There's not anything more that I'll be adding here for now, other than some year-end stats, and that won't be soon. There are some limited stats on the Sept. 6 page.
All the 1953 stuff has been deleted from the main blog and moved here.
I'll now start working on the 1954 page, so I've first got to compile off-season stuff, including spring training, then upload it. That means I have to go through each day of at least two papers at the library and transcribe stuff, so it'll take some time.
Monday, 21 July 2008
WIL All-Stars
At Least Eight and Possibly 10 Will Open '54 WIL Term
VANCOUVER, Oct. 8 — At least eight and possibly 10 clubs will be in the Western International League when the 1954 baseball season opens next April, league president Bob Brown said Wednesday.
Mr. Brown made the statement when he announced the 1953 all-star teams, chosen by newspaper sport writers. He said that “contrary to reports” the league is not collapsing. Structure of the league for 1954 will be “definitely settled at the annual meeting of the circuit in Victoria on Nov. 9.”
Of the 14 men picked for the first team, Salem and Spokane led with three each. Edmonton, Yakima and Tri-City each had two, Vancouver and Victoria one. Shut out of the first-team selections were Wenatchee, Calgary and Lewiston. First all-star team- First base, John Weaver, Edmonton and Len Noren, Yakima, tie; second base, Len Tran, Tri-City; third base, Harvey Storey, Vancouver; shortstop, Gene Tanselli, Salem; three outfielders, Bob Wellman, Yakima, Stan Palys, Spokane, Granny Gladstone, Victoria, and Jim Deyo, Salem, tie; catcher, Jack Warren, Tri-City; two right-handed pitchers, Jack Spring and Arthur Worth, both Spokane.
Second team - First base, Vic Buccola, Tri-City; second base, Hugh Luby, Salem and Jim Brown, Spokane, tie; third base, Jim Command, Spokane and Ken Richardson, Lewiston, tie; shortstop, Jim Clark, Vancouver and Wilbur Johnson, Spokane, tie; three outfilders, Will Hafey, Spokane, Al Heist, Lewiston, Connie Perez, Salem and Des Charouhas, Tri-City, tie; catcher, Bill Sheets, Spokane and Dick Morgan. Edmonton, tie; two left-handed pitchers, Joe Nicholas, Salem, Bill Brenner, Lewiston, Pete Hernandez, Vancouver and Van Fletcher, Vancouver, tie; left-handed pitcher, Henry Botelho, Wenatchee.
VANCOUVER, Oct. 8 — At least eight and possibly 10 clubs will be in the Western International League when the 1954 baseball season opens next April, league president Bob Brown said Wednesday.
Mr. Brown made the statement when he announced the 1953 all-star teams, chosen by newspaper sport writers. He said that “contrary to reports” the league is not collapsing. Structure of the league for 1954 will be “definitely settled at the annual meeting of the circuit in Victoria on Nov. 9.”
Of the 14 men picked for the first team, Salem and Spokane led with three each. Edmonton, Yakima and Tri-City each had two, Vancouver and Victoria one. Shut out of the first-team selections were Wenatchee, Calgary and Lewiston. First all-star team- First base, John Weaver, Edmonton and Len Noren, Yakima, tie; second base, Len Tran, Tri-City; third base, Harvey Storey, Vancouver; shortstop, Gene Tanselli, Salem; three outfielders, Bob Wellman, Yakima, Stan Palys, Spokane, Granny Gladstone, Victoria, and Jim Deyo, Salem, tie; catcher, Jack Warren, Tri-City; two right-handed pitchers, Jack Spring and Arthur Worth, both Spokane.
Second team - First base, Vic Buccola, Tri-City; second base, Hugh Luby, Salem and Jim Brown, Spokane, tie; third base, Jim Command, Spokane and Ken Richardson, Lewiston, tie; shortstop, Jim Clark, Vancouver and Wilbur Johnson, Spokane, tie; three outfilders, Will Hafey, Spokane, Al Heist, Lewiston, Connie Perez, Salem and Des Charouhas, Tri-City, tie; catcher, Bill Sheets, Spokane and Dick Morgan. Edmonton, tie; two left-handed pitchers, Joe Nicholas, Salem, Bill Brenner, Lewiston, Pete Hernandez, Vancouver and Van Fletcher, Vancouver, tie; left-handed pitcher, Henry Botelho, Wenatchee.
WIL Attendance Up in 1953
One League Draw Displays a Boost
VANCOUVER, B. C. Sept. 22 — A total of 717,302 fans, 71,182 more than last year, paid their way to see Western International League baseball games in 1953, President R.P. Brown said yesterday.
Edmonton, playing its first season in the 10-team league, drew 92,758 fans, Lewiston was next with 81,305, followed by Spokane, 80,873; Vancouver, 75,877; Tri-City, 70,638; Wenatchee, 64,036; Yakima, 59,100; Victoria, 55,352, and Calgary, 40,106.
Salem and Spokane, which topped the first and second halves of the split schedule, respectively, failed to attract enough fans through the turnstiles during the playoffs to oust Edmonton from top spot.
Spokane drew 8,430 fans through the turnstiles in the playoffs to boost the year's total to 89,303 and Salem had 6,913 playoff admissions for an over-all total of 88,218.
VANCOUVER, B. C. Sept. 22 — A total of 717,302 fans, 71,182 more than last year, paid their way to see Western International League baseball games in 1953, President R.P. Brown said yesterday.
Edmonton, playing its first season in the 10-team league, drew 92,758 fans, Lewiston was next with 81,305, followed by Spokane, 80,873; Vancouver, 75,877; Tri-City, 70,638; Wenatchee, 64,036; Yakima, 59,100; Victoria, 55,352, and Calgary, 40,106.
Salem and Spokane, which topped the first and second halves of the split schedule, respectively, failed to attract enough fans through the turnstiles during the playoffs to oust Edmonton from top spot.
Spokane drew 8,430 fans through the turnstiles in the playoffs to boost the year's total to 89,303 and Salem had 6,913 playoff admissions for an over-all total of 88,218.
Championship Game 6, September 15, 1953
SALEM, Sept. 15 — Spokane defeated Salem 5-2 here Tuesday night to win the Western International League pennant.
It was the third consecutive victory here for the Spokane team and gave them a 4-2 record for the best-of-seven playoff series.
A walk to Jim Brown, a passed ball and a single by Bill Sheets gave Spokane the first run of the game in the fifth inning.
They added three more to win in the eighth. Stan Palys doubled and was scored on Will Hafey's single. Then Carl Bush hit a home run.
Spokane's last run came in the ninth inning. Ed Murphy was safe on an infield single, advanced on Wilbur Johnson's bunt, was sacrificed to third and scored on a fielder's choice.
