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Tiger Fan · 09-07-2023, 02:12 PM

JULY 5, 1948

TWIFB ANNUAL ALL-STAR VOTING EDITION

The 16th annual FABL All-Star game will be played at Whitney Park in Chicago next Tuesday, making the Windy City stadium the first ever to host to all-star games after the inaugural event was held in 1933. An annual fixture since then, the Federal Association leads the series 8 wins to seven but the Continental Association is riding a two-game winning streak and looking to pull even in the series for the first time.

Another fixture tied into the mid-season classic has been the release of Jiggs McGee annual All-Star ballot in which the editor of This Week in Figment Baseball reveals his choice as to who he feels should be in the starting lineup for each loop. Here are Jiggs McGee's choices for the 1948 game.

FEDERAL ASSOCIATION

CATCHER: An interesting situation here as half-brothers George and Roger Cleaves are clearly the top two but each has ran into injury troubles. George, a veteran who has played in 9 all-star games, was moved from the Pittsburgh Miners to the New York Gothams over the winter and was off to a dominant start to the season (.338,6,27) before a hip injury sidelined him for a month in late May. He is back now but because of the lost time our vote will go to his brother Roger Cleaves (.333,16,48) of the Philadelphia Keystones. Roger has also missed a bit of time with an injury but the finalist for the Kellogg Award as top rookie a year ago is deserving of an appearance in the all-star game for the second year in a row.

FIRST BASE: This is an incredibly tough choice to make and that is even with Red Johnson omitted from the ballot because of the time the Gothams slugger missed with an injury. Walt Messer replaces Johnson as the Gothams candidate and is coming off an outstanding week, but he is an primarily an outfielder and the competition at first is very deep so we will exclude him from our ballot. As good as each of them have been this season we are also forced to overlook young Dick Estes in Detroit, Tim Hopkins of the host Chiefs, Washington's Sig Stofer and young Keystone Nate Power. For us it comes down to Boston's Bill Moore (.332,3,43) and Joe Owens (.355,5,29), who has been one of the very few bright spots for Pittsburgh this season. It is really a coin flip but we will take Joe Owens of the Miners.

SECOND BASE: Just like at first base, there are a lot of second basemen enjoy solid seasons in the Fed. Roosevelt Brewer of the Gothams, Detroit's Del Johnson, Bill Wise in Washington and Billy Woytek of the Keystones but we will take Artie D'Alessandro (.319,3,36) of the host Chicago Chiefs as our pick.

SHORTSTOP: We love what youngster Reid McLaughlin is doing in Pittsburgh but he has spent nearly as much time at second base as he has at shortstop and is likely going to stay on the right side of the keystone bag for the rest of the year. He belongs on the team as does second year Gothams shortstop Cecil LaBonte but our starter is a clear choice: Harry Barrell (.311,0,34) is one of the biggest reasons the Boston Minutemen are in contention this season and we would love to see Harry, who along with his brother Bobby played in the first all-star game, back at Whitney Park a week from tomorrow.

THIRD BASE: With apologies to Washington's Mel Carrol and Billy Dalton of Boston, it is getting to be almost as automatic to pencil in Hank Koblenz (.264,21,61) at third base for the Fed team as it is his Keystones teammate Bobby Barrell in the outfield.

LEFT FIELD: We have long been fans of Jesse Alvardo (.291,15,56) of the Washington Eagles and he is our choice to start in leftfield and make his third straight all-star appearance. Larry Gregory of St Louis deserves a spot on the team for what would be his third trip to the all-star game.

CENTER FIELD: A pair of youngsters in Boston Ben McCarty and Edwin Hackberrry (.308,13,52) are the two to debate over. Although he has slowed the past couple of weeks as he club struggles, we will still give then nod to the 21-year-old Detroit sophomore and reigning Kellogg Award winner.

RIGHT FIELD: Perhaps it is not quite as clear cut as previous years but we see no reason to dethrone Bobby Barrell (.290,23,61) as our choice for what would be his 13th all-star game selection. Rats McGonigle of the Washington Eagles and young Flipper Robinson from the Gothams at least make the choice interesting this year.

PITCHER: Lloyd Stevens (10-5, 2.39) is a clear choice as our starter on the mound for the Fed. We will add Hal Hackney of St Louis and young Carl Potter of Detroit as our second and third choices but they both came after plenty of debate over the likes of Chicago's John Stallings, Ray Dalpman from Boston and Ray Dalpman of the Boston Minutemen.

CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION

CATCHER: Young Jack Spahr has been impressive for Montreal and while he is getting on in years, 35-year-old Adam Mullins of Cincinnati, with 9 all-star selections on resume, always warrants consideration. Our choice however will be the much travelled Solly Skidmore (.298,1,22), who looks like he has found a home with the Philadelphia Sailors after making the all-star team a year ago while still a Brooklyn King.

FIRST BASE: The Continental Association has some solid candidates among its crop of first baseman but two stand out. They are Red Bond (.282,18,43) of the Chicago Cougars and Philadelphia's Ed Reyes (.365,5,39). They are a contrast in styles as Bond is the prototypical power hitter who finally, freed from the cavernous Parc Cartier in Montreal, is strutting his stuff with the Cougars while Reyes has won 3 straight Continental Association batting crowns and appears well on his way to a 4th. A tough decision our vote goes to Ed Reyes.

SECOND BASE:Like Red Bond in Chicago, another Montreal cast-off is performing very well in Brooklyn. That would be Charlie Woodbury (.329,6,38), who may not be the most dependable glove man but is certainly getting the job done at the plate this season. Honourable mention to Toronto's Tom Frederick.

SHORTSTOP: The Continental has traditionally be loaded with high end shortstops. The numbers may have tailed off a little of late but a pair are really standing out this season in 25-year-old Gordie Perkins (.283,5,28) of Montreal and veteran Chicago Cougars star Skipper Schneider (.288,4,21). We give the nod to Schneider in what would be his 7th all-star game appearance.

THIRD BASE: Toronto's Hal Wood (.350,2,32) is enjoying the best season of his career and the 34-year-old is our choice at the hot corner but there was serios consideration given to Marion Boismenu of the Philadelphia Sailors and the Cougars Walt Pack.

