Evening star., 1951-04-17


"But he play the outfeld?" asked the fellow
WELL" Joe hedged, it take little while Up to the
last few always been shortstop He has little
trouble judging balls hit him still
throws like nheder But don't how he miss"
smiled perhaps reiniscently, reporters who'd
cred only the Fordabased
"I feel sorry the kid" DiNag said "A the
publicity people wanting to know what makes him tick
the same questions over and over"
JOE SHOULD KNOW whereof he speaks 1886 DiMaggio
the Then he the kid from San Francisco
young guy could everything according to the
clippings those reporters went the late Lou Gehrg
and to Frank Cros and Bill Dickey for their appraisa of
the wonder.
crose and Dckey still are with the club but now they're
coaches DiNag himself possibly only two
left Dckey affecting Of those beige cowboy
hats and almost dead ringer for Dizzy Dean, Tv
sonaity rafting about the dressing
rve got to like Mantles chapces Dickey saying He
hits ball anybody in the And run! Listen
I'll bet he can outrun Bucky's guy"
"Gil Coan?" asked reporter, knowing the answer.
shouldn't say it," Dickey admitted but I'd have to
Dckey interrupted when sengel stark naked stalked
out of his office again and bawled Hurry you guys Let's
make that 5 O'Clock train"
CASEY MINCED TO THE SHOWER room and he
returned dripping wet he was told the club secretary couldn't
get transportation that train. 1--WE have to wait until
o'clock" Red Patterson told Casey.
stenge softly telling everybody to hurry
time hands," he griped to Patterson
"We don't anything to the boys I'll think OF some way
to crawl out Of this hole"
or began about Mantle too "Darndest thing"
Stengel related TO look at
the kid and send him to Kansas City Then when Mantle
started to hit figured I'd let him play about three weeks at
K Cust to get the feel of playing the oued But when
he kept hitting 400 for u.s. had to keep him.
People told me crazy. Funny thing, listen to
everybody including newspapermen One day Mickey would
nit home run and two doubles batting Guys
would to and say Case let this bat left
handed when he wants to do it. you're crazy Then Mantle
would bang few the next day ehander and they'd
the opposite He's the dangdest ever Show
switch hitter didn't hit ball way than
the other. dare you. But Mantle has the power
each way"
CASEY WAS ABOUT TO RESUME when stricken with
idea. With wink, he tottered from his office and raised
stentorian voice to the clubhouse at large.
These blankeybank railroad people" he yelled "Now
they tell can't make the o'clock train I'd planned
practice tonight in New York in order to get used to the lights
Well be too late, making the o'clock train"
The Yankees looked up startled and with relief night
pracc When Senge got back to his cubice he chucng
"A real psychologist, am" he boasted "You should've
Now being they're glad they
can't get that first train. knew I'd think of something
good Can you imagine night practice? H. it costs be-
and to turn the lights at Yankee Stadium
Getting back to Mantle Caseys willing to take chance
"But for fact, he's bargain in that outeld he
"Babe Herman got off to start Zone of the first
balls hit to Mantle landed right his head The other
day Brooklyn the first time Mickey concrete
guy hit liner his head and the kid bore
decaptated When the inning Mantle said to
ON those line drives against the wall isn't anybody
help me?'
"Sure' told him. The second baseman. He usually
handles line drives off Brookyns righteld fence What
gotta do is learn to duck at the right time
1.-THE kid said Mr. Stenge where I've been playing they
amt got nothing but wood fences I've concrete
wall in life And the he plays right now Casey
ceded "Id have to agree"
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