Evening star., 1951-03-19


The guy asked "How do you think the Dodgers will do
this year?"
win it, hope" said "weve got the same club we
had last yean Maybe two pitchers will do little better
"wAs THAT TROUBLE last year2" he was asked and
Jackie shrugged.
"That plus that couldn't beat Cincinnati and
Chicago the the other top clubs did don't know Why
awful lot of trouble with the Reds and Cubs
Robinson for few moments staring into space
Then he muttered: Blackwell"
BLACKWELL" asked fellow.
just thinking of Blackwell" Jackie explained apollo
getcaly every time think of the Reds think OF Backe
He's why Cincinnati will give club fit at least
during every SERIES"
SIS he your toughest pitcher to hit?"
MAN YOU can say that again. Robinson said shaking his
There ought to be law against Blackie He's the
toughest for practically rghthanded hitter know he
pitches like falling out OF tree but when that soearf
ball that at from third base it's best
to be loose up at that dish"
SOONER OR LATER every training camp in Florida Ma
tional American League Ewe Backwes name comes up
The 6-oot-6 the Reds to 200 pounds
despite annual operations for Cd appendicitis 2
and 60 removal of kidney unquestonaoy is the
most feared pitcher in the business
In Sarasota days ago General Manager Joe Cronin
McCrew of the Red Sox talking about
Blackwell "I remember day in 1947, when managing
the Boston club Cron recalled eve came to Tampa to play
the Reds 1t Sunday and enough there's Blackwell
warming up for Cincinnati
sat down write my batting order thinking to myself
glad wasn't active any longer when of right
handed htters called out Joe how cigars worth to
include out today?
"'How many you guys want to sit it OUT? asked and
darned all the rghthanders didn't want to ride the bench
I could've had cigars for year."
TED McGREw SAID, "I know, Joe. The fellow reminds
of Grover Lowdermk practically never took
swing against Lowdermik just stayed loose and either
struck out or walked.
"Lowdermk good Blackwell of course, but he
big tall all arms and legs and he threw that side
arm pitch"
in Palm Beach, Jimmy Dykes also was talking of
Blackwell one day. I'm guy who spills with
passion for ball players Jimmy gagged but honestly feel
sorry for my rght-handers when Blackwells pitching
Back the Brooklyn BENCH Preacher Roe walked and
sat next to Robinson He going to pitch against the
Braves Never pitched early in le Roe complained in
his draw and look who got to face Elliott and
Walker Cooper"
hey give you guy asked the skinny southpaw
19-gane winner last year.
Wear me out drawled "I reckon they each bat 800
against And they don't just hit singles and doubles They
home all year long"
HE'sA FUNNY CHARACTER, Roe. long, bony Will Rogers
in uniform apparently isn't in his body and
Preachers properly proud of his ability to relax An hour
before he's to up, Roe maps in the clubhouse.
always did it," he explained. I'm right fond of my
Sleep He chuckled as he recalled an incident.
Remember the 1s4e World Seres-Brooklyn and the
Yankees? pitched sx-htter and shut em out Well, I'm
stretched table the clubhouse only in the
except the trainer and just as I'm doing off, fellow
comes to asks the trainer who's pitching
I had my eyes closed and too lazy to open e to
wa but the trainer must have pointed at Next
thing heard the saying Holy COW, here's bum
knocked out before he pitches.
"But that's the way all the time. Sometimes when
think Of those "a homes hit off last year. think
fall asleep that box, too."