Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 44

PUBLIC Page 2 (Section Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona. February 12, 1950 Half Jim Thorpe Named As Century Greatest Athlete In Po remained in the big time, with the Several major league clubs, hav-' ers always gave his best, whereas Tw peared on two ballots, and that of By GAYLE TALBOT NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (AP) Jim Thorpe, that almost legendary figure of the sports world, found additional laurels heapr i upon his named the greatest prizefighter, placed third with 13 votes. Ty Cobb, runner-up to Ruth in the baseball poll, finished fourth with 11 firsts. The voters were asked to name their first, second, and third choices for the supreme athlete of them all.

Points were compiled on a 3-2-1 basis. Thorpe's point total came to 875, Ruth's 539, Dempsey's 246, and Cobb's 14S. The storied Indian lapped going and coming. BOBBY JONES, winner of the 50-year golfing poll, placed fifth with S8 points, while Joe Lcuis, second only to Dempsey in the fighter category, ran sixth with 73. Of the other individual poll winners, Jesse Owens, track, placed eighth with 54 points, and Bill Til- astonishing victories over Army, Harvard, and other ruling powers.

ALMOST WITHOUT exception, those who watched Thorpe run and batter and kick opposing teams into submission swear the game never yet has seen his'' equal. It is even more certain that he was the world's greatest track and field performer in 1912, the year he won both the 10-event decathlon and the five-event pentathlon at the Olympic games in Stockholm. With little formal coaching as it is known today and facing the best athletes in the world, Jim won every event in the pentathlon except the javelin throw. HIS MARKS in most of the events were not remarkable by modern standards, but at the time they were of such uniform excellence that no other competitor could keep Thorpe in sight. Jim, from contemporary accounts, did not even stretch himself, never be- ing a man to take unnecessary exertion.

For instance, his time in the 100 meters of the decathlon was 11.2, yet Glenn Warner, his old coach, was said to have clocked Thorpe at 9.8 for 100 yards. As perhaps an even better illustration of Thorpe's head-and-shoulder superiority over the other all-around athletes of his time, it was not considered unusual for him to capture seven or eight firsts in dual meets between Carlisle and such pillars of the day as Harvard, Perm State, and Lafayette. ONE OF SPORTS' saddest chapters was written when, in 1913, the American Olympic committee discovered that Thorpe had played a jag of professional baseball prior to the Olympic games. He was stripped of his medals and silverware and his Olympic records were expunged from the book. Jim always said he hadn't realized he was breaking the amateur rules by playing pro ball.

inorpe was unprtuiticioie'. Foiinwinsr Is the tabulated result of the poll with total points fisured on a 3-2-1 basis for first, second, and third choices, and with first place votes in parentheses: Name roints 1 Jim Thorpe 2S2 875 2 Babe Ruth 539 3 Jack Demoscy 19) 2-W A Ty Cobb (111 14S 5 Bobby Jones (2) 6 Joe Louis td 73 7 Red Granse i3 f7 Jesse Owens (0) 54 9 Lou Gehrig 4 Si 10 Bronko Nasurski fl) 26 11 Jackie Robinson (2i 24 12 Bob MatMas i0) 13 13 Walter Johnson (1) 12 14 Glenn Davis (0) 11 13 Bill Tilclen 0 9 16 Glenn Cunningham (0) 8 17 Glenn Morris 0 8 15 Cornelius Warmerdam (1) 7 Others who received points were Joe Di.Maggwi. Charlie Trippi. John Kelly. Paavo Nurmi.

Ernie Nevers.4 George Gipp. Stan Musial. J. Howard Berry. Gene Tun-ney.

Johnny Weismuller. Clarence Hersch-berser. Duke Kohanamoku, Paul Robeson. John Woouen. Les Patrick.

Mickey Cochrane. Dr. Dave Freeman. Ben Hogan. Benny Oosterbaan.

Rogers Hornsby. Frank Goich. Sammy Bauah. Willie Hoppe. Ernest Torrance, Byron Nelson.

Sidney Franklin. Rube waddell. Clarence Demur, Toraer Tokel. Carl Hubbell. Ted Williams.

