All things Figment - from the pages of The Figment Sporting Journal

[Tiger Fan]

JANUARY 5, 1972

1971 IN THE AFA: WASPS GET THEIR REVENGE
After Blowout Loss to Cowboys a Year Ago, Washington Wins the World Classic

The 1971 AFA season marked a turning point in professional football’s modern era — a year defined by rapid growth in fan interest, expanded television exposure, and redemption for one of the league’s flagship franchises.

It was the second season under the fully unified American Football Association structure, with 26 teams split evenly between the American and National Conferences. Parity took hold across the circuit as 16 of the 26 clubs finished between six and nine victories over the 14-game schedule. Offensively, balance was the keyword: the ground game still dominated much of the play, but a new crop of young quarterbacks — names like Gary Weis, Benjamin Atwell, Bennett Smoot, and Bernie Matteson — began to shape the league’s future.

Most of all, 1971 belonged to the Washington Wasps, who exorcised the ghosts of the previous year’s humiliating 51-0 World Classic defeat by the Kansas City Cowboys. Fourteen years after their last AFA championship, the Wasps climbed back to the top — and they did it at the expense of the very team that had embarrassed them a season ago.

AFA EAST: REDEMPTION IN THE CAPITAL

The Wasps started quickly, winning three of their first four games, but appeared in trouble when veteran quarterback Pat Roberts suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week Four. Into the breach stepped untested rookie Terry Bergeron, a 24-year-old who looked twice his age thanks to a vanishing hairline but played with remarkable poise. Bergeron avoided mistakes, leaned on a ground attack featuring 1,000-yard rusher John Anderson and short-yardage specialist Scott Umbarger, and let the league’s stingiest defense do the rest.

The formula worked. Washington’s 9-7 mark was enough to outlast both Boston and Philadelphia by two games in a crowded East Division race.

The Boston Americans, improved from back-to-back 3-11 seasons, flirted with contention behind an explosive offense but were undone by turnovers, leading the conference with 27 giveaways. The Philadelphia Frigates’ high-risk, high-reward passing attack kept them in the playoff picture until a season-ending three-game skid. The Pittsburgh Paladins (3-11) continued their slide for a third straight year, while the once-proud New York Stars endured their worst campaign since before World War II, winning just twice.

AFA CENTRAL: DETROIT FINDS ITS FOOTING

There hasn’t been much to cheer about in Detroit lately, but 1971 finally brought hope. The Motors captured the Central Division title with a 9-5 record, their first postseason berth since 1963. Detroit’s success came on the ground, as both Dennis Rice and Caleb Luce ranked among the league’s top eight rushers. On defense, second-year linebacker Oscar Kramer, last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, continued his ascent and earned a trip to the All-Star Classic.

The Milwaukee Stags took second at 7-6-1, earning the club’s first playoff berth in its six-year history. Rookie quarterback Rob Stone, the No. 2 overall draft pick from Provo Tech, started all 14 games, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and giving Milwaukee fans a glimpse of a bright future.

AFA WEST: DRILLERS DOMINATE AGAIN

Once again, the Houston Drillers proved the class of the AFA West. Led by the league’s most fearsome pass-rushing duo — John Padgett and Bobby Barrell Jr. — Houston finished with the best record in the American Conference at 11-2-1. Barrell repeated as Defensive MVP, cementing his place as the most disruptive defender in the game.

NFA CENTRAL: COWBOYS SET THE STANDARD

Across the line in the National Conference, the Kansas City Cowboys continued to reign supreme. Boasting their best team since the Pat Chappell era of the old Continental Football Conference, the Cowboys rolled to a 13-1 record — four games clear atop the NFA Central. Their 440 points were the highest total in modern league history, powered by a balanced attack that could beat opponents any way it wanted.

Third-year quarterback Gary Weis took another big step forward, throwing for 2,318 yards and 14 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His favorite target, second-year wideout Davis McCoy, hauled in 50 receptions, while workhorse halfback Charlie Evans led the league with 1,188 rushing yards and earned his second straight Offensive MVP award.

The St. Louis Ramblers chased their cross-state rivals all season and earned the wildcard at 9-4-1. Veteran quarterback Jim Driver, still one of the league’s premier passers, topped all throwers in yardage and earned his fifth All-Star Classic selection.

NFA WEST: ADMIRALS BREAK THROUGH

In the West, the San Diego Admirals captured their first-ever division crown with an 8-6 record, edging out Seattle on the season’s final day. It was also the club’s first winning season in its eight-year history. The catalyst was rookie sensation Ariel Bradbury, an 11th-overall pick from Mobile Maritime, who rushed for 1,103 yards to transform the Admirals’ offense.

NFA EAST: MIAMI’S STEADY SUCCESS

The Miami Mariners remained the class of the East, going 11-3 to claim their second straight division title. Miami has now reached the postseason in seven of its eight seasons, including a World Classic championship in 1968. Their foundation remains familiar — a disciplined defense and a poised young quarterback in third-year starter Bennett Smoot.

PLAYOFFS

The postseason opened with a stunning upset: the Milwaukee Stags, making their playoff debut, shocked the powerhouse Houston Drillers 32-14 on the road. The Stags were 0-4 all-time against Houston entering the season but earned a 20-20 tie late in the regular season with the Drillers, which may have foretold of what was to come. Rookie Milwaukee quarterback Rob Stone was clearly not intimidated by Padgett and Barrell Jr.'s pass rushing prowess as the Stags signal caller threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns to lead his club to the upset victory.

Elsewhere, the script held true to form. Washington advanced past Detroit 19-14 behind four Adrian Christensen field goals, extending the Maroons’ playoff drought, which dates back to 1936. In the National Conference, Kansas City rolled over St. Louis 38-14 behind 264 passing yards and two scores from Gary Weis, while Miami, powered by Dave Kinard’s 125 yards and two touchdowns, cruised past San Diego 35-6.

The semifinals set up a repeat of last year’s World Classic — Washington vs. Kansas City. The Wasps routed Milwaukee 42-13 as Bergeron threw for 190 yards and running backs Scott Houle and Scott Umbarger combined for five touchdowns. The Cowboys, meanwhile, trampled Miami 29-3 behind a bruising 248-yard rushing effort from Leroy Avens (139) and Charlie Evans (109). But the victory came at a cost — Weis was injured and ruled out for the championship game.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIC GAME

Without Weis, Kansas City’s juggernaut suddenly looked vulnerable. Backup Clarence Briggs, a 1967 sixth-rounder from Carolina Poly, had attempted just 30 regular-season passes in his four-year career. He filled in admirably against Miami but faced a far stiffer challenge against a hungry Washington defense seeking redemption for last year’s humiliation.

The first half was a tense, low-scoring affair dominated by field goals until the Wasps broke through just before halftime to take a 10-7 lead. In the second half, Bergeron opened up the attack, guiding a 96-yard third-quarter drive capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to John Pukas that put Washington ahead 17-6.

Forced to throw, Briggs and the Cowboys sputtered. The backup completed only 9 of 21 passes for 85 yards, unable to solve the Wasps’ coverage schemes. Three more Christensen field goals in the fourth quarter sealed a 26-6 Washington victory — and redemption at last for the capital’s club, ending a 14-year title drought.

Bergeron, the 24-year-old rookie who once led Indiana A&M to an unexpected AIAA collegiate title in 1968, was named Playoff MVP after completing 16 of 24 passes for 200 yards in the championship. In one year, Washington had gone from the wrong side of a 51-0 embarrassment to the top of the football world.

CCLA WINS FIRST COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL TITLE
11-1 Coyotes Top Central Ohio 17-7 in East-West Classic

What a difference a year makes.

At this time last season, Head Coach Tom Bowens and his City College of Los Angeles Coyotes were left wondering why they — and not St. Blane — weren’t crowned national champions. This time, there was no question. Everything broke the Coyotes’ way, and behind a season of disciplined, hard-nosed football, CC Los Angeles capped another 11–1 campaign by claiming its first national title on the gridiron.

It was also the program’s first-ever victory in the East–West Classic, ending a frustrating run of five straight losses in the New Year’s Day showcase although to be fair only Coach Bowens remembers the most recent one which came early in his tenure at the helm but way back in 1956. Their 17–7 triumph in Santa Ana over previously unbeaten Central Ohio proved decisive in determining the national crown.

Entering the game, the Great Lakes Alliance champion Aviators stood alone as the nation’s only unbeaten team at 11–0. They controlled their own destiny in pursuit of a first national title — though many Ohio fans still insist that the 1944 team, led by Christian Trophy winner Jimmy Rhodes, was robbed of that honor despite finishing 10–0.

CC Los Angeles, still feeling the sting of last season’s snub, arrived in Santa Ana with a less certain outlook. The Coyotes were 10–1, their lone defeat coming late in the year at the hands of Lane State. That loss denied them a perfect season but not a conference crown — their first West Coast Athletic Association title since 1956. Ranked fifth entering the Classic games, even a win over Central Ohio would still mean the Coyotes faced stiff competition in the polls from one-loss Commonwealth Catholic and defending champion St. Blane, 9–2, going into their respective postseason contests.

*** Big Second Quarter Lifts Coyotes to Victory ***

The key storyline heading into the East–West Classic was whether the vaunted CCLA defense could contain Central Ohio’s two-headed rushing tandem — sophomores Donald White (1,428 yards) and Frankie Fletcher (1,393), who combined for 28 touchdowns during the regular season and wore down every defense they faced.

The Coyotes had firepower of their own, but their calling card was defense. Linebacker Warren Henderson and tackle Joshua Pearce, both TWIFS All-Americans, anchored a unit that prided itself on discipline and toughness.

The opening quarter was a defensive standoff, with each team committing a turnover and neither side mounting much of a threat. Central Ohio’s defense was just as formidable, led by All-Americans Frank Justice, Kenneth Hollingsworth, and Alfred Delaney — the latter ultimately named the nation’s top defender.

The first break came via special teams. Senior Frank Durant electrified the Santa Ana crowd with a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown — his first ever on special teams — giving CCLA a 7–0 lead. Before halftime, the Coyotes struck again. Running backs Geoffrey McCullough and Lewis Galbraith powered a long drive, with Galbraith capping it off on a 22-yard burst — CCLA’s longest play from scrimmage all afternoon — to make it 14–0.

Central Ohio finally broke through early in the third quarter, with Fletcher taking charge of a rare sustained drive. He reeled off runs of 18, 17, and 22 yards — the last for a touchdown — to trim the margin to 14–7. But that would be the only spark the Aviators could muster.

From that point on, the Coyotes took the air out of the ball. Late in the third quarter, they embarked on a grinding 18-play march that chewed up nearly nine minutes of clock and ended with a 13-yard field goal by All-American kicker Michael McConnell. That kick pushed the lead to 17–7 — and it stayed that way to the finish.

For the first time in the 58-year history of the East–West Classic, the City College of Los Angeles Coyotes were champions.

*** Coyotes Edge Rivals in Final Poll ***

Even after the win, the celebration in Los Angeles was tempered by uncertainty. The final poll would not be released for several days, and memories of the previous year’s disappointment still lingered.

St. Blane, ranked ahead of the Coyotes entering the Classic games, had closed its season with a 24–17 win over El Paso Methodist in the Desert Classic. Commonwealth Catholic, boasting the All-American passing duo of quarterback Willie Thompson and wideout Matthew Williamson, was also in contention after finishing 11–1 with a 20–13 victory over Eastern Kansas in the Sunshine Classic. Chesapeake State (11–1), fresh off a 27–20 win over Chicago Poly, was another team hoping for a late jump in the rankings.

When the final votes were tallied, the Coyotes’ faithful finally had their answer — and their celebration.

CC Los Angeles was number one.

The Coyotes narrowly topped 10–2 St. Blane for the crown, followed by Commonwealth Catholic in third, East–West Classic runner-up Central Ohio fourth, and Chesapeake State fifth.

*** Fighting Saints and Coyotes: Rivalry in the Making ***

St. Blane’s recent resurgence under Coach Frank Dugger has been remarkable. Between their back-to-back national titles in 1946 and 1947 and their revival in the mid-1960s, the Fighting Saints endured lean years in Latrobe. But the last half-decade has proven the program is firmly back among the elite.

Dugger took over a struggling team in 1964 — one that hadn’t been ranked in the top twenty in nearly ten years — and quickly restored its luster. A 7–4 record his first season was followed by a 10–2 mark the next, including a Classic Game win. Then came the perfect 1966 season that stunned the country. Since then, Dugger’s clubs have posted three straight 10–2 campaigns and two runner-up finishes surrounding their 1970 championship. His record now stands at 73–20, with a spotless 5–0 record in New Year’s Day games and two national titles to his name.

Tom Bowens’ story in Los Angeles has followed a similar arc but needed much longer to reach its zenith. Now in his third decade at CCLA, Bowens endured some brutal seasons — including a 2–8 mark in 1961 — before building the Coyotes into one of the nation’s premier programs. The past two years, with back-to-back 11–1 finishes and now a national title, mark the high point of his long tenure.

Looking ahead, another showdown between the Saints and Coyotes could be on the horizon as both squads look loaded for next year. St. Blane returns eight starters on both sides of the ball, while CCLA expects to lose only three total — plus McConnell, its All-American kicker.

The two programs rarely meet — just twice since 1952, with each winning once — but if their recent trajectories are any indication, college football fans across the country would welcome a renewal of that matchup in the near future. In the meantime, they will have to be content to clash only in the polls, where each club has been rewarded with a victory in the form of a National Championship over the past two years.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES

• Cal Matlock of El Paso Methodist was named the winner of the Best Quarterback Award for the second year in a row, making him the first two-time winner of the relatively new trophy. The Bandits went 9-3 this season but lost for the third year in a row on New Years Day with each of the last two being at the hands of St Blane in the Desert Classic. Matlock has used up his eligibility and there are doubts he will play on Sunday's. He is a decent passer by college standards, but his real strength is running the ball. Matlock gained 1,436 yards on the ground this season, topping the 1,000 yard mark for the second year in a row.
• According to the OSA this will be quite a recruiting class for El Paso Methodist as they have landed both of whom the OSA are calling the top two recruits in the nation. That would be defensive tackle Jason Krebs, a Texas native, and tight end Perry Williams, who is from Maryland.
• Staying with recruiting it looks like both Georgia Baptist and Noble Jones College lost out on the top quarterback in that nation despite him growing up in their backyard. Lauren Marsh, a native of Tyrone, GA., says he will play for Alabama Baptist next season.
• Conjuring up memories of the famous Rome State backfield of the mid-forties where both Gus Thompson and Chet Donelson won the Christian Trophy as teammates in a two-year span, we now have the Payne State Mavericks pair of Mark Burchett and Robert Field. The Mavericks went 7-4 this season and finished fourth in the nation in rushing yards with Field, the 1970 Christian Trophy winner and Burchett, this year's winner, sharing the ball carrying duties. This was Burchett's senior season so he will not have a chance to defend his Christian Trophy, won after gaining 1,916 yards and scoring 13 rushing touchdowns this season. He was injured much of last season but still topped the 1,000 yard mark. Field was a junior this season so he will be back for a chance at a third straight Christian Trophy for the Mavericks. Field has rushed for well over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons including 1,983 as a sophomore and 1,328 this time around.
• Burchett graduates with 6,442 yards rushing, which is the second highest career total since stats were tracked beginning in the 1950s. He trails only another former Christian Trophy winner in former American Atlantic back Jack Dobbins, who gained 6,763. Field has one season left but needs 2,007 to tie Dobbins, Only four back have topped 2,000 yards in recent memory including Dobbins record of 2,300 set in 1958 and the 2,036 gained by George Strange of Charleston Tech this season.

PLENTY OF CHALLENGERS FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

The ABF heavyweight belt changed hands twice in 1971 and the division is loaded with a number of talented fighters, which may make it tough for any one man to hold the belt for long. The year began with Pete Vassar at the top of the pile after the 25-year-old Brooklyn native handed Tony Rocca his first professional loss in October of 1970. Vassar followed that up with a unanimous decision over Raymond Jefferson in March under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Next up was a meeting with European champ Bradley bater in July and the 30-year-old Englishman surprised everyone with a technical knockout win over the champ.

Bater's time at the top of the division was short-lived as he headed across the Atlantic with the belt. Vic Carbone, the 24-year-old who was born in Italy but grew up in New Jersey, followed Bater as the two had scheduled a title fight for October in Paris. The calm, methodical Carbone, who relied on his patience to wear opponents down, outpointed Bater using just that approach to become World Champion. Carbone allowed Bater to tire himself out looking for a knockout and then scored big points with timely counters. The bout was even at the midway point, but all three judges agreed that the challenger had won each of the final six rounds and scored a convincing victory.

Brendan Perron of Ireland took the middleweight title with a victory in Dublin over former champ Horace Zimmerman in January and would hold the crown through a trio of defenses including a rematch with Zimmerman in New York. The welterweight title continues to be the sole domain of George Helveston, who has been champion since the fall of 1969.

The Year That Was
Current events from 1971

• January 12 – “All in the Family” premieres on CBS. The groundbreaking sitcom debuts, tackling social and political issues with humor and controversy, marking a major shift in American television.
• January 25 – Charles Manson and three of his followers are found guilty of the 1969 Tate–LaBianca murders, closing one of the most notorious criminal trials in U.S. history.
• February 9 – A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hits Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, killing 65 and causing widespread damage to hospitals and freeways.
• March 1 – Weather Underground bombs U.S. Capitol. The radical antiwar group detonates a bomb in a Capitol restroom to protest U.S. involvement in Laos; no one is injured.
• April 5 – Françoise Ducros resigns amid Quebec unrest. In the aftermath of the 1970 October Crisis, political tensions in Quebec remain high, with separatist movements gaining traction across the province.
• April 19 – Soviet Union launches Salyut 1 as the world’s first space station goes into orbit, a major achievement in the space race that underscores Soviet engineering prowess.
• June 13 – Pentagon Papers published. The New York Times begins printing excerpts from a secret Defense Department study revealing U.S. government deception in Vietnam policy, sparking a landmark freedom-of-the-press case.
• July 3 – Jim Morrison, The Doors' frontman, dies in Paris at the age of 27, joining Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in the era’s grim “27 Club.”
• July 15 – In a stunning diplomatic move, President Nixon reveals plans to visit Communist China, signaling a dramatic thaw in U.S.–China relations.
• August 15 – The U.S. effectively ends the Bretton Woods system by taking the dollar off the gold standard, reshaping global finance and ushering in floating exchange rates.
• September 9–13 – Inmates at New York’s Attica Correctional Facility seize control of the prison, demanding better conditions. A violent state retaking kills 43 people, shocking the nation.
• October 1 – Walt Disney World opens in Florida. The massive entertainment complex near Orlando opens its gates, quickly becoming a landmark of American popular culture.
• October 25 – The United Nations votes to seat Communist China and expel Taiwan, a major geopolitical shift in Cold War diplomacy.
• November 24 – “D.B. Cooper” hijacking. A mysterious man hijacks a Northwest Orient airliner, collects a $200,000 ransom, and parachutes into the Pacific Northwest night — never to be found.
• December 18 –In the wake of the gold standard’s end, global monetary realignments lead to the first formal dollar devaluation of the U.S. dollar since World War II.
• December 31 – Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s government officially adopts multiculturalism as national policy, recognizing the country’s ethnic and cultural diversity as a defining strength.

[Tiger Fan]

MAY 2, 1972

POLLACK'S GONE, BUT NEW STARS EMERGE
Powered by Hobie Barrell Motors Win Second Cup in 3 Years

Retired legend Quinton Pollack may no longer be a fixture atop the North American Hockey Confederation scoring parade, but Hobie Barrell continues to shine and was joined by a host of other young stars, who seemed poised to lead the league through the decade. Names like Pat Valentine in St Louis, Danny Cabbell of the New York Shamrocks and Vancouver's Matt Brophey are youngsters already making their mark and will soon by joined by among others a pair of Philadelphia Rogues rising talents in Adam McPherson and Gary Yeadon. There is no shortage of young talent, and much of it on the eight new clubs that have been admitted to the league over the past five years.

The best record in the regular season belonged not to Montreal, as the Valiants dipped to second place in the East Division after seven consecutive years sitting on top of the league entering the playoffs. Instead it was Boston which set a franchise record for points with 112, topping the century mark for the first time in franchise history. That Boston finally surpassed the Valiants was not the biggest surprise of the season. That was reserved for the St Louis Sawyers, who finished second overall with 104 points - far and away the best showing by a new club since expansion entered the picture in 1967 and further proof that the new teams are catching up to the original six.

Boston's franchise best 51 win season was primarily attributed to the club's focus on defense with goaltender Alexandre Daoust (44-12-7,2.42) continuing to provide the Bees with consistent goaltending. The 29-year-old native of Montreal won his first Juneau Trophy as top goaltender and was named to the Second All-Star team. Defenseman Andy Agar (20-37-57) had a breakout season on the Boston blueline while the veteran trio of Bruce Callahan (28-47-85), Ray Dupuis (27-44-71) and Nick Quinn (35-29-64) were the offensive catalysts.

There was trepidation about the Valiants season well before it started with the long expected news that Nathan Bannister elected to retire at the age of 40 after 1,110 games over 19 seasons during which he accumulated a record 8 Juneau Trophy wins and backstopped Montreal to 4 Challenge Cups. League wide Bannister's retirement was overshadowed by the departure of Quinton Pollack but had no less of an impact on Montreal than the scoring king's decision affected Toronto. They knew it was coming but Montreal had no young goaltender they were grooming to replace Bannister. Fortunately for Vals fans, the club stumbled on Flynn Rucks (30-16-8, .238), a 31-year-old who had bounced around the minors for a decade but made the most of an opening in the Montreal cage and went on to have a terrific rookie campaign. Scott Dueck (34-50-84) was his consistent self with another strong season to lead the offense and Gil Thibault (27-30-57) had his most productive offensive season from the blueline at the age of 40. The Vals had to manage without their other star defenseman for much of the campaign as injury limited Mark Moggy (3-15-18) to just 17 games. Moggy has won the Dewar Trophy as top rearguard seven times but this year it went to Thbault, who claimed his third win. The Valiants also benefitted from veteran defenseman Don Roeszler (12-29-41) stepping up to fill the void left by Moggy and being named to the post season all-star team for the first time in his career.

Detroit finished in third place with 88 points, 11 back of Montreal, with a fully healthy Hobie Barrell (53-60-113), who missed the start of last season recovering from a major knee injury suffered in the 1970 playoffs, back at the top of his game. The 31-year-old won both the McDaniels Trophy as MVP and Denny Trophy as leading scorer for the fourth time in his career. Barrell also became just the third player in NAHC history to surpass the 1,000 point plateau and is just 8 goals away from joining Quinton Pollack and Tommy Burns as 500 goal scorers. His 53 goal campaign this season was the second highest total ever recorded, trailing only the record 63 he set two years ago. Barrell also joined Pollack as the only players in NAHC history to have three 100-point seasons. Barrell accomplished all that without his usual playmaking center for half the season as a hand injury limited 28-year-old Yves Dagenais (10-26-36), who had the two highest assist seasons in NAHC history with 71 and 70 over the two previous years, to just 40 games.

The biggest surprise in the East Division was that the Quebec Citadels qualified for the playoffs in just their second season in the league. Quebec finished just two points back of third place Detroit and was comfortably in the playoff picture with an 11 point gap on both Toronto and Chicago, who tied for fifth. The Citadels have some young talent like defenseman Miles Johnson (10-29-39) but they have built a hard-working team around veterans acquired in deals like Derek Post (36-38-74) from St Louis and Julian Mooney (30-33-63), who came over from expansion partner Calgary early last year. 23-year-old goaltender Pat Conlan(19-9-6, 2.27), a 1970 expansion draft choice, has exceeded expectations and gave the Citadels a strong presence in net.

That left three of the original six clubs on the outside looking in at the playoff participants. The Toronto Dukes found out quickly that Quinton Pollack's production was not going to be replaced. With Pollack's 105 points to close out his unparalleled career the Dukes led the NAHC is scoring with 286 goals last season. Without Pollack, the Dukes 221 goals this season were the fewest of any of the East Division clubs. Without Pollack on their line, Ollie Perreault (32-50-82) had a 25 point drop off and Hank Knackstedt (36-34-70) saw his production drop by 27 points.

Chicago finished tied with Toronto for fifth place, 9 points out of the final playoff berth. It marked the second time in the past three seasons the Packers missed the playoffs after qualifying for the post-season each of the 10 previous years. Last place, as usual, belonged to the New York Shamrocks, who have not played a playoff game since the spring of 1960. Perhaps there is hope for the future as 25-year-old Danny Cabbell (20-67-87) took another step forward with a career best point total and the son of former New York legend Orvl Cabbell is quickly developing into one of the top playmakers in the league.

*** Future Extremely Bright For Sawyers ***

A heartbreaking first round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Rogues certainly ended the season for the St Louis Sawyers on a down note, but the club had quite a regular season, becoming the first of the expansion teams to surpass 100 points in a campaign. The Sawyers are loaded with young offensive talent including Pat Valentine (39-66-105), Hugh MacLaren (27-42-69) and Charlie Rodgers (22-40-62) -the Sawyers top three scorers are just 24,23 and 24 years of age respectively. St Louis was the highest scoring team in the West Division and fourth overall in goals for while at the same time surrendering the fewest against. 31-year-old Carl Dutove (19-8-7, 2.26) had the lowest goals against average in the league and earned a spot on the Second All-Star Team. Valentine did one better, becoming the first Sawyer ever to be named a First Team All-Star and also won the Yeadon Trophy for gentlemanly play while finishing second to Hobie Barrell in both the scoring race and voting for the McDaniels Trophy.

The Los Angeles Stingrays followed up a trip to the Challenge Cup finals last spring with a second place finish this time around. Alvin Yardley (28-33-61), a 24-year-old in his fourth season with the Stingrays, led the club in scoring. The Vancouver Totems, who finished second a year ago, dipped to third place. The Totems have high end talent at the top of the depth chart in young Matt Brophey (35-42-77) along with veterans Patrick Ferguson (21-45-66) and Alan Porter (27-31-58) but Coach Doug Yeadon's charges lacked depth.

Yeadon was likely wishing his son Gary Yeadon (28-33-61) was with him in Vancouver instead of debuting for the fourth place Philadelphia Rogues. The younger Yeadon played 6 games for Quebec a year ago as a 19-year-old but was acquired by the Rogues and went on to win the McLeod Trophy as rookie of the year.

That left the Minneapolis Norsemen missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. San Francisco has never made the playoffs but the Gulls did have workhorse 25-year-old goaltender Mathieu Savoie (20-40-5, 3.21) earn a spot on the First All-Star team thanks to his impressive .917 save percentage despite receiving little in the way of support from the club in front of him. Second year franchise Calgary finished in last place despite the presence of Benny Barrell (18-39-57), an expansion draft choice from Detroit two years ago, and a pair of promising rookies in Scott Spencer (23-25-48) and Henry Waugh (17-26-43).

NAHC PLAYOFFS

The quarterfinals to open the playoffs saw each of the four series require a different number of games to complete. The first place Boston Bees swept surprise qualifier Quebec in four games. Only the last game, which ended with a Neil Wilson overtime goal was close. Montreal, despite missing Dewar Trophy winning defenseman Gil Thibault with an injury, nipped third place Detroit 6-5 in the opener of their series but the Motors then reeled off four consecutive victories to take the series in five games.

In the West Division the third place Philadelphia Rogues upset division leading St Louis in six games with three of the Philadelphia wins coming via overtime goals. The Los Angeles vs Vancouver 2-3 matchup was even tighter as it required the full seven games with the Totems winning two games in overtime before advancing with a 4-1 victory in game seven.

The divisions crossed over for the semi finals so it was Boston against Vancouver while Detroit took on Philadelphia. The Motors had little difficulty with the Rogues, outscoring them 23-13 and taking the series in five. Boston, on the other hand, had its hands full with Vancouver and for the second series in a row the Totems were forced to play a seventh game after the Bees and Vancouver alternated victories over the first six. Patrick Ferguson, one of the first minor league free agents signed by the Totems when they were granted a franchise in 1968, was the game seven hero, scoring once and adding a pair of helpers as Vancouver knocked off the league's best regular season team with a 4-1 victory in the seventh game.

*** Finals A Detroit- Vancouver Rematch ***

The Vancouver Totems have been around for just five seasons but they have now made three playoff appearances - that's the same number the New York Shamrocks have made in the past forty years....and Vancouver won a Challenge Cup in 1969, something the Shamrocks did not accomplish in the last 40 years.

The finals would be a rematch of the thrilling 1970 Cup final won by Detroit over the Totems in seven hard fought games. It was the Motors fourth trip to the finals in the past six years and included Cup wins in 1967 and 1970 sandwiched around a 1968 series loss to Montreal.

The Challenge Cup battle opened in Detroit's Thompson Palladium but it was the visiting Totems, already suiting up for their 15th playoff game, that seemed to have more jump. Matt Brophey with his seventh of the playoffs and Patrick Ferguson with his 8th gave the visitors an early lead but Detroit quickly tied the score before the first period was over. Three more goals from Vancouver, including Brophey's second of game, put the Totems up 5-4 after forty minutes Detroit's Andrew Williams tied it midway through the third period on a power play but a late Motors penalty gave Vancouver an opportunity and Brophey set up defenseman John Kleebaum on the power play with less than three minutes remaining. It stood up and the Totems took a 6-5 victory to open the series.

Detroit fans were stunned when the Totems scored four times in the first 12 minutes of game two and made that hold up for a 4-2 victory that left the west coast club in command of the series - heading home for two games with a 2-0 series lead.

It was a much different Detroit team that took the ice in game three as they took the early lead and thanks to a four-goal game from veteran winger Andrew Williams the Motors easily won game three by a 5-2 score. The Totems took a 2-1 lead into the third period of game four, but Detroit tied the game with less than five minutes remaining on a Joel Couture goal and then won it in overtime on a point shot from Moe Inglis, a 26-year-old Detroit rookie, who picked a perfect time for his first career playoff goal.

Tied at two, the Motors returned home and kept the momentum going with a 4-3 victory in game five. Williams scored his 15th of the playoffs while Hobie Barrell had two assists to increase his playoff leading point total to 24. Game Six would see Barrell take charge, assisting on what would be the Cup clinching goal by Yves Dagenais and scoring an insurance marker to make it 3-1 Detroit midway through the second period. The Totems had their chances over the final twenty minutes but could not solve Detroit goaltender Sean Kempster, who shut the door to preserve the 3-1 Challenge Cup clinching victory. It marked the 9th Challenge Cup win in franchise history for the Motors.

Hobie Barrell, who finished with a playoff record 26 points, became the first two-time winner of the David Welcombe Trophy as playoff MVP.

ROCKETS FLYING HIGH IN FEDERAL CAGE LOOP

Over the past five years, no club in the Federal Basketball League has soared higher than the St. Louis Rockets. Since the start of the 1967–68 season, St. Louis has compiled an astonishing 318–92 record, good for a .776 winning percentage — the best mark in the league. The Rockets’ 64–18 performance this season only solidified their reputation as the FBL’s gold standard.

Together with the New York Knights, winners of the last two playoff crowns, the Rockets have owned the league’s upper airspace. Between them, they’ve captured each of the past four FBL championships — the Rockets in 1969, the Knights in 1970 and 1971, and now St. Louis once again in 1972.

*** A Season for the Ages ***

This year’s Rockets didn’t just win — they dominated. Their .780 winning percentage isn’t an all-time record, but the past four St. Louis clubs now hold four of the nine best regular seasons in league history. Not since the powerhouse Washington Statesmen and Brooklyn Red Caps of the 1940s — first in the old American Basketball Conference and then the early Federal years — has the league seen sustained excellence like this.

*** Playoff Heartbreak Turns to Triumph ***

The Rockets’ regular-season brilliance hadn’t always translated to postseason success. In 1970, the New York Knights, behind Dick Van der Linden, bested St. Louis in six games for the championship. The following year, St. Louis suffered a shocking first-round exit when the Seattle Emeralds — a club that finished 20 games back — stunned them in seven.

This spring, there would be no repeat of those disappointments. Led by league scoring champion John Brantner, who topped the FBL for the second straight year, St. Louis carried its regular-season dominance right through the playoffs. Brantner didn’t repeat as league MVP — that honor went to Van der Linden, who added it to his pair of Playoff MVP trophies from the Knights’ championship runs — but the Rockets’ star forward had the last laugh.

*** A Near-Perfect Playoff Run ***

Determined to avoid another stumble, the Rockets rolled into the postseason in full flight. They swept the Milwaukee Hammers in the opening round, then dispatched Seattle in five games in a measure of sweet revenge. That set up a long-awaited rematch with the Knights, who had finished six games behind St. Louis at 55–27, still good for second-best in the league.

New York, aiming to become the first team ever to win three straight FBL titles, ran headlong into a Rockets juggernaut. St. Louis swept the series — and the postseason — with ruthless efficiency, finishing 12–1 overall, the best playoff record in FBL history. The mark narrowly edged the 1958–59 Knights, who went 11–1 back when the opening round was best-of-five.

It was also the first Finals sweep since the 1950–51 Detroit Mustangs blanked Washington in four straight. Only two teams in FBL history have lost just once in a postseason: this year’s Rockets and those ’58–59 Knights.

*** Finals Recap: Rockets Run the Table ***

The championship series opened at the Gateway Center in St. Louis, and the Rockets wasted no time reminding their hometown fans who ruled the league. Al Denning poured in 36 points, and Brantner added 34 with 18 rebounds in a 145–127 shootout that made defense an afterthought. Van der Linden led New York with 39, but the Knights were outgunned again in Game Two, 120–103, as Brantner (29 points) and Denning (27) kept the Rockets rolling.

The scene shifted to New York, but the results stayed the same. Brantner turned in another monster performance — 34 points and 22 rebounds — as St. Louis edged the Knights 116–112 in Game Three. The sweep was completed the next night, 112–109, with Brantner scoring 31 and hauling down 23 boards.

Over the four-game series, the Maryland State alumnus and two-time collegiate All-American averaged 32 points and 18.5 rebounds per contest, earning an easy nod as Playoff MVP.

*** The Dynasty Debate ***

With five dominant regular seasons and now two league titles in four years, the Rockets have firmly entrenched themselves among the elite dynasties in Federal League history. While the Knights’ recent run may have grabbed headlines, the numbers — and the hardware — say the power has shifted back to St. Louis.

The Rockets are once again the class of the Federal Basketball League — and for now, everyone else is just trying to catch their vapor trail.

MARINERS RISE FROM DEPTHS TO CLAIM CBL CROWN
Division Winners Still Snakebit

Finishing first in the Continental Basketball League has turned into a dubious honor. Ever since the league’s inaugural season in 1967 — when division champs Dallas and Baltimore met in the finals — no first-place club has made it back to the championship series. The 1971–72 campaign proved no exception, as both division leaders again bowed out before the final round.

*** Steamers Top the East 888

The Cincinnati Steamers once again ruled the East Division, finishing five games ahead of last year’s winners from Louisville. It marked Cincinnati’s second division crown in three years. The Steamers were powered by two Second Team All-League selections — forward Roger Williams and veteran guard Phil Brouwer. For Brouwer, the 28-year-old Bayou State product who’s spent all five CBL seasons in Cincinnati colors, it was his third such honor.

As a team the Steamers led the league in scoring, while the second-place Louisville Spirits relied on the ageless Earl Arsenault to keep pace. The 32-year-old center — a two-time league MVP, four-time First Team selection, and two-time playoff MVP — captured his second league scoring title this season. Arsenault, a former All-American at North Carolina Tech, continues to defy the calendar, proving that experience still counts in a league increasingly dominated by youth.

The Norfolk Mariners finished third in the East, and the final playoff berth went to the Baltimore Chargers, who edged Tampa for the spot. Both teams finished 37–41, but Baltimore’s two late-season victories over the Suns — coupled with a 7–5 edge in their season series — secured the tiebreaker. The Pittsburgh Ironmen again brought up the rear, missing the postseason for the third straight year.

*** Portland Prevails in the West ***

Out West, the Portland Pioneers jumped out to an early lead and barely held on down the stretch to claim the division crown, finishing two games ahead of the defending champions from Dallas. The Drillers’ season was hampered by the loss of playmaker Mark Robinson, who missed 40 games with two different foot injuries. When Robinson finally returned, Dallas caught fire, winning 10 of its last 11 contests. His backcourt partner, Elias Sipple, took on the scoring load in Robinson’s absence and earned his first All-CBL First Team selection.

A three-way battle for the final two playoff spots saw the San Diego Breakers finish third despite a .500 record, while Kansas City edged Denver for the final berth. San Diego’s fortunes rose behind 24-year-old sensation John Jenkins, arguably the most exciting player in professional basketball today. The former Northern Mississippi star — who won three consecutive Barrette Awards as college basketball’s top player — followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign by capturing league MVP honors.

The Kansas City Plainsmen, last year’s champions, extended their playoff streak to five seasons, while Denver and Phoenix once again missed the cut. The Bighorns have now reached the postseason just once in five years; the Scorchers, likewise, have only a single playoff trip to their name.

*** Playoff Surprises: Mariners and Breakers Take Command ***

Unlike the previous two years, both division winners advanced past the opening round — though not without drama. The top-seeded Cincinnati Steamers swept Baltimore with ease, while Portland needed all five games to shake off defending champion Kansas City. The Pioneers survived the scare, rallying from a 2–1 deficit with decisive wins in Games Four and Five. Those victories, however, would be their last of the year.

The San Diego Breakers, led by the spectacular Jenkins and aided by steady scoring from Randy Baker and veteran Joe Darnell, eliminated Dallas in four games before stunning Portland with a four-game sweep. In doing so, the Breakers reached the CBL Finals for the first time, having entered the postseason with an 0–6 franchise playoff record.

