[Tiger Fan]

OCTOBER 1, 1945

REMATCH!

CANNONS AND KEYSTONES SET FOR FIRST REPEAT SERIES SINCE '35

For just the second time since the early days of the First World War and the first time since 1934-35 the World Championship Series will feature a rematch of the previous season's Fall Classic. The Cincinnati Cannons and Philadelphia Keystones both successfully completed the difficult task of repeating as pennant winners and will meet in the WCS beginning Wednesday at Philadelphia's Broad Street Park. The last time the WCS had the same two combatants was 1934-35 when the New York Gothams and Cleveland Foresters each claimed a title. Prior to that you need to go all the way back to 1913-14 when the Baltimore Clippers -who are now the Cincinnati Cannons- faced the Washington Eagles.

The Cannons Continental Association conquest -their third straight pennant- ended up being by 4 games over the Toronto Wolves but you could not ask for much more from a pennant clinching game on Wednesday afternoon -and well into the evening as it turned out- in Cincinnati. The Cannons had needed a walk-off rbi single for Gail Gifford in the bottom of the 9th to beat the Wolves 3-2 the previous day. That extended Cincinnati's lead to 4-games and with 4 remaining for each side on the season it eliminated all of Toronto's margin for error. The clinching game was one for the ages as the Cannons and Wolves would battle through a scoreless game for 20 innings. Finally, in the top of the 21st inning with the contest closing in on the 6 hour mark, Wolves catcher Clarence Howerton doubled in Ed Hamor with the game's opening run. It did not stand up as the Cannons would clinch thanks to an rbi double from Jack Cleaves and then, out of pinch-hitters, Cannons pitcher George DeForest ended the game with rbi single...certainly the biggest hit of DeForest's career. To further tax the Cannons bullpen they would play an 18 inning game in Cleveland the following day -and win that one 7-4.

The Keystones celebrated their second straight pennant without having to take the field. The quirky war-time schedule left the Philadelphia nine with a 5-day break before a season ending 2-game series with Boston on the weekend. Meanwhile Detroit, with no room left for mistakes, had 6 games left and needed to win all six -plus have help from the Minutemen- just to force a tie. The Detroit dream died on the same day the Cannons clinched the CA, falling 9-5 to the Gothams in New York which doomed the Dynamos to being not quite good enough in the Fed once again. Since their last pennant in 1929 the Dynamos have finished second or third 10 times. The other six they were distant 7th or 8th.

*** Cannons Eye Third Straight WCS Win ***

The World Championship Series will begin Wednesday in Philadelphia and be a rematch of the thrilling 7-game set staged by the two sides a year ago. Not a lot has changed on either roster from last season although each did get a key piece back from the war in the past few months: second baseman Billy Woytek for the Keystones and outfielder Fred Galloway for the Cannons. Each also lost a key piece or two as well as the Keystones surrendered Pepper Tuttle to the war effort and the Cannons will be missing Chris Clarke and Bob Griffiths after each joined the service. Griffiths, interestingly enough, had his rights traded from Cincinnati to the Keystones over the winter.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW: HOW THEY COMPARE

Looking at the stats below one would think things would weigh pretty heavily in favour of the Cincinnati Cannons. The two teams were about even in allowing runs with just a slight edge for the Keystones. However the offense looks like a mismatch with the Cannons deep lineup plating 130 more runs, or close to a run a game more than the Keystones produced. A position-by-position break down also seems to heavily favour the Cannons, who have sizable advantages behind the plate, at first base, shortstop and in right and center field. Second base also looks very one-sided by that might be a bit deceiving as Billy Woytek just recently returned from the war and is still a very talented ballplayer despite his struggles the past month. Third base might rate out a little closer to even and it is interesting that Frank Covarrubias and Denny Andrews used to be battling it out for the starting third base job with the Cannons.

The pitching also grades out close to even, although once more the Cannons likely have the edge due to their depth, so that leaves just left field as the one position the Keystones clearly have the better talent. That is not to say Gail Gifford isn't a very good ballplayer but for the past couple of years Bobby Barrell has been the best player in the world. The question is can Barrell do enough to carry the Keystones to victory despite seemingly long odds? He came very close a year ago and just might accomplish the feat this time around with homefield advantage if the series goes the distance.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREDICTIONS

JIGGS MCGEE, TWIFB: A tight series once more between these two but the Cannons get their spot in history with a third straight WCS win - this one, like a year ago, coming in 7 games.

JOHN BRINKER, New York Mirror: Well, I would say that the Cannons should win in 6 (possibly 7 - more on this in a bit) because while both teams are abundantly talented and the mound corps for both teams are generally superb, the Cannons have a decent edge at the plate (Bobby Barrell being the exception, as he's the most dangerous hitter on either club) and a slight edge on the mound as well. The Series could go the distance and the Keystones could win it - but they need to find a way to get Ross to the mound three times. On the Cannons' side, Deuce & Sheppard (yes, I said Sheppard) are the go-to guys and should get as many starts as possible.

DAN BARRELL, OSA: Cannons win in six. The CA is just significantly stronger than the Fed right now.

ARTHUR IRWIN, Chicago Daily News: Cannons in 5 -- think the threepeat will be pulled off quickly

ARTHIR MORTIMER, New York Herald Tribune: Cannons in 5.