Salem scored in the seventh on a single by Connie Perez, a sacrifice and an error by Wilbur Johnson. They added one in the eighth on another error by Johnson, and infield hit by Dick Sabatini and a fly-ball by manager Hugh Luby.
Dave Dahle was the losing pitcher and Art Worth the winner.
Total attendance for the six games here and at Spokane was 15,318.
Spokane ...... 000 010 030—5 10 3
Salem ......... 000 000 110—2 8 4
Giovannoni, Worth (7), Franks (9) and Sheets; Dahle, Roenspie (5) and Nelson, Masterson (8).
It was the third consecutive victory here for the Spokane team and gave them a 4-2 record for the best-of-seven playoff series.
A walk to Jim Brown, a passed ball and a single by Bill Sheets gave Spokane the first run of the game in the fifth inning.
They added three more to win in the eighth. Stan Palys doubled and was scored on Will Hafey's single. Then Carl Bush hit a home run.
Spokane's last run came in the ninth inning. Ed Murphy was safe on an infield single, advanced on Wilbur Johnson's bunt, was sacrificed to third and scored on a fielder's choice.
Salem scored in the seventh on a single by Connie Perez, a sacrifice and an error by Wilbur Johnson. They added one in the eighth on another error by Johnson, and infield hit by Dick Sabatini and a fly-ball by manager Hugh Luby.
Dave Dahle was the losing pitcher and Art Worth the winner.
Total attendance for the six games here and at Spokane was 15,318.
Spokane ...... 000 010 030—5 10 3
Salem ......... 000 000 110—2 8 4
Giovannoni, Worth (7), Franks (9) and Sheets; Dahle, Roenspie (5) and Nelson, Masterson (8).
Championship Game 5, September 14, 1953
SALEM, Sept. 14 — Spokane took a 3 to 2 game lead Monday night in the Western International League baseball playoffs, defeating Salem 3-2.
Will Hafey led the Indian attack, slamming a home run over the field fence in the second inning and hitting a triple in the sixth. Hafey scored the second run on a long fly by Jim Brown.
The Indians counted the winning run in the ninth inning when Pitcher George New got a walk, went to second on a sacrifice by Ed Murphy and scored when Wilbur Johnson rapped a hard single.
Salem opened the scoring in the first inning on an error by Brown and singles by Hugh Luby and Gene Tanselli. The Senators got another run the second on walks by Chuck Essegian and Bob Nelson, an error by Pitcher Ralph Romero and a fly ball by Luby.
A crowd of 2,228 witnessed the game. The two teams meet here again tomorrow night in the best out of seven series.
Spokane ....... 010 001 001—3 10 2
Salem .......... 110 000 000—2 11 2
Romero, New (3), Franks (9) and Sheets; Nicholas and Nelson, Masterson.
Wenatchee’s Dasso Quits
WENATCHEE, Wash., Sept. 14—Directors of the Wenatchee Western International League ball club have announced acceptance of the resignation of general manager Frank Dasso.
Dasso, a former Pacific Coast League pitcher, played for Wenatchee in 1952 and then raised $20,000 to help keep the team in the WIL this season.
This year’s team finished in the second division both halves of the current split season and wound up more than $15,000 in the red.
Will Hafey led the Indian attack, slamming a home run over the field fence in the second inning and hitting a triple in the sixth. Hafey scored the second run on a long fly by Jim Brown.
The Indians counted the winning run in the ninth inning when Pitcher George New got a walk, went to second on a sacrifice by Ed Murphy and scored when Wilbur Johnson rapped a hard single.
Salem opened the scoring in the first inning on an error by Brown and singles by Hugh Luby and Gene Tanselli. The Senators got another run the second on walks by Chuck Essegian and Bob Nelson, an error by Pitcher Ralph Romero and a fly ball by Luby.
A crowd of 2,228 witnessed the game. The two teams meet here again tomorrow night in the best out of seven series.
Spokane ....... 010 001 001—3 10 2
Salem .......... 110 000 000—2 11 2
Romero, New (3), Franks (9) and Sheets; Nicholas and Nelson, Masterson.
Wenatchee’s Dasso Quits
WENATCHEE, Wash., Sept. 14—Directors of the Wenatchee Western International League ball club have announced acceptance of the resignation of general manager Frank Dasso.
Dasso, a former Pacific Coast League pitcher, played for Wenatchee in 1952 and then raised $20,000 to help keep the team in the WIL this season.
This year’s team finished in the second division both halves of the current split season and wound up more than $15,000 in the red.
Championship Game 4, September 13, 1953
SALEM — Spokane edged Salem 5-4 here Sunday, tying the best-of-seven Western International League playoff series at two victories for each team.
The playoff will resume Monday night.
Spokane collected three runs in the second inning off Salem Starter Bob Collins and Larry Borst who relieved him later.
Bob Donkersley singled with one out. Then Jim Brown doubled in Donkersley and Bill Sheets singled in Brown. Collins was relieved by Borst after he had walked Bill Franks. Borst gave tip a double to Wilbur Johnson which scored the third run.
Singles by Les Witherspoon, Bob Nelson and Borst and an outfield error gave Salem two runs in the 2th Inning. They went ahead with two more in the eighth on singles by Gene Tanselli and Connie Perez and a double by Jerry Ballard. After that Jack Spring was sent in to relieve Franks.
Spokane won in the ninth inning. Eddie Murphy singled. Then Wilbur Johnson singled to right field. Murphy scored and Johnson got to third when Witherspoon commited an error. Jim Command singled home Johnson with the winning run.
Spring was the winning pitcher and Borst the loser.
Spokane ......... 030 000 002—5 11 3
Salem ............ 000 020 020—4 9 1
Franks, Spring (8), Worth (9) and Sheets; Collins, Borst (2), Roenspie, (9) and Nelson.
The playoff will resume Monday night.
Spokane collected three runs in the second inning off Salem Starter Bob Collins and Larry Borst who relieved him later.
Bob Donkersley singled with one out. Then Jim Brown doubled in Donkersley and Bill Sheets singled in Brown. Collins was relieved by Borst after he had walked Bill Franks. Borst gave tip a double to Wilbur Johnson which scored the third run.
Singles by Les Witherspoon, Bob Nelson and Borst and an outfield error gave Salem two runs in the 2th Inning. They went ahead with two more in the eighth on singles by Gene Tanselli and Connie Perez and a double by Jerry Ballard. After that Jack Spring was sent in to relieve Franks.
Spokane won in the ninth inning. Eddie Murphy singled. Then Wilbur Johnson singled to right field. Murphy scored and Johnson got to third when Witherspoon commited an error. Jim Command singled home Johnson with the winning run.
Spring was the winning pitcher and Borst the loser.
Spokane ......... 030 000 002—5 11 3
Salem ............ 000 020 020—4 9 1
Franks, Spring (8), Worth (9) and Sheets; Collins, Borst (2), Roenspie, (9) and Nelson.
