Marshfield News-Herald from Marshfield, Wisconsin • Page B1

Sports THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013 WWW.MARSHFIELDNEWSHERALD.COM A FRANCHISE SAVIOR Former exec helped team survive close brush with extinction, financial ruin SPORTS CONTACT Editor: Chris Dabe Phone: 715-845-0701 sportswdhprint.com Fax: 715-845-0605 PACKER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Kabeer Gbaja-Bi-amila, DE (2000-08): Played in 132 games with 78 starts and is the team's all-time leader in sacks with 74 Vi. Chris Jacke, (1989-96): Played in 133 games, and ranks third in team's all-time scoring list with 820 points. Led the team in scoring in seven of his eight seasons Emil Fischer, contributor: Joined the Packers board of directors in 1926, became member of the executive committee in 1935 and served as president of the franchise from 1948-52. Was also chairman of the board from 1953-58. Note: The induction banquet is Saturday.

Three of the Hungry Five: Members of the Packer Executive Committee huddles with Commissioner Bert Bell when he visited Rockwood Lodge in the 1940s. Left to right: Andrew B. Turnbull, Curly Lambeau, Pres. Emil Fischer, Bert Bell, and Attorney Jerry Clifford, gannett Wisconsin media archives ly $100,000, or the equivalent of about $8.5 million today. "The thing I admire about Emil," said Bob Harlan, the Packers' chairman emeritus, "to replace a president (i.e., Lee Joannes) who was so upset he didn't want to hold the position any longer, and Emil's the one who had to step in and smooth things over and try to make it work.

And he did make it work. There was a lot of turmoil at that time." Though Fischer isn't one of the marquee names of Packers lore, his role in leading the organization through those precarious days was honored this year when he was voted into the Packers Hall of Hall of Fame. Financial problems threatened the Packers' existence several times in their first 30 years, beginning in 1922, when former Green Bay Press-Gazette publisher Andrew B. Turn-bull and several area busi- The fledgling All-America Football Conference was driving up salaries, and some NFL owners wanted the Packers either to move or shut down operations because they were a drag on the NFL's profitability. Yet, by the time Fischer stepped down as president after the 1952 season, the Packers had survived one of their closest brushes with extinction and were on sound footing financially.

In a pivotal stretch from late 1949 through early 1950, Fischer helped the Packers weather Lam-beau's bid to take ownership of the team and acrimonious departure to the Chicago Cardinals, and the addition of three AAFL franchises that threatened the debt-laden Packers' place in the NFL. Fischer's crucial act was spearheading the successful stock sale in the spring of 1950 that paid the team's debts and built capital reserves that by 1953 were reported nessmen paid the Packers' debts, incorporated the franchise and in 1923 ran its first stock sale. The franchise almost folded again in the mid-1930s when it had to pay $5,000 out of pocket to a fan who won a lawsuit after he was injured from falling out of the stands at a game in 1931. When the Packers lost the case in 1933, they had debts of $12,300 and eventually went into See RESCUED, Page 2B By Pete Dougherty Gannett Wisconsin Media GREEN BAY When Emil Fischer took over for Lee Joannes as team president in 1947, the Green Bay Packers were a mess. Packers co-founder and coach Curly Lambeau was in a destructive personal and professional battle with several members of the team's executive committee, and the NFL's lone remaining small-city team was bleeding money.

'A tumultuous time' Emil Fischer oversaw one of the most trying times in Packers history, working to save the franchise from bankruptcy and competition of a rival league. MM 1947 IMMMMMMMMMMMMMMH 1948 1949 1950 I 1951 MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 1952 1953 lm Feb. 2 I Fischer I resigns as I President. I Replaces I Lee Joannes I as team I President. I Packers go 2-10, their worst season to I date.

I Franchise's debt ranged between I 90,000. I Nov. 30 Packers extend Curly Lambeau's I contract as I coach. I Held old-timers game to raise $50,000 for player salaries I and opponent I guarantees. I I Feb.

1 I Lambeau I leaves I Packers I to coach I Chicago I Cardinals. 1 April I Packers sell I 7,720 shares, I raising I Fischer becomes I team's leading I shareholder. I Dec. 9 I NFL absorbs I three AAFC I teams (San I Francisco, I Cleveland, I Baltimore). Packers profit $11,960, representing their best I financial I footing in I years.

I DH turns 40 with no sign of slowdown Changing rule not an imminent plan HMHSVIL Wisconsin Woodchucks second baseman Jake Jefferies throws to first to get the out against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters at Witter Park in Wisconsin Rapids on Wednesday. MEGAN MCCORMICKNEWS-HERALD MEDIA CHUCKS 12, RAFTERS 0 At the plate: Jake Jeffries had two hits and finished with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the eighth inning. between the leagues is really not all bad," Commissioner Bud Se-lig said before the All-Star game in New York on Tuesday. Selig cast one of the votes for using the designated hitter in AL games starting in 1973, when he owned the Milwaukee Brewers, then an AL franchise. He acknowledged this week that further geographic changes to divisions could force MLB to either scrap the DH altogether or install it for the NL, but that's a future possibility and not an imminent plan.

When Houston switched to the AL West this year to even out the See DH, Page 2B Associated Press The designated hitter turned 40 this year. Fittingly, it's having sort of a mid-life crisis. Never before has the imbalance between the American and National Leagues regarding Rule 6.10 been more of a potential problem. The designated hitter rule has been controversial from day one. It's been criticized and even confusing since it was born.

So it's only natural that Major League Baseball's once-bold experiment will continue to exist unevenly and indefinitely. The DH debate won't die. "A little controversy tj On the mound: Matt Dittman (Rice) dazzled on the hill for the Woodchucks. Dittman scattered eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out six in an efficient complete game performance. Dittman needed just 97 pitches, throw ing 68 strikes.

REPORT Next: These two teams meet again at Witter Field tonight, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. The Milwaukee Brewers have used Aramis Ramirez as a designated hitter in four interleague games this season. DAVID J. PHILLIPAP USE THIS COUPON FOR .00 PI STEAK FEED Monday, July 22nd 4:30 pm 8 pm 4th Menu Includes: of Ewry 12 oz. Rib Eye Mushrooms Month Baked Potato.

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