
A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK'S NEWS
RECORD BREAKERS
Mary Kok, broad-shouldered 15-year-old schoolgirl, led latest Dutch assault on world swimming records, powered her way to pair of new marks in international meet at Isleworth, England. Speedy Mary covered 440-yard freestyle in 5:07.2 (Dec. 9), next day zipped through 400-yard individual medley in 5:10.5. Dutch women's relay team also chipped in with record performance, was clocked in 4:30.2 for 400-yard medley event (Dec. 9).
Liborio Guidotti, daring Italian champion, zoomed his Maserati-powered Timossi at average speed of 117.5 mph in two trial runs over Italy's Sabaudia Lake to break own standard for inboard motorboats up to 1,100 pounds (Dec. 7).
Dr. J. P. Hunter, Wetumpka, Ala. dentist and vice president of Alabama Pigeon Fanciers Club, greeted one of his homing pigeons after 1,000-mile flight from Windsor, Ont. to Wetumpka, promptly claimed long-distance record, rewarded tattered and worn-out bird by renaming it "The Duke of Windsor."
BOXING
Sugar Ray Robinson, who defied all advice to make comeback, called on oldtime skill for one more fling, made 3-to-1 odds look ridiculous as he caught careless Bobo Olson with his guard down, hammered away with solid two-fisted barrage to knock out stunned rival in second round at Chicago, regained middleweight championship for second time (see page 36).
Floyd Patterson, hailed as possible successor to Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano someday, got little chance to look his best against reluctant in-and-outer Jimmy Slade, who bobbed, weaved, slipped and just plain ran until floored by right in fifth. Disgusted referee finally came to Slade's assistance, stopped fight in seventh round at Los Angeles.
Bob Baker and Nino Valdes, heavyweights rated No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, put on boring exhibition at Cleveland, practically eliminated themselves as contenders as Baker was awarded 10-round decision before 8,380 catcalling fans.
Cherif Hamia, French featherweight titleholder from Algeria, showed little regard for his good friend and countryman World Bantamweight Champion Robert Cohen, knocked him down with right-hand blows in second and seventh rounds, won by TKO in 10th of nontitle bout at Paris.
FOOTBALL
Los Angeles Rams, needing victory to clinch Western Conference title in National Football League after second-place Chicago Bears remained in contention by beating Philadelphia Eagles 17-10 earlier in the day, turned loose rookie Halfback Ron Waller for 55-yard touchdown run in first few minutes, went on to crush Green Bay Packers 31-17 before 90,535, largest crowd of pro season, at Los Angeles, earned right to meet Cleveland Browns, Eastern champions, in playoff Dec. 26.
Cleveland Browns warmed up for playoff, exploding for three touchdowns in last 4¼ minutes to beat Chicago Cardinals 35-24; New York Giants squeezed past Detroit Lions 24-19 on running of Frank Gifford and Alex Webster; Washington Redskins came from behind on Eddie LeBaron's pinpoint passing to down Pittsburgh Steelers 28-17; Hugh McElhenny and Y. A. Tittle teamed up to give San Francisco 49ers 35-24 victory over Baltimore Colts as NFL completed regular season.
Hugh (Duffy) Daugherty, whose Michigan State team, now bound for Rose Bowl, was lightly regarded before season began, was given whopping majority and voted Coach of the Year in Scripps-Howard poll.
Johnny Cherberg, his ouster as University of Washington coach demanded by majority of players, got vote of confidence from Board of Regents, was rehired for 1956. Other coaches were less fortunate. George Sauer, whose Baylor team compiled so-so 5-5 record this year, was replaced by End Coach Sam Boyd, kept job as athletic director; Frank Maze of Colby, Dick Atkinson of Brigham Young and Tom Rogers of Wake Forest resigned; Bob Titchenal of New Mexico was fired.
Stu Holcomb, after nine years as head coach at Purdue, moved over to Northwestern as athletic director, believed first job was "to recruit good athletes," promptly fired Coach Lou Saban and entire staff. Holcomb's successor at Purdue: Line Coach Kenneth (Jack) Mollenkopf.
BASKETBALL
Duquesne, off and running with 61-25 trouncing of Carnegie Tech, headed for Steel Bowl at Pittsburgh, where Dukes barely beat stubborn Geneva 65-61, then baffled Pitt with pressing defense to win 71-49 for title. With All-America Dick Ricketts gone, All-America Si Green took over scoring burden, got 22 against Pitt.
Alabama's jump-shooting George Linn set school record with 38 points as Crimson Tide rolled over TCU 85-46 in opening round of Birmingham Classic, scored 22 more next night to help beat Valparaiso 82-56 in final.
Temple produced startling upset, out-scoring favored Kentucky 73-61 at Lexington on shooting of Guy Rodgers (24 points) and Hal Lear (19 points), handed Wildcats first home opening-game loss in Coach Adolph Rupp's 26 years. Earlier in week Temple beat Gettysburg 74-53, showed it must be reckoned with in East.
San Francisco, nation's No. 1 team, made only one start, coasted past San Francisco State 72-47 for 29th straight as Big Bill Russell played only 22 minutes, scored 20 points.
Vanderbilt had trouble curbing Ohio State's Robin Freeman, who scored 40 points, but beat Buckeyes 76-67, also moved past Oklahoma 78-69. Freeman scored 43 more to lead Ohio State to 90-72 victory over Loyola (Chicago), brought three-game total to 107.
North Carolina State stretched winning streak to 16, whipping Wake Forest 90-81, Eastern Kentucky 83-74 on accurate shooting of Vic Molodet and John Maglio, served notice it will be tough to beat.
Rochester Royals ran off four straight victories on hot shooting of Rookies Jack Twyman, Maurice Stokes and Richie Regan, took over first place in Western Division, and Philadelphia Warriors held top spot in East as series of mysterious telephone calls overshadowed week's play in NBA. Coaches Charley Eckman of Fort Wayne, Al Cervi of Syracuse and Bobby Wanzer of Rochester reported offers of bribes to throw games or shave points, prompted investigation by President Maurice Podoloff.
AUTO RACING
Phil Hill, nerveless young automotive engineer from Santa Monica, Calif., pushed his experimental 3.5-liter Ferrari into lead at start, averaged 98.2 mph while holding off challenge of daring Marquis de Portago to win 210-mile Nassau Trophy race. Earlier, dashing Marquis, in 3-liter Ferrari Monza, survived near-disastrous collision with Sherwood Johnston's D-Jaguar, waged bumper-to-bumper duel with Johnston and Hill to take Governor's cup with average speed of 92.4 mph around twisting runways of Nassau's Windsor Field (see page 38).
HORSE RACING
Nashua, second greatest money-winner of all time ($945,415 to Citation's $1,085,760) and horse of year in everybody's book, will be sold to highest bidder along with 61 other Belair Stud Thoroughbreds. Executors of estate of late William Woodward Jr. set Dec. 15 as deadline for closed bids as Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons, still holding out hope that Nashua will race again this winter, nominated husky 3-year-old for Santa Anita, McLennan and Widener handicaps.
Prince John, bright 2-year-old colt who won rich Garden State and was considered leading threat for Kentucky Derby next May, will have to pass up chance to add to earnings and reputation for next three to six months. Reason: broken bone in right front foot suffered when he dashed into parking lot at Hialeah.
HOCKEY
Montreal Canadiens, moving along at rapid pace, used famed power plays to beat Toronto 3-1, Detroit 4-2, Boston 4-2, stretched winning streak to six and increased National Hockey League lead to 10 points over New York Rangers, who had own unbeaten string snapped at eight by Toronto 6-1, later bowed to Detroit 2-0.
BASEBALL
Roy Campanella, stocky Brooklyn catcher who came back from disastrous 1954 season and two operations on ailing left hand to bat .318, hit 32 home runs and drive in 107 runs for World Series champions, received "wonderful surprise," was voted National League's Most Valuable Player by Baseball Writers' Association for third time in eight-year major league career.
Brooklyn Dodgers kept pot boiling in hot stove league, traded Third Baseman Don Hoak, Pitcher Russ Meyer and Outfielder Walt Moryn to Chicago Cubs for long-ball hitting Third Baseman Ransom Jackson (21 homers in 1955) and minor league Pitcher Don Elston.
TENNIS
Pancho Gonzales, power-hitting old pro, spoiled Tony Trabert's play-for-pay debut at New York, handed former amateur champion defeat in five sets as Jack Kramer's troupe began long tour. Two nights later Gonzales repeated victory, outstroking Trabert 6-2, 7-5 at Cincinnati.
GOLF
Sam Snead, sharpening up game for winter tour, came out of nowhere to shoot 6-under-par 29 on last nine holes to tie Tommy Bolt at 201, then won sudden-death playoff and $2,200 in Miami (Fla.) Open.
LACROSSE
Maryland's national champions and Navy each won three places to dominate All-America team selected by U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. The All-Americas: Clement Malin of Dartmouth, goalie; John Simmons of Maryland, John Raster of Navy and Carl Orent of Hofstra, defense; James Keating of Maryland, Simon Ulcickas of Navy and Robert Kelley of Rutgers, midfield; Charles Wicker of Maryland, Percy Williams of Navy and John Griffs of RPI, attack.
MOTORCYCLING
Geoff (The Peerless) Duke, fearless world champion, was suspended for six months by International Motorcycling Federation for supporting riders' strike at last year's Dutch Grand Prix, seemed likely to miss big races and chance to win seventh title.
MILEPOSTS
DIED—John (Honus) Wagner, 81, bandy-legged shortstop who spent most of major league life with Pittsburgh Pirates as player (1900-1917) and coach (1933-1955), 8-time National League batting champion, among first to be named to Hall of Fame; after long illness, at Pittsburgh. Affectionately known as Flying Dutchman, Wagner used his huge hands and broad shoulders to set records for games played (2,785), times at bat (10,427), runs scored (1,740), base hits (4,888), was generally regarded as one of game's greatest players (see page 16).
OTHER RESULTS FOR THE RECORD
AUTO RACING
(Nassau Trophy Race class winners)
Walter Gray, Kansas City, Kan., in Packard-Allard, with 80.119 mph, Class B.
Phill Hill, Santa Monica, Calif., in 3.5-liter Ferrari, with 98.21 mph, Class C.
Marquis de Portago, Paris, in Ferrari Monza, with 97.91 mph, Class D.
E. P. Lunken, Cincinnati, in Ferrari Mondial, with 85.957 mph, Class E.
Edward Crawford, Northfield, Ill., in Porsche Spyder, with 89.98 mph, Class F.
Leech Cracraft, Wheeling, W. Va., in Cooper Climas, with 81.374 mph, Class G.
Dolph Vilardi, Tallman, N.Y., in Bandini, with 75.271 mph, Class H.
BASKETBALL
(Leading college games)
EAST
Duquesne 61—Carn. T. 25
Duquesne 65—Geneva 61
Duquesne 71—Pitt 49
Geneva 60—West. 57
G. Wash. 71—St. Jos. 60
Holy Cross 88—Mass. 76
Holy Cross 99—Yale 84
LaSalle 96—Albright 63
Niagara 66—Toledo 59
Niagara 72—LaSalle 70
NYU 74—Georgetown 69
Pitt 74—Westminster 52
St. Louis 88—St. John's 80
Seton Hall 87—W. Ky. 85
Seton Hall 93—R'noke 81
Syr. 85—Fordham 69
Vill. 100—St. Fr. (Pa.) 77
Villanova 82—Niagara 70
SOUTH & SOUTHWEST
Alabama 85—TCU 46
Alabama 82—Valparaiso 56
Duke 82—S. Carolina 67
Duke 87—Ga. Tech. 66
Furman 85—Va. Tech 68
Geo. Wash. 81—W&M 75
Houston 101—TCU 58
Maryland 52—W&M 51
Mary. 61—Wake For. 51
N. Carolina 88—Ga. T. 66
N. Car. 92—S. Car. 75
N. C. St. 90—Wake For. 81
N. C. St. 83—E. Ky. 74
Oklahoma 65—Baylor 55
Okla. A&M 51—Texas W. 40
Okla. A&M 61—Texas 58
Okla. City 84—TCU 56
Temple 73—Kentucky 61
Texas A&M 73—LSU 59
Valparaiso 84—Houston 80
Vanderbilt 78—Okla. 69
W. Va. 80—W&L 71
WEST
Cincinnati 83—W. Ky. 54
Cincinnati 109—Tenn. 82
Dayton 73—Miami (O.) 50
Dayton 62—Toledo 59
Illinois 107—Butler 75
Iowa 80—SMU 62
Kansas 91—N'western 70
Kansas 56—Wichita 55
Kansas 74—Wisconsin 66
Michigan 77—Neb. 71
Missouri 74—Illinois 73
N. Dame 85—Loyola 84
N. Dame 71—N'western 61
Ohio State 90—Loyola 72
Okla. A&M 70—Ark. 66
SMU 82—Minnesota 81
Vanderbilt 76—Ohio St. 67
Wisconsin 70—N. Dame 66
FAR WEST
Baylor 62—Oregon St. 57
Brig. Young 72—Oreg. 61
Brig. Young 83—Oreg. 52
Oregon St. 53—Wyo. 46
Purdue 59—S. Calif. 58
San Fran. 72—San Fr. St. 47
UCLA 68—Denver 40
UCLA 76—Purdue 60
Utah 119—Arizona 45
Utah 93—Arizona 63
Washington 71—Baylor 62
Washington 80—Baylor 68
BOXING
Ezzard Charles, 10-round decision over Toxie Hall, heavyweights, Rochester, N.Y.
Bob Satterfield, 9-round KO over Paul Andrews, heavyweights, Buffalo, N.Y.
Eduardo Lausse, 5-round TKO over John L. Sullivan, middleweights. Cleveland.
Peter Mueller, 10-round decision over Ray Drake, middleweights, New York.
Chico Vejar and Bobby Murphy, 10-round draw, welterweights, Boston.
Dai Dower, 15-round decision over Jake Tuli, to retain British Empire flyweight title, London.
FIELD TRIAL
Pine Ridge Sampson, owned by Dr. L. H. Robertson, Salisbury, N C, U.S. Open foxhound trial, New Albany, Miss.
FOOTBALL
Bolling AFB 36—Ft. Sill 7
Compton 22—Jones Jr. 13
HORSE RACING
THE SANDS: $23,700 San Bruno Stakes, 1 m. 70 yds., by 1 length, in 1:45, Tanforan, Calif. Belloin Pulido up.
MARATHON
Veikko Karvonen, Finland, Asahi Intl. Marathon, in 2:23:16, Fukuoka, Japan. Runner-up: Kurao Hiroshima, Japan.
RUGBY
Oxford, over Cambridge, 9-5, Twickenham, England.
SOCCER
Cambridge, over Oxford, 4-2, Wembley Stadium, London.
(American League)
Brookhattan-Galicia 2—Newark Portuguese 1
Elizabeth Falcons 3—N.Y. Americans 2
Hakoah 1—Ludlow Lusitano 0
Philadelphia Uhrik Truckers 5—Baltimore Rockets 0
TABLE TENNIS
Toshiaki Tanaka, over Keisuke Tsundoa, 21-13, 19-21, 21-12, 10-21, 21-18, Japanese natl. singles title, Tokyo.
TENNIS
Lew Hoad, Australia, over Ashley Cooper, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Victorian championships, Melbourne.
(Natl. Hardcourt championships, La Jolla, Calif.)
Herb Flam, Beverly Hills, Calif., over Mike Franks, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, men's singles title.
Mimi Arnold, Redwood City, Calif., over Patricia Canning Todd, 6-0, 6-0, women's singles title.
[originallink:10464816:42443]