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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1954-01-07, Page 7f TNECahiEtt SPORTS COLUMN Eeoteptevatpait CALVERT SPORTS COLUMN .-.,-. ART to This may sound like one of those - tricic questions you hear on radio quiz programs. And, in fact, it is. Here's the question: "Would it be possible that the • biggest upset in Canadian sport during 1953 didn't happen in Canada at all?" The answer isn't too difficult Hockey is a Canadian sport, and Canadians were on both ends of the upset when the idwly .Boston Bruins, who had just barely scrambled into the Stanley Cup play offs, knocked the lordly Detroit Red Wings right out of the picture It didn't happen in Canada, of course, because the sial games which saw the National League champions and Cup holders unceremoniously shouldered out of the picture to the amazement of every hockey tan on the continent, were all played �n U.S, it+. But it was the 'sports upset of the year. The depth of the upset can bt1' >een in a quid; review of the regular -season figures, i:n which Detroit won 10 games, tied two and lost two against Boston,, The record•setting Wings, who won an unprecedented fifth straight NHL title, also out- scored tine' Bruins, 62 goals to 19, over that stretch On Detroit ice, where Boston won a key game in the Cup series last spring, the Wings held a fantastic 27-2 margin over our sea- sons, including 12 straight wins. But in the Cup series, Bruins scored, -21 goals in the six games, the same number, by eoinci• dente, 'as did Red VPings, The hero of the spectacular Boston triumph undoubtedly was Samuel (Sugar Jim) Henry, the Bruins' goaler. Two years before, henry had been a spare goalie in the hockey camp of the Iced Wings. When a call for help calve from Bruins, the veteran goallninder, who had failed in previous tries with New York and Chicago, was sold to the Boston club for a few thou- sand dollars. So. amazing was I3.enr;y's comeback with Boston that during the first year, 1951-52, he was named to the second All-Star team and was third in the voting for the National Hockey League's Most Valuable Player award. In the opening round of the post -season playoffs he carne back to thwart the team that had sold him to Boston. In the first three games against Detroit, Sugar Jim made 122 saves as Boston upset the defending champions twice to take a 2-1 lead in the best -of -seven series. And when Bruins battled Canadiens right down to the wire in the Cup finals, it was the gallant Henry, hobbling. on one foot, his ankle badly damaged, who held the Habitant team at bay, without a goal, until one whistled past him in overtime of the fifth and final game to give the Montreal team the title. Your comments and suggestions for this column will be welcomed by Elmer Ferguson, c/o Calvert House, 437 Yonge Sr., Toronto, Calvert DISTILLERS LIMITED AMHERST8t1RG, ONTARIO PLAIN NORSE SENSE.. 8y BOB ELLIS Looking back over the year 1953, we find three events in the agricultural field of"' special significance- for., -,the future. The first was the establish- ment of the Ontario Hog Mar- keting Agency • which started -- operations in January at a time when 'hog prices were at a low. The time was opportune for farmers to take more control of the marketing of one of their products. The leaders of the associations are trying their very best to do a good job for their fellow members which is not as easy as those believe who do their squawking either after the meet- ings or at home. We have some doubts though; whether orderly marketing by direction only will be effective once supplies get more plentf- ful and do . hope that plans are being made for farmer controlled processing. • If farmers would get together and set up a number of ro-opera tively owned and operated meat packing p 1 a nt s, strategically placed all over the province, it would give . them the greatest assurance of just and fair prices in the home market. Farmers Sell Cheese The second. event giving rea- son for good cheer was the sale og 10,000,000 lbs. of Ontario cheese to Britain made by the Ontario. Cheese Marketing Board. The emancipation of agricultural producers from the government will not -only work out for their own best, but will make govern- ments — provincial and federal — more amenable to reasonable demands by farm organizations. After all, these governments are still being elected mostly on farm votes, even if they don't want to have it true. It could -well happen that farmers, if they were to find out their own strength, could decide to take a more active and direct part in the organization of governments. Farmer -Labour Relations The third and perhaps most MERRY MENAGERIE Vow see what your stubbornness ltM done!" significant event of the past year was the closer drawing together of organized agriculture and, organized labour. For years we _ have heard, in the annual meet ings of farm associations ' and labour unions, resolutions on the necessity of co-operation between these two groups. These resolu- tions always carried, but no action was taken. - However, in March 1953 the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and set up a number of co -opera - and the Ontario Federation of Labour, at long last came to- gether and • appointed a joint committee to study . and further their common problems. First action taken jointly was the brief prepared by the Farm Implement Council of the United Steelworkers and United Auto- -.mobile uto- ,mobile Workers; to be presented to the Federal Government with the support of the Federation of. Agriculture. Spark Plug How far this sudden upsurge of organizational activities in farm circles