The Evening Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 49

3 isn zsv G5 n3 Baltimore, Wednesday, TJN March 6, 1957 PAGE 49 ii iy it if feH To Talk WW WT If etmn esseiis ope Sportopics Rosenbloom To See Gridder Planning Full-Time Fla. Job Vesses Hac Eyed Business Opening By Walter Taylor "He seems to be serious about Carroll Rosenbloom, president of the Colts, today said from West Palm Beach, that he quitting football," Bachmann By Paul Menton stated. pany but was hired on a full-time basis. News dispatches quoted other company officials as saying Vessels will not be given leaves to continue his football career. will meet with Billy Vessels A story in the Tulsa (Okla.) Sports Editor World last night said the Colts' retention of Weeb Ewbank as head coach to finish his two-year contract had a lot to do with Vessels' decision.

New Setup Undecided Vessels, his wife Susie and their young daughter Janie will The World said its reporter stay with the Bachmanns until they purchase a home in the had been advised on January 19, two days after the Ewbank situation was cleared up by Rosenbloom, that Billy would South Miami area. Exactly what type of work Billy will do in his new setup is not clear. He has no experience in real estate or construction work. not return to Baltimore, but later this week and try to change his mind about retiring from pro football in favor of a full-time job with a construction company in Coral Gables. News that the former Ail-American halfback from Oklahoma was quitting the Colts and the gridiron for a business opportunity was revealed earlier today.

Dr. Drury Wilson, of Cleveland, Billy's father-in-law, said Vessels left his home town last night with his family and was driving to Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami. Expected By Saturday Curtis Bachmann, buyer representative of the Mackle Company, declared from Coral Gables that he is expecting the would withhold any announce "It isn't known yet what he will do," Bachmann stated. "He really won't go to work for an other month. In the meantime, he'll get his feet on the ground in the business.

The report from Tulsa that Billy Vessels plans to quit the Colts and pro football is true. He's going to learn the home construction business in Coral Gables, make his home in Florida. He has been looking for a business opening since the middle of last season, a discouraging one for the former Oklahoma Ail-American back. The present opportunity developed during the Christmas holidays, with a firm, one of whose executives is formerly from Cleveland, and has known Billy for years. The decision to forsake football was undoubtedly influenced by Vessels' difficulties in winning a regular backfield job with the Colts last fall.

And by the retention of Weeb Ewbank as head coach. He was not happy under Ewbank, although he worked hard, produced when and where called upon, said little in criticism of the club or the coach. Hampered Early By Injuries Vessels' decision is regrettable, but not necessarily final. Many young men quit football in midwinter, return in summer. It's still five months before the Colts gather at Western Maryland College in July for another campaign.

You can be sure every effort will be made to have Billy In uniform, but his absence will not necessarily be a calamity. He hasn't yet proved he can star in the National League as he did in college and for one season in pro ranks in Canada. He didn't fail last fall. He simply didn't have the chance. Bachmann also hails from Cleveland, and has known Vessels since Billy was a lad of Vessels family Friday night or Saturdav.

about 10. Looking To Future The two engaged in a long In a prepared statement Ros vsT distance telephone conversation around Christmas and Vessels let drop the information he was ment until he had lined up a good job. According to the World, Billy was quoted as saying he couldn't play for Ewbank. Finds Fault Here "It sure wasn't like playing for Coach Bud Wilkinson (his old Oklahoma U. mentor)," he was quoted as saying.

"He (Ewbank) seemed to tear down all the values Coach Wilkinson had taught me. "I know he tried to do what he thought was best for the team, and I am sure he thought he was being fair with me. But I just didn't like the setup." Vessels was the club's and Weeb's pet problem and managed to play only one year for the Colts, although as the Heis-man Trophy winner of 1952 he was their No. 1 draft choice in 1953. Played In Canada However, he signed with Edmonton and played Canadian football during 1953, earning recognition in the Western In- looking for a good business op enbloom said: "If it is true that Billy Vessels is retiring from football, I am sure he will be missed in Baltimore.

He is an outstanding halfback, true, but one player doesn't make a championship team. Would Be Sorry "If this report about his re portunity that would provide him a future. Three weeks ago Billy visited Coral Gables for an interview that resulted in his hiring. The Mackle Company is op erated by three brothers Frank, Robert and Elliott tiring is substantiated, we will be deeply sorry. When Billy arrives in Florida, I will have a talk with him.

