'C tV EIY, 13 'U II Y 10, 1946. SUNDAY, FE~UUARY 10, 1946 r1~uri MIt [IIGAN flAtLY Illinois Wrestlers Overpower Wolverine Squad, + SPOUT S + NEWS 0 VIEWS *COMMENT Dy BILL MULLENDORE, Sports Editor T HE SUSPENSION of Babe Pratt, veteran defenseman of the Toronto Maple Leafs professional hockey team, has once more brought the matter of gambling in athletics squarely before the public. Pratt, for many years a top-notch performer in the National Hockey League, was handed a life-time suspension from the circuit by President Mervyn (Red) Dutton for alleged association with professional gamblers and for placing bets on games in which the Maple Leafs were participants. In making this charge, Dutton averred there was no evidence to show that Pratt had wagered against his own team. Although the case has not yet been finally decided, it is expected that Dutton's action will be upheld when Pratt appeals to the League's Board of Governors February 15. All this despite vigorous protests from fans and players alike who contend, in effect, that Pratt is being rail- roaded. We are inclined to agree with the fans. As long as no proof exists that Pratt did not bet against his own club, we see no reason for any action as drastic as a suspension. Pratt admits he did place bets on the Leafs from time to time. We do not intend the discuss the normal issues of gambling, but it seems to us the mere placing of bets by a player does not constitute sufficient grounds for suspension. If it does, we suspect the majority of America's athletes are liable to suspension. Of the athletes we have known, most of them have, from time to time, laid varying amounts of money on the outcome of games in which they were to play. That applies to amateurs, as well as professionals. NATURALLY, the world of sport cannot condone an individual's betting against his own team. Such bets imply, by their very nature, "throw- ing" games. The Brooklyn College basketball case of last winter is the most outstanding example in point. But mere betting is not, by common consent, a heinous offense. _ Again, there may be some objection on moral grounds, but the fact remains that most people, athletes or otherwise, do place bets occasion- ally. The gambling instinct is peculiarly strong in America. Athletics, we think, should also guard against the influence of pro- fessional gamblers. Friendly wagering is one thing, Commercialized gambling is quite another. The efforts of baseball and basketball moguls to control the gambling interests deserve the commendation of all sports fans. Big League Ball ClbsTo Open Pl" aye rBidding NEW YORK, Feb. 9-(/P)-Base-. ball's most interesting spring train- ing season opens today with the New York Giants and Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers forming the van- guard of more than 900 Big Leaguers returning to warmer climes after three years absence. Each club has a topheavy player roster that must be pruned by sale, option or outright release. Who will go and who will stay depends largely on the playing condition of the re- turning servicemen who will decide the 1946 pennant races. Once the decisions are made, the biggest selling bee since the Florida land boom will be under way. Every club in baseball hopes to land a Cardinal pitcher and the bidding may go sky high if the right players are put on the market. As all returning servicemen must be given a 30-day training camp trial (15 days in the regular season) and receive 15 days pay before they can be shunted to a lower league, little trading action is expected be- fore March 15. But the teams then will have an entire month before the season opens in which to make their changes. Although the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs won the 1945 flags there is no assurance that they will be favored to repeat. Most of the early pickers are tabbing the Yan- kees and Cardinals. Most of the teams are holding special early camps for their ex- GI's, some in connection with the regular training and one, the Cubs, at a different site. Keen's Men Win Three Bouts As Capt. Courtrioht Is Pinned Dworsky Beats Illini Heavy in Overtime; Stark, Allred Also Gain Decision Trimnphs. I