TUESDAY, MAY 17. 1949
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE FIVE
Weird Results In Major Leagues After 1st Month
New York, May 17—(U.P.)Weird is the word for the first month of the baseball season.
By CARL LUNDQUIST United Press Sports Writer
Whoever would have believed that the world champion Cleveland Indians would be in sixth place, or that the Boston Red Sox, choice of most experts to win the American League flag, would be in seventh?
What about those proud old Bronx Bombers, the New York Yankees? Sure, there they are in first place and that is a surprise in itself since they certainly weren't expected to be up there without Joe Dimaglio and Charley Keller. But they're last in the American League in home runs with only 12 to date and the last place St. Louis Brown's are first in homers with 27.
And who would have made himself subject to sanity tests by predicting that the Washington Senators would have the longest winning streak in their history, nine games and all of them on the road?
Oddities—There are dozens of them. Such as the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Senators being in the American League first division and where are the world champion Cleveland Indians and the team that was supposed to dethrone them, the mighty Boston Red Sox? The Indians, hampered by injuries to their pitching staff are in sixth place. The Red Sox whose pitchers aren't hurt but who can't pitch anyway, are in seventh. Only the Browns help maintain a semblance of normality. They're in eighth and where else would any one expect them to be?
The best bet before the start of the current campaign was for the Cincinnati Reds to finish last in the National. But they're in third place today and showing enough hustle, blind with good pitching to give
a good argument to any team that tries to muscle them out. The Giants were expected to win occasionally with their power, so instead they're winning consistently with top-flight pitching. The power, of course, is there too. They've got 33 homers, tops for both leagues and stand a good chance of breaking the all-time mark of 221 for a season they set in 1947.
As always a lot of people look upon the White Sox as the perpetual "hitless wonders," but not if they have glanced at the figures lately. For the Chicagoans are tops in league batting with a .270 mark, and in runs batted in with 112.
The first month ended on a typically dizzy note yesterday when the Senators beat the Red Sox, 3 to 2 in Washington in mixed-up finish that left fans wondering why the Nats had won. With two out in the ninth Sam Mele singled home Tom O'Brien with what looked to be the tying tally, but before O'Brien Blessed the plate, pin-runner Lou Singer over-ran second and was nailed for the third out. Mickey Haefern, who pitched a one-hitter against Cleveland in his last start, scattered eight hits for his third win.
Full schedule play resumes today with Chicago at Boston, Cleveland at New York, Detroit at Washington and St. Louis at Philadelphia in the American League and Brooklyn at Chicago, New York at Pittsburgh, Boston at Cincinnati and Philadelphia at St. Louis in the national. All are night games except the White Sox-Red Sox and Dodgers-Cubs.
Greek Football Fan Takes Game Serious
Athens, May 17—(U.P.)-A Greek football fan jumped to his death from the ruins of the Acropolis because he was disappointed in the showing of the Greek football team in an international match, police disclosed today.
The suicide, a 38-year-old printer, left a note saying "he would bear the disgrace of having seen Greek football team defeated 2 to 1" by a Turkish eleven.
Kindness To Old Retainer Pays Off In Wins For Giants
New York, May 17—(U.P.)—A nice gesture toward an old retainer was paying off today in unexpected pitching victories for the New York Giants, now in first place in the National League.
This case of bread cast upon the waters concerns Frank Shellenback, one-time pitcher who formerly managed the Giant farm club at Minneapolis, and Clint Hartung, the Hondo Hurricane.
Shellenbach became ill and had to give up his Minneapolis post. And the Giants displayed a heart, something rare in the baseball business, by taking him to their Phoenix, Ariz., spring training camp for a rest. Shellenbach wasn't expected to work, but his eye fell on Hartung.
The six foot, four inch Texan had come up to the Giants in 1947 billed as the greatest thing since they wrapped the baseball in a horsehide union suit. His running, throwing and hitting were compared respectively to a deer, a bullet and a siege gun. It was just a question whether the Giants would need eight other men behind him.
But something went wrong with the script. Hartung was a bust as an outfielder and lightly-regarded, after a time, as a pitcher. Yet, out of sheer desperation, Manager Mel Ott looked up suddenly one day during a lost game and told Clint to "warm up." He did and pitched six innings of shutout ball against the Boston Braves.
So for two seasons, Hartung labored indifferently as a pitcher. He had a good fast ball, but that was about all. Still he won nine against seven losses in 1947 and had an 8-8 record last year.
And for two years the whole Giant brain trust had been trying to teach him how to throw a curve. It was strictly no dice.
Then came this spring and the
rest trip for Shellenbach. And when he tried to toss a curve, he took the big Texan in hand and tutored him for three weeks. He shortened his stride and showed him wrist snap.
"It's up to you now," he finally told the mountainous young man. "I've taught you all I know. From now on, you're on your own."
Hartung had been an avid pupil.
ning had been an avid pupil. For two years, everybody was telling me something differently. Clinic director bumblebub set me straight. I've been straightened away and suddenly have a feeling of confidence."
He set down the Brooklyn Dodgers with four hits; beat the Phillies by scattering nine blows; stopped the Pirates with a six hitter and downed the Cardinals with a three-hitter. His one loss was to Cincinnati as the Giants were shut out.
Kansas Golfers Trim Aggies 12 to 2
Manhattan, May 17—(U.P.)—University of Kansas golfers held a top-sided victory over Kansas State College linksmen today. The Jayhawkers piled up points for a 12 to 2 triumph.
However, the low score of the team event was posted by Bob Moss of Kansas State, whose 69 tied the Manhattan country club course record. Kansas was led by Dave Dennis, who shot a 73.
SHAVER'S
- - - for the informality of home,with cooking that's even better. Just like raiding the icebox!
-By Bibler
A mile-and-a-half South on Highway 59
The Bus- (Adv.)
"—you think you left two bunnies on Reginald's bus sometime around Easter? Madam, brace yourself for a shock."
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Legionnaires—
Need a pre-final boost? Relaxin' Comes Easy at the Legion. . .
The best way to forget those "dark days" to come is to spend an hour or two taking it easy at the American Legion. The Lawrence Post is open every day and night, and our club facilities are available to all members at any time.
Always Lunch Service and Drinks——Always something to do. Or if you just want to loaf, there's plenty of lounging space. If you're looking for a party (or hiding from one), the Legion is your best bet.
AMERICAN LEGION 214 W.8th
Read the University Daily Kansan—Patronize Its Advertisers.
For that BOLD LOOK about your car this spring
- Radio ------------ $39.95—89.95
- Fog Lights ___ $14.50 a pr.
- Spot Lights ------- $14.50—18.50
Also seat covers, convertible tops, horns, courtesy and back-up lights, turning signals, and bumper guards.
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See these "Extra Specials" for your car's Wardrobe.
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MORGAN-MACK
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