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Tiger Fan · 11-17-2023, 12:28 PM

APRIL 17, 1949

TORONTO DUKES REPEAT AS CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPIONS

The Toronto Dukes became the first club in North American Hockey Confederation history to win 8 Challenge Cups after defeating the Boston Bees in 5 games to win the league title for the second consecutive season. The series victory marked the fourth time in the past six years the Dukes won the Cup and their 8 titles moves them one ahead of Boston for the NAHC lead in that category.

The two clubs split the opening two games of the series at Boston's Denny Arena with each team claiming a 2-1 overtime victory. Game three in Toronto last Sunday saw the Dukes, led by a 3-point night from NAHC scoring champ Quinton Pollack, double the Bees by a 6-3 count.

The crucial fourth game saw Toronto, behind 44 saves from Terry Russell who was outstanding the entire playoff replacing the injured Gordie Broadway, claim a 3-1 victory. The Bees took a quick lead just 4 minutes into the game when Wilbur Chandler opened the scoring, but Toronto captain Bobbie Sauer pulled his side even before the first period ended. Pollack, who led all playoff scorers with 9 goals and 15 points, notched what would prove to be the game winner late in the middle frame and Les Carlson, with Pollack drawing an assist, sealed the win with an empty-net marker in the closing seconds.

Trailing 3 games to one but returning home for the fifth game, the Bees dug themselves an early hole when Pollack, followed quickly by Charlie Brown just 41 seconds later, staked the visiting Dukes to a 2-0 lead before the game was nine minutes old. Boston did get one back late in the opening stanza when Alex Gagnon scored and after a scoreless second period the Bees gave the Denny Arena faithful hope when Connor Mikaelsen tied the contest 1:55 into the third period. The two clubs combined for 31 shots in the third period, and 81 overall including 42 from Boston, but it was Toronto's rising star Pollack who once again found the back of the night. The 26-year-old sharpshooter and son-in-law of Dukes coach Jack Barrell scored the Cup winning goal just past the midway point of the third period. It made the score 3-2 for Toronto and netminder Russell, with another stellar performance, closed the door the rest of the way despite relentless pressure from the Bees. Only when Dick Zimmerman notched an empty netter with 14 seconds left to play could the Dukes breathe easy as they completed the Cup win with a 4-2 victory.

A mere hours after the Toronto Dukes captured yet another Cup victory, the team without one decided to make an early statement move to improve the defense in front of Norm Hanson. The cost was four players and two picks, but the Packers acquired Shamrocks captain Bert McCalley, one of the best veteran defensemen in the NAHC. One of the most popular defensemen in the league, "Mighty Mac" appeared in 55 games for New York, recording 6 goals and 14 points. While not the most impressive offensive output, he's an old-school defensemen who hits hard and has a nose for finding the puck.

One of the hardest checkers in the league, McCalley is known for his big hits on unsuspecting forwards, and there's very few guys you'd rather have in a fight. This could be very helpful for star Tommy Burns, as with McCalley on the ice, teams will be less inclined to hit the Packers star knowing that retribution will be delivered. McCalley also excels at disrupting shots, using clever positioning and immense bravery by getting in the way of shots, and when he's on the ice it won't be easy to get quality shots on net.

Packers coach Ed Hempenstall was ecstatic when he heard the news, speaking on how much he believes the acquisition will improve the Packers chances next year. "We didn't start off well, and having a hard nosed veteran like McCalley could have made the difference. Our defense isn't as strong as the offense, and it lacked a true veteran presence. I'm hoping McCalley can help mentor some of the younger guys, and help Jesse Santoro develop into the superstar we know he can be."

As things stand now, McCalley will replace Jerry Finch, one of the four players headed to New York, on the first line, working with 24-year-old Pete Moreau. Finch recorded 16 points in 42 contests, Joining him will be 24-year-old center Dan Russel, who recorded an assist in his only game with the Packers this season. Former 2nd Rounder Kevin Braun and 3rd Rounder Mark Thériault will be outbound as well, with the final two pieces the Packers 1st and 3rd Round Picks in the upcoming draft. It's a lofty price to play, especially considering Braun and Thériault are two of the Packers most promising youngsters, but when you have an opportunity to acquire a star, you pay whatever price is necessary.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Late-breaking news as discussed by Archie Irwin of the Chicago Daily News above. The New York Shamrocks have traded long-time captain and defensive stalwart Bert McCalley to the Chicago Packers in exchange for a package that consists of the following:
Packers 1st and 3rd Round Picks
LD Jerry Finch NAHC
C Dan Russell NAHC
RD Mark Thériault HAA
C Kevin Braun HAA
Only a very quick reaction and TWIFB will look closer in the coming days but initial feeling is this looks like a positive move for both clubs. The Packers added one of the best shutdown defenders in the league and perhaps the final piece they need to finally win their first Challenge Cup. New York is clearly rebuilding but we feel Jerry Finch is a very underrated defenseman. He won't match McCalley's physicality, but is a little more gifted offensively and, at age 27, is four years younger than McCalley.
The Chicago Packers will also be looking for a reserve goalie in the offseason. Cole Foster doesn't want to renew and the Packers don't have any goalies other then Norm Hanson and back-up Michael Cleghorn under contract to the organization.
The Rochester Robins won their second straight Hockey Association of America playoff title after they swept the Philadelphia Rascals three straight games in the league title series. A trio of Robins including regular season scoring champ Marcus Taylor tied for the playoff point lead with 5 in the 3 games. Taylor, a 20-year-old centerman from Caledon, Ontario is an undrafted player who joined the Robins this season after a year in the coast league with Vancouver. He had 47 points in 48 games this season to top the HAA.
The Tacoma Lions are once again the class of the Great Western League after sweeping the Portland Ports in the championship series to win the Yeardon Trophy. Tacoma has won four of the last five league titles.
The Halifax Mariners are the champions of the first season for the new Canadian Junior League. The Mariners led the East Division with 78 points before going on to beat West Division champion Kitchener Roosters 3 games to two in the title series. After the clubs split 4-tight games, 3 of which were decided by a single goal and the fourth by two thanks to an empty-net marker, the deciding game was a wide-open affair with Halifax scoring 4 times in the third period to claim a 7-4 victory.

Dukes Claim Challenge Cup For Second Year Running -- The Toronto Dukes are again on top of the hockey world after claiming the Challenge Cup for the second straight season, beating the Boston Bees by winning the best of seven series 4-1.

