Show P CE outpourings outpour f f the RECENT populace populace lace at large have shown ono thing beyond all argument The public pub pub- public lic would rather have a contest contest- than class For example big league baseball has lost over of its best men to tow towar w war r service such players as Dickey Gordon Chandler Walker Cooper Joe DiMaggio Tex Hugh Hugh- Hughson son Bob on Feller-on and on and on Thousands thought that the ab- ab absence absence sence of these stars would turn away the crowds But the closer and more interesting pennant races have i more than filled out the long Ion lines at the theS S F turnstiles You may recall the old days when the Yankees were is 18 games in front around July or early August In Grantland Rico lUco tho t h o sed s e d a y s the American league pennant race was over just about when it started There was no con con- test Last season the Cardinals had the National league race practical practical- practically ly lyvon won von back in April Once again again- no contest I IThe The recent derbies have had no Johnstown or Count I I Fleet But they offered contests contests- I and brought out the greatest crowds in racing history as far as the United States is concerned The public wants to see a good rough and tumble scrap for the top an interesting turmoil where more than one can win Even with the cold wet weather of May and early June the crowds have proved this point in baseball e e e eA A Different Boom The new sporting boom now get get- getting getting ting under way vay is entirely different from the boom that followed the First World war That was the boom and the era of stars known as the Golden Age of sport This new boom will be aU all differ differ- ent In the first place it will have far more contestants through the army and navy sporting program In the second place it will all out out- outclass outclass class those days in the matter of public interest and public attend attend- ance For us this has been a far rougher and nd more devastating war than the first world upheaval knew Then we went to war in April 1917 and we were through in November 1918 That was only a sprint by com com- parison But this war began in December 1941 and it is still going J full blast The casualty list of this war will triple the casualty list of C the number one affair J The tremendous sports program which army and navy are working on is dead sure to bring in a star crop of baseball players football players and boxers from the young young- younger er set These army and navy ball ballplayers ballplayers players will have the advantage of good training and fit condition Carl Hubbell says That can make a bIg difference Also there ought to be enough to go around so that all of us can improve Dave Ferriss and Al Benton have proved Hubbells Hubbell's slant Coaches Greasy Neale and Steve Owen feel the saute same way about it in regard to football So do the college coaches who expect to get their share of these veterans Commissioner Chandler has prom prom- promised to give thousands of extra kids a chance to play baseball who have been shut out before through lack of playing space It has al- al already already ready been proven clearly that this country more players than it needs extra spectators This idea may not strike every promoter as a happy thought but it will be that way in the future In the meanwhile the first rush of the boom is already here The Thel l ball parks are proving it Major Test Case Hank Greenberg will be 35 years old on January I 1 1946 He has been out of baseball action four seasons and before he moved into war service service ice he had known 10 years of big league service From now on Tiger Hanks Hank's play will be followed with greater interest than the perform perform- performance ance of any other player now in baseball This not only includes ev- ev every cry ery I baseball fan but also every t veteran service athlete who hopes to return to some form of sport Joe Louis and Billy Conn are notable examples So are many oth- oth I. I no e. many boxers other ball players play play- players ers and many other football stars f Greenberg at least will give us f part of the answer as to what four years of athletic inaction will do I talked with the tall captain just k before he was given his army re- re lease Weighing pounds he looked fit for anything I wish I knew the answer he said but I believe I have at least two more seasons left in my system It will take a little time to get going again to get my eye on I Ithe the ball I hope not too long But I Iam Iam am in good shape physically al- al although although though my legs will need some sea sea- It will be good to get back in time to have at least a chance to pick up the old game Another Year would have been too late |