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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 27, 1955)
1955 Angels Showing More Hustle Than Last Year's Club; Could Be Contenders (This Is the fourth in a . series on the outlook for Pac ific Coast league teams for the 1955 season.) By SCOTT BAILLIE Fullerton, Calif. U.R) Bill Sweeney, rubicund manager of the Lot Angeles Angels, made his customary pennant predic tion today, then grinned that he always takes that attitude until somebody shows him he's wrong. Sweet Wilyum got the word quite early last season with a studgy band of Seraphs who missed the pennant by 27 games and finished in sixth place, but Sweeney thinks that won't hap pen again. "We only have eight hold overs from last season and this 1955 club shows a lot more hustle," Sweeney said. "The 1954 team was slow and didn't hit when we needed runs. Look at poor Fred Richards, who hit 24 homers, usually with nobody on, and batted .277 while driving in only 56 runs. Ow'" Richards is long gone with a host of other former Angels as the Chicago Cubs toy with their pawns. But the 1955 Cherubs hardly can be called a young out fit although the roster is swamp ed with new names. Soma Old Timers That grizzled old man taking Richards' job at first base is none other than Herm Reich, who became almost as much a part of Portland as Vaughn street park. Reich, close to 0, came to L.A. this year after dropping from Portland down into the Class C California league and bouncing back to Se attle. "He's doing a good job at first base," Sweeney said when press ed about the situation there. Burdette Thurlby, who also is an outfielder and batted .285 at De Moines of the Class A West ern league, is eyeing the spot, too. Over at third is 37-year-old James (Buzz) Clarkson , who mashed 42 home runs with Dal las and Beaumont last year to a blueprint with a double meaning! A blueprint for a home, for most American families, is a blueprint for happiness ... a blueprint of a dream soon to come true ... If financing is the key to bringing your dream house down to earth ... to get SAVINGS Where You Are Paid to Save win the Texas league homer crown, drive in 133 runs and batter .327. Manager Bobby Bragan of the arch-rival Hollywood Stars, who watched Clarkson play winter ball this year, predicts that the husky Negro will hit from 25 to 30 roundtrippers in the PCL. "He sure gives the ball a ride," Sweeney agreed. Veteran shortstop Bud Hardin and second baseman Gene Mauch are back to give the club strength down the middle while Johnny Pramesa returns to handle the catching. Bob Riv ich, up from Stockton of the Class C California league, may give Pramesa some help if not trouble. Pitching Staff Charley Bell, Jim Clark and Bob Howard are rookies looking for infield jobs and Sweeney warns that no positions have been cinched. Old familiar faces on the pitching mound belong to Lefty Joe Hatten. (13-17), Turk Lown, (5-3). and Cal McLish, (13-15). "We need pitching help bad" Sweeney said. "Those three guys form our nucleus. We'll be glad to get more help there from the Chicago Cubs." The hottest rookie, at least on paper, is right-hander Dwight Stoddard who won 16 straight for Magic Valley of the Class C Pioneer league. Sweeney says the boy looks "pretty good." Tom Brown, now in his 12th year of organized ball at the the age of 27, may play the out field again if Clarkson pans out at third, Tommy's old spot. Bob Usher apparently is slated for right field once more. Bob Coats and Bill Bohlender, a pair of .300 hitters from Macon of the Class A Sally league, are among rookies battling for other gard ens. "We would run away with the pennant if I had my pick of the Cubs' roster," Sweeney said. "But we have to take what they send down. I am sure, however, we will be solid contenders in a better balanced league. And we might win the pennant." ting your blueprint on paper . . then why not stop in for a visit at Jackson County's home-owned sav ings and loan association? Jackson County Federal home loans are tailored to fit your needs and desires. tw nrviw & LOAN ASSOC Since moq sipcDimrs Pitching Plus Power May Again Provide Cleveland With American Loop Flag (This is the ninth in a series on the 1955 prospects of the major league teams.) By DICK FALES Tucson, Ariz. (U.R) The 1955 Cleveland Indians should have the best pitching staff in baseball and the greatest array of power hitting, and with