Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • Page 45

Point Itlank By Don Bryant ColuuM ffiKWj The slow itart of the New York Yankees must, indeed, D9 serious. Most Yankee lovers aie relaxed, content to let nature (and Casey Stengel) take its course--which inevitably is the American Leagua pennant. True, things haven't gone exceedingly well for the Bombers in the very early part of the 1959 season. But I never dreamed the situation was as serious as it really is. Lincoln's No.

1 Yankee--he probably has no peer anywhere in this department--Sir Ambrose Alexander is alarmed and this means the Bronx Boys are in hot water. "I'm going down to Kansas City May 5-6 to see the Yankees," Ambrose says. "I think Stengel can use some advice." Take it, Case, old boy! Take iU Slow Down, Gang It has been duly reported that Bill Jennings are having a spring football practice to end all such sessions- one of the best blood-lettings in modern NU history. Fine and dandy, say and keep up the good work. But pardon me for casting a drop or two of cold water on the faithful who are talking about an invincible powerhouse next fall.

In case you've forgotten there is the matter of a better than average (putting it mildly) schedule which includes Texas, Indiana, Minnesota and Oregon State along with the regular--and improving--Big 8 list. Darrell Royal, whose Texas Longhorns are slated to open the 1959 Memorial Stadium program, offers a sobering observation as an afterthought to the Dallas gang's spring practice. "We were satisfied in a way--We've got a little more speed than we have had," says RoyaL Low Blow This is hardly the report I had hoped for, considering the fact that the Longhorns last year--and most of the 1958 squad returns--whistled past the likes of Oklahoma and Texas AM enroute to a fine 7-3 season. A quartet of sophomores--bad news always comes in bunches--supply the encouragement for Royal et al. They include two quarterbacks, James Saxton'and Mike Cotton, and a pair of halfbacks, David Russell and Jack Collins.

One more happy thought and we're done: Cotton and Collins not only can fly--they hit 190-plus on the Toledoes. With all this in mind, you can see why the Huskers are working so hard this spring. There's a king-sized job ahead come leaf-dropping time. Like I said, boys, keep up the good work. LINCOLN SC.VPAT JOURNAL AHP 3D 1 Lincoln Often 'Weak Sister' in Leagues Jini iniifin IPO tf A 1 I ml- rl i.

11. tr Lincoln Figured Big In Career of Hudkins Lincoln has never fought a 10-round battle with a nationally known boxer, although the Capital City fig- tires prominently in the reer of Ace Hudkins. ca- Born in Valparaiso, Hud- Young Corbeit prior to meeting Walker for the crown in 1928. The bout was booked for the old city auditorium, but Continued from Page ID. ing many times, not because of an impressive baseball rec ord, but because it was in a geographical location that ap pealed to league planners.

In pre-World War II days, Lin coin was important to the Western League because it af forded a stop-off place foi teams traveling between Des Moines and Denver, for example. During its 50 years in base- jail, Lincoln has been represented in the Western League 30 years, the Western Association--forerunner the modern American Association--5 years and the Nebraska State League 15 years. Lincoln teams have run the jamut of nicknames the Tree-Planters and Ducklings, the Cornhuskers--Sioux City's nickname in 1890--the Ster- ings, the Greenbackers, the Tigers, the Links, the Athletics and the Chiefs. There have -been 5 pennants von by Lincoln teams--1895 in he Western Association, 1923 in the Nebraska State League and 1949-56-57 in the modern Western League. Almost as numerous are the arks in which Lincoln games lave been played Durfee ark (1886), Athletic a 1887-88), Association Park 1890), Farmers and Mer- hants Park (1891-1905), Lin- oln Park (1892), Street ark (1906-1918) Landis Field 1922) and Sherman Field 1947 until present.) Sunday Ball Games were also held at Capitol Beach during the ear- days when baseball was anned here on Sunday.

treet Park promoters would oad up chairs, cushions and --Finnarty's pig has swallered der Another highlight of the 1886 season was a grudge game at Omaha in August. After much whipping up of spirit "People who want to see a game of ball. can see it in Omaha It isn't quite so good a town as Lincoln, but there's more fun to be trainload of Lincoln fans made the Sunday trip for $2 round trip. Things didn't go smoothly at all. The Omaha Union Pacific game stand at the Kansas, sodalion franchise to Lincoln capital city.

