DECEMBER 24, 1945
MIX OF YOUTH AND VETS SELECTED IN RULE FIVE DRAFT
The Rule Five draft was not the great event many were calling for a year ago but it did see 20 players selected, which is right in line with similar drafts from the past. While for the most part the selections, like top pick John Beaver by the Brooklyn Kings, were youngsters, there were a few veteran names scattered in the mix. The best known of them would be infielder Jim Beard as the two-time all-star was left exposed by the Philadelphia Sailors and snapped up by the Chicago Cougars as the sixth player selected. Beard spent the past two years in the Army and the Sailors felt they had no room for the 33 year old on their 40-man secondary roster.
Brooklyn led the way as their new management team selected 5 players (6 if you count Willie Gonzalez Jr. who in a head-scratching move was selected by the Kings in round 6 despite already being property of those same Kings) highlighted by the top selection Beaver, a 22 year old first baseman who was property of the New York Gothams but spent last year in the Army. The Philadelphia Sailors and Cincinnati Cannons each lost three players to lead the way in departures.
RULE FIVE SELECTIONS
Round 1
1- Brooklyn Kings: 1B John Beaver from the New York Gothams.
2- Chicago Chiefs: SP Al Love from the Boston Minutemen.
3- New York Stars: RP George Scruggs from the Washington Eagles.
4- Pittsburgh Miners: SP Adam Grayson from the Toronto Wolves.
5- Philadelphia Sailors: SP Howie Harris from the Cincinnati Cannons.
6- Chicago Cougars: 3B Jim Beard from the Philadelphia Sailors.
7- Detroit Dynamos: SP Danny Goff Jr. from the New York Gothams.
8- Philadelphia Keystones: SP Joe Lund from the Philadelphia Sailors.
Round 2
1- Brooklyn Kings: C Frank Reichardt from the Montreal Saints.
2- Chicago Chiefs: 3B Pat Reed from the Toronto Wolves.
3- New York Stars: SP Henry Shaffer from the Philadelphia Keystones.
4- Philadelphia Sailors: LF Elmer Wands from the Brooklyn Kings.
5- Detroit Dynamos: 1B Steve Donovan from the Boston Minutemen.
Round 3
1- Brooklyn Kings: SP Jack Brown from the Philadelphia Keystones.
2- Philadelphia Sailors: CF John Shaw from the Chicago Chiefs.
3- Detroit Dynamos: LF Roy Carroll from the Washington Eagles.
Round 4
1- Brooklyn Kings: RF Willard Blair from the Detroit Dynamos.
2- Philadelphia Sailors: SP Troy Crockett from the Cincinnati Cannons.
3- Detroit Dynamos: LF Rufus Daniels from the Cincinnati Cannons.
Round 5
1- Brooklyn Kings: SS Phil Gratz from the Philadelphia Sailors.
CANNONS INK BRADSHAW
The Cincinnati Cannons added to their deep collection of pitchers with the news that 27-year old Les Bradshaw has agreed to a contract with the team. Bradshaw went 6-3 for the Washington Eagles in 1944 before being drafted into the Army and missing all of last season. Discharged from the service recently, he was also discharged by the Eagles who cut the righthander after he spent 4 seasons in the big leagues. The Cannons feel Bradshaw, who is 15-12 with a 3.55 era for his big league career, has the talent to start but he might have a tough go of things trying to crack what should be a very deep Cincinnati rotation.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR MAROONS
Now that we have had a week to recover from the terrible beating inflicted by Del Thomas and the Boston Americans that left Rollie Barrell's Maroons black and blue it is time think about what the future holds for the local eleven. What changes are coming down the pipeline? There may be a lot more than you think with the Continental Conference set to take on the AFA next September. All of the franchise locations for Percy Sutherland's brainchild have not been revealed but it seems a safe bet the Maroons will not have any direct competition to face. The same can't be said for Carl Bonn in Chicago or Erasmus Scott in New York as the new loop has already declared it will battle head-on with the Wildcats and Stars for the football dollar in those two cities.
But just because it is unlikely there will be a Detroit entry, Maroons boss Barrell should not rest easy. The CFC will likely be throwing around a lot of greenbacks trying to lure top talent -both from the college ranks and perhaps even some current AFA players- in order to help the new league make a splash. So Rollie better be ready to open his checkbook.
*** Quarterback Situation Needs Addressing ***
So much of what happens with the Maroons next season likely hinges on whether Stan Vaught returns or heads back to his farm in Kansas. The best end in AFA history slowed down just a touch this year but still led the league in catches and had a pretty fine showing with 7 receptions in the title game. Imagine what he could do with a grade A quality quarterback?
And that is the biggest need for Detoit if the Maroons are ever going to win another title. Quarterback! The Americans have Del Thomas -who really is in a class of his own- but put a passer the quality of Chicago's Gus Brown in charge of throwing the ball to Vaught and there may be no stopping the Maroons. Look at how much Washington improved, especially their big receiver Johnny Douglas, with the addition of a smart rookie tosser like Bob Krohn. Detroit needs to find someone who can throw the ball with confidence and accuracy, something we haven't seen around these parts since Dewey Burnett trades his cleats for a clipboard on the Whitney College sideline.
It is clear Rich Coleman is not the answer and Coach Frank Yurik certainly knows it by his decision to use Mike Hendrick more and more as the passer. Both are decent rushers but neither can be counted on to lead an aerial assault when it matters most. Coleman proved that last year with 6 interceptions to throw away the title game to Philadelphia and was not much better against Boston last weekend. Finding a quarterback is a lot easier said than done but it is essential to do so, and while Vaught is still around, if the Maroons are to finally win when it matters most.
*** YOUTH MOVEMENT AHEAD FOR DYNAMOS? ***
A lot of fans gave the new Dynamos front office plenty of grief when word trickled out that catcher Joe Henry was dispatched to Montreal for a draft pick but they better brace themselves as this might just be the beginning of the carnage. Assistant General Manager Harris Dixon says the Thompson gang are committed to a youth movement, something that club owner Powell 'Little Money' Thompson will love because it means more big contract players will be shown the door.
Davis says this is nothing like the fire sale of days past when Red Johnson and later Sal Pestilli were ushered out of town. The vets that get moved this time will be because there is great young talent chomping at the bit to get in the lineup. That is exactly why Henry is brushing up on his french these days, as the Dynamos feel the skipper's kid Rick York is ready to be the full-time catcher. And when they decide that big time prospects like the keystone combo of Del Johnson and Stan Kleminski and the outfield duo of Edwin Hackberry and Dick Estes are ready then the likes of Leon Drake, Aart Macdonald, Hank Grant and Johnny Guzzo will also be jettisoned. Word is that might happen in the spring, at least with Johnson and Estes but also perhaps with the two teenagers as well. In keeping Carl Potter the old Dynamo administration showed it was not afriad to put a teenager on a big league diamond and the new regime may well do the same this April.
In talking about those bigtime prospect we should give former GM DD Martin credit and wish him well in Brooklyn. He and Little Money may not have seen eye to eye on much, but Martin and his scouting staff did a whale of a job stocking the Dynamos prospect cupboard the past couple of years. And while he will never acknowledge it in public, the savings Little Money will enjoy this year are directly a result of Martin's work for the club.
*** Big League Cage Coming? ***
There are a lot of rumours that a big time professional basketball loop is in the works for next year. The last time there was an attempt at a national circuit was two decades ago in a short-lived loop that Maroons boss Rollie Barrell was involved in as part owner of a Brooklyn franchise. Bad timing was blamed for the demise with the great stock market crash and depression that followed being the culprit but the timing is likely much better now. We asked Rollie if he is bringing a team to Detroit for such a loop and while he said nothing has really been discussed at this point, he is certainly open to the idea. So a year from now Detroit might have another big-time pro team to join the Dynamos, Maroons and hockey Motors.
- The most unusual rule 5 selection has to be the Brooklyn Kings 6th pick. The took pitcher Willie Gonzalez Jr with that selection but Gonzalez was already Brooklyn property. That has to be the first time a team ever drafted one of its own players in the rule 5.
- The Sailors are thrilled to land 22 year old righthander Howie Harris with their first pick in the rule 5. Harris was a 1942 first round pick by the Cincinnati Cannons who spent last year in the Army. Philadelphia scouts have had great success identifying pitchers in the past and they feel Harris can be a frontline starter.
- The Gothams say they liked all three of the players they lost (Jim Beaver and Danny Goff Jr in the rule 5 and Handsome Dan Rogers on waivers) but feel they had better players ahead of them. With Rogers it was either him or Nat Drake. Only one will have a spot with my returning guys, so Rogers was put on waivers. I the rule 5 Goff Jr and Beaver but Gothams Assistant General Manager Frank Escoe feels they aren't ready yet. "Goff maybe can be hidden in a bullpen," opined Escoe. "I wouldn't be surprised to see either or both coming back to New York this year."
- Speaking of the Gothams. No word out of New York yet on Ed Ziehl. Will Ziehl return as manager now that the war is over or does Bud Jameson keep the job he started last year when Ziehl stepped down to raise war bonds after his son Eddie joined the war effort?
- Ducky Jordan--who was the principal piece of the trade that sent Jim Lonardo to the Cougars--has 965 plate appearances in his career with an OPS+ of 67. Yet Chicago Chiefs manager Joe Ward still wants to start Jordan at second base and bat him 4th.
- TRIVIA QUESTION:Prior to the rule 5 draft of last week, who was the last player selected first overall in a rule 5 draft?
ALABAMA BAPTIST 13-POINT CHOICE IN EAST-WEST CLASSIC
Football will get 1946 off to a flying start toward the awaited golden sports boom by attracting huge crowds to 7 stadiums scatted from Santa Ana to Miami for the collection of Classics on New Year's Day. Four unbeaten, untied squads will take the field that day but none will have even a sliver of hope for knocking 9-0 Rome State from the catbird seat. The Centurions, without any doubt whatsoever, will be crowned by the pollsters as the top collegiate outfit for the second consecutive year. In fact, may are calling the club headed by backs Gus Thompson and Chet Donelson one of the greatest collegiate elevens ever assembled.
That being said, it will still be a ferocious fight for second spot with Coach Hal Bates' Alabama Baptist Chargers holding the inside track. The Chargers, led by sophomore quarterback sensation Willie Hubbard, enter the big day with a 9-0 record and currently owners of the #2 slot in the polls. They will meet Golden Gate University in the East-West Classic. The 6-1 Grizzlies knocked off both Los Angeles schools in Coastal California and CCLA this season to become the first team from outside the West Coast Athletic Association since 1919 to represent the West in the big Classic matchup at Santa Ana. The Chargers have been installed as 13-point favourites to tame the Grizzlies.
Eastern Oklahoma, another school with a perfect record, is also favoured by 13. The Pioneers will meet the Eastern State Monitors in New Orleans' Cajun Classic. Here is the complete slate of Classic matchups set for January 1.
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CLASSIC LOCATION TEAMS
East-West Santa Ana,Ca Alabama Baptist 9-0 Golden Gate University 6-1
Lone Star Austin, Tx Detroit City Coll. 9-1 Travis College 10-0
Sunshine Miami, Fl Miami State 10-0 St Blane 8-2
Cajun New Orleans,La Eastern State 7-2 Eastern Oklahoma 8-0
Desert El Paso, Tx South Valley State 6-0-1 Central Ohio 7-1-1
Oilman Houston, Tx Payne State 7-2-1 Noble Jones College 8-2
Bayside Tampa, Fl Maryland State 7-2 St Patrick's 6-1-2
Tom Bowens, a name that reverberated throughout the football world, had earned his place among the legends of the game. Born and raised right here in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, Tom's journey began in the vibrant city where football was more than a sport—it was a way of life.
Tom's passion for football ignited during his college years at St. Blane University, a revered institution located in the football-rich state of Pennsylvania. It was there, in 1934, that he crossed paths with Betsy Barrell, a fellow student whose infectious spirit and love for sports matched his own. Their connection grew stronger each day, and by the time Tom had embarked on his professional football career, they had become inseparable.
In 1937, after Tom's debut with the Boston Americans, he and Betsy exchanged vows, solidifying their bond in marriage. Their love formed the foundation that propelled Tom to greater heights, on and off the field. Together, they welcomed their son, George Bowens, into the world in 1940, a testament to the happiness they found in their shared journey.
Tom's arrival in Boston marked the beginning of an illustrious professional career. The Boston Americans, our very own club in the American Football Association (AFA), recognized Tom's remarkable abilities and secured his services. As an all-around talent, Tom's excellence as a receiver, blocker, and defender set him apart from his peers. His tireless work ethic and dedication endeared him to fans and teammates alike.
Off the field, Tom found solace and support in his loving wife, Betsy, who stood by his side through every victory and defeat. Betsy's unwavering belief in him fueled his drive to excel, and their enduring love provided the stability he needed amid the demands of the game.
The war came, and as it did for so many, pulled Tom away from everything he had known. He served in the Navy, and though he did on occasion find time to play football on service teams, he also saw active duty on the USS Earle, a destroyer that served as a convoy escort in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Tom was discharged in August, with the war ended and the Earle back in Norfolk where it had been for conversion to a minesweeper in preparation for the invasion of Japan.
Tom rejoined his football club for the 1945 campaign, and the Boston Americans completed a resounding regular season, dominating the AFA's Eastern Division with a remarkable 9-1 record. The team's sights were set on the AFA Championship Game, where they would face the formidable Detroit Maroons, champions of the West, at Boston's Minuteman Stadium. Coincidentally, the Maroons were owned by Betsy's brother, Rollie Barrell, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.
As the championship clash loomed, Tom and his teammates prepared diligently. Del Thomas, the esteemed quarterback hailed as the league's best, orchestrated the offense with precision. Alongside Tom, running backs Brian "Bull" Young and the elusive Bulldog Stein formed a formidable backfield, ready to tear through opposing defenses. Tom Molloy, another talented receiver, provided a formidable tandem with Bowens, tormenting defenses throughout the season.
In the AFA Championship Game, the clash of titans took center stage. The Americans and the Maroons engaged in an epic battle, exchanging blows on the field. The Boston Americans delivered a breathtaking display of offensive brilliance, dominating the Maroons in a stunning fashion.
Brian Young showcased his explosive running skills, rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Bulldog Stein added 79 yards on the ground. Tom Bowens proved his worth as a playmaker, recording three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Tom Molloy contributed three catches for 62 yards.
However, it was the masterful performance of Del Thomas, the quarterback extraordinaire, that stole the show. Thomas displayed remarkable precision and composure, completing 18-of-21 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His exceptional performance earned him the coveted title of MVP.
As the final whistle blew, the score displayed the Americans' dominance—a resounding 56-24 victory over the Detroit Maroons. Tom Bowens, fueled by a desire to triumph and fueled by love for his family and the game, played a pivotal role in the team's triumph.
The championship trophy raised high, he shared the moment with his teammates, his family, and the passionate fans who embraced him as one of their own. Tom Bowens had etched his name in football history as a gridiron hero.
And now, just days removed from that championship-winning contest, Tom Bowens has elected to retire. "It's time," he said simply. His legacy shall endure long after his playing days. His achievements on the field, coupled with his humility and devotion to those he loved, have cemented his place in the hearts of fans and in the annals of football history. Tom Bowens became synonymous with greatness, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of the gridiron. We join the Boston American football club and the fans of Boston in wishing our hometown hero well as he embarks on the next chapter of his life alongside his wife and son.
BIG TEST FOR LIBERTY COLLEGE
The Liberty College Bells are always a team to fear in college cage action and this season appears to be no different. The Bells lead all of the top division of collegiate basketball with 11 victories on the season and their 11-1 record has the Philadelphia school ranked second in the nation behind only a suprising Mobile Maritime quintet.
The Bells are no stranger to the top of the rankings and have reached at least the quarterfinals of the AIAA championship tournament 9 times in the past decade including 3 National Titles. This year's club will face it's biggest test of the season on Christmas Eve when the Bells host 9th ranked North Carolina Tech (6-1). The game will feature a matchup of a pair of top forwards in the Techsters Clarence Barton and the Bells All-American candidate Win Dupre. Dupre, a senior out of tiny Corfu, NY, is leading the Bells in both points and rebounds, although he is being pressed in the latter category by sophomore center Ward Messer, who's older brother Walt is a star outfielder with the New York Gothams.
The other major independent school to keep an eye on is the Miami State Gulls. They improved to 10-1 by destroying Richmond State 53-19 yesterday and have moved up to 6th in the latest rankings poll. Success has not come very often for the Gulls although they did make the AIAA tournament last year and won a post-season game for the first time since 1913. Junior Long Werth, a homegrown product from Miami's MacArthur High School, may just be the best center in the nation and the 6'10" star has improved his scoring touch over the off-season, averaging 13.9 ppg so far this season. In addition to the huge win over Richmond State, the Gulls can also count wins over Lane State, Dickson and Chesapeake State so far this season.
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COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL RANKINGS
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
1. Mobile Maritime (46) 6-0 1764 1 South Atlantic Conference
2. Liberty College (10) 11-1 1705 4 Independent
3. Western Iowa (14) 7-0 1694 3 Great Lakes Alliance
4. CC Los Angeles (2) 7-0 1602 5 West Coast Athletic Association
5. Coastal State 5-0 1501 6 South Atlantic Conference
6. Miami State 10-1 1423 10 Independent
7. Brooklyn State 7-1 1375 7 Liberty Conference
8. Rainier College 7-1 1303 2 West Coast Athletic Association
9. North Carolina Tech 5-1 1202 11 South Atlantic Conference
10. Central Ohio 5-1 1172 13 Great Lakes Alliance
11. Rome State 5-1 1008 15 Independent
12. Texas Gulf Coast 7-1 952 8 Southwestern Alliance
13. Coastal California 7-1 806 9 West Coast Athletic Association
14. Elyria 8-1 788 16 Independent
15. Detroit City College 5-2 786 19 Great Lakes Alliance
16. Provo Tech 8-1 773 17 Rocky Mountain Athletic Alliance
17. Redwood 6-1 650 12 West Coast Athletic Association
18. Bluegrass State 6-1 534 25 Deep South Conference
19. Garden State 5-2 435 23 Liberty Conference
20. St. Magnus 5-1 426 24 Great Lakes Alliance
21. Jersey City Tech 7-1 422 22 Liberty Conference
22. Noble Jones College 6-2 392 14 Deep South Conference
23. Berwick 6-1 359 NR Keystone Alliance
24. Empire State 4-1 186 NR Liberty Conference
25. Lincoln 6-2 45 NR Great Lakes Alliance
Others Receiving Votes:
Harper College 9-2 43 Independent
Utah A&M 7-2 17 Rocky Mountain Athletic Alliance
Western Florida 6-2 16 Deep South Conference
University of New Jersey 6-2 6 Eastern Six
Orrville 8-2 5 Independent
Freemont State 5-2 5 Midwestern Association
Lane State 3-3 3 West Coast Athletic Association
Central Kentucky 5-2 1 Deep South Conference
Iowa A&M 6-2 1 Plains Athletic Association
RESULTS INVOLVING RANKED TEAMS
MONDAY DECEMBER 17
#3 Western Iowa 50 North Shore 32
#4 CCLA 52 Golden Gate 44
#6 Miami State 47 Wyoming A&I 34
Western Florida 44 #12 Texas Gulf Coast 35
#17 Redwood 39 Northern Minnesota 30
TUESDAY DECEMBER 18
#1 Mobile Maritime 41 Glover(GA) 38
#2 Liberty College 46 Armstrong 32
#14 Elyria 49 Holland 33
#24 Empite State 49 Commonwealth Catholic 41
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19
#18 Bluegrass State 56 Minnesota Tech 43
#19 Garden State 47 Hartford Wesleyan 33
#21 Jersey City Tech 44 Troy State(NY) 42
THURSDAY DECEMBER 20
#3 Western Iowa 45 Springfield State 35
Valley State 47 #8 Rainier College 37
#11 Rome State 48 College of San Diego 41
Potomac College 41 #13 Coastal California 31
#16 Provo Tech 38 Quaker College (CA) 33
College of Cairo 51 #17 Redwood 49
#23 Berwick 54 Middlesex 48
#25 Lincoln 43 Alabama Gulf Coast 42
FRIDAY DECEMBER 21
#2 Liberty College 45 Brandywine 42
#5 Coastal State 49 Ferguson 42
#6 Miami State 59 Penobscot State 36
#14 Elyria 57 Canton State 43
#15 Detroit City College 53 Alabama Baptist 34
#18 Bluegrass State 57 Grant(IN) 43
#21 Jersey City Tech 52 Mile High State 41
East Missouri Seminary 48 #22 Noble Jones College 43
SATURDAY DECEMBER 22
#9 North Carolina Tech 51 El Paso Methodist 48
#16 Provo Tech 47 Flagstaff State 44
#20 St Magnus 56 Eastern Kansas 47
#23 Berwick 46 Ogdensburg 43
#25 Lincoln 49 Oklahoma Bible College 24
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23
#6 Miami State 53 Richmond State 19
#7 Brooklyn State 45 Pierpont 35
#11 Rome State 53 Bethlehem College 30
#12 Texas Gulf Coast 52 Eastern Oklahoma 45
O'CONNOR FLASHY IN FLORIDA VICTORY
Just to prove that his exploits throughout the middle-west over the past year were not underrated, Brooks O'Connor hung up his 9th consecutive victory for the benefit of a sell-out crowd in the ten-round feature at the Miami Arena Thursday night. O'Connor needed just 4 rounds to knock out Bob Hinkle of Denver. While his victory was decisive, things did not start out well for the Detroit middleweight who was stung early by the 30-year old Hinkle, but he rebounded in the second round and was in complete control until the fight was stopped with Hinkle's face a bloody mess and it was clear he had lost the means to defend himself against the charging O'Connor.
O'Connor now owns a 20-3-2 career mark and the 28 year olds losses are to an impressive trio of fighters. Only John Edmonds along with Frank Melanson and Todd Gill -who will fight for the title in May after battling to a draw in October- have stopped O'Connor, who is likely due a title shot at some point in the near future.
MIXED RESULTS FOR WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDERS
A pair of top ranked welterweights were in action last week. On Tuesday in St Louis it was the #4 contender Wayne Dunn squaring off against Mitchell McFadden. Dunn improved to 26-6 with the 20th stoppage of his career, knocking out McFadden in the 5th round of their bout that was slated for 10. It is an impressive result for Dunn as McFadden had entered the bout with a 22-3-1 record that including some solid victories.
The result was far less impressive for Baby Face Bishop as the highly touted 27 year old out of Atlanta was the surprise loser of a 10-round decision in Pittsburgh to Harold Stephens - a previously lightly regarded Providence, R.I., pugilist who is now 15-3-2. For Bishop, who is now 21-3-1, it likely means the end of his chances of drawing a shot at the currently vacant welterweight title.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Dec 30 George Gibbs vs Jeff Wolf in Washington DC. Gibbs (14-0) and Wolf (11-1) are top welterweights
- Feb 8 Hector Sawyer (52-3-1) defends his World Heavyweight title against Leo Carmichael (30-4-1, #2 HW contender) in Detroit
- Mar 9 Dennis O'Keefe (19-1) vs Carl Taylor (19-2-2) for vacant World Welterweight Tite in New York at Bigsby Garden
- TBA (in May) Frank Melanson (29-0-2) defends his World Middleweight Title in a rematch wth Todd Gill (20-1-5, #2 contender) at Sailors Memorial Philadelphia
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 12/23/1945
- The Big Three foreign ministers are sitting down in Moscow for their first blunt talk about the atom bomb.
- President Truman's fact-finding board has stepped in to try and solve the nearly month old Auto Workers strike against General Motors. However, the company says it will withdraw from the proceedings in the panel considers prices and profits in making a wage recommendation for settlement of the strike.
- Nearly 6 million men who were in uniform a year ago are now at home as civilains as Christmas approaches.
- The Pearl Harbor investigation learned that the naval high command in Washington mistakenly believed in 1941 that Admiral Kimmel had facilities at Pearl Harbor for reading Japanese code messages indicative of war. It was discovered Kimmel had no such facilities.
- General Patton, fighting against partial paralysis after a car accident has taken a turn of the worse because of pulmonary complications. As the week came to a close Patton, succumbed to his injuries and will be buried in Luxembourg beside fallen soldiers of his victorious 3rd Army.
- General George C. Marshall arrived in Shanghai to begin his work as Truman's special envoy to China.
TRIVIA ANSWER: The last Rule Five draft was held in December, 1943 and the top selection was Willie Ibarra, a then 27-year old righthander selected by the Cleveland Foresters from the New York Stats. Ibarra spent the year with the Foresters but lasted just 22 innings, posting an 0-3 record with a 4.09 era before blowing out his elbow whiich sidelined him for well over year. The Foresters recently released him and so did the Stars so he is presently unemployed but perhaps a candidate for the new Bigsby rebel loop.