Evening star., 1940-06-22
Maryland Meet Draw Few Lnwomen Worn by Iona Tourney
From the
Press Box
After Week of Blowing
Blows, Durocher Coos
By JOHN LARDNER,

OIOWSS DOlV\NSu SVO7S
BY JOHN LARDNER,
Special Correspondent Of The Star.
NEW YORK, June % (NAN.A).-
In the turmoil of the Louis -Godoy
fight and the buildup for the Baer-
Galento fight. it may have escaped
your notice that one of the fighting
est men in America. reckless spark
with his dukes, creator of the famous
invisible punch to the kneecap-in
short, Leo Durocher-has just put in
a very busy week of warfare.
The Brooklyn devil-dog breathed
defiance all week long. Fire emerged
from his nostrils daily at 1030 m
and $3.50 pm, at which times the
flower and chivalry of Flatbush
gathered about him to light their
cigars free of charge
Leo issued 33 challenges to COM
bat, threw 48 punches. and landed
one, which caught Umpire Bick
Campbell below the left ear, causing
that sterling official to reach con-
vulsively for his butterfly-net, in the
belief that he had just been at
tackled by lepidopter canandaigua,
rare purple moth which infests
the Finger Lake region and seldom
gets down to New York except on
week ends.
Lion Of the Rock Tough
In Hotel Elevator
Leo's full name in French means
lion of the rock, and while there is
some doubt as to what rock his
parents had in mind, there is no
doubt about the fellows leoninity,
If you follow me. Here is the record
Of his weeks work, omitting the
bloodier details. A checkup of the
dead and missing continues:
Monday - Breathed defiance at
Bob Bowman. pitcher for the ST..
Louis Cardinals, in a hotel elevator.
Eyewitnesses say that Bowman was
so badly cowed that he left the
elevator at the main floor. walked
slowly across the lobby and bought
newspaper
Tuesday-Defled Pepper Martin
In the morning, while Martin slept
nervously in chair. In the after
noon breathed defiance. mixed with
oxygen. at the entire Cardinal ball
club. Singing out Pitcher Bowman,
he defled him to throw the ball at
the Brooklyn batters.
You haven't got the CUTS" said
Mr.. Durocher, cooking his right first.
There is nothing for you to be
scared about" replied Mr.. Bowman
reassuringly. Il never throw the
ball at guys who can't hit"
oh" said Mr.. Durocher defiant
ly. rs that SOP" he added, as flame
came out of his nostrils on schedule.
Don't Get Hurt" Leo Tells
WouId-be Fighters
Wednesday-In the morning
challenged all the Cardinals in hotel
dining room.
"Who wants to fight?" demanded
Leo.
Il do." said Catcher Mickey Owen,
crowding his way to the head of the
line
"Oh. you do. eh?" said Mr.. Du-
rocher defiantly. well, don't get
hurt"
: Later in the day Leo defled Mr..
Owen at second base. When Owen
threw a punch at him, Leo really
lost his temper, and delivered IL
successive uprercuts from no more
than 10 feet away. 1t was the last
Of these which caught Umpire
Campbell full force under the ear
and led the arbitrator to conclude
that he had collided with hungry
butterfly.
Another blow landed flush on Mr..
Durocher's own wrist by mistake,
upon which he started visibly and
said, "Egad, it's raining! Get the
tarpaulins out!"
Thursday-Off day, with Durocher
coaching Joe Louis from ringside
and doing frightful conversational
effect upon Godoy.
Phones Fight Challenge,
Reverses Charge
Friday-Contacted Cardinals in
Boston by long-distance telephone
and challenged them. When they
refused to meet him halfway in
Bridgeport, Leo defiantly hung up.
AS an afterthought, he fearlessly re-
yersed the charge.
BY Friday evening the forecast
was that Mr.. Durocher would be
cooler, and Mr.. Durocher confirmed
this.
Yes" he said, "I have decided not
to shed any more blood"
ANY more blood than what?"
asked the interviewer.
Than you can shake a stick att"
roared the Brooklyn manager,
angrily, and cooked his right fist, a
sure sign that he would throw a
punch within the hour if no one
intervened. But he was growing
steadily cooler around the edges, and
experts predicted that he had taken
all the umbrage he could hold.
There is saturation point at which
Mr.. Durocher RECEIVERS his good ma
ture and decides to spare the enemy,
as in his famous conversation with
Casey Stengel some years ago.
do you want to fight?' asked Leo
On that occasion.
Certainly" said Mr.. Stengel.
sWhy?"
II just wondered" said Mr.. Du-
eecher, and strobe firmly away.
. FuircIoth HurIs Shutout
Art Faircloth, former Anacostia
High Ace, today was credited with