Championship Game 3, September 12, 1953
SPOKANE—The Salem Senators snapped back from a sixth-inning 11-4 deficit Saturday night to score three times in the eighth inning and five times in the ninth and a 12-11 Western International League playoff decision over Spokane.
The triumph gave the Senators a 2-1 edge over the Indians in their best-of-seven series for the league pennant. They move to Salem Sunday to finish out the series there.
The Senators scored their winning run on a Spokane error. After four runs had already gone across in the ninth, Gene Tanselli hit a bounding ball down to second base where Jimmy Brown bobbled it, permitting Dick Sabatini to run in for the win.
Hits Come Early
The game was all Spokane's during the early innings as Jim Command hit a pair of homers for four runs and Bill Sheets hit another one over the fence in helping to build up the seemingly lead of 11-4 at the end of the sixth frame.
Then the parade of the pitchers began. The two teams used a total of six pitchers, Spokane changing three times in the last two innings.
Doubles Boost Salem
Although Larry Borst, who went to the mound in the eighth for Salem got credit for the win, first baseman Jerry Ballard, who relieved Borst in the ninth, was the one who stopped the Spokane hitting powers. He struck out Stan Palys and forced both Will Hafey and Carl Bush to ground out after one was out in the ninth.
Ballard and Chuck Essegian got two doubles in a row to start the Salem comeback in the eighth. Pitchhitter Les Witherspoon singled and Spokane reliefer George New walked two men, loading the bases. Ralph Romero took over from there to force in the third run with another walk.
Essegian homered over the centre field wall for the eighth and ninth runs after Connie Perez opened with a walk. Don Masterson, Bob Nelson and Sabatini all singled
to load the bases and Manager Hugh Luby hit another single to bring in the tying run. Then came Brown's fatal error at second base.
Virgil Giovannoni, the first of three Spokane pitchers in the ninth, was charged with the loss.
A season record crowd of 3,601 watched the final home game for the Indians.
Salem ............. 200 202 033—12 13 1
Spokane .......... 023 321 000—11 12 4
Roenspie, Hemphill (4), Borst (8), Ballard (9) and Masterson; Spring, New (4), Romero (5), Giovanonni (9), Nemes (9), Worth (9) and Sheets.
The triumph gave the Senators a 2-1 edge over the Indians in their best-of-seven series for the league pennant. They move to Salem Sunday to finish out the series there.
The Senators scored their winning run on a Spokane error. After four runs had already gone across in the ninth, Gene Tanselli hit a bounding ball down to second base where Jimmy Brown bobbled it, permitting Dick Sabatini to run in for the win.
Hits Come Early
The game was all Spokane's during the early innings as Jim Command hit a pair of homers for four runs and Bill Sheets hit another one over the fence in helping to build up the seemingly lead of 11-4 at the end of the sixth frame.
Then the parade of the pitchers began. The two teams used a total of six pitchers, Spokane changing three times in the last two innings.
Doubles Boost Salem
Although Larry Borst, who went to the mound in the eighth for Salem got credit for the win, first baseman Jerry Ballard, who relieved Borst in the ninth, was the one who stopped the Spokane hitting powers. He struck out Stan Palys and forced both Will Hafey and Carl Bush to ground out after one was out in the ninth.
Ballard and Chuck Essegian got two doubles in a row to start the Salem comeback in the eighth. Pitchhitter Les Witherspoon singled and Spokane reliefer George New walked two men, loading the bases. Ralph Romero took over from there to force in the third run with another walk.
Essegian homered over the centre field wall for the eighth and ninth runs after Connie Perez opened with a walk. Don Masterson, Bob Nelson and Sabatini all singled
to load the bases and Manager Hugh Luby hit another single to bring in the tying run. Then came Brown's fatal error at second base.
Virgil Giovannoni, the first of three Spokane pitchers in the ninth, was charged with the loss.
A season record crowd of 3,601 watched the final home game for the Indians.
Salem ............. 200 202 033—12 13 1
Spokane .......... 023 321 000—11 12 4
Roenspie, Hemphill (4), Borst (8), Ballard (9) and Masterson; Spring, New (4), Romero (5), Giovanonni (9), Nemes (9), Worth (9) and Sheets.
Championship Game 2, September 11, 1953
SPOKANE, Sept. 11 —The Salem Senators uncorked a two run rally in the eighth inning Friday on the strength of four successive singles and went on to down Spokane 4-3 in the second game of the WIL playoffs.
It evened the score at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series between the winners of the first and second halves of regular play.
Spokane reliefer Bob Nemes gave up four singles in a row to Connie Perez, Jerry Ballard, Les Witherspoon and Don Masterson which broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth and bring in a pair of runs.
Salem starter Dave Dahle held on for the victory, although Spokane made it close in the 9th.
With two out, Jimmy Brown reached first on an error, and Bill Sheets promptly drove him home with a ringing double to right.
Bob Donkersley came on to hit for Nemes and banged a low looping liner to the infield. Perez, the Salem shortstop, charged the ball, took it on the fly on his shoestrings and went stumbling in the infield for the final out.
Both teams had scored single runs in the third. Salem’s was unearned and came when Masterson was safe on an error, sacrificed to second and tallied on Hugh Luby single. Bill Sheets tripled and Eddie Murphy’s infield out accounted for Spokane’s third inning scoring.
Another of Spokane's five errors accounted for Salem's run in the sixth.
Dahle struck out five and walked none in going the distance for Salem. Despite the many bobbles, the Indians came up with three double plays.
The biggest crowd seen in the Spokane ball park this year, 2,668, turned out for the game.
Gene Roenspie is scheduled to start on the mound for Salem in the third game Saturday, opposing Jack Spring.
Salem ......... 001 001 000—4 7 1
Spokane ...... 001 100 001—3 8 5
Dahle and Masterson, Worth, Nemes (6) and Sheets.
WILfan note: an AP story says Gene Tanselli was at short and made the final out.
It evened the score at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series between the winners of the first and second halves of regular play.
Spokane reliefer Bob Nemes gave up four singles in a row to Connie Perez, Jerry Ballard, Les Witherspoon and Don Masterson which broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth and bring in a pair of runs.
Salem starter Dave Dahle held on for the victory, although Spokane made it close in the 9th.
With two out, Jimmy Brown reached first on an error, and Bill Sheets promptly drove him home with a ringing double to right.
Bob Donkersley came on to hit for Nemes and banged a low looping liner to the infield. Perez, the Salem shortstop, charged the ball, took it on the fly on his shoestrings and went stumbling in the infield for the final out.
Both teams had scored single runs in the third. Salem’s was unearned and came when Masterson was safe on an error, sacrificed to second and tallied on Hugh Luby single. Bill Sheets tripled and Eddie Murphy’s infield out accounted for Spokane’s third inning scoring.
