SEPTEMBER 29, 1947
SAILORS HOIST CONTINENTAL FLAG
To Face Pioneers In Surprising WCS Match-Up
The Philadelphia Sailors earned their first Continental Association pennant since 1930 and will now face a St Louis Pioneers squad that has not played October baseball since 1921 in the 55th annual World Championship Series. It will be the first ever postseason meeting between the two clubs and certainly a post-season outcome that few would have expected.
The Continental race, which a week ago looked like it might even need a tiebreaker to determine its champion, proved to be anti-climactic as the Cincinnati Cannons, who entered the week a mere half-game back of the Sailors, dropped 3 straight and were officially eliminated by Wednesday evening. Toronto shutout the Cannons 2-0 on Monday while the Sailors had the day off. Tuesday the Cannons fell 2 games back with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in 13 innings to the Cleveland Foresters while the Sailors beat Toronto 5-4 thanks to Rip Lee's walk-off sacrifice fly. On Wednesday the Sailors beat Toronto for the second day in a row, pulling out a 3-1 victory while the Cannons season came crashing down with a 6-2 loss to the Foresters. It mattered not that Cincinnati won its final two games and the Sailors lost both of theirs to make the final margin a one game difference.
Meanwhile the St Louis Pioneers cruised through a 3-2 week, already secure in the knowledge that the Federal Association flag was theirs for the first time since 1921. The Pioneers final record of 94-60 was 10 games better than runner-up Washington and just one shy of the franchise record set in 1920.
MORE MAGIC IN BARRELL'S BAT
Wins Second Triple Crown
Bobby Barrell finished off his history making season by claiming the Federal Association triple crown to go along with his new single season homerun record. The new gold standard is 64 after Barrell blasted two more round-trippers this week including one in the final game of the season, an 8-1 drubbing of Pittsburgh by Barrell and his Philadelphia Keystones teammates.
That final homerun also helped Barrell clinch the triple crown, but by the slimmest of margins as his batting average of .356 ended up .0008 better than that of Washington's Mel Carrol. Barrell had far less competition in the other two categories -his 64 homers were 14 more than teammate Hank Koblenz and 143 rbi's topped the Chicago Chiefs Tiny Hopkins by 16.
Barrell wins the triple crown for the second time in his career putting him in rare company with only Max Morris and former Keystones Rankin Kellogg and Fred Roby to have won more than one triple crown in their careers. Barrell and teammate Hank Koblenz also become the first teammates to each hit at least 50 homeruns in a season.
Bobby Barrell's 1947 campaign:
- 2nd Triple Crown (1944, 1947) - .356-64-143
- Barrell led the league in batting average by 7/10ths of a point (Barrell: 202-for-568 (.3556); Mel Carrol WAS: 214-for-603 (.3549))
- Barrell led teammate Hank Koblenz by 14 home runs (64-50). Koblenz's 50th home run, hit the next-to-last day of the season, makes Barrell and Koblenz the first 50-homer teammates in FABL history. Roger Cleaves finished with 29 to fall one short of a 30-homer trio.
- Barrell led Chicago's Tiny Hopkins by 16 RBI (143-127) after blowing past Hopkins in August to take the lead.
- Barrell reached 200 hits for the 7th time and stands at 3,216 lifetime hits through his age-36 season.
- Barrell set a personal record for runs scored on the last day of the season, scoring a run on his 64th homer for his 133rd run, breaking a tie with his 1932 season.
- Barrell also set career highs in OPS (1.173), WAR (12.3), on-base percentage (.435), slugging percentage (.738), OPS+ (218, his 2nd 200+ season), and wRC+ (230)
- Barrell's end-of-year standing on the all-time FABL leaderboards:
Games played: 10th (2,533; needs 45 GP to get to 7th place)
At Bats: 7th (10,219; needs 477 to jump to 5th place)
Runs: 7th (1,734; needs 56 runs to move into 6th place)
Hits: 8th (3,216; 32 behind Al Wheeler, who is in 7th)
Total Bases: 3rd (5,575; needs 189 to pass John Dibblee for 2nd place)
Doubles: 9th (531; 15 behind Vic Crawford, who is in a tie for 7th)
Home Runs: 2nd (522; 6 ahead of Al Wheeler)
Runs Batted In: 3rd (1,975; 39 behind Al Wheeler, who is in 2nd; 134 ahead of previous Keystones franchise holder, Rankin Kellogg)
Wins Above Replacement: 16th (107.84; needs 0.92 to jump into 14th place)
TOP PERFORMERS LAST WEEK
CAN SAILORS STOP 3-H CLUB?