Honus Wagner. Barney Berlinger, Henry Armstrong. Joe Fulks. Christy Mathew- Giants, Cincinnati, and finally with the Boston Braves. Mostly he had difficulty getting his average above .250, but, as his admirers point out, the mere fact of his sticking in the National league six years indicates he was quite a ball player.

LATER, in the highest minors, the International League and American Association, the big Indian walloped the ball at around .350. And that while he continued to play rugged professional football in the off-season. He wound up his diamond career with Akron, in 192S at the age of 40. Habitually he called upon his great natural skill just sufficiently to win, and he never saw a training rule he couldn't break into small fragments. "Pop" Warner, once created quite a stir by declaring that Ernie Nevers.

not Thorpe, was the best football player he ever coached. It later was explained he meant Nev ing heard of Thorpe's ability as an outfielder and pitcher, entered vigorous bidding for his services, and the New York Giants finally paid him a reported 55,000 to sign. Manager John McGraw, it seems, did not like "college boys" very much to begin with, and "Old Jim" soon worsened matters by crippling up one of McGraw's most valued pitchers. Jeff Tessreau, in a friendly wrestling match. THEREAFTER Thorpe was under explicit orders not to touch a Giant teammate in play, and he always complained that McGraw never gave him a real chance to become a regular in the outfield.

The legend is that Jim couldn't hit a curve, but Thorpe denies it. "I hit .337 my last year in the National league," he observes. "I must have hit a few curves." That was the best lot of hitting Thorpe did in the six seasons he Torger Tokel, late American ski king, on one. THOUGH IT IS not recorded that Thorpe ever engaged seriously in any of the above three sports, it seems not unlikely that he would have burned them all up if he had been given the chance. The speed, the great strength, and the intuitive skill cf the phenom from Carlisle Institute have become part of the nation's sports lore.

In naming him greatest athlete, the experts probably expressed about equal admiration for his tremendous ability in football and track and field in the years 1911-12. That "Old Jim," as he always ha3 referred to himself, continued to play professional football and baseball another 16 years only cemented his claim to immortality. It was in 1911 and '12 that he stood the college football world on its ears, many times almost single-handed, carrying little Carlisle to brow Saturday when the nations sport experts named him the greatest athlete of the half-century. Previously voted the No. 1 football player of the past 50-years, the wonderful Sac and Fox became the only double winner in the Associated Press poll when 252 out of 393 sport writers and radio broadcasters accorded him the ultimate honor.

"OLD JEM," greatest track and field athlete of his day, and later a good enough baseball player to draw big league pay for six years, finished far ahead of Babe Ruth, the runner-up. Ruth, earlier chosen top baseball star of the era, drew S6 first place votes. Still another hero of the national poll, Jack Dempsey, who was den, tennis, 15th with nine. Dr. Dave Freeman, genius of the badminton courts, drew five third place votes.

The name of Willie Koppe, supreme billiardist, ap- son, bam Snead, and Otto Graham. Enc aree: Coaching IBS'f GUN jQ I IWlA 'J Graham, Gavilan Exchange Bloivs Andy Resigns As Grid Pilot Way Of Soviet Sport Related By Ski Visitor ASPEN. Feb. 11 (AP) If a Russian wants to participate in any sport all he has to do is go to some government lodge or stadium, pick out his equipment, i 1 I i iz i I -j Of Lebanon 'Canny Scot' Made Great Name As Colgate Mentor ANNVILLE, Feb. 11 (AP) Andy Kerr, one of America's best known football coaches, Saturday ended his active coaching career by resigning at Lebanon Valley College.

The grizzled veteran, now 71 years old, said he intends to devote his full time to the annual East-West charity game. Kerr" became nationally famous THE PHOENIX Sportsman's Association is seriously contemplating making a motion picture on conservation of Arizona's natural resources as an educational measure. The inspiration to make the movie resulted from the picture "An Important Citizen" turned out by the Arizona Cattle Growers Association and the Central Arizona Cattle Feeders Association to improve public relations for their industry. The sportsmen's association plans to seek a showing of the cattle industry film at the next meeting. THE MAKING OF such a movie came in for considerable discussion at the regular association board of directors meeting the other night.

