The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-15
Fitz Doesn't Worry Until PhillieS Are 40 Games Off Pace
Then Manager Cont Eot But Con Afford Lose Weight Good Men Coming Back With Carpenter Brighten
BY AL VERMEER NEA Staff Correspondent


 New York, May IS To the as- tonishment of no one, the Phillies opened the campaign by promptly plunging into their familiar hideout Hast place.
 It is an untidy litle hovel, to be sure, but to the Phillies it is home and there they will likely stay as spring turns into summer and sum- mer into fall.
 Perhaps you think it funny-this intending plight of the Phils-and maybe you say it wouldn't seem like genuine season without the Phil lies in last place.
 But to the good people of Phil adelphia this is no longer source of humor. It has been going on too long.
 Only once in the past 27 years have the Phils poked their noses as high as fourth place, that being in 1882. Since then they have reach ed no higher than seventh. Two World Wars have practically come and gone and except for that one season, the Phillies have roamed and swamps of the second division.
 You wonder how it feels to man. age a club which, almost from opening day, is destined to trail the pack. So we hunted down Fred Fitzsimmons and inquired if he were happy.
 Well, I am not sad" replied Fat Freddie, lighting a fresh cigar, rol- ling it in his mouth, and telling a story of hope. The old pitcher said he does not look at the stand ings of today. He contemplates the standings of the future. And the future of the Phillies shines bright ly because of one man, 28-year- old Army sergeant. This would be Robert Carpenter, wealthy scion of the DuPont family who owns the Philadelphia Nationals.
 '"This Bob Carpenter is a fine boy and he is going to make every thing all right when the war is won," said F'iLz, blowing a gust of smoke to the ceiling. All his life this Carpenter has been nuts about sports. Played football at Duke, owns a pro basketball team. When it came time for him to go into the DuPont industries he gave his folks the nix sign. Said he wanted to be in sports. So his folks set him up as boss of this club.
 Now this Carpenter is not like the average rich mans son. He runs away from society parties and bow ties. Never buys tailored suit, insists on something right off the rack. He could have had a commission when he went into the service, but wanted to be a buck private. I am telling you, he's a great guy"
 Fitz does not want you to get the idea that Carpenter will Squander reckless millions on the PhillieS. No, sir, it has to be run on business like basis. Bob's folks wont be sat- isfied until he proves the club can build itself. and pay its own freig--t. That is what Bob intends to do. AL ready the Phillies' farm system has grown to five clubs.
 That all sounds very nice. The nation would rejoice to see the Phillies come out into the sunlight, but how does fred Fitzsimmons manage to enc re life in the m time? He sent up another cloud of smoke and replied:
 ''The only time it gets me is la ter in the summer when we run about 40 games off the pace. Then lose my appetite. Can't eat a thing until evening and then usual ly only sandwich.
 But I can afford to lose little weight, and when the war is won and Bob Carpenter comes back why, I will probably get to be the fattest manager you ever saw" The Phillies have some good men in the armed forces, shortstop Ray Hamrick and pitchers Hugh Mulca- hy, Tommy Hughes, Ike Pearson and Schoolboy Rowe, among them.
 Young Bob Carpenter is import ant, of course, but it is the ath- letes returning with him that brighten the picture.