The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-30
CATCHER'SBAT
 MARK GOES UP
 DURING SEASON
Mcphail Would Not Take $I2O,OOO for Mickey;
 Indians Click n tOS
BY PAUL sCHEFFELs

gUnlena RRess stan csRrespomaenal
 New York, June 3o--kUPl-credlt the fact that Mickey Oven is one of baseballs ail-time "soatsv with a notable assist In the fashioning of his baseball career. For when he missed that nOw--famous ''third strike" In saae last World Series Owen received reams of publicity that actually have helped the Mis- souri-born backstop to all-around improvement.
 The ire of the Fiatbush fans vas focused on Owen last September when Hugh Sasey's low and sweep ing curve bounced off the edge Of his-g glove on what should have been the deciding out. But Mickey re- fused to aiihi. He decided instead to atone in his own way. And that there was method ia his mildness is to be seen in his current per. formance for the flock.
 During most of the Dodgers early games Owen rode the bench. 1t wasn't until Brooklyn had dropped four games in a row on their first western trip that Owen was called on to go behind the plate. But since shen-the date was May 5th-hes done the bulk of the backgtopping, turning in a notable taa while about tt.
 Mach Improved
 Owens leo pounds is distributed over a frame Of five feet and ten inches. Behind the plate. he moves ike a cat, the mask and pads of- fering no handicap to freedom of movement. Too. his batting has tak- en a surge forward to match his receiving.
 Owen has been rated a dead left field hitter since he broke into the majors in 1887. But today he has amplemenaed his hitting with the faculty of glicing the bali deftly to right. This gives him the advantage Of keeping the inner and outer de- fenses of the opposition from know ing surely in advance the field to which he will hit.
 Owen connected for two singles in five trips fast night at Philadel- pllia as Brooklyn beat the Phils, lo- 3. and raised his average to an even 300. He drove In two runs to bring his total for the year to 22. He has scored g and collected $ hits.
 While he is now hitting around 60 points above his lo4l mark. Owens defensive play has actually become something to watch. Every throw t0 first by an infielder finds him well down to a post back of first to pickup a possible overthrow. He is equally alert in hacking ID third. se committed only two eFrors SO Tar this year and has no passed balls marked up against him,
 Sgorab Doubie New
 Larry MaePhail gave the St. Louis Cardinals S60, 900 and pitcher J0lan PintaF and Catcher Gus Man. cilso for Owen in 1890. Today Lag- ry says he wouldn't take double the money for him.
 "Tlaat kid is easily the best catcb- CT in the National league" says MacPhail, land he's going to be the best in the coming World Series
 Brooklyn increased its National league lead to Q l-2 games over the Idle Cardinals with the victory over the Phils before e.O6e Ehibe Park fans last night The game was close until the ninth. the Dodgers hold Ing a lead of only one run, bnt then a mixture of two passes, an error and four hits, including dou- lsieg by Pee Wee Reese and Augle 0alan, scored six runs ip the ninfn to sew up the decision.
 Cleveland scored ap ii-S triumph oyer the Chicago White sox tp the only other game played tn the only other game played ip the ma l0fs. The Tribe belted three pitchers Buck Ross, Joe Haynes and Pete 1T hits as Al Mtipar held the Eox to nine blows TOT ms fifth decision,
 Two singles and Luke Applsng's error produced the run that got Haynes charged with the defeat iil the seventh but the Indians went On to score four more in the eighth on tW0 singles and two triples, one lsy Miinar,
 Jim Began belted "s for 4"-ail glngies-while Roy Weatherly bit a trlple and two singles to pace the Tribe,
 YESTERDAYS STAR - Mickey owen, whose brilliant catching was