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ayaghmour2 · 03-07-2025, 02:05 PM

JUNE 10, 1963

Kings and Stars Flip-Flop, Kansas City Now Up Half a Game

After splitting their series to start the week, Kansas City managed to pull ahead of LA, sweeping the Imperials in New York to retake first place as the Stars could only win three of four against the Wolves. The Kings/Stars series in LA did leave a little to be desired, as Charlie Rogers (3-6, R, 2 RBI, 3B), Hank Williams (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR), Al Farmer (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR), and Bill Denney (2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) dismantled the Stars pitching staff, as Allie Boone (8 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K) cruised to his first victory of the season. The opener was far more exciting, as the Stars won 4-2 in a pitcher's duel between Beau McClellan (8 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) Floyd Warner (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K). The difference in the game was three swings, two by Ralph Barrell (.325, 16, 42, 5) with an RBI double and solo homer, and a third on Ed Moore's (.288, 6, 43) two-run single. Ironically, Denney (.227, 2, 19) homered in this game too, his first two longballs of a season, but he had the team's lone RBI in the loss.

With both teams playing at such a high level, it's been tough for the rest of the pack, as even with the Sailors and Cougars going 4-3 and 5-2 respectively, they're stuck more then five games out. These two took each other on in a 3rd vs. 4th battle, and like the two leaders, they split there series. It was four in Chicago, where the Sailors won 5-2 and 14-6 while the Cougars picked up 3-1 and 4-2 wins. It was an anti-Cougar series, as the close game challenged team won two of the three games decided by less then three runs, while getting walloped by Otis Haldeman (2-4, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2B, 3B, SB), John Kingsbury (2-5, 3 R, RBI, BB, HR), and Edwin Hackberry (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB). The two teams meet again this week in San Francisco, though it's a two-game midweek series that seems likely to end in a tie.

It coincides with another Kings/Stars series, as the two meet in LA this time. For the Stars, it's going to be tough, as it comes before and after series with the Cannons. One of the hottest teams, they've won four straight and 9 of their last 12, improving to 6th at 30-28. The unluckiest team in baseball, they've had very positive run differentials while under .500, and at +55 they're expected to be 34-24. With one of the best offenses and the top pen, they boast a deep team with a ton of talent. 24-year-old Joe Case (.327, 11, 32, 6) is somehow the Conti's WAR leader, up to 3.2 in 57 games, and he leads off a dangerous top four with Bonnie Chapin (.317, 11, 38), Dallas Berry (.280, 12, 43, 3), and Mark Boyd (.294, 13, 33). A threat to any pitcher, they've got talent in the rotation, with young ace Charlie Warren (4-4, 3.51, 62) and ERA leader Jim York (4-3, 2.24, 46) off to impressive seasons, while the now 4th ranked prospect Marco Middleton (6-3, 4.13, 62) sports a 20.1 K%. Paul Williams (3-8, 6, 3.66, 28), Moe Powell (2-1, 3, 2.49, 18), and Hal Adams (3-0, 1, 2.95, 15) can all be counted on late in game, so if they can hit their stride they can work their way right back into the pennant race.

*** Pioneers Remain Two Up, Open Week With Double Header in Washington ***

Not much movement in the Fed this week, as the Pioneers, Dynamos, and Eagles all went 4-2 this week. St. Louis struggled with the Minutemen, dropping two of three, but they went out to sweep the Millers in Minneapolis. Detroit dealt with the Keystones and Gothams, taking two of three from both on the road, while Washington did the same to the Chiefs and Suns, just at the beautiful Columbia Stadium.

That plays host to a big Monday double header, as with a sweep the Eagles can pull within a game of St. Louis. Both teams have played six games in a row, so for the double header they'll need to rely on a spot starter or a starter on short rest, with the latter a likely option considering an off day for both on Tuesday. Regardless of pitching choices, 22-year-old Owen Lantz (7-1, 3.30, 59) will pitch one of the games for Washington, while the 28-year-old Billy Hasson (6-2, 4.02, 60) is ready to go for the Pioneers. But regardless of the pitching matchup, fans will be treated to two of the leagues brightest and boldest stars, with Tom Lorang (.378, 15, 55, 4) and Bob Bell (.373, 13, 35, 3) likely spending the next ten plus years of their career competing for Whitney's in the Fed. Far from the only stars on these two teams, there should be plenty of theatrics, but Washington may be a man down. The Robin to Lorang's Batman, George Whaley (.311, 8, 48) was already dealing with some knee soreness, and he left the Eagles' 5-4 win over the Suns with a strained oblique. The 20-year-old did play the next game, but even if he avoids an IL stint, it will be tough to have him play both halves of the double header. In a series of such tight margins, it could be the difference, but this offense can score on anyone, and they have someone of quality like George Fox (.327, 4) on the bench who can fill in when needed.

Detroit doesn't play on Monday, so they can't take first even if the Pioneers lose. With double headers on Wednesday and Sunday, they still get a full slate of games this week, while St. Louis and Washington play one more. By avoiding those two teams, they have a chance to make up ground, getting one with the Miners (29-27), two with the Keystones (32-28), and four with the Gothams (21-34). All at home, they should have the advantage, and the early off day can help Ray Waggoner shake off his back spasms, though it didn't stop him from his second consecutive Player of the Week award and third on the season. The All-Star went 13-for-23 with 5 doubles, 3 homers, 4 walks, 6 RBIs, and 10 runs, now hitting .345/.401/.645 (175 OPS+) on the year. Waggoner has collected 14 doubles, 16 homers, 45 RBIs, and 47 runs, while walking (20) more then he strikes out (18). Not quite on the level of Lorang and Bell, he's still one of the top players in the game, and will allow Detroit to be a force the rest of the way.