The week began with home game for the defending champions before 16,160 screaming fans at Dominion Gardens. As has been the case during nearly all of the Dukes playoff action this spring, the game was a wide open affair with plenty of scoring chances. Terry Russell, the surprise starter, continued his hot playoff run tending goal for the Dukes against Pierre Melancon, who was replacing injured Oscar James for the Bees. Boston jumped out to 1-0 lead at 4:18 of the opening period when Wilbur Chandler deflected a pass from Tommy Hart past Russell. Bobby Sauer tied the game at 17:34, knocking the puck in after Trevor Parker's shot has rung off the post. Shots in the first favoured Boston 14-12 in a quick paced period. Russell was even busier in the second making 19 stops, many in spectacular fashion, especially on the two power plays for the Bees. The Dukes had less than half the shots, with only 9 in the period, but managed to light the lamp behind Melancon at 18:59 when Quinton Pollack netted his 7th of the playoff on nifty passes form Lou Galbraith. Toronto settled into a defense-first game in the third being satisfied to exit their zone then dump the puck in to make a line change, even with that strategy Russell was called on to make another dozen saves half of which were on his doorstep. Les Carlson's goal into an empty net sealed the 3-1 victory in which Russell turned aside 44 of 45 shots.

The series resumed Thursday night at Denny Arena with the home squad's backs to the wall. Boston's desperation to charged out to the lead led to a few good chances for the Dukes early in the first. Quinton Pollack, left unchecked in front of Melancon, opened the scoring before the contest was 8 minutes old. With the advantage the Dukes continue to press the Bees and when Charlie Brown's snap shot from the point found the back of the net over Melancon's shoulder the crowd went into a stunned silence. Boston was down, but not out, and the crowd came to life late in the opening frame when Alex Gagnon narrowed the gap to 2-1.

The second period was the chippiest seen in the series as both teams took a few retaliation minors. There was no scoring as the goaltenders shut the door with shots giving Boston a slight advantage 15-13 in the middle twenty. The home team came out guns ablazin' in the third and sent the crowd into a frenzy when Mikaelsen tied the game with a shot from the point at 1:55. The game continued at a frenetic pace with a number of outstanding saves at both ends. Quinton Pollack, who refused to be denied in the playoffs, scored the eventual game and Cup clincher at 10:31 leading to a wild last 9 and a half minutes. Boston stormed Fortress Russell only to continually be denied the tying goal. Dick Zimmerman put the game away into an empty cage with 14 seconds left making the final 4-2 Toronto.

Coach Barrell: "Go talk to the players. This is their moment in the limelight. I want to praise Boston, that is a fine team. The series could have went either way, we just had a little more puck luck. Quinton (Pollack) and Terry (Russell) put the team on their shoulders to carry us to victory. I can now reveal Gordie Broadway was injured during the last game of the season, his shutout. I could see a couple of the Bees were not at tiptop form either in the final. My toughest job in the playoffs was to keep Gordie out of the net. He told me everyday that he was ready to go, numerous times, I would check with the trainer who would just shake his head until last week, and by that time Russell was on a roll."

BASEBALL SEASON BEGINS TOMORROW

After seven weeks of intensive rehearsing, during which most of the athletes have worked themselves as close to mid-season condition as ever they are likely to attain, another major league baseball campaign will start tomorrow with two cities drawing the honor of beating the gun by a matter of 24 hours.

In Washington, where it has long been the custom to give the Federal Association Eagles an exclusive inaugural, 68-year-old Bob Beelman will start his second season at the helm of the Pittsburgh Miners and help the Eagles launch FABL's 58th pennant race. Also, in accordance with a custom in vogue since 1910, when President Taft tossed out the first ball, President Truman again will put his famed delivery on exhibition, his fourth since becoming the nation's Chief Executive Officer.

The Continental Association, not to be overshadowed, also will get off to a stagger start with the New York Stars and Brooklyn Kings taking center stage for the lone Monday matchup in the Continental circuit. A day later all of the others will swing into action with a full slate that also includes the first twin bill of the season. That will once more be at Kings County as the Stars and Kings continue to work towards a jumpstart to the campaign.

Each loop gives promise of tight pennant races with the Federal Association, as is often the case, having half a dozen clubs that realistically could win the pennant, including the St Louis Pioneers who are angling for their third consecutive World Championship Series title. Many feel the Continental will be a three-horse race between the two-time defending flag holders from Philadelphia, along with the Stars and the perennial underachieving Chicago Cougars.

STAY AT HOME FANS GET BREAK ON RADIO, TELEVISION

The stay-at-home fan who prefers baseball in his living room to hot dogs at the ballpark will get an even better break than ever before in major league cities this summer. Home games of each of the 16 teams will be broadcast, many of them on regional networks covering several States. Broadcasts on games away from home will be carried on eight teams. And some or all of the home games of 13 teams will be televised.

Radio coverage will be about the same as last year, but television has made big strides. Only the Pittsburgh Miners have said "definitely no" to television. The Cleveland Foresters are agreeable to the idea but haven't found a sponsor who is agreeable to the cost. Cleveland fans will get full radio coverage of the Foresters games, both home and away, for the first time in years.

Then there is the case of the Cincinnati Cannons. They are all in favour of being full-time video stars, but, says club President John E. Tice, the only available Cincinnati television station isn't interested in carrying all of the games. The situation is still under discussion.
*** Legal Action Will Not Cancel Broadcasts ***

Pending lawsuits against baseball which claim the game has become interstate commerce because of the vast wealth of radio and television contracts apparently have had no effect on coverage this season. Some observers have predicted that baseball might cancel these contracts in case of an adverse court ruling. This is based on the theory that in the days before radio the Supreme Court found that baseball was not interstate commerce.

The general acceptance of television came as somewhat of a surprise. Not too long ago many baseball men "viewed with alarm" the prospect that fans might be able to see the games without becoming cash customers.
*** October Check-up Planned ***

The television contracts generally are for one year. In October the club owners will compare the gate receipts and the television revenue and come to a decision. Meanwhile, a committee organized by minor league baseball is studying in the situation amidst worries the impact television might have on minor league clubs. It will report to the major and minor league convention in December.

