DECEMBER 22, 1947
$96,000 MAN!
Stone Signs With San Francisco
Woody Stone may not be the best catcher in baseball, but he might just be the best negotiator the sport has ever seen. The 31-year-old has proved to be very resilient as he went from being cast aside by the best team in the Federal Association to signing the richest contract the sport has ever seen with the worst team in the Great Western League. Stone, baseball's first big name "Free Agent" played several teams against each other, shrewdly turning the disappointment of being released into a windfall that will pay him more than even triple crown winner Bobby Barrell will receive from the Philadelphia Keystones. Heck, Stone will make more money next season than Adam Mullins, Joe Henry, Clarence Howerton and Harry Mead -considered the top four catchers in the Continental Association right now by OSA- combined.
Officially it is a two-year deal worth $96,000 per season for a very good, but certainly not great, catcher. The San Francisco Hawks of the coast league managed to outbid rivals Dallas, Los Angeles and Portland to land Stone's services. There were several FABL clubs also said to be in the running including the Chicago Cougars, Brooklyn and Pittsburgh but all quickly dropped out when word trickled to them as to what it would cost to match the offers coming in from the west.
John Brinker, the esteemed New York Daily Mirror baseball columnist had this to say about Stone: "Now that he's signed a few notes on Stone. First, he returns to San Francisco where he played in '37 when it was still the Sailors' AAA affiliate. Second, there was likely a conception that Stone, by virtue of being an 8-year starter for the Sailors and a 5-time All-Star, would instantly assume the mantle of the best catcher in the GWL, or possibly even the best player in the GWL. That's pretty much a misconception. What he will be is a top three catcher, though definitely not the best catcher, not defensively and not offensive either (I won't say who the best one is, you can kind of figure it out via the stats but I won't tip anyone off).
Finally, I agree with Leland Kuenster, my colleague at the Chicago Herald Examiner, that this is a noteworthy signing, particularly financially, but also because Stone really is the first FABL player to be in or near his prime to go to the GWL, and it took big money to get him there. Does he deserve this much money? Absolutely not. He's making 28% more than Bobby Barrell who is clearly a much better player. But his main role is to provide the GWL with some legitimacy. Now he just has to prove he can actually be a top player in this league."
In a stunning move that has sent ripples across the country, our own beloved Hawks coming off a terrible 66 win campaign, only a year after winning the inaugural GWL Championship, have worked diligently to return to prominence. GM Joe Masters has not been afraid to bolster not only the active roster but also the feeder clubs. Before today Masters had signed 11 players but it was player #12 that has sent some back east into hysterics.
Joe Masters was able to out-bid rival GWL Clubs as well as a number of FABL clubs to land catcher Woody Stone, formerly of the Philadelphia Sailors of the FABL. The 31 year old, five time all-star agreed to a massive contract that will pay him 96,000 dollars over the next two seasons and will once again provide further legitimacy that the GWL is a full fledged “major” league.
When asked how he could justify paying Stone a salary that is 28% greater than Bobby Barrell is making for the Keystones coming off a season for the ages, Red Perrone flashed his winning grin and replied “The owners in the GWL, unlike the FABL believe in paying players what they are worth. The FABL likes to hoard their assets and keep players firmly under the iron thumb of dictatorship. Did we not just fight a WAR to end such tyranny? Yet we allow a league to operate under those same principles. In short gentlemen, The GWL believes in capitalism and it would encourage other players in the FABL with a like mindset to turn their attention to a league that would honor those values.”
Joe Masters took a more diplomatic approach to the signing. “I felt that adding a player of Stone’s quality is really going to help the ballclub. During negotiations Woody mentioned a number of times how 1937 was one of his best years in baseball as a AAA player. He loved the support he received from the fanbase and it definitely played a factor in the proceedings as we know other clubs were interested in his services.”
When asked why an FABL team didn’t pursue Woody if he was a top tier talent, Masters added “It is not my job to speculate what other teams are thinking. We knew that Woody was right for our ballclub and we are happy to have him in the fold”. While some owners such as Bernie Millard in Toronto have gone public with their negative opinions, it does shine light to what Red is saying, as all the top offers for Stone came from other GWL teams.
So the question remains, is Woody an outlier or simply the first of many?
THE GREAT WESTERN LEAGUE: A THREAT TO BASEBALL'S FINANCIAL SANITY?
