JUNE 20, 1949
FORESTERS CONTINUE SURPRISING START
The mighty winds sweeping off Lake Erie seem to carry an enchanting secret this season, for the Cleveland Foresters, long-time dwellers in the cellar of the Continental Association, have conjured a baseball renaissance as awe-inspiring as any legend. At a commanding 40-21, the Foresters now stand seven games ahead of the New York Stars, a lofty position for a team that has long bore the ignominy of last place, snubbed and scoffed at by their rivals.
A feat so extraordinary that one might suspect a mystical brew from the depths of Lake Erie, or perhaps a wizard's touch, is responsible for this astonishing turnaround. To witness the Foresters, a team synonymous with disappointment for the better part of a decade, rise to the zenith of baseball supremacy is a tale that defies the conventional narratives of the diamond.
In the annals of baseball history, Cleveland's fortunes have been the stuff of derision and pity. Six times in the last decade, the Foresters concluded their campaigns at the league's bottom, with two additional seasons spent languishing in seventh place. Averaging a staggering 93 losses per season between 1940 and 1948, the team garnered a meager .395 winning percentage. A yawning chasm of 28 games, on average, separated them from the pinnacle of their league. Only once did they draw within 20 games of the coveted top spot. Yet, against all expectations, they now stand tall as the Continental Association's frontrunners.
The revelation stems not only from the Foresters' heralded cadre of young pitching talents but also from the unanticipated blossoming of Adrian Czerwinski (11-2, 2.98) and John "Stonewall" Jackson (7-2, 2.60) in their sophomore seasons. The offensive charge, though not overpowering, surpasses initial projections, spearheaded by the remarkable Jim Adams Jr. At 27, the former first overall pick in 1943 is finally delivering on the promises of his youth, boasting a .352 batting average with 5 home runs and 34 RBIs. Alongside Adams, key contributors to this impressive resurgence include the local talent Lorenzo Samuels (.294, 7, 39) and Orie Martinez (.296, 8, 28), a product of the prolific Brooklyn Kings outfielder assembly line. The unexpected star, however, is catcher Mark Smith (.278, 0, 20), plucked from the bench of the Philadelphia Sailors through waivers, now making a resounding impact.
As the Foresters bask in their newfound glory, embarking on a seven-game winning streak and a resounding 15-3 record in June, skeptics may question their ability to sustain this meteoric rise. Nevertheless, there's an undeniable vigor in the winds off Lake Erie, propelling Cleveland's ballclub with an unstoppable force, leaving us all to wonder whether their enchanted journey is fated to continue.
BERRY WINS CHRISTIAN TROPHY
The 1949 Christian Trophy, presented to the top player in collegiate baseball, was awarded to Grange College outfielder Don Berry. The 21-year-old native of Wellsville, Mo., easily outpointed American Atlantic third baseman Ed Bloom for top spot, being named at the top of nine of the ten ballots cast.
Berry was a 3-time collegiate first team All-American selection and helped the Grange College Mustangs win the College World Championship Series his freshman season. Berry led all major college players with a .341 batting average (.341/.497/.538) and was one of three Mustangs to belt 12 homers this season, a number matched by fellow nominees Charlie Barrell and Berry's Grange College teammate Bill Morrison. That homerun total is also the highest this season recorded by a player at a major school and he completed the major college triple crown with 61 rbi's. He was selected fourth overall by the Philadelphia Keystones in January and his younger brother Dallas, also an outfielder, went three picks later to the Cincinnati Cannons.
It was not the first time Berry was drafted as the Cleveland Foresters selected him in the 6th round out of high school in 1946 but Berry, who was a high school All-American selection his sophomore seasons, opted not to sign and instead joined Grange College. Berry becomes the second player from Grange College to win the Christian Trophy, following on the heels of Bob Riggins, who was a two-time winner in 1944 and 1945. Riggins is now an outfielder with the New York Stars.
MASTERS CLAIMS ADWELL AWARD AS TOP PREP STAR
Rick Masters may have had to settle for second in the FABL draft as the Brooklyn high school outfielder watched shortstop John Wells go number one overall to Toronto before the Boston Minutemen called his name, but Masters was the top choice for the 1949 Adwell Award. The award is presented to the player judged to be the best high school star in the nation and Masters, who led the nation in homers (15) and rbi's (52) while finishing fourth in the batting race with a slash line .573/.615/1.019, was the winner by a narrow margin over Wells.