a Due to lack of experience and a veteran star-studded Illinois aggre- gation, Michigan's wrestling squad was defeated, 19-9, last night at Champaign. According to Coach Cliff Keen, the Illini had too much stuff for the Maize and Blue grapplers to handle. Illinois' contingent was just way above the caliber of any team that Keen's charges have met to date. Keen said as a whole the team wrestled well but was unable to cope with the experience on the mat and the skill shown by Illinois. The surprise of the evening was in the 165-pound class, in which Captain Bill (Corky) Courtright, stalwart of the Wolverines' squad, was pinned by his Illinois adversary, Dave Shapiro. Shapiro gained a pin at 4:12 in the second period and again garnered another fall at 1:20 of the third frame. At first it looked like anybody's match but Shapiro came through after his first pin to take full control. It was Courtright's first loss of the season, for before meeting Shapiro he had three straight wins to his credit. The only other pin of the match was the victory of Illinois' 175-4 pounder, Norman Anthonisen, over Wigs Farm Two Vets DETROIT, Feb. 9-tIP)-Syd Howe became ranked as one of the gan and Mud Bruneteau, veterans of sev- top scorers. He holds the league pc eral campaigns with the Detroit Red record of 528 and 237 goals and Wings of the National Hockey assists. League today were farmed out to the One of his greatest feats was Indianapolis Club of the American Feb. 3, 1944 when he scored six gc League. as the Wings routed New York 12 The pair-veterans of many cam- 2. paigns-were released today, ac- Bruneteau joined the Wings in 1 cording to an announcement by Man- and was one of its chief offens ager Jack Adams of the Wings, threats for several years. His mr Howe, 34, came to the Wings from memorable goal came in 1936 when the St. Louis Eagles in 1935 and dur- 'rammed home a shot after 116 mi ing his years of Major League Hockey utes and 30 seconds of overtime Michigan's George Chiames at 2:30. Chaimes wrestled at his best but the Illini grappler was just too tough f or him. The 145-pound division produced the closest match of the day. Wayne Smith, Michigan entrant, carried his opponent, Bob Bohannon, to the limit, and on one occasion almost had the match but Bohannon emerged victorious after the regula- tion nine minutes by a score of 7-6. Dan Dworsky, Wolverine heavy- weight, was forced to go into over- time before overcoming his adver- sary, Chuck Gottfried, 12-10. Dwor- sky displayed great courage which was necessary in order to defeat his much more experienced opponent. His good condition was another fac- tor in the victory. Jim Stark and John Allred, 121- and 128-pounders, respectively, gar- nered Michigan's other two decisions, and both wrestled expertly in down- ing their respective foes, Bill To- maras and Ed. Burnadonni, 5-2 and 9-3. Freshman Carl Grunwald dis- played too much ability for Mich- igan's 155-pounder, Stu Snyder, and subdued the Wolverine grappler, 7-2. "' Sell us our USED TEXTBOOKS Best Priced Paid We Need 'Em ULRICH'S AN N ARRBOR'S BUSY B OOKST South University at East University p - - -- ----- - i 1 , Wrestling Summaries 121-pound-Jim Stark (M) defeat- ed Bill Tomaras (I), 5-2.. .. .... . . 128-pound-John Allred (M) de- feated Ed Burnadonni (I), 9-3 136-pound-Joe Garcia (I) defeat- ed Maurice Smith (M), 4-0 145-pound-Bob Bohannan (I) de- feated Wayne Smith (M), 7-6 155-pound-Carl Grunwald (I) de- feated Stu Snyder (M), 7-2 165-pound - Dave Shiparo (I) pinned Bill Courtright (M), 4:12 or second period, 1:20 of third period 175-pound - Norman Anthonisen ({1 pinned George Chiames (M), 2:30 Heavyweight-Dan. Dworksy (M) defeated Cnuck Gottfried (I), 12-10 ~i4~YS 1______ , . _ WPAG ]SL__CE.. 1 fl On the Air 7:30 A.M. to 6:a0 P.M. in Iebruary Dial 1050 P A - II COMES 'THROUGH ..@ There may not be 12 bands for s-nor ICH IGAN NION TUDENT 00K The re may not be 5:00 permission for Jl-101. There may not be week-end parties for But the Daily comes through with the J-1IOi EXTIIA First time in four years- c a copy ORDER NOW!! XCHANGE a -+ iMIHGN AL GL1Nl I' L'iL N: Tu "TIIIV EI"ITL"DDICE" {7 F .1d .I.Ii.a aIv~ a .+s ! + iii 1