As we huddle near the warmth of our hearths in the chill of winter, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the hallowed grounds of baseball. A fledgling rebel league on the west coast, known as the Great Western League, has just shaken the baseball world with an unprecedented contract signing. Woody Stone, a 31-year-old all-star catcher who was deemed too expensive by the Philadelphia Sailors at $40,000 a year, was swooped up by the Great Western League with a record-breaking contract of $96,000 per season!
The ink on Stone's contract has barely dried, and already baseball's elite are whispering anxiously. The golden boy of the sport, Bobby Barrell of the Philadelphia Keystones, who just accomplished the remarkable feat of winning the Triple Crown and setting a single-season home run record, is slated to earn $75,000 in 1948. One can't help but wonder if this drastic contrast in salaries is the harbinger of a storm that could plunge the beloved national pastime into chaos.
The deep-pocketed owners of the eight teams in the Great Western League have thus far respected the contracts of their FABL counterparts, refraining from poaching players directly from the established loop. However, with the audacious signing of Stone, we must question the league's ambitions. Will they be content to coexist as a separate entity, or do they envision themselves as a genuine competitor to the established order of baseball?
It's a nerve-wracking thought for the staunch traditionalists among us, who cherish the integrity and stability of Continental and Federal Association baseball. But as the winter months draw on, speculation abounds. Will these Western magnates, with their deep coffers and ambitions to be recognized on par with FABL, be tempted to wage a "war" for players? Such a reckless pursuit could send several teams in the major league hurtling towards bankruptcy.
Moreover, we must consider the implications for the players themselves. Will this wild escalation in salaries lead to disillusionment among their peers in the major leagues? With the game's financial equilibrium teetering on the edge, even the mightiest owners in FABL may find it challenging to compete for the stars of tomorrow, let alone retain their present roster.
As spring approaches, a sense of trepidation hangs in the air. While the Great Western League may boast its own brand of talent and excitement, it cannot be ignored that the repercussions of their aggressive financial moves may reverberate far beyond the western shores. For now, we can only hope that the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect among baseball's ownership prevails, safeguarding the integrity and longevity of the sport we cherish. But make no mistake, the winds of change are stirring, and baseball as we know it may never be quite the same.
FINCHES TRIUMPH AS AFA CHAMPIONS
In a thrilling gridiron battle at Forester Field, the Cleveland Finches soared to victory, claiming the American Football Association title, their first since the storied year of 1932. The clash between stout defenses and game-changing turnovers kept the 30,723 spectators at the edge of their seats, with Cleveland capitalizing on those crucial turnovers, accounting for 17 of their 24 hard-earned points.
Quarterback Phil Colvin proved his mettle, orchestrating the Finches' offense with skill and precision. He slung the pigskin for an impressive 194 yards, with an astounding 120 of those yards finding the hands of the agile end, Dave Nicholson, who rightfully earned the title of Most Valuable Player, snatching nine catches in total.
The hometown Finches struck first on the scoreboard, capitalizing on an early break when Washington's Steve Drake let the ball slip from his grasp on the Wasps 27-yard line, just as the second series commenced. The alert Steve Watts pounced on the loose ball, granting the Finches favorable field position. However, despite their efforts, they had to settle for a field goal, successfully booted by Watts, after only managing a single yard in three plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps responded with a field goal of their own, when Bob Krohn found his mark from 26 yards out, leveling the score at 3. The tension grew as the second quarter unfolded, and the Wasps surged ahead with a Bob Frum 5-yard touchdown run, set up beautifully by Ed Watson's dazzling 50-yard punt return, bringing the ball all the way to Cleveland's 8-yard line.
However, the momentum shifted in the Finches' favor when a Washington turnover came into play with less than 2 minutes remaining in the half. Krohn's intended pass to Johnny Douglas was snatched from the air by Cleveland's ballhawking back, Jim Nielsen. The interception provided the Foresters with a prime opportunity as they gained possession at the Wasps' 44-yard line, with a mere 1 minute and 27 seconds on the clock.
Phil Colvin orchestrated a swift and calculated drive, connecting with Dave Nicholson for a 24-yard gain, Roy Carson for 8, and Archie Bernstein for 17 more. A roughing-the-passer penalty paved the way for a first-and-goal from the one-yard line, and with great determination, Colvin rushed forward, plunging into the end zone, knotting the score at 10 as they headed into halftime.
