JUNE 7, 1948
PIONEERS MAKING A CHARGE AT FED LEAD
The defending World Champion St Louis Pioneers got off to a slow start but with 13 wins in their last 16 outings they are closing in on top spot in the Federal Association. The starting pitching, a strength of the organization a year ago, is once more key to the Pioneers rise with Hal Hackney (7-2, 3.11) leading the way while 25-year-old Dick Long is off to a surprising 5-1 start. Danny Hern, who seemingly came out of nowhere to win the Allen Award a year ago, had a slow start but has won 3 of his last 4 starts to help offset the continued struggles for the third member of the 3-H club, Hiram Steinberg (2-5, 3.73).
The Pioneers are not the only hot team in the Fed as the New York Gothams and Detroit Dynamos are also on a roll. The Gothams, despite injuries to key players Red Johnson, Mahlon Strong and George Cleaves, have taken over top spot in the Fed after sweeping a 3-game series in Philadelphia last week. The Gothams are 23-8 since early May and are expecting Johnson back this week and Strong in the very near future. Detroit has won five in a row and is just a half game back of the Gothams thanks to a dominant pitching staff led by young Carl Potter (6-3, 2.87) and veteran Dixie Lee (6-1, 3.31) along with a terrific start to the season for centerfielder Edwin Hackberry (.349,9,35).
The Continental Association, which has seen seven teams bunched together all season, is starting to show some signs of separation. The Montreal Saints are the surprise leaders, heading the New York Stars by half a game after the Chicago Cougars and Cincinnati Cannons each had a rough week. The Cougars opened and closed the week with doubleheader splits but in between lost three of four in Toronto while the Cannons are on a 7-14 skid including losing 3 of 4 at home to the Stars last week.
MILLER HEADS AIAA ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Coastal State junior shortstop Tom Miller heads the list of collegiate baseball All-Americans which was revealed last week. The 22-year-old, who won the Christian Trophy a year ago as a sophomore, joins the select group of college players named first team All-Americans for three consecutive seasons. He was selected first overall in January by the Washington Eagles in the FABL draft and is expected to sign a pro contract immediately after the completion of the Collegiate World Championship Series, in which his school is the 8th seed and will face Opelika State in the opening round.
Three other players were named to the first team for the second consecutive season. They are a pair of Grange College outfielders in Bill Morrison and Don Berry as well as the third outfielder on the first time: Redwood University's Red Hinton. Hinton, who was a second round selection of the St Louis Pioneers, is one of five juniors named to the first squad. The others are Miller, St Blane first baseman Joe Bednar and a pair of Bluegrass State infielders in Jim Urquhart and Hank Estill. Estill was selected 7th overall by the New York Gothams while Urquhart was also a first round pick, going 15th to the Cleveland Foresters. Bednar was not selected in the opening ten rounds but is expected to chosen in the second phase of the draft on June 21.
Four drafted players were named to the Second team including third baseman Frankie Williams from Lane State. A first team All-American selection each of his first two seasons of college ball, he was nosed out this year and had to settle for the second team but was drafted by the Washington Eagles in the 4th round. The other drafted players from the second team are Constitution State first baseman Happy Wright (round 2: Cincinnati), Macon State catcher Bob Burge (round 2: Pittsburgh) and Eastern State second baseman Andy Kylo (round 5: Cleveland) and
GRANGE COLLEGE SET TO DEFEND AIAA BALL CROWN
The elite of collegiate baseball will gather in Boston next week for the annual AIAA World Championship Series tournament. This is the 3rd year of the expanded 16 team tournament field and for the third consecutive season Bluegrass State will be the number one seed in the field. The Mustangs, who will be led by All-American infielders Jim Urquhart and Hank Estill, were eliminated in the first round by Georgia Baptist each of the two previous seasons. The Gators failed to qualify for the tournament this time around so perhaps that bodes well for Bluegrass State, who will face Eastern Oklahoma in the opening round next Monday.
The defending champions are another Kentucky school as Grange College beat Carolina Poly 2 games to one in the best of three final last year. Both schools are back this time around and could meet each other in the second round of the event next Tuesday. The opening two rounds will be split between the campus stadiums of St. Patrick's University and Commonwealth Catholic before the semi-finals and finals take place at Minutemen Stadium, home of the Boston Federal Association ballclub.
PIONEERS LOOKING TO SETTLE AT TOP OF FED AGAIN
The surging St. Louis Pioneers, they of a 13-3 record since May 22, are getting some youthful reinforcements.
Jim McBride, the club’s second-round selection in the 1946 draft out of Coastal State, has been brought up to the team from AAA Charleston. He will be in the lineup, batting eighth, and playing center field, Monday against Philadelphia.
McBride tore out of the gate, hitting an astounding .432/.488/703 in April. He did cool off in May, hitting just .314/.411/.552. And yes, his June has been dismal (he was just 3-17 so far), but according to Manager Hugh Luckey, the time was now.
