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Jiggs McGee · 01-10-2023, 12:17 PM

MAY 28, 1945

McCORMICK, GALLOWAY RETURNING FROM WAR

All of baseball -well aside from Continental Association fans in Chicago perhaps- is celebrating the news that a pair of star players are returning to the sport. The pennant race in the Continental Association is about to get more interesting with the news the Toronto Wolves first baseman Fred McCormick and centerfielder Fred Galloway of the Cincinnati Cannons are set to return to baseball on June 1st.

Captain McCormick, the big first baseman of the Toronto Wolves last played a big league game in 1941 and will receive his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps allowing him to rejoin his club, which is currently sitting in a first-place tie with the Cougars. On the same day, the Coast Guard will release Petty Officer Third Class Galloway. Galloway has served on the Great Lakes since 1943 and his return should provide a boost to the Cannons, who are in third place but just 1.5 games behind the Wolves & Cougars.

With the victory in Europe, it is expected more FABL players (as well as minor leaguers) will be returning to baseball this summer though some will undoubtedly be retained until the war against Japan is successfully concluded.

Two minor leaguers- pitcher Sid Moulton of the Philadelphia Keystones organization and Chicago Chiefs outfield prospect Dave Krieger will also be discharged and free to return to the sport on June 1. The 21 year old Moulton was a first round pick in 1941 and last pitched in Class C back in 1941. OSA considers Moulton to be a top 50 prospect. The 22 year old Kreiger was selected in the fourth round of the 1940 draft by the Chiefs and played two seasons of class C ball before joining the Army Air Corps. Kreiger is ranked 90th among prospects by the league scouting service.

400 FOR BARRELL

Another milestone for Bobby Barrell as The Georgia Jolter became just the 4th player in FABL history to reach the 400 homerun plateau. The 34 year old hit both 399 and 400 in the same game -the second of yesterday's twin-bill at Broad Street against the St Louis Pioneers- after he hit his 398th earlier in the day. Number 399 came off St Louis starter Jasper Moore to lead off the second inning and open the scoring in the game, which would end 4-1 in the Keystones favour. Barrell grounded out in the third inning but in his second attempt at 400 blasted a Moore offering down the rightfield line to join the exclusive club.

Only Max Morris, Al Wheeler and Barrell's former teammate and mentor Rankin Kellogg have hit 400 or more homeruns. Is 500 out of the question, a something only Morris has reached although Wheeler -with 471- is closing in on?

"Don't tell me when I get close to the next milestone," joked Barrell to reporters when asked that question. "Just tell me after I reach it. It will be easier that way."

On the season Barrell, who won the Federal Association Whitney Award for a third time last year and claimed the triple crown, is batting a robust .400 with 11 homers and 37 rbi's.

IT'S CROWDED AT THE TOP

As the month of May winds down both associations look like there will be plenty of competition all season long and on this day each has a tie at the top spot. In the Federal Association the Philadelphia Keystones made up 6 games in two weeks and after winning 13 of their last 16 games now find themselves tied with the Detroit Dynamos for first place with identical 22-16 records. The Boston Minutemen remain in the mix, just a game back while Pittsburgh -with 5 wins in their last 6 games- are back to .500 on the year and tied with the Washington Eagles for fourth place.

A big 5-1 showing against their two chief rivals has the Chicago Cougars back into what amounts to a first place tie with the Toronto Wolves. The Cougars are 23-16 after taking three of four from the Wolves and then sweeping a doubleheader in Cincinnati yesterday afternoon. Happy to be rid of Chicago, Toronto continued it's doubleheader dominance this season with a sweep of the struggling New York Stars yesterday. The Wolves have swept 5 of the 6 twinbills they have played this season and are now 21-14, good for a percentage point lead on the Cougars atop the CA with 4 games in hand on their midwestern foe. Cincinnati is a game and a half back. The week started well enough for the Cannons, who claimed 3 wins in their 4 games against the visitng Stars but then dropped a pair to Chicago yesterday. Included in those losses was another brutal outing from Butch Smith, dropping last year's Allen Award winners record to 0-7 with a 5.27 era.

Replay in Berlin for Armies of Occupation, One Hint About Guarded Plans
As yet, FABL is not too greatly alarmed over the possibility of seeing the World Championship Series cancelled by request of the Office of Defense Transportation. Of course, everyboy interested in baseball also is keenly interested in the announcement from Col. J. Monroe Johnson, head of ODT, that transportation problems jeopardize all professional sports plans, which includes the diamond classic. But there is a general feeling that, the way the war is going, there is no sense in worrying in May about what may happen, or not happen, in October.

Rather is baseball interested, at this time, in the new order from the War Department stopping the drafting of 4-F's in the big leagues, and ending the discriminations aimed at professional athletes of sorts. The thoughts of perhaps getting some of their big stars back before the end of the season is also front and center on the minds of the FABL bigwigs.

Col. Johnson's statement last week that the World Championship Series may need to be contested entirely in one city due to travel concerns does not jibe very accurately with a recent request from the Navy Department to Samuel Belton, President of FABL, that the World Championship Series teams be kept intact, and in readiness for a trip to Europe in October.

Possibly the World Championship Series will be played in the big Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Who knows? These are strange times. However, chances are that the classic will come off, as advertised, and in this country. But it is sounding like there is at least a decent chance the Series will then be replayed, in an unofficial capacity only, abroad.

A week after suggesting FABL's all-star game, an annual rite of summer since 1933, may have to be postponed due to travel concerns, ODT Director J. Monroe Johnson did an about-face and declared the mid-summer classic could proceed as planned. The game is schedule for July 10 at Cougars Park in Chicago. Johnson, cited a number or recent restrictions to sports due to the immense travel needs of moving military personnel and equipment from Europe and the United States to the Pacific Theater including what he suggested was a "strong possibility" baseball's all-star game would be one of the casualties.

After speaking with FABL President Sam Belton and Washington Eagles owner, retired Admiral William Stockdale, Johnson said he was satisified that the travel demands required for baseball to move players and staff to and from Chicago for the event would be well within acceptable limits.

Johnson did take the occasion of the meeting to remind FABL executives of the "critical" transportation situation, and reaffirmed a desire for the two leagues to curtail travel as much as possible.

TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN

Toronto begins their long homestand by losing 3 of 4 to the Cougars including a heart breaking 14 inning loss, 4-3, Friday night. The Wolves bounced back beating Chicago 7-6 on Saturday then swept a twin bill from the Stars on Sunday. Toronto is now 10-2 on Sundays. Although the pitching, Walls, Laurita in particular, is still causing consternation for both Call, Nichols that has taken the back burner to news received at the week's end.

McCormick Returns screamed the headlines. After just over 4 years since departing Captain Fred McCormick has received his honourable discharge form the US Air Force. Brett is being hailed as a seer or clairvoyant after his recently published article on the post war Wolves. Brett has had discussions with the Wolves staff, he can give the fans this update, with all the travel logistics Fred will first report to Buffalo to give him some time to taking batting practice, fielding reps, just adjust to the routine. He will be in the Nickels lineup Friday -Sunday before returning to Toronto for the Tuesday game against the Cannons. Although a big crowd is expected there will be no special ceremony for McCormick, Brett has learned that McCormick told the Wolves he was just doing his job he deserves no more ceremony or credit than anyone who served in anyway to support the war effort.