FREDDIE FARHAT, Detroit World (or a local sanitorium): Keystones in 6.

ERNIE HERR, Cincinnati Post: Cannons have too much offense and just enough pitching to match Philadelphia. Cincinnati wins it's third straight WCS in 6 hard-fought games.

BRETT BING, Toronto Mail & Empire: I think the Cannons will repeat and win in six games.

PERCY SUTHERLAND, Chicago Herald-Examiner : I'm going with Cannons in 6.

Johnny Bologna is saying Keystones in 7 - The pitching the Keystones have had all year needs to play a bigger role than it did last year, and it will. While Red Ross and George M Brooks are a year older (and Brooks did not even start the year in the rotation), they are playoff-tested now. They have to answer for last year's Series sins against Cincinnati. Brooks lost Game 2 and only lasted two innings in Game 5 (0-1, 16.50 ERA). Ross lost Games 4 and 7 (1-2, 3.92 ERA), coming up smallest in the final game where he allowed five runs in 6-2/3 innings. Jim Whiteley (15-10, 2.92 ERA in '45) will take Pepper Tuttle's spot in the rotation and John Grimes (13-10, 2.56 ERA) will round out the four-man rotation. Manager Otto Schmidt, careful to sidestep questions about how last year's rotation was handled in the Series against the Cannons by his predecessor John Heydon, said "our pitching is deeper this year and we have last year's loss still eating away at us. We know what it takes to win." Game 7 ended with the tying run at the plate. They get it done this time.

Joey Mahoney will say Cannons in 5 - I may be the new kid on the block, but I have a radio. I listened to last year's Keystones-Cannons clash and it was not as close a seven-game series as you might remember. Where Philadelphia has Bobby Barrell, Cincinnati has both Al Wheeler and last year's Series MVP Chuck Adams, who hit two homers and drove in seven. Oh yeah, and they have the pitching, too. Deuce Barrell (18-5, 2.41 ERA) is the ace of the staff, but Red Hampton has caught fire since his acquisition from Chicago (3-4, 2.28 ERA with CIN). Deuce and Hampton are southpaws and the Keystones are 17-23 against lefties this year. What's more, Hampton was 2-0 at Broad Street Park this year as a member of the Chiefs. Look for the Cannons to get both at Philadelphia to start the series and the Cannons can close it out on their home turf without a return ticket to the City of Brotherly Love.

SHOWBOATS NEVER LEAVE DOCK IN DELTA SWOON

Johnny Bologna spent some time in New Orleans last week after covering the Hector Sawyer-Chris Sullivan middleweight title fight to witness the AA Keystones affiliate Showboats and their attempted march to their second straight Dixie League title.

The headline was supposed to the coronation of the Showboats as back-to-back champs, but they lost the three games I saw and their opponent, the last-place Atlanta Peaches, was better in the last two and won a humdinger of a first game of the series.

Keystones first-round pick Nate Power is a fast-riser in the organization. After a three-game sojourn with Beaumont in the C-level Gulf States League, he was assigned to A-ball in Allentown, where he hit .441 and reached base 44 of 77 times (.571 on-base percentage), but only had three doubles and a triple. Cue the puns on his last name. However, the bat-to-ball skill was evident, and Power was called up to New Orleans, where he has called home since that promotion.

Power has continued to hit after some initial growing pains getting used to the AA level, but he has improved every month, from a 9-for-33 (.273) start in July, to a .359 August with 16 RBI to the first two weeks of September, where Power has owned a .372 average and – alas! – his first professional home run in an 11-6 win in Birmingham on September 4th.

The first game of the series against Atlanta was a 14-10, 10-inning loss where pitching was optional and had a flair for the dramatic. Recent call-up Samuel Harris showed that he is not ready for the brighter lights of the Dixie League, allowing six runs in his Showboat debut in four innings. Harris took Gene Stanley’s (13-11, 3.34) spot in the rotation after he was lost for the year from a knee injury.

Power saved Harris’s record when he hit a crucial three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to key a five-run push to tie the game at 10-10. Bright spots in the game besides Power included 1943 4th round pick Walt Harris added two hits and scored two runs, scrappy rightfielder Danny Battles went 2-for-5, driving in a run and scoring a run. Battles, whose name is an aptronym like Power in that he “battles” in every at-bat according to Showboat manager Bill Memory.

On Tuesday, after 16 hits in the 14-10 loss the previous day, the Showboats put their bats in cold storage, only mustering six hits in 13 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Peaches. This time, the pitching was the bright spot as Ray Hitchcock, now 32 years of age, pitched eight innings of three-hit ball. Keystone fans may remember Hitchcock haunting their dreams, bumbling his way to a 2-5 record and 6.16 ERA in 1943, but he has found a home in the Crescent City. Hitchcock returned to pitch the season in AA after failure at higher levels, but he has been at his best here with a 17-5 record and his eight scoreless lowered his ERA to 3.38.

I also came to see third baseman Bill Bartlesby, who was tied for the Dixie League in home runs (8) and led the circuit in RBI (81). He underwhelmed, going 1-for-9 on Monday and Tuesday. He did not even play on Wednesday, a 4-1 loss to Atlanta, in which Pat Wheeler last seven innings, but manager Memory did not pull him quickly enough. Wheeler allowed two runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach for the Showboats.

