SCOREBOARD
RECOGNITION
•Willie Mays, sensational New York Giants outfielder, was voted National League's Most Valuable Player by baseball writers and Male Athlete of the Year in AP poll. Mays won league batting title with .345, hit 41 homers, batted in 110 runs, performed defensive miracles.
•Wally Moon, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, was picked as National League's Rookie of the year.
•Leo Durocher of New York Giants was named Manager of the Year in AP poll for feat of leading team to National League pennant and World Series victory.
•Mildred (Babe) Zaharias, top-notch woman golfer and all-around athlete, received University of Tampa medal for achievement in sports.
•Ernestine Russell, 16-year-old gymnastics star, was elected Canada's Woman Athlete of the Year for the second time.
•Paul Larson of University of California, who set new record of 64.1% for pass completions, was awarded W. J. Voit Memorial Football Trophy as Pacific Coast's Most Outstanding Player.
•Stenographer became first 3-year-old filly to win honor as Harness Horse of the Year in poll of 97 turf writers.
BASKETBALL
Utah upset top-ranked La Salle 79-69 in battle of unbeaten teams, at New York. La Salle's great Tom Gola tallied 17 points, got 20 rebounds in brilliant first half, when he also suffered a hard fall. Utes double-teamed Gola in second half, held him to one field goal. Art Bunte, Morris Buckwalter and Gary Bergen scored heavily to give Utah seventh straight.
Illinois ran unbeaten string to five, trouncing Miami (O.) 97-72 and Notre Dame 66-57 in defensive battle.
Dayton knocked Louisville out of undefeated class 71-67 in overtime, John Horan scoring 27 points, then nosed out touring College of the Pacific 73-66.
Missouri continued domination of Big Ten opponents, beating Wisconsin 67-56, after earlier wins over Indiana and Iowa. Tigers also disposed of Arkansas, 77-58.
Tennessee A & I took early lead, went on to beat Rockhurst College 94-72 in final of NAIA at Kansas City.
Duquesne, with Si Green back in lineup and scoring 20 points, rolled up easy 74-52 victory over College of the Pacific, then trounced Peoria Cats, National AAU and world amateur champions, 82-63 in exhibition. Flashy Dick Ricketts got 24 points as Dukes ended Peoria's winning streak at 20.
Niagara, after loss to La Salle, bounced back with three straight, over Cornell, 71-65; Syracuse, 99-74; Toledo, 80-61.
George Washington avenged only loss of season, whipping Wake Forest 94-82, with high-scoring Corky Devlin pouring in 37 points.
Pennsylvania's surprising club made it five in row with wins over Navy, 77-65; Iowa, 87-75; Michigan State, 73-67.
Kentucky won third of year, 28th in succession, smashing Temple's zone defense 79-61. Bob Burrow starred for Wildcats with 27 points, 34 rebounds.
North Carolina State made bid for high ranking, sweeping to victories over Clemson, 112-72; South Carolina, 91-62; Texas Tech, 85-74, for eight in row.
Auburn won Blue-Gray championship, upsetting Tennessee 73-64, at Montgomery, Ala.
Alabama got great shooting from George Linn and Jerry Harper, handed West Virginia first loss of season 96-82, to win Birmingham classic. Dick Hemric's 40 points led Wake Forest to 95-71 win over Texas in consolation game. Hemric also scored 43 in opening-round loss to West Virginia.
San Francisco ended UCLA's unbeaten mark at five, beating Bruins 56-44 after Pacific Coast favorite had nosed out Santa Clara 65-58.
National Basketball Association deleted from its standings 14 games played by disbanded Baltimore Bullets, causing shifts in team records. N.Y. Knickerbockers split pair of games with league-leading Syracuse Nationals, who lost twice, beat Milwaukee Hawks 91-85, moved into second place in Eastern Division. High-scoring Boston Celtics went over century mark in three victories but remained in last place, seven percentage points behind Philadelphia Warriors.
Ft. Wayne Pistons lost to Philadelphia 99-90, edged Rochester Royals 87-86, increased Western Division lead over Minneapolis Lakers, who had three Baltimore wins taken away. Rochester and Milwaukee continued far off pace.
TENNIS
U.S. trounced Sweden 5-0 in interzone final, earned right to meet Australia for Davis Cup Dec. 27-29 at Sydney. Tony Trabert, Vic Seixas, Ham Richardson scored over Sweden's Sven Davidson, Lennart Bergelin in singles, Trabert and Seixas teamed to win over same pair in doubles.