CANNONS OPTIMISITC ABOUT POST-WAR FUTURE

A week ago one of the Toronto daily's took at look at what the Wolves will look like next season if they were to get all of their regulars back from the war. Now there is no guarantee that will happen, but recent developments -not just in Europe and the Pacific- but also here at home have made a return to normalcy for baseball in 1946 a very real possibility. So let's follow Brett Bing's lead in Toronto and project what the Cincinnati Cannons of '46 could look like -assuming all is settled in the Pacific and all the ballplaying soldiers and sailors are back on big league diamonds.

In a perfect world, here are your 1946 Cincinnati Cannons:

Catcher: An embarassment of riches with 32 year old 7-time all-star Adam Mullins back in the fold and joining what would be a 38 year old 9-time all-star in Tom Bird on the roster. That leaves little room for another all-star catcher in John Wicklund, who would be 36. Current back-up Ed Sala is out of minor league options and likely will be gone.

First Base: Chuck Adams will be 29 years old and there is no reason to not expect he will still be playing a major role. The question is will it be at first base or in leftfield as Tom Bird will likely need to get some reps at first in order to keep his bat in the lineup.

Second Base: The Cannons will be loaded at second base as Charley McCullough, who was an all-star at the age of 25 in 1941 before enlisting in the Navy after his brother was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, will be back and the likely starter. Charlie Rivera did a nice job as McCullough's replacement in '42 and '43 before he also left for the Navy. Then you also have Charlie Ross as well as veteran Jack Cleaves. Cleaves will be 38 and the Cannons may have a tough time finding a spot for him as McCullough and Rivera appear to be locks for two of the 6-7 infield spots open on the roster.

Shortstop: No change here as Jim Hensley will be 29 years old and is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. Youngster Clifton Smith will have the inside track on the back up slot although Rivera could also fill in if needed. In the system they have 22 year old hometown boy Ted Stacy, who may make his Cannons debut sometime this season and an 18 year old wizard with the glove named Jim Hall who went to the Navy shortly after being selected in the FABL draft last June.

Third Base: Denny Andrews finally established himself as a top level hitter last season and is off to an even better start this time around. He will be 30 years old so the search will be on for a youngster to play the position in the future. The absence of that young player may be enough to allow Jack Cleaves to stay on the roster as he has the ability to play three infield positions and could serve as Andrews' caddy.

Outfield: A real log-jam in the outfield assuming a then-38 year old Al Wheeler will still contribute. If so Wheeler will be in left just as he is this season and Sam Brown will have to fend off Mike T. Taylor to hold on to the rightfield job. If Wheeler stumbles than Chuck Adams moves from first base to replace him and free up a lineup spot for Tom Bird.

Centerfield will go back to Fred Galloway next week as he has just been given his honourable discharge by the Coast Guard. Galloway will be pressed by veteran Gail Gifford for playing time. It seems a certainty that Mel Alvarez and Johnny Potter -who are on this year's squad- will be playing elsewhere next season.

PROJECTED 1946 BATTING ORDER AND AGE NEXT SEASON
1- Fred Galloway (30) CF
2- Denny Andrews (30) 3B
3- Chuck Adams (29) or Tom Bird (38) 1B
4- Adam Mullins (33) C
5- Al Wheeler (38) LF
6- Sam Brown (35) or Mike T Taylor (27) RF
7- Charley McCullough (30) 2B
8- Jim Hensley (29) SS

Pitching
The Cannons starting rotation should be outstanding with Deuce Barrell and Butch Smith again at the top of it but the depth will be much improved as you will see Chris Clarke, Vic Carroll, Bill Sohl and highly touted prospect Bob Arman all likely locks to make the staff and Charlie Griffith, who had a solid rookie season in 1942 before leaving for the war in the mix as well. Then you have a bunch of veterans who may or may not still be around. Names like Sam Sheppard, Tom Barrell, Jim Crawford, Larry Brown, Jake Smith and Dan Adams. That is 13 pitchers already and we have not talked about Glenn Payne -who recently came back from the Army Air Corps- or another youngster who should some promise but has been in the Navy for the past 3 years in 22 year old Troy Crockett.

PROJECTED 1946 STARTING ROTATION (with 1946 age)
1- Deuce Barrell (28)
2- Butch Smith (34)
3- Bob Arman (25)
4- Bill Sohl (27)
5- Vic Carroll (27)
6- Chris Clarke (33)

Obviously this would be a much stronger team than the current edition of the Cannons, but the same can be said for each of the other 15 FABL teams. The Cannons appear to have no holes and if the returnees live up to their pre-war billing it is easy to see Cincinnati remaining very much in the thick of the Continental Association pennant chase.

Bobby Barrell hit home run #400 on Sunday at home against St. Louis. It was his second of the game and third in two games, as he had a big weekend to take home FA Player of the Week honors for the second straight week. Barrell's homers on Sunday were high fly balls that carried despite a wind that was blowing in from center field. His first of the game cleared the right field fence, while #400 snuck out to left field, only traveling 339 feet, but placed perfectly down the line. Both homers were off of RHP Jasper Moore.

Speaking of 400, Barrell's average sits exactly at .400, which is good for second in the Fed behind Al Tucker of St. Louis. Barrell leads the FA in home runs (11), RBI (37), extra-base hits (24), and most of the analytical categories - OPS (1.176), wOBA (.529), bWAR (2.4), OPS+ (232), and wRC+ (236).

*** Frigates Well on Track for Grid Start ***

The AFA champion Philadelphia Frigates -that still has a ring to it, doesn't it- say they are well on pace in preparation for their August start to training camp. Unlike several other teams, the Frigates say they are not having difficulty getting players signed and are eager to try and duplicate their title performance of 1944. The Frigates went 8-1-1 during the regular season before easily downing Detroit 30-14 in the December title game at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial to bring the first-ever professional grid title to this city

*** Don't Expect a Big Rome State-Annapolis Maritime Game ***

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial has hosted some big games in the rivalry between Rome State and Annapolis Maritime and, after a stop in Baltimore last season, many expected the big military academy game would return to Philadelphia this time around. That will not happen now, as part of the ODT crackdown on travel stipulates that no college football club may play a neutral site game this season.

TIME FOR CHANGE IN NEW YORK

With the continuing up and down, or down and up pattern of the Gothams season I asked first year manager Bud Jameson if he planned any changes in an attempt to kickstart a winning streak to push the club into the upper tier of the league. Here are his comments in reply...

"It has been a bit frustrating. It seems when we do hit, the pitching or defense lets us down. Other days we get great pitching and struggle to score. The offense has been the biggest problem, but that is mostly going to be a matter of patience. I expect a couple of the guys, like Leon Drake and Red Johnson, to get hot and there's always the chance we get a boost from players coming home from the military. We have a lot of big bats still in military uniforms.

As for the pitching, with the doubleheaders picking up, and not wanting to overload Lonardo, I'm going to use Alex Laramie for spot starts. I have no complaints about Ed Bowman. He's been a victim of bad luck in a few starts. Harry Carter continues to show his time away had no ill effects on his abilities. Cy (Sullivan) has been a pleasant surprise and may push some of the others. I think Pete Casstevens has been just what I expected behind the plate and his bat has started to pick up.

In the infield we've struggled to get much offense up the middle. It may be time to give Billy Clark a shot from AAA. I see he's really stinging the ball at Toledo. Dan Hallam has really taken the job and run with it at 3B and may still have a spot when the guys come home.

All in all we're just a few under .500. I expect we'll be competing closer to the top before too long."
There you have it. Manager Jameson is staying optimistic about his squad's chances. We'll see how it plays out over the next few months.

Despite six road games against the Wolves and the Cannons, the Cougars rolled off five wins to reclaim a share of the division lead. The offense woke up too, scoring 5 or more runs in all but one contest during the week.