The third quarter saw Colvin's initial drive conclude in an interception, but the Finches soon regrouped, staging a 62-yard drive highlighted by Carson's significant gain in the air and two more well-executed tosses to Nicholson. The triumphant march culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by Mark Ravellette, propelling the Finches back into the lead. Their fervor only intensified, thanks to another Washington turnover, when Charlie Smithberger skillfully scooped up an Ollie Bishop fumble early in the fourth period, racing 26 yards to find paydirt, boosting the Finches to a commanding 24-10 advantage.
Yet, the Wasps proved relentless in their pursuit of a first-ever AFA title, embarking on a 71-yard drive that culminated in a score, narrowing the gap to a mere 7 points with seven and a half minutes remaining in the game. The tension grew, but the Washington defense stood strong, providing their offense with another chance. Unfortunately, their hopes were dashed as Bob Krohn's second-down pass found the waiting arms of Cleveland's Wayne Carroll, resulting in an interception. Krohn's two final possessions were also met with disappointment, and the Finches' victory was sealed when Cleveland's John MacCarrick intercepted the desperate fourth-and-ten pass on their own 40-yard line in the final minute of the contest. The Finches ran out the clock, and with jubilation and cheers resounding through the air, fans rushed on to the field to celebrate a memorable 24-17 triumph over the valiant Washington Wasps.
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AMERICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHOIP GAME HISTORY
YEAR SCORE VENUE MVP
1947 Cleveland 24 Washington 17 Forester Field Dave Nicholson, Cle
1946 New York 28 Chicago 0 Dyckman Stadium Paul Watts, NY
1945 Boston 56 Detroit 24 Minutemen Stadium Del Thomas, Bos
1944 Philadelphia 30 Detroit 14 Sailors Memorial Ollie Bishop, Phi
1943 Chicago 21 Boston 20 Minutemen Stadium Freeman Stahlberg, Chi
1942 Boston 24 Chicago 21 Whitney Park Del Thomas, Bos
1941 Chicago 10 New York 7 Whitney Park Dutch Hoffman, Chi
1940 Brooklyn 20 Detroit 7 Thompson Field Don Ludwigs, Bkn
1939 Boston 21 Chicago 14 Whitney Park Leon Fitzgerald, Bos
1938 Brooklyn 9 Pittsburgh 7 Kings County Bill Morrisett, Bkn
1937 New York 34 Chicago 0 Bigsby Oval Tom Jamason, NY
1936 Detroit 24 Pittsburgh 7 Thompson Field Vernon Flowers, Det
1935 Pittsburgh 7 Cleveland 0 Forester Field Harvey Bowman, Pit
1934 Pittsburgh 7 Detroit 0 Thompson Field Hank Greshman, Pit
1933 Rhode Island 21 Chicago 0 North Side Park Harvey Bowman, RI
1932 Cleveland Finiches (7-3)
1931 Detroit Maroons and Rhode Island Reds co-champs (12-1-1)
1930 New York Stars (14-2-1)
1929 Detroit Maroons (13-0)
1928 Chicago Wildcats (11-0-2)
1927 Detroit Maroons (10-0)
1926 Chicago Wildcats (13-1-2)
1925 Cleveland Finches (12-1-1)
1924 Toledo Tigers (9-0)
1923 Pittsburgh Pros (12-0)
1922 Evansville Lions (10-1)
1921 Chicago Wildcats (9-1-1)
1920 Youngstown Reapers (7-0)
CHAPPELL NAMED CFC'S TOP PLAYER FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR
The Continental Football Conference has named Pat Chappell its top player for the second year in a row. The quarterback led the Kansas City Cowboys to a second straight CFC championship, compiling a 27-3 record over the past two seasons. Chappell, who threw for a league best 2,951 yards and 32 touchdowns, was joined on the TWIFB CFC All-Pro team by four of his Cowboys teammates including powerful fullback Mason Matthews and dynamic receiver Bill Tammaro.
The top defensive player in the league was Los Angeles Lobos linebacker Stan Spearin, who had 109 tackles to go along with 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles in helping the Lobos to a second place finish behind Kansas City in the West Division.
VALIANTS ADD ELITE PAIR OF DEFENDERS
The Montreal Valiants may have just become the clear favourite to claim the Challenge Cup in April after a major trade deadline deal with the struggling Detroit Motors netted a pair of elite defensemen including all-star Shel Herron. The 32-year-old Herron will immediately become the top defenseman on the Vals and combined with 28-year-old Bryant Williams, who joins Herron in the move to Montreal, the duo elevate the Valiants defense to quite possibly the best in the league.