The Toronto Wolves finished a dismal spring training at 10-26 with 1 win and 2 losses in final week. Still have not scored more than 4 runs in any of the 36 spring games. Last two cuts were made leaving the team with 10 pitchers, 14 hitters to start the season. Fred commented on the Dukes taking the NAHC title "John has set a high standard for me in Toronto. I hope to bring the Wolves faithful a FABL title." Brett Bing reports that Fred seems to be getting more comfortable on the top step of dugout, he seen constantly talking to Dick Dennis. There was some thought that Fred Miles, who had an impressive spring, would make the trip north. He was optioned to Buffalo in what the team is calling a move to insure playing time. Field staff will have to manage the playing time of some of the older position players for the team to be of any significance in the CA. All reports are that the pitching will be strong in 1949. Given what appears early to be a weak hitting squad team defense will have to be strong, leak proof. Team will rely on limiting runs rather than out slugging opponents at least in the early stages of the campaign.
Two more rule five draft selection was returned to his original club as the New York Stars sent 24-year-old Canadian first baseman back to the Chicago Cougars. Biggar hit just .200 in camp with the Stars after enjoying a big year in AA last season when he batted .396 in 138 games for Mobile of the Dixie League. Meanwhile the Detroit Dynamos are sending 25-year-old oufielder Ralph Robinson back to the Philadelphia Keystones. Robinson hit .329 for AA New Orleans last year.
Veteran reserve infielder Johnny Zeidman of the Cleveland Foresters will miss the first month and a half of the season after the 31-year-old suffered a wrist injury in the closing days of spring camp. Zeidman hit .268 in 58 games for the Foresters last year.

RIVETING FINALE LOOMS AS FEDERAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE SEASON UNFURLS

In the dying embers of this robust 1948-49 Federal Basketball League season, where 16 teams battle for supremacy in the caged arena, the drama unfolds in the last four days of the campaign. While the identity of the six playoff contenders has been determined, the jockeying for position in the East and the bruising clashes in the West Division remain undecided, promising a climactic denouement.

In the East, a fierce duel for primacy has unfolded between the Brooklyn Red Caps and the Washington Statesmen, erstwhile titans of the now-defunct American Basketball Conference. Neck and neck, these rivals, inseparable with identical 51-14 records, vie for first place and the coveted first-round bye in the impending playoffs. The Red Caps, traversing the league's roads, confront the Titans in Syracuse on Monday, engage in a Tuesday night tussle with the Mustangs in Detroit, and conclude their regular season in Baltimore on Thursday. Simultaneously, the Statesmen embark on a challenging journey, clashing over crabcakes with the Baltimore squad on Monday, traversing to Hartford on Wednesday, and culminating their regular season with a Thursday bout against Cincinnati at the National Auditorium.

The fallout from this East Division skirmish sees the runner-up ready to host the resilient Philadelphia Phantoms in the Eastern Semi-Final series. Despite recent stumbles, the Phantoms, who secured the third spot, brace themselves for a formidable challenge, be it in Washington or Brooklyn.

Out West, the playoff teams are also set, but the order in which Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago will finish remains tantalizingly uncertain. Battling through injuries, both Chicago and Detroit face playoff entry without their starting point guards, Joe Hampton and Israel Slusher, respectively. With their offensive quarterbacks absent, a tough stretch has taken a toll on both squads, with Detroit losing four of its last seven, including a bruising home-and-home series against the Crushers. Meanwhile, the Chicago outfit has claimed victory in just 5 of their last 13 outings.

Cleveland was also recently marred by the injury bug as Herb Hobbs, their second top scorer, exits the stage after taking a scary fall and injuring his head in a game last week. It is expected the Crushers will be without his services for the remainder of the season. Undeterred, the Crushers have triumphed in 10 of their last 11 games, drawing level with Detroit and holding a one-game edge over Chicago in the contest for first place.

In this climactic week, Cleveland eases into their final two battles with a trip to Buffalo before returning home to the Lakeside Arena to face Pittsburgh. Chicago readies for a fiery finish with home encounters against Cincinnati and Rochester, while Detroit braces for a formidable last leg with a showdown against East powerhouse Brooklyn on Tuesday, followed by a concluding clash against Toronto at the Thompson Palladium on Thursday evening. As the dust settles, the echoes of a season's crescendo resonate, foreshadowing the fierce battles yet to unfold in the imminent playoffs.

Since Chatworth Giampetro has everything covered with the down-to-the-wire playoff races, let's look at the statistical leaders and what they have to do to hold on to those leads in the final week of the regular season:

Scoring leader Lon Porter (21.4 ppg) of the Toronto Falcons is leading by a half-point on Richard Campbell (20.9 ppg) of the Chicago Panthers and less than a point over Boston's Morgan Melcher (20.8 ppg) and Detroit rookie Ward Messer (20.6 ppg). Porter was held in check by Brooklyn to start the week, scoring only six points on 3-for-16 shooting, before a total outage against Chicago where Porter was scoreless in seven field goal attempts. Porter played better later in the week, dropping 17 against Buffalo and 20 versus Cincinnati to get back on track. Porter will play Pittsburgh at home and Detroit on the road, while Campbell has home games against Cincinnati and Rochester. Melcher is the dark horse to threaten Porter's lead with games against two lower-rung teams Syracuse and Buffalo.
Messer had overtaken Buffalo's Larry Yim in rebounds to lead the league back in February. The sensational rookie is now up to 18.4 rebounds per game, which is a half-rebound ahead of Yim (17.9 rpg) and a full rebound over Washington's Ivan Sisco (17.4 rpg). Messer has two tough assignments in the final week, a date with Brooklyn before a mano-a-mano with Porter, who happens to be fourth in rebounding. Yim has three games, at New York and home against Cleveland and Boston. Messer has averaged 18.0 over the last half-dozen games, widening his lead while Yim has dipped to 16.6 per game over the last eight games.
In assists, Jerry Hubbard of the Philadelphia Phantoms is far ahead of any challengers and will cruise to the dish title. Hubbard is at 11.4 assists per game and stands as the only player in double figures. Chicago's Joe Hampton is second at 9.8 and Detroit's Israel Slusher is third at 9.7. Hampton is injured and Slusher can push for a 10.0 average if he gets 35 assists his last two games, home dates against Brooklyn and Toronto.

