NEW YORK STATE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE 1946-47 - 1948-49
Contributed by Al Kirk
NYSPL LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP 1946-47 - 1948-49
Albany Senators 1946-47 Albany Red Devils 1946-47 Albany-Troy Celtics 1947-48 Cohoes Mastodons 1946-49 Glens Falls Commodores 1947-49 Gloversville Glovers 1946-47 Harlem Yankees 1948-49 Mohawk Redskins 1946-49 Oswego Pontiacs 1947-48 Saratoga Indians 1946-49 Schenectady Comets 1946-48 Schenectady Packers 1948-49 Troy Whirlwinds 1946-47 Troy Celtics 1947-49 Utica Olympics 1946-49
NYSL MEMBERSHIP CHRONOLOGY 1947-48 - 1948-49
1946-47 In - Albany Red Devils 1946-47 - 1947-48 [formerly Albany Senators, moved during season] Albany Senators 1946-47 [charter franchise] Cohoes Mastodons 1946-47 - 1948-49 [charter franchise] Gloversville 1946-47 [charter franchise] Mohawk Redskins 1946-47 - 1948-49 [charter franchise] Saratoga Indians 1946-47 - 1948-49 [charter franchise] Schenectady Comets 1946-47 - 1947-48 [charter franchise] Troy Whirlwinds 1946-47 [charter franchise] Utica Olympics 1946-47 - 1948-49 [charter franchise] Out - Albany Senators [to Albany Red Devils during season] Gloversville [disbanded during season] Troy Whirlwinds [disbanded during season]
1947-48 In - Glen Falls Commodores 1947-48 - 1948-49 [expansion franchise] Oswego Pontiacs 1947-48 [expansion franchise] Albany-Troy Celtics 1947-48 [expansion franchise] Out - Albany-Troy Celtics 1947-48 [to Glen Falls Commodores during season] Oswego Pontiacs [disbanded during season]
1948-49 In - Harlem Yahkees 1948-49 [expansion franchise] Schenectady Packers 1948-49 [expansion franchise] Out - Albany Red Devils [disbanded] Schenectady Comets [disbanded] Troy Celtics [disbanded during season] Utica Olympics [disbanded during season]
NEW YORK STATE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE FRANCHISES BY SEASON 1946-47 - 1948-49
ALS - Albany Senators [Albany, NY] 1946-47 ARD - Albany Red Devils [Albany, NY] 1946-47 to 1947-48 ATC - Albany-Troy Celtics [Albany, NY-Troy, NY] 1947-48 COH - Cohoes Mastodons [Cohoes, NY 1946-47 to 1948-49 GFC - Glen Falls Commodores [Glen Falls, NY] 1947-48 to 1948-49 GLO - Gloversville [Gloversville, NY] 1946-47 HAR - Harlem Yankees [Harlem, NY] 1948-49 MOH - Mohawk Redskins [Mohawk, NY] 1946-47 to 1948-49 OSW - Oswego Pontiacs [Oswego, NY] 1947-48 SAR - Saratoga Indians [Saratoga, NY] 1946-47 to 1948-49 SCC - Schenectady Comets [Schenectady, NY] 1946-47 to 1947-48 SCP - Schenectady Packers [Schenectady, NY] 1948-49 TRW - Troy Whirlwinds [Troy, NY] 1946-47 TRC - Troy Celtics [Troy, NY] 1947-48 UTI - Utica Olympics [Utica, NY] 1946-47 to 1948-49 NYSPL YEARLY STANDINGS 1946-47 - 1948-49
NYSPL 1946-47 EASTERN DIVISION W L PCT. GB Cohoes Mastodons*** 25 8 .758 .. Albany Senators/Red Devils*** 20 13 .606 5 Saratoga Indians 19 15 .558 6.5 Troy Whirlwinds** 2 32 .143 ..
WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT. GB Utica Olympics 25 9 .735 .. Mohawk Redskins 24 10 .706 1 Schenectady Comets 17 17 .500 8 Gloversville* 0 34 .000 ..
*Gloversville record was 0-7 when they folded. All remaining games counted as forfeit wins for remaining teams. **Troy was 2-12 when they ceased operations. All remaining games counted as forfeit wins for remaining teams. ***Final game of the season between Cohoes and Albany was cancelled as it had no bearing on the standings and the playoffs could start sooner.
