Irv Rizzi

Irving Steven Rizzi


Born:
June 29, 1919
West Hoboken, NJ

Died:
August 6, 2008
Fort Lee, NJ


Career
1936-37 Memorial High School - West New York, NJ (High School)
1938-39 Georgetown University (College)
1939-40 Georgetown University (College)
1940-41 Georgetown University (College)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

A graduate of Georgetown, Rizzi joined the Washington Brewers in November of 1941. He would serve in the U.S. Navy during World War 2, and stayed on after the war in the Naval Reserves.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/irv-rizzi/

Dom Restifo

Dominic N. Restifo


Born:
March 8, 1918
Schenectady, NY

Died:
July 31, 1987
Schenectady, NY


Career
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1942-43 London Base Command (Military)
1946-47 McClellan Tavern - Troy, NY (Independent)

From Schenectady, New York, Restifo played one game for the Washington Brewers before entering the U.S. Army for the purpose of serving his country in World War 2.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/dom-restifo/

Leal

Leal


Born:



Died:




Career
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

The name "Leal" appears on the January 7, 1942 boxscore of a game between Washington and Philadelphia. I think this may be "George Abel" by mistake, but I will leave this entry here in case there is a different player named "Leal."

Source:


Stats:

Herm Knuppel

Herman Dietrich "Dutch" Knuppel


Born:
August 23, 1916
Weehawken, NJ

Died:
August 16, 1997
Butler, NJ


Career
1938-39 Panzer College - East Orange, NJ (College)
1939-40 Panzer College - East Orange, NJ (College)
1940-41 Panzer College - East Orange, NJ (College)
1940-41 New York Orbachs (AAU)
1941-42 NYCC All Stars (Independent)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1941-42 Frederick High School - Maryland (High School) Head coach
1942-43 New York Jewels (ABL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1943-44 New York Americans (ABL)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)
1945-46 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)

Born in Weehawken, New Jersey, to Bruno and Bertha Knuppel, the 6'7 Knuppel went to West Side High School in Newark, but did not play basketball. He picked it up at Panzer College (now part of Montclair State University) and was a member of their great teams of the late 30's. He would play professionally for various teams in the 40's, mainly in the American League.

Herm and his wife Marian had a son and a daughter.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/herm-knuppel/

Hoffman

Hoffman


Born:



Died:




Career
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

Played on game of the Brewers, in January 18, 1942.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/hoffman-2/

1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

1941-42 WASHINGTON BREWERS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
5-6 .455, 3rd place
Second Half:
5-7 .417, T-3rd place


Head Coach: 

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Hook Andersen (April 8, 1912 - September 23, 1975)

Biography 

• Al Benson     

Biography

• Pete Berenson (October 16, 1912 - January 6, 2000)

Biography 

• Moe Dubilier (February 20, 1915 - April 22, 2003)

Biography

• Nat Frankel (November 3, 1913 - March 14, 2006)

Biography

• Ben Goldfaden (September 6, 1913 - March 25, 2013)

Biography

• Hoffman 

Biography

• Herm Knuppel (August 23, 1916 - August 16, 1997)

Biography 

• Ben Kramer (May 3, 1913 - February 3, 1999)

Biography

• Leal  

Biography 

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978)

Biography

• Dom Restifo (March 8, 1918 - July 31, 1987)

Biography

• Irv Rizzi (June 29, 1919 - August 6, 2008)

Biography 

• Willie Rubenstein (April 3, 1912 - September 13, 1980)

Biography 

• George Slott (June 9, 1912 - February 22, 1962)

Biography

• Whitey Wilson (February 21, 1913 - January 24, 1997)

Biography

1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)

1940-41 WASHINGTON BREWERS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
7-7 .500, 3rd place
Second Half:
7-8 .467, 3rd place


Head Coach: 

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Pete Berenson (October 16, 1912 - January 6, 2000)

Biography 

• Mike Bloom (January 14, 1915 - June 5, 1993)

Biography

• Howie Bollerman (June 9, 1907 - August 15, 1966)

Biography 

• Moe Dubilier (February 20, 1915 - April 22, 2003)

Biography

• Nat Frankel (November 3, 1913 - March 14, 2006)

