Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 16

Tumdir, Julv 10. 10S1 DETROIT FRETS PRgSS Its Garver vs. Roberts in 18th All -Star Classic Tigers Put Harry Heilmann, All Ways, Is Dead at 56 KelL in a BERRA, nrr a Jr JACKIE ROBINSON, 2b I i -J 1 BUI A KELL TELLS i X5 YOGI i DOM DiMAGGIO if I 4 If I V. NED CARVER He's AL's mound choice TY IIOXORED All-Star Fans Pay Respects to Heilmann Two of Detroit's brightest diamond stars will be honored at Tuesday's All-Star game. A moment of silence will be observed in memory of Harry Hcilman.

one of the Tigers great hitters who died Monday. Ty Cobb, the great Georgia Peach, will throw out the first ball in the game. This honor is usually reserved for the commissioner of baseball, but A. B. (Happy) Chandler asked Cobb to perform the duty.

Prcss(ing) There will be more than 400 newspaper, radio, television and newsreel men covering Tuesday's All-Star baseball game. Ex-Tiger Great Bows to Cancer Slugger Held AL Batting Title 4 Times BY LYALL S.HITH TrM hm Sports Editor Harry Heilmann "All-Star Everything" is dead-Ravages of cancer ended his brilliant career Monday just as the Nation's greatest baseball players, past and present, were assembling in Detroit for the 18th All-Star Game. All of them knew him. All were shocked at his death. "He was a great guy." said a sad and humble Ty Cobb, and those same words echoed over a city which had learned to love the 56-year-old slugging star, radio announcer and gentleman.

HARRY HAD BEEN iU for months. First stricken in Florida at the Tiger training camp last spring, he knew he was a sick man with little chance to recover. But he fought back with the determination which had made him one of baseball's greatest stars. Until two weeks ago, he apparently was making a comeback. Then the disease took a firmer grasp.

The end came Monday morning with his wife at his bedside in Ford Hospital. Harry Heilmann was a big man to all who knew him. But he was a little man to Harry Heilmann. I accompanied him back to Detroit last spring when Tiger See editorial on Page 6 Pictures on Back Page Owner Walter O. Briggs sent his private plane to bring Harry home.

He gazed out of the window for a long time, then turned and said in a puzzled voice: I'm a sick man, LyalL but I'm an awfully happy one. I never knew any man could have so many friends. I can't get over it. It darned near makes mo cry He was referring to countless thousands of letters, telegrams and get-well cards sent him by baseball fans of Michigan. Most of them knew him only from his voice.

They'll miss him too. HEILMANN WAS a self-made man. As a youth he was so scrawny he couldn't even make his high school team in California. Even after he filled out to become a steel-hard 6-2. 210-pounder and was bought by the Tigers for $1,500.

he failed to make the big league grade and was shipped back to the minor leagues. But he came back again in 1916. Starting In 1919. he blasted the ball at such a clip that for 11 straight years he was under .320 just once and hit the peak In 1923, when he batted .403. Ranked by all as one of baseball's two greatest right-handed hitters.

Heilmann won more batting crowns than any other man but the immortal Cobb, his teammate. HE WON HIS four titles in the odd years. Harry led the league with .394 in 1921. .403 in 1923, .393 in 1925 and .398 in 1927. His lifetime (17 years) major league average wm a robust .342.

"Old Slug" was a never-quit player. Prime example occurred in 1927 when he battled Al Simmons down to the last day for the batting championship. The Tigers played a double-header on that final afternoon while the Athletics Villanova Names Raimo VILLANOVA. Fa. (U.R) A Raimo, one of the brightest stars in the gridiron history of Villa-nova College, was named head football coach at the school.

The 25-year-old Raimo, Villa-nova backfield coach for the past six aeasons, was appointed to succeed Jim Leonard, who resigned two months ago to go back to his asparagus farm. Never weighing more than 150 pounds, Raimo starred at fullback throgh 1936. 1937 and 1938. wp, At ft 7 1 staff. Iblg thrill to me.

(George KelL Tiger third baseman, and Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh's National League home-run king, express rival players' views on the All-Star ganve In articles written especially for the Free Presa.) Sports, Civic Chiefs Mourn Loss of Friend Creat men In many different fields joined Monday in mourning the death of Harry At stSr Wert Line-Up 52,000 to See NL Seek 2nd Straight BY LYALL SMITH Tt Fmi Sports Ed3tr Who said you can't have your cake and eat it, too? Detroit will Tuesday when 52,000 fans witness the 18th All-Star game at Briggs Stadium as the. highlight of the Motor City's 250th birthday celebration. The battle between the greatest players cf the rival American and National Leagues begins at 1:30 p. m. The weather forecast is no rain with a high temperature of 80 degrees." SHOULD THIS prediction be false and the game postponed, it will be played at 11 a.

m. Wednesday. The starting pitchers are Ned Garver, the klender 25-year-old right-hander whose 11 triumphs account for exactly half the St Louis Browns victories this season. Carver's National League opponent will be Robin Roberts, of the Philadelphia Phillies, a 10-7 right-hander. Roberts, glamor boy in the Phils' 1950 pennant drive, is a former Michigan State athlete.