“The time was really last week,” said Luckey about McBride. “Sure, one can say, ‘Luck, your boys are flying high. Why would you go and mess with that success?’ And I can understand that line of thinking. But the way we see it…we’ve played well, but we had to climb out of a hole. We did that, and now we’re right in the mix with any of those clubs back east.
“Now is the time to adjust for the next two months. Let the kid get some time. He’s been hitting lightning all year, and our lineup needs more of that. If we had just a bit more offense, with our pitching staff, we’d get right back to the top.
“I’m not sure anyone would be able to push us off,” he concluded.
That means a lot is riding on the 22-year-old out of Burlington, North Carolina. But “Bump”, as he was known around the bush leagues, says he’s ready.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit to get here,” said McBride upon his arrival at the Gibson Hotel, where he will stay temporarily, while the team helps him find more suitable accommodations. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. I know that doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you’re so close to it, and can’t touch it…it feels like forever.”
McBride will be taking over in center for Cal Page, whose season-long slump at the plate can no longer be overcome by his glove or throwing arm. For his part, Page seems to be taking it in stride.
“Come on now…only sixteen starting center fielders in this league,” said Page. “You have to play well. I have tried, but it hasn’t come so far. If the kid can bring some good wood, we’re all better for it.”
After that, Page showed perhaps some wisdom beyond his nearly 28 years in this realm.
“Everyone wants to be a star,” he commented. “Very few get to be one. I know I can play at this level, but I also know it’s unlikely I’ll be on the cover of a magazine.
“That check in October,” he continued, referring to his winner’s share of the FABL Championship, “that made it clear what the priorities of every player who isn’t going to be on a magazine should be. I’ll take that check over any potential hurt feelings any day.”
McBride isn’t the only player arriving from Charleston. Tucker Ness, a 29-year-old catcher who Pioneer fans last saw in 1946, has been recalled to the parent club.
Ness, hitting .320/.340/.530 in part-time action for the Blue Legs, replaces Artie Smith, who was hitting .241/.290/.276 in 31 plate appearances. Luckey said that Smith’s demotion is not all about performance, though.
“He’s a kid,” said Luckey about the 23-year-old, who was the team’s first-round selection in 1945. “He’s played in 71 games since he got here. I looked it up. He came up in ’46. Only played 98 games down in AAA before he did it, too, which is quite an accomplishment.
“Look, he needs to play. Sure, he’s learning from Zim (starting catcher Heinie Zimmer), but the best teacher is doing. You can’t fail unless you do. And you can’t grow unless you fail…at least some of the time. You don’t learn how to grow, right?”
Smith will immediately become the everyday catcher in Blue Leg Land. Meanwhile, Ness will continue his role as the backup.
I FEEL A DRAFT - IMPORTANT DAYS AHEAD FOR CAGE AND ICE CREWS
The only good thing about missing the playoffs is you are rewarded with a high draft pick. That is the one consolation both the Detroit Motors and Detroit Mustangs can look forward to as each of the local outfits prepare for the upcoming drafts in their respective sports. The ice Motors, after a last-place finish in the North American Hockey Confederation, will own the first overall selection while the cage Mustangs, who missed the playoffs both years of their existence, will select second in the Federal Basketball League after the Toronto Titans make their choice known.
The Motors could really use help everywhere on the ice, but the biggest need is likely an elite forward who can help the club improve on its league low 2.76 goals per game from last season. While there may not be a dominant can't miss scorer in the current draft class there are some interesting players for Motors Scouting Director Frank Yeadon to look at. It is expected one of three wingers in Pat Benning, Carl Loon or Lou Barber will be Detroit's choice. Benning is a right winger from Yeadon's old stomping grounds of British Columbia and the scouting department feels he has the potential to match Nick Tardif -the Motors young star who was named the league's top rookie this season. Loon hails from Edmonton and is much the same type of player as Benning only playing left wing while Barber, a Tillsonburg, Ont., native may be the closest to being NAHC ready of the three. Barber suited up for 33 games with the HAA Toledo Tigers as a 19-year-old and had 4 goals and 15 points.
Rollie Barrell's Detroit Mustangs feel they are in a very good spot. The Toronto Titans have the first selection in the draft due to their 13-35 season, but Barrell is happy choosing second. The owner would not comment on any specific potential draftee, but it is clear the Mustangs will select either Walt Messer or Darren Fuhrman. Messer might be a slightly better fit as the Mustangs do have a need for a big body with Manuel Nelson turning 39 years of age recently, but it is expected the Titans will select him simply on name recognition in a bid to help attendance. Messer is the reigning AIAA player of the year and younger brother of New York Gothams outfielder Walt Messer. Fuhrman, a Texas native who starred at Texas Gulf Coast, might end up having the higher ceiling but with him the Detroit lineup might be a little undersized if the plan is to use the 6'6" youngster along with Jack Kurtz and David Reed in the front court, assuming Nelson elects to retire as he has hinted.