Mackle and has specialized in TITO FRANCONA Sunpapers photo DiPaola He was hampered by injuries and not ready physically until "I regret Billy did not meet home building in the Miami and South Miami area for more than 50 years, Bachmann said. with me first if he is planning to retire. Unless he has exceptional reasons for wanting to Both Dr. Wilson and Bach mann seem rather certain Vessels has scored his last terprovincial Union as "Player of the Year." Tito, outfielder-first baseman, .258 last year, to bat cleanup in Birds' opener Francona Gets Cleanup Spot For Oriole Exhibition Tilts the season was well under way. Then Ewbank felt it unwise to break up his offensive backfield.

So Billy was used sparingly on offense and defense, except in the rout of Los Angeles. There he looked like the Vessels of Oklahoma as the Colts looked like the champions of the National League. Long, Difficult Grid Season give up football, I will try to persuade him it will be to his best advantage to return to the Colts. Then followed two years in "I can't give the final answer the Army during which he fur on that," said Dr. Wilson.

"I "It Is my opinion that because know what they plan to do, thered his grid status until an injury slowed him down. He finally last winter signed to play of his troublesome leg Injuries he did not have as satisfactory There could be a change, but I Billy had been practically out of football for two years with the Colts. doubt it." a year as he could have had. I was in hope he would return in By James Ellis produce nine homers in 139 when he joined the Colts last summer. He agreed he had done little hard work with the army teams.

1957 and have the kind of sea Scottsdale, March 6 spite a pulled thigh muscle, he Mason-Dixon Basketball son he is capable of having. found he should have stood in Tito Francona, hero of the games. That was a big handicap in his first season in the tough National League, particularly for a player with Vessels' All- "I learned some lessons," says Playing Wiser Course "Certainly it would be to his the Aliquippa (Pa.) big boy. bed. He walked five, wild-pitched twice, and was cuffed for five hits while yielding five runs in two frames, Orioles' adventures in the Cactus League a year ago, will bat in the cleanup position when the Flock undertakes a 34-game American and All-Canadian reputation "With a 1 year at looking at benefit if he were to have a top career in pro football and I felt in mid-summer that Billy would need most of the curves and changeups, I'm hoping now to do better.

then enter another enterprise exhibition slate Saturday against 'Team To Beat' Tag Placed On bounties Businesswise that would be '56 season to regain his old competitive form, adjust himself to the rougher, stepped-up pace of pro football in the United the Chicago Cubs, in near-by Short Pickups much better. Mesa. "Billy knows me well enough From Scottsdale States. Manager Paul Richards named to realize I would be the first to "I also feel rested up from winter ball. They weren't drawing too well in Cuba and let several of us go down there, you know, two months ago." The opening-game lineup: After injuries badly retarded his training, I was certain Southpaw Hurler Don Fer- the husky 23-year-old big-league advise him to take the job in the rarese has joined the sick list, construction business if the op portunity were for his best in By Murray Wieman suffering from nausea and swol of it.

Therefore, I wasn't concerned when Billy was used spar ingly as the season advanced. That there were plenty of oppor tunities to use him is unquestioned. sophomore to the vital No. 4 spot today as he announced an opening-day lineup loaded with youngsters. terests and offered outstanding len glands believed due to sun.

Mount St. Mary's was the only team to follow form to the letter Name. Pos. 1956 Club. Avg.

Len. Green, cf, Columbus, .318 advantages. Trainer Doc Weidner now Coach Jim Phelan's Mountaineers handled Johns Hopkins last night with the ease and skill expected as the young mentor Bob Caffery, 2b, San Antonio 270 It is probably the understatement of the year to say Billy as the Mason-Dixon Conference basketball tournament got under "The only thing we can do now is wait to meet with Billy Br. Robinson, 3b, San .272 and .227 thinks Pitcher Art Ceccarelli's pulled tendon will keep him in was disappointed. He went through a long, difficult, discourag Lone Bird Regular Francona, in fact, is the only cleared his bench to take noma way, so the league-season victors Tito Francona.

lb. .258 activated two weeks. Connie and talk with him. I know little about this retirement report. I remain the team to beat as they ing season, the like of which he probably never dreamed was possible during his years at Oklahoma.

Football players there Carl Powis, rf, San Antonio 330 Bob Nelson, If, Baltimore 206 Ron Hansen, ss, Stockton 289 enter the semi-finals tonight. an 86-59 first-round triumph. Loyola, league-season runnerup, had a hard time of it defeating hope it is premature and un Johnson, the pitcher wearing a knee brace, used Don Larsen's "no windup" delivery yesterday The Mounties face Baltimore know few bad quarters, much less a bad game. And as for a founded. Billy better have good reasons for wanting to retire.