After slumping last week, Cliff Moss went right back to mashing, going 17-for-29 and taking home CA Player of the Week. Moss is now hitting .378 /.428/.662 with a 202 WRC+ in 39 games.

Top prospect George Oddo held his own against a potent Cannons lineup, as a 4-run 6th was the only blemish in his debut. He finished with 7 solid innings, allowing 8 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks, with 2 strikeouts while earning the victory in game one of a double header sweep

*** Wildcats Anticipate Boon's Return ***

Nothing confirmed but seeing several big name ballplayers returning home has given the Chicago Wildcats some hope that Carl Boon may be deemed unnecessary to the war effort and be able to resume his place at the head of the Chicago Wildcats coaching staff. It has been nearly 3 years since Lt. Commander Boon left to rejoin the Navy, an outfit he was a part of in the first World War as well. Assistants Marv Englert and Bill Youngberg filled in admirably in sharing the role, even guiding the Wildcats to an AFA title two seasons ago but they suffered through a tough 5-5 season a year ago.

The Wildcats will have competition for the Chicago football fan and it is looking more and more like that competition will begin in September. We have long known that Percy Sutherland's new pro loop would set up shop here in the Windy City but the start date for the Continental Football Conference had been anticipated as being in 1946. With victory in Europe achieved and millions of soldiers returning home, the smart money is on a kick-off this fall for Percy's new pay-for-play grid league.
*** Field Set For AIAA Preseason Cage Showcase ***

The annual November tournament to get the collegiate cage slate underway known as the Preseason AIAA Chicago Showcase has an impressive field this season. Headlining the group of 4 will be Rainier College. The Majestics are back to make up for a disappointing showing in the event last season when they fell to Golden Gate in the opening game. Rainier College also saw its two year reign as AIAA tournament champion end last March when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the annual title tournament.

Joining the Majestics in the showcase will be Annapolis Maritime, Alabama Baptist and Academia Alliance power Dickson. Each of the four schools won at least twenty games last season. There is not much local representation on any of the 4 teams but Rainier College will have Tommy Abbott, a 6'11" freshman center who starred for Shell Lake High School in Wisconsin last season and is considered one of the top incoming freshmen in the nation.

It was hardly a dominating performance but still a successful big league debut for George Oddo with the Chicago Coguars. The 22 year old former 8th round pick got the win in a 7-5 decision over the Cincinnati Cannons on Sunday, allowing 4 runs including a pair of homers, on 8 hits over 7 innings.
With news that Fred Galloway is being discharged from the Coast Guard this week and will return to the Cannons, does that bode well for players like Lew Seals, Constantine Peters and John Edwards? All are in the Coast Guard and with the U-boat threat gone following the defeat of Germany there is far less urgency needed in patroling our waters. You may just see a number of other long-serving Coast Guard ballplayers back in the near future.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Jiggs McGee takes a look around FABL with a quick look at home some of the newcomers to the league are faring this year.
BOSTON- 23 year old Andy Howell has a 3-1 record with a 4.30 era in 6 starts for the Minutemen. He was taken 11th overall out of a Brooklyn high school in 1940. The Minutemen also have 23 year old catcher Les Hanson (.154,0,1) and 29 year old outfielder Lee Lindsay (.125,0,0) on a big league roster for the first time in their careers.

BROOKLYN- 5 Brooklyn Kings have made their big league debuts this season. The one who has made the most noise is 27 year old outfielder Ben Brazel. The 1939 5th rounder is hitting a robust .420 through his first 20 big league games. One of the oldest rookies we have seen in quite some time is 35 year old Lenny Bellucci. He is a feeder league guy from Liberty College that has bounced around the minors for a decade but is getting his chance with war-depleted rosters. He picked up his first big league save a little over a week ago and is 1-0 with a 3.64 era in 8 relief appearances. 23 year old Pinch Lenhart also made his big league debut in the Kings pen this season. Lenhart is 0-4 with 5 saves and a 2.28 era in 21 appearances as the Kings closer. They also have 1939 first rounder Whitey Dorsch on the big league roster. Dorsch is playing everyday at 3B and hitting .250. Finally we have 31 year old infielder Bill Phelps get his first taste of the big leagues due to the war. Phelps has been around since 1935, when he was selected in the 7th round, and is playing regularly at second base while batting .261

CHIEFS- The Polish Hammer is back in Chicago. Dick Blaszak is still adjusting to big league life with the Chicago Chiefs but did hit a pair of doubles against Boston yesterday for his first two-hit game as a big leaguer. We are still waiting for his first big league homerun but in 9 games Blaszak is hitting .240 and notched his first major league rbi yesterday. The Chiefs are also easing 25 year old pitcher Art Courtney into big league action. Acquired in the 1939 trade that sent Jim Lonardo to the Cougars, who selected him in the 9th round back in 1938, Courtney is 1-1 with a save and a 3.52 era in 8 relief appearances. Long-time minor league catcher Jim Foley has won the starting job behind the plate and is doing his best to make Chiefs fans forget Tom Bird. Foley is hitting .347 with 11 rbi's in 27 games.

COUGARS- It was already mentioned quite a bit in these pages but highly touted prospect George Oddo got a win over Cincinnati in his big league debut yesterday.

CINCINNATI- The Cannons do not have any rookies on their roster at the moment but 29 year old Jesse Woods made his big league mound debut earlier in the season when the Cannons were nursing some injuries. He went 1-1 in 3 relief appearances but had an inconvenient 7.11 era.

CLEVELAND- 25 year old outfielder Tom Erby and 22 year old first baseman Walter Hendrickson have each seen very limited action as Foresters this year. Erby is batting .143 while Hendrickson is hitting .231

DETROIT- Another fine outing for Carl Potter as the 19 year old Detroit Dynamos phenom ran his record to 5-0 and lowered his era to 1.43 with a 13-4 win in Washington last week. Potter pitching 8 innings allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs, but both were unearned. Meanwhile Pete Brown is 3-4 with a 3.25 era. Brown was a 4th round pick last June.

MONTREAL- 22 year old Gordie Perkins is looking like a seasoned veteran, hitting .336 with 15 rbi's and playing some very good defense at shortstop for the Saints. Much less heralded is 28 year old Moe Rowland, a 1938 6th round pick who made his big league debut with a start in Cleveland. The righthander went 8 and 2/3 innings scattering 8 hits in a 9-3 win over the Foresters.

NY STARS- He is back in AAA Los Angeles now but 25 year old catcher Victor Sands played in 4 games for the Stars this season, going hitless in 10 at bats.

NY GOTHAMS- 23 year old catcher Josh Porter, who was acquired from the Stars over the winter, is hitting .162 in 11 games as Pete Casstevens backup. First baseman Jerry Wilson is 25 and hitting .400 in 20 at bats but he better learn a new position if he wants to play regularly. Right now he sits behind Red Johnson.

KEYSTONES- 22 year old John Grimes is doing a nice job replacing Pepper Tuttle in the Keystones rotation. The 1940 7th round pick lost his first 3 big league starts but has since evened his record at 3-3 and lowered his era to a very respectable 2.72

SAILORS- A pair of 28 year olds are making their big league debuts with the Sailors. Outfielder Addie Allman is hitting .457 in 45 at bats while first baseman Pete Frisbie was promoted last week and his first big league at bat was a pinch-hit double to help key a 3-run rally and lift the Sailors to a win over Brooklyn.

