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University Daily Kansan
Major League Races Closest Since 1947
By UNITED PRESS
Teams in both major leagues today were more closely bunched at this first East-West stage of the race than at any time since 1947 in the American league and 1945 in the National.
Although it is much too early for any real re-evaluation of the pennant rances, the play in the first two weeks could be a portent of old-fashioned wide-open stretch battles, which would be a pleasant contrast to last season's runaways by the Dodgers and Yankees.
As play resumed today with Brooklyn at St. Louis, New York at Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh at Cincinnati in National league night games and Philadelphia at Chicago in a day game, the Dodgers were just barely on top in the National with a 7-4 won and lost figure and Cincinnati in second a half-game behind at 7-5. Not since 1945 when war-time baseball was in effect, had National league teams been similarly bunched. In that year at the corresponding time, the Giants and Cubs (who eventually won the flag) were tied for first place with 7-4 marks.
It was much the same in the American league where the White Sox were at New York and Cleveland at Boston in day games and Detroit at Philadelphia and Baltimore (a western team) at Washington in night games. The White Sox, also 7-4 in the won and lost column, were in first place, half a game in front of Washington and Detroit tied for second at 6-4.
Not since the first East-West competition in 1947 had there been an American league leader with such a low percentage at this stage. That year the Yankees were on top with 7-4 and Cleveland was next at 5-4.
In the first two weeks, the White Sox after a slow start have asserted themselves as possible strong challengers to break up the Yankee monopoly and they will meet the five-time World champ face to face in the season's first "crucial series" today. The Tigers, who were picked by most experts to finish seventh or eighth, have been the big surprise although they are expected to level off. Washington could be a genuine dark horse threat all the way, while the Athletics seem stronger than expected with good rookies and a manager, Eddie Joost, who is getting a lot of mileage out of his crew.
Brooklyn is on top in the National perhaps because the early schedule has matched the Dodgers five times with Pittsburgh. The Pirates, who are not the weaklings of last year, lost four out of five to the Brooks, but rared up and beat the Giants, three out of four. The Giants, in turn, rose from those defeats to shut out the Phillies three straight times. That's the kind of a race it has been — up to now. Connecticut played the durdle ordered in the National, while the Cubs, who have been hitting like a collection of hall-of-famemembers, are the big surprise. The Cardinals have been the big disappointment in the National while Cleveland has failed to click in the American.
Neither the Red Sox in the American nor the Braves in the National can be properly evaluated as yet because of the heavy run of injuries and ailments. They are definitely the two "tough luck" teams and may step up their paces later when such stars as Ted Williams, Mel Parnell, Bobby Thomson, Bill Bruton, Andy Pakko, and others are all in shape and playing together.
Among the individuals there have been heartening comebacks by such veterans as Sal Maglie of the Giants, Ned Carver of the Tigers, and Steve Gromek of the Tigers among the pitchers, Maglie and Gromek have three wins apiece and Carver has two. Among the hitters, Willie Jones of the Phillies looks as if he might be the player he was in their 1950 pennant year with a .341 batting average. Vern Stephens of Baltimore is tapping out a .366 tune for another fine comeback.
Golfers Beat Cats, 6 $ _{1/2} $ -5 $ _{1/2} $
The Kansas golf team won its second golf meet of the season from a Big Seven school yesterday as the Jayhawks defeated the Kansas State Wildcats $6\frac{1}{2} - 5\frac{1}{2}$ at the Manhattan Country club. This was Kansas' sixth win of the season against two losses.
Bob Richards, KU's No. 1 golfer, was medalist for the meet with a 72 two strokes over par. Richards defeated John Stretcher 3-0 in their match.
The meet wasn't decided until the 18th hole of the final match, and Pete Rush of Kansas had to win the hole to assure the victory.
Kent Poore of K-State shot a 74 to lead the Wildcat team.
The KU golf team will be host to the Tulsa university golf team tomorrow afternoon.
The results:
Richards, K, defeated Stretcher 3-0.
Poore, defeated Harlan Hise, K 3-0.
John Prosser, K, defeated Hays
Wolter 2-1
Rush, K, tied Bob Skiver, $ 1^{1 2}-1^{1 2} $
Rain Storm Delays Intramural Games
Lack of players and the sudden rain storm were the deciding factors in yesterday's three scheduled intramural softball games. The date for replay of the postponed games has not been set.
In fraternity "A" Phi Gam took a 1 to 0 decision from Alpha Phi Alpha by virtue of a forfeit. Also in fraternity "A" the Lambda Chis were leading Triangle 6 to 5 in the second inning when the game was called because of the rain.