those two commodities alone they fig ure to win the pennant again. Pitching and power tell the Cleveland story. That was the success pattern a year ago, xand it paid off. This year will be the same, only more so. ivTonncror Al Lotez again will have his right-handed big three of Bob Lemon, Early Winn ana Mike Garcia. In addition, he will have rookie southpaw Herb Score, a youngster whom Lopez gives unqualified praise as a "can't miss" star. The nower hitting a year ago was led by third baseman Al Ro sen center fielder Larry Doby and first baseman Vic Wertz. A new entry for Tribe home run honors will be Ralph Kiner, pur chased during the winter from the Chicago Cubs. Kiner Could Help Of defensive and base - run ning abilities Cleveland will be short. The No. 1 worry facing Lopez will be his veterans. Wynn, for instance, may tail off from his 23-11 mark of last year because of advancing age he's 35. Ki ner, waived out of the National League, has looked far more im pressive in camp games, and he could be the lemon of the year if he doesn't live up to his $48, 000 a year home run salary. Of Kiner, Lopez had this to say: "Ralph hasn't got his tim ing down yet, but he will. The left field job is his if he makes ATION 126 E. Main St. Medford it, but on this ball club nothing's taken for granted. I think Kiner should start hitting home runs like he used to, but if he doesn't, there are others who can take over left field." Kiner's performance alio might affect another position on the club, first base. Wertz took over the spot last year when Cleveland needed additional power. But a hitting Kiner might prompt Lopez to bench Wertz in favor of converted out fielder Dale Mitchell, an estab lished .300 hitter who has defen sive superiority over the slow moving Wertz. Hegan Top Catcher Elsewhere on the club the sit uation will be unchanged. Bat ting champion Bobby Avila, who held out for an extra $14,000 to go along with last year's .341 batting average, will be at sec ond. Rosen, victim of an ill-fated move to first a year ago, will re main at third. Weak - hitting George Strickland will be at shortstop, but former Athletics' Manager Eddie Joost could grab the position if Strickland's hit ting gets worse. With Kiner in left field, Al Smith will move over to right. Smith and centerfielder Doby gave Cleveland a sound defen sive outfield last year. Durable Jim Hagan, who play ed 139 games last year, will again be the No. 1 catcher. Cleveland's reserve strength perhaps accounted for last year's pennant more than anything else, and Lopez planned on an equally-strong bench this year. For pitchers, he will have Bob Fel ler and Art Houtteman for occas ional starting assignments, with Ray Narleski and left-handers Hal Newhouser and Don Mossi heading the relief corps. Infield protection is provided by veterans Sam Dente and Hank Majeski. Dave Philley and Wal ly Westlake, another pair of ex perienced players, will give out fielding depth. And rookie Hank Foiles, a .332 hitter with Indiana polis a year ago, will team with Hal Naragon to provide catch ing reserve. Yreka Nine Tips Tornado Medford high' baseballers doubled the Loggers in hit ting but had trouble on th basepaths yesterday at they lost their season opener 6 to 2 at Yreka, Calif. The Black Tornado got good number of men on bases but had them stranded there as base running was not what it should hare been. Larry Gober's double topped eight Medford hits. Yreka got only four safeties but drew eight walks to Medford's four. The second and fifth were Yreka's big innings with two and three, tallies respectively. LINESCORK Medford ..0Ol 100 0 2 8 3 Yreka 200 031 x 6 4 4 Side. Bellack (4), Tyler (4 and McLaughlin; Dilley, Keeys (3) and Kliever. World's Record For 880 Broken Berkeley, Calif. (U.R) Long Spurrier, former University of California track star, broke the world's-record Saturday for the 880-yard run when he ran a blistering 1:47.5 to best the offi cial standard by more than a full second. The 22 year-old speedster from Delano, Calif., now com peting as a member of the San Francisco Olympic Club track team, finished 35-yards in front of the pack in a triangular meet between UC, Olympic club and the Santa Clara Youth Center. The official record of 1:48.6 is held jointly by Mai Whitfield, formerly of Ohio State, and Gun nar Nielsen. Spurrier, who was runner in the 800-meter run in the Pan American games at Mexico City last