1944 - Sports

Sports

Mexican matador Carlos (Ruiz) Arruza, 24, goes to Spain and appears in the ring as "El Ciclón," competing with the great Manolete to see who will be awarded the most ears (cut from the bull after an outstanding performance by the torrero) (see 1945).

Polo player Tommy Hitchcock dies in a plane crash in England April 19 at age 44. Having dominated the game for 20 years, he obtained a commission as lieutenant colonel in the Army Air Corps (he was a member of the Lafayette Escadrille in World War I) and has secured appointment as commander of a P-51 fighter group despite his age.

Sgt. Frank Parker, 28, U.S. Army, wins in men's singles at Forest Hills, Pauline Betz in women's singles.

The St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, defeating the St. Louis Braves 4 games to 2 (both teams are comprised mainly of over-aged athletes or those with physical defects; most ballplayers are in the armed forces).

Baseball commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis dies at Chicago November 25 at age 78.