As if my departure back to cooler climes was a signal, the Showboats’ Bob Armstrong went the whole way in a 5-0 win to avert a sweep. That was the last win of the year for New Orleans. A three-game sweep by Knoxville forced a playoff with Nashville, which made up three games in the final week. New Orleans stumbled in a 25-8 thrashing at the hands of the Chieftains and the prospects of a repeat championship went up in smoke.

One thing, however, is clear after my visit with the Showboats. By this reporter’s estimation, Nate Power is ready and he may get a chance to show everyone else next spring.

Dynamo’s GM DD Martin arrived in Detroit in May of the 1935 season when he bolted the Cleveland Foresters after winning the 1934 World Championship Series, leaving just 2 weeks into the 1935 season. The Foresters would go on to win the 1935 CA pennant but fell in the '35 Series to the New York Gothams. For Martin and the Dynamo’s, the 1935-37 seasons were tough sledding. Admittedly he walked into a dumpster fire here in Detroit. The team had been neglected by management and ownership for a few seasons. The minor league system didn’t even have coaches in all positions and some teams were run by “team captains”. Scouting and Player Development were not even afterthoughts. Martin came in and made a few bold trades to try and build the club for the future. The team was predicted to finish last in the FA in 1935 in the pre-season projections by everyone and what transpired after trading Al Wheeler, Frank Vance and others was not surprising. The club finished with just 43 wins in 1935 and losing a staggering 111 games. While the club “improved” in 1936 to 54-100 and then again in 1937 to 63-91, the Dynamo’s became the first team in FABL history to lose 300+ games in 3 consecutive seasons (160-302). Martin was already 142 games below 500 as the GM.

Then came the surprising opening of the window in 1938 where the Dynamo’s came out of nowhere to win 94 games (94-60) Spurred by a couple of trades and some fortunate top of the draft picking that netted CF Sal Pestilli and 1B Red Johnson. In most seasons 94 wins is enough, but that year the red hot and rival Chicago Chiefs won 102 games. A 2nd place finish which seemed like a huge victory. Things were looking up and the Dynamo’s played well in 1939 going 93-61 but again finished 2nd to the Pittsburgh Miners who went 94-60. 1 game out but wait until next year, right? Well next year came in 1940 and the Dynamo’s went 90-64, but guess what they finished 2nd for the 3rd straight season once again to Pittsburgh who went 92-62. Hey 1941 will be our year, right? Wrong the Dynamos went 86-68 and didn’t finish 2nd….they finished 3rd this time as Boston snuck up on everyone and finished first with a 90-64 record.

The window abruptly shut on the Dynamo’s in 1942. No one except Dan Barrell was thinking this team would suddenly turn sour, but it did. Led by the sudden and drastic decline and injuries to several of the key members of the starting rotation, the Dynamos crash to an ugly 62-92 record. Manager Dick York came on the scene midway through the season after the club fired Pat Lichtenegger. It was not much better in 1943 but the club rebounded slightly to go 69-85.

Then came a mass exodus of players as the war really heated up and nobody knew what to expect from any of the clubs. Detroit was figured to be a 2nd division club but somehow out of nowhere despite trading 1B Red Johnson midway through the 1943 season, the 1944 club responded with an unlikely 82-72 record, but of course that was only good for 2nd place, again! So, there was optimism going into the off-season, but there were no deals made. Sure there was a flash fire of deals this July, but if something had occurred in the off-season, or the trade that fell through for Montreal’s Crawford, maybe the Dynamo’s would be celebrating a pennant and World Championship Series instead of another 2nd or 3rd place finish. Just short of the goal once again.

So Dynamo fans, how much patience do you have with the club and the GM. Manager Dick York has been fantastic and should be given a 10-year extension if you ask me. Why league rules prohibit this is beyond me. But what about the GM? Should he be given the opportunity to continue on? His career mark as GM of the Dynamo’s is 813-892 in his almost 11 full seasons. Yes, one can argue that since inheriting the dumpster fire and the 3-year period of futility in 35-37, that he is actually above 500 since then with the club finishing in the top 3 in 6 of those 8 seasons. But has he won the Federal Association? That is what this game is about, winning. We’ve seen New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Philadelphia all win the FA. Detroit is on a 16 year run since their last FA crown and in the same class as St. Louis (last FA crown 1921) and Washington (1925) who have also not won.

There is also no secret that Martin and team owner Powell Thompson do not see eye to eye on much. Would Martin entertain leaving Detroit on his own accord to pursue another job in the FABL or should we show him the door now and let someone else take a crack at turning this club into a winner? Right now the team seems competitive during this period of war baseball, but soon a lot of the boys will be back. Is Martin the right man to led the club? Will it be more of the same of near misses, and not quite good enough? The season ended yesterday and Detroit was close once again. We will watch what happens this off-season after the Series is played in 2 other cities and not Detroit.

TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN

Wolves Eliminated in a Marathon -The Toronto Wolves knew going into Cincinnati taking both games in the short two game series was a must to have realistic pennant hopes. The series began on Tuesday on a cloudy windy afternoon with Deuce Barrell on the hill against Wolves Wirtz. A pitching duel it was with Barrell, Wirtz mowing down opposing hitters, Barrell held Wolves hitless until the 6th although Toronto score a run on a walk, fielders choice, error, wild pitch in the second. Nursing a 2-1 in the ninth the Wolves tied the game on a walk, two singles. Call then sent Wirtz out in the Cannons half of the ninth but a single, walk, single by Gail Gifford clinched at least a playoff for the Cannons 3-2. That was nothing compared to what happened at Tice Memorial On Wednesday.

