The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-01
BERT HAAS EASES
 REDS HEADACHES
StubbOrness Made Nc. Kechnie Keep Third Base-
 man; Pays Dividends
Rv HACK rTrDnv

(UnAted Press Stan COrreSpOndent)
 New York, Aug. 9. (UP)-For years Deacon Bill McKechnie, sharp-featured but benign manager
 of the Cincinnati Reds, has been
 regarded in many quarters as the
 master psychologist of the major leagues because of his effectiveness
 in obtaining peak performance from
 the men in his charge.
 In this connection, another plume can be added to his psychological bonnet because of the grand job he did this season with one Bert Haas, who, at the end of the current cam paign may be hailed as the out standing third baseman in the Ma tional League.
 McKechnie's career is studded with seemingly miraculous successes in bringing out latent talent in in- dividuals who appeared to lack major league abilities. He was equal ly effective in rehabilitating big time cast-offs or providing over awed rockies with the spark of con- fdence that made them click.
 On many of these men Deacon Bill gambled not only his reputa- ton as an analyst, but also his fu- ture as a manager. And to cer- tani extent both angles were true in his handling of Bert Haas.
 McKechnie personally secuted Haas-stream- lined blond-while he was performing with Columbus last season. He figured blond Bertle was the guy he wanted for the Reds hot corner. That was before Cin- cinnati sold Billy Werber to the Giants, but in view of McKechnies scouting. the Werber sale is easily Haas did well with Columbus, leading the American Association in runs batted in and In total bases.
 But 25-year old Haas was lous-ay with the Reds during the early stages of the season. He was virtual ly total loss at bat and afield, which is 8 very bad combination for any player at any post. His glaring deficiencies made sponsor McKechnie look like prospector who had brought in a sack of fools gold" instead of the genuine pay dirt.
 Never had McKechnie been as- sailed with such fulsome chorus of criticism against one of his se- lectees.
 Even his closest friends advised Bill to ship Haas back to the Min ors 1t wasn't mere stubborness that made McKechnie hold out. It was his confidence in his own judgment. He knew Haas had 1t. and he knew Haas wasn't clicking because he was trying too hard to make good.
 Hence 1t was that McKechnie kept telling Haas, Take it easy out there, boy. Don't charge in on the ball. Let 1t come to you. This is just a game. Enjoy it. Play 1t naturally-youll be with us all sea- son--so take 1t easy"
 McKechnie cooled Haas off, moth- ering him until he stopped pressing. Most managers would have given up under the criticism and the appar- ent permanence of the third-sack- CTS plight. But Deacon Bill didn't, and his confidence was repaid dur ing the past five weeks when Haas hit his stride brilliantly allied and improved at bat. His fielding became sensational as he responded to Mo- Kechnie's soothing. He played with nonchalant fluidity, and he quit worrying about the possible recur- renee of a sore orm.
 He improved his hitting too, until now he is up in the .250's. That's not impressive, unless you recall that Bert is a right-hand hitter on right-handed club that rarey faces a southpaw. And Haas prom ises to lift that average to 300 be- fore the curtain drops on the -942 campaign.
 So-Don't be surprised if the very practical psychology of manager McKechnIe results in Haas being chosen the outstanding third base man of the current season when all the votes are in.