OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - All things Figment - from the pages of The Figment Sporting Journal

Tiger Fan · 01-11-2024, 12:23 PM

SEPTEMBER 5, 1949

BIGSBY BUYS TIGERS, MOVES GRID CLUB TO L.A.

American Football Association Extends West

There had been some speculation in Cincinnati newspapers recently wondering why the city's American Football Association club had spent their entire training camp working out in San Diego instead of closer to home as they had in past years. Well, the reason became painfully clear to Cincinnati sports fans today when news broke that the Tigers will stay on the west coast for the upcoming AFA season and beyond with news that the club is moving to Los Angeles. Thomas Bigsby, founder of the Great West Baseball League, has purchased the team from now former owner Edward K. Chiles and they will be known going forward as the Los Angeles Tigers.

Bigsby, with some serious financial assistance from the city of Los Angeles, recently finished construction on a 50,000 seat stadium in the California city with the long-term goal likely to ensure that Los Angeles receives a FABL franchise should his west coast baseball league fail or be absorbed by FABL. It was also to serve as the site for the Los Angeles Lobos of the Continental Football Conference and did just that yesterday as the Lobos staged their home opener before a crowd of 50,730.

Now the AFA, which had previously never ventured west of St Louis, gets a foothold in the west with the sale of the Tigers. Bigsby will own the new club and the CFC Lobos will also play out of the same stadium, at least for this season. The Lobos long-term status is in doubt as the CFC still has not found a new owner to take over for Dee Rose, who was convicted of several tax evasion charges earlier this year and is now in prison. It had been speculated that Bigsby would be the logical choice to purchase the Lobos so the decision to bring an AFA club to Los Angeles likely caught many in the CFC by surprise.

The AFA is rumoured to have given its blessing to the sale after an agreement was reached where Bigsby would help broker a merger with the CFC. It is believed that the AFA would like to add three of the Continental clubs to its fold with San Francisco, New Orleans and Kansas City being the three identified by a source. The remaining 4 CFC team owners would be bought out in exchange for agreements to fold their clubs. A similar deal was nearly reached last December but it fell through when New Orleans owner William "Bill" Beauregard, his club on the outside at the time passed over because of an AFA preference for Los Angeles, refused to fold his club.

As for Cincinnati, that city is now without professional football. The Tigers were established in 1944 but never had a winning season and struggled both on the field and at the gate, posting a 1-11 record a season ago and 18-37 over their existence. The AFA's 30th anniversary season will get underway September 22.

GOTHAMS, SAINTS STAY ALIVE WITH WINS OVER LEADERS

The New York Gothams and Montreal Saints each delivered key victories last week over the clubs ahead of them in their respective pennant races. New York was blasted 9-2 in the opener of its 3-game weekend series at Gothams Stadium against the Federal Association leading Chicago Chiefs but regrouped with a pair of weekend wins to move back to within 2 games of the Chiefs. Montreal started the week with a pair of victories of the Cleveland Foresters and after a strong 5-2 week the Saints sit 5.5 games behind Cleveland for the Continental Association lead.

The Gothams, lifted by Red Johnson's grand slam -his big league best 43rd homer of the season- won 6-1 Saturday afternoon and followed that up with a 9-5 victory yesterday with Johnson going deep again with a 3-run shot this time. It marked the third straight game that Big Timber has homered against the Chiefs as his two-run shot accounted for all of the New York offense in the 9-2 beatdown they suffered in the series opener. There seems little doubt that the 31-year-old, who leads FABL in rbi's with 120 as well as homeruns, will be the runaway winner of his 4th Whitney Award. The question remains, however, as to whether Johnson will finally get a chance to participate in his first World Championship Game.

Trailing the Chiefs by two games but 3 in the loss column, the Gothams do have two more games remaining with the first place Chicago club among the 20 contests still to be played on their docket. Thirteen of those final twenty will be on the road, where the Gothams presently sit 2 games below .500, including the meetings with the Chiefs at Whitney Park this Saturday and Sunday. Chicago has 22 left to play with 10 at home and 12 on the road.

Montreal's task is much tougher, and odds are very much against the Saints ending a 28-year stretch without a pennant. The Foresters have stumbled a bit lately but still enjoy a 5.5 game lead on Montreal despite the Saints 35-19 record since the all-star break, which is the best in baseball over that time. Montreal has just a single game remaining head-to-head with the leaders - a September 21 contest in Cleveland. The Saints have 19 games left to play and face the difficult task of playing 15 of those on the road while the Foresters will be home for 15 of their 22 remaining contests. Even if Montreal wins 15 of its final 19 games the Foresters will simply have to play .500 ball the rest of the way to each finish the season with 90 victories.

The odds are stacked against them ending a nearly 3 decade long pennant drought but the Montreal Saints did everything right this week to keep the race for the Continental Association flag alive. A 5-2 week record including winning the two games against Cleveland to start the week to reduce the Foresters lead to 5.5 games. The Saints have 19 remaining to play but 15 of them will be on the road so it will be no easy task but regardless of the final outcome, the sport is front and center in the minds of local sportsfans thanks to a terrific stretch that has seen the local nine post the best record in baseball since the all-star break. And their is plenty of excitement for the future even if the unbelievable comeback we are all dreaming of fails to materialize.

While everybody likely thought it was Maurice Carter fiesta with 2 more HRs and 14 RBIs in the week, it action became the Joe Austin show. The versatile rookie who splits time between second base and centerfield had himself a run as during the last week Austin receives Batter of month, rookie of the month and player of the week nominations. Austin was only able to sneak onto the Saints roster in training camp because he can play multiple positions. Being a somewhat local product, born in Montreal as the son of former Saints trainger Alex Austin, certainly did not hurt either. Once here, the 24-year-old surprised everyone with his speed (he is the stolen base leader with 46 at the moment in FABL) and his hitting. To date Austin is batting .317 and has scored 104 runs while producing a 4.15 WAR. Not bad for a 7th rounder who landed in Montréal in the Red Bond trade with Zeke Johnson.

The accolades kept coming last week for the high flying Saints as pitcher Pete Ford got the pitcher of the month award with 5-0 record and 2.33 ERA.

But with all these good news, came the the hurdle as the Saints All star shortstop Gordie Perkins was injured and will miss the rest of the season. Fans went hiking the long stairs, on their knees, at the Oratoire St. Joseph to ask a miracle to Frere Andre without success. Question is now who will fiill that spot for Montréal for the reminder of the season as they are the only team who can fake a race with Cleveland for the title in CA.

One thing is certain, by getting their 75th win of the season, Saints will play over .500 for real again this season! It may have slipped under the radar, but manager Homer Moore contract been extended recently... looks like he found the recipe of winning in Parc Cartier... one day somebody will call this recipe the "Poutine"!