Code:


FBL STANDINGS
EAST            W  L   PCT   GB
x-Brooklyn     51 14  .785    -
x-Washington   51 14  .785    -
x-Philadelphia 38 27  .585  13.0
Rochester      35 31  .530  16.5
Baltimore      33 32  .508  18.0
Hartford       31 34  .477  20.0
Boston         29 37  .439  22.5
New York       20 45  .308  31.0
Syracuse        9 56  .138  42.0

WEST          W  L   PCT   GB
x-Cleveland  41 25  .621    -
x-Detroit    41 25  .621    -
x-Chicago    40 26  .606   1.0
Cincinnati   35 31  .530   6.0
Pittsburgh   29 37  .439  12.0
Toronto      21 44  .323  19.5
Buffalo      20 46  .303  21.0

x-clinched playoff spot 
(top 3 in each division qualify)

COLLEGE CAGE ALL-AMERICANS NAMED

For the second year in a row a Liberty College player has been named the top collegiate cage performer in the nation. Following on the heels of Ward Messer, who currently strs for the Detroit Mustangs of the Federal Basketball League, is junior center Luther Gordon. The Brooklyn native, who transferred in from a junior college with the express purpose of filling the void left by the graduation of Messer, passed the test with flying colours.

Gordon set a single-season AIAA points record by scoring 602 this season while also finishing second overall in rebounds behind only Oscar Schoonover of Garden State. Those totals, combined with Gordon's ability to carry Liberty College to 28-4 record and the quarterfinals of the AIAA tournament earned the Bells star not only first team All-American status but also the Art Barrette Trophy as the top collegiate player in the nation. The trophy is named after legendary Coastal California coach Art Barrette, who retired in 1942 with an AIAA record 789 coaching victories.

Joining Gordon as first team All-Americans are senior forwards Vincent Passingham of Texas Gulf Coast and Cy Worley of St Blane along with senior guard Leo Franks, who was once a highly touted high school baseball player until an arm injury in his junior season derailed his chances of getting drafted and he turned his focus fully to basketball at Pittsburgh State. The final first team selection is, like Gordon, a junior in Carolina Poly guard James Halle.

HOME-TOWN CROWDS HAIL COLONIALS QUINTET IN RETURN TO VIRGINIA

A small-scale Times Square tribute was paid Lexington State's National AIAA basketball kingpins, who returned home from New York City with the school's first collegiate basketball title.

Thousands of home-towners who couldn't watch the Colonials run to the National Championship thronged a mile-long parade route to toast the titleholders. An estimated 20,000 enthusiasts all but overflowed the downtown area to watch the thirty-minute, thirty-seven-unit parade.

Another 10,000 persons, some of whom followed the parade to the university, joined in a campus celebration. The biggest cheer went to the graduating members of the squad in particular center Granville Steen, who was a four-year starter for the Virginia school.

It was a completely unexpected title, the first national crown in any sport for the Colonials, who barely register a blip on the collegiate baseball radar, went just 3-6-1 in football a year ago and have not approached a .500 record on the grid in more than a decade. On the court, the Colonials did qualify for the AIAA tournament each of the past three years but prior to that it was a 15-year tournament drought, and they won their only South Atlantic Conference title in 31 years last season. The were fourth in SAC play this year and few expected them to get out of the West Region, something the school had never accomplished before.

It was an unsung group that came together for a miracle title run. None of the Lexington State players were named All-Americans. In fact, none even claimed a spot on any of the first, second and third all-South Atlantic Conference teams. It is unlikely any of the Colonials players will ever play professionally but for one month they were world-beaters.

COOPER DEFEATS McFARLAND IN SAVAGE BOUT

Mike McFarland was beaten last week in Memphis but he was far from disgraced. With the doughy little Pittsburgh heavyweight bruised and bleeding from the battering inflicted by Cannon Cooper through 10 rounds of savage fighting, the unanimous decision for the once-considered championship calibre Cooper was met with no protest by the 7,500 fans on hand.

Cooper inflicted a lot of damage upon his opponent, and at times was reminscent of his early days when it was felt the Rockford, Il native was on his way to a date with Hector Sawyer. That never happened, at least not yet for the 28-year-old, who was 17-0 before being upset with back to back stoppage losses to Clancy Little and Glenn Hairston derailing his ride to the top. There have been some ups and downs since then but Cooper, who has won his last three outings to run his career mark to 26-4-1, may yet get that title shot if he continues to perform as he did against McFarland.

MILLER COMES UP SHORT IN GARDEN RETURN

Dan Miller, who faced Hector Sawyer in front of a record setting crowd in Santa Ana early last year, made his return to the Bigsby Garden last night but it was memorable for all the wrong reasons as the California native was upset, taking a split decision loss to lightly regarded John Howe. Miller has now lost twice in four outings since being stopped by the champ in the title fight, and it clearly looks like the 32-year-old has lost a step. After the bout, his handlers would not comment on whether that might have been Miller's final bout.

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

Apr 20 - National Auditorium, Washington DC- WW contender Mark Westlake (26-3-1) vs Scott Sorensen (24-11-2)
Apr 23- Atlanta: MW contender John Edmonds (27-3) vs Gerald MacIntosh (18-7-2)
Apr 24: Paris, France: rising French MW Yohan Revel (19-1) vs Leone Pierotti (26-6)
Apr 27- Flatbush Gardens, Brooklyn: rising MW Tommy Campbell (21-1-1) vs Richie Phillips (10-2)
Apr 27- Flatbush Gardens, Brooklyn: Italian MW Hugo Canio (13-0-2) vs Brenton Garner (9-2-2)
Apr 29- Lake Erie Arena, Cleveland: WW contender Carl Taylor (25-6-2) vs Stuart White (32-12-2)
May 6- Bigsby Garden, New York: HW contender Mark Fountain (24-5-1) vs Michael White (39-12-1)
May 18- Lake Erie Arena, Cleveland: Rising HW contender Tommy Cline (13-2) vs Boston Bob Cooley (17-3)
Jun 4- Broad Street Park, Philadelphia: World Middleweight Champ Adrian Petrie (19-1-1) vs Edouard Desmarais (43-2)
Jun 25- Gothams Stadium, New York: World Heavyweight Champ Hector Sawyer (60-3-1) vs Roy Crawford (29-3)
Jul 30- Chesapeake Arena, Baltimore: World Welterweight Champ Mac Erickson (19-0) vs Danny Rutledge (17-0)

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 4/17/1949

Leaders of several Western European nations are asking that the number of American troops on the European continent be increased.
An earthquake in the Pacific Northwest counted 8 deaths and damage which may reach $10 million in what is considered the worst ever quake in the region.
The House approved the latest phase of the European Recovery Program, which allocates $5.5 billion over the next 15 months.
In the wake of falling prices, President Truman is considering asking Congress for immediate power to pay direct subsidies to farmers for milk and meat production, instead of price support payments.
Pope Pius XII made a Good Friday appeal for "true peace" in Palestine and called for an international regime for Jerusalem.

