Rams win over Cards, December 1, 1958

The Rams survived the cold of Chicago to edge the Cardinals, 20-14. The statistic that stood out in Cal Whorton's story was the attendance--only 13,041 watched the game at what Whorton called Comisky Ball Park. Whorton said temperature at game time was 16 degrees. Rams quarterback Bill Wade got closer to a couple of Ram season milestones. He tied Norm Van Blocklin with 156 completions and moved closer to Bob Waterfield's record for passes thrown. --Keith Thursby

Comments

[Richard H]

1958 was the year that would bring the National Football League into the national limelight, but in most respects it was still a minor pro sports league.

The NFL on the advent of becoming the most popular sports league in the United States and a national T.V. staple: A twelve team league with no geographic balance whatsoever; basically, a collection of local markets. Two teams on the west coast (requiring air travel), four teams on the east coast (requiring train travel, at least) and six teams in the Mideast region that could have traveled by bus to each other's home field.

Two teams are in Chicago. The Cards would leave and go to Saint Louis (that 13,000 attendance for that Rams vs. Cards game was indicative of more than just cold weather).

No teams in the South or Midwest (until the Cards moved to Saint Louis). Nothing in the East north of New York or south of D.C.

On the horizon is league expansion, the AFL and National T.V. broadcasts of regular season and post-season games. In the future would come the Superbowl with it's huge National T.V. audience.

Could they have seen all that in 1958? I don't think so.

[David]

The dotted line in photos from the 1950's. I guess this was the next best thing to instant replay back then.

I enjoy your blog and have posted a link to yours from mine. I have been covering similar material from a Central Coast perspective for about a year. Post a link if you feel the same way.
Thanks