The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 18, 1940, Page 3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1940 — i. DiMaggio Batted Way To Top Down Stretch In 1940 Began To “Boom” In Sep-| Foxx Also tember; And Starred York, Greenberg (By Associated Press) NEW YORK, Dec. 18.—Appar- ently the whiff of a possible fifth- straight pennant the New York Yankees propelled big Joe DiMaggi baseba for . premier outfielder of aber hitting n to retain apinoship in 1940. The the four- rabbe ‘ould not rough the frequently uch ciret It takes real hitter to climb in September when pitchers are but DiM loosened up ost aggio’s com- art carried him on the the pre- mentum to close th m with league's This. deterior mier 1 ever, rey ts a of 29 points from his re of 1939. arka nt Du Maggio pass« Rip Radcliff of St led the of the y Chica circuit four poi an ave Louis, who atting ppling of ing hitter of the Appling fell just t of the top with 248, while Ted Willi the hard-hitting Boston outfielder, also slipped home ak 1 of F liff. Williams’ final average v 344, and Radcliff’s 342. Two points lower came a brace of the pennant-w: troit most the 1936. ir sluggers—Barney and Hank Greenberg tical averages of 340 each Among DiMaggio’s 179 blows for the year were 31 home runs as compared with the 30 he hit in 1939. H€ also had a total base figure of 318, a t 310 the previous season. The honors in homers went to Greenberg of De- troit with 41. Proving that he was a competitor like DiMaggio. Greenberg paddled 15 of his rovnd-trippers during the pay-off day in Septe er. This was only three below the one-month record of 18 made by his . first-basing successor, Rudy York. York was third in honors in the league in 1940 with 33. The pre- vious vear Greenberg was second with 33, as Jimmy Foxx of the Red Sox hit 35. In 1940 Foxx’ homer total was 36, or one better than his 1939 list, but it left him in nd place instead of first this time in this important and sp tacular factor of the sport. Foxx’ total of 36 homers in 1940 made it the twelfth successive year in which he had blasted 30 or more for the route. and his tally of 36 also raised his life-time big league count to exactly 500 in 14 vears This places him second to Babi Ruth in the all-time records, dis placing Lou Gehrig of the Y: kees who left 494 on the record books before his career was pre. maturely terminated by Iness Two of Foxx’s belts came h the bases jammed in succe @ games on May 20 and 21 t Detroit. Foxx’s batting in 1940 dropped to .297, a of 63 points from his of .360. Total base honors in 1940 again were captured by Ted Williams of Boston with 384—a pick-up of 40 over the previous campaign when he had the high total base count cf 344. Williams also took n total runs scored with was five behind _ the llv of Red Rolfe of the Yan- the vear before. In the run- feature, Hank Greenberg high for the Iked up one ns per game in 15 con- zames from July 24 to 1@ of a twin-bill on Aueust inclusive. In the difficult art of clouting triples, Barney MeCosky of De- troit was paramount with 19. Tha: he is consistent in this clean-hit- ting feature is shown by the fact that he connected for 14 three- baggers in 1939, which left him only two behind the leader of at year. Johnny Lewis of Wash- ton. Lewis sagged off to ten in 1940. In addition to leading in hitting the ball over the fence Greenberg of Detroit was also su- preme in banging it against the walls, as he came up with a grand total of 50 doubles in 1940. This was four above the leading total se nic aver shrink 1939 f of the Tigers’ pennant drive oe RT RS BASKETBALL BIG TEN | Ten leading scorers of the sec- d round of the I 1 City Bas- League folic FG 15 16 15 13 11 13 12 12 10 6 Player— A. McMahon, HS C. Smith, Lions McGregor, M J. Pinder, Lions Solenbarger, M B. Saunders, L J. Carbonell, PP R. Smith, HS Woodson, PP 3-5 0-0 2-6 4-12 30 5-8 5 2 -2 27 26 24 13 2 33 32 32 1 2 2-4 4-4 1-1 by Rolfe of New York in and eight more than Green-| thai his to made 1939, berg himself sm: Rolfe, average year. tt 1940, also decl two-bz the league in 1940 was shared n for th he a trio « in- the the pace in hit-j f expert swatters, Rip Radcliff ling Until the final stretch, Bar-| < y of Detroit, and Rog Boston r accumu- cluding of Browns, na the exactly 200 safeties during This talls below — the high total of 213 made by Rolfc of New York the ycar before. For the second year in succes- sion there was no competition for! George of Washington in| the lost neglected art of, stealing bases, although he him-| self felt quite a bit below his pre- | vious year’s exceptional record H In the full campaign of 154 games| in 1940, C: swiped 35 bags. In! only 128 games in 1939 the same alert speed demon accomplished 51 thetts. The