The cost was not light as Detroit, desperate for an improved offense, adds 20-year-old center Francis McKenzie, who was selected second overall by the Vals in the July draft but had been apprenticing in Syracuse with a deep core of forwards ahead of him on the Vals. McKenzie, described by Detroit head scout Frank Yeadon as someone who "has the potential to become an oustanding player in our league," will be joined in Detroit by youthful defenseman Spencer Larocque, a 21-year-old who had 6 points in 21 games as a rookie with Montreal this season. Also heading to the Motor City will be the rights to 22-year-old rearguard Dixon Butler who Yeadon believes could eventually become Herron's equal. It will be a long wait for Butler as the 1945 second round draft pick is under contract to Tacoma of the Great Western Hockey League for four seasons.
The move makes it very difficult to find a hole in the Valiants as there offense is nearly the equal of Chicago's and the defense quickly becomes the envy of the league. Detroit management will be looking fondly to the future but in Montreal the future is clearly now as the Valiants stock up for a bid at their first Challenge Cup win since 1928.
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NAHC Standings
TEAM GP W L T PTS GF GA
Chicago 25 16 8 1 33 98 60
Montreal 25 14 9 2 30 83 79
Boston 25 11 12 2 24 73 71
Toronto 26 11 13 2 24 72 88
New York 24 10 13 1 21 70 70
Detroit 25 8 15 2 18 61 69
SCORING LEADERS
NAME GP G A PTS
T Burns, Chi 25 21 15 36
Mahoney, Chi 24 12 21 33
W Burns, Chi 23 10 21 31
Albers, NY 24 7 17 24
Cabbell, NY 23 15 8 23
Pollack, Tor 24 11 12 23
Chandler, Bos 25 10 13 23
Lanceleve, Mon 25 10 13 23
Skinner, Mon 25 10 13 23
Lynch, Mon 20 8 12 20
Gregg, NY 19 10 9 19
Sauer, Tor 22 9 10 19
Hart, Bos 24 9 10 19
Galbraith, Tor 26 8 11 19
Haines, Mon 21 6 13 19
GOALIE LEADERS
NAME GP W L T ShO GAA
James, Bos 9 4 4 1 1 2.56
Hanson, Chi 20 11 8 1 2 2.56
Tremblay, NY 15 7 7 0 1 2.59
Carter, Det 8 1 4 0 0 2.87
Brockers, Bos 16 7 8 1 0 2.94
Broadway, Tor 23 9 11 2 1 3.22
Touhey, Mon 22 13 8 0 1 3.28
Sorrell, NY 11 3 6 1 2 3.31
Chasse, Det 20 7 11 2 1 3.71
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17
Detroit 0 at 7 Chicago: With plenty of trade talk surrounding the Motors as Saturday's trade deadline nears, including potential rumours of a deal with Chicago, the Detroit Motors delivered what was likely their worst game of the season in being hammered 7-0 in Chicago. The streak Packers ran their record to 11-1-1 in their last 13 games. It started innocently enough with Ed Delarue scoring the opening goal of the period for the Packers, who were playing without veteran Wes Burns -sidelined for a week. Chicago then exploded for 3 goals in each the second and third periods including a pair of the stick of defenseman Pete Moreau and Tommy Burns league-leading 19th of the season.
Boston 2 at 5 New York: Boston's December struggles continue with the Bees suffering their fourth loss in the past six games while the Shamrocks clearly have the Bees number, winning four of their five meetings this season. Right winger Tommy Brescia has had a quiet start to the season for New York, but he did shine in this one with 3 assists to give him 11 points in 24 games after scoring 36 points in 42 contests last season.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20
Boston 6 at 6 Montreal: All eyes at the Montreal Arena were focused on the two newest Valiants as veteran defenseman Shel Herron and Bryant Williams arrived on the train from Detroit just prior to game time. Each would play a regular shift and Herron scored his first goal of the season while also adding an assist in a high scoring dual. It was not the Valiants finest defensive effort as they settled for a 6-6 draw despite outshooting Boston 39-19. Montreal squandered a 5-2 second period lead and needed a Brett Lanceleve goal with 25 seconds remaining and goaltender Millard Touhey on the bench for an extra attacker just to escape with a single point.
