Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 20

2Q Friday, February 15. 1952 DETROIT FREE PRESS Tigers Look Around After Swin Browns Swap ging As of TODAY Gehring RBI Column Tells 'Why I I -N v. of Kell BY xperienced Boxers SweeB Gloves Titles Salary Cut TOMMY DEVINE CUT: George Kell, the brilliant (Lyall Smith, Free Press Sports Editor, is on vacation. He will resume writing As of Today on Feb. 21.) -J Batts Littlefield STORY BEHIND A PAY COAST OFF-TRACK BETTORS 'THERE' VIA MESSENGER Law Looking for Way to Scratch Upstart Tiger third baseman, may be the first player ever to have had his salary sliced by a rival infielder.

Although Kell led the Detroit club In hitting again last season and generally was a standout in the sad, slumping Tiger cast, he took a $4,000 pay cut when he signed recently. Why? "Baseball is a game of comparisons," Tiger General Manager Charley Gehringer explains. "When Kell came in to talk contact, I spread out the American League averages. I asked him to cneck his averages against those of Eddie Yost, the Washington third baseman. George saw my point immediately and took the pay cut without argument." Here's what the comparative figures show: advertises it delivers "sealed messages" to race tracks for a 10 per cent fee.

The messenger service's lawyer, Joe Forno, claims it is legal. "It Is a violation of Section 337A of the Penal Code," Brown declared. The Glendale messenger serv TB Walks Av. Fielding Av. 239 61 .319 .960 147 154 AB 598 92 568 109 KELL YOST 161 65 RBI 191 59 "Study those figures," Gehringer says, "and you'll see the basis of my argument.

Yost as a leadoff man drove in more runs than Kell did hitting in the more advantageous third spot most of the year. It is true George outhit him, but while Yost made 30 fewer hits he drew more walks. That means he was on base more frequently, and he scored more runs." Gehringer clinches his viewpoint with one other statistic. "Just remember," he says, "Kell makes as much in one season as Yost does in three." Praise the Lord, and Pass the Bat-- STORY HOUR: Red Smith, the talented New York columnist, relates that Al Simmons, former Tiger outfielder, regarded hitting as something a bit sacred. To illustrate, he spins this tale When Al was with the Athletics one of his teammates was Bob Johnson.

Johnson was in a terrible slump at the plate. On a Sunday morning before a double-header at Briggs Stadium, the pair was having breakfast together. As he finished the meal, Simmons excused himself to go to church. "Wait until I finish my coffee," Johnson said, "and 111 go with you. Can't do any harm." "That afternoon," Simmons relates, "Bob went for the collar in eight chances.

You know, the Lord could have won Bob over if he'd just got him three hits." THERE'S A postseason football gag going the rounds that "friends" of Bob Neyland, the University of Tennessee coach, are taking a collection to buy him a hearing aid. "Neyland needs it," they explain. "When he accepted the Sugar Bowl bid, he thought the committee told him Tennessee's opponent would be MARYSYILLE, not Maryland." (Maryland routed the vaunted Vols, who had been rated the Nation's No. 1 team, 28 to 13.) ice has been operating for four days under the auspices of George Seman. Los Angeles County officials have been scratching around for ways to squelch Seman.

"I just send messages out to the track at Santa Anita, Seman explained. Forno cited a case to back GORDIE HITS FIRST SAN (JP) Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, in what he called a "horseback opinion," ruled that the "messenger" system of placing horse race bets is illegal. This ruling was prompted by the activities of a new outfit known as the Southern California, Messenger Service, which id LIGHTS DeMeyers 2 i Talk Not Cheap to THE SHORT SIDE: When Promises MoreDeals Kryhoski, Cain Go for Batts, 3 Others BY T03D1Y DEVINE One deal completed more In the making. That was the tabulation on Ti ger General Manager Charley Geh- ringer's operational slate Friday.

Gehringer completed the first deal of his eight-month tenure as the Tigers boss when he closed a seven-player swap with Bill Veeck, of the St. Louis Browns. The transaction win put Into Detroit uniforms Catcher Matt Batts, Outfielder Cliff Mapes, First- Baseman Ben Taylor and Pitcher Dick Littlefield. TO OBTAIN the quartet, the Tigers gave up First Baseman Dick Kryhoski and Southpaw Pitchers Bob Cain and Gene Bearden. The deal climaxed three months of intensive negotiations between Gehringer and Veeck.