USLTA announced tentative rankings for 1954, placed Seixas over Trabert at No. 1 in men's singles, Doris Hart of Coral Gables, Fla. in top spot among women. Maureen Connolly, No. 1 last year but idle in nationals while recuperating from fractured leg, was unranked because of "insufficient data." Top doubles teams: Trabert and Seixas; Doris Hart and Shirley Fry of Akron, Ohio. (For complete list, see below.)
FOOTBALL
Detroit Lions squeezed past Cleveland Browns 14-10 on Bobby Layne's 11-yard pass to Jug Girard with 50 seconds to play in preview of Sunday's clash for National Football League title. Otto Graham's one-yard plunge, Lou Groza's 43-yard field goal gave Browns 10-7 edge before Layne completed six of seven passes in exciting 74-yard drive to winning touchdown.
Hampton Pool, central figure in reported dissension on Los Angeles Rams, quit as head coach one week after resignation of four aides. A former Ram assistant, Pool replaced Joe Stydahar.
Fordham discontinued football for fifth time in 71 years, blaming decision on "continuing financial loss." A pre-World War II power under Coaches Frank Cavanaugh and Jim Crowley, Rams played in Cotton Bowl in 1940, Sugar Bowl in 1941.
BOXING
Carl (Bobo) Olson bombarded game Pierre Langlois of France with combinations, scored 11th-round TKO victory in third successful defense of middleweight championship this year before 16,453, at San Francisco. Olson out-slicked aggressive opponent, opened two-inch gash over Langlois' left eye, causing referee to stop fight.
Carmen Basilio of Canastota, N.Y., No. 2 contender for Johnny Saxton's welterweight title, toyed with Irish Ronnie Harper, won by TKO when Detroit boxer was unable to answer bell for fourth round, at Akron, Ohio.
Bob Baker of Pittsburgh, fourth-ranked heavyweight, punched out decision over Coley Wallace, who played role of Joe Louis in recent movie, in 10-rounder, at New York.
Sandy Saddler, who won featherweight title from Willie Pep in 1950 and hasn't defended it since 1951, was stripped of crown by National Boxing Association. N.Y. State Athletic Commission accepted a $1,000 challenge check from Teddy (Redtop) Davis, ordered Saddler to sign for title fight in 20 days. Sandy defied both, signed to meet Lulu Perez in non-title bout Jan. 17 at Boston.
BASEBALL
Baltimore Orioles continued drasticrebuilding job, buying Elwin (Preacher) Roe, 36-year-old pitcher, and Billy Cox, 35-year-old third baseman, from Brooklyn Dodgers for reported $55,000, two minor leaguers. Roe won 93, lost 37 as Dodger, had dismal 3-4 record last season. Cox, rated one of National League's best fielders, batted .235 in 77 games.
Ralph Kiner astounded baseball world when he volunteered to take 38½% slash in $65,000 salary because of bad year in 1954, signed with Cleveland Indians for $39,000. Commissioner Ford Frick held up approval of contract on basis of law which prohibits cut of more than 25%; major league player representatives ordered Kiner to sign new pact with Indians at $48,750.
POLO
Stewart B. Iglehart of Delray Beach, Fla., Cecil Smith of San Antonio, Bob Skene of Beverly Hills, Calif. were rated at 10 goals for 1955 by U.S. Polo Association.
HORSE RACING
Trentonian, Calumet Farms' son of Bull Lea, in first start since Oct. 23, caught Jean's Joe and Beau Busher 100 yards from finish to win by half-length in Golden Gate Futurity at Golden Gate Fields, Albany, Calif.
Red Sails, H.T. King's 6-year-old son of The Abbott, died at Castleton Farm, Lexington, Ky. shortly after being voted aged pacer of 1954.
HOCKEY
Maurice (Rocket) Richard, colorful Montreal Canadiens' right wing, scored 400th goal of career, set off wild demonstration by teammates and fans, in team's 4-2 win over Chicago Black Hawks. High-flying Detroit Red Wings beat Boston Bruins, 4-1, for seventh straight without loss, moved within three points of league-leading Montreal. Toronto Maple Leafs won twice, scored eight goals against Chicago Black Hawks.
MILEPOSTS
DIED—Frederick C. Miller, 48, Notre Dame football captain in 1928, prominent brewer, sportsman and civic and industrial leader; in crash of his own plane at Milwaukee. Miller's son, Frederick Jr., 21, Pilot Joseph Laird, Co-pilot Paul Laird were killed in same crash (see page 45).
DIED—Einar Nielsen, 73, University of Utah athletic trainer since 1914; at Salt Lake City. Utah honored Nielsen by naming field house for him.
DIED—Eugene du Pont, 81, big game hunter, philanthropist, director of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.; at Wilmington, Del.
OTHER RESULTS FOR THE RECORD
BASEBALL
(Asian championships, Manila)
JAPAN, over S. Korea, 6-0; PHILIPPINES, over Chinan 2-0.
BOXING
Embrel Davidson, 8-round decision over Henry Hall, heavyweights, Detroit.
Johnny Lombardo, 4-round KO over Mel Parker, welterweights, Mt. Carmel, Pa.
Miguel Diaz, 10-round split decision over Pat Lowry, welterweights, Miami Beach.
Al Wilson, 1-round KO over Jimmy Champagne, welterweights, Providence, R.I.
Kid Dussart, 10-round decision over Wally Thom, welterweights, Liége, Belgium.
Maurice Harper, 10-round decision over Frankie Fernandez, welterweights, Honolulu.
Kenny Lane, 10-round split decision over Danny Jo Perez, lightweights, New York.
Art Ramponi, 3-round TKO over Buddy Evatt, light-weights, Hollywood, Calif.
Richard (Kid) Howard, 10-round decision over Brian Kelly, lightweights, Montreal.
Reuben Smith, 10-round split decision over Augie Villa, featherweights, Los Angeles.
Rudy Garcia, 6-round TKO over Gene Smith, featherweights, New York.
FENCING
Harriet King, Hunter College, N.Y., over Jane Dardia, 4-1, Christmas Invitation tournament title, New York
FOOTBALL
Ft. Sill, over Boiling AFB, 27-6, Poinsettia Bowl, San Diego, Calif.
Far East Air Forces All-Stars, over Navy, 50-47 "Toril Bowl," Tokyo.
U.S. Marines, over Army, 27-13, "Sukiyami Bowl," Tokyo.
GOLF
Ed Furgol, Clayton, Mo. Havana Invitation, with 273, Havana.
John W. Roberts, Columbus, Ohio over O.V. Russell, 1 up, Southern Srs. Golf Assn. tournament, Pinehurst, N.C.
Frank Clark, Atlanta, over Jay Hebert and Doc White, in sudden death play-off, Twin City Open, Monroe, La.
HARNESS RACING
Stan Volo, named Canada's "Harness Horse of the Year," Tillsonburg, Quebec.
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U.S. LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION RANKINGS FOR 1954
MEN'S SINGLES
1. Vic Seixas, Philadelphia
2. Tony Trabert, Cincinnati
3. Ham Richardson, Baton Rouge, La.
4. Art Larsen, San Francisco
5. Gardnar Mulloy, Miami
6. Tom Brown, San Francisco
7. Ed Moylan, New York
8. Bernard Bartzen, San Angelo. Tex.
9. Bill Talbert, New York
10. Herb Flam, Beverly Hills, Calif.
11. Luis Ayala, Chile
12. Jack Frost, Monterey, Calif.
13. Straight Clark, Pasadena, Calif.
14. Bob Perry, W. Los Angeles
15. Gii Shea, Presidio, Calif.
16. Sam Giammalva, Houston
17. Hal Burrows, Charlottesville, Va.
18. J. Allen Morris, Atlanta
19. Sidney Schwartz, Brooklyn, N.Y.
20. Jerry DeWitts, Vallejo, Calif.
WOMEN'S SINGLES
1. Doris Hart, Coral Gables, Fla.
2. Louise Brough, Beverly Hills, Calif.
3. Beverly B. Fleitz, Long Beach, Calif.
4. Shirley J. Fry, Akron, O.
5. Betty R. Pratt, Montego Bay, Jam.
6. Barbara Breit, N. Hollywood, Calif.
7. Darlene Hard, Montebello, Calif.
8. Lois Felix, Meriden, Conn.
9. Helen P. Perez, Encino, Calif.
10. Barbara S. Davidson, Milwaukee
11. Jean Clarke, Birmingham, Ala.
12. Althea Gibson, New York
13. Dennis Bradshaw, San Diego
14. Constance C. Ball, Daytona Beach
15. Margaret Varner, Boston
16. Janet S. Hopps, Seattle
17. Mary Slaughter, Charlottesville, Va.
18. Karol Fageros, Miami
19. Ethel Norton, San Antonio
20. Lucile Davidson, Lee's Summit, Mo.
RESULTS OF 100 LEADING COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAMES
EAST
Amherst 68—Army 50
Canisius 78—Xavier 68
Columbia 77—Navy 70
Conn. 117—Boston Coll. 74
Duquesne 82—Peoria Cats 63
Duquesne 74—Coll. Pac. 52
Fordham 78—Yale 58
Fordham 55—Colgate 51
Holy Cross 96—St. Ans. 58
Holy Cross 101—Prov. 47
Iowa 71—Princeton 52
La Salle 76—Lafayette 60
Mich. St. 79—Princeton 67
Niagara 99—Syracuse 74
Niagara 71—Cornell 65
Pennsylvania 87—Iowa 75
Penn 77—Navy 65
Penn 73—Michigan St. 67
Penn St. 110—Colgate 75
Pittsburgh 96—NYU 76
Pittsburgh 80—Colgate 67
Rhode Island 51—Brown 48
St. Francis 88—Iona 59
St. Francis 83—Quantico 81
Seton Hall 109—W.&M. 89
Seton Hall 72—Scranton 55
Seton Hall 95—Prov. 67
Temple 79—Albright 74
Temple 77—St. John's 69
Utah 79—La Salle 69
Villanova 80—St. Bon. 64
Williams 83—Hofstra 70
SOUTH & SOUTHWEST
Alabama 96—W. Virginia 82
Alabama 89—Texas 54
Arizona St. 84—Wayland 74
Arkansas 74—Miss. 64
Auburn 73—Tennessee 64
Bradley 63—Okla. City 62
Duke 68—Maryland 61
Duke 107—Davidson 75
Geo. Wash. 84—W. For. 82
Houston 92—Texas A&I 65
Kentucky 79—Temple 61
Louisville 73—Coll. Pac. 62
Maryland 72—Virginia 69
Maryland 70—N. Car. 60
N. Car St. 85—Tex. Tech 74
N. Car. St. 112—Clemson 72
N. Car. St. 91—S. Car. 62
Okla. City 63—TCU 44
Richmond 94—VMI 74
Tex. Tech 49—Okla. A&M 48
Tulane 68—Rice 63
Virginia 100—Clemson 94
Virginia 92—S. Car. 82
VPI 91—Citadel 69
W. Forest 95—Texas 71
W. Ky. 75—Colo. St. 67
W. Virginia 86—W. For. 82
W. Virginia 72—Richmond 66
WEST
Cincinnati 97—Indiana 65
Dayton 71—Louisville 67
Dayton 73—Coll. Pac. 66
Detroit 83—Houston 80
DePaul 77—Quincy 22
Houston 77—Detroit 69
Illinois 97—Miami (O.) 72
Iowa 68—St. Mary's 49
Kansas 100—Rice 72
Kansas St. 81—Wash. 74
Louisville 81—Toledo 67
Marquette 83—Michigan 78
Mich. 73—Wash. (St. L) 58
Missouri 77—Arkansas 58
Missouri 67—Wisconsin 56
Niagara 80—Toledo 61
Nebraska 93—Bradley 68
N'western 77—Tulane 63
Notre Dame 89—Loyola 76
Ohio State 102—Oklahoma 84
Okla. A&M 62—Minnesota 54
Peoria Cats 110—B.-Wall. 66
Purdue 78—Notre Dame 58
Purdue 82—Butler 54
St. Louis 82—Miss. 68
SMU 83—Indiana 78
FAR WEST
Baylor 67—Brig. Young 66
Baylor 86—Oklahoma 79
Brig. Young 78—Baylor 66
California 59—Colorado 46
California 103—Colorado 46
San Francisco 56—UCLA 44
San Francisco 60—Ore. St. 34
Santa Clara 56—Ore. St. 45
Stanford 85—Hawaii 55
S. Cal. 103—N. Mexico 39
S. Cal. 90—Hawaii 63
UCLA 65—Santa Clara 58
Wyoming 50—Okla. A&M 43
Wyoming 74—St. Louis 68