11-17-2023, 12:28 PM	#831
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,758	April 17, 1949 APRIL 17, 1949 TORONTO DUKES REPEAT AS CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPIONS The Toronto Dukes became the first club in North American Hockey Confederation history to win 8 Challenge Cups after defeating the Boston Bees in 5 games to win the league title for the second consecutive season. The series victory marked the fourth time in the past six years the Dukes won the Cup and their 8 titles moves them one ahead of Boston for the NAHC lead in that category. The two clubs split the opening two games of the series at Boston's Denny Arena with each team claiming a 2-1 overtime victory. Game three in Toronto last Sunday saw the Dukes, led by a 3-point night from NAHC scoring champ Quinton Pollack, double the Bees by a 6-3 count. The crucial fourth game saw Toronto, behind 44 saves from Terry Russell who was outstanding the entire playoff replacing the injured Gordie Broadway, claim a 3-1 victory. The Bees took a quick lead just 4 minutes into the game when Wilbur Chandler opened the scoring, but Toronto captain Bobbie Sauer pulled his side even before the first period ended. Pollack, who led all playoff scorers with 9 goals and 15 points, notched what would prove to be the game winner late in the middle frame and Les Carlson, with Pollack drawing an assist, sealed the win with an empty-net marker in the closing seconds. Trailing 3 games to one but returning home for the fifth game, the Bees dug themselves an early hole when Pollack, followed quickly by Charlie Brown just 41 seconds later, staked the visiting Dukes to a 2-0 lead before the game was nine minutes old. Boston did get one back late in the opening stanza when Alex Gagnon scored and after a scoreless second period the Bees gave the Denny Arena faithful hope when Connor Mikaelsen tied the contest 1:55 into the third period. The two clubs combined for 31 shots in the third period, and 81 overall including 42 from Boston, but it was Toronto's rising star Pollack who once again found the back of the night. The 26-year-old sharpshooter and son-in-law of Dukes coach Jack Barrell scored the Cup winning goal just past the midway point of the third period. It made the score 3-2 for Toronto and netminder Russell, with another stellar performance, closed the door the rest of the way despite relentless pressure from the Bees. Only when Dick Zimmerman notched an empty netter with 14 seconds left to play could the Dukes breathe easy as they completed the Cup win with a 4-2 victory. A mere hours after the Toronto Dukes captured yet another Cup victory, the team without one decided to make an early statement move to improve the defense in front of Norm Hanson. The cost was four players and two picks, but the Packers acquired Shamrocks captain Bert McCalley, one of the best veteran defensemen in the NAHC. One of the most popular defensemen in the league, "Mighty Mac" appeared in 55 games for New York, recording 6 goals and 14 points. While not the most impressive offensive output, he's an old-school defensemen who hits hard and has a nose for finding the puck. One of the hardest checkers in the league, McCalley is known for his big hits on unsuspecting forwards, and there's very few guys you'd rather have in a fight. This could be very helpful for star Tommy Burns, as with McCalley on the ice, teams will be less inclined to hit the Packers star knowing that retribution will be delivered. McCalley also excels at disrupting shots, using clever positioning and immense bravery by getting in the way of shots, and when he's on the ice it won't be easy to get quality shots on net. Packers coach Ed Hempenstall was ecstatic when he heard the news, speaking on how much he believes the acquisition will improve the Packers chances next year. "We didn't start off well, and having a hard nosed veteran like McCalley could have made the difference. Our defense isn't as strong as the offense, and it lacked a true veteran presence. I'm hoping McCalley can help mentor some of the younger guys, and help Jesse Santoro develop into the superstar we know he can be." As things stand now, McCalley will replace Jerry Finch, one of the four players headed to New York, on the first line, working with 24-year-old Pete Moreau. Finch recorded 16 points in 42 contests, Joining him will be 24-year-old center Dan Russel, who recorded an assist in his only game with the Packers this season. Former 2nd Rounder Kevin Braun and 3rd Rounder Mark Thériault will be outbound as well, with the final two pieces the Packers 1st and 3rd Round Picks in the upcoming draft. It's a lofty price to play, especially considering Braun and Thériault are two of the Packers most promising youngsters, but when you have an opportunity to acquire a star, you pay whatever price is necessary. AROUND THE LEAGUE Late-breaking news as discussed by Archie Irwin of the Chicago Daily News above. The New York Shamrocks have traded long-time captain and defensive stalwart Bert McCalley to the Chicago Packers in exchange for a package that consists of the following: Packers 1st and 3rd Round Picks LD Jerry Finch NAHC C Dan Russell NAHC RD Mark Thériault HAA C Kevin Braun HAA Only a very quick reaction and TWIFB will look closer in the coming days but initial feeling is this looks like a positive move for both clubs. The Packers added one of the best shutdown defenders in the league and perhaps the final piece they need to finally win their first Challenge Cup. New York is clearly rebuilding but we feel Jerry Finch is a very underrated defenseman. He won't match McCalley's physicality, but is a little more gifted offensively and, at age 27, is four years younger than McCalley. The Chicago Packers will also be looking for a reserve goalie in the offseason. Cole Foster doesn't want to renew and the Packers don't have any goalies other then Norm Hanson and back-up Michael Cleghorn under contract to the organization. The Rochester Robins won their second straight Hockey Association of America playoff title after they swept the Philadelphia Rascals three straight games in the league title series. A trio of Robins including regular season scoring champ Marcus Taylor tied for the playoff point lead with 5 in the 3 games. Taylor, a 20-year-old centerman from Caledon, Ontario is an undrafted player who joined the Robins this season after a year in the coast league with Vancouver. He had 47 points in 48 games this season to top the HAA. The Tacoma Lions are once again the class of the Great Western League after sweeping the Portland Ports in the championship series to win the Yeardon Trophy. Tacoma has won four of the last five league titles. The Halifax Mariners are the champions of the first season for the new Canadian Junior League. The Mariners led the East Division with 78 points before going on to beat West Division champion Kitchener Roosters 3 games to two in the title series. After the clubs split 4-tight games, 3 of which were decided by a single goal and the fourth by two thanks to an empty-net marker, the deciding game was a wide-open affair with Halifax scoring 4 times in the third period to claim a 7-4 victory. Dukes Claim Challenge Cup For Second Year Running -- The Toronto Dukes are again on top of the hockey world after claiming the Challenge Cup for