Described by OSA as a player with tape measure power potential who profiles as someone who can make an impact on a top-tier team, Masters was a three time All-American selection from Prospect Heights High School in Brooklyn. He was named first on 7 of the ten ballots but only narrowly finished ahead of Wells, a shortstop from Philadelphia who was also a three time All-American. Wells drew the other three first place votes and was named second on six of the remaining seven ballots cast.
Masters selection is just the fourth time in the 16 year history of the award that it has gone to an outfielder. New York Stars all-star Bill Barrett, Ben Thompson and Buddy Miller, who won last year, were the others.
TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN
Wolves Woes Worry Fans -- Home cooking did not prove to be the cure for the suddenly sinking in the standings nine from Toronto. The Wolves sandwiched two wins by starting and then ending the week with victories. In between there were four losses, two in extra innings, including an epic bullpen melt down in a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the New York Stars on Friday before 18,397 in Dominion Stadium.
The week began with a wild 12-7 win over the Chicago Cougars when the home squad chased starter Johnnie Jones in the third after a grand slam by Fred McCormick made the score 8-1 Wolves. Some of the more cynical fans muttered that should have saved a few of the those run as they only scored 1 in the next two games against Chicago. Peter Papenfus worked around 6 hits, 5 walks in a 9-0 whitewash followed by complete game 8-1 win by Donnie Jones, to avenge his brothers struggles on Monday.
With the Stars in town Friday, it was a game that causes sleepless nights for managers and likely left Fred Barrell reaching for the bromo-seltzer until the wee hours of the morning. The Wolves led the game 6-3 going into the ninth when Barrell decided to replaced Jimmy Gibbs, who appeared to have lots left in the tank, with George Waller. The meltdown happened before anyone had time to react: walk, single, and then a home run by Mack Sutton and the game was tied before an out was registered by Waller. Waller managed to get out the inning before George Scruggs retired the heart of the Toronto order to send the game to extra innings. Harry Phillips came in for the 10th inning and managed to get 2 outs before Bill Barnett's ringing double scored Bob Riggins, who reached on a walk, from first. That run held for the 7-6 final.
On Saturday a good outing from George Garrison was wasted even after tying the game at 1 in the 8th. Harry Phillips came on in the 10th inning and took his second loss in as many days after he was touched up for 2 runs in a 3-1 Stars win. Toronto got some revenge on Sunday with a rally of their own in the 8th scoring 4 times on 3 hits, a walk and an error plus a wild pitch in a 5-3 Toronto victory.
Brett has learned that Harry Phillips is going to replace Harry Stewart in the starting rotation for Tuesday's game against their Canadian rival Saints. This may only be a temporary move as reports from Buffalo are that if Jerry York has a good start in Louisville next week he would be heading back to Toronto.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS ON INJURY FRONT FOR CANNONS
The Cannons lose centerfielder Fred Galloway for a month to an oblique strain, but the good news is they are about to get catcher Adam Mullins back from the injured list. 2B Charlie Rivera has been slumping, as is third sacker Denny Andrews. Rule 5 pick Dolph Krapf has been doing ok, and has been inserted into their spots on varying days to shake things up.
Rookie hurler Tony Britten seems to be settling down now that the weather has warmed up. In his last 7 games Britten has gone 4-1, 1.97 ERA, 25k in 59.1 innings. The Cannons just need the bullpen and the offense to help out with getting some more wins in those non-decisions.
How quickly a season can turn. One week you're on a roll, the lead widening and everyone hitting on all cylinders. 7 days later, a 6 game losing streak, and you wonder what hit you. Anyone get the number of that truck? It had DC plates.
Now we wait for the reaction to the storm. It's becoming clear that the pitching is shaky and there will be times when the offense can't cover 4-5 runs a night.
It's easy to look past Red Johnson's first slump of the season. You know he'll turn it around, and likely very soon. But the staff, and the lack of ready depth in Toledo, is an issue. I imagine the front office is on the phones now looking for help. The organization seems to have a glut of outfielders with no place to go. Or at least until Mahlon Strong's next injury. But is that enough? The draft is later today. Immediate help will not appear, but perhaps trade chips to bring in some better pitching.
