The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-14
YANKEES STAR WORKING HARD
 FOR ACCURACY
Arm Hurt in Exhibition Game Two Years Ago;
 Takes Things Easy
BY JOE WILLIAMS

St. Petersburg, Fla, March IA. - Joe Di Maggie stripped the gears of his throwing arm down here in 1887 and 1t hasn't been right since.
 That doesn't mean can't still throw" he confided to us today aS we sat in the dugout at the Yankees training base. What mean is over- hand throw. Now must throw with a three-quarter motion. The power is still there but the accuracy isn't"
 This admission confirms q suspi- cion that has been growing for some time and which received astonish- ing support in the 1940 fielding aver- ages. These showed Di Maggie was credited with only five assists, a dismally low number for fellow who used to knock off base runners as If they were clay pigeons. The first year up, he had 22 assists.
 You can't get accuracy with a three quarter throw" he. says. "1he ball spins and skips when it lands and the receiver has to move out of position to stop it. I had some treatments during the winter and am still taking them and I'm going to try throwing with 0 full motion again. In fact, that's going to be my main objective here in camp to regain my old throwing style"
 Di Maggie threw his arm out in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals his second year up. And If I hadn't been a green busher 1t fleve rwould have hap- pened. In those days had the no- ton you ha dto kill every guy at the plate no matter what kind of lead he had Three long balls were hit out my way that day and I gave ever yone of them the old Joe Col- lege try. The third one got me. [ felt something snap. From then on l had my troubles"
 Di Maggie has been with the Yankees since 1885 and has vet to play full season. Something ale ways Happened to lay him up be- lore the season starts or after 1t begins. There were a number of req sons why the Yankees didn't make It live straight to set new record last season. A very vital one was the fact that Di Maggie wasn't able to start. He hurt his foot in an eX- hibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers and was on the side lines TOT several weeks. The Yankees played 155 games. Di Maggie was in only 132 and this included several brief appearances as 0 pinch hitter, Left Hand Trouble
 .Iakn pnWall 4l,a Un..i.na,,p other right handed hitting outfield- CT, was out for much the same time. Thus the Yankees right-hand pow- CT was reduced to 0 mere pretensc. and the opposing managers were quick to capitalize on the situation. They proceeded forthwith to left- hand the Yankees dizzy. Left-hand- CTS who couldn't get the Yankees out before were turning them back With no more than loud fouls. It was during this stretch that the Yankees lost so much ground they never were able to gain q commando ing position in the race. That was when we lost the pennant," insists Joe Mccarthy, the manager,
 Because Di Maggie is always get- ting hurt there is feeling that he IS brittle; there is also feeling that he doesn't spend enough time con- ditioning himself. Di Maggie resents both implications. Reciting the vari- ous mishaps that have happened to him, he contends that in each case he was going all out and trying to get something extra on the play. Like last spring in Brooklyn. [ hurt my foot trying to stretch a sin- gie into double. That had noth- ing to do with being brittle nor with peing in condition. It was one of those things that could have hap- pened to any ball player"
 As as rule Di Maggie is placid al- most to the point of being stolid but ire comes into his eyes when he disputes the charge that he goes through trianing to the tune of il dreamy waltz. Hell! Nobody in canp works harder than I do," he fumes. True, don't spend all winter in gymnaSiums or on golf courses but when come down here I have only one thing in mind and that is to get ready for the opening game. And except for that time when couldn't adJust my contract differences with the front office, I've always been ready.'
 Takes It Easy
 We wouldn't know whether Di Maggie is naturally inclined to be brittle or not. The successive run of accidents he's suffered could be no more than distressing coincidences. We think we know how the impress sion got around he doesn't break stone walls in training. He isn't the vigorous, energetic up-and -at-'em type. He gears his training to an easy, smooth temypo which reflects his nature. If you've noticed him at bat, even in a world series game, with heavy sugar riding in the ball. ance, you've seen him as he always IS; apparently in casual, tranquil. detached mood. Undoubtedly this bellies his inner emotions, just as his apparent indifference in training be- lies his seriousness of purpose.
 It won't do the Yankees any harm If Oi Maggie gets off to a flying start and plays every game. His absence last spring stressed his importance to the club. And this year the Yankees, what with all their experi- ments, are going to need 100 per cent production from their proven denandahlaS