PITTSBURGH- The Miners have had four players make their big league debuts so far. 26 year old Johnny Bunce was acquired from the Cougars organization over the winter and is starting regularly at shortstop but struggling at the plate with a .178 average. 23 year old second baseman Bob Childres is hitting .200 thru his first 28 big league games. Childers was a 4th round selection in 1940. Another 1940 selection, 3rd rounder Bob Warner, is seeing action in the outfield and the 23 year old his batting .272. Vern Wilson, a 25 year old outfielder acquired from Cincinnati in the Jack Cleaves deal a couple years back, is back in AAA but did collect his first big league hit in 6 at bats.

ST LOUIS- 27 year old Johnny Kretzschmar is another veteran minor league pitching getting a shot with many of the big names off to war. The 1936 8th round pick has made 4 relief appearances for St Louis with a 5.79 era. 27 year old infielder Paul Nall has been called up from Oakland a couple of times this season and is 1-for-9 as a major leaguer.

TORONTO- 28 year old Cookie Myers is 4-1 with 2 saves and a 2.33 era out of the Toronto bullpen in his first kick at the big league can. He was a 13th round draft pick back in 1934. 28 year old outfielder Red Barrett is hitting .150 in 40 at bats while 25 year old infielder Bud House has seen action in 5 games, batting .143.

WASHINGTON-Outfielder Maurice Carter, who came over from Cincinnati in the Sam Brown deal two years ago, made the club as a backup at age 22. He is struggling at the plate so far, batting just .148 in 27 at bats. Infielder Clarence Clarke looks even more overmatched as the 28 year old 10th rounder from the 1935 draft is batting .053 in 14 games. He did get his first -and so far only- big league hit April 25th off of veteran Boston hurler Ed Wood. Finally, the Eagles are using 29 year old Jim Farrow out of the pen. No decisions yet for the 1937 11th round draft pick but he has a 2.25 era in 9 relief appearances, although all were very short as he totals just 4 innings of big league work so far.

BENTLEY TRYING TO SOLVE NEW YORK-BROOKLYN PROBLEM

The big guy with the broad shoulders put down his pencil, swept a sheaf of papers to one side of his desk and slumped back in his chair with a weary sigh.

"I've got a schedule worked out," the Washington Wasps owner said, with a wry look, "but I'm not satisified with it. It's got to be better."

Homer Bentley has worked harder on that schedule than you have on your income tax, trying to iron out difference between New York and Brooklyn that easily could widen into a serious rift. He's been at it since the last league meeting and his labours have produced not one but four schedules to offer the brethren at their next conference, and still he isn't satisified.

The whole issue stems around where the football Kings can play their games now that Brooklyn's baseball team has kicked them out of Kings County Park. The obvious choice is either Dyckman Stadium or Gothams Field but that doesn't sit well with the New York Football Stars, who don't want the Kings playing in New York the same weekend they have a home contest. There still remains a player issue in Brooklyn so Bentley's efforts might all be for naught anyway if the Kings decide to fold up shop.

In a sense Bentley has been carrying the ball for AFA President Jack Kristich in the Brooklyn-New York problem. It would be no skin off his nose if the league collapsed, because Percy Sutherland would very quickly welcome the Wasps into his new Continental loop. But Bentley has worked like a Trojan t keep the American Association on the upgrade and it's no exaggeration to say he is evolving into a very influencial pro football magnate.

THE CANNON WAS FIRING AS COOPER CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM

Fight fans at Chicago's Lake Side Arena better get used to early nights when Cannon Cooper headlines the card. The 24 year old heavyweight ran his record to 17-0-1 with a first round knockout of Danny Turner Friday night. It was the native of Rockford, IL., best showing since he returned to the pro ring in January after a 3 year stint in the Coast Guard.

This one lasted just over two minutes as Cooper, looking to atone for having to settle for a majority draw in March against Bobby Nelson, went straight to work at the opening bell. Turner, who has been around long enough to know better, made the mistake of thinking he could trade punches with Cooper and very quickly realized he was mistaken. By then it was too late as Cooper landed a hard hook to the head after Turner left himself open, and that sent the veteran Cedar Rapids, Ia. native sprawling to the canvas. Turner tried in vain to gain his footing at the count of 4, but stumbled and was back on his knees, remaining that way as referee Chucky Weeks reached 10.

The American Boxing Federation now considers Cooper to be the top challenger in the heavyweight division and it seems just a matter of time before he gets a shot at Hector Sawyer's title. Perhaps as early as late this year as Sawyer is set to face Pete Sanderson next month in New York and Cooper has expressed a desire to meet the winner of that bout.

Lee Cooper made his pro debut in 1939 as an 18 year old and by 1940 was starting to appear in preliminary bouts on cards in the big venues in cities like Chicago, Detroit and New York. A series of early knockouts with his powerful lefthand earned the southpaw the nickname 'Cannon' and he was 15-0 when he enlisted in the Coast Guard immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

He fought regularly in military exhibitions but said it was hard to remain sharp. Released from the Coast Guard in early January, Cooper immediately returned to the ring and knocked out Carson Barnes to get his career back on track. Next up was his toughest opponent to date, in Birmingham Bobby Nelson. Cooper's rustiness from 3 years away from the ring was exploited by the technically sound veteran Nelson in the March 30th fight. Nelson lacked the punching power but did enough to avoid a damaging blow and managed to earn a draw, giving Cannon the first blemish on his record.

Cooper immediately returned to the gym and last week very much looked like the fighter most predicted he would become prior to the war. He feels he is ready to face Sawyer but in reality many ring experts feel he would likely benefit from another solid test or two before taking on the champ.

WHITE TOPS FORD IN BATTLE OF VETS

It felt like old-timers day in San Jose last Tuesday as 37 year old heavyweight Michael White scored a 10-round decision over Jesse Ford. White, the veteran fighter from Minnesota, improves to 27-10-1 but looked far worse for wear after the bout than his 35 year old opponent. He admits he likely only has a couple of fights left in him before he hangs up the gloves for good.

UPCOMING TITLE FIGHTS
WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE: June 9 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia
Artie Rees (Tadcaster, England) vs Frank Melanson 15 rounds

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: June 23 at Gothams Stadium, New York City.
Hector Sawyer (New Orleans, La.) vs Pete Sanderson

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 5/27/1945

British Prime Minister Churchill resigned this week, and an interim government has been formed until a general election can be held in July. The resignation was considered a formality to clear the way for a general election - Britain's first in 10 years.
Tokyo is described by enemy radio reports as a city laid in ruins by B-29 fire-bomb raids Thursday and Saturday but the 21st Bomber Command, while optimistic, reserved judgement until it had the photographs to prove it.
Extremely heavy rains restricted 10th Army action all along the Southern Okinawa front on the weekend. Admiral Chester W. Nimitiz also issued a report that 166 Japanese planes were downed in the enemy's suicidal attack on American shipping and airfields Thursday night and Friday.
The Navy honoured 96 heroes aboard the bomb-scarred, fire ravaged aircraft carrier Franklin in what was the greatest mass decoration in the nation's naval history. "Big Ben" was badly damaged and feared lost by a Japanese attack in March with the loss of over 800 crew members after a lone Japanese plane managed to get through it's defense and dropped a bomb that ignited the ammunitions on board, setting off a mass chain of explosions and fire.
The US has halted the drafting of men aged 30 or older.
President Truman visited San Francisco this week to address the final plenary session of the United Nations Security Conference.
The Truman administration won its first major battle in Congress Saturday when the House passed the new Reciprocal Trade Agreement Bill, authorizing lower tariffs to promote foreign commerce in the postwar era. The bill now goes to the Senate.