Another of Spokane's five errors accounted for Salem's run in the sixth.
Dahle struck out five and walked none in going the distance for Salem. Despite the many bobbles, the Indians came up with three double plays.
The biggest crowd seen in the Spokane ball park this year, 2,668, turned out for the game.
Gene Roenspie is scheduled to start on the mound for Salem in the third game Saturday, opposing Jack Spring.
Salem ......... 001 001 000—4 7 1
Spokane ...... 001 100 001—3 8 5
Dahle and Masterson, Worth, Nemes (6) and Sheets.
WILfan note: an AP story says Gene Tanselli was at short and made the final out.
Championship Game 1, September 10, 1953
SPOKANE, Sept. 10 — Virgil Giovannoni, almost an unknown in Western International League pitching circles, hurled a 4-2 victory for Spokane over Salem Thursday night in the opener of the league's best-of-seven playoffs.
Giovannoni gave up six hits and two walks, the same as his Salem opponent, Joe Nicholas. But he struck out six, to Nicholas' four.
Both teams got two unearned runs as over-eager fielders bobbled the ball three times for each side.
Jim Command led off the scoring in the fourth inning with a 375-foot home run over the right field wall for Spokane, with the bases empty.
After the Senators went ahead with two unearned runs in the top of the sixth, they gave the game away in the bottom of the frame as the Indians scored three times on a walk, a triple and two errors.
Giovannoni walked. Eddie Murphy was safe at first when Connie Perez booted his grounder, and both scored when Wilbur Johnson tripled to right field. Then Johnson scored as Hugh Luby threw wild to the plate in the effort to put out Murphy.
Luby flied out in the seventh with two men on base to end the Senators' final threat.
It was Giovannoni's third win in five starts this season.
A disappointing crowd of 2,161 turned out for the first playoff game.
Spokane Manager Don Osborn said Art Worth will start at the mound for the Indians in the second game Friday night and Salem Manager Luby said either Dave Dahle or Gene Roenspie would get the nod for Salem.
Salem ......... 000 002 000—2 9 3
Spokane ..... 000 103 00x—4 8 3
Nicholas and Masterson; Giovannoni and Sheets.
AT CAP HELM
Stars’ Eddie Malone May Replace Storey
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Sept. 11, 1953]
Harvey Storey won’t return as manager of the Vancouver Capilanos in 1954. General manager Dewey Soriano said today he was “disappointed” by the club’s late losing streak that finished their second half flag chances and had decided to make a change.
The decision was not unexpected. Soriano had indicated as the season progressed that he would have liked a man with more color and the fire to stir up the club, which leaned to the listless.
Soriano admitted that the “first half” Caps lacked batting punch, but he felt that the second half additions, particularly Jim Clark, made the locals strong enough to win it all.
“Harvey and I had a talk when he got Clark,” said Dewey, “and we agreed there were no excuses if we weren’t in the fight. So then we hit that eight-game losing streak…”
JOB LINED UP
Storey, highly popular here and one of the league’s best hitters, probably will be back elsewhere in the loop as a manager. He said recently he had an “in case” job lined up, probably at Salem. It’s close to his Oregon home and Hugh Luby wants to get out of uniform and move into the front office permanently.
Outstanding candidate for Storey’s job here would appear to be Eddie Malone, the Hollywood Stars’ catcher whom Soriano tried to sign last spring but couldn’t get away from the Stars.
FIVE COME BACK
The new field boss should be just one of many new faces on next year’s crew. Soriano today listed five men he’s counting on as a nucleus, outside of pitchers: Catcher Bob Duretto, first-baseman Gene Petralli, second-baseman Jack Bukowatz, shortstop Jim Clark, and centre-fielder K Chorlton.
[The Capilanos] picked up a player from Calgary in final payment on the deal that sent Jim Wert there. Outfielder Bill Bonebrake is the man, but it’s likely he’ll be converted into a pitcher.
Giovannoni gave up six hits and two walks, the same as his Salem opponent, Joe Nicholas. But he struck out six, to Nicholas' four.
Both teams got two unearned runs as over-eager fielders bobbled the ball three times for each side.
Jim Command led off the scoring in the fourth inning with a 375-foot home run over the right field wall for Spokane, with the bases empty.
After the Senators went ahead with two unearned runs in the top of the sixth, they gave the game away in the bottom of the frame as the Indians scored three times on a walk, a triple and two errors.
Giovannoni walked. Eddie Murphy was safe at first when Connie Perez booted his grounder, and both scored when Wilbur Johnson tripled to right field. Then Johnson scored as Hugh Luby threw wild to the plate in the effort to put out Murphy.
Luby flied out in the seventh with two men on base to end the Senators' final threat.
It was Giovannoni's third win in five starts this season.
A disappointing crowd of 2,161 turned out for the first playoff game.
Spokane Manager Don Osborn said Art Worth will start at the mound for the Indians in the second game Friday night and Salem Manager Luby said either Dave Dahle or Gene Roenspie would get the nod for Salem.
Salem ......... 000 002 000—2 9 3
Spokane ..... 000 103 00x—4 8 3
Nicholas and Masterson; Giovannoni and Sheets.
AT CAP HELM
Stars’ Eddie Malone May Replace Storey
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Sept. 11, 1953]
Harvey Storey won’t return as manager of the Vancouver Capilanos in 1954. General manager Dewey Soriano said today he was “disappointed” by the club’s late losing streak that finished their second half flag chances and had decided to make a change.
The decision was not unexpected. Soriano had indicated as the season progressed that he would have liked a man with more color and the fire to stir up the club, which leaned to the listless.
Soriano admitted that the “first half” Caps lacked batting punch, but he felt that the second half additions, particularly Jim Clark, made the locals strong enough to win it all.
“Harvey and I had a talk when he got Clark,” said Dewey, “and we agreed there were no excuses if we weren’t in the fight. So then we hit that eight-game losing streak…”
JOB LINED UP
Storey, highly popular here and one of the league’s best hitters, probably will be back elsewhere in the loop as a manager. He said recently he had an “in case” job lined up, probably at Salem. It’s close to his Oregon home and Hugh Luby wants to get out of uniform and move into the front office permanently.
Outstanding candidate for Storey’s job here would appear to be Eddie Malone, the Hollywood Stars’ catcher whom Soriano tried to sign last spring but couldn’t get away from the Stars.
FIVE COME BACK
The new field boss should be just one of many new faces on next year’s crew. Soriano today listed five men he’s counting on as a nucleus, outside of pitchers: Catcher Bob Duretto, first-baseman Gene Petralli, second-baseman Jack Bukowatz, shortstop Jim Clark, and centre-fielder K Chorlton.
