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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 1955)
yffVfcPT MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE Tuesday, November 29. 1953 eting on Pro Baseball Proves isp Toward Forming Club Here Prospects for professional baseball in Medford loomed brighter but the considerable task of interesting financial sup port and creating an organiza tion to operate a club still lay ahead following a meeting last night at the Jackson hotel. Purpose of the confab was to discuss the possible entry of Medford in the Class B North west League. Medford has been extended an invitation to join. No actual action on formation of a club here was taken last night. But the meeting, second on the matter, proved a step forward. Three men associated with the Eugene and Salem teams of the Northwest circuit, gave inform ation on their clubs and on the league in general, clarifying the problems, costs, necessities, pos sibilities and values in club or ganization and operation. The three, who addressed about 25 Rogue valley men, were Don Husband, attorney, and Dick Strite, spofts editor of the Reg-, ister-Guard, partners of the Eu gene club, and Chuck Boice, Sa lem sportscaster. Forming Plan From their information and from other discussion at the meeting a proposed plan and program for operating and back ing a Medford club will be for mulated for presentation to bus iness and industrial firms of the Medford vicinity in enlisting their support. The operation and financing program is expected to be worked out within a week. Another meeting is tentatively planned for next week. Exact date will depend on when Presi dent Frank Graham of the Eu gene Emeralds and General Man ager Hugh. Luby of the Salem Senators may attend. They are attending the minor league meet ing now at Columbus, O. Both the partnership and jthe stockholder set-ups for club op eration were outlined and the partnership plan was mentioned as "ftest" in discussion among the local interests. When the question arose as to the first step in getting a league fran chise, Strite answered, "The first thing to do is to get the partnership." To Organizations Hifsband reported that there are two organizations in connec tion with pro baseball in Eu gene. He said that a group of bondholders, own the park and tht 28 men in partnership have underwritten any loss that may be incurred in operating the Emeralds. Each partner has arr4 to be responsible for a certain per cent of any loss. So far, the attorney stated, the operation has cost the part ners no money. He said he felt that the Emeralds have made a "paper profit." Husband fore sees 310,000 less expenditure next season because the club has uniforms and equipment and other facilities now provided. Eugene expenses in 1955 were estimated at S92,000 to S97.000. He said the club hopes to make $95,000 or 896,000 in 1956 "and pay off everything." Husband said the advantage of partner- tship is that no stock selling is necessary. The partners include a variety of businessmen but lumbermen predominate at Eugene. Boice spoke of the different Salem operation under a "gouple of thousand stockhold ers. The club under its plan ended the season with only a scant loss. Players Trying Strite and Boice commented on the league and the players. The sports editor described players as young men-on their way up and always trying and said the managers were a fine sort of men. He was at each league town last summer and found most clubs and .parks in good shape. Boice pointed out that Class B players are better and have a different attitude than those in Class D leagues such as the Far West which once operated here, Because, scouts are on hand to see them, players don't partic ularly have to get into the rec- ord book to be noticed, the sportscaster mentioned. He also mentioned tie-ups and working agreements with Pacific Coast League clubs and remarked that "the players are not too far away from being pretty good players." Boice also brought out that e baseball leagues are fewer and that more players are available than several years ago. The radio man outlined some of the history of the former West ern International league and pointed out that the ability to recover in the formation of the Northwest loop shows that base- ball is "very substantial." Big Improvement Husband spoke of the desire to leave Medford in the league He stressed that Class B ball is a big improvement over Class , which Eugene also exper- ienced, and