LEFT FIELD: Jack Welch of the New York Stars is having a very good season and deserves a spot on the all-star team but our vote for the starter goes to Ivey Henley (.339,8,39), who is one of the big reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Cleveland Foresters. Ex-Pittsburgh Miners outfielder Pinky Pierce has had a nice season as has Brooklyn's 23-year-old rookie Pat Petty.

CENTER FIELD: It hasn't been a great year for Sal Pestilli (.259,12,41) but in our minds the Chicago Cougars veteran is the best of a somewhat weaker crop at centerfield in the CA this year. Bill Elkins of Montreal also earned some consideration.

RIGHT FIELD: Unlike in center, there is plenty to choose from for the Continental Association starting right fielder. Despite a number of solid candidates like veteran Cannons star Sam Brown and young Ralph Johnson of Brooklyn the choose is one of the easiest we have had to make because three-time Whitney Award winner Bill Barrett (.348,25,73) is enjoying another great season for the New York Stars.

PITCHER: Possibly the biggest individual player surprise in the CA this season has been the emergence of Wally Reif (9-3, 2.56) in Montreal. The 28-year-old appears destined to make the all-star game for the first time in his career and in our opinion deserves the ball to start the game. Deuce Barrell of Cincinnati and Duke Bybee of the Chicago Cougars would round out our ballot if we are restricted to three pitchers although we would love to skip the relievers so we can add Brooklyn's Bob Arman and New York's Eli Panneton to our list.

MILESTONES FOR BARNETT AND CARROL

A pair of impressive milestones were reached last week. Just five days after Red Johnson of the New York Gothams became just the sixth player in FABL history to smack 300 career homeruns, Brooklyn's Hank Barnett became the seventh. The 38-year-old 7-time all-star, who began his career in Montreal before having stops with both Chicago clubs, is winding down his career with the Brooklyn Kings but not before getting his 300th homer against the club he began his career with. Barnett hit a solo shot -his 8th of the season- off Montreal's Bert Cupid in the second inning of Brooklyn's 7-3 loss to the Saints at Kings County Ballpark on Thursday.

Two days later in Philadelphia, veteran Washington Eagles third baseman Mel Carrol became the 37th player to record at least 2,500 FABL hits. The 36-year-old's milestone hit was a single in the top of the 3rd against Keystones ace Lloyd Stevens at Broad Street Park. There was polite applause from the 27,568 in attendance, but the Philadelphia fans were unhappy with the outcome, a 4-1 Eagles win as the middle game of Washington's three-game sweep in Philadelphia.

FABL clubs went right to work on signing their first-round draft picks with 10 of the top 16 selections in the FABL draft agreeing to contracts in the opening week of the signing period. Included in that group were a pair of players who also debuted in the top five of the OSA prospect pipeline immediately after inking deals. They would be first baseman Dino Sharp, selected 3rd overall by Detroit and showing up quickly at #4 on the OSA prospect sheet behind only Ralph Hanson, Ken Newman and Irv Clifford. On spot behind the newest member of the Dynamos system is Boston's future replacement for Harry Barrell. That would be Joe Kleman, a 17-year-old the Minutemen landed with the 11th selection and now appears 5th on the OSA prospect list.

The first overall selection, two-time Christian Trophy winning shortstop Tom Miller from Coastal State, has not yet put pen to paper with the Washington Eagles but he is expected to agree to a contract in the near future. Here is a look at the status of the first round picks.

Code:


PK  TM  NAME          POS  SIGNED OSA RANK
 1 WSH Tom Miller      SS  No
 2 CLE Stump Patterson 3B  Yes - 28
 3 DET Dino Sharp      1B  Yes -  4
 4 MON Pete Ireton     2B  No
 5 PHK Buddy Miller    CF  No
 6 NYS Gene Curtis     P   Yes - 77
 7 NYG Hank Estill     3B  Yes - 24
 8 TOR Bill Irvin      LF  No
 9 PIT Roy Snedden     3B  Yes - 42
10 CIN Dave Smith      P   No
11 BOS Joe Kleman      SS  Yes -  5
12 BKN Jimmy Isgro     P   Yes - 45
13 PIT Ralph Hughes    CF  No
14 PIT Glen Holbrook   CF  Yes - 40
15 CLE Jim Urquhart    2B  Yes - 20
16 PHS Curt Brooks     2B  Yes - 56

Kings pitcher Jackie James got a start and tossed 6 shutout 2-hit innings against the Stars. He walked 6 but that seems to be normal in the league nowadays for a lot of the pitchers. James will get another shot in the rotation. Bob Walls who has been great all year in relief took the loss after SS Billy Bryant committed his 13th error of the season. With 2B Gil London finally off the roster, the Kings will bring up SS Chuck Lewis who probably should have been up all year. Lewis tore it up with AAA Jersey City and will start at SS and get time at 2B. Will likely start giving Bryant some time at 2B as the 2nd year SS continues to struggle in the field despite pretty good scouting reports that say otherwise.

Another pitcher who got into the rotation was Clarence Barton. Barton has been in and mostly out of the rotation and pitching in late inning situations. He has struggled most of the 2 prior seasons in a starting role but we will give him some time in place of Harry Carter for a bit.

Juan Pomales has struggled 8-50 since returning from injury. He will make his way to the bench for a bit and give rookie Pat Petty the everyday job. Petty has been seeing action moving around and spelling guys in the OF. He has spelled CF John Moss a few times with Ralph Johnson moving into CF on those days. Moss is struggling with a 206 average this year but is still getting on base at a 350 clip. Its been a tough 1st half for Moss.

Kings are hanging around despite all the youth and a leaky pitching staff. Mental mistakes are killing them (errors and walks). Still they are about where we thought we would be. Hanging around but not a serious contender. We will probably only land 1 ping pong ball this year, but we haven't had much lucky with multiple balls the last few years.
*** Kings Scouting Staff Happy With Draft ***

Several of the Kings new draft picks have made the OSA top prospect rankings. Pitcher Jimmy Isgro (18) debuts at #45 overall and the Kings 7th prospect (3rd in pitcher rankings). 9th round pick OF Pinky Walls clocks in at #103 overall and 9th on the Kings list. 6th round SS Joe Marshall is the Kings #13 and #173 overall.