NYSPL SEMI-FINALS G1 Utica - Utica 66, Mohawk 63 G2 Mohawk - Mohawk 64, Utica 60 G3 Utica - Utica 72, Mohawk 57 G4 Mohawk - Utica 69, Mohawk 42
G1 Cohoes - Albany 80, Cohoes 60 G2 Albany - Albany (W), Cohoes (L) G3 Cohoes - Cohoes 70, Albany 54 G4 Albany - Cohoes (W), Albany (L) G5 Cohoes - Cohoes (W), Albany (L)
NYSPL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS G1 Utica - Utica 62, Cohoes 54 G2 Cohoes - Utica 83, Cohoes 64 G3 Utica - Utica 77, Cohoes 61
NYSPL 1947-48
EASTERN DIVISION W L PCT. GB Cohoes Mastodons**** 29 7 .805 .. Saratoga Indians 26 10 .722 3 Albany-Troy Celtics/Glen Falls Commodores* 22 14 .611 7 Oswego Pontiacs** 2 34 .055 27
WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT. GB Utica Olympics 18 18 .500 .. Mohawk Redskins 17 19 .472 1 Schenectady Comets*** 12 24 .333 6
*The Albany-Troy Celtics had a 2-7 record before selling to new owners in Glen Falls. New owners relocate team to Glen Falls and assumed Albany-Troy record. Also, Glen Falls owners sign a majority of new roster from a team located in the New York area to finish season. **Oswego record was 2-10 when they folded. All remaining games counted as forfeit wins for remaining teams. Albany-Troy received five forfeit wins. The Schenectady, Saratoga, Cohoes, and Mohawk teams received four forfeit wins. Utica received three forfeit wins. ***Schenectady was originally in the Eastern Division until the transfer of Albany-Troy team to Glen Falls, then was switched to the Western Division. Out of the Playoff race Schenectady forfeited last four games of the season . This included two games to Utica, one game to Mohawk and Glen Falls. ****Cohoes forfeited a game to Mohawk for failing to make the game on time after being delayed in a snow storm in Tarrytown, NY on December 26th. Commissioner Basloe ruled the weather and road conditions were not severe enough to hold up the Cohoes team.
NYSPL SEMI-FINALS G1 Cohoes - Cohoes 60, Saratoga 45 G2 Saratoga - Cohoes 63, Saratoga 56
Mohawk beat Utica
NYSPL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS G1 Cohoes - Cohoes 67, Mohawk 65 G2 Mohawk - Cohoes 68, Mohawk 49 G3 Cohoes - Cohoes 72, Mohawk 59 G4 Mohawk - Cohoes 76, Mohawk 59
NYSPL 1948-49 W L PCT. GB Cohoes Mastodons 20 9 .690 .. Mohawk Redskins 18 9 .667 0.5 Glens Falls Commodores* 19 10 .655 1 Schenectady Packers 15 12 .556 3 Harlem Yankees* 12 14 .462 6.5 Saratoga Indians 6 25 .194 15 Utica Olympics*** 6 14 .300 .. Troy Celtics**** 1 3 .250 ..
*No score reported, and it is not known if the final game of the season between Harlem and Glens Falls was played. **The Harlem Yankees joined the league in January and brought a record of 7-8 that was included in the standings. Thus the Yankees went 5-6 over the remainder of the NYSPL schedule. ***The Utica Olympics folded in February. ****Troy folded at the beginning of December.