week, had a previous best half-mile mark of 1:49.8. Antonelli Said Ready For Season Opener Mesa, Ariz. U.R) Left hander Johnny Antonelli, who closed the World Series out for the New York Giants last au tumn, looks like he's ready to open the National league sea son for the champions. Only 5 More Days Until Stark's Drawing for the Ntw 1955 EUREKA Vacuum Cleaner Phone or come in for a Free Demonstration in order to be eligible. No Obligation. STARK'S VACUUM CLEANER SALES & SERVICE 1111 N. Rivoraide Ph. 2-4998 Pirates Nip' Jacksonville In Practice Jacksonville Phoenix was victor 3 to 2 Friday in a practice tussle which opened the 1955 baseball season for Coach Fred Richardson's Jacksonville high school Redskins. Freshmen and sophomores fig ured strongly in the line-up for tne Kedskins. Only four lettermen are back from last years club, and one of them, catcher-outfielder Harold Jordan, has been out of school for the past week because of ill ness in his family. Two of the iettermen have only one year of experience. Both sophomores, they are First Base man Gary Hueners and pitcher infielder Clyde Smith. Outfield er Dick Sanford, the fourth let terman, and Jordan both are seniors. Leading infield candidates at present are Hueners, first base; Bob Guches, a junior, at second; Jack Daly, sophomore, shortstop; and Sam Bishop, sophomore, third base. Richardson's three top out fielders at this stage of the sea son appear to be Sanford, Fresh man Walter Couch, and Senior Dick Teal. Couch and Teal will also double as left handed pitchers. Two other pitchers are loom ing big in Richardson's plans. They are Senior Dale Baysinger, a left hander, and Junior J. L. Beams, a right handed hurler. Seven other squad members will be contending for starting berths this year. They are Soph omore Gary West, catcher; John Winningham, a freshman infield er; Marion Dowell, a freshman infielder-outfielder; Ken Shock ley, sophomore infielder; Eddie Paxton, right handed freshman pitcher; Tom Bishop, freshman outfielder; and Bob Gemaehlich, senior catcher. Richardson tentatively has lined up a practice game for Tuesday against the combined Medford varsity and junior var sity, to be .played at Medford. Meanwhile, Track Coach Mil lard Webb is drilling his hope fuls in preparation for what looks like an improved season over last year's record. Lettermen who will be back are Fred DeVos, a senior, who is defending district 440 cham pion; Floyd Driscoll, a sopho more sprinter, and Bruce Boyd, a senior who figures in Webb's half mile and mile plans for this season. Other top track prospects in clude Dick Sanford, senior, in the half mile and high jump; Harvey Hueners, senior, in the javelin; Ronnie Mclntyre. senior, in the 440 and 880; Harold Jordan, senior, in the snrints and relav: Eldon Smith, freshman, middle distances and high jump; Marion Dowell, freshman, who looks good in several events: Bob Ge- Maehlich, senior, in the shot put; Bob Guches, junior, in the pole vault; Dale Baysinger, senior transfer from Grants Pass, hur dles; Gene Smith, freshman, mile; Jerry Stewart, senior, pole vault and hurdles; Sam Bishop, sophomore, middle distances and Clyde Smith, sophomore, javelin. PILOTS TOP GONZAGA Portland (U.R) Portland University decisioned Gonzaga 7V to 4'i in a golfing match at Columbia - Edgewater Friday. Roger Siliecky of Portland and T YOUR CHOICE in o Tub Fast Printed Plisse HA I I 30 in. Solid Colors and Prints ujl o Collon Percale & Broadcloth Wash Fast Prints 36 inches wide REGULAR 39c YD. Sixth and Central Sunday, March 27, 195S Sports Bulletin Chicago (U.R) Wes San tee turned in a biasing finish Saturday night io win the Bankers' mile of the Chicago Daily News relays with the third fastest time of the sea son, 4:04.2, before 15,262 fans. It was the second straight standout performance by the former Kansas Univesity star. Last night, ho won the mile in Cleveland, in a clocking of 4:04.6. His time tonight set a new relays record, eclipsing the old mark of 4:06.4 set by Gil Dodds of the Boston A.A. in 1944. Baker Decisions Mederos Easily; Eyes Valdes Bout New York (U.R) Heavy weight contender Bob Baker of Pittsburgh, who licked one Cu ban Friday night, issued a warn ing today to another Cuban, Nino Valdes to "fight me or be by passed in the race for a Septem ber shot at the title." Big Bob, third-ranking con tender won a lop-sided decision over unranked Julio Mederos of Havana in their