Slants on Sports

Milton Sandler, the chap who has been burning up the boards at most indoor track meets this season, has finally developed into one of the greatest consistent winners that the sporting world has seen in a long time. Without a doubt Sandler is the best Jewish sprinter this country has ever produced.

This year we have witnessed Sandler break the tape with record runs in the Milrose “600,” the popular Casey “600” of the Knights of Columbus track and field carnival, the New York A. C. games, the Boston Casey meets, and the Seton Hall track jamboree. In February at the Garden he also won the national indoor championship title for this distance.

DRAWS STELLAR FIELD

In all these contests the starting lists have been replete with stellar track luminaries from all parts of the country. Ever since that night a few years ago when Phil Edwards, Canadian negro student at N. Y. U., pulled the crowd from its seat with an amazing run and a new world’s record, the 600 metre run has been very popular. Thus it is that in every well known track meet the competitors in this now famous sprint are the topnotchers of the short distance field.

In all the races Sandler has participated in this year he has met with stern and vigorous opposition. Arbold Adams, Olympic champion; Jim Healy, N. Y. A. C., Bernard McCafferty of the Newark A. C., three times a winner of this event, Ivan Fuqua of the University of Illinois, national titleholder in the 400 metre distance and Harry Hoff man of N. Y. U., have been some of Sandler’s obstacles.

LAST LAP PRESSURE

In the national indoor championship races Sandler conquered his opponents with a blistering and heartbreaking spurt down the home stretch and beat out Bernie McCafferty for first place by the margin of a foot. The winner’s time for this spectacular dash was 1:22.8. This is considered good stepping even in fast company. Nevertheless the mark set by Sandler that night is one and fourtenths seconds behind his own world’s record for the distance.

It is the pressure applied in the home stretch that breaks the heart and spirit of this chap’s rivals. He has acquired this ability and training only in the last few months.

NOT ALWAYS A GOOD RUNNER

‘Magnus’ or ‘Maggle,” as Sandler is called by his friends, is a former Townsend Harris boy who received a scholarship to N. Y. U. He was a good student up at the Heights and graduated with the class of 1932. While there he was a member of the track and field outfit. But in college he did not prove as consistent in his running form as he is today. At best we can describe his college performances as those of an in-and-outer.

‘Maggie’ would win a few races up to the time of the Penn relays but when the IC. 4-A rolled round he proved the proverbial flash in the pan.

PICKED FOR OLYMPIC TRYOULS

Despite this eccentricity of form, Sandler was chosen along with ten others from N. Y. U. to go to Berkeley, California, to compete in the outdoor I. C. 4-A and Olympic tryouts, held in the spring of ’32.

However the trip, the California sunshine and the intensive grind caused Milt to crack under the strain. He lost to Arbold Adams of Bates, who later came through in the finals to win the “600” championship for America.

OTTO PELTZER AS COACH

Soon after he returned from his trip to the coast Sandler left for Germany, where he had hoped to study medicine. While there he first began hitting his real racing stride. He competed against such sterling opposition as Dr. Otto Peltzer, former world’s record holder. Dr. Peltzer gave him many fine pointers and tips which Sandler has incorporated into his running form today.

But he was in Germany no longer than six months when symptoms of anti-Semitic feeling spread like wildfire through the universities. Sandler created a new record for a return trip to the states. His first move was to sign with the German American Athletic club, for which he now is running.

Ever since that day in ’32 when he lost to Adams, Sandler has been steadily improving until today he stands supreme in the 600 metre distance event.

BENNY FRIEDMAN

The President of C. C. N. Y. is introducing Benny Friedman today. Prexy Robinson will tell the sports scribes, gathered at a special luncheon, that Benny will be entrusted with the football destinies of the college. Did I hear anyone snicker?

BASEBALL BUNTS

News of the diamond men from an institution which is beginning to feel the call of big time football must of course be limited.

Up at C. C. N. Y. the baseball field has been ploughed up so badly that batmen have been forced to stick to the cage and confine themselves to indoor work.

Dr. Parker, coach of the City College nine, told your sports commentator that he expects to have more than an average season. With such veterans as Irving Spanier, pitcher, Sam Winograd, shortstop, Mike Kupperberg, outfielder, and Phil Zlatchin, catcher, remaining, prospects look bright indeed.

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