The pennant was to be de- where it stayed, while weathering several severe financial cided there. And it was. Tope- crises including a reorgani- 'zation i saw Lincoln ka beat Lincoln 5 consecutive games by scores of 11-7, 22-0, 15-2, 21-2 and 16-5, with the final game being rained out. Few Questions "It was found necessary to bring the club back to (Lincoln) before formally i banding for the season," a newspaper story said. "It is understood that the members Street Railway Co.

President F. W. Little buy half interest, until Aug. 21 of 1891. A league hassle resulted In Milwaukee being kicked out and either Minneapolis or Lincoln had to be dumped to balance things out.

Rowe -who was to get the blame and apparently with justification OLD-TIMERS POSE--The crowds were sparse as the Lincoln Cleaning and Dye Works team posed for this photograph before the ball game in 1913, but they came out in droves later on. This team won the city championship and other honors. earn wanted to use its own umpire and refused to play vhen the Lincoln club vetoed the idea. But the crowd of other necessities on Saturday 25 00 fans refused to accept nirrnr onrt Thorn a refund and insisted on seeing a game, so a Leavenworth player was drafted to umpire. Omaha Manager Kay was so mad accordance with Omaha's usual that he promptly announced that "owing to the fact that night and cart them by wagon to Capitol Beach so that the Sunday could go on as scheduled.

In the early 1920s, Lincoln voters finally approved Sunday baseball. Lincoln baseball actually got its start during the same that the game gained initial popularity the Civil War. From camp games, players and specta- kins lived in Lincoln many the day before the match the tors read out over the coun ancient building burned to the i tr as a stles of what was to become the No. 1 sports years and often was listed from here in reports of his fights in the East. He" was one of the greats as a welterweight and had a championship fight with Mickey Walker, losing over the full 10- round route.

Hudkins figured in one of the limited number of successful pro boxing shows ever presented in Lincoln. Promoted by Charles Moon, Hudkins ground. NU Hosted After much discussion the University of Nebraska, with Board of Regents' approval activity of the United States. of the syndicate want to ask a few questions about the Topeka games." "Pop" Shafer's injury was claimed by the players as the reason for their collapse and nothing ever came out of the investigation. J.

A. Keith managed Lincoln in the Western League in 1888, but the club folded on May 29 after an explosive league meeting at Leaven- they hadn't got the umpire'worth. It was reported that they wanted, all'bets had been "several long and dangerous declared off." i knives were unsheathed" and Kay showed great foresight, the Lincoln's Keith was- a since Lincoln drubbed handy man with his weapon: Omaha team, 13-0. I 1 VI. i An attempt was made that form a league in this area in 1885-- an offshoot of the North- The longest and largest tremendous i was pro truding from club the following year and the bootleg of Mr Keith He few "'G uuuiicg Hi aiii finished second the Western, drew it across his heel Leaven Kroll Cops Golf Lead 2-Strolie Margin Into Final Round Fort Worth.

Tex. GP) War veteran Ted Kroll fought his way into the lead in the $27,300 Colonial National Invitation Golf Tournament Saturday with a stretch run 4- under-par 32 on the final 9,1 besting struggling i Hebert by two strokes. The Purple Heart winner from Sarasota, came home with a one-over-par 71 as Hebert soared to an 8-over- par 78 under the pressure and, tournament for Southeastern Nebraska honors keeps the allowed the Hudkins-Corbett! match to be presented at the then new NU Coliseum. That countered the policy of "no professionals allowed" for the Husker plant and is a rare exception in the rule, which is still in force. More than 6,000 fans saw the bout.

Others who performed here include heavyweights Bearcat Wright and Neal Clisby. The Oliver Theater was site of many fights. It was located at 13th and P. The Street park, Landis Field and the State a i grounds hosted other shows. For the most part the 1 crowds were not exceptional in size or enthusiasm and the sport never "caught on" in the Capital City.

