The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-29
Johnny Mzes Potent Punch SoreLy Missed By Cardinals
"Any Runs Today?" Asks Smith; White Sox Answer Usually "No"
Posses Same Assortment, Gets Nowhere
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BY BURTON BENJANFTN

New York, July 20-Edgar Smith, the stocky. blond chunk whose name you will find at the bottom of the American League pitching stand ings, can still smile.
 Rest assured, the Chicago White Sox southpaw is not doubled up in parozyS1ns of laughter. His grin is hardly a toothy spread. But he manages a faint lip twitch when you inquire about his rec ord @ victories, 16 defeats) and explains:
 My pitching is exactly the same as 1t was last year or the year before. I'm no faster, no slower. I've got the same curve, the same change of pace, the same degree of control. My arm is fine.
 T guess I'm the original hard luck guy. Jimmy Dykes tells me to keep on taking my turn and the breaks will come. Maybe they will. I've had some tough years but this one beats 'em all
 Eddie Smith lost his first 10 starts while sporting the best earned-run average he ever had 3.15. He lost five games by one run, two by scores of 2-1.
 WHITE SOX FL FOLDO
 EVEN STYLES DYKES
 Diagnosticians agree there is nothing wrong with the 29-year- old New Jersey resident that a few runs won't cure. The White Sox are suffering from 8 pernici- ous anemia at bat.
 The clubs el foldo has left even the ebullient James J. Dykes sllbdued and spiritless.
 His phlegmatic attitude seems to have affected the players.
 The Pale Hose gave Smith ex- actly no runs in five of his losses. Six times he was on the short end by single run. Only once, against Washington, was he given much positive assistance. They scored II runs that day, and Smith, some what shaken by this barrage, went on to win his first game.
 Smith, & 5-foot 10 1-2 inch, 190- pounder, is accustomed to pitch ing well and getting nowhere. AS a member of the Philadelphia Athletics, he won four games, drop ped r in 1887. Twelve of his set backs were by one run margins.
 His earned-run average that year was respectable 3.93.
 For the sake of comparison, Red Ruffing won 21, lost for the world champion Yankees the fol- lowing season with an era. of 3.32. ADVERSITY MAKES SMITH AN UNUSUAL PERSONALITY
 Philadelphia gave Smith about as much support as a pair of balsa wood arches. He came up from Williamsport in 1886, was claimed by the White Sox for the waiver price in May, 1889. His Philadel- phia record for three seasons was eight victories, 28 losses.
 His best year was in 194O with the Sox when he won IA, dropped nine, had 8 fine earned-run aver age of 3.22. He won 13 and lost IT last season.
 Entirely in keeping with his career, the Sox repeatedly started him against Bob Teller of Cleve- land. They engaged in some stir ring duels with Smith on the los- ing end more often than Teller. on several occasions by To.
 Adversity has made Smith an unusual personality. He scarcely mentions the well-pitched games he has won but dwells sentimental ly on the particularly tough losses
 Nov you take that game I dropped in Philadelphia this year" he muses with a wry grin. Gave 'em two hits, lost 20. Then there are those two 10 games I lost in New York and Boston. Couple of tough hitting clubs. Since Teller has been in the Navy, I haven't lost so many 10 games. Just five this year.
 T don't feel any different. I'm not nervous, not frightened up, not discouraged.
 This baseball Is a funny busi- ness. that's all"
 Edgar Smith can say that with a good deal of authority.