Evening star., 1952-03-07

Francis Stann.

Torgeson wnked at Holmes Tommy" F.nas
said, "did driving when
camp? 1852 Cadillac"
another Holmes said going along with the rib
"Yeah" Torgy said. The ash trays all full his
old one Jeroe missed second pitch and looked beseech
ingly at his teammates.
right SAM" Holmes said. sven let you alone. Go
ahead and hit"
"shucksa Jethroe retorted 'it amt Torgy who boaers
That guy pitching looks like he's sn trying improve
his earned-run average.
THE GUY PITCHING was Chester R. Nichols r, and in
their serious moments the Braves win bet you that
win upward of 20 games this chance The
gick that Nichols 81 and the National Leagues
most effective pitcher last due to