A year ago, when we did the "Way Too Early" mock draft for this class the name Fred Lainhart was right at the top of the board. A year later much has changed on the mock draft but not the name at the top as Lainhart remains in the number one slot based on TWIFB's consolations with OSA staffers. Here is our mock first round and at the bottom we take a look back by listing the order we had for this class a year ago.

1- FRED LAINHART CF - Pandora (OH) HS, (.593,1,34): Number one in the "Way too Early Mock" a year ago, the Michigan born youngster hit .593 both last season and as a freshman. He was an All-American selection his debut season but only earned honourable mention status last year despite that batting average being the 8th highest all-time single season total in the post-feeder era. OSA feels Lainhart has the "highest ceiling imaginable as an elite centerfielder."

2- BOB LONGSTRETH C, Opelika State (.277,6,38). There is a shortage of elite catching at the FABL level and that should help boost Longstreth's stock although it may not need much boosting as OSA says "with his talents the light of the 20-year-old Louisiana native's star could be blinding."

3- TOM DRILL LHP, Empire State (10-1, 1.71). Drill remains the top pitcher on our list but OSA has downgraded their assessment of the 20-year-old southpaw, noting the Philadelphia native has a ceiling of a #3 starter after calling him a "potential top of the rotation" arm a year ago.

4-ANDY ROBINSON 2B - Fredericksburg (VA) HS, (.517,3,28). OSA sees multiple all-star games in Robinson's future.

5- LES SASSON 2B - Conshohocken (PA) HS, (.500,4,33). It might be a tough choice come draft day for a club with a second base need at the top of its list. OSA sees both Sasson and Andy Robinson as future all-stars and does not differentiate much between them, nothing both have outstanding work ethic, will draw walks and each has above average speed.

6- EDDIE WEBB RHP, Reidsville(GA) HS (7-2, 1.34): A year ago, after his second straight 11-0 season at Reidsville High, OSA felt Eddie Webb could develop into a top of the rotation arm. He struggled a little with his control as a junior and while the scouting service still feels he is the best pitcher available in the draft, OSA has lowered Webb's ceiling to that of a "future number two starter." We are going to make him the second pitcher on our mock list behind Empire State's Tom Drill simply because high school arms are a bigger risk that college pitchers.

7- PAUL BAILEY CF - Wixom (MI) HS (.457,5,31): OSA is very high on the Detroit born youngster, tabbing him as a future all-star centerfielder.

8- ADAM RAMSEY 2B, Fremont State (.316,9,41). Fremont State is a lower level college out of Wyoming but Ramsey had a couple of strong seasons at the plate and OSA feels he can develop into an "above average second baseman someday."

9- SKINNY BENNETT C,Eastern Oklahoma (.263,5,22). Bennett will be hard pressed to become the highest drafted catcher to ever come out of Eastern Oklahoma as that honour currently belongs to Adam Mullins, the 11 time all-star who was selected 6th overall by Montreal in 1932. There is a real shortage of elite catchers in FABL right now and we feel that will help boost Bennett into top ten talk.

10- ELMER WALTERS SS, Bayou State (.269,2,40). The Cleveland native was a 1947 selection of the St Louis Pioneers but failed to sign and instead joined Bayou State. OSA is very high on the 20-year-old, praising his outstanding range and a smooth swing, prompting the scouting service to suggest Walters could be an "above average shortstop someday."

11-BOB GRAY 3B : Northeast HS, Philadelphia, PA (.547,9,39). There have been some great infielders come out of Philadelphia the past few years including names like Jim Adams Jr., Tom Miller and John Wells -all of whom were first overall selections. It would likely be a huge reach for Gray to go number one in this class but he certainly seems a lock to be called at some point in the first round. OSA feels Gray will develop into an elite starting third baseman as he matures.

12-RED MILTON RF: Southview HS, Lorain (OH), (.462,5,34): The Cleveland area youngster is expected to develop into an above average power hitter as he adds strength. His stats make him look more like a project right now but the scouting service feels Milton "has the talent to develop into a franchise cornerstone" as he matures.

13- PARSON ALLEN 3B: Chase City (VA) HS (.532,4,39): A three year starter at his high school, Allen has never hit below .500 in a season and OSA feels "his plus contact should translate into a solid big league batting average." It has not really been displayed yet, but the scouting service feels he has "tremendous power potential" and projects to be an "elite big league third baseman."

14-EARL HOWE CF Cardinal Hayes HS, Brooklyn, NY (.504,14,49): If it was up to TWIFB, Howe would be much higher on the list. He is a two-time All-American and was a finalist for the Adwell Award as a junior. OSA calls Howe an "everyday center fielder who can make an impact on a top-tier team."

15- OSCAR EDWARDS RHP, Crestview HS, Ashland, Ohio (10-1, 1.13): Born in Texas but he grew up in Ohio, Edwards did not make the scouting service list of top prospects a year ago but the groundball specialist is now considered a "fourth starter, and possibly more" by OSA.

16- ROY NASH 3B- Medway (MA) HS (.459,11,31) : There are certainly some very highly touted high school third baseman in this draft class and that might cause the New Hampshire native to drop outside of the first-round despite being called a "franchise cornerstone" player by the scouting service.

WHERE WE HAD THEM RANKED A YEAR AGO

Code:


    WAY TOO EARLY MOCK FOR THE 1950 CLASS FROM AUGUST 1948
#  NAME          POS AGE  SCHOOL               OSA comment 
 1 Fred Lainhart CF  15 Pandora (OH) HS       light of his star could be blinding
 2 Tom Drill     LHP 19 Empire State          potential top of rotation starter
 3 Bucky Moore   CF  15 Dunbar HS, Baltimore  light of his star could be blinding
 4 Paul Bailey   CF  15 Wixom (MI)HS          may be in coversation about best players in game
 5 Eddie Webb    RHP 15 Reidsville(GA) HS     front of rotation potential
 6 Andy Robinson 2B  15 Fredericksburg(VA)HS  could make multiple trips to All-Star game
 7 Joe Bullock   RF  16 Hannibal(MO) HS       highest ceiling imaginable
 8 Roy Nash      3B  15 Medway (MA) HS        could make multiple trips to All-Star game
 9 Leon Wallace  CF  17 Austin(TX) HS         make an impact on a top tier team
10 John Sledge   RHP 15 Clinton (IL)HS        potential number 2 starter
11 Parson Allen  3B  16 Chase City (VA) HS    elite big league 3B
12 Bob Gray      3B  16 Northeast HS, Philly  elite big league 3B
13 Skinny Bennett C  19 Eastern Oklahoma      considerable ceiling 1st division starter
14 Earl Howe     CF  16 Card.Hayes HS, Bronx  high ceiling projects well on field and at plate
15 Bill Harbin   CF  19 Brunswick College     impact big league CF
16 Dan Hill      RF  16 Williamsport(MD) HS   all tools to develop into elite RF		

[b] HONOURABLE MENTION
 NAME           POS AGE   SCHOOL
George Blake    P   20    St Francis(OH) College
Oscar Edwards   P   15    Crestview HS, Ashland, Oh
Hank Walker     P   16    Vctoria (TX) HS
Bob Longstretch C   19    Opelika State
Enos Bailey     2B  15    Andover (NY) HS
Jack Gardner    2B  15    Clay Center (KS) HS
Carl Matthews   3B  19    Santa Ana College
Cleo Evans      CF  15    Phelps (NY) HS
Ralph Capriotti LF  15    Muncie (IN) HS
Charlie Ham     RF  16    Gordo (AL) HS

TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN

Wolves Present Plans To Owner --As the team stumbles toward the end of season, the Toronto Wolves front office has presented Mr. Millard with the system evaluation along with a tentative approach to the upcoming off-season. They also sent a very general plan for reaching the World Series before 1954. Brett has learned that the system summary has opened wide many eyes. Brett has has heard the system will probably go through a major shakeup over the winter.