01-10-2023, 12:17 PM	#608
Jiggs McGee All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 677	May 28, 1945 MAY 28, 1945 McCORMICK, GALLOWAY RETURNING FROM WAR All of baseball -well aside from Continental Association fans in Chicago perhaps- is celebrating the news that a pair of star players are returning to the sport. The pennant race in the Continental Association is about to get more interesting with the news the Toronto Wolves first baseman Fred McCormick and centerfielder Fred Galloway of the Cincinnati Cannons are set to return to baseball on June 1st. Captain McCormick, the big first baseman of the Toronto Wolves last played a big league game in 1941 and will receive his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps allowing him to rejoin his club, which is currently sitting in a first-place tie with the Cougars. On the same day, the Coast Guard will release Petty Officer Third Class Galloway. Galloway has served on the Great Lakes since 1943 and his return should provide a boost to the Cannons, who are in third place but just 1.5 games behind the Wolves & Cougars. With the victory in Europe, it is expected more FABL players (as well as minor leaguers) will be returning to baseball this summer though some will undoubtedly be retained until the war against Japan is successfully concluded. Two minor leaguers- pitcher Sid Moulton of the Philadelphia Keystones organization and Chicago Chiefs outfield prospect Dave Krieger will also be discharged and free to return to the sport on June 1. The 21 year old Moulton was a first round pick in 1941 and last pitched in Class C back in 1941. OSA considers Moulton to be a top 50 prospect. The 22 year old Kreiger was selected in the fourth round of the 1940 draft by the Chiefs and played two seasons of class C ball before joining the Army Air Corps. Kreiger is ranked 90th among prospects by the league scouting service. 400 FOR BARRELL Another milestone for Bobby Barrell as The Georgia Jolter became just the 4th player in FABL history to reach the 400 homerun plateau. The 34 year old hit both 399 and 400 in the same game -the second of yesterday's twin-bill at Broad Street against the St Louis Pioneers- after he hit his 398th earlier in the day. Number 399 came off St Louis starter Jasper Moore to lead off the second inning and open the scoring in the game, which would end 4-1 in the Keystones favour. Barrell grounded out in the third inning but in his second attempt at 400 blasted a Moore offering down the rightfield line to join the exclusive club. Only Max Morris, Al Wheeler and Barrell's former teammate and mentor Rankin Kellogg have hit 400 or more homeruns. Is 500 out of the question, a something only Morris has reached although Wheeler -with 471- is closing in on? "Don't tell me when I get close to the next milestone," joked Barrell to reporters when asked that question. "Just tell me after I reach it. It will be easier that way." On the season Barrell, who won the Federal Association Whitney Award for a third time last year and claimed the triple crown, is batting a robust .400 with 11 homers and 37 rbi's. IT'S CROWDED AT THE TOP As the month of May winds down both associations look like there will be plenty of competition all season long and on this day each has a tie at the top spot. In the Federal Association the Philadelphia Keystones made up 6 games in two weeks and after winning 13 of their last 16 games now find themselves tied with the Detroit Dynamos for first place with identical 22-16 records. The Boston Minutemen remain in the mix, just a game back while Pittsburgh -with 5 wins in their last 6 games- are back to .500 on the year and tied with the Washington Eagles for fourth place. A big 5-1 showing against their two chief rivals has the Chicago Cougars back into what amounts to a first place tie with the Toronto Wolves. The Cougars are 23-16 after taking three of four from the Wolves and then sweeping a doubleheader in Cincinnati yesterday afternoon. Happy to be rid of Chicago, Toronto continued it's doubleheader dominance this season with a sweep of the struggling New York Stars yesterday. The Wolves have swept 5 of the 6 twinbills they have played this season and are now 21-14, good for a percentage point lead on the Cougars atop the CA with 4 games in hand on their midwestern foe. Cincinnati is a game and a half back. The week started well enough for the Cannons, who claimed 3 wins in their 4 games against the visitng Stars but then dropped a pair to Chicago yesterday. Included in those losses was another brutal outing from Butch Smith, dropping last year's Allen Award winners record to 0-7 with a 5.27 era. Replay in Berlin for Armies of Occupation, One Hint About Guarded Plans As yet, FABL is not too greatly alarmed over the possibility of seeing the World Championship Series cancelled by request of the Office of Defense Transportation. Of course, everyboy interested in baseball also is keenly interested in the announcement from Col. J. Monroe Johnson, head of ODT, that transportation problems jeopardize all professional sports plans, which includes the diamond classic. But there is a general feeling that, the way the war is going, there is no sense in worrying in May about what may happen, or not happen, in October. Rather is baseball interested, at this time, in the new order from the War Department stopping the drafting of 4-F's in the big leagues, and ending the discriminations aimed at professional athletes of sorts. The thoughts of perhaps getting some of their big stars back before the end of the season is also front and center on the minds of the FABL bigwigs. Col. Johnson's statement last week that the World Championship Series may need to be contested entirely in one city due to travel concerns does not jibe very accurately with a recent request from the Navy Department to Samuel Belton, President of FABL, that the World Championship Series teams be kept intact, and in readiness for a trip to Europe in October. Possibly the World Championship Series will be played in the big Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Who knows? These are strange times. However, chances are that the classic will come off, as advertised, and in this country. But it is sounding like there is at least a decent chance the Series will then be replayed, in an unofficial capacity only, abroad. A week after suggesting FABL's all-star game, an annual rite of summer since 1933, may have to be postponed due to travel concerns, ODT Director J. Monroe Johnson did an about-face and declared the mid-summer classic could proceed as planned. The game is schedule for July 10 at Cougars Park in Chicago. Johnson, cited a number or recent restrictions to sports due to the immense travel needs of moving military personnel and equipment from Europe and the United States to the Pacific Theater including what he suggested was a "strong possibility" baseball's all-star game would be one of the casualties. After speaking with FABL President Sam Belton and Washington Eagles owner, retired Admiral William Stockdale, Johnson said he was satisified that the travel demands required for baseball to move players and staff to and from Chicago for the event would be well within acceptable limits. Johnson did take the occasion of the meeting to remind FABL executives of the "critical" transportation situation, and reaffirmed a desire for the two leagues to curtail travel as much as possible. TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN Toronto begins their long homestand by losing 3 of 4 to the Cougars including a heart breaking 14 inning loss, 4-3, Friday night. The Wolves bounced back beating Chicago 7-6 on Saturday then swept a twin bill from the Stars on Sunday. Toronto is now 10-2 on Sundays. Although the pitching, Walls, Laurita in particular, is still causing consternation for both Call, Nichols that has taken the back burner to news received at the week's end. McCormick Returns screamed the headlines. After just over 4 years since departing Captain Fred McCormick has received his honourable discharge form the US Air Force. Brett is being hailed as a seer or clairvoyant after his recently published article on the post war Wolves. Brett has had discussions with the Wolves staff, he can give the fans this update, with all the travel logistics Fred will first report to Buffalo to give him some time to taking batting practice, fielding reps, just adjust to the routine. He will be in the Nickels lineup Friday -Sunday before returning to Toronto for the Tuesday game against the Cannons. Although a big crowd is expected there will be no special ceremony for McCormick, Brett has learned that McCormick told the Wolves he was just doing his job he deserves