Tales From The Den
Wolves Struggle On The Road

Toronto went 2-4 on a quick trip to Montreal then out to the west coast for the third time this season. Many fans would say that 2-4 away from home with tough travel would not be the end of world. As Manager Hohlt said on the plane coming home "It is not that we lost games, it is how we lost games. Losses happen, this team lacks consistency so far this season. We have to avoid being embarrassed in what seems to be every second game."

The week started well when Phil Colantuono rebounded with a quality outing pitching into the ninth, allowing one run scattering 6 hits, before giving way to Loeffler who secured his 7th save in a 2-1 win over the Saints. Both Wolves' runs came off long balls by Wells in the first then Cullen in the ninth to make it 2-0. Roger Nelson the Saints the started was hung with a hard luck loss giving him a record of 4-7.

The next day was one of Hohlt's embarrassments when Montreal scored 5 in the second, 3 in both the third, fourth innings to humiliate Toronto 15-4. Both Davidson, Adams were pitching 'chuck and duck'. Davidson gave up 8 in 2 2/3 on 6 hits, 5 BB. Adams also walked 5 when 4 more Saints' runners crossed the plate. Hohlt closed the room to the press after the game before boarding a silent flight to LA. The first game of 4 in three days was a stinging loss. Leading 5-4 going to the middle of the ninth Hohlt decided to take the ball from Smith, sending in Loeffler who promptly gave up single, single, double to tie the game at 5. After striking out Ed Moore, Ed Howard blooped a single to score Bob Griffin for a LA walkoff 6-5. That was Loeffler's 6th blown save of the season. The red hot Stars came play Saturday afternoon, Medley barely got into the second before giving up 9 earned on 10 hits 2 BB. Stars scored 12 in the first innings in a game Toronto was never in, it end 12-3. Post game all Hohlt could say was "We are in a bad place at present.

Things looked up a little during the first game of a Sunday doubleheader. Trailing 3-0 the Wolves bats came alive in the fourth. Aided by an error charged to Lou Allen the Wolves scored 5 on three singles, 2 BB. Wolves stretched their lead to 3 before hanging on to win 6-5. Bob Green, who it was learned later will be returning to Buffalo, picked up his first win as a member of the Wolves. Any momentum the Wolves hope to capture before the long flight home was quickly quashed by Fred Warner. Warner only surrendered 4 hits, all singles, no walks in a whitewash of Toronto 3-0 for his 8th win of the year.

The Wolves have now played 33 of 58 on the road. Hopefully some home cooking will allow the team to start a winning streak. Toronto now has a 16 day homestand with 16 games. The front office made a number of moves before the team opens a series on Monday with the Imperials. George Hoxworth was recalled with Bob Green sent back to Buffalo where he will work out of the bullpen. In another pitching move George Adams will join the AAA rotation after less than satisfactory relief work in for Hohlt. Bob Campbell will join the relievers for the Wolves as Hohlt looks for the right combination. Rumours are that Loeffler will no longer be used in high leverage roles for the time being due to inconsistent performance.