he stated that the class of ball which the North west league has given Eugene has much pleased baseball in terests there. He said that there should be no trouble for Med ford to get good players or a good manager. The three visitors advised sale of tickets to games at a reason able price., club operation of its own concessions and training away from home. They gave in- format'on on club promotions to boost -ttendance and various means of providing funds for club finance. It was brought out at the meet ing that local interest is appar ent and that the main need is a number of willing hands to "sparkplug" and ' "get the ball rolling." Need of additional seating and some renovation at the fair grounds ball park was mention ed. Two plans for such work were presented at the meeting by Architect Bill Siebert. Harry Chipman acted as chair man of the meeting. 5IP(Q) BEITS Boston Red Sox Buy San Francisco Club Columbus, Ohio (U.R) The Boston Red Sox became the new owners of the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League today and cleared the decks for operation there by an nouncing they will give up Louisville of the American Assn. Tne Red Sox bought the Seals Monday night in what could be a $370,000 "package" paying off the Seals' $220,000 in back t ('" BUCK WEAVER Scraps at GP Toledo Shift To Miami May Upset League Columbus, Ohio (U.R) The Milwaukee Braves' attempt to shift their Toledo, Ohio, fran-" chise in the American Assn. to Miami, Fla., threatened the en tire structure of organized base ball today. For it appeared that a court suit may be necessary to decide whether the Braves have the right to shift the franchise with out the approval of the Associa tion. As matters now stand, seven of the Association clubs are against the Toledo-to-Miami switch. The Braves, claiming they lost a quarter-of-a-million dollars operating the Toledo franchise the last two seasons, insist they be allowed to go to Miami. . Such a shift would makea league which would stretch from Denver, Colo., in the West to St. Paul and Minneapolis in the North and Miami in the South. It would involve so much addi tional traveling expense that the other clubs want no part of it. Columbus Shift Sought The Braves also realize that such a shift would not be a profitable one. But they were hoping to get the Columbus Jets of the International league to agree t-j switch to the Associa tion, with the International League taking on Miami. Such a change would not affect the International League's traveling picture to any great extent, for it has a team in Havana, Cuba. But the Jets, who were in the Association for years, are happy in the International and do not want to change back. To resolve the deadlock, it was reported the Braves offered to buy the Syracuse, N.Y., fran chise in the- International and shift it to Miami, paving the way for. Toledo to join the Association. debts, plus another reported 150,000 to the league. Sox officials said they plan to build up the Seals' roster with top-flight talent, and that's why they will give up Louisville long their No. 1 farm club. They said they just do not have enough suitable players to man two high classification minor league teams. Two Bidders Boston officials said already they have two bidders for Louis ville, one of them a major-league team. The Sox did not identify the bidders. Rumor said one was the Cincinanti Redlegs, but Red leg General Manager Gabe Paul flatly denied any interest in the club. Baseball officials saw the pur chase as having possible future ramifications in the event that the long talked-of expansion of the major leagues to the West Coast should come to pass. With Boston now in possession of a franchise in the valuable San Francisco area, movement of the American League into this section could be greatly facili tated, whether by transfer of the Red Sox themselves or by mov ing or addition of some other team. Hopper To Head Stars Columbus, O. (U.R) The Hol lywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League yesterday signed Clay Hopper as manager for 1956. He succeeds.Bobby Bragan, who re cently was named manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 53-year-old Hopper, who has spent 28 years in baseball, managed the Portland Beavers last season. He has been manag ing Triple A and open classifica tion league clubs since 1946 when he piloted Montreal in the international league, winning the pennant and the little world series. That was the year that Jackie Robinson