"We've talked and talked, Gehringer said, "and discussed a hundred or more possible player combinations. Several times in the past we were very close, but then there would be a hitch. "Finallv we hit on the seven players involved, and it clicked from both sides." The key in the swap from a Tiger standpoint was Batts. "After Frank House received nls draft notice," Gehringer said, "it was imperative that we get another catcher. I think Batts will solve our biggest problem." BATTS IS 30 years old and has been in professional baseball jpnre 1942.

He made his major league debut in 1947 with the Boston Red Sox and remained on their roster until last season, when he was traded to the Browns. Batts last season worked in 11 games with the Red Sox and 79 with the Browns. He hit .285. A clever receiver and fine handler of pitchers, Batts displaced Sherman Lollar after mirlseason as the Browns' fiast-string catcher. Mapes, who made his pro debut back in 1940 with Flint in the old Michigan State League, will be 30 next month.

He played with the New York Yankees for three seasons before being sent to the Browns in the Stubby Overmire deal last season. A left-handed hitter, Mapes never has batted more than .262 in the majoss. "HE GIVES us some reserve outfield strength," Gehringer says, "and provides us with a long-ball threat. I figure he can take up some of the pinch-hitting slack caused by the retirement of Charley Keller." r. The Browns paid $35,000 for Taylor last season when they bought him from Fort Worth, of the Texas League.

Taylor plaj-ed In only S3 games, however, and hit a slim .258. He's been in baseball since 1941. The new first sacker is 27 and is a left-handed hitter and thrower. Littlefield may be the surprise package of the lot. A product of Detroit's sandlots, the 25-year-old left-hander has been in organized baseball since 1946.

LAST SEASON, Littlef ield was the strikeout king of the Southern Association. Pitching for Memphis, the 185-pound portsider fanned 195 hitters in 196 innings. He had a record of 13 victories as against 11 defeats. "Gene managed our Little Rock team in the Southern Association last year, had high praise for Littlefield." Gehringer relates. "He says Dick hs an exceptionally fine fast ball, and the strikeout record seems to bear that out." CAIN WAS the most valuable parcel the Tigers gave up in the deal.

The little southpaw won 11 games and lost 10 last season. Cain came to the Tigers early in the season in a swap that sent Saul Rogovin to the Chicago White Soxj Bearden, the other southpaw sent to the Browns, didn't figure In Detroit's plans this season. He was used mainly in relief last season and had a record of three victories as against four losses." Kryhoski spent two seasons with the Tigers after being obtained from the Yankees in a trade for Dick Wakefield. He hit .287 last season. WITH KRYHOSKTS departure and Taylor yet to prove he is a major leaguer, first base now becomes the sore spot of the Tigers.

"We are Interested In making a deal for a first baseman and a shortstop, Gehringer said. "I think we stand good chances of swinging the deals before the season opens." Attention now centers on the veteran Mickey Vernon, of Wash Taylor Mapes his client's viewpoint, A messenger who carried bets for a bookie was convicted in Los Angeles. But, Forno said, the decision was reversed on appeal, when it was shown that the beta were sealed in envelopes and there was no showing that the messenger knew what they were. AND LAST Hockey S2 24 26 17 18 14 11 10 18 12 21 7 24 12 24 10 33 5 GA 74 150 96 60 128 112 59 146 125 46 US 136 46 136 154 33 115 165 DETROIT Toronto Montreal iwsivd New York Chicago THURSDAY'S RESULTS DETROIT Chicago 2. Montreal Toronto 1.

SATURDAY'S GAMES New York at Montreal. Chicago at Toronto. SUNDAY'S GAMES Montreal at New York. Boston at Chicago. Semifinalists Settle in Play "Dick Hartman, of Sidney Hill Uptown, slipped into- the semifinals of the Michigan Class squash tournament Thursday with a 15-9, 7-15, 15-12, 15-4 victory over Bill Stone, of Sidney Hill Downtown.

Roy Stevens and Al Collins, of Edison Club, passed quarterfinal teats with comparative ease. STEVENS OUSTED Dick Gu-hee, of University. Pub, 15-9, 15-4. 15-4. and Collins eliminated Tom Thompson of Racquet Club, 15-8.