U. at 7.30 o'clock at Evergreen, American U. in lst night's finale, 65-63. and twirled two innings of shut Bird regular in the starting cast. He'll play first base, where he started out last spring before Richards decided to make a right fielder out of the onetime Scranton footballer in order to get more firepower in the batting order.

out ball. Werley also used a We want him back in Baltimore but won't know his plans until poor season, it's unthinkable. Must Still Have Confidence while tourney host Loyola tangles with Hampden-Sydney at approximately 9.30 o'clock. modified version of it, but ex Eagles Hung On The Greyhounds were never we talk with him. That will prob plains: "I was just trying to do ably be later this week." something to find my Broadcaster Ernie Harwell headed, but were dogged by the Eagles right down to the final buzzer.

If the form is followed Thus Billy has left a job here that's unfinished. If the urge to excel in pro ball as in college is still strong within him, Hired Full Time Bachmann and Tom Ferris, i Although Tito is considered a joined the Bird retinue at the public-relations director of the Safari yesterday, flying out from he'll be back, regardless of who is coach Baltimore. Bob Hale was tonight, there will be a repetition of finalists that have prevailed the last three years. more competent first baseman than flychaser he'll probably return to right field when Bob Mackle Company, said they did not know what would happen if Vessels requested a leave of sent in to "pinch-hit" yesterday A year ago he had that urge. He accepted a contract from the Colts which allowed him to be cut just like any other five times, and finally hit safely Boyd's elbow gets strong enough absence from his new position a double his last time up.

Ralpji Lairmore, Texas .245 Green is one of the fastest men in camp. This energetic 161-pounder stole 17 bases for Skeeter Newsome's Columbus club last season, in addition to leading the Sally League in hitting. He also can really go get 'em in the siacious center pasture. Lairmore Moves Up Tabbed as a bright future hope, Lennie is now assigned to the Vancouver roster, along with Hansen, the lanky kid shortstop. Lairmort is being moved up from Class ball to Double-A San Antonio.

The other five starters for Saturday are on the parent Bird rolls. Any resemblance to this lineup and the one that opens the player. He could have negotiated an uncancellable one. to permit extended duty. i Hansen got two singles, but was to play football.

They emphasized he has Francona has been slapping rested after limping from a rup tured bursa of ankle. signed no contract with the com- practice pitches through the If his experiences of '56 have shaken his confidence and the business world looks more promising, then there's little to be gained by trying to bring him back. Pro football Is a wild blue yonder with the same smooth power he exhibited last National Basketball bruising business where that overused word "desire" is as para mount to success as in college. spring. Tito Clouts Ball His meteoric 1956 nudgings, A confident, determined Vessels can help the Colts, but If they have to lose him, there at least is the satisfaction that the loss comes where the club is strongest, the offensive Loyola partisans hope the similarity ends there.

The Mounties have been victorious all three times and are seeking an unprecedented fourth straight Mason-Dixon championship. Tigers Well Balanced The host Greyhounds would appear to have no soft touch in Hampden-Sydney. The Tigers showed a well-balanced outfit in drubbing third-seeded Roanoke in the opening round, 76-56. Had the draw resulted differently, Baltimore U. might hava hopes of landing in the finale, but the Bees will be an underdog to the conquering Mountaineers.

Baltimore, paced by George Welsh, has been coming on strong at the finish. Welsh poured through 34 points for Coach Ed Elliott's quint last night to be high man during the 6Vi-hour marathon 'Frisco Dons Seek 3d N.C.A.A. Title backfield. pennant grind on April 15 will in case vou've forgotten totalled eight homers, one triple, four doubles, 26 hits and 21 runs. He averaged .347 and drove in 25 tallies to feature a lusterless record in which the much-juggled Richardsmen lost 21 out of 31 preseason starts.

be slight. If not infinitesimal Wrestling The idea now is to experiment here by trial and error while the games cost nothing in the By John Chandler standings. New York, March 6 (iP) The It was a different story during the regular campaign. He swat Powis Making Bid University of San Francisco, N.CA.A. basketball champion Sooners Hodge Owns 7 -Year Victory Skein ted .258 with 57 r.b.i.'s, not bad for a rookie, while managing to Robinson, though, is a virtual cinch to stick with the cutdown for the last two years, had a to 28 in mid-April, as an under study to George Kell.

Francona and bonus-baby Nelson also chance today to try for an unprecedented third straight as the last of the major college tournament contenders were joining the lineup. have it "made," and the rock control, and falls are awarded Bird Tilts Oh TV ribbed Powis is making a grimly- on an instant brush of the shoul ders across the mat. determined bid to crack into the Hodge is aiming for the San Francisco trimmed St. varsity along with Caffery. Richards will name his pitch ers later.