Over in the East, the Norfolk Mariners upset the defending champion Louisville Spirits in four games in the quarterfinals, then carried that momentum into a six-game triumph over Cincinnati to earn their first trip to the title round.

*** CBL Finals: A Coastal Classic ***

The 1972 CBL Finals marked uncharted waters for both clubs — and the fans were treated to a series that won’t soon be forgotten.

The championship series opened in Norfolk and before a national television audience John Jenkins made his presence felt. The San Diego star had a triple-double with 33 points, 11 boards and 12 assists and electrified the crowd with both his acrobatic moves and no-look passes. He technically had a quadruple double if you want to factor in the 11 turnovers but he was so exciting to watch that few noticed. However, as good as the league MVP was on this night it was not enough to earn a victory for the visitors. Norfolk, may not have had the highlight reel plays, but they had four players top the 20 point mark led by John Lavallee, a 26-year-old forward, in the 136-123 Mariners victory. A day later the Norfolk Mariners led the series 2-0 as the followed up the game one triumph with a 118-91 victory.


Back home in San Diego, the Breakers roared back. Jenkins’ all-around brilliance fueled a 119–96 victory in Game Three, and he poured in 30 points in Game Four as San Diego evened the series with a 137–115 triumph. Veteran forward Pepper Whitney then took center stage in Game Five, scoring 34 points with 14 rebounds in a 117–97 win that pushed the Breakers ahead three games to two.

But the series still had to return to Norfolk — and home court proved decisive once again.

*** Lavallee Leads Mariners to the Title ***

Game Six was the thriller of the series. San Diego trailed nearly the entire way but briefly took the lead with five minutes remaining. Lavallee, however, wouldn’t be denied. The 26-year-old forward dropped a game-high 35 points, including two clutch baskets in the final minute, as Norfolk pulled out a 126–125 victory to force a decisive seventh game.

The finale was all Mariners. Norfolk jumped out early and never trailed, building a 20-point cushion after the first quarter and cruising to a 127–110 victory. The win gave the Mariners their first CBL title — and capped a remarkable postseason run for a club that peaked at exactly the right time.

Lavallee, the former Coastal California standout and Norfolk’s first-round draft pick in 1968, was named Playoff MVP, cementing his place in CBL history as the hero of the Mariners’ championship voyage, and for at least one more year denying John Jenkins about the only thing the 24-year-old as yet to achieve - a professional basketball title.

[b]COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECAP
MARYLAND STATE BENGALS SURPRISE WITH 1972 AIAA TITLE
Underdog From the South Atlantic Tops Amarillo Methodist in Overtime for Crown

The South Atlantic Conference has long been ruled by its twin North Carolina giants — the Carolina Poly Cardinals and the North Carolina Tech Techsters. Between them, the two bluebloods have captured ten AIAA national titles and made an astounding 27 trips to the national semifinals. Their dominance has left little daylight for the rest of the SAC to shine.

Maryland State, meanwhile, has spent most of its history as the league’s perennial third wheel. The Bengals’ lone brush with glory came in the spring of 1960, when a late March hot streak carried them to their first and only national title — an all-SAC championship game victory over Charleston Tech at New York’s Bigsby Garden. That contest was only the second all-SAC national final ever, the first coming back in 1934 when, naturally, Poly and Tech met for the crown.

So when Maryland State — fresh off a modest 21–10 season and another early tournament exit — began its 1971–72 campaign, few could have foreseen what was to come: a school-record 32 victories and a national championship.

*** A Senior Core and a Rising Star ***

The Bengals entered the season with experience and balance, led by four seniors — guard Claude Korn, forwards Les Nash and Ed Stoffel, and center Alvin Graham — all of whom had never advanced past the tournament’s second round. Rounding out the starting five was sophomore guard George Milligan, a former SAC All-Freshman team pick poised for a breakout year.

That breakout came quickly. Milligan’s steady play and timely shooting powered the Bengals to a 14–1 start, capped by a championship in the Preseason Tournament of Champions at Bigsby Garden — a fitting preview of the triumph to come on that same floor in April.

The Bengals’ early success was unprecedented for the school, but the real test arrived in late January when SAC play began with back-to-back dates against the two North Carolina powers. Maryland State passed with flying colors, routing Carolina Poly 67–46 behind Graham’s 16 points, then humbling North Carolina Tech on the road, 68–42.

By season’s end, the Bengals had accomplished the unthinkable — a 4–0 sweep of Poly and Tech. Their only conference loss came in a 55–43 stumble at Eastern State, which finished last in the eight-team loop. Their only other defeat, a December 30 lapse against 11–19 Frankford State, left them at 27–2 heading into the AIAA tournament — a record-setting mark and good enough to earn a rare No. 1 seed.

*** Exorcising the Ghosts of ’69 ***

The only other time Maryland State had been seeded that high was in 1969, when a 27–4 squad was upset in the second round by Western Iowa. The seniors still remembered that sting suffered during their freshman campaign — and were determined not to repeat it.

This time, the Bengals handled the pressure with poise. They breezed through the opening round, dispatching eighth-seeded California Catholic 52–32 behind Stoffel’s 12 points. In the second week, they survived a stern test from Minnesota Tech, outlasting the Great Lakes Alliance club 58–54 thanks to balanced scoring — no player reached double figures, but all five starters plus reserve Bob Linville scored at least seven.

Two days later, the Bengals faced another Great Lakes foe in Indiana A&M for the East Region title. Nash turned in the game of his life, posting 17 points and 10 rebounds as Maryland State earned a 53–44 win — the program’s third straight victory in a regional final.

Suddenly the Favourite in New York ***

That triumph sent Maryland State to Bigsby Garden for just the third time in school history — and, remarkably, the only No. 1 seed still standing. Upsets had swept the field, knocking out top-seeded Detroit City College and Whitney College in the first round and defending champion Mississippi A&M in the second.

The four teams left in New York were all outsiders. Maryland State, with its 1959–60 title, was suddenly the favorite at 30–2. Baton Rouge State returned to the semifinals for the second straight year, while Central Kentucky and Southwestern Alliance champion Amarillo Methodist both reached uncharted territory.

*** Milligan’s Masterpiece ***

In the semifinals, sophomore George Milligan delivered a performance for the ages. The New York City native poured in 24 points in his hometown, hitting all ten of his free throws, and almost singlehandedly carried the Bengals past Baton Rouge State, 59–50. His defensive work was just as impressive — he held All-American guard and Barrette Trophy winner George Ogletree to six points and limited the pro-bound senior to just 16 minutes before fouling out.

In the other semifinal, Amarillo Methodist edged Central Kentucky 52–50 when Charlie Williams hit two free throws with eight seconds remaining.

*** Overtime Glory ***

The championship game began as a grind. Amarillo Methodist led 24–22 at halftime and extended the margin to seven midway through the second half. But Maryland State refused to fold. Milligan sparked the rally with six quick points, Korn dished out four assists in five minutes, and with 4:46 left, Milligan’s jumper from the right wing gave the Bengals their first lead of the half, 48–47.

Neither team managed much down the stretch, and a late bucket by reserve Harry Flanagan tied it at 50, forcing a rare overtime for the AIAA crown.

The extra session opened fast. The Grizzlies jumped ahead 53–50, but Maryland State responded. Milligan sank two free throws, Graham added one, and Nash hit two more to push the Bengals in front for good with 2:48 left. From there, the Bengals never looked back, closing out a 60–55 victory and their second national championship.

*** A Championship and a Challenge Ahead ***

The victory placed Maryland State in elite company, joining North Carolina Tech and Carolina Poly as the only South Atlantic Conference programs with at least two national titles.

But with four starters and their top reserve graduating, the Bengals face an uphill climb next season. Head coach Mark O’Brien, named National Coach of the Year, built this title team on depth and discipline rather than star power — though Milligan may soon change that equation. The sophomore guard emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the country, and O’Brien’s incoming class includes three Top-50 recruits, led by New York forward Michael Russo at No. 28. Maryland State may lose its veterans, but with Milligan and a promising group of newcomers, the Bengals may not be gone from the national stage for long.

[size="5'] AIAA CAGE NOTES[/size]

• The number one recruit is Frank Wesley, a high scoring forward out of Milwaukee, WI., who has committed to Detroit City College. The Carolina Poly Cardinals are never far from the news, and they made headlines by signing a recruit from a very famous sporting family. That would be Wayne Messer, son of former Liberty College Barrette Trophy winner and FBL star Ward Messer and nephew of former New York Gothams baseball player Walt Messer. Wayne was born in Detroit while his dad was playing for the Mustangs but played his high school ball in Washington DC at the famous Capital Academy. He was rumoured to be set to join Wesley and play for Detroit City College until a surprise let announcement came that he would be joining the Cardinals.
• Speaking of Detroit City College, the Knights were led by Roman Sollars Jr., who's dad was a star for the school in the early 1940s and then spent a decade in the Federal Basketball League with another team known as the Knights in New York. Roman Jr was a first team All-American selection this year as a junior, a feat his father accomplished his senior season at Detroit City College.
• Hard to say which of the two first round flameouts was the biggest disaster this year. Both came from the Great Lakes Alliance which has had a long history of failing to live up to tournament expectations although it was tempered somewhat by four GLA national champions between 1964 and 1968 (Detroit City College 2, Indiana A&M and Central Ohio one each). The Knights 59-45 opening round loss to Ohio Poly, which had precisely one tournament win since 1945 was a shock but the Whitney College Engineers getting knocked off by South Valley State might have been bigger upset. The Roadrunners had lost 13 straight tournament games dating back to 1934.
• According to OSA, Maryland State could have as many as three of its graduating players in the pros next year. Alvin Graham is part of a very deep crop of centers but should be selected early in the first round while forwards Leo Nash and Ed Stoffel may also be drafted at some point. None of the three have decided on which draft they will declare for - the Federal League or the five-year-old Continental loop.

Next up will be the review of the 1972 baseball season.

[Tiger Fan]

With college football and college basketball getting plenty of attention in TWIFS write-ups, the amateur and minor leagues that develop talent for FABL and the NAHC are much more of a mystery. As we wait for the 1972 baseball season to be completed, and we edge even closer to the resumption of weekly sims and human General Managers in 1975, we thought we would take a closer look at the supply chain for the Federally Aligned Baseball League and the North American Hockey Association.

Like football and basketball, baseball does draw some of its talent from the AIAA (American Intercollegiate Athletic Association) with more than 200 teams scattered through multiple levels including 131 that compete at the Division 1 level and a berth in the Collegiate World Championship Series, which is a season ending 16-team tournament.

AIAA baseball rivalled college football for attention in the early days of the sport, but its significance has dropped as more and more often FABL clubs are selecting high school players, most of whom sign and turn pro immediately. As a result, the AIAA College World Championship Series receives almost no attention when compared to college football and basketball.

During the human GM era TWIFS would use a fairly basic excel spreadsheet to determine the CWCS winner but during the yearly advances -due to a lack of time- I just created an OOTP AIAA league and simmed it out, making small adjustments each season to team talent levels to account for the top prospects in the Figment Universe, which runs in a completely separate file.

We used to have All-Americans in baseball and they were selected based on their "created" stats from the draft classes, but that was dropped, also for time reasons, when we went to the fast-forward. For posterity, here are the college baseball champions each year. The pre-1932 winners were from a feeder league and when that was abandoned next came the excel sheet and then in the 1950s and from 1963 to today it was with the separate college file. The whole idea of the college WCS and the All-Americans was to further flesh out the Figment universe since draft class support is an area lacking in OOTP

Baseball does have an extended minor league system with each FABL club having five affiliates scattered over 13 different minor leagues.
The three Triple-A level leagues and many of the lower level loops enjoy a rich history of their own. The Great Western League perhaps is the most colorful as in 1946 it broke away from the minor league hierarchy and declared itself a major league, with the lofty ambition of going head to head against the Federal and Continental Associations.

It survived four seasons as a major league with the San Francisco Hawks winning the inaugural league championship, known as the Bigsby Cup after Thomas Bigsby who was the owner of the Los Angeles Stars and the only President the GWL had during its brief tenure as a major league. The other three titles were won by the Oakland Grays.

In 1950, the west coast major league experiment failed and it went back to being a minor league affiliated under the FABL umbrella but five of the eight cities that were part of the 1946-50 experiment - Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle- are now home to FABL clubs.

The AAA Century League and AA Dixie League actually pre-date FABL as each was formed before William Whitney brokered a peace between rival big leagues and the current structure we know today as FABL was born in 1892. A full eight years before that the Century and Dixie League's took flight. The Century League folded in 1965 but was reborn as a new league three years ago while the Dixie League has continued uninterrupted every year since 1884 and is the longest run professional baseball league in the world.

All eight of the original Dixie League clubs are still alive in some form today. Some have relocated, some have switched leagues and four of the original Dixie League franchises are still in the same city that they were formed in back in 1884 and have never switched leagues. That would be the Birmingham, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville clubs.

The Nashville Chieftans are a Montreal Saints affiliate and have won a record 15 Dixie League titles. Next are the Knoxville Knights, who had a long affiliation with the old Brooklyn Kings and now work with the New York Imperials. The Knights were originally known as the Aces and have won the league title 13 times. Memphis, has 8 titles and is now called the Cougars after their parent club, the Chicago Cougars. The club had previously been known as the Blue Stockings and Excelsiors. The final original club is Birmingham, who have always been known as the Ironman and long been partnered with the Pittsburgh Miners. Perhaps it is a fitting partnership as the Miners have not won a World Championship Series since 1901 and the Ironman have struggled to break similar streak. Birmingham won 8 Dixie League titles in the first 22 years of the loop including six in a row, but they have not won a Dixie League pennant since 1905- a span of 66 years.

The first Dixie League champion, the Louisville Stallions, are also still alive today but they have a new moniker and have switched leagues. The Stallions were rebranded the Derbies and moved to the Union League, which is a AAA level loop, in 1906. Louisville won 5 titles in the Dixie League and 11 more on the Union League where they have long been the top farm club of the Philadelphia Keystones.

Here are the minor leagues association with FABL currently.

There is also an international aspect to the Figment baseball universe. A Caribbean winter league ran for much of the 1950s and into the early 1960s and may appear again in the future. There have also been several leagues based in Japan over the years with the longest running one being the Baseball Association of Nippon, which was debut in 1950 out of the ashes of the old Japanese Baseball Federation and continues to this day, operating with 12 teams.

The most successful team is the Kobe Bulls, who can trace their history back to the birth of big league baseball in Japan when they were one of the original JBF teams that debuted in 1938. They won three titles before that league was shelved in 1944 and have won six more in the BAN, all coming in the last eight years.

The greatest player in the BAN is widely considered to be Susumu Ishii, who is the all-time leader in most career batting stats include hits with 2,685 as of this writing. He is still active at the age of 39, is a 3-time league MVP and 10-time all-star selection. The outfielder began his career at the age of 20 with the Vesutan Bees before moving to the Sapporo Bears in 1966. The top pitcher is also currently 38 years of age. That would be Arata Komatsu, a five-time Kagawa Award winner (top pitcher) who has pitched for Sapporo and Kobe. He leads Japan baseball with 230 career victories.

A number of American players have spent time in the Baseball Association of Nippon with the most successful being Pat Ponder, an infielder who played his college ball at Eastern State and spent a couple of years in the low minors before heading to the Far East in 1954. Another successful one would be outfielder Hank Dunham, who is still playing in Japan for the Hosho Reliables and has for the past decade after a failed attempt to move up the chain in the Washington Eagles system. Dunham is a 4-time BAN all-star and was joined on the Reliables a year ago by Billy McCullough.

There are a few players with plenty of FABL experience currently playing in Japan. William Davis is a 37-year-old pitcher who went 6-13 last season for Sapparo. Prior to that he won a pair of WCS titles with the Philadelphia Keystones and had a career FABL record of 156-131. Dick Champ once won 19 games in a season for the Chicago Cougars and is a 4-time FABL all-star who has spent the past three seasons pitching for the Nagasaki Stars and Hank Walker, who is now pitching for Vesutan, won 110 FABL games while pitching for three different teams.

To date only one Japanese born player has ever played in the major leagues. However, it was well before the days of FABL as Masanori Murakami was a first basemen who appeared in 69 games in the 1870's for the Philadelphia Centennials.

BASEBALL ASSOCIATION OF NIPPON

CANADIAN AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION SUPPLIES MOST NAHC TALENT

In the early days teams in the North American Hockey Association recruited players from a wide range of junior teams scattered across Canada. That changed in 1950 when a dozen of the top junior clubs got together to form the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. It was considered a "Tier One" league in Canada and, much like the NAHC, it holds a draft to divvy up the top 15-year-old hockey players in the country each year. The CAHA continues to thrive and nearly every player to play in the NAHC since has got his start in the CAHA. Among the CAHA stars now shining in the NAHC include Detroit Motors great Hobie Barrell, who led the Halifax Mariners to a CAHA title in 1958 and Danny Cabbell. Cabbell is with the New York Shamrocks now and coming off an 87-point season as a 25-year-old but before joining the Greenshirts spent five seasons with the Sherbrooke Industrials and is currently the CAHA's all-time scoring leader with 473 points.

Since its formation in 1950 the CAHA has featured 12 teams as that was more than sufficient to provide top level talent to the NAHC and the two minor leagues. However, the sport has grown rapidly in recent years with the NAHC growing to 14 teams and more minor league clubs than ever before. Nothing has been confirmed, but there is expectations that the CAHA will expand in the near future.

Parity has ruled the CAHA as 11 of the 12 teams- the Windsor Dominions being the lone exception- have won the league title at least once. Two teams, the Verdun Argonauts and Sherbrooke Industrials, led the way with four titles each. The most recent champion was the Kingston Cadets, who claimed their third crown by doubling the Kitchener Roosters recently in game seven of the 1971-72 league finals. The hero for Kingston, was 20-year-old defenseman Craig MacDonald. A New York Shamrocks draftee, MacDonald scored the series clinching goal and also had two assists in the deciding game.

Here are the teams of the CAHA

There are also three minor leagues for players not quite ready for the NAHC. The top level is the Hockey Association of America, which has been around since the 1920s and contains the primary affiliate for most of the NAHC clubs. The Cincinnati Bobcats, who only joined the HAA four years ago and are affiliated with the St Louis Sawyers, have won each of the last two playoff titles. The Bobcats swept through the current playoffs without losing a game. The Springfield Hornets, who have been the Boston Bees top farm club for more than two decades, lead the HAA with six titles.

The Great West Hockey League was once an elite league but with GWL cities Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver leaving the league when they were granted NAHC expansion teams, the GWL's reputation has dropped quite substantially. The Spokane Lumberjacks have been the GWL champion each of the past three years while the Portland Ports, with 9, have claimed the most titles. Pete Bernier, a long-time Chicago Packer who is now with Quebec and Tim Bernard, who is also with the expansion Citadels after a number of years in Montreal, are two of the best players to suit up for the Ports.

In 1966 a new league was created, called the Prairie Hockey League. Founded in Western Canada originally as a semi-pro league, it now has 8 teams with four Canadian and four American clubs ranging from Edmonton in the north to Seattle in the west and Kansas City in the south. The Regina Wheat Kings have won each of the past three league titles with 24-year-old captain Ray Leblanc, who was drafted by the Detroit Motors but never signed, leading the way.

So that is just a bit of background on the minor league structure for hockey and baseball. The 1972 baseball recap will be the focus of the next update.

[Tiger Fan]

1972 IN FIGMENT BASEBALL
October 28, 1972

LONGEST TITLE DROUGHT IN HISTORY OF SPORTS IS OVER
Pittsburgh Miners Win First WCS in 71 Years

1901 — that was the last time anyone could say, “The Pittsburgh Miners are World Champions.” Not since the dawn of the century had that phrase been uttered — until late October of 1972.

It took 71 long years, seven failed World Championship Series appearances, and generations of frustration before the Miners finally broke through. And when they did, they did it in emphatic fashion — rewriting the record books along the way.

The Miners won a franchise-record 110 games, their best winning percentage since 1904, and became the first club in FABL history to go a perfect 7-0 in the postseason. Pittsburgh swept the St. Louis Pioneers in three straight in the Federal Association Championship Series, then stormed past the Montreal Saints in four to exorcise decades of October ghosts.

Pittsburgh seized first place in the Federal Association East on April 29 during a 13-game winning streak — and never looked back. The Miners were a model of consistency, posting monthly records of 13-7, 17-8, 22-8, and 19-9 before their only “slump,” a 16-12 August. They closed with a 21-6 September to put a bow on one of the finest regular seasons in league history.

As expected for a team that finished 18 games clear of the pack, the Miners dominated nearly every statistical category. They led the Fed in batting average, runs scored, and on-base percentage. Twenty-four-year-old Al Hubbard (.325, 14 HR, 97 RBI) captured his first batting crown, edging teammates Don Riley (.323, 13, 60) and Earl Skains (.321, 41, 154), who finished second and third. Skains, 28, topped the circuit in both home runs and RBI to earn his first Whitney Award.

Shortstop John Newton (.306, 9, 88), acquired in the 1970 deal that sent Reid Barrell to Montreal, made his third straight All-Star team and led the league in hits and doubles. Powered by that core, the Miners’ offense produced 869 runs — 137 more than any other Federal Association team and nearly 100 more than the Continental-leading Saints.

On the mound, Pittsburgh was equally imposing. Their 553 runs allowed were fewest in either league. Marco Middleton (24-7, 2.80), acquired from Cincinnati in 1971, added his fourth Allen Award to the three he won with the Cannons. At age 29, Middleton teamed with 28-year-old Jack Kotarski (17-6, 2.69) to give Pittsburgh a devastating one-two punch. Dick Butler (14-13, 2.98) bolstered the rotation after coming from Detroit at the trade deadline, while Troy Myers (18-7, 2.77) turned in a career year before being dealt to the Chicago Chiefs after the WCS.

Washington won 92 games, but even the steady Eagles finished 18 back. Pitching was their backbone — Jake Watkins (19-9, 2.62), 37-year-old Jim Stewart (15-11, 3.50), and former top prospect Eddie Yandow (15-15, 3.55) held firm. Offensively, Tom Lorang (.295, 20, 90) and Al Marino (.245, 19, 78) led the way, but the Miners’ machine left everyone else chasing shadows. Looking ahead, Washington dealt for 26-year-old righty Sam Rodgers (11-8, 2.81) from the New York Imperials, hoping to bolster an already solid staff.

The defending pennant-winning Philadelphia Keystones fell to third. Veterans Billy Hasson (15-13, 2.86) and Jorge Arellano (16-7, 3.22) pitched well, but the bats of Bobby Phelps (.251, 26, 79), Jesse Walker (.242, 19, 63), and Harry Dellinger (.253, 11, 30) couldn’t keep pace with the cross-state juggernaut.

The New York Gothams started fast but faded quickly, finishing above .500 only in April. The rotation — Bunny Mullins (11-14, 2.97), Harry Hayward (16-9, 2.97), and rookie standout Dick Duke (17-9, 2.67) — held up its end, but offense was scarce. To remedy that, New York traded for Detroit outfielder Ed Davis (.302, 8, 61) after the season.

The Baltimore Clippers finished fifth for the second straight year, with rookie catcher Hank Wallace (.310, 5, 62) and 24-year-old pitcher Larry Warren (16-13, 3.29) offering hope for the future. The Boston Minutemen, though, saw little optimism after finishing last in the East for the third consecutive year — and holding the worst record in baseball for the second straight season.

PIONEERS LEAD THE FED WEST

The St. Louis Pioneers matched last year’s 88-74 mark — but this time, it earned them the division crown. They finished six games clear of the Chicago Chiefs, led by right-hander Red Kline (18-8, 2.53), who topped the Fed in ERA. Offensively, Quinton Vincent (.286, 22, 96), John Richards (.269, 26, 93), and second-year infielder Frank Green (.322, 8, 85) powered the attack.

In Chicago, 41-year-old Vern Osborne (12-14, 3.49) showed signs of slowing but still notched his 250th career win. With his future uncertain, the Chiefs added 18-game winner Troy Myers from Pittsburgh. They’ll join Vean Conrad (17-14, 2.96) and midseason pickup Paddy Williamson (16-9, 2.92) in a deep staff. Shortstop Tom Spruill (.300, 8, 55) turned in a career year, and catcher Roy Johnson (.283, 11, 75) remains among the league’s best.

Both the Los Angeles Suns and Houston Comets finished 10 games off the pace, tied for third. For L.A., it was a disappointing encore to their first division title. Pete Meissner (14-11, 2.96) and Sam Forester (.250, 17, 72) stood out, while 24-year-old Tom Lally (.288, 13, 54) captured the Kellogg Award as top Fed rookie. The Comets’ young arms — Johnny Blackburn (12-15, 2.87), Jay Hunt (16-10, 2.80), and Heinie Schmidt (10-16, 2.84) — give Houston fans reason to believe.

The Minneapolis Millers once again settled for a 75-87 mark — their 11th season without reaching .500 — while the Detroit Dynamos brought up the rear. Detroit traded away two of its better players after the season, shipping Ed Davis and Sam Hamilton (.273, 3, 32) to the Gothams for prospects. About the only bright note for Detroit fans was seeing former Dynamo great Jim Norris win his 300th career game — though for the Chicago Cougars, not the hometown club.

SAINTS CONTINUE TO SHINE IN CONTINENTAL

The Montreal Saints are enjoying life at the top of the Continental Association after decades in the wilderness. Once a team that went nearly 50 years without a playoff berth, Montreal has now made four straight under manager Harry Barrell, including a 1970 WCS crown. Barrell finally earned his long-overdue Theobald Award, guiding the Saints to their first 100-win season since 1916.

Seven-time Whitney winner Dixie Turner (.291, 53, 140) once again led the league’s most potent lineup, joined by Jim Smith (.242, 34, 101), Reid Barrell (.279, 20, 76), Jim Hendricks (.303, 13, 83), and Eddie Thomas (.261, 20, 64). On the mound, Tommy Jackson (15-9, 1.92) emerged as a new ace, capturing his first Allen Award at age 26.

The Cincinnati Cannons finished second, paced by Chief Williams (.290, 22, 90), who earned the Kellogg Award as top CA rookie, and batting champ Pat Miller (.319, 19, 76). A mid-May injury to rising star Billy West (.346, 4, 20) derailed what was shaping up as a breakout season.

The Cleveland Foresters stayed above .500 behind journeyman Roy Rice (17-10, 2.24), who blossomed unexpectedly at age 32. The Toronto Wolves (fourth place) leaned on Red Bullock (18-8, 3.18) and Jackie Daniels (.280, 18, 104), though their playoff drought stretches back to 1940. The New York Imperials tied them for fourth, still waiting for their vaunted young arms to fulfill their promise. John Alfano missed the year after an elbow injury in spring training, and prospect Howie Weston (4-6, 3.99) had growing pains in his debut. The Milwaukee Arrows once again anchored the East, finishing last for the fourth straight year.

STILL THE STARS OF THE WEST

The Los Angeles Stars made it four straight Continental West crowns and seven straight playoff trips. Winners of four WCS titles during that stretch, the Stars’ 95-67 record actually marked their lowest win total since 1963 — yet they remain the class of the CA West.

The cast was familiar. Slugger Bobby Garrison (.290, 20, 78) missed the final six weeks and the playoffs with a fractured knee, but Bill Dunlop (17-13, 2.77) and Floyd Warner (16-7, 2.52) anchored the staff. Bill Bell (.279, 13, 63), Ed Bogan (.288, 16, 56), Ralph Barrell (.231, 19, 78), Lew Smith (.258, 14, 66), and Ed Moore (.222, 17, 60) provided the punch.

The Seattle Kings finished second, a game ahead of the Chicago Cougars but nine behind the Stars. Both clubs are long overdue for glory — Seattle’s last title came 36 years ago and two cities removed, while the Cougars haven’t won it all since 1931. Only the Federal Association’s Washington Eagles (1923) have waited longer.

In Seattle, 39-year-old Hank Williams (.271, 23, 95) continued to defy age, surpassing both 1,500 RBI and runs scored. Tom Hicks (.299, 22, 78) remained one of the league’s top centerfielders, and pitchers Moe Lowery (20-10, 2.61) and Charlie Rushing (20-10, 2.72) both cracked the 20-win mark.

The Cougars, meanwhile, boasted a mix of grizzled veterans and emerging talent. The veteran trio of Hal Adams (18-10, 2.89), Bill Scott (12-10, 2.84), and the newly-minted 300-game winner Jim Norris (12-13, 3.29) carried the rotation, while youngsters Roger Alford (15-17, 3.33) and Bob Goldman (17-10, 3.19) offered hope for the future.

Dallas, San Francisco, and Kansas City rounded out the standings. The Wranglers, now in their 11th year, have still never finished within 20 games of first. The Sailors appear to be slipping into decline after early success, and the Mavericks, in last place for the fourth straight season, remain without a true star anywhere on the roster.

MILESTONES AND OTHER NOTABLES
AWARDS

Dixie Turner (.291,53, 140) won his fourth consecutive Continental Association Whitney Award as league MVP and the seventh of his career. The CA Allen Award also went to a Montreal Saints player as 26-year-old Tommy Jackson (15-9, 1.92) was the unanimous choice. The two main awards in the Fed also went to teammates as outfielder Earl Skains (.321,41,154) won his first Whitney Award while pitcher Marco Middleton (24-7, 2.80) followed up his three Continental Association Allen Awards with his first such honour in the Federal Association.

The Kellogg Award for top rookie went to first baseman Chief Williams (.290,22,90) of the Cincinnati Cannons and Los Angeles Suns infielder Tom Lally (.288,13,54). The Theobald Award for top manager in each association went to the two pennant winners as Harry Barrell of Montreal won for the third time in his career While Don Fox, who replaced Barrell as Pittsburgh's manager in 1969, who the Kellogg for the second time with the Miners and fourth time overall in his career.

HALL OF FAME

For the third time in the past five years the baseball Hall of Fame did not add anyone to Boone County. Paul Anderson, a 213 game winner over his career with the Stars and Detroit, came the closest but appeared on just 70% of the ballots. Charlie Rogers last year and Adrian Czerwinski two years ago are the only inductees added in the past five years.

NO-HITTERS

We went nearly the entire season without one until September 20 when rookie Dick Duke of the New York Gothams no-hit he Philadelphia Keystones, walking 3 while fanning 6 in a 2-0 victory.

50 HOMERUN SEASON

Dixie Turner of the Montreal Saints hit 53 homers to become just the second player since 1955 to smack at least a half century's worth of longballs in a season. The only other player to hit 50 since Earl Howe's 55 homers in 1955 was Sam Forester of the Los Angeles Suns, who hi 53 two years ago.

150 RBI SEASON

Earl Skains became the first Pittsburgh Miners player and just the 13th player ever (4 -Max Morris, Joe Masters, Rankin Kellogg and Bobby Barrell- have accomplished the feat twice) to drive in at least 150 rbis. Skains had 154 rbi's in 1972.

300 WINS
Jim Norris, Chicago Cougars



250 WINS
Vern Osborne, Chicago Chiefs

2500 STRIKEOUTS
Billy Hasson, Philadelphia
Vern Osborne, Chicago Chiefs



2000 STRIKEOUTS
Floyd Warner, Los Angeles Stars
Jim Stewart, Washington

2500 HITS
Harry Swain, Montreal

2000 HITS
John Kingsbury, San Francisco
Dixie Turner, Montreal
Pat Davis, Seattle

500 HOME RUNS
Rod Shearer, Chicago Chiefs



1500 RBI's
Buddy Miller, Montreal
Hank Williams, Seattle

1000 RBI's
John Kingsbury, San Francisco
Bobby Garrison, Los Angeles Stars

1500 RUNS SCORED
Harry Swain, Montreal
Hank Williams, Seattle

400 STOLEN BASES
Harry Dellinger, Philadelphia

300 STOLEN BASES
Jerry McMillan, Chicago Cougars

1972 FABL ALL-STAR GAME
Feds Prevail in 14 Inning Marathon

Fans were treated to extra baseball in the 40th annual All-Star Game after it required 14 innings to declare a winner. It was the Federal Association, which tied the contest in the top of the 9th inning on an rbi-single from Pittsburgh outfielder Don Riley, that eventually prevailed. Riley, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, also singled in the 14th inning as part of a four hit barrage that led to three runs and gave the Federal Association a 6-3 victory.

It marked the second consecutive victory and 8th in the past nine years for the Federal Association, which leads the all-time series 21 wins to 19 for the Continental stars. It was the third time the game was played in Detroit's Thompson Field and the fifth one to require extra innings. The 1972 14 inning contest had to settle for being just the second longest ever player: the 1937 game, won 4-2 by the Feds, lasted 19 innings.

Notable was the fact that 39-year-old Hank Williams was selected for his 13th all-star game. Williams went 0-for-4 in the contest but that does not diminish the fact that he is now tied for the second most all-star game appearances. He, along with Hall of Famers Bobby Barrell and George Cleaves have been chosen 13 times. Only Bill Barrett, with 15, has been named to more All-Star Games.

1972 ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
SAINTS GET BEST OF STARS

The Montreal Saints and Los Angeles Stars have quite a monopoly going as they are the only two teams in the Continental Association ever to participate in the ACS. The Stars prevailed in 1969 and 1971 before going on to win the WCS both times while in 1970 the Montreal Saints knocked off the champs and went on to win their first World Championship Series since 1921.

Each of the first their CACS were decided in four games but this one became the first to go the distance. The Saints won the opener 5-3 at home but dropped the next two games. Reid Barrell's grand slam in the top of first inning stood up as the Saints forced a game five with a 4-2 road win in the fourth game despite the fact that Reid's cousin Ralph Barrell homered for Los Angeles. The fifth game saw Montreal's Tommy Jackson emerge as the hero with the 26-year-old righthander outdueling two-time Whitney Award winner Bill Dunlop by tossing a 3-hit complete game shutout in a 3-0 victory. All of the Montreal scoring came off a pair of homeruns, a 2-run shot in the first inning from Harry Swain and a solo blast by Jim Smith in the 8th.

The Federal Association Championship Series was a rematch of 1969 when the St Louis Pioneers swept Pittsburgh in three games. The Miners, boasting the best regular season record in baseball, returned the favour with a sweep of their own. Jack Kotarski was very good on the mound in a 3-2 win to open the series and he was aided by Earl Skains 2-run homerun in the opening inning. It was the only close game of the series as the Miners followed with 7-2 and 6-1 victories to return to the WCS for the third time in seven years but still in search of their first WCS title since 1901.

1972 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Montreal and Pittsburgh had never met in the WCS before but they had plenty in common. First one was long droughts as the Saints went nearly 50 years between pennants until finally winning one, and the WCS in 1969. Pittsburgh has not won the WCS since 1901 and entered this series on losing streak that has seen them come up short in 7 consecutive WCS appearances.

They also had Harry Barrell in common as Barrell spent much of the 1960s at the helm in Pittsburgh before being fired and signing with Montreal prior to their WCS win. In addition, a number of players, most notably Harry's son Reid Barrell and 7-time Whitney Award winner Dixie Turner, had played for both teams.

GAME ONE

Both teams entered game one on a high. Pittsburgh had swept St Louis while the Saints had knocked off their biggest rival in a comeback from a 3-1 deficit to win their series with the Los Angeles Stars in five games.

The series opened in Montreal and it was the visitors Jack Kotarski that set the tone, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits over six innings before leaving with the Miners ahead 3-1. The Pittsburgh bullpen was also strong and the Miners prevailed 6-1 with a pair of 24-year-olds in Al Hubbard and Howard Smith combining for 4 hits and 3 rbi's.

GAME TWO

Big innings by each club was the story of game two as the hometown Saints jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back doubles by Jim Hendricks and Dixie Turner keyed the early rally. Pittsburgh answered with 4 runs in the fourth frame and again it was the youth leading the way as Howard Smith doubled in a run and fellow 24-year-old Jack Blair homered.

The score remained 4-3 until the seventh when Al Hubbard's third double of the series drove in an insurance run to put Pittsburgh up 5-3. It would prove to be crucial as the Saints got one back with a solo homer off the bat of Eddie Thomas in the bottom of the seventh but that is as close as they would get and Pittsburgh, with the 5-4 victory, returned to Fitzpatrick Park leading the series 2 games to none.

GAME THREE

The most dramatic game of the series saw the Miners enter the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 5-3 but a Howard Smith single followed by a double off the bat of Jack Abasi brought the go-ahead run to the plate with one out. The Saints managed to get the second out at the plate, nailing Smith to make it two out but the first pitch to Jack Blair ended the ballgame as the Miners centerfielder ripped a 3-run walk-off homerun off of Saints reliever Miguel Hernandez to give Pittsburgh a 6-5 win and a commanding 3-0 series lead.

GAME FOUR

The Miners were looking to become the first team in the divisional era to go undefeated in the playoffs and they got a quick start towards that 7-0 record with a run in the first inning courtesy of a Jack Blair sacrifice fly to score Don Riley, who had led off with a double and advanced on a balk by Montreal starter George Williams, who was clearly nervous at the start of the game. Federal Association Whitney Award winner Earl Skains, who had a very quiet WCS, smashed a solo homerun in the third to double the Pittsburgh lead and it went to 3-0 an inning later when a George Williams wild pitch allowed Gale Schmitt, who had led off the frame with a double, to score.

It was 4-0 with Pittsburgh starter Dick Butler turned the ball over to the pen after seven shutout innings in which he had surrendered just 3 hits, all singles. Montreal staged a last ditch effort in the top of the ninth and scored a run of their own on a wild pitch but that was all they would get and the Miners had ended 71 years of failure with a 4-1 victory and a sweep of the World Championship Series.

Jack Blair, the Miners 24-year-old outfielder who went 6-for-18 with 2 homers and 6 rbi's in the series, was named the Most Valuable Player.

