1940’s Era Redskin Get Jersey Back

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

That's great SBF. This story makes the hair on my neck stand up.

My wife was cool and didn't laugh as I had tears in my eyes and was chocked up reading the thing. lol

I am SO touched to think that my simple jersey made Mr. Lapka feel so great. He can have the thing as far as I'm concerned.

Woohoooo!!!!!!

I feel like I have connected with the heart of the Redskins in some small way.

peace

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Here you go guys. Meet Ted Lapka!

This is a photo he sent me. It's about 4"x6"


Here is the signed back of the photo.


Here is a Football card they must have made up for him.


Here is the hand written latter her sent me.


Here is Ted Lapka catching a pass from Sammy Baugh in a 1944 Game where Redskins beat the Giants 28-0

[BDBohnzie]

Awesome Mike. Simply awesome.

[Monkeydad]

Wow...you made him smile and got some AWESOME memorabilia in return as a bonus.

Do you know why he didn't play in 1945?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Buster

Wow...you made him smile and got some AWESOME memorabilia in return as a bonus.

Do you know why he didn't play in 1945?

I think SBF said he went on to serve in WWII in 1945

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Yes, he was serving this Great Nation for a time during WWII.

I can't wait to see a recent picture of him in the jersey. That will be too cool.

Thanks guys

There's another guy from back then I will try and contact. His name is Bullet Bill Dudley and yes he is on the Ring of Fame at the Stadium. I think he lives 30 miles south of me in Fredericksburg VA. Stay tuned. lol

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Oh and to add more proof Sammy Baugh is the Greatest Redskin of All Time here is a portion of what the paper said about that game above. Oh and it was in December of 1943 not 1944.

One-Man Air Raid
Sixteen* times his percision passes bored
to their marks. Twice he made spectacular
quick kicks, one for 67 yards. Twice he
intercepted passes, running one 38 yards
to set up the third touchdown. Final re-
sult of Sammy Baugh's one-man field day
at Manhatten's Polo Grounds this week:
Washington Redskins 28, New York
Giants 0.

TIME, December 27, 1943

* For 199 yards in the air

Hey, I wonder if I can find that issue on ebay or somewhere. huh?

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

I did find the whole story printed at the TIME site. Didn't find a better picture but here is the story guys.

One-man Air Raid
Sixteen times his precision passes bored to their marks. Twice he made spectacular quick kicks, one for 67 yards. Twice he intercepted passes, running one 38 yards to set up the third touchdown. Final result of Sammy Baugh's one-man field day at Manhattan's Polo Grounds this week: Washington Redskins 28, New York Giants 0.

Professional football is celebrated for its upsets. This was no exception. Three weeks ago the Giants were just another mediocre club, the Redskins a powerhouse that had won six, lost one, tied one. Then the Giants somehow upset them 14-10. A week later, on power plays and unexpectedly tight pass defense, the Giants smothered the Redskins 31-7. Gamblers made the Giants 8-5 favorites in the playoff for the right to meet Chicago's Bears this Sunday for the National Football League Championship. But the odds ignored a bass-voiced 29-year-old Texan named Samuel Adrian Baugh.

Sammy, a crack football man in all branches, earns $15,000 a year for pitching passes in baseball style.* They are quick, hard, fast and accurate. Most go for only five to 15 yards. Against the Giants. Slingin' Sammy's 16 bull's-eyes were worth only 199 yards. But they set up the first two touchdowns, and four Baugh bullets in a row covered 46 yards for the final score.

As he trotted off the gridiron after last fortnight's upset, Baugh was mobbed on the 50-yard line by autograph hounds.The crowd swelled to a thousand and Sammy scribbled frantically for 30 minutes before policemen rescued him. This week the Redskins coach,Dutch Bergman, took measures to preserve his salary arm. With two minutes left to play, he sent in a substitute, sent Sammy packing to the showers.

The Giants-Redskins playoff drew 42,800 and pushed 1943 pro football attendance to well above 1,100,000, with the championship game still to be played. Only 1941 (with 13 more games) had a higher total. Average attendance this year was 27,000—a quarter more than 1941.

*Baugh tried out at third base for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938, failed to make the squad.

One-Man Air Raid | TIME

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Geez, I didn't know Sammy Baugh played defense too! What a beast!

I knew players from that era regularly played both sides, I just didn't know Sammy did too. I guess I've got some reading to do.

Can you imagine intercepting a pass, and then staying on the field to lead the offense to a touchdown? That must be awesome. It really puts the modern NFL into perspective. Yeah, Manning is a good quarterback -- but that's it. It really diminishes the hype of the modern player.

Thanks Mike!

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Offense, Defense and.....
"Twice he made spectacular quick kicks, one for 67 yards."

60 Minute Man!
NO PLAYER comes close.

[Riggo44]

That is such a cool story. You’re the man Mike! You are the only person I can think of that would dig up an old redskin from the 40’s and offer him your jersey! It's really pretty special to think that you could make the old guy’s day with your gift!:headbange The players from that era just don’t get the credit they deserve. My hat goes off to you S.B.F!

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Thanks bro.
I really don't want ya'll looking at me but maybe reading the storys for the first time. Once you read accounts of games from back then you become a fan of the old guys. Those guys played for bragging rights and a few bucks and maybe just maybe a ring like Ted Lapka, Sammy Baugh and other great Skins have.

My joy is he got a smile but so did a handfull of you guys too.

Hail Skins!!!
peace
mike