Biography

• Ben Goldfaden (September 6, 1913 - March 25, 2013)

Biography

• Ben Kramer (May 3, 1913 - February 3, 1999)

Biography

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978)

Biography

• Phil Rabin (July 10, 1913 - October 28, 2010)

Biography 

• George Slott (June 9, 1912 - February 22, 1962)

Biography

• Whitey Wilson (February 21, 1913 - January 24, 1997)

Biography

• Art Zahn (February 28, 1912 - November 18, 1952)

Biography

Carroll Shore

Carroll William Shore


Born:
March 8, 1913
Washington, DC

Died:
August 8, 1994
Silver Spring, MD


Career
(High School)
1935-36 Georgetown University (College)
1936-37 Georgetown University (College)
1937-38 Washington (AAU)
1938-39 Washington (AAU)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/carroll-shore/

Ash Resnick

Irving "Ash" Resnick


Born:
March 6, 1916
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
January 18, 1989
Las Vegas, NV


Career
1934-35 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1935-36 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1937-38 NYU (College)
1938-39 NYU (College)
1939-40 NYU (College)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Original Celtics (Independent)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 West Haven (CSL) ??
1940-41 Original Celtics (Independent)
1941-42 New London Electric Boat Diesels (CSL)

1941-42 Original Celtics (Independent)
1941-42 Troy (NYSL)
1945-46 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1946-47 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1946-47 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

A long-time basketball player, Resnick served in the military during World War 2. He wasrumored to have been involved in illegal gambling around New York in the 1940's, and he would relocate to Las Vegas where he worked with casinos to set up various gambling junkets. His plan of bringing people cheaply to Las Vegas from around the country allowed Las Vegas to grow into the gambling mecca it is now. He was found guilty of tax evasion in 1974 but the verdict was overturned on appeal. He also was the target of various hits, once finding eight sticks of dynamite under his car, and another time was shot leaving Caesar's Palace. A character like him would likely be portrayed as a heavy in films like "Casino."

Ash died oh heart failure following a length illness in 1989.

Source:
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 20, 1989
News Press (Fort Myers, FL), January 20, 1989

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ash-resnick/

Whitey Mitchell

William "Whitey" Mitchell


Born:
1917


Died:
????



Career
Wilson Teachers College - Washington, DC (College)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Arthur Dorsey Marketeers - Hagerstown, MD (Independent)
1940-41 Arthur Dorsey Marketeers - Hagerstown, MD (Independent)

From Washington DC??

Don't know much about him, except he was likely a teacher or educator.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/billy-mitchell/

Eddie Boyle

Edward James Boyle


Born:
June 15, 1917
Phillipsburg, NJ

Died:
March 16, 1999
Media, PA


Career
1933-34 Hazleton High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1934-35 Oscar's Radio Store - Hazleton, PA (Independent)
1935-36 Hazleton YMCA - Pennsylvania (Independent)
1936-37 Temple University (College) freshmen
1937-38 Temple University (College)
1938-39 Temple University (College)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Harrisburg Cassions (TCL)
1940-41 Harrisburg Cassions (TCL)
1940-41 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1941-42 Schuylkill Haven (TCL)
1943-44 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1944-45 Washington Capitols (ABL)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1946-47 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1947-48 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1948-49 Trenton Tigers (ABL)

Born to Maurice and Nora Boyle in New Jersey, Boyle grew up in Hazleton and went to school at Temple. He would go on to play seven seasons in the ABL. Boyle worked for many years at General Tire, retiring as a sales executive in 1980.

Eddie married Constance Knott (1916-2003) in 1938 and they had two daughters.

Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 19, 1999

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/eddie-boyle/

1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)

1939-40 WASHINGTON BREWERS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
19-13 .594, 2nd place
Lost regular-season play-off game against Philadelphia
Round Robin: 
1-6 .143, 5th place

Washington was not doing well financially through the first few months of the season and rumors were abound that the team was going to withdraw from the ABL around the same of the Kingston - Troy merger. However, the team never did call it quits, and would play to a tie for the league's top slot, losing a one-game playoff to Philadelphia for the regular season title. They then floundered in the round-robin playoffs, finishing 5th.

Head Coach: 

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978) Also played. See below.