was spark plugged by the appearance of the Ontario Farmers Union, is beyond out; knowledge. There can be no doubt that a good share of the credit for the accomplishments of 1953 should go to the men of the Union whom we found 'n be Christian gentlemen and 1 of good will. It is a good thin that up there in Grey and Bruce is still enough fighting spirit to prevent the .On- tario farm movement from get- ting dull and drab. *!appy New Year Perhaps we should mention the Toronto Milk Producers who are endeavouring to establish their own milk processing plant. To them, to the hog producers and cheese producers, to the Federation and the Union men, to one and all, our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and u happy and prosperous 1954. Lest we forget that we all work for the same aim, a full and abundant life for ALL. This column welcomes sug- gestions, -wise . or foolish, and all criticism, whether constructive or destructive and will try to answer any question. Address your letters to Bob Ellis, Box 1, 123 • 18th St., New Toronto. Ont. CITIZEN'S TAB The preacher came along and wrote on the fence: "I pray for all." The lawyer wrote underneath: 4A2 plead for, all," The doctor added: "I prescribe for all." The farmer wrote; "I pay for all" Million-Pollar Smile — Harry Trotsek of Hialeah Race Track has c great deal to smile about. He's the third trainer in turf history whose horses have earned over a million dollars in one season. Trotsek holds a check representing bite $1,026,950 that recently crowned him "champion money winning trainer of 1953." Bill Winfrey, Native Dancer's trainer, 'is second with winnings of $985,356. 10/ A SLYBI l"C'1' `l.0 We just know that all our readers, and especially those who deplore the free scoring trend in most modern sports, will be interested ,in learning' the re- sult of . the most recent fixture of Eton's' 'famous "Wall Gerrie." Not to keep you in suspense too long, the Oppidans• walloped the Colleger by a score of two shies (that's "shies," not "tries," Mr. Linotype) to nothing. As you doubtless already know the •Op- pidans are the lads who board out or live in the town itself, while, the Collegers - are ' resld= eats - of England's most famous school. n * * Now two to, nothing maSifE not sound like any great raspy of scoring, but you've got to ton- ' sides; that this was the 'first time since 1949 that there: had been ' anything' but a scoreless draw. Actual, goals in the Wall Game occur . about once every 40 years,. the last one having been scored - back in 1909. The gambling gents who like fast action for , their dough ' and. who bet" on every goal in hockey; every pitch in baseball, would certainly have a dull time at Eton. As a matter of fact it - was the lack of defin- ite results and the scarceness of goals that brought about the new rule reducing the teams from eleven to ten a side _ a move which, we feel sure, caused much head -shaking among the more conservative of the Old School Ties. s •r According to the invaluable e• Sydney Skilton of The Christian Science Monitor, from who we do considerable of our borrow. ing regarding sport Over'Ome, to - score a goal in the Wall Game is about as easy. as doing a golf round of eighteen consecutive holes in one. All you have to do is secure the ball from a scrim- mage in a set region of the wall and then shy it at a goal. One of the goals consists of a little door and the other is an old elm tree trunk, with both of them so awkwardly placed that the thrower has to be an Annie Oak- ley to • even come close. They started keeping tab over a cen- tury ago, in 1841 to be exact, and in all that stretch one oI other of the goals has been hit only three times. If the; salary is reasonably liberal, we `fancy that the job of Permanent' Scorer for the Wall Game would' suit us no end. * The origin of this Wall game is shrouded in the„ n ists of an- tiquity and the theory that it just grew with the school, now more than 500 years old, is the one generally and , conveniently accepted. But another theory propounded by a -fellow of the Royal Historical Society as that it arrived there in 1624 when Sir Henry Wooton became pro- vost. Sir Henry brought it from Italy when he had served for a long time in the diplomatic service as the English ambassa- dor In Venice. A * * Thesame historian goes on to state that the Eton. Wall game comes from a type of football which was played and described In Italy around the middle of the 16th century. A wall was an in. tegral part of the Florentine and Siennese versions Of the game end was so mentioned in vari- ous beaks published in Venice some 400 years ago, The reten- tion of Lati i phrases- in the Eton game suppdrts the historian's silpposition. "Calx," Latin for ll,eel''or foot, from which the Italian "Calcio" (a kick) is de- rived is an example.. ,"(We must try and remember that word "calx.” There are sev- eeal characters we would like ca]i heels, and maybe if vie, did it in - Latin, we could let away with it. But we must get back to that dear Eton). * )1, . i The whole game is . replete With hazards and odd sounding • words and. phrases. They include "bully," "rogue" and "cools." To give an explanation' of the game except to an actual eye -wit- ness, is almost an impossibility because -once the ball, somewhat smaller than a soccer ball, is. tossed in the midst of the play- ers anything and everything - can and does happen. - :i ,k * The striking of 12:30 by the. old clock in Lupton's Tower is the :signal of the - start .and 'play kes; place in An area.,, between_.