It's June 10th and Tom Lorang has already been worth 5.0 WAR. Only 24 players last season were worth more then that in the full year. Lorang, who was worth 11.3 last season, is on place for 13.5, which would be the highest single season mark since 1915.
John Brinker Jr. of the New York Herald Tribune is a big fan of the Eagles superstar, declaring "Lorang is the best player in what was a LOADED 1959 draft class. A lot of the other guys are still developing, and Lorang is probably going to hold his spot as the best (and arguably the best player in FABL soon if not already) but there are a lot of really talented hitters in that class."
At TWIFS, we agree that Lorang is FABL's top player, as does OSA, with Bob Bell a close second. Leading the extremely deep '59 class that has already produced a ton of quality, Lorang may have hold on the best FABL position player for a long time. His class has improved a variety of good bats with Mark Boyd, Isaiah Redbird, Bob Griffin, Otis Haldeman, Ed McNaughton, Howdy Oakes, and Ed Savage all taken in the first 20 or so picks. The arms were more scattered, but Allie Boone, Jim Elliot, Hank Griswold, and Harry Stout all look legit., and with how recent the class is, there are a lot of other prospects that can establish themselves in the coming seasons.
Speaking of the draft, FABL's is right around the corner, with scouts frantically getting in their final reports before June 18th. The Imperials will get the first pick, and it is widely expected that 19-year-old Cuban Tony Nava will be the first selection. Hitting .428/.571/.836 with 22 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, 43 RBIS, 42 walks, 68 runs, and 54 steals, he moved to Arizona to be come draft eligible, as he was a star in the Cuban amateur leagues. Projected to be an impact player, he has monster power, an elite eye, and plus-plus contact tools. One scout called him a "human highlight film" as he's the type of prospect you can just tell has that something special.
Montreal's Jim Johnston (.267, 5, 17, 2) took home Player of the Week in the Conti despite starting just 3 of his 5 appearances. He made the most of his at bats, going 10-for-17 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs, 7 RBIs, a steal, and a walk. Recently 34, the Saint outfielder is hitting .267/.351/.427 (108 OPS+) in a rotational role.
Stars writer Artie Mortimer is happy with how LA has looked so far. "Another 4-2 week! But we split the 2 game set with KC and now are trailing a half game back. Floyd Warner (8-2, 3.50, 52) is having a heck of a season pitching 2 complete game wins this week, racking up only 1 walk while fanning 10 with a 1.00 ERA."
Imperial slugger Turk Ramsey (.297, 18, 46) has officially been placed on the block, with New York looking for multiple good prospects to part with him. A 1B/LF, a deep prospect package may be tough to find, but the 28-year-old has hit .297/.320/.590 (137 OPS+). Ramsey is tied for 2nd with Lou Allen (.293, 18, 53) for home runs among Continental hitters, and is on pace for 50 on the season.
They also made a few roster changes, as Rule-5 pick Bill Moody (0-1, 7.57, 23) was sent back to the Sailors. The second Rule-5 pick released during the season, the 24-year-old struggled to find the zone, walking 32 in 35.2 innings. A former 2nd Rounder of the Chiefs, he'll rejoin the Sailors where he can be assigned to a minor league club. New York also DFA'd Emil Grenier (.160) and optioned Milt Lane (1-3, 6.32, 17), replacing those three with Delos Smith (.261, 2, 3), John Billops (0--0, 6.75, 3), and Bob Roberts (0-2, 5.03, 11). Billops is the first Imperial draft pick to debut, having started 23 games in AAA since being selected. 12-3 with a 2.61 ERA (144 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts, they're hoping he can fill a role on the young team.
Pitching seemed to rule the week, with six hurlers taking home shutouts. The Chiefs Vern Osborne (5-3, 3.89, 58) started things out with a 2-hit, 7-strikeout shutout of the Eagles, but surprisingly he was the only one of six to pitch in the Fed. Gene Bailey (8 H, 4 K), Paul Anderson (3 H, BB, 5 K), John Mitchell (3 H, BB, 5 K), Johnnie Higgins (4 H, BB, 6 K), and Floyd Warner (4 H, 6 K) all held Continental lineups scoreless. Most impressive is how all six pitchers had one walk or fewer, truly showcasing their dominance.
It was a mix of good and bad for Boston this week, as while they were able to pull of four wins and sneak past the Gothams for 8th, they lost their cornerstone piece Frank Kirouac (.279, 3, 22) for the near future. The 25-year-old is expected to miss at least four weeks with shoulder inflammation, opening up a spot in center for former 5th pick Bobby Martinez (.273, 4, 3). Acquired right before Opening Day from the Cougars with Andy Logue (4-7, 4.01, 46), Martinez has gotten off to a slow start, but he hit .396/.434/.443 (133 OPS+) in 113 PAs with Chicago last year. A high contact, no power outfielder who doesn't walk or strikeout, he's the opposite of Kirouac, who's got big power, a great eye, and a tendency to strike out. Kirouac led the Fed with 124 strikeouts last year, while Martinez had 123 strikeouts total from 1960 to 1962.

FORGOTTON MAN OF JUNIOR DRAFT HOPES TO MAKE MARK

Just like the NAHC does each July, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association is preparing for its annual draft of young talent. The junior loop, created 14 years ago to allow all of the top junior talent in the country to compete head to head and prepare them for pro hockey, drafts 16 year old's and develops them for a potential career in the North American Hockey Confederation.

While NAHC clubs are selecting players at the age of 19 after many have three full years of major junior hockey under their belts, it is a much tougher task for the junior clubs, who are forced to scour Canada looking for the best 15-year-old players they can find and once discovered they are then tasked with the challenge of convincing their parents to send the youngsters sometimes across the country to join a junior club.

There have been some very talented youngsters to grace the junior ranks the past decade and a half but few will argue that the best junior draft occurred in the summer of 1957. There were a number of talented youngsters, but as NAHC teams would learn three years later with the pro draft, a pair of the then 15-year-olds really stood out. That would be Hobie Barrell and Mark Moggy, and six years later each appears to potentially be on a pace where they both may well be considered among the best of all-time when their pro careers are over.

Hobie Barrell, was selected first overall by the Halifax Mariners in the 1957 junior draft and would go on to compile 294 points in 168 career games with the Mariners while winning a CAHA championship and being named to the junior loop's postseason all-star team twice. That was just the beginning for Barrell, who made the jump to the NAHC as a 19-year-old after the Detroit Motors selected him second overall in the 1960 NAHC draft. Injuries limited Barrell to just 30 games as a rookie with Detroit but he scored 20 goals and accumulated 39 points before adding 17 more points in 10 playoff games to help the Motors win the Challenge Cup. A second Challenge Cup came the following year when Barrell put up 79 points and then this past season, while a third Cup did not come as Barrell's Motors lost in the finals to Toronto, he did win the McDaniels Trophy as the NAHC's most valuable player and led the league with 42 goals and 83 points. He just turned 22 and has already scored 96 goals and 201 points in 158 NAHC games.

Barrell was not drafted first overall by the Motors in 1960. Detroit had the second selection that year as Mark Moggy was the top choice by the Montreal Valiants. Like Barrell, Moggy's roots go back to the 1957 CAHA draft and while Barrell went number one, the young defenseman from Kerrobert, SK., was drafted third overall by the Sherbrooke Industrials. He had three strong seasons in junior, including a 60-point campaign from the blueline in his draft year. Playing in herbrooke allowed the Montreal Valiants staff to see plenty of Moggy and they called his name first overall, one spot ahead of Barrell, in the 1960 NAHC draft.

There is no need to second guess the Vals decision as Moggy has had a similar impact on the sport to what Barrell has accomplished. The 21-year-old joined Barrell in making the rare jump directly to the NAHC at the age of 19 and he had 38 points in 62 games as a rookie to beat Barrell -who was injured for half the season- to win the Harvey McLeod Trophy as the loop's top newcomer. Moggy would follow that up with back to back Dewar Trophy wins as top defenseman in the NAHC and scored a career best 49 points this year giving him 133 points in 202 career NAHC games.

*** Fontinato Hopes to Live Up to Junior Draft Hype ***

So Moggy was number one and Barrell second in the 1960 NAHC draft while three years earlier Barrell went first overall in the CAHA draft while Moggy was selected third. But what about the player who was selected between Barrell and Moggy in the 1957 junior draft? Who went second that year and what is he up to now you might ask?

That would be Perry Fontinato, a forward out of Calgary who was selected as a 15-year-old by the Trois-Rivieres Trappers in the 1957 junior draft. Fontinato was nearly as highly touted as Barrell and valued higher than Moggy heading into junior and still looks like he has great promise but his career has certainly not followed the same path as his two now-famous draft mates.

While both Barrell and Moggy each had an immediate impact as 16-year-olds in the CAHA, Fontinato - perhaps nervous about the cross-country move from his native Alberta to Quebec- elected to play another season of tier two junior in Western Canada. He finally joined the Trappers a year later but looked overmatched, scoring just 9 points in 52 games. His numbers would improve to 15 goals and 40 points in 56 games in his NAHC draft year. Fontinato did get selected in the 1960 pro draft, but long after Moggy and Barrell as his name was not called until the third round when Montreal -which chose Moggy first overall- grabbed Fontinato.

The Vals elected to leave Fontinato in junior for two more seasons and he has developed, scoring 47 goals and 98 points in 110 games. He also became a leader in Trois-Rivieres, wearing a letter in both of his final two years of junior. Montreal signed him last summer but he was immediately assigned to minor league Syracuse of the Hockey Association of America without even an invitation to the Valiants big league training camp. There was a learning curve in the HAA and Fontnato managed just 10 goals and 28 points in 53 games with the Lancers. However he was impressive in his defensive assignments and was added to Montreal's playoff roster as part of the black aces -the emergency backups ready in case of injury to a regular. The Valiants were swept in four straight games in the semi-finals by the Hobie Barrell led Detroit Motors, but Fontinato made his NAHC debut in game two of the series and impressed Montreal coach Ted Grafton enough that the 21-year-old remained in the lineup for each of the final two games of the series. Fontinato did not record a point, but he also did not look out of place.

Now the challenge comes to earn a full-time job in the NAHC and perhaps even join his 1957 CAHA draftmates Moggy and Barrell as a star in the pros. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but one thing appears to be clear - Perry Fontinato will definitely be a part of the Montreal Valiants training camp come September. And perhaps one day we will look back and remember each of the top three picks of the '57 CAHA draft.

RECENT KEY RESULTS

Highly touted Italian heavyweight Cataldo Lucciardi earned his 50th career professional victory with a first round knockout of Frenchman Marcel Jardin in Rome last week. The 35-year-old Lucciardi is 50-6-2.

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

June 20- Heavyweight Champion George Galleshaw will put his title on the line against former champion Steve Leivers at Bigsby Garden in New York City. Galleshaw held the title for 18 months beginning in 1960 before losing it in a shocking upset to Bert Parks but he regained the crown last November and successfully defended his title in February against Will Flowers. Galleshaw enters the fight with a 36-2-1 record. Leivers, 34, held the title for a spell in the mid-1950s, taking it from another Englishman Joe Brinkworth and making two successful defenses before losing to Brad Harris in 1957. He is 43-2-1 and will be facing Galleshaw for the first time.
On July 1 at Toronto's Dominion Gardens local hero and World Middleweight champion George Quisenberry will look to set off some Canada Day fireworks with a defense against Marc Maisonneuve. Quisenberry, who won the ABF world crown for a third time last December when he beat Lyman King, enters the bout with a record of 40-2-4. Little is known about Maisonneuve, 41-10-1, a native of France who has never fought on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 06/09/1963

Cardinals are preparing to elect a new Pope after Pope John XXIII was laid to rest early in the week.
High level discussions on a nuclear test ban treaty will begin soon in Moscow, President Kennedy announced this morning. Kennedy pledged that the US would refrain from further atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons as long as no other nation resumes testing.
In California before a planned trip to Europe, the President was a surprise guest at a high school prom.
A race riot in North Carolina left one man dead and several wounded.
Heavily armed police and troops battled Moslem mobs in Teheran calling for the overthrow of the Shah. 20 died in the fighting and at least 1,000 were injured.
Pro-Communist terrorists broke into the US Military Mission in Caracas, Venezuela before setting it on fire and burning it to the ground, making good on their threat to destroy the building. None of the missions personnel were harmed.
An American scientist from the Carnegie Institute lashed out at the nation's moon program, branding it wasteful and damaging to "almost every effort of science, technology and medicine." Dr. Phillip Abelson added "I think the rush to get to the moon is taking away from our national security."

03-07-2025, 02:05 PM	#1094
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,021	June 10th, 1963 JUNE 10, 1963 Kings and Stars Flip-Flop, Kansas City Now Up Half a Game After splitting their series to start the week, Kansas City managed to pull ahead of LA, sweeping the Imperials in New York to retake first place as the Stars could only win three of four against the Wolves. The Kings/Stars series in LA did leave a little to be desired, as Charlie Rogers (3-6, R, 2 RBI, 3B), Hank Williams (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR), Al Farmer (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR), and Bill Denney (2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) dismantled the Stars pitching staff, as Allie Boone (8 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K) cruised to his first victory of the season. The opener was far more exciting, as the Stars won 4-2 in a pitcher's duel between Beau McClellan (8 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) Floyd Warner (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K). The difference in the game was three swings, two by Ralph Barrell (.325, 16, 42, 5) with an RBI double and solo homer, and a third on Ed Moore's (.288, 6, 43) two-run single. Ironically, Denney (.227, 2, 19) homered in this game too, his first two longballs of a season, but he had the team's lone RBI in the loss. With both teams playing at such a high level, it's been tough for the rest of the pack, as even with the Sailors and Cougars going 4-3 and 5-2 respectively, they're stuck more then five games out. These two took each other on in a 3rd vs. 4th battle, and like the two leaders, they split there series. It was four in Chicago, where the Sailors won 5-2 and 14-6 while the Cougars picked up 3-1 and 4-2 wins. It was an anti-Cougar series, as the close game challenged team won two of the three games decided by less then three runs, while getting walloped by Otis Haldeman (2-4, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2B, 3B, SB), John Kingsbury (2-5, 3 R, RBI, BB, HR), and Edwin Hackberry (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB). The two teams meet again this week in San Francisco, though it's a two-game midweek series that seems likely to end in a tie. It coincides with another Kings/Stars series, as the two meet in LA this time. For the Stars, it's going to be tough, as it comes before and after series with the Cannons. One of the hottest teams, they've won four straight and 9 of their last 12, improving to 6th at 30-28. The unluckiest team in baseball, they've had very positive run differentials while under .500, and at +55 they're expected to be 34-24. With one of the best offenses and the top pen, they boast a deep team with a ton of talent. 24-year-old Joe Case (.327, 11, 32, 6) is somehow the Conti's WAR leader, up to 3.2 in 57 games, and he leads off a dangerous top four with Bonnie Chapin (.317, 11, 38), Dallas Berry (.280, 12, 43, 3), and Mark Boyd (.294, 13, 33). A threat to any pitcher, they've got talent in the rotation, with young ace Charlie Warren (4-4, 3.51, 62) and ERA leader Jim York (4-3, 2.24, 46) off to impressive seasons, while the now 4th ranked prospect Marco Middleton (6-3, 4.13, 62) sports a 20.1 K%. Paul Williams (3-8, 6, 3.66, 28), Moe Powell (2-1, 3, 2.49, 18), and Hal Adams (3-0, 1, 2.95, 15) can all be counted on late in game, so if they can hit their stride they can work their way right back into the pennant race. * Pioneers Remain Two Up, Open Week With Double Header in Washington * Not much movement in the Fed this week, as the Pioneers, Dynamos, and Eagles all went 4-2 this week. St. Louis struggled with the Minutemen, dropping two of three, but they went out to sweep the Millers in Minneapolis. Detroit dealt with the Keystones and Gothams, taking two of three from both on the road, while Washington did the same to the Chiefs and Suns, just at the beautiful Columbia Stadium. That plays host to a big Monday double header, as with a sweep the Eagles can pull within a game of St. Louis. Both teams have played six games in a row, so for the double header they'll need to rely on a spot starter or a starter on short rest, with the latter a likely option considering an off day for both on Tuesday. Regardless of pitching choices, 22-year-old Owen Lantz (7-1, 3.30, 59) will pitch one of the games for Washington, while the 28-year-old Billy Hasson (6-2, 4.02, 60) is ready to go for the Pioneers. But regardless of the pitching matchup, fans will be treated to two of the leagues brightest and boldest stars, with Tom Lorang (.378, 15, 55, 4) and Bob Bell (.373, 13, 35, 3) likely spending the next ten plus years of their career competing for Whitney's in the Fed. Far from the only stars on these two teams, there should be plenty of theatrics, but Washington may be a man down. The Robin to Lorang's Batman, George Whaley (.311, 8, 48) was already dealing with some knee soreness, and he left the Eagles' 5-4 win over the Suns with a strained oblique. The 20-year-old did play the next game, but even if he avoids an IL stint, it will be tough to have him play both halves of the double header. In a series of such tight margins, it could be the difference, but this offense can score on anyone, and they have someone of quality like George Fox (.327, 4) on the bench who can fill in when needed. Detroit doesn't play on Monday, so they can't take first even if the Pioneers lose. With double headers on Wednesday and Sunday, they still get a full slate of games this week, while St. Louis and Washington play one more. By avoiding those two teams, they have a chance to make up ground, getting one with the Miners (29-27), two with the Keystones (32-28), and four with the Gothams (21-34). All at home, they should have the advantage, and the early off day can help Ray Waggoner shake off his back spasms, though it didn't stop him from his second consecutive Player of the Week award and third on the season. The All-Star went 13-for-23 with 5 doubles, 3 homers, 4 walks, 6 RBIs, and 10 runs, now hitting .345/.401/.645 (175 OPS+) on the year. Waggoner has collected 14 doubles, 16 homers, 45 RBIs, and 47 runs, while walking (20) more then he strikes out (18). Not quite on the level of Lorang and Bell, he's still one of the top players in the game, and will allow Detroit to be a force the rest of the way. Tales From The Den Wolves Struggle On The Road Toronto went 2-4 on a quick trip to Montreal then out to the west coast for the third time this season. Many fans would say that 2-4 away from home with tough travel would not be the end of world. As Manager Hohlt said on the plane coming home "It is not that we lost games, it is how we lost games. Losses happen, this team lacks consistency so far this season. We have to avoid being embarrassed in what seems to be every second game." The week started well when Phil Colantuono rebounded with a quality outing pitching into the ninth, allowing one run scattering 6 hits, before giving way to Loeffler who secured his 7th save in a 2-1 win over the Saints. Both Wolves' runs came off long balls by Wells in the first then Cullen in the ninth to make it 2-0. Roger Nelson the Saints the started was hung with a hard luck loss giving him a record of 4-7. The next day was one of Hohlt's embarrassments when Montreal scored 5 in the second, 3 in both the third, fourth innings to humiliate Toronto 15-4. Both Davidson, Adams were pitching 'chuck and duck'. Davidson gave up 8 in 2 2/3 on 6 hits, 5 BB. Adams also walked 5 when 4 more Saints' runners crossed the plate. Hohlt closed the room to the press after the game before boarding a silent flight to LA. The first game of 4 in three days was a stinging loss. Leading 5-4 going to the middle of the ninth Hohlt decided to take the ball from Smith, sending in Loeffler who promptly gave up single, single, double to tie the game at 5. After striking out Ed Moore, Ed Howard blooped a single to score Bob Griffin for a LA walkoff 6-5. That was Loeffler's 6th blown save of the season. The red hot Stars came play Saturday afternoon, Medley barely got into the second before giving up 9 earned on 10 hits 2 BB. Stars scored 12 in the first innings in a game Toronto was never in, it end 12-3. Post game all Hohlt could say was "We are in a bad place at present. Things looked up a little during the first game of a Sunday doubleheader. Trailing 3-0 the Wolves bats came alive in the fourth. Aided by an error charged to Lou Allen the Wolves scored 5 on three singles, 2 BB. Wolves stretched their lead to 3 before hanging on to win 6-5. Bob Green, who it was learned later will be returning to Buffalo, picked up his first win as a member of the Wolves. Any momentum the Wolves hope to capture before the long flight home was quickly quashed by Fred Warner. Warner only surrendered 4 hits, all singles, no walks in a whitewash of Toronto 3-0 for his 8th win of the year. The Wolves have now played 33 of 58 on the road. Hopefully some home cooking will allow the team to start a winning streak. Toronto now has a 16 day homestand with 16 games. The front office made a number of moves before the team opens a series on Monday with the Imperials. George Hoxworth was recalled with Bob Green sent back to Buffalo where he will work out of the bullpen. In another pitching move George Adams will join the AAA rotation after less than satisfactory relief work in for Hohlt. Bob Campbell will join the relievers for the Wolves as Hohlt looks for the right combination. Rumours are that Loeffler will no longer be used in high leverage roles for the time being due to inconsistent performance. It's June 10th and Tom Lorang has already been worth 5.0 WAR. Only 24 players last season were worth more then that in the full year. Lorang, who was worth 11.3 last season, is on place for 13.5, which would be the highest single season mark since 1915. John Brinker Jr. of the New York Herald Tribune is a big fan of the Eagles superstar, declaring "Lorang is the best player in what was a LOADED 1959 draft class. A lot of the other guys are still developing, and Lorang is probably going to hold his spot as the best (and arguably the best player in FABL soon if not already) but there are a lot of really talented hitters in that class." At TWIFS, we agree that Lorang is FABL's top player, as does OSA, with Bob Bell a close second. Leading the extremely deep '59 class that has already produced a ton of quality, Lorang may have hold on the best FABL position player for a long time. His class has improved a variety of good bats with Mark Boyd, Isaiah Redbird, Bob Griffin, Otis Haldeman, Ed McNaughton, Howdy Oakes, and Ed Savage all taken in the first 20 or so picks. The arms were more scattered, but Allie Boone, Jim Elliot, Hank Griswold, and Harry Stout all look legit., and with how recent the class is, there are a lot of other prospects that can establish themselves in the coming seasons. Speaking of the draft, FABL's is right around the corner, with scouts frantically getting in their final reports before June 18th. The Imperials will get the first pick, and it is widely expected that 19-year-old Cuban Tony Nava will be the first selection. Hitting .428/.571/.836 with 22 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, 43 RBIS, 42 walks, 68 runs, and 54 steals, he moved to Arizona to be come draft eligible, as he was a star in the Cuban amateur leagues. Projected to be an impact player, he has monster power, an elite eye, and plus-plus contact tools. One scout called him a "human highlight film" as he's the type of prospect you can just tell has that something special. Montreal's Jim Johnston (.267, 5, 17, 2) took home Player of the Week in the Conti despite starting just 3 of his 5 appearances. He made the most of his at bats, going 10-for-17 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 3 runs, 7 RBIs, a steal, and a walk. Recently 34, the Saint outfielder is hitting .267/.351/.427 (108 OPS+) in a rotational role. Stars writer Artie Mortimer is happy with how LA has looked so far. "Another 4-2 week! But we split the 2 game set with KC and now are trailing a half game back. Floyd Warner (8-2, 3.50, 52) is having a heck of a season pitching 2 complete game wins this week, racking up only 1 walk while fanning 10 with a 1.00 ERA." Imperial slugger Turk Ramsey (.297, 18, 46) has officially been placed on the block, with New York looking for multiple good prospects to part with him. A 1B/LF, a deep prospect package may be tough to find, but the 28-year-old has hit .297/.320/.590 (137 OPS+). Ramsey is tied for 2nd with Lou Allen (.293, 18, 53) for home runs among Continental hitters, and is on pace for 50 on the season. They also made a few roster changes, as Rule-5 pick Bill Moody (0-1, 7.57, 23) was sent back to the Sailors. The second Rule-5 pick released during the season, the 24-year-old struggled to find the zone, walking 32 in 35.2 innings. A former 2nd Rounder of the Chiefs, he'll rejoin the Sailors where he can be assigned to a minor league club. New York also DFA'd Emil Grenier (.160) and optioned Milt Lane (1-3, 6.32, 17), replacing those three with Delos Smith (.261, 2, 3), John Billops (0--0, 6.75, 3), and Bob Roberts (0-2, 5.03, 11). Billops is the first Imperial draft pick to debut, having started 23 games in AAA since being selected. 12-3 with a 2.61 ERA (144 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts, they're hoping he can fill a role on the young team. Pitching seemed to rule the week, with six hurlers taking home shutouts. The Chiefs Vern Osborne (5-3, 3.89, 58) started things out with a 2-hit, 7-strikeout shutout of the Eagles, but surprisingly he was the only one of six to pitch in the Fed. Gene Bailey (8 H, 4 K), Paul Anderson (3 H, BB, 5 K), John Mitchell (3 H, BB, 5 K), Johnnie Higgins (4 H, BB, 6 K), and Floyd Warner (4 H, 6 K) all held Continental lineups scoreless. Most impressive is how all six pitchers had one walk or fewer, truly showcasing their dominance. It was a mix of good and bad for Boston this week, as while they were able to pull of four wins and sneak past the Gothams for 8th, they lost their cornerstone piece Frank Kirouac (.279, 3, 22) for the near future. The 25-year-old is expected to miss at least four weeks with shoulder inflammation, opening up a spot in center for former 5th pick Bobby Martinez (.273, 4, 3). Acquired right before Opening Day from the Cougars with Andy Logue (4-7, 4.01, 46), Martinez has gotten off to a slow start, but he hit .396/.434/.443 (133 OPS+) in 113 PAs with Chicago last year. A high contact, no power outfielder who doesn't walk or strikeout, he's the opposite of Kirouac, who's got big power, a great eye, and a tendency to strike out. Kirouac led the Fed with 124 strikeouts last year, while Martinez had 123 strikeouts total from 1960 to 1962. FORGOTTON MAN OF JUNIOR DRAFT HOPES TO MAKE MARK Just like the NAHC does each July, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association is preparing for its annual draft of young talent. The junior loop, created 14 years ago to allow all of the top junior talent in the country to compete head to head and prepare them for pro hockey, drafts 16 year old's and develops them for a potential career in the North American Hockey Confederation. While NAHC clubs are selecting players at the age of 19 after many have three full years of major junior hockey under their belts, it is a much tougher task for the junior clubs, who are forced to scour Canada looking for the best 15-year-old players they can find and once discovered they are then tasked with the challenge of convincing their parents to send the youngsters sometimes across the country to join a junior club. There have been some very talented youngsters to grace the junior ranks the past decade and a half but few will argue that the best junior draft occurred in the summer of 1957. There were a number of talented youngsters, but as NAHC teams would learn three years later with the pro draft, a pair of the then 15-year-olds really stood out. That would be Hobie Barrell and Mark Moggy, and six years later each appears to potentially be on a pace where they both may well be considered among the best of all-time when their pro careers are over. Hobie Barrell, was selected first overall by the Halifax Mariners in the 1957 junior draft and would go on to compile 294 points in 168 career games with the Mariners while winning a CAHA championship and being named to the junior loop's postseason all-star team twice. That was just the beginning for Barrell, who made the jump to the NAHC as a 19-year-old after the Detroit Motors selected him second overall in the 1960 NAHC draft. Injuries limited Barrell to just 30 games as a rookie with Detroit but he scored 20 goals and accumulated 39 points before adding 17 more points in 10 playoff games to help the Motors win the Challenge Cup. A second Challenge Cup came the following year when Barrell put up 79 points and then this past season, while a third Cup did not come as Barrell's Motors lost in the finals to Toronto, he did win the McDaniels Trophy as the NAHC's most valuable player and led the league with 42 goals and 83 points. He just turned 22 and has already scored 96 goals and 201 points in 158 NAHC games. Barrell was not drafted first overall by the Motors in 1960. Detroit had the second selection that year as Mark Moggy was the top choice by the Montreal Valiants. Like Barrell, Moggy's roots go back to the 1957 CAHA draft and while Barrell went number one, the young defenseman from Kerrobert, SK., was drafted third overall by the Sherbrooke Industrials. He had three strong seasons in junior, including a 60-point campaign from the blueline in his draft year. Playing in herbrooke allowed the Montreal Valiants staff to see plenty of Moggy and they called his name first overall, one spot ahead of Barrell, in the 1960 NAHC draft. There is no need to second guess the Vals decision as Moggy has had a similar impact on the sport to what Barrell has accomplished. The 21-year-old joined Barrell in making the rare jump directly to the NAHC at the age of 19 and he had 38 points in 62 games as a rookie to beat Barrell -who was injured for half the season- to win the Harvey McLeod Trophy as the loop's top newcomer. Moggy would follow that up with back to back Dewar Trophy wins as top defenseman in the NAHC and scored a career best 49 points this year giving him 133 points in 202 career NAHC games. * Fontinato Hopes to Live Up to Junior Draft Hype * So Moggy was number one and Barrell second in the 1960 NAHC draft while three years earlier Barrell went first overall in the CAHA draft while Moggy was selected third. But what about the player who was selected between Barrell and Moggy in the 1957 junior draft? Who went second that year and what is he up to now you might ask? That would be Perry Fontinato, a forward out of Calgary who was selected as a 15-year-old by the Trois-Rivieres Trappers in the 1957 junior draft. Fontinato was nearly as highly touted as Barrell and valued higher than Moggy heading into junior and still looks like he has great promise but his career has certainly not followed the same path as his two now-famous draft mates. While both Barrell and Moggy each had an immediate impact as 16-year-olds in the CAHA, Fontinato - perhaps nervous about the cross-country move from his native Alberta to Quebec- elected to play another season of tier two junior in Western Canada. He finally joined the Trappers a year later but looked overmatched, scoring just 9 points in 52 games. His numbers would improve to 15 goals and 40 points in 56 games in his NAHC draft year. Fontinato did get selected in the 1960 pro draft, but long after Moggy and Barrell as his name was not called until the third round when Montreal -which chose Moggy first overall- grabbed Fontinato. The Vals elected to leave Fontinato in junior for two more seasons and he has developed, scoring 47 goals and 98 points in 110 games. He also became a leader in Trois-Rivieres, wearing a letter in both of his final two years of junior. Montreal signed him last summer but he was immediately assigned to minor league Syracuse of the Hockey Association of America without even an invitation to the Valiants big league training camp. There was a learning curve in the HAA and Fontnato managed just 10 goals and 28 points in 53 games with the Lancers. However he was impressive in his defensive assignments and was added to Montreal's playoff roster as part of the black aces -the emergency backups ready in case of injury to a regular. The Valiants were swept in four straight games in the semi-finals by the Hobie Barrell led Detroit Motors, but Fontinato made his NAHC debut in game two of the series and impressed Montreal coach Ted Grafton enough that the 21-year-old remained in the lineup for each of the final two games of the series. Fontinato did not record a point, but he also did not look out of place. Now the challenge comes to earn a full-time job in the NAHC and perhaps even join his 1957 CAHA draftmates Moggy and Barrell as a star in the pros. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but one thing appears to be clear - Perry Fontinato will definitely be a part of the Montreal Valiants training camp come September. And perhaps one day we will look back and remember each of the top three picks of the '57 CAHA draft. RECENT KEY RESULTS Highly touted Italian heavyweight Cataldo Lucciardi earned his 50th career professional victory with a first round knockout of Frenchman Marcel Jardin in Rome last week. The 35-year-old Lucciardi is 50-6-2. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS June 20- Heavyweight Champion George Galleshaw will put his title on the line against former champion Steve Leivers at Bigsby Garden in New York City. Galleshaw held the title for 18 months beginning in 1960 before losing it in a shocking upset to Bert Parks but he regained the crown last November and successfully defended his title in February against Will Flowers. Galleshaw enters the fight with a 36-2-1 record. Leivers, 34, held the title for a spell in the mid-1950s, taking it from another Englishman Joe Brinkworth and making two successful defenses before losing to Brad Harris in 1957. He is 43-2-1 and will be facing Galleshaw for the first time. On July 1 at Toronto's Dominion Gardens local hero and World Middleweight champion George Quisenberry will look to set off some Canada Day fireworks with a defense against Marc Maisonneuve. Quisenberry, who won the ABF world crown for a third time last December when he beat Lyman King, enters the bout with a record of 40-2-4. Little is known about Maisonneuve, 41-10-1, a native of France who has never fought on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 06/09/1963 Cardinals are preparing to elect a new Pope after Pope John XXIII was laid to rest early in the week. High level discussions on a nuclear test ban treaty will begin soon in Moscow, President Kennedy announced this morning. Kennedy pledged that the US would refrain from further atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons as long as no other nation resumes testing. In California before a planned trip to Europe, the President was a surprise guest at a high school prom. A race riot in North Carolina left one man dead and several wounded. Heavily armed police and troops battled Moslem mobs in Teheran calling for the overthrow of the Shah. 20 died in the fighting and at least 1,000 were injured. Pro-Communist terrorists broke into the US Military Mission in Caracas, Venezuela before setting it on fire and burning it to the ground, making good on their threat to destroy the building. None of the missions personnel were harmed. An American scientist from the Carnegie Institute lashed out at the nation's moon program, branding it wasteful and damaging to "almost every effort of science, technology and medicine." Dr. Phillip Abelson added "I think the rush to get to the moon is taking away from our national security."