made his organ ized baseball debut with Montreal. President Robert H. Cobb said Hopper was signed to a one- year contract. No terms were revealed. John Wagner Reported - In Weak Condition Pittsburgh (U.R) John Peter (Honus) Wagner, all-time great Pittsburgh Pirate shortstop who led the National League in bat ting eight times, was reported in weak condition today. The 81-year-old Wagner, often called the greatest shortstop in history, was able to take only a little nourishment and was un able to recognize anyone. He in jured his hip .in a fall at his home in nearby Carnegie several weeks ago. Pettit Leads NBA Players New York (U.R) Lanky Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks, playing only his second year in the pro ranks, is bidding to take over as the National Basketball Association's dominant player as the top scorer and rebounder. Pettit is firing points through the hoop at the rate of 23.6 per game, weekly NBA statistics dis closed today. Leads Lovelletie And Big Bob took over as the top rebound ace with a total of 167 rebounds to 163 for huge Clyde Lovellette of the Minneap olis Lakers, although Lovellette has played in three more games. Lovellette remains the leading scorer for the third straight week with a total of 246 points. He's followed by Paul Arizin of Philadelphia with 233, defend ing scoring champ Neil Johnston of Philadelphia with 219, Pettit with 212, and George Yardley of Fort Wayne with 203. On a basis of average points per game Pettit leads with his 23.6 average, followed in order by Arizin with 23.3, Johnston with 21.9, Ed Macauley of Bos ton with 21.0, Lovellette with 20.5, Frank Selvy of St. Louis with 20.4 and Yardley with 20.3. Macera To Face Von Poppenhim Grants Pass Kurt von Pop- penheim, 208. and Luigi Macera; 205, will meet in the main wrest ling event Wednesday night at the Grants Pass arena. In the semi-wind-up Alec Perez, 200, new import from El Paso will be introduced against the old veteran, Buck Weaver, 204. Macera, a French-Italian, was on th losing side last week in a tag match against Poppen- heim . id Henry Lenz. He hopes to vindicate himself in the single one-hour or two-out-of-three fall tussle with the Proud Prussian. The two are bitter enemies and are experienced and rugged com petitors. Macera blamed himself for the loss last week. Weaver and Perez have the same time and fall limit. Perez, a former boxer, won several Golden Glove tourneys in Tex as and had a few pro fights. He claims wrestling is a tougher sport. Weaver has been seen recently on a television wrest ling film. - The first match will be at 8:30 p.m. 5 Veterans Nucleus for St. Mary's St. Mary's high is building its 1955-1956 basketball hopes about a nucleus of five veterans and some eight other players are bidding also to see varsity action for the Crusaders in the Jack son County B League. The five lettermen, all sen iors, are Dick Paup and Laval Meunier, a pair of diminutive speedsters, and John Walsh, Ger ald Darland and Tony Miksche, who are six feet tall or better. Others on the squad are Pat Sullivan, a senior; Jack Birming ham and Ron Pruitt, juniors, and Rodney Read, Jim Darland, Dick Hayes and Bob Bechardt, sopho mores. Tallest hoop aspirant this season has yet to see action in practice. He's Jerry Flakus, 6- foot 5-inch sophomore, still side lined by a concussion in football despite his eagerness to begin drills. Ramon Elbert, senior, who lettered last year, is not out this season. Coach is Millard Webb, a vet eran mentor who came to St. Mary's this fall after two years at Jacksonville. He previously had tutored at Condon and Rogue River. Miksche, 6-3, is tallest among those currently working out. Gerald Darland is 6-1 and Walsh and Mechardt are 6 feet even. Jim Darland was listed at 5-10 during the football season, Paup at 5-9, Hayes at 5-8 and Pruitt, Read and Meunier at 5-7. In commenting on the non lettermen Webb described Jim Darland as one of the best board men on the squad and Bechardt as a good rebounder. Pruitt, a hustler,- is looking good. Hayes was mentioned for his speed. The Crusaders participate in the B league jamboree as hosts on Thursday night. 