The film, if it is made, would not be made for the purpose of taking a slap at the cattle industry, but far the purpose of educating the public on the need for conservation of soil, water, forests, wildlife and watershed protection and rangeland improvement. From the discussion it would attempt and get rolling. It won't cost him a dime. That's, what Viktor Andreev of Moscow, chairman of the All Union of Ski Sport of the Soviet said Saturday after his arrival here for the world ski championships starting Monday. In an interview he told how the Soviet Union supplies its skiers with all necessary equipment, even to shoe laces.

He said that last winter more than 1,000,000 persons participated in the Russians' national ski day. Andreev came here to watch the international competition and also to attend the council of the Federation Internationale De Ski on 111 JBIJJUI 41 JM II IIIH I.JLJI .1111 fry i I Si i' I I IP; X-- V-x v. 1 la. Vxh w' I rw x3- 1 during the years he turned out championship teams at Colgate. He resigns the Lebanon Valley post after a three-year stretch in which his teams won 15 games, lost nine and tied one.

DR. CLYDE A. LYNCH, presi Wednesday. He said the Russians hoped to invite ski jumpers and cross- country skiers from various nations to participate in an international meet behind the "iron curtain" dent of Lebanon Valley, expressed regret in accepting Kerr's resigna tion, for under the veteran's re gime "football became fun." That next winter. He said he was unable was the only premise upon which Kerr had decided against complete retirement after the 1946 season to name the countries that would be invited.

Andreev's trip to Aspen from Moscow was made by plane. It at Colgate. Jim Thorpe, the ageless Carlisle Indian, displays starting form for Chicago youngsters while serving as an assistant to the supervisor in a park district in April of 1948. Thorpe was named the greatest athlete of the half century in the Associated Press poll of sports-writers and radiomen. (AP Wirephoto) took four days.

Kerr said he will serve as the eastern representative and business manager of the East-West game. Vic Bradford, held annually at San Francisco IxtX "XX. I December 31. He has been a coach in the East-West game far 23 Michalske New years. Said Kerr: to show some of the good things that have been done, particularly by cattlemen interested in range improvement, and not just an expose of the bad.

By showing the accomplishments in conservation, it would attempt to educate the public as to the need of greater conservation support. Such an effort could be very worthwhile. AT THE MEETING it also was decided to join with the Glendale CPA in an effort to salvage some fish from the Arizona Canal Monday morning so the game department might take them to Clifton to help stock the San Francisco river. Jim Beaman, president, asked association volunteers to meet at the Arizona Falls powerhouse on Indian School road, just west of Scottsdale, to aid the game department in recovering the fish when the canal goes dry. The time is just sunup.

ORGANIZATION OF a j-fj -ftii, 4fTji: LiNii-iiiirtVl'l-Tf iftr am leaving Lebanon Valley Baylor Aids Kid Gavilan (right) and Billy Graham exchange blows in the sixth round of their 10-rounder in Madison Square Garden of New York. Graham, the underdog, won a decision over the Cuban. (AP Wirephoto) Satch Picked As Best Sandlotter Of 50 Years WICHITA, Feb. 11 (AP) Who's the outstanding sandlot ball player of the last half century? Easy, said the National Baseball Congress Saturday Satchel Paige. The big Negro pitcher, a member of the Cleveland Indians last College with regrets as I was per fectly contented here." Said Dr.

Lynch: WACO. Feb. 11 (AP) Vic Bradford and Mike Michalske Playing Span For Big Leaguers Saturday night were named assistant football coaches at Baylor University by George Sauer, pew head coach. "WE REGRET his decision to retire from the active coaching field in general and his severance of his close association with Lebanon Now Short: 47 '10 -Year9 Men Left Bradford, 34 years old, was one Valley College in particular." season, has been around most of of two assistants not rehired at NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (AP) The career of a major league baseball player is getting shorter and Kerr started his Colgate job in and sandlot play, the congress said, Navy at the end of last season, and shorter.

were Grady Hattcn of the Cincinnati Reds, and Monte Basgall of the half century in the first place. His birth date has been placed variously between 1900 and 190S. According to records of past national semipro baseball tourna 1929 and during his IS years there he became known as the "Canny Scot of the Chenango," a winning Sauer quit as head coach there because of this. He will serve as backfield coach. the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Before the war the rosters of 16 teams included a good number of men who had 10 or more seasons in the big time under their belts. Today, of the more than 00 players on the rosters of major league clubs, only 47 can claim 10 or coach who hadn't missed a single day's practice there. He ended his Colgate association by seeing the more years of service. Michalske, former Penn State ineman and pro football player, This slim group is headed by Luke Appling, the durable shortstop of the Chicago White Sox who broke will be line coach. into the majors with the Pale Hose Bob Ingalls was the other assist in 1930.