MINUTEMEN HEAD 1972 AMATEUR DRAFT

Just as they will next June thanks to a second consecutive season with the worst record in FABL, the Boston Minutemen owned the first pick in the 1972 FABL amateur player draft. Boston needs to land a few gems to try and turn things around for the struggling franchise and they may just have struck gold with their 1972 first overall selection. That would be Charlie Hartsell, a 22-year-old who grew up in Massachusetts but went to Kentucky to play his college ball at Glasgow College. College first rounders are an endangered breed as Hartsell was one of just five selected this year with the other 19 players being out of the high school ranks.

Hartsell spent most of the season at AA and fared quite well, batting .314 with 5 homers in 72 games. He spent most of his time at second base instead of his natural shortstop position and may end up there long term. OSA ranks him #3 in its latest prospect pipeline and suggests Hartsell is the type of player who "could make an impact on a top team."

It may have been a down year for first round talent as none of the other 23 picks cracked the OSA top 15 and just two made the top 25. That would be Otho Hughes, a 17-year-old lefthander out of Galloway, PA., and Mel Malone, a high school outfielder from Oklahoma. Malone, who is 25th on the current OSA list, was selected second overall by the Cleveland Foresters while the Detroit Dynamos chose Hughes with the fifth pick and he is ranked at 18 on the OSA top prospect list.

Here are the 1972 First Rounders as well as the OSA top 20 prospects

Next up the 1972 recap from the gridiron.

[stratonapba]

Well Tiger Fan you need to change your banner on the FABL until 1977 by removing the logo for the Atlanta Copperheads and replace it with the FABL World Champion Pittsburgh Miners, However when we get to 1977: San Diego will get a team along with the Atlanta Copperheads.

[Tiger Fan]

Originally Posted by stratonapba

Well Tiger Fan you need to change your banner on the FABL until 1977 by removing the logo for the Atlanta Copperheads and replace it with the FABL World Champion Pittsburgh Miners, However when we get to 1977: San Diego will get a team along with the Atlanta Copperheads.

Good catch. I have been using the wrong banner. Hopefully the series win means the Miners survive.

[Tiger Fan]

JANUARY 5, 1973

A MOUNTAIN OF AN UPSET
Denver Climbs from the Cellar to World Classic Glory

The 1972 American Football Association season produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history. In a sport where dynasties and consistency often rule, the Denver Mountaineers shattered expectations, rising from mediocrity to mount the sport’s highest peak — a World Classic championship. A year removed from a 5–9 campaign, Denver’s ascent was stunning: a five-win improvement under third-year coach Jock Cameron, shocking road playoff triumphs over Miami and Dallas, and finally a dramatic 17–14 comeback win over heavily favored Houston in the title game.

Entering the season, the Mountaineers were an afterthought. They had never posted a winning record and were a combined 14–28 over the previous three years. In eight seasons, they had never once reached the postseason, much less come close to contending for a championship. But 1972 changed all that.

Third-year quarterback Ben Atwell had shown flashes the previous season, earning an All-Star Classic nod, yet few could have predicted his 1972 breakout. The 1970 second-round pick from Cowpens State threw for 2,590 yards — third-best in the league — and, perhaps more importantly, played with composure beyond his years, completing over 63% of his passes while throwing just three interceptions. He was aided by a stable, veteran lineup: only two new starters — rookies Ronald Cormier at wide receiver and Jesus Franklin at tight end — were added to a roster that otherwise knew the grind. With dependable veterans Jake Smith and Ken Corcoran joining the mix, and bruising back Ron Gorski again eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark, the Mountaineers finally had an offense that could balance poise and punch.

Denver’s rise began quietly but convincingly, with a season-opening stunner — a 16–14 victory in Houston, spoiling the Drillers’ debut without the recently retired John Padgett, the five-time Defensive Player of the Year. Many dismissed it as a fluke, especially when the Mountaineers stumbled soon after. Following a promising 3–0 start, they dropped four straight — three by a mere field goal — and appeared destined for another year in the lower reaches of the standings.

But this time, the Mountaineers refused to crumble. A come-from-behind 27–24 win over the Boston Americans in Week Eight reignited their confidence. From there, Denver didn’t look back, finishing the regular season with six straight wins, then sweeping through the playoffs to cap a 10-game winning streak and a storybook 10–4 season with the ultimate prize — the World Classic trophy.

The Mountaineers were the lone winning team in the National Conference West and entered the playoffs alongside 11–3 Dallas, dominant winners of the Central, and the 10–4 Miami Mariners, who edged the New York Titans (9–5) for the East crown. Miami clinched the division in dramatic fashion, nipping New York 16–13 in the regular-season finale — a game that also confirmed both clubs’ postseason berths, with the Titans taking the wildcard spot.

*** Houston Adjusting to Change ***

If 1972 was about Denver’s rise, it was equally a test of Houston’s ability to adapt to change. With Padgett’s retirement looming large, the Drillers entered the season facing doubts about whether their vaunted defense could remain dominant without its longtime cornerstone. Coach Mario Case, still stung by a stunning first-round playoff loss to Chicago the previous December, had reason to wonder if the Drillers’ dynasty might be waning.

But those fears vanished quickly. Defensive end Bobby Barrell Jr., the heir to Padgett’s legacy, delivered his finest season yet — a career-best 20 sacks and a third straight Defensive Player of the Year award — proving the Drillers’ pass rush hadn’t lost its bite. Houston’s defense once again led the league in both fewest points and yards allowed, restoring its reputation as football’s most feared unit.

On offense, veteran halfback Vern Rebovich and young quarterback John Stevens provided steady production, allowing Houston to shrug off its opening-week loss to Denver and roll to six straight victories. By season’s end, the Drillers had easily claimed the American Conference West Division crown.

Elsewhere in the conference, the defending champion Washington Wasps (10–4) returned to the postseason, topping the East Division two games ahead of the resurgent New York Stars. Quarterback Terry Bergeron continued to mature into one of the game’s top signal-callers, and his chemistry with star receiver Neil Durand kept the Wasps among the league’s most potent offenses.

Rounding out the playoff picture were the Milwaukee Stags, who repeated as AFA Central Division champions with a 10–4 mark, and the New York Stars, who narrowly edged the Detroit Maroons (both 8–6) for the wildcard slot.

AFA NOTES

• Tom Bowens, the pass catching star for Boston and Detroit in the 1940s, is back in the AFA after a long stint as a college coach at CC Los Angeles. Bowens led the Coyotes to the national title a year ago and then accepted a job with the Buffalo Red Jackets, who were coming off a 3-11 campaign. It will be a long road for Bowens, but he did get Buffalo started down the proper path as they improved to 6-8 this season.
• Bowens has two sons playing in the AFA and he brought one of them, Tom Jr., to the Red Jackets in a draft day trade with Philadelphia. Tom Jr. was the first overall pick in the 1969 draft after playing for his father at CCLA. He made 47 catches for 516 yards and 6 touchdowns during his first season in Western New York. Junior is 25 years old while big brother George, also a wide receiver, has spent the past decade in Los Angeles with the Tigers.
• Safety John Davidson, out of Travis College, was the first overall pick in the 1972 draft. The New York Stars selected the 21-year-old and he started all 14 games in the New York secondary, recording 59 tackles and one interception, which he returned 50-yards for a touchdown in a 23-10 win over Seattle.
• Not sure if there was a player with more pressure on him than Roger Hansen. The 1970 first rounder out of Lane State was given the task of replacing the legendary John Padgett at defensive end with the Houston Drillers. Hansen collected just 6 sacks, but was enough of a menace that opposing offensive lines still needed to focus on him, which helped fellow Drillers DE Bobby Barrell Jr. collect a career best 20 sacks.
• Padgett retires with an AFA record 162 sacks. Barrell Jr. and former Chicago Wildcat Joe Bidwell are tied for second in that category with 98.
• New York Titans running back Charlie Radley became the first player since football expansion began in 1961 to win back-to-back league MVP awards. Radley, who ran for a league high 1,871 yards, was also named the Offensive Player of the Year.

DRILLERS REDEEMED, MOUNTAINEERS RISE: THE 1972 PLAYOFFS

The opening round of the 1972 American Football Association playoffs placed the spotlight squarely on Houston. A year removed from a stunning first-round exit — and their first postseason without retired legend John Padgett anchoring the line — the Drillers were out to prove that their dynasty wasn’t done yet. Facing the wildcard New York Stars, Houston found itself in a game that looked nothing like the defensive slugfests they were known for.

Instead, fans were treated to a wide-open shootout. Both quarterbacks, New York’s Jack Osterman and Houston’s John Stevens, topped the 200-yard passing mark, while backs Reid McDuffy and Vern Rebovich provided balance on the ground. The Drillers roared to a 24–7 halftime lead, but New York clawed back in the second half, forcing Houston to sweat out the finish. With just over a minute to play, Stevens hit receiver John Keim from 15 yards out to seal a 37–30 victory and keep Houston’s title hopes alive.

The defending champion Washington Wasps, meanwhile, made quick work of their own opponent. Their 38–6 rout of the Milwaukee Stags was never in doubt, as halfback Scot Umbarger powered through the Stags’ defense for 152 yards and two touchdowns. It was a statement win by a club looking every bit the part of a repeat contender.

That set up a heavyweight rematch in the American Conference Championship — the Wasps and Drillers renewing their rivalry in a reprise of the 1970 classic. Just as it had two years earlier, the game went into overtime, but this time the outcome was reversed. Houston pulled out a 19–13 win on yet another clutch connection from John Stevens to John Keim. Stevens threw for 202 yards and two scores, matching Washington’s Terry Bergeron, who totaled 245 yards and a touchdown in defeat. The difference proved to be Houston’s relentless pass rush. Bobby Barrell Jr., the league’s most feared defensive end, was again dominant with six tackles and two sacks, earning top defensive honors for the second straight week.

On the National Conference side, the Denver Mountaineers’ dream season continued to gather momentum. Making their first-ever playoff appearance, Denver extended its winning streak to eight games by edging the Miami Mariners, 20–17. Bob Weisberg’s pair of fourth-quarter field goals — including the game-winner in the final minutes — lifted the Mountaineers to a victory that stunned the veteran Miami club.

The other conference semifinal was just as tense, with the Dallas Stallions outlasting the New York Titans, 20–13. A seven-yard touchdown burst by running back George Caswell just before the two-minute warning proved the difference, sending Dallas to the next round.

But the National Championship game belonged entirely to Denver’s defense. The Mountaineers’ opportunistic secondary intercepted Dallas quarterback Tom Jude three times — the final dagger coming with less than a minute to play, when safety George Van Beek returned a pick 33 yards for a touchdown. The 20–10 victory was Denver’s ninth straight and secured their first trip to the World Classic, where they would meet the powerful Houston Drillers — a matchup few could have imagined when the season began.

WORLD CLASSIC GAME
MOUNTAINEERS CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT IN CLASSIC UPSET
Denver Stuns Houston 17–14 to Capture First AFA Championship

The ninth annual Super Classic was a meeting of opposites — the old guard against the upstarts. On one sideline stood the battle-tested Houston Drillers, making their fourth appearance under the championship lights, veterans of titles in 1967 and 1969. Across the field, the Denver Mountaineers, newcomers to postseason play, carried a nine-game winning streak and the poise of a club that didn’t seem to know it wasn’t supposed to be here.

Early on, however, it looked like Denver’s lack of experience might be its undoing — until Houston blinked first. On the very first play from scrimmage, Drillers quarterback John Stevens tested the Denver secondary and lost. Safety Jim Hunsberger stepped in front of the throw, giving the Mountaineers a short field. Though the drive stalled, kicker Bob Weisberg drilled a 34-yarder to hand Denver a 3–0 lead.

That slim advantage held all the way to halftime in a half dominated by miscues and missed chances. The Mountaineers sputtered on offense, and Houston’s usually-reliable kicker James Alcala missed not one but two field goals — including a shocking 15-yarder just before the break.

The Drillers finally broke through midway in the third quarter. Stevens connected with wideout James Estrella for a 42-yard strike, the longest play from scrimmage on the day, setting up a short scoring plunge by Hal Jagger to put Houston on top 7–3. Denver answered before the quarter closed, with another Weisberg field goal trimming the deficit to 7–6.

Momentum swung sharply in Houston’s favor early in the fourth when Roger Hansen, the man tasked with filling the massive shoes of retired defensive icon John Padgett, delivered the play of his life. Hansen crashed through the line, blindsided quarterback Ben Atwell, jarred the ball loose, scooped it up, and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown. The Drillers suddenly led 14–6, and the Mountaineers’ magical run looked finished.

But Denver wasn’t done climbing. With under four minutes remaining, Weisberg hit his third field goal — a chip shot from the Houston five — to make it 14–9. The Mountaineers’ defense rose up once more, forcing a quick Houston punt and giving Atwell one final chance with just over two minutes left.

Starting at his own 25, Atwell calmly guided his team downfield, aided by a Houston penalty and quick completions to Jake Smith and Ken Corcoran. Then came the dagger: a perfectly thrown strike to Gary Beach, who slipped behind the Drillers’ secondary and raced 39 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, giving Denver a 17–14 lead with only 69 seconds to play.

Houston still had life, but Denver’s defense slammed the door. After a first down completion to John Keim, safety Wally Cooper ripped the ball free and fell on it — sealing a stunning comeback and an unforgettable championship moment for the Mile High faithful.

Quarterback Ben Atwell, who finished 13-of-22 for 201 yards and a touchdown, was named Playoff MVP not for flashy numbers but for his poise under pressure and mistake-free leadership. For the Drillers, it was heartbreak. For the Mountaineers, it was a fairy tale finish — a first-ever championship capping a season that will be remembered in Denver for generations.

SAINTS MARCH AGAIN
St. Blane Captures Second National Title in Three Years with Sunshine Classic Triumph

The St. Blane Fighting Saints are once again kings of college football. Their 11–1 campaign, capped by a convincing 40–24 victory over Eastern Oklahoma in the Sunshine Classic, secured their second national championship in four years—and perhaps marked the peak of a new golden age for the proud program.

Longtime fans recall the St. Blane powerhouses of the 1940s that battled Rome State year after year for national supremacy. But this modern edition may be even better. Over the past four seasons, the Saints have claimed two national crowns and finished runner-up twice—a remarkable run of consistency at the top.

This year’s Saints did it with defense. Led by TWIFS All-Americans Dustin Halverson and Willie Rodriguez, St. Blane allowed fewer points per game than any other team in the nation while navigating one of the toughest schedules around. Including Eastern Oklahoma on New Year’s Day, the Saints defeated three 10–2 clubs—Charleston Tech (ranked fourth), Annapolis Maritime (eighth), and the Eastern Oklahoma Plainsmen (tenth)—and also edged Rome State (9–2, ranked 11th) in a thrilling 20–17 contest.

Offensively, the Saints were hardly lacking. Quarterback Allen McAllister, who threw for over 1,200 yards, joined Halverson and Rodriguez on the All-America team, while junior halfback Robert Spooner topped 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season.

As in 1970, when CC Los Angeles felt slighted in the final poll, there was controversy over St. Blane’s selection as No. 1. This time, the protests came from Georgia Baptist backers. The Gators, who handed St. Blane its only loss—a 13–0 defensive struggle in Athens—finished 10–2 and believed they had a claim to the title. But two Deep South Conference defeats ruined their bid: a 23–7 early-season loss to 8–3 Bayou State, and a costly 34–10 setback against Western Florida. Those stumbles not only cost Georgia Baptist the national crown but also the Deep South championship, which instead went to Alabama Baptist.

The Panthers, who did not face Georgia Baptist this season, took full advantage. They rolled to a 10–2 record, won the Deep South for the first time in decades, and earned their first New Year’s Day berth since 1953. Alabama Baptist made good use of it too, holding off Southwestern Alliance champion Travis College (9–3) by a 27–24 score in the Oilman Classic.

Lincoln Stays Perfect in Santa Ana

After winning their first national title in 1971, big things were expected from City College of Los Angeles in 1972. But the departure of head coach Tom Bowens to the pro ranks proved too much to overcome. New coach John Anderson, the former defensive coordinator at Bulein, inherited a talented roster and a star in junior running back Geoffrey McCullough, yet the Coyotes stumbled early—dropping September games to Rainier College and Redwood—and finished 7–4.

It was Rainier College, powered by Christian Trophy winner Sherman Blanchette, that emerged from the bruising West Coast Athletic Association race. The Majestics tied Redwood for the league’s best record at 5–2, both of their losses coming by identical 23–20 scores on last-minute field goals at Northern Cal and Spokane State. Rainier claimed the East–West Classic berth by virtue of their 23–17 victory over Redwood.

Their opponent in Santa Ana was Lincoln, champion of the equally rugged Great Lakes Alliance. The Presidents led the conference at 6–2, edging out a logjam of five schools that tied for second at 5–3.

Lincoln entered the East–West Classic with an impeccable record in Santa Ana—4–0 all-time, including a 1967 win over Coastal California—and made it 5–0 with a hard-fought 20–17 triumph over Rainier. For the Majestics, it was their third loss of the season, all by just three points.

Generals Make History

Another program worthy of mention is Alexandria College, which enjoyed its finest season ever. The Generals rolled to a perfect 12–0 mark—albeit against modest competition—and earned their first Classic Game appearance since 1954. They made the most of it, dispatching Southern Border Conference champion Tempe College 31–10.

The Generals’ only ranked opponent was Chesapeake State, whom they defeated 28–20. Alexandria’s spotless season and postseason win propelled them to third in the final rankings—behind only St. Blane and Georgia Baptist—their first-ever top-twenty finish.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES

• Scott Willard, Amarillo Methodist senior quarterback who led the Grizzlies to fifth in the polls and 10-2 on the season, narrowly lost out on being selected to the TWIFS All-American team. The nod went to Allen McAllister of the national champion St Blane Fighting Saints despite Willard's AIAA leading 1,781 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
• It was quite a season for Columbia Military Academy as the Cadets won their first South Atlantic Conference title and played on New Years Day for the first time in school history. The Cadets were 8-4 overall including 6-1 in the SAC which tied them with Charleston Tech for top spot but a 28-21 road win over the Admirals gave Columbia Military Academy the tiebreaker. The story did not end well as they were thumped 37-10 by #2 Georgia Baptist in the Cajun Classic.
• As of this writing the number one high school quarterback recruit has yet to decide on a college for next season. Justin Schmidt is from New York and is still fielding loads of offers. The number two ranked quarterback has decided to stay close to home. Merlin Mendoza, out of Irving, TX., recently announced he will attend Lubbock State in the fall.

HEAVYWEIGHT BELT CONTINUES TO CHANGE HANDS

No one seems to be able to spend any time at the top of the ABF World Heavyweight Division. We are just heading into 1973 and the Seventies has already seen six different men spend time as the World Champ. That likely has a lot to say about just how competitive the division is right now and the lack of one truly dominant fighter.

After three different men spent some time in 1971 as the champ, 1972 was even more convoluted as there were four different heavyweight champions this year. The year began with Italian-born and New Jersey raised Vic Carbone holding the belt after he took it from Englishman Bradly Bater in October of last year. Carbone went to Mexico to fight in the first heavyweight title bout ever contested south of the Rio Grande and he won by TKO in the 9th round over Luther Gaines. Gaines (30-3) has only lost three fights in his career and each of them was with the title on the line, something he has yet to win despite his huge talent.

Carbone returned to the ring in June, facing Curtis Rollins in Washington DC. This one did not go near as well for the champ, who suffered a TKO loss of his own to the undefeated Philadelphia native Rollins. Rollins run at the top was brief, just three and a half months as he was handed his first career loss in his first title defense, a 10th round TKO loss to Barry Bernard. Bernard, who fights out of Florida, was a surprise winner as he was a heavy underdog. Bernard also had a short stint at the top, losing by TKO in Las Vegas on December 14 to former and now once again current champion Tony Rocco.

NOTE- Do to the pace needed to keep up with the yearly pace the middleweight and welterweight divisions will paused indefinitely and the fight focus will just be on the heavyweights.

The Year That Was
Current events from 1972

• January 5 – Nixon announces the Space Shuttle program as the U.S. commits to developing a reusable spacecraft, marking a new era in NASA’s post–Apollo strategy.
• January 25 – Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland. British troops open fire on unarmed civil rights demonstrators in Derry, killing 13 and intensifying the Northern Ireland conflict.
• February 17 – Volkswagen Beetle becomes world’s best-selling car, surpassing the Ford Model T in total production.
• February 21–28 - President Richard Nixon makes a historic trip to the People’s Republic of China, meeting Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, opening diplomatic relations after two decades of isolation.
• March 15 – Francis Ford Coppola’s film "The Godfather" opens to critical and commercial acclaim, becoming one of the most influential movies in American cinema history.
• April 10 – U.S. and Soviet Union agree to SALT I terms. Negotiations for the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty near completion, marking progress in nuclear arms control amid Cold War tensions.
• May 15 – Alabama governor and presidential candidate George Wallace is shot and paralyzed in an attempted assassination while campaigning in Maryland.
• May 26 – The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and ABM Treaty are signed by Nixon and Brezhnev, formalizing a major step in détente between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
• June 17 - Five men are arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. Initially dismissed as a minor burglary, it will grow into the biggest political scandal in U.S. history.
• July 1 – Equal Rights Amendment passes Congress. The ERA, seeking constitutional equality for women, clears both houses of Congress and is sent to the states for ratification.
• August 26 – September 11, 1972 – At the Munich Olympics, Palestinian terrorists take 11 Israeli athletes hostage, all of whom are killed after a failed rescue attempt. The tragedy shocks the world and brings terrorism to global attention.
• November 7 – Richard Nixon re-elected President, winning a landslide victory over Democrat George McGovern, carrying 49 states despite growing controversy around Watergate.
• December 18–29 – Operation Linebacker II (“Christmas Bombings”) takes place in which the U.S. launches heavy air raids on North Vietnam to pressure peace negotiations, drawing international condemnation.
• December 23 – A massive earthquake kills thousands and destroys the capital of Nicaragua, prompting a large-scale humanitarian response from the U.S. and Canada.

[Tiger Fan]

June 2, 1972

NAHC EXPANDS FOOTPRINT WITH TWO NEW TEAMS
Pittsburgh and Atlanta Boost Confederation to 16 Clubs

The North American Hockey Confederation continues to stretch its boundaries. For the 1973-74 campaign, the loop welcomes two new members—the Pittsburgh Sentinels and the Atlanta Blazers—raising total membership to sixteen clubs and pushing the game’s frontiers farther than ever before.

It has been a rapid transformation for a league that, just seven years ago, still consisted of the original six: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York, and Toronto. The first wave of expansion in 1967 brought the NAHC to the Pacific coast and into the Midwest with Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Vancouver. That was followed by the addition of the Calgary Grizzlies and Quebec Citadels two years back. Now the Confederation pushes south—well south—with its boldest venture yet: Atlanta, Georgia.

Steel City Ready for the Big Time

Of the two newcomers, Pittsburgh appears to be the safer bet. The city has iced competitive hockey for more than three decades, most notably through the Hockey Association of America’s Rovers, a club that twice captured league honors and served as a proving ground for many future NAHC players. The new Sentinels will skate in the Pittsburgh Arena, a familiar but somewhat cramped facility that ownership hopes to replace with a modern rink in the years ahead.

With the Philadelphia Rogues located just across the state, a natural rivalry seems assured, and the city’s established hockey following should give the Sentinels an early boost at the gate—even if victories are hard to come by at first.

Southward, Into the Unknown

The bigger question mark is Atlanta. The Blazers represent the Confederation’s first foray below the Mason-Dixon Line, a move that has sparked plenty of conversation among hockey men. The NAHC has dipped into warm climates before—Los Angeles and San Francisco in 1967—but those cities at least had decades of minor-league hockey behind them. Atlanta has none.

The Blazers will play at a new as of yet unnamed arena, a modern facility with all the trimmings, but the rest of the puzzle is less certain. Few in Georgia have ever laced on a pair of skates, and the club faces stiff competition from the city’s existing sports attractions: college football and basketball powers such as Georgia Baptist, Noble Jones and Rome State, the Federal Basketball League’s Vipers, and the AFA’s Firebirds.

League officials insist the time is right to test the southern waters. “If our game is ever to be truly continental,” one executive remarked, “we have to plant the flag in new territory.” Others remain skeptical, noting that Buffalo and Ottawa—both established hockey markets—were passed over in favor of the unproven South.

Early curiosity should ensure strong crowds when the puck first drops, but keeping those fans engaged once the novelty fades may prove the greater challenge. Ice-making in Atlanta’s climate will be another test, though engineers at the new arena insist the building’s modern refrigeration system can deliver a dependable sheet.

A League Spanning a Continent

However they fare, the arrival of the Sentinels and Blazers completes a transformation that would have seemed fanciful a decade ago. The NAHC now stretches from coast to coast and, for the first time, deep into the American South. The league has never been bigger—or its ambitions bolder.

Whether the game can truly take root in Dixie remains to be seen, but for now the Confederation’s compass points everywhere.

[Tiger Fan]

August 15, 1972
RIVAL HOCKEY LEAGUE TAKES FLIGHT
Prairie Circuit Rebrands as Continental Loop, Declares Major Status

The inevitable has happened. With rival leagues springing up across the sporting landscape—from football to basketball—it was only a matter of time before professional hockey drew its own challenger.

On the heels of the North American Hockey Confederation’s latest expansion to Pittsburgh and Atlanta, a group of promoters from the Prairie League has stepped forward, rebranding their circuit as the Continental Hockey League and declaring themselves a major league.

For the past six seasons the Prairie League operated quietly as a western minor loop, its clubs scattered through the Canadian prairies and the northwestern United States. But opportunity knocked this summer when Ottawa and Buffalo—each long rumored to be seeking NAHC franchises—were again passed over. The Prairie group moved quickly to fill the void.

Former Toronto Dukes star Lou Galbraith, now a key figure in the Prairie loop's Winnipeg Falcons organization, joined forces with veteran coach Badger Rigney, the old Detroit Motors bench boss, to map out a bold plan for a coast-to-coast league. With existing franchises in Denver, Kansas City, and Seattle already in place along with three Western Canadian teams, Galbraith and Rigney found willing partners in the eastern cities that had grown tired of waiting for the Confederation’s call.

Using their long connections in the game, the pair convinced potential backers in Ottawa and Buffalo to sign on, arguing that hockey could follow the same path taken by football and basketball—where rival circuits had gained parity and even forced mergers. Within weeks, the Prairie League name was dropped and the Continental Hockey Association was born.

Momentum built quickly. Cleveland was soon on board, and when word spread that Hobie Barrell, the Detroit Motors’ high-scoring ace and arguably the sport’s biggest star, was prepared to jump, the new league’s credibility soared. Three more entries—Chicago Lions, New England Privateers, and New York Eagles—were hastily organized, the latter reviving a name from hockey’s past at Rigney’s suggestion.

By late summer the Continental had twelve clubs signed, sealed, and ready to skate come September. And with contracts being waved in front of established NAHC players, the first open battle for talent in a generation has begun.

What effect this will have on the Confederation remains to be seen, but the pattern in other sports is clear: competition means higher salaries, restless owners, and plenty of headlines.

Pro hockey, long insulated from such warfare, is suddenly in the middle of it. The puck drops this fall, and the game may never be quite the same again.

BARRELL BOLTS DETROIT FOR ATHLETICS

A week later it was confirmed that Hobie Barrell, four-time winner of the McDaniels Trophy as the NAHC's most valuable player, has left the Detroit Motors and signed with the Ottawa Athletics of the new Continental Hockey League. The 31-year-old winger had spent his entire 11-year career with the Motors and his 492 goals and 1,020 points had left him third all-time in NAHC goals and points, trailing only Quinton Pollack and Tommy Burns. With Ottawa Hobie will be reunited with his brother Benny Barrell. The duo had spent eight years together in Detroit and combined on four Challenge Cup wins, with Hobie adding one more title last year after Benny was left unprotected by the Motors and selected by the Calgary Grizzlies in the 1970 expansion draft.

Barrell's contract is believed to a record amount ever paid to a hockey player, a multi-year deal that is rumoured to be worth one million dollars.

Hobie did not confirm the contract terms but did note that while the money was more than he ever dreamed of making, the real drawing card to jumping leagues was the opportunity to be reunited with his brother on the Athletics. The boys are no strangers to Ottawa as Benny played his junior hockey across the river in Hull, Quebec and both had spent a year in Canada's capital as youths when their father, former baseball player turned U.S. state department official Fred Barrell was stationed there. Fred is presently serving an unspecified role for the American government in Berlin.

The Barrell's decision to jump leagues is expected to open the floodgates for other NAHC players who may have been on the fence about joining the new loop but are now instilled with confidence in its potential after signing the Barrell brothers.

[Tiger Fan]

We are quickly moving towards the resumption of the weekly sim schedule and human General Manager's return to the job. The GMs will take over on diamond in advance of spring training in February 1975 and football, hockey and basketball will pick up their human GM's over the summer and fall.

That being said, let's help prospective GM's (there will be some openings in all sports with all of the expansion) and those returning to familiarize themselves with some of the names expected to dominate the headlines of This Week in Figment Sports over the next decade. We present for you TWIFS choices as the top ten young stars in the Figment Universe. We used age 25 as the cutoff so anyone 25 or under as of this writing (spring of 1973 with 72-73 basketball completed but still waiting on hockey, baseball and football's 1973 seasons).

1- JOHN JENKINS -25, Forward, San Diego Breakers CBL

The only three-time winner of the Art Barrette Award as the top player in the 63 year history of AIAA basketball, Jenkins capped his brilliant college career at Northern Mississippi by leading the Mavericks to an AIAA title as a senior.

He opted to join the new Continental Basketball League instead of the established FBL and was selected first overall by the San Diego Breakers in the 1970 CBL draft. A star right from the get go, Jenkins averaged 24.8 ppg and 10.0 assists on his way to winning league Rookie of the Year and claiming a spot on the All-League First Team. The native of Lewisburg, TN., was named CBL MVP each of the next two seasons including the recently completed 1972-73 campaign.

It just feels like he has a chance to be among, if not the greatest basketball player of all-time. If I have a real world comparison I am going to use Julius Erving. Maybe Jenkins earns the nickname Doctor JJ in the Figment Universe.

2- PAT VALENTINE - 24,Center/Left Wing, St Louis Sawyers NAHC

The Regina, SK., native had a breakout year in 1971-72 (most recent hockey season) and was named to the NAHC's First All-Star Team while winning his second major award - the Yeadon Trophy for gentlemanly play- after finishing second in league scoring to Hobie Barrell with 105 points. That total was tied for the 6th highest single season mark ever recorded in the NAHC and also earned him a spot as a finalist on the ballot for league MVP.

If Jenkins is on the path to become one of the best basketball players of all-time, perhaps that is the same course charted on the ice for Valentine. He took an unusual path by leaving the CAHA junior loop early, opting to sign a pro contract with the Prairie League's Denver Peaks before his 19th birthday. He scored a respected 58 points as a teen playing against men in Denver and caught the attention of the expansion St Louis Sawyers in 1967. He averaged nearly a point a game as a rookie and won the McLeod Trophy in his debut campaign in the NAHC. Now three years later he is still just 23 but has already scored 108 goals and 325 points in 307 NAHC games and become the first superstar player on a West Division club. The sky's the limit for Valentine and if he stays healthy he could be one of the all-time greats before he is done.

Real World Comparison - A gifted playmaker I would suggest he could be the NAHC's Adam Oates.

3- BENNETT SMOOT - 25, Quarterback, Miami Mariners AFA

We are not sure anyone expected Bennett Smoot to become a star in the AFA. He was not selected until the third round (69th overall) in the 1969 AFA draft and six quarterbacks heard their name called that draft before the former Miami State signal caller was chosen by his hometown team.

Miami State finished 7-4 and ranked 25th - their highest showing in the final poll since 1952 when they were ranked 9th- during his senior season of 1968. Smoot missed two games late in the year with an ankle injury but threw for 613 yards and 5 touchdowns on a team that prioritized the ground game.

Still the Mariners saw enough of the local product who also played his high school ball in Miami, to draft him in the third round. He was so impressive in training camp that he won the starting job away from Steve Giles, a 1964 first round pick who had spent the previous four years as the Mariners starting QB and was coming off an AFA championship although it was a real surprise following a 7-7 regular season.

Under Smoot's guidance the Mariners went 9-5 and returned to the title game but lost a rematch to Houston. They have made the playoffs in the two years since including an 11-3 showing in 1971 and 10-4 a year ago. Smoot has started all but one game over the past four seasons, finished among the AFA passing leaders each year including thrown for a league-high 2,653 yards last season. He was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1969 and is a two-time All-Star Classic selection.

Miami quarterback with immense talent. Toss-up between Bob Griese and Dan Marino but it is the early 1970s so lets go with Griese.

4- HOWIE WESTON - 24, Pitcher, New York Imperials FABL

It feels like the Jersey City, NJ, native has been the top prospect in the game forever, and that is not far off the mark. Drafted first overall by the Imperials in 1966 out of Princeton HS in New Jersey, Weston spent from 1967 through to the spring of 1972 as one of the top five prospects according to OSA. His long awaited debut with the Imperials finally occurred midway through his age 24 season as Weston made 15 starts in 1972. The numbers were not overwhelming, 4-6 with a 3.99 era, but he showed some flashes of the brilliance long called for by OSA including 6 shutout innings of 4 hit ball in his second big league start.

OSA says Weston will be an ace and with the obvious comparisons of the Imperials to the Mets let's use Tom Seaver as the real-life comparison should his career progress as hoped.

5- AL HUBBARD - 24, Second Base, Pittsburgh Miners FABL

While most of the focus on Pittsburgh after the trading of Dixie Turner centered around when, not if, they move to Atlanta the narrative changed quickly with the end of the worst title drought in sports history when the Miners won the 1972 WCS. A key reason for that was the Diamond Defense provided by 24-year-old Al Hubbard. Hubbard came to Pittsburgh in the trade that sent Turner to Montreal, two years after he was selected fourth overall by the Saints out of a Wisconsin high school in the 1966 FABL draft.

He won 2 straight Diamond Defense awards and finished second in Whitney Award voting last year after leading the Federal Association in batting average, on-base percentage, walks and WAR. Hubbard's 12.2 WAR was higher than Turner has ever produced and the highest total for a FABL batter since Bobby Barrell's triple crown winning 1947 season.

One has to think Hubbard is just getting started and while we first considered Robin Yount as the comparison let's give Yount to Dixie Turner and make Joe Morgan our Al Hubbard real life match.

6- DANNY CABBELL- 25, Center, New York Shamrocks NAHC

The son of long-time Shamrocks captain Orval Cabbell, Danny played five seasons of junior hockey with the Sherbrooke Industrials, leading them to back-to-back Canadian Junior League titles and graduating as the CAHA's all-time scoring champ including a 140 point season his final year which earned him a CAHA Most Valuable Player Award. Drafted 2nd overall by his father's team, the New York City born forward made his NAHC debut with the Shamrocks in 1967-68. There was a bit of a learning curve as he collected just 17 points as a rookie but he steadily improved over the next four season capping with a career high 87 points and a berth on the NAHC's second all-star team in the most recently completed 1971-72 season. The Shamrocks have been awful for nearly two decades but perhaps with Danny leading the way he can accomplish something his father never did, bring the Challenge Cup back to New York for the first time since 1932.

Real World comparisons - Jean Ratelle. NAHC comparison - his father Orval Cabbell.

7- GEORGE OGLETREE - 23, Guard, Baltimore Chargers CBL

Ogletree followed up John Jenkins three straight AIAA Barrette Award wins with two of his own during Ogletree's final two years at Baton Rogue State. An All-American each of his four years of college ball including a three-time first team selection, the Ruston, LA., native was also national freshman of the year in 1968-69. Ogletree's 766 career college assists is the second most ever recorded.

He was selected 5th overall by the Baltimore Chargers in the 1972 CBL draft and made the league's All-Rookie team as well as being named to the All-League Second team in his freshman pro campaign, the just completed 1972-73 season.

Real World Comparison - Let's go with Walt "Clyde" Frazier.

8- PAT STEPHENS - 25, Goaltender, Toronto Dukes NAHC

You know when you draw comparisons to the legendary Gordie Broadway you are doing something right. Stephens is just 25 but has already played 266 games over five seasons for the Dukes, breaking into the NAHC straight out of a stellar junior career at Trois-Rivieres. Stephens, who grew up just outside of Hamilton, ON., has not won a Juneau Trophy yet but keep in mind Broadway won the top goaltender award just once in his stellar career. Blessed with tremendous size, the 6'4" Stephens covers plenty of net and it seems just a matter of time before the accolades, and perhaps a Challenge Cup win, something Toronto has not enjoyed in a decade, will soon follow.

Real-life comparison - Height alone screams Ken Dryden and we feel Stephens may end up with the numbers to match although hard to see the current group of Dukes matching the real-life Habs of the seventy's success.

9- MARIO WEIR - 22, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Riverman AFA

A standout at Georgia Baptist, where the Missouri City, TX., native helped the Gators win the National Title his junior year and then make three catches and score a touchdown in the Senior Bowl which clearly caught the attention of the Riverman, who made Weir the third pick of the 1971 AFA draft.

As a rookie Weir led the AFA with 71 catches and was named the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year as well as earning a spot in the end of season All-Star Classic. He made the All-Star Classic again in his second season, while improving to 80 catches and nearly 1,200 receiving yards. Those 80 catches tied John Hoppes of the Los Angeles Olympians 1967 mark as the highest number caught in a modern era (post 1950) season. The Rivermen failed to make the playoffs in either of Weir's seasons but the two-time All-Star Classic selection's performance gives Cincinnati hope for the future.

Real-Life Comparison- He plays in Cincinnati, is a deep threat and a first round pick so seems like a good match for Isaac Curtis.