nearest competitor to Case in 1940 was his team-} mate Gerry Walker, who pifered | 21 times in 140 contests. | Consistency in a specialty was | also demonstrated by Mike Kree- vich of Chi ond straight y his circuit in successful bunting, | with 21 sacrifices to his credit. | This talent is really worthy of | mor commendation than it re- | since many ball players | ist that it is more difficult to} t consistently than to hit re- gularly. Al: there are a good many games in which the suc-! cess or failure of a bunt is the; tell-tale play. | While the foregoing particular | players had big seasons in their| special fortes, other stars of the} loop had some great and out-| standing days or single games during the long campaign. For} example, Joe Cronin, the splen- | did shortstop and manager, and Joe Gordon, Yankee keys star, each enjoyed the unusual; feat of hitting for the cycle—] single, double, triple and homer— during the course of the season. | Frank Higgins, Detroit third-| basing star, smashed out three homers in the game against Bos-} May 20, thus -engraving ame on the comparatively list of major leaguers who e done this. Two pitchers of the league cided that turn-about v play when each contributed a/ brace of circuit clouts in a single; These slugging-twirlers | were Jack Wilson of Boston and‘ Spurgeon Chandier of New York. | Over the course of the race.! Joe Kuhel of Chicago equalled the record of “Zeke” Bonura, for whom he was traded, for the most home runs for one player in race go who for the sec- | sar set the pace for | his Bonura hit 27 for Chi- n 1934. Home run hitting continued to pe ar ague c teristic in 1940 with numerous ther examples of mass long range gunning. The high rate of run hitting in the league shattered the circuit's record in homers with 883, which was 1ore than the high mark of a result of another great r of lengthy pill-driving. the ces now hold a record of 100 more home runs for 19 years sixteen of which are consecutive. Both of these figures make new major league records. Detroit in winning the pennant turned in the lowest percentage of games won by a championship team in the American League ir history with .584. The former low record pennant-winning ver- centage of 588 was registered by the same club way back in the youthful days of Ty Cobb in 1908 (Compiled by Howe New Bureau of Chicago, Ill.) ‘ | | | A Christmas Story | FS PF TP}. THE KEY WEST CITIZEN ts \T OVER WITH MYSTo, NORTH PoLE WIZARD RIGHT Nowt A GREAT \DEA- ToL TAK The Year In Sports BASEBALL MAKES DOPESTERS DOPES By DILLON GRAHAM. Sports Editor, AP Feature Service NEW YORK. Dec. 18.—Baseball form did a somersault in 1940. The National league, beaten five straight years, finally won a World Series and The s games. way such us the American has had in recent years the Nation- ¢: rican borrowed ry hot argument Detriot Tigers, given no consideration as contenders, won the American Pennant as the New York Yankees. avored to capture their fifth straight flag, collapsed. Over in the National league, the St. Louis Cardinals, pre-season favor wobbled a the Cincinnati Reds coasted to a 12-game Natior league victory and then beat the Tigers in the Cleveland and Brooklyn were the runners-up. Internal strife likely hurt Cleveland’s most seri- ous bid in years. The Indians also swept both the spring and summer All-Star nior loop race, generally a dogfight, turned into a while the staged an uprising in June and asked the front office for Mana- ger Oscar Vitt’s scalp. Vi hung on, though, while some sports writers and fans jeeringly dubbed the Indians the “ery-babies.” Despite the dissen- sion, the Tribe was in the battle wn to the closing week when Detroit won the clinching game when a rokie from Buffalo, Floyd Giebell, outpitched Bob Feller. Feller had his best season, lead- ing the league with 27 triumphs, including baseball's first opening day no-hit game. Brooklyn set a league record SPORTS WRITER’S IDEA NO. 1 CAGE ATTRACTION By DILLON GRAHAM, Sports Editor, AP Feature Service NEW YORK, Dec. 18—Ned Irish, a New York sports writer, had an idea seven years ago and built it into the country’s most spectacular basketball circus. He thought the cage game would draw here if top teams throughout the country were brought to New York to play lo- cal and Eastern pace-setters. His guess was right. Year aft- er year New Yorkers have jam- med big Madison Square Garden to see the basketball doublehead- ers Irish stages. Starting his promoter asketball in the Garden, Irish has lined up per- haps the greatest array of teams he has ever booked. He brought in Phillips 66 of Oklahoma, the quintet which won the National A.A.U. champion- ship last spring, to open the sea- son. The opener was a real treat for the fans, for the Phillips gang