- e �� wall runningalong 1. ' '. .. the Slough -Windsor. road - and a fur- row, which .is the touchline about six yards away, running paral- lel to the wall. fr r * Surmotmted on the 12 ft. high wall are all the schoolboys who . can manage it plus photograph- ers whose efforts of portraying the struggling and straining of the mass of humanity down bee low never seem to change from year to year. k a` * The team comprises "walls" who wear what looks like old sacking, caps and gloves to pro- tect them against the wall's ab- rasions, "seconds" who operate hi support of the "walls," "out- sides" and "behinds." Most of the play is "tight" which means that the ball is -kept -within the scrimmage as 'the two sides .fight their way 'along the wall into each other's territory. "Loose" play, is : when the ball is booted as' far as possible in the oppon- ents territory. Halfway - through the players change ends. The side which began by attacking "Good Calx" now: defends it. This is the end so named because of the superi- or playing surface and where the goal is the door in a distant • wall running at right angles tb the wall proper. The opposite 10 -yard area at the other end is, obviously, "Bad Calx." * * "Shies," ten of which can count as one goal, are scored when a player can, despite the interfer- ence of many pairs of stout boots, manage to get the ball up on his foot against the wall and tduch it with his hand as he shouts "Go it." Providing he is in "calx" and providing the umpire agrees with him he has a shot at goal. The great thrill of hitting a goal has been reserved for the pleasure of only three assembles. But that does not detract one monocle's worth of enthusiasm from an honored and picturesque annual tradition at England's famous school, * * * And thanks once again to you, Sydney Skilton. If ever we get that job we shall certainly try and get you the post 'of Assistant Scorer. Qn a purely honorary basis, of course! BIDS ON THE BIDDY Sergeant, "I'm '° all in. I've been running around all day trying to get something for my wife." Private: "Well have you had any offers?" Broke up the Game Also the Players Big league baseball fans are discriminating critics of comedy as well as uncompromising con- noisseurs of the game itself. It's tough for a ballplayer to make the glade on both counts, but Herman Schaefer, better known as Germany, was a big favorite with Detroiters for both his base- ball ability and his comic artistry when he was a member of the old Tigers. One sunny *day in Chicago, the Tigers were trailing the White Sox 2 to 1, and Germany had given .p his second -base duties to coach at third. The crowd watched only incidentally as Doe White struck ottt the first two Tiger batters in the first Of the ninth—most of their atten- tion being focused on Germany's clowning. Whether because of the distraction around third or some other undisclosed reason, White had a momentary lapse against . the next man at the plate, and walked him en four pitches. Germany was wild with joy, but manager Hugh Jennings postponed his cerebration and tried to select a pinch hitter for his hurler. Schaefer was impatient. "Hey, Boss," he shouted. "Want to win this one? Better let me bat!" Jennings played the hunch and sent Germany to the plate. You've got to say this for Chi- cago's South. Side fans. They give credit to a ballplayer re- gardless of the name on his uni- form, and Germany Schaefer re- ceived a great hand as it was announced that he was replacing Donahue. Schaefer strode to the plate as though he wore the seven -league boots. There was cockiness in every step, and as he approached the batter's box, he held up his hands to silence the cheering crowd. Much like a circus barirer, he .addressed the fans; "Ladies and gentlemen --Permit me t0 present to you—Herman . Schaefer, the World's Greatest Batsman- who will now give you, a demonstration of his marvelous hitting power." The crowd loved it, and even .Doc White smiled. Billy Sullivan signalled for Doe's, fast one, and the southpaw burn- ed it down the middle. Whale! Germany ,met the ball - with tre- mendous power, and it sailed clear over the pavilion . in left - center field, one of the longest home runs ever bit in Comiskey Park. Ordinarily, that game -winning homer would hae satisfied any ballplayer, particularly after a prophetic speech as Germany had. just delivered. But he was just warmed up. Ile took off for first like a shot and slid into the bag. Getting up, he dusted himself off, and announced, "At the quarter, Schaefer leads by a head!" Whoosh he was off for second and a gorgeous slide. After a deep bow, he - in- formed the fans. "At the half, Schaefer leads by a length." The crowd was helpless with laughter as he slid into third and an- nounced, "Schaefer leads by a mile!" Not content with that, Germany tore for the plate as though he had to beat a throw by the skin of his teeth, and slid into home in a cloud of dust. As he smoothed down his dirty uni- form and doffed his hat to the stands, he shouted once •more, "This, ladies and gentlemen, will conclude the afternoon' performance. I thank you, one and all!" The White Sox were doubled up in laughter in spite of the homer, and they were easy outs in their half of the inning. It was probably the only time in history a team enjoyed losing a ball game. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING AUCTION SCHOOL LEARN Anctioneering, term soon, Free catalog. Reisch Auction School, Mason City 11. Iowa. . BABYCHICKS AXIAL purpose birds and meat type breeds will not give you the maximum in egg Deduction and will Dost you a lot more "to feed them. Purchase any of - our five pure breeds or cross breeds we recommend for tops in 'egg poduction. They will pay off. 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