Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 21

'-V--V' DETROIT FREE PRESS Tuesday. July L'U. IHjJs 2 I AS OF TODAY By Lyall Smilh Tiger Fans Deserve More Than 'Flops of 1953 6 such a dominance by one team. Their loyalty if that's the word cannot be questioned. But it's a cinch ll'at they deserve heller diidends lhan the ones they are receiving this year from a team hich rapidly is reaching for the title: "Flop of the jear." One manager Jack Tighc was fired in June bp-cause it was felt by his bosses that he wasn't getting "the potential" out of his players.

Whatever that "potential" is or was it is obvious that Bill Norman, Tighe's successor, is not getting it out of them cither Unless their potential is indicated by their record as the 14th worst club in a field of lfi. It doesn't seem possible they are that bad. But that's what the standings show, and that's where all baseball answers are written. Any wonder tha'. tht "goose" is showing signs of strain golden egg into the laps of the Detroit, owners past and present.

But th-? that has dropped them finally is showing signs of malconent. And why not? These are fans who for 13 trying year haven't insisted on a pennant. Sure, they'd like one. But they are aware of the fact that since the Tigers won in 1915, only two other cities have intruded on the Yankees' pennant monopoly. Boston did it 1946 and Cleveland broke through in 1948 and again in 1954.

That only one of those three teams (Cleveland in '48) was good enough to uphold American League piestige by winning a World Series while Yankee teams won seven of the nine they have played TIGER FANS have turned out in solid style despite Nobody expected them to beat out New York for the 1953 pennant. That in itself doesn't mean much. The Yankees are in a league by themselves. Neither did anybbody expect them to play like they have been playing. And that does mean something.

For the rest of the league is nothing to write about in big letters. THERE ISN'T A GOOD TEAM once you drop down way down past the Yankees. And that is why the plight of the Tigers is a matter of such concern. Something like 17,000,000 cash customers have paid their way into Briggs Stadium in the 13-year period since the Tigers last won a pennant in the war year of 1945. Eight now, despite their humiliating position in the standings, they are second only to the Yankees in home attendance in 1958.

Such a hapbaii interest in these parts has dropped a ARK THE TIGF.RS that bad? They are! What else can you say for an outfit that has lost 11 of its last 14 games, including three out of four to the saddest club in the big leagues, and is jousting with those same Washington Senators for the tainted distinction of carrying the weight of the American League on its bowed back. It is small solace to record that the moribund Tigers hav split even with the New York Yankees in the 18 games they have played so far this season. Despite such a sleight-of-hand maneuver they still are so far behind the Yankees that they are able to look up and see th-3m only on days when visibility is unlimited. In fact, they are so bad that after winning their rainy encounter with the Boston Red Sox here Monday afternoon their record for the season has them listed 14th on the list of 16 major league clubs. Look for youself.

4 Sox. Tigers Walk to Victory over The. Tigers Bases Full, Maxwell Gets Pass Rain Delays Play, Kielv Loses Control BUT RUSSIANS WIN MEET Our 'Tarzan 9 Shows World in Decathlon! 1 1 I 111 j. -j 'mm I stand while the hand blared "The Spangled The big Negro athlete was breathing heavily hut smiling broadly as he received his award. As anticipated, the American men athletes soundly defeated their Russian rivals in points.

Jimmy Piei'sall started In centerfield for the Boston CM So- Monday and finished the gamp in Harper Hospital. The energetic flyrhaser was hint in the fiist inning of the Tigers' Fi-t victory when Rilly Martin on his chest while turning a donhleplay. Piersall stave.) in the game until rain suspended play in the rinth, then herded trainer Jack Kad-den's advice to go to al. X-rays v-cre ordered to determine whether any of hia ribs were broken. CHAWEY MAMUJ.I, a drafted at the last minute to play first base for the Tigers when Gail Harris came up with a had bruise on the top of his right instep.

He was hit ther by a foul tip in Sunday's dou-bleheader with Washington. c- Jar 1X BV HAL I LES WORTH Any old victory is welcome at Briggs Stadium these days, the Tigers were happy to celebrate a comeback with a cheap ending Monday. Leo Kiely walked Charley Maxwell with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to give the Bengals a. 5-4 decision over the Boston Red Sox in a game which almost wasn't finished at all. It was a dragged-out contest in which the ninth inning lasted an hour and T6 minutes.

Most of that was consumed hy a fi9-minute delay for a downpour which threatened to wash out the ending altogether. ItAIX FIRST became a problem in the top of the ninth, when the Red Sox loaded the bases and Frank Malzone barely missed a. grand-slam home run which would have wrecked a 4-4 tie for the Timers. The rain began to fall more heavily in the Tigers' half, which Ous Zernial started with a pinch single off Kiely. MOSCOW Rafer John-! son, a lithe California giant, drove to a world record in the decathlon Monday with a staggering show of athletic might.

Despite this, the Soviet Union scored an eyelash 172-170 trark and field victory over the' United States. The Russians already had clinched their slender triumph; in the international track meet, when the 6-3. 200-pound Tarzan from Ios Angeles lumbered across the finish line in the 1,500 meter race the 10th and final test of a rigorous two-day grind. LOCKED IX A bitter battle with the great Russian star. Vastly Kuznetsov, Johnson climaxed the historic meet by scoring 8.302 points.

It was one of the great all-around athletic performances of modern times. Johnson held the listed world record of points, hiit thi? had been hetterpd by Kuznet-. 126 to 109. but. failed to make up ground lost to the hardier, more athletically inclined Soviet women.

The Russian won. 63 to 41. United States officials sought to have the men's and women's competitions scored sepa rjitely. Rut they were voted down by the Soviet sponsors who insisted th meet be scoj cd ss one event. Rafer Johnson sov.

who had pilod up R.Oi;; points this spring. Kuznetsov finished Monday with T.S'17. Som spectators stood and gae Johnson a resounding at'on as he strolled to the vlrtorv llarxcy Kuenn extended his hitting streak by beating out a bunt on Hae Sisler in the third inning. He now has c-onnerted in II straight games and 26 of the last 27. Tie Tiger' triumph a Turn to 23.

olumn rOINTS UKKE given on the basis rf 5 for a victory and i-2-1 for the other three places. The standard piocedure for scot ing dual meets is 5-3-1 with no points for losing relay trams. L'nder this system, the Turn to Ct. Column I LAST DAYS Of Harry Suffrin's Great Storewide Sale. Fabulous Frank Boiling sacrificed and Billy Martin followed with a sharp grounder to short, which resulted in pinch runner Milt Boiling getting trapped off second.

By then, the rain was roming down in sheets. hut plate umpire Nestor Chylak insisted on continuing as Harvey Kuenn went to the plate. Kiely threw three straight balls through the rain and on the third one, Martin stole second. Chylak then signaled for the field cover. But the ground I was so wet that the crew gave up after tugging the tarpaulin I halfway between the mound and first a leaving the Ifirst-base line completely swamped.

I THE SWIRLING rainstorm subsided quickly but it took more than 40 minutes to re-j store even a semblance of play- ing condition a point which i Boston manager Mike. Higgins debated heatedly with the umpires. FOUR-LEGGED TIGER? Charlie Maxwell. Tiger first baseman, appears to have four legs as he makes catch on Bosox catcher Sammy White's blooper on rightfield line in eighth inning. Actually, Maxwell is having some competition on play from teammate Frank Boiling.

Frank hustled over from second base and pair collided just as Maxwell caught the ball in his big mitt. Ah, Peace! Schmidt Signs As Lions Step Up Drills Savings on Better SLACKS and SPORT SHIRTS termined in his bid for a reported 50 per rent salary increase to $18,000. Last. Friday the club had offered him a "helluva deal," SPORT SHIRTS BV GF.ORGK PUSCAS Joe Schmidt, the most celebrated of the "unsung heroes" in the line, signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions Monday, ending a three -day holdout. Footballs finest linebacker joined the champion Lions for supper at their Cranbrook ramp, and will don his uniform for the firt time Tuesday morning.

Schmidt agreed to term after a 90-minute conference with Lion president Edwin J. Anderson at the club's office. "He came in at my request," Anderson said. THE LENGTHY meeting indicated that Schmidt was de $3.79 3 for 510.95 NOW Reg. $5.95 and $5 V9 mm Ik t.

I is ft 4 MX 'Hi I 1 1 but, Schmidt rejected it. "Roth parties are satisfied now." Anderson said. Schmidt's signature ended the Lions' contract problems for the year. WHILE SCHMIDT and Anderson debated in town, head coach George Wilson put the Lions through a dummy scrimmage at the Cranbrook training site. Th pae was not nearly a demanding; nor the work a punishing: a Sunday' They ordered him to continue, however.

so Kiely resumed pitching to Kuenn, who walked on his first throw. That brought up Al Kaline. who already had three hits. Kaline barely missed fair territory with a blow into the seats, then beat out an infield tap to Malzone at third, filling the bases on the unhappy Kiely. Maxwell then worked Kiely to a.

3-2 count before getting a wide pitch which sent Martin home with the winning run. scrimmag'e. In which the Linns knocked heads for the first time. That drill xn crisp, and the Lions surprisingly sharp. Bobby Layne and Tobin Rote pitched passes, testing their receivers, the linebackers and defensive halfbacks in the Monday morning drill.

Rookie Harry Mackey outraged Christiansen to snare one of Layne's throws, and Jerry Reichow made several sparkling catches. THE LINEMEN" then were brought in and they checked blocking assignments on running plays. More head-humping Is coming up for the Lions. It's necessary, Wilson said, because the remaining days of the week arn critical ones for the rookies. "The first 'cut' in the squad probably wiir be made Friday," Wilson said.

Wilson hesitates to offer an early appraisal of any of the first-year men, but backs Ken Webb, of Presbyterian, and Dan Lewis, of Wisconsin, have caught his attention. Cool, light, '2 sleeve sport shirts in both knits and woven fabrics. Wash 'n Wear cottons, Dacron and cottons, 100 Orlons. Solid colors, plaids, neat checks, contrasting trims. Smartly styled.

Outstanding values! L. and XL. SLACKS 10.85 2 for $21.50 Reg. $14.85 fo $19.85 NOW 1.1 AT AGE OF 61 Lu Blue, Tiger Star of Dies ALEXANDRIA, Va. Lu Blue, one of the finest defensive first basemen in Detroit Tiger history, died Monday at his home.

The former major league star had been ill for an extended period. He was 61. A native of Washington, Blue broke into professional baseball in 1917 with Martinsburg (Va.) in the Blue Ridge League. He reached the majors in 1921 with the Tigers. IX SEVEN seasons with Detroit, Blue gained a reputation as the best fielding: first baseman in the American League.

Three times he hit .300 or better, with his top mark .311 in 1924. After leaving the Tigers, Blue played three years with he St. Louis Browns and then finished his big league rareer with the Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers. Following hi retirement from organized ball, Blu started one of the first "baseball schools" in the nation. An outstanding selection of tropica! and year 'round slacks in both Ivy and regular styles.

Silk and wools, Dacron and wools, tropical worsteds, flannels, gabardines. Solid colors and patterns in light, medium, and dark shades. Some with matching belt. Sizes 28 to 56, in short, long. RED SOX catcher Sammy-White promptly heaved the ball into the emptying grandstand seats for which he could hardly be blamed.

It was that kind of afternoon for the Red Sox. Boston gave Dave Sisler a 4-1 lead chased Tiger starter Al Cicotte in the fifth inning on five hits in a row plus a walk and sacrifice fly. But the Tigers battled back to score another run on Sisler in the sixth and two more on Murray Wall in the seventh to set the stage for the. drippy finish. Cicotte, facing the Red Sox for the first time in his brief career, breezed through the first four Innings and had a 1-0 lead on second-inning singles by Kaline, Johnny Groth and Charley Lau, just back from Charleston.

But the Tigers' new pitcher and third baseman Reno Ber-toia both pulled away from a Turn to Page 23, Column 4 aA Joe Schmidt Downtown Open Mon, and Wed. 'til other days 'til 5:45 Grand River Open Fri. and Sat. 'til 9. ii i.