Evening star., 1941-10-01
Recalls Pirates
Decentralization
ByStick Show
Four New York Vets
Are Contestine in
Their 9th Series
BY BURTON HAWKINS,
Star staff Correspondent.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1.-The smooth
est strategy Leo Durocher of the
Dodgers might muster could be
eradicated by a few timely Yankee
base hits. but as Brooklyn and New
York were to battle in the opening
game of the World Series here to-
day, there were indications the
mouthy manager won't be making
some of the mistakes debited to pre-
decessorS.
Durocher's Dodgers and the Yam
KEGS worked out at Yankee Stadium
Monday and yesterday. The Dodgers
were in the park while the Yankees
were taking batting practice. but
Leo restricted his athletes to the
confines of the clubhouse. He re-
memhered the 1927 Pittsburgh
Pirates.
Witnessed Slug Fest.
That was the year the Yankees
had belted 158 home runs. with
blubbery Babe Ruth contributing so.
The 1927 Yankees have been the
gauge for great teams. for in Ruth,
Lou Gehrig. Tony Lazzeri, Mark
Koenig, Bob Meusel and Earle
Combs that outfit packed superb
power.
The Pirates couldn't resist the
temptation to witness those sluggers
work out before that series and what
they saw left them aWed and per-
haps cowed. The Yankees gave
them hitting display they couldn't
forget, blasting balls over the fences
and into the stands in the most
impressive batting practice ever
staged.
1t was impressive chiefly because
Coach Art Fletcher, who was pitch
ing to batters. saw a chance to
manufacture psychological edge
for the Yankees. He served his
pitches perfectly and the Yankees
collaborated in humping balls out
Of the park. The Pirates may have
been impressed At least. they
dropped four straight games.
Durocher apparently was attempt
ing to be cagey in withholding an
nouncement Of his starting pitcher
until shortly before game time.
Leo is mothering his brood, mov-
ing them into New York hotel
away from the adoring Brooklyn
fans and center of excitement. He
has taken precautions to have the
Dodgers ready mentally. attempting
to expose no raw nerves to punish
ment.
Lands Warns the Lip.
Never a calm character on the
field. Durocher has been warned by
Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain
Lands to mufie his tongue Pro-
testing umpires' decisions won't be
tolerated, dictated Lands. who also
ruled out the Dodgers infleld
huddle.
The supreme strategistS in pre-
series calculating. however, were
spectators who had enough fore
sight. luck and cash to stock up on
tickets. Yesterday the specs were
getting $50 for strips of three tickets
actually worth $3.50.
Approximately 5000 applications
were made for the available 500
working press seats and veteran
Gotham writer's were predicting
terrific fan turnouts. Hotels are
lammed, night clubs are prying con-
siderable cash from record crowds
and hotel men are saying the big
push wont come until the week end,
The Yankees Bill Dickey, Lefty
Gomez. Red Rufing and Frankie
Crosetti were entering their sixth
World Series, but still were far off
the record of 10 held by Ruth.
frankie Frisch, with eight. is
neartest to the Babe Both Ruth
and Frisch played on seven win
ners.
If the Dodgers win the series,
they must hand the Yankees more
defeats than that club has suffered
in its last seven series. The YAM
KEGS have won % out Of 81 World
Series games since losing to the
Cardinals in 1926.