Evening star., 1939-03-27
From the
Press Box
Dodgers Secrets Bored
By MocPhoiI, Durocher
BY JOHN LARDNER,

Special Correspondent Of The Star.
CLEARWATER, Fla, Mafeh 27.-
Around the clock with Leo Durocher
and Leland Stanford MacPhail, at
the Brooklyn Dodgers training
camp:
7:30 am.-Durocher leaps out Of
bed and gives interview I'D. Mac
Phail usually is up and giving in
terview I'M at the same time, but
u this morning Durocher has set Mac
Phail's alarm clock back half an
hour and has the air waves to him.
self. Durocher's first interview is
solo effort, testing for sound and
pitch, and runs as follows:
@. What do you think of your
bal club, Mr.. Durocher?
A. Well, I'll tell you-(up to 300
words.
This is washed down with orange
Juice and two medium boiled eggs.
8 am.-MacPhail leaps out of bed
and is in the middle of interview
I'M before he hits the floor. Dis
covering that he is half an hour late
MacPhail dashes to the dining room
and gives interview 2M to three
walters who have been up all night.
Press Goes Swimming,
Misses Interview an
DO you want to know what I
think of this ball club?" says Mac
Phail.
"Nossir." the walters reply.
I'm glad you asked me-" says
MacPhail. Its this way"
$50 a.m.-Durocher summons the
press for an interview, but finds
that MacPhail has slipped one over
on him by giving interview 3M
ahead of schedule.
Il want to tell you at this time"
announces MacPhail, that Lava
getto is a h of a third baseman.
That statement is for immediate re-
lease. III have something even
hotter for the morning papers"
10 a.m.-Durocher summons the
press. for an interview. This inter-
view - begins:
Il was born in West Springfield
Mass, on July 27, 1906. AS a boy,
attended public schools"
II am.-MacPhail completes the
final draft of interview an. and
summons the press, but the press has
gone in swimming.
11:30 a.m.-MacPhail arrives at
the beach and gives interview an.
Il have been in close conference
with Branch Hickey" announces
MacPhail. land we will have a
joint announcement to make at lis
pm. Meanwhile, I wish to state
that Manager Durocher has the
makings of h of hitter. You
can use that any time you like"
Reporters Are Let in
On Greet Story
Noon-Durocher corners the press
for interview Sd.
Boys" he says, Il want to let you
IN on secret. can't hit for shucks.
BUT Lavagetto is h of third
baseman"
/ p.m.-Durocher and MacPhail
emerge from a conference and sum-
mon the press for interview 5M-4D.
MacPhail is one up on Durocher by
now, and pressing his advantage.
Il wish to state at this time" says
MacPhail. that I have every con-
fldence in Manager Leo Durocher.
Durocher also has few words 30
say at this time, but you boys look
SO rotten that think you better go
fight home and sleep it off before the
ball game. That's all"
lis p.m.-MacPhail summons the
press for an interview
Branch Hickey and myself have
Just been in close conference" he
announces "and we are firmly
agreed that If it don't rain tomor-
row it will on Saturday Incidental
y, just saw hitching post down
be street that reminded me of Bill
Terry. That's for the afternoon
papers"
4:30 p.m.-Durocher summons the
press to his room, locks the door,
Fhrows the key away and delivers
Interviews Add, inclusive. Passing
lightly over his early youth and
oung manhood, Manager Dusocher
Explains his views on old-age insur-
nee, the New Deal, Soviet Russia
nd Cookie Lavagetto.
I'm conclusion, boys" he says, Il
ish to state that while I have
very confidence in General Man
ger Leland Stanford MacPhail, he
ill not open the season in right
eld."
6 pm-MacPhail in the course
interview I'm, announces that
is interested in getting hold of a
(ird baseman..
Il may open the season in right
I'D myself he admits.
10 pm.-MacPhai and Durocher
xchange votes of confidence
am.-MacPhail gets the press
but of bed to grant an interview.
Il just want to say at this time, "
he announces, that in Cookie Lava
getto we have HI of third base
man."
tCopyrisht, 1880 by the North American
Newspaper Alliance, Inc)