One person speaking off the record said "Many were shocked at how bad the system was, too many old players with no or at best limited futures. Some of these players are currently on the 40-man. With the minor league seasons coming to an end next week there are a number of players in for a shock."

It appears the system will under go a seismic shift in before the end of October. Staff is currently reviewing all 53 players that are eligible for the Rule 5 draft with early returns suggesting that almost all will be available to other teams. Brett has learned that will also be a number of casualties on the 40-man roster. That process has already started with veteran minor league outfielder Sam Allen being placed on waivers.

The system shakeup, coupled with a few pending retirements, guarantees that Wolves fans will see a different team in the new decade.

Skipper Schneider of the Chicago Cougars notched his 1,500th career hit last week. Other milestones included Gothams outfielder Walt Messer driving in his 750th run and Detroit's young star hurler Carl Potter collected his 750th career strikeout despite being still just 23 years old.
Scary injury for Eagles infielder Tom Miller on Wednesday. He hit a 3-run scoring double in the top of the ninth to help the Eagles past Chicago 7-3 but in trying to move up to third on the play at home he collided with the Chiefs third baseman and suffered a fractured skull, ending his season and perhaps even delaying his start next spring.
The Chicago Chiefs have a winning record against all the other clubs except for the Gothams (8-12) and the Eagles (9-11). The Chiefs have 10 home games remaining and the Eagles have 14. It should be an interesting finish. Included in Washington's 14 are two against Chicago, a club they presently trail by 6.5 games. The Gothams are 2 games back and also have 2 left against the Chiefs, but both are in Chicago as the New Yorkers only are home for 7 of their final 20 games.
Nice to see baseball talk in September in Montreal. An all-too rare occurrence for the long struggling club as by this time most years all of the talk in La Belle Province surrounds the start of training camp for the Montreal Valiants hockey club. But the Saints, while a pennant is likely beyond their reach, are suddenly relevant with an exciting young team and the best record in baseball since the all-star break.
Tip Harrison, former big league player and now a sportswriter for the Chicago Daily News had this to say about Montreal rookie Joe Austin, who is batting .317 and leading FABL with 46 stolen bases. "A lot of people didn't like the Red Bond trade, but I'm happy to see Joe Austin putting together such a great start to his young career. With his success and having Mo Carter successfully securing first, it now looks like a very good deal for Montreal."
Speaking of rookies, it looks like Brooklyn's hold on the Kellogg Award is over although some Kings supporters may try to make a case for Joe Potts (12-8, 2.97). Each of the first 3 winners of the award, established in 1946, were Kings with Leo Hayden, Ralph Johnson and most recently Pat Petty claiming the top Continental Association rookie award. This year it should be heading across the border to Montreal but the question is does it go to Joe Austin (.317,5,57 and a FABL best 46 SB and CA leading 104 runs scored) or Otis O'Keefe (.298,15,87).
In the Fed it is likely between Washington's Mickey Holloway (.260,12,52) and Detroit Dynamos righthander Jack Miller (10-10, 3.55).
Tough news for the Sailors in what has been just a nightmare of a season. Curt Brooks, their first round pick in 1948, blew out his knee in a minor league game last week and the 18 year old may not be able to return to action until as late as June next season. The second baseman was batting .372 for Class C Gulfport this season.

COWBOYS RALLY TO CORRALL BULLS

The Kansas City Cowboys, knocked off their perch as Continental Conference champions by San Francisco last December, have something to prove this season but they nearly got off to a very shaky start. Only a fourth quarter comeback saved head coach Pete Walsh and his charges from a season opening loss as the Cowboys rallied for a 17-14 victory over an inspired Buffalo Bulls squad.

The Bulls, who opened their season a week ago with an easy time of things in Chicago, shook off an early Pat Chappell to Tom Manning 43-yard scoring pass with a pair of touchdowns of their own and carried a 14-10 lead into the final quarter. Star running back Dave Karaszewski ran for one of the Buffalo scores, and 77 yards in total on the day, while quarterback Mark Monday was his usual effective self, completing 13 of his 26 tosses for 150 yards and aside from the early Chappell scoring toss, the Bulls defense held the powerful Cowboys offense in check, at least for a while.

The fourth quarter was a slightly different story. First Chappell hooked up with his favourite target Bill Tammaro for a 57 yard pass that set up a 31-yard Reuben Walston kick that cut the Bulls lead from 7 to 4 points at 14-10. Making it tougher to swallow for Buffalo fans was that fact that just minutes before the Bulls Mike Biladeau missed on an 18-yard field goal attempt of his own. The score remained 14-10 for less than four minutes as, after a quick Buffalo three and out, Chappell went back to work with his most effective series of the day.

It was a quick series, taking just 5 plays to charge 75 yards for what would prove to be the winning score. Mason Matthews, who had a slow day with just 36 yards rushing in total, started the drive off with a 6-yard run. After Tommy Cohan carried for 9 yards and a fresh set of downs, Chappell and Tammaro connected again. This time it was a 19-yard pass but that was merely the appetizer for Chappell's next toss - a 39-yard catch and run with Collie Lovas that saw the end reach the Buffalo 2-yard line before finally being corralled. A play later the Cowboys had the lead for good when Chappell found Ernie Orr in the back of the endzone for a 2-yard scoring pass to make the final 17-14 for the Cowboys.

WINGS FLY PAST COMETS

Crushing the Chicago Comets with a terrific ground attack coupled with a deceptive aerial game, the San Francisco Wings won their second straight Continental Football Conference game 42-7. A second straight crowd of more than 50,000 crowded into the brand new Golden Gate Stadium to see the local eleven jump out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter and never take their foot off the gas.

John Brom, who scored twice in the season opening win over New Orleans, was at the top of his game, rushing for two touchdowns including a 48-yard scamper that opened the scoring as he gained 193 yards on just 14 carries. The Wings offensive line cut huge holes in the porous Chicago defense all game allowing the hosts to rack up 395 yards on the ground and average well over 8 yards a carry.