15-11. 15-13. Sttvena and Collins and Hart- Pittsburgh Baseball Club's farm system took on an international flavor with the addition of the St. Jean team of the Class Provincial League in 4) 1 Squash Free Prvra Photo bj Bud Johnson OUT FOR BOB KERR AFTER CATCHING JOE Wl LLIE DeMEYERS' PUNCH takes winning of Open 112-ponnd Golden Gloves title calmly enough. Dukes Gets Off Floor to Win All Champions Repeat in Finals The payoff is still on experience.

The finals of the annual Golden Gloves tournament found time tested amateurs again coming through to win Detroit titles and earn the right to compete in the forthcoming Tour nament of Champions in Chi cago. Three youngsters who won titles a year ago and one who was a 1950 champion used their ring wisdom to good advantage as they grabbed their second crowns. The 1951 winners who repeated were Adell Dukes, of Brewster Recreation, in the featherweight division; John Barnes, UAW-CIO lightweight, and Ellison, 233-pound Brewster heavyweight. THE 1950 CHAMPION who re turned to the Throne Room after a year's absence was Dick Cas-sady, of Highland Park Recreation, in the 118-pound class. Dukes, ranked in pre -tourna ment dope as the best all-around amateur battler in the meet, was extended to the limit to win a split decision over George Arnott, 24-year-old bricklayer represent ing VanDyke VFW Club.

Dukes, 17-year-old Northwestern High School student, survived a first-round knockdown to win the encounter. The flashy Dukes came strong in the final two rounds to take the verdict. Arnott tired badly in the final round to toss away his chances for a championship. Barnes ran into a rough oppo nent in his UAW-CIO teammate Rayford Mattison. Barnes capi talized on his sharper puncning to take the decision.

Ellison, who was a sermfinaiist at Chicago a year ago, and a member of the Inter-City team which met New York's champions, possessed far too much class and power for his teammate, Elisha Hunter. AFTER BATTERING Hunter throughout the first round, he stopped him at 1:19 of the second session. Cassady had too much all- around class for young Jerry Wells, in the bantamweight bout. Wells held his own in the first round, but then Cassady found the range. He staggered the baby-faced Wells with hard rights and finally put him down for the count at 2:58 of the second round.

It wasn't one of the defending champions who captured the fancy of the capacity crowd of 8,500 fans at the Coliseum, however. That distinction went to a loser, Joe Gray, of Dearborn Rec reation, in the 160-pound class. Gray and Charles Coleman, of Brewster, put on a rousing toe- to-toe slugfest for the full three rounds. Coleman was given a con troversial decision which was pro tested vigorously by Gray's handlers and the crowd. JVNIOR NOVICK no rTx.

ii jm-v jr TV- CIO decisioned Jesse Coffnun. 4AU Bots Club). 1 lK-mi Mama maitcTte I tint. wood) decisioned Edward O'Neal (VAW- CIQ. me-rui'MV- JJirit Moor.n (Dearoora) decikioned Bobby White LAW-ClO.

13.WOt?N'D Dick Maal (Dearborn! de cisioned Samuel Mieppard i4-ruiu lamrt Williams i net nunc knocke out Emanuel Mar (Bethone) 1:27 of firttt round. Campbell fKronk) decisioned WrndHI Green ll'AW-TIO). I7.VFOIM) H'aller Lee Lakr) de-eiaioned Kenneth Mreka urr: 112-Pl'ND Joe Willie DeMert (Brew. er knocked oat Robert Kerr. At1i Bom Club) 1:70 of the second round.

ll-l'OlM Dick CantadT (Hirhland Park knocked out Jcrrr ella IL AW- CIO 2:8 of feecond round. 12fi-POUMI Adell nuke (Brewster) deeisioned Oeorre Arnott (Van Dvke), I.I3-POI.ND John Barne (IAW-CIO) decitioned Rarford MattKon (lAW-ClO). 147-POCND T. W. Wilaon (UAW-CIO) decioionrd Ieroy Oanh Franklin).

IKW-rui larea toieman (Brew iter) deciioned Joe Oray (Dearborn). 175-POI ND Len Richard (Lanky) de- eidioned Maurice Down (Franklin). A 1 (i tiernert Einnoa (Brewster) knocked out Elisha Boater (Brewster) 1:19 cf second, round. DEVINE Wolf Spins Pins Again Fred Wolf, who disc Jockeys by day and bowls by night, scorched the Crest Lanes alleys again Thurs day night in the Detroit Major Classic. For the second straight week, Wolf surpassed the 700 mark as he slammed 724 on games of 234, 212, 278.