Red Raiders knock off their arch rival, Brown University, and was ready to sit out the rest of his ant to Sauer who was not rehired by Navy. The American League has 31 players with a decade or more of the big league time and the National 16. The Cleveland Indians life. But six months later he accepted Bradford, former Alabama grid- tually have not played 10 seasons in the majors. All told, 22 of the group spent from one to three years in the armed forces during the war.

INCLUDED IN this group are such outstanding stars as Williams, the job of coaching the Flying Groth Okays Tiger Contract DETROIT, Feb. 11 (AP) Outfielder Johnny Groth, the Detroit have the most 10-year veterans, eight, and the St. Louis Browns the least, none. Dutchmen at Lebanon Valley "just because I couldn't sit still in the fall and read about football." der and major league baseball player, served as Sauer's assistant at Kansas City and at Navy. Michalske played pro football with New York and Green Bay and served as an assistant coach at IJoe DiMaggio, Feller, Appling, Dr.

Lynch told him when he ac HOWEVER, THREE of the! cepted the job: ments in Wichita, says the congress. Satchel "was the most outstanding player ever to. perform in the NBC program. "THE LANKY NEGRO made his appearance in the 1S35 national tournament before ever having a chance to play in organized baseball. "He almost won the national title single-handed for Bismarck, N.

winning all of his four games with ease. He struck out a total of 60, and still holds an all-time national tournament record for this feat. "Satchel still insists that the best team he ever played on before going to Cleveland was that Bismarck nine in 1935. "THAT en's won 107 games for the season and was defeated only once, which is an unofficial all-time record for baseball." Other players ranking high forj ugers nasny rookie last year, Bucks, Bears Set Grid Duels BERKELEY, Feb. 11 (AP) Ohio State and California, Rose Bowl rivals last have agreed upon a two-year home and home football series beginning in 1953.

Athletic Director Brutus Hamilton, who made the announcement Saturday, said the Buckeyes would come here October 3, 1953. The 1954 contest will be played in Ohio State's stadium at Columbus at a date to be set later. The Bears dropped a 17-14 decision to Ohio State in the post-season classic at Pasadena, last January 2. The two schools first met on the gridiron in the 1921 Rose Bowl game when California won, You don't have to win all your signed his 1950 contract Saturday Cleveland group, Ken Keltner, Joe Gordon and Mike Tresh, are rumored on the way out. The other five are manager Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, Al Benton, Johnny games here and you'll have a chance to see what fun football The Detroit baseball club said Eddie Lake, utility infielder, also can be." had come to terms for 1950.

Berardino and Bob Kennedy. A NATIVE OF Cheyenne, The Boston Red Sox are next That gives the American League team signed contracts from 32 of its 37 players. Still unsigned are Kerr graduated in 1900 from Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa. witl seven. Boston 10-year men are Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Lafayette College, as head coach at Iowa State, and as line coach of the Baltimore professional football club.

Other Baylor assistants are Jim Crow, assistant athletic director. Bill Henderson, Pete Jones, and Jack Wilson, all veterans of the Baylor staff. Sauer was named head coach at Baylor recently to replace Bob Woodruff, who accepted a job as athletic director and head coach at the University of Florida. the two other outfield regulars, His first coaching job was as Joe Dobson, Bobby Doerr, Walt FT; pX.f i I' rx px: fv VM I i assistant to Glenn (Pop) Warner Masterson, Buddy Rosar and Walter (Hoot) Evers and Vic Wertz. pitchers Hal Newhouser and Freddie Hutchinson, and Birdie Tebbetts.

The remaining clubs have no more than four 10-year men on their rosters. at in 1914. Then he went to Washington and Jefferson College as head coach before taking the post at Colgate. catcher Aaron Robinson. Groth, hailed early last season the last half century in semipro' 28 to 0.