Playoffs Semi-Finals G1 Mohawk - Schenectady 72, Mohawk 70 G2 Schenectady - Mohawk 57, Schenectady 55 (This game was protested due to a time-keepers error and a replay ordered by the commissioner.) G2 Schenectady - Schenectady 60, Mohawk 69 G3 Mohawk - Mohawk 63, Schenectady 60
G1 Glens Falls - Cohoes 61, Glens Falls 43 G2 Cohoes - Cohoes 56, Glens Falls 55
Championship Finals Cohoes and Mohawk are NYSPL Co-Champions, one game apiece Best of Five series called after two games As neither team could maintain its rosters As a majority of the players were involved with ABL teams in the ABL playoffs. G1 Cohoes - Cohoes 57, Mohawk 49 G2 Mohawk - Mohawk (W), Cohoes (L)
NYSPL TEAM ROSTERS 1946-47 - 1948-49 *Appeared with more than one team in the league due to trades, or releases
1946-47 TEAM ROSTERS Albany Senators/Red Devils (Renamed the Red Devils 26Jan47, upon change in ownership) - Lou Burnett, Frank "Ace" Crisafi (EBL-Wallingford), George Duke, John Dubrutsky (EBL-Bristol), Pete Farina, Fasula (Fasules), Jack Flanigan (St. Lawrence), Harest, Hood, Frank Iwanski, Kane (NEL-Fitchburg, EBL-Stamford), Costa Lazarou, Leder, Johnny McHugh (EBL-New Haven), "Chubby" Mailinconico (EBL-New Haven), Tony Parpan (Villanova), Nick Parpan (Seton Hall), *Willard "Will" Rice, Ralph Taggart (Geneva), Tony Tammaro (Villanova), *Connie "Con" Toombs, Joe St. John (EBL-New Haven), Shindell, John Varsoke (St. Lawrence), *Chuck Yund Coach - George Duke, then replaced by Barney Sedran in mid-December
Cohoes Mastodons - Paddy Bishop (NYU), Marvin "Red" Blumenthal, Kelly Brosman, *Paul Cooney, Ray Duvall (LaSalle Inst. Tech.), #Edwards, Bobby Fisher (Seton Hall), Oscar Grossman, Joe Hirsch (Brooklyn College), Humes, Herb Kapust (Brooklyn College), *Paul Kartluke (Syracuse), Johnny Myrczkowski, Walt Mysik, *Willard "Will" Rice (Morrisville Ag. College), *Bob Shaddock (Syracuse), Nate Silver (Seton Hall) Coach - Tubby Raskin (Brooklyn Col.) #Edwards was Ed Kassler who played under this assumed name while still attending college
Gloversville Glovers - Sam Abrams, Behan, Briaddy (may be Briatti) *Paul Cooney, Jake Costello, Crisstallo, Allen Dernback, Donald Dutton, Art Edwards, Fran Goodness, (Clarkson), Houghton, Dick "Whitey" Jensen (Syracuse), Karpinski, *Paul Kartluke, *John Korniewicz, Mashuta, Willard "Will" Rice (Morrisville Ag. College), Rubin, *Bob Shaddock (Syracuse, NBL-Syracuse), Trifilletti Coach - Donald Dutton
Mohawk Redskins - Al Friedman, Billy Hoeppel (a.k.a. Hofppel), Dick Holub (Long Island) *John Korniewicz, Hal Korovin (CCNY, ABL-Troy), Clem McTiernan, Tom McTiernan, Millie, John Nelle, Peter Piccola, Dick Rand (Ithaca), Royfield, John Schmitt (Georgetown), Jim Schults/(Shultz) (Niagara), Lew Spicer, Charles "Charlie" Swart Coach - Sheldon Basloe
Saratoga Indians - Jay Bussell (St. Francis, ABL-Troy), George Collins, Jim Coward, Joe Dinkwood (St. Francis, ABL-Troy), Fred Ferrie, %Bill/Walt Flannigan, Gray, Hi Grimes, *Paul Kartluke, Lenowicz, Art Lockhead (St. Francis, ABL-Jersey City), Don Otten, Patten, "Rocky" Petrafesa, (Norm) Rosen, Bob Rydberg, Elba "Ed" St. Clair (played Major League Baseball), John Slab (EBL-Bristol), Ed Stevens Player-Coach - Bill/Walt Flannigan, then Rodny "Rody" Cooney %Mentioned in game reports as Bill or Walt yet only one Flannigan listed in boxscores