The week previous he had hit 721 for the WXYZ-TV team. His latest assault helped WXYZ-TV sweep Progressive, 3308-2968, and move into fourth place. Wolfs blast outdone, however, by Billy Williams, who had 255, 266, 257 for 748 as blanked Cecil Ward, 3224-3110, and moved into second place, six games behind Stroh. Wings Nip Hawks, 3-2, Gehringer announced the seven-player swap with the St. Louis Browns, he told reporters there was "no cash involved." "That's not right," quipped Brownie Boss Bill Veeck.

"There was $3,500 involved. That's the amount I spent on 125 long distance calls to Gehringer before we finally arranged the deal." The deal may be a warning to balking Tigers. The three players the Tigers sent away had not signed their 1952 contracts. Andy Kerr, the former Colgate coach and one of the Nation's oldest gridiron tutors, is opposed to the abolition of spring football practice. "That's where a coach can try out new ideas without pressure," Kerr contends.

"He usually finds that most of his new- ideas are worthless, but he 'discovers a few that are worthwhile and puts them into use the next fall." Don Gehrmann, the former University of Wisconsin star, has been roundly criticized in the East for the tactics he used against Miler Fred Wilt during the indoor season. "He'll never make anybody forget Paavo Nurmi or the other great milers running to beat Wilt instead of going all out against the clock," the critics contend. But memory tricks the critics the great Nurmi's fastest indoor mile was 4:12. Gehrmann has eclipsed that dozens of times. Red Wing Hockey Star Ted Lindsay is featured in the current issue of LOOK Magazine while Terry Sawchuk stars in the issue of LIFE which goes on the newsstands Friday.

on Pair of Goals by Howe 241 126 .283 .954 Veeck Tiger General Manager Charley The lean young housewife from Rutland, streaked down Noref jell's twisting, hazardous precipice in two minutes and 6.8 seconds to outclass 44 of the world's finest feminine skiers from 15 countries. It was the first gold medal of these famous snow and ice games, and it topped off America's greatest Olympic ski showing In his- to Germany's favored world cham pions after the first two heats of a four-heat championship. THE FINAL two heats are scheduled Friday, alone with the men's giant slalom race and four hockey games. But there appears little hope of catching Germany's great sledder, Andreas Ostler. Ostler and his brakeman, Lo-renz Nieberl, streaked down the (metric mile) Frog-nerseteren bobsled run In one minute 20.76 seconds on the first trip and 1:21.64 on the second to hang up a halfway total of 2:42.40.

The United States' No. 1 sled of tan Benham, of Lake Placid, N. and Pat Martin, of Massens, N. was second with a total time of 2:44.15, representing runs of 1:22.03 and 1:22.12. Special to the Free Press CHICAGO Gordie Howe took charge again to shoot the Detroit Red Wings to victory.

Howe scored his 30th and 31st goals of the season as Detroit beat last lace Chicago, 3 to 2, BE-BOP Getting his nose in front of a left Is Adell Dukes, Brewster Center boxer. That fist belongs to George Arnott. The meeting came in the Golden Gloves finals at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. BEATS AUSTRIAN IN SLALOM Mrs. Lawrence Takes Olympic Ski Opener OSLO () America's 19-year-old wizard of the skis, Mrs.

Andrea Mead Lawrence, sped to victory in the women's giant slalom race to send the United States off to a roaring start in the sixth Winter Olympic Games. TOPS UNKNOWN BY Wor sham's 63 rings Lead in Texas Open "SAN ANTONIO, Tex. Lew Worsham came in late with the least to lead the $10,000 Texas Open first-round lead with before 5,782 disappointed fans After Howe scored the opener, Chicago hit twice to carry a 2-1 edge coin? into the last 12 min utes. But then Metro Prystai tied it and Howe fired the winner, as the Wings racked up their fifth consecutive victory and third in a three-came road stand. Victory boosted Detroit's Na- tional Hockey League lead to the largest yet this season-r-14 points i hi nra secona-Diacec joronui beaten, 3 to 1, in Montreal.

THE WINGS definitely were off the smart stride they showed in beating Toronto 24 hours-1 before. The rough first period was scoreless, although both sides had ample opportunities while six penalties were being served. Detroit carried a slim shooting edge, nine to eight. The second stanza was just as even, each getting 12" shots, and each connecting once Howe converted Glen Skov's pass to put Detroit ahead at 9:27, smashing home a 10-footer. Gus Bodnar struck a minute later while Benny Woit was off to put the Hawks even.