Many of the. 47 10-year men ac as one of the greatest rookies ever sportsmen's club embracing the Wenden-Salome and Ehr-enberg areas has been completed. The group has not selected a name but officers are Dave Scott, Qnartzsite, president; Austin Haydis, Salome, vice-president, and Vera Steele, Salome, secretary-treasurer. About SO attended the organization meeting and the officers will be continued on a temporary basis until a decision is made on whether Salome is to establish a separate club. This decision is to be reached by the board of directors at a meeting February 21.

CHARLES DORA of Coolidge brother of Joe Dora, state GPA president, was elected president of the new Desert Sportsmen's Club, which takes in the Florence, Coo-lidge and Casa Grande area. Other officers are N. J. Knight, Casa Grande, vice-president; Melvin Witaker, Coolidge, secretary, and Charles Moody, Robert Busby. George Watson, David Davis and Leon Smith, directors.

Forty three members attended the first meeting at Coolidge. THE BUCKEYE Sportsmen's Club has changed its name to Buckeye Valley Sportsmen's Club and is going out after members in Palo Verde. Arlington or Goodyear and Liberty. Its membership campaign will be climaxed with a barbecue at the Buckeye school March 6. THE PHOENIX Rod and Gun Club will hold .45 caliber pistol team matches at 1 p.m.

Sunday, and smallbore rifle warmup matches will be on the program February 19 in preparation for the Southwestern championships February 25-26. The club has asked members to volunteer work on the clubhouse to get it in readiness for the Southwestern shoot. Sherman, Veteran Nebraska Scribe, Shouts: Hart Signs With Lions to hit the majors, began the year with a sensational showing at bat and wound up with an average just under the .300 mark. In 1916, when he finished a stint in the army, Groth was given a S30.000 bonus for signing his first Tiger contract. It, 'College Football Has Outgrown Its Britches' DETROIT, Feb.

11 (AP) Leon Hart, Notre Dame's great end, signed a three-year pro football contract with the Detroit LINCOLN, Feb. 11 (AP) chin-snapping at Sherman's blistering "college football has outgrown LUKE APPLING Charles Sumner Sherman thump its britches!" ed himselft into a chair and So, "Cy" asked, where does education come in? A boy, he declared, is supposed to be in school primarily for an education. But, in too many instances, if he is a football player he is required to Lions Saturday for a salary estimated at from $12,000 to 515,000 a season. He kept right on talking. Said he: "Under present conditions at Tommy Henrich, Enos Slaughter and Pee Wee Reese.

Following is the list of players who have spent 10 or more years "College football has outgrown its britchesl" Bo McMillin, head coach and It wasn't alone the belligerency overly concentrate on football, general manager, said he planned to use Hart at end next season. in the major leagues: AMERICAN LEAGIE (31): Cleveland (Ci Sentnn. RnuHrmn. Sherman said. Phoenix Team Tops Pin Meet TUCSON.

Feb. (AP The Hudson Tire Company team of Phoenix grabbed an early lead in the first annual Arizona State women's bowling association tournament here Saturday night. The Phoenix women bowled a series of 2652 in Class A division of the meet as team bowling was of his voice that snapped your chin up. There had been some reports the The cray-haired man with the All-America star end would be AN UNEXPECTED defeat means demands by irresponsible sharp eyes who sat beside the desk switched to a fullback spot in the pro league. was "Cy" Sherman, an almost legendary character in Nebraska and national sports circles.

And The six-foot, five-inch Hart de scribed himself as "genuinely happy" to be with the Detroit back in: his youth he was a political reporter of no mean acumen. club which already has such for he still gets around to see some of the biggest of them such as the Rose BowL In 1900 Sherman put the tag "Cornhuskers" on Nebraska football teams. They've been known as the "Cornhuskers" ever since. "Cy" wears a gold football given him by a Nebraska varsity squad of 20 years ago in recognition his act. Today "Cornhusker State" is the official nickname of Nebraska.