Detroit 4 at 4 Toronto: Detroit had its two newcomers in the lineup following the trade and defenseman Spencer Larocque picked up an assist in the 4-4 tie. Rookie Lou Galbraith scored twice for Toronto while Arnold Singleton and Nick Tardiff led the Motors with a goal and an assist each.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
Detroit 4 at 0 Boston: Henri Chasse made 21 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Motors blanked Boston 4-0 at Denny Arena. Newcomer Spencer Larocque scored the opening goal of the game while Ben Witt, Joe Todd and Nick Tardiff added second period markers for the Motors who fired 35 shots on Boston netminder Oscar James.
Toronto 0 at 6 Chicago: The surging Packers won their fourth in a row and Norm Hanson posted his second straight shutout in a 6-0 lambasting of Toronto. Tommy Burns scored twice and added two helpers while defenseman Mark Brooks had 2 goals and an assist as Chicago moved 3 points clear of Montreal atop the NAHC standings.
Montreal 3 at 1 New York: The Shamrocks won their third game in a row with a 3-1 victory at Bigsby Gardens over Montreal. Sam Furr snapped a 1-1 tie with the game winner at 18:08 of the third period and Jocko Gregg sealed the win with an empty net goal for his 10th marker of the season.
UPCOMING REGULAR SEASON GAMES
TUESDAY DECEMBER 23
New York at Chicago
THURSDAY DECEMBER 25
Chicago at Boston
New York at Detroit
Toronto at Montreal
SATURDAY DECEMBER 27
Chicago at Montreal
Boston at Toronto
SUNDAY DECEMBER 28
Boston at Detroit
Toronto at New York
MOTORS PRESS RELEASE ON DEADLINE TRADE
The deal marks a major shift in approach for the struggling Motors who go from a defense-first club that has struggled in its own end this season to a team that now has some pieces to perhaps one day embrace the same firewagon style of hockey that seems to be a very successful approach in both Montreal and Chicago this season. The key piece for the Motors is young center Francis McKenzie. The 20 year old was selected second overall by the Valiants in the June draft and will go from apprenticing in Syracuse to what is hoped to be a lead role in the Motor City immediately. Long-term, Motors coach Mark Moore sees McKenzie as the first-line playmaking center that can carry a club offensively.
21-year-old Spencer Larocque will fill one of the vacancies on the Motors blueline and hopefully will evolve to the level of Williams in his own end while having a higher ceiling as an offensive contributor. The Motors will have a long wait for Dixon Butler as the 22-year-old is contracted to Tacoma for four seasons but Detroit scouts feel he has the potential to develop into a top pairing defenseman in the league when he does arrive.
The club anticipates perhaps some short term struggles on the blueline but if Larocque can handle increased minutes right away and Mike Schlegel -a player the club was very high on before an off-ice incident caused a rift with teammates, most notably Williams, and led to his expulsion to Buffalo- has gained a level of maturity the club is not ruling out contending for a playoff spot this season.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
- From Brett Bing, Toronto Mail & Empire -- The Toronto Dukes, hanging on to a playoff spot by the skin of their collective teeth, have been dealt a further blow. Gordie Broadway was transferred to the injury list before the GM could stop the transaction, now he will be out until the beginning of 1948. This has forced a contract offer to Bruce Taggart to serve as backup in Toronto. Terry Russell will now start at least the next three games over the Christmas season. Russell just let 6 by him on 43 shots in a 6-0 whitewash by the Packers, not a good start.
- From Dan Urbanski, Detoit Times --I suppose it is slightly better to be a bad young team than just a bad team. That is the prevailing thought of scribes gathered in the Dominion Gardens press box Saturday night dissecting the news that the Motors had deal their two best defensemen -and arguably two best players- to Montreal for a trio of highly touted, but as of yet unproven prospects. The Motors did look like a more determined club after the deal broke and picked up 3 of 4 points over the weekend. Spencer Larocque may make fans forget about Bryant Williams but it will be tough to replace Shel Herron as well on the Detroit blueline.
- There were rumours the Chicago Packers were very interested in adding either Williams or Herron from Detroit but the Packers brass balked at the cost. Judging by the last four games, where the Packers outscored their opponents 23-4 in winning each of them including back to back shutouts this week, there is not much of a need for an upgrade in Chicago.
- Not only are the Boston Bees struggling with a 2-5-1 December record, but they are also beat up on the blueline. Veterans Harry Neigbor and Willis Beane are both out for a couple of weeks while 24-year-old Conn Cundiff, who has 12 points already this season, might miss a couple of days with a broken nose. Add in the fact that 32-year-old Frank Yeadon has missed most of the season with a wrist injury and it is slim pickings on the Bees blueline at the moment.