[The Capilanos] picked up a player from Calgary in final payment on the deal that sent Jim Wert there. Outfielder Bill Bonebrake is the man, but it’s likely he’ll be converted into a pitcher.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Tuesday, September 8, 1953
WESTERN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
FINAL SECOND HALF STANDINGS
W L Pct. GB
Spokane ..... 46 32 .590 —
Lewiston .... 42 30 .583 1
Vancouver ... 44 35 .557 2½
Yakima ...... 40 34 .541 4
Edmonton .... 38 34 .528 5
Salem ....... 39 35 .527 5
Calgary ..... 33 39 .458 10
Tri-City .... 32 42 .432 12
Wenatchee ... 30 44 .405 14
Victoria .... 29 46 .387 15½
KENNEWICK — Spokane backed into the Western International League's second half Championship Tuesday night despite a 3-2 loss to the Tri-City Braves in 11 innings.
Lewiston's 10-9 setback at the hands of the Victoria Tyees in the season's windup left Spokane seven percentage points ahead in the tight race to the wire.
Ernie Hockaday was both the goat and hero in Tri-City's extra-inning triumph before 1,236 hometown fans. His left field error in the third inning opened the gate for Spokane's two unearned runs Then he redeemed himself by singling home the tying run in the eighth and scored the winning tally in the last of the 11th.
Spokane .... 002 000 000 00—2 9 1
Tri-City ..... 000 000 110 01—3 12 1
Spring, Romero (8), New (11), Franks (11) and Sheets; Robertson and Warren.
LEWISTON, Idaho — The Lewiston Broncs tossed to the wind their chance of getting into the Western International League Baseball playoffs, bowing to last-place Victoria 10-9 Tuesday night.
The loss assures Spokane Indians of first place in the league's second half and a chance for the pennant in playoffs later this week with Salem, the first-half winner.
Loose pitching proved to be the Broncs' downfall, and manager Bill Brenner, who many times during the season pulled his team out of a tight squeere into a victory during the season, was charged with the loss.
Dwane Helbig led Victoria's 20-hit attack with four hits in five trips while Bill Prior, coming to the relief of Zeb Walker in the fourth, lasted to the finish to gain credit for the win.
Victoria ........... 000 521 200—10 20 3
Lewiston ......... 011 300 310— 9 14 1
Walker, Prior (4) and Harford; Perez, Brenner (4), Kime (5), Marshall (8) and Cameron.
CALGARY — Calgary Stampeders wound up their Western International League baseball season on a victorious note here Tuesday night by downing Edmonton Eskimos 10-5.
Stamps broke a nip-and-tuck contest wide open in the eighth inning when they plated six runs.
Thc Calgary victory was scored against the combined efforts of Ray McNulty and John Conant, aces of the Edmonton mound staff.
Don Bricker powered the Calgary victory with two homers. Dick Morgan and Bob Meisner homered for the Eskimos.
Ed Kapp was the winner and Conant the loser.
Edmonton ............. 000 210 020— 5 9 5
Calgary ................ 020 100 16x—10 13 1
McNulty, Conant (7) McNulty (8) and Morgan; Kapp, Stites (9) and Bricker.
VANCOUVER [Clancy Loranger, Province, Sept. 9]—They rang down the curtain on the 1953 Capilanos Tuesday, with K Chorlton taking the bows at the finish and the intended hero, general manager Dewey Soriano, wringing his hands in the wings.
With fair-haired boy K showing the way with a home run in each game against Wenatchee—and his third in two nights—the Caps won their third straight doubleheader, their eighth and ninth straight starts, and their 11th game in 12 outings.
This “big” finish assured the locals of third place in the second-half standings, but all it did for Dewey, the bright young man who would have liked to run up a flag in centre field in his freshman year, was to leave him with that “what might have been feeling.”
The Caps had two slumps this season—both of then at crucial stages of the first and second halves. They were right in contention for the first-half crown, when they dropped four in a row to Edmonton and wound up fourth.
Losing Streak Disastrous
And they had moved into a contending position, with a much improved club, in the second half, when disaster struck. For eight games they did nothing right, and that losing streak left them too far back when they started their season’s best streak that saw them do little wrong at the finish.
There were other disappointments for Soriano, too, as he took over the job that Bob Brown held so long and vacated last winter for the WIL presidency. The Caps were the victims of foul weather—and, let’s face it, a club that never gripped the fans’ imagination—as they hit a new low in attendance in the new stadium.
They should total around 70,000 for the year, compared to 170,000 in 1951 and 119,000 last year.
The season wasn’t a complete flop, of course. There were pitchers Bob Roberts, bought for a bargain from Calgary, and Lonnie Myers—both sold to Seattle. And Dewey announced last night that Van Fletcher, a 17-game winner this season, is back in the Seattle fold and will return to the Coast League team next spring along with Pete Hernandez (18-10), who was recalled.
Storey Was Popular General
Soriano chose Harvey Storey, the ex-Coast Leaguer, as his field boss over several candidates, and what Storey lacked in color he made up for with his bat and his general competency as a tactician. And he was liked, too, in the same way Bill Brenner was here, if they pay off on that.
Other highlights: the improved play of Jack Bukowatz as a second baseman and hitter; the acquisition of the league’s best shortstop, Jim Clark; the development of Bob Duretto as a catcher; and the final emergence of Chorlton, who finished like the ball player who once was bought by the New York Giants.
The disappointments? Well, they won’t be around next April.
VANCOUVER [by EATON HOWITT, Sun, Sept. 9]—Well kiddies, it would seem we have come to the end of the Storey. (Please Mr. Editor that’s the right spelling).
Not only have we come to the end of the storey, but the story is finished, too. Confusing, eh, what?
There was a sad ending. Though it seems likely most of the lovable, kind characters we have been reading about since last springs when the first chapter opened in California, will live happily ever after.
The ending was unhappy because Capilanos finished in third place instead of first. The final paragraph or two were happy enough. ‘Smatter of fact the last nine paragraphs were pretty darn good.
A double win last night over those Wenatchee Chiefs brought Caps WIL win streak to nine. A little too late and a lot too late.
That’s the story. Now the Storey.
General Manager Dewey Soriano will not say whether manager Harvey Storey will be kept on for another year.
He will admit readily enough he was mightily disappointed with the final half of the ball season.
But the official announcement of what (if anything) is to happen to Harv, will have to wait. Don’t hold your breath kiddies.
The Cap dressing room was full of fond farewells after last night’s games. Most of the players are speeding home right away. It’s not that they don’t like Vancouver but home is still pretty sweet.
K. Chorlton won both games with a pair of neat home runs. A never-say-die kind of player he was pretty sad when it was all over. “If only I’d be hitting like that a month ago,” he sighed. Don’t worry K, your fielding kept Caps in there.