Sherman has the pen with which then Gov. Dvvight Griswold signed the legislative bill. LAST FALL, "CY was hailed on the football field before a Nebraska home game. He was made an honorary lifetime member of the Nebraska alumni association. In 1936 Sherman advanced the idea for the Associated Press' members national poll of top 10 college football teams, generally accepted today as designating the national champion.

An in Lincoln the Western League baseball park is "Sherman Field" in honor of his work in helping organize the present league. This then, may explain the, His love for college football is known frpm coast to coast. So was, and is, the fierce way he tiie stuue niieie iuui- ball is played football seems to be the first consideration. "THE AVERAGE boy who plays football is expected to report two to four weeks before the season starts. Then comes the regular season.

Then there are bowl games all over the country. And where a team qualifies for a bowl game a boy is compelled to add a month of more to the season. "Then again there is spring practice and in some instances freshman are called out for indoor practice in January. Outdoor spring practice follows, and there is only a slight let-down for the rest of the school year. "And again, often the boys are asked to take a football home with them during summer vacation.

To practice ball handling, passing, punting or some form of practice that involves thinking football," Sherman chopped away with his words. Keltner. Gordon. Kennedy. Berartlino.

Keller. Boston (7 Williams. Dom DiMazcio. Doerr, Rosar, Dobson. Masterson, Tebbetts.

Washington f4 Sid Evans. Buddy Lewis, Joe HajT.es. Detroit 4i Hal Newhouser. Dizzy Trout. Charlie Keller.

Bob Swift. New York t3 Joe Di.Maegio, Henrich. Johnny Mize. Philadelphia f3 Barney McCosky. Sam Chapman.

Waiiy Moses. Chicago (2 Appling. Phil Masi. ATIONAF, LEAGCE (16': Philadelphia 3 Eddie Sillier. Ken Heintzelman.

Bill Nichr.lson. NEW YORK (3. Ray Mueller. Kirby Hiebe. Chicago i3 Dutch Leonard, Phil Cav-arretta.

Johnnv Vanripr Meer. Pittsburgh 2 Johnny Hopp. Harry Gumbert. St. Louis (2 Martin Marion.

SlauEh-ter. Cincinnati 41 Nelson Potter. Boston Bob Elliott. Brooklyn (1) Reese. mer ISotre Dame stars as Johnny Panelli and Frank Tripucka on its roster.

"Wherever Mr. McMiUin elects for me to play, that is the spot I want to win on the team," Hart said. Formal signing of the big end ended several weeks of between the Detroit club and Hart. or overzealous alumni for a new coach," said Sherman. "There was flagrant evidence of this last year.

I recall a coach who had served at a school for many years. His teams had gained national recognition. Last year his team hit an unexpected defeat, then a second defeat and immediately a clamor was given recognition that he was a 'back number' and would have to go. "His team," grinned Sherman, "gave that a-real sock on the chin. After a subsequent win they carried their coach off the field.

"To my mind it is the alumni who insists that victory is the only important thing who are responsible for the definite evils in college football today." launched. Three other Phoenix teams placed second, third and fourth after earlv returns. Cole's Furniture had 2623: Village Drive Inn registered a 2568; and Hakliman's had a 2 3 mark. The Monte Vista Inn team of Tucson took the lead in the Class team division with a 2643 score. Vinyard Landscaping of Chandler led in Class with 2402.

Margaret Sanders of the Hudson would fight in his Lincoln Star column against anything he thought injurious to the collegiate game. FOR SI YEARS "Cy" Was sports editor of the Star. He retired in 1946. But he has been just as close a follower of the game since then as he was as a sports editor. You'd know that if you could see "Cy," approaching 79 years, march sprightly into the press box at all Nebraska home games.

And i Skeet Club To Fire Sunday Rain-Or-Shine Weather conditions won't affect the Phoenix Trap and Skeet Club's scheduled practice shooting Sunday at the Papago Park range. The club's mid-winter champion-Ship is slated next Sunday. Tire team rolled high series thus far with a 563 actual wopd score and 591 with handicap. Kay Reitz Walter Winchell will serve as master of ceremonies for the HBPA testimonial dinner this month honoring John Clark, Hialeah president. Four of the six teams in the National Hockey League list only of Tucson's Monte' Vista team hit one rookie on their rosters.

a 233 high game..