Schenectady Comets - Dick "Clubby" Bennett/Bednarkiewicz (Changed name legally to Bennett at end of season), John Billy (Geneva), "Scotty" Conner, Leland "Pete" Fox, Jerry Halstead, Carl Heiner, Charlie Holley (Duke), Vic Mastriani, Earl May, Carl Petroski, Ed Petroski (Michigan St.), Ed Stankawicz, Pete Suwinski, Chuck "Kayo" Waner (Siena College) Coach - Doug McManus
Troy Whirlwinds - Alocia, Ed Buckley (Harvard), Brenner, Fran Curran (Notre Dame), DiBacco, Harry Donovan (Muhlenberg), Duffy, Harry Fitzpatrick, Fultz, Gardner, Moe Goldman (CCNY), Gregory, Art Gurfein (Long Island, ABL-Philadelhia), Gully, Bill Henry, Hogan, Huechling, *Stan Krause, Jim Krug (Union), McDermott (EBL-Naguatuck), McK'stree, Marino, Mason (ABL-Newark), Tidy Millen, Lester Mintz, Tom O'Connell (EPBL-York/Reading), Jack Pendergast, Ryan, Jim Serullo, Tucker, Red Vetters, Waters, Williams (NEL-Fitchburg) Coach - Harry Fitzpatrick, then replaced by Moe Goldman
Utica Olympics - Bob "Lefty" Allman, Dick Aherns, Harold "Howie" Anderson, Paul Anthony, Bob Dewey (Colgate), Pete Farina, Griffin, Richard Jackson (Geneva), Jim Konstanty, Stan "Fat" Krause (Syracuse), Ben Maley, Nick Pole, Dick Rand (Ithaca), Frank Soscia (Edinburgh St.), "Howie" Steffin (Olaf College), Bob Synott (NBL-Ft.Wayne), Joe Uvanni (W. Maryland), Ted Wybernac, *Chuck Yund (Villanova) Coach - Hod Nester
1947-48
Albany-Troy Celtics: *Kevin "Chuck" Connors (Boston BAA), Larry Dodick, John Ezersky (played in ABL-Brooklyn at same time then joined Providence of BAA), Bob Fitzgerald (PBLA-Atlanta, ABL-Hartford), Dick Fitzgerald, *Dick Giles, Ed Golub, *Mike McCarron (ABL-Trenton), Earl May, Johnny Mroczkowski, Bob "Moon" Mullens (BAA-New York), Dick Murphy (ABL), *Tony Orlando (R.P.I.), Willard "Will" Rice, John Simmons (NYU, BAA-Boston)
Cohoes Mastodons: Sam Barruci, Marvin "Red" Blumenthal, Kelly Brosman, Jim Coward, Ike Dubow, Fredo Frey (Long Island, ABL, BAA-New York), Jules Kasner, Nat Militzok (Hofstra), *Tony Orlando (R.P.I.), Paul Schmones, Nick Shaback, Nat Silver (Seton Hall), Hank Rosenstein (CCNY, BAA-New York, Providence) Player-Coach - Jules Kasner
Glens Falls Commodores - (This team was formerly the Vermont Vulcans pro team) Dom Binetti, Joe "Smiling Joe" Fater (Dartmouth), Clarence Forbes, Tom Gorman, Bob Jake (Northwestern), Hank Keller, Larry Killick (Dartmouth), Steve Murphy (Holy Cross), Phil Press, Scott, Henry/Pete Singleton, Connie "Con" Toombs (ABL/NBL), Bill Travers, Bill Warnecke Coach - Danny Mack (Fordham)
Mohawk Redskins - *Paul Anthony (NBL-Buffalo) *Kevin "Chuck" Connors (BAA-Boston), George Faust, Bob Fitzgerald, Dick Fitzgerald, Al Friedman, Vic Hansen, Billy Hoeppel (Hofppel), Ed Kassler (ABL-Jersey City), *Tom McTiernan, *Mike McCarron (ABL-Trenton), Garland "Mule" O'Shields (Tenneesee), Jim Schults (Niagara), *Charles "Charlie" Swart, Vinnie Verdeschi (ABL-Jersey City, EBL-Bridgeport) Coach - Wilbur Crisp