nationally tele vised and broadcast 10-rounder at Madison Square Garden Friday night. Valdes is the No. 1 contender. But he already has been by passed by second-ranking Don Cockell of England for a May title fight with champion Rocky Marciano. Baker, who scaled 209 pounds to Mederos' 190 Friday night, came out of the fight unmarked although Cuban Julio landed several good long rights to the head during the bout. However, Mederos was too eager and too nervous for good marksmanship in his first Garden fight. He missed with most of his punches. Baker shuffled forward per sistently and gave Mederos a methodical beating with short punches to head and body. He staggered the Cuban several times but couldn't drop him. Big Bob boxed so well that he made Julio look like a one-handed fighter. Olympic Chief Considers Taking Australia Trip Chicago (U.R) Avery Brun dage, international Olympic pres ident, said yesterday he "may go to Australia in three or four days" to check reports that the 1956 games, scheduled for Mel borne, are endangered by strike disputes and lack of accommoda tion. The Australian press has circu lated reports saying that Brun gage was "alarmed" by the sit uation and would fly to Mel bourne next week to inspect the situation. "I haven't definitely decided to go yet," Brundage said. "But if I do, it probably will be to make first-hand report to the In ternational Olympic Committee which meets in Paris in June." Brundage added that "Austral ian officials have assured me the unfortunate publicity is un warranted." He said he hasn't heard a thing about alleged reports that fresh demands are being made in Eu rope to take the games away from Melbourne even at this late date. J. J. Hagen of Gonzaga shared medal honors with 77's. Medford's Bargain Corner Two Americans Aid Cambridge Crew Win London (U.R) A pair of brawny Americans helped pow er Cambridge's eight-oared shell to its most one-sided victory over Oxford since 1900 Saturday on the choppy waters of the Thames river. With Philip Dubois of Ridge field, Conn., at the No. 2 oar and Bob Monks of Washington, D. C, at No. 6, the "light blues" of Cambridge won by 16 lengths in the 101st renewal of this famed rowing rivalry dating back to 1829. It was the first time in the history of the race that two Americans rowed for the same crew. Americans Win Doubles At Canne Tournament Nice, France (U.R) Budge Patty of Los Angeles and Tony Vincent of Miami, Fla ; won the men's doubles championship in the Gallia Tennis tournament in Cannes by defeating Bernard Destreameau of France and Vladimir Skonecki, self-exiled Pole, 6-2. 6-3, 6-2. ' Earlier Patty and Vincent defeated Robert Bedard and Donald Fontana of Canda in the semi-finals, 6-4, 7-9, 6-2. Shirley Bloom and Patricia Ward of Englend won the wo men's doubles finals by defeat ing Angela Buxton and Joan Curry of England, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1. NASHUA WINS Hallandale, Fla. (U.R) Nashua, the equine "playboy" from New York, passed an im portant test in his young . ra cing career Saturday when he won the $148,750 Florida derby over a muddy track at Gulf stream park. LOOK TO THE FUTURE! CHOOSE GAS Appflcances m SEE the Range That Gives New Exciting Cooking Pleasure! R J ssswftfrt Jiy ""see"" ' ALL NEW STYLING . fiij "Finitrtip CttUti" Lai e2& uiECT-o-emu SfSfr "tlMMW-MVE" isS ,M, ,urner Hm ........ Ntw FiItr-Fitt Ntw 0M-Pitct Flt-FrMt Ntw Witftr (little Mali Ukwt Tt I Ctntrtl Fantl PtrftcMakiiif 0M UTILITY WSERVICE C ALIFORM I A-PaCIPIO Medford, Oregon MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE NINE West Virginia Breaks 100-Point Scoring Barrier New York (U.R) West Vir ginia Tech became the first team ever to break the 100-points-a-game barrier and Bob Hopkins of Grambling swept to a new career scoring record, according to small-college season-end statistics released yes'rday by the NCAA Service Bureau. Tech wound up the season with a 107.5 points per-game average over a span of 20 games to rack up a new first in team scoring averages. Other team records set were Santa Barbara's 48.6 per cent free throw arrnrarv mark. Hopkins, who scored 1n3fi points in 32 games, lost out to bui warden of North Central for the individual scoring lead ership, but boosted his three year total to 2894 points, sur passing all previous career scorers. And he still has a year of eligibility remaining. 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