By Numbers, Kosar Takes a Seat

It had to happen. The day after Cleveland Browns rookie Bernie Kosar made the cover of Sports Illustrated, Peter King of Newsday wrote: “Kosar has lost the starting quarterback job--if he was in line to win it immediately--to nine-year veteran Gary Danielson, the Detroit Lions castoff.

“Danielson is now a cinch to open the season for the Browns, and he’ll have to play himself out of the job.”

After two exhibitions, Kosar’s statistics are 11 of 28 completions (39%) for 129 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Danielson is 20 for 37 (67%) for 235 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Browns have scored 28 points under Danielson in three quarters, none under Kosar in three quarters. Danielson’s quarterback rating is 123.7, Kosar’s 39.1.

Add SI: In a story on Red Grange, who was nicknamed the Galloping Ghost, it says of Grange’s five-touchdown day for Illinois against Michigan in 1924: “Grantland Rice, who is generally credited with giving Grange his sobriquet . . . was deeply moved. When Rice became moved he summoned poetry:

A streak of fire, a breath of flame,

Eluding all who reach and clutch;

A gray ghost thrown into the game

That rival hands may rarely touch.

“Rice never missed a chance to see Grange play after that.”

That raises a question. How did Rice come up with his celebrated Four Horseman story on Notre Dame’s 13-7 win over Army?

The game was played on the same date as the Illinois-Michigan game, Oct. 18, 1924.

Add Grange: A New York writer came up with this poem on the Galloping Ghost:

A flash of fire through the autumn murk,

A stream of gold in the gray,

A streak of light where the shadows lurk,

And Grange is under way.

The writer was Ford Frick, later the commissioner of baseball.

Trivia Time: What major league player wore the name of his hometown on the back of his uniform? (Answer below.)

With the possibility of a Freeway Series, Angel owner Gene Autry was asked about his relationship with the Dodgers.

“There’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for them,” he said. “And there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for me. That’s the way it is--we go through life doing nothing for each other.”

45 Years Ago Today: On Aug. 24, 1940, Ted Williams made his only appearance as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, pitching the last two innings against the Detroit Tigers. He allowed one run on three hits but struck out Rudy York on three pitches. At the plate, Williams went 0 for 4. The Tigers, behind Tommy Bridges, won 12-1.

Trivia Answer: Pitcher Bill Voiselle of the New York Giants. He came from Ninety-Six, S.C., and wore No. 96.

Quotebook

Bob Brenly of the San Francisco Giants, asked how the fans are accepting the club: “Both have been real nice.”