The Kings have a few more players left to sign. They have decided to not offer 8 of their draftees who they feel will be better off going to college or finding a real job.

TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN

The Toronto Wolves are 2-11 over the last two weeks on the road which is causing a great of consternation amongst the fans and in the front office. Owner Bernie Millard, in breaks from his dealings with the John L. Lewis led UMW talks, has been demanding answers along with a concrete plan for the future path of the Wolves.

The catch phrase seems to be "Lets see what we have for the Fifties." Sounds like the Wolves are starting the transition. Toronto expects lots of movement throughout the system by mid-July once the C ball is in full swing. Speculation is that the sands of time have run out on a number of players in the system. Players will be moved up the system quickly for the balance of the season.

Meanwhile Millard continues his behind the scenes wrangling with his new pro basketball team. The Pittsburgh Falcons are coming to Toronto next season and will play out of Dominion Gardens. Millard confirmed the team, which may or may not still be known as the Falcons, will most assuredly be a Toronto club but was mum when asked to confirm that the Falcons will now roost in Rollie Barrell's Federal League instead of their current nest in the American Basketball Conference.

The future of Toronto's other pro cage team -the Titans- is unknown but it will certainly not involve our city. Titans owner Charles Mitchell will either fold his club or move it to a new city.

What a difference two weeks makes for the Detroit Dynamos. On June 21 the Dynamos celebrated a 5th straight victory and were just a game and a half out of first place. Then came a 2-12 stretch that included a 9 game losing skid and suddenly Detroit is in 6th place in the Federal Association, 9 games off the pace.
It was also a rough 0-6 week for the Keystones, taking the shine off of a couple of monthly honors. Bobby Barrell (.296/.414/.652, 10 HR, 31 RBI) won June's Batter of the Month, while Lloyd Stevens's hot 5-1 month (2.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) elevated him to the Pitcher of the Month in the Fed.
Another team struggling is the Toronto Wolves, who have lost 11 of their last 13 and are suddenly 12.5 games back in the Continental race. Word out of Toronto is manager Bob Call is "on very thin ice" and a change may come soon if the team does not turn things around.
Al Wheeler's son Steve is signed and set to make his pro debut in the Dynamos system with Class C Biloxi this week. The Dynamos are thrilled with OSA's impression of their picks that have signed. First rounder Dino Sharp, who will debut at first base in Biloxi, is #4 on the OSA prospect list while second round pitcher Jack Miller slots in at #58.
Chiefs' 5th round selection Don Smith has signed and debuts at #184 on the OSA list. We are still waiting for a response from Walt Cooper.
Some major shocking additions to the top prospect lists for the Cougars. Without a first rounder, they expected little notable signings, but 4th Rounder Dixie Gaines ranks 5th in the system and 57th overall. Dixie ranks second so far among pitchers selected in the recent draft, trailing just 12th Overall Pick Jimmy Isgro (#45) He's not the only addition to the top 100, as fellow 4th Rounder Elmer Grace ranks 75th and 3rd Rounder Jeff King ranks 95th. Two more Cougar draftees Bob Allie (106th) and Cecil Burr (142nd) find themselves inside the top 150

DESMARAIS HOPING FOR BETTER LUCK IN REMATCH WITH FRANK THE TANK

PHILADELPHIA - In the throes of summer's swelter, the pugilistic world braces itself for a transatlantic showdown that promises fistic fireworks. Next Saturday, the gritty Sailors Memorial Stadium in the City of Brotherly Love will bear witness to a grudge match of colossal proportions, as Europe's own Edouard Desmarais seeks redemption against the indomitable Frank "The Tank" Melanson.

These two middleweight gladiators have crossed paths before, in a clash that left Desmarais battered and bewildered. It was October of '46 when Melanson, then the reigning World Middleweight Champion, turned the Frenchman's world upside down with a thunderous third-round knockout. The champ's fists painted a vivid picture that night, and Desmarais absorbed the brutal masterpiece.

But, ah, how times change! A year and a half have ebbed away since that fateful night, and the challenger from across the pond is poised to pen a different narrative. Edouard Desmarais, the European middleweight monarch, exudes an air of quiet determination. Huddled in the gritty gyms of New York, he sharpens his tools for this long-awaited rematch. He's a man transformed, a fighter who now knows what to expect from the relentless 31-year-old tank.

"It won't be easy," confesses Desmarais in his fractured English, "but this time I am ready."

The battleground is also more familiar to Desmarais this time around. The North American canvas, a foreign landscape in their previous encounter, no longer unsettles him. In Philly, he'll step into the ring with the tenacity of a man on a mission, thirsting for vindication.

Yet, it's worth noting that Frank "The Tank" Melanson, the gritty pride of Pittsburgh, has evolved as well. No longer invincible, his record now bears a scar, a blemish courtesy of John Edmonds who briefly snatched the title from his grasp last year. However, Melanson's spirit and resolve were undeterred, as he reclaimed his throne in a grueling rematch last December.

This impending showdown marks the champion's first title defense since that dramatic comeback, and there's already talk of an epic trilogy with Edmonds, tentatively slated for later this year. Some have speculated that Melanson's gaze might be straying towards that highly anticipated rubber match, but the champ vehemently dismisses such notions.

"I respect Desmarais," states Melanson adamantly, "He's a skilled fighter, and I won't underestimate him. I was just as surprised as anyone when it ended so swiftly in our first bout. But mark my words; he'll be gunning for payback."

As they say in the fight game, redemption often carries more fire than first-time ambition. Frank "The Tank" Melanson stands at 33-1-2, a veteran of the trenches, while Desmarais, boasting a stellar 41-1 record with 32 knockouts, remains undefeated by anyone except the tank himself.

With personal pride, championship glory, and transcontinental honor on the line, this rematch promises to be a battle royale, replete with fistic fury and the spirit of a true pugilistic grudge match. Get ready, fight fans, for the thunderous collision of Desmarais vs. Melanson is set to rock the boxing world once again!