The draft is also important in the coming weeks in FABL. The first 10 rounds have been completed but the Detroit Dynamos are highly anticipating the arrival of local youngster Dino Sharp. The 18-year-old Detroit native was the Dynamos first round pick and was among the nation's leaders with 12 homers for his Cleveland-area high school this season. Most mock drafts conducted by OSA list the power-hitting first baseman as the number one draft eligible prospect. Detroit, and the rest of FABL, are free to sign draftees to pro contracts after the final 15 rounds of the draft are conducted June 21.
This was more how Gothams management imagined the season going. A 3 game series in Philly for first place and 3 wins, 5-2, 5-1, 5-2, behind newly added starters Buddy Long and Lefty Allen. Add in that one of those games was started by rookie Jerry Decker and it was all smiles in Queens. Somehow the team has survived lengthy injuries to Red Johnson, Mahlon Strong and now George Cleaves. It hasn't mattered as the Gothams have charged up the standings to take over first place ahead of the streaking Detroit Dynamos. Now Johnsonis ready to return and you can only hope that Strong is not far behind. Add these bats to the team with the highest run differential in the majors and it's not hard to imagine the kind of season the team thought this group could produce.
- Montreal fans are dancing in streets, pens Marc T. McNeil of the Montreal Star. June has arrived and the Saints are still over 500...even more surprising they are 1st place in the Continental Association standings. It seems quite likely some readers are turning the newspaper upside down thinking there is something wrong with the printing.
- Archie Irwin of the Chicago Daily News wonders if Red Bond is the only reason the Saints aren't running away with the CA? After another three homer week, the former Saint is slashing .327/.378/.673 (182 OPS+) with 15 doubles and 31 RBIs for the Chicago Cougars. In his place, Maurice Carter has manned first, but his .228/.323/.382 (85 OPS+) batting line -- as stark decline from the .283/.366/.454 (131 OPS+) line Carter posted after being acquired shortly after Bond was shipped off to Chicago. It's still early, but at 27-21, the Saints hold a half game lead over the Stars. It's easy to speculate a few additional wins, but having a bat like Bond's in the middle of an order that ranks just 6th in the association in runs scored could have been a major boost.
- Someone please get Joe Owens out of Pittsburgh and perhaps Montreal is as good a destination as any. The 36-year-old is off to the best start of his career, hitting a Fed best .372 despite the fact the Miners are just 13-36. Surely some team that fancies itself a contender will make a move for the veteran 1B/OF before the end of July.
- Pablo Reyes, the long-time Pittsburgh Miners outfielder but now with the Chicago Chiefs, has become the 52nd player in history to reach 600 career extra-base hits.
- Speaking of the Miners, Brett Bing of the Toronto Mail & Empire pointed out that Pittsburgh has turned the only triple play of the season so far.
- George Dawson is back with Washington, finally ready to return from a knee injury suffered last August. The 37-year-old was struggling in the field prior to the injury but the Eagles, with Jim Seibert hitting just .186 at shortstop, are hoping Dawson can still hit well enough to regain the starting position.
- The Brooklyn Kings blame a lack of offense on a recent stretch that has seen them drop 8 of their last 11 ballgames.
- 4 more homers last week for Bobby Barrell, who now is in a 3-way tie with teammate Hank Koblenz and the Cougars Red Bond for the FABL lead at 15.
HECTOR SAWYER: A FINAL BOW BEFORE CROSSING THE POND
New York --Brace yourselves, fight aficionados, for the World Heavyweight Champion Hector "The Cajun Crusher" Sawyer is poised to deliver his swan song on American soil, at least for the foreseeable future. In what's being billed as a tune-up tango before he sets his sights on the Old World, Sawyer is primed to take on the scrappy Steve Case this Saturday night, right here in the heart of New York.
The buzz surrounding this bout suggests a lopsided affair. Notwithstanding the bravado of Case's backers, it's a consensus that the odds stack heavily against the New Yorker. After all, Sawyer has held the heavyweight crown since the bygone days of 1940. His illustrious reign, marked by conquests of the crème de la crème of American pugilism, is now about to make an indelible mark on the European boxing scene.
Behind the scenes, the enigmatic Chester Conley, Sawyer's long-serving manager and architect of his ascent, is orchestrating this grand transition. Whispers of potential encounters in London, Paris, and even Berlin echo throughout boxing circles, even though Conley shrouds them in secrecy. With a wry grin and a dose of innuendo, Conley speaks of contributing "to aid in European recovery," hinting at the forthcoming fistic fireworks that will grace international arenas.
