Evening star., 1951-06-20
BY the Assoeiaied Press

CHICAGO. June 20.-Tommy
Holmes. new manager of the
Braves, said today he figures on
playing with the team as well as
directing it.
The question of whether Holmes
would seek a place on the active
list came up at a news conference.
I'D like to be on it," Holmes
said. Il do want to play. I'll be
available for pinch-hitting and
against right-hand pitching. If
I think I can do a job. I'll be in
there"
Holmes, 80, was a star outflelder
with the Braves for nine years.
He talked with newsmen after his
arrival in Chicago to take over
the managing position. He sue
ceedS the veteran Billy South
worth who resigned yesterday.
Hit 800 at hartford.
Holmes, smiling and looking fit,
came UP to the Braves from their
Hartford Conn., club in the East
Iern League. While at Hartford
Holmes hit, as he figured it, around
800 to $3.50.
THE club is sound" he said.
"It looks strong. But I want to
see If I can't help some of the
Ihitters."
The new manager figured that
the Braves are better than their
Iwon-and-lost average would indi-
cate. They now are in fifth place
in the National League.
He said he could not say whether
there would be any changes in the
lineup until he had had a closeup
view of the team in action.
Holmes, lacking even half sea-
son of minor league managerial
seasoning. took the helm of a club
abandoned by a fourtime National
League pennant winner nearly
twice his age.
He was to direct Boston against
the Cubs in the third game of a
four-game series, only a few
hours after Southworth left for
home after resigning his reported
$50, ,000-a-year job. Southworth,
So, had flye-year contract which
extended through 1852.
Holmes, Brooklyn-born Irish
man never directed a professional
club until he took over the Boston
owned Hartford team this spring
Don't worry about experience, -
General Manager John Quinn OF
the Braves commented. "Remem-
Der Bucky Harris. Lou Boudreau
and Mel OFT all stepped into major
league managerial spots without
Experience.
Hartford Job Praised.
Tommy has had a fine back
ground in baseball (nine major
league playing seasons all with
the Braves and he did remark
able job the short while he was al
Hartford" Quinn added. Holmes
left Hartford first in the Eastern
loop race.
Quinn said the Braves reluc-
family accepted the resignation Of
ISouthworth, who last Sunday told
Owner Lou Perini and Quinn he
felt Some one else could do 9
better job"
Southworth broke down when
Boston sports writers said good
by to him at press conference
yesterday.
Billy, who won three straight
pennants for the Cardinals from
1912 through 1914 and in 194s
gave the Braves their first PEN
nant in 81 years, spoke kind words
in his farewell chat.
| ne SalQ Cae Braves had mar
velous team spirit and that he
had been treated fine. Before q
near breakdown forced his tenn
porary retirement in l949, the
Braves were reported seethine
with dissension. Many of South
worth'S players were depicted as
furious because of Billy's pur-
ported claim II won the pennant
d948) with a second-division
club"
Vague About Plans,
About his own plans, South
worth was vague. He indicated
strongly he is not quitting base
ball, but would do no job-shoppine
until he had rested up a bit.
i think I'll do little fishing
this summer-never had time te
do it before" Southworth said be-
fore leaving for his Sunbury
(Ohio) home.
Il expect nothing. Southwortf
said when asked whether am
financial settlement had beer
made on the remainder Of his con.
Is