Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-27
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCE, ,rA~u
The Cloak and Doooer

COULD THERE BE SOMETHING ailng or missing
say like several hundred thousand dolarabou the Floyd
JohanSson fight scheduled for June 259
All OF this recent coak-anddagger atmosphere suggests
that the promoter worried Or is it coverup for Gus
DAmato, manager of the heavyweight champion?
Challenger Johansson's camp at Grossinger, N Y,
announced the firing of Charley Norkus a sparring
partner Two versions were given Officially, 1t
planned by Ingy that Norkus wasn't in very good shape
and he couldn't give good workout" Other sources
possibly coached say that Norkus highly competent
sparmae but he had been sent to the Swedes camp by
friends of DAmato to scout and spy.
The latter smacks of old corn stuff that went out of
date in Tex Richards days of promotion Then it
revealed that one Edwin Ahqvis fed from New York to
Sweden by air under an assumed name.
AHLQvIST HAS BEEN described as Johansson's man
ager and also advisor" He escaping according
to the dispatches possible suit by Eddie Machens at
torney, who is maintaining that his client entitled to
match with Johansson ahead of Patterson In fight that
made him big Ingy stopped Machen in one round in
Sweden, and Machen apparently didn't believe it.
The dismissal of Norkus qualified sparring partner
is interesting too that it wasn't too long ago that
Charley had been contender himself for the title The
inevitable question arises Could Norkus have been too
good for Johansson?
This is silly question because only few weeks ago
in indianapolis so-caled heavyweight title fight involving
Patterson and Brian London perpetrated Challenger
London papaby nept that his sparring partner,
Dusty Rhodes asked If London had looked any better
in the training ring.
Rhodes thoughtfuly had been furnished by D'Amato
who also did just about everything else at Indianapolis
except sell tickets at the door, Man. boxed with him
for couple Of weeks and threw left at him.
cording to orders guess it's just good didn't Rhodes
reported.
BASEBALL COMMISSIONER FORD FRICK speaking
the telephone from New York, admitting minutes
after the latest YankeesAthetcs deal that he not
precisely happy about it,
Those two clubs make good many trades" Frick
admitted, "but there's nothing of-color about them
wish the Yankees woud-or could-deal with other clubs
because frankly believe their dealings with Kansas City
could lead to public criticism of baseball.
Actually, have full report in my files on every
transaction made by the New York and Kansas City clubs
Believe me- there's nothing out of line 1t is true that
Arnold Johnson (owner of the As is friendly with Dan
Topping and Del Webb but all their transactions
legitimate One club believes it is helping itself"
The latest deal gives the Yankees a day-n-and-day
out third baSema something they haven't had often since
Red Roes day. He Hector Lopez who recently had been
playing second base for the AS The Yankees also get
back Ralph Terry the pitcher who wasn't ripe few years
ago. but who blossomed well at K He had been stop
ping the Yankees regularly and he's back with them
THE DESPERATE YANKEES reposng in the cellar
for the first time in 10 years. gave up great property
in Jerry Lumpe, Tom Sturdivant, Johnny Kucks and
fourth player to be named before the start of next
George Weiss the general manager, has tried for the
last couple of years to pedde OF each and every of
these athletes to Cal Grifith who wouldn't buy
"They won't win pennants for you," Cal insisted.
They'd help, If you had pennant winning club. But
they won't win by themselves"
So it win be Lopez at third base, second Negro in
Yankee history the parent club and Terry presumably
taking regular turn the mound. They two good
Ones but Harry Craft speaking informally than Com
missioner Prick, put it this way
Il just want guys on my club who can help me. The
Yankees deal with my boss Why they don't trade or do
business with Washington any other club something
don't know about"