10- HANK WOOLEY - 21, Center/Power Forward, Liberty College Bells AIAA Basketball

Only three players in the history of Liberty College have been named the AIAA basketball player of the year. Two are Luther Gordon and Ward Messer, each of whom went on to have outstanding pro careers. The third won the Barrette Award as a senior in the just completed 1972-73 college basketball season and is expected to be among the first couple of names called in either the CBL or FBL draft. The Hartford, CT., native had a breakout season as a senior and may just develop into one of the best big men in pro basketball.

Real-life Comparison - Bob McAdoo. Figment Comparison. Let's say not quite Luther Gordon but perhaps a Ward Messer clone.



Some others to keep an eye on.

BASEBALL: We were close to putting Billy West on our list but worries that a blown out knee suffered in June of 1972 might hinder his career bumped him down. West, a 23-year-old outfielder from Paris, TX., was the Cincinnati Cannons top selection, second overall in the 1968 FABL draft out of high school. He spent a couple seasons in the top twenty prospect list and made his big league debut with the Cannons midway through the 1970 season, hitting .325 with 6 homers in 58 games and was named Continental Association Rookie of the Month in September that year. West followed it up with a (.313,8,64) showing and a 5.2 WAR in 114 games the following year, one that was interrupted by fractured ribs. His third season, the recently completed 1972 campaign left major concerns West is injury prone as first he aggravated a past ankle injury to miss the final week of camp and then in late May suffered the season ending knee injury. West only played 35 games last year in his age 22 season, but slashed .346/.424/.526 with a 2.2 WAR.


BASKETBALL: Wayne Messer, the 19-year-old son of former FBL star Ward Messer and nephew of FABL slugger Walt Messer has just completed his freshman season at Carolina Poly. Born in Detroit while his dad was playing for the FBL's Detroit Mustangs, Wayne played his high school ball in Washington DC's prestigious Capital Academy.

Roman Sollars Jr. seemed like a player that would make the list after the son of the former New York Knights all-star guard by the same name followed up an outstanding college career at Detroit City College, his dad's alma mater, by being selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Ironmen in the most recent Continental Basketball League draft. He was off to a great start as a rookie in 1972-73 until a broken leg cost him more than half the season. If he bounces back fully the 23-year-old from Brooklyn could be one to watch.

HOCKEY: Arne Schilling is a rarity. The 23-year old West German is one of the few Europeans playing pro hockey in North America but his success with the Calgary Mountaineers of the Prairie League may open the floodgates as a rapidly expanding hockey landscape seeks new talent. Schilling will join most of his Calgary teammates from last year playing in the newly created Continental Hockey League, a rival pro loop set on challenging the NAHC for hockey supremacy. Odds are the German forward will enjoy great success as he has amassed 109 points in 134 games over two seasons with the Mountaineers will struggling to adapt to a new language and culture.

Billy Pollack is just 17 but may turn pro after entertaining offers from the New York Eagles, a team in the new Continental Hockey League that has already signed his older brother Jack to a contract. The son of NAHC legend Quinton Pollack, Billy is a right winger who despite being just 16 a year ago in a league dominated by 19 and 20 year old's scored 37 goals and 68 points in 64 games for the Saint John Saints of the CAHA.

FOOTBALL: 23-year-old Ben Atwell narrowly missed our top ten list after a sensational second year for the former Cowpens State quarterback who was selected by the Denver Mountaineers in the second round of the 1970 AFA draft. Atwell started 10 games as a rookie and was impressive but took a big step forward his sophomore season when he made the All-Star Classic. It was last year that he caught everyone's attention. Throwing for nearly 2,600 yards and 16 touchdowns while being picked off just 3 teams, Atwell led the Mountaineers, who were just 5-9 a year ago, to a 10-4 season and then swept through the playoffs, knocking off mighty Houston in the title game. Atwell was named playoff MVP and earned a spot on the All-Star Classic roster for the second year. Maybe we sneak in a real-life comparison and call him the John Elway of the AFA. It will be very interesting to see if he and the Mountaineers can come close to duplicating their incredible success when the 1973 season rolls around.

[Tiger Fan]

MAY 12, 1973

DEFECTIONS ROCK NAHC—BUT EXPANSION ATLANTA STEALS THE SHOW
Rookie Goalie Graham, Veteran Bozek Lead Upstart Blazers to League’s Best Mark

It was a season that began in turmoil and ended in surprise. The North American Hockey Confederation’s 1972–73 campaign opened under the shadow of mass defections to the new Continental loop and closed with a pair of fresh faces—the Atlanta Blazers and Pittsburgh Sentinels—skating into the playoffs.

No team absorbed a harder blow than the Detroit Motors, who lost reigning MVP Hobie Barrell to a million-dollar deal with Ottawa of the CHL. Yet amid the player raids and shifting rosters, the league found its biggest story deep in Dixie, where a franchise that didn’t exist ten months earlier finished with the best record in hockey.

*** Blazers Blaze New Trail ***

The Atlanta Blazers, first southern entry in NAHC history, stunned the experts by racking up 109 points and running away with the East Division crown. Their formula was simple: airtight goaltending, opportunistic offense, and a dash of luck.

Between the pipes stood Cliff Graham, a 24-year-old rookie who’d spent the last few winters in Northern Ontario senior ranks. Graham posted a 29-9-9 record and a 2.30 goals-against average, good enough to earn the McLeod Trophy as top rookie—the first netminder to do so since Justin MacPhee a dozen years back.

Up front, Atlanta mixed cast-offs and cast-offs-turned-stars. Expansion draft pickup Maurizio Corradi (35-52-87) provided finesse, while veteran Charles Bozek, acquired early from Detroit, turned back the clock with 42 goals and 93 points. Together they made Atlanta’s debut a runaway success and silenced skeptics who doubted hockey could take root south of the Mason-Dixon line.

*** Montreal, Toronto Keep Pressure On ***

Behind Atlanta came familiar faces. The Montreal Valiants cleared the century mark in points for the fifth time in six years and extended their remarkable streak to thirteen straight playoff berths. Defenseman Mark Moggy (20-78-98) claimed the Dewar Trophy and shattered the single-season assist record, while linemates Pete Fortin (28-70-98), Andrew Cleverly (41-42-83), and Roger MacKinnon (42-37-79) kept Montreal atop the scoring charts once again.

The Toronto Dukes slotted third thanks to a career year from 32-year-old winger Ollie Perreault, who broke the league points record with 51 goals and 120 points, eclipsing the mark Scott Dueck set in 1968. The Boston Bees grabbed the final playoff ticket, powered by the steady play of veterans Jean Bourgault (18-73-91) and Bruce Callahan (47-39-86). Between the pipes, the Bees alternated between seasoned Alex Daoust (22-16-6, 2.76) and bright-eyed rookie Scott Bly (17-7-4, 2.40)—arguably the league’s top tandem.

Left on the outside looking in were the Chicago Packers, Detroit Motors, Quebec Citadels, and New York Shamrocks. Detroit never recovered from Barrell’s departure, while Chicago missed for the third time in four years. As for New York, the drought dragged on—thirteen seasons without a playoff berth—though winger Milt Young’s 56-goal campaign at least gave the Shamrocks something to cheer about.

*** Old Order Holds Out West ***

Out in the West Division, things looked more familiar. The Vancouver Totems and St. Louis Sawyers continued to rule the roost, each finishing with 83 points, the Totems edging first on the strength of more victories.

Vancouver leaned on the stick of Alan Porter (49-50-99), who turned in his finest pro season, and the cool hands of veteran goalie Justin MacPhee (16-14-5, 2.49). The Sawyers, meanwhile, remained built around franchise cornerstone Pat Valentine (26-56-82), whose blend of skill and grit kept St. Louis near the top yet again.

*** Pittsburgh Impresses, Los Angeles Steady ***

The second expansion club, Pittsburgh’s Sentinels, may not have matched Atlanta’s fireworks but earned plenty of respect in their maiden voyage. Lacking a true scorer—no Sentinel topped 45 points—they compensated with discipline and goaltending. Cliff Michaud, a 26-year-old Prairie League graduate, played 60 games, posted a league high seven shutouts, and gave the club a fighting chance most nights. On defense, rookie Tom Burns (7-24-31) showed promise beyond his 22 years, while old Montreal favorite Scott Dueck (20-22-42) offered leadership in the room.

The Los Angeles Stingrays rounded out the playoff field, extending their streak to five seasons. Center Stan Tenute (18-37-55) and winger Mark Dubblestyne (21-29-50) finally emerged as full-time contributors, while ageless wonder Mike Connelly, now 41, still shouldered 66 starts (26-26-10, 2.83) in goal.

*** Missed Chances Out West ***

A few clubs were left to ponder what might have been. The Philadelphia Rogues, despite a 48-goal effort from Adam McPherson and a strong sophomore season from Gary Yeadon (34-43-77), missed the playoffs by a mere three points. The San Francisco Gulls, one of the ’67 expansion entries, are still chasing their first playoff appearance, while the Calgary Grizzlies, now in their third year, remain mired in the cellar.

When the dust settled, the 1972-73 regular season told a clear story: the Continental raids changed everything, but fresh blood kept the NAHC alive and kicking. Old powers like Montreal and Vancouver held their ground, yet the regular season belonged to Atlanta, the league’s boldest experiment—and, for one winter at least, its best team.

NAHC PLAYOFFS
DUKES RECLAIM HOCKEY’S CROWN
Toronto Outlasts Boston as Experience Tops Expansion Flash

The Atlanta Blazers lit up the NAHC all winter long, but when the playoffs rolled around, the old guard reasserted itself. The expansion darlings who had stormed through the regular season found out in a hurry that springtime hockey is a different game entirely.

Facing the battle-tested Boston Bees, Atlanta jumped to early series leads of 2–0 and 3–2, only to see the veteran club roar back with 4–1 and 5–1 wins in Games Six and Seven. The Bees’ composure and depth carried them through, abruptly ending the Blazers’ storybook debut season.

The other first-year club, the Pittsburgh Sentinels, met an even rougher fate. The St. Louis Sawyers, paced by Pat Valentine’s eight points, swept the newcomers in four straight. Riding that momentum, the Sawyers then ran headlong into a surging Boston side. The Bees, full of confidence after dispatching the league’s top regular-season team, handled St. Louis in five games to earn their first Challenge Cup Finals berth since 1966.

*** Totems, Dukes Advance in the West ***

Out West, the Vancouver Totems and Los Angeles Stingrays renewed their annual grudge match. For the second year in succession, the two went the full seven games, and for the second time the Totems survived. Vancouver nearly squandered a 3–1 series lead but steadied on home ice for a 3–1 win in Game Seven, with Matt Brophey scoring his seventh goal in as many games to seal it.

The other Western quarterfinal brought a long-awaited clash between ancient rivals Montreal and Toronto—their first postseason meeting in over a decade. The series was tight, with three one-goal decisions, but the Dukes prevailed in five, dispatching the Valiants to reach the semifinals. From there, Toronto found another gear, sweeping the weary Totems in four straight to set up a classic final against Boston.

*** Old Rivals Renew Classic Final ***

Between them, the Dukes and Bees had claimed 21 Challenge Cups, yet they hadn’t met for the trophy since 1955. This time, Toronto wasted little time showing why it remains hockey’s most decorated club.

In the series opener at Dominion Gardens, the Dukes poured 35 shots on Boston’s Alex Daoust, who nearly stole it with a sparkling effort. A late strike from Dick Fournier finally broke through, giving Toronto a 3–2 win.

Two nights later, Daoust could offer no resistance to the Dukes’ firepower. Ollie Perreault and Hack Knackstedt each collected four points in an 8–0 rout that put Boston on its heels.

Back home at Denny Arena, the Bees showed their pride, taking 4–2 and 4–1 victories to even the series. But the final turn belonged to Toronto. Perreault and Knackstedt again led the charge in a 5–2 Game Five triumph, and the Dukes clinched their record 13th Challenge Cup with a 3–1 win two nights later.

Goaltender Pat Stephens was superb throughout the playoffs and sensational in the finale, turning aside 40 of 41 Boston shots. His postseason résumé—3 shutouts and a .947 save percentage—earned him the David Welcombe Trophy as playoff MVP, only the second goaltender ever to claim the honor.

*** Experience Wins the Day ***

For all the talk of expansion and defections, the spring of 1973 proved that championship pedigree still counts. The Atlanta Blazers and Pittsburgh Sentinels brought welcome new energy to the league, but in the end it was the cool hands and hardened habits of the Toronto Dukes that carried the day.

Thirteen Challenge Cups and counting—proof once more that while the faces of hockey may change, the road to the championship still runs through Toronto.

[size="6]BARRELL LIGHTS THE WAY AS CHL COMPLETES FIRST SEASON [/size]
Continental Loop Delivers Goals, Growing Pains, and a Few Surprises

The upstart Continental Hockey League wrapped up its first season with plenty of headlines, a flood of offense, and one undeniable star. While few would confuse the level of play with that of the long-established North American Hockey Confederation, the CHL’s debut campaign offered its share of excitement—and a record-shattering performance from the sport’s most famous defector, Hobie Barrell.

Barrell, the long-time Detroit Motors ace, rewrote the record book with the Ottawa Athletics, piling up 69 goals and 146 points—both professional marks. Critics may argue that the numbers came against diluted opposition, but no one questioned the brilliance behind them. The Ottawa captain, now the highest-paid player in the game, remains stuck at 492 career NAHC goals after the senior circuit announced it would not recognize Continental statistics. That stance likely ends Barrell’s pursuit of Quinton Pollack’s all-time scoring records, though it did nothing to dull his impact on the new league’s credibility.

Ottawa’s attack also featured familiar names: older brother Benny Barrell (22-40-62), veteran defender Dave Corden (15-33-48), and goaltender Carl Dutove (26-19-8, 3.24). Add in West German import Arne Schilling (27-61-88)—the league’s most accomplished European—and the Athletics possessed firepower aplenty. Still, they finished tied for second in the East Division with Buffalo, seven points behind the pace-setting Chicago Lions.

Chicago’s success stemmed from balance and steady goaltending. Former Packers stalwart J.P. Morissette (30-68-98) paced the offense, but 24-year-old netminder Alex Melnyk stole the spotlight. Buried for years on Montreal’s depth chart, Melnyk seized his chance, posting a 34-17-7, 2.36 record and the league’s top goaltender honor.

Buffalo’s surprise package was Hank Brassell (41-63-104). The 25-year-old American-born journeyman finally found a home and became the only player other than Barrell to clear the 100-point mark, earning Rookie of the Year laurels and validating CHL executive Lou Galbraith’s belief that plenty of untapped talent existed beyond the NAHC.

Cleveland placed fourth in the East with 70 points but missed the post-season under the league’s unbalanced playoff system, which guaranteed only division winners a berth. Behind them came New England and New York, the latter enduring a miserable campaign. The Eagles finished at the bottom despite the presence of legend Quinton Pollack behind the bench and his son Jack Pollack (21-32-53) on the ice. Goaltender Bruce Main (15-35-7, 3.94) struggled badly, though he received little help from an overmatched defense. Hopes for a revival in New York hockey will have to wait another year.

Out West, the Seattle Chinooks led a tight race, boasting the league’s most balanced lineup. Former NAHCers Joe McIntyre, James MacQueen, Bill Giliati, and Max Music meshed smoothly with ex-Prairie Leaguers John Wakelin and Yvon Gauthier, producing one of the CHL’s most entertaining clubs. Denver finished second behind a breakout season from ex-San Francisco pivot Jack Littlechief (24-47-71). The remaining West entries—Calgary, Kansas City, and Edmonton—were separated by only a few points, with the Warriors, Stampeders, and Huskies ultimately claiming the final playoff spots.

Playoffs: Warriors Capture First Continental Cup

The Kansas City Warriors saved their best hockey for the post-season. Fourth in the West during the regular schedule, they caught fire in April behind offensive-minded blueliner Mark McCoach and a hard-working forward unit of Manny Cantin, Doug Leatham, and Jack Law. Kansas City swept Seattle in the quarter-finals, then dumped Chicago in six to reach the inaugural Continental Cup Final.

In the East semi-final, Buffalo edged Ottawa in six games despite heroics from Hobie Barrell, who matched Brassell’s eight-point output for the series.

The final opened in Buffalo, where the Keepers erased a two-goal deficit only to fall 3-2 in overtime on Charles Lapointe’s winner for Kansas City. The Warriors followed with a 5-3 triumph in Game 2, sparked by two goals from Cantin, and stretched their lead with a 5-2 win back home. Buffalo salvaged Game 4 (3-1) before Kansas City closed the series decisively, 6-2, as Law capped his playoff-leading 21-point run with a hat trick and an assist.

A Solid Debut, but Questions Remain

When the final horn sounded, the new league could call its first season a qualified success. Attendance was uneven and the New York Eagles proved a disappointment, yet the CHL delivered entertaining hockey, a few credible markets, and a marquee name in Barrell that kept fans and columnists alike paying attention.

The road ahead will be no easier—financial pressures and more player raids are already looming—but after one fast, noisy winter, the Continental has at least proved it can stand on its own skates.

ROCKETS RED REIGN
St. Louis Sweeps to Third FBL Crown in Five Years

The St. Louis Rockets have become the gold standard of the Federal Basketball League. With their second straight championship—and third in five years—the Rockets have left little doubt about their dynasty status. Even more remarkable, they’ve gone a perfect 8–0 in the last two finals series, sweeping their way to back-to-back titles.

At the center of St. Louis’s rise is John Brantner, the 29-year-old powerhouse forward who continues to rewrite the record books. Since being selected first overall in the 1966 draft out of Maryland State, Brantner has done everything but disappoint. The league’s Rookie of the Year in his debut campaign, Brantner has since captured two MVP trophies, led the FBL in scoring three times, and this season set a new league mark with 37.6 points per game, adding 12.8 rebounds for good measure.

Brantner’s long-time running mate, Clarence Turgeon, turned in a career year himself, averaging 22.0 points as the Rockets rolled to a 64–18 record—the best in the league and tied for the third-highest win total in FBL history. Only their own 1968–69 squad, which won 69 games, and the 1969-70 New York Knights have done better.

The Milwaukee Hammers did their best to keep pace, finishing seven games behind St. Louis in the Midwest Division. All-League forward Bill Crawford and assist leader Milt Schultz powered Milwaukee to a strong season, while in the Pacific, the Seattle Emeralds rode the dynamic duo of Wade Mulkey and seven-foot forward Spider Forester to the division crown—the only other Western club above .500.

In the East, the New York Knights once again stood tall. With All-League stars Dick Van der Linden and Bob Terwilliger leading the charge, New York posted a 61–21 record, dominating the Atlantic Division by 18 games and eyeing a fourth straight trip to the finals after titles in 1970 and ’71.

But the postseason had other plans. In the opening round, the Philadelphia Phantoms—a team that had finished 20 games behind New York—shocked the basketball world. Despite Van der Linden averaging over 31 points per game, the Knights fell in six as Philadelphia captured its first playoff series win since taking the 1966 title.

The Phantoms’ magic continued with another six-game victory over the Chicago Panthers, who had earlier ousted Boston. That sent Philadelphia into the finals against a St. Louis club that hadn’t lost a single postseason game—sweeping Houston and Seattle on their march to the championship.

The finals were more coronation than competition. Brantner opened the series with 52 points in a 142–134 win and followed with 42 more in a 152–110 rout the next night. The scene shifted to Philadelphia, but nothing changed. Brantner poured in 48 points and 16 rebounds in Game 3, then closed the sweep with a “quiet” 35 as the Rockets rolled 127–102.

With that, St. Louis became the first team in FBL history to go undefeated through the playoffs. The Rockets are now 24–1 in postseason play over the past two years—an unprecedented run that’s left the rest of the league chasing shadows. Not since Washington swept these same Rockets in 1956 has the FBL seen a championship sweep, and no club has ever done it twice in a row.

Right now, the view from the top of the Federal Basketball League is painted in Rocket red—and unless someone finds a way to slow down John Brantner, that view may not change anytime soon.

DRILLERS STRIKE GOLD ONCE AGAIN
Dallas Captures Second CBL Crown, Robinson Leads Playoff Charge

The Dallas Drillers are back on top of the Continental Basketball League world. With their second league title in six years, the Drillers joined the Louisville Spirits as the only repeat champions in the young but increasingly competitive challenger to the Federal loop.

Dallas didn’t exactly dominate the regular season. The Drillers finished second in the West Division behind the high-flying Portland Pioneers, but once again, the playoffs told a different story. In fact, no CBL division winner has reached the finals since Dallas themselves took the inaugural championship back in 1967–68. This year proved no exception, as both regular-season leaders bowed out early: the Pioneers fell to the Drillers in the second round, while in the East, the top-seeded Baltimore Chargers—who owned the league’s best mark at 56–22—were shocked in the opening round by the Cincinnati Steamers, a club that had finished four games under .500.

The Chargers had looked unstoppable during the regular season. Led by scoring and rebounding champion Zane Davis and sensational rookie guard George Ogletree, fresh off back-to-back Barrette Trophies at Baton Rouge State, Baltimore breezed through the 78-game schedule. But when the postseason arrived, their fortunes turned. The Steamers stunned the Chargers on their own floor in the playoff opener, running away with a 145–127 decision. Cincinnati went on to take the series three games to one, then edged past the Pittsburgh Ironmen in a grueling seven-game semifinal to earn a trip to the finals for the second time in three years.

For Dallas, the championship run erased several years of frustration. The Drillers had been bounced from the playoffs in the first round each of the previous three seasons, despite fielding strong clubs. Under the steady leadership of veteran point guard Mark Robinson and All-CBL first team guard Elias Sipple, this year’s team was determined to end that trend—and they did, though not without drama.

Their first-round matchup came against the San Diego Breakers, led by the electrifying John Jenkins, a two-time CBL MVP and three-time Barrette Award winner from his college days at Northern Mississippi. Jenkins continued to dazzle, averaging 26 points and nearly 10 assists per game, as San Diego pushed the Drillers to the limit. But Dallas prevailed in a tough five-game series to move on.

Next came Portland, which had just outlasted the Kansas City Plainsmen with a decisive 136–102 victory in Game Five of its opening round. The Drillers, showing poise and experience, outworked the Pioneers over six games to reach the finals.

In the championship series, Dallas faced the Cinderella story from Cincinnati. The Steamers had already knocked off two higher seeds and came in riding a wave of confidence, but the Drillers’ depth and veteran savvy proved too much. Dallas captured the CBL crown in six games to reclaim the title they first won back in the spring of 1968.

No one played a bigger role in the Drillers’ success than Mark Robinson. The 33-year-old playmaker—who spent half a decade with the Chicago Panthers of the Federal Basketball League before jumping to the CBL’s Drillers in the league’s first year—delivered what may have been the finest postseason of his long career. Robinson, who has led the CBL in assists in each of its six seasons, averaged nearly 12 per game in this playoff run. But this time, he also took on the role of primary scorer, averaging an impressive 26.1 points per game during the postseason and providing the steady hand that guided Dallas to another championship.

For Robinson and the Drillers, the long road back to the top ended just the way it began six years ago—hoisting the CBL trophy, with confetti falling and a league taking notice that Dallas basketball is once again drilling for gold.

[b]COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECAP
EMERALDS SHINE AT LAST
Lane State Ends Six-Decade Wait with First AIAA Crown

It took more than sixty years, but the Lane State Emeralds have finally climbed to the top of the college basketball world. Long overshadowed by their West Coast Athletic Association rivals, the Emeralds now have a national championship trophy to call their own.

For decades, Lane State watched as its neighbors basked in glory. To the north, Rainier College captured five AIAA titles. Down south, City College of Los Angeles and Coastal California combined for six more. Even Redwood claimed a pair. Meanwhile, the Emeralds—who trailed only Coastal California’s incredible 29 league titles with nine of their own—built a reputation as a team that looked strong in January but faded in March.

They had reached the national semifinals five times and played for the championship three, most memorably falling to Rainier College in the 1939–40 title game—a loss that still stings basketball fans in Oregon. Their last trip to the final four came in 1962, another disappointment, but the deepest wound came just a year ago when the Emeralds missed the tournament entirely, ending a 19-year streak of appearances.

For head coach Ray Kilmer, now in his second decade on the job, the pressure was mounting. But perhaps last year’s snub provided the spark his team needed. The Emeralds opened the season in dazzling form, racing to a 12–1 record. Then, as so often seemed to happen at Lane State, adversity struck.

Junior guard Terry Bradshaw, one of the team’s brightest stars, was ruled academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. The conference schedule loomed, and the Emeralds immediately stumbled. They beat Rainier College in their opener, then dropped back-to-back games to Redwood, and CC Los Angeles, leaving them 1–2 in league play.

But just when it seemed the season might unravel, the Emeralds found their footing behind a most unlikely hero. Bob Basham, Bradshaw’s backup the previous two seasons, stepped into the starting lineup and never looked back. His 11-point effort helped spark a 53–45 upset win over Coastal California in Los Angeles—a victory that ignited an 11-game winning streak and carried Lane State to the top of the WCAA standings.

Basham went on to lead the team in scoring the rest of the way, averaging 11.6 points per game as Lane State finished 24–5 overall, 11–3 in conference, earning the WCAA crown and the No. 2 seed in the West Region.

The Emeralds opened the national tournament in style. Senior forward Tim Adams scored 19 points and Basham added 15 in a 74–53 rout of Valley State, the Southern Border Association champion. The second round brought another comfortable win, this time 58–49 over Carolina Poly, a power from the South Atlantic Conference. Junior Julio Herrera came off the bench to score a season-high 19 points—his chance coming only because starter Alan Durham broke his foot in the first half.

Down two regulars, Lane State faced another South Atlantic contender, North Carolina Tech, in the regional final. In past years, this was when the Emeralds might have folded. Not this time. Adams scored 14, junior guard Dick Overton added 12, and the Emeralds advanced to the national semifinals with a 61–53 triumph.

Waiting in New York City’s Bigsby Garden were Detroit City College and Western Iowa from the Great Lakes Alliance, and Mississippi A&M, winners of the Deep South Conference and making their third trip to the national semifinals in four years.

Lane State’s semifinal battle with Detroit City turned into a nail-biter. The Emeralds built a 15-point halftime lead, but the Knights, fueled by junior forward Steve Peterson’s 20 points, stormed back. Detroit closed to within two in the final seconds before a missed jumper by guard Ray Falcone at the buzzer preserved a 55–53 Lane State victory.

In the other semifinal, All-American Melvin Abbott scored 15 as Mississippi A&M defeated Western Iowa 65–60 to reach the title game for the second time in three years.

The championship contest proved anticlimactic. Lane State seized control early, led by eight at halftime, and never looked back, rolling to a 70–54 victory. Herrera scored 15, Basham added 12, and fittingly, two players who began the season on the bench carried the Emeralds to their long-awaited national title.

After decades of frustration, Lane State had finally earned its place among the greats of college basketball—and did it with grit, poise, and a little help from the underdogs who refused to quit.

AIAA CAGE NOTES

• It has been a long time since a Liberty College big man was named AIAA National Player of the Year but that is what Hank Woolley did this year. He joins a pair of Federal Basketball League greats in Luther Gordon and Ward Messer as the only other Liberty College players to win the Art Barrette Trophy. The senior, who hails from Hartford, Ct., is a lock to be a first round draft pick this summer. He led the Bells to a 23-8 record, their highest victory total in over a decade and just their second AIAA appearance since 1963.
• Speaking of Messer, Ward's son Wayne Messer just completed his freshman campaign with Carolina Poly. Not a bad showing for the 6'5" forward, who averaged just under 20 minutes off the bench for the Cardinals, scoring 5.5 ppg and adding nearly 4 rebounds a contest. OSA had him as a top ten prospect his high school senior season.
• Paul Brunnell of Centerville ended his college career with 1,968 points. That is the fourth highest scoring total of all-time trailing only Brooklyn State's Valerio Cortes (1936-39) with 2,036, Ron Bonhall (1962-65) of Redwood who scored 2,035 and former Indiana A&M star Joe Whaley (1964-67) who tallied 1,989.
• Brunell averaged 17.1 ppg this season for the Indians, trailing only Miami State's Bob Cox (18.0) and Al Edwards (17.5) of Georgia Baptist.
• Edwards, a senior forward for the Gators, scored 39 points in a March 66-65 loss to Bluegrass State. It was the highest point total ever accumulated by a player on a losing team and one shy of the AIAA record 40 points jointly held by Hugo Smith, who did it for Johnson Tech in 1959, and North Carolina Atlantic's Dick Schultz, who equaled the mark five years later.

Next up will be the review of the 1973 baseball season.

[Tiger Fan]

1973 IN FIGMENT BASEBALL
October 28, 1973

1973: A SEASON OWNED BY DIXIE TURNER AND THE RISING SAINTS

If the 1970s needed a superstar to define the era, Montreal’s Dixie Turner seems intent on filling the role. Watching him now—32 years old, still firmly in his prime—you get the creeping sense that in another decade we may be talking about him not merely as one of the greats, but the greatest player the game has ever known.

Turner’s numbers no longer surprise so much as they overwhelm.

He’s sitting on 2,177 hits in 1,865 games, 398 homers, and steady momentum toward that exclusive 3,000-hit/500-homer club—still occupied by only Bobby Barrell, Al Wheeler, and Max Morris. Turner now matches Morris’ once-lonely standard of eight Whitney Awards, the only pair in league history to do so.

He’s collected five straight Continental Association Whitneys, added to the three he won before Pittsburgh dealt him north in the summer of ’68. And if that mid-season move hadn’t flipped him to the other league, odds are he’d be riding a seven-year Whitney streak. In 1973 he hit .301 with 44 homers, 133 RBI, and a .584 slugging percentage—leading FABL in every one of those categories.

But the real Turner storyline remains “The Trade” and its ongoing aftershocks.

Montreal, a club that spent nearly half a century fading into the background, has become a powerhouse since Turner’s arrival. The Saints hadn’t sniffed the postseason since 1921. Now they’ve won five straight CA East titles, three pennants, and two World Championship Series crowns, the latest coming this fall. Before Turner, Montreal had two titles in 77 years; since Turner, they’ve matched that in four.

Manager Harry Barrell—another Pittsburgh cast-off—deserves his due as well. With steady support from longtime lieutenant Roger Cleaves (who left to manage Detroit after this year’s triumph) and help from son Reid Barrell (.261,15,75), Harry has kept the Saints locked on course. Outfield steadiness from Jim Hendricks (.306,14,63) and veteran Harry Swain (.266,10,34) has helped. And on the mound, Montreal has found a new stopper every year. This season’s revelation was Jose Martinez (17-6, 2.99), a 29-year-old who had never started a major league game before April and wound up as the staff ace.

With divisional playoffs now doubling the postseason field, five straight playoff trips is still rarefied territory. Not even the great Detroit clubs of the ’50s or Cleveland’s powerhouses of the early ’60s managed it. Only the 1902-06 Boston Minutemen and the 1966-72 Los Angeles Stars ever put together runs of five or more consecutive postseason appearances.

The Stars’ streak ended this year at seven. Montreal’s march continues.

MONTREAL WALKS AWAY WITH THE CA EAST

Calling the race “one-sided” barely does it justice.

Cleveland jumped out 9-1, but by the end of April Montreal had already blown past them and never looked back. A month before the All-Star break the Saints’ lead was in double digits. Only Milwaukee’s electric second-half push kept the final spread to “just” 15 games.

Milwaukee’s 46-25 post-break surge was the best record in baseball during that span, better even than Montreal’s. The Arrows, celebrating their fifth birthday, have every reason to feel bullish heading into 1974. Jim Stogner (.303,24,97) led the veterans, while youngsters Joe Wright (14-11, 2.56), Harry Edwards (.288,26,87), and Paul Burkley (.261,18,74) all made significant leaps.

Cleveland settled for third place after fading in July, though rookie Bill Harris (10-3, 3.23) and veterans Andy Babel (.314,10,100) and newcomer Carlos Jaramillo (.257,5,47) kept them competitive.

New York finished fourth at two games under .500, but finally saw the long-awaited breakout of John Alfano, who authored an Allen-caliber season at 18-9, 2.69. Cincinnati, after two years of pushing Montreal, collapsed by 18 wins and finished fifth. Toronto brought up the rear with a franchise-worst 108 losses—matching the 1911 Sailors for most ever by an original CA club. At least the Wolves will pick first in the ’74 draft.

KINGS’ HOT START ENDS L.A.’s LONG RUN

The CA West produced the league’s most intriguing race—and its most painful ending.

Seattle blistered the league early, reaching the break at 60-33, two games up on the Stars. By September 1, L.A. had inched ahead. But a brutal month, including an eight-game slide, sunk their postseason bid. The final blow came on September 11 when ace George Dunnigan (15-1, 2.78) went down with a shoulder injury, costing him both a pennant chase and a potential first Allen Award.

That award instead went to Seattle’s Swede Hawkins (23-7, 2.98), who teamed with 1971 Allen winner Moe Lowery (14-10, 3.17) to form one of baseball’s best young duos. Veteran Charlie Rushing (19-12, 3.12), now 38, continues to age like fine wine. Since arriving from Philadelphia he’s gone 94-48 with a 3.10 ERA.

The Kings also bid farewell to franchise legend Ken Newman. At 45, he hit .298 mostly in pinch duty and closed a career that began in Brooklyn in 1948 and carried through Kansas City’s heyday. Seattle’s lone WCS title came in 1937, but with Hawkins, Lowery, outfielder Bob Glowacki (.284,25,68), and standout catcher Fred Tollefson (.301,29,90), they may be closer than ever to bringing home the city’s first pro sports championship—preferably before 40-year-old Hank Williams (.255,11,56) joins Newman in retirement.

Though the Stars’ streak ended, they remain dangerous. Dunnigan should return healthy, and if Bill Dunlop (9-10, 4.25) can regain his old Allen-winning form after a season plagued by elbow troubles, the offense—Bobby Garrison (.312,26,100), Lew Smith (.287,26,82), and Ed Moore (.282,29,95)—is still potent, even if Ralph Barrell (.211,15,53) continues to struggle.

Below the top two, the division remains an undercard.

Dallas has pieces—batting champ Buck Stout (.326,30,105), Nick Parker (.324,8,38), and Pete Rosenbaum (14-9, 3.15)—but lacks depth. The Chicago Cougars’ lone bright spot is 43-year-old Pug White (16-9, 2.81), still 10 wins shy of 250 and insisting he’ll return. San Francisco continues to drift but owns the league’s top prospect in 18-year-old pitcher Lee Jones. And the Kansas City Mavericks, last place all five years of their existence, set a club record with 69 wins—still well short of relevance. Trading Bob Hinzman (11-17, 4.04) for 18-year-old Joe Lavallee signals more years of slow rebuild ahead.

HOUSTON’S STUNNER: COMETS SOAR TO FED WEST CROWN

Of all the stories in 1973, none blindsided the league quite like the Federal Association West.

If an expansion club was going to rise, everyone assumed it would be the 1962 Suns. Los Angeles won the division two years ago and chased St. Louis last season. But the year belonged to another expansion club: the 1969 Houston Comets.

Houston didn’t just win—they rolled to 100 victories, beating the Suns by 12 games. The offense was steady but not spectacular, with Johnny Adams (.319,19,62) and Maury Moore (.312,8,63) leading the way. The story was pitching: Johnny Blackburn (19-8, 2.98) and George Roy (22-8, 3.36) formed one of the finest one-two punches in the sport.

The Suns still swung heavy lumber—Sam Forester (.309,37,96) and Bill Calvin (.299,35,101) both mashed, and July additions Harry Dellinger (.242,14,52) and Eddie Kellum (.288,13,74) provided help—but the chase never truly materialized. Chicago finished third, boosted midseason by Rankin Ziegler (.282,4,34), grandson of Rankin Kellogg.

Detroit did what Detroit has done for three straight years: finish 72-90. Manager Jim Dirks paid the price, and Roger Cleaves now gets his chance to revive a once-dominant franchise. Minneapolis, still seeking its first .500 season in ten years, remains stuck in neutral. And the collapse in St. Louis, from 88 wins to 68, may have been the division’s biggest mystery. A once-elite pitching staff, long the Pioneers trademark, is but a distant memory.

THE BIG TRADE THAT SAVED TWO FRANCHISES

A year removed from ending a 71-year WCS drought, the Pittsburgh Miners cruised to their third 100-win season in four years—and did so without feeling the strain of expectations. They dominated the FA East, finishing 20 games ahead of Washington.

And now, with hindsight, even the long-questioned Turner trade looks different. Turner became a legend in Montreal. But the Miners landed a budding one of their own in Al Hubbard (.332,22,109), who captured his first Whitney Award and his third Diamond Defense Award this season. The haul also included Henry Woods (.288,15,63) and Don Riley (.225,5,46), the latter limited by injury in 1973.

Indirectly, the deal also brought Marco Middleton (19-6, 3.00), acquired for Ace Barrell, who had been part of the original Turner package. Middleton, last year’s Allen Award winner, remained dominant and helped offset Jack Kotarski (8-8, 3.54) slipping noticeably.

But Pittsburgh’s best stories came from within. Howie Burt (22-5, 2.56), a 1965 fifth-round pick, finally stuck—and in a big way. Still technically a rookie, he became the first pitcher ever to win both the Kellogg and Allen Awards in the same season. Right behind him was 23-year-old Dutch Wright (18-7, 2.81), another rookie who made the All-Star team.

With that depth, no one in the FA East had much hope.

Washington finished second but far off the pace. Jim Stewart (15-14, 4.17) joined Dane Messick as the only pitchers to win 200 games as an Eagle. Tom Lorang (.308,33,116) remained himself—but fell short again in his pursuit of a fifth Whitney.

Baltimore posted an encouraging 81-81 mark in its fifth year, thanks largely to catcher Hank Wallace (.306,10,81) and pitcher Larry Warren (14-9, 3.82). The Gothams endured a year their longtime aces Bunny Mullins (10-17, 4.23) and Harry Hayward (10-18, 4.79) will be happy to forget.

