Evening star., 1948-11-02
Skins Reopen the Gate
For 5te'e Bagarus,
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Slewis +. Atchison

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Redskins today after two fateful
and unhappy years in Los Angeles.
The lad with the Gibson Girl
waistline, pattering feet and vast
imagination, was greeted in regal
style yesterday. His return was in
striking contrast to his departure
two years ago when Little Boy Blew
left town ensnarled in marital diff
hcultieS. Leo De Orsey, director
of the club, was at the airport to
meet Bagarus. The welcome mat
was busted off and rolled out at
Redskin headquarters and, after a
brief interlude there, Bagarus was
whisked to DR.. Robert E. Moran's
Office for an examination of his in
jured leg.
Dr.. Moran noted the leg, broken
early last October when Bagarus
was tackled by Jack Jacobs of
Green Bay, was slightly shorter
than the other. But this, he said,
should not interfere with ,Bagarus'
career. The half back will be ready
to play against Boston Sunday and
by 1949 should be back in the
smooth-running stride that made
him national attraction with the
Tribe in 1s45 and '46. according to
the doctor.
The atmosphere within the wig
wam was electric yesterday when
news of Bagarus' return was whis-
pered. President George Marshall,
who can nc longer be accused as a
cold-hearted businessman, called a
press conference for 4 pm. But so
uncertain was he that Bagarus would
arrive on schedule he refused to
disclose the reason for it.
Steve Was Goat With Rams.
"It will be news of local interest"
was Mr.. Marshall's restrained reply
to searching questions aimed at him.
Bagarus' plane was late, but that
could not be blamed on him.
Bagarus' return, at a reported
$4,000 for the remainder of the
Icurrent season, eliminated a cam
paign begun by him almost the
day he arrived IN Los Angeles. The
lad who went West to become a
Ram turned out to be a goat in
stead. The hero of worshipful thou
sands in Washington, particularly
among bobby-sockers, Bagarus was
only another name in Los Angeles,
and not very important one at
THAT.
Bagarus had complained that
Sammy Baugh was not passing often
enough to him near the close of the
1916 seasonal charge refuted by
motion picture records-and 1t
wasn't long before he had the same
lcriticiSm of Bob Waterfield of the
Rams.
Bagarus left Washington after
making only token appearance on
a radio program, for which he had
signed as disc jockey. Also thrown
over was a lucrative position with a
local restaurant, but he had the
wanderlust and could not be per-
suaded to reconsider his decision to
leave.
Fine Pass Receiver.
The jitter-footed halfback also
was front-page news because of a
marital mix-up. His romance with
the former Mrs. Frank Filchock,
wife of a former Redskin and one
of Bagarus' old teammates, took
Capital fans completely by surprise.
The couple subsequently was mar
ried and have child. Mrs. Bagarus
did not. accompany her husband
yesterday but it is understood that
she will rejoin him here.
Bagarus' return was aided not
only by the vista of many empty
seats at Redskin home games this
season but because Baugh still re-
CARDS him as one of the. best pass
catchers he ever pitched the ball to,
and because Coach Turk Edwards
believes it's worth a gamble to see
If Bagarus can regain his old broken
field skill. The prodigal still holds
the Redskin record of 623 yards on
pass receptions.
Bagarus told reporters he had
settled down and although a ripe,
old 20, thought he had q lot of good
football left. He was promptly
lassoed for radio and television last
night and told listeners he had been
working out St his home town of La
Jolla. near san Diego, and believed
he was ready to play.
The halfback was given, his re-
lease by the Rams, who were con-
vinced as long ago as last August
that he would be Of no more value
to them. -
Product Of Metre Dame.
Weighing ITS pounds. 5 feet 11%
inches tall, Bagarus is a native Of
South Bend, Ind, and entered Notre
Dame in 1888 after playing football,
basket ball and baseball with Wash
ington High School of that city.
After three years with the Irish he
was drafted by the Army and sent
to Camp Callan at San Diego.
While stationed at the Border City
he played with the San Diego
Bombers In the Pacific Coast League
and set the circuit afire with his
dazzling open-field running and
pass catching.
Signed by the Redskins, Bagarus'
affiliation with the club was delayed
by Army duty, but when he did get
to Washington he was an imme-
date sensation. He developed into
one of the National Football
Leagues most feared backs. His
debut was marked by a sensational
catch while skidding through mud
puddle at Boston Against the
Bears he zigzagged approximately
los yards on a 55-yard touchdown
run that saw almost every man on
the opposing team get a shot at
him. He also played a standout
role in the Tribes 1914 loss to the
Cleveland Rams in a subzero cham
pionship playof game at Cleveland
in As.
For two years he led all league
backs in catching passes, trailing
only Ends Don Hutson and Jim