had to play two extra periods to win over New York’s Orbachs. Every week from now until March 10, Irish offers a double- bill. Teams come from as far year as ‘Big Six honors, south as Rice Institute of Hous- ton, Texas, and from as far west as the University of Oregon at Eugene. These 16 doubleheaders bring 21 outside teams to play against Metropolitan fives. The Oklahoma Aggies, who won 25 straight a year ago and copped the Missouri Valley cham- pionship, tackled City College of New York and Oregon played Long Island University December 14. Both Kansas and tied with Missouri for the 1940 are scheduled. Oklahoma plays St. John’s Satur- day and Kansas opposes Fordham December 28. Colorado, Big Seven champion and winner of a college invitation tourney here last Spring, takes on St. John’s December 30 when Rice, South- west leader, meets Long Island. North Carolina, Southern Con- ference champion, tackles Ford- ham January 4, while Michigan State plays Long Island. Santa Clara comes from California to meet City College on December 26. Oklahoma, p-Offs On— GOOD BASKETBALL 3. BALL-HANDLD By CLAIR BEE Leng Island University Coach There's still one big phase of basketball to think about before we get into shooting. It is ball- handling—and dont’ think for a moment it isn’t every bit as im- portant as banging away at that basket. The No. 1 rule in ball-handling s “DON’T FIGHT THE. BALL” Don’t grab at it, just pick it out, of the when it comes at you. Watch a passed bail intently and it with your eyes until it reaches your hands. Then let it slide into your fingers, allowing your hands to give enough to take the shock of the ball’s speed. From the time it starts toward you until you have passed it on, think of the ball as a part of you. nber that accuracy comes . then speed. Start practicing es and learn a number ferent passes so that you can throw any angle. The straight p: from the chest is most used. Here are some passing don'ts: Don’t pass to a teammate’s back; pass laterally across the floor; don’t hold the ball—keep it moving; don't try fancy passes; don’t pass the ball across in front of your opponents’ basket. follow from don’t neanne | | ! i ‘Havana, Cuba, during the By RABID FANSTER FORMATION of the Interna- tional Amateur Baseball Federa- tion was studied at a meeting in 1940 World Series of Amateur Baseball in the Island Republic capital the past October. Representatives of six countries gathered in the Sports Palace on the fourth day of that month “with the object of studying the possibility of creat- ing and organizing’ the Federa- tion to “supervise the holding of a series for the world champion- ship of amateur baseball” and to create “a better understanding among all peoples”. This information is contained in a copy of the minutes furnish ed this column by Cuban Consul Berardo Rodriguez of Key West. A committee was appointed by Lieut. Col. Jaime Marine, mem- ber of the Supreme Council, gen- eral director of sports in Cuba and organizer of the amateur world series bas2ball champion- ship, to draw up a project of statutes of the new organization. On the committee were Leslie Mann, of the United States, and representatives of Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba. By-Laws of the Federation were submitted and approved at a meeting the following day. A tablet commemorating the meet- ing at which the international or- ganization was formed was unan- imously ordered placed in the Sports Palace. Names of those Baseball of nine straight victories to open the year and was a threat until August when injuries, pitching weakness and the lack of another clutch hitter stopped the Dodg- ers. The Yankees, with everyone but Joe DiMaggio having a bad year, got left at the post and were in the cellar atter a month’s play. ; They climbed to fourth place, only three games back of the leader, in early June. Mid-August found them back in the second di- vision but then they unloosed an offensive that threatened the pace-setters. On September 9 the Yankees were third, one game out of the lead. But after they dropped three straight to the St s Browns in mid-Sepember again to finish third, only two games back. The Boston Red Sox jumped cut in front but 18st the play to Cleveland and Detriot in late June and never threatened there- after. Detriot surpirsed from the start with three “old men” and a new- comer, Rudy York, in the infield; a none too stout outfield with Hank Greenberg as a flychasing experiment, and several rookie pitchers. Experts figured the Ti- gers couldn’t hold up but the in- field hung together, York, Green berg and the recruits were suc- cesses and the Tigers outpunche the Indians down the stretch. The Cardinals couldn't get go- ing under Ray Blades and found it was too late to