In a game that may go down in the FABL annals as a classic the Wolves and Cannons played game that took 5 minutes short of 6 hours holding each other scoreless for 20 innings. In the top of the 21st Pomales began the inning by flying out to left followed by a Henderson strike out, Hamor single, wild pitch, Howerton doubles in Hamor for a 1-0 lead, PH Huddleston strikes out to end the inning. In the bottom of the 21st Wheeler greets Zeiler with a single then Zeiler hits Sala. Cleaves doubles in Wheeler, and with runners on 2nd and 3rd Galloway is walked intentionally setting the stage for George DeForest who delivers a game and pennant clinching single. The game featured 12 pitchers tossing a total of 575 pitches. Wolves went to their clubhouse numbed listening to the celebration across the field.

To finish out the season the Wolves swept the Foresters 11-3, 5-3, 1-0 which is a credit to their competitive spirit. Wolves 91-63 record was just not enough finishing 4 games behind Cincinnati. Brett will provide a season wrap later during the World Series between the Cannons, Keystones. Brett thinks the Cannons will repeat in six games.

The office of Cincinnati Cannons manager Ad Doria is a small, cramped space nestled next to an undersized locker room buried deep under the third base stands of a clearly ancient looking Tice Memorial Stadium, although many still think of it simply as Monarchs Park. The office has likely seen little change since its construction in 1901. Across the wall to Doria's right when he is sitting at his modest desk that still seems too big for the room is an old cork board, with small chunks missing from it and seemingly more papers and notes than should comfortably fit attached to it with push pins. One of the notes, well below the spot where the Continental Association standings were updated daily and half covered more often than not by notes on the current day's lineup and opposing pitcher is a small card with just a phrase and some numbers scrawled across it, penned in Doria's handwriting that is often so illegible you would swear it was scrawled by the team physician.

It simply reads "Reach for the Stars" and has the numbers 1924, 1925 and 1926 written under it. This writer first noticed it in early May and when asked, Doria confirmed he placed it there on Opening Day, as a gentle reminder of what he and his charges wanted to accomplish this year.

The 1924-26 New York Stars are the only team in the entire history of FABL to win three straight World Championship Series. No one else has done it. Not even the mighty Boston Minutemen teams that won 5 straight Federal Association pennants at the turn of the century nor the powerhouse Brooklyn Kings who were, until Wenesday, the last Continental side to claim three straight pennants.

"It is a daily reminder of what our goal is this season," explained Doria to me on that rainy morning in May. A day much like the 76 others that Doria would arrive at this office six to eight hours before another home game was to begin. "We've accomplished so much as a group these last two years. It's good to have another target to shoot for."

The Cannons are now just 4 wins away from accomplishing that goal. Having held off a pesky pack of Wolves from north of the border and the rest of their Continental foes for a third straight year. All that stands in the way now are the Philadelphia Keystones -the same opponent the Cannons faced in a grueling seven-game set last October.

The Keystones are, like the Cannons, very much the same roster that competed last fall. A 23 year old rookie by the name of John Grimes stepped in to fill the void in their rotation created when Selective Service called Pepper Tuttle's name but Red Ross, George Brooks, Jim Whitely and reliever Tim Walters are still the core of their pitching staff. The Philadelphia lineup is also only slightly changed with the late season return of Blue Collar Billy Woytek following nearly 3 years in the Navy being the biggest addition. The big bat of Bobby Barrel, Deuce's uncle, is still to be feared although perhaps just a touch less ferocious than it was a year ago when he claimed the triple crown. The Keystones will be tough. Of that there is no doubt and if the series is pushed to its limit it will be them, rather than Doria's Cannons that get the luxury of the home crowd for the seventh game.

But these Cannons are a battle-tested lot with 40 World Championship Rings already scattered amongst them. They also have a pair of veterans in Gail Gifford and Sam Sheppard -with 7 all-star berths and an Allen Award between them- focused on winning their first title. Those two, who came over from St Louis during the winter, and veteran lefty Red Hampton are the newcomers to the group this season with Fred Galloway and Deuce Barrell back after a one year absence due to military service for the former and a badly damaged elbow for the other. The Cannons are ready for the challenge the Keystones and the Broad Street Park faithful will throw at them beginning Wednesday afternoon. They should be ready. They have been preparing for this moment, a chance to cross paths with history since Ad Doria pinned the club's goal for this season on his board April 17th - the day the Cannons opened the season with a celebration of last year's title with a 4-3 victory over Toronto. Here is to hoping there is one more big celebration on the way. One only the 1924-26 New York Stars can know what it feels like.

ANOTHER LINK TO KINGS GREATEST ERA RETIRES

We knew it was coming. We have known since that chilly November day nearly two years ago when Del Lyons informed the Brooklyn Kings he was needed more by the Navy than he was on the hill for the Kings. Lyons left the game to become a physical education instructor while he likely still had something to give the sport. Many others, both before and after Lyons, did the same in foregoing baseball for battle and many sacrificed much more of their prime baseball years than Lyons. Of that we can be certain. But we can also feel sad today as another piece of the greatest era in Brooklyn baseball slips away as Del Lyons has officially confirmed he is done with the game, announcing his retirement in a brief one paragraph statement distributed to reporters last week.

