30 ;1945
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Nine
To See
Action at
estern Michigan
(aM9n the 'und4
ay HANK MANTHO
Daily Sports Editor
Louthen, Peddy To Start
For Fisher in Twin Bill
EDITOR'S NOTE This column was written by IWI A Munenrore, sports night editor.
By BILL MIULLENDORE
EVEN THOUGH Michigan failed to defend successfully its Western Con
ference outdoor track title at Champaign. Ill., last Saturday, the
Wolverine squad put on an exhibition of never-say-die spirit and tea
morale that drew the admiration of the 5,000 fans and 50 or so newsmen
gathered at Memorial Stadium for the day-long Big Ten cinder finale.
Illinois' performance in the morning preliminaries left little doubt
that the Illini would break Michigan's two-year stranglehold on Con-
ference outdoor track honors, but the Wolverines, as the saying goes,
never gave up trying. Throughout the long, hot afternoon, as Illinois
built up an ever-increasing lead, Coach Ken fDoherty's men "put out"
with everything they had, just as if they, not the Illini, were the cham
pions-tp-be.
Perhaps the finest demonstration of team spirit, and at the salne time
one that passed almost unnoticed by fans and newsmen alike, was that of
Julian Witherspoon, Michigan's best sprinter, who was expected to bring
anywhere from five to eight points into the Wolverine fold. But expecta-
tions have a peculiar habit of going wrong. In this case, they were blown
sky-high when Witherspoon pulled up short in the 220-yard dash trials
with a leg muscle injury after having qualified earlier for the 100-yard dash.
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Witherspoon was through
for the day. He limped off the track supported by two teammates and
disappeared into the dressing room. "Tough break," everyone mur-
mured, and settled back to watch the half-mile heats.
AS THE AFTERNOON finals got underway, your reporter spotted a small
figure clad in Michigan sweat-togs emerging from the dressing room
door. Few people paid any attention to him as he limped slowly around
the track, and wandered off by himself under the stands. There, he
began to experiment, running a few steps, kicking his legs high into the
air, and occasionally sitting down with his head buried in his hands when
the pain of his efforts became too intense. The figure was Witherspoon,
and he was trying to get in shape to run.
He was under no compulsion to do it. A pulled muscle simply
doesn't heal in a few hours' time. It takes days, and sometimes weeks.
But Witherspoon was trying to do the impossible, trying to bring about
some miracle which would enable him to meet the starter's whistle
for the 100-yard dash. It matters little that he failed in his efforts.
The point is that he tried. In trying, he set the tone for the spirit
which was to characterize Michigan's losing performance that after-
noon.
Other demonstrations of that same spirit were the exception rather
than the rule as the meet unrolled its course. The Wolverine mile relay
team ran one of its finest races of the year to win that event, the last of
the meet, even though the five points the four men gathered could not alter
the final ,outcome. They could have settled for an easy second place
'behind the hard-driving Illini, but they ran to win, and did win, despite
the fact that their team was hopelessly beaten. ,
Val Johnson aggravated an old leg injury in the 220 trials, but
placed fourth in the finals, his left leg swathed in tape from the knee
up. Al McNab cleared 6 ft. 1 in. in the high jump for the second time
in his career to finish in a tie for second. Chuck Lauritsen took third
place in the pole vault with a 12 ft. 4 in. effort, even though an incom-
pletely healed injury forced him to limp down the approach runway.
These men, and many others, proved again that Michigan spirit, even
in defeat, is unbeatable.
TWO MEN were primarily responsible for Illinois' 11-point margin of vic-
tory. One of them, Bob Kelley, overcame an early-season injury to
win both the 440-yard dash and the half-mile. He also ran the strongest
individual leg of any mile relay competitor.
But even the great performance of Kelley, one of the better middle
distance runners of recent times, was overshadowed by that of team-
mate George Walker, a relatively unheralded freshman, who literally
ran off with individual honors while'winning both the high and low
hurdles and the 100-yard dash.
Walker looks like one of the finest hurdlers to come along in some time,
as well as being a top-flight sprinter. His time of :23.4 in the 220-yard
low hurdles was exceptional for a finished performer. let alone a compara -
tively inexperienced newcomer fresh out of high school, who himself admits
that he has yet a lot to learn about the art of hurdling. Indications are
that the Western Conference, not to mention the track world in general, is
going to hear a lot more from young Mr. Walker in the next three weeks.
BUY MORE WAR BONDS
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By SHIRLEY LOEBLICH
With the decisive Conference series against Purdue scheduled for
Saturday, the Michigan baseball squad travels to Kalamazoo today for a
ret rn engagement with Western Michigan.
In the non-Conference doubleheader this afternoon. Coach Ray Fisher
is starting "Red" Louthen in the first game, and will use Jack Peddy and
"Bo" Bowman in the second. Probable Bronco pitchers are Tom Urquhart
and southpaw Al Maxwell. The first
game will begin at 2:30 EWT (1:30 as now, stood between them and the
CWT). Conference title.