The wait is finally over for fans of the Philadelphia Sailors and St Louis Pioneers as both teams return to the grand stage of the World Championship Series. The Sailors have been absent from the WCS since 1930, although they came agonizingly close to claiming the CA flag a decade ago, narrowly losing a tie-breaker to the Brooklyn Kings in 1937. As for the long-suffering supporters of St Louis, their last appearance in the WCS dates back to 1921. These two storied organizations have never crossed paths before, making this clash all the more intriguing.
The pivotal question looming over this Fall Classic is whether the Sailors can find a way to crack the formidable pitching staff of the Pioneers, often referred to as the 3-H club. The trio of Danny Hern (25-5, 2.78 ERA), Hiram Steinberg (10-5, 2.48 ERA since his trade from Cleveland), and Hal Hackney (16-11, 3.95 ERA) presents a daunting challenge for the Sailors. It is not meant as a slight on the Sailors' own pitching staff, consisting of Win Lewis (17-12, 2.88 ERA), Slick Weslowski (15-11, 3.80 ERA), and either Al Duster (11-12, 3.43 ERA) or John Thomas Johnson (8-6, 3.21 ERA) as the presumed game three starter. However, it is undeniable that the Pioneers' pitching staff has achieved remarkable success throughout the season, overshadowing their counterparts in Philadelphia.
Both teams boast talented lineups at the plate. The Midwesterners rely on the experienced Al Tucker (.328 AVG, 13 HR, 96 RBI) along with the emerging talents of Larry Gregory (.295 AVG, 17 HR, 101 RBI) and Homer Mills (.276 AVG, 9 HR, 80 RBI). The Sailors, on the other hand, place their trust in the seasoned bats of Ed Reyes (.338 AVG, 5 HR, 66 RBI), Harvey Brown (.311 AVG, 5 HR, 66 RBI), Cotton Dillon (.267 AVG, 7 HR, 69 RBI), and the young second-year starter Les Cunha (.268 AVG, 8 HR, 85 RBI). In the heat of the series, one might find a surprising hero stepping up, and perhaps the spotlight will fall upon the two catchers. Solly Skidmore (.278 AVG, 2 HR, 56 RBI), acquired by the Sailors at the trade deadline from Brooklyn, and Heinie Zimmer (.265 AVG, 8 HR, 61 RBI), who had a relatively down season by his own lofty standards, could play significant roles.
Predicting a winner in any series is a challenging task, and this one is no exception. Both teams have their strengths and reasons to be liked. However, this columnist believes that the starting pitching will ultimately make the difference, leading to the Pioneers prevailing in a hard-fought six-game battle. The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown between these talented squads, and fans can anticipate a thrilling clash for the crown of the baseball world.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREDICTIONS
BRETT BING: Toronto Mail & Empire -Sailors seemed to have tougher path CA pennant winners in 7.
JOHN BRINKER: New York Daily Mirror -Truly the WCS no one saw coming. The Brinker season picks had the Pioneers win the Fed and the Sailors fourth in a tight CA race. I believe that my Pioneers call was literally the only pennant-winner anyone called correctly. As for a WCS call, Brinker will stick with the Pioneers in six games.
(Editors' Note: Brinker was indeed correct. His selection of St Louis was the only pennant winner called correctly. Seven selected the Cougars to win the CA with the only exception being Dan Barrell of OSA calling the Stars as the Continental champs. The Fed was split with Washington, the Gothams and Keystones all receiving support in addition to Brinker's correct call of St Louis.)
ARCHIE IRWIN: Chicago Daily News -I'm going Sailors in seven. They have the depth advantage and I'm not sure I buy some of the Pioneers breakouts. Should be a tight series, but it could go either way
JOEY MAHONEY: Philadelphia Inquisitor -Pretty even matchup. The Fed had more offense and the Pioneers had the best pitching in the Fed. But, the Sailors are deeper in the rotation. The Pioneers's offense is not eye-popping, but they were third in the Fed in runs scored. Sailors play small ball and rely on contact. Danny Hern and Hal Hackney finished strong. Joey Mahoney says Pioneers in 7.