the second straight season, beating the Boston Bees by winning the best of seven series 4-1. The week began with home game for the defending champions before 16,160 screaming fans at Dominion Gardens. As has been the case during nearly all of the Dukes playoff action this spring, the game was a wide open affair with plenty of scoring chances. Terry Russell, the surprise starter, continued his hot playoff run tending goal for the Dukes against Pierre Melancon, who was replacing injured Oscar James for the Bees. Boston jumped out to 1-0 lead at 4:18 of the opening period when Wilbur Chandler deflected a pass from Tommy Hart past Russell. Bobby Sauer tied the game at 17:34, knocking the puck in after Trevor Parker's shot has rung off the post. Shots in the first favoured Boston 14-12 in a quick paced period. Russell was even busier in the second making 19 stops, many in spectacular fashion, especially on the two power plays for the Bees. The Dukes had less than half the shots, with only 9 in the period, but managed to light the lamp behind Melancon at 18:59 when Quinton Pollack netted his 7th of the playoff on nifty passes form Lou Galbraith. Toronto settled into a defense-first game in the third being satisfied to exit their zone then dump the puck in to make a line change, even with that strategy Russell was called on to make another dozen saves half of which were on his doorstep. Les Carlson's goal into an empty net sealed the 3-1 victory in which Russell turned aside 44 of 45 shots. The series resumed Thursday night at Denny Arena with the home squad's backs to the wall. Boston's desperation to charged out to the lead led to a few good chances for the Dukes early in the first. Quinton Pollack, left unchecked in front of Melancon, opened the scoring before the contest was 8 minutes old. With the advantage the Dukes continue to press the Bees and when Charlie Brown's snap shot from the point found the back of the net over Melancon's shoulder the crowd went into a stunned silence. Boston was down, but not out, and the crowd came to life late in the opening frame when Alex Gagnon narrowed the gap to 2-1. The second period was the chippiest seen in the series as both teams took a few retaliation minors. There was no scoring as the goaltenders shut the door with shots giving Boston a slight advantage 15-13 in the middle twenty. The home team came out guns ablazin' in the third and sent the crowd into a frenzy when Mikaelsen tied the game with a shot from the point at 1:55. The game continued at a frenetic pace with a number of outstanding saves at both ends. Quinton Pollack, who refused to be denied in the playoffs, scored the eventual game and Cup clincher at 10:31 leading to a wild last 9 and a half minutes. Boston stormed Fortress Russell only to continually be denied the tying goal. Dick Zimmerman put the game away into an empty cage with 14 seconds left making the final 4-2 Toronto. Coach Barrell: "Go talk to the players. This is their moment in the limelight. I want to praise Boston, that is a fine team. The series could have went either way, we just had a little more puck luck. Quinton (Pollack) and Terry (Russell) put the team on their shoulders to carry us to victory. I can now reveal Gordie Broadway was injured during the last game of the season, his shutout. I could see a couple of the Bees were not at tiptop form either in the final. My toughest job in the playoffs was to keep Gordie out of the net. He told me everyday that he was ready to go, numerous times, I would check with the trainer who would just shake his head until last week, and by that time Russell was on a roll." BASEBALL SEASON BEGINS TOMORROW After seven weeks of intensive rehearsing, during which most of the athletes have worked themselves as close to mid-season condition as ever they are likely to attain, another major league baseball campaign will start tomorrow with two cities drawing the honor of beating the gun by a matter of 24 hours. In Washington, where it has long been the custom to give the Federal Association Eagles an exclusive inaugural, 68-year-old Bob Beelman will start his second season at the helm of the Pittsburgh Miners and help the Eagles launch FABL's 58th pennant race. Also, in accordance with a custom in vogue since 1910, when President Taft tossed out the first ball, President Truman again will put his famed delivery on exhibition, his fourth since becoming the nation's Chief Executive Officer. The Continental Association, not to be overshadowed, also will get off to a stagger start with the New York Stars and Brooklyn Kings taking center stage for the lone Monday matchup in the Continental circuit. A day later all of the others will swing into action with a full slate that also includes the first twin bill of the season. That will once more be at Kings County as the Stars and Kings continue to work towards a jumpstart to the campaign. Each loop gives promise of tight pennant races with the Federal Association, as is often the case, having half a dozen clubs that realistically could win the pennant, including the St Louis Pioneers who are angling for their third consecutive World Championship Series title. Many feel the Continental will be a three-horse race between the two-time defending flag holders from Philadelphia, along with the Stars and the perennial underachieving Chicago Cougars. STAY AT HOME FANS GET BREAK ON RADIO, TELEVISION The stay-at-home fan who prefers baseball in his living room to hot dogs at the ballpark will get an even better break than ever before in major league cities this summer. Home games of each of the 16 teams will be broadcast, many of them on regional networks covering several States. Broadcasts on games away from home will be carried on eight teams. And some or all of the home games of 13 teams will be televised. Radio coverage will be about the same as last year, but television has made big strides. Only the Pittsburgh Miners have said "definitely no" to television. The Cleveland Foresters are agreeable to the idea but haven't found a sponsor who is agreeable to the cost. Cleveland fans will get full radio coverage of the Foresters games, both home and away, for the first time in years. Then there is the case of the Cincinnati Cannons. They are all in favour of being full-time video stars, but, says club President John E. Tice, the only available Cincinnati television station isn't interested in carrying all of the games. The situation is still under discussion. * Legal Action Will Not Cancel Broadcasts * Pending lawsuits against baseball which claim the game has become interstate commerce because of the vast wealth of radio and television contracts apparently have had no effect on coverage this season. Some observers have predicted that baseball might cancel these contracts in case of an adverse court ruling. This is based on the theory that in the days before radio the Supreme Court found that baseball was not interstate commerce. The general acceptance of television came as somewhat of a surprise. Not too long ago many baseball men "viewed with alarm" the prospect that fans might be able to see the games without becoming cash customers. * October Check-up Planned * The television contracts generally are for one year. In October the club owners will compare the gate receipts and the television revenue and come to