Indians, Giants Dominate Majors
By JACK LINDBERG
Kansan Sports Editor
When the major leagues were in spring training the baseball experts of the country were predicting a replay of the 1953 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. It now looks as though this is improbable but not impossible and not because the Dodgers and Yankees have not played good baseball, but because the Cleveland Indians, New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves have played better ball. $^{4}$
Braves have played Some of the reasons why the Indians and Giants are in first place in their respective leagues are Bob Feller's return to form; 20-game season turned in by Bob Lemon and Early Wynn; two fast balling rookies, Don Mossi and Ray Narleski; long ball hitting by Larry Doby, Al Rosen, and Vie Werz, and timely hitting by Bobby Avila.
the team.
The Giants have utilized their strong reserve strength all season to keep in first place in the National League. Dusty Rhodes' pinch-hitting has been talked about all season. Other pinch-hitters deluxe for the Giants have been Bill Taylor and Bob Hoffman. The Giants' relief pitching has also left little to be desired. Hoyt Wollheim and Mary Grissom have stopped opponents' rallies all season.
Although these nine men haven't done all the work for Cleveland they have been the backbone of the team.
Sports writers have not been able to find enough adjectives to describe Mays playing this year. He not only hits the long ball, but he is a timely hitter. He also runs, throws, and fields with the best of them.
In the future, if we were possible to describe the Giants' success in four words though, the words would be Willie Mays and Johnny Antonelli.
them.
Antonelli could be the reason why the Giants are in first place and not the Milwaukee Braves. Antonelli is a 20-game winner this season, while last year with the Braves he was 12-12. If the Braves had those 20 victories plus six more games Don Liddle has added they would have the pennant cinched.
cinched. The second place Yankees have played better ball, percentage wise, this season than at any other time under the direction of Casey Stenegel, but it still looks as if the five-year domination of baseball is going to fall.
One reason the Yankees have stayed in contention all year has been the pitching of rookie Bob Grim. Last spring he wasn't even on the New York roster, but now he is its biggest winner. Whitey Ford has replaced Allie Reynolds as the Yanks' stopper and money pitcher, but the "Chief" is still one of the best relief pitchers and spot pitchers in the game.
The Dodgers have stayed close to first place all season, but the team doesn't have the knack of winning the big games. The injury to Roy Campanella's hand and the failure of Don Newcombe to return to good pitching form has slofed the Dodgers considerably.
The Braves, after a very poor start, have been the hottest team in the National league, and they still have a chance at first place.
Bobby Thomson has returned to the lineup after breaking an ankle in spring training. Warren Spahn has won 11 games in a row. The whole team is well balanced, and finally has hit its stride. The Braves could be another miracle
team. In 1914 the Boston Braves were in last place on the Fourth July and went from there to win the pennant and the World Series. In 1951 the Giants were in second place in August, and 13% games out of first place, but they won the pennant.
After the All-Star game this summer the Braves were 15 games off the pace set by the Giants, but they have cut that lead to four games. It could happen again.
Read & Use The Kansan Classified Ads
The Chicago White Sox of the American league are still in a position where they could win 100 games and finish in third place. The Sox have played good ball all season, but to almost no avail. Paul Richards, Sox manager, has taken players that no other team wanted and molded them into a winner.
Except for the six teams mentioned, three in each league, the major league races have been pretty slow. The switch of St. Louis to Baltimore didn't have the same effect on the Orioles, as the move from Boston to Milwaukee had on the Braves.
The Philadelphia Athletics have been in such poor shape all season that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Kansas City will have a major league team in 1955.
The Boston Red Sox have looked good this season as long as Ted Williams is in the lineup, but when Ted was injured the Sox were just another team.
other team.
The Detroit Tigers have looked good at times with their young team, but not good enough to bother the big three in the league.
In the National league the Cincinnati Redlegs and the St. Louis Cardinals have played good ball at times, but neither team has been consistent. Both teams have excellent hitting, but the pitching has been weak.
The Philadelphia Phillies look good when Robin Roberts is on the mound, but that's about the only time, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are still two or three years away from being a contender.
Individual performances that merit attention for the season are five. Wilson's no-hitter against the Phillies, Joe Adock's four home runs and 18 total bases against the Dodgers, Robin Roberts winning 20 games for five consecutive seasons, and Bob Lemon winning 20 games in six of the last seven seasons.
It has been an interesting season from the fans point of view, and no matter who participates in the World Series, it will be a fitting climax for the national pastime.
FOR WELCOME BACK PARTIES
ICE COLD BEVERAGES PICNIC SUPPLIES
American ServICE Co.
THE ICE PLANT
6th & VERMONT OPEN 10:00
L. G. BALFOUR CO.
Welcomes All New Students As Well As The Old Students
and wishes to congratulate the new pledges
We specialize in Fraternity Jewelry, Badges, Rings, Novelties, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Crew hats, Paddles, Mugs, Stationery, Invitations, Programs, Cups, Trophies and anything with the organization emblem or Greek letters.
We also handle all types of regular jewelry including Diamond Rings, Watches, Fountain Pens and Pencils, Bracelets, Necklaces, Lighters, Compacts, etc.
We cordially invite you to visit our store and get acquainted.
JEWELRY REPAIR
WATCH REPAIRING
ENGRAVING
411 W.14th
Phone 307
Al Lauter Jewelry
Page 6 University Daily Kansan Monday, Sept. 13, 1954
Grid History Could Repeat With Reich's Move to Center
If past history means anything Chuck Mather's shift of Dick Reich from fullback to center will be a happy one before Kansas has moved far along the 1954 football season.
There was a great deal of sunrise when Mather reached among his best backs for a football player with some experience to replace Bud Bixler. The 230-pound captain was sidelined, probably for the season, when he rebroke a collarbone in the morning session of the first day of practice. Mother immediately summoned Reich, who was starting out as his No. 2 full-back.
as a plebe fullback at Army in '51, before following his all-American brother, Gil, to KU.
There is a good sophomore prospect available in Frank Black, 217-pound Lawrence boy, but Mather is a firm believer in giving experienced hands the first nod and bringing along the youngsters slowly. Reich does own experience, although not at center. He lettered
Could be Black will' win the job anyhow, but Reich has precedent on side in this camp. KU used ex-fullbacks at center with success three years shortly after World War II. One of them, Dick Monroe, now an assistant coach at Wichita University, was one of the best in all Jayhawk history as pivot for the 1947 co-champions and the 1948 elen which surprised by winning seven of 10 starts.
Monroe was followed by Roland Eilerts and Bob Drumm; both were prep fullbacks. In fact, Eilerts continued at the spot through his freshman season here.
all-american choice
You'll see them wherever smart women gather . . . at the country club with cottons, at the super-mart with separates, in a ranch house with slacks, or travel-bound with tweeds. Soft, supple, highly polished leathers with the nice attention to hand-sewn detailing typical of all OLDMAINE TROTTERS. See them. You'll see what we mean!
Royal College Shop 837-39 Massachusetts