LATEST TWIFB BOXING RANKINGS

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

Jul 10 - Sailors Memorial: World MW champ Frank Melanson (33-1-2) defends his title against Edouard Desmarais (40-1)
Jul 10 - Sailors Memorial: undercard HW Scott Baker (17-3-2) vs Glenn Hairston (26-10-2)
Jul 16 -Philadelphia: HW Lewis Jones (17-1) vs Pete Roe (27-10-5)
Jul 20- Bigsby Garden, New York: MW Todd Gill (24-4-6) vs Jack Rainey (24-5)
Jul 23- Jacksonville, FL: WW Dennis O'Keefe (22-3) vs Robert Schultz (22-8)
Jul 30- Brooklyn: MW Danny Morse (34-8-1) vs Jim Gilmore (29-8-2)

MOTORS SAID TO BE LEANING TOWARDS BARBER WITH FIRST PICK

The Detroit Motors will have the first selection in the upcoming North American Hockey Confederation draft and while the club has not confirmed who they will be selecting with the top choice, indications are they are leaning towards Lou Barber. The 19-year-old Tillsonburg, On., native was watched closely last season by Motors head scout Frank Yeadon and the rest of his staff because he spent most of the campaign playing for nearby Toledo of the Hockey Association of America.

As one of the youngest players in the league, Barber had some growing pains but did manage to score 4 goals and tally 15 points to help the Tigers finish second in the HAA's West Division. Detroit scouts feel Barber is very close to being ready to contribute in the NAHC next season and feel his elite playmaking skills give him the potential to become one of the top players in the league as he matures.

If Barber is not the Motors choice, it will still be a winger as the club is also looking closely at Patrick Banning and Carl Loon. Banning is said to have the highest ceiling in the minds of the Detroit staff but is much further away from his potential than Barber while the knock on Loon is a worry that he is not durable enough to withstand the rigors of a full NAHC season.

The Motors, who finished last in the 6-team NAHC and missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons, have holes everywhere but the team's lack of elite offensive talent is likely the most glaring need. There is hope for the future with some talented young players on the rise in 22-year-old winger Nick Tardif, who led the club in scoring and won the McLeod Trophy as rookie of the year, along with a pair of 20-year-old pivots in Ben Witt and Francis McKenzie. The Detroit defense lacks depth but coach Mark Moore feels Jim Todd and 22-year-old Spencer Larocque can develop into a top pairing while goaltender Henri Chasse has demonstrated glimpses of what could be one of the best goaltenders in the league.

PRO CAGE'S FUTURE IN FLUX: Two Leagues in Turmoil

As the sun climbs higher in the summer sky, the world of professional basketball finds itself embroiled in a tempest of uncertainty. The draft, a crucial moment in the destiny of recently graduated collegiate cagers, looms large on the horizon for both the Federal Basketball League and the entrenched American Basketball Conference. With the draft mere weeks away, it seems the two leagues are locked in a dance of destiny, one that could redefine the course of pro basketball for years to come.

A year ago, both leagues made a conspicuous stand, mandating that college basketball's finest declare their allegiance to either the FBL or the well-established ABC. This forced choice was conceived as a means to curb the surging tide of player contracts, which had skyrocketed like a half-court buzzer-beater. The Continental Conference's advent into football had sent contracts spiraling, and the magnates in basketball, a sport already basking in the shadows of football, sought to contain costs.

Now, the whispers that reverberate across the hardwood echo tales of upheaval. It's said that up to four ABC teams are poised to defect to the burgeoning ranks of the FBL. The Pittsburgh Falcons, it seems, are set to lead this charge, under the ownership of Bernie Millard, the same coal baron who commands the Toronto Wolves of baseball fame. Millard's plans are daring; he's already secured a lease for the Falcons to soar northward to Toronto, where they would find a home at Dominion Gardens. But herein lies the rub, Dominion Gardens previously hosted an FBL tenant, the Toronto Titans, or at least it did in the last season.

So, what becomes of the Titans if the Falcons take wing in Toronto, regardless of the league they represent? Rumor mill churns, suggesting an outlandish switcheroo – the Titans, instead of finding a new city, could swap spots with Millard's squad, finding shelter in the ABC and calling Pittsburgh home.

Nevertheless, the greater question looms: What fate awaits the ABC if these rumblings transform into reality? Indications suggest that a triumvirate of ABC stalwarts, the Washington Statesmen, New York Knights, and Boston Centurions, all ponder joining Millard's Falcons in the FBL. Such a mass exodus would leave the ABC with a mere quartet of teams, perhaps five if the Titans choose to traverse the divide. One can't help but ponder whether the ABC would remain tenable in such a stark configuration.

As the clock ticks toward draft day, players who were coerced into declaring their loyalty to a specific league are left in the shadows of uncertainty. Will the ABC persist, and if so, which teams will form its nucleus? In addition, even team general managers and scouting units labor in a fog of uncertainty. Take, for example, Millard's Falcons; their predicament is particularly sticky. Should their scouts scrutinize ABC declared players or those who pledged allegiance to the FBL? Moreover, if they make the leap, do they pick first in the Federal draft, as dictated by their last-place record, or do they find themselves relegated to the tail end of the FBL's draft pecking order?

The saga unfolds, thick with intrigue and rife with uncertainty. Pro basketball, at this juncture, is a realm in flux, a court where the rules are being written anew. The coming fortnight promises to be a riveting one, with the future of the hardwood world hanging in the balance. Stay tuned, folks, for this summer's draft might just pen a new chapter in the annals of pro basketball history.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 7/04/1948

President Truman declared flatly that he has no idea of stepping aside for another Democratic presidential candidate and expects to be nominated on the first ballot at the party's convention and then beat the Dewey-Warren ticket in November.
Truman signed the $6 billion dollar foreign aid appropriation bill, including $4 billion earmarked for Europe under the Marshall Plan, describing it as "concrete evidence and assurance to the free people of the world that we stand ready to work side by side with them to preserve free institutions in stability and peace."
Drafting of men 19 through 25 will begin "very soon" after September 22 at a rate of about 30,000 a month until the following July 1, the Secretary of the Army announced this week.
Secretary of State Marshall says the US will deal promptly with the Soviet blockade of Berlin but gave no hint as to what action is contemplated.
British Prime Minister Attlee says his government has advised King George VI to declare a state of national emergency to deal with a wildcat strike that threatens Great Britain's food supply.
Diplomatic sources say the Russians may be building up a case to send troops to Yugoslavia after Yugoslav Premier Tito was accused of pursuing a hatefl policy toward Russia.
The Yugoslavian army and communists in that country gave Tito strong support in his defiant stand against Russia.