The 40 year old left quite a mark on the game but in a role no one really wants. Deemed not quite good enough to make the Brooklyn starting rotation, he found a home and set records working out of the bullpen. No one in the history of the sport has been crediting with saving more games than the 182 Lyons racked up on behalf of the Kings. He also holds the single season mark with 29 saves in 1938 - one of 5-times he led the Continental Association in that stat and the third of three straight pennants for the Kings. He pitched in 674 career games -all with the Kings. No other Brooklyn pitcher even approached 400 but Lyons, despite being named to the All-Star team 4 times, was never the star of the show in Brooklyn. That designation was reserved for the Barrells, Al Wheeler, Mike Murphy, Frank Vance, Joe Shaffner and many others while Lyons quietly went about his business of being ready to pitch in the 8th and 9th innings and ensure that Tom Barrell or Shaffner, or Murphy or whoever earned that precious victory.

True Kings fans know just how important Lyons was to the club in those glory days. They also know those days are long gone as piece by piece the stars moved on. The great rotation of Tom Barrell, Mike Murphy, Joe Shaffner and Art White. The tremendous lineup of Fred Barrell, Dan Barrell, Doug Lightbody, Frank Vance, Bill May, Al Wheeler, Joe Perret and John Langille. All have left. Even the youngest of the bunch Harry Barrell was moved to Boston a couple of years ago. Lyons and Jake Shadoan, who was dealt away after the first title but returned a couple of years ago, were the final pieces of the greatest team in Brooklyn sports history.

But now Lyons has officially called it quits and the new reality of so many recent second division finishes is all that remains in Brooklyn. Every great dynasty comes to a crashing halt one day. We were just reminded of that fact once more with the news from Lyons. At least we have the memories and while Lyons may not be the first name to come to mind when reliving those glory days at Kings County, I can think of 182 reasons why it still deserves to be mentioned.

• With Walt Potter's Achilles' injury in September, the Keystones called up 22-year-old Jack Kempner for his first taste of FABL action. However, Kempner is not playoff-eligible and the only other catcher besides Chet McCormick who can be added to the Series roster for Philadelphia is Vern Mullen, who has been honing his craft at AA New Orleans.
• Was Chicago Cougars infielder Skipper Schneider the most consistent hitter in baseball? With just one game left in the season, the six year vet entered Dyckman Stadium with four triples. While that may not sound all that impressive, that tally was identical to his triple total in each of his first five seasons. In what looks to me one of the strangest, most consistent performance a baseball player could put together, Skipper's first three trips to the plate ended in two ground outs and a walk. Down 5-3 with two outs in the 9th, Skipper got one more at bat against eventual 20-game winner Eli Panneton. With the streak almost a lock to continue for a sixth season, Skipper hit a flyball over Bob Riggins' head out in center, and the 24-year-old hustled into third with his fifth triple of the season in his personal high 602nd at bat. The young shortstop had his best season yet, worth nearly 11 wins above replacement with a 119 WRC+ and 51.4 zone rating in 152 games.
• Eli Panneton of the New York Stars became the only 20 game winner this season in the Continental Assocation. The 23 year old went the distance yesterday to beat Pete Papenfus and the Chicago Cougars 5-3, improving his record to 20-13 with a 2.96 era. Three CA pitchers finished with 19 wins: Toronto's George Garrison, Doc Newell of the Sailors and the Cougars Billy Riley. The Fed also had just one twenty game winner as Lou Ellertson of the Eagles went 22-6 with a FABL best 1.61 era. St Louis rookie Lazero DeLeon was 19-13, 2.63 to be the Fed's only 19 game winner.
• Toronto Wolves SS Charlie Artuso started all 154 for the Wolves 742 Plate Appearances yielded .283/.349/.394 with a 38.1 ZR, .984 Fielding % on 774 total chances, 4.84 Range Factor, 1.121 Efficiency. Now if the Wolves could only find a 2B not named Dr. Strangeglove...
• To the point on Artuso, Archie Irwin of the Chicago Daily News points out just how good the overall talent in the CA at shortstop is. There are just three guys with a zone rating above 10 league wide, with Artuso and the two 50+ club members Skipper (51.4) and Hensley (52.2). The CA holds all top five for zone rating and efficiency, with the talented trio joined by Otto Deal (9.9, 1.059) and Gordie Perkins (6.5, 1.050). Deal can't hit a lick, but the other four offer plenty at the plate. No qualified Fed shortstop was an above average hitter and defender, and the best defender (4.4, 1.047) has 91 WRC+ and the best hitter (99 WRC+) has a .967 efficiency
• Frank Vance of the Detroit Dynamos is just 30 hits away from 3000 in his career. Does he come back for one more summer in the sun? Is he a HOF player now or does he need to reach 3000 to make the cut? Freddie Farhat will look into his chances and career stats after the season. The top 10 players who have 3000 hits have all made the HOF. Only active player Al Wheeler and recently retired John Lawson are the only 3000 hit club members that are not in (and aren't eligible yet). Bob Martin (Chiefs) and Bobby Barrell (Keystones) are both closing in on 3000. Martin needs 115 next year and Barrell needs 151. Farhat expressed hope that Vance does return noting the 43-year old "hasn't indicated he wasn't going to but with him being so close to 3000 I hope he does. He hasn't been the great player this year as he has for most of his career but I'd like to see him get to 3000 next year and become just the 13th player to do so."
• Al Wheeler, Vance's long-time teammate in both Detroit and Brooklyn, will head into next season needing 11 homeruns to reach the 500 mark -something only previously achieved by the great Max Morris. Bobby Barrell is 2 and a half years younger than Wheeler and needs 22 homers to get to 450. Barrell socked a FABL best 39 this season.
• Besides Vance there is also speculation as to whether Jim Lonardo will return to continue his pursuit for 300 victories. The 41 year old was moved from the Gothams to Detroit at the deadline and went 7-2 for the Dynamos down the stretch running his career record to 293-208.
• The 93 losses by the Chiefs are the 3rd most in franchise history. Overall, just three 90-loss seasons for the Chiefs: 1908 - 93, 1914 - 98 and 1945 - 93
• Congratulations to the Montreal Saints organization and Nashville for its Dixie League title. Nashville crushed New Orleans, 25-8, in the one-game playoff for the championship. The Showboats were sunk by an 11-run 2nd inning. Al Huck (4-for-4, 7 RBI) had a grand slam in that inning off starter and loser Pat Wheeler (15-9).
• With the minor league seasons coming to an end a number of former FABL players who had been in the farm loops this season have announced their retirements. They are highlighed by George Thomas who won 108 games while pitching for Montreal, the Chiefs and Pittsburgh and also include Ray Russell (St Louis), Leo Clark (Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh), Rudy Fisher (Sailors and Stars), Max Plourde (Chiefs), Mike Knight (Washington, Pittsburgh), Nick Lake (Gothams, Cleveland), John Wicklund (Gothams, Boston, Detroit), Bob Reid (Chiefs), Lou Marion (Montreal) and Earl Michael (Boston, St Louis).