Van Fletcher has been sold outright to Seattle and Pete Hernandez has been recalled. And that’s just about it.
But hang on folks. Before many days have passed there’ll likely be a postscript from Dewey’s office.
First Game
Wenatchee ......... 000 000 0—0 4 0
Vancouver .......... 011 000 x—2 9 0
Klein, Oubre (8) and Helmuth; Hernandez and Duretto.
Second Game
Wenatchee ......... 002 500 001—8 9 3
Vancouver .......... 120 031 02x—9 10 2
DeCarolis and Bartolomei; Marshall, Thompson (5), Gunnarson (9) and Leavitt.
YAKIMA — Herman Lewis doubled off the centrefield fence to score Bob Wellman with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday night to give the Yakima Bears a 2-1 Western International League victory over Salem.
Salem ............ 000 001 000—1 6 1
Yakima .......... 010 001 00x—2 6 1
Collins, Roenspie (6) and Masterson; Rios and Albini.
Plumbing Will Be No. 1 Sport Wih Capilanos In Off-Season
By KEITH MATTHEWS
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 9, 1953]
What do ball players do in the off-season? Well, unless you’re a $20,000 a year man—which nobody in the WIL is—the answer is “work.”
The Capilanos, for instance, will be migrating from Vancouver in large bunches of confusion today and a run-down on off-season activities indicates that plumbing will be the favorite winter sport this year. Once, as recent as 1951, school teaching was the most popular trade—but this year there’s a school “larner” in the bunch.
Gene Petralli and Clarence Marshall are the plumbers—Gene definitely located with his father in Sacramento in a thriving “Petralli Plumbing Co.” business. For Marshall, plumbing will merely be an excuse to play winter ball and help him find that long lost control. “Cuddles” tentatively plans to play weekend ball in Los Angeles for the Roosevelt Plumbers, who sponsor a ball club which Bob Duretto also plays for.
HERE’S THE ADDRESS
Petralli and Duretto will be among the first to leave town. Bob, of course, goes back to his gas station in Glendale. “Tell everyone the station is right on highway 99,” Bob smiled. “You can’t miss it and Bill Schuster and I give away a free tank of gas to anyone who can guess exactly what his tank will take when he drives in.” The address, Duretto added, is 1742 South Brand.
Not long after the first migration will be K Chorlton, who will drive to Seattle this morning to get acquainted with his new daughter, Karen Dianne. “It’s easy to guess what I’ll be doing,” Chorlton laughed, “—fishing and changing diapers.”
After that K will either sell industrial insurance or drive an oil truck.
Harvey Storey returns to a gas station like Duretto. Harvey is in Forest Grove, Oregon, some 20 miles the other side of Portland.
PETE UNDECIDED
Pete Hernandez is a little undecided, but it looks like he’ll take his old job as an order clerk with the Chevrolet factory in San Leandro, California. That’s just six miles from the Senor’s home in Hayward. Van Fletcher will pursue his career as a pitcher. After a short visit with brother Guy in Sacramento, “Doc” will high-tail for Mexico and a job pitching winter balls and strikes.
Dick Barrett makes his home just south of the border in Seattle and he hopes to locate employment with the sheriff’s office filing car licenses.
Frank Mascaro, who just got out of the army before spring training, wants to see a lot more pitching and swing some bats before he reports to San Francisco next spring. “I may get a job in Sacramento moving furniture,” the Moose said, “but I’m taking a bat home with me.”
Jack Bukowatz will return to his home in Susanville, California, and go back to his old job of being a city policeman. Jim Leavitt will help his dad on his pear farm in Placerville, California. Jim Clark and his “pa” operate a machine shop building airplane parts in Santa Monica, but Jim is in no immediate hurry. He wants to see more of Vancouver and its scenery and fishing. He won’t be leaving for a week.
TAYLOR A COP
Gale Taylor is also a cop. He’s on the gambling detail (as if there were any other) in Las Vegas. Rod MacKay is a local boy and has the help wanted sign out. Dale Thomason will return to Spokane but he doesn’t know what’s in the offing. Last year he was a Fuller brush salesman. Nick Castas will do some typing for a Seattle shipbuilding firm and play semi-pro basketball on the side.
Carl Gunnarson? He has nothing in mind except a busman’s holiday in his birthplace, Oslo, Minnesota, to meet old friends and relatives.
Which leaves the Capilanos, for one more year, just a memory.
The Sports Herald
Keith Matthews
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 9, 1953]
Just guessing …
At this very instant another baseball season is being recorded for posterity, or poverty as the case may be, and locally the fans are asking, who among the ’53 Capilanos will return for another season?
Explicitly, they are wondering if Harvey Storey cut the mustard sufficiently to earn himself another managerial contract.
Naturally, it is far too soon to say for sure. Dewey Soriano, like his predecessor Bob Brown, saves his press releases on this subject until the winter when the first sign of spring training lurks in the air. Therefore, anything we say here in merely a guess.
You have to know Storey adequately to appreciate him. To the casual observer, Harv would impress merely as a quiet, unobstructing soul with a milquetoast temperament. This is not exactly the case, because the Capilano leader can point to the year 1953 as the first in which he was thrown out of a baseball game. Regarding his refusal to speak his piece, Storey has never been known yet—at least by his teammates—pass up a situation which calls for a good punch-line.
One night when Dick Barrett and Clarence Marshall were discussing good hitters, somebody mentioned the name of Augie Galan—the old Dodger star and present Oakland skipper. “He is a mighty fine hitter,” is what somebody supposedly supposed.
Storey has never made a [unreadable] friend in his baseball career, but there are some [unreadable] more than others. [Unreadable] is not one of the [unreadable]. Sensing an appropriate statement was necessary, Harvey spoke: “Galan was a good hitter? Why I’ll bet if I walked across home plate real slow [unreadable], he couldn’t even hit me.
Gag a minute …
Mind, his availability with a gag will have little to do with his re-hiring next season. He will be judged solely on his worth to the club as a manager and his talent to mold the Capilanos into a winner.
A feeling is still prevalent that the Caps choked in the clutch this year. Twice they strolled down Heartbreak Lane with a chance to take it all. Twice, they broke down and started losing streaks which pit them on the outs.
Storey has recorded this in his mind’s eye. If he is elected to be the one to lead the [unreadable] cast, of lost of his ’53 []cks will be missing—in case Harvey realised when it counted the most, they didn’t come through.
On the whole, the job of strategy that Harvey turned in this season was well [unreadable]. His entry in the first half might have been swinging magazine covers instead of bats for all the results they had. Still, Storey had them in the first division all the way. When the team was improved for the first-half fight, Harvey improved the standing for the entry. What more could you ask?
Also, in a day when cutting to be important, Harvey stands out as an asset instead of a liability. Never in his career has he asked for [unreadable]e. The chance they gave [unreadable] to play was favor enough.