make much of a showing after Billy Southworth became manager in June. The Giants and Cubs flopped badly, Jimmy Wilson replacing Gabby Hartnett as the Cubs’ manager after the season. Walters, Derringer and New- som all won 20 or more games again. The veteran Fred Fitzsim- mons of Brooklyn had the best National league percentage with 16 wins against two losses. Brook- lyn’s Tex Carleton entered the hall of fame with an early no-hit- ter. Hank Greneberg probably was the player-of-the year. He tried a difficult experiment in shifting from first base to the outfield and became one of the best flychas- ers. He led the league in homers and runs batted in, and was vot- ed the most valuable player. Frank Mc-Cormick of the Reds was the National’s most valua- ble. Joe Medwick, traded to Brook- lyn with Cardinal Curt Davis for four players and some $100,- 000 in the year’s biggest deal, was hit by a pitched ball and out for some time as was Bill Jurges of the Giants and Pee Wee Reese of the Dodgers. Reese, juvenile shortstop. was perhaps the top rookie Joe DiMaggio, with .350, and Deb Garms of the Pirates, with .355, were the batting champions. Vitt, replaced at Cleveland by Roger Peckinpaugh, signed to manage Portland, Oregon. HEIZER WINS ‘PRAISE (My Axsocinted Prowse) COLORADO SPRINGS, Dec. 18.—Don Heizer. Colorado Col- lege’s All-Rocky Mountain Con- ference back and conference scor- ing champion, was acclaimed by many observers as C.C.’s best back since Dutch Clark, who was All- America in 1928. “who had taken part” were voted inscribed on the slab. Colonel Marine sought and ob- tained recognition of the work accomplished by Mr. Mann over a period of years—work which finally led to the formation of the Federation. “His efforts greatly contributed toward the develop- ment of amateur baseball not only in the United States but also in cther countries”, Col. Marine told the delegates. “It was due to his intense labor that the creation of the new international sports en- tity had been brought about”. As a courtesy and congratulation to Mr. Mann, a unanimous vote was accorded him by applause. pee: Sd CHARLES VANCES -FULLBACR COMBINING BRAINS and brawn is one of the reasons Charles Yancey is a Missis- sippi State fullback. This fleet player will be seen in action in Miami’s Orange Bowl classic on New Year's Day when Mississippi State meets Georgetown’s powerful Hoyas. THREE-WAY CAGE * LEAGUE TIE FOR 2ND PLACE LOOMS TRIPLE KNOT IF MARINES WIN TONIGHT: ‘MISERY’ FOR PLUMBERS IN AFTER- PIECE WITH LIONS CLUB By RABID FANSTER A potential three-way tie for second place in the Island City Basketball League will feature the doubleheader tonight in the High School Gymnasium. U.S. Marines, half-game in the rear of runners-up Students and Soldiers, will tackle the VP53 five in the opening game, 7:00 Leathernecks are fully aware of what victory will mean for them and are donning their “fighting togs” for the tussle with the Airmen. Marines are expecting “easy sailing” and if their expectations jprove correct they will step up on the second rung of the tadder ;with the High School and Army fives. Always striving to outdo the other, the rival government forces will stage a rough and tumble ex- hibition of the sport. Brans may be the usual deciding factor im basketball victories but plenty of brawn will be needed tonight to prove that rule. Pepper's Plumbers are due to be the fourth consecutive victim of the Lions Club in the after- piece of the twin bill. The Pipe- Fitters are nestled in the bottom of the league with three straight losses, while the Civic five comfortably sitting on top with that many wins. At this distance. it looks like he Plumbers are in for a terrible beating. Lions have easily dis- pensed with the stronger clubs of the circuit and only a surpris ing upset will stop their pennant- bound march. BASKETBALL (High School Gym, 7:08 p. m.) TONIGHT First Game—VP53 vs. Marines Second Game—Plumbers Lions. o'clock. vs FRIDAY NIGHT First Game—Army vs. Marines Second Game—VP53 vs. High School. MONDAY NIGHT First Game — Plumbers VP53. Second Game—Army vs. Lions. vs. FRENCH TO BUILD EIGHTY STADIUMS (iy Amoriated Frees PARIS, Dec an Borotra (Continued from time when no on Stand against them Owen Jenk talk very is two boys wh would ne And the: tors wi world th CLASSIFIED COLUMN end there was sympathe ner, also gineerin kins’ and the work 500.000 sk England w because that the workm modern in Defe to send it Force to LEAGUE STANDINGS Island City Basketball League Slub— Lions Clut o1 Pepper's Plumbers LEGALS cmecurr IN OR IN THE CH ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CEROUET. TN AND FOR MONROE COUNTS. FLORIDA. IX CHAN@ORE. Se. 426. BoHAX BoHAN ANTONI NK S 58 West 28th Terk of renee! tooul 18.2948 zen i rooms