The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-04
COLEMAN RATED NEWEST BOSTON
 MIRACLE MAN
By CARL LUNDQUIST United Press Staff Ccrrespondent)

New York, May - (U.P) - Around the hotel Hobbies where most of the baseball is being play ed' these rainy afternoons, they were tabbing the Boston Braves to- day as the St. Louis Browns of 1945 and Manager Bob Coleman as the new 'miracle-man" of the ma jors.
 The modest Hoosier-b born boss of the Braves disclaims both appella- tions and says only time will tell whether his spirited collection of kids and oldsters can maintain their present sparkling pace in the National League race.
 Maybe it's wishful thinking up Boston way, but there is high de- gree cf hope that Coleman will bring the fans their first National League pennant since the original miracle man, George Stallings, did it with his motely lot in 1914. For years, the fans gave up on the Braves and pinned their faith in the free-spending Tom YaWlley, owner of the Red Sox, who tried to land an American League pennant by writing certified checks.
 Now they have hope that Cole man, working wonders with a team that seemed destined for a one way trip to nowhere. may do what Yawkey couldn't do with more than four million dollars.
 And if about is fair play the Boston fans have got a pennant coming before any other club 1T either league. All of the other sever clubs ill the National League have l won pennantS since the Braves die in 1914 and all of the other seven in the American have done it since the Red SoX won in 1913.
 Coleman insists the pennant bee isn't buzzing in his button-topped baseball cap-yet. But if the team keeps going as it has to date he may have to revise his views and mo- thing would please him more.
 I guess were lot like the BroWns were last year" he said. First o1 all, no one expects us to win ths pennant and that is big help | Next we have some steady old tim. CTS. but more important we have some great kids
 Fighting Braves ] What has impressed the fellow who is the youngest major leagu' manager in point of service, is tht teams fighting spirit.
 We have had a terrific siegt of injuries and illnesses" he said We've had three secCnd baSemen Eddie Joost, Frankie Drews ant Whitey Wietelmann, two third base men, Tommy Nelson and Wally Wal len, and two pitchers, Al Javery ant Nate Andrews. laid up from timt to time and I guess none are in tol shape yet, he said.
 But all Of that just seemed t make the boys fight harder. Ant along with the spirit we're gettin! some great hitting, especially in tn clutch LaSl year If we got run o two behind 1t was goodbye bal game, but net this season."
 iAA -pA4 VI LIIc otNtli loI ave LII umphs to date they have come fron behind to win Two times the rubbed out five-.un deficits and ol two other occasions they won wit three-run rallies after two were ou in the ninth.
 Any team that can 60 that is fighting bali club,' iie said.
 He believes the club. which la won four of it's last six games an IS in third place game and a hal behind the leading New York Giant; will improve in warmer weather Then the old hand pitchers, An crews, Javery, Jim Tobln and Char ley Barrett can cut loose with thei stuff.
 Up to now hitting has carrie Us along and we weren't suppose to have too much of that he sait Later, if we get pitching, too, V may De tough"
 But he isn't predicting any pen nant. The Cardinals, Cubs, and Pi rates still are in the league an they'll be the ones to beat, | thinks.
 All major league games vel rained cut yesterday.