[remaining two paragraphs unreadable]
FINAL SECOND HALF STANDINGS
W L Pct. GB
Spokane ..... 46 32 .590 —
Lewiston .... 42 30 .583 1
Vancouver ... 44 35 .557 2½
Yakima ...... 40 34 .541 4
Edmonton .... 38 34 .528 5
Salem ....... 39 35 .527 5
Calgary ..... 33 39 .458 10
Tri-City .... 32 42 .432 12
Wenatchee ... 30 44 .405 14
Victoria .... 29 46 .387 15½
KENNEWICK — Spokane backed into the Western International League's second half Championship Tuesday night despite a 3-2 loss to the Tri-City Braves in 11 innings.
Lewiston's 10-9 setback at the hands of the Victoria Tyees in the season's windup left Spokane seven percentage points ahead in the tight race to the wire.
Ernie Hockaday was both the goat and hero in Tri-City's extra-inning triumph before 1,236 hometown fans. His left field error in the third inning opened the gate for Spokane's two unearned runs Then he redeemed himself by singling home the tying run in the eighth and scored the winning tally in the last of the 11th.
Spokane .... 002 000 000 00—2 9 1
Tri-City ..... 000 000 110 01—3 12 1
Spring, Romero (8), New (11), Franks (11) and Sheets; Robertson and Warren.
LEWISTON, Idaho — The Lewiston Broncs tossed to the wind their chance of getting into the Western International League Baseball playoffs, bowing to last-place Victoria 10-9 Tuesday night.
The loss assures Spokane Indians of first place in the league's second half and a chance for the pennant in playoffs later this week with Salem, the first-half winner.
Loose pitching proved to be the Broncs' downfall, and manager Bill Brenner, who many times during the season pulled his team out of a tight squeere into a victory during the season, was charged with the loss.
Dwane Helbig led Victoria's 20-hit attack with four hits in five trips while Bill Prior, coming to the relief of Zeb Walker in the fourth, lasted to the finish to gain credit for the win.
Victoria ........... 000 521 200—10 20 3
Lewiston ......... 011 300 310— 9 14 1
Walker, Prior (4) and Harford; Perez, Brenner (4), Kime (5), Marshall (8) and Cameron.
CALGARY — Calgary Stampeders wound up their Western International League baseball season on a victorious note here Tuesday night by downing Edmonton Eskimos 10-5.
Stamps broke a nip-and-tuck contest wide open in the eighth inning when they plated six runs.
Thc Calgary victory was scored against the combined efforts of Ray McNulty and John Conant, aces of the Edmonton mound staff.
Don Bricker powered the Calgary victory with two homers. Dick Morgan and Bob Meisner homered for the Eskimos.
Ed Kapp was the winner and Conant the loser.
Edmonton ............. 000 210 020— 5 9 5
Calgary ................ 020 100 16x—10 13 1
McNulty, Conant (7) McNulty (8) and Morgan; Kapp, Stites (9) and Bricker.
VANCOUVER [Clancy Loranger, Province, Sept. 9]—They rang down the curtain on the 1953 Capilanos Tuesday, with K Chorlton taking the bows at the finish and the intended hero, general manager Dewey Soriano, wringing his hands in the wings.With fair-haired boy K showing the way with a home run in each game against Wenatchee—and his third in two nights—the Caps won their third straight doubleheader, their eighth and ninth straight starts, and their 11th game in 12 outings.
This “big” finish assured the locals of third place in the second-half standings, but all it did for Dewey, the bright young man who would have liked to run up a flag in centre field in his freshman year, was to leave him with that “what might have been feeling.”
The Caps had two slumps this season—both of then at crucial stages of the first and second halves. They were right in contention for the first-half crown, when they dropped four in a row to Edmonton and wound up fourth.
Losing Streak Disastrous
And they had moved into a contending position, with a much improved club, in the second half, when disaster struck. For eight games they did nothing right, and that losing streak left them too far back when they started their season’s best streak that saw them do little wrong at the finish.
There were other disappointments for Soriano, too, as he took over the job that Bob Brown held so long and vacated last winter for the WIL presidency. The Caps were the victims of foul weather—and, let’s face it, a club that never gripped the fans’ imagination—as they hit a new low in attendance in the new stadium.
They should total around 70,000 for the year, compared to 170,000 in 1951 and 119,000 last year.
The season wasn’t a complete flop, of course. There were pitchers Bob Roberts, bought for a bargain from Calgary, and Lonnie Myers—both sold to Seattle. And Dewey announced last night that Van Fletcher, a 17-game winner this season, is back in the Seattle fold and will return to the Coast League team next spring along with Pete Hernandez (18-10), who was recalled.
Storey Was Popular General
Soriano chose Harvey Storey, the ex-Coast Leaguer, as his field boss over several candidates, and what Storey lacked in color he made up for with his bat and his general competency as a tactician. And he was liked, too, in the same way Bill Brenner was here, if they pay off on that.
Other highlights: the improved play of Jack Bukowatz as a second baseman and hitter; the acquisition of the league’s best shortstop, Jim Clark; the development of Bob Duretto as a catcher; and the final emergence of Chorlton, who finished like the ball player who once was bought by the New York Giants.
The disappointments? Well, they won’t be around next April.
VANCOUVER [by EATON HOWITT, Sun, Sept. 9]—Well kiddies, it would seem we have come to the end of the Storey. (Please Mr. Editor that’s the right spelling).
Not only have we come to the end of the storey, but the story is finished, too. Confusing, eh, what?
There was a sad ending. Though it seems likely most of the lovable, kind characters we have been reading about since last springs when the first chapter opened in California, will live happily ever after.
The ending was unhappy because Capilanos finished in third place instead of first. The final paragraph or two were happy enough. ‘Smatter of fact the last nine paragraphs were pretty darn good.
A double win last night over those Wenatchee Chiefs brought Caps WIL win streak to nine. A little too late and a lot too late.
That’s the story. Now the Storey.
General Manager Dewey Soriano will not say whether manager Harvey Storey will be kept on for another year.
He will admit readily enough he was mightily disappointed with the final half of the ball season.
But the official announcement of what (if anything) is to happen to Harv, will have to wait. Don’t hold your breath kiddies.
The Cap dressing room was full of fond farewells after last night’s games. Most of the players are speeding home right away. It’s not that they don’t like Vancouver but home is still pretty sweet.
K. Chorlton won both games with a pair of neat home runs. A never-say-die kind of player he was pretty sad when it was all over. “If only I’d be hitting like that a month ago,” he sighed. Don’t worry K, your fielding kept Caps in there.
Van Fletcher has been sold outright to Seattle and Pete Hernandez has been recalled. And that’s just about it.