2 Monogram Wearers on Eagle Squad Eagle Point The Eagle Point high Eagles will have fair speed this season but will be short on height for their basket ball campaign under the helm of Art Thompson, new head coach. Graduation last year took nine players from the varsity hoop squad. Only two lettermen are back. The monogram boys are Jack ie Greb, a junior, and Gale Friend, a senior. Both were list ed as guards last year but Greb will see duty as a forward 'this season. He likely will be the center, also, for the tip offs start ing quarters. Up From Jayvee Rest of the varsity crew is mostly up from last year's jay vee squad. At forwards are Den nis Boren, .Wayne Christian, Gary Foran, Ted Daw, Dick Wallace and Jerry McDonald. McDonald was on the varsity roster for last season's subdis trict tourney. Guards are Ron nie Veach, Adrian Elrod and Er- rol Tresham. Thompson said that he is sat isfied with the club in drills to date. While the squad is green, it is "coming along pretty good," the mentor reported. Thompson came to Eagle Point from Newberg. May Organize Junior Bowling League Here There will be a meeting of boys and girls interested in or ganizing a Junior Bowling league at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Medford Bowling lanes. Boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 19 are eligible to participate. SZVETECZ IS CAPTAIN West Point, N.Y. (U.R) Ed ward Szvetecz of Bethlehem, Pa., who moved from third-string center to a regular berth this year, today was named captain of Army's 1956 football team. Szvetecz, the 66th captain in Army history, is the first center to hold the honor since Bill Yeo man in 1948. Only one-fifth of Mexico's land is suitable for agriculture. MICHIGAN CAPTAIN Ann Arbor, Mich. (U.R) End Tom Maentz, a 207-pounder from Holland, Mich., was named today to Captain Michigan's 1956 foot ball team. He succeeds Ed Meads at the post. ALL-OPPONENTS Tucson, Ariz. (U.R) Backs Dick James and Jack Morris of the University of Oregon were named today to Arizona's all-opponent football team. So smooth it leaves you breathless 117 S. CENTRAL PHONE 2-6241 Y OFF NO-TRADE-IN LIST PRICE rill lipn 14- r:;!! U I K Wfc -i. I L J 3s5fcif r"?t rtrw li 1 1 f $811? v 4 4 ' P ,J mirnoff -VODKA 0 proof. Made from ! 00 grain neutral spina. Ste. Pierre Smirnoff FIs. Inc.. Hartford. Conn. ii iiiiwi iing.-mriii m Wenatchee Selected For Potato Bowl Bakersfield, Calif. (U.R) "We natchee, Wash., Valley College was selected today as the grid iron opponent for Bakersfield College in the eighth annual Potato Bowl in Bakersfield Sat urday. Shrine club sponsors picked Wenatchee after undefeated Taft, Calif., Junior College re jected a bid. Wenatchee has an eight win. one tie record this season, while Bakersfield has compiled an eight win, one loss and one tie record. BID FOR CONVENTION Columbus, Ohio (U.R) Jack sonville, Fla:, New Orleans, Erie, Pa., and Colorado Springs. Colo, have bid for the 1956 minor league baseball convention. PREDICTS RAY WIN Greenwood Lake, N.Y. (U.R) Veteran trainer Dan Florio predicted today that Sugar Ray Robinson will regain his middle weight title from Carl (Bobo) Olson "maybe by a knockout" when they meet at Chicago Dec. 9. Robinson will box today and Wednesday and then leave for the site of the fight on Thursday night. , There are 3.690 miles of rail way in West Virginia. - - It7 Builders Supply QUALITY BLOCKS Bricks. Flues Drain Tile W. Mc Andrews Phone 2-4107 . . . and now it's over, the score has been added-up." Meet Our 1955 Champions! WINNERS IN OUR ELEVEN-WEEK FOOTBALL CONTEST FIRST PLACE: Paul Antony, Gary Colton with 81 points SECOND PLACE: R. J. Higgins, Claude Holmes, Jerry Jerome, A. R. Leavitt, George Lewis, Robert Rae, C. T. Rykken with , 80 points. THIRD PLACE: Priscilla Deatherage, Mary Jones, G, C. Wimer, W. H. Wright with 79 points. Tonight On Television At 9:30 Dick and Jack will interview a few of the winners! Figuring and guessing the winners of each week's football games is a fine art and a lot of fun. We hope that you'll all enter our contest again next year. Winners do not lose their amateur standing! Hi.l.uiiny.uiWi BUY WARDS BEST AT SAVINGS! SUPER DELUXE TUBELESS TIRES 4k 1 410" 6.70- 75 6.70-15 blackwoll whitewall Each in pairs These tires are proven to give the average driver 7000 extra miles! Relaxed liner turns punctures to slow leaks. Slits across tread for anti-skid trac tion. Plus Excise Tax and your 2 old tires in trade. NOW SAVE $15 A PAIR! ON TUBELESS POWER. GRIPS k if A r f r& ZU 2365 6.70- 75 7.70-75 Each in pain 1 Save on Power Grip Tubeless mud and snow tires in pairs. Designed to ease winter driving, these quieter running tires give 45 more breakaway trqetion than other winter tires. Plus Excise Tax. 10 DOWN, ON MONTHLY TERMS 2V2-YR. 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