Show 0 DECENT D outpourings t f the v lace at large have shown one thing beyond all argument the public would rather have a contest than class for example big league baseball has lost over of its best men to war service such players as dickey gordon chandler walker cooper joe dimaggio tex hughson bob feller on and on and on thousands thought that the absence of these stars would turn away the crowds but the closer and more interesting or pennant races have more than filled out the long lines at the turnstiles turn stiles you may recall the old days when the yankees were v 18 games in front around july or early august in Grantlan dRice those days the american league pennant race was over just about when it started there was no contest last season the cardinals had the national league race practically won back in april once again no contest the recent derbies have had no johnstown Whir laway or count fleet but they offered contests 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 in baseball 0 A different boom the new sporting boom now getting under way 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 all different in the first place it will haven have far more contestants through the army and navy sporting program in the second place it will all outclass those days in the matter of public interest and public attendance for us this has been a far rougher and 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 comparison but this war began in december 1941 and it is still going full blast the casualty list of this war will triple the casualty list of the number one affair 7 the tremendous sports pr 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 younger set these army and navy ball 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 er ugh to go around so that all of us can improve dave ferriss and al benton have proved hubbells Hub bells slant coaches greasy neale and steve owen feel the 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 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 already been proven clearly that this country needs 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 ball parks are proving it major test case hank greenberg will be 35 years old on january 1 1946 ile he has been out of baseball action four seasons and before he moved into war service he had known 10 years of big league service from now on tiger hanks play will be followed with greater great er interest than the performance of any other player now in baseball this not only includes every baseball fan but also every veteran service athlete who hopes to return to some form of sport joe louis and billy conn are notable examples so are many other boxers many other ball players and many other football stars greenberg at least will give us part 0 of f the answer as to what four years year s of athletic inaction will do I 1 talked with the tall captain just before he was given his army r release e weighing pounds he looked fit for anything 1 I only wish I 1 knew the answer he said s aid but I 1 believe I 1 have at least two more seasons left in my system it will take a little time to get 9 going again to get my eye on the ball I 1 hope not too long but I 1 am in good shape physically although my legs will need some sea boning it will be good to get back in in time t to 0 have at least a chance to pick up the old game another year would have been too late |