The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 15

St. John's Kicks Another One Away Mental Lapse Late in Game Costs Redmen Victory Over City College In Basketball Battle at Garden By GEORGE E. COLEMAN Two important games, blown within ten days, would have the toughest coaches muttering in their beards but to Joe Lapchick, the thinnest-skinned tutor in the business, it is worse than an earthquake. Lapchick rises and falls, sleeps and eats, smiles and groans as his St. John's cagers win and lose.

So it's a safe bet that Lapchick had little shut-eye last night. Blowing the Colorado U. tilt after a 12-point lead early in the second half in the Red- men's second appearance at the Garden this season could be forgotten, but last night's 41 to 38 loss to City College was DROOKtVM EAGLE SPOR THURSDAY, Other Caribbean Tp. I (TO I Junkets Recalled Reds First to Train in Havana, Invading Antilles 20 Years Ago By TOMMY HOLMES Brooklyn's planned Spring training expedition down where the trade winds play, as Mr. Bing Crosby so lyrically lilliSfllil i i i puts it, doesn't exactly blaze any new baseball trails.

I believe the Reds were the first to train in Havana some 20 years ago. For some reason or other, Cincinnati had dealt Wide World photo 41 38. Bob Tough, left, and Al Goldstein, background, look on. Marty Scheir.kman, City, under basket, holds off Milt Fidgeon, St. John's.

New York U. beat Manhattan, 54 21, in opener. ST. JOHN'S BALL, CITY'S GAME Ken Barnett, No. 5, of St.

John's outreoches Jules Gerson of City College to take boll off basket in second half of game at Garden lost night in which Redmen bowed to Beavers, Just plain sloppy basketball. JAN. 9, 1941 heavily in Cuban ball players. Adolfo Luque, Mike Gonzales, Ar- mando Marsans, Manuel Cueto and others played for the Reds at one time or another, and for many years Havana papers daily published the play-by-play accounts of Cincinnati games during the regular season. A's Invaded Mexico City A few years ago Larry MacPhall led another team of Reds down to Puerto Rico.

In 1937 the Giants trained at Havana, and along about the same time the ancient Connie Mack put his Philadelphia Athletics through their paces at Mexico City. Various big league clubs have visited Cuba from time to time. When the Dodgers move into action there this Spring it wll ihave been exactly 10 years since a Brooklyn team exhibited at La Trdpical Stadium. That was the last Dodger Spring training tour under old Uncle Wilbert Robinson and a riot from start to finish. Van Mungo, then a raw busher with a Calhoun County haircut, is the only current Dodger who made that trip.

Most of the Brooklyn squad was composed of the hardbitten, hell-raiding veterans who made the Dodgers of Robby's day Justly famous. The team disembarked from the Miami boat early one morning, And the boys smacked their lips audibly as they saw the swinging doors of the sidewalk cafes, for the famoue noble experiment was then at its height in the United States. Half an hour after checking in at the Plaza Hotel the bar at Sloppy i Joe's was lined with sterling athletes, and they reported to the ball park from there. Anything might 1 have happened, but what did occur was truly astonishing. It was one AMBITIOUS SPORTOPICS By JIMMY WOOD Sports Editor WW' START NEAR TOP By HAROLD PARROTT Groping to get out of the National Hockey League cellar, the Americans have a tough obstacle to hurdle tonight in the Garden: Detroit's Red Wings.

In fact, it will be more of a pole vault than a hurdle if the Amerks swing it, because Detroit has whizzed through its last six games without defeat. The Wing winning streak in- CANADIAN PLAYERS GET STAY ON DRAFT The Canadian government has made a concession to hockey players permitting them to continue until Spring, according to Red Dutton, manager of the New York American i. However, should the government demand full manpower, the 400 or more players now in this country would be called back for military duty, Dutton explained. The Canadians now playing hockey were all permitted to take the 30 days of compulsory military training before the start of the hockey season. The Canadian government is in favor of continuing hockey as a war-time diversion for the people.

THOSE NEW GRID RULES We hoped to get around to the alterations in the intercollegiate football rules right after the committee had strapped up its brief case full of recommendations. But you know how it is after the holidays, between the yips and the skips The Indians did well for 38 minutes, battling the improved City College Beavers every inch of the way and rallied to deadlock the numbers at 34-all, with four minutes remaining. It was a beautiful four-point play, a shot and two free-throws by Jim White on a pass from under the City basket to the right of the St. John standard by Dutch Garfinkel that peaked the fine playing. Then, with the score knotted Garfinkel intercepted a City pass, snapped the ball to White, on to Tommy Baer and back to White fDr another basket and a two-point lead.

