Punching the Bag: It was 15 below zero at Greenwood Lake in
the Ramapos the other morning at 6 when Ray Robinson began his
road work. The cream Manager Curt Hoffman smeared on Ray’s
face to prevent skin-chapping froze solid and set jhis features.
Johnny Clark, a middleweight, was Ray’s roadmate. The eyelashes
of both froze. After a long run, Ray came back to the cottage just
vacated by Joe Louis. He warmed up at the stove and began jigging
in tune to phonograph records, “Big Fat Mama,” Chattanooga
Choo Choo” and “Searecrow.” It still wasn’t 8 A. M., but Ray craved
music. He returned to bed for a couple of hours of reading, and arose
at 11 to stow away a gigantic steaming breakfast set before him by
Chef Bill Bottoms. Ray looks in the best shape of his sensational
career, if our friend, Fritz Zivic (who meets him Friday) is interested.

Philosophy Note: Well, Joe Louis and Max Schmeling are
in the armed forces of their respective countries. Both are fine
men. Both are good citizens, loyal: and brave. Both believe
they are fighting for the right. We may have AEFs, to all
corners of the world. I wonder just what the odds are on
Louis facing Schmeling across the field of battle. If they do

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meet the Broadway form players and bookies cannot set a
price. Weight, and age, count for comparatively little when

_ you’re peering down a gun sight and your finger is squeezing
a trigger. So far, Louis and Schmeling are 50-50, with a
victory apiece. This is the big “rubber” match.

Famous Firsts: Eddie Collins’ first major league game was
played at Chicago on Sept. 17, 1906. The newspaper account of the
game stated: “Eddie Collins, late of Columbia College of New York
City, made his debut today for the Athletics under the name of
‘Sullivan,’—reason for the alias being that he was still attending
Columbia College and wanted to keep his amateur standing at that
school. It was later found out, and Collins assumed his right name.
In the first game Collins showed up well but was a bit nervous
though he handled six chances without an error in the field and made
one hit off Ed Walsh’s delivery. The White Sox won a tough I1-
inning game, 5-4. Walsh bested Waddell in one of their usual
good pitching duels.”