JIGGS McGEE: This Week in Figment Baseball -I am going to trust the 3-H club will get the job done on the mound and go Pioneers in 6
PERCY PRINGLE SR.: Brooklyn Eagle -The Sailors earned a hard fought pennant. I guess St Louis is the favorite on paper but there is something about that team that I just don’t buy into. Call me crazy but I think Sailors who played better in September take it in 6
PERCY SUTHERLAND: Chicago Herald-Examiner -It's an interesting match-up. Philadelphia ended up scoring more runs than their expected value. Both clubs allowed substantially fewer runs than their expected value. I'll put my money on Hackney, Hern, and Steinberg in 5 games.
CHANGING OF SEASONS IN DETROIT SPORTS
Ah, the winds of change blow through the city of Detroit as we bid farewell to the boys of summer and welcome the warriors of fall and winter. Rollie Barrell's Maroons are back on the gridiron while the Thompson Palladium is preparing to fire up the Zamboni for the Motors. We have thoughts on all but let's start with Dick York's boys.
Despite and awful finish to the season that saw them drop their last 11 games it certainly appears the Dynamos are on the right track. This young and promising team may not have been in the thick of the pennant race this season, as St. Louis made sure of that, but their first division finish is quite a feat. The future looks bright for the Dynamos, with Edwin Hackberry, Stan Kleminski, and Carl Potter showcasing their talents at such a young age. Just imagine what they can achieve when they hit their prime. Though there are still some gaps to fill, the minor leagues are teeming with talent. According to Dan Barrell and the OSA, seven Dynamos prospects rank among the top 100 in the sport. While we may not see them in Detroit next season, their arrival in '49 and '50 could finally propel this club back to the World Championship Series, a feat not accomplished since 1929.
*** Rollie Barrell Reveals a Big Secret ***
What a surprise it was when Rollie Barrell walked into the Maroons practice facility early last week alongside Tom Bowens. This star pass catcher, second only to Maroons legend Stan Vaught, joined the Maroons without anyone outside the organization having a clue. The secret, as it turns out, lies in the family connection, as Bowens is married to Barrell's sister Betsy. This marks the second time Barrell has convinced a retired star to come back to the game, following Stan Vaught's return. In fact, Vaught's retirement came after the Maroons lost the AFA title game the year before the one that marked the supposed end of Bowens days, but thanks to the persuasion of Rollie's daughter Allie, Vaught decided to give it one more shot. While we can't credit Allie for Bowens' return, the parallel is striking. The 34-year-old Bowens was eased into the lineup and had just 1 catch in the opener but also made a contribution on defense forcing a fumble as the Maroons beat their archrivals from Chicago 30-20.
*** Motors Reving Up ***
It may not feel like it outside, but hockey season is upon us. The Motors will face the defending Challenge Cup Boston Bees on Wednesday in the preseason opener for both clubs. This will be the longest NAHC season in history as the league has expanded to a 60-game schedule, which helps explaining the early start to training camp and the Motors October 15 regular season lid lifter. The Motors contingent of 35 players gathered over the weekend to begin camp amid a lot of uncertainty about where they stand. Detroit finished third a year ago and reached the playoffs before falling to Chicago in the semi-finals and anyone you talk to will tell you this year's edition should be a better outfit than last year's Motors. The problem is, thanks to all of the former Brooklyn Eagles players being scattered around the league after that club folded, everyone else is improved as well. Not the news you might want to read, but it says here the Motors will be hard-pressed to get back to the playoffs. Chicago is very good and Boston is a little older but still a strong team and they will battle it out for top spot once more. Montreal looks to have the inside track on third place and Jack Barrell will likely turn Toronto around very quickly. If that is the case the Motors and Shamrocks may both be heading to the golf course in mid-March when the playoffs begin.
GOTHAMS SEASON WRAP
It was a mediocre season, played by a mediocre team, with very mediocre results. Still, even in such an uninspiring campaign there are high points.
There was if course Jim Lonardo's final season. The team seemed to be inspired by all the hoopla as Lonardo's day fell in the middle of the season ending 9 game win streak. Watching such a classy gentleman go about his business at age 43 had to have been instructive to the many young hurlers.