When Brom wasn't dancing through the Comets defense, San Francisco quarterback Sam Metcalf was throwing over it as he completed a dozen tosses, highlighted by 4 to Wes Mula, for 193 yards. The hapless Comets struggled to a 1-13 season a year ago and things might even be worse this time around as they have been outscored 80-14 in their two losses to start the current campaign.

CRESCENTS SPOIL LOBOS PARTY

The New Orleans Crescents played the gracious visitor a week ago in losing to San Francisco in the debut of the Wings new monstrous Golden Gate Stadium but they refused to extend the same courtesy to the Los Angeles Lobos. The Lobos, making their debut in the 50,000 seat Bigsby Stadium came up short in dropping a 42-31 decision to the Crescents in their season debut.

It was a back and forth contest with plenty of offense - the two clubs combined for 888 net yards- but two late fumbles and a fortuitous bounce proved the difference. First came the good bounce for the Crescents as John Walker, after catching a 16-yard pass from Vince Gallegos, had the ball jarred loose. Fortunately, it bounced right into the arms of Walker's New Orleans teammate Ollie Peters, who scooped it up on the run and raced 34 yards for a score to put the Crescents in front 35-31.

Two plays later, now trailing with just over 8 minutes remaining, Los Angeles quarterback Jackie Wendt looked for a big play. Wendt dropped back to pass but heavy pursuit caught up with him and he fumbled as he was hit. New Orleans once more recovered as Philip Phelps fell on the loose ball at Lobos 17 yard line. Three plays later Dale Wolf scored on a 6-yard run to add some insurance and the Crescents would go on to a 42-31 victory.

COLLEGIATE GRID FANS GET SMALL APPETIZER THIS WEEK

Another season of collegiate grid action will get underway Saturday with just a single contest before the action begins in earnest the following weekend. Detroit City College is the defending National Champion after the Knights had their second straight perfect season a year ago, but few are expecting a repeat for the Great Lakes Alliance power. Even the section crown may be in doubt for Knights, who have been the kings of the GLA for each of the past four seasons and have posted a 25-0 section record during that time frame. Central Ohio, which paced the GLA in 1944, along with Wisconsin State and Minnesota Tech are all expected to field strong programs capable of qualifying for a New Year's Day trip to Santa Ana.

There will also be plenty of competition to claim the number one overall ranking for Detroit City College, which opens its season September 24 against in-state rival St. Ignatius, throughout the nation. St Blane, winners of the 1947 National Title, is always strong and this year will be no exception for the Fighting Saints who boast a star-studded lineup led by All-American end Bobby Leonard and quarterback Bill Thomas. Rome State, with senior quarterback Paul Domenico leading the charge, will also be a team to fear.

Joining Rome State as powers to watch from the south are several schools including North Carolina Tech, where All-American halfback Jackie Charles is returning for his senior season. In the southwest there are a trio of teams with national championship hopes including Southwest Alliance foes Travis College and Texas Guld Coast with Oklahoma City State - a team to fear out of the Plains Athletic Association.

The strength of the West Coast Athletic Association lies not in Los Angeles, where CCLA is coming off a dismal 2-8 and Coastal California, which had some struggles of its own a year ago. Instead it is to the north of the state with Redwood University and Northern California, which capped an impressive 9-1-1 showing a year ago with an East-West Classic shutout victory over St Magnus, that look to be the teams to beat in the WCAA.

The action begins next Saturday with College of Waco getting an early start against tiny Abilene Methodist before many of the schools in the south and west kick things off the following weekend. The eastern powers, including St Blane, will get things underway the weekend of September 24. Much has changed for 1949 in terms of the rules. Francis Stann from the Washington Times elaborates on that in his column below:

RECENT KEY RESULTS

Monday in Houston Cannon Cooper (28-4-1) won for the fifth straight outing as the Rockford, Il. 28-year-old looks to rise the ranks in the heavyweight division. Cooper, once was considering a rising young star in the division after starting his career 17-0-1, scored a fourth round knockout of Mal Rollins (13-7-1).
Monday in San Jose, CA. middleweight Rip Rogers improved to 19-3 after earning a TKO win in the 10th and final round of his bout with Marin Harris (28-13-2).
Tuesday in Hartford Dennis O'KeeFe, who briefly held the world welterweight title 3 years ago continued his freefall by losing a decision to Cal Kotterman in a 10-rounder. O'Keefe, who beat Carl Taylor to win the title but immediately surrendered it to Mark Westlake, has lost his last 5 decisions and the 32-year-old Jacksonville, Fl native now sports a 22-8 career record. Kotterman is a young fighter out of Kalamazoo, MI. with a 9-1-4 record and showing some promise.
Last night in Miami, veteran Philadelphia heavyweight Scott 'The Chef' Baker came up on the short end of a split decision result with Gil Hilliard. Hilliard took a lot of losses early in his career but the 30-year-old has been improving with age and experience and is now 28-10-2. Baker, the son of former world middleweight champion Battling Billy Baker, drops to 20-4-3.

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

Sep 12- Hartford, CT: HW Allen Bailey (38-7-2) vs Nick Brooks (17-7-2)
Sep 15- Bigsby Garden, New York City: former MW champ Adrian Petie (19-2-1) vs Bill Boggs (19-2)
Sep 21- Thompson Paladium, Detroit: HW Tommy Cline (14-2) vs Lloyd Grange (14-2-1)
Sep 23- Lakeside Auditorium, Chicago: WW conteners Carl Taylor (27-6-2) vs Ira Mitchell (22-4)
Oct 8 - Lakeside Auditorium, Chicago - World HW champion Hector Sawyer (61-3-1) defends his title against Lewis Jones (20-1-1)
Oct 18- Bigsby Garden, New York City - rising middleweights Tommy Campbell (22-2-1) vs Davis Owens (19-0)
Oct 21- Chesapeake Arena, Baltimore- Welterweight contender Danny Rutledge (17-1) vs Rudy Perry (28-5-1)
Oct 25- National Auditorium, Washington DC - middleweights Bobby Price (22-4) vs Millard Shelton (25-5)

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 9/04/1949

Premier Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia is considered virtually a cinch to get an American Government loan - provided he stays alive and independent from Moscow. Tito has already reached an agreement to purchase materials from the United States to construct a steel mill, but his government is in need of quick economic help from the United States and other Western countries to help him weather the economic blockade by Russia now threatening to strangle his country.
Europe's two top Marshall Plan officials declared that more than $5 billion in American aid has failed so far to put the war-damaged continent on the road to self-support. They note Europe's economic situation has improved but that the dollar-shortage problem has not been solved.
A Senate economy drive which has built up steam for months appeared bogged down at last following final Senate action on billions of dollars in appropriations highlighted by the $14.8 billion defense money bill.
President Truman has promised American support to help with the financial troubles facing Britain.
General Harry M. Vaughan told the Senate "five-percenter" inquiry that the FBI investigated but found groundless charges that he took a bribe for fixing an income tax case. Vaughan is being accused of bribery for his role in charges that he traded access to the White House for expensive gifts while he was a military aide to Truman while the latter was Vice-President.

01-11-2024, 12:23 PM	#855
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,872	September 5, 1949 SEPTEMBER 5, 1949 BIGSBY BUYS TIGERS, MOVES GRID CLUB TO L.A. American Football Association Extends West There had been some speculation in Cincinnati newspapers recently wondering why the city's American Football Association club had spent their entire training camp working out in San Diego instead of closer to home as they had in past years. Well, the reason became painfully clear to Cincinnati sports fans today when news broke that the Tigers will stay on the west coast for the upcoming AFA season and beyond with news that the club is moving to Los Angeles. Thomas Bigsby, founder of the Great West Baseball League, has purchased the team from now former owner Edward K. Chiles and they will be known going forward as the Los Angeles Tigers. Bigsby, with some serious financial assistance from the city of Los Angeles, recently finished construction on a 50,000 seat stadium in the California city with the long-term goal likely to ensure that Los Angeles receives a FABL franchise should his west coast baseball league fail or be absorbed by FABL. It was also to serve as the site for the Los Angeles Lobos of the Continental Football Conference and did just that yesterday as the Lobos staged their home opener before a crowd of 50,730. Now the AFA, which had previously never ventured west of St Louis, gets a foothold in the west with the sale of the Tigers. Bigsby will own the new club and the CFC Lobos will also play out of the same stadium, at least for this season. The Lobos long-term status is in doubt as the CFC still has not found a new owner to take over for Dee Rose, who was convicted of several tax evasion charges earlier this year and is now in prison. It had been speculated that Bigsby would be the logical choice to purchase the Lobos so the decision to bring an AFA club to Los Angeles likely caught many in the CFC by surprise. The AFA is rumoured to have given its blessing to the sale after an agreement was reached where Bigsby would help broker a merger with the CFC. It is believed that the AFA would like to add three of the Continental clubs to its fold with San Francisco, New Orleans and Kansas City being the three identified by a source. The remaining 4 CFC team owners would be bought out in exchange for agreements to fold their clubs. A similar deal was nearly reached last December but it fell through when New Orleans owner William "Bill" Beauregard, his club on the outside at the time passed over because of an AFA preference for Los Angeles, refused to fold his club. As for Cincinnati, that city is now without professional football. The Tigers were established in 1944 but never had a winning season and struggled both on the field and at the gate, posting a 1-11 record a season ago and 18-37 over their existence. The AFA's 30th anniversary season will get underway September 22. GOTHAMS, SAINTS STAY ALIVE WITH WINS OVER LEADERS The New York Gothams and Montreal Saints each delivered key victories last week over the clubs ahead of them in their respective pennant races. New York was blasted 9-2 in the opener of its 3-game weekend series at Gothams Stadium against the Federal Association leading Chicago Chiefs but regrouped with a pair of weekend wins to move back to within 2 games of the Chiefs. Montreal started the week with a pair of victories of the Cleveland Foresters and after a strong 5-2 week the Saints sit 5.5 games behind Cleveland for the Continental Association lead. The Gothams, lifted by Red Johnson's grand slam -his big league best 43rd homer of the season- won 6-1 Saturday afternoon and followed that up with a 9-5 victory yesterday with Johnson going deep again with a 3-run shot this time. It marked the third straight game that Big Timber has homered against the Chiefs as his two-run shot accounted for all of the New York offense in the 9-2 beatdown they suffered in the series opener. There seems little doubt that the 31-year-old, who leads FABL in rbi's with 120 as well as homeruns, will be the runaway winner of his 4th Whitney Award. The question remains, however, as to whether Johnson will finally get a chance to participate in his first World Championship Game. Trailing the Chiefs by two games but 3 in the loss column, the Gothams do have two more games remaining with the first place Chicago club among the 20 contests still to be played on their docket. Thirteen of those final twenty will be on the road, where the Gothams presently sit 2 games below .500, including the meetings with the Chiefs at Whitney Park this Saturday and Sunday. Chicago has 22 left to play with 10 at home and 12 on the road. Montreal's task is much tougher, and odds are very much against the Saints ending a 28-year stretch without a pennant. The Foresters have stumbled a bit lately but still enjoy a 5.5 game lead on Montreal despite the Saints 35-19 record since the all-star break, which is the best in baseball over that time. Montreal has just a single game remaining head-to-head with the leaders - a September 21 contest in Cleveland. The Saints have 19 games left to play and face the difficult task of playing 15 of those on the road while the Foresters will be home for 15 of their 22 remaining contests. Even if Montreal wins 15 of its final 19 games the Foresters will simply have to play .500 ball the rest of the way to each finish the season with 90 victories. The odds are stacked against them ending a nearly 3 decade long pennant drought but the Montreal Saints did everything right this week to keep the race for the Continental Association flag alive. A 5-2 week record including winning the two games against Cleveland to start the week to reduce the Foresters lead to 5.5 games. The Saints have 19 remaining to play but 15 of them will be on the road so it will be no easy task but regardless of the final outcome, the sport is front and center in the minds of local sportsfans thanks to a terrific stretch that has seen the local nine post the best record in baseball since the all-star break. And their is plenty of excitement for the future even if the unbelievable comeback we are all dreaming of fails to materialize. While everybody likely thought it was Maurice Carter fiesta with 2 more HRs and 14 RBIs in the week, it action became the Joe Austin show. The versatile rookie who splits time between second base and centerfield had himself a run as during the last week Austin receives Batter of month, rookie of the month and player of the week nominations. Austin was only able to sneak onto the Saints roster in training camp because he can play multiple positions. Being a somewhat local product, born in Montreal as the son of former Saints trainger Alex Austin, certainly did not hurt either. Once here, the 24-year-old surprised everyone with his speed (he is the stolen base leader with 46 at the moment in FABL) and his hitting. To date Austin is batting .317 and has scored 104 runs while producing a 4.15 WAR. Not bad for a 7th rounder who landed in Montréal in the Red Bond trade with Zeke Johnson. The accolades kept coming last week for the high flying Saints as pitcher Pete Ford got the pitcher of the month award with 5-0 record and 2.33 ERA. But with all these good news, came the the hurdle as the Saints All star shortstop Gordie Perkins was injured and will miss the rest of the season. Fans went hiking the long stairs, on their knees, at the Oratoire St. Joseph to ask a miracle to Frere Andre without success. Question is now who will fiill that spot for Montréal for the reminder of the season as they are the only team who can fake a race with Cleveland for the title in CA. One thing is certain, by getting their 75th win of the season, Saints will play over .500 for real again this season! It may have slipped under the radar, but manager Homer Moore contract been extended recently... looks like he found the recipe of winning in Parc Cartier... one day somebody will call this recipe the "Poutine"! A year ago, when we did the "Way Too Early" mock draft for this class the name Fred Lainhart was right at the top of the board. A year later much has changed on the mock draft but not the name at the top as Lainhart remains in the number one slot based on TWIFB's consolations with OSA staffers. Here is our mock first round and at the bottom we take a look back by listing the order we had for this class a year ago. 1- FRED LAINHART CF - Pandora (OH) HS, (.593,1,34): Number one in the "Way too Early Mock" a year ago, the Michigan born youngster hit .593 both last season and as a freshman. He was an All-American selection his debut season but only earned honourable mention status last year despite that batting average being the 8th highest all-time single season total in the post-feeder era. OSA feels Lainhart has the "highest ceiling imaginable as an elite centerfielder." 2- BOB LONGSTRETH C, Opelika State (.277,6,38). There is a shortage of elite catching at the FABL level and that should help boost Longstreth's stock although it may not need much boosting as OSA says "with his talents the light of the 20-year-old Louisiana native's star could be blinding." 3- TOM DRILL LHP, Empire State (10-1, 1.71). Drill remains the top pitcher on our list but OSA has downgraded their assessment of the 20-year-old southpaw, noting the Philadelphia native has a ceiling of a #3 starter after calling him a "potential top of the rotation" arm a year ago. 4-ANDY ROBINSON 2B - Fredericksburg (VA) HS, (.517,3,28). OSA sees multiple all-star games in Robinson's future. 5- LES SASSON 2B - Conshohocken (PA) HS, (.500,4,33). It might be a tough choice come draft day for a club with a second base need at the top of its list. OSA sees both Sasson and Andy Robinson as future all-stars and does not differentiate much between them, nothing both have outstanding work ethic, will draw walks and each has above average speed. 6- EDDIE WEBB RHP, Reidsville(GA) HS (7-2, 1.34): A year ago, after his second straight 11-0 season at Reidsville High, OSA felt Eddie Webb could develop into a top of the rotation arm. He struggled a little with his control as a junior and while the scouting service still feels he is the best pitcher available in the draft, OSA has lowered Webb's ceiling to that of a "future number two starter." We are going to make him the second pitcher on our mock list behind Empire State's Tom Drill simply because high school arms are a bigger risk that college pitchers. 7- PAUL BAILEY CF - Wixom (MI) HS (.457,5,31): OSA is very high on the Detroit born youngster, tabbing him as a future all-star centerfielder. 8- ADAM RAMSEY 2B, Fremont State (.316,9,41). Fremont State is a lower level college out of Wyoming but Ramsey had a couple of strong seasons at the plate and OSA feels he can develop into an "above average second baseman someday." 9- SKINNY BENNETT C,Eastern Oklahoma (.263,5,22). Bennett will be hard pressed to become the highest drafted catcher to ever come out of Eastern Oklahoma as that honour currently belongs to Adam Mullins, the 11 time all-star who was selected 6th overall by Montreal in 1932. There is a real shortage of elite catchers in FABL right now and we feel that will help boost Bennett into top ten talk. 10- ELMER WALTERS SS, Bayou State (.269,2,40). The Cleveland native was a 1947 selection of the St Louis Pioneers but failed to sign and instead joined Bayou State. OSA is very high on the 20-year-old, praising his outstanding range and a smooth swing, prompting the scouting service to suggest Walters could be an "above average shortstop someday." 11-BOB GRAY 3B : Northeast HS, Philadelphia, PA (.547,9,39). There have been some great infielders come out of Philadelphia the past few years including names like Jim Adams Jr., Tom Miller and John Wells -all of whom were first overall selections. It would likely be a huge reach for Gray to go number one in this class but he certainly seems a lock to be called at some point in the first round. OSA feels Gray will develop into an elite starting third baseman as he matures. 12-RED MILTON RF: Southview HS, Lorain (OH), (.462,5,34): The Cleveland area youngster is expected to develop into an above average power hitter as he adds strength. His stats make him look more like a project right now but the scouting service feels Milton "has the talent to develop into a franchise cornerstone" as he matures. 13- PARSON ALLEN 3B: Chase City (VA) HS (.532,4,39): A three year starter at his high school, Allen has never hit below .500 in a season and OSA feels "his plus contact should translate into a solid big league batting average." It has not really been displayed yet, but the scouting service feels he has "tremendous power potential" and projects to be an "elite big league third baseman." 14-EARL HOWE CF Cardinal Hayes HS, Brooklyn, NY (.504,14,49): If it was up to TWIFB, Howe would be much higher on the list. He is a two-time All-American and was a finalist for the Adwell Award as a junior. OSA calls Howe an "everyday center fielder who can make an impact on a top-tier team." 15- OSCAR EDWARDS RHP, Crestview HS, Ashland, Ohio (10-1, 1.13): Born in Texas but he grew up in Ohio, Edwards did not make the scouting service list of top prospects a year ago but the groundball specialist is now considered a "fourth starter, and possibly more" by OSA. 16- ROY NASH 3B- Medway (MA) HS (.459,11,31) : There are certainly some very highly touted high school third baseman in this draft class and that might cause the New Hampshire native to drop outside of the first-round despite being called a "franchise cornerstone" player by the scouting service. WHERE WE HAD THEM RANKED A YEAR AGO Code: WAY TOO EARLY MOCK FOR THE 1950 CLASS FROM AUGUST 1948 # NAME POS AGE SCHOOL OSA comment 1 Fred Lainhart CF 15 Pandora (OH) HS light of his star could be blinding 2 Tom Drill LHP 19 Empire State potential top of rotation starter 3 Bucky Moore CF 15 Dunbar HS, Baltimore light of his star could be blinding 4 Paul Bailey CF 15 Wixom (MI)HS may be in coversation about best players in game 5 Eddie Webb RHP 15 Reidsville(GA) HS front of rotation potential 6 Andy Robinson 2B 15 Fredericksburg(VA)HS could make multiple trips to All-Star game 7 Joe Bullock RF 16 Hannibal(MO) HS highest ceiling imaginable 8 Roy Nash 3B 15 Medway (MA) HS could make multiple trips to All-Star game 9 Leon Wallace CF 17 Austin(TX) HS make an impact on a top tier team 10 John Sledge RHP 15 Clinton (IL)HS potential number 2 starter 11 Parson Allen 3B 16 Chase City (VA) HS elite big league 3B 12 Bob Gray 3B 16 Northeast HS, Philly elite big league 3B 13 Skinny Bennett C 19 Eastern Oklahoma considerable ceiling 1st division starter 14 Earl Howe CF 16 Card.Hayes HS, Bronx high ceiling projects well on field and at plate 15 Bill Harbin CF 19 Brunswick College impact big league CF 16 Dan Hill RF 16 Williamsport(MD) HS all tools to develop into elite RF [b] HONOURABLE MENTION NAME POS AGE SCHOOL George Blake P 20 St Francis(OH) College Oscar Edwards P 15 Crestview HS, Ashland, Oh Hank Walker P 16 Vctoria (TX) HS Bob Longstretch C 19 Opelika State Enos Bailey 2B 15 Andover (NY) HS Jack Gardner 2B 15 Clay Center (KS) HS Carl Matthews 3B 19 Santa Ana College Cleo Evans CF 15 Phelps (NY) HS Ralph Capriotti LF 15 Muncie (IN) HS Charlie Ham RF 16 Gordo (AL) HS TALES FROM THE WOLVES DEN Wolves Present Plans To Owner --As the team stumbles toward the end of season, the Toronto Wolves front office has presented Mr. Millard with the system evaluation along with a tentative approach to the upcoming off-season. They also sent a very general plan for reaching the World Series before 1954. Brett has learned that the system summary has opened wide many eyes. Brett has has heard the system will probably go through a major shakeup over the winter. One person speaking off the record said "Many were shocked at how bad the system was, too many old players with no or at best limited futures. Some of these players are currently on the 40-man. With the minor league seasons coming to an end next week there are a number of players in for a shock." It appears the system will under go a seismic shift in before the end of October. Staff is currently reviewing all 53 players that are eligible for the Rule 5 draft with early returns suggesting that almost all will be available to other teams. Brett has learned that will also be a number of casualties on the 40-man roster. That process has already started with veteran minor league outfielder Sam Allen being placed on waivers. The system shakeup, coupled with a few pending retirements, guarantees that Wolves fans will see a different team in the new decade. Skipper Schneider of the Chicago Cougars notched his 1,500th career hit last week. Other milestones included Gothams outfielder Walt Messer driving in his 750th run and Detroit's young star hurler Carl Potter collected his 750th career strikeout despite being still just 23 years old. Scary injury for Eagles infielder Tom Miller on Wednesday. He hit a 3-run scoring double in the top of the ninth to help the Eagles past Chicago 7-3 but in trying to move up to third on the play at home he collided with the Chiefs third baseman and suffered a fractured skull, ending his season and perhaps even delaying his start next spring. The Chicago Chiefs have a winning record against all the other clubs except for the Gothams (8-12) and the Eagles (9-11). The Chiefs have 10 home games remaining and the Eagles have 14. It should be an interesting finish. Included in Washington's 14 are two against Chicago, a club they presently trail by 6.5 games. The Gothams are 2 games back and also have 2 left against the Chiefs, but both are in Chicago as the New Yorkers only are home for 7 of their final 20 games. Nice to see baseball talk in September in Montreal. An all-too rare occurrence for the long struggling club as by this time most years all of the talk in La Belle Province surrounds the start of training camp for the Montreal Valiants hockey club. But the Saints, while a pennant is likely beyond their reach, are suddenly relevant with an exciting young team and the best record in baseball since the all-star break. Tip Harrison, former big league player and now a sportswriter for the Chicago Daily News had this to say about Montreal rookie Joe Austin, who is batting .317 and leading FABL with 46 stolen bases. "A lot of people didn't like the Red Bond trade, but I'm happy to see Joe Austin putting together such a great start to his young career. With his success and having Mo Carter successfully securing first, it now looks like a very good deal for Montreal." Speaking of rookies, it looks like Brooklyn's hold on the Kellogg Award is over although some Kings supporters may try to make a case for Joe Potts (12-8, 2.97). Each of the first 3 winners of the award, established in 1946, were Kings with Leo Hayden, Ralph Johnson and most recently Pat Petty claiming the top Continental Association rookie award. This year it should be heading across the border to Montreal but the question is does it go to Joe Austin (.317,5,57 and a FABL best 46 SB and CA leading 104 runs scored) or Otis O'Keefe (.298,15,87). In the Fed it is likely between Washington's Mickey Holloway (.260,12,52) and Detroit Dynamos righthander Jack Miller (10-10, 3.55). Tough news for the Sailors in what has been just a nightmare of a season. Curt Brooks, their first round pick in 1948, blew out his knee in a minor league game last week and the 18 year old may not be able to return to action until as late as June next season. The second baseman was batting .372 for Class C Gulfport this season. COWBOYS RALLY TO CORRALL BULLS The Kansas City Cowboys, knocked off their perch as Continental Conference champions by San Francisco last December, have something to prove this season but they nearly got off to a very shaky start. Only a fourth quarter comeback saved head coach Pete Walsh and his charges from a season opening loss as the Cowboys rallied for a 17-14 victory over an inspired Buffalo Bulls squad. The Bulls, who opened their season a week ago with an easy time of things in Chicago, shook off an early Pat Chappell to Tom Manning 43-yard scoring pass with a pair of touchdowns of their own and carried a 14-10 lead into the final quarter. Star running back Dave Karaszewski ran for one of the Buffalo scores, and 77 yards in total on the day, while quarterback Mark Monday was his usual effective self, completing 13 of his 26 tosses for 150 yards and aside from the early Chappell scoring toss, the Bulls defense held the powerful Cowboys offense in check, at least for a while. The fourth quarter was a slightly different story. First Chappell hooked up with his favourite target Bill Tammaro for a 57 yard pass that set up a 31-yard Reuben Walston kick that cut the Bulls lead from 7 to 4 points at 14-10. Making it tougher to swallow for Buffalo fans was that fact that just minutes before the Bulls Mike Biladeau missed on an 18-yard field goal attempt of his own. The score remained 14-10 for less than four minutes as, after a quick Buffalo three and out, Chappell went back to work with his most effective series of the day. It was a quick series, taking just 5 plays to charge 75 yards for what would prove to be the winning score. Mason Matthews, who had a slow day with just 36 yards rushing in total, started the drive off with a 6-yard run. After Tommy Cohan carried for 9 yards and a fresh set of downs, Chappell and Tammaro connected again. This time it was a 19-yard pass but that was merely the appetizer for Chappell's next toss - a 39-yard catch and run with Collie Lovas that saw the end reach the Buffalo 2-yard line before finally being corralled. A play later the Cowboys had the lead for good when Chappell found Ernie Orr in the back of the endzone for a 2-yard scoring pass to make the final 17-14 for the Cowboys. WINGS FLY PAST COMETS Crushing the Chicago Comets with a terrific ground attack coupled with a deceptive aerial game, the San Francisco Wings won their second straight Continental Football Conference game 42-7. A second straight crowd of more than 50,000 crowded into the brand new Golden Gate Stadium to see the local eleven jump out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter and never take their foot off the gas. John Brom, who scored twice in the season opening win over New Orleans, was at the top of his game, rushing for two touchdowns including a 48-yard scamper that opened the scoring as he gained 193 yards on just 14 carries. The Wings offensive line cut huge holes in the porous Chicago defense all game allowing the hosts to rack up 395 yards on the ground and average well over 8 yards a carry. When Brom wasn't dancing through the Comets defense, San Francisco quarterback Sam Metcalf was throwing over it as he completed a dozen tosses, highlighted by 4 to Wes Mula, for 193 yards. The hapless Comets struggled to a 1-13 season a year ago and things might even be worse this time around as they have been outscored 80-14 in their two losses to