Evening star., 1939-04-11
Once Shy, Half Sur|y
Yank and Cardinal
Have Changed
New York's Joe Proves
OIdtime Bube Ruth
In Spring Circuit

OIl CIlc CIdu VI UdII JldycIS, SOllcIS
and race horses, I ran across a
pair Of outfielders by the name
Of Joe.
They are not bad outfielders-as
outf1elders 60. Their names are Joe
Di Maggie and Joe Medwick.
These two Joes have changed
more than any ball players I know
about. When they first broke in
they were on the half-shy, half
surly side. They liked few people.
There was nothing social in their
lives. They had no understanding
Of crowd psychological any psy-
chology. They never could under
stand why they had to talk to sports
writers or sign kids autographs.
That had nothing to do with their
professionalism was baseball. Only
baseball counted.
Today they are the most affable
young men I've seen-and two of
the great outfielders of the game.
IT just happened to learn a few
things" Medwick told me, with a
grin. That's what you grow up
for"
Medwick at Best in Pinches.
Joe Di Maggie, the Yankee star,
has picked up the fastest spring
start he ever has known. He, has
been picked as the 1889 sensation.
He has been the old-time Babe Ruth
of the spring circuit.
MedWick may hold the same place
in the National League. This Joe
not only is great ball player, but
also natural athlete.
watch these two fellows" Joe
Mccarthy told you. You'll notice
they are in position to hit from the
top. And they swing on line
not up or down at the ball. Too
many ball players are out of posi-
ton as the pitch starts, so they
have to hurry-a big fault in every
game played where a ball and a
club or bat are concerned. Med
wick and Di Maggie keep balanced
through the entire swing. They
are rarely tense or frightened up
The first day I landed in st.
Petersburg I played golf with Med
wick. I thought he would be an
other wild slugger.
He was around in 70, with a
6 on one short par 3 hole and
5 on another-5 over par on two
of the easiest holes. He had seven
brides on his card. I expected his
long tee shot, but I was a trif1e
jolted by his fine iron play to the
green and his sure and accurate
putting touch.
At match play he would have
given any good pro battle that
afternoon. He was on two par
holes with drive and iron.
I found Medwick was as fine a
competitor on the golf course as he
has proved himself to be in base
ball. He likes the rougher going,
where you have to prove yourself.
He's at his best in the pinches.
Cards Spirit Still High.
I'VE have better ball club this
spring than many people think we
have" Joe told me. We've got our
chance-if we can get some pitch
ing. And I think we'll get it.
I'm not out after home-run rec
ords. I'd rather hit $50 or better
and drive in the runs I know
we've lost most of the old Gas House
Gang, but we've got lot of speed
and spirit on this club, and with
any good break we can 60 some
where.
"Our main gamble is pitching and
the infield, which is pretty tough
gamble. But we'll score a lot of
runs. Well win lot of ball games"
Both Joes Relaxed.
There is one vital point about the
two Joes-Di Maggie and Med
wick-that marks each noticeably.
Both are relaxed. You never see
either tighten up. Their legs and
bodies are ready for the flow of
muscle needed to work with their
hands and arms.
One of the most difficult co-ordi-
nations in sport is to get feet, legs,
body and arms to work together
not against each other or one an
other.
AS a starter both Di Maggie and
Medwick are light and easy on their
feet. They are not locked. Both
will tell you the flow Of power must
start from foot and leg action.
you've got to keep loose" both
Joes will tell you. you've got to
give your hands and wrists the
chance to swing without being
tied up"
THAT goes for a golf club as we'll
as baseball bat" Medwick said.
Shooting for Best Years.
The two Joes, on their way from
Dixie with the Yankees and the
Cardinals, are shooting for their
best years.
Di Maggie will hit opening day
around 100 pounds, or 10 pounds
below his normal weight. Di Maggie
has the advantage of playing on
winning team, one picked as a four
time winner.
Nedwick, strictly winning type,
will be better ball player if the
Cardinals can stick somewhere in
the race. There isn't much incen-
tive when you are kicking around
sixth place, out of the running, as
his team happened to be last season.
One ambition Medwick has is to
give Di Maggie an all-summer race
for the outfielding top. He hasn't
Di Maggio's power, for Jolting Joe
of the Yankees has a pair of work.
ing wrists that are phenomenal. No
one can hit a ball as far with as
little effort. That's always one of
the answers.
(Copyright, 1039)