Saratoga Indians: Puggy Bell (ABL, New York Rens), Bob "Dutch" Denhert (ABL-Hartford),*Coulby Gunther (PBLA-Atlanta, ABL-Hartford, EBL-Danbury), Jerry Halstead, Vic Hansen (New York Rens), Chuck Hoefer (BAA-Boston), Bob Holm (Seton Hall), Tony Kelly (BAA-Baltimore), Stan "Fats" Krause (West Virginia), Don Otten (Bowling Green, NBL-Tri-City), Bill Roberts (Wyoming) Coach - "Dutch" Dennert (ABL-Hartford)
Schenectady Comets - Dick "Clubby" Bennett/Bednarkiewicz (Siena, Legally changed name to Bennett during '46-47 season), "Scotty" Conner, Mike Genevrino, *Dick Giles (Cornell, Lafayette), *Coulby Gunther (PBLA-Atlanta, ABL-Hartford, EBL-Danbury), Jim Konstanty, Vic Mastriani (Siena), Carl Petroski, Pete Suwinski, *Charles "Charlie" Swart, Chuck "Kayo" Waner (Siena College), Chuck Yund
Utica Olympics - *Paul Anthony (Washington & Jefferson, NBL-Tri-City), Pete "Petey" Farina, Bill Flanagan(?) (Could be Bill/Walt Flannigan), Johnny Issacs (New York Rens), Jimmy Joyce (NBL-Tri-City),*Tom McTiernan, Ben Maley, Frank Soscia, Bob O'Shaughnessy (Nevada, NBL-Syracuse), Red Wallace, Stan Waxman (Long Island, NBL-Syracuse), Ted Wyberanec Coach - Bob Synott
1948-49
Cohoes Mastodons - Kelly Brosman, Jim Coward, Phil Farbman (CCNY, BAA-Boston), Gorham Getchall (BAA-Pittsburgh), Sol Kapitko, Jules Kasner, Frank Martello, Nat Militzok (Hofstra), *Ed Pless, Hank Rosenstein (CCNY), Nick Shaback
Glens Falls Commodores - Clarence "Speed" Forbes (ABL-Harlem), Tom Gorman (Banned from Baseball for jumping to Mexican League), Bob Hubbard (NBL-Tri-City), Larry Killick (Steve?), Len Salata, Steve Sharkey (NBL-Syracuse), Henry Singeleton (ABL-Harlem), Connie "Con" Toombs, Bill Ziele (Hartwick) Coach - Tom Gorman
Harlem Yankees: Jerry Bailey, Cardin, Trigger Davis, Garrett, Don Hinds (ABL), Ben McNiel (ABL), Tunell, Eddie Woolen (NBL-Dayton) Coach - Arthur Joesph
Mohawk Redskins - (Norm?) Drucker, Ike Dubow, Monroe "Chili" Edelstien, Ed Golub, Al "Pop" Goodwin, Vic Hansen (New York Rens), Ed Kassler, Tony Kelly, Hank Keller, Dolly King (Long Island, NBL-Daton), Hal Korovin (CCNY, NBL-Flint), McDonald, Murtha, Bernie Saracheck, Vinnie Verdeschi, Ed "Rabbit" Younger (New Yrok Rens) Coach - Bernie Sarachek
Saratoga Indians - *Pudgy Bell (ABL), Joe "Bells" Colone (NBL-Dayton), Aubrey Davis (Oklahoma St., NBL), "Dutch" Denhert, Bob Fitzgerald, Guertze, Jerry Halstead, Don Harvey (NBL-Dayton), Bob Holm (Seton Hall), Charlie Isles, Ralph Kaplowitz (N.Y.U.), Walter Kaplowitz (Pratt Inst.- cousin of Ralph), Ben Maley, Tony Orlando, Don Otten, Jack Pendergast, Willard "Will" Rice, (Norm) Rosen, Mel Thurston (BAA-Providence), Warner, George Weber, Ray Wertis (St. John's, BAA-Providence) Coach - "Dutch" Denhert
Schenectady Packers - Paul Anthony (Washington & Jefferson), Hank Baetti (Assumption), Hank Beenders (Long Island, BAA-Boston Celtics), Dick Bennett, Don Cotter, *Les Doctor (a.k.a. Less Doktor, EBL), Dutch Garfinkel, Jack "Tex" Hewson, Mike McCarron, Machmann, Vic Mastriani, Al Negratti (Seton Hall, NBL, BAA) Coach - John "Honey" Russell
Troy Celtics - *Pudgy Bell (ABL), Aubrey Brindle, Dan Davis, *Les Doctor (Less Doktor, EBL), Coulby Gunther (ABL), Tony Kappen, William Knapp, *Bob Pless, Charlie Warnecke, Jim White