start the current campaign. CRESCENTS SPOIL LOBOS PARTY The New Orleans Crescents played the gracious visitor a week ago in losing to San Francisco in the debut of the Wings new monstrous Golden Gate Stadium but they refused to extend the same courtesy to the Los Angeles Lobos. The Lobos, making their debut in the 50,000 seat Bigsby Stadium came up short in dropping a 42-31 decision to the Crescents in their season debut. It was a back and forth contest with plenty of offense - the two clubs combined for 888 net yards- but two late fumbles and a fortuitous bounce proved the difference. First came the good bounce for the Crescents as John Walker, after catching a 16-yard pass from Vince Gallegos, had the ball jarred loose. Fortunately, it bounced right into the arms of Walker's New Orleans teammate Ollie Peters, who scooped it up on the run and raced 34 yards for a score to put the Crescents in front 35-31. Two plays later, now trailing with just over 8 minutes remaining, Los Angeles quarterback Jackie Wendt looked for a big play. Wendt dropped back to pass but heavy pursuit caught up with him and he fumbled as he was hit. New Orleans once more recovered as Philip Phelps fell on the loose ball at Lobos 17 yard line. Three plays later Dale Wolf scored on a 6-yard run to add some insurance and the Crescents would go on to a 42-31 victory. COLLEGIATE GRID FANS GET SMALL APPETIZER THIS WEEK Another season of collegiate grid action will get underway Saturday with just a single contest before the action begins in earnest the following weekend. Detroit City College is the defending National Champion after the Knights had their second straight perfect season a year ago, but few are expecting a repeat for the Great Lakes Alliance power. Even the section crown may be in doubt for Knights, who have been the kings of the GLA for each of the past four seasons and have posted a 25-0 section record during that time frame. Central Ohio, which paced the GLA in 1944, along with Wisconsin State and Minnesota Tech are all expected to field strong programs capable of qualifying for a New Year's Day trip to Santa Ana. There will also be plenty of competition to claim the number one overall ranking for Detroit City College, which opens its season September 24 against in-state rival St. Ignatius, throughout the nation. St Blane, winners of the 1947 National Title, is always strong and this year will be no exception for the Fighting Saints who boast a star-studded lineup led by All-American end Bobby Leonard and quarterback Bill Thomas. Rome State, with senior quarterback Paul Domenico leading the charge, will also be a team to fear. Joining Rome State as powers to watch from the south are several schools including North Carolina Tech, where All-American halfback Jackie Charles is returning for his senior season. In the southwest there are a trio of teams with national championship hopes including Southwest Alliance foes Travis College and Texas Guld Coast with Oklahoma City State - a team to fear out of the Plains Athletic Association. The strength of the West Coast Athletic Association lies not in Los Angeles, where CCLA is coming off a dismal 2-8 and Coastal California, which had some struggles of its own a year ago. Instead it is to the north of the state with Redwood University and Northern California, which capped an impressive 9-1-1 showing a year ago with an East-West Classic shutout victory over St Magnus, that look to be the teams to beat in the WCAA. The action begins next Saturday with College of Waco getting an early start against tiny Abilene Methodist before many of the schools in the south and west kick things off the following weekend. The eastern powers, including St Blane, will get things underway the weekend of September 24. Much has changed for 1949 in terms of the rules. Francis Stann from the Washington Times elaborates on that in his column below: RECENT KEY RESULTS Monday in Houston Cannon Cooper (28-4-1) won for the fifth straight outing as the Rockford, Il. 28-year-old looks to rise the ranks in the heavyweight division. Cooper, once was considering a rising young star in the division after starting his career 17-0-1, scored a fourth round knockout of Mal Rollins (13-7-1). Monday in San Jose, CA. middleweight Rip Rogers improved to 19-3 after earning a TKO win in the 10th and final round of his bout with Marin Harris (28-13-2). Tuesday in Hartford Dennis O'KeeFe, who briefly held the world welterweight title 3 years ago continued his freefall by losing a decision to Cal Kotterman in a 10-rounder. O'Keefe, who beat Carl Taylor to win the title but immediately surrendered it to Mark Westlake, has lost his last 5 decisions and the 32-year-old Jacksonville, Fl native now sports a 22-8 career record. Kotterman is a young fighter out of Kalamazoo, MI. with a 9-1-4 record and showing some promise. Last night in Miami, veteran Philadelphia heavyweight Scott 'The Chef' Baker came up on the short end of a split decision result with Gil Hilliard. Hilliard took a lot of losses early in his career but the 30-year-old has been improving with age and experience and is now 28-10-2. Baker, the son of former world middleweight champion Battling Billy Baker, drops to 20-4-3. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS Sep 12- Hartford, CT: HW Allen Bailey (38-7-2) vs Nick Brooks (17-7-2) Sep 15- Bigsby Garden, New York City: former MW champ Adrian Petie (19-2-1) vs Bill Boggs (19-2) Sep 21- Thompson Paladium, Detroit: HW Tommy Cline (14-2) vs Lloyd Grange (14-2-1) Sep 23- Lakeside Auditorium, Chicago: WW conteners Carl Taylor (27-6-2) vs Ira Mitchell (22-4) Oct 8 - Lakeside Auditorium, Chicago - World HW champion Hector Sawyer (61-3-1) defends his title against Lewis Jones (20-1-1) Oct 18- Bigsby Garden, New York City - rising middleweights Tommy Campbell (22-2-1) vs Davis Owens (19-0) Oct 21- Chesapeake Arena, Baltimore- Welterweight contender Danny Rutledge (17-1) vs Rudy Perry (28-5-1) Oct 25- National Auditorium, Washington DC - middleweights Bobby Price (22-4) vs Millard Shelton (25-5) The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 9/04/1949 Premier Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia is considered virtually a cinch to get an American Government loan - provided he stays alive and independent from Moscow. Tito has already reached an agreement to purchase materials from the United States to construct a steel mill, but his government is in need of quick economic help from the United States and other Western countries to help him weather the economic blockade by Russia now threatening to strangle his country. Europe's two top Marshall Plan officials declared that more than $5 billion in American aid has failed so far to put the war-damaged continent on the road to self-support. They note Europe's economic situation has improved but that the dollar-shortage problem has not been solved. A Senate economy drive which has built up steam for months appeared bogged down at last following final Senate action on billions of dollars in appropriations highlighted by the $14.8 billion defense money bill. President Truman has promised American support to help with the financial troubles facing Britain. General Harry M. Vaughan told the Senate "five-percenter" inquiry that the FBI investigated but found groundless charges that he took a bribe for fixing an income tax case. Vaughan is being accused of bribery for his role in charges that he traded access to the White House for expensive gifts while he was a military aide to Truman while the latter was Vice-President. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles Last edited by Tiger Fan; 01-11-2024 at 12:35 PM.