Red Johnson was a star all season, smashing his own team record to finish with 43 homers. Johnson also knocked in 116. His .319 batting average was his highest and first time over .300 since 1940. Walt Messer started slow then returned to form to finish .307/.372/.475 with 23 homers and his first 100 RBI season (104). The team may have settled the left side of the infield for awhile. Rookies Tom Jeffries (.306/.367/.372) and Cecil Labonte (.326/.366/.495) should have a lock on 3B and SS respectively going into next season. Ed Bowman was his usual workhorse self anchoring the rotation and leading the lead in WHIP while winning 18 games.
Looking forward to 1948 the team needs to determine which of the younger starters will fill out the rotation. There's work to be done to dig out of the middle of the pack doldrums. Having multiple ping pong balls in the draft lottery will help to add top end talent to the system. Fans came out in high numbers, but interest waned as the season dragged on. Look for the team to make moves to inspire the fan base. It's always interesting around the Gothams.
GRAYS CLINCH GWL FLAG
The Oakland Grays and Dallas Centurions will meet in the second annual Bigsby Cup best of seven championship series to determine the winner of the Great Western League. The Grays claimed the GWL pennant with a 90-64 season a year after they missed a trip to the Cup series by losing out on a tiebreaker to the Los Angeles Knights. The Grays, who have not won a GWL pennant in the old AAA days since 1923, established a club record for wins with 90 although their winning percentage was not the best in franchise history.
The Grays were led by infielder Frankie Cohan, who led the GWL in batting average and rbi's, as well as the pitching of Jack Goff, Jim Hawkins and Cy Sullivan who finished 1-2-3 in the race for lowest era. Their opponent will be the Dallas Centurions who, despite losing their final 5 games of the season, completed a dramatic turnaround from a team that finished tied for last in the loop a year ago. Centurions pitcher Ira Hawkins led the GWL with 19 victories while Heinie Billings and Ken Mayhugh helped the team top the loop in homeruns.
The championship series will get underway Wednesday in Oakland.
- The lottery balls are determined for the draw for first overall selection in the 1948 FABL draft which well be held in January. The Federal Association clubs are drawing for the odd selections including 1st overall.
- A tough finish to what was a pretty good season for the young Dynamos as Detroit loses its last 11 games to limp home in a third-place tie, only 4 games over .500.
- On the other side of the coin the Gothams finished strong with a 9-game winning streak to close the season two games above the breakeven mark.
- The Montreal Saints also had a strong finish, ending the season with 7 straight victories, but even that was not enough to get them out of the Continental Association cellar.
- Ed Reyes' baseball career certainly benefitted because of the war. He did not become an everyday player until 1945 at the age of 32 and now, after hitting .338 this season, has won 3 straight Continental Association batting titles. Hard to imagine he would have ever got a shot if Marion Boismenu did not go off to war prior to the '45 season.
- The Keystones Hank Koblenz becomes just the 4th player ever to hit 50 home runs in a season. He joins Max Morris, Bobby Barrell and Joe Masters in the 50 club with he and Barrell being the first pair of teammates to each hit 50 in a season.
- Percy Sutherland notres with while Barrell set the new home run record, his overall Morris-like pace slowed as the season wore on. His SLG (.738) was 5th behind 4 Morris seasons, OPS (1.173) 5th, ISO (.382) 3rd, wOBA (.513) 5th, wRC (154.88) 16th(!). As a note, those 4 magical Morris seasons that were better were: 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1925.
- Wolves management are said to be in meetings chaired by owner Millard. Discussion points are said to be the future of many staff members on expiring contracts along with a post-mortem of 1947 season.
- The Cougars finished 4-18 (.181) in September, their worst monthly finish since at least 1930 (as far back as I have monthly records), 100 points lower then their abysmal 7-18 (.280) in the September of 1936. The 71-83 record for the season was good for a 7th place finish, the lowest since the Cougars finished 8th in 1929.
- Since winning the pennant in 1941, the Cougars have posted at least five less wins compared to their expected record in five of the next six seasons
- Tough break for the Centurions as Dallas player-manager Brooks Meeks will not be playing in the Bigsby Cup as he sprained his ankle during the last week of the season.
ROME STATE TROUNCES PENN CATHOLIC, BUT LACKS ITS CHAMPIONSHIP FORM
Rome State's green football team carried on the winning ways of its departed All-America backs, Chet Donelson and Gus Thompson, by downing Penn Catholic 24-0 Saturday. Frequent penalties, most against the Centurions at critical points, marked the season opener for the school that has now gone 27-1-1 in its last 29 outings, but there was something very different about this year's edition of military academy squad. They performed creditably and won easily enough against a school that went 4-5-1 a year ago and does not figure to be much better this time around, but Rome State did not look like its championship teams of yesteryear.