PANTHERS ON PROWL IN FBL WEST
The Chicago Panthers are starting to hit their stride as the defending FBL champions ran their record on the season to 10-4 with four straight victories including a punishing 100-61 win over the Cleveland Crushers in their most recent game. Led by big men Richard Campbell and Cory Myers the Panthers proved the class of the FBL in the new loop's debut campaign a year ago. Now with the addition of slick passing guard Joe Hampton, a Chicago native, the Panthers look almost unstoppable.
Campbell, a 29-year-old out of Western Florida who cut his pro teeth with 4 seasons playing for the powerful Brooklyn Red Caps of the American Basketball Conference, was the top scorer in the Federal League last season and is among the leaders in points and rebounds again this year. Like Campbell, the 28 year old Myers spent some time in Brooklyn after his collegiate days at Lane State concluded, but he really established himself as a master of the boards with his move to Chicago last season. Myers led the FBL in rebounds a year ago and is in the top six after 14 games this time around.
The addition of Hampton, a former baseball star who spent some time in the minor leagues before deciding on a career change by enrolling at Western Iowa, has given the Panthers an added dimension. Upon completion of his collegiate eligibility, Hampton was selected 4th overall by Hartford in the ABC draft last season and proceeded to be the top rookie in the established league. The lure of a chance to return to his hometown -he is the son of former Chicago Chiefs all-star Jim Hampton- proved too much and he bolted the established league to join the Panthers this season. He is among the league leaders in assists as he adroitly distributes the ball to Campbell and Myers under the basket while also managing to shoot enough to average over 10 points per game. The trio has Panthers fans looking towards a second straight league title.
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FEDERAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS
EAST W L PCT GB
Baltimore 10 4 .714 -
Philadelphia 9 5 .643 2.0
Buffalo 5 9 .357 5.0
Toronto 3 11 .214 7.0
WEST W L PCT GB
Chicago 10 4 .714 -
Detroit 7 7 .500 3.0
Cincinnati 7 8 .467 3.5
Cleveland 5 8 .385 4.5
SCORING LEADERS PPG
Danny Hendon, PHI 20.5
Richard Campbell, CHI 19.8
Lary Yim, BUF 19.1
Irvin Mudd, PHI 19.0
Jamel Porter, TOR 18.3
David Reed, DET 17.2
George Kelley, CLE 17.2
Ryan Wilkes, CIN 16.9
Jack Hirst, BAL 16.1
Nestor Patterson, BAL 15.9
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AMERICAN BASKETBALL CONFERENCE STANDINGS
EAST W L PCT GB
Brooklyn 10 7 .588 -
Boston 8 8 .500 1.5
Hartford 7 9 .438 2.5
New York 5 9 .357 3.5
WEST W L PCT GB
Richmond 11 6 .647 -
Washington 7 5 .583 1.5
Pittsburgh 8 9 .471 3.0
Rochester 6 9 .400 4.0
SCORING LEADERS PPG
James Phillips, HAR 20.7
John Rodrigez, HAR 19.8
Ivory Mitchell, BKN 19.2
Augie Schleicher, PIT 18.9
Stewart Hurlburt, RIC 18.8
Morgan Melcher, BOS 18.7
Norm Yates, RIC 18.4
Ivan Sisco, WAS 18,2
Gerald Carter, BOS 18.0
Max Lucia, PIT 17.5
HALF-MILLION FANS READY FOR CLASSIC WHOOPEE
Half a million fans have whetted their appetites for their annual gridiron desserts, traditionally served in full dress New Year's Day Classic Games from coast to coast. The total is anticipated to exceed by a good margin the 435,000 who attended the events on January 1, 1947. This year the feeding frenzy got off to an early start with a pair of Classics already complete including Custer College's 28-16 triumph over Kamehameha College on the Hawaiian Islands Saturday. The Calvary will play once more in the 2-game event dubbed the Hawaii Football Classic when they face an all-star collection of local grid stars two days after Chirstmas.
Then it will be time for the big dish with action on nine fronts to ring in the New Year. The two most important games this season appear to be the Detroit City College- CCLA rematch in the East-West Classic at Santa Ana and the Travis College-Alabama Baptist battle in Cajun Classic in New Orleans. Each of these teams represent champions in their respective sections. The Santa Ana game will also draw the day's biggest crowd, 93,000.