no more ceremony or credit than anyone who served in anyway to support the war effort. CANNONS OPTIMISITC ABOUT POST-WAR FUTURE A week ago one of the Toronto daily's took at look at what the Wolves will look like next season if they were to get all of their regulars back from the war. Now there is no guarantee that will happen, but recent developments -not just in Europe and the Pacific- but also here at home have made a return to normalcy for baseball in 1946 a very real possibility. So let's follow Brett Bing's lead in Toronto and project what the Cincinnati Cannons of '46 could look like -assuming all is settled in the Pacific and all the ballplaying soldiers and sailors are back on big league diamonds. In a perfect world, here are your 1946 Cincinnati Cannons: Catcher: An embarassment of riches with 32 year old 7-time all-star Adam Mullins back in the fold and joining what would be a 38 year old 9-time all-star in Tom Bird on the roster. That leaves little room for another all-star catcher in John Wicklund, who would be 36. Current back-up Ed Sala is out of minor league options and likely will be gone. First Base: Chuck Adams will be 29 years old and there is no reason to not expect he will still be playing a major role. The question is will it be at first base or in leftfield as Tom Bird will likely need to get some reps at first in order to keep his bat in the lineup. Second Base: The Cannons will be loaded at second base as Charley McCullough, who was an all-star at the age of 25 in 1941 before enlisting in the Navy after his brother was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, will be back and the likely starter. Charlie Rivera did a nice job as McCullough's replacement in '42 and '43 before he also left for the Navy. Then you also have Charlie Ross as well as veteran Jack Cleaves. Cleaves will be 38 and the Cannons may have a tough time finding a spot for him as McCullough and Rivera appear to be locks for two of the 6-7 infield spots open on the roster. Shortstop: No change here as Jim Hensley will be 29 years old and is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. Youngster Clifton Smith will have the inside track on the back up slot although Rivera could also fill in if needed. In the system they have 22 year old hometown boy Ted Stacy, who may make his Cannons debut sometime this season and an 18 year old wizard with the glove named Jim Hall who went to the Navy shortly after being selected in the FABL draft last June. Third Base: Denny Andrews finally established himself as a top level hitter last season and is off to an even better start this time around. He will be 30 years old so the search will be on for a youngster to play the position in the future. The absence of that young player may be enough to allow Jack Cleaves to stay on the roster as he has the ability to play three infield positions and could serve as Andrews' caddy. Outfield: A real log-jam in the outfield assuming a then-38 year old Al Wheeler will still contribute. If so Wheeler will be in left just as he is this season and Sam Brown will have to fend off Mike T. Taylor to hold on to the rightfield job. If Wheeler stumbles than Chuck Adams moves from first base to replace him and free up a lineup spot for Tom Bird. Centerfield will go back to Fred Galloway next week as he has just been given his honourable discharge by the Coast Guard. Galloway will be pressed by veteran Gail Gifford for playing time. It seems a certainty that Mel Alvarez and Johnny Potter -who are on this year's squad- will be playing elsewhere next season. PROJECTED 1946 BATTING ORDER AND AGE NEXT SEASON 1- Fred Galloway (30) CF 2- Denny Andrews (30) 3B 3- Chuck Adams (29) or Tom Bird (38) 1B 4- Adam Mullins (33) C 5- Al Wheeler (38) LF 6- Sam Brown (35) or Mike T Taylor (27) RF 7- Charley McCullough (30) 2B 8- Jim Hensley (29) SS Pitching The Cannons starting rotation should be outstanding with Deuce Barrell and Butch Smith again at the top of it but the depth will be much improved as you will see Chris Clarke, Vic Carroll, Bill Sohl and highly touted prospect Bob Arman all likely locks to make the staff and Charlie Griffith, who had a solid rookie season in 1942 before leaving for the war in the mix as well. Then you have a bunch of veterans who may or may not still be around. Names like Sam Sheppard, Tom Barrell, Jim Crawford, Larry Brown, Jake Smith and Dan Adams. That is 13 pitchers already and we have not talked about Glenn Payne -who recently came back from the Army Air Corps- or another youngster who should some promise but has been in the Navy for the past 3 years in 22 year old Troy Crockett. PROJECTED 1946 STARTING ROTATION (with 1946 age) 1- Deuce Barrell (28) 2- Butch Smith (34) 3- Bob Arman (25) 4- Bill Sohl (27) 5- Vic Carroll (27) 6- Chris Clarke (33) Obviously this would be a much stronger team than the current edition of the Cannons, but the same can be said for each of the other 15 FABL teams. The Cannons appear to have no holes and if the returnees live up to their pre-war billing it is easy to see Cincinnati remaining very much in the thick of the Continental Association pennant chase. Bobby Barrell hit home run #400 on Sunday at home against St. Louis. It was his second of the game and third in two games, as he had a big weekend to take home FA Player of the Week honors for the second straight week. Barrell's homers on Sunday were high fly balls that carried despite a wind that was blowing in from center field. His first of the game cleared the right field fence, while #400 snuck out to left field, only traveling 339 feet, but placed perfectly down the line. Both homers were off of RHP Jasper Moore. Speaking of 400, Barrell's average sits exactly at .400, which is good for second in the Fed behind Al Tucker of St. Louis. Barrell leads the FA in home runs (11), RBI (37), extra-base hits (24), and most of the analytical categories - OPS (1.176), wOBA (.529), bWAR (2.4), OPS+ (232), and wRC+ (236). * Frigates Well on Track for Grid Start * The AFA champion Philadelphia Frigates -that still has a ring to it, doesn't it- say they are well on pace in preparation for their August start to training camp. Unlike several other teams, the Frigates say they are not having difficulty getting players signed and are eager to try and duplicate their title performance of 1944. The Frigates went 8-1-1 during the regular season before easily downing Detroit 30-14 in the December title game at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial to bring the first-ever professional grid title to this city * Don't Expect a Big Rome State-Annapolis Maritime Game * Soldiers and Sailors Memorial has hosted some big games in the rivalry between Rome State and Annapolis Maritime and, after a stop in Baltimore last season, many expected the big military academy game would return to Philadelphia this time around. That will not happen now, as part of the ODT crackdown on travel stipulates that no college football club may play a neutral site game this season. TIME FOR CHANGE IN NEW YORK With the continuing up and down, or down and up pattern of the Gothams season I asked first year manager Bud Jameson if he planned any changes in an attempt to kickstart a winning streak to push the club into the upper tier of the league. Here are his comments in reply... "It has been a bit frustrating. It seems when we do hit, the pitching or defense lets us down. Other days we get great pitching and struggle to score. The offense has been the biggest problem, but that is mostly going to be a matter of patience. I expect a couple of the guys, like Leon Drake and Red Johnson, to get hot and there's always the chance we get a boost from players coming home from the military. We have a lot of big bats still in military uniforms. As for the pitching, with the doubleheaders picking up, and not wanting to overload Lonardo, I'm going to use Alex Laramie for spot starts. I have no complaints about Ed Bowman. He's been a victim of bad luck in a few starts. Harry Carter continues to show his time away had no ill effects on his abilities. Cy (Sullivan) has been a pleasant surprise and may push some of the others. I think Pete Casstevens has been just what I expected behind the plate and his bat has started to pick up. In the infield we've struggled to get much offense up the middle. It may be time to give Billy Clark a shot from AAA. I see he's really stinging the ball at Toledo. Dan Hallam has really taken the job and run with it at 3B and may still have a spot when the guys come home. All in all we're just a few under .500. I expect we'll be competing closer to the top before too long." There you have it. Manager Jameson is staying optimistic about his squad's