TUES., SEPT. 29, 1942 T..CAL E MICHIGAN DAILY THE MICHIGAN DAILY Wolverine Nine To Make Strong Title Defense In Spring The Cracker Barrel By Mike Danu DICK WAKEFIELD, the ex-Wolverine baseball star who was the sensation of the Texas League this summer, wi llreturn to Ann Arbor Wednesday to enroll in the University. Big reason for Dick's return to school was his desire to enroll in the Navy's V-7 program or the Army's Reserve Corps, for which a college back- ground is necessary. Dick left school a year ago last June when the Detroit Tigers dangled a $50,000 contract before his eyes, but his close friends insist that the boy wonder left because he wanted to miss his Economics 52 examination. Dick's only remark on the subject was, "If I had known enough Ec to take the examination I would probably have saved a lot more of my contract money." Wakefield, by the way, led the Texas League in, hitting, runs batted in, home runs, and was voted most valuable player in the circuit. LITTLE DAVEY NELSON, the boy who played so much football and base- ball for the Wolverines during the last three years, is going great guns at the Iowa Naval Training station. While playing on the Seahawks' diamond team, Nelson touched ex-Chi- cago White Sox pitcher Johnny Rigney for two doubles and a single in one game alone. According to major league scouts who saw Nelson play this summer, the mite will probably take to the higher professional baseball circuits like Wendell Willkie takes to a camera. When the Wolverines play the Seahawk football team next month, Nelson will probably be in the Navy backfield. IF CAGE COACH BENNIE OOST4RBAAN has any trouble with his teeth this coming winter he won't have to take off time from his practices to journey to a dentist's office. The reason: Morrie Bikoff aid Leo Boyle, two Wolverine basketball stars, are now enrolled in dental school and before long will be yanking teeth with the best of them. DETROIT NEWSPAPERS have been playing up the angle that Michigan may switch some of its football games from' Ann Arbor to the motor city. But according to a wire from Joseph B. Eastman, Director of Defense Transportation, to Athletic Director Fritz Crisler, there will be no change whatsoever as far as the location of Maize and Blue football tilts are concerned. Crisler pointed oui that the Wolverine games played in Ann Arbor are far more centrally located than if they were moved to Detroit. Last year, the top crowd from Detroit was less than 15,977 people, a number that fails to equal the Ann Arbor and vicinity representation at any game. However, the Board in Control of Athletics did pass a resolution pre- venting the University from trying in any way to induce out of town patrons to attend the football game. IRV "PRO" BOIM, the colorful Wolverine pitcher of last spring who dropped out of school last June -because of scholastic difficulties has been permitted to return to the University this fall. This will probably give Michigan the finest collegiate hurling staff in the nation, with Cliff Wise, Mickey Fishman and Boim all on the same mound crew. (That's if we have baseball this spring.) M * * * H ARRY NEWMAN, the great Michigan quarterback of a few years back, was out to a Wolverine grid practice last week. Newman, who has always been known as one of Michigan's finest passers, was watching Tom Kuzma pitch some long one, when a youngster near him said, "Just imagine being able to throw that good.." Newman turned to the boy and whispered, "They say Bennie Friedman was good too." The kid looked put out with karry and sharply replied, "That's the trouble with some of you guys, you never say anything constructive." Wise And Boim Will Head Strong Crew Of Pitchers Vernier May Take Over Boor's First Base Position; Hope For Inprovement In Stenberg's Hitting Last seascn Michigan's rampaging good this summer but like Don is nine tied for the Big Ten conference weak at the stick. Improvement in baseball title and won a total of 14 i{batting by Vernier may give him the games in 21 starts. In the conference edge over Boor, but until then Boor their record was 10 wins, two losses, might play first for thr Varsity. Whether Michigan can repeat as Big The return of Cliff Wise, football Ten champions and make as credit- and baseball star will make a great able a showing next season depends difference in Michigan's baseball fu- upon many factors: ture. In his sophcmore gear Cliff led Will Coach Ray Fisher be able to the Fisher mound corps in victories, replace the remarkable Bud Chain- blazing his fast ball past all opposi- tion. Then last year Cliff left school to take a job in a defense pl nt in Jackson