Out of The Past
55 years ago it was sports as usual, weather a la Miami How many times have you watched something happen or heard or read about a joyful event that happened long in the past and perhaps mused, “If only that much of history would repeat itself.”
It was back in this fourth week of January 1950, that something happened, not of a sports nature, but one that whether it is in sports or just daily living, you wish very strongly could be repeated. For that matter, even a two-thirds repetition would be most welcome.
It was noted that in the middle of this week, 55 years ago, the weatherman predicted, “scattered showers,” but at the same time, a front-page article noted, “An all-time record high for January weather was established, with a reading of 79.”
That’s right, 79 degrees – above zero at this time of winter! The old record was 74 set in 1949. The shivering thought was there, “If only history would repeat itself!”
And while it was so warm for that time, what else was happening to brighten up the daily living.
-The NFL voted 12-1 to set up two divisions of play. Division One included the Steelers, Cleveland, New York Giants, Philadelphia, Washington and Chicago Cardinals. Division Two included the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, New York Bulldogs and Green Bay. Baltimore was the 13th team and was designated the “swing team.” Each team would play the other division members home-and-home, plus one team from the other division and Baltimore. Every team played the Colts. It was a good setup. But teevee would come along soon and ruin it all with their multi-division and conference playoffs, and two-weeks break for the Super Bowl, etc.
-The Pirates signed outfielder Tom Saffell, who hit .322 the previous season in 72 games after being called up from Indianapolis. No salary figures were given. The Bucs also announced they would take 67 rookies to training camp, then in San Bernardino, Calif.
-Masontown took over first place in Section 21, beating Carmichaels, 33-20, led by Don Barnhart (10) and Dutch Triplett (7). Fred Novak (9) led the Mikes.
-Connellsville, led by Gil Small (15), George Lohr (14), and Dan Taylor (13) stopped Georges, 51-39. Tom Marano (15) and Joe Juriga (11) paced GHS.
-Uniontown won its fifth consecutive wrestling match, 25-23, over Jefferson, as Don Rable, Don Danko, Rob Farnella, and Larry Hitchon remained undefeated. UHS pinners were Sam Manella (88), fastest of the night, 1:45 of the first; Bill Suich (120), and Danko (1:50, 1st), decisions were won by Farnella) 165) and Hitchon (185), and Rable (103) drew with Murphy. For the Jeffs, Chris Topher (138) had a fall, and J. Crayne (93), Hoyle (112), Pache (127), Cottle (132) and Lynn (154) posted decisions.
-All of the starting five hit doubles as South Union routed German, 63-27. Don Bierer had 15, Willie Davis 13, and Ron Fudala, Walt Culbreth, and Lee Bero 11. Joe Pecosh (11) led GT.
-Paul Harford (16) and John Kollar (12) led North Union past Dunbar Twp., 50-35. Bob Soltis had 10 for the Mules. Also in the DT lineup was guard Ross Kershey, who would go on to set an all-time basketball coaching wins record at Coatesville High, and is now retired.
-Ten players got into the scoring column, led by Shuman (14), as St. John’s stopped Connellsville IC, 56-25. McGivern had 17 for IC.
-Joe DiMaggio signed his New York Yankees contract for 100-G’s, while the Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson for 35, and Gil Hodges for 13. Some of today’s Prima Donnas get that much a game and can’t carry the gloves of those three.
Moving over into the next day, the weather was going from a record high to “colder, with showers changing to snow flurries.”
-Uniontown completed S-10 first half play unbeaten, 46-37 over Point Marion. The Raiders moved out after leads of 12-4 and 26-11, led by Ron Curry (13) and Frank Kennedy (11). Roger Labin (9) led PM.
-Bob Jefferson won the Fayette County Bowling Championship Tournament by 58 pins, rolling an 853 series with singles of 238-198-202-215. Eli Freville of Connellsville was second with 795, including the tourney high single game 247.
-Uniontown won its ninth in a row, 52-42 over Greensburg, led by Curry (18), Ditty Mulligan (14), and Kennedy (12).
-Gene Zimmerlink scored 14 and John Midlick 13 as Redstone tripped Dunbar Twp., 42-35. Owade (8) led DT.
-Brownsville stopped Georges, 41-28, as Groom and Marghella had 13 each. Marano (11) led GT.
-Carmichaels nipped East Bethlehem, 40-39, led by Tony Cequeira’s 14. George Bendis had a game high 19 and Petroff 10 for EB.
-South Union moved ahead in the second quarter, and went on to beat California, 53-44, clinching with a 9-0 edge in the final four minutes. Culbreth (14), Fudala (13), Bierer (11), and Davis (10) paced SU. Ron Barli had 14 and John Konek 11 for Cal.
-Jack Harper got a game high 12, as St. John’s edged German, 28-25. Joe Pecosh (11) was high for the Uhlans.
-Oh, and the weather report for the end of the week?? From a record high to Saturday’s “cloudy, and much colder.” But no figures could be found.
Remember?
Jim Kriek is a Herald-Standard correspondent.