chances. We'll see how it plays out over the next few months. Despite six road games against the Wolves and the Cannons, the Cougars rolled off five wins to reclaim a share of the division lead. The offense woke up too, scoring 5 or more runs in all but one contest during the week. After slumping last week, Cliff Moss went right back to mashing, going 17-for-29 and taking home CA Player of the Week. Moss is now hitting .378 /.428/.662 with a 202 WRC+ in 39 games. Top prospect George Oddo held his own against a potent Cannons lineup, as a 4-run 6th was the only blemish in his debut. He finished with 7 solid innings, allowing 8 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks, with 2 strikeouts while earning the victory in game one of a double header sweep * Wildcats Anticipate Boon's Return * Nothing confirmed but seeing several big name ballplayers returning home has given the Chicago Wildcats some hope that Carl Boon may be deemed unnecessary to the war effort and be able to resume his place at the head of the Chicago Wildcats coaching staff. It has been nearly 3 years since Lt. Commander Boon left to rejoin the Navy, an outfit he was a part of in the first World War as well. Assistants Marv Englert and Bill Youngberg filled in admirably in sharing the role, even guiding the Wildcats to an AFA title two seasons ago but they suffered through a tough 5-5 season a year ago. The Wildcats will have competition for the Chicago football fan and it is looking more and more like that competition will begin in September. We have long known that Percy Sutherland's new pro loop would set up shop here in the Windy City but the start date for the Continental Football Conference had been anticipated as being in 1946. With victory in Europe achieved and millions of soldiers returning home, the smart money is on a kick-off this fall for Percy's new pay-for-play grid league. * Field Set For AIAA Preseason Cage Showcase * The annual November tournament to get the collegiate cage slate underway known as the Preseason AIAA Chicago Showcase has an impressive field this season. Headlining the group of 4 will be Rainier College. The Majestics are back to make up for a disappointing showing in the event last season when they fell to Golden Gate in the opening game. Rainier College also saw its two year reign as AIAA tournament champion end last March when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the annual title tournament. Joining the Majestics in the showcase will be Annapolis Maritime, Alabama Baptist and Academia Alliance power Dickson. Each of the four schools won at least twenty games last season. There is not much local representation on any of the 4 teams but Rainier College will have Tommy Abbott, a 6'11" freshman center who starred for Shell Lake High School in Wisconsin last season and is considered one of the top incoming freshmen in the nation. It was hardly a dominating performance but still a successful big league debut for George Oddo with the Chicago Coguars. The 22 year old former 8th round pick got the win in a 7-5 decision over the Cincinnati Cannons on Sunday, allowing 4 runs including a pair of homers, on 8 hits over 7 innings. With news that Fred Galloway is being discharged from the Coast Guard this week and will return to the Cannons, does that bode well for players like Lew Seals, Constantine Peters and John Edwards? All are in the Coast Guard and with the U-boat threat gone following the defeat of Germany there is far less urgency needed in patroling our waters. You may just see a number of other long-serving Coast Guard ballplayers back in the near future. AROUND THE LEAGUE Jiggs McGee takes a look around FABL with a quick look at home some of the newcomers to the league are faring this year. BOSTON- 23 year old Andy Howell has a 3-1 record with a 4.30 era in 6 starts for the Minutemen. He was taken 11th overall out of a Brooklyn high school in 1940. The Minutemen also have 23 year old catcher Les Hanson (.154,0,1) and 29 year old outfielder Lee Lindsay (.125,0,0) on a big league roster for the first time in their careers. BROOKLYN- 5 Brooklyn Kings have made their big league debuts this season. The one who has made the most noise is 27 year old outfielder Ben Brazel. The 1939 5th rounder is hitting a robust .420 through his first 20 big league games. One of the oldest rookies we have seen in quite some time is 35 year old Lenny Bellucci. He is a feeder league guy from Liberty College that has bounced around the minors for a decade but is getting his chance with war-depleted rosters. He picked up his first big league save a little over a week ago and is 1-0 with a 3.64 era in 8 relief appearances. 23 year old Pinch Lenhart also made his big league debut in the Kings pen this season. Lenhart is 0-4 with 5 saves and a 2.28 era in 21 appearances as the Kings closer. They also have 1939 first rounder Whitey Dorsch on the big league roster. Dorsch is playing everyday at 3B and hitting .250. Finally we have 31 year old infielder Bill Phelps get his first taste of the big leagues due to the war. Phelps has been around since 1935, when he was selected in the 7th round, and is playing regularly at second base while batting .261 CHIEFS- The Polish Hammer is back in Chicago. Dick Blaszak is still adjusting to big league life with the Chicago Chiefs but did hit a pair of doubles against Boston yesterday for his first two-hit game as a big leaguer. We are still waiting for his first big league homerun but in 9 games Blaszak is hitting .240 and notched his first major league rbi yesterday. The Chiefs are also easing 25 year old pitcher Art Courtney into big league action. Acquired in the 1939 trade that sent Jim Lonardo to the Cougars, who selected him in the 9th round back in 1938, Courtney is 1-1 with a save and a 3.52 era in 8 relief appearances. Long-time minor league catcher Jim Foley has won the starting job behind the plate and is doing his best to make Chiefs fans forget Tom Bird. Foley is hitting .347 with 11 rbi's in 27 games. COUGARS- It was already mentioned quite a bit in these pages but highly touted prospect George Oddo got a win over Cincinnati in his big league debut yesterday. CINCINNATI- The Cannons do not have any rookies on their roster at the moment but 29 year old Jesse Woods made his big league mound debut earlier in the season when the Cannons were nursing some injuries. He went 1-1 in 3 relief appearances but had an inconvenient 7.11 era. CLEVELAND- 25 year old outfielder Tom Erby and 22 year old first baseman Walter Hendrickson have each seen very limited action as Foresters this year. Erby is batting .143 while Hendrickson is hitting .231 DETROIT- Another fine outing for Carl Potter as the 19 year old Detroit Dynamos phenom ran his record to 5-0 and lowered his era to 1.43 with a 13-4 win in Washington last week. Potter pitching 8 innings allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs, but both were unearned. Meanwhile Pete Brown is 3-4 with a 3.25 era. Brown was a 4th round pick last June. MONTREAL- 22 year old Gordie Perkins is looking like a seasoned veteran, hitting .336 with 15 rbi's and playing some very good defense at shortstop for the Saints. Much less heralded is 28 year old Moe Rowland, a 1938 6th round pick who made his big league debut with a start in Cleveland. The righthander went 8 and 2/3 innings scattering 8 hits in a 9-3 win over the Foresters. NY STARS- He is back in AAA Los Angeles now but 25 year old catcher Victor Sands played in 4 games for the Stars this season, going hitless in 10 at bats. NY GOTHAMS- 23 year old catcher Josh Porter, who was acquired from the Stars over the winter, is hitting .162 in 11 games as Pete Casstevens backup. First baseman Jerry Wilson is 25 and hitting .400 in 20 at bats but he better learn a new position if he wants to play regularly. Right now he sits behind Red Johnson. KEYSTONES- 22 year old John Grimes is doing a nice job replacing Pepper Tuttle in the Keystones rotation. The 1940 7th round pick lost his first 3 big league starts but has since evened his record at 3-3 and lowered his era to a very respectable 2.72 SAILORS- A pair of 28 year olds are making their big league debuts with the Sailors. Outfielder Addie Allman is hitting .457 in 45 at bats while first baseman Pete Frisbie was promoted last week and his first big league at bat was a pinch-hit double to help key a 3-run rally and lift the Sailors to a win over Brooklyn. PITTSBURGH- The Miners have had four players make their big league debuts so far. 26 year old Johnny Bunce was acquired from the Cougars organization over the winter and is starting regularly at shortstop but struggling at the plate with a .178 average. 