Had Early Split On June 3, the Wolverines meet
The Wolverines played two games Bunker Hill Navy Air Base at Bunk-
with the Broncos earlier in the seas- er Hill, Indiana, and following the
on, winning one and losing one, their Ohio games, June 8 and 9, they play
only defeat of the season. Louthen, Lockbourne Army Air Base at Colum-
pitching a four-hitter in the second bus, June 10, in their last contest
game, avenged the Michigan defeat of the year.
at the hands of Maxwell in the first. If the Wolverines are able to wia
DEAD HEAT REPEAT-The Ilume( Ross (right) and Bob (left), cro
for the second year at the Western Conference trac k meet in Champai
Michigan ran third to the Humes.
TURN-(F-CENTUR1{ GREA T S
ss the finish line hand in hand
gn Saturday. Walt Fairservis of
lay MARY LU IIEATIlH
Baseball's Hall of Fame was ex-
panded by almost one-third last
April 25 when ten old-timers-all of
around 1905 vintage--were elected to
the Cooperstown memorial by a group
of baseball writers and officials,
bringing the total of immortals hon-
ored at the Cooperstown, N.Y. shrine
to 24.
The committee, appointed by the
late commissioner, Judge Kenesaw
Mountain Landis, chose men who
reached their prnie in the period
preceding 1905, three of them by a
unanimous vote. Elected unanimous-
ly were Jimmy Collins, Fred Clarke,
and Wilbert Robinson. with Roger
Bresnahan, Hugh Jennings. Ed Del-
ahanty, Dan Brouthers, Mike Kelly.
James O'Rourke, and Hugh Duffy
also awarded places at Cooperstown.
Collins Finally Named
Perhaps the most popular and long -
awaited election was that of Jimmy
Collins, generally acknowledged to
be the best third baseman to play,
the position. The only other third
sacker elected to the honor was John
respected figure in the team's his-
tory. "Uncle Robbie", as he was af-
fectionately known in BrooklyrX,
played for the Athletics, the Balti-
more OriolesA of the American Asso-
ciation, the Cardinals, and the Balti-
more Americans before he turned to
managing. He held that position for
the Dodgers from 1914 to 1931.
Roger Bresnahan, who died lastf
December, was Christy Mathewson's
battery mate. Known as the "Duke
of Tralee", the big Irishman played
second, the outfield, pitched, and
caught during his career in baseball.'
After seven years with the Giants
under McGraw, Bresnahan managed
the Cardinals and the Cubs. To his
other feats, Bresnahan added the"
distinction of inventing and first
Season Ended r
For Thinciads
Since that time both teams have en-
- - joyed favorable seasons.
Louthen will hurl the first gamne in
place of Jack Hackstadt, who is hay-
ing arm trouble. The big redhead
Vrwill face his last year's Bronco team-
a1 t ymates for the second time this spring,
Lineup As Usual
___- -- The rest of the Michigan lineup
remains as usual. with Bill Nelson,
using shinguards behind the plate. Don Lund, and Bill Gregor in the
Delaant LedLeauesoutfield, Bob Stevenson in his cu*-
Shortstop for the pennant-win- tomary position behind the plate, and
g Baltimore Oioles ing Tom Roserna, Walt Kell, Jack Weis-
and '96 was Hugh Jennings, who enberger, and Dom Tomasi comipris-1
later managed the Detroit Tigers to ing the infield,
pennants in 1907, '08, and '09. At
Baltimore, Jennings was the team- Western has announced no changes
mate of such greats as McGraw, In its previous .line-up. Its outfield
Keeler, Kelley, and Robinson, hitting normally consists of Mudie in center-
.397 in 1896. field, Krupa in left, and either Pet-
Ead Delahanty, the Babe Ruth of ers or May in right. The infield is
his timeledh t, the ati h ad set with Brown at shortstop, Throop
his time led both the National and at second, Selbo at third, and Chris-
American Leagues in batting, the nson or perhaps Perrin at first,
only man ever to perform this feat. Jim Marks is the catcher.
"Big Del" hit .408 for the Phillies in
1899 and .376 for the Senators in Purdue Games Crucial
1902 to pull the trick. In 1896, he The two games Saturday, June 2.
collected four homers in one game, at Purdue are crucial ones, as two
and twice made six bits in six times victories will assure Michigan of the
at bat. Conference title, while as many as
one defeat will mean that they must
In the outfield and behind the sweep the series with Ohio State
plate. Mike Kelly was one of the the next weekend, Last year, the
amost colorful ball players of all time. Michigan nine found themselves in a
In 1887, he hit .394 and showed great similar position when Purdue, then
daring in base running by stealing
84 bases.
