Sports Snapshots: March 3, 1965

New leader for the champions; rookie skipper Red Schoendienst and the St Louis Cardinals greeted one another to open the spring circuit. Included in the welcome were Bob Gibson, Ray Sadecki, and Curt Simmons, vital cogs to last year's magic.

The reason Schoendienst is in his enviable position is due to the surprise so-long from the latest New York Yankees’ manager, Johnny Keane (pictured with Mickey Mantle). After downing the pinstripes in the ’64 World Series, he decided to join ‘em and hopes to become the first to win back-to-back pennants and world titles with teams from two different leagues. Keane recognizes the difficulty the Cardinals have in repeating for the National pennant: “Here the Braves are playing their last season in Milwaukee (on their way to Atlanta) and whoever heard of a pennant winner shifting to another city? Well, the Braves have a fine chance of bowing out of Milwaukee in style.”

Keane, a former longtime St Louis servant, didn’t slight his old group. “Make no mistake about it, the Cardinals are a fine ballclub with a lot of speed. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to leave them.” The manager, though, felt too far at odds with company leadership as the season progressed and decided it best to finally move on. Now, he replaces Yogi Berra, the man he defeated in the Series.

Bad news for the Pittsburgh Pirates; National League batting champion Roberto Clemente is reportedly hospitalized with malaria in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The superstar outfielder hit .339 last season for the struggling Pirates, who obviously need his help for this upcoming season. The good news is the prognosis is positive and he’s expected back by the end of the month before the season begins.

San Francisco’s mercurial Juan Marichal, a two-time 20-game winner, surprised the Giants by showing up with the rest of the squad for spring training after a potential contract dispute. Brothers Jesus and Matty Alou, meanwhile, are split for the moment, as the latter is one of only two Giants left unsigned.

Los Angeles’ dynamic duo, Elgin Baylor (pictured) and Jerry West, led the Lakers to a 126-117 triumph over Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers. Baylor, with 24, made a couple of key baskets late, while West led all scorers with 34 points. Philadelphia managed to stay close throughout the night despite a poor night from Wilt the Stilt (16 points) and the absence of injured Larry Costello.

Speaking of injuries, the St Louis Hawks—minus four key players, including perennial all-star Bob Pettit—stayed within six games of the Lakers by surviving the New York Knicks, 99-98. St Louis, led by Lenny Wilkins (27 points), appeared to be running away, but Willis Reed led a stormy comeback that fell just short.
The Cincinnati Royals, though well behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division, disposed of the sagging San Francisco Warriors, 121-105. Oscar Robertson piled up 28 for Cincy, while Nate Thurmond led San Fran with 21.

Despite being ranked number one, Michigan hoopsters are still fighting for an automatic NCAA tourney bid, as Minnesota still has some say in the matter. The Wolverines, led by all-America Cazzie Russell, can clinch with a victory over the Golden Gophers Saturday night.
The Southwest Conference is even more peculiar, since leader Texas Tech won’t be going to the tourney due to using an ineligible player. Texas and Southern Methodist are fighting it out for next in line.