The daddy of 'em all, the East-West Classic will be held for the 32nd time when the West Coast Athletic Association champion , CC Los Angeles Coyotes, meets the Great Lakes Alliance standard bearer, Detroit City College Knights. It will be a rematch of last year's game, when DCC made its first trip to Santa Ana a memorable one with a 38-21 victory. At stake potentially could be the number two ranking in the nation as DCC enters the game with a perfect 10-0 record but is not expected to overtake 9-0 St. Blane, which has elected not to participate in a Classic game. The Coyotes are 8-1-1 and ranked 4th with 10-0 Travis College sandwiched between them.
CLASSIC GAMES
DECEMBER 6
Great Lakes Classic -Cleveland
Central Kentucky 17 Penn Catholic 7
DECEMBER 20
HAWAII FOOTBALL CLASSIC - Honolulu
Custer College 28 Kamehameha College 16
DECEMBER 27
HAWAII FOOTBALL CLASSIC - Honolulu
Custer College vs Hawaii All-Stars
JANUARY 1
EAST-WEST CLASSIC: Santa Ana, CA
Detroit City College (9-0) vs CC Los Angeles (8-0-1)
CAJUN CLASSIC: New Orleans, La
Alabama Baptist (8-1-1) vs Travis College (10-0)
LONE STAR CLASSIC: Austin, Tx
Noble Jones College (7-4) vs Maryland State (6-3-1)
SUNSHINE CLASSIC: Miami, Fl
Lawrence State (9-1) vs Georgia Baptist (7-1-2)
BAYSIDE CLASSIC: Tampa, Fl
Liberty College (8-1) vs Texas Gulf Coast (7-2-1)
PACIFIC COAST CLASSIC: San Diego, Ca
Coastal California (6-2-1) vs Abilene Baptist (8-2)
VOLUNTEER CLASSIC: Nashville, Tn.
Amarillo Methodist (4-6) vs Mississippi A&M (8-1-1)
REDBIRDS KNOCK CANARIES OFF TOP PERCH
Collegiate basketball has a new number one team this week after Bruno Mercurio and John Rosenberger combined for 29 points on Wednesday to lead the Garden State Redbirds to a 50-41 upset victory over Western Iowa. The loss, the first of the season for Canaries, drops Western Iowa from number in the rankings for the first time this season. Coast outfit Rainier College takes over the top spot despite the fact the 9-1 Majestics also lost for the first time this week, falling 35-27 to San Francisco Tch on Monday before rebounding to beat St Blane 38-32 later in the week.
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AIAA COLLEGIATE CAGE RANKINS
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference
1. Rainier College (46) 9-1 1755 2 West Coast Athletic Association
2. Whitney College (22) 7-0 1705 4 Great Lakes Alliance
3. Coastal California (2) 6-0 1658 5 West Coast Athletic Association
4. Western Iowa (1) 4-1 1542 1 Great Lakes Alliance
5. CC Los Angeles (1) 8-0 1506 3 West Coast Athletic Association
6. Great Plains State 10-0 1435 6 Indy
7. Carolina Poly 6-1 1391 7 South Atlantic Conference
8. Mississippi A&M 8-1 1356 8 Deep South Conference
9. Detroit City College 5-1 1253 9 Great Lakes Alliance
10. North Carolina Tech 6-1 1093 15 South Atlantic Conference
11. Indiana A&M 5-1 1014 16 Great Lakes Alliance
12. Central Ohio 6-2 964 17 Great Lakes Alliance
13. Northern Minnesota 9-1 842 19 Indy
14. Texas Gulf Coast 4-2 735 20 Southwestern Alliance
15. Travis College 7-1 719 NR Southwestern Alliance
16. Brunswick 8-2 636 NR Academia Alliance
17. Bayou State 5-2 622 25 Deep South Conference
18. Alabama Baptist 5-1 564 NR Deep South Conference
19. Lane State 6-2 455 NR West Coast Athletic Association
20. Needham 6-1 417 NR Indy
21. Lexington State 4-1 376 NR South Atlantic Conference
22. Lambert College 7-2 310 NR Midwestern Association
23. St. Ignatius 4-1 238 NR Great Lakes Alliance
24. Holland 5-1 229 13 Central Athletic Alliance
25. Garden State 5-2 222 NR Liberty Conference
Others Receiving Votes:
Lubbock State 9-2 140 Southwestern Alliance
Liberty College 7-3 110 Indy
Redwood 3-2 37 West Coast Athletic Association
Maryland State 5-2 31 South Atlantic Conference
Johnston Tech 10-2 21 Indy
Pittsburgh State 8-2 8 Indy
Charleston Tech 7-2 7 South Atlantic Conference
Grant (IN) 8-2 6 Indy
St. Magnus 6-2 2 Great Lakes Alliance
Laclede 6-2 1 Midwestern Association
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS INVOLVING TOP 25 TEAMS