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McGraw, who gained his greatest . Joining three other first basemen K
fame as New York Giants manager. After Defeat by 111101s in the Hall of Fame, Dan Brouthers
Collins was the father of modern -- enters the shrine. Preceded by Cap
third base play, exploring all the Michigan's defeat at the hands of Anson. Lou Gehrig, and George Sis-
possibilities of the position. Among rejuvenated Illinois team in the ler, Brouthers is known chiefly as a
his innovations was playing in close Wes Conference Championships member of the original "Big Four", a
for bunts. at Champaign last Saturdny has combination which as sold to the
Fred Clarke is best known as man- virtually ended the current track Tigers in 1886 and figured promi-
ager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and for the Wolverines. nently in the pennant drive of the:
supervised the club from 1900 to Coach Ken Doherty announced Bengals that year
1915. He started managing baseball that the 65"-54 1/6 defeat by the Legendary O'Rourke
teams when he was only 24. and took Illini marked the iast time his char- playing in the major leagues for 21
part in National League games for ges would compete as a team until seasons and retiring when he wast
20 seasons. The Pirates won pen- the beginning of the indoor season past 50, James O'Rourke is one of
nants in 1901, '02, and '03 under next fall. The team will be disbanded baseball's legends. As a manager,n
Clarke, and took the World's Series, and only parts of it will be on hand outfielder, catcher, and first base- J
title in 1909. for the post-season meets. Coachm
'UncleRoie Doherty said none of the squad mahjordte icisadi
U Robbie'D r swound up as president, owner, man-
To Brooklyn Dodger fans, Wilbert members could compete at the Cen- ager, and player for Waterbury inV
Robinson is the most venerable and i tial Collegiate Meet at Des Moines the old Connecticut League. Later
this Saturday. he became president of the league.
s mt ~Michigan will be represented at Completing the ten new Hall of
tigers To i' the National Collegiate Champion- Famers is Hugh Duffy, whose .438
ships at New York, but there is only batting average in 1894 is considered
a slim chance that the Wolverines the highest registered in the major
[oull elieader I can take any firsts at Madison leagues. This outfielder's ,330 life-
SSquare Garden. Medical School re- time average also stands among the
n New Y"bi~litoe nsi operobaby keep best. In 1901, Duf'y began a mana-
I Ne'w Michigan's strongest hopes for a na- gerial career which included sojourns
NEW YORK, May 2 T tional title, Ross and Bob Hume, in with Philadelphia the Red Sox, and
titTEWYR, Maing9their fit Amler- Ann Airboi', The Hume twins, de- the White Sox. Since 1924, hie has
traitTigersnaking their first Amer- feated but once in mile competition scouted and coached for the Boston
ican League visit of the season to this year and co-holders of the Con- Americans
New York, were ready today to throw ference crown, would no doubt be
the best of their crippled pitching favored to take the mile.
staff against the Yankees in a Mem- Although Coach Doherty has not
orial Day twin bill tomorrow for yet decided upon his entries, the EC' EGAN
the League lead. Wolverines will probably be repre-
Detroit, by sweeping both games, sentecd in the two-mile. the half-mile,
Icould move to the top of the stand- Iand the pole vault in the National
ings for the first time this year. Collegiates.
Hal Newhouser, with only two days ____-
of rest, was Detroit's pitching nom- r "
inee for the opener and Frank (Stub-M1
by) Overmire drew the nightcap as-
signment. Newhouser, who beat New FClywt
York six times last season, will be
shooting for his fourth straight vi'- EAST LANSING. May 29-()-- mirth and
tory since Hank Borowy of the Yanks1I The Michigan State College base- music
beat him in Detroit May 11. Over-!ball team made it five victories in a
-nire will be after his third straight 1 row today by defeating University of
win since returning to regular mound 1 Detroit, 9-2. It was the third Spar-
duty May 20. tan win in succession over Detroit.
Paul (Dizzy) Trout, the Tigers' Losing pitcher Chick Cunningham,
chief "Yankee-charmer" who has held the Spartans to two runs until
hitched nine succesive victories over the seventh inning. Then Rudy
the New Yorkers in three seasons, was Castellani reached first on a fielder's
not expected to be ready to pitch choice and Bob Buckenhizer and
again until the Tigers move to Bos- ;',a' in Hanzen singled, scoring Cas-
ton Friday. telani.
Six Wolverine linksmen are enter-
ed in the NCAA championship mat-
ches to be held June 25 on the Ohio
State links at Columbus, Bill Barclay,
Michigan golf coach, announced yes-
terday.
Included on the squad slated to
make the trip are: Capt. Paul O'Hara,
John Tews, Phil Marcellus, Bob Ernst,
Ken Morey, and John Jenswold.
All but Morey were on the team
which took third place in the Confer-
ence match last Saturday at Evans-
ton.
Last Times Today -
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YorL G. BALFOUR store
Will close Jule 1
for the summer months
We regret any inconvenience that this may cause our
customers, but mail orders will be forwarded to us
promptly and will receive our personal attention at
the main office.
with a bigger and better
BALFOUR STORE
NEW MERCHANDISE NEW IDEAS
NEW SPECIAL SERVICES
May we take this means of thanking our many. friends
for a pleasant and profitable year at MICHIGAN.
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CLASSIF- - -- --- -__
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WANTED LOST AND FOUND
WANTED: Immediately, vocalist LOST: Small pair of air crew wings
first tenor, for swing quartet. Avail- on Maynard Friday night. Reward.
able for travel this summer. Con- Call Jordan. Room 553.
Vj.~ O'SHEA.
SMarie
:.McDONALD
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