Philadelphia finished with its worst record since 1958, though Andy Parker (.310,18,78), Billy Hasson (10-11, 3.47) with his 250th win, and Jorge Arellano (13-12, 3.96) with his 3,000th strikeout supplied bright spots.

And Boston, last again, at least found hope in top draft pick Willie Stephens—a promising first baseman from Greensburg State who hit .280 in AAA and already ranks as the sport’s No. 2 prospect.

MILESTONES AND OTHER NOTABLES
AWARDS

It might be about time to rename the Whitney Award to the Dixie Turner Award as the Montreal Saints second baseman was once again the unanimous choice for the Continental Association winner. Turner,32, hit .301 with a FABL best 44 homers and 133 rbi's. He has now won the award each of his 5 full years with Montreal and had previously won the Whitney three times while with Pittsburgh of the Federal Association. Turner is now tied with the legendary slugger Max Morris for the most Whitney wins.

Al Hubbard of the Pittsburgh Miners - who was a minor league prospect with Montreal when he was traded to the Miners in the deal that brought Dixie Turner the other way- won his first Federal Association Whitney Award. Hubbard became Turner's replacement at second base for the Miners and the 25-year-old hit .332 with a FABL best 18 triples this season. Like Turner, Hubbard was unanimously selected.

Like Hubbard, both of the Allen Award winners are also celebrating their first awards. Howie Burt (22-5, 2.56), a 26-year-old teammate of Hubbard's in Pittsburgh was the winner in the Federal Association, marking the second consecutive season a Miners hurler has been honoured as Marco Middleton won last season. The Continental Association ballot was much tighter as Seattle's Swede Hawkins (23-7, 2.98) won by a narrow margin over John Alfano of the New York Imperials.

The Kellogg Award for top rookie went to Kansas City Mavericks outfielder Joe Robertson (.276,11,49) in the Continental Association while the Fed winner was Burt, who became the first pitcher ever to win both the Allan Award and Kellogg Award in the same season. There have been two hitters to win a Whitney and a Kellogg in the same year: Ralph Johnson of Brooklyn in 1947 and Philadelphia's Harry Dellinger in 1960.

Harry Barrell of the World Champion Montreal Saints won his second straight and fourth overall Theobald Award. Barrell, the Continental Association winner was joined by his WCS opponent as Houston's Glen Carney won from the Federal Association. It was Carney's 5th time winning as he also claimed four manager of the year awards while with the then-Kansas City based Kings between 1954 and 1966. It was Carney's first year at the helm in Houston after he spent the last three seasons as Baltimore's third base coach.

HALL OF FAME

For the second year in a row the Hall of Fame did not induct any new members. Ralph Johnson and Paul Anderson both picked up over 70% of the vote to be the closest to gaining entrance in the Boone County baseball museum.

NO-HITTERS

Asbury Ashmore became the second Dallas Wranglers pitcher to throw a no-hitter when he turned the trick in May against the Los Angeles Suns. It was the only no-hitter of the season. Hank Walker threw the first Dallas no-hitter in 1967.

3000 HITS
Buddy Miller, Boston

2500 HITS
Jerry McMillan, New York Imperials

2000 HITS
Tom Halliday, Chicago Cougars

400 HOME RUNS
Tom Lorang, Washington

300 HOME RUNS
Sam Forester, Los Angeles Suns

1000 RBI's
Joe Siniscalchi, Chicago Chiefs

1500 RUNS SCORED
Tom Lorang, Washington

1000 RUNS SCORED
Ed Moore, Los Angeles Stars
Andy Parker, Philadelphia

250 PITCHING WINS
Beau McClellan, Seattle
Billy Hasson, Philadelphia

200 PITCHING WINS
Jim Stewart, Washington

3000 STRIKEOUTS
Jorge Arellano, Philadelphia

2000 STRIKEOUTS
Marco Middleton, Pittsburgh
Whitey Stewart, San Francisco

1973 FABL ALL-STAR GAME
Richard's Homers Twice to Pace Fed to Win in Cincinnati

John Richards of the St. Louis Pioneers was the hero of the 41st annual FABL all-star game, held in the new Tice Memorial Stadium in Cincinnati before a capacity crowd of 50,000. Richards homered twice as the Federal Association won 9-5, and has now prevailed over their Continental Association rivals in nine of the last ten all-star games.

Richards, a 32-year-old first baseman playing in the all-star game for the fourth time, led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo homerun off losing pitcher John Alfano of the New York Imperials and would hit a 2-run shot in the fifth inning off Bill Dunham of the Los Angeles Stars. The two longballs earned Richards the nod as Most Valuable Player in the game but neither was the biggest homerun of the night. That honour would go to Carl Kilkenny, a 24-year-old third baseman from the Minneapolis Millers who was making his all-star debut. Kilkenny stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter to face veteran Chicago Cougars hurler Pug White with the bases loaded and two out. Kilkenny's Federal Association squad was leading 5-3 but getting nervous as the Continental nine pushed a run across in the top of the sixth inning to cut into the Fed lead, but one swing of the bat ended up putting the game away as Kilkenny's all-star debut was a grand slam homerun.

1973 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
SAINTS, COMETS, MINERS & KINGS MAKE HISTORY IN A 10-GAME POSTSEASON SWEEP-A-THON

The 1973 postseason will go down as one of the strangest—and shortest—in FABL history. A year after the Pittsburgh Miners snapped a 71-year World Championship Series drought with a perfect 7–0 playoff run, the league saw an even rarer feat: all three playoff series ending in sweeps. The entire postseason wrapped in just 10 games, the briefest October since the divisional era began in 1969—and a total that can only ever be tied, never beaten.

What began as a postseason featuring an upstart Houston Comets, a resurgent Seattle Kings, the defending champion Miners, and the powerhouse Montreal Saints ended with a runaway coronation in Quebec. But the road there was full of surprises.

COMETS STUN DEFENDING CHAMPION MINERS

A year ago, Pittsburgh’s title run felt like a storybook breakthrough. This fall, the Miners were expected to write the sequel. With MVP Al Hubbard (.332, 22, 109), batting champ Jack Blair (.345, 17, 86), Rookie of the Year and Allen Award winner Howie Burt (22–5, 2.56), and last season’s Allen winner Marco Middleton (19–6, 3.00), Pittsburgh entered October as the club no one wanted to meet.

Someone forgot to tell Houston.

The Comets—born in the 1969 expansion and postseason newcomers—showed none of the stage fright usually associated with debutants. They stole the first two in Pittsburgh, 6–5 and 2–1, then returned home to finish the sweep 3–1 behind a masterful outing from 25-year-old ace Johnny Blackburn (19–8, 2.98).

Houston’s first playoff series in franchise history became one for Pittsburgh to forget.

MONTREAL ROLLS SEATTLE FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT CA EAST TITLE

The Montreal Saints once again ruled the Continental Association East, going 102–60 to secure their fifth straight division crown. Dixie Turner (.301, 44, 133)—notching a record-tying eighth Whitney Award—continued to pad a résumé already destined for Boone County.

Their opponents, the Seattle Kings, returned to the postseason for the first time in ten years. The franchise, dating back to its days in Kansas City and originally Brooklyn, had not won a playoff series since capturing its lone WCS title in 1937. That drought stretched on, as Montreal dispatched Seattle in three straight, extending the Kings’ losing streak to six consecutive postseason series.

[size="5]WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES[/size]
Montreal Saints vs. Houston Comets

The Saints, in their 91st year, were seeking their fourth championship—and their second in three seasons after ending a 49-year drought in 1970. The Comets, in just their fifth year of existence, arrived as the ultimate Cinderella.

They would find Montreal unkind to fairy tales.

GAME ONE – Saints 5, Comets 4

Montreal wasted no time. Dixie Turner launched a two-run homer in the top of the first, then repeated the feat in the fourth with a solo shot to stake the Saints to a 4–0 lead. But Houston battled back, tying the game on Frank Bailey’s pinch-hit two-run blast in the eighth.

In the ninth, the Saints countered with pinch-hit magic of their own. Sam Keneally, a 24-year-old rookie with just nine big-league at-bats, ripped a two-out RBI double off closer Bob Young. The hit stood up, and Montreal stole the opener on the road.

GAME TWO – Saints 8, Comets 2

The Saints removed all suspense early with a five-run third inning, highlighted by Eddie Thomas’s two-run homer. Starter John Roberts went the distance, scattering five hits, and Montreal headed home with a commanding 2–0 series lead.

GAME THREE – Saints 2, Comets 1

A tight, tense duel.

Montreal’s Jose Martinez tossed seven scoreless innings while Houston’s Johnny Blackburn allowed just one run on three hits before departing for a pinch-hitter. Thomas doubled home Bill Rowden in the fifth to put Montreal ahead, but Johnny Adams greeted reliever Tommy Jackson with a game-tying homer in the eighth.

That set the stage for Jim Hendricks—hero of the 1970 WCS—to walk it off with a towering solo homer off Bob Young in the bottom of the ninth. The Saints were up 3–0 in the series, with two last at bat wins already in their pocket.

GAME FOUR – Saints 1, Comets 0 (12 innings)

Game Four became an instant classic. Through eleven innings, neither team scored. Houston’s Spencer Reese and two relievers allowed just four hits; Montreal’s George Williams and company surrendered only five.

The Comets escaped disaster in the tenth when Young—already tagged with two losses—escaped a bases-loaded jam. But the 12th inning finally cracked him. After striking out Turner, Young allowed a single to Reid Barrell and a double to Diego Vazquez. Barrell raced home, sliding just ahead of catcher Jerry Robinson’s tag, and Montreal clinched the sweep with a walk-off 1–0 victory.

Young, acquired mid-season from Toronto, became just the second pitcher ever to lose three games in a single WCS, tying Chris Krug’s 1897 mark.

Saints catcher Eddie Thomas earned Series MVP honors, batting 5-for-15 with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, and three runs scored—plus a key hit in Game Three’s razor-thin victory.

A year without drama in the regular season standings ended with drama on the field—but never in the playoff series results. Three matchups, three sweeps, and a Saints club that cemented its place among FABL’s modern dynasties with 2 WCS wins and five consecutive division titles.

OSA PIPELINE HINTS THAT CLASS OF ’73 MAY BE ONE FOR THE AGES

If early returns are any indication, the 1973 FABL draft may go down as the most star-laden crop since the legendary class of 1925. That vintage produced four Hall of Famers—Jack Cleaves, Jim Lonardo, Bob Martin, and Al Wheeler—along with a long list of enduring standouts such as Bud Jameson, Karl Johnson, William Jones, Doug Lightbody, and Moxie Pidgeon. Matching that group is a tall order, but OSA scouts are already buzzing.

Just months after their pro debuts, fourteen of OSA’s top fifteen prospects hail from the ’73 class, including every one of the first ten selections in June.

The draft also featured familiar surnames and notable family ties—especially in the opening round.

FAMOUS BLOODLINES IN THE FIRST ROUND

One of those first-rounders was pitcher Paul Czerwinski, nephew of Cleveland Foresters Hall of Famer Adrian Czerwinski. Paul Jr.’s father, Paul Sr., is the brother of both Adrian and former FABL catcher Stan Czerwinski. The oldest of the siblings chose physics over baseball, but the younger Paul followed the family’s diamond path. Drafted 16th overall by the Foresters out of Plantations College, he split 1973 between rookie ball and Class A. OSA currently slots the 22-year-old at No. 71 on its Top 100 list.

Two picks earlier, at No. 14, the Chicago Chiefs selected California prep catcher Elam Kellerman, grandson of former FABL star catcher and manager Tom Bird. Kellerman ranks 19th on the OSA list, but his time in the Chiefs system—his grandfather’s old club—was brief. Chicago dealt him to Toronto after the WCS, and he is now a promising piece in the Wolves’ organization.

Other 1973 draftees with FABL pedigrees:

• CF Lester Jones, 18 (6th round, Chicago Cougars): grandson of six-time All-Star and 1935 Whitney Award winner Freddie Jones.
• Outfielder Dino Sharp Jr. Detroit is hoping for much more success out of Dino Jr., who the Dynamos drafted out Arkansas A&T after he played his high school ball in the Motor City. Dino's dad was selected 3rd overall out of high school by the Dynamos in 1948 with plenty of hoopla as a local Detroit-born product but played only 50 big league games in his career.
• John and Harry Steward: John, a 23-year-old second baseman drafted in the 20th round by Milwaukee out of the College of San Diego; Harry, an 18-year-old shortstop picked in the 13th round by the Los Angeles Suns out of Calexico High in California. Both are related to Los Angeles Stars outfielder Charlie Barrell through Charlie’s mother, former screen star Dorothy Bates. Bates is the aunt of the Steward brothers through her youngest sister Connie.

BACKTRACKING TO ’72 AND ’71: MORE NOTABLE NAMES

A year earlier, in 1972, the Chicago Chiefs spent a third-round pick on Rankin Ziegler, grandson of the great Rankin Kellogg, namesake of the rookie-of-the-year trophy. Ziegler’s mother—Kellogg’s daughter—served in Operation Paperclip during WWII and later married a German rocket scientist. Both parents now work under Wernher von Braun in Huntsville on the Apollo project.

Like those rockets, young Rankin is blasting off. The first baseman hit .357 in 64 Triple-A games, earning a promotion to Chicago, where he batted .282 with 4 homers and 34 RBI in 82 games. His power doesn’t yet compare to Kellogg’s 475 career blasts, but OSA believes his speed and bat control should make him a reliable big-league regular.

The 1971 draft also delivered two arms with Hall of Fame lineage.

Don Barrell, son of Hall of Famer Tom Barrell, went sixth overall to Minneapolis. Though no longer on the Top 100 list, he turned in a strong 11-6, 2.34 campaign at Class A as a 20-year-old.

Doug Trowbridge, grandson of Hall of Fame first baseman Dave Trowbridge, was taken two picks later by Cincinnati and split last season between rookie ball and Class A.

And tying everything back to that fabled 1925 class, we have Jimmy Mullen, a 1971 ninth-rounder and grandson of ’25 first-round star Doug Lightbody. The Lightbodys remain a storied Mississippi sporting clan, with multiple family members having excelled in baseball and basketball from the 1930s onward. One cousin, named Jimmy Lightbody, is beginning his freshman season at Maryland State as a three-star basketball recruit.

Mullen’s own climb is more modest. Traded by Montreal to Detroit and later released by the Dynamos, the 23-year-old centerfielder found a home in the Seattle Kings system. A Bluegrass State product, he hit .254 across 90 games between rookie ball and Class A this past season.

RANKING OF MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEMS

Next up the 1973 recap from the gridiron.

[Tiger Fan]

JANUARY 18, 1974
MINERS SOLD. PITTSBURGH STUNNED AS CLUB ANNOUNCES MOVE TO ATLANTA
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The long winter of uncertainty for Pittsburgh baseball fans ended Thursday and the result hit like a fastball to the ribs. The Pittsburgh Miners, a fixture in this city since the early days of the Federal Association, are headed south.

The announcement came only days after the club was sold by the heirs of the late owner Al Maday, who passed away earlier this month at the age of eighty four. Maday bought the club in 1946 from Daniel Fitzpatrick and oversaw nearly three decades of steady but unspectacular ball at old Fitzpatrick Park. The park opened in 1923 and remains one of the oldest parks in the circuit. By the end of Maday’s tenure it was showing every bit of its age.

Maday’s children made it clear they had no appetite for running a ballclub or fighting the uphill battle for a replacement park. That opened the door for Phil Cross, a rising Atlanta based construction magnate who has built his fortune in one of the nation’s fastest growing cities. Cross, forty six, was born in Norfolk, Virginia and comes from a family of shipbuilders. He has spent the last decade making a name for himself in construction and real estate in Georgia. His bid included two names well known to FABL fans: NARF owner and founder James Slocum and his uncle, Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Barrell.

Barrell’s presence, along with that of his wife Marla Fitzpatrick Barrell, stirred hope throughout Pittsburgh that the Fitzpatrick legacy might bring the club some much needed stability. That feeling lasted roughly ten minutes. Cross made no secret of the fact that he wanted a new ballpark and he wasted little time asking the city to help finance it.

City officials balked. Private talks between Cross and Mayor Harold Duncannon grew chilly in December. According to sources close to the negotiations, the two sides were miles apart on every major point and neither budged. Cross argued that Fitzpatrick Park was no longer suitable for a modern club and warned that standing still would cost Pittsburgh its franchise. The Mayor called those claims exaggerated and questioned the timing.

On Thursday, Cross made good on his warning. He confirmed that the club will begin play this spring in Atlanta and will carry a new name: the Atlanta Copperheads. They will take up residence in Peachtree Stadium, a modern multi purpose facility opened in 1966 for the AFA’s Atlanta Firebirds. The park already hosts football and will be adapted for FABL action with only minor renovations.

“This is not the outcome I hoped for,” Cross told reporters. “We came here ready to build something new. We offered a plan that would have kept this club right here in Pittsburgh. The city government forced my hand.”

Fans were left bewildered. In the Hill District and across the steel towns that fed generations of Miners faithful, the reaction ranged from disbelief to outright anger. A group of fans gathered outside Fitzpatrick Park last night, holding homemade signs and chanting “Save Our Miners.” One supporter called Cross “a hired gun who never wanted to stay here in the first place.”

Inside the ownership group the decision has created its own waves. Tom Barrell, who wore a Miners uniform during his pitching career and remains a beloved figure in the game, offered a brief statement. He expressed regret that the club could not remain in Pittsburgh but said he stood behind Cross’s plan. His wife Marla, daughter of former owner Daniel Fitzpatrick, has not spoken publicly.

The FABL office offered the standard league line. Commissioner Willard T. Dennison said the league “respects the rights of ownership groups to determine the future of their clubs” and wished Cross luck in Atlanta. Privately several league officials worry about a backlash in one of the oldest markets in the game.

As winter turns toward spring, Pittsburgh faces the reality of life without big league baseball for the first time in generations. Cross insists the Copperheads will open a new chapter in Atlanta. For now, all that remains in Pittsburgh is the empty ballpark on Federal Street and a bitter sense of what might have been.





DRILLERS WIN WORLD CLASSIC A RECORD THIRD TIME
Houston Downs Kansas City 26-20 for AFA Championship [/b]

Led by league MVP Bobby “Junior” Barrell, the first defensive player in AFA history to claim the honor, the Houston Drillers captured their third World Classic, edging the Kansas City Cowboys 26–20. Houston, which previously won in 1967 and 1969, now stands alone as the only club to win three titles in the ten-year history of the World Classic, first staged with the formation of the National Football Conference in 1964. Kansas City, like Houston, was making its third appearance, though the Cowboys’ lone victory remains the 1970 triumph over Washington.

Despite Barrell’s dominance at defensive end, the Drillers hardly looked like a championship outfit for much of the year. Houston stumbled through an 8–6 season—its fewest wins since 1963—but closed strong with three straight victories to claim the American Conference West, finishing just ahead of the New Orleans Crescents. The defense held firm all year, but the offense struggled in the red zone even with veteran halfback Vern Rebovich posting his seventh 1,000-yard season and newcomer Randall Silva providing steady play at quarterback after John Stevens’ departure. Houston was actually outscored over the course of the season.

The class of the American Conference during the regular season was Washington, which won the East for the fourth straight year. The Wasps finished 11-2-1, best in the league, chased all the way by the 10-4 Boston Americans. Boston boasted perhaps the top offense in football, with quarterback Jason Huff throwing for 2,550 yards and halfbacks Dennis Rice and Stephen McKeever finishing second and third in league rushing, combining for more than 2,300 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The final playoff berth in the American went to the Cleveland Finches, who enjoyed a resurgent 10-4 campaign to make the postseason for the first time in 26 years. Their last playoff appearance was the 1947 AFA Championship, when they defeated Washington.

*** Cowboys Ride Tall in National Conference ***

The breakout of rookie quarterback Joshua Sellers transformed Kansas City from a solid club into a powerhouse. Sellers, a fourth-round pick out of Daniel Boone College, beat veteran Gary Weis for the starting job in camp and proceeded to set a modern AFA record with 2,828 passing yards. He threw 23 touchdowns while leading the Cowboys to an 11-3 mark and a return to postseason play after missing out a year ago.

Kansas City was the only National Conference team to reach double-digit wins, and Sellers was rewarded with Offensive Rookie of the Year. Joining the Cowboys in the postseason were the Buffalo Red Jackets, Los Angeles Olympians, and Miami Mariners.

Buffalo, guided by second-year coach Tom Bowens—himself a former AIAA champion at CCLA—claimed the East Division crown and reached the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s 12-year history. Like Kansas City, the Red Jackets rode a rookie passer: Jason Myers, a second-rounder from American Atlantic, who threw for 2,659 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 22 interceptions were a blemish, but Buffalo weathered the inconsistency. Myers’ favorite target was Bowens’ son, Tom Bowens Jr., whose 87 receptions led the league—second only to Monte Harriman’s 101 in 1949.

Miami’s run of division titles ended, but at 9-5 the Mariners extended their playoff streak to eight seasons. The Olympians also finished 9-5 to win the West, though their lone All-Star representative was punter Bob Davidson.

PLAYOFFS

The most dramatic game of the opening round came in the nation’s capital, where Washington and Boston met for the third time this season. Having split the first two meetings, the rubber match unfolded as expected—tight, physical, and tense. Boston led by ten entering the fourth quarter before Washington battled back to tie it 23-23. In overtime, Cyrus Dunaway drilled a 45-yard field goal to give the Americans a 26-23 victory.

Houston advanced as well, behind 196 passing yards from Silva and relentless pressure from Barrell Jr., defeating Cleveland 26-13, ending the Finches’ long-awaited postseason return.

In the National Conference, Leroy Avens rushed for 110 yards and defensive back Paul Calhoun opened the scoring with a 49-yard interception return as Kansas City topped Miami 26-10. Buffalo celebrated its first-ever playoff game with a commanding 23-3 win over the Olympians.

The jubilation didn’t last. The following week, Kansas City blasted Buffalo 42-9 in the conference final. Sellers threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns, while Charlie Evans and Avens each rushed for more than 100 yards. Evans’ pair of second-quarter scores broke the game open.

On the American side, Houston became the only road team to win a playoff game this year, storming into Boston and crushing the Americans 31-7. Barrell Jr. again anchored a ferocious pass rush, while Silva tossed three touchdown passes.

WORLD CLASSIC X

Both Houston and Kansas City were making their third appearance as the tenth World Classic kicked off, though the teams had never met in the title game before. They were far more familiar in regular-season play—this marked their 19th meeting, and Houston held a 15-3 advantage entering the day.

The Drillers struck immediately. On the first play from scrimmage, Silva hit Reggie Carpenter for 39 yards. The drive stalled in the red zone, but James Alcala booted a short field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Kansas City answered with a ground-heavy march featuring long runs from Evans and Avens, but penalties bogged the drive down and the Cowboys settled for three of their own.

Silva continued to find success through the air, helped by steady protection from a line anchored by All-Star tackle Angel Johnson. Before the first quarter closed, Houston went up 10-3 on a 3-yard scoring run by Hal Jagger, a lead the Drillers would never surrender.

The defenses dominated the second quarter, each side adding only a field goal, sending Houston to halftime up 13-6.

Late in the third, with the Cowboys trailing 16-6, Sellers threw his third interception—this one deep in Kansas City territory. The Houston offense could not cash it in for six, but Alcala hit his fourth field goal to extend the lead to 19-6.

Kansas City showed signs of life with 2:19 left, when Sellers connected with Al Blackburn for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 19-13. After a defensive stop, the Cowboys had one last chance, but a Donald Huff sack set up fourth-and-long. Sellers’ desperation heave was intercepted by rookie Daniel Teal, who returned it 18 yards for a crucial touchdown, stretching the margin to 26-13.

The Cowboys struck back immediately—a 71-yard bomb from Sellers to Davis McCoy—and the pair connected again from eight yards out as time expired. But the rally came too late, and Houston claimed its third World Classic, 26-20.

Sellers threw for 300 yards and two scores but was undone by four interceptions. Kansas City outgained Houston 487–292, but the Drillers committed only one turnover. Barrell Jr. recorded one of three Houston sacks and lived in the Cowboys backfield all afternoon. Kansas City generated pressure of its own and even knocked Silva out in the third quarter, but Houston’s line—led by the dominant Johnson—held firm. Johnson’s postseason performance earned him a historic honor: the first offensive lineman ever named Playoff MVP.

Now in just their 12th year, founded in 1962, the Drillers have established themselves as one of the AFA’s benchmark franchises—three World Classic victories and seven straight playoff appearances cementing their place among the league’s elite.

PERFECT SEASON FOR NOBLE JONES COLLEGE
Colonels Join Rival Georgia Baptist as Six-Time National Champions

It took fifteen long years, and more than a little patience, but Noble Jones College has finally climbed back to the summit of AIAA football. Forced to watch bitter rival Georgia Baptist reel off four national crowns during the interim, the Colonels answered at last in 1973—capping a flawless 12-0 campaign and joining the Gators as the only six-time national champions in AIAA football history.

This year’s triumph marks the Colonels’ first title since their back-to-back wins in 1957 and ’58. Before that, the school claimed championships in 1917, 1939, and 1942. The ’39 crown came despite a 14-14 draw with Lane State in the East-West Classic, while the ’42 title was punctuated by a 20-3 New Years rout of CC Los Angeles on the same Santa Ana field. Their twin perfect seasons in ’57 and ’58 featured victories in the Oilman Classic, the annual clash pitting the Deep South champion against the Southwestern Alliance winner. The Colonels remained perfect in the event with this year’s 20-3 decision over Travis College, improving to 4-0 all-time in the Classic.

Few expected Noble Jones to make such a run. The Colonels had missed New Year’s Day for four straight seasons and were coming off a dismal 5-6 campaign—one of the worst in school history. But what they did possess was a devastating one-two backfield punch in seniors Paul Edgewater and Wayne Elias, along with a sophomore quarterback, Tommy Williams, who made his living on the ground rather than through the air. Edgewater and Elias each surpassed 1,100 rushing yards, while Williams added 635 more on the ground despite throwing for just 459.

Edgewater, the workhorse of the trio, finished with 1,384 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns and earned TWIFS All-America honors. Sophomore guard Bruce Michel joined him on the All-America list, his blocking clearing the lanes that powered the Colonels’ run-heavy attack. Edgewater announced his intentions early with a four-touchdown, 251-yard explosion in the 47-0 opening-day wipeout of McKinney State.

Wins over Coastal California and Spokane State sent the Colonels into conference play at 3-0. Though the Deep South is widely regarded as the nation’s toughest section, a favorable early slate helped Noble Jones ease into rhythm. Bluegrass State (2-9), Alabama Baptist (6-5), Central Kentucky (4-7), and Opelika State (0-11) were dispatched without much strain.

The season’s toughest hurdle came in a typically gritty showdown with Cumberland. Even in a down year, the Explorers made the Colonels earn every inch in a defensive struggle that ended 13-3. Edgewater then supplied 120 yards and a touchdown in the annual clash with Georgia Baptist—a convincing 20-3 win over a Gators team that stumbled to 7-4 and fell out of the top 25 for the first time since 1958. Noble Jones closed the regular season with a 17-10 victory over 8-3 Western Florida before turning its sights to Travis College.

In the Oilman Classic, Edgewater (110 yards) and Elias (102 yards, 2 TDs) proved too much for the 10-1 Southwestern Alliance champions. The Colonels controlled the ball, controlled the tempo, and controlled the scoreboard—walking off with a 20-3 win and the school’s long-awaited sixth national title.

Generals Match Perfect March

Noble Jones was not alone in finishing unbeaten. The Alexandria Generals, part of the loose confederation of eight Atlantic independents, posted their second straight 12-0 season and climbed to No. 2 in the final rankings—the highest finish in school history. Overshadowed by a lighter schedule, the Generals were never realistic contenders for the championship; even a Noble Jones slip in the Oilman Classic likely would have handed the crown to Travis College. Still, it caps an extraordinary two-year rise for a program that had never appeared in the top ten before last season and only once before in the top twenty-five.

Oklahoma City State placed third at 10-2. The Plains Athletic Association champions secured their standing with a 33-26 victory over Midwestern Association winner Topeka State in the Sunshine Classic—the Wranglers’ first New Year’s Day triumph since the 1949 Lone Star Classic.

The West Coast Athletic Association rejoiced in a banner year, boasting three ranked programs, including No. 4 Redwood and No. 5 Portland Tech. Redwood enjoyed a perfect 7-0 mark in section play and captured its first East-West Classic since 1928, rallying with ten fourth-quarter points to edge Great Lakes Alliance champion Santa Ana 17-14. The comeback hinged on a touchdown strike from John Coughlin to Phil Vincent - the second time the duo hooked up on a scoring play that afternoon.

The Great Lakes Alliance, meanwhile, endured a down cycle. Detroit City College, despite a strong 7-1 section showing, finished only 8-4 overall and missed the final top twenty-five. The lone GLA representative in the final poll was Lincoln, which went 8-3 and finished 15th.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES

• Northern Mississippi sophomore quarterback Courtney Ford set a modern AIAA passing record by throwing for 1,940 yards this season while Gus Robards, the senior Alexandria quarterback and TWIFS All-American, set a new touchdown passing mark with 23 in helping the 12-0Generals to number two in the final polls.
• Among the players selected to the TWIFS All-American team was the grandson of Rollie Barrell. That would be Bill McCarver, a senior defensive back who is the son of former AFA player Jack McCarver and Rollie's daughter Marty.
• The Great Lakes Alliance failed to place a school in the top ten for the second year in a row. Lincoln was the highest ranked GLA school each of the past two seasons, finishing 15th this year and 12th in the last two years. That has never happened before. In fact, since the full poll began being tracked in 1940 the only time the GLA failed to place a school in the top ten prior to the past two seasons was in 1957.

Rocco’s Reign: Can Boxing’s Blue-Collar Champ Bring Stability Back to the Heavyweights?

For more than half a century, boxing’s heavyweight division has lived and breathed through eras defined by great men — the kind of fighters who didn’t just wear the crown, they owned it. Alvin Carbey ruled the sport in its early days. Joey Tierney carried the banner through the 1950s. George Galleshaw and Norm Robinson traded thrones in the swinging ’60s. And then, of course, there was Hector “The Cajun Crusher” Sawyer — the man who towered over them all, holding the belt for eleven years and defending it an astonishing eighteen times.

But as the calendar flips to 1974, that kind of dominance feels like a memory from another world. Since Robinson hung up his gloves a little less than five years ago, the ABF heavyweight title has changed hands eight times. Parity has replaced dynasty. Maybe that speaks to the depth of talent in today’s ranks — or maybe it’s the lack of a single transcendent fighter to steady the ship.

The low point came in 1972, when no fewer than four different men held the championship in the same calendar year. The division looked leaderless — until Tony Rocco came along.

Rocco, the tough 27-year-old son of a New Haven dockworker, might just be the answer to boxing’s identity crisis. A fighter’s fighter with the face of a longshoreman and the discipline of a veteran, Rocco has now made three straight successful title defenses, making him the only man to wear the heavyweight crown throughout 1973.

He’s been here before — briefly. Rocco’s first brush with the championship came in 1969, before he surrendered it to Brooklyn’s Pete Vassar. But when he recaptured the belt in December of ’72 with a TKO over Barry Bernard in Las Vegas, there was a sense he’d grown into the role.

He’s done nothing since to prove otherwise. Last April, Rocco stopped unbeaten British challenger Hayden Embleton in the 12th round out in Los Angeles. In July, he flattened Curtis Rollins — himself a former titleholder — with a blistering sixth-round knockout that might’ve been the most complete performance of his career. Then in October, he returned to Las Vegas and turned back yet another ex-champion, Ben Brumfield, in a unanimous decision that underscored his maturity and command.

When Rocco next steps into the ring — likely in March at Bigsby Garden against the same Pete Vassar who dethroned him four years ago — he’ll be attempting something no heavyweight has managed since Norm Robinson’s heyday: a fourth straight title defense.

It won’t come easy. Vassar, the pride of Brooklyn, is the same slick, hard-punching technician who outpointed Rocco handily back in 1970. But this time, the stakes are higher — and Rocco is no longer the same fighter who lost that night.

The heavyweight division, once the most glamorous stage in all of sports, has been adrift in recent years. Whether Tony Rocco can steady it — and carve his own place among the Sawyers, Tierneys, and Robinsons of history — remains to be seen.

For now, the future of the crown, and perhaps of heavyweight boxing itself, sits squarely in the calloused hands of Tony Rocco.

The Year That Was
Current events from 1973

• January 22 – In the Roe v. Wade decision the U.S. Supreme Court rules 7–2 that women have a constitutional right to choose abortion, overturning many state laws and igniting decades of political and social debate.
• January 23 – President Richard Nixon declares that a ceasefire agreement has been reached, ending direct American military involvement in the Vietnam War.
• January 27 – Paris Peace Accords signed. Representatives of the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong sign a formal peace treaty in Paris, officially ending U.S. participation in the war.
• March 29 – The last American combat forces leave South Vietnam, ending over a decade of direct military involvement.
• April 3 – Motorola engineer Martin Cooper places the first-ever call from a handheld cell phone in New York City, an invention that would transform communication.
• April 30 – The Senate Watergate Committee opens televised hearings into the 1972 break-in and cover-up, capturing national attention as revelations mount.
• May 17 – Former White House counsel John Dean testifies before the Senate committee, directly implicating President Nixon in the Watergate cover-up.
• June 25 – Former Nixon aides indicted. H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Mitchell, and others are charged with conspiracy, obstruction, and perjury in the Watergate scandal.
• July 10 – Bahamas gains independence from Britain. The island nation officially becomes independent, reflecting a global wave of decolonization.
• July 16 – Watergate tapes revealed when White House aide Alexander Butterfield discloses the existence of Nixon’s secret tape-recording system, a turning point in the investigation.
• August 8 – Vice President Spiro Agnew investigated. Reports emerge of a bribery and tax evasion probe involving Agnew during his time as Maryland governor, further shaking the Nixon administration.
• October 6–25 – Yom Kippur War. Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel. The conflict triggers a worldwide energy crisis and reshapes Middle East politics.
• October 10 – Spiro Agnew becomes the first U.S. vice president to resign in disgrace since the 1800s after pleading no contest to tax evasion. Nixon nominates Gerald R. Ford as his replacement.
• October 17 – OPEC oil embargo begins. Arab oil-producing nations cut exports to the U.S. and allies supporting Israel, sending fuel prices skyrocketing and sparking long lines at gas stations across North America.
• October 20 – “Saturday Night Massacre” as Nixon orders the firing of Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox; the attorney general and his deputy resign in protest, plunging Washington into crisis.
• November 7 – War Powers Act becomes law as Congress overrides Nixon’s veto to pass legislation limiting the president’s power to deploy U.S. forces without congressional approval.
• December 28 – Endangered Species Act signed. President Nixon signs sweeping environmental protection legislation to preserve wildlife and ecosystems, a landmark in U.S. conservation policy.

[Tiger Fan]

JUNE 2, 1974


A NEW ORDER RISING IN THE NAHC
First Time in NAHC History That None of the Original Six Reach Cup Finals

For the North American Hockey Confederation’s original six clubs, the warning signs appeared almost as soon as the league doubled from six to twelve teams back in 1967. Expansion was meant to broaden the map—not rewrite it—but the newcomers proved far sharper than expected. The Vancouver Totems delivered the first shockwave in just the second year of expansion, claiming the 1970 Challenge Cup and announcing that the newcomers weren’t content to wait their turn.

Now, seven seasons into the expansion era which numbers 16 teams, the shift in power is unmistakable. This spring brings the first Challenge Cup Final ever contested between two expansion teams, as Vancouver and the surging Philadelphia Rogues both toppled traditional heavyweights—Detroit and Toronto—in the semifinals. Not since 1936 has a Cup Final gone on without at least one of the “Big Four” champions (Toronto, Boston, Montreal, Detroit). For the old guard, the message is clear: the walls of the fortress are cracking.

To make matters more complicated for NAHC brass, the outlaw Continental Hockey League continued its aggressive push for relevance. Beyond poaching established NAHC stars, the CHL further inflamed tensions by targeting unproven talent. This year the renegade circuit lured Ron Brackenberry and Al Beatty—the second and fourth overall picks in the 1973 NAHC Draft—away before they ever hit NAHC ice. The pressure ratcheted even higher when the New York Eagles, owned by longtime NAHC bench boss Badger Rigney and coached by the legendary Quinton Pollack, dove into the junior ranks to sign Pollack’s 17-year-old son Billy—still a year too young for NAHC draft eligibility.

*** Young Stars Lead Philadelphia Surge ***

Despite the defections, the NAHC’s star power remained thick—and nowhere was the glow brighter than in Philadelphia. The Rogues boasted the league’s most dangerous trio in winger Gary Yeadon, center Glenn McKenzie, and winger Adam McPherson.

Yeadon, just 22 and heir to one of hockey’s great family dynasties, seized the scoring crown with 113 points, while his 55 goals marked the third-highest total in league history. McPherson, only a year older, pushed him all season before finishing second at 108 points. McKenzie added 100 points of his own while earning the Yeadon Trophy for gentlemanly play. All three Rogues cracked the century mark, and the league took notice: Yeadon and goaltender Ben Meyers earned First All-Star nods, while McPherson and veteran defenseman Duke Dawson made the Second Team.

With their youth, balance, and budding superstardom, the Rogues appear poised to remain Cup threats for years.

Pittsburgh finished a single point behind Philadelphia and edged the defending champion Totems for second in the West. Vancouver, behind ageless goaltender Justin MacPhee—still elite at 40—extended its streak of playoff appearances to seven straight. The Pittsburgh Sentinels, in their second NAHC season, again punched their ticket thanks to a breakout year from Allan Brodie, who exploded for a career-best 85 points. A pre-season trade for slick defenseman Max Hebert paid dividends until a late-season knee injury sidelined him.