In Independent "A" Don Henry was leading Army 7 to 6 when the rains came in the first half of the third inning.
Today's schedule:
Today's Seminar
Fraternity 'B"
4:00, Field 1, ATO vs. Phi Delt.
4:00, Field 2, Deltas vs. DU.
4:00, Field 3, Sigma Chi vs. K, Sig
Netmen Playing Washburn Today
The KU tennis team travels to Topeka this afternoon to play Washburn university in a dual meet. Washburn, one of the better small schools in tennis competition, hasn't been defeated in a dual meet since 1952.
New swimming stunts and water ballet techniques were practiced during the Quack club meeting held at the Robinson gym swimming pool.
KU tennis coach, Don Mechem, will probably play Al Hedstrom, Dick Hadley, Merl Sellers, Don Franklin, and Roger Youmans against the Washburn team.
Ballet Practiced By Swimming Club
Passing the new techniques is required of members earning their minor and major degrees in the club. Awards are then presented with each degree.
Members recently elected to the club are Lynne Livingston, fine arts freshman; Donna Spotts, education sophomore, and Polly McGinnis, fine arts freshman.
Cyclones to Interview Coach
Fort Collins, Colo. —(U.R.)— Bill Strannigan, basketball coach at Colorado A&M, has accepted an invitation to be interviewed for a similar position at Iowa State, it was announced yesterday. Strannigan will travel by plane to Ames, Iowa, tomorrow.
Cyclones to Interview Coach
Kansas Playing Rockhurst Today In Baseball Game
Coach Floyd Temple's Kansas baseball team is playing the Rockhurst Hawks in a non-conference game on Bourke field in Kansas City this afternoon. Kansas will be bidding for its ninth victory in 13 games.
The Hawks beat Central college 10-3 in their last game played on Saturday afternoon. The Jayhawkers defeated Iowa State 3-2 the same afternoon after they had won the day before by a score of 6-1.
Coach Temple will start either Bob Shirley or Wayne Tiemier on the mound. Arnold Briggs, freshman right hander will start for Rockhurst. He has started all three games which Rockhurst has played and has a record of two victories and no defeats.
The Hawks are a heavy hitting club with a team batting average of .383, and have six regulars hitting over .400. These men are outfielders Ken Kosorog and Gerry Wille; infielders John Williams, Joe Grant-ham, Bert Keys, and Ed Grosidier.
Kansas is expected to use the same line up which it used Saturday. This would consist of Bill Pulliam, second base; Punky Hoglund, third base; Bill Heitholt, center field; John Trombold, first base; John Perry, left field; Don Aungst, catcher, Harold Bergsten, short stop, and Bill Blair, right field.
Broken Hand Hurts Campy
St. Louis —(U.P.) Dodger slugger Roy Campanella today shrugged off the disclosure that he has a broken bone in his left hand and said he'll play in tonight's game against the Cardinals "and go right on playing."
Campanella, the National league's "most valuable player" last season, revealed last night that he has a "chip fracture" of the small bone at the base of the little finger of his left hand.
It's not known just which one of a number of accidents was the one that caused the fracture. Campanella's hand has been somewhat sore ever since the opening game of last year's World Series, when it was struck by a pitch thrown by Allie Reynolds of the Yankees.
"The doctor says that playing won't make the injury any worse," said Campanella. "So I'll go right on playing. He doesn't say when it will heal, and I sure want to miss any eight or 10 weeks or so."
Jackson Defeated In Heavyweight Bout
Brooklyn, N.Y. — (U.P.) — Jimmy (the Spoiler) Slade suffered a deep gash over his right eye while scoring a unanimous 10-round decision over Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson and, to complete Brooklyn's latest screwy sports story, the practically unmarked loser said, "I'm glad I lost."
But after the wild-swinging Jackson of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., had absorbed a boxing lesson, referee Barney Felix gave five rounds to Slade, four to Jackson and called one even. Judge Americo Schiawone favored Slade, 6-4, and Judge Bert Grant favored the winner, 7-3.
Slade, 181⁴, conceded 13 pounds and was a 4 to 1 underdog against Jackson 194⁵, for their nationally contested bout. He went home night at the Eastern Parkway arena.
Cincinnati, Ohio — (U.P.) - Infelder Connie Ryam, a 12-year veteran in the major leagues, today was shopping for a new job after being handed his unconditional release by the Cincinnati Redskins.
Redleas Release Ryan
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Determine Favored in Trail Final Derby Prep Race Today
New York—(U.P.)—A $30,000 contract to perform as a sideshow to the famed Harlem Globetrotters put the fabulous Bevo Francis and his coach in the chips today—in contrast to their days at Rio Grande college which, they said, left them in tight financial straits.
