Scrooged Fans to Hear Ghosts of Success Past

The Cleveland Indians haven’t won the World Series since the Truman Adminstration, so a local radio station is giving fans a special present for Christmas: a rebroadcast of the 1948 World Series.

WKNR, an all-sports station, will broadcast a game each day, today through Monday.

“It’s too bad we have to go that far back to get some excitement,” said Martin Tucker, president of the Wahoo Club, the Indians’ booster group.

The Indians and Braves split in Boston and the Series moved to Cleveland Stadium, where Games 3-5 drew crowds averaging 79,497. Cleveland won two at home and won the sixth game at Boston, taking the series, 4-2.

It was Cleveland’s second appearance in the World Series and third overall. In 1920, the Indians beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in a best-of-nine Series, 5-2. The Indians last won the American League pennant in 1954, but were swept by the New York Giants in the Series.

Wait until next decade: Hank Peters, who never had a winning season as president of the Indians and will retire next week, said he regularly heard from fans about their frustrations.

“I get letters from fans, ‘Do you realize I’m 30 years old and the Indians have never won? Are we ever going to in my lifetime?’ ”

At such times, Peters said, he sometimes felt like responding, “How long are you going to live?”

Trivia time: In the 1948 World Series, which Cleveland pitcher won two games and which Cleveland pitcher lost two games?

Christmas riches: Despite Arnold Palmer’s Christmas wish for a Cessna Citation VII airplane--he already owns a Citation IV--the four golfing legends who will compete in the Senior Skins Game in January have other, less purchasable items on their list.

Jack Nicklaus: “My ideal Christmas gift would be a lasting peace among all the people of the world.”

Chi Chi Rodriguez: “I would like to have all the kids in my (Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth) foundation and all the kids around the world be successful in life.”

Lee Trevino: “Personally, I have everything I could possibly want. But if I had one wish for Christmas, it would be that we find a cure for AIDS and cancer.”

Add wishes: Palmer’s New Year’s resolution for 1992 is to win some tournaments. Nicklaus wants to get in better physical condition, so he can win a major tournament. Rodriguez wants to be No. 1 in golf, but also hopes for a better world. And Trevino?

“I would like to take time between tournaments and spend more time at home.”

Creative copy: For the sixth year, the the West Coast Conference sent out its Christmas version of its men’s basketball schedule, replete with songs about each team, and this overall refrain:

“At the ol’ West Coast Conference

We sing loud and strong

Merry Christmas to you.

(Oops, the key is all wrong) “May your hoops be exciting.

Watch us play, if you’re able.

And remember the All-Star

Who was born in a stable.” Trivia answer: Hall of Famer Bob Feller lost Game 1, even though he pitched a two-hitter, and Game 5. Bob Lemon won Games 2 and 6.

Quotebook: Michael Jordan, after a seven-mile stretch of Interstate 40 in his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., was named for him: “It’s a privilege to have anything named after you, especially when you’re living.”