Minneapolis claimed the final West Division spot, edging St. Louis on the wins tiebreaker. The Norsemen leaned heavily on a youth movement of their own—Bill Sullivan, Mack Swenson, and rookie-of-the-year Allan Inness. The Sawyers’ Pat Valentine made the First All-Star Team once again, but secondary scoring proved too rare.

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Calgary rounded out the West, with the Stingrays missing the playoffs for the first time since their inaugural 1967–68 season. The Gulls and Grizzlies, still searching for their first postseason berth, again fell short.

*** Boston’s Banner Season: Bees Rewrite the Record Books ***

In the East Division, the Boston Bees authored one of the greatest regular seasons in league history. Their 120 points set a new NAHC record, topping the 1969–70 Montreal Valiants by two. Veterans such as Jean Bourgault, Bruce Callahan, goaltender Alexandre Daoust, and defenseman Andy Agar—who won his first Dewar Trophy—remained foundational.

But the true revelation was Eddie Lafleur, a 23-year-old winger who blossomed into a superstar. His 43 goals and 107 points earned him the McDaniels Trophy as league MVP, placing him squarely among the brightest young talents in the game.

The defending Cup champion Toronto Dukes also cracked 100 points, though still 18 behind Boston’s staggering pace. Toronto continued to rely on playoff hero Pat Stephens in goal and the timeless brilliance of scorer Ollie Perreault.

The Montreal Valiants and their trademark defensive stinginess kept pace with both rivals, becoming the first third-place club ever to reach the 100-point plateau. They were the only NAHC team to allow fewer than 200 goals. Veteran rearguard Mark Moggy did not claim a ninth Dewar Trophy, but he did win his third Paddy O’Donoughe Trophy, earning the respect of his peers as the season’s MVP.

The final Eastern playoff berth went to the Detroit Motors, a club still smarting from Hobie Barrell’s departure to the CHL. After missing the playoffs last season, Detroit surged back with contributions from Yves Dagenais, ex-Duke Andrew Williams, Joel Couture, and newcomer Charlie Rodgers, acquired from St. Louis. But the revelation was 23-year-old goaltender Ken Stonechild, once a Toronto prospect, later taken by Atlanta in the expansion draft, and now Detroit’s long-awaited answer in net.

*** Misses in the East: Sophomore Slumps and Stalled Rebuilds ***

The Atlanta Blazers—the darlings of last season after posting the league’s best regular-season record as first-year newcomers—slipped to fifth. Meanwhile, two of the league’s original franchises continued long droughts. The Chicago Packers missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, and the New York Shamrocks extended their famine, having not played postseason hockey since 1960.

The Quebec Citadels, who made their first playoff appearance last year, fell back to earth with the league’s worst record.

NAHC PLAYOFFS

The postseason opened with a pair of classic Original Six showdowns, familiar rivalries renewed under the brightest lights. For the second straight spring, Toronto and Montreal clashed in a quarterfinal that lived up to its history. The Dukes leaned on their battle-tested stars—Ollie Perreault netted four goals in the series and William Brasseur piled up seven points—as Toronto outlasted the Valiants in six rugged games.

Across the bracket, the record-setting Boston Bees ran headlong into the hottest young goaltender in the league. Detroit’s 23-year-old phenom Ken Stonechild was magnificent, backstopping the Motors to three one-goal victories, including a stunning 1–0 shutout in Game Six that sent the 120-point Bees home far earlier than expected.

Out West, Philadelphia’s big line once again proved too much for the opposition. Center Glenn McKenzie, flanked by sharpshooters Adam McPherson and Gary Yeadon, drove the Rogues past Minneapolis in five. Vancouver needed six hard-fought games to dispatch Pittsburgh, adding another layer of frustration to a Steel City still smarting from the offseason departure of its beloved Miners baseball club to Atlanta.

The semifinals pitted the league’s old guard against the class of the 1967 expansion—and in both cases, youth carried the day. Detroit appeared poised to sweep Vancouver after throttling the Totems 6–0 and 4–0 at Thompson Palladium, but the West Coast club flipped the script entirely. Vancouver stormed back with four straight victories, stunning the Motors and taking the series in six.

In the East, Toronto met the same fate. The Philadelphia trio continued its postseason rampage, combining for 11 goals and 27 points as the Rogues ousted the Dukes in another six-game decision.

That set the stage for a landmark moment: the first Challenge Cup Final contested entirely between expansion teams. Philadelphia made its long-awaited championship debut, while Vancouver—winners in 1969 and finalists again in 1970—returned to the big stage for the third time.

Game One at the Liberty Center was an instant classic. The Rogues trailed 4–3 entering the final period before Mike Hendricks knotted the score on a sharp power-play finish off a crisp McKenzie–Yeadon passing sequence. In overtime, veteran defenseman Duke Dawson stepped into a point shot that whistled through traffic and past Charles Laliberté, giving Philadelphia a 5–4 victory and an early foothold in the series. Two nights later, the Rogues doubled their lead with a 5–3 win in Game Two.

In Vancouver, Game Three proved every bit as dramatic. Philadelphia carried a 3–2 edge deep into the third when Matt Brophey tied it with his fifth of the postseason, beating the buzzer with just 53 seconds on the clock and Laliberté pulled for the extra attacker. The game stretched more than 14 tense minutes into overtime before an unlikely hero emerged. Depth winger Andy Kapeller—he of just five regular-season goals—pounced on a loose rebound and lifted it past Laliberté for a stunning 3–0 stranglehold on the series.

With momentum fully against them, the Totems had little resistance left for Game Four. Philadelphia erupted for four third-period goals en route to a 5–2 victory, completing the sweep and securing its first Challenge Cup title.

Glenn McKenzie was the heartbeat of the championship run, leading all playoff scorers with 25 points. His two goals in the Cup-clinching game sealed not just the win, but also his selection as the David Welcombe Trophy recipient as playoff MVP.

Turbulence on Thin Ice: The CHL’s Tumultuous 1973–74 Campaign

The Continental Hockey League completed its second season this spring, and while the on-ice product continues to deliver excitement, the league’s off-ice footing remains precarious at best. The ambitious circuit set out to challenge the long-established North American Hockey Confederation, but two years in, the CHL is learning just how difficult it is to break into big-league hockey’s upper tier.

Last season’s heavy financial losses forced two clubs into immediate upheaval. Calgary’s experiment as a “major-league” market proved short-lived as the Chiefs were no match for the NAHC’s wildly popular Grizzlies. The club was quickly sold and shipped to Texas, reemerging as the Houston Outlaws. The New England Privateers suffered an even rougher fate, nearly folding midseason before a league bailout kept them afloat. Their reward was relocation into the belly of the beast—Toronto—where they now skate as the Raiders in a city that lives and breathes for the NAHC’s flagship franchise, the Toronto Dukes.

So while all twelve CHL clubs survived the 1973–74 season, there is no guarantee the same dozen will return in the autumn.

*** Falcons Take Flight ***

On the ice, no story was bigger than the stunning turnaround of the Winnipeg Falcons. Last year’s West Division doormat soared to the top of the standings thanks to a 23-year-old dynamo: Tim Moore. Fresh from the Western Canada senior circuit, Moore erupted for 42 goals and 122 points—second only to the league’s million-dollar man, Hobie Barrell. Former Vancouver Totem Gerry Saunders clicked brilliantly with the rookie, giving Winnipeg the most dangerous attack in the league.

Defending champion Kansas City settled for second place, a full 18 points off the pace. The Warriors’ familiar trio of Jack Law, Mark McCoach, and goaltender Eric Spencer kept Kansas City competitive, though Spencer couldn’t quite recreate last year’s championship magic.

The West sent five teams to the postseason—Winnipeg, Kansas City, Edmonton, Denver, and Seattle—leaving only the transplanted Houston Outlaws on the outside. Edmonton’s rise was fueled by 19-year-old rookie Ron Brackenbury, who spurned the NAHC’s San Francisco Gulls to sign with the Huskies, joining forces with Gary McKinnon to anchor the attack. Denver leaned on the creative playmaking of Jack Littlechief, while Seattle rode the airtight goaltending of ex-Chicago Packer Thiery Masse, the lone bright spot for a defense-first Chinooks club.

*** Lions Roar Again in the East ***

The East Division shaped up as a duel between Ottawa’s firewagon offense and Chicago’s suffocating defensive machine. For the second straight season, the Chicago Lions allowed the fewest goals in the CHL, backstopped by sensational Russian netminder Alex Melnyk, who claimed his second consecutive top goaltender award. Offensively, 37-year-old veteran J.P. Morisette continued to produce, proving there was still life in the longtime Chicago Packer.

Ottawa countered with the incomparable Hobie Barrell, who once again lit up the league with 58 goals and 139 points at age 33. But older brother Benny Barrell, a key part of last year’s attack, faltered badly with just five goals.

The biggest Eastern surprise was the revival of the New York Eagles, who had been the worst club in the league during coach Quinton Pollack’s debut season. Pollack’s rebuilding effort paid dividends as New York snagged the final playoff spot—along with a surprising amount of buzz in a city where the NAHC’s Shamrocks have been languishing for over a decade. Pollack coached not one but two of his sons: scoring leader Jack Pollack and 18-year-old rookie Billy, the youngest player in the CHL and anything but out of place.

Buffalo, a finalist last season, stumbled badly and missed the postseason, while Cleveland and Toronto rounded out the non-qualifiers.

McKinnon Ignites the Playoffs

The playoffs opened with a barrage of upsets. The mighty Winnipeg Falcons were stunned in six games by Pollack’s upstart Eagles, while the Edmonton Huskies toppled Kansas City in five. Ottawa fell in six to Denver as even Hobie Barrell—held to just one goal—couldn’t rescue the Athletics. Only Chicago held form, dispatching Seattle with professional ease.

The Lions then throttled New York in the semifinals, opening the series with a 10–2 demolition and taking four of five games while outscoring the Eagles 25–13. But the Western semifinal belonged to Gary McKinnon, who erupted for eight goals as Edmonton edged Denver in a dramatic seven-game clash.

The finals opened with a shocker: Edmonton swept the first two games in Chicago, powered by McKinnon and Brackenbury. Chicago clawed back with a double-overtime victory in Game Three, but the Huskies’ momentum proved unstoppable. McKinnon scored again in a Game Four shutout and added two assists in Game Five’s overtime clincher—Doug Campbell sealing the Cup with a goal just 53 seconds into the extra frame.

McKinnon finished with 16 goals and 28 points in 17 playoff games, a total that eclipses anything in the NAHC’s long postseason history. Even Hobie Barrell’s legendary 26-point run in Detroit two years ago now sits second, at least in the eyes of the Continental Hockey League.

Two years in, the Continental Hockey League remains a volatile experiment—financially shaky, competitively unpredictable, and very much a league still trying to define itself. But if nothing else, it has delivered drama, chaos, and a pair of championship runs from the middle of the pack. For now, the CHL lives on, skating forward on thin but hopeful ice.

PILLARS OF POWER: NEW YORK & ST LOUIS SHAPE FBL ERA
Knights, Rockets Extend Their Grip on Federal League as New York Reclaims the Crown

The domination of the New York Knights and St. Louis Rockets rolled on through the 1973–74 campaign, an era of superiority unmatched since the Washington Statesmen owned the early days of the Federal Basketball League. Between them, the Knights and Rockets have now combined for six straight league championships and eleven division titles, forming a two-team dynasty that shows no sign of slowing.

Across that six-year span, New York has averaged 59 wins per season—remarkable in its own right—yet even that number pales next to the bruising consistency of St. Louis, whose typical campaign has settled around a 65–17 pace. Still, for all their regular-season mastery, the twin powers have shared the championship stage only twice in this window: New York’s six-game triumph in 1970 and the Rockets’ sweep in 1972. In the other four seasons, one titan or the other stumbled early.

This year the misstep belonged to St. Louis. The Rockets posted the league’s best record once again, but their run ended abruptly in the semifinals when the Seattle Emeralds toppled them. New York, meanwhile, weathered a fierce first-round push from Detroit—surviving a decisive Game 7 with a 116–94 victory—then dispatched Central Division champion Chicago in five games and did the same to Seattle in the finals, halting the Rockets’ two-year reign.

The title was the Knights’ third in five seasons and their fifth overall, pulling them level with St. Louis for the most championships in Federal League history.

*** Van der Linden’s Steady Hand ***

New York leaned once more on forward Dick Van der Linden, the 30-year-old former Rainier College standout who led the FBL in rebounding and finished second only to St. Louis’ John Brantner in scoring at 27.2 points per game. The Knights cruised to an 11-game edge over the Philadelphia Phantoms in the Atlantic Division—but that was the closest division race the league could muster this year.

Parity remains a rare commodity in the FBL. Seattle has risen into a full-fledged Pacific Division powerhouse, while the Central Division lagged badly; only Chicago won as many as 38 games. Most division crowns were effectively settled by New Year’s Day. The only suspense down the stretch concerned the final playoff berths, a stark contrast to the Continental Basketball League, which produced lively division battles during its bold push into established FBL markets.

Around the league, rumblings grew louder: dominance may be admirable, but a lack of competitive races is not healthy for business—particularly in a season when the rival CBL captured national attention with tighter standings and high-stakes franchise relocations.

*** Brantner’s Brilliance ***

The CBL may boast John Jenkins, the dazzling acrobat of San Diego, but the Federal League has John Brantner—the purest scoring machine the sport has seen since the peach-basket era. Whenever Brantner and the Rockets meet Van der Linden and the Knights, the arena seems to tilt on its axis.

This season, Brantner delivered the finest scoring performance in FBL history, breaking his own record with a staggering 39.1 points per game. Only nine times in league history has a player averaged more than 30 points in a season; Brantner now owns three of them. At age 30, the former Maryland State star appears nowhere near done.

Detroit center Jack Salyer also inched toward history, finishing the year with 21,302 career points—just 155 shy of Bill Spangler’s all-time record. But Salyer’s nagging back issues and age (35) raise doubts about whether he’ll get there. And even if he does, many believe he’ll hold the mark only briefly before Brantner inevitably storms past, with Van der Linden not too far behind.

*** A Golden Age for FBL Hoops ***

Basketball still trails baseball, football, and even hockey in national revenue, but with the Rockets and Knights piloting the sport’s brightest era—and with Brantner and Van der Linden as its twin supernovas—the Federal Basketball League enjoys a stature it hasn’t felt in decades. Rivalries are fierce, legends are being written in real time, and even the league’s lack of balance has become part of the mythos.

If this is an empire built by two, it is at least a glorious one to behold.

BORDER WARS ON THE HARDWOOD
CBL Pushes Into Federal League Cities as 1973–74 Season Delivers Drama on Every Front

Seven years into its ambitious bid to challenge the long-entrenched Federal Basketball League, the Continental Basketball League made its boldest move yet: planting flags directly inside established Federal territory. For most of its existence, the CBL purposely avoided FBL markets, instead staking claims in open ground—sometimes successfully, as in Dallas and Portland, and sometimes disastrously, as Tampa and Norfolk could attest.

Tampa struggled everywhere: poor crowds, poor play, poor timing. Phoenix wasn’t far behind, and even the Norfolk Mariners—despite winning the league crown just two years ago—were teetering on insolvency. When the financial writing finally appeared on the wall, the CBL chose to swing back rather than fold its cards.

Phoenix moved east to the New York metropolitan area, reborn as the New Jersey Demons, ready to square off with the mighty New York Knights. Norfolk kept its Mariners moniker but sailed north to Philadelphia, entering a city long defined by its support of the Phantoms and their own fierce rivalry with the Knights across the Northeast corridor. Tampa alone avoided direct confrontation, choosing instead to relocate to San Antonio, hoping to mimic the stable success of the Dallas Drillers.

Whether the CBL’s bold push into Federal strongholds would ignite new fan interest—or strain two leagues already buckling under rising player salaries—remained the season’s central question.

*** Division Races Deliver Fireworks ***

While Federal League divisional races fizzled early, the CBL served up two thrillers. In both the East and West, three teams entered the final week with legitimate title hopes.

*** East Division: Ironmen Rise, Spirits Fade ***

The Pittsburgh Ironmen breathed life into a city still smarting from the loss of its baseball Miners to Atlanta. Led by Leroy Washington, Merlin Lavery, and Roman Sollars Jr., Pittsburgh needed a win over Baltimore on the season’s final night to tie the Cincinnati Steamers atop the standings. Unlike the inaugural campaign seven years ago—when a similar tie left Pittsburgh in second—the Ironmen owned the head-to-head tiebreaker this time, earning the East Division crown.

The Louisville Spirits hung tough all season but stumbled at the finish line. Back-to-back losses and the late-March injury to veteran guard Dan Eisenmenger snuffed out their division hopes and ultimately hastened their first-round playoff exit.

The final playoff berth belonged to the Baltimore Chargers, powered by the remarkable Zane Davis, the league’s top rebounder, fourth-leading scorer, and a First-Team All-League selection for the fourth time.

*** West Division: Drillers Collapse, Plainsmen Surge ***

The story of the West began with the stunning unraveling of the Dallas Drillers, last year’s champions who plummeted to a league-worst record. With defensive lapses everywhere and star point guard Mark Robinson shelved early, Dallas stumbled to a 4–17 start and never recovered.

That opened the door for the Kansas City Plainsmen, whose late-season 8-of-10 surge nudged them past the relocated San Antonio Outlaws by a single game for the West crown. Portland was right there as well, finishing only two games off the pace.

Kansas City earned its title with depth, balance, and accuracy—seven Plainsmen averaged double figures in scoring, with Wesley Williams leading the club at 18.4 ppg. The Outlaws countered with CBL scoring champ Bill Fairchild and dynamic guard Owen Snyder, while Portland followed a Kansas City-like formula of depth without stars.

And then there were the San Diego Breakers, proof that star power alone isn’t enough. Despite John Jenkins capturing his third straight CBL MVP trophy, the Breakers finished fifth and missed the postseason for the third time in four years—overtaken by a red-hot Denver Bighorns team that won ten straight to close the schedule.

*** Denver’s Stampede Rolls Into the Playoffs ***

Denver’s scorching finish was only the beginning. Back in the playoffs for the first time since their 1969–70 finals loss to Louisville, the Bighorns toppled top-seeded Kansas City in four games, then survived a classic seven-gamer against San Antonio—capped by a dramatic 123–122 road victory in the decider. Rich Edwards poured in 34, while Andy Evans came within one rebound of a triple-double.

Awaiting Denver in the finals were the Cincinnati Steamers, a team looking to finally break through after losing the league championship two of the previous three years. Cincinnati arrived by sweeping Louisville and downing Baltimore in five. The Chargers had already spoiled Pittsburgh’s dream season by eliminating the East champs in the opening round.

The finals delivered everything a league could hope for. Cincinnati struck first, 145–141, before Denver claimed three straight behind standout performances from Jack Turner and Evans. The Steamers fought back, winning games five and six to force yet another Denver road Game Seven.

The Bighorns were unfazed. Center Eugene Reynolds scored a game-high 29 and Andy Evans added 14 points and 12 assists as Denver captured its first CBL championship, 112–102. Evans, who averaged more than 12 assists and 21 points per game during the postseason, earned a well-deserved Playoff MVP crown.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECAP
EMERALDS, AGAIN, THE CROWN JEWEL OF COLLEGE HOOPS
Lane State Repeats as AIAA National Champion

One year ago, Lane State shocked the college basketball world by capturing its first national title in any major collegiate team sport. This season, the Emeralds proved they were no one-year wonder. With another inspired March run, Lane State repeated as AIAA champions—an honor accomplished only eight times in the 65-year history of the tournament, and only once in the previous two decades (Detroit City College in 1966–67).

If the surprise was smaller this time, credit the experience Lane State brought back. Four starters from last year’s championship roster returned—five if you count the long-awaited return of Terry Bradshaw. The gifted shooting guard from Spokane had started every game of his freshman and sophomore seasons and the first dozen of his junior campaign before academic issues sidelined him during last year’s tournament. With his books in order, Bradshaw reclaimed his starting role as a senior, giving Lane State one of the most seasoned lineups in the nation. Eight seniors saw consistent minutes.

The defending champs wore a target from opening night, yet handled it well. Early highlights included a 64–52 win over highly regarded Noble Jones College in a hostile building during the King of the South Tournament. But the Emeralds soon stumbled, dropping games to three eventual losing-record clubs—Frankford State, St. Magnus, and struggling Ogdensburg College.

Lane State entered league play at 10–4, then hit its stride. The Emeralds went 12–2 in West Coast Athletic Association action, suffering only a one-point overtime loss at top-ranked Coastal California and a home defeat to Redwood. Their 12–2 mark left them one win shy of repeating as WCAA champions. That distinction went to Coastal California, which finished 13–1, claiming a record 30th WCAA crown. Senior center Manny Rivera added another milestone for the Dolphins, becoming the school’s first Art Barrette Award winner—the MVP honor named for the legendary Coastal California coach- since 1911.

*** Emeralds Shine in March Once More ***

When the 32-team AIAA field narrowed to the Final Four at New York’s famed Bigsby Garden, it was Lane State—not top-seeded Coastal California—left standing to wave the conference banner. Given the No. 3 seed in the East Region and forced into punishing cross-country travel, the Emeralds still navigated the bracket, beating fifth-seed St. Ignatius in the regional final. The Lancers had earlier stunned top seed Northern Mississippi.

The only No. 1 seed to reach New York was Detroit City College, the Great Lakes Alliance champions and owners of a sterling 31–1 record. The Knights were the consensus favorite. Lane State had other ideas. The Emeralds controlled the first half, built a 13-point lead, and never let the game slip away—winning 59–50 behind 12 points from Bradshaw and 10 more from Julio Herrera, who was in the midst of a brilliant tournament.

In the other semifinal, Charleston Tech and Baton Rouge State—both No. 2 seeds—met after each had seized its regional. Charleston Tech had shocked mighty Noble Jones College in the South Region, while Baton Rouge State toppled Dickson in the West Region final two days after Dickson upended No. 1 Wisconsin State. Guards Clarence Hill and Hank Kosinski powered the Admirals past the Red Devils, 54–46, sending Charleston Tech to its second title game. The Admirals had last appeared on the big stage in 1960, falling to Maryland State.

This time nerves returned. Charleston Tech fell behind early and never found its footing. Lane State’s seasoned roster looked completely at home under the bright lights of Manhattan, cruising to a 54–43 victory. Herrera and Bob Basham—who famously stepped in for the suspended Bradshaw during the previous year’s title run—each scored 12 points.

*** A Workmanlike Champion, Immortal All the Same ***

Lane State earned its title without star power or accolades. The Emeralds had no All-Americans, placed no one on the All-WCAA First Team, and may not have a single first-round pro prospect—Bradshaw being the lone fringe candidate. But collectively, the group was greater than its individual pieces.

Graduation will strip away eight seniors, leaving next year’s roster thin and expectations tempered. A return to the tournament may be too much to ask. But the 1973 and 1974 champions will be remembered forever—not just as the best college basketball teams ever to emerge from Oregon, but as one of the rare programs in AIAA history to climb the mountain twice in a row.

A dynasty? No.

But a legend? Absolutely.

[size="5'] AIAA CAGE NOTES[/size]

• Pro scouts spent much of the tournament salivating over the thoughts of someday drafting Ike Ziegler. The Detroit City College freshman came off the bench all season, but is already being touted as the first overall pick of the 1977 draft. The forward from Milwaukee, WI., was the number one recruit a year ago and a big reason the Knights had what was considered the best recruiting class in the nation this year.
• Manny Rivera, the Barrette Award winning guard from Coastal California is one of three favourites to be selected number one in either the FBL or CBL draft. The Bakersfield, CA., native was a center for the Dolphins but projects more as a power forward in the pros. Bluegrass State center Joe Yarborough and Danny Gonazalez, a guard from Wisconsin State, are other likely candidates to top the draft.
• Yarborough, was a four-year starter at Bluegrass State and graduates as the all-time AIAA leader in successful free throws. He made 488 of them in his career (.769 success rate) which is 17 more than Skip McNamaee had during his career from 1961-64 with Alexandria.
• Eric Halverson of St. Ignatius graduates with 1,976 career points. That is good for fourth all-time trailing only Valerio Cortes (2,036 for Brooklyn State 1936-39), Ron Bohall (2,035 for Redwood 1962-65) and Joe Whaley (1,989 for Indiana A&M 1964-67).

Next up will be the review of the 1974 baseball season, which is the final season before human GMs return to the job. With expansion there will be some open teams in all four sports so if interested let me know and I will point you to our league commissioner.

[Tiger Fan]

1974 IN FIGMENT BASEBALL
October 28, 1974

1974: A Summer of Change and Challenge in the FABL
Miners Gone But Thrive in Atlanta

The watchword as the 1974 FABL season approached was money—not because of a strike (still unthinkable in this league), but due to growing murmurs of lawsuits and a mounting belief that baseball’s long-standing reserve clause was living on borrowed time. The storm clouds were gathering, but still distant enough for Opening Day to proceed as scheduled on April 4.

Yet the absence of a strike didn’t mean everything looked familiar. For the first time since 1881, Pittsburgh opened a baseball season without a big-league club. The Miners—fresh off two straight playoff berths and just 18 months removed from ending a 71-year championship drought—were gone. After the death of their longtime owner the previous autumn, his family chose to sell. An Atlanta-based group purchased the club, insisting it wished to keep the Miners in Pittsburgh but only if the city agreed to fund a replacement for aging Fitzpatrick Park. With western Pennsylvania’s steel and coal economy in decline, the city balked. Atlanta did not, and the club departed—ripping one of baseball’s great old franchises from its fanbase while it stood near the height of its powers.

In Georgia, the former Miners—now the Atlanta Copperheads—thrived. Playing before over two million fans in the new Peachtree Stadium, shared with the Atlanta Firebirds of the UFL, the Copperheads immediately became the toast of the Federal Association East. Retaining nearly their entire powerhouse roster, Atlanta easily outpaced the New York Gothams for a third straight division crown.

Al Hubbard set the tone, winning his second batting title in three years with a .341 mark. Twenty-six-year-olds Jack Blair and Howard Smith both topped 20 homers and 100 RBI. On the mound, Howie Burt followed last year’s 22-5 breakout with a 19-4 campaign to earn his first Allen Award, while four-time winner Marco Middleton matched him with 19 victories of his own.

New York’s 95-win season—their best since 1950—was impressive but not enough to seriously threaten Atlanta. Rookie outfielder Bill Arndt (.283, 14, 110) finished second in Kellogg voting, while young arms Joe Nelson and Curtis Robinson emerged as key rotation cogs alongside veterans Bunny Mullins (19-9, 2.79) and Harry Hayward.

Boston enjoyed its first winning season since 1966 behind emerging stars Charlie Harstell and mid-season call-up Willie Stephens, both former No. 1 overall picks. Baltimore finished just under .500 but celebrated Hank Butler, who became the second Clipper to win a Kellogg Award. Washington stumbled badly, suffering its first losing season since 1960, while Philadelphia—division champs as recently as 1971—finished last for the first time since 1958.

*** Suns Rise Again in the FA West ***

The Los Angeles Suns became the third different club in three years to win the Federal Association West, overcoming a dreadful July and finishing seven games clear of defending champion Houston. Shortstop Tom Lally (.318, 12, 68) captured his first Whitney Award, while veteran Sam Forester slugged 27 homers. But the heart of the club remained its deep rotation: Jim Place, Heinie Schmidt, Pete Meissner, and Jimmy Blair. LA wasn’t done, either—immediately after the WCS they swung a deal for veteran starter Moe Powell.

Houston took a step back from last year’s 100-win WCS run but still claimed second with 84 victories. Joe McCarthy, acquired from Cincinnati at last year’s deadline, thrived in his first full season in Texas, going 21-7 to earn the Allen Award. John Edwards, brought in from Minneapolis, delivered as expected with a .325/18/71 line, but the Comets lacked the secondary offense needed to keep pace with Los Angeles.

St. Louis rode a career year from ex- Minutemen Tige Bowe (18-9, 2.68) to third place. Minneapolis finished one win shy of its franchise record yet still posted an under-.500 campaign for the thirteenth straight year. Chicago and Detroit both limped to sub-70-win seasons. The Chiefs remain an aging club with Joe Siniscalchi (.285, 25, 94) one of the few bright spots. Detroit, meanwhile, has suffered from years of mismanagement, watching traded-away prospects flourish elsewhere.

*** Arrows Hit the Mark in the CA East ***

The Milwaukee Arrows lived up to last season’s 87-win promise, capitalizing on a stunning early collapse from Montreal to capture their first Continental Association East title. After finishing last in each of their first four seasons, the 1969 expansion Arrows have quietly assembled a formidable core: second baseman Paul Burkley and outfielders Harry Edwards and Jim Stogner all rank among the OSA’s top twenty players. Joe Wright, Tex Cavanaugh, and former Chicago Chief Mel Maddox anchored a rotation that matched the lineup’s quality.

Cincinnati showed improvement but again fell short of the postseason despite an 18-win breakout from Ace Barrell and a nearly full season of health from 24-year-old outfielder Billy West.

Montreal’s dynasty finally cracked. The Saints had won all five previous CA East titles, but a brutal 7-19 start and a sluggish April from Dixie Turner ended the run. Turner’s streak of five straight Whitney Awards ended as well, though at 33 he remains capable of a resurgence.

New York’s hopes collapsed when John Alfano suffered an elbow injury in spring training that kept him out until September. Toronto improved by 20 games but remained far from contention, while Cleveland continued its long decline, still searching for its first playoff berth since 1961.

*** CA West: A Near Photo Finish ***

The Continental Association West was the lone division that remained undecided in September. The Los Angeles Stars began the month 1.5 games up on Seattle, but the Kings swept a mid-September two-game set, sparking a nine-game winning streak that propelled them to a second straight division crown. The race came down to the final weekend: Los Angeles briefly reclaimed the lead on September 28, only for Seattle’s former home—Kansas City—to play spoiler. The Mavericks beat the Stars twice, allowing Seattle to win the flag by a single game.

Seattle’s strength remained its rotation: Moe Lowery, Swede Hoskins, and breakout right-hander John Howell provided the backbone. The Stars still field a dangerous offense, but age and injuries have taken a toll, particularly on once-dominant pitchers Floyd Warner and Bill Dunlop.

The Dallas Wranglers were the division’s great “what if.” Their 95 wins set a franchise record, but losing first baseman Nick Parker—batting .346 with 17 homers and a frontrunning Whitney case—to a knee injury in early August proved fatal. Pete Rosenbaum (15-13, 3.29) emerged as a legitimate ace, and Buck Stout (.326, 18, 111) claimed the CA batting title.

Chicago suffered another injury-marred season, though 26-year-old Roger Alford led the circuit in ERA and looks like a future star. San Francisco endured its fourth straight losing season and worst record since 1949. Kansas City tied Detroit for the league’s worst mark and, six years into their existence, have yet to win even 70 games or finish anywhere other than last place.

MILESTONES AND OTHER NOTABLES
AWARDS

The 1974 Whitney and Allen Award winners were all honoured for the very first time, something that has not happened in 21 years. A down season by Dixie Turner ended the Montreal Saints infielder's five year old on the Continental Association Whitney Award which went to 25-year-old Milwaukee Arrows outfielder Harry Edwards (.306,22,85). In the Federal Association the Whitney winner was Tom Lally (.318,12,68), a 26-year-old shortstop for the Los Angeles Suns.

The Allen Award winners were Roger Alford (17-9, 2.35) of the Chicago Cougars in the Continental Association and Houston Comets righthander Joe McCarthy (21-7, 2.48) in the Fed. Seattle outfielder Mike Griffith (.311,20,76) won the Continental Kellogg Award as top rookie while in the Federal Association the winner was Baltimore Clippers outfielder Hank Butler (.325,6,67).

Alex Watt of the Seattle Kings won his first Theobald Award while the top manager in the Federal Association was Don Fox of the Atlanta Copperheads, who was honoured for the fifth time.

HALL OF FAME

For the first time since the Class of 1951 welcomed Tom Bird, Tom Barrell and Bill Hise the Hall of Fame saw three players inducted to Boone County in 1974. All were first time eligible candidates in Edwin Hackberry, Frenchy Mack and Jerry Smith. It also ended a stretch of two consecutive years without a member being added to the class.

Hackbery, who had 3,019 hits and 430 homers and was a key piece of four WCS winners in Detroit before finishing his career with San Francisco, was a unanimous selection. Mack won three WCS titles and 6 Allen Awards with St Louis while Smith was his teammate on the Pioneers title clubs and won a Whitney Award after beginning his career with the Chicago Cougars.

NO-HITTERS

We had just one no-hitter in 1974. That was thrown in August by eventual Allen Award winner Roger Alford of the Chicago Cougars against the Kansas City Mavericks.

2500 HITS
Carlos Jaramillo, Cleveland
Harry Dellinger, Los Angeles Suns
Tom Lorang, Washington

2000 HITS
Al Martino, Washington
John Edwards, Houston
John Moreland, Atlanta
Bill Bell, Los Angeles Stars
Ed Moore, Los Angeles Stars
Sid Cullen, Toronto
Henry Watson, Chicago Cougars
Andy Parker, Philadelphia
Ralph Barrell, Los Angeles Stars

400 HOME RUNS
Dixie Turner, Montreal

300 HOME RUNS
Bobby Garrison, Los Angeles Stars
Harry Swain, Montreal

400 STOLEN BASES
Carlos Jaramillo, Cleveland

1000 RBI's
Andy Parker, Philadelphia
Howdy Oakes, Washington
Jerry McMillan, New York Imperials
Ed Moore, Los Angeles Stars

250 WINS
Pug White, Chicago Cougars

200 WINS
Charlie Rushing, Seattle

2500 STRIKEOUTS
Pug White, Chicago Cougars

2000 STRIKEOUTS
Harry Hayward, New York Gothams

1974 FABL ALL-STAR GAME
Continental Stars Snap 3 Game Skid

The 42nd annual edition of the FABL all-star game made its first appearance in Milwaukee as the Continental Association snapped a 3-year losing streak by doubling the stars from the Federal Association 6-3. The Feds lead the all-time series, 22 victories to 20.

The 1974 midseason classic saw the Federal Association take the lead 2-0 in the second inning on a rbi triple off the bat of Joe Siniscalchi of the Chicago Chiefs and a sacrifice fly from Detroit's Bill Austin but that would be all the offense the Continental hurlers would allow until the Feds added one more in the ninth inning. In between Continental bats exploded for six runs including solo homers off the bats of Cleveland's Andy Babel and Buck Stout of the Dallas Wranglers. Stout, who also drew a pair of walks in the game and scored twice, became the first all-star game MVP from one of the eight teams that joined the league after 1961.

1974 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Following a 1973 postseason that featured three sweeps—an unprecedented development since the divisional era began in 1969—the 1974 playoffs offered a bit more suspense. Most of it came later, as both Association Championship Series were lopsided affairs: Seattle swept its way to the Continental Association pennant, and Atlanta conceded only a single contest in taking the Federal Association flag.

Seattle opened its CA series by blanking the rising Milwaukee Arrows 2–0 behind seven shutout innings from Moe Lowery and a Sam Barnes homer. Game Two saw Milwaukee carry a 4–2 lead into the sixth before the Kings erupted for four runs—two on a pinch-hit single from Curt Day—to win 6–4. Seattle then closed out the sweep with an 8–2 rout in Game Three, powered by a pair of home runs from shortstop Ben Barker.

The Federal Association Championship Series began with back-to-back 4–3 games. In the opener, Atlanta tied the contest in the ninth on a John Newton homer, then won it two innings later on his sacrifice fly. Game Two belonged to the Suns in similarly dramatic fashion: Sam Forester homered in the eighth to force extras, and ex-Miner George Whaley won it in the tenth with a solo shot.

From there the Copperheads took control. Marcus Middleton fired a four-hitter in a 6–1 Game Three win, and Harry Inge—backed by reliever Buddy Thomas—combined on a 2–0 shutout in Game Four. Earl Skains supplied all the offense that day with a two-run homer in the first inning.

Kings and Copperheads: A Rematch of 1937

Both clubs now reside in new homes, but their shared history goes back to the only championship the Kings franchise had ever won prior to 1974. In 1937, the Brooklyn Kings defeated the Pittsburgh Miners in five games. Seattle had returned to the WCS five times since—most recently in 1963—only to leave empty-handed each trip.

The Copperheads/Miners knew something of October frustration as well. Their infamous 71-year championship drought, the longest in professional sports history, finally ended with their 1972 triumph over the Montreal Saints. Now, in 1974, the former Miners stood between the Kings and long-awaited redemption.

GAME ONE

The Pacific Northwest hosted its first-ever WCS game as Seattle’s Moe Lowery faced Atlanta ace Howie Burt. The Kings grabbed a 2–0 lead in the fourth, but John Moreland answered with a towering three-run homer off Lowery in the fifth. Seattle tied it 3–3 in the eighth on consecutive doubles by Ben Barker and Jesse Scott, but with two out in the ninth Earl Skains tripled and scored on another Moreland single. Atlanta stole the opener, 4–3.

GAME TWO

Late-inning drama continued in Game Two—this time courtesy of Seattle. Skains tied the game 2–2 in the top of the eighth with a solo homer, but the Kings responded with a four-run outburst in the bottom half. Reliever John McCormick retired the first two hitters he faced, but Mike Griffith singled to open the floodgates. Ben Roberts followed with another hit, Fred Tollefson’s single put Seattle ahead, Billy Collins added an RBI knock, and Barker hammered home two more with a double. Seattle evened the series with a 6–2 win.

GAME THREE

The series shifted to Atlanta—yet another city hosting its first WCS contest—and Seattle claimed a 6–4 victory. Jesse Walker delivered the decisive blow, a two-run homer in the fifth that broke a 2–2 deadlock and put the Kings ahead for good.

