The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-15
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Off.) BY LACK CUDDY

Limited Press Staff CorrespOndent)
 New York, July IS - (UP) - Big Bill Dickey restlessly tamped his bat on the dugout steps and com plained: This is the dangest sea- son I ever saw. I'm always getting hurt. Guess Fl be out of play week or 10 days, now, with this shoulder"
 This brief admission "a long speech by drawling Dickey-unques tionably punctuates one of the most brilliant records ever registered by a major league catcher.
 Dickey, the Yankees famous backstop, has achieved the double barreled record of CD catching 100 or more games in total of 13 ma jor league seasons, and (2) catch ing 100 or more games in B con- secutive seasons.
 "IrOn Man" Catcher
 That consecutive" mark is the one of which Dickey is most proud. It makes him the all-time iron man" catcher of the major leagues. The man who came closest to him in this department was Gabby Hartnett, who with the Chicago Cubs, caught 100 or more games in 12 seasons, eight of which were con- secutive.
 But the record No. 13 apparently proved unlucky for Dickey, because as he tried to extend 1t, he encoun- tered misfortune.
 As crippled Dickey watched his mates parade through the batting cage before yesterdays game with theh Tigers, he said, "early in the season l was hit with 8 ball on the right instep. Not long afterwards, l was hit in the same spot by a low pitch that broke my right arch. Naturally I was out for a while.
 Recently, in Philadelphia, I was hit in the right shoulder, and then when came up to bat swung and missed and tore muscle in that shoulder. After resting week, l came back to play, and pulled the muscle again in Tuesdays game with Detroit. So-IIl be out 8 week or 10 days.
 Can't Make It
 This last enforced vacation vir- tually insures that Dickey's record catching streak is ended. He will be unable to perform in his usual 100 games this season. With the cam paign more than half over, he has worked in 48 games. He must catch in 52 games before the season ends, and that is virtually impossible be- cause of his present physical condi- tion. ;.
 A reporter, taking advantage ot the dugout's hot shade, remarked to Dickey, Looks like your records end with IS seasons-huh?"
 Lanky Dickey said, Looks that way"
 During those 13 seasons, Dickey has had the opportunity of facing many times Nose Grove and Bob Teller, when both were throwing their best. Which was the faster?
 Dickey said, "honestly-both were about the same. One was just as fast as the other. They were the hardest throwers ever saw. But the best pitchers ever caught were Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing. Nei- ther had the speed of Grove or Eel Ter, but they had lot of other stuff to make up for it."
 Dickey's catching streak may end this year, but he'll probably be an important Yankee backstop for three or four more seasons, because he's only 35. And Manager ole Mo Carthy of the Tanks says, "He's still the best all-round catcher I ever saw, although he's slowed up a. bit in running the bases. He's great receiver. He has grand throwing arm, and he can hit. For more than 10 years, he has been a key man 1n the Yankees successes"
 Don't worry about that shoulder, Bill.