09-07-2023, 02:12 PM	#785
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,805	July 5, 1948 JULY 5, 1948 TWIFB ANNUAL ALL-STAR VOTING EDITION The 16th annual FABL All-Star game will be played at Whitney Park in Chicago next Tuesday, making the Windy City stadium the first ever to host to all-star games after the inaugural event was held in 1933. An annual fixture since then, the Federal Association leads the series 8 wins to seven but the Continental Association is riding a two-game winning streak and looking to pull even in the series for the first time. Another fixture tied into the mid-season classic has been the release of Jiggs McGee annual All-Star ballot in which the editor of This Week in Figment Baseball reveals his choice as to who he feels should be in the starting lineup for each loop. Here are Jiggs McGee's choices for the 1948 game. FEDERAL ASSOCIATION CATCHER: An interesting situation here as half-brothers George and Roger Cleaves are clearly the top two but each has ran into injury troubles. George, a veteran who has played in 9 all-star games, was moved from the Pittsburgh Miners to the New York Gothams over the winter and was off to a dominant start to the season (.338,6,27) before a hip injury sidelined him for a month in late May. He is back now but because of the lost time our vote will go to his brother Roger Cleaves (.333,16,48) of the Philadelphia Keystones. Roger has also missed a bit of time with an injury but the finalist for the Kellogg Award as top rookie a year ago is deserving of an appearance in the all-star game for the second year in a row. FIRST BASE: This is an incredibly tough choice to make and that is even with Red Johnson omitted from the ballot because of the time the Gothams slugger missed with an injury. Walt Messer replaces Johnson as the Gothams candidate and is coming off an outstanding week, but he is an primarily an outfielder and the competition at first is very deep so we will exclude him from our ballot. As good as each of them have been this season we are also forced to overlook young Dick Estes in Detroit, Tim Hopkins of the host Chiefs, Washington's Sig Stofer and young Keystone Nate Power. For us it comes down to Boston's Bill Moore (.332,3,43) and Joe Owens (.355,5,29), who has been one of the very few bright spots for Pittsburgh this season. It is really a coin flip but we will take Joe Owens of the Miners. SECOND BASE: Just like at first base, there are a lot of second basemen enjoy solid seasons in the Fed. Roosevelt Brewer of the Gothams, Detroit's Del Johnson, Bill Wise in Washington and Billy Woytek of the Keystones but we will take Artie D'Alessandro (.319,3,36) of the host Chicago Chiefs as our pick. SHORTSTOP: We love what youngster Reid McLaughlin is doing in Pittsburgh but he has spent nearly as much time at second base as he has at shortstop and is likely going to stay on the right side of the keystone bag for the rest of the year. He belongs on the team as does second year Gothams shortstop Cecil LaBonte but our starter is a clear choice: Harry Barrell (.311,0,34) is one of the biggest reasons the Boston Minutemen are in contention this season and we would love to see Harry, who along with his brother Bobby played in the first all-star game, back at Whitney Park a week from tomorrow. THIRD BASE: With apologies to Washington's Mel Carrol and Billy Dalton of Boston, it is getting to be almost as automatic to pencil in Hank Koblenz (.264,21,61) at third base for the Fed team as it is his Keystones teammate Bobby Barrell in the outfield. LEFT FIELD: We have long been fans of Jesse Alvardo (.291,15,56) of the Washington Eagles and he is our choice to start in leftfield and make his third straight all-star appearance. Larry Gregory of St Louis deserves a spot on the team for what would be his third trip to the all-star game. CENTER FIELD: A pair of youngsters in Boston Ben McCarty and Edwin Hackberrry (.308,13,52) are the two to debate over. Although he has slowed the past couple of weeks as he club struggles, we will still give then nod to the 21-year-old Detroit sophomore and reigning Kellogg Award winner. RIGHT FIELD: Perhaps it is not quite as clear cut as previous years but we see no reason to dethrone Bobby Barrell (.290,23,61) as our choice for what would be his 13th all-star game selection. Rats McGonigle of the Washington Eagles and young Flipper Robinson from the Gothams at least make the choice interesting this year. PITCHER: Lloyd Stevens (10-5, 2.39) is a clear choice as our starter on the mound for the Fed. We will add Hal Hackney of St Louis and young Carl Potter of Detroit as our second and third choices but they both came after plenty of debate over the likes of Chicago's John Stallings, Ray Dalpman from Boston and Ray Dalpman of the Boston Minutemen. CONTINENTAL ASSOCIATION CATCHER: Young Jack Spahr has been impressive for Montreal and while he is getting on in years, 35-year-old Adam Mullins of Cincinnati, with 9 all-star selections on resume, always warrants consideration. Our choice however will be the much travelled Solly Skidmore (.298,1,22), who looks like he has found a home with the Philadelphia Sailors after making the all-star team a year ago while still a Brooklyn King. FIRST BASE: The Continental Association has some solid candidates among its crop of first baseman but two stand out. They are Red Bond (.282,18,43) of the Chicago Cougars and Philadelphia's Ed Reyes (.365,5,39). They are a contrast in styles as Bond is the prototypical power hitter who finally, freed from the cavernous Parc Cartier in Montreal, is strutting his stuff with the Cougars while Reyes has won 3 straight Continental Association batting crowns and appears well on his way to a 4th. A tough decision our vote goes to Ed Reyes. SECOND BASE:Like Red Bond in Chicago, another Montreal cast-off is performing very well in Brooklyn. That would be Charlie Woodbury (.329,6,38), who may not be the most dependable glove man but is certainly getting the job done at the plate this season. Honourable mention to Toronto's Tom Frederick. SHORTSTOP: The Continental has traditionally be loaded with high end shortstops. The numbers may have tailed off a little of late but a pair are really standing out this season in 25-year-old Gordie Perkins (.283,5,28) of Montreal and veteran Chicago Cougars star Skipper Schneider (.288,4,21). We give the nod to Schneider in what would be his 7th all-star game appearance. THIRD BASE: Toronto's Hal Wood (.350,2,32) is enjoying the best season of his career and the 34-year-old is our choice at the hot corner but there was serios consideration given to Marion Boismenu of the Philadelphia Sailors and the Cougars Walt Pack. LEFT FIELD: Jack Welch of the New York Stars is having a very good season and deserves a spot on the all-star team but our vote for the starter goes to Ivey Henley (.339,8,39), who is one of the big reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Cleveland Foresters. Ex-Pittsburgh Miners outfielder Pinky Pierce has had a nice season as has Brooklyn's 23-year-old rookie Pat Petty. CENTER FIELD: It hasn't been a great year for Sal Pestilli (.259,12,41) but in our minds the Chicago Cougars veteran is the best of a somewhat weaker crop at centerfield in the CA this year. Bill Elkins of Montreal also earned some consideration. RIGHT FIELD: Unlike in center, there is plenty to choose from for the Continental Association starting right fielder. Despite a number of solid candidates like veteran Cannons star Sam Brown and young Ralph Johnson of Brooklyn the choose is one of the easiest we have had to make because three-time Whitney Award winner Bill Barrett (.348,25,73) is enjoying another great season for the New York Stars. PITCHER: Possibly the biggest individual player surprise in the CA this season has been the emergence of Wally Reif (9-3, 2.56) in Montreal. The 28-year-old appears destined to make the all-star game for the first time in his career and in our opinion deserves the ball to start the game. Deuce Barrell of Cincinnati and Duke Bybee of the Chicago Cougars would round out our ballot if we are restricted to three pitchers although we would love to skip the relievers so we can add Brooklyn's Bob Arman and New York's Eli Panneton to our list. MILESTONES FOR BARNETT AND CARROL A pair of impressive milestones were reached last week. Just five days after Red Johnson of the New York Gothams became just the sixth player in FABL history to smack 300 career homeruns, Brooklyn's Hank Barnett became the seventh. The 38-year-old 7-time all-star, who began his career in Montreal before having stops with both Chicago clubs, is winding down his career with the Brooklyn Kings but not before getting his 300th homer against the club he began his career with. Barnett hit a solo shot -his 8th of the season- off Montreal's Bert Cupid in the second inning of Brooklyn's 7-3 loss to the Saints at Kings County Ballpark on Thursday. Two days later in Philadelphia, veteran Washington Eagles third baseman Mel Carrol became the 37th player to record at least 2,500 FABL hits. The 36-year-old's milestone hit was a single in the top of the 3rd against Keystones ace Lloyd Stevens at Broad Street Park. There was polite applause from the 27,568 in attendance, but the Philadelphia fans were unhappy with the outcome, a 4-1 Eagles win as the middle game of Washington's three-game sweep in Philadelphia. FABL clubs went right to work on signing their first-round draft picks with 10 of the top 16 selections in the FABL draft agreeing to contracts in the opening week of the signing period. Included in that group were a pair of players who also debuted in the top five of the OSA prospect pipeline immediately after inking deals. They would be first baseman Dino Sharp, selected 3rd overall by Detroit and showing up quickly at #4 on the OSA prospect sheet behind only Ralph Hanson, Ken Newman and Irv Clifford. On spot behind the newest member of the Dynamos system is Boston's future replacement for Harry Barrell. That would be Joe Kleman, a 17-year-old the Minutemen landed with the 11th selection and now appears 5th on the OSA prospect list. The first overall selection, two-time Christian Trophy winning shortstop Tom Miller from Coastal State, has not yet put pen to paper with the Washington Eagles but he is expected to agree to a contract in the near future. Here is a look at the status of the first round picks. Code: PK TM NAME POS SIGNED OSA RANK 1 WSH Tom Miller SS No 2 CLE Stump Patterson 3B Yes - 28 3 DET Dino Sharp 1B Yes - 4 4 MON Pete Ireton 2B No 5 PHK Buddy Miller CF No 6 NYS Gene Curtis P Yes - 77 7 NYG Hank Estill 3B Yes - 24 8 TOR Bill Irvin LF No 9 PIT Roy Snedden 3B Yes - 42 10 CIN Dave Smith P No 11 BOS Joe Kleman SS Yes - 5 12 BKN Jimmy Isgro P Yes - 45 13 PIT Ralph Hughes CF No 14 PIT Glen Holbrook CF Yes - 40 15 CLE Jim Urquhart 2B Yes - 20 16 PHS Curt Brooks 2B Yes - 56 Kings pitcher Jackie James got a start and tossed 6 shutout 2-hit innings against the Stars. He walked 6 but that seems to be normal in the league nowadays for a lot of the pitchers. James will get another shot in the rotation. Bob Walls who has been great all year in relief took the loss after SS Billy Bryant committed his 13th error of the season. With 2B Gil London finally off the roster, the Kings will bring up SS Chuck Lewis who probably should have been up all year. Lewis tore it up with AAA Jersey City and will start at SS and get time at 2B. Will likely start giving Bryant some time at 2B as the 2nd year SS continues to struggle in the field despite pretty good scouting reports that say otherwise. Another pitcher who got into the rotation was Clarence Barton. Barton has been in and mostly out of the rotation and pitching in late inning situations. He has struggled most of the 2 prior seasons in a starting role but we will give him some time in place of Harry Carter for a bit. Juan Pomales has struggled 8-50 since returning from injury. He will make his way to the bench for a bit and give rookie Pat Petty the everyday job. Petty has been seeing action moving around and spelling guys in the OF. He has spelled CF John Moss a few times with Ralph Johnson moving into CF on those days. Moss is struggling with a 206 average this year but is still getting on base at a 350 clip. Its been a tough 1st half for Moss. Kings are hanging around despite all the youth and a leaky pitching staff. Mental mistakes are killing them (errors and walks). Still they are about where we thought we would be. Hanging around but not a serious contender. We will probably only land 1 ping pong ball this year, but we haven't had much lucky with multiple balls the last few years. * Kings Scouting Staff Happy With Draft * Several of the Kings new draft picks have made the OSA top prospect rankings. Pitcher Jimmy Isgro (18) debuts at #45 overall and the Kings 7th prospect (3rd in pitcher rankings). 