Utica Olympics - Jake Barnheimer (Muhlenberg), Sol Cohen, Buck DeSourcy, Pete Farina, Hal Flick, Al Grenert (N.Y.U., NBL-Tri-City, Sheboygan), Johnny Issacs (ABL), Jimmy Joyce (Temple), Barry Kriesburgh, Krushey, Al Lucas (Fordham, NBL-Sheboygan, BAA-Boston), "Chick" Meehan, Johnny Padgett, Luke Sapan, Frank Scosia, Jim Schults (Niagara), Frank Sebest, Red Wallace (Scranton, BAA-Boston, Toronto), Stan Waxman, John "Big John" Williams (New York Rens) Coach - Stan Waxman
NYSPL ARENAS 1946-47 - 1948-49 Albany - Albany Armory (3,500) Cohoes - Cohoes Armory Glens Falls - (Name Not Known)(1,400) Gloversville - (Not Known) Harlem - Rockland Palace Mohawk - Mohawk Armory (1,800) Saratoga - Spa Convention Center Schenectady - State Armory Utica - Stuben Park-State Armory(1,300) Troy - Troy Armory
NYPSL TEAM OWNERS, LEAGUE ADMINISTRATION
League Administration Comissioner - Frank Basloe Presidents - James Ronin and Joesph Throll Secretary - Ben Danforth
Team Owners Albany - Frank Iarossi, Nick Iarossi, Joesph Tholl, Joseph Margolis Team sold in January to Milton Crooks and George Lee. The New Haven Red Devils from the Eastern Basketball League (Formerly the Connecticut State League) where brought in by the new owners to finish the season, and the teams nickname was changed to Red Devils Cohoes - George Marra Glens Falls - Larry Killick and local Investors. This team was primarily the Vermont Vulcans pro team formed by Killick earlier in the season. His team then moved to Glens Falls in January to replace the Albany-Troy Celtics Gloversville - Lee Sturm Harlem - Arthur Joesph Mohawk - Frank Deck G.M., and Sheldon Basloe, President of the Mohawk Redskins Inc. Saratoga - Bill Flannigan Schenectady - Doug McManus, Ted Bradt Troy - Jack McCarthy and Tom Wall. In January the majority of the independent New York Whirlwinds were signed to complete the season In 1947-48 Paul Sahagian took over ownership and began the season in Albany. Then played between both Albany and Troy, where they were known as the Twin Cities Celtics for week. Then settled in Troy where the franchise eventually folded. Utica - Team sponsored by the Utica Olympian Athletic Club. Tom Ruggiaro G.M. and Olympian A.C. President Jack Madia
NYSPL ALL-STAR GAMES
1946-47 NYSPL All-Star Game 8Apr47, At Schenectady, NY Schenetady Comets 80, NYSPL Al-Stars 62
NYSPL All-Stars (62) Schenectady Comets (80) Willard Rice, Cohoes (23) Carl Petroski (20) Stan Krause, Utica (15) Vic Mastriani (17) Frank Soscia, Utica (5) Stan Suwinski (8) Frank Iwanski,Albany (4) Eddie "Pete" Suwinski (1) Shindell, Albany (11) Chuck Waner (12) Hume, Cohoes (4) Jerry Halstead (6) Frank Crisafi, Albany Jim Conner (10) "Red" Blumenthal, Cohoes Leland Fox (4) Elba St. Clair, Saratoga Carl Heiner (2) George Collins, Saratoga Dick Bennett Clem McTeirnan, Mohawk Earl May Al Friedman, Mohawk
1947-48 All Star Game 21Jan48, At Utica, NY NYSPL Al-Stars 68, Utica Olympics 61
Utica Olympics (61) NYSPL All-Stars (68) Stan Waxman (7) Garland "Mule" O'Shields, Mohawk (15) Jimy Joyce (20) George Faust, Mohawk (15) Paul Anthony (4) Jerry Halstead, Saratoga (6) Pete Farina (4) Vic Hansen, Saratoga (14) John Isaacs (12) Al Friedman, Mohawk (14) Ted Wybernac (1) Willard Rice,Alb.-Troy (7) Ben Maley (9) Dick Bennett, Schenectady (2) Frank Soscia (4) Vic Mastriani, Schenectady