He expects to use N.C.A.A. wrestling meet, at Pittsburgh, March 29-30, where he can win his third straight Mary's, 62-41, last night to capture the California Basketball Association title, while St. Louis at least three of them for three innings (or less) apiece. national title. University and Lafayette joined Standout Student the N.C.A.A.

tourney field without firing a shot. The birds have two week-end tilts with the Cubs, whom they will meet 18 times this spring. Wrestling isn't the only thing in which Hodge excells. Grades Has Two Chances The Kansas Jayhawks also They'll also joust the Giants, based at Phoenix, eight times; the Indians, encamped at Tuc just released at Oklahoma U. show he leads all of the Sooner Following are the Oriole baseball games to be televised during the 1957 season: Dal Gam Ch.

April 15 Baltimore at Washington. 13 April 18 Balto. at Wash. (Nl 13 April 21 Baltimore at Washington. 2 April 28 Washington at Baltimore.

11 May 3 Balto, at Cleveland 11 May 4 Balto. at Detroit (Nl 13 May 5 Baltimore at Detroit. 2 May a Balto, at Kansas City (N). 2 May 12 New York at 13 May 16 Cleveland at Balto. N.

11 May 19 Kansas City at Baltimore. 11 May 24 Boston at Baltimore 13 May 26 Boston at 13 May 27 Balto. at Washington (N). 2 May 30 Baltimore at Boston. ..13 May 31 Balto.

at New York (N). 13 June 1 Baltimore at Npw York 11 June 2 Baltimore at New York 13 June 5 Balto. at Kansas City (N). 2 can qualify by defeating Kansas State tonight in a Big Seven the winner of the Syracuse-Connecticut N.C.A.A. tourney game at New York, March.

12. A short time later the National Invitation Tournament named Temple (18-7) as the tenth team in the N.I.T. scramble beginning March 16 at Madison Square Garden. The Ivy League title also is near solution, with Yale at Pennsylvania tonight. Yale leads the loop, 10-2, and can clinch a tie by defeating Penn and win the crown by defeating impotent Harvard on Saturday.

Dartmouth (9-3) plays Harvard tomorrow and Cornell Saturday. Billikens At Dallas St. Louis plays its first game in the N.CA.A. West Regional tourney at Dallas, March 15. meeting the winner of the March 12 game at Oklahoma City between Loyola of New Orleans and Oklahoma City University.

Utah, runner-up to Brigham Young in the Skyline Conference, and Bradley appear favorites to fill the last two spots in the National Invitation, but Du-quesne and St. Joseph's (Pa.) are still In the running. Mounts Vs. N. Carolina There was plenty of action, meanwhile, in the first round of the N.CA.A.'s small college playoffs.

Winners will meet in the second round Saturday, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and athletes in the classroom, even though he missed several weeks Conference battle at Manhattan, Kan. Should, Kansas State pull because of the Olympics. He has a 3.33 grade point av an upset, Kansas still could clinch honors by beating Colorado Saturday. son, six. i Cincinnati, only other team on the slate, will furnish the opposition twice, in Baltimore.

Shetrone In Limelight Barry Shetrone, whiz kid from Southern High School, took the spotlight here yesterday by col A 1 erage, getting all A ana a while majoring in industrial Wichita handed the Missouri education and philosophy. He is Norman, March 6 () Oklahoma's national champion football team has an amazing record of 40 straight victories, but there is an even more spectacular athletic accomplishment at the school that few know about. It is being compiled by Danny Hodge, the Sooners; 177-pound senior wrestler, who hasn't lost a bout in seven years of American style grappling. 38 College Wins That period covers wrestling four years at the Perry (Okla) High School and three years on the varsity at Oklahoma. His college record is 38 straight go-lng into the Big Seven conference tourney here this week end.

This year, Hodge has attained his peak, winning all eight of his matches by falls to run his string of pins to 16 consecutive against collegiate opponents. And he doesn't waste any time, polishing off his last six opponents 'in 9 minutes and 19 seconds. Olympic Contestant Hodge was a member of the United States Olympic wrestling team and, like all Uncle Sam's grapplers, was placed at a great disadvantage in competing under Olympic rules. National Collegiate Athletic Association and high school the American June 7 Baltimore at Chicago IN). 11 married and has a daughter and Valley Conference title to the St.

Louis Billikens last night by downing second-place Bradley, 99-91, on a 33-point scoring ram June 9 Baltimore at June 11 Balto. at Detroit (N) June 14 Balto. at Cleveland (N) June 16 Baltimore at Cleevland. June 19 Chicago at Balto. June 23 Detroit at Baltimore June 28 Cleveland at Balto.