9th round pick OF Pinky Walls clocks in at #103 overall and 9th on the Kings list. 6th round SS Joe Marshall is the Kings #13 and #173 overall. The Kings have a few more players left to sign. They have decided to not offer 8 of their draftees who they feel will be better off going to college or finding a real job. TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN The Toronto Wolves are 2-11 over the last two weeks on the road which is causing a great of consternation amongst the fans and in the front office. Owner Bernie Millard, in breaks from his dealings with the John L. Lewis led UMW talks, has been demanding answers along with a concrete plan for the future path of the Wolves. The catch phrase seems to be "Lets see what we have for the Fifties." Sounds like the Wolves are starting the transition. Toronto expects lots of movement throughout the system by mid-July once the C ball is in full swing. Speculation is that the sands of time have run out on a number of players in the system. Players will be moved up the system quickly for the balance of the season. Meanwhile Millard continues his behind the scenes wrangling with his new pro basketball team. The Pittsburgh Falcons are coming to Toronto next season and will play out of Dominion Gardens. Millard confirmed the team, which may or may not still be known as the Falcons, will most assuredly be a Toronto club but was mum when asked to confirm that the Falcons will now roost in Rollie Barrell's Federal League instead of their current nest in the American Basketball Conference. The future of Toronto's other pro cage team -the Titans- is unknown but it will certainly not involve our city. Titans owner Charles Mitchell will either fold his club or move it to a new city. What a difference two weeks makes for the Detroit Dynamos. On June 21 the Dynamos celebrated a 5th straight victory and were just a game and a half out of first place. Then came a 2-12 stretch that included a 9 game losing skid and suddenly Detroit is in 6th place in the Federal Association, 9 games off the pace. It was also a rough 0-6 week for the Keystones, taking the shine off of a couple of monthly honors. Bobby Barrell (.296/.414/.652, 10 HR, 31 RBI) won June's Batter of the Month, while Lloyd Stevens's hot 5-1 month (2.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) elevated him to the Pitcher of the Month in the Fed. Another team struggling is the Toronto Wolves, who have lost 11 of their last 13 and are suddenly 12.5 games back in the Continental race. Word out of Toronto is manager Bob Call is "on very thin ice" and a change may come soon if the team does not turn things around. Al Wheeler's son Steve is signed and set to make his pro debut in the Dynamos system with Class C Biloxi this week. The Dynamos are thrilled with OSA's impression of their picks that have signed. First rounder Dino Sharp, who will debut at first base in Biloxi, is #4 on the OSA prospect list while second round pitcher Jack Miller slots in at #58. Chiefs' 5th round selection Don Smith has signed and debuts at #184 on the OSA list. We are still waiting for a response from Walt Cooper. Some major shocking additions to the top prospect lists for the Cougars. Without a first rounder, they expected little notable signings, but 4th Rounder Dixie Gaines ranks 5th in the system and 57th overall. Dixie ranks second so far among pitchers selected in the recent draft, trailing just 12th Overall Pick Jimmy Isgro (#45) He's not the only addition to the top 100, as fellow 4th Rounder Elmer Grace ranks 75th and 3rd Rounder Jeff King ranks 95th. Two more Cougar draftees Bob Allie (106th) and Cecil Burr (142nd) find themselves inside the top 150 DESMARAIS HOPING FOR BETTER LUCK IN REMATCH WITH FRANK THE TANK PHILADELPHIA - In the throes of summer's swelter, the pugilistic world braces itself for a transatlantic showdown that promises fistic fireworks. Next Saturday, the gritty Sailors Memorial Stadium in the City of Brotherly Love will bear witness to a grudge match of colossal proportions, as Europe's own Edouard Desmarais seeks redemption against the indomitable Frank "The Tank" Melanson. These two middleweight gladiators have crossed paths before, in a clash that left Desmarais battered and bewildered. It was October of '46 when Melanson, then the reigning World Middleweight Champion, turned the Frenchman's world upside down with a thunderous third-round knockout. The champ's fists painted a vivid picture that night, and Desmarais absorbed the brutal masterpiece. But, ah, how times change! A year and a half have ebbed away since that fateful night, and the challenger from across the pond is poised to pen a different narrative. Edouard Desmarais, the European middleweight monarch, exudes an air of quiet determination. Huddled in the gritty gyms of New York, he sharpens his tools for this long-awaited rematch. He's a man transformed, a fighter who now knows what to expect from the relentless 31-year-old tank. "It won't be easy," confesses Desmarais in his fractured English, "but this time I am ready." The battleground is also more familiar to Desmarais this time around. The North American canvas, a foreign landscape in their previous encounter, no longer unsettles him. In Philly, he'll step into the ring with the tenacity of a man on a mission, thirsting for vindication. Yet, it's worth noting that Frank "The Tank" Melanson, the gritty pride of Pittsburgh, has evolved as well. No longer invincible, his record now bears a scar, a blemish courtesy of John Edmonds who briefly snatched the title from his grasp last year. However, Melanson's spirit and resolve were undeterred, as he reclaimed his throne in a grueling rematch last December. This impending showdown marks the champion's first title defense since that dramatic comeback, and there's already talk of an epic trilogy with Edmonds, tentatively slated for later this year. Some have speculated that Melanson's gaze might be straying towards that highly anticipated rubber match, but the champ vehemently dismisses such notions. "I respect Desmarais," states Melanson adamantly, "He's a skilled fighter, and I won't underestimate him. I was just as surprised as anyone when it ended so swiftly in our first bout. But mark my words; he'll be gunning for payback." As they say in the fight game, redemption often carries more fire than first-time ambition. Frank "The Tank" Melanson stands at 33-1-2, a veteran of the trenches, while Desmarais, boasting a stellar 41-1 record with 32 knockouts, remains undefeated by anyone except the tank himself. With personal pride, championship glory, and transcontinental honor on the line, this rematch promises to be a battle royale, replete with fistic fury and the spirit of a true pugilistic grudge match. Get ready, fight fans, for the thunderous collision of Desmarais vs. Melanson is set to rock the boxing world once again! LATEST TWIFB BOXING RANKINGS UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS Jul 10 - Sailors Memorial: World MW champ Frank Melanson (33-1-2) defends his title against Edouard Desmarais (40-1) Jul 10 - Sailors Memorial: undercard HW Scott Baker (17-3-2) vs Glenn Hairston (26-10-2) Jul 16 -Philadelphia: HW Lewis Jones (17-1) vs Pete Roe (27-10-5) Jul 20- Bigsby Garden, New York: MW Todd Gill (24-4-6) vs Jack Rainey (24-5) Jul 23- Jacksonville, FL: WW Dennis O'Keefe (22-3) vs Robert Schultz (22-8) Jul 30- Brooklyn: MW Danny Morse (34-8-1) vs Jim Gilmore (29-8-2) MOTORS SAID TO BE LEANING TOWARDS BARBER WITH FIRST PICK The Detroit Motors will have the first selection in the upcoming North American Hockey Confederation draft and while the club has not confirmed who