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Newspaper
Long Beach Press Telegram
Location
Long Beach, California, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1953
Page
12
A fragmented holiday feature lists players and teams as Santa Claus rewards readers. Notable names appear across football, boxing, and baseball, with hopeful notes for 1954, a festive wrap and a final Merry Christmas greeting from St. Nick.
Johnny Gonsalves of Va Ka Jr, top-ranked lightweight, will fight Seattle’s Bobby Woods in Oakland on January 14 in a 10 round bout. Proceeds go to Father Philip’s Sunshine camp in Sonoma County for underprivileged children.
The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns may play on a frozen Brigga Stadion field Sunday. Weather high risk of below freezing temps prompts coaches Buddy Parker and Paul Brown to decide if sneakers or cleats give better traction. Past games show sneakers influencing outcomes, including matches against Green Bay and the Giants. Both teams plan to be ready with sneakers.
Radio listings show football and basketball broadcasts with teams like Detroit Lions Milwaukee Hawks Celtics and Browns. Events include college basketball from American University and a New York tabloid TV schedule.
USC backfield coach George Deitham predicts Michigan State will gain psychological edge against UCLA in the Rose Bowl. He notes the Big Ten team’s familiarity with big game pressure and speed versus a first Rose Bowl experience for UCLA, saying Michigan State must match UCLA’s size with pace.
Baltimore club president Don Kellett said there is no truth to reports Norman Strader would take over as coach of the Colts. He confirmed only that he spoke with Strader in San Francisco and added no decision on the 1954 staff had been made.
Ten college basketball teams average more than 84 points per game this season according to the NCAA Service Bureau. The list includes Mississippi State NC State Holy Cross Western Kentucky Ohio State George Washington Virginia Inc. and DelPali.
Michigan State coach Bierin Munn scolded his team on Christmas morning for over- seriousness in Rose Bowl prep while UCLA rested after workouts. Players away from home towns Flint Jackson Grand Rapids enjoyed a private Xmas party with team physician James S. Feurig revealed as Santa Claus. MSC hosts Rose Bowl party with binoculars for players.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Gene Mauch, ex-Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs, was five under par after a hole-in-one at the 12th hole when he abandoned his round to buy his wife's Christmas present, postponing a potential great golf score.
A bulky field of 17 thoroughbreds was nominated for the $20,000 added Palos Verdes Handicap at Santa Anita opening day. Calumet entry Mark-Ye-Well and Hill Gail top the list with others including Abba's Bull and Strangleheld, Cyclotron and CREAN. Mark-Ye-Well carries 128 pounds, Pet Bully and Hill Gail 124. The meet features the first grass course in the west and an infield turf race with a $250,000 hillside purse. Renowned riders Willie Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro headline, with Shoemaker riding Pet Bully and Arcaro likely aboard Mark-Ye-Well. Trainers prepped horses as 800 trackers attended a Christmas dinner. By March 6, prize money could total $3.1 million across 33 stakes. Dr. Charles H. Strub expresses optimism about grass racing.
A tongue in cheek wish list highlights 1954 hopes for Oregon coach Len Casano vo, Damon Miller Seals owner, Bill Kyne, Bobby Garrett, Evrard Charles, Carl Olsen, Tom Tittle, and others. It envisions new seasons, contracts, and bright prospects across football boxing and baseball with regional figures and New Year cheer.
Chicago White Sox sign right handed pitcher Gus Keriazakos and outfielder Ed Stewart under 1954 contracts. Keriazakos won one and lost six for Charleston last season and pitched for Waterloo and Hollywood. Stewart batted .271 with 13 RBIs and 16 hits, mainly serving as a pinch hitter with a .303 pinch average in 33 at bats.
The calendar lists two feature bouts at Lord Bleara Park Arena. Lord Carlton faces Lord and, at 1:15, Aldo Bogni meets Mar Snyder in a double main event with a $120 purse.
Des Moines AP reports Drake University coach Jack McClelland said a player was approached to fix the score of the Drake Iowa State game. The Des Moines Register named forward Ben Bumbry as the contacted player who rejected offers of 200 and 500 dollars. Iowa State won 69–59 at Drake Fieldhouse on December 22. Bumbry scored 27 points. he averages 18 a game. McClelland alerted the FBI and state investigators then police. Officials said charges may go to the Polk County attorney. case not closed. A 1953 law imposes up to 10000 fine and 10 years in prison for attempting to fix contests.
New York opinion column urges unity in sports amid changes in baseball football and basketball. It praises aging greats like Connie Mack and Amos Alonzo Stagg, questions hate slogans toward Yankees, argues for one platoon reforms, and suggests a new whistle concept to reduce referee noise.
In Miami the South opens as a one point favorite for the Shrine North South All-Star clash featuring 51 senior college standouts. North coach Stu Holcomb and South coach Andy Gustafson predict high scoring, no TV or radio, kickoff 5:15 pm PST, with attendance near 50,000. South QB Evans and others lead a passing attack while North counters with Dusty Rice, Harland Carl, and KO Miller among featured backs and receivers.
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