PLAYERS:

• Ralph Bennie (November 6, 1905 - September 15, 1994)

Biography

• Mike Bloom (January 14, 1915 - June 5, 1993)

Biography

• Eddie Boyle (June 15, 1917 - March 16, 1999)

Biography

• Jim Brown (June 13, 1912 - January 6, 1991)

Biography

• Kit Carson (November 4, 1914 - December 13, 2005)

Biography

• Moe Dubilier (February 20, 1915 - April 22, 2003)

Biography

• Ben Goldfaden (September 6, 1913 - March 25, 2013)

Biography

• Ben Kramer (May 3, 1913 - February 3, 1999)

Biography

• Dick Lee (c. 1912 - ????)

Biography

• Billy Mitchell  (1917? - ????)

Biography

• Max Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978)

Biography

• Phil Rabin (July 10, 1913 - October 28, 2010)

Biography

• Ash Resnick (March 6, 1916 - January 18, 1989)

Biography

• Carroll Shore (March 8, 1913 - August 8, 1994)

Biography

• Whitey Wilson (February 21, 1913 - January 24, 1997)

Biography

Art Zahn

Arthur David "Otts" Zahn


Born:
February 28, 1912
Virginia

Died:
November 18, 1952
Washington, DC


Career
1928-29 McKinley Technical High School - Washington, DC (High School)
1930-31 George Washington University (College)
1931-32 George Washington University (College)
1932-33 George Washington University (College)
1933-34 Gettysburg Fleet-Wings (Independent)
1934-35 Gettysburg Fleet-Wings (Independent)
1935-36 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1936-37 Brownstown (TCL)
1936-37 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1937-38 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1942-43 George Washington University (College) Head coach
1945-46 George Washington University (College) Head coach
1946-47 George Washington University (College) Head coach

Born to Van Alvan and Henrietta Zahn. After starring on the basketball court and baseball diamond at GWU, Zahn spent a few years playing semi-pro and professional basketball, most notably with the Brewers, sponsored by Heurich Brewery. Zahn was on the team when they became a member of the ABL in November of 1938. After a couple more seasons, Zahn moved back to GW but as the basketball and baseball coach. The basketball team was disbanded for World War 2, and Zahn returned after the war.

Zahn died in November of 1952 at the young age of 40. I have yet to find a cause of death.

He was married to Mallory Hufty in 1937


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/art-zahn/

Whitey Wilson

Thomas Harold "Whitey" Wilson


Born:
February 21, 1913
Mars, PA

Died:
January 24, 1997
Zephyrhills, FL


Career
1929-30 New Kensington High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1930-31 New Kensington High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1932-33 University of Pittsburgh (College)
1935-36 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1936-37 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1937-38 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

There is a story from 1933 when in his sophomore season, Wilson suckerpunched a referee afte the game. It was uncertain who had actually thrown the punch. Wilson was blamed, but years later he said it was teammate Skippy Hughes who did it.

Second daughter born in 1940. Late 50's he was living in Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh. His mother died while Whitey was at Pitt, and he quit school to help take care of the family. Apparently he was quite a billiards player.

Wilson stood 6'0 and weighed 195 pounds.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/whitey-wilson/

Knocky Thomas

Frederick Bendall "Little Knocky" Thomas


Born:
March 12, 1914
Washington, DC

Died:
February 9, 2007
Colonial Beach, VA


Career
1932-33 McKinley Tech - Washington (High School)
1934-35 University of Maryland (College)
1935-36 University of Maryland (College)
1936-37 University of Maryland (College)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)

Born in DC, Fred's older brother Lewis was also known as "Knocky," so much like baseball's Waner Brothers, Lewis was known as "Big Knocky" and Fred as "Little Knocky." Fred was a baseball star and basketball star in high school, which lead to an athletic scholarship at Maryland. After college, he signed with the Washington Senators, and was a catcher in D- and C- Class Minor Leagues. He also played pro basketball for the Washington Heurich Brewers. Although he never progressed further as a full professional athlete, he continued to play baseball for the corporate semi-pro team and amateru sandlot teams into his 40's. He worked for twenty years for the U.S. Post Office and later the Department of Motor Vehicles, retiring in 1974. He was 92 years old when he died in 2007.