MONDAY DECEMBER 15
at San Francisco Tech 35, #1 Rainier College 27
#3 Coastal California 48, at Fond du Lac 33
at #5 CC Los Angeles 58, Brooklyn State 46
at #10 North Carolina Tech 56, Eastern Virginia 48
at #17 Bayou State 58, Capital (MS) University 34
at #19 Lane State 58, George Fox 44
at #21 Lexington State 43, Mississippi Tech 38
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16
at #2 Whitney College 72, Michigan Lutheran 25
at #7 Carolina Poly 52, St. Matthew's College 34
at #8 Mississippi A&M 61, Commonwealth Catholic 30
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17
at #3 Coastal California 46, Springfield State 30
at #16 Brunswick 58, Richmond State 44
at #17 Bayou State 57, San Francisco Tech 40
at #25 Garden State 50, #4 Western Iowa 41
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18
at #5 CC Los Angeles 33, Wisconsin State 32
#6 Great Plains State 43, at College of Cairo 42
at #13 Northern Minnesota 51, Brandywine 47
at #15 Travis College 51, California Catholic 43
FRIDAY DECEMBER 19
at #1 Rainier College 38, St. Blane 32
#8 Mississippi A&M 44, at St. Martin's College 39
#18 Alabama Baptist 57, at Annapolis Maritime 40
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20
at #2 Whitney College 56, College of Omaha 29
#3 Coastal California 70, at Flint 64
#11 Indiana A&M 40, at Maldin 32
at #16 Brunswick 68, Oklahoma Bible College 34
#24 Holland 57, at Plover College 46
#25 Garden State 55, at Penn Catholic 46
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21
at #6 Great Plains State 54, Lawrence State 46
at #9 Detroit City College 45, Ohio Poly 37
at #15 Travis College 33, Capital (MS) University 29
#21 Lexington State 52, at Annapolis Maritime 43
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Jan 10 - Santa Ana Stadium, Los Angeles: World Heavyweight Champ Hector Sawyer vs Dan Miller
- Jan 15- Philadelphia: HW Scott Baker (15-3-2) vs Chris Sullivan (19-4-4)
- Jan 19- Portland, Oregon: WW contenders Mark Westlake (22-2-1) vs Carl Taylor (22-4-2)
- Jan 24 - Lake Erie Arena, Cleveland, OH: World Welterweight champion Harold Stephens (20-3-2) defends his title against Ira Mitchell (19-1)
- Jan 29 - Bigsby Garden, New York: HW contender Mark Fountain (22-4-1) vs Dave Kennedy (28-11-4) and HW contender Roy Crawford (25-3) vs Glenn Hairston (25-8-2)
- Jan 31- Detroit: rising HW Lewis Jones (14-1) vs Marvin Martin (18-10-4)
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 12/21/1947
- Still waiting on Congressional approval for nearly $600 million of emergency aid for European recovery, President Truman asked for $6,800,000,000 to launch the Marshall plan by April 1 and a total commitment of $17 billion to carry through to June 1952. Sharp attacks from both Republicans and Democrats in response forecast rough going for the Marshall plan when Congress resumes January 6.
- The House killed the Republican four-point anti-inflation bill with every Democrat and 26 Republicans voting against it. The defeat ends any chance for Congress acted on high prices at this special session.
- The Senate batted down a Democratic proposal to grant President Truman "mandatory" authority to require industry to parcel out scarce cost-of-living commodities. It was an amendment to another anti-inflation bill sponsored by Republican Senator Taft.
- Soviet Russia is converting her paper rubles in circulation at one-tenth their face value as one means of checking inflation which has boosted prices of some goods to 10 or 15 times their prewar level.
- The Council of Foreign Ministers has adjourned indefinitely, indicating its London conference on Germany has ended in failure. With Russia out of talks, the U.S., Britain and Fance worked on tentative plans for economic consolidation of Western Germany, whose industrial potential may be a major factor in the European recovery program.
- A day later Russia's military administration moved swiftly to solidy its hold on Eastern Germany.