MAROONS HOLD OFF WILDCATS

There might have been bad news to start the week in Detroit when the Dynamos were once more eliminated in the Federal Association pennant race, but nothing puts a smile on the face of Detroiters more than a win over the Chicago Wildcats. The Maroons did just that, delighting a crowd of nearly 32,000 at Thompson Field by hanging on for a thrilling 35-31 victory while the baseball Dynamos were taking a season ending loss to the Chiefs at Whitney Field in Chicago.

The game looked like it would be a rout early on as the Maroons were clearly fired up to have Stan Vaught back from his so-called retirement, and they jumped out to a 35-7 lead late in the second quarter. Vaught, who quit the game after the December title game loss to Philadelphia but changed his mind and return midway through training camp, was a big reason why Detroit built such a big lead. The 33 year old Kansas native caught a pair of touchdown passes in the first half to run his career total to 84 and made 7 catches in all on the day.

Chicago's Dan Vanatta was successful with a 30 yard field goal attempt as the first half clock wound down, cutting the Detroit lead to 25 points but that did litle to dampen the spirits of the Detroit fans. It also seemed to allow the Maroons to join in on the festivities in the locker room at the break as Coach Frank Yurik's club looked much different in the second half. After scoring touchdowns on 4 consecutive possessions in the opening 30 minutes, the Dynamos did not reach the endzone in the second half. They were shut out and Chicago crept closer with majors in the opening minutes of both the third and fourth quarter as veteran Wildcats quarterback Gus Brown went to work.

With the score now 35-24 and the Wildcats driving once more in the middle of the 4th quarter the Maroons finally got the break they needed to secure the win. Chicago had moved the ball to the Detroit 29 yard line with 4:47 remaining but the Wildcats Dutch Hoffman coughed up the pigskin and Milton Dillon fell on the loose ball. The Wildcats would eventually get it back and even scored once more to cut the deficit to just 4 points, but that was within just over a minute remaining and Detroit was able to run out the clock and preserve the slim 35-31 victory.

*** Ramblers Retun ***

Football has returned to St Louis after a two year absence but this might be a long season for Ramblers fans. Forced to play at Leclede University because the baseball team was using Pioneers Field for it's season finale, the Ramblers looked lost against the Cleveland Finches -the club they partnered with last year- in absorbing a 24-7 loss. Bob Holt was back to lead the St Louis eleven, but looked nothing like the rookie sensation he was in 1942 when he ran for 1,037 yards. Perhaps he was just rusty, or maybe the war has robbed his legs of the amazing combination of speed and power they once possessed but on this day Holt carried that ball 10 times and gained just 32 yards. He also handled the passing duties for the Ramblers, but with a similar lack of success in completing just 5 of his 21 heaves and for just 50 yards.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
EAST DIVISION   W  L  T  PCT
Washington	1  0  0  1.000
Philadelphia	0  0  0   .000 
New York	0  0  0   .000
Boston		0  0  0   .000
Pittsburgh	0  1  0   .000

WEST DIVISION   W  L  T  PCT
Cincinnati	1  0  0  1.000
Detroit		1  0  0  1.000
Cleveland	1  1  0   .000
St Louis	0  1  0   .000
Chicago		0  1  0   .000