GAME FOUR

Atlanta answered with a crisp, confident performance in Game Four. Harry Inge worked six strong innings, and relievers Jay Page and Buddy Thomas slammed the door in a 5–1 Copperheads victory that evened the series.

GAME FIVE

Pitching ruled the day as Atlanta seized a 3–2 series lead with a 2–1 win. Howie Burt left in the seventh with the score tied 1–1, ultimately receiving a no-decision. Seattle scored first on Tom Hicks’ RBI single in the second, but Jay Hunter’s double tied it in the third. In the seventh, Moe Lowery hurt his own cause by walking leadoff man Jack Finley before giving up a Moreland double that put the Copperheads ahead to stay.

GAME SIX

Back home and facing elimination, Seattle turned to 26-year-old John Howell—and he delivered. Howell held Atlanta to a single run on three hits across six-plus innings before handing things to the bullpen. Fred Tollefson’s fourth-inning solo homer tied the game 1–1, and Seattle broke it open with a three-run seventh that chased Jack Kotarski. The Kings forced a seventh game with a 6–1 victory.

GAME SEVEN
ERASING THE GHOSTS

Game Sevens had been a hex for the Kings franchise. Three times they had reached a seventh game with a chance to collect their second WCS title, and three times they had watched it slip away.

1938: Up 3–1 on the Chicago Chiefs, the Kings dropped Games Five and Six. The decisive matchup—Tom Barrell versus Rabbit Day, two future Hall of Famers—bizarrely turned into a slugfest. Chicago outlasted them 11–10.

1955: Now in Kansas City, the Kings rallied from a 3–1 deficit to force Game Seven, tied Detroit in the eighth, and seemed to win it in the ninth—until Charlie Rogers was thrown out at the plate. The Dynamos prevailed in the tenth on a Tommy Griffin sacrifice fly.

1958: Three years later Detroit struck again, scoring five runs in the top of the first to knock out Tony Britten. The Dynamos never looked back, handing the Kings their third Game Seven heartbreak in five seasons.

So as Seattle prepared for the 1974 finale, the franchise’s past failures loomed large. Atlanta, free at last from its own generational curse, looked eager to add to Seattle’s misery. The matchup featured two Allen Award winners: Marcus Middleton for Atlanta, Swede Hawkins for Seattle.

This time, though, unlike 1938's seventh game the duel stayed tight. Hawkins allowed just two hits in the first four innings; Middleton yielded only one.

Atlanta struck first. In the top of the fifth, the Copperheads collected three hits and a walk—and capitalized on a wild pitch—to plate two runs. The 2–0 lead held until the sixth, when Middleton created his own trouble: a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and back-to-back singles from Mike Griffith and Curt Day, aided by a John Newton error, produced three Seattle runs and a 3–2 Kings lead.

In the eighth, Billy Collins relieved Hawkins and quickly set down two batters. Then the old ghosts stirred. Collins walked three straight Copperheads to load the bases, and Seattle appeared to escape when Moreland bounced a routine grounder to first—only for Ben Roberts, a natural outfielder pressed into service at first after a double switch, to boot it. Atlanta tied the game 3–3.

Seattle nearly reclaimed the lead in the bottom half, putting runners on second and third with two out, but pinch-hitter Pat Davis couldn’t bring them home.

And then came the ninth.

Sam Barnes reached on an error by pitcher Buddy Thomas. Roberts, seeking redemption, coaxed a walk. With two away, Bob Glowacki—who had started the decisive rally in Game Two—lined a clean single to left. Barnes scored, Seattle Municipal Stadium erupted, and after 34 long years, the Kings were finally champions again.

Seattle claimed its first-ever professional sports title, and the franchise its first WCS crown since 1937.

Ben Barker, who began his career in Detroit—the very club that had tormented the Kings in the 1950s—was named WCS MVP. The 33-year-old shortstop, a former Kellogg Award winner (1966), hit .409 in the series while providing his usual flawless defense.

The ghosts are gone. The Kings are kings again.

Since this is the final quicksim baseball season before the human General Managers return and the pace slows down, This Week in Figment Sports plans -time willing- to take a detailed look at each of the 24 teams prospects in a separate edition. As a result this Scouting Desk only lists the first round picks from June of 1974 and where they slot in on the OSA prospect pipeline as of November 1974.

Next up the 1974 recap from the gridiron.

[stratonapba]

Can the Steel City get baseball back after the Human GM's take over?, I hope Pittsburgh will be expanding in 1977 along with San Diego.

[Tiger Fan]

Originally Posted by stratonapba

Can the Steel City get baseball back after the Human GM's take over?, I hope Pittsburgh will be expanding in 1977 along with San Diego.

I hope baseball returns to Pittsburgh soon too. Have to feel for the fan base that suffered through 71 years between titles before finally winning one only to have the team - while still very much a championship contender- ripped away from them.

[Tiger Fan]

DECEMBER 28, 1974

THE YEAR BUFFALO CAUGHT HOUSTON — 1974 AFA SEASON RECAP

The 1974 American Football Association season may have ended with the Miami Mariners owning the league’s best regular season record, but the story that defined the year belonged to a pair of longtime expansion brothers—the Buffalo Red Jackets and the Houston Drillers.

Both entered the AFA together in 1961, yet for more than a decade they lived in different worlds. Houston rocketed to prominence almost immediately, reaching the title game in their third season and becoming the league’s benchmark franchise. They produced the most feared defense of the era, first under the monstrous front anchored by John Padgett and later with the thunderous play of Bobby Barrell Jr. The Drillers returned to the championship stage again this year, marking their sixth trip in eight seasons and further cementing their dynasty credentials.

Buffalo’s story was the opposite. The Red Jackets slogged through losing season after losing season, never able to escape mediocrity—until the arrival of Tom Bowens in 1972. The former AFA end, fresh off a national title at CC Los Angeles, brought structure, toughness, and belief to a club that had never had all three at once. Under Bowens, Buffalo finally reached the postseason in 1973. And in 1974, they took the next step: they outpaced their mighty expansion cousins at the season’s end and reached the AFA title game for the first time.

That long-running contrast—Houston the dynasty, Buffalo the late bloomer ready to challenge them—gave the 1974 campaign its narrative heartbeat.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE — A YEAR OF SURGES AND STUMBLES
Miami Reclaims the East

The Miami Mariners had not appeared in the Super Classic since their remarkable four-year run from 1966–69, but the 1974 club looked like the closest thing yet to those old powers. Miami rolled to an 11–3 record, best in the entire AFA, powered by a revitalized aerial attack.

Second-year quarterback Jeff Conroy blossomed into one of the AFA’s brightest young passers, finishing second in the league in yardage and third in touchdown throws. The Mariners also swept their division rivals from Buffalo during the regular season, creating the illusion that the Red Jackets might once again fall short.

*** Buffalo Punches Through Anyway ***

But for all Miami’s regular-season dominance, Buffalo kept lurking. Despite a late-season collapse—three straight losses that dropped them to 8–6—the Red Jackets still claimed the National Conference wildcard.

Their success was built on Bowens’ rugged defense, which allowed the second-fewest points in the AFA. The offense remained a mix of promise and peril: quarterback Jason Myers continued his bad habit of throwing more interceptions than touchdowns, but when he did find a rhythm, it was usually thanks to breakout wideout Tom Bowens Jr., who continued his ascent as one of the league’s top young receivers.

*** Dallas Rebounds, L.A. Steadies the West ***

Two years removed from a division title—and one year removed from a disastrous 4–10 season—the Dallas Stallions reclaimed the Central crown with a strong 10–4 campaign.

Out west, the Los Angeles Olympians continued their quiet return to relevance, matching Dallas at 10–4 while posting the best point differential in the National Conference. It marked the first time since the late 1960s that both coast-based clubs appeared to be rising simultaneously.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE — WASHINGTON STILL THE STANDARD
Wasps Win the East Again

The Washington Wasps remained one of the steadiest team in the AFA. Winners of the 1971 championship and now postseason participants for the fifth straight year, Washington finished 10–4 and claimed the East behind a top-five defense and the league’s most efficient short-yardage offense.

*** Pittsburgh Returns to the Party ***

For the first time in five seasons, the Pittsburgh Paladins returned to playoff football, grabbing the wildcard at 9–5. Their young front seven—anchored by linebacker Nate Courtney, who finished eighth in the league in tackles—gave them a strong foundation moving forward.

The Cleveland Finches, who finally ended a decades-long playoff dry spell last year, proved it was no fluke. They went 9–5, took the Central Division, and finished with the conference’s best defensive numbers outside of Houston.

*** Houston Drillers: Not Dominant, Still Dangerous ***

For Houston, this season felt different. They were vulnerable, inconsistent, and—at times—ordinary. But the great franchises find ways to survive the rough patches, and the Drillers did exactly that.

Wins over New Orleans and Milwaukee in the final two weeks lifted them to 9–5 and secured the West Division. Their defense, even in transition, remained the most feared unit in football, while halfback Vern Rabovich again ranked among the AFA’s top scorers.

Houston didn’t own the AFA’s best record. They didn’t need to. Everyone knew the Drillers were still Houston.

*** THE YEAR THE BALANCE OF POWER SHIFTED ***

When the regular season closed, the standings said Washington, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles were the league’s top clubs. But the real story—the one fans felt in their bones—was the tightening of the gap between the AFA’s greatest modern dynasty and the league’s most improved franchise.

For the first time in their shared 14-year history, the Buffalo Red Jackets stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the mighty Houston Drillers, no longer an afterthought but a challenger worthy of the moment.

The 1974 AFA season didn’t just set up a postseason. It set up a showdown that had been thirteen years in the making.

PLAYOFFS

If anyone had doubts about the Houston Drillers in 1974 they were quickly erased in their playoff opener as Houston completely dominated the Cleveland Finches on both sides of the ball, blasting Cleveland 45-10 in a contest that saw a pair of Drillers backs - Keith Gladfelter and Billy Ray Brown- each run for two touchdowns. Meanwhile Pittsburgh's return to postseason play did not go as hoped for the Paladins, who were shutout 13-0 by the Washington Wasps with the lone touchdown coming on a 13-yard run in the second quarter by Washington's Claude Crawford.

On the National side the quarterfinal weekend saw the Buffalo Red Jackets find their footing and avenge two regular season losses to division rival Miami by upsetting the Mariners 31-14. Jason Myers threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns - and more importantly the Buffalo signal caller did not turn the ball over. The same could not be said for Miami quarterback Jeff Conroy, who had a pass picked off a returned for a touchdown by Buffalo defender Mark cobb midway through the second quarter to extend the Red Jackets lead to 14-0 at that point. In the other game the host Dallas Stallions built a 19-0 lead on the visiting Los Angeles Olympics and then held on for a 19-14 victory.

Dallas looked to be on the way to the title game as they were up 6-3 entering the fourth quarter in a defensive struggle with Buffalo in which the Red Jackets could do nothing with the ball. Buffalo running back John Velez changed that almost singlehandedly in the fourth quarter when he scored two touchdowns to lead Buffalo to a 17-6 victory. On the first scoring drive Velez had four key carries before his five yard scoring run. He carried the ball just 7 times for 36 yards with all of them coming in the final 11 minutes of the game.

Meanwhile the Houston Drillers had their hands full with Washington as Houston quarterback Randall Silva allowed the Wasps to stay close by throwing a pair of interceptions but the Drillers eventually prevailed 27-20 thanks to a pair of key defensive stands in the fourth quarter.

WORLD CLASSIC GAME

In a World Classic defined by defense, field position, and two teams that had survived the most physical postseason in years, the Buffalo Red Jackets outlasted the Houston Drillers 12–6 to capture the franchise’s first AFA championship. It was a bruising, methodical contest—one in which neither offense reached the end zone, turnovers shaped momentum, and Buffalo’s front seven delivered an all-time performance on the sport’s biggest stage.

Buffalo set the tone early. On Houston’s opening series, quarterback Randall Silva forced a throw on 3rd-and-10, and Red Jackets corner Dwight McAlister jumped it cleanly, returning the interception to the Drillers’ 23. Houston’s defense prevented a touchdown, but Joseph Byrd drilled a 37-yard field goal for a quick 3–0 lead.

Special teams answered for Houston, as return man Quincy Culver ripped off a 37-yard runback to set up favorable field position. But Buffalo’s defense—spearheaded by linebacker Dustin Halverson—continued to win at the point of attack. After a pair of stops, Houston settled for a James Alcala field goal, tying the score 3–3 late in the first quarter.

Buffalo responded with its best sustained drive of the half. Quarterback Jason Myers worked the flats and outlets with precision, hitting Harry Morley, Tom Bowens Jr., and Efrain McDonald on a series of short completions. A 37-yard burst by reserve back David Allen flipped the field, and Byrd capitalized again, this time from 35 yards, putting Buffalo ahead 6–3 early in the second quarter.

The rest of the half belonged to Buffalo’s defense. Halverson recorded a second-down sack, the first of his two on the day, and McAlister nearly grabbed another interception. Houston’s offense managed only a late Alcala field goal, and the teams entered halftime tied 6–6.

The third quarter became a slow, grinding tug-of-war. Buffalo moved methodically behind McDonald’s inside running and a flurry of short completions to Bowens Jr., but once again the Drillers’ defense stiffened in the red zone. Byrd delivered his third field goal—a 39-yarder—for a 9–6 lead. Houston’s offense, meanwhile, continued to sputter: 0-for-10 on third down, repeatedly stuffed on early downs, and consistently forced to punt from deep in their own end.

As the fourth quarter began, the Drillers mounted perhaps their final spark of hope. Daniel Teal’s sack pushed Buffalo behind the chains—but the drive was rescued by a Houston unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, handing Buffalo a first down and allowing the Red Jackets to flip field position yet again.

Defense finally produced the dagger. After Byrd’s fourth field goal extended the lead to 12–6 with 2:29 remaining, Silva attempted to force a throw over the middle on Houston’s second play of the ensuing drive. McAlister read it perfectly—his second interception of the night—returning it to the Houston 25 and sealing the championship. Buffalo kneeled out the clock from there.

Tom Bowens Jr. was named Playoff MVP for his outstanding postseason, but the final belonged to Buffalo’s defense: 139 passing yards allowed, only 27 rushing yards surrendered to Houston’s primary tailback Vern Rebovich, and two crucial interceptions from McCallister. The Buffalo offense did the rest, keeping Houston at bay with a suffocating 36:17 time-of-possession advantage.

For Buffalo, it was not just a championship—it was a statement. After years of being overshadowed in comparisons with Houston, the Red Jackets finally slayed the Drillers and stood atop the AFA, powered by discipline, toughness, and a defense that delivered one of the most dominant championship performances in league history.

ANNAPOLIS MARITIME FINISHES 11–0 AFTER TOPPLING ROME STATE
Navigators Steer Toward First National Crown Since 1913

It has been a long stretch—nearly three decades—since a service academy finished atop the national rankings. Rome State’s wartime juggernauts of the early 1940s were the last military institution to claim a national championship, with their 1945 club standing as the most recent. That drought could end next week. If Annapolis Maritime handles Plains Athletic Association champion Boulder State (9–2) in the Sunshine Classic on New Year’s Day, the Navigators seem virtually assured of retaining their No. 1 ranking and securing their first national title in 61 years.

The Navigators enter bowl season as the nation’s lone undefeated major-college team, completing an 11–0 campaign with a steady, workmanlike 16–9 triumph over rival Rome State in their annual mid-December showdown. It will be Annapolis Maritime’s third New Year’s Day appearance in four seasons, but none of the previous trips carried stakes quite like this. The school’s only national crown dates back to 1913, and the Navigators still bristle at the memory of their perfect 10–0 run in 1961—when pollsters controversially awarded the title to a Maryland State squad that had a loss on its record.

This time, the Navigators’ destiny appears firmly in their own hands. While their schedule has been criticized as soft, the Navigators can point to decisive wins over nine-win programs Commonwealth Catholic and College of San Diego, as well as comfortable victories over 8–3 Liberty College and this year’s Centurions club. But it is their defense—one of the stingiest units in the nation—that has carried them. That was on full display in the win over Rome State, where mistake-free offense paired with a smothering defensive effort proved more than enough to seal the school’s second perfect regular season in more than half a century.

*** Plenty of Contenders Waiting in the Wings ***

Should the Navigators falter in Miami, the national championship picture could turn chaotic. The most likely beneficiary would be second-ranked Detroit City College, which heads to Santa Ana for a rematch of last year’s East–West Classic against Redwood. The Mammoths edged DCC 17–14 in that meeting, but oddsmakers have installed the Knights as a four-point favorite this time around.

Detroit City College spent much of the season locked into the No. 1 ranking and appeared poised to remain in the top spot—until a stunning Thanksgiving weekend collapse in Columbus. The host Central Ohio Aviators, slogging through a down campaign at 7–4, played the spoiler role with gusto, dismantling the Knights 52–6. The loss not only ended DCC’s hopes for an undefeated season but also likely cost the program its first national crown since 1955.

Redwood, ranked fourth, earned its second consecutive West Coast Athletic Association title behind standout junior halfback Michael Cannon, one of the nation’s premier runners. But the Mammoths carry two blemishes: an early-season road loss to Texas Gulf Coast and a November stumble against Portland Tech. Even so, a Redwood victory over Detroit City College—combined with an Annapolis Maritime loss—would make the final national vote razor-thin. And another contender stands ready to complicate matters further.

Deep South Conference champion Northern Mississippi finished its league slate 7–1 and is 9–2 overall, mirroring Redwood’s record. The Mavericks’ setbacks came early in the year against Detroit City College and later in conference play versus Alabama Baptist. But armed with a prolific air attack led by junior quarterback Courtney Ford, Northern Mississippi remains very much in the title conversation. They will meet Southwestern Alliance champion Red River State in the Oilman Classic—traditionally a battle between the Deep South and SWA winners. It will mark Red River State’s first trip to the game since 1954, while the Mavericks return for only the second time in school history, their lone previous appearance a dramatic 16–13 triumph over Lubbock State following their 1966 conference title.

With undefeated Annapolis Maritime holding pole position—but several one- and two-loss powerhouses lurking just behind—the upcoming New Year’s Classics will determine one of the most hotly debated national championships in recent memory.

NEW YEARS DAY CLASSIC SCHEDULE
EAST-WEST CLASSIC (Santa Ana, CA.)
#2 Detroit City College (10-1) vs #4 Redwood (9-2)

OILMAN CLASSIC (Houston, TX.)
#3 Northern Mississippi (9-2) vs #22 Red River State (7-4)

SUNSHINE CLASSIC (Miami, FL.)
#1 Annapolis Maritime (11-0) vs #6 Boulder State (9-2)

LONE STAR CLASSIC (Austin, TX.)
#10 Utah A&M (10-1) vs #12 Commonwealth Catholic (9-2)

CAJUN CLASSIC (New Orleans, LA.)
#5 Eastern State (9-2) vs #19 Cumberland (8-3)

BAYSIDE CLASSIC (Tampa, FL.)
#8 Alexandria (10-1) vs #9 Lawrence State (9-2)

DESERT CLASSIC (El Paso, TX.)
#7 Whitney College (9-2) vs Valley State (7-4)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTES

• Christian Trophy winner Ernest Kidd of the Utah A&M Aggies may line up at quarterback but he led the nation in rushing with 1,763 this season, nearly 300 more than runner-up and top true running back Michael Hutcheson of Red River State accumulated. Kidd is a true freshman and became a huge surprise as OSA had him ranked as just the 377th recruit and 30th among quarterbacks. The Orlando, Florida native was not all run, as he threw for 477 yards and 6 touchdowns while being picked off just once. He led the Aggies to a 10-1 season and a berth in the Lone Star Classic against Commonwealth Catholic. It will mark Utah A&M's first Classic appearance since losing the 1954 Desert Classic to Tempe College. An award that has become almost the exclusive property of running backs, Kidd is the first quarterback to win the Christian Trophy since Wally Dotson of Texas Gulf Coast was honoured in 1948.
• Daniel Norland, the TWIFS All-American sophomore wide receiver from Amarillo Methodist set a new modern day single season receiving record with 75 catches. The old mark of 72 was set by Allan Hicks of Bulein four years ago.
• Dustin Fisher, a cornerback out of Whittier CA., and the consensus number one ranked recruit has announced his commitment to Oklahoma City State for the 1975 season. The choice of the Pioneers came as somewhat of a surprise but paled in comparison to the shock when the top ranked quarterback prospect opted to attend an Academia Alliance school despite offers from all of the major programs. Citing his education as a priority Scott Poindexter has committed to the Henry Hudson Explorers and is believed to be the highest ranked recruit at #4 overall to select an Academia Alliance school in decades.

FRAZIER FLATTENS ROCCO, ENDS THE REIGN
[size="5"]New Champ Takes the Torch in Tumultuous Heavyweight Year

Tony Rocco’s stay atop the heavyweight mountain came crashing down under the bright lights of Las Vegas on October 7, 1974. Before a stunned crowd at the Convention Center, Rocco’s nearly two-year reign as ABF World Heavyweight Champion ended abruptly when Leon Frazier—long considered a solid contender but not a true threat—landed a blistering left hook square on the champion’s jaw midway through the 12th round. The shot sent Rocco sprawling, and veteran referee Tony Weeks counted him out, marking the first knockout loss of Rocco’s career.

For Rocco (37-2-3), it was a crushing end to the longest championship run the division had seen since Norm Robinson’s 30-month reign ended back in 1967. Earlier in the year, Rocco had looked every bit the dominant titleholder—stopping former champ Pete Vassar at Bigsby Garden in March, then traveling overseas to Japan to outpoint Luther Gaines in June in the first ABF heavyweight title bout ever held there.

That victory was yet another heartbreak for Gaines, who at 30 now finds himself snakebitten in championship fights. Once tabbed as a can’t-miss prospect, Gaines had opened his career 24-0 before his first title shot—ironically, against Rocco back in June 1970. Rocco took a decision that night, and though Gaines earned two more cracks at the crown—against Pete Vassar later that year and Vic Carbone in 1972—he fell short each time. After his second loss to Rocco in Japan, Gaines stands 0–4 in world title bouts (40–5 overall), though he insists his quest for the belt isn’t over.

If Rocco seemed sluggish against Frazier, perhaps the long flight to Japan and back took something out of him. The 28-year-old challenger from Detroit came in with a 29–5 record and a reputation as a sturdy brawler with enough pop—15 knockouts—to make anyone cautious. But few expected him to dominate the way he did that October evening.

From the opening bell, Frazier pressed forward with relentless aggression, nearly sending Rocco to the canvas in the first round. The champion managed to steady himself, but his timing looked off, and he never seemed to solve Frazier’s pressure. On two of the three judges’ cards, Rocco failed to win a single round cleanly; the third gave him only the sixth, 10–9. Had the fight gone the distance, the decision would’ve been lopsided. Frazier, however, didn’t leave it to the scorecards. After a quieter 11th round, he exploded in the 12th—first an uppercut that rocked Rocco, then the left hook that sealed it.

With the knockout, Leon Frazier became the new ABF Heavyweight Champion of the World, and he wasted little time cashing in on his new status. In December, he signed a record-setting deal to defend his title in South Africa against former champion Curtis Rollins. The bout turned out to be a bruising test. Rollins floored Frazier in the fifth, but the champion battled back to drop Rollins in the 12th and earn a hard-fought unanimous decision.

Frazier’s late-year triumph capped off one of the most dramatic heavyweight seasons in recent memory—one that saw Tony Rocco’s reign end, Luther Gaines’ dream slip further from reach, and Leon Frazier’s name etched among the sport’s modern kings.

The Year That Was
Current events from 1974

• January 2 – In response to the ongoing energy crisis, President Nixon signs a bill imposing a national maximum speed limit of 55 mph to conserve fuel.
• January 6 – The U.S. and Canada start Daylight Saving Time four months ahead of schedule as another energy-saving measure during the oil shortage.
• February 4 – Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst is abducted from her Berkeley, California apartment by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army, launching one of the most sensational crime stories of the decade.
• February 8 – The final Skylab crew completes a record-setting 84-day mission in orbit, marking the end of America’s first space station program.
• March 1 – Watergate grand jury indicts former Nixon aides H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, John Mitchell, charging them with conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The grand jury names Nixon as an unindicted co-conspirator.
• April 3 – Tornado outbreak devastates U.S. Midwest and South. A massive two-day storm system spawns 148 tornadoes across 13 states, killing 335 people and causing widespread destruction.
• May 19 – India detonates a nuclear device in the Rajasthan desert, becoming the world’s sixth nuclear power and alarming Western nations.
• July 24 – Supreme Court orders Nixon to release tapes, ruling unanimously that the president must turn over Oval Office recordings subpoenaed in the Watergate investigation.
• August 5 – “Smoking gun” tape released, a recording that reveals Nixon’s direct role in the Watergate cover-up, destroying his remaining political support.
• August 8 – Facing certain impeachment, Nixon becomes the first U.S. president to resign from office, declaring he will do so effective the next day, afterwards Vice President Ford is sworn in, declaring, “Our long national nightmare is over.”
• September 8 – In a controversial move, President Ford grants a full pardon to Richard Nixon for any crimes committed while in office, triggering a sharp drop in Ford’s approval ratings.
• September 12 – The long-reigning monarch of Ethiopia is overthrown in a military coup, signaling major shifts in African geopolitics.
• November 5 – Democrats make major midterm gains. In the “Watergate election,” Democrats win sweeping victories in Congress, reflecting public backlash against the Republican Party.
• November 16 – U.N. recognizes Palestinian Liberation Organization. Yasser Arafat addresses the United Nations General Assembly, marking the PLO’s emergence as a major international actor.
• December 28 – “The Exorcist” becomes highest-grossing film of the year. The horror film shocks audiences and dominates box offices.

This marks the end of the annual recaps for This Week in Figment Sports. It will return to its standard weekly format with the January 6, 1975 edition which will feature the recaps of the college New Years Classic games, an update on how the hockey and basketball seasons are progressing and likely a look at the top candidates for the 1975 FABL draft in addition to some baseball team previews.

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As we rejoin FABL for the 1975 season, the team at This Week in Figment Sports will take a look at a few players from each of the 24 FABL organizations. Our journey starts in the Continental West, which featured the top 3 records in the CA and 3 of the top 5 in all of baseball. With the good came two of the worst teams, as both Western divisions had the worst and second worst teams as well.

Chicago Cougars
Last Year Record: 74-88 (4th, .457)
Best Year Since 1964: 1966, 99-63 (2nd, .611)

Top Pitcher: RHP Roger Alford (26, 17-9, 2.35, 139; 54-40, 1, 2.88, 485)

One of the top pitchers in FABL, Roger Alford trails just Houston's Joe McCarthy (21-7, 2.48, 194; 101-88, 3.09, 1,329) in OSA's list of top 20 pitchers, and at 26 he's tied for the second youngest pitcher on the list. Taken by the Cougars in the 2nd Round of the 1966 draft, Alford ranked as high as the 23rd prospect in baseball and debuted at 22 as a September callup in 1970. In 1971 he split time between the pen and rotation, but 1972 was when his career really took off. Starting a Continental high 37 games, he was an unlucky 15-17 with a 3.33 ERA (106 ERA+), 3.06 FIP (87 FIP-), and 1.23 WHIP. His 152 strikeouts still rank as a career high, and despite the slightly above average ERA, it was quite clear he had the stuff to stick in the big leagues.

Returning to the Cougar rotation the following season, he dropped his ERA to 3.05 (125 ERA+) and his WHIP to 1.16, striking out 142 in his 34 starts. Alford's breakout then came this following season, as the new Cougar ace was an impressive 17-9 with an association low 2.35 ERA (161 ERA+) and 1.00 WHIP. His 2.8 K/BB was also the best in the Conti as he dropped his BB% to a minuscule 4.5 while striking out 139 in a career high 276 innings. Despite a middling season for the rest of the team, Alford's season was filled with accolades, as not only was he the Continental Association's All-Star game starter, but he took home a Diamond Defense Award and Allen Award, and he no-hit the Mavericks in August. 27 come Opening Day, the hardworking righty will be a favorite to repeat, as his masterful eight pitch mix has been almost impossible for opposing hitters to deal with. Paired with elite control and he's a lethal weapon for any staff, and if the Cougars want to get their record back above .500, he's going to be a huge part of it.


Top Hitter: C Charlie Sanders (28, .300, 15, 82, 1; .262, 58, 338, 2)

Another member of OSA's top 20 lists, Cougar backstop Charlie Sanders ranks 15th among FABL position players, though his season did not end as well as his battery mates. In mid September, Sanders' 5th FABL season ended in pain, as he broke a bone in his elbow and may not be ready for camp in the spring. Coming a long way for a former 9th Rounder, 1974 was a big breakout, as he hit a career best .300/.350/.438 (122 OPS+) in 503 PAs. Sanders also set personal bests for homers (15), WRC+ (127), wOBA (.353), and WAR (4.3), as the generally durable backstop surpassed the 500 PA mark for the fifth time in as many tries.

Working on getting him back to full strength will be a priority for team trainer Bob Richards, who is considered the best of the best when it comes to rehabbing arm injuries. A key part of the Cougar offense, he led the team in all three triple crown categories, and he's a threat from both sides of the plate. He doesn't usually hit for as high average as he did last year, but what you can rely on him is an elite eye at the plate and behind. He steals strikes better then most, and many members of the staff want him behind the plate even if he lacks the filter of an average catcher. A legit top-5 catcher when healthy, he should hold on to the catching job long-term despite a pair of farmhands in the top 75 of the prospect rankings.

Top Prospect: RHP Bob Hays (8th Overall)

Chicago has always been known for producing a ton of quality pitchers, and Bob Hays could be the next to join that group. Taken in the 5th Round of the most recent draft, the Cougars minor league staff seems to have unlocked something in the 18-year-old righty. The minor league numbers may not have been great, a 9.68 ERA (56 ERA+) in 30.2 rookie league innings and a 4.11 (98 ERA+) in 15.1 in A ball, all three of his pitches are elite and there are rumors that he's working on perfecting a fourth. For now, he's your traditional fastball/slider/change guy, and scouts expect that low 90s fastball to end up in the 93-95 range. His strong work ethic should work in his advantage, as scouts expect him to end up reaching his lofty command potential. With his age and lack of early minor league success, Hays still comes with plenty of risk, but he's got the tools to be an ace and the organization will look to turn him into exactly that.

Active Legend: LHP Pug White (44, 11-15, 3.86, 97; 251-206, 96, 3.32, 2,595)

That's no typo -- Cougar lefty Pug White is 44 and still pitching like he's got plenty to give. Drafted way back in the 5th Round of the 1948 draft, White came over from the Saints in a 1951 deadline deal for 9-Time All-Star Sal Pestilli. Pug has stuck with the Cougar system ever since, debuting about two years later during the 1953 season. A then thin and tiny southpaw made 25 appearances (10 starts), going 8-3 with 4 saves, a 3.17 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts. Never sent back to the minors, Pug has pitched at least 80 innings in each of the next 21 seasons. Splitting time between the pen and rotation, he's appeared in 901 games (503 starts) while amassing an impressive 4,190.2 innings pitched. A rarity both for longevity, talent, and flexibility, he's one of the few players to lead his association in both starts (37 in 1955 and 36 in 1960) and appearances (87 in 1964).

Expected to remain in the middle of the Cougars rotation, he ranks 5th among active pitchers with 251 and 36th All-Time and his 901 appearances are 9 behind Paul Williams for 2nd and 13 behind the Allen Award's namesake Allan Allen. Among Cougars, he's just 2 wins away from Hall-of-Famer Jack Long, and is almost a lock to secure that. Sure, his 206 losses are also the most, but he ranks top-5 in saves (4th, 96), WAR (2nd, 72.6), starts (2nd, 503), shutouts (t-3rd, 22), innings (1st, 4,190.2), strikeouts (1st, 2,595), and obviously, games (1st, 901). He's showed no signs of slowing down or even quitting, as he started a full 34 games. The 7-Time All-Star was 11-15 with a 3.86 ERA (98 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts, and if he can make it to the end of the season, he'll pass Dick Lyons (45) for the oldest Cougar to make a start in team history.

Star Out of Place: RHP Jim Norris (44, 9-14, 23, 4.80, 51; 325-240, 55, 3.57, 2,923)

Somehow. Someway. Pug White is not the oldest pitcher on the Cougars.

That would be the also 44-year-old Jim Norris, though his February birthday will come before Pug's June celebration. The active win leader with 325 victories, Norris is best known for his time with the Dynamos, who took him in the 2nd Round of the 1951 draft. Debuting the next season, he stayed with the Dynamos through the 1965 season, going 215-136 with a 3.45 ERA (120 ERA+), 3.50 FIP (83 FIP-), 1.26 WHIP, and 1,884 strikeouts in 3,320 innings pitched. All of his best years came with the Dynamos, though his near decade in the Windy City has had some success. Sure, none of his 3 Allens, 8 All-Stars, or 4 Championships came with the Cougars, and no one really thinks of Norris as one, but due to the Cougars' special career lengthening potions he's thrown nearly 2,000 innings (1,828.1) with his second team. Transitioning to the stopper the past two seasons, he has recorded 37 saves, but his 5.04 (76 ERA+) and 4.80 ERAs (79 ERA+) look a lot more like a 40-something-year-old then Pug. Still, he managed positive WAR, and with his next tenth of a win he'll become the 10th FABL hurler to surpass the century mark. An All-Time great, it's nice to see Norris still chasing history, and even if there is no encore in 1976 he will finish his career as one of the game's most accomplished hurlers.

Dallas Wranglers
Last Year Record: 95-67 (3rd, .586)
Best Year Since 1964: 1974, 95-67 (3rd, .586)

Top Pitcher: RHP Pete Rosenbaum (27, 15-13, 3.29, 167; 43-40, 1, 3.32, 530)

One of the many new expansion teams in FABL, the Dallas Wranglers have yet to crack the postseason, but they won a franchise high 95 games this season and could have earned their first birth of the CA West wasn't so stacked. Years of sucking helped make it possible, as homegrown ace Pete Rosenbaum was snagged with the 2nd pick in the 1965 draft. One of the most skilled groundball pitchers, Rosenbaum led the Conti with a 55% ground ball rate last year, and while it didn't lead this year, he matched that total in his third season as a full-time rotation member. Debuting to an 8 game pen stint in 1970, he has since made 115 consecutive starts, including 36 this season. Dallas has supplied their ace with an elite middle infield defense, but it seemed like his defense still let him down. He was just 15-13 and his 3.29 ERA (113 ERA+) was not as impressive as an impressive 2.90 FIP (77 FIP-).

A lot of his success came from cutting his home run rate in half, allowing just 10 this season compared to 20 last season in once less out. This led to a career best 6.2 WAR to go with 167 strikeouts -- one shy of his previous best -- while continuing to lower his BB% in each of his FABL seasons. That 8.1% still isn't great, and the only thing preventing him from becoming a true ace, but he's still the most talented pitcher the franchise has seen in their 13 seasons. Through 816.2 innings pitched he has a 3.29 ERA and 2.90 FIP, both 10 percent better then average, and his 14.9 WAR is already the most in team history. He's set the team single season record in each of the last two seasons (4.2 in 1973), and if he sticks with Dallas he's got a great chance of setting plenty of team records.

Top Hitter: 1B Nick Parker (26, .346, 17, 88, 2; .298, 71, 327, 11)

If you trust OSA, they think Wrangler backup catcher John Miller (23, .307, 3, 39; .286, 10, 85) is the top dog, but until Dallas finally gives him the keys over former 2nd Rounder Roscoe Daniels (28, .216, 6, 29; .207, 34, 257, 4), I can't in good conscious give him the nod. Especially when they have FABL's best first basemen Nick Parker, who ranks as the 6th best player in the league. Sure, he's recovering from a torn ACL, and the former 6th Overall pick has had his issues staying on the field, but when he's healthy there are few hitters better then him.

In 472 PAs this season, Parker was an offensive juggernaut, slashing a robust .346/.449/.574 (186 OPS+) with 27 doubles, 5 triples, 17 homers, 88 RBIs, 79 runs, and an elite 74-to-28 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Some might say this is unstainable, and sure it might be, but he's coming off back-to-back 160+ WRC+ seasons and owns a well above average career .298/.399/.493 (156 OPS+) 304 walks to just 187 strikeouts, and he hasn't struck out more then 10% of the time since his debut as a part-time player in 1970. Parker has emerged as a team leader, always cheering on his team even if his coaches wish he'd jump less on his bad knee when things go well, and Wrangler fans line up hours early to see him take hacks in batting practice. It's hard to believe there is any pitch he can't hit, and the imposing 6'3'' slugger has really got the power stroke working. Of course, with all the good you have to deal with injuries, his molasses like speed, and his complete defensive ineptness (he was once an "outfielder" if you can call his performance that), but you'd be hard pressed to find a tougher at bat then him, and he will continue to fit comfortably in the heart of Dallas' lineup for the next decade.

Top Prospect: 3B Dick Frost (18th Overall)

No, "Dick Frost" it's not a bizarre disease you might wish on your worst enemy, but instead the cream of the Wranglers farm system. Taken 7th Overall last season, the towering 6'4'' switch hitter ranked 10th to open the season, but he struggled a little in rookie ball. His .258/.415/.352 (87 OPS+) batting line lacked his expected power, but the 19-year-old still got a promotion after 43 games to A ball. The power didn't come, but he upped his triple slash to .295/.436/.369 (112 OPS+) as his WRC+ leaped from 103 to 137 in 101 more PAs. Like Nick Parker, Frost as an elite eye, drawing 47 walks with an 18+ walk percentage at both spots, but unlike Parker there's still a ton of swing and miss. Rookie pitchers didn't strike him out too much, but with the promotion his K% jumped from 12.6 to 17.6. Wranglers fans can live with that if his projectable power ever surfaces, but currently he's more of a doubles hitter then a true slugger. Still, when he gets a hold of one it can really carry, and if he keeps avoiding pitches outside the zone, he'll be a perfect third to Parker and back-to-back batting title winner Buck Stout (29, .326, 18, 111, 5; .294, 93, 474, 26).