(Nl. June 30 Cleveland at lecting three hits and driving in a pair of runs as the Cats clawed the Hares, 8-5, in an son. Gonzales Tops Rosewall page by little Joe Stevens. Oklahoma M. meets the Billikens error-filled yannigan melee.

Shetrone pleased Richards July 4 Washington at Baltimore. 13 July 9 Baltimore at Boston (N). 13 July 7 Baltimore at Boston 2 most by clonking down a per tonight at St. Louis, but the contest has lost much of its glitter. Kansas City.

March 6 (JPy feet bunt, on which the pro July 11 Balto. at Cleveland (N) 13 12 Raltn. at Cleveland 2 involving eight teams. His hooks, set shots and rebounding provided the fight necessary for the Bees to upset Catholic 96-76. Mounties Coasted He should provide a fit opponent for Mount St.

Mary's Jack Sullivan in a scoring duel tonight Neither Sully nor the Mounts were hard pressed for their 86-59 triumph over Johns Hopkins. Sullivan was taken out of the game midway in the final half and rested because the Mounties figure to have three more games this week tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, in the NCAA, college-division second round. Loyola Pair Missed It was up to Paul Dodd, left-handed forward, to put some starch in the Greyhounds cage fortunes, sagging because of lack of personnel. Gene Grimes, eligibility victim, and Denny McGuire, with his left elbow in i cast, were sorely missed by Loyola Coach Lefty Rettt Tomorrow night's finale is slated for 8.45 o'clock. Pro tennis champion Pancho July 14 Baltimore at Detroit 2 fessor has tutored long and San Francisco win play in the nnnzales once aeain demon July 18 Balto.

at Chicago (N) 11 July 21 Baltimore at Kansas City 11 July 24 Detroit at Balto. (N) 11 strated his superiority over Aus SB hard. Up from a .294 debut 42 games) in Class ranks, Barry is temporarily catalogued with Western Regional tournament at Corvallis. March 15-16, meeting the winner of the March tralia's Kpn Rospwaii last mem defeating the Aussie, 6-3, 3-6 Vancouver. Causey Finds Range Th vlrtorv was Gonzales's July 28 Chicago at Baltimore 2 July 31 Cleveland at Balto.

(N) 2 Aug. 4 Kansas City at Baltimore 13 Aug. 9 New York at Balto. 2 Aug. 11 New York at Baltimore 2 Aug.

13 Balto. at Washington (N). 13 Aug. 18 Balto. at New York (NL.

13 Aug. 18 Baltimore at New 13 Aug. 20 Balto. at Detroit (Nl II Aug. 25 Baltimore at Chicago 13 Aug.

27 Balto. at Cleveland 13 Aug. 28 Balto. at Cleveland (N). 11 lvth straight and ran his mar finals at Evansville, March Bonus-boy Wayne Causey also found the range yesterday for gin over Rosewall on their cross 13-15.

St. Michael's of Winooski, Vt, downed Amherst. 80-63. and a two-run triple and a single, country tour to 17-7. xney piay next at St.

Louis tomorrow 11 game at Pocatello, Idaho, between Idaho State and Texas Western. Lafayette Named Lafayette was chosen, by a Middle Atlantic Conference committee to play in the N.CAA. Eastern Regional tourney at Philadelphia. March 15-16. The Leopards were selected over Temple because of their better overall record (22-3) and meets Sept.

1 Boston at Baltimore 2 while Robinson, although erring on a routine throw, rapped home two tallies with a clean shot ReDt. New York at Baltimore night. In a preliminary match Sept. 8 Balto. at Boston (N).

plays Rider (N.J.) in the second round at Burlington, Vt. Rider won a 63-61 thriller over Drexel 5Dt. 8 Baltimore at Boston to center. catch-as-catch-can style, where Tech on Freshman Jack Mad Main victim of the sultry af Pancho Segura defeated Dinny Pails, 8-4. Pails and Rosewall dpfeated.

8-6. by Gonzales Sept. 12 Kansas City at Balto (N) 13 Sept. 15 Cleveland at Baltimore. 13 Sept.

18 Chicago at Balto. (Nl 2 Sent. 22 Washington at Baltimore 2 Sept. 29 Baltimore at Washington 11 points are amassed, unaer me nivmnin frp stve. no points are ternoon was young George Wer den 20-foot jump shot just as GEORGE WELSH High man unth 34 points Hey.

Getting back in action de Itne game ended. and Segura in a doubles matcn, lr uenotea nieni gam. warded, no credit is given for.