Evening star., 1941-05-18

his head A writer can't make literature out
trying for years to get Joe to develop a gift
of CAB you know, like Casey Stengel or
Lippy Leo Durocher - but it S no dice. The
way he shies away from publicity you'd think
his mother had been scared by press agent.
You can see that Swami was cinCh to
stand out in our little group. And that's just
what he did. Right from the starting gun.
If any of us were hoping he'd flop - and
maybe some were we were awful dlSap-
pointed when we saw him in action. He was
quick as cat, and he seemed to know where
a ball was going before it was hit. He could
go to his left or his right, he could charge in
for bunt or 60 out for pop, and he was
death on bounces back through the middle.
He could get ball away quicker than any
body ever saw, and his pegs were strong and
accurate To break right down and admit it,
he was good.
"Um" Joe said watching him. UNI"
Don't stand there looking so pleased" |
said. 'or the kidll be asking for raise be-
fore the season even gets started"
UNI" Joe said
You couldn't blame Joe for feeling good.
Just seeing Swami out there mustve made
him happy after the headaches he'd had with
second the summer before. What if Swami
did act like he thought he was combination
of Eddie Collins John Barrymore and Tom
the fun-loving Rover boy? Call it color and
hope it would wear off. Besides a showoft,
never scared cash customers away from ball
park People would flock to see him, even if
it was only to give him the Bronx he'll
In our first practice game Swami held down
second for the Yannigans and he showed us
plenty Even Art Helmke, with unemploy-
ment staring him straight in the face, had to
admit that the boy from Hollywood looked
like the advertised product.
] WASN'T that good when had it =" he said,
watching Swami come up with sumner.
But Swami was more than mere Fancy
Dan He also knew what to do with bat
when he got hold of one. That first afternoon
he helped himself to two singles and homer
- and the ball he nudged for the circuit was
still on the rise as it went out of the park.
Of course nobody ever won fame or fortune
on Florida hits, but Swami gave you the feel
ing he'd get his base knocks in any kind of
geography. The tourists and natives that
came out that afternoon went for him big.
And Mr.. Swami loved it. You could almost
see him swell every time they gave him
hand.
That night was walking down the main
stem with Shiny Harrison, our pitching coach
and my roomie when we ran into the young
man. He was wearing beret, purple polo
shirt, white linen jacket, blue gabardne
pants and pair of open-work shoes. He had
a sunkissed cutie on each arm and they were
giving him big listen while he took the vocal.
Hello. boys" he said, giving us a little
nod that didn't put any strain On his splendid
physique.
Boys" Shiny funed as we walked on.
you got gray hair and amt got none, but
we're boys to that fugitive from kiddie car!''
You might as we'll get used to him."
said. 1T looks like he's come to stay
Two galsr' Shiny said, still simmering.
Can you imagine guy carryin' spare?"
Il can imagine him doing anything
The writers were lot to blame for what
happened. They gave Swami terrific play,
and he began to act like he felt he had to
make news for his friends of the Fourth Es-
tate.