Active Legend: CF John Vance (30, .292, 2, 85, 18; .292, 127, 826, 118)

You wouldn't expect an expansion franchise to already have a guy who could qualify as a team legend, but John Vance was the second ever amateur pick by the Wranglers, and it took him just a year and a half to make it to Dallas. Debuting on Opening Day in 1964 at just 19, the versatile catcher quickly proved he belonged with a 4 WAR rookie campaign. Appearing in 147 games, he hit an impressive .273/.331/.438 (119 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 16 homers, 69 RBIs, 66 runs, 42 walks, and 11 steals. Clearly a building block for the future, Vance was back in 1965, and has started more then 125 games in each of his now eleven seasons. The first four came behind the plate, but he spent a season at first before a seamless transition to the outfield. He may not be a Diamond Defense winner, and a move to a corner in the near future may be best for the team, but he's yet to have a WRC+ below 100.

A 4-Time All-Star, Vance has appeared in a franchise high 1,671 games, owning a career .292/.346/.429 (125 OPS+) batting line. He's surpassed 100 steals (118) and homers (127), adding in 346 doubles, 57 triples, 493 walks, 823 runs, and 826 RBIs. The 30-year-old enters 1975 as the team leader in runs, doubles, homers, RBIs, walks, and WAR (44.0), and the ultra-aggressive lefty still profiles as one of the top leadoff hitters in the league. Still, as Dallas continues to improve, he may be looking in from the outside for the first time in his career, which is where his versatility will help him gain playing time. Along with center, catcher, and first, he's got experience at third, and can help spell injury prone guys like Parker, Steve Prather (30, .319, 9, 72, 23; .303, 90, 569, 120), and Joe Black (26, .242, 11, 62, 18; .252, 26, 130, 21). No matter what role he ends up taking, he'll provide value to a club looking to earn their first ever playoff birth.

Star Out of Place: RHP Owen Lantz (34, 3-1, 3.18, 18; 63-37, 7, 3.33, 734)

I may be stretching the definition of a star here, but there was a time when Owen Lantz looked like he was going to be one. Taken in the 4th Round by the Cannons in 1958, they traded him in the 1959 offseason to the Eagles in a deal for 38-year-old former Kellogg winner Wally Hunter. Quickly a mistake, Lantz became a top-100 prospect while Hunter filled a pen role, and by 1962 he was ranked as FABL's 7th best prospect. With that ranking he cracked the team's opening day roster, and by the summer he was both an All-Star and starting pitcher. Finishing the season with 172 innings, he went 13-8 with 4 saves, a 3.72 ERA (124 ERA+), 1.48 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts. His ascent continued in '63, where Lantz was an elite 16-3 with a 2.54 ERA (166 ERA+), 1.13 WHIP, and 164 strikeouts in is first 200 inning and 5 WAR season. In 1964 the ERA rose a bit to 2.87 (124 ERA+), but his 2.56 FIP (72 FIP-) was among the league leaders and he struck out an impressive 227 hitters in 247.2 innings -- both career highs that still stand -- while work an also personal best 7 wins above replacement. So through three seasons the soon-to-be 24-year-old had 43 wins, 503 strikeouts, and 14.7 WAR.

And then it all fell apart...

You can't blame injuries for his regression, but at 24 even going 13-10 with a 3.82 ERA (96 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts, especially with all the dominance that came before. He also managed 214.2 innings in 35 starts, still useful numbers for a starting pitcher even if the overall results are average. Unfortunately for Lantz, he just couldn't find it again, as after the 1965 season he's only tallied 7 wins, 97 strikeouts, and 158 innings, worth -0.1 WAR in time with the Eagles, Mavericks, Imperials, Chiefs, Dynamos, and now Wranglers. Picked up before this season on a minor league deal, he actually had a little resurgence, working to a 3.18 ERA (117 ERA+) and 1.12 WHIP, walking 8 with 18 strikeouts in 34 innings. Now 34, you have to give him credit for sticking around, but the stuff just isn't there, and he'd be lucky to end his FABL career with even 800 strikeouts, something fans in 1966 would have found unfathomable when he was already at 624. Even in a weak pen he struggled to get innings, and there's a legitimate chance that the once bright star may see his light completely extinguished by this time next year.

Kansas City Mavericks
Last Year Record: 62-100 (6th, .383)
Best Year Since 1964: 1973, 69-93 (6th, .426)

Top Pitcher: RHP Cal Newman (26, 7-14, 3.01, 88; 13-24, 2, 3.12, 131)

Even a 10-game losing streak at the end of the season by the Sailors couldn't save the Mavericks from a sixth straight sixth place finish, as the divisions youngest club is still looking to get off the ground. That tells you all you need to know about the current state of the team, but that doesn't mean they're completely devoid of talent. Sure, Cal Newman probably wouldn't crack most rotations, but the 26-year-old did breakout in his second stint with the Mavericks. Taken by KC in the 3rd Round of the 1970 draft, they actually traded him in January of 1972, shipping him and righty Emmett Thornton (30, 10-13, 4.54, 106; 40-52, 1, 3.76, 450) to the Imperials for a pair of prospects. Newman debuted midseason for the Imperials, throwing 53.2 innings out of the pen as a rookie. It looked good, 4-5 with 2 saves, 10 holds, a 2.85 ERA (121 ERA+), and 1.29 WHIP, but he did walk 19 with just 24 strikeouts. This led to him being waived almost a year after being acquired, with the clear date set for the exactly one year after.

That brought him back to the Mavs, who sent him to the minors for a good chunk of the season. He did end up playing in KC, making 7 starts and 4 relief outings to mixed results (2-5, 3.81, 19). But with so little nailed down, Newman entered camp in 1974 as a top starting option, and he finished the year atop the rotation that finished 12th of 12 in starter's ERA. It'd be even worse without Newman, who in 35 starts had an impressive 3.01 ERA (125 ERA+) and 1.26 WHIP. He still walks (79) about as many guys as he strikes out (88), but he threw 206.1 innings and deserved a record far better then the 7-14 he finished as. A five pitch pitcher, the stuff is more good then great, but his curve gets whiffs and the variety of pitches allows him to keep runs off the board. Along with middling control, he hasn't shown the ability to pitch deep into games, rarely pushing past 100 pitches, but right now he's the best they got, and he could make an interesting trade candidate with another strong season.

Top Hitter: 1B Chuck Cohen (26, .297, 7, 55, 7; .265, 14, 177, 11)

While the pitching is clearly suspect, the Mavs do have a few useful building blocks in the lineup. The most interesting might be shortstop-turned-first-basemen Chuck Cohen, a former top-100 prospect they picked up from the Eagles in the 1970 offseason. Washington's 1st Rounder six months earlier, Kansas City gave him just 3 AAA games before calling him up to the FABL roster. Starting 86 of 108 games and coming just shy of 400 PAs, he wasn't very good, hitting just .223/.294/.287 (71 OPS+), turning 23 in the middle of his rookie year. Since then he's alternated good and bad seasons, capped off by his breakout 4.5 WAR season this year.

He won his 2nd Diamond Defense award and was selected to his first All-Star game, slashing .297/.371/.414 (119 OPS+) with 32 doubles, 5 triples, 7 homers, 55 RBIs, 67 runs, and 7 steals in 608 trips to the plate. Cohen lacks the power you tend to see at first, but his 132 WRC+ was clearly above average for the position, and he continues to walk (62) more then he strikes out (43). A plus hitter with strong bat speed, he makes consistent contact and lines the ball to all fields, keeping the defense on their toes whenever he's in the box. Even without much protection aside from former Saint prospect Tony Keil (25, .294, 8, 62) and 28-year-old slugger Bobby Frost (.225, 22, 70), both of who are rookies, Cohen finally showed he was more then just "expansion good." Now what's left for him is to beat the alternating year allegations, hoping to show he can hit well even in an odd season like 1975.

Top Prospect: C Chuck Barton (1st Overall)

Yeah the big league club is barren, but the farm is deep and the gem is elite. Ranked as the 4th best system, Kansas City boats the games top prospect, as former 2nd pick Chuck Barton is a potential cornerstone and even Hall-of-Famer. 1974 was his first full season, and he clobbered rookie league pitchers before a promotion to low-A. Even there the then 19-year-old was an average hitter, batting .258/.377/.387 (100 OPS+) in a 19 game sample. He didn't add to his 9 homers, but he clubbed 6 more doubles and finished his year with 24 extra base hits. But despite the potent bat, he's actually best behind the plate, with the ability to change the game from the crouch. Calm and confident even with his youth, he's the king of a helpful mound visit, and he gets nods for his receiving and arm. His eye works from both the box and behind the plate, and when he gets a hold of one he hits hit hard. Add in an above average hit tool, an athletic 6'4'' frame, and pretty much everything else you look for in a prospect, and it's pretty clear that the Minnesota native could be the guy who changes his franchises fortune.

So long as he can handle the immense pressure that comes with being a savior. Which so far he's shown is no issue.

Active Legend: SS Sam Pratt (32, .225, 6, 37, 9; .215, 48, 246, 38)

Can a team like the Mavericks even have a team legend? I mean, no one even has 20 career wins (seriously) and Chuck Cohen is pretty much the most successful hitter they have, but hey! Sam Pratt has played a lot of games! And he's a really good shortstop!

To clarify, I mean with the glove, he doesn't really hit, but 1974 was his first of all six Kansas City seasons he didn't appear in at least 155 games. He got into 127, probably still too much for a hitter like him, as his .225/.284/.304 (65 OPS+) batting line is just like his .215/.268/.309 (65 OPS+) career line. But despite that, he posted a career best 2.5 WAR, posting a 16.8 zone rating and 1.088 efficiency at the game's most difficult defensive position. A former 4th Rounder they picked up from the Cougars with their 25th pick in the 1968 expansion draft, he's now accumulated an impressive 56.6 zone rating (1.042 EFF) at short, helping bail out out plenty of the awful pitchers he's watched in his 910 game career. Granted, you can say the same thing when he bats, but Pratt did hit 12 homers last season and he does sort of make the most of his speed, though a lot is countered by striking out (564) more then twice as often as he walks (203). He's been set down at least 83 times in each of his six seasons, and I'm sure if they had a useful shortstop he'd be gone. But they don't, so he's not, and Pratt should be the first Maverick to play 1,000 games or make 3,000 at bats, or strikeout 600 times. He's a legend in my book!

Star Out of Place: RHP Van Taylor (32, 8-2, 1, 3.38, 77; 53-31, 90, 2.63, 463

From 1865 to 1969 Van Taylor was one of the top relievers in all of baseball, and in four of those seasons he was a shutdown closer for the Eagles. His ERA never went above 2.86, his ERA+ below 123, or his WHIP above 1.22, and he put together 4 seasons with over 100 innings. Add in 3 20-save seasons and 85+ strikeout campaigns and FIP- of 86 or better, and you really had a dominant late inning arm.

Then 1970 came, he allowed 6 runs in 7.2 innings, and for some reason the Eagles banished him.

Really! They just said we don't need you anymore despite the fact that he was elite. It was so bad that no one wanted him on waivers and he was released, and he had to spend three seasons in the minors with the Keystones before they finally let him pitch out of the pen. It didn't work too well, 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks in 5 innings, leading to his waiving. The Millers thought maybe we can put him in our rotation, claiming the former top stopper, and it sort of worked. He started 17 of 30 games and worked to a nice 3.29 ERA (112 ERA+), and his 3.07 FIP (83 FIP-) was similar to his time in the nation's capital. In the offseason Milwaukee made a strange trade, sending their 19-year-old 9th Rounder to Minneapolis, but before the Rule-5 draft they DFA'd him to make room for some prospects. His time with the Arrows lasted just a month, as the Mavs decided "well we can certainly do worse then him" and grabbed him with the first pick of the Rule-5 draft. Projected to be the team's #3 starter, the 2-Time All-Star will begin his KC career with a 2.63 ERA (135 ERA+) and 2.83 FIP (79 FIP-), something you'd expect from an Allen winner not lottery ticket, but clearly the league has lost faith in him. Still, there's no better place for an almost 33-year-old to be then a bad club with limited upper level rotation depth, and I for one am rooting for a career resurgence from the disrespected stopper who might still have something left in the tank.

Los Angeles Stars
Last Year Record: 97-65 (2nd, .599)
Best Year Since 1964: 1969 and 1969, 111-51 (1st, .685): Won World Championship Series! Both times! With the same record!

Top Pitcher: RHP Bill Dunham (30, 16-8, 3.00, 198; 65-64, 49, 3.48, 775)

Despite all the success the Stars have had lately, the reason they came up just short of the Kings is the pitching. Ranked 10th in the Conti in runs allowed, the rotation is in clear need of an upgrade, and it would be even more dire if the well traveled Bill Dunham didn't turn into an unlikely ace. Once the 13th Round selection of their division mate Chicago Cougars, Dunham lasted just over two seasons in the Cougar organization before a fun carousel between FABL teams. He spent about a year in the Pioneers system, but between June 18th and November 13th of the 1965 season, he spent time with the Saints, Keystones, Dynamos, Cannons, Wranglers, Pioneers, Suns, Dynamos again, Wolves, Dynamos a third time, and Millers. He finally found a home in Minneapolis, eventually cracking the big league roster in 1968.

Pitching in a swingman role, he threw 126 innings across 62 outings (7 starts), going 11-13 with 10 saves, a 3.57 ERA (88 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts. He had an inflated 10.2 BB%, and that was about where he sat for the rest of his Millers career. He started and relieved games in each of the next two seasons, but after the 1970 season, the Stars saw enough in him to send their recent first rounder Don Phelps for Dunham. The deal shocked many at the time, especially after he had a solid debut season (7-5, 7, 3.33, 39) and they optioned him to start 1972. It seemed to wake Dunham up, as after securing a pen spot the next year he worked his way into the rotation, finishing 12-11 with a 2.85 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP, and 159 strikeouts. In 40 appearances (27 starts) he threw 227 innings, and did about all he could to help the Stars secure an 8th consecutive division title. The team fell 5 games short, but they at least knew they had a rotation arm they could rely on. Dunham rewarded the faith, turning in 34 starts with a 3.00 ERA (125 ERA+) and 3.21 FIP (85 FIP-). He finished 16-8, striking out 198 while walking 80 in 246 innings pitched. The results show ace even if the talent doesn't, and even if the Stars make a much needed add to their rotation, he should still end up the guy on top of it.

Top Hitter: 1B Bobby Garrison (32, .296, 20, 88, 38; .301, 311, 1,206, 254)

Most first basemen and 30+ year olds don't steal 38 bases in a season, but Bobby Garrison is far from the average first basemen. It was clear when he was drafted 15th by the Minutemen, clear when he was the centerpiece in a trade for Frank Kirouac (37, .208, 7, 34, 6; .256, 273, 870, 118), and clear every day since he debuted as a teen in 1962. A crucial piece of the Stars four championships and the WCS MVP in 1966, Garrison has already been selected to 8 All-Star games while totaling 2,095 hits in 1,912 games. A common entrant on the leaderboards, his 115 runs this year were the sixth time he's led the CA in that category, along with an association high in hits (195, 1964), doubles (42, 1968), homers (33, 1967), RBIs (118, 1966; 127, 1967), slugging (.510, 1967), WRC+ (161, 1967), and wOBA (.390, 1966; .381, 1967). He did have a slight down season this year, hitting only .296/.385/.466 (139 OPS+), snapping a streak of 8 consecutive seasons with an OPS+ and WRC+ above 150.

Already a Stars legend, the Chicago native has put his name into the team record books, ranked top-10 in OBP (8th, .386), slugging (2nd, .519), OPS (4th, .905), WAR (5th, 74.5), games (5th, 1,912), at bats (6th, 6,953), runs (2nd, 1,323), hits (5th, 2,095), doubles (4th, 405), homers (2nd, 311), RBIs (4th, 1,206), steals (t-7th, 254), and walks (4th, 869). Playing for a franchise with as many stars as the Stars have seen, being the team leader is no easy task, but at 32 he's got a chance to pass greats like John Waggoner, Dave Trowbridge, Bill Barrett, and longtime current teammate Ralph Barrell (34, .266, 19, 94, 19; .279, 394, 1,434, 101). Granted, he does have them all beat with 135 hit by pitches, but I'm sure the star first basemen will want to be remembered as more then the multi-time champion who had a nose for getting beamed.

Though most current Stars fans will always remember him for the titles he helped bring, and I'm sure he has a trick or two up his sleeve to make #5 come true.

Top Prospect: SS Bob Branson (#29 Prospect)

The Stars farm system is just like the big league roster, filled with tons of talented position players and not many pitchers. Shortstop Bob Branson is the best of the bunch, and while there's no real spot for him on the big league roster, this year's 20th overall pick is not too far off from being ready for big league action. A two-year starter at St. John's, his trip their was actually do to his academic history, not his baseball talent, though that clearly blossomed when he was there. A natural athlete, he picked up baseball as quickly as he does everything else, already sporting top-of-the-line bat-to-ball skills. Speed and discipline are big parts of his game too, so if he can handle shortstop defensively he'll never have to hit for much power. Line drives are more his style, and while he'll have to wait a bit for former Whitney Winner and 6-Time All-Star Lew Smith (31, .239, 16, 68, 28; .277, 229, 821, 147), he has a great mentor who can help him make the most of his mental and physical skills.

Active Legend: RHP Floyd Warner (38, 9-6, 2, 3.83, 84; 242-148, 4, 3.48, 2,367)

Garrison and Barrell both fit this bill, but since they're still performing at a star level, the rehabbing Floyd Warner best fits this bill. Acquired way back in 1955 from the Dynamos in the Paul Anderson blockbuster, Warner debuted as a reliever at 20 in 1957, but 520 of his 562 career appearances have came as a starter. That includes 21 of his 31 this year, though a ruptured disc sidelined him in August, just over two months before turning 38. A tough injury to overcome, his best days were already behind him, but his 3.83 ERA (98 ERA+) and 1.30 WHIP are actually good for the Stars rotation. His best season was in 1967, where the 23-3 ace took home an All-Star and Allen Award, working to a 1.94 ERA (175 ERA+), 2.66 FIP (78 FIP-), and 0.97 WHIP. Across 269 innings he had 169 strikeouts with just 55 walks, and his wins and ERA were association highs. He did both another time, winning 18 in 1969 and recording a 2.36 ERA for the '66 champion team, and the 7-Time All Star spent most of his career among the games most feared hurlers.

In Stars history, there are few who can match him, as however many wins he finishes with will be a team record, and his Allen winning ERA was the only top-10 Star single season mark that came after 1920. Nearly 100 games over .500, he's lost just the 4th most games despite a franchise high 3,747.1 innings. His 62.8 WAR could technically fall below Vern Hubbard's 61.3, but along with wins and innings he'll continue to add to his team high in starts (520), while his 2,367 strikeouts are exactly 1,000 more then the next closest Star. His days in the rotation may be numbered, but no pitcher has given as much to the organization as he has, and his #17 belongs only in the rafters at Bigsby Stadium when he eventually retires.

Star Out of Place: RHP Bill Dunlop (32, 5-2, 3, 4.58, 40; 155-92, 3, 3.02, 1,568)

Once ranked as the #1 prospect in all of baseball, "The Tobacco Twister" Bill Dunlop was supposed to lead the Boston Minutemen to the promise land. At first, it seemed like he would, as the 23-year-old rookie won a Fed high 23 games in 1965, leading the Association with 37 starts and 291 innings pitched. A talented pitcher with filthy stuff, he took home the Kellogg and finished 2nd in Allen voting to French Mack (19-10, 2.24, 224), who won his 4th consecutive Allen, posting a 2.60 ERA (142 ERA+) and 0.95 WHIP with 193 strikeouts and just 53 walks. In '66, however, Dunlop became the only player to interrupt Mack's run of 6 of 7 Allens, stealing the award with a 7 WAR season. A middling 15-10, he did have an outstanding 2.55 ERA (145 ERA+) and 1.09 WHIP, striking out what still stands as a career high 215 strikeouts. If there was a weakness, it was his tendency to allow homers, 24 and 22 in his first two seasons, and it became a bit of an issue as his Fed high 26 in '67 led to a below average 3.48 ERA (93 ERA+).

No longer a top pitcher, he was more average then good, and halfway through the '69 season they tried to capitalize on his former promise in a deadline trade with the dynasty building Stars. A deal that the Minutemen brass would definitely want back, they acquired four prospects that even our most avid readers probably don't remember. One of the four already retired and the other three are in the minors, while Dunlop became reinvigorated by a pennant race. Starting 13 games down the stretch for LA, he finished 7-2 with a 2.06 ERA (180 ERA+), 0.80 WHIP, and 5.2 K/BB -- a noticeable improvement over his 4.00 ERA (98 ERA+), 1.32 WHIP, and 2.1 K/BB before the trade. He wasn't great in the postseason, but Dunlop got them there and got to win his first championship. What came next, however, is what makes Minutemen fan blood boil, as Dunlop looked like the 24-year-old superstar that bested Frenchy Mack. Dunlop missed out on just strikeouts for a triple crown, finishing 24-3 with a 2.48 ERA (168 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, and 203 strikeouts to become the first pitcher to win an Allen in both associations (Marco Middleton later accomplished this with his 4th in 1972).

He followed up his rebirth with his third 20-win season, 20-9 with a 3.05 ERA (119 ERA+) and 1.11 WHIP, again leading the Stars to a championship. He picked up his 4th All-Star selection in 1972, but the 1973 season is where he reverted to pre-trade Dunlop. His ERA jumped to 4.25 (89 ERA+), but a lot of this had to do with elbow inflammation he suffered in late May. When he returned two months later he clearly wasn't the same pitcher, but the Stars were hoping a full offseason could get him back to himself. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case, and that's exactly why he's out of place here: the former ace is now a mop up arm. They tried giving him some starts this year, but they were bad even by Star standards, and he finished the season pitching mainly low leverage. His 4.58 ERA (82 ERA+) is a career worst, as he walked 19 with 8 homers in 78.2 innings. The 40 strikeouts are decent enough, but even that led to a career low 12.2 K%. Going into 1975, there's no guarantee he even cracks the perennial contenders roster, but given his prospect pedigree and past success, one of the other 23 teams will surely find room for him if his current employers cannot.

San Francisco Sailors
Last Year Record: 69-93 (5th, .426)
Best Year Since 1964: 1965, 101-61 (1st, .623): Lost World Championship Series

Top Pitcher: RHP Jim Teal (33, 11-12, 3.57, 178; 191-125, 77, 3.61, 1,568)

If I had to pick a worst rotation, the Sailors would get plenty of consideration, but Jim Teal is no slouch. A member of the 1965 Keystone team that beat the Sailors in the WCS, Teal's career starter in Philly. Their 6th Round selection in 1959, he debuted at 21 in 1962, but really made his name in the 1964 season. Functioning as the Keystones stopper, he made his first and only All-Star game, he led the Fed in saves (28) and appearances (86), going 11-4 with a 2.35 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.11 WHIP, 41 walks, and 105 strikeouts, throwing a near-starter level 141.2 innings pitched. With such a great showing, they gave him a try in the rotation the following season, but with middling results (3.84 ERA, 97 ERA+), he returned to the stopper role in their pennant defense. He did make a few spot starts that season and the following year, but Philly made the surprising decision to waive the then 26-year-old before the the 1968 season.

There loss was Minneapolis' gain, as they claimed Teal and inserted him into the rotation. It could not have gone much better, as the righty made 32 starts, an even 9-9 with a 2.60 ERA (121 ERA+), 2.59 FIP (82 FIP-), and 1.06 WHIP. All this on a really bad team, he struck out a then career high 170 in 218 innings. He couldn't repeat the magic in 1969, but he still pitched well enough (9-7, 4.07, 107) that the Sailors added him for a pennant run as pen help, moving longtime infielder Heinie Spitler (34, .222, 2; .300, 66, 608, 123), who's just barely still hanging on in Minneapolis. Teal collapsed, seeing his ERA balloon to 4.65 (81 ERA+), but his 3.31 FIP (87 FIP-) suggested he pitched far better then the numbers showed. After asking to go back to the rotation, the Sailors brass obliged, and Teal put together a season reminiscent of his 1968 breakout. In 33 starts he was 14-12 with a 3.44 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, and a career high 190 strikeouts, re-establishing himself as a reliable starter. Now 33, he's coming off a solid 1974 campaign, but he's been extremely consistent overall. He went from leading the CA in losses in '72 to a sterling 2.87 ERA (134 ERA+) in '73, and when you put together his 1,108.2 innings as a Sailor he's been basically average (3.82 ERA, 99 ERA+), striking out 806 in 221 outings (156 starts). The type of starter who you love towards the back and hate at the front, he's only an "ace" on a technicality, but you can certainly do worse then a veteran with over 2,000 FABL innings and 1,568 strikeouts.

Top Hitter: RF Pete Gibson (24, .282, 10, 58, 7; .284, 10, 60, 7)

If you thought the pitching was bad, the hitting is even worse. OSA doesn't even rank him in their top three players, but Pete "Twinkletoes" Gibson is easily the most promising bat in the Sailor lineup. The graduated 74th prospect was taken 11th by San Fran in 1968, and after a cup of coffee last season he secured an Opening Day roster spot in 1974. Initially it was a bench role, but considering how poor the team was it didn't take too long for the now 24-year-old to hit his way into the lineup. He did play a lot early, so Gibson recorded 150 appearances, but just 92 of those were in the starting lineup. Eventually securing right field, he was even a surprising All-Star nod, batting .282/.337/.434 (118 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 8 triples, 10 homers, 56 RBIs, 61 runs, and 7 steals.

A skilled bat-to-ball hitter, Gibson doesn't walk (36) or strikeout (25) much, and as he continues to mature he will learn the best way to approach most pitchers. An above average hitter with a quick and loose swing, he hits a lot of line drives, but there's not much power. That's not to say he can't get a hold of one, and at 6'3'' he has plenty of raw strength, but he sacrifices some power for long and competitive at-bats. Tough to put away, he usually wins the at bat, but top pitchers can still dispose of him without too much effort. It will be interesting to see how he does with a full season of big league play, but for now his numbers may not stick out with a complete lack of protection in the lineup.

Top Prospect: RHP Lee Jones (3rd Overall)

One of the perks of being bad is that you get a lot of high picks, and the Sailors' first rounder last season is evidence of that. Taken 4th overall, Lee Jones entered the 1974 season as the #2 prospect, now down to 3 behind just KC's Chuck Barton and Boston's Sal Baldassari. A hard thrower with ace written all over him, Jones decided at an early age that offspeed pitches were overrated, punishing hitters with a fastball, cutter, and sinker. The fastball is just good, but the cutter and sinker are off the charts, two of the toughest pitches for minor league hitters to try and solve. They'd likely fool FABL hitters too, as they have the break of a breaking pitch with the velocity of a fastball. With a change, he could be the best pitcher in baseball, but he's shown little interest in deviating from the hard stuff. 20 in February, he should start the 1975 season out of rookie ball, but unfortunately for Sailors fans, they'll have to wait multiple season for the hometown kid to pitch for his hometown team.

Active Legend: LF John Kingsbury (37, .258, 8, 56, 15; .282, 189, 1,154, 167

One of the most consistent players of his time, John Kingsbury has played in 150 or more games in all but one of his fifteen seasons, and his OPS+ and WRC+ have yet to dip below 95. Taken 13th in 1955, it took him a while to get to San Francisco, but once he did he produced. A 3-Time All-Star and 5-Time Diamond Defense winner, he was one of the top players in the league during the start of his career. 1961-1965 was his peak, producing a WAR above 6 and WRC+ above 140 in each season. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't keep that going, as his bat became just average. Still a top defender and a reliable addition to the lineup, and he's been worth at least 2 WAR each year of his career.

The Sailors have seen plenty of talented hitters, but he still ranks top-5 in WAR (4th, 57.7), runs (3rd, 1,258), hits (2nd, 2,434), doubles (1st, 396), triples (4th, 135), homers (2nd, 189), RBIs (1st, 1,154), and walks (3rd, 786) to go with a .282/.342/.425 (117 OPS+) career line. As their rebuild continues, they can continue to pencil him in the starting lineup, allowing him to climb up some of the counting stat categories he doesn't lead. It's still a little disappointing he never maintained his star level production, but he's still one of the most accomplished Canadians to play the game.

Star Out of Place: RF George Wagner (34, .333, 1, 11, 2; .257, 203, 668, 102

Once a feared slugger with the Minutemen, George Wagner's best days are clearly behind him, and the 34-year-old appeared in just 40 games. That and his 62 PAs were easily a career low, and his spot on the '75 Sailors is far from secure. His value now provides in mentoring the young sluggers, as Wagner slugged 184 homers in Boston, including 30 in the 1965 season. The best year of his career, the then 25-year-old hit .282/.365/.543 (164 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 103 RBIs, 90 runs, 71 walks, 10 steals, and 4.3 WAR, most of which were career bests. Interestingly, his lone All-Star appearance was the year before, where he hit a still solid .257/.327/.437 (123 OPS+) in his first year as a starter. A recent add to the Sailors, they picked him up in a 6-player trade during the 1972 season which has not aged well for the Sailors. Lucky for them, none of the prospects they gave up have done much yet, but after an 18-homer season he was quickly pushed out of the lineup. Never a good defender, he's even more statuesque there then before, which has limited him to a righty off the bench bat. But if the Sailors average a veteran presence who can go yard off the bench, he can hang around a few more seasons as he continues to add to his 203 career home runs.

Seattle Kings
Last Year Record: 98-64 (1st, .605): Won World Championship Series!
Best Year Since 1964: 1974, 98-64 (1st, .605): Won World Championship Series!

Top Pitcher: RHP Moe Lowery (26, 17-10, 3.11, 182; 86-54, 23, 2.84, 182

There are a ton of reasons why the Seattle Kings won both their division and the eventual title, but a rotation of 26-year-old aces is a big part of it. Leading the way is the CA's start (37) and innings leader (278) Moe Lowery, who ranks as the 3rd best pitcher in FABL. Swede Hawkins (26, 19-9, 2.95, 181; 64-34, 58, 2.81, 570) and Bill Harris (26, 10-16, 3.22, 137; 20-19, 3.23, 200) join him in the top 20 and John Howell (18-10, 3.26, 120) can't be too far off, but Lowery is the clear top dog. A six year veteran, Lowery has been a full-time starter since 1971, starting 34 or more games since his addition to the rotation. Along with the association bests this year, Lowery led the CA with 20 wins in 1972 and ERA in 1971 at 2.15 (167 ERA+), as well as two WAR titles of 6.3 in '71 and '73. Ironically, he posted more this year (6.8) and in 1972 (7.3) despite not leading the league, and discounting his 88 ERA+ in 26 relief outings as a rookie, he's never seen that number drop below 119.

His durability and dependability are huge, but his outstanding control and ability to keep the ball on the ground are what make him an enviable rotation lead. A former 2nd Rounder, he's yet to post a BB% above 7.5 as a starter, which allows him to overcome more middling strikeout numbers. That's not to say the stuff isn't good -- he's one of the toughest guys to make good contact off of -- but as a traditional sinkerballer he focuses more on getting batters to roll over pitches early in at bats to keep his pitch count down. It's helped him throw over 250 innings in each of the last four seasons, a trend that I don't see that stopping any time soon, and as long as he's pitching in Seattle they'll have a good chance of surpassing their single title in Brooklyn.

Top Hitter: LF Mike Griffith (23, .311, 20, 76, 4; .312, 24, 90, 4)

Technically backstop Fred Tollefson (32, .257, 11, 43; .276, 160, 722, 49) is the top hitter in Seattle, but I'll give the edge to the former 420th overall Mike Griffith, who proved that location does not deter Kings from winning Kellogg Awards. Already the organization's sixth winner since the award was founded in 1946, Griffith is the first Seattle King to take home the award for the top rookie of the association. Defying all expectations just to get an 18 game cup of coffee last season, the never ranked top-100 prospect proved that his .317/.358/.587 (169 OPS+) triple slash last season was no fluke. In 591 PAs compared to 68, it did drop slightly to .311/.378/.475 (141 OPS+), but his 143 WRC+ still ranked 15th among all qualified FABL hitters. Griffith added 22 doubles, 20 homers, and 76 runs and RBIs, worth a strong 4.7 WAR in 147 games.

Already a fan favorite for highlight real catches and his propensity to put the ball in play, there's an argument that his addition to the lineup helped the Kings go from division winner to league champ. A natural center fielder, the presence of two-time Diamond Defense winner Tom Hicks (32, .246, 6, 53, 16; .278, 162, 899, 154) pushed Griffith into a corner most of the season, but he put up an above average efficiency in all three spots. Interestingly, he was best in his smallest sample (169.2) in center (1.037), but he still impressed in both left (660.2, 1.010) and right (3.0, 1.023). Even now, he's had more time in center then left and right combined, so there's a good chance he improves on both metrics after a full offseason focused on one of the corners. At the plate, however, he'll have to keep up the work to avoid a dreaded sophomore slump, but his consistency this season should give Kings fans some belief that he can maintain this level of play even after FABL hurlers start to learn his weaknesses.

Top Prospect: SS Sam Beadle (16th Overall)

Seattle doesn't really have a weakness, but it is convenient for them that one of their oldest starters, Ben Baker (33, .279, 12, 70, 5; .278, 106, 634, 54), plays the same position as their recent first rounder and top prospect. Taken with the 21st pick, Sam Beadle has already looked like a steal in the back end of the first, ranked 16th among all FABL prospects. 19 this November, Beadle spent just 22 games in rookie ball before his .385/.449/.604 (150 OPS+) batting line earned him a promotion to A-ball. There he hit a still above average .276/.385/.391 (108 OPS+), and by walking (39) more then he struck out (32) he produced an impressive 121 WRC+ in 292 PAs. An elite defender with great speed, what stands out the most about Beadle right now is his makeup, as he's got the intangibles that organizations adore. Poised in the field and at the plate, he's the first guy in and the last one out, and that mentality is the reason he's ranked so highly among FABL prospects. And while he does have that extreme risk that comes with any prep prospect, his ability to drive line drives to all fields sets him apart. Batting title winner may be a stretch, but he's got the tools to hit well above .300 and capture another Kellogg award for the Kings.

Active Legend: 1B Hank Williams (41, .234, 19, 55, 2; .313, 491, 1,638, 51)

Boy am I glad Hank Williams is still around!

One of the best sluggers in FABL history, the 41-year-old Hank Williams can still muscle balls out of the park, knocking out 19 in 131 games for the Kings this season. A King lifer, he was drafted 5th Overall back in 1951 when the team was in Brooklyn, debuted at 22 in 1956 with Kansas City, and he'll hopefully spend a few more seasons before retiring in Seattle. No longer the contact hitter that won his 5th batting title in 1971, Williams has still yet to have a season as a starter with an OPS+ or WRC+ below 115, and before turning 39 he never had one below 137. With more black ink then you can count, the still imposing slugger strikes fears into his opponents, as they know they're dealing with a top-10 hitter of All-Time.

Entering 1974, he ranks top-10 all-time in slugging (4th, .5436), OPS (4th, .9600), homers (7th, 491), and RBIs (10th, 1,638), while he just barely misses the round cutoff with the 11th best OBP (.4164) -- just 0.0002 behind turn of the century outfielder Ira Phillips, who's 8,783 PAs are about 2,000 behind. No active player has a higher OBP or more doubles (514), homers, RBIs, or walks (1,511). On the Kings leaderboard, he's pretty much the guy, #1 in OBP, slugging, OPS, and homers, while top-3 in WAR (2nd, 93.7), games (2nd, 2,569), at-bats (3rd, 9,023), runs (2nd, 1,639), hits (3rd, 2,825), doubles (3rd), RBIs (2nd), and walks (2nd), while owning the single season records for average (.406, 1959), OBP (.490, 1959), slugging (.696, 1963), OPS (1.184, 1959), doubles (60, 1959), and homers (44, 1963), while owning the top-3 for OBP, slugging, OPS (top-4!), homers, as well as 3rd in WAR (10.8, 1959) and 2nd and 3rd in RBIs (141, 1963; 131, 1969). With no signs of slowing down, he can pass former teammate Ken Newman for team records and Hall-of-Famers for FABL records as he seems likely to return to cleanup role he looks so good in.

Star Out of Place: 2B Sam Barnes (33, .245, 4, 46, 27; .263, 104, 583, 122)

It may be a bit of a stretch to call him a star, but on a team with a ton of homegrown players, there aren't really any guys who fit the bill. Sure, Charlie Rushing (39, 14-9, 3.58, 93; 212-136, 72, 3.33, 1,867) had a nice long career with the Keystones (1958-1968; 104-79, 72, 3.49, 1,048), but the aging righty has actually been better with the Kings (1969-1974; 108-57, 3.18, 819) and he should pass his Keystone inning total this season.

That leaves Sam Barnes, who spent over 1,000 games with the Sailors before being shipped to the Kings for a pair of minor leaguers near the 1971 deadline. 34 this December, Barnes struggled after the trade (.210, 4, 17, 5), but he's been a reliable second basemen in each of the last three seasons and exactly what you want in the eight hole. His power did dip a little this season, but his .245/.354/.339 (98 OPS+) batting line is serviceable, and with solid defense he was worth 3.4 WAR in 149 appearances. Not expected to be replaced, he's still a top-10 second basemen in FABL, and young ace Moe Lowery credits Barnes for making him look good. His best days may have been in San Francisco, but teams when championships when guys like him have less pressure to carry the load, instead lengthening the lineup to keep innings going.

[Tiger Fan]

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