AUGUST 19, 1946
CAJUN CRUSHER DOMINATES AN OLD FOE TO RETAIN HEAVYWEIGHT BELT
Not since the taking of Berlin has there been an anticipation of American-German hostilities. Six years ago, before both nations came to blows, the Cajun Crusher, Hector Sawyer, wrestled the World Heavyweight Championship from Jochen Schrotter. Sawyer has not relinquished the belt since that fight and Schrotter wanted another chance at glory. It was seen as a kind gesture for the American champion to extend the offer at a title fight to the over-the-hill German, but in the days leading up to the big fight, the anti-German sentiment was palpable in the press and the assembled throng at Bigsby Oval, an estimated standing-room-only crowd of over 53,000, seemed to be more anti-Schrotter than pro-Sawyer.
Sawyer could be called over-the-hill himself, at least in boxing terms. While Schrotter is 40 years old, Sawyer is 32 and has lost a step, though you would never know it by watching him on this night. The fans were treated to over 40 minutes of boxing, though the action was mainly at the expense of Schrotter. His eye, his head, his chin, his ribs, all targets for the Cajun Crusher. Schrotter was trying to keep his guard up and that cost him a chance to make a single mark on Sawyer.
Sawyer took control midway through the opening round, though the first minute saw both men circling and seemingly taking in the moment. After six years, what was another minute of waiting? Sawyer unleashed a combination to the body and to the head, where a left from Sawyer opened a cut on Schrotter very early in the bout. The cut would hamper Schrotter throughout the evening.
Perhaps it was the blood that flowed so early, but Schrotter was frustrated at his lack of mounting any kind of rhythm. Late in the second round, the Mad German grabbed the back of Sawyer's head and tried to yank it down towards his chest. In the fourth, Sawyer connected on a solid right to Schrotter that snapped his head back violently. But, as has been the case for Sawyer in recent bouts, he lacks an opportunism to make quick work of an opponent.
Schrotter came alive in his first offensive of the bout, using the jab to push Sawyer back in Round 5. Sawyer counterpunched with the combination and stopped Schrotter in his tracks, but the German took his first and only round of the bout on my card.
Now that Schrotter fired his salvo, Sawyer went back to work on the former champ in the sixth, re-opening the cut he exposed in the opening round. Schrotter immediately went on the defensive, tucking in his arms and protecting his head. Sawyer tried to penetrate his defenses with shots to Schrotter's midsection, connecting to his ribs and forcing Schrotter to clutch his side. As Schrotter winced, Sawyer went back upstairs with a barrage of punches. Schrotter was in trouble and the crowd realized it, too. The German went low on Sawyer and referee Mike Ornest warned him of a kidney punch. Schrotter also leaned in with his shoulder, earning a pointed warning from Ornest as well, but this round went to Sawyer.
After some good back-and-forth boxing in the next round, Sawyer took the fight to Schrotter to start Round 8 and he was also giving as good as he got on cheap shots that Schrotter got away with two rounds earlier. Sawyer was admonished in the last round for leaning on Schrotter's neck and Sawyer connected with Schrotter's jaw using his shoulder. A combination by Sawyer caused the cut above Schrotter's eye to leak again. This time, Referee Ornest stopped the fight to let the doctor take a closer look.
Ornest paused the fight five times during the evening to have the physician evaluate Schrotter’s puffy eyebrow on his right side. It was the fourth stoppage, in Round 9, where there appeared to be some swelling after a strong hook by Sawyer. Schrotter's right eye has been the target and Sawyer has been the Allied fighter pilot using his punches as bombs. Sawyer dominated this round with big punches that sent the challenger reeling.
At this point, for Schrotter to win, he would need a knockout. But not a single punch from Schrotter would be considered a major connection throughout the fight. Sawyer looks like he has just been sparring or even dancing when they were in tight, and the referee had to break them up. Sawyer got in an apparent head butt for good measure, which caused Schrotter to roar in complaint. Sawyer was clearly in the German's head. In Round 10, Sawyer started to go for gold and while Schrotter did not look like he had much left, his legs seemed to be his only working limbs, carrying the fighter to the bell.
Schrotter went for broke in Round 12, but Sawyer was still coming out on top when Schrotter came after him. Sawyer was easily able to wheel out of trouble and his energy level was clearly higher, while any damage he had suffered was negligible. By Round 13, there was not much Schrotter's corner man could do by now to keep the blood from freely flowing out of Schrotter's forehead. Sawyer landed another hook, as he has been impressive with that left hand throughout the fight, and there was yet another stoppage for the doctor to look at a scene with which he has become extremely familiar. Sawyer was content to stick and move, while Schrotter looked like he was waiting for the guillotine to fall.
In the deciding round, the penultimate round of the scheduled bout, Sawyer let a cross loose on Schrotter's right eye, which clearly stunned the German since he has been bracing for Sawyer's left hook for several rounds at that point. The cross opened up the forehead once again, leading the referee to bring out the doctor one last time before calling it. The final line will show Sawyer won by a TKO at 44 seconds of the fourteenth round.
There was not a single knockdown in the fight, but one was not needed to know how this fight went. Schrotter averaged less than 30 punches per round while Sawyer managed over 60 per stanza. Schrotter landed more, but it was clear that Sawyer's punches were more vicious and did more damage. By my count, there were 14 big punches landed by Sawyer and Schrotter did not land a single big one. Sawyer used a defensive strategy, but there was plenty left over to mount an offensive against the outmatched Schrotter. The judges cards gave Schrotter two or three rounds each, but I only had him ahead in one round with two others as even rounds.
Yes, the payday was the main idea for Sawyer’s camp. But, the show and the symbolism was what will be remembered on this night. America versus Germany. Democracy versus Naziism. The show lasted long enough to let us all ponder and be certain that good has triumphed over evil and we hold the bright future in our hands.
THREE WAY TIE ATOP FEDERAL ASSOCIATION
The Federal Association now sees three teams tied for first place with a little over a month remaining in the season. The New York Gothams are technically in top spot, with a slight percentage point lead, after halting their 3-game losing streak by going 5-2 against second division clubs Detroit, Chicago and St Louis last week. The Boston Minutemen had to settle for a 3-3 week after being shutout by Philadelphia yesterday in both ends of a Sunday twin-bill. The Washington Eagles are the third team in the mix. They started the week with a 3-game sweep in Philadelphia but finished it poorly by dropping 3 of 4 in Pittsburgh. The news from Pittsburgh became suddenly much worse for the Eagles when it was learned their top starting pitcher -last year's Allan Award winner Lou Ellertson- will miss the rest of the year and likely the start of next season after the 39 year old blew out his shoulder. The loss of Ellertson puts the Eagles in a tough spot and perhaps will have the front office second guessing its decision not to add another arm at the trade deadline.
The mood is much better at Cougars Park this week that it was just 7 days ago. Things will perk up quickly when you sweep the first place team as the Cougars did to the New York Stars in a 3-game weekend series in the Windy City. After a rough start to the month, the Cougars have won 6 of their last 7 games and now trail the front-running Stars by a much more manageable 5.5 games after being 8.5 back a week ago. The injury bug also bit the Stars as second year centerfielder Bob Riggins, who was hitting .262 with 8 homers this season, will miss the next 4 weeks with back troubles.
1947 DRAFT PREVIEW - PART TWO: HIGH SCHOOL PITCHERS
With a complete absence of any sort of first round quality collegiate pitcher, you can bet that the high school arms in the draft pool will be in high demand. As a result, it is a good thing there are some dandy's to choose from at the top of the group. A year ago when TWIFB took its first look at the '47 draft class, it was determined that a 16 year old pitcher out of Fowlerville, Mi., belonged at the head of the group. A year later, after the teen in question went 11-0 with a 0.24 ERA and 245 strikeouts, nothing has changed. Well, other than the fact that Les Ledbetter now is the proud owner of an Adwell Award as the best high school ballplayer in the country. Ledbetter tops the high school pitcher list we have compiled thanks to a big assist from the OSA and likely will get plenty of consideration to be the first name called next January. One interesting note is the large number of lefthanders at the top of the high school pitching parade this season.
1: LES LEDBETTER - Fowlerville (MI)HS -He was number one on the way to early mock draft done a year ago and after breaking Hiram Steinberg's record for strikeouts in a high school season nothing has changed. Ledbetter's 0.24 era was also the second lowest single season mark ever recorded by a high school pitcher - just barely missing out on another Steinberg record of 0.23 set in 1940. With 643 strikeouts in 3 seasons he is already just outside the top ten career marks and sees a good bet to break that Steinberg record as well. OSA says he "has an excellent pitch repertoire, which should allow him to become a great starting pitcher."
2: WILLIAM BENNS - Water Valley (MS) HS -OSA pegs the 17 year old lefthander as someone who should end up near the top of any major league rotation. He was 11-0 with a 1.47 era and a 10.6 K/9 as a junior.
3: CHUCK TRILMAN - Berlin (WI) HS -For the second year in a row Trillman went 11-0 with a sub 1.00 era. OSA praises his stuff and expects a lot of strikeouts in Trilman's future, adding "if everything comes together, (he) has the talent to pitch at the top of the rotation."
4: STEVE TALLEY - Ellsworth (ME) HS -An honourable mention for the High School All-American team this past season, the lefthander went 9-0 with a 0.68 era in his first season of high school ball. Despite his inexperience OSA sees a bright future for Talley, noting he has "flashed the potential to be a top of the rotation starter."
5:HANK ALDRICH - Burlington (NJ) HS -The run of lefthanders continues with the 17 year old Aldrich, who has had back to back 8-2 seasons for his New Jersey high school. OSA says his three-aresenal, with dominant stuff and advanced control gives him a chance to be an ace.
6: BILLY KILEY - Cathederal Prep HS, Queens, NY -After five straight southpaws to head the list we get our first righthander in the Brooklyn-born Kiley. He had a dominant junior season -his second year of high school ball- posting a 9-0 record with a 0.87 era. Possesses pinpoint command which OSA believes should allow Kiley to "end up near the top of any major league rotation."
7: ED RICHARDSON - Louisberg (NC) HS -The Raleigh born righthander has just one season of high school ball under his belt, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.75 era. He has "frontline starter potential" according to the scouting service.
8: RALPH LEFEBVRE - New Brunswick (NJ) HS -A two-time first team All-American with a 20-0 record to go with a 0.66 era and 16.9 K/9 ratio over his two seasons of high school ball makes one think that OSA might be underselling Lefebvre's potential calling him a "mid-rotation option."
9: JACK HALBUR - Catasauqua (PA) HS -A middle of the rotation starter is the future the scouting service envisions for the righthander. Halibur was 8-0 with a 0.76 era and a 15.7 K/9 last season.
10: JIM HEITZMAN - Morgan City (LA) HS - A starter each of his 3 years at Morgan City High, Heitzman is 27-2 with a 1.14 career High School era. OSA feels he will one day "fit comfortably in the middle of a big league rotation."
Next week we will look at the top high school hitters in the draft class.
- Chests are puffed out in Gothamland again after they snapped a 2-9 stretch with 5 wins in 7 games last week to pull back into a tie for top spot in the Fed. Jim Lonardo rebounded from an awful performance in his return to the Gothams with an 8-5 win on homefield yesterday, raising his career win total to 298.
- A 13-1 win over the struggling Pioneers on Saturday displayed Gothams strength at its best: Messer, Johnson, Pestilli, Strong go 12-17 with 11 RBI.
- Happy to be out of Brooklyn: Rats McGonigle is hitting .290 with 6 homers in 27 games since the trade to Washington.
- Happy to be out of Brooklyn part 2: Tim Hopkins in Chicago: .350/.386/.775 (226 OPS+) with 5 home runs and he was named Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
- Although some still like being in Brooklyn, including Jim Lightbody. The Kings new starting first baseman went 11-for-25 last week and was named the top performer in the Continental Assocation for the past 7 days.
- The first of possibly many pitching duels between these two as Carl Potter and John Stallings faced off in the 2nd game of yesterday's double-header between the Dynamos and Chiefs. Potter came out on top in this one, tossing a 1-0 shutout.
- A terrible week for injuries in FABL. Two that could have a sizeable effect on the pennant race are the season ender suffered by Washington ace Lou Ellertson and the back troubles that will sideline young New York Stars centerfielder Bob Riggins for a month. But those were not the only ones. The Cincinnati Cannons lost all-star catcher Adam Mullins for the season with a broken hand, the Sailors lot Marion Boismenu for the rest of the year with a leg injury, Cleveland will finish the season without third baseman Leon Blackridge and Brooklyn must carry on for the next month without backup infielder Joe Bell.
SAWYER RETAINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
New York (AP)-Right from the opening bell there was little doubt that Hector Sawyer would retain his World Heavyweight Title with a victory over 40 year old former champ Jochen Schrotter. The only surprise might be that the bout went 14 rounds before referee Mike Ornest called a halt to the proceedings, stopping the bout after consulting with the ringside physician about a nasty cut opened above the challenger's right eye in the opening round that continued to get worse. The victory improves Sawyer's professional record to 54-3-1 while the 40 year old Schrotter -who held the heavyweight crown from 1936 until losing to Sawyer in 1940- drops to 48-5 and will likely never been seen in a boxing ring again.