a decision. Meanwhile, a committee organized by minor league baseball is studying in the situation amidst worries the impact television might have on minor league clubs. It will report to the major and minor league convention in December. The Toronto Wolves finished a dismal spring training at 10-26 with 1 win and 2 losses in final week. Still have not scored more than 4 runs in any of the 36 spring games. Last two cuts were made leaving the team with 10 pitchers, 14 hitters to start the season. Fred commented on the Dukes taking the NAHC title "John has set a high standard for me in Toronto. I hope to bring the Wolves faithful a FABL title." Brett Bing reports that Fred seems to be getting more comfortable on the top step of dugout, he seen constantly talking to Dick Dennis. There was some thought that Fred Miles, who had an impressive spring, would make the trip north. He was optioned to Buffalo in what the team is calling a move to insure playing time. Field staff will have to manage the playing time of some of the older position players for the team to be of any significance in the CA. All reports are that the pitching will be strong in 1949. Given what appears early to be a weak hitting squad team defense will have to be strong, leak proof. Team will rely on limiting runs rather than out slugging opponents at least in the early stages of the campaign. Two more rule five draft selection was returned to his original club as the New York Stars sent 24-year-old Canadian first baseman back to the Chicago Cougars. Biggar hit just .200 in camp with the Stars after enjoying a big year in AA last season when he batted .396 in 138 games for Mobile of the Dixie League. Meanwhile the Detroit Dynamos are sending 25-year-old oufielder Ralph Robinson back to the Philadelphia Keystones. Robinson hit .329 for AA New Orleans last year. Veteran reserve infielder Johnny Zeidman of the Cleveland Foresters will miss the first month and a half of the season after the 31-year-old suffered a wrist injury in the closing days of spring camp. Zeidman hit .268 in 58 games for the Foresters last year. RIVETING FINALE LOOMS AS FEDERAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE SEASON UNFURLS In the dying embers of this robust 1948-49 Federal Basketball League season, where 16 teams battle for supremacy in the caged arena, the drama unfolds in the last four days of the campaign. While the identity of the six playoff contenders has been determined, the jockeying for position in the East and the bruising clashes in the West Division remain undecided, promising a climactic denouement. In the East, a fierce duel for primacy has unfolded between the Brooklyn Red Caps and the Washington Statesmen, erstwhile titans of the now-defunct American Basketball Conference. Neck and neck, these rivals, inseparable with identical 51-14 records, vie for first place and the coveted first-round bye in the impending playoffs. The Red Caps, traversing the league's roads, confront the Titans in Syracuse on Monday, engage in a Tuesday night tussle with the Mustangs in Detroit, and conclude their regular season in Baltimore on Thursday. Simultaneously, the Statesmen embark on a challenging journey, clashing over crabcakes with the Baltimore squad on Monday, traversing to Hartford on Wednesday, and culminating their regular season with a Thursday bout against Cincinnati at the National Auditorium. The fallout from this East Division skirmish sees the runner-up ready to host the resilient Philadelphia Phantoms in the Eastern Semi-Final series. Despite recent stumbles, the Phantoms, who secured the third spot, brace themselves for a formidable challenge, be it in Washington or Brooklyn. Out West, the playoff teams are also set, but the order in which Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago will finish remains tantalizingly uncertain. Battling through injuries, both Chicago and Detroit face playoff entry without their starting point guards, Joe Hampton and Israel Slusher, respectively. With their offensive quarterbacks absent, a tough stretch has taken a toll on both squads, with Detroit losing four of its last seven, including a bruising home-and-home series against the Crushers. Meanwhile, the Chicago outfit has claimed victory in just 5 of their last 13 outings. Cleveland was also recently marred by the injury bug as Herb Hobbs, their second top scorer, exits the stage after taking a scary fall and injuring his head in a game last week. It is expected the Crushers will be without his services for the remainder of the season. Undeterred, the Crushers have triumphed in 10 of their last 11 games, drawing level with Detroit and holding a one-game edge over Chicago in the contest for first place. In this climactic week, Cleveland eases into their final two battles with a trip to Buffalo before returning home to the Lakeside Arena to face Pittsburgh. Chicago readies for a fiery finish with home encounters against Cincinnati and Rochester, while Detroit braces for a formidable last leg with a showdown against East powerhouse Brooklyn on Tuesday, followed by a concluding clash against Toronto at the Thompson Palladium on Thursday evening. As the dust settles, the echoes of a season's crescendo resonate, foreshadowing the fierce battles yet to unfold in the imminent playoffs. Since Chatworth Giampetro has everything covered with the down-to-the-wire playoff races, let's look at the statistical leaders and what they have to do to hold on to those leads in the final week of the regular season: Scoring leader Lon Porter (21.4 ppg) of the Toronto Falcons is leading by a half-point on Richard Campbell (20.9 ppg) of the Chicago Panthers and less than a point over Boston's Morgan Melcher (20.8 ppg) and Detroit rookie Ward Messer (20.6 ppg). Porter was held in check by Brooklyn to start the week, scoring only six points on 3-for-16 shooting, before a total outage against Chicago where Porter was scoreless in seven field goal attempts. Porter played better later in the week, dropping 17 against Buffalo and 20 versus Cincinnati to get back on track. Porter will play Pittsburgh at home and Detroit on the road, while Campbell has home games against Cincinnati and Rochester. Melcher is the dark horse to threaten Porter's lead with games against two lower-rung teams Syracuse and Buffalo. Messer had overtaken Buffalo's Larry Yim in rebounds to lead the league back in February. The sensational rookie is now up to 18.4 rebounds per game, which is a half-rebound ahead of Yim (17.9 rpg) and a full rebound over Washington's Ivan Sisco (17.4 rpg). Messer has two tough assignments in the final week, a date with Brooklyn before a mano-a-mano with Porter, who happens to be fourth in rebounding. Yim has three games, at New York and home against Cleveland and Boston. Messer has averaged 18.0 over the last half-dozen games, widening his lead while Yim has dipped to 16.6 per game over the last eight games. In assists, Jerry Hubbard of the Philadelphia Phantoms is far ahead of any challengers and will cruise to the dish title. Hubbard is at 11.4 assists per game and stands as the only player in double figures. Chicago's Joe Hampton is second at 9.8 and Detroit's Israel Slusher is third at 9.7. Hampton is injured and Slusher can push for a 10.0 average if he gets 35 assists his last two games, home dates against