It was not a pretty victory as the Centurions did not overwhlem the Crusaders with dazzling skill, but they did take advantage of 5 Penn Catholic turnovers -three of which directly resulted in Rome State scores, turning what could have been a tense affair into a fairly easy victory. Rome State may make out just fine next week as well, when they face Boulder State, but as the schedule gets tougher they do not look like the type of team that will challenge for the a national title.
Elsewhere, nearly 60,000 showed up in Sacramento to witness the Northern California Bears sink Annapolis Maritime by a 20-7 score in what has to be considered one of the smashing early season football upsets. Other results from the coast were far less surprising including CCLA topping Western Iowa 20-6 while Coastal California survived a scare but held off Spokane State 16-3 thanks in no small part to a 4th quarter 58-yard interception return for a score from Clete Paulson. Detroit City College, the preseason #2 according to the TWIFB poll, got its season off to a strong start, using its outstanding rushing game to down in-state rival St Ignatius 28-10 thanks to two touchdowns and 98 yards rushing from senior Bill Howlin, who returned to the club this season after missing a couple of years due to the war.
WEEKEND RESULTS
EAST
Rome State 24 Penn Catholic 0
Henry Hudson 16 Garden State 3
Brunswick 21 Bethlehem College 7
Grafton 6 St. Patrick's 0
Dickson 19 Hagerstown State (MD) 10
George Fox 24 New York Maritime 3
Strub College 24 Lakeview (OH) 10
Coastal State 17 Commonwealth Catholic 14
Ellery 12 Constitution State 0
Boston State 33 New Hampshire Trinity 21
Conwell College 10 Bigsby College 0
SOUTH
Mississippi A&M 14 Western Florida 3
Carolina Poly 7 Charleston Tech 0
North Carolina Tech 24 Noble Jones College 10
Georgia Baptist 10 Cumberland 0
Opelika State 36 Mississippi Tech 7
Baton Rouge State 17 Alabama Baptist 17
Northern Mississippi 24 Western Tennessee 0
Bluegrass State 30 St. Magnus 7
Eastern State 48 Potomac College 0
Alexandria 24 Salisbury Christian 3
Chesapeake State 30 Bulein 3
Cowpens State 10 St. Matthew's College 0
Lexington State 24 Petersburg 10
Huntington State 32 Western Ohio 3
Richmond State 58 Central Carolina 3
Maryland State 17 Columbia Military Academy 0
Central Kentucky 34 Queen City 0
MIDWEST
Detroit City College 28 St. Ignatius 10
Wisconsin State 23 Whitney College 20
Minnesota Tech 17 Rainier College 7
Lincoln 16 Pittsburgh State 13
Indiana A&M 26 College of Omaha 7
Daniel Boone College 14 Central Ohio 0
Lawrence State 27 Mile High State 6
Northern Minnesota 20 Oklahoma City State 20
Laclede 28 Boone College-St. Louis 10
Wisconsin Catholic 30 South Dakota Tech 21
Western State 7 St. Pancras 0
Boulder State 14 Iowa A&M 7
Lambert College 17 Colorado Poly 0
Charleston (IL) 21 Mobile Maritime 17
Cache Valley 33 Topeka State 30
SOUTHWEST
Red River State 27 Bayou State 7
Amarillo Methodist 9 Eastern Oklahoma 0
Travis College 31 Portland Tech 0
College of Waco 27 Darnell State 26
Lubbock State 10 Miami State 3
Arkansas A&T 55 McKinney State 0
Pueblo State 30 El Paso Methodist 13
Texas Panhandle 27 Eastern Kansas 0
Canyon A&M 44 Abilene Methodist 20
Valley State 30 Wyoming A&I 23
Tempe College 28 South Valley State 19
Abilene Baptist 82 St. Xavier (TX) 0
FAR WEST
CC Los Angeles 20 Western Iowa 6
Coastal California 16 Spokane State 3
Northern California 20 Annapolis Maritime 7
Provo Tech 10 Lane State 7
Redwood 31 Idaho A&M 14
Utah A&M 35 Western Montana 21
San Francisco Tech 44 Kit Carson University 27
Custer College 37 Stratton 14
Gates University 28 Flagstaff State 7
Golden Gate University 24 Kamehameha College 12
THOMAS AERIAL ANTICS NOT ENOUGH FOR YANKS IN AFA OPENER
Despite a 314-yard passing day from Del Thomas -just the 9th time an American Football Association quarterback has thrown for more than 300 yards in a game, the Boston Americans came out on the short end of a 28-27 score against the Philadelphia Frigates in the opening week of AFA action. Thomas, who accounts for four of those nine 300-yard passing games himself, was a dominant force but the Frigates, led by halfback Greg LePage's 114 yards on the ground, were more than up for the challenge.