But hang on folks. Before many days have passed there’ll likely be a postscript from Dewey’s office.
First Game
Wenatchee ......... 000 000 0—0 4 0
Vancouver .......... 011 000 x—2 9 0
Klein, Oubre (8) and Helmuth; Hernandez and Duretto.
Second Game
Wenatchee ......... 002 500 001—8 9 3
Vancouver .......... 120 031 02x—9 10 2
DeCarolis and Bartolomei; Marshall, Thompson (5), Gunnarson (9) and Leavitt.
YAKIMA — Herman Lewis doubled off the centrefield fence to score Bob Wellman with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday night to give the Yakima Bears a 2-1 Western International League victory over Salem.
Salem ............ 000 001 000—1 6 1
Yakima .......... 010 001 00x—2 6 1
Collins, Roenspie (6) and Masterson; Rios and Albini.
Plumbing Will Be No. 1 Sport Wih Capilanos In Off-Season
By KEITH MATTHEWS
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 9, 1953]
What do ball players do in the off-season? Well, unless you’re a $20,000 a year man—which nobody in the WIL is—the answer is “work.”
The Capilanos, for instance, will be migrating from Vancouver in large bunches of confusion today and a run-down on off-season activities indicates that plumbing will be the favorite winter sport this year. Once, as recent as 1951, school teaching was the most popular trade—but this year there’s a school “larner” in the bunch.
Gene Petralli and Clarence Marshall are the plumbers—Gene definitely located with his father in Sacramento in a thriving “Petralli Plumbing Co.” business. For Marshall, plumbing will merely be an excuse to play winter ball and help him find that long lost control. “Cuddles” tentatively plans to play weekend ball in Los Angeles for the Roosevelt Plumbers, who sponsor a ball club which Bob Duretto also plays for.
HERE’S THE ADDRESS
Petralli and Duretto will be among the first to leave town. Bob, of course, goes back to his gas station in Glendale. “Tell everyone the station is right on highway 99,” Bob smiled. “You can’t miss it and Bill Schuster and I give away a free tank of gas to anyone who can guess exactly what his tank will take when he drives in.” The address, Duretto added, is 1742 South Brand.
Not long after the first migration will be K Chorlton, who will drive to Seattle this morning to get acquainted with his new daughter, Karen Dianne. “It’s easy to guess what I’ll be doing,” Chorlton laughed, “—fishing and changing diapers.”
After that K will either sell industrial insurance or drive an oil truck.
Harvey Storey returns to a gas station like Duretto. Harvey is in Forest Grove, Oregon, some 20 miles the other side of Portland.
PETE UNDECIDED
Pete Hernandez is a little undecided, but it looks like he’ll take his old job as an order clerk with the Chevrolet factory in San Leandro, California. That’s just six miles from the Senor’s home in Hayward. Van Fletcher will pursue his career as a pitcher. After a short visit with brother Guy in Sacramento, “Doc” will high-tail for Mexico and a job pitching winter balls and strikes.
Dick Barrett makes his home just south of the border in Seattle and he hopes to locate employment with the sheriff’s office filing car licenses.
Frank Mascaro, who just got out of the army before spring training, wants to see a lot more pitching and swing some bats before he reports to San Francisco next spring. “I may get a job in Sacramento moving furniture,” the Moose said, “but I’m taking a bat home with me.”
Jack Bukowatz will return to his home in Susanville, California, and go back to his old job of being a city policeman. Jim Leavitt will help his dad on his pear farm in Placerville, California. Jim Clark and his “pa” operate a machine shop building airplane parts in Santa Monica, but Jim is in no immediate hurry. He wants to see more of Vancouver and its scenery and fishing. He won’t be leaving for a week.
TAYLOR A COP
Gale Taylor is also a cop. He’s on the gambling detail (as if there were any other) in Las Vegas. Rod MacKay is a local boy and has the help wanted sign out. Dale Thomason will return to Spokane but he doesn’t know what’s in the offing. Last year he was a Fuller brush salesman. Nick Castas will do some typing for a Seattle shipbuilding firm and play semi-pro basketball on the side.
Carl Gunnarson? He has nothing in mind except a busman’s holiday in his birthplace, Oslo, Minnesota, to meet old friends and relatives.
Which leaves the Capilanos, for one more year, just a memory.
The Sports Herald
Keith Matthews
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 9, 1953]
Just guessing …
At this very instant another baseball season is being recorded for posterity, or poverty as the case may be, and locally the fans are asking, who among the ’53 Capilanos will return for another season?
Explicitly, they are wondering if Harvey Storey cut the mustard sufficiently to earn himself another managerial contract.
Naturally, it is far too soon to say for sure. Dewey Soriano, like his predecessor Bob Brown, saves his press releases on this subject until the winter when the first sign of spring training lurks in the air. Therefore, anything we say here in merely a guess.
You have to know Storey adequately to appreciate him. To the casual observer, Harv would impress merely as a quiet, unobstructing soul with a milquetoast temperament. This is not exactly the case, because the Capilano leader can point to the year 1953 as the first in which he was thrown out of a baseball game. Regarding his refusal to speak his piece, Storey has never been known yet—at least by his teammates—pass up a situation which calls for a good punch-line.
One night when Dick Barrett and Clarence Marshall were discussing good hitters, somebody mentioned the name of Augie Galan—the old Dodger star and present Oakland skipper. “He is a mighty fine hitter,” is what somebody supposedly supposed.
Storey has never made a [unreadable] friend in his baseball career, but there are some [unreadable] more than others. [Unreadable] is not one of the [unreadable]. Sensing an appropriate statement was necessary, Harvey spoke: “Galan was a good hitter? Why I’ll bet if I walked across home plate real slow [unreadable], he couldn’t even hit me.
Gag a minute …
Mind, his availability with a gag will have little to do with his re-hiring next season. He will be judged solely on his worth to the club as a manager and his talent to mold the Capilanos into a winner.
A feeling is still prevalent that the Caps choked in the clutch this year. Twice they strolled down Heartbreak Lane with a chance to take it all. Twice, they broke down and started losing streaks which pit them on the outs.
Storey has recorded this in his mind’s eye. If he is elected to be the one to lead the [unreadable] cast, of lost of his ’53 []cks will be missing—in case Harvey realised when it counted the most, they didn’t come through.
On the whole, the job of strategy that Harvey turned in this season was well [unreadable]. His entry in the first half might have been swinging magazine covers instead of bats for all the results they had. Still, Storey had them in the first division all the way. When the team was improved for the first-half fight, Harvey improved the standing for the entry. What more could you ask?
Also, in a day when cutting to be important, Harvey stands out as an asset instead of a liability. Never in his career has he asked for [unreadable]e. The chance they gave [unreadable] to play was favor enough.
[remaining two paragraphs unreadable]
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