Brooklyn and Toronto. Code: FBL STANDINGS EAST W L PCT GB x-Brooklyn 51 14 .785 - x-Washington 51 14 .785 - x-Philadelphia 38 27 .585 13.0 Rochester 35 31 .530 16.5 Baltimore 33 32 .508 18.0 Hartford 31 34 .477 20.0 Boston 29 37 .439 22.5 New York 20 45 .308 31.0 Syracuse 9 56 .138 42.0 WEST W L PCT GB x-Cleveland 41 25 .621 - x-Detroit 41 25 .621 - x-Chicago 40 26 .606 1.0 Cincinnati 35 31 .530 6.0 Pittsburgh 29 37 .439 12.0 Toronto 21 44 .323 19.5 Buffalo 20 46 .303 21.0 x-clinched playoff spot (top 3 in each division qualify) COLLEGE CAGE ALL-AMERICANS NAMED For the second year in a row a Liberty College player has been named the top collegiate cage performer in the nation. Following on the heels of Ward Messer, who currently strs for the Detroit Mustangs of the Federal Basketball League, is junior center Luther Gordon. The Brooklyn native, who transferred in from a junior college with the express purpose of filling the void left by the graduation of Messer, passed the test with flying colours. Gordon set a single-season AIAA points record by scoring 602 this season while also finishing second overall in rebounds behind only Oscar Schoonover of Garden State. Those totals, combined with Gordon's ability to carry Liberty College to 28-4 record and the quarterfinals of the AIAA tournament earned the Bells star not only first team All-American status but also the Art Barrette Trophy as the top collegiate player in the nation. The trophy is named after legendary Coastal California coach Art Barrette, who retired in 1942 with an AIAA record 789 coaching victories. Joining Gordon as first team All-Americans are senior forwards Vincent Passingham of Texas Gulf Coast and Cy Worley of St Blane along with senior guard Leo Franks, who was once a highly touted high school baseball player until an arm injury in his junior season derailed his chances of getting drafted and he turned his focus fully to basketball at Pittsburgh State. The final first team selection is, like Gordon, a junior in Carolina Poly guard James Halle. HOME-TOWN CROWDS HAIL COLONIALS QUINTET IN RETURN TO VIRGINIA A small-scale Times Square tribute was paid Lexington State's National AIAA basketball kingpins, who returned home from New York City with the school's first collegiate basketball title. Thousands of home-towners who couldn't watch the Colonials run to the National Championship thronged a mile-long parade route to toast the titleholders. An estimated 20,000 enthusiasts all but overflowed the downtown area to watch the thirty-minute, thirty-seven-unit parade. Another 10,000 persons, some of whom followed the parade to the university, joined in a campus celebration. The biggest cheer went to the graduating members of the squad in particular center Granville Steen, who was a four-year starter for the Virginia school. It was a completely unexpected title, the first national crown in any sport for the Colonials, who barely register a blip on the collegiate baseball radar, went just 3-6-1 in football a year ago and have not approached a .500 record on the grid in more than a decade. On the court, the Colonials did qualify for the AIAA tournament each of the past three years but prior to that it was a 15-year tournament drought, and they won their only South Atlantic Conference title in 31 years last season. The were fourth in SAC play this year and few expected them to get out of the West Region, something the school had never accomplished before. It was an unsung group that came together for a miracle title run. None of the Lexington State players were named All-Americans. In fact, none even claimed a spot on any of the first, second and third all-South Atlantic Conference teams. It is unlikely any of the Colonials players will ever play professionally but for one month they were world-beaters. COOPER DEFEATS McFARLAND IN SAVAGE BOUT Mike McFarland was beaten last week in Memphis but he was far from disgraced. With the doughy little Pittsburgh heavyweight bruised and bleeding from the battering inflicted by Cannon Cooper through 10 rounds of savage fighting, the unanimous decision for the once-considered championship calibre Cooper was met with no protest by the 7,500 fans on hand. Cooper inflicted a lot of damage upon his opponent, and at times was reminscent of his early days when it was felt the Rockford, Il native was on his way to a date with Hector Sawyer. That never happened, at least not yet for the 28-year-old, who was 17-0 before being upset with back to back stoppage losses to Clancy Little and Glenn Hairston derailing his ride to the top. There have been some ups and downs since then but Cooper, who has won his last three outings to run his career mark to 26-4-1, may yet get that title shot if he continues to perform as he did against McFarland. MILLER COMES UP SHORT IN GARDEN RETURN Dan Miller, who faced Hector Sawyer in front of a record setting crowd in Santa Ana early last year, made his return to the Bigsby Garden last night but it was memorable for all the wrong reasons as the California native was upset, taking a split decision loss to lightly regarded John Howe. Miller has now lost twice in four outings since being stopped by the champ in the title fight, and it clearly looks like the 32-year-old has lost a step. After the bout, his handlers would not comment on whether that might have been Miller's final bout. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS Apr 20 - National Auditorium, Washington DC- WW contender Mark Westlake (26-3-1) vs Scott Sorensen (24-11-2) Apr 23- Atlanta: MW contender John Edmonds (27-3) vs Gerald MacIntosh (18-7-2) Apr 24: Paris, France: rising French MW Yohan Revel (19-1) vs Leone Pierotti (26-6) Apr 27- Flatbush Gardens, Brooklyn: rising MW Tommy Campbell (21-1-1) vs Richie Phillips (10-2) Apr 27- Flatbush Gardens, Brooklyn: Italian MW Hugo Canio (13-0-2) vs Brenton Garner (9-2-2) Apr 29- Lake Erie Arena, Cleveland: WW contender Carl Taylor (25-6-2) vs Stuart White (32-12-2) May 6- Bigsby Garden, New York: HW contender Mark Fountain (24-5-1) vs Michael White (39-12-1) May 18- Lake Erie Arena, Cleveland: Rising HW contender Tommy Cline (13-2) vs Boston Bob Cooley (17-3) Jun 4- Broad Street Park, Philadelphia: World Middleweight Champ Adrian Petrie (19-1-1) vs Edouard Desmarais (43-2) Jun 25- Gothams Stadium, New York: World Heavyweight Champ Hector Sawyer (60-3-1) vs Roy Crawford (29-3) Jul 30- Chesapeake Arena, Baltimore: World Welterweight Champ Mac Erickson (19-0) vs Danny Rutledge (17-0) The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 4/17/1949 Leaders of several Western European nations are asking that the number of American troops on the European continent be increased. An earthquake in the Pacific Northwest counted 8 deaths and damage which may reach $10 million in what is considered the worst ever quake in the region. The House approved the latest phase of the European Recovery Program, which allocates $5.5 billion over the next 15 months. In the wake of falling prices, President Truman is considering asking Congress for immediate power to pay direct subsidies to farmers for milk and meat production, instead of price support payments. Pope Pius XII made a Good Friday appeal for "true peace" in Palestine and called for an international regime for Jerusalem. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles