MAY 5, 1975
SEMI-FINALS UNDERWAY IN NAHCThe long road to the Challenge Cup has narrowed, and the Boston Bees are now seven wins away from adding a tenth championship to a trophy case that has gathered more dust than silver in recent years. Boston opened its best-of-seven semi-final with an emphatic statement, overwhelming the Los Angeles Stingrays 8–3 in the opener, a game highlighted by a four-assist night from veteran defenseman Andy Agar.
For Agar, and for his longtime blue-line partner David Bertrand, the performance carried extra meaning. Neither has ever been part of a Challenge Cup winner in Boston colors. Bertrand, now 35, is the senior Bee, having debuted back in 1961-62—two seasons after Boston last lifted the Cup. Since then, the Bees have reached the final twice, only to be turned away by Toronto two years ago and by Chicago in the spring of 1965. This year’s club, which owned the league’s best regular-season record, is determined to avoid another near miss.
Boston’s path to the semi-finals was anything but easy. The Bees were pushed to the edge by a stubborn Minneapolis Norsemen side before finally prevailing with a 6–3 win in a decisive game seven. Los Angeles, by contrast, arrives riding momentum after knocking out the defending champion Philadelphia Rogues in six games. Alvin Yardley, now second in playoff scoring, struck for his seventh goal of the postseason in the clincher, a tally that stood as the winner before the Stingrays added an empty-netter to close out a 6–4 victory.
The other semi-final pairing begins tonight at the Montreal Arena, where the Valiants host the Chicago Packers. Chicago has been idle for nine days after dispatching Toronto in five games, while Montreal is coming off one of the postseason’s most dramatic moments. The Valiants appeared bound for overtime in game seven against Vancouver until veteran Ed Halliday stunned the Civic Coliseum with a goal in the final 15 seconds of regulation. The strike completed a hat trick for the 34-year-old Halliday, who finished the series with seven goals.
Montreal enters the series as a slight favorite, having taken two of three meetings from Chicago during the regular season.
FALCONS AND MAULERS SPLIT OPENING TWO GAMES OF CHL FINALIt should come as no surprise that the Milwaukee Maulers and Winnipeg Falcons ended up being the two participants in the Continental Hockey League playoff championship series. The two clubs each collected 97 points on the season, tops in the CHL with the Maulers earning the top seed and home ice advantage in the playoffs due to their higher win total. They were also, by a wide margin, the two highest scoring teams in the CHL this season.
The battle for the Continental Cup opened in Milwaukee but it was the Falcons, led by two goals from league scoring champ Tim Moore, that pulled out a 4-3 victory following an overtime goal by Taylor Moyse. The Maulers, a first year club that continues to defy expectations, bounced back with a 4-2 victory on home ice over the weekend but now must go to Winnipeg for the next two games and hope for a split if they wish to regain home ice advantage in the best-of-seven series.
DALLAS DOMINATES CONTINENTAL MONTHLY AWARDS; SLIP ONCE CALENDAR FLIPS TO MAYThey didn't have a rookie with any consideration, but the then first place Wranglers had far and away the best hitter and pitcher in their association. It seems offseason workout techniques to improve Steve Prather's conditioning also helped his hitting, as the hopefully no longer fragile outfielder followed up last year's September Batter of the Month with this year's April award. Now 31, the 3-Time All-Star slugged .353/.433/.565 (170 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 4 homers, 15 runs, 21 RBIs, and a lethal 12-to-3 walk-to-strikeout ratio. The perfect miss of discipline and usually extra base slug, but the increase in homers could be big for the team leader. Now in his 9th season, his career high in homers is 14, and he's failed to reach double digits in each of the last two seasons. Well on his way now, he actually leads the team in homers, one ahead of star sluggers Nick Parker (.302, 3, 15, 1) and Buck Stout (.347, 3, 17, 2), with the trio of heart-of-the-order doing what they can to get Dallas to the postseason for the first time
On the mound, it's a one man show, which is exactly why Pete Rosenbaum got the nod. The only Wrangler with a sub-4 ERA, he was 4-1 in his 5 starts, working to a 1.50 ERA (257 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts. Despite those dominant numbers, they're middle-of-the-pack in runs allowed, and their now 4.33 starter's ERA is second highest in the association. 19-game winner Larry Perry (0-5, 6.51, 27) should be having far more success then he is, but aside from some solid arms in the pen, there isn't anyone else they can rely on. If you can get the game to Asbury Ashmore (1-2, 3, 1.12, 10), it's a good chance they'll hold on, but when Pete isn't on the mound it's far from a given. They survived so far, but it's a long season and you need a deep team to make things happen.
Then when May came, all their April luck went away. Rosenbaum lost his first start, allowing 7 hits, 7 runs (4 earned), and a strikeout, as the visiting Chicago Cougars pulled off and improbable sweep. Outscoring the April co-leaders 22-12, it dropped the Wranglers to .500. And while they were getting swept by the Cougars, the Seattle Kings were sweeping the back-to-last-place Kansas City Mavericks, quickly breaking the tie and taking a comfortable 2.5 game lead. The reigning champs quickly shook off their slow start, getting outstanding pitching from Moe Lowery (3-2, 2.68, 30) and Bill Harris (2-2, 2.87, 20), while Bob Glowacki (.350, 6, 12) is crushing everything in sight and Mike Griffith (.323, 3, 18) picks up him or whatever he left on. Seattle has a big series coming up in Chicago, where they'll square off with one of the two second place clubs.
*** Mavericks Stopper Top Rookie in April ***
Just like the formerly first place Dallas Wranglers, the Kansas City Mavericks are nursing a five game losing streak, and they had something to celebrate when April awards were announced. A weak rookie class helped, but top-100 prospect and former 3rd pick Jack Turner was still worthy of the month's accolade. Making 14 appearances in 26 April games, the 22-year-old righty was 2-2 with 5 saves, earning a 2.95 ERA (132 ERA+), 2.83 FIP (73 FIP-), and 1.41 WHIP. He did strike out (11) just one more hitter then he walked (10), but the poise the young righty has shown late in games has impressed members of the league.
Still viewed by some as a starter, closing out games may be a better fit, even if he does have the stuff to start. Predicted by OSA as a #2, he has a deep repertoire with plenty of movement, and he's done well keeping the ball in the park. Including two May games, he has just 1 homer in 23.1 innings, and it came against the first place Kings and recent acquisition Jack Lucas (.222, 2, 8, 2; .264, 3, 11, 3) in his most recent outing. Right now the command isn't great, but it is expected to be an asset of his. With more success, he could pitch his way into the rotation, but if they want to win games this season, it may be best to keep the promising youngster in the role he's excelled in.
LALLY TOP FED BAT, REST OF AWARDS GO TO UNLIKELY POTENTIAL CONTENDER
As the Los Angeles Suns sit at the top of the Fed and their Western division, you can once again thank superstar shortstop Tom Lally. The reigning Whitney winner and former Kellogg winner has already cemented himself as a great in the game, and his start of April has put him ahead of the pack for more hardware. Making an even 100 trips to the plate, Lally hit a robust .364/.420/.557 (170 OPS+), totaling 3 doubles, a triple, 4 homers, 16 runs, 23 RBIs, and 10 walks. Paired with outstanding defense at short (1.3 ZR, 1.061 EFF), his 1.8 WAR is best in the Fed, and while it's far too early to think Triple Crown, he leads in average and RBIs, just two homers away from a tie for the Fed lead.
Far from a one-man show, he's not the only reason the Suns lead the West, as Bill Perry (.372, 4, 13, 3) is undergoing a surprising breakdown, and the outfield of Henry Hart (.337, 2, 16, 4), Jim Thurman (.333, 2, 10), and last year's homer and steal leader Sam Forrester (.289, 5, 18, 7) is the clear class of the lead. Pitching is not as secure, especially the rotation, but the pen has been nothing short of lockdown. Aside from Heinie Schmidt (3-1, 2.25, 26) starts, you can't rely on too much from the rotation, making the role of their back end guys so important. Both Ron Clark (2-1, 7, 2.63, 12) and Jimmy Blair (1-0, 1.76, 5) are already in double digits for innings, and they've been as quality as you can ask for. Good teams win close games, and Clark and Blair are responsible for a lot of their team's success.
A few games back of the Suns is the Minneapolis Millers, who somehow had both the best pitcher and rookie in the Fed. The pitching award was not without it's controversy, as instead of one of the two perfect 4-0 Chiefs (who both won their first May start by the way), or any of the sub-2 ERA pitchers, it went to the Millers' stopper Ben Baird. Don't get me wrong, Baird is a big reason the Millers have more wins then losses, but it feels weird giving it to him. The 4-0 records helps, as did the 7 saves, but a 2.42 ERA (166 ERA+) and 1.41 WHIP aren't overly impressive. What is, is the 17 strikeouts in 23.1 innings, and the only April game he blew the team ended up winning. A converted starter, he can go multiple innings, and he's been far more effective then he was last year. Leading the Fed with 94 appearances, he was a busy 17-15 with 21 saves and a below average 4.51 ERA (83 ERA+) and 1.54 WHIP, and if the Millers want to compete he will need to be nails in the ninth.
They'll also need help from upstart rookie Bill Barber, who was a far more deserving selection for the award. A former 10th round pick, he won the shortstop job out of the spring, replacing longtime shortstop Rusty Robertson (.185, 2, 10), who was shipped to New York in the offseason. Already looking like an upgrade, Barber hit .319/.361/.484 (129 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 2 homers, 11 RBIs, and 13 runs. May has been slower, off to a 2-for-14 starts, but both hits are homers, and he still holds a .295/.333/.495 (124 OPS+) season line in 111 PAs. Ranked just outside the top-100 prospect list, he's up to 105 in FABL and 12th in a deep Minneapolis system, he's quickly demonstrated his plus contact ability. His defense has been shaky to start (-2.8 ZR, .916), but with more experience he is expected to be at least average there. Already among one of their best position players, really just #1 center fielder Bill Powell (.323, 3, 9, 2) is more of a problem for the opposition, and he's done a good job positioning himself as both a long-term building block and Kellogg candidate with the first part of the season now complete.
- Both teams leading the Continental are red hot and overtook the teams that opened the week ahead of them. For Milwaukee, the Arrows left the top for just a single week, slumping behind the Cannons, before ripping off six straight wins. This includes a huge three game sweep in Cincinnati, allowing them to retake the East. In the West, the Kings finished off a perfect 6-0 week, now winners of each of their last 8. Their lead is a game shorter, 2.5 to Milwaukee's 3.5, as both take on their top trailer. Seattle will be Chicago for three while Milwaukee will be in New York to take on the Imperials. A sweep can't get the Imperials to the top, but both chasers have a great opportunity to trim their deficits.
- Leads are slimmer in the Fed, with the first and second place teams in both divisions tied in terms of wins. Losses make the leads 1 and 1.5 games, with Baltimore on top of Atlanta and the Suns above the Chiefs. Few expected success from the Clippers, the tied for youngest franchise who has yet to win 81 games. An excellent 14-8, they just swept the Gothams while Atlanta has dropped 4 of 5. In the West, both the Suns and Chiefs are coming off series wins, and they won't meet during the month of May.
- Monthly awards took most of the headlines, but Player of the Weeks were distributed to the Chiefs' Rankin Ziegler (.362, 3, 16, 2) and the Sailors' Charlie Jarzombek (.464, 3, 11, 3). A third year infielder, the half-German Ziegler is off to a great start to the season, culminating in a 13-for-27 week where he collected 3 doubles, a triple, a homer, 5 runs, and 6 RBIs. Now hitting .362/.395/.500 (143 OPS+), the switch hitter is hitting noticeably better then he did in parts of two seasons, and his 3 home runs are already one away from a career high. Jarzombek, meanwhile, hit a laughable .706/.684/.1.235 (420 OPS+) with a pair of homers, as he tries to explain that he deserves more then a part-time role. Starting just 12 of his 22 appearances, the 23-year-old holds a lethal .464/.492/.714 (229 OPS+) line, grabbing a double, 2 triples, and 3 homers, driving in 11 and scoring 5 times. Ranked as the 48th best prospect, he's got more talent then your regular 4th outfielder, and it's only a matter of time before one of the non-Pete Gibson (.300, 11, 5) spots goes to him.
- After a month, two Continental hitters are still at the .400 mark, with Montreal's Joe Robertson (.400, 14, 3) right there, and Milwaukee's Rich Moyer (.410, 3, 10, 2) 10 points higher. Other notable leaders include John Babb (.283, 5, 28), who's 28 RBIs are 7 more then any other Continental hitter, the five wins Chiefs starters Nate Carr (5-0, 4.38, 23) and Johnny Maples (5-0, 2.50, 35) share, or the 12 steals from Comets' first basemen Johnny Adams (.310, 3, 11, 12), who's been caught just once and is the first FABL base stealer to reach double digits.
- Jim White (4-0, 3.13, 31) quickly became the second pitcher with multiple shutouts, victimizing another Canadian team in the process. This time it was the Saints, held to 6 hits and 3 walks as the 27-year-old ace struck out 7. A perfect 4-0 on the season, he has three starts with zero runs allowed and one with nine, holding an excellent 3.13 ERA (123 ERA+), 2.42 FIP (62 FIP-), and 1.10 WHIP with 31 strikeouts. Teammate and co-ace John Alfano did the same, spinning a 2-hit shutout with no walks and 6 strikeouts. Now 3-2, he's got a decent 3.27 ERA (118 ERA+) and 1.31 WHIP, but he's actually walked (21) more guys then he struck out (20). A little inconsistent this year and most, he's been either dominant or vulnerable, but this start was most impressive as he was on a day less of rest, and could have gone far longer then the 106 pitches needed.
- There was another shutout, as Keystone Buzz Lucas (1-2, 2.16, 18) put the Eagles through a Buzz Saw. An unlucky 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA (115 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP in a pair of April starts, his first May one was the best of his career. In the 6-0 shutout he allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 9 for the first win of his season. A towering 6'6'' righty, it was the first shutout of his career, as he looks to break his career high of 12 starts now that he has what looks to be a stable rotation spot.
- Almost as common were 5-hit games, including one from the Player of the Week Rankin Zeigler. Game 9 of his current 11 game hit-streak, he was a perfect 5-for-5 with a run, 3 doubles, and 3 RBIs in a 9-4 win over the Pioneers. The other went to Montreal's Ken Steinbach (.302, 2, 14, 1) to start the week. 5-for-5 with a triple, homer, 3 runs, and 3 RBIs, he was a key part of their 12-2 win over the Foresters. Not usually a common feat, three FABL hitters have already managed a 5-hit game this season, with the first Pete Gibson on the 16th.
- Tom Lorang (.272, 1, 16, 2) finally hit his first homer as a Cougar, taking Ed Smith (2-2, 4.45, 19) deep in Chicago's 3-0 shutout win. The big acquisition of the offseason, Lorang was off to an ice-cold start, but an uptick in production the past two week has elevated his season line to .272/.407/.370 (116 OPS+). He hasn't had much slug, just 7 extra base hits in 113 PAs, but he's drawn a Conti high 21 walks with just 15 strikeouts. Despite his pedestrian start, the Cougars are a game over .500, and looking to stay relevant in what could be a very difficult CA West division race.
- After a pretty healthy start to the regular season, multiple FABL clubs were hit with injuries to finish the week. Already dealing with a sore thumb, Billy West (.371, 3, 18, 6) is now dealing with knee inflammation as well, with a week of rest expected for a full recovery. Unlikely to leave the lineup, he's hit .371/.458/.618 (192 OPS+) with 13 extra base hits, 17 runs, 18 RBIs, and 16 walks in 25 games for the Cannons. More serious is the concussion suffered by Larry Cimino (.286, 2, 6), as the resulting PCS should keep him out of action for the next four months. Potentially a season ender, the sixth year infielder finally had a starting role, making 24 starts at second for St. Louis. A former 7th Rounder, he did appear in 143 games (68 starts) for the Pioneers last season, but his .286/.402/.429 (126 OPS+) batting line to start this season was even better.
- A day before these diagnosis, the Imperials learned they would be out a member of their pen for a full calendar year, as Hal Radabaugh (0-0, 1.00, 5) tore a ligament in his elbow. After cups of coffee in each of the last two seasons, he made New York's Opening Day pen, allowing just 1 run off 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5 in 9 innings. Already an edge of the roster player, this injury could end his FABL career, as the now 27-year-old entered the year with limited previous success. On the bright side, the Imps did get 1B/OF Mike Counts (.158, 1, 5) back, as they activated the now healthy former All-Star. Fracturing his foot during the spring, he got off to a slow start, 3-for-19 in 6 starts. He did homer, the 61st of his career, and will look to return to the type of hitter who owns a 140 career WRC+.
- Our last piece of injury news takes us to Montreal, where Reid Barrell (.298, 3, 12, 2) suffered an oblique strain during the Saints 7-6 win over the Imperials. A key piece of the win, going 2-for-2 with a double, homer, and 2 RBIs, Barrell is expected to miss at least the next two weeks. The 34-year-old was doing well in a lightened role, batting an excellent .298/.389/.617 (173 OPS+) in 19 games. Far higher then his .253/.310/.401 (105 OPS+) career line, it was a nice boost to a team that saw star Dixie Turner (.245, 1, 8, 8) get off to a sluggish start.
- As expected, the Foresters claimed starter-turned-stopper Larry Warren (0-1, 3, 4.82, 9) off waivers from the Clippers. A real fireballer, Warren's decline from ace to waived has been well-documented, but a change of scenery could really do him well. A former 1st Overall pick, he can either fill the rotation with the highest Conti ERA, or give support to the still runless Bob James (0-0, 5, 0.00, 5) and Charlie Sawyer (1-0, 0.00, 9) at the back of their pen. Now in his first new organization, Warren is a veteran of 1,240.1 FABL innings, 68-70 with 22 saves and a 3.38 ERA (116 ERA+). Recently turned 27, I wouldn't right him off just yet, and we could look back to this transaction as a key one for a Cleveland team in need of pitching.
- Cleveland also lost a pitcher, as the waiver hunting Cougars picked up a guy they waived prior to claiming Warren. Not a high quality piece, Leroy Williams (0-1, 13.50, 1) was hit hard in two appearances this season, and has just 10 (3 starts) since his 1971 debut. He does have some upside, with OSA believing he can fill a back-end rotation spot, but he is expected to join a Cougar pen that struggled in April. May has been better early on, with just one reliver allowing a run in three games, and he could report to Chicago as early as this Tuesday.
SIGNS OF LIFE AT THE PARK: THE COPPERHEADS GET BIT [/b]
BOSTON — It has been a week of whiplash for your Boston Minutemen. While the club still finds itself staring up at the rest of the FA East from the basement, they finally decided to pack some fight in their luggage, posting a 4-4 week to pull the overall record to 7-14. It is a small step, but after the month we just endured, I will take a small step over a giant leap backward any day of the week.
The week started in the shadow of the capital, and it was the same old song at Columbia Stadium. Bill Kelly took the hill against his old club and looked like he was trying to pitch around the entire ZIP code, handing out five walks in just over five innings. A Wise homer kept us in it, but we dropped the opener 4-3. We salvaged the split the next night with a gritty 7-4 win in ten innings, though Bud Shireman gave me a few more gray hairs by blowing the save in the 9th. Thankfully, the bats bailed him out in the 10th.
Then came the trip to Baltimore, which started as a total disaster. Johnny Hall was once again a human gas can, walking four and giving up six earned. Even a late-inning power surge from Dick Ward and Jim Morton couldn't save us because Les Snyder decided to join the "Blown Save Club." We dropped that one 10-8, officially mercifully ending the month of April with a 4-11 record.
Sully’s Stance: April was a punch to the gut, but the way May started was even more frustrating. Hank Springer pitched his heart out at Patapsco Field, but the defense played like they were on ice skates. Usually dependable guys like Dale Raz and Willie Stephens coughed up errors that led to two unearned runs in a 6-5 loss. When you are struggling to score, you simply cannot give away free bases.
So, after a dismal 2-7 road trip, what do the Minutemen do? They come home and punch the first-place Atlanta Copperheads right in the mouth. Boston took three of four from the best team in the division. It started with a Howard Smith walk-off single to bail out Shireman (who has now blown four saves, a stat that should make everyone nervous). We dropped game two when the bats went silent, and Kelly walked another five batters—a trend that is officially alarming.
But then, the miracle happened. Charlie Roberts gave us seven innings of beautiful two-run ball to win game three, and in the finale, Johnny Hall actually looked like a big-league pitcher. He charmed the Copperheads for six innings, giving up just one run.
Sully’s Stance: Of course, this team wouldn't be the Minutemen if they didn't follow up a big series win with a head-scratcher. We opened the current series with Baltimore by handing them a 4-3 win thanks to two Howard Smith errors. Smith is the hero with the bat one minute and the goat with the glove the next.
One thing I have noticed while hovering around the dugout is that Bill Gallagher is starting to run away with the starting catcher job. He is hitting a scorching .390 while Ed Cole is languishing at .231. If you hit, you play—it is that simple. Bob Menz is also starting to look like the player we traded for, lifting his average to a respectable .280.
We have five games left on this homestand with Baltimore and Detroit coming to town. In the next few weeks, I’ll be keeping an eye on the farm reports to see who is knocking on the door in the minors. Until then, let’s hope the boys can keep their heads above water.
Stay warm, Boston. The coffee is finally starting to taste a little better.
WOLVES LIMP HOMEAfter starting the eight game road trip 2-0 the Wolves lost 5 of the last six including being swept in a three game series in the Big Apple by the Imperials. New York has a 6-0 record when facing Toronto in 1975 which is not sitting well with Carl Evans.
The first inning of the first game in Dyckman Stadium was a harbinger of things to come in this set. Toronto went down in order on 12 pitches by Don Brader then the Imperials came to the plate to face Red Bullock, who to this point was the Wolves best starter. In what only can be described as a comedy errors NY scored 7 runs in their half on 3 hits,* two errors by 3B Pearce, another by callup George Pearce along with 3 walks. Another error in the bottom of the second by Bradshaw led to 2 more runs for the home side after Bradshaw had tried to atone for his error by homering in top half. Evans decide that was end of Red's day. His line for day was 2 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 1 ER, 2 K, 3 BB, 69 tosses in a game in which the Wolves were embarrassed 11-2.
The clubhouse was closed to reporters for awhile after the game while Evans berated the team who had made 6 errors. The next day the fielding was better although the pitching wasn't when Lee Humphrey was lit up in the 5th for 4 runs including a 3 run shot by Mike Counts which made the score 6-2. Toronto scraped together 2 more runs but it was too little, too late.
Hoping to escape with one win the Wolves were thwarted by Jim White who tossed a complete game 4-0 shutout before 15,305 on the first day of May.
Toronto played host to Cincinnati at the right time. The Cannons were on a losing streak when the Wolves bats woke up taking down the visitors 10-1 on Friday night with the big hit being a Edwin Viramontes base clearing triple. This allowed Espinosa to square his record at 2-2 after the Cannons had roughed him up last Saturday.