they will be selecting with the top choice, indications are they are leaning towards Lou Barber. The 19-year-old Tillsonburg, On., native was watched closely last season by Motors head scout Frank Yeadon and the rest of his staff because he spent most of the campaign playing for nearby Toledo of the Hockey Association of America. As one of the youngest players in the league, Barber had some growing pains but did manage to score 4 goals and tally 15 points to help the Tigers finish second in the HAA's West Division. Detroit scouts feel Barber is very close to being ready to contribute in the NAHC next season and feel his elite playmaking skills give him the potential to become one of the top players in the league as he matures. If Barber is not the Motors choice, it will still be a winger as the club is also looking closely at Patrick Banning and Carl Loon. Banning is said to have the highest ceiling in the minds of the Detroit staff but is much further away from his potential than Barber while the knock on Loon is a worry that he is not durable enough to withstand the rigors of a full NAHC season. The Motors, who finished last in the 6-team NAHC and missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons, have holes everywhere but the team's lack of elite offensive talent is likely the most glaring need. There is hope for the future with some talented young players on the rise in 22-year-old winger Nick Tardif, who led the club in scoring and won the McLeod Trophy as rookie of the year, along with a pair of 20-year-old pivots in Ben Witt and Francis McKenzie. The Detroit defense lacks depth but coach Mark Moore feels Jim Todd and 22-year-old Spencer Larocque can develop into a top pairing while goaltender Henri Chasse has demonstrated glimpses of what could be one of the best goaltenders in the league. PRO CAGE'S FUTURE IN FLUX: Two Leagues in Turmoil As the sun climbs higher in the summer sky, the world of professional basketball finds itself embroiled in a tempest of uncertainty. The draft, a crucial moment in the destiny of recently graduated collegiate cagers, looms large on the horizon for both the Federal Basketball League and the entrenched American Basketball Conference. With the draft mere weeks away, it seems the two leagues are locked in a dance of destiny, one that could redefine the course of pro basketball for years to come. A year ago, both leagues made a conspicuous stand, mandating that college basketball's finest declare their allegiance to either the FBL or the well-established ABC. This forced choice was conceived as a means to curb the surging tide of player contracts, which had skyrocketed like a half-court buzzer-beater. The Continental Conference's advent into football had sent contracts spiraling, and the magnates in basketball, a sport already basking in the shadows of football, sought to contain costs. Now, the whispers that reverberate across the hardwood echo tales of upheaval. It's said that up to four ABC teams are poised to defect to the burgeoning ranks of the FBL. The Pittsburgh Falcons, it seems, are set to lead this charge, under the ownership of Bernie Millard, the same coal baron who commands the Toronto Wolves of baseball fame. Millard's plans are daring; he's already secured a lease for the Falcons to soar northward to Toronto, where they would find a home at Dominion Gardens. But herein lies the rub, Dominion Gardens previously hosted an FBL tenant, the Toronto Titans, or at least it did in the last season. So, what becomes of the Titans if the Falcons take wing in Toronto, regardless of the league they represent? Rumor mill churns, suggesting an outlandish switcheroo – the Titans, instead of finding a new city, could swap spots with Millard's squad, finding shelter in the ABC and calling Pittsburgh home. Nevertheless, the greater question looms: What fate awaits the ABC if these rumblings transform into reality? Indications suggest that a triumvirate of ABC stalwarts, the Washington Statesmen, New York Knights, and Boston Centurions, all ponder joining Millard's Falcons in the FBL. Such a mass exodus would leave the ABC with a mere quartet of teams, perhaps five if the Titans choose to traverse the divide. One can't help but ponder whether the ABC would remain tenable in such a stark configuration. As the clock ticks toward draft day, players who were coerced into declaring their loyalty to a specific league are left in the shadows of uncertainty. Will the ABC persist, and if so, which teams will form its nucleus? In addition, even team general managers and scouting units labor in a fog of uncertainty. Take, for example, Millard's Falcons; their predicament is particularly sticky. Should their scouts scrutinize ABC declared players or those who pledged allegiance to the FBL? Moreover, if they make the leap, do they pick first in the Federal draft, as dictated by their last-place record, or do they find themselves relegated to the tail end of the FBL's draft pecking order? The saga unfolds, thick with intrigue and rife with uncertainty. Pro basketball, at this juncture, is a realm in flux, a court where the rules are being written anew. The coming fortnight promises to be a riveting one, with the future of the hardwood world hanging in the balance. Stay tuned, folks, for this summer's draft might just pen a new chapter in the annals of pro basketball history. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 7/04/1948 President Truman declared flatly that he has no idea of stepping aside for another Democratic presidential candidate and expects to be nominated on the first ballot at the party's convention and then beat the Dewey-Warren ticket in November. Truman signed the $6 billion dollar foreign aid appropriation bill, including $4 billion earmarked for Europe under the Marshall Plan, describing it as "concrete evidence and assurance to the free people of the world that we stand ready to work side by side with them to preserve free institutions in stability and peace." Drafting of men 19 through 25 will begin "very soon" after September 22 at a rate of about 30,000 a month until the following July 1, the Secretary of the Army announced this week. Secretary of State Marshall says the US will deal promptly with the Soviet blockade of Berlin but gave no hint as to what action is contemplated. British Prime Minister Attlee says his government has advised King George VI to declare a state of national emergency to deal with a wildcat strike that threatens Great Britain's food supply. Diplomatic sources say the Russians may be building up a case to send troops to Yugoslavia after Yugoslav Premier Tito was accused of pursuing a hatefl policy toward Russia. The Yugoslavian army and communists in that country gave Tito strong support in his defiant stand against Russia. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles