- Publish date:
A worldwide roundup of the sports information of the week
RECORD BREAKERS—AUSTRALIA'S HERB ELLIOTT, AMERICA'S GLENN DAVIS and HAROLD CONNOLLY turned in some spectacular world record-tweaking at AAU meet in Bakersfield, Calif. (June 20-21). Elliott, lithe Aussie youngster with stopwatch legs and head to match, pushed ahead of stubborn Countryman Merv Lincoln to win mile in 3:57.9, one-tenth of second under John Landy's listed world standard but officially equal to mark under rules of IAAF, which does not recognize tenths of second beyond 1,000 yards; Ohio State's Davis, who week earlier clobbered world record for 440, turned talented feet to 440-yard hurdles, sped gaily over obstacles in 49.9; Connolly, despite ailing shoulder, hoisted and twirled hammer 225 feet 4 inches.
Yolaxda Balas, Rumanian jumping jill, moving ever upward, scissored over bar at 5 feet 10¾ inches at Budapest, raised own two-week-old world mark (June 22).
Isaac Berger, curly-topped muscle stretcher from York, Pa., hefted 800 pounds, surpassed world record for 132-pound class in AAU weight lifting championships at Los Angeles (June 22).
Chris Von Saltza, perky blonde Californian, hustled through 100-yard freestyle in 56.6 at Santa Clara, took almost two seconds off own U.S. mark (June 22).
TRACK & FIELD—U.S. stars, with one careful eye cocked on Moscow, struck off top-drawer performances in AAU meet at Bakersfield, served notice on Soviet hosts that they would be bearing more than gifts when they arrived in July (see page 46).
BOATING—FINISTERRE, Carleton Matchell's fat little yawl, glided across finish line in 3:09:03.38 corrected time, snatched Bermuda Trophy away from Colin Ratsey's Golliwogg at end of 635-mile Newport-to-Bermuda race (see page 12).
BASEBALL—NEW YORK YANKEES, after two black days in Detroit and with ailing Mickey Mantle hardly hitting his weight left-handed, speared Tigers 15-0, were still solid 8½ games in front as opposition continued to tail off. Kansas City, beaten three straight by Baltimore, swept three from Boston to regain second, found cloud-riding Detroit only game behind.
National League race began to tighten up but only because all eight teams, including Milwaukee, showed reluctance to take charge. Braves had their troubles with St. Louis, losing two out of three, but remained 1½ games ahead of bumbling San Francisco. Cincinnati got well-pitched 6 1 win over Cards from Don Newcombe, moved into third, bare percentage points ahead of St. Louis and Pittsburgh.
BOXING—MIKE DEJOHN, first to burst Heavyweight Alex Miteff's brittle bubble, bled freely from nose and eye in early rounds, picked up strength and skill when flow was stopped by expert Cutman Freddy Brown to outbox pudgy Bob Baker in 10-rounder at Syracuse, N.Y.
Yama Bahama, Bimini fishing guide who scarcely qualifies as tiger, slowed oldtime mambo dancer Kid Gavilan down to gentle shuffle with stiff jabs and rocking rights, punched out 10-round decision at Miami Beach. "I may retire," said weary and washed-up Gavilan, who then took off for New York, where he belatedly joined IBC-men Truman Gibson and Harry Markson before Grand Jury investigating boxing's dirty business.
BADMINTON—INDONESIA, inspired by victories over Denmark and Thailand, upset overconfident Malaya, wrested Thomas Cup from perennial champions at Singapore to bring first world title and first good news in months to troubled young republic.
HORSE RACING—TIM TAM, Calumet's Derby and Preakness winner who broke down in Belmont, underwent operation for removal of bone chips from injured right foreleg under watchful eye of Trainer Jimmy Jones at Philadelphia's U. of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, less than 48 hours later was frolicking around "like a colt," may still return to races after six-month recuperation at Lexington, Ky. Meanwhile, old Tim Tam friend Silky Sullivan, who left plenty of weepy Irish hearts at Churchill Downs and Pimlico, was sent out to kick up his heels in six-furlong sprint at Hollywood Park, but was up to old tricks, showed them to only one horse as he finished ninth. Insisted loyal Trainer Reggie Cornell: "He's a nice horse. He'll come around."
A Glitter, another frisky Calumet 3-year-old, stepped out handsomely, fought off challenging Spar Maid in stirring run for wire to take first money in $71,450 Coaching Club of American Oaks at Belmont, put another trophy in Mrs. Gene Markey's already bulging showcase.
Gladness, Irish-trained but American-owned (by Philadelphia Building Contractor John McShain) 5-year-old bay mare, moved up steadily and firmly under nursing touch of Jockey Lester Piggott, ran down Flying Flag II in stretch to win Ascot Gold Cup, one of Britain's most cherished prizes.
Larry Macphail, once bombastic baseball magnate (Cincinnati, Brooklyn, New York Yankees) who was never one to pass up neat profit, demonstrated he hasn't lost his touch since turning to Thoroughbreds, peddled Demobilize, unbeaten 2-year-old gelding he bought for $4,000 last year at Keeneland, to Oklahoma Oilman Travis Kerr for $100,000 at Stanton, Del.
HARNESS RACING—TORPID, gallant 4-year-old who teamed with Trainer-Driver Johnny Simpson to win 36 of 41 starts (including 28 straight), $187,358 in two years and set world record 1:58 for mile as 2-year-old to gain recognition as sport's greatest pacer, but ailing now, was retired to stud at Hanover Shoe Farms by grateful and considerate Owner Max Hochberg. Starting service fee: $1,500.
INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS—CALIFORNIA'S PHIL HILL, who teamed with BELGIUM'S OLIVIER GENDEBIEN, snaked swiftly, if cautiously, through rain and mist, held big Ferrari in lead when Duncan Hamilton's Jag skidded off course, throttled down to safe speed to win Le Mans 24-hour endurance race with 107-mph average (see page 20) and clinch sports car world title for Ferrari with 38 points (for class winners, see right).
Walt Hansgen, who has yet to lose this year, traded lead back and forth with Ed Crawford, his most persistent pursuer, finally zoomed his Lister-Jag to front to stay on rain-slick asphalt track at Elkhart Lake for seventh SCCA win. Average speed for 152 miles: 75.4 mph.
WEIGHT LIFTING—ISAAC BERGER, despite his 132 pounds, was biggest man in AAU championships at Los Angeles (see record breakers) as two-day grunting session produced eight champs; Dave Ashman, heavyweight; Dave Sheppard, 225 pounds; Fred Schutz, 198 pounds; Jim George, 181 pounds; Tommy Kono, 165 pounds; Kenzie Onuma, 148 pounds; Berger, 132 pounds; Chuck Vinci, 123 pounds.
SOCCER—SWEDEN, making most of brilliant footwork and catlike maneuvers, beat Russia 2-0 in quarter-finals at Stockholm to end Soviet's first quest for World Soccer Cup, set fans to buzzing hopefully as host team moved into semifinals along with West Germany, Brazil and France.
MILEPOSTS—DIED—HERBERT BAYARD Swope, 76, editor, reporter, longtime member of New York State Racing Commission and friend of racing; in New York.
DIED—JACKIE WESTROPE, 40, hell-for-leather jockey who began riding at 15, year after brother Bill was killed in race at Agua Caliente, won national riding title with 301 the same year (1933), booted home 2,467 winners in 26 years; when Well Away bolted, threw him over rail, at Hollywood Park.