A crowd of 13,412 on windy, chilly Saturday afternoon were treated to a Wolves comeback. Trailing 2-0 after 5, the team rallied for a run in each of 6th, 7th before Heinie Pearce walked it off stroking a double in the bottom of 9 on a Dutch Lane offering to send happy fans home.
Red Bullock took the mound again for the series finale on Sunday after his New York game he would like to erase from memory. Bullock worked out of jams into the 6th giving up on 2 runs on 8 hits, 5 BB, handing the ball to the bullpen leading 3-2. The 'pen could not hold the lead, Bob Bell took Billy Cox deep in 8 that allowed the Cannons to snap their 6 game losing streak 4-3.*Another chilly evening saw the Wolves defeat their Canadian rival from Montreal 5-2 on Monday. George Downing led the offense with his first 3 RBI of the season in Wolves uniform, helping Humphrey run his record to 3-2 with Dick Miller picking up his second save. Home stand continues for the Wolves this week.
TOP SEEDS IN EACH CONFERNCE PUSHED TO 7TH GAMEA pair of upsets in the Federal Basketball League are the potential outcome of tonight's action as both the New York Knights and Minneapolis Bobcats will need to win in their respective game sevens in order to advance to the semi-finals. The Knights, top seed in the Eastern Conference, and the West's top seed Minneapolis each are trying to dispose of the fifth seed in their respective groups.
New York had fallen behind the Washington Statesmen three games to two but forced a seventh game after rallying to a 137-127 victory on the road over the weekend. Dick Van der Linden, who has already won three playoff MVP awards in his career, almost singlehandedly willed his Knights to victory, scoring 42 points and adding 15 rebounds in the game six victory. Meanwhile the Bobcats are in danger of blowing a three games to one series lead on Houston after the Apollos prevailed in each of the last two games including a decisive 136-115 victory at the Astro Arena on Saturday night.
The St Louis Rockets and Boston Centurions have each advanced to the semi-finals. The Rockets, who have won three of the past six playoff titles, moved on to the Western Conference final with a surprisingly easy triumph over Seattle in five games. John Brantner, the regular season scoring leader, picked right up on the same page in the playoffs and is averaging a league high 37.8 points per game in the postseason. Boston moved on to the Eastern Conference final after downing the Chicago Panthers in six games.
STEAMERS REACH CBL FINALAfter posting the best regular season record in the Continental Basketball League the Cincinnati Steamers made short work of the Philadelphia Mariners to advance to the CBL final for the fourth time in the past five years. The Steamers, who eliminated Philadelphia four games to one, have never won a CBL title but will have one last chance to rectify that in what will be the final series in league history. The CBL will be closing its doors and joining the Federal Basketball League prior to the 1975-76 season.
The Steamers are still waiting for an opponent as the West Division series between San Antonio and Denver is not yet decided. The Outlaws missed a chance to eliminate Denver after falling 110-107 at home to the Bighorns. San Antonio leads the series three games to two with Denver set to host tonight's sixth game. The Bighorns defeated Cincinnati in the finals a year ago.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 05/04/1975
- More than 7,000 American personnel and at-risk Vietnamese were evacuated from Saigon as North Vietnamese forces closed in and took control of the city late last week.
- The United States has intercepted a radio transmission indicating nearly 100 Cambodian officers and their wives have been killed by the Khmer Rouge since the fall of Phnom Penh.
- President Ford proposed a $507 million program of aid to care for South Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees through the next twelve months.
- Federal Energy Administrator Frank Zarb says that coal is the answer to the nation's energy problem, and also believes the Clean Air Act is too stringent.
- Treasury Secretary William Simon says that the worst may be over while pointing out that inflation has come down faster and further this year than anyone first estimated.
- Moe Howard, the last surviving member of the Three Stooges, has died in Los Angeles following a brief battle with cancer.