in order to make enough money to come back to school. For the catching job Coach Fisher may be faced with another problem. Capain Dixie Harms, number one backstop 'last season, has graduated. Bud Jessop, Har'm's understudy, may not go out for the diamond sport next spring, devoting his time instead to ¢y his studying. Jessop, an equal of Harms, defensively but a weak batter, is an important cog in the Varsity machine. After several years, of battling the other cellar occupants of the Big Ten for the dubious honor of resting next to Chicago, Michigan's basketball prospects for 1942-43 are decidedly on the upswing. With the Wolverines again yearning for a breath of first division air, perennial Conference Kings had better beware. Mandler Set Record Last year's record of the Maize and Blue was one of their poorest, but it, nevertheless, was not without its bright spots. For instance, Jim Man- dler, six-foot four-inch center and captain-elect for 1942-43, dumped 164 points through the hoops of Michigan's Conference opponents last season to set a new Maize and Blue scoring record. Furthermore. the Big Ten coaclaes rated Mandler num- ber two pivot man in the Conference. And since the rangy center has an- other year left, Coach Bennie Ooster- baan is banking on him to again hold dcwn the all-important pivot post for the Wolverines. Teaming with Mandler will be two cther battle-scarred veterans who have been in the thick of the action for the past two campaigns, Leo Doyle and Mel Comin. Doyle, who plays guard, showed Maize and Blue rooters some classy ball-handling during the past season while Comin, performing at forward, was right there pitching baskets when the go- ing got toughest. Gibert Back Again Ocsterbaan is hoping, too, to get plenty of good hasketbh2 from his :cphomcres of last season. Ralph Gi- bert is one first-year man w.hol ha~d clinched a starting berth at forward when old man ineligibility stepped ini to deal him a knock-out blow midway in the season. However, Gibert is ex- pccted to be back there again this winter dealing telling blows to Wol verine opposition. ' Another of the court mentor's most Returning Lettermen Boost Hopes For ImprovedBasketball Record 4 XTOOKS-New & Used L Stenberg On Second Bob Stenberg will again hold down the keystone sack as he did last sea- son. flis hitting must improve if he is to benefit the Wolverine cause to any extent, nevertheless. If Bob be- gins to hit' next season then the Var- sity's chances' of success will soar. Don Robinson will play shortstop next season. There is no doubt about Robbie's ability. Last year he was the leading Wolverine slugger, boast- ing a .46'7 average, and defensively Don is as good as they come so Ray Fisher can sleep when the question of shortstops is mentioned. Also the right field spot should be well taken care of with Paul White again patrolling the outer garden. CLIFF WISE berlain? Will Don Boor's knee bother him to such an extent that he will not be able to play? Will Bud Jessop play or will studies take un tco much of his time? Will Bob Sten- berg's hitting improve? If these and many other questions could be an- swered, then some predictions might be made about the Varsity's chances. Without the answers we must just make guesses. Chamberlain's Loss Is Great Undoubtedly, Michigan's biggest loss of, last year was the departing from this institution of Francis "Bud" Chamberlain, one of the best ball players ever turned out at Ferry Field. Chamberlain was a great de- fensive man, but his true value to his -club is recorded in the runs batted in column. With men on base Bud was as dangerous as a can of warm T.N.T. Chamberlain won many ball games for the Varsity with his clubbing. Coach Fisher has no seasoned player to replace this super third-sacker Michigan's best bet is 'untried Bruce Blanchard, a sophomore. Coaching and experience may develop Blanch- ard into a fair third baseman, but it can hardly be expected that he will be another Chamberlain. At first base Michigan seemed fair- ly well set until Don Boor injured his knee sliding into third. As yet the knee still affects Don, but by next Spring it may be healed completely if not sooner. Too, Boor may receive considerable competition from sopho- more Bob Vernier. Vernier has looked .-- - _ -- WAGNE R'S NINETY-FOURTH YEAR J1818 a Fr e! FALL SPORTS WEAR Very large selections of SWEATERS of all kinds - coats, pullovers, and sleeveless vests at all prices from $2.50 to $11.50. SLACKS of fine all-wool flannel, covert and heavy gabardine fabrics $9.50 and up. BATAMAC wind and weather proof jackets $5.00 to $9.95. 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