Garver comes from Ohio. The American League, managed by New York's Casey StengeL was a 7-5 favorite to wrap up its 13th victory against five defeats in this annual mid-summer vendetta. But such odds apparently were based on the AL's past superiority. Mangare Eddie Sawyer will handle one of the strongest teams the National League has mustered as it attempts to duplicate the 4-3 extra-inning victory It hung up last year at Chicago. The has yet to win two successive games.

Garver's nomination for the honored starting assignment came as surprise. SAWYER'S DECISION to lead off with Roberts raised a few ej'ebrows. Although he also was the starter a year ago in the same game, Roberts was knocked out of the box Saturday night by the front-running Brooklyn Dodgers. Stengel said Eddie Lopat his own Yankee southpaw, "probably will be our second pitcher while either Bob Lemon (Cleveland) or Fred Hutchinson (Detroit) will wind it up." SAWYER STILL was undecided who would follow Roberts in the cause of the National League. But it seems certain that big Don Newcombe, of the Dodgers; Warren Spahn, of the Braves, andor Larry Jansen, of the Giants, will see action.

The Tigers have two players in the starting line-up. Third Baseman George KeU and Right-Fielder Vic Wertz. Ken will bat in the No. slot behind Dom DiMaggio (Boston) and Nelson Fox (Chicago). Wertz be No.

6 after Ted Williams (Boston) and Yogi Berra (Yankees). Ferris Fain (Athletics) and Chico Carrasquel (Chicago) round out the starting American League line-up. Stengel said that Williams and Berra would play the entire game. Under All-Star Game rules, all starters must play at least three innings. 4They were selected by a national vote of baseball fans.

THE BROOKLYN Dodgers, who are making a. runaway of the National League pennant chase. have three starters in Jackie Rob inson, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges, and Manager Sawyer's Phillies also have threes Roberts, Richie Ashburn and Del Ennis. The line-up Is completed with Alvin Dark, of the Giants; Bob Elliott of the Braves, and Stan MusiaL of the Cardinals. Here's the way they will bat: NATIONAL Ashburn, Phils, cf Dark, Giants, ss Musial, Cards, If Robinson, Dodgers, 2b Hodges, Dodgers, lb Elliott Braves, Sb Ennis, Phils, rf Campanella, Dodgers, Roberta, Phils, .355 .319 .369 .356 273 .320 .280 .328 (10-7) 325 JSZS .328 .340 .302 .302 .347 290 (11-4) AMERICAN DiMaggio, Red Sox, cf Fox.

White Sox, 2b KelL Tigers, Sb Williams. Red Sox, If Berra, Yanks, Wertz, Tigers, rf Fain, A's, lb Carrasquel, White Sox, ss Garver, Browns, There is power in both line-ups. Each manager has plenty more of his 25- the same in reserves on player squad. STENGEL'S EIGHT-MAN pitching staff also includes Southpaw Mel Parnell of Boston, and Bobby Shantz. of Philadelphia, plus Right-Handers Randy Gumpert, of Chicago, and Connie Marrero, of can fall back on Preacher Roe, of the Dodgers, a southpaw, and Sal Maglie, of the Giants; Dutch Leonard, of Chi- Turn to Page 18, Column 8 Sjf iff kVN a.

m. a Jfi 7 KINEITS LINERS This Is my fourth appearance in the All-Star" game. I've always said my supreme thrill in baseball would be to play in a World Series and since this is the closest I can get to the Series atmosphere, I try 1 to make the most of it I've been fortunate in previous All Star games. I had i stwo of my big- gt kicks in i these affairs. I i hit a home run Jin the 1949 game at Brook lyn, but this was nothing compared to the Kiner chills that went up and down my spine last year in Chicago when I hit one in the ninth inning that tied the score for our side.

THERE'S AN ODDITY about Tuesday's game, and it centers around Dutch Leonard, of the Cubs. Dutch is one of the very few players in the history of baseball to represent both the American and National Leagues in the All-Star game. He was named to the American League squad from Washington in 1943 and this year was selected by Eddie Sawyer for the National. I JUST WANT to give you Detroit fans and you American Leaguers a few tips: You're going to see one of the all-time greats in Stan MusiaL a terrific competitor in Jackie Robinson and a fine home-run hitter in Gil Hodges. The National League starting team Is loaded with power.

It has a batting average of .327. Every batter is in double figures in home runs except Richie Ash-bin-n (3), Al Dark (8) and Del Ennis (9). Hodges has 28, Musial 16, Robinson 11, Roy Pampacella 10 and Bob Elliott 10. I All-Stars Look at Their Game BV GEORGE KELL I BY RALPH KINER The National League has been known as Although I'm entering the All-Star game on a "pitcher's league" for a long time. In my four All- rain check (I was voted in as a sub first baseman Star games I have found the reason, and it looks and now I'm sub outfielder), this game still is a 4 ROBIN ROBERTS Ex-Spartan will start for National All-Star Game Facts and Figures SITE: Briggs Stadium.

PROBABLE RECEIPTS (to players' pension fund) $150,000 gross. OPPONENTS: Squads of 25 players from each league, the eight starters exclusive of pitchers selected by popular vote of fans. MANAGERS: American League, Casey StengeL New York; National League, Eddie Sawyer, Philadelphia. WEATHER FORECAST: Partly cloudy, temperature ranging from 66 to 80. TDIE: 1:80 p.

m. (EST). If postponed, to be played at 11 a. m. (EST) Wednesday.

BROADCAST: Radio CKLW, WJBK at 1:15 p. television WWJ-TV at 1:15. UMPIRES: American League, Art Passarella (plate); Ed Hurley (2B), and alternate, Jim Honochick. National League, Lou JordA (SB); Scotty Robb (IB), and alternate, Frank Dascoll. Turner KO's Fusario for 22nd Straight PHILADELPHIA (JP) Unbeaten Gil Turner, sensational young welterweight scored his 22nd straight and most impressive victory as he knocked out the veteran Charley Fusari in 58 seconds of the 11th round.

It was the first time in 79 bouts that the count of 10 had been made over Fusari. MONTREAL (JP) Laurent Dauthuille pounded out a onesided 10-round decision over Tony Janiro in an outdoor Tight SCRANTON, Pa. U.R Rocky Castellani, participating in his first major bout in 13 months, scored an upset 10-round split decision over Eugene (Silent) Hair-ston, leading middleweight' contender, in the main event at Scranton Stadium. Caldicell Wins Leo Caldwell, of Toledo, captured the 25-lap hard-top feature auto race at Motor City Speedway, touring the 6 -mile event in 7:32. like they will have their usual stellar I remember well the first All-Star Game I ever played.

It was in Chicago's Wrigley Field in 1947. Joe Cronin was our man ager that year, and he put me in the leadoff spot. Out on the mound was Ewell Black-well. I had heard a lot about this lad, but it was my first time to face him. He struck me out on three pitches, and I felt kind of low.

But when Blackwell proceeded to strike out Ted Williams that same Inning. I felt some better. LAST YEAR, in my opinion, the National League scored its greatest pitching triumph. Robin Roberts, Larry Jansen, Jim Kon-stanty, Don Newcombe and Black-well put on an exhibition that none of the members of our squad will ever forget It will be the American League against almost the same staff of pitchers again this year. Newcombe is the big" strong man of the squad.

He overpowers hitters with that smoking fast balL JANSEN IS A cutie who mixes them up and can get out of spots with his which rolled up six strikeouts last year. Roberts, of the Phillies, has everything great stuff and lots of moxie. In addition to the pitching they'll have some hitting, too. Gil Hodges, Stan MusiaL Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella can really belt the ball. This should be an "all-star" All-Star game.

I only wish that Harry Heilmann still was hers to es it. WsH alas him, -F KeU JT I i A had a single game. SIMMONS COLLECTED two hits in five time at bat to boost his season's average to .392. Harry hit a home run, two doubles and a single in five trips in the first game. He had the title clinched.

"Sit out the second game," his teammates urged. "You've got your hits for the day. If you get blanked in the second game, Simmons will beat you out. "Not me." said Harry. Tm going to win It or lose it in this next game.

He won it with another home run, double and single in Jcur trips to wind up with his mark of .393. HE WAS THAT kind cf a competitor. He fought all the way. When his baseball playing days were ended in 1932 with the Cincinnati Reds, he returned to Detroit and entered private business. Like many another famed athlete.

Heilmann was "lost" in the business world. He sought to capitalize on his diamond following with a brief fling Into politics. He found the going rough there, too. In 1934. he linked himself again with basebalL Over Station WXTZ and the Michigan Radio Network he began to broadcast Tiger games.

For several seasons, Harry played "second fiddle" in airing the Detroit games. All the while, however, lie was mastering the Turn to Page 18, Cohrmn 7 WALTER O. BRIGGS, owner of the Detroit Tigers, expressed his own personal sentiment and that of the ball club for which Heilmann starred. "My respect and affection for Harry Heilmann grew with each year that he was associated with the Detroit Baseball Company, both as a ball player and as a broadcaster," Briggs said. "I considered him one of my closest friends, and I doubt whether the death of any other person in the State of Michigan could cause mors genuine regret BASEBALL COMMISSIONER A.

B. (Happy) Chandler and Will Harridge, president of. the American League, also paid tribute to the once great Tiger outfielder, who in his late years gained National distinction as a baseball commentator. Chandler revealed that he had sought to have Heilmann serve on the team of All-Star Game broadcasters. "It was only after I realized Turn to Pag IS, clnxan 8 HARRY HEILMANN', one of baseball's great hitters Is gone.

But many Detroiters mill always remember him either as the great hitter of the 1920s (left) or as a voice familiar to minion of baseball fans (right)..