SUNDAY'S RESULT
Detroit 35 Chicago 31
Cleveland 24 St Louis 7

UPCOMING GAMES
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
New York at Washington
Boston at Pittsburgh
Cincinnati at Detroit
Chicago at St Louis
Cleveland at Philadelphia

DOLPHINS SETTING PACE ON PACIFIC COAST

Central Ohio Forced to Settle For Tie in Opener

Though somewhat shot up in the process, the Coastal California Dolphins established a powerful lien on the Far Western half of the 1945 East-West Classic with victory as advertised over Northern California's Miners, 17-14, on Saturday after a much more convinvcing season opening 21-0 blanking of CC Los Angeles to mark their 7th straight victory over the Coyotes. Saturday's victory for the Dolphins was not nearly as impressive as lobsided results posted by Rome State, Annapolis Maritime, Detroit City College and Alabama Baptist, but at least it was a victory, unlike what happened to the Central Ohio Aviators in their game with Daniel Boone College. The Central Ohio Avaitors were a perfect 10-0 last season and some would argue deserving of at least a share of the National Title that was awarded to 9-0 Rome State, but they stumbled in a big way in their season opener, having to settle for a 10-10 draw with a Frontiersmen grid team that was just 5-5 a year ago.

It is far too early to say that draw ended Central Ohio's hopes for a return trip to the west coast on New Year's Day but it certainly made their season much more of a challenge. Great Lakes Alliance rival Detroit City College is 3-0 after another impressive victory, blanking St Ignatius 34-0. Alabama Baptist had an easy time of things in their season opener, smashing Kessler Field's defenses to the tune of 53-0. The two service academies also got off to smooth starts as Rome State shutout Louisville Field 36-0 while Annapolis Maritime overwhelmed Penn Catholic 41-0.
*** Big Return ***
A record 101 yard touchdown run occurred in the Merchant Marine game with Troy State on Saturday. Marine back Buddy (Stormy) Weathers had the spectacular run after intercepting a pass behind his goal line early in the fourth quarter. It was a big day for Weathers, who also scored the Marine Academy's other 3 touchdowns but in much more conventional fashion. Weathers played for Whitney College last year.

WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS
MIDWEST
Detroit City College 34 St. Ignatius 0
St. Blane 17 Lincoln 14
Daniel Boone College 10 Central Ohio 10
St. Magnus 13 Indiana A&M 13
Whitney College 13 Great Lakes Navy 10
Wisconsin State 24 Wisconsin Catholic 20
Western Iowa 44 Berg Field 13
Iowa A&M 31 Iowa Northern 0
Topeka State 34 Eastern Kansas 14
Central Kentucky 17 Queen City 3
Lawrence State 21 Mile High State 10
Northern Minnesota 16 Mathers 7
Lambert College 36 Kearney Field 0
Laclede 58 Humphrey State 7

EAST
Annapolis Maritime 41 Penn Catholic 0
Grafton 9 St. Patrick's 7
Liberty College 40 Trescott College 3
Pierpont 41 Ellery 13
Pittsburgh State 14 Huntington State 0
Henry Hudson 37 Eastern Virginia 0
George Fox 20 Miller College 9
Brunswick 22 Frankford State 13
Commonwealth Catholic 41 Squantum NAS 3
Scranton State 17 Coast Guard 6
Empire State 37 Irondequoit 7
Merchant Marine 27 Troy State (NY) 10

SOUTH
Alabama Baptist 53 Keesler Field 0
Rome State 36 Louisville Field 0
Carolina Poly 31 Bogue Field 0
Cumberland 28 Cowpens State 14
Miami State 16 Western Tennessee 10
Western Florida 20 Mississippi A&M 10
Noble Jones College 28 Coastal State 7
North Carolina Tech 13 Georgia Baptist 12
Bluegrass State 17 Cookeville State 10
Eastern State 24 Charleston Tech 23
Alexandria 27 Petersburg 21
Conwell College 38 St. Pancras 0
Maryland State 16 Gentry 10
Richmond State 27 Salisbury Christian 7
Opelika State 40 Maxwell Field 21
Columbia Military Academy 65 Charleston (IL) 15
Northern Mississippi 51 Marquis College 6

SOUTHWEST
Bayou State 34 Red River State 0
Eastern Oklahoma 41 Arkansas A&T 10
Travis College 28 Killeen State 0
College of Waco 3 Darnell State 0
Lubbock State 21 Amarillo Methodist 0
Payne State 29 Canyon A&M 3
College of Omaha 31 Oklahoma City State 24
Texas Gulf Coast 27 Corpus Christi NAS 3
Provo Tech 31 Kit Carson University 7
South Valley State 45 Lubbock Field 6

FAR WEST
Coastal California 17 Northern California 14
CC Los Angeles 38 San Diego Navy 3
Rainier College 13 Portland Tech 13
Spokane State 24 Idaho A&M 7
Idaho Marines 27 Cache Valley 24
Golden Gate University 23 Kit Carson University 0
Camp Beale 17 Lane State 10
Mountainview State 6 Boulder State 5
Pueblo State 27 Colorado Poly 21

ERICKSON WINS AGAIN

Mac Erickson, the young Minnesota welterweight who fought a terrific fight against Danny Rutledge when he was still in the Navy last September, ran his pro record to 4-0 with a unanimous decision over Dirk Joseph in New York on Saturday evening. It was the first time Erickson was forced to go the ditance in a bout and, although the outcome was never in doubt, he felt it was a good test for him to have to rely on his boxing skills rather than just his power -which is considered to be on par with the top welterweights of this generation.