What seemed like a potential runaway, as we have over in the CA, has become a battle. And Washington clearly won the first round. How will the Gothams respond?
S
AWYER SET FOR AMERICAN RETURN
It has been more than a year since Hector Sawyer stepped into the ring on home soil for a title defense but after his European vacation the legendary heavyweight will be back in action at Gothams Stadium Saturday evening when he makes his 13th title defense. Sawyer last fought in North America on June 12 of last year, scoring a TKO win over Steve Case in the same venue he returns to Saturday.
The Cajun Crusher ran his career mark to 60-3-1 with wins over Grant Knowles in England last October and Alain Noel in France in February. Neither were much of a challenge for Sawyer but his manager Chester Conley is promising plenty of excitement Saturday evening when Roy Crawford finally gets his shot at the champ.
"Crawford is an impressive fighter," notes Conley of the 30 year old Boston born battler, "and has certainly paid his dues waiting for his turn. We are excited to grant him the opportunity but Hector will be more than ready."
Crawford, known as the Boston Bomber, enters the bout with a 29-3 record, and has been chomping at the bit for more than three years for a title opportunity. He should pose Sawyer's stiffest test since the champ fought Mark Fountain more than two years ago.
*** Boggs Knocks Out Baker ***
Bill Boggs had little trouble with veteran Philadelphia fighter John Baker, scoring a 7th round knockout last Monday night to run his record to 19-2. The 24-year-old Brooklyn native has looked impressive in winning each of his last six outings.
UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS- Jun 25- Gothams Stadium, New York: World Heavyweight Champ Hector Sawyer (60-3-1) vs Roy Crawford (29-3)
- Jun 25- Boston Denny Arena: HW Cannon Cooper (26-4-1) vs Dan Miller (38-10)
- Jun 30- Thompson Arena Detroit: HW Scott Baker (19-3-3) vs Max Bradley (14-0)
- Jul 30- Chesapeake Arena, Baltimore: World Welterweight Champ Mac Erickson (19-0) vs Danny Rutledge (17-0)
ST LOUIS SAID TO BE JOINING FEDERAL CAGE LOOP
Professional basketball is rumoured to be set to extend its reach westward with news that a group intends to enter a team from St Louis in the loop for the upcoming season. There is no confirmation whether that team will be an existing one, transplanted from another centre, or a new expansion club. What is know is the new quintet is set to be known as the St. Louis Steamers.
In other news, it appears the Syracuse Titans may indeed continue. The Titans, despite the Syracuse Arena being one of the smallest venues in the league and the club posting a league worst .132 winning percentage in its inaugural year, were rumoured to be folding but a large public rally resulted in the committment of enough season ticket purchases that it may have convinced club owner Garland Hall to try one more season. The Titans did fill more than 40% of the seats in the Syracuse Arena last season, which was the fifth highest percentage in the league.
FBL founder Rollie Barrell is confident of the Titans return and also it appears Barrell believes the rift with Brooklyn Red Caps magnate Daniel Prescott has been settled. Prescott had threatened to fold his team but Barrell, while refusing to comment on any individual team, told reporters that the Federal League "will not shrink in size for the upcoming season."
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 6/19/1949
- The Big Four foreign ministers have stretched their unoffical deadline to make another stab at reaching accords on a snarled-up Austrian independence treaty and a German trade pact. Still deadlocked after lengthy meetings last week, they will make another attempt today.
- Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the nation's leading atomic experts, unequivocally endorsed the job being done by the Atomic Energy Commission, which has been under fire of late.
- Two of the Hollywood screenwriters who refused to tell the House Committee on Un-American Activities whether or not they were members of the Communist Party lost their appeal on contempt of court charges.
- The railway strike continues in Berlin after workers voted overwhelmingly not to knuckle under to a Communist threat of reprisals.
- A labor-management situation regarded as likely to have a profound effect on economic develops throughout the United States takes shape this week in the coal, steel and manufacturing industries. It begins with the United Mine Workers, under the leadership of John L. Lewis, as they walk off the job for one week under what Lewis describes as a "brief stabilizing period of inaction."
- A religious leader from Turkestan in Soviet Central Asia charges that Russia has been conducting an anti-Moslem purge ever since the end of the war.