Sawyer, eager to prove doubters who called him slow wrong, took complete control right from the opening bell and dominated the first two rounds bringing many in attendance to wonder if the fight would last much longer. One of the knocks on Sawyer of late has been his inability to close out a fight -something the Cajun Crusher had no trouble with in his mid-twenties. When the expectaton was Sawyer would push to end the fight in the third, the reality was he appeared to take the round off either to rest or perhaps even prolong the bout so the fans -many of whom shelled out over $100 for a ringside seat- would get their money's worth.
That trend of taking little breaks continued for much of the middle rounds before Sawyer re-established his dominance in the eighth stanza, forcing Ornest to briefly pause the action to check out the condition of Schrotters cut above his right eye. As the fight continued, Schrotter looked more and more like a beaten man and Ornest made the doctor earn his money with three more brief stoppages to check out the challenger before finally halting the evening's entertainment 44 seconds into the 14th round. It was, as expected a wildly lobsided win for the champion, and nearly 53,000 fans in attendance on a beautiful mid-August evening at the Bigsby Oval celebrating yet another victory over Germany, went home happy.
CLINE IMPRESSIVE IN WIN
In his first step up to 10 round fights, rising young heavyweight Tommy Cline looked very good under the bright lights of the Bigsby Oval. Battling on the undercard of the Sawyer-Schrotter title fight, the 21 year old Tennessean was taken the distance by veteran Glenn Hairston but was fully up to the task. Cline improved to 10-0 with a lobsided victory that saw him send Hairston to the canvas twice in the bout and win by a 99-89 margin on the scorecards of all three judges. Hairston was no easy mark for Cline either -a seasoned 31 year old who entered the ring with a 25-7-2 mark and counted the powerful Cannon Cooper as one of his more recent victims.
It was the first time Cline did not win by knockout and was a good test of his staying power. He is a long ways away from being ready for a title shot but does look like his name will be thrown into the mix for contenders for the heavyweight championship of the world in the next couple of years.
BABY FACE BISHOP BACK ON TRACK
A loss a year ago to Harold Stephens dropped Ben 'Baby Face' Bishop out of the welterweight picture but the 28 year old Atlanta native may be working his way back into title contention. Bishop knocked out Mitchell McFadden in May and then was equally impressive last week in a 6th round knockout of John Jackson (12-4-1) to improve Bishop's career record to 23-3-1.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Sep 21 - Noble Jones College Arena, Atlanta, Ga. : World Welterweight champion Dennis 'The Jacksonville Jackhammer' O'Keefe (20-1) vs Mark Westlake (19-2-1).
- Sep 23- Brooklyn: John Edmonds (20-2) vs Brooks O'Connor (21-3-2) ranked middleweights.
- Sep 26- Denny Arena, Boston: Scott Baker (15-0-2) vs Roy Crawford (21-2) ranked heavyweights
- Oct 15- Denny Arena, Boston: World Middleweight champion Frank 'The Tank' Melanson (30-0-2) makes his third title defense against European champion Edouard Desmarais (36-0).
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 8/18/1946
- With little progress being made in Paris, US Secretary of State Byrnes took over as chairman of the Peace Conference and the Soviet delegation quickly challenged one of his rulings on procedure.
- Two more immigrant ships crowded with 1,200 Jewish refugees anchored just outside Haifa Harbor, adding an explosive pressure to the Palestine situation, already tense with reports of a pending British blockade. The situation became violent the following day when British troops fired Tommy guns and rifles into a crowd of rioting Jews who were trying to storm through tanks, trucks and soldiers in protest of the deportation to Cyprus of 1,000 illegal Jewish immigrants.
- President Truman said he may ask Congress for special legislation to permit more Jewish refugees and other displaced persons in Europe to find permanent homes in the United States.
- Marine regulars are replacing reserves in North China, but Admiral Charles Cook Jr., command of the United States 7th Fleet, quickly emphazied "the accelerated outward movement of Marines at this time does not in any way mean the Marines are being withdrawn from China."
- The OPA's latest price increase allows for an average of a 7.3% hike on new automobiles. The increase, effective immediately, meets a requirement that OPA restore the peacetime profit margins of auto dealers.
- His health failing for some time, world famous author H.G. Wells died last week in London.