23 year old second baseman Bob Childres is hitting .200 thru his first 28 big league games. Childers was a 4th round selection in 1940. Another 1940 selection, 3rd rounder Bob Warner, is seeing action in the outfield and the 23 year old his batting .272. Vern Wilson, a 25 year old outfielder acquired from Cincinnati in the Jack Cleaves deal a couple years back, is back in AAA but did collect his first big league hit in 6 at bats. ST LOUIS- 27 year old Johnny Kretzschmar is another veteran minor league pitching getting a shot with many of the big names off to war. The 1936 8th round pick has made 4 relief appearances for St Louis with a 5.79 era. 27 year old infielder Paul Nall has been called up from Oakland a couple of times this season and is 1-for-9 as a major leaguer. TORONTO- 28 year old Cookie Myers is 4-1 with 2 saves and a 2.33 era out of the Toronto bullpen in his first kick at the big league can. He was a 13th round draft pick back in 1934. 28 year old outfielder Red Barrett is hitting .150 in 40 at bats while 25 year old infielder Bud House has seen action in 5 games, batting .143. WASHINGTON-Outfielder Maurice Carter, who came over from Cincinnati in the Sam Brown deal two years ago, made the club as a backup at age 22. He is struggling at the plate so far, batting just .148 in 27 at bats. Infielder Clarence Clarke looks even more overmatched as the 28 year old 10th rounder from the 1935 draft is batting .053 in 14 games. He did get his first -and so far only- big league hit April 25th off of veteran Boston hurler Ed Wood. Finally, the Eagles are using 29 year old Jim Farrow out of the pen. No decisions yet for the 1937 11th round draft pick but he has a 2.25 era in 9 relief appearances, although all were very short as he totals just 4 innings of big league work so far. BENTLEY TRYING TO SOLVE NEW YORK-BROOKLYN PROBLEM The big guy with the broad shoulders put down his pencil, swept a sheaf of papers to one side of his desk and slumped back in his chair with a weary sigh. "I've got a schedule worked out," the Washington Wasps owner said, with a wry look, "but I'm not satisified with it. It's got to be better." Homer Bentley has worked harder on that schedule than you have on your income tax, trying to iron out difference between New York and Brooklyn that easily could widen into a serious rift. He's been at it since the last league meeting and his labours have produced not one but four schedules to offer the brethren at their next conference, and still he isn't satisified. The whole issue stems around where the football Kings can play their games now that Brooklyn's baseball team has kicked them out of Kings County Park. The obvious choice is either Dyckman Stadium or Gothams Field but that doesn't sit well with the New York Football Stars, who don't want the Kings playing in New York the same weekend they have a home contest. There still remains a player issue in Brooklyn so Bentley's efforts might all be for naught anyway if the Kings decide to fold up shop. In a sense Bentley has been carrying the ball for AFA President Jack Kristich in the Brooklyn-New York problem. It would be no skin off his nose if the league collapsed, because Percy Sutherland would very quickly welcome the Wasps into his new Continental loop. But Bentley has worked like a Trojan t keep the American Association on the upgrade and it's no exaggeration to say he is evolving into a very influencial pro football magnate. THE CANNON WAS FIRING AS COOPER CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM Fight fans at Chicago's Lake Side Arena better get used to early nights when Cannon Cooper headlines the card. The 24 year old heavyweight ran his record to 17-0-1 with a first round knockout of Danny Turner Friday night. It was the native of Rockford, IL., best showing since he returned to the pro ring in January after a 3 year stint in the Coast Guard. This one lasted just over two minutes as Cooper, looking to atone for having to settle for a majority draw in March against Bobby Nelson, went straight to work at the opening bell. Turner, who has been around long enough to know better, made the mistake of thinking he could trade punches with Cooper and very quickly realized he was mistaken. By then it was too late as Cooper landed a hard hook to the head after Turner left himself open, and that sent the veteran Cedar Rapids, Ia. native sprawling to the canvas. Turner tried in vain to gain his footing at the count of 4, but stumbled and was back on his knees, remaining that way as referee Chucky Weeks reached 10. The American Boxing Federation now considers Cooper to be the top challenger in the heavyweight division and it seems just a matter of time before he gets a shot at Hector Sawyer's title. Perhaps as early as late this year as Sawyer is set to face Pete Sanderson next month in New York and Cooper has expressed a desire to meet the winner of that bout. Lee Cooper made his pro debut in 1939 as an 18 year old and by 1940 was starting to appear in preliminary bouts on cards in the big venues in cities like Chicago, Detroit and New York. A series of early knockouts with his powerful lefthand earned the southpaw the nickname 'Cannon' and he was 15-0 when he enlisted in the Coast Guard immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought regularly in military exhibitions but said it was hard to remain sharp. Released from the Coast Guard in early January, Cooper immediately returned to the ring and knocked out Carson Barnes to get his career back on track. Next up was his toughest opponent to date, in Birmingham Bobby Nelson. Cooper's rustiness from 3 years away from the ring was exploited by the technically sound veteran Nelson in the March 30th fight. Nelson lacked the punching power but did enough to avoid a damaging blow and managed to earn a draw, giving Cannon the first blemish on his record. Cooper immediately returned to the gym and last week very much looked like the fighter most predicted he would become prior to the war. He feels he is ready to face Sawyer but in reality many ring experts feel he would likely benefit from another solid test or two before taking on the champ. WHITE TOPS FORD IN BATTLE OF VETS It felt like old-timers day in San Jose last Tuesday as 37 year old heavyweight Michael White scored a 10-round decision over Jesse Ford. White, the veteran fighter from Minnesota, improves to 27-10-1 but looked far worse for wear after the bout than his 35 year old opponent. He admits he likely only has a couple of fights left in him before he hangs up the gloves for good. UPCOMING TITLE FIGHTS WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE: June 9 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia Artie Rees (Tadcaster, England) vs Frank Melanson 15 rounds WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: June 23 at Gothams Stadium, New York City. Hector Sawyer (New Orleans, La.) vs Pete Sanderson The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 5/27/1945 British Prime Minister Churchill resigned this week, and an interim government has been formed until a general election can be held in July. The resignation was considered a formality to clear the way for a general election - Britain's first in 10 years. Tokyo is described by enemy radio reports as a city laid in ruins by B-29 fire-bomb raids Thursday and Saturday but the 21st Bomber Command, while optimistic, reserved judgement until it had the photographs to prove it. Extremely heavy rains restricted 10th Army action all along the Southern Okinawa front on the weekend. Admiral Chester W. Nimitiz also issued a report that 166 Japanese planes were downed in the enemy's suicidal attack on American shipping and airfields Thursday night and Friday. The Navy honoured 96 heroes aboard the bomb-scarred, fire ravaged aircraft carrier Franklin in what was the greatest mass decoration in the nation's naval history. "Big Ben" was badly damaged and feared lost by a Japanese attack in March with the loss of over 800 crew members after a lone Japanese plane managed to get through it's defense and dropped a bomb that ignited the ammunitions on board, setting off a mass chain of explosions and fire. The US has halted the drafting of men aged 30 or older. President Truman visited San Francisco this week to address the final plenary session of the United Nations Security Conference. The Truman administration won its first major battle in Congress Saturday when the House passed the new Reciprocal Trade Agreement Bill, authorizing lower tariffs to promote foreign commerce in the postwar era. The bill now goes to the Senate. __________________ Lead Columnist of The Figment Sporting Journal The Scripture of Sports Last edited by Jiggs McGee; 01-10-2023 at 12:19 PM.