Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-07
The
SPORTLIGHT
BY GRANTLAND RICE.
Picking Series Hurler
Pilots Biggest Gamble
' GRANTLAND RICE,

II you happen to be looking for a
headache, according to Del Baker
and Bill McKechnie. try to name the
best starting World Series pitcher
each day.
Every one thought Paul Derringer
would be the toughest man for the
Tigers In that opening game. Paul
was on his way out after a round
or two. 1t was Bucky Walters this
time who saved the next day. Baker
counted heavily on Schoolboy Rowe,
who had little. Johnny Corsica, who
followed, had everything. But how
was Baker to know this? There
has to be an element Of guessing
where the second guess is the only
safe one.
Even a pitcher warming up can't
tell. II know I had as much as /
ever had when they we're betting
me-" Paul Derringer said. That
day the Tigers just happened to
like that brand of stuff. Another
day they might not like it at all
even the same stuff"
Double Series Thrill
Enjoyed by Wilson
One of the thrills of the series
belongs to Jimmy Wilson-along
two lines. Several years ago Jimmy
Wilson had the idea that while
Bucky Walters was a fair infielder
and a good hitter, Bucky would
make an even better pitcher. Bill
McKechnie said he would buy
Walters for $4,000 If they turned
him into a pitcher. When this
happened, the Reds bought him.
You know the answer. Walters won
- ball games for the Reds in two
seasons and was big factor IN
giving them two pennants.
There still was more to come.
After the Tigers had driven Paul
Derringer to cover it was all up to
Walters to prevent complete rout.
When Wilson recommended Wal
tiers as a made-over pitcher, it was
a million to one that he never
would catch Bucky in a World
Series game. In the first place,
Wilson retired from active catching
more than two years ago. Then
William Herschberger's death and
Iombardis bad ankle dragged
Jimmy back to the firing line again.
And there he was handling
Bucky in a three-hit game against
z~> ~ ~. berJaet toop,c ho soho IL
has known In many a fleeting
moon.
Here was something in the game
that never happened before and
never could happen again.
Spirit, Hustle Make
BorteII Invaluable
Dick Bartell once more has Of
fered proof regarding the value OF
spirit. If every ball player had
about half of Bartell's hustle it
would be a different game.
Even bad leg or a lame back
doesn't keep the flame out OF Bar
tells ball-playing soul. When the
Tiger infeld started north last
April, few picked Del Bakers team
above fifth place. As some expert
put 1t, "You can't finish better than
fifth with a seventh-place infield."
1t didn't happen to work that way.
Bartell and Gehringer, in spite Of
veteran service, sore legs and sore
backs, were two big factors in the
Tiger uplift.
Referring to Jimmy Wilson again.
the Red coach and catcher proved
the value of keeping in condition.
After he had quit active work back
Of the bat, Wilson kept himself in
shape, holding his weight just where
Il was when he was on active duty.
As a result he was able to swing
back into hard play on a few days
notice.
Il weigh now almost to the pound
the same as two years ago" he told
me. II was sore as a boil at the
start, but this soon worked itself
out Wilson's two years of keeping
in condition meant plenty to the
Reds.
No other World Series has known
q parallel to the Buck Newsom
case. Knowing he was about to
die. Bucky's father held on until
he had seen Bobo pitch the open
Ing winner. That for him was the
end of the trail Few knew how
desperately the older Newsom chung
TO life until his one final ambition
was satisfied in the roar Of the
crowd. You can make your gam
BILE that here is one man who died
happy.