The game began well for the Yanks as Thomas orchestrated a seamless offensive drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ben Zelmer, giving the Americans an early 7-0 lead. However, the Frigates swiftly countered with a scoring drive of their own, as Jim Taylor connected with Dave Grix on a 21-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7 as the first period came to an end..
In the second quarter, Thomas continued to showcase his playmaking ability, connecting with Lamar Wright on a 68-yard pass to set up a second score. The Americans momentarily held a 14-7 advantage, but once more the resilient Frigates responded with a touchdown of their own, as Taylor connected with Andy Barrow on a 14-yard pass. The relentless Frigates offense struck again just before halftime, with Taylor tossing his third scoring pass of the game, this time finding Mal Herndon on a 5-yarder, giving Philadelphia a 21-14 lead heading into the locker room.
After the break, Boston closed the gap with another touchdown pass from Thomas, this time to Art Ericksen for 21 yards. However, the extra point attempt was missed, leaving the score at 20-21 in favor of the Frigates. That would prove to be the difference in the game as the two squads exchanged scores in the fourth quarter. Boston struck first by capitalizing on a Thomas fumble that set up a Greg LePage three yard run to put the Yanks up 28-20. Boston fought back valiantly, with Thomas
attoning for his fumble by leading a quick 7-play drive that culminated in a 4-yard scoring toss to Art Ericksen to pull Boston to within one at 28-27. The Americans did not get the ball back for a chance to complete a thrilling comeback as LePage had six carries to help run out the clock and ensuring the Frigates secured the narrow victory.
In other AFA acton Tom Bowens made his return to the league as the former Boston end signed on with Detroit and was in the lineup as the Maroons scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to beat Chicago 30-20. Bowens, who had retired following the 1945 AFA championship game, had 1 catch for 26 yards in his return to the league. The big stars for Detroit were backs Marc Orlosky, who led the way with 93 yards and a touchdown, along with Troy Renton, who handled the heavy lifting with 3 touchdowns including a pair of one-yard scoring plunges.
Bob Krohn's game winning 42-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining lifted Washington to a 24-21 come from behind win over the defending champion New York Stars. The Wasps scored 10 points in the final 1:29 of the game to pull out the win including a dramatic 94 yard punt return from Bob Rochman. St Louis built up a 21-0 first half lead and coasted to a 24-9 victory on the road in Pittsburgh, evening the Paladins record at 1-1 while Cincinnati dropped to 0-2 after the Tigers were tamed 21-14 by the Cleveland Finches.
Code:
AMERICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION STANDINGS
East Division W L T PCT
Washington 1 0 0 1.000
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000
Pittsburgh 1 1 0 .500
Boston 0 1 0 .000
NY Stars 0 1 0 .000
West Division W L T PCT
Detroit 1 0 0 1.000
Cleveland 1 0 0 1.000
St Louis 1 0 0 1.000
Chicago 0 1 0 .000
Cincinnati 0 2 0 .000
WEEKEND RESULTS
Philadelphia 28 Boston 27
Cleveland 21 Cincinnati 14
Detroit 30 Chicago 20
Washington 24 New York 21
St Louis 24 Pittsburgh 9
UPCOMING GAMES
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
St Louis at Detroit
New York at Philadelphia
Chicago at Cleveland
Cincinnati at Washington
Pittsburgh at Boston
Code:
AFA LEADERS
SCORING PTS
Renton, Det 18
Chick, Cin 13
Prasser, Pit 12
Ericksen, Bos 12
PASSING COMP-ATT YDS TD INT
Morrison, Cin 20-55 345 1 7
D Thomas, Bos 19-31 314 4 0
Taylor, Phi 13-24 191 3 1
Allen, Pit 10-29 173 0 2
RUSHING YDS TD
LePage, Phi 114 1
Orlosky, Det 93 1
Doucet, Pit 71 0
RECEIVING CAT YDS TD
Gilbert, Cin 10 150 0
Tisdale, Pit 6 110 0
Herndon, Phi 6 76 1
INERCEPTIONS #
Chick, Cin 4
Hedge, NY 2
CHAPPELL LEADS COWBOYS TO ANOTHER WIN
Bulls Upset Wings behind Monday Passing Game
There is little doubt that Pat Chappell of the Kansas City Cowboys is the best quarterback in the CFC, and possibly all of football. However, Chappell may soon be getting some competition for the CFC bragging rights from rookie Buffalo passer Mark Monday. The youngster from St Blane has been the surprise performer in the loop this season and yesterday he led his Buffalo Bulls to an upset 33-21 victory over the visitng San Francisco Wings.
Monday threw for 220 yards and a touchdown while the Buffalo defense came up with a pair of big defensive plays to tilt the contest in favour of the home side. Elias Spera returned an interception 54 yards for a first half Bulls score to cut the San Francisco lead to 14-12 at the break and then, with the Bulls trying to hang on to a 26-21 lead in the closing minutes, Buffalo lineman Rocky Davisson intercepted a pass to set up the game clinching score for the Bulls, who have now won two straight after suffering three very narrow defeats.
In Chicago, Pat Chappell proved that Monday -or anyone else for that matter- may still have a long way to go to catch up to the best player in the league. The Kansas City quarterback threw for a CFC record 351 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead the Cowboys to a 34-14 victory over the Comets. The Cowboys, who only lost once in 14 games last season, are off to a 4-0 start and thanks to Mike Monday and the Bulls, are alone in first place in the west after the Wings fell in Buffalo.
The only other game on the weekend CFC docket saw the New York Gothams explode for 34 points in the second quarter as they went on to blast the New Orleans Crescents 48-14. Crescents quarterback Sam Boettcher was intercepted 4 times in the game including 3 in the second period alone. New York backs had a field day as Ken Hale gained 155 yards on the ground while Jim Rose added 110 to help the defending East Division champs improve to 3-2 on the season.
Code:
CONTINTENTAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
EAST W L T PCT[/b]
NY Gothams 3 2 0 .600
Buffalo 2 3 0 .400
Brooklyn 1 3 0 .250
New Orleans 0 4 0 .000
WEST W L T PCT
Kansas City 4 0 0 1.000
San Francisco 4 1 0 .800
Los Angeles 2 2 0 .500
Chicago 2 3 0 .400
WEEKEND RESULTS
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26
Kansas City 34 Chicago 14
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28
New York 48 New Orleans 14
Buffalo 33 San Francisco 21
UPCOMING GAMES
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
Brooklyn at Chicago
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
San Francisco at New Orleans
Buffalo at Los Angeles
New York at Kansas City
Code:
CFC LEADERS
SCORING PTS
Hale, NYG 42
Higman, Buf 36
Karaszewski, Buf 36
Mula, SF 36
Wade, NY 35
PASSING COMP-ATT YDS TD INT
Chappell, KC 51-87 1045 11 4
Monday, Buf 63-132 835 9 9
Fuchs, LA 39-84 801 3 4
Hale, NYG 32-62 792 6 4
Boettcher, NO 58-125 627 1 9
RUSHING YDS TD
Hale, NYG 565 6
Garner, SF 397 2
Rose, NYG 374 4
Stone, SF 370 1
Hendershot, Chi 300 3
RECEIVING CAT YDS TD
Mula, SF 27 266 6
Breig,Chi 23 344 1
Tammaro, KC 16 327 2
Pruitt, NO 15 141 0
Swanagan, Buf 14 155 1
Orr, KC 14 341 4
INERCEPTIONS #
Carroll, SF 3
many tied with 2
NEIGHBOR A RARE BREED IN BOSTON
Boston Bees defenseman Harry Neighbor is preparing to embark on his third full season with the club and is the proud owner of 2 Challenge Cup rings. The list of players that can boast winning the Challenge Cup is few, but even smaller is the list of Americans who have hoisted the famous trophy. Neighbor, who grew in Saginaw, Michigan, is one just two American born players to play in the NAHC last season.
Neighbor, who leads all American born players in the modern era with 325 NAHC games under his belt, broke into the league with the Chicago Packers in the late 1930s and was a steady defensive-minded rearguard on the Windy City club's blueline until he was dealt to Boston midway through the 1943-44 season. He helped Boston win the league playoff title each of the past two seasons, tallying 12 points during the season a year ago before adding 3 assists in the run to the Challenge Cup.