Last Ventures A post World War II pro show or two at the a i r- grounds, involving Lou Nova and, later, Don Lee, marked the last pro boxing ventures in Lincoln. An annual Golden Gloves! League but Lincoln did not figure in this birth of the Western League. But the following year, Harry Durfee met with Western officials at Leavenworth, Kansas on Apr. 1 and secured a franchise for Lincoln. Other members of the league were Leavenworth, Topeka, St.

Joe, Denver and Lead- Mile, Colo. Some 1.200 to 1,500 fans were on hand April 12, 1886, to see the natty Lincoln team meet Denver at Durfee Park, the first professional baseball game in the Capital City. It is recorded that the Lincoln team wore gray uniforms i brown caps, belts and stockings, i the Denver club "were striking figures" in yellow uniforms, Nellie Fox worth, Kansas City, Hastings, times, felt of the edge carefully and then proceeded to carve off the scalp locks belonging to McClintock. manager of the Denver club." Another highlight of a season occurred on Apr. 30 when players "Case and Moore stopped a runaway team on 0 Street after the horses had made and ugly dash The year 1888 saw the Lincoln team debut in new uniforms, "without a doubt the prettiest ever seen in the West," identical with those worn by the St.

Louis Brown Stockings bright blue pants, shirts and caps with wine --offered to consolidate the Lincoln club to Minneapolis. Western Association finished that season with just 4 teams and in 1892 Lincoln had a brief fling with the newly-formed Nebraska a League. But by May 14 the club was on the rocks and Kearney took the franchise, only to get stuck with a pathetic league situation. In August the league finally died when the final two surviving teams went under. Lincoln waited until 1906 to return to organized baseball, but the intervening years were not idle.

There was a tremendous growth in amateur baseball around the turn of the seeds i forth the top flight city league teams of the 1920s and 1930s, boasting such memorable clubs as Lincoln Cleaning and Dye, Gooch's, Globe Laundry and others. Famous Men And those amateur players of the 1920s and 1930s will always be remembered--Con Healy, a Cunningham, Deke Myers, Carl Myers, Doc Barrett, John Sitzman and more. wo fabled barnstorming teams also captured the fancy of Lincoln fans during those early years--Green's Nebras- the century and sown then were Lincoln returned to organized baseball as a member of the Western League. Holmes was to play a featured role in Lincoln baseball until 1909 and again in 1916 and 1917. But it was his 1906 team that boasted the pitcher who was to become infamous as a principle figure in the notorious Chicago Black Sox scandal--Ed Cicotte.

Holmes was responsible for Cicotte's move to Chicago. A former White Sox when he came to Lincoln, Holmes' services were demanded by the Chicago club. But he refused to report and in a compromise settlement he offered the Sox the pick of the Lincoln club in exchange for his outright release. Great Pitcher Chicago accepted his terms --and selected Cicotte, who was to become a great pitcher before the scandal ruined his career. Dispain and Stoner over the Lincoln club midway through the 1909 season and Dispain promised the local fans that the last-place club would not finish 8th.

He made good on the promise-Lincoln finished 7th but it took a monumental record, which still stands today, to turn the trick. Lincoln registered 6 consecutive shutouts in September to emerge from the cellar. Lincoln remained in the Western League through the 1917 season, but in January 1918 the Street Park burned --killing the groundskeeper's wife and two children. Charles Moon, later state athletic commissioner, renovated the park and used it for amateur and semi-pro activity, but organized baseball was again absent until 1922. Prior to the 1922 season, Moon and the Beltzer brothers pooled resources and i perfectly, but the a league clubs paid piddling sums for players In those days and there just wasn't enough money coming in to insure survival," according to Bernie Rothenberger, former Beatrice NSL official.

The arrival of the 1930s also brought Bob Russell to Lincoln from York where he had been president of the NSL entry. Out Of Red Russell became president ot the league for two reasons, he jokingly says today first was to get the clubs out of the red, the second was to get myself out of baseball after doing the first." It was a Russell idea that brought about a minor league inovation which stirred baseball circles to anger and Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis (Landis Field a named for him.) In an effort to secure major league help for his Nebraska State League, Russell beseeched Cleveland and Detroit without much success. He then appealed to Branch Rickey then masterminding the great St. Louis Cardinal empire, the Cardinals and suggested take over the Landis Field located on West beyond the Burlington, rail yards with an eye toward a Western League franchise. But instead Lincoln entered the Nebraska State League, finishing second and winning the pennant the next season.

Howard Wakefield father of latter day stars, Dick and Bob operated the club for a short while in 1924, but Larry Arnold of Los Angeles took over the franchise and installed Josh Clarke broth- entire League. "Mr. Rickey said, Landis won't like Russell recalls. "But I told him there was no rule against such a thing." The deal was finally arranged with St. Louis paying each club in the league a fixed sum for the right of picking as many or as few players as it desired each year.

League teams could sell players to other major league a providing Rickey er of Hall Clarke as of Famer, manager Ed and brown trim and stockings. It ka Indians and Scotty Dye's also the year Carey and Barwick became the first concessionaires, selling score cards, cushions and lemonade. Ladies received a free red and yellow striped caps, Denver, Omaha, Topeka and cushion with every 25 cent red belts and stockings. Homer Hitter Perry Werden was the first Lincolnite to become famous for his home run prowess-a feat which much later was to make idols of such mod- St. Joe.

But there were indications that the Chicago Black Sox didn't have a corner on the game-tossing a Lincoln had at one time won 16 consecutive games and all terrific wind. Today when the final round opens Kroll will start out with 210 for 54 holes while Hebert has 212. It was a day of skyrocketing scores as winds of 28 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 swept tiie a Colonial Club course. The great Ben Hogan, who was bidding for the championship with 136 for 36 holes, faltered to a 7-over-par 77 and dropped 3 strokes off the pace. sport alive here.

But this pro- suffered at the motion has gate, too. ern sluggers as Lou Limmer the- players hit over .300, and Dick Stuart when i George (Pop) Shafer hit a two-run homer in the ho claimed to be over 60 9th inning to give Lincoln its years old--leading at .466. opening victory, 8-6. When league squabbles and Perhaps colorful withdrawals forced drastic events happened that first action, it was decided that ticket. Pattern Set During these early years the pattern for league squabbles, which were to continue until the present time, took root.

After Lincoln dropped out of the Western League in 1888, there was no organized baseball until 1890 when the Lincoln Giants an all Negro team played at Association Park. This group, however, broke It was shifted from the than in any year since. could save money by up when salaries didn't come grounds Pershing Audito-1 with an eye to the gate, playing the rest of its games as promised. But in August rmm in 1959, but the change Durfee quickly improved the the road. Only one game a Rowe who a nrnriiir-pH nniv a an par screen of the behind the first place Topeka staned herein 1886 --brought 67.fi/fiS--2l2 69 fi" 211 211 i a i a i a Fla i La a Fort Whither.

Calif 7070-73 El I'aso. Tex 72-6Q-73-2M i i Odessa. Tex 7.1-1,07.1--215 D. a a Denver, Colo E. Vos--Ier, Midland.

Tex. C. A. Palmer. l.iKOnier, P.i.

DifkniMin. Panama Citv Be.ich. Fla Johnston, Piovo. Utah B. M.i\well.

Odessa, Tex S. Leonard, Vancouver, Canada F. Haas. New Orleans, La. APPlc Vallev.

Calif. D. Ftnslerwald, Tequcsta, P.a. produced only a a increase in attendance. Capital City have, spots in the Chicago Gloves Tournament.

Golden Glove boxers in some cases, earned 72 68 75 215 73-70-73--216 70-fi)-77-- 216 73-74-1)9--216 7(1 71 75-216 u'J 75-73-217 74-71-72--217 i5-2-! 21B 71-7-1-73--218 74-70-74--218 219 Sanford. Fla. 71-72-76-219 J. Hebert, IMftvcr South Africa 111. G.

naver. GlrnMiKlw. G. Middlccoff. Hollvwnod.

F1-. B. yelwn. Roanoke, Tex 4-71-74--219 71-74-75-220 .6 Si.7t.-22; Uko. B.

a i noaiimont.Tox. 71-7773-721 Mft or St. rMOTslurK. I. Palmer, Okld Unser Is Injured Car Hi is Wall Al Indianapolis Indianapolis Unser.

26-year-old race driver from Lakewood. was injured seriously when his race car Saturday hit a wall and caught fire during a practice run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unser, whose car went over the wall during the first lap of the 1958 500-mile race, was driving the Helse Special. He was taken to Methodist Hospital with 3rd degree burns both legs and one arm. Ho was coming out of the northwest turn when his car started wobbling a spun against, a concrete i i wall, i i it broadside.

The a caiujht fire, then across the track and hit the outside wall. grandstand, fences the base lines, a canvas awning. Gov. Dawes and Attorney General Leese were spectators a sportswriter continually criticized the people for not supporting the team, even suggesting that employers give employes half-days off in order to go to the ball park two players--Rooks and Van Dyke--were blacklisted gambling was the accepted practice and odds were duly reported the first Ladies Day was July 2 on June 3 it was announced that carriages would be charged 25 cents to park street cars were reserved for the ladies i questionable results, according to a June 17 story which reported "reserved cars ladies didn't work very well and the ride downtown was promiscuous as ever." Baseball in Lincoln suffered a rude jolt in July of that first year, all because of a home run. The reporter covering the game wrote: "Consternation filled every breast.

when the left fielder of the second nine shouted from enclosure whom the ball had been batted, 'Ycr'll have ter call der game, fellys team, Lincoln opened a 6- the Des Moines' Western As- Girard Indians. Both clubs were to run up sensational winning records. One of Guy Green's pitchers was Jim Corbett, a present Lincoln resident, who was billed as the only "Albino In- ian" in the county and who reportedly had a 54-1 record in one season, walking only 4 men all year. Others were Max Towle, Buck and Jim Beltzer and Dan (The Voice) Tobin. Dye, who later managed Lincoln's 1923 State League pennant winner, boasted some famous names on his "Indian" team, too.

Men like Sam Waugh, Les and Channy Mann became legends on the hayrack, horse and buggy trail. In 1906, rough and pugnacious William (Ducky) Holmes appeared on the scene and future Yankee star Tony Lazzeri on second base. After two 8th place finishes, Arnold -who always claimed he got only a "red sweater with a white on it for Dutch Zwilling, present New York Yankee scout, as manager and Lincoln finished 6th. In Cellar Dick Breen, fronting for an out-of-town syndicate, teamed with Dr. John La van, manager, but Lincoln again wound up in the cellar.

Next on the scene was Bob Robinson who was to play a large role in Lincoln baseball in the late 1920s and early 1930s. But there is a more interesting story about these years than must the operation of the Lincoln club. In 1928 Jim Beltzer became president of the Nebraska State League and came forth with "Beltzer Plan," a radical departure from baseball tradition. Beltzer was convinced that in baseball the rich stay rich poor and a league could remain solvent was to share the wealth on a cooperative basis. So every club in the State League sent all revenue into the league office for equal distribution.

'It would have worked A. Q. Schimmei waived St. Louis' rights. Mr.

Rickey had shown exception foresight from the start his baseball trademark by getting a corner on a large player market for a small amount of money, and guessing that Landis would object. In a short time, the Commissioner stepped in and declared the St. Louis ment with the Nebraska State League null and void. Leading Role Lincoln remained in the State League through 1935 and part of 1936, during i time Francis (Pug) Griffin played a leading role, with assists from Cy Lingle and Pid Purdy. But World War II was coming on fast and Lincoln ball fortunes continued to wane.

An abortive attempt in 1936, the 1938 season in tha NSL and a 1939 trip with the Western wound up pre-war ac- and the poor stay the only way for did enter the in 1940, but tivity. Lincoln Western dropped out before the season opened. During the war interest centered squarely on the Lincoln Wings--with Goose Tatum at first base--American Legion play and an up-and-coming sport which was to gain fol- Continued on Page 4D. LANDIS FIELD--In the rmd-1930's this was 1 Lincoln's baseball park, scene of epic conflicts. These shirt-slccyed and straw hat-wearing fans watolwt their favorites do battle in this, the ballyard that preceded modern Sherman Field.

JEWS PA PER I rWSPAPER!.