Chicago moved ahead early In the final stanza when Al Dewsbury whizzed a sizzler past Terry Sawchuk. -r r- Scoringvwas Interrupted briefly. when Skov ana tiarry Liumiey mixed in front of the Chicago-nets. Both took a couple of which missed, and then Lee'Fogo-lin took on Skov in a pushing match. No penalties were called.

DETROIT MADE its move midway in the period. Prystai clicked for his 15th goal at 8:28. rapping in a blinding five-footer oS Marty Pavelich's setup pass. Howe clicked ajyaln to make 3 to 2 at 10:54, with a nifty fjsih of Ted Lindsay's pas. Besides holdinr a ix-cI Lsd Topor Given Green Light in Studies Special to the Free Press ANN ARBOR Ted Topor, i i if STROKE Montreal Tops Leafs, 3 to 1 MONTREAL (U.B The Montreal Canadiens smashed to within a point of second place in the National Hockey League by routing the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3 to 1, in a rugged game punctuated by scraps in every period.

FIRST PERIOD: 1 Montreeal. Moor (Ganible-Lacht. 1:34. Penalties Jusda. Mortson.

t.eoflrlon. Lewicki. SECOND PERIOD: 2 Montreal. Gamble 1:51 1 3 Montreal. Geof-frlon Moore-Laeh.

8:2 It 4 Toronto. Sloan Watson-Gardner IS 13. Penalties Mortson (major. Ueorrrtoa (major). Rentier.

Jusda. THIRD PERIOD: No scoring. Penalties Meter, Mortson. Favor Graham to Give a Lesson NEW YORK (JP) Billy Gra- ham, top-ranking welterweight contender from New York, was rated a 4-1 favorite to hand 20-year-old middleweight Jimmy Herring, of New York, a boxing lesson in Madison Square Garden rViday night. Michigan quarterback whose eligi- tory.

bility caused a campus storm last On another sleet-coated hillside football season, has removed the near here, America's daring two-probation under which he was man bobsledders finished second an eight-under-par 63, A bristling 64 by the compara tively unknown Walter Romans, of Baltimore, had topped the par-blasting field most of the day. Romans registered his score before noon then sat back and watched Worsham ease in with one of his finest rounds. Seventy of the field of 169 smashed par over the dusty Brackenridge Park course. It was the greatest day of clipping regulation figures in the 25 years of the tournament. Tying for third place were Charles Harter, Julius Boros and Jackson Bradley of Chicago, each with5.

HORTON SMITH, pro at the Detroit Golf Club and president of PGA, fired rounds of 35-32 for a 67 to tie with John Barnum, of Grand Rapids, and Ed Furgol, former Motor City pro now play ing out of St. Louis. Barnum hal a 33-34 card while Furgol gained his 67 on 34-33 Walter Burkemo. pro at Detroit's Franklin Hills Golf Club, was a stroke back at 68. He went out In 32 but took a 36 on the back nine.

placed. At issue last fall was the question whether Topor should be allowed to play lacking the required number of grade points, although he was passing his subjects. Academic professors argued a "double standard" of eligibility i was applied to make him available to the Wolverine team. The 215-pounder linebacker has another year of competition. Rolfe Satisfactory After Operation Tiger manager Red Rolfe was reported resting comfortably at Grace Branch Hospital following an appendectomy.

"He should be released from the hospital in five to seven days," hospital attaches said. I over all other NHL markma. man and Al Goebel, who had ad-Howe also is the point paewtter vanced earlier, will be pitted in with 58. Elmer mho asvuted the semifinals at 1 p. m.

Saturday on all three of Montreal's gomls. on the Sidney Hill Uptown courts, is second with 50, and Lindsay is third with 47. lines Acid apice FIRST rEBIOtl! acaclaa. realties i Dembr-. Ilo.e.

UeUecciuo. Uaeeca. PITTSBURGH fll.P) The Wltink. Wilson SKIONU PERIOD i ietrit. iiwe (Skov).

blear. Radnar tHews- harr-iadbr Penalties DrwiSsrf. Woit. Pavelieh. Focolla.

THIRD PERIOD: 3 Chicago. iVwhorr fTeters). 4 -Detroit. Frystat 4 Pave llch), 8:28: Detroit. Howe 10:54.

Penalties Howe. Focolln. ington. "He's on the market." Gehringer concedes. "The Senators want i pitching In any trade talk, and that makes it tough on us..