offense in the league led by Phillippe Morin (17-36-53) and his wingers Angelo Rukkino (24-22-46) and veteran Jim Bohack (24-14-38).
The Bears turnaround really began on October 31st when the parent Red Wings swung a deal to add veteran goaltender Cody Sugarhead from the New York Americans in exchange for winger Daniel Kubista. Kubista did not figure in Detroit's plans but the Americans called him up from the AHL and he had 12 points in 31 NHL games this season. Meanwhile, Sugarhead has posted the best goals against average (3.04) and save percentage (.896) in the AHL since his acquistion and despite missing the first month of the AHL season he is tied for second with 21 victories.
Sugarhead has had an interesting career but has not reached the expectations of him when the CJHL's Flin Flon Bombers selected him 3rd overall in the 1925 junior draft. Two years later the Edmonton native was taken 6th overall by the Boston Bruins in the NHL draft. He missed a year after suffering a devastating knee injury and did not make his AHL debut until the age of 22. Another injury cost him all of the 1931-32 campaign but he returned to Rochester the following season before finally making his NHL debut in 1933-34 with the Bruins.
Later in the 33-34 campaign he was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens and spent two seasons as the Habs starting goaltender before losing his job to the Canadiens young star Max Holden. He played sparingly as the Habs backup for 3 seasons before being dealt to the New York Americans, who assigned him to Buffalo of the AHL for the 1939-40 season. He made the Americans roster as the backup to the legendary Tyler Kennedy this season but appeared in just one game before being moved to the Red Wings organization.
In the images below are the career stats of Sugarhead, a player who never quite lived up to the potential of being a 1st round pick although injury played a factor, and also current Montreal Canadiens netminder Max Holden - a first overall pick who looks destined to have a long and productive career in the NHL.
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AHL STANDINGS
GP W L T PTS
Hershey 50 30 18 2 62
Rochester 50 25 15 10 60
Buffalo 48 25 16 7 57
Providence 49 22 19 8 52
Springfield 48 23 20 5 51
Pittsburgh 50 19 26 5 43
Quebec 51 17 27 7 41
Cleveland 50 10 30 10 30
SCORING LEADERS TEAM GP G A PTS
Andre Tanguay PROV 49 27 30 57
Corey Stewart HER 47 24 33 57
Jacob Vanderhoek ROC 49 21 32 53
Philippe Morin HER 45 17 36 53
Dustin Barrow ROC 49 27 25 52
Steve Amner QUE 51 17 35 52
Jordan Donald PIT 43 12 38 50
Angelo Rukkino HER 40 24 22 46
Chris Petryk SPR 48 17 28 45
Jack Bobek CLE 43 19 25 43