Slants on Sports

A lot of people have asked the question, how is Max Adelbert Baer preparing for the biggest opportunity of his life, pugilistically speaking? I he on the loose on the board walk? Does he sneak into New York in the middle of the night to meet one “doll?” Is he crazy enough to break training with the world’s heavyweight title dangling before his eyes to do some one of a hundred things he is accused of? Well, maybe he is! We can’t figure this guy Baer any more than you can.

However, these are some of the questions fistic enthusiasts are naturally asking, what with all the advance yarns concerning the wild life the playboy allegedly leads before and after ring combats. And, pipes up a wag, even during ring combat.

But believe it or not, the young Californian is in strict training for the Primo Carnera shot and has been for the last few weeks. Talk to lack of condition on the part of the challenge; the Brown blow-up and the cry for a postponement is a gargantuan cry of wolf. Maybe Jack Dempsey thinks another week will do the Livermore Lothario a world of good but if we know anything about the fight game, Maxie will step into the ring this Thursday night in tiptop shape. Ballyhoo, ballyhoo, three bags full.

Maxie is a born clown but he has something most clowns haven’t got. Max is the possessor of a terrific, devastating punch that will shake even the mighty Carnera-if it won’t rock him to sleep.

AN ALL-JEWISH TENNIS TEAM

A letter from one of the New York University tennis players the Washington Square team brings to light the fact that the Violet racket wielders at the Square are an all-Jewish unit. The team has remained undefeated this season as that offered by Manhattan College, New Jersey State Teachers’ College and St. Thomas.

The Jewish athletes who make up this team include Oscar Shankin, captain and manager, Bob Klein, Art Shapiro, Bon Marinius, Oscar Brigman and Nat Rogg.

ALL THE WAY FROM PALESTINE

The United States Maccabi team, in Palestine for the first Jewish Maccabiad, took first place in the track and field events and finished second in international competition in the scoring among nations.

A letter that came all the way from Palestine, evidently written by a Palestinian sports enthusiast, stated that the next visit will not be as profitable from a winning pointy of view for the Jewish team from America. The writer also claims that the Jewish long distance runners in Palestine are in top form and in all probability will add to the score against the American contingent. The author states that Walter Frankel, a Maccabi runner, covered the distance between Tel Aviv and Ness Ziona and back, the equivalent of twenty-five miles, in three hours and fifteen minutes. A second runner, Glassberg, covered the same distance in three hours and twenty-three minutes.

THE METROPOLITAN RECORD FOR THE MARATHON

It would seem that our correspondent is not at all familiar with the American records. Bill Steiner, a twenty-two-year old lad, galloping for the German-American A.C., covered the twenty-six mile distance in the record time of two hours, twenty-three minutes and five seconds. This mark is almost an hour under the time set by Walter Frankel of Palestine, who had our informant so enthused.

Another thing, Steiner’ mark is more than eight minutes faster than the Olympic record set in 1932 by Juan Carlos Zabala, Argentine newsboy, at Los Angeles in 1932. Steiner’s mark has still to be recognized officially as the world’s record for the marathon.

STEINER’S LAST RACE A THRILLING ONE

Of course, even three hours and some old minutes is considered good time for the twenty-six mile run. When we stop to think that a mile run is considered a gruelling grind, it is inevitable that we admire the courage and stamina needed to finish in a race twenty-six times as long.

Steiner’s victory in the Metropolitan Matathon, won some time ago, assumed new proportions in view of the fact that he was the only Jew to cross the finish line.

The last mile proved the greatest thrill of all. After running on practically even terms for nearly twenty-five miles, Steiner and Paul De Pruyn, both entered from the same club, realized that the race was to be decided between them. The rest of the field was far behind.

Matching stride for stride, these two human running machines approached the last half-mile marker. Here it was that Steiner unleashed a burst of speed that was heartbreaking to his teammate and rival, De Bruyn. The latter matched steps with Bill for one hundred yards, but found the pace so terrific and gruelling that he was compelled to fall behind. Steiner crossed the line 220 yards in front of De Bruyn, a winner and new champion.

We hope our Palestine correspondent reads this column.

NIGHT BASEBALL LOSES GROUND

Night baseball has never been considered worthy of a trial in the major leagues and is less popular among the high less popular among the high ranking minor leagues than it was a season or two ago. Only in medium-size cities has the nocturnal game any hold at all.

However, in its fifth season there are many clubs in small cities counted among its adherents. The first game of night baseball played at dusk, a Kansas City sports historian, a Kansas City sports historian reports, was a contest at Independence, Kan., teams of the western associations. About 1,000 fans witnessed the game, won by Muskogee, while the home team was committing nine errors.

The late Marvin L. Truby, angel of baseball in Independence for many years, is generally credited with fathering the introduction of baseball under the arc lights. Still late the idea spread from the western leagues to the American Association, the Pacific Coast League and the international league, all class AA loop. Teams in these leagues, however, now play only limited night schedules.

THE SPORTING CALENDAR

Tomorrow night at the New York Coliseum another excellent wrestling card will be presented for the heave-and-grunt fans. The Bronx arena has become the camping grounds for the fans from all five boroughs because of the splendid attractions on each week’s card. Tomorrow there will be six bouts, topped off with a Coleman special.

THE RIDGEWOOD GROVE

The regular weekly amateur scraps put on by the Ridgewood Grove will be held tomorrow night. The entry list for this Tuesday is very large and the best boys will be selected to compete. Gasoar Abruzzo is slated for a comeback and is in fine shape.