Evening star., 1948-10-09
Bearden, Disdained
Two Years Ago, Now
Monarch Of Mound
By Joe ReichIer
Assoeiaisd Press Sports Writer

py Joe keicnIer
Asseeia,sd Press Sports Writer
CLEVELAND, Oct. 8. Gene
Bearden, the pitcher nobody wanted
just couple Of years ago, is fast
becoming the pitcher nobody can
beat.
Even Bill Veeck, owner of the
Cleveland Indians, wanted no part
of Bearden-even as a gift-when
the New York Yankees dangled him
in front of his eyes in the winter Of
1916.
Now, every time the name of the
28-year-old southpaw is mentioned,
Veeck offers a solemn prayer which
usually ends with thanks to the
Yanks."
Casey Stengel is the one respons-
ible for my getting Bearden," Veeck
disclosed yesterday after the fresh
man phenom had shut out the Bos-
ton Braves, 20, on five hits, to give
the Indians a 2-1 edge in the World
Series.
Larry MacPhail, then president
Of the Yankees, approached me two
years ago." Veeck said, "and asked
whether I would be willing to part
with Second Baseman Ray Mack
and Catcher Sherman Lollar. He
explained he needed q reserve in
fielder and catcher. I told him I
thought a deal could be arranged.
Tried to Get Shea.
"MacPhail offered me Hal Peck,
an outfielder, and Allen Gettel, a
pitcher. I held out for another
hurler. I wanted Spec Shea, a young,
strong-armed Highlander. Stengel,
who had managed for me in Mil
waukee, recommended him highly to
me-"
Veeck said MacPhail refused to
consider trading Shea, but offered
him the pick of a dozen pitchers.
The list included Bill Wight, Fred
Bradley, Dutch Miller, Clarence
Marshall and Bearden. Veeck turned
thumbs down on the entire list.
Stengel, however, insisted he grab
Bearden, who had pitched for him
in Oakland
Il finally consented to take
Bearden," Bill grinned, "and 1t was
the luckiest move I ever made"
Bearden spent 1947 under the
guidance of Stengel in Oakland. and
wound up the campaign with Is vic
tories and only seven defeats.
Gene began the '48 season with
the Indians in fine style, winning six
of his first seven starts He slumped
of in the midsummer heat, how
ever, pitching only one complete
game from June 8 to August 5. Al
ways troubled with control, Bearden
simply couldn't make the ball be-
have. In addition, he lost confidence
and for a while looked like another
one of those morning glories."
Suddenly Loses, Regains Form.
He regained his winning form just
as suddenly as he lost it. On Sep
tember 10. the Arkansas youngster
who now makes his home in Long
Beach, Calf, whipped the Detroit
Tigers 10-1, and he hasn't lost since.
He knocked off Washington, Phila.
delphia, Detroit, Chicago, Detroit.
Bostons Red Sox and Braves in that
order for eight in row. That in
cludes the playoff game for the
American League flag with the Red
Sox and the World Series battle
with the Braves.
Yesterdays start was his third in
seven days. He shut out the Tigers
on eight hits last Saturday, limited
the power-packed Red Sox to five
safeties Monday, and did the same
to the Braves yesterday. He al
lowed only one earned run In the
three games.
That was the best game he's
pitched all year." Manager Lou Bou-
dreau said of Bearden's performance
yesterday. "He was great in Mon
days playoff with the Red Sox, but
the tension was on in that one.
Today Gene, with no pressure on
him, had fine control and q lot Of
stuff"
Bearden said he threw his knuckle
ball whenever he got into trouble.
That's my best pitch" he said.
II throw it so per cent of the time"
Several times, on 80 counts, he
came in with his knuckler. and got
his man each time. Bearden was
especially proud of the fact that he
did not issue a base on balls.
Its the first time this year." he