Knocky was married to Lilah Reed (1912-1995) and they had two daughters. He divorced from Lilah and remarried to Marion (d. 2006).

Minor League Baseball Stats:

Source:
Washington Post Obituary, March 17, 2007

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/knocky-thomas/

Mickey Schoenfeld

Milton "Mickey" Schoenfeld


Born:
July 31, 1917
New York, NY

Died:
March 8, 1983
Millburn, NJ


Career
Newtown High School - New York (High School)
1936-37 George Washington University (College)
1937-38 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)

Schoenfeld served in the Marines during World War 2.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mickey-schoenfeld/

Bernie Lieb

Bernard Lieb


Born:
May 25, 1916
Newark, NJ

Died:
September 17, 1993
Silver Spring, MD


Career
1933-34 Catholic University - DC (College)
1934-35 Catholic University - DC (College)
1935-36 Catholic University - DC (College)
1936-37 Washington Braintrusters (Independent)
1937-38 Washington (Independent)
1938-39 Hagertown Dorsey Marketeers (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)


Bernard was born in Newark to Charles and Nora Lieb, but grew up in Washington, DC.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/bernie-lieb/

Cliff Keyser

Clifton Bell Keyser


Born:
March 6, 1914
Washington, DC

Died:
June 21, 1997
Alexandria, VA


Career
1933-34 Central High School - Washington, DC (High School)
1934-35 Wilson Teachers College - DC (College)
1935-36 Wilson Teachers College - DC (College)
1936-37 Wilson Teachers College - DC (College)
1936-37 Washington Braintrusters (AAU)
1937-38 Washington (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1938-39 Dorsey Marketeers - Hagerstown (Independent)
1939-40 Dorsey Marketeers - Hagerstown (Independent)
1939-40 Alexandria Pros (Independent)

Keyser was selected as the High School Player of the year in 1934.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/cliff-keyser/

Ed Hargaden

Edward Joseph Hargaden


Born:
October 8, 1911
Syracuse, NY

Died:
December 18, 1986
Baltimore, MD


Career
1929-30 Christian Brothers Academy - Syracuse (High School)
1932-33 Georgetown University (College)
1933-34 Georgetown University (College)
1934-35 Georgetown University (College)
1936-37 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1937-38 Takoma Park Pros (Independent)
1937-38 Dorsey Marketeers (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1938-39 Dorsey Marketeers (Independent)
1941-42 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1942-43 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1943-44 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1944-45 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1945-46 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1946-47 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1947-48 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1948-49 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1949-50 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Baltimore Bullets (NBA) Head coach
1953-54 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Loyola High School - Baltimore (High School) Head coach

Haragden played both baseball and basketball at Georgetown, being named All-American in the latter. On the court, he lead GU in scoring all three years. He would play some pro basketball, but worked for the FBI before becoming an algebra teacher, basketball coach, football coach, and eventually an athletic director at Loyola High School in Baltimore. In November of 1952, Hargaden was brought in to coach the Baltimore Bullets for one game after Chick Reiser was fired. Hargaden, who was currently coaching the basketball team at Loyola HS, lead the Bullets to their first win of the season before Clair Bee has hired as the permanent coach ths next morning. After quitting coaching in 1968, he was named commissioner of Maryland Scholastic Association.

He married Mary Miller in 1938 and they had a son and three daughters.

Source:
Post Crescent (Appleton, WI), November 13, 1952
Evening Sun (Baltimore), December 19, 1986.

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/ed-hargaden/

George Freilicher

George Freilicher


Born:
January 25, 1911
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
December 10, 1982
Silver Spring, MD


Career
1928-29 Franklin Lane High School - New York, NY (High School)
1929-30 Franklin Lane High School - New York, NY (High School)
1934-35 George Washington University (College)
1935-36 George Washington University (College)
1936-37 Heurich Brewers (Independent)
1937-38 Takoma Park Pros (Independent)
1938-39 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1939-40 Hagerstown Marketeers (Independent)
1940-41 Hagerstown Marketeers (Independent)

Born to Benjamin and Fannie Freilicher, George played pro basketball for a few years after graduating from GW. He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2, stationed in Northern Africa.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/george-freilicher/