As the pugilistic spotlight dims on American shores, Sawyer must first square off against the upstart Case. While the forecast appears bleak for the underdog, the 27-year-old Case is no patsy. His ledger boasts a 19-1-2 record, punctuated by an intriguing takedown of the rising star Harvey Winter, the sole blemish on Winter's heretofore unmarred career. Case's credibility hinges upon this triumph, a victory that belies his perceived role as a sacrificial lamb, handpicked for a final payday before Sawyer's European escapades.
The champ himself is riding high, fresh off an electric performance against Dan Miller, witnessed by a staggering 90,000-strong crowd at Santa Ana Stadium in California. As he readies for his historic tenth title defense, one can practically sense the aura of invincibility that envelopes Sawyer. Earning his stripes as the ultimate heavyweight, he's traversed the ropes ten times as the crowned kingpin, and with unwavering conviction, seems destined to exit the ring as he prepares to set sail across the Atlantic for an 11th title showdown.
While this journal is hardly in the business of wagering, it's a safe bet that placing one's chips on Sawyer in this match is as close to a certain investment as pugilism permits. As the curtain prepares to descend on this chapter of American boxing history, let's take a moment to witness the passing of the torch, as Hector Sawyer's journey sets sail towards European glory.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Jun 12 - Gothams Stadium: World HW champ Hector Sawyer (57-3-1) defends his title against Steve Case (19-1-2)
- Jun 18- Los Angeles, CA: HW Dan Miller (36-9-1) vs Allen Bailey (36-6-2)
- Jun 21- Detroit, MI: MW contender John Edmonds (24-3) vs Willie Binion (19-6-1)
- Jun 24- Houston, TX: rising MW Tommy Campbell (20-0-1) vs Joe Moore (19-4)
- Jun 27 -Atlanta, GA: WW Dale Roy (29-6) vs Harry Larkin (16-1)
- Jun 28- Detroit, MI: WW Carl Taylor (22-6-2) vs Brian Pierce (9-0)
- Jun 30- Baltimore, MD MW contenders Nick Harris (23-4-1) vs Brooks O'Connor (27-4-2)
- Jul 10 - Sailors Memorial: World MW champ Frank Melanson (33-1-2) defends his title against Edouard Desmarais (40-1)
MESSER, FUHRMAN OPT FOR FBL DRAFT
National Collegiate Player of the Year Ward Messer, a first-team All-American selection each of the past two years, has decided to enter the Federal Basketball League draft. College seniors were required to notify either the Federal League or the American Basketball Conference of their intentions and Messer made FBL clubs aware of his decision late last week. The younger brother of New York Gothams outfielder Walt Messer set a single season AIAA record for rebounds as a senior at Liberty College while also recording the 7th highest single season points total ever accumulated.
Messer may have competition in his desire to be drafted first as Texas Gulf Coast forward Darren Fuhrman, who was a second team All-American as a junior but missed much of his senior year with an injury, has also declared for the FBL. Fuhrman was limited to 22 games this season but did return for the AIAA tournament and led the Hurricanes to the National semi-finals before falling to eventual champion Redwood.
The Toronto Titans will own the first selection in the FBL draft with the Detroit Mustangs choosing second.
RICKARD, CHEEK, NISSEN DECIDE ON ABC
The Federal League may be making some inroads and did draw arguably the best college player in the nation in Messer, but it looks like the more established American Basketball Conference is still the prime destination for top college players. Among the big names who have decided to enter the ABC draft are CC Los Angeles star Gerald Cheek and first team All-American Lon Nissen from Whitney College.
The Pittsburgh Falcons, who's future remains up in the air after the reported purchase by Toronto Wolves owner Bernie Millard, own the first pick and they likely will be leaning towards Central Ohio Aviator Ziggy Rickard. Rickard's choice, along with Nissen who many felt would stay closer to his Chicago home and the FBL, comes as a surprise. Rickard is a Milwaukee native and a legend in Columbus, Oh., after being named to one of the 3 All-American teams each of his final three seasons with the Aviators. Some are speculating that the 6'6" forward did not wish to be drafted by the Titans but he may well end up playing in Toronto next season anyway if Millard is successful in his plans to relocate the Falcons.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 6/06/1948
- Three Arab armies are attempting to encircle the Israeli center of Tel Aviv just as they have ringed Jerusalem as fighting continues in Palestine despite calls for a cease fire from the UN.
- Britain has stopped supplying arms and military equipment to Egypt, Iraq and Trans-Jordan in accordance with direction from the UN.
- A record peacetime military budget of $10 billion was passed by the House and sent to the Senate after hearing warnings of menace from Soviet might.
- Speaking in Omaha on his western campaign tour, President Truman warned a Farm Belt audience of the danger of a "farm depression" in a speech ripping into Congress for inaction on his agricultural program.
- Flooding in the Pacific Northwest has left at least 20 dead and caused more than $37 million in property loss.