Redmen Go Point-Crazy Once more the Redmen moved in with the ball and finally Baer raced under, with Goldstein chasing, for another shot and a four-point margin with two minutes remaining. After gaining possession, the Redmen went point-crazy and lost control of the ball. Bill Holz-man sneaked under for a layup, was fouled by Baer and St. John's had only a lone marker advantage with a minute and a half to play. Then a jump ball pitted Baer against Harvey Lozman five-feet-four against six-foot-one a sure ball for City.

Yet none of the Red- men thought to call time although they had another timeout coming. And, with the Beavers having the tap, all the De Gray cagers were on the offensive instead of the defensive, protecting their one-point margin. Al Wlnogad, one of Holman's slowest men, went down the side of the floor for a sucker shot and the ball game. A few seconds later he duplicated the stunt. Lapchick rushed in the subs but it was too late then.

While watching Manhattan cagers playing much worse than 85-pound lads in a 54 to 21 setback by New York U. in the early game one couldn't help but think that as freshmen the Jaspers Johnny Kravetz, Bob Crist, Leon Thompson, Bill Schwitter and the late John Flanagan beat the N. Y. U. frosh Red Stevens Ben Auerbach, Irv Davis, and two others.

But there wasn't any comparison last night. Fordham had little trouble with Columbia at the latter's Morning-side Heights gym, the Rams winning. 41 to 29, after leading at halftime, 24 to 16. Under the basket Artie Musicant. coach of Brooklyn College, scouted St.

John's U. for Saturday's tilt between the Indians and the Kingsmen Du-quesne U. defeated Carnegie Tech. 46 to 9. at Pittsburgh last night Capt.

Johnny Cobb netted seven of the final nine points to enable Yale to beat Amherst 35 to 31 at New Haven Lehigh dropped its straight, losing 51 to 41 to Rutgers at New Bruns-wick, N. J. Georgetown de-feaied George Washington, 50 to 42. c. O.

8i. John's Phillip Ooid'miih Schf mknvn Holiman Loiman Fihman Monit lo Kdw.n Weinoarad Caprano a. 3 17 Toilih 0 2 Ofi.rn ooo 1 1 2 Harnett 6 Jim While 8 Oarfinkel 0 Fidgeon 2 Oibbons 0 Baer 0 MnscheMl 4 Waliare 0 Jnhn Whi'e 0 Wiihaven Lev ane 1 3 2 14 Totals 41 Totals 15 Manha'Mr 3 Rrhwsner 1 5 11 Praddy 1 ft Court ney 0 Iti 2 Thompson 0 2 Rrvnnlds 0 2 Chrntie 0 0 0 Hansel 0 0 Murphy fl 0 KebDa I)v, Auerback Kaplnwiu Turner Uandoff Schuman Rifkln Carrie a it Burma To'ali 24 To al.i Alice Marble Drops Set In Win Over Hardwick Chicago, Jan. 8 i-V Alice Marble, the former Queen of American amateur tennis, made her second start as a professional another winning one last night by defeating Mary Hardwick of England, 4-. 75.

97, before a Stadium crowd estimated at 7.000 persons. Miss Marble, who won In sets as the current tour opened in New York Monday, had a much more difficult time tonight. After the first set. however, it was the same old story for Miss Hardwick, who also was unable to beat the 1 American star hcn both were amateurs. HOCKEY STANDINGS Ooa i.i Fir Aait CI 47 SS 44 14 SS 4 SB f.4 4J IB i Toronto 1 letrnu 12 fi Hoinn 8 7 7 Maimer 11 rhicaio 10 5 Montreal Hi; 1 Americans ft 12 ft 30 23 21 21 ID 17 Tonltht'a fiimei DiMrntl v.v Amrnrarts al Garrtrn Mnn'rea! at ChifRB" Saturrlav Miht'a a' Tutnnto, a Montfit; Sunrlav Nlahl'a C.amea 4'iirran Vv Rxnaerl QftldtB.

a' Bonn. Detroit al Chicaio, Thorpe Banged Tri-State Trio Of Home Runs Jim Thorpe, the noble Redman of fabulous fame, has been around abo tualtely and recently chatted about his days as a ball player with John McGraw's Giants. He told of how he hit three home runs into three different States in a Spring exhibition game at Texarkana. The town is right on the Texas-Arkansas border. Its ball park is in Texas and Thorpe explained that one of his home runs was inside the park.

He hit another over the right field wall Into Arkansas and a third over the left field fence into Oklahoma. Now the burly Sac and Fox Is arted the greatest all-around athlete who ever lived. He must have been to hit that last home run. For the Oklahoma border is some 40 miles beyond, the left field fence he describes. i Managing a ball club is a 12-month job to Jimmy Wilson, new field marshal of the Cubs.

James always has lived in Philadelphia, so when he bossed the Phillies he was on deck all ehtime. Appointed boss of the Bruins in early December, Wilson didn't feel right until he had pulled up stakes and moved his Winter home to Chicago. Which makes Jimmy Wilson a rarity among modern managers, most of whom show a desire to stay away from it all as soon as the season is over. HOLMES. Landis Frees Riegel, Dodger Farm Hand Chicago, Jan.

I U.R Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis yesterday voided a minor league contract under which the Dodgers signed George Riegel for the Amer-lcus, club, and declared the young player a free agent. Riegel had protested that he signed with Scout Ted McGrew of Brooklyn with the understanding that he would report to the Dayton, Ohio, club in June, 1941. McGrew insisted Riegel signed to play with the Georgia club during 1940. A's sion with a 21 lead, might have had better luck.

Bill Benson is coming up from Springfield to center the line on which Lome Carr and Tommy Anderson skate. That line will likely get the assignment of checking Detroit's hottest trio: Grosso, Abel and Wares. Eddie Wares, ex-Ranger farmhand, has scored four goals on the Wings current winning streak, and is the hottest sniper they have. Another hot shot, however, is Carl Llscombe, brought up to the varsity only a month ago, when Dutton had hopes of landing him in a trade. Liscombe shot the goal that got the Wings a 11 tie in Boston Tuesday night the only tie in the defeatless streak that included five straight wins before it.

Llscombe also shot the goal that knotted the Wings and A's in a 11 tie in mid-December, when Dutton wanted to make the trade. infield setup being altered. Rudy York, youngest man in the infield at 28, will be at first. Charlie Gehringer, who will be 38 in May, will go as long as he can at second. His substitute is Dutch Meyer, who came up late last season from Knoxville and is far from another Gehringer.

Dick Bartell, who's approaching 34, will be back at short, Pinky Hig-gins, who'll be 32 in May, will return to third. Eric McNalr was bought from the White Sox at the waiver price as a utility man. Frankle Croucher is also available for utility duty. Two Beaumont rookies. Murray Franklin and Boyd Perry, don't seem to be ready.

Grernbcrg will start in left, Barney McCosky In center and Bruce Campbell and George Stainback probably will alternate in right. The four newcomers in the outfield are Bob Patrick and Ned Harris from Beaumont, Pat Mullln from Buffalo and Bill Hnpac from Evansvllle. Birdie Tebbetts and Billy Sullivan again will divide the catching, with probably Dixie Par.ons, who hit .264 at Beaumont, the No, 3 man. (Tomorrow; Cleveland Indians) of the greatest games I have Everything's Against Tigers In Bid for Second Straight eluded two victories over Toronto, and pulled the Leafs back to the pack Just when it seemed they were going to make a Cakewalk of the league race. Detroit is the surprise team of the league, a bigger shock even than Les Canadlens, who have come to life with a bang.

The Wings won but 16 games all last year and here, at the half-way post in their schedule, they have won 12. The Wings, who like the Hawks have not lost yet to the Rangers, are one of the teams that have ruined the haughty Stanley Cup champs. Although Hooley Smith is hors de combat the Rangers' Babe Pratt stiffened him Sunday night the Amerks should be primed for a grand effort tonight. They were beaten Sunday by the Rangers (62) but had plenty of gallop and with a break or two in the second period, when they really poured terrific pressure on the Blueshirts, who went into the ses who beat Bob Feller In the pennant-clinching game; Johnny Gorsica, who did a brilliant relief Job in the World Series, and Hal Newhouser, the kid southpaw, are all knocking at the door. Others from last year's squad who'll be back are Dizzy Trout, who'll wear the new contact glasses instead of spectacles; Tom Seats, Al Benton, Fred Hutchinson and Archie McKaln.

The rookie pitching crop is topnotch, Beaumont is sending up four talented youngsters-Leslie Mueller, Charlie Fuchs, Virgil (Fire) Trucks and Harold Manders besides the veteran Luther (Bud) Thomas, back for another try. Trucks is noted for his speed, and in 1938 with Andalusia set a world's strikeout record by fanning 420 batters, Another brilliant prospect Is Bob Uhle, southpaw up from Dallas. He won 16 and lost 12, fanned 205 and had an earned run average of 2.95. Rogers Hornsby tabbed him the best pitcher in the Texas League last season. Earl Cook and Frank White are coming up with fine records at Buffalo, but the latter also may get nabbed in the draft, Thert is little chance of tht However, from all we hear the revisions, far from radical, will not change any basic stratagem of the game and will work for the benefit of the spectator in the matter of a more streamlined and understandable code.

In event you suffered a late recovery from the holiday headache, the new rules permit a player to be substituted as often as desired; allow all incoming subs to immediately communicate with their teammates instead of hushing up for one play; make it legal to hand (not pass) the ball forward behind the line of scrimmage, and eliminate the touch-back on a fourth-down forward pass that's grounded in the end zone. It's our humble opinion that these revisions will help the game as well as the spectators. For example, no one ever has explained the limitation on a substitute. The rule has been in the book for years but no one ever came up with the answer to it, It always placed a burden on the team that was not as deep in reserves as its opponent and, in a measure, it put a strain on the players, too. More often than not a coach had to keep a tired player in a spot after taking out man because the man replaced couldn't return to the struggle until the next period although he might have been physically fit to take over.

Then there always was something silly about the rule that denied a substitute to communicate with his teammates until one play had been run off. No one ever had a plausible answer to this rule. It was understood that the young man coming into the game was going to tell the boys what the coach ordered on the second play. Why not let him get it off his chest at once? Why have an official stand over the incoming young man for one play as though he were suspected of carrying malaria germs? There seems to be two schools of thought, however, on the elimination of the touchback on a fourth-down forward that's incomplete in the end lone. Those In agreement with the new rule hold that it's unfair to penalize ft team 15 yards that may have driven to the S-yard line and lost the ball on a grounded aerial by lugging th leather out to tht 30-yard stripe.

The other school Insists that it favors the offense, that a team able to thwart its opposition within the 20-yard mark deserves the break in yardage to offset the more powerful offense of its rival. We don't wish to get our ears clipped in any controversy over this technical issue but the rule tends to help the offense, certainly it places a burden on a weaker team that may be playing on the defensive through a greater part of the game. However, we feel that the committee in charge of rules revision has done an excellent Job. The changes in the rules have a common-sense foundation and apparently were made for the benefit of all concerned, from the young men on the field to the young man and his gal on the rim of the arena. Certainly, they don't reflect the schemings of coaching brain pans, attempting to revise ruies- to fit pet plays or measure up to the type of material they expect to have on next season's squad.

Officials, too, seem pleased with the alterations, especially the one that deals with forward handling of the ball behind the line of scrimmage. That one really was a headache for them, a hard shot to call and an easy one to miss. Another phase of the alterations for 1941 is the evident Influence of the pro game on the gentlemen of the committee. For several years it has been apparent that major progress in making the intercollegiate rules sane and workable has come from the pro game. True, the recommendation to move the goal posts back to the goal line was stuffed back into the brief case.

But this may come later, perhaps next season. And when it comes and we believe It will eventually arrive the move will put the foot back into football with a revival of the business of drop kicking and placement booting along with fewer misses on attempted conversions after touchdowns. Sponsor of Mack Dies New Haven, Jan. (P) James M. (Doc) Fletcher, veteran newspaperman, who helped Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, get his start In baseball, died yesterday in a hospital here of heart attack.

a i mil ii im 1 seen, wan we nrooKiyn rooKies beating the regulars by a score of 2 to 1. Profitable Stand The Dodgers played no outside opposition in Cuba that Spring, but from 10.000 to 15.000 fans attended every one of five games between the Dodger regulars and rookies, and financially the Junket was mast profitable. And a four-alarm fix-ial riot as dignitaries of the Cuban Government and major industrial heads strove to entertain the Dodger party. It was some time later that the club caught up on its sleep. Times have changed in 10 year.

There is repeal and ball players no longer go Into a point like bird dogs when they see a bock beer sign. And so life should be less kaleidoscopic for the modern Dodgers, although the new Cuban Government, headed by Batista, the "strong 'arff PRT And if Cuban fans have they keep up a constant chatter at ball games as they gamble on every play It is only because there are more of them, due to the strady Improvement of Cuban ball playen. (This is the second of a series of IS articles on changes that have been made on each major league and its chances as it waits the bell lor Spring training.) By GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Sports Writer It took a miracle for the Detroit Tigers to win the pennant In 1940 and it'll take even more of a miracle for them to repeat in 1941. The over-age Infield that every one thought would collapse last season is a year older and Clark Griffith's no-trade rule for a champion means the Tigers must go along with the same infield. The Tigers' major worry, however, is likely to develop in another quarter.

The luck of the draft lottery gave Hank Green-berg, American League's most valuable player and home run champion, a very low conscription number (621) and the present indications are that he'll be called to the colors in June. Pitching Is Brightest Spot Brightest spot is the pitching. Buck Newsom, Schoolboy Rowe and Tommy Bridges will form th veteran first lint. Floyd Olebell, man" of the islr, Is greatly Inter-PASSED UP Your Uncle eMd ba.seball and eager for the -j t.f distinguished big leaguers to enjoy Sam hos decided that the moMh of raminR time is not ripe for Manager A Ullngs hgvon.t Leo Durocher of the Dodgers! Senor Blanca Hcrerra's oiler of to shoulder a musket. Du-! ,100 lo th'' P1'" hitUn8 nome I run over a 395-foot right field feme rocner hos been ploced in ls sUU imciftmipd, senor Hererra Group 3 of deferment by owns La Tropical Brewery the Droft Board 133, .26 Willow Place, it was learned today.

Durocher claimed support for 'his wife, stepdaughter ond mother..