Davis Owens, who like Erickson is one of the top young fighters around, imrpoved his record to 4-0 as well with a decision over Jeff Nevill in Lewiston, Me., on Friday evening. The 24 year old middleweight was a top amateur fighter out of Cleveland and won his pro debut in April just after his discharge.

BOXING MONTHLY ROUNDUP

TWIFB's boxing staff will provide a quick recap of what is happening in each of the three weight classes and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

World Champion Hector Sawyer, aka 'The Cajun Crusher' ran his record to 52-3-1 as the 31 year old made his 4th successful title defense by an 11th round TKO of Chris Sullivan earlier this month in Sawyer's hometown of New Orleans. At 31 years of age and off a long sting in the Army, many fear Sawyer is showing signs of slowing down and each of his title defenses have been against slightly weaker opponents. It is expected his next fight will be either against top ranked challenger Mark Fountain or perhaps English fight veteran Leo Carmichael, who has been fighting in the United States this year.

Most had expected 24 year old Cannon Cooper, a Rockford, IL. fighter who spent time in the Coast Guard, to be the fighter to fear in the division but Cooper had to settle for a draw with veteran Bobby Nelson (25-8-3) in March -his second fight since his military discharge- and the was shockingly upset but lightly regard Clancy Little in August when his bout was stopped amidst protests from Cooper and his corner due to a cut above his eye that Cooper's camp claimed came from a head butt but the referee disagreed. With Cooper at least temporarily out of the title picture the top young fighter mantle falls to Scott 'The Chef' Baker - the youngest of the family of fighting Baker Boys out of Philadelphia.

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION

The upset of the year occurred in June when Pittsburgh factory worker Frank Melanson surprised British legend Archie Rees to claim the title. Melanson is set to make his first title defense against contender Todd Gill in a couple of weeks. The other fighter to watch is Edouard Desmarais -the great French fighter many feared was killed during the war and later resurfaced as part of the French Resistance fighters. Desmarais, who has never lost as a professional, made his ring return earlier this month with a win over Jean Raymond in what was billed as being for the French Title. Desmarais and Archie Rees -who has now returned to England after the loss to Melanson- are set to fight in December for the European Title and the winner will likely head to America to get a shot at Melanson or anyone who might dethrone him in the meantime.

The division also has a young New Yorker by the name of Jim Ward who likes like one to watch. The 24 year old was a dominant force in many Army bouts during the war and recently celebrated his discharge with a quick knockout victory in Honolulu on his way back from the Pacific to run his record to 10-0.

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

This weight class has been in a flux since before the war and without a champion following the 1939 retirement of British great Jimmy 'The Kid' Simpson. A recent announcement confirmed that the 4 top ranked fighters will stage a 'playoff' of sorts to crown a champion in the division. It will begin this month with top ranked Mark Westlake facing Carl Taylor while Rudy Perry and Dennis O'Keefe will tangle. The two winners will then meet at some point in the new year with the title on the line.

Whoever wins may just be the caretaker of the belt until the three great young fighters earn their stripes. The oldest of the three is Ira Mitchell, a 25 year old Chicago native who was a decorated marine in the Pacific theatre. He is 11-1 as a pro. Next we have 21 year Louisville, Ky native Danny Rutledge. Rutledge is still in the army and believed to be somewhere in the Pacific at this time but he was given some furlough time after being in Africa and fought twice as a professional, easily winning both times. Rutledge was also part of the September 1944 title card in England when he beat Mac Erickson in a 12 round brawl between the two rising stars. Erickson, is the third of the three, a 25 year old St Paul, Mn. native who was recently discharged from the Navy and is 5-0 as a pro.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 9/30/1945

• The White House made public last night the report of a presidential investigator who charged American military treatment of homeless Jews in Germany and Austria is on a level with that they received from the Nazis, "except that we do not exterminate them."
• American troops have arrested 41 prominent German men and women in one of the biggest raids in Germany's American zone ince the Allied occupation began.
• General Douglas MacArthur has ordered all Japanese funds frozen, both at home and abroad. He also stripped newspapers in that country of government control and banned research into atomic power. The financial order was seen as a step toward securing reparations from Japan and toward thwarting attempts of Japanese war profiters to unload their wealth in an effort to escape war guilt trials.
• Emperor Hirohito, during an unprecendented visit with MacArthur, promised to do everything in his power to insure faithful fulfillment of the surrender terms and also hinted he would be willing to abdicate his throne.
• Congressional leaders say prosposals to merge the army and navy into a single department of national defense have been abandoned, at least for the present.
• President Truman told Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee that he felt the Senate has "let him Down" and that he was standing by his original proposal for expanding unemployment pay. The Senate would not go for Truman's proposal of $25 weekly for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.
• The latest in a rash of strikes across the country has brought New York City to the ground. Literally, as 15,000 elevators operators and building service employees in Manhattan are on strike. Meanwhile, the Federal Government is ready to step in and seize oil plants as work stoppages across the country keep 671,000 oil industry employees off the job.