Record-smashing Bevo and Coach Newt Oliver signed yesterday to play with and coach, respectively, the Boston Whirlwinds—a professional team which will play against the Globetrotters on a 25 or 30 game tour of the nation next fall and winter.
Trotters Sign Bevo, Oliver
Francis, who said that Rio Grande college gave him nothing beyond tuition and books, said he was in such a tough financial spot that he still hasn't paid a $5$ bill sent to him by the college for dental work for his wife. Bevo explained simply, "I couldn't afford to pay it."
Oliver said he also was anxious to find a better position because at Rio Grande, I was only making $3,620 for 12 months work that included coach, athletic director, publicity man, equipment manager, and director of an intramural program."
Louisville, Ky.—(U.P.)-The last of the prep races for Saturday's Kentucky Derby came up today with one of the favored "big three" in it.
The five men came into the hotel more than two hours after the closing curfew of 10 p.m. Thursday. The five men returned to Lawrence on Friday and didn't compete in the relays.
Five KUTrack Men Violate Training
Five Kansas university track men have been suspended for breaking training Thursday night before the Drake relays. The five men are Don Sneegas and Bill Brown, javelin throwers; Bill Nicier, shot man; Leon Wells, high jumper, and Bob Stinson, pole vaulter.
The senior members of the track squad met yesterday to decide what to do about the matter. However, Coach Bill Easton said that it would not be announced for a while what the punishment will be.
Intramural Golfers Will Play May 8
The annual intramural golf tournament will be held Saturday, May 8 at the Lawrence Country club golf course. The announcement was made today by Walt Mikols, director of Men's Intramurals.
Mr. Mikols also said that the deadline for second round play in individual sports is Sunday, May 2. These sports are tennis, badminton, horseshoes, and handball and managers should make these entries as soon as possible and watch for a meeting date, which will be announced later.
Levine Wins Opening Match
Bournemouth, England —(U.P) Mrs. Dorothy Levine of Chicago defeated Miss M. Gell of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-3, yesterday in the opening round of the British hard court tennis championships. Defending champion Doris Hart of Coral Gables, Fla., drew a first round bye.
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That one is Determine, pride of California's turf world and winner of six, consecutive races. Along with Correlation and Goyama, both of whom won their final Derby preps, he makes up the trio from which the Derby winner is expected to come.
Determine is going against seven other Derby eligibles in the $10,000 added Derby Trial, the winner of which for the past two years has gone on to take the big one. He isn't facing too much opposition and as a result was established an even money favorite in the overnight line.
Should he win it, he may go to the post on Derby day as the favorite over Correlation, who won the Wood Memorial at New York's Belmont park last Saturday and Goyama, winner of the Blue Grass States at nearby Lexington on Thursday.
Win or lose, Trainer Willie Molter said Determine would go in the Derby Trial "in the hope it will scare off some other horse."
"If Determine should win the Trial—like Correlation won the Wood and Goyamo the Blue Grass, maybe it will keep the field for the Derby Down," he reasoned. "And I think Determine would have a better chance in a small field—say 12 instead of the 23 who still might go."
Determine's chief threat in the Trial was expected to be Hasty Road, a disappointment after setting an all-time money winning record for two-year-olds. Hasty Road, with Johnny Adams up, was rated at 5-2.
Also in the Derby Trial field were Allied, stablemate of Determine; Sub-Factor, Hot Pursuit, Thunderbird, Sir Chir, and Close Out. The only surprise entry was Close Out, rated a 20 to 1 shot.
Determine and Hasty Road will carry top weight of 118 pounds each with Ray York up on the favorite and Johnny Adams aboard Hasty Road. Allied, in at 111, will be ridden by Steve Brooks and they will team up in the Derby Saturday, too no matter how they make out today.
Hank Moreno, who rode Dark Star to victory over the favored Native Dancer, in last year's Derby, will be up on Hot Pursuit, a 8-1 choice in the overnight line. Sub-Factor was quoted at 5-1, Sir Chris and Thunderbird at 15-1.
Up until two years ago, the winner of the Trial appeared to be jinxed in the Derby. Only Citation, in 1948, ever had won the Trial and then went on to win the Derby. But in 1952, Hill Gail did it and last year Dark Star won them both, too.
Pinehurst, N.C. — (U.P.)— Medalist Ben L. Goodes of Reidsville, N.C., led 64 qualifiers today into the first round of match play in the North and South Amateur Golf tournament, but Billy Joe Patton still was reckoned as the man to beat.
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