It is the Chicago Packers that have pioneered the development of American born players as four in total are under contract to NAHC organizations this year and all four have Chicago ties. The only other American-born player last year besides Neighbor to suit up for an NAHC game was Toronto Dukes back-up goaltender Terry Russell. The 30-year-old from Duluth, Mn., got his start with the Packers organization and was a teammate of Neighbor's in Chicago before being dealt to the Dukes prior to the 1945-46 season. Russell had some pretty strong years for the Packers and played 4 games in the 1944-45 playoffs but, unlike Neighbor, has not come close to a Cup win.
There is a chance the ranks of American born players could swell to as many as four next season with two others under contract to a pair of NAHC clubs, and once more both have ties to the Packers. One is under contract to the Packers, a defenseman by the name of Jesse Santoro. The 21-year-old Worcester, Mass., born rearguard spent the past three years in Vancouver of the coast league and is hoping to crack the Chicago Packers line-up.
The final one is 23-year-old winger Mike Navarro, who was born in New York City and has been in the Toronto Dukes system since the Packers traded him in 1944. A third-round pick of the Packers in the 1944 draft after spending a season with the Philadelphia Rascals, Navarro was dealt to Toronto after just 14 games with the Packers in 1944-45. He split the rest of the season between the Dukes and the HAA's Pittsburgh Rovers but did score 6 goals and add 6 assists his rookie season in the NAHC. Like Neighbor, Navarro also has a Cup ring as he played 10 games for the Dukes in their run to the Cup that season. Navarro suited up for 25 games for the Dukes in 1945-46 but spent last year in the minors, although he has hopes of cracking the Toronto roster this fall and joining fellow American Terry Russell on the Dukes.
NAHC CLUBS HIT ICE FOR PRESEASON CONTESTS THIS WEEK
We are just a couple of days away from the start of another exciting season in the North American Hockey Confederation. All six clubs began training camps this past week and the exhibition contest slate gets underway Wednesday with all clubs seeing action including the defending Challenge Cup champion Boston Bees who will entertain the Detroit Motors. The other two openers have Toronto playing host to Chicago in the return of ex-Detroit coach Jack Barrell to the NAHC as the new Dukes boss while Montreal will face off against the New York Shamrocks.
Each team will play 7 exhibition contests before the regular season opens Wednesday October 15th in Detroit when the Motors entertain the Chicago Packers at Thompson Palladium. The league has contracted to six teams with the decision of the Brooklyn Eagles to cease operations but the surviving clubs will play a record 60-game schedule in 1947-48.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Today -Paris, Fr: middleweight Yohan Revel (12-0) vs Kai Wacher (9-7-1)
- Oct 30: New Britain, Ct:weleterweight contender Ira Mitchell (19-1) vs Kevin Jackson (20-7)
- Oct 31: New York, NY: rising heavyweight Jack Tierney (8-0) vs Larry Duncan (2-1)
- Oct 31 -London, Eng: former world middleweight champ Archie Rees (38-7-1) vs Glenn Root (13-19)
- Dec 12 - Lakeside Auditorium, Chicago: World Middleweight Champ John Edmonds (23-2) rematch with Frank Melanson (32-1-2)
- Jan 10 - Santa Ana Stadium, Los Angeles: World Heavyweight Champ Hector Sawyer vs Dan Miller
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 9/28/1947
- President Truman is in a crisis parley with top agriculture advisors as pressure mounts for Truman to make a statement regarding both the rising costs and worries of shortages in the food situation at home and abroad.
- As the week progressed Truman launched a national food-conservation drive in what he described as a stop-gap step to meet "minimum foreign needs and at the same time relieve the upward pressure of prices at home."
- Britain warned the UN today that if the Soviet Union persisted in trying to force its own will on the world "the unstable peace of the world will crumble and crash" with "hideous consequences."
- The Arab world threatens "a complete economic and cultural break" with Europe and America if the United Nations should attempt to partition Palestine.
- Britain has announced it will end her 25-year mandate rule over Palestine if the UN fails to find a settlement of the Holy Land problem acceptable to both Jews and Arabs.
- Western Europe pledged itself to a program of self-help and asked the United States to send it more than $19 billion under a four-year Marshall plan as a means of averting economic "catastrophe."