Evening star., 1951-07-03


truly underrated ball player it's likely to
In the quiet efficient of Charley Geh-
ringer the mold Bobby does his job In
the American League for instance he ranks third among active
players baed third in scored second in hits
in doubles and triples and third in home
And in the field he can make all the plays There hasnt
Boston pitcher who didn't feel better for
the knowledge that Doerr at second base.
for the Red Sox that didn't possible
that Bobby playing his h with the Red sox The
young-old Doerr smiled
up in 1887" he said. oscar Meillo the Bos
They brought up gave his job
Bobby began playing professionally in 1884 He was only
is when he signed by Hollywood of the Pacific Coast
League years of high school to complete.
"One day Eddie Collins from the East to look at me-
Bobby was relating Then Red sox scout Johnson
had look They took option had couple of pretty
good years935 and 1936and they took more looks
Its good thing they did he said with grim because
they up with great ball player A. fellow named
Ted Williams"
is TYPICAL of Doerr He underplays his role He's
the best second basenan League
years. but you'd realize it, talking to Bobby Now he
talking of Williams.
Ted was pitcher at San Diego The franchises in the
Coast League had been scrambled and with San Diego
when Ted We teammates. One day Red Sox
scout-Johnson guess-dropped by check up He
saw Williams take that classic swing and that was all he needed
see"
What kind of pitcher Wilams?" asked the at
the Touchdown Club
We'll he was only kid I'd guess that he'd the
big leagues he'd stuck pitching Teds great competitor
If he goes sport it. Take for example his
reputation a fisherman It's one of the best
He'd have been major league pitcher Big he is, Ted
you down. like Reynolds or. Raschi but he'd
have thrown lot of sliders and knuckIers"f
CONTRARY TO POPULAR belief Deer isn't the field
captain he's glad of it. Some ago.
saying, newspaperman started to call
Captain Doerr Others up I've been the Red
captain We don't have that title and it's just
we'll Some of the other fellows might not like it, Shucks
you've got manager and several coaches That's plenty
years talk that Doerr ready to quit
That report also is false Bobby declares Il was having
terrible spring. explained II wasn't, hitting and wasn't
making the fielding plays One day muttered in disgust
that I might well rack up.
bapayers have said that. I'd all except
good Anyway the word got around that was
quitting 1t fault of but have no intention
of retiring Once while fellow lets off little steam.
That's all doing
DOERR LIKES the way the Red Sox standing in the
league going another rat race he predicted It'll
be the Yankees, White Sox, Indians and u.s."
why it that you can't win in Yankee Stadium? asked
the fellow talking to Doerr.
mostly of the Yankees Bobby replied grinning
They're tough Reynolds Raschi and Lopa And last season
that Ford And when you'd get of those fellows
in trouble they'd shoot Joe Page at you.
"You lot of talk about the Red Sox choking up l
don't think got choking club at ALL But do think
that we might twice in the last three
years and the that missed p the criticism has made
us press little too hard.
There's big difference between pressing and choking.
We've been pressing Somebody asked what happened Walt
Dropo when he Diego 1t wasn't because the
pitchers had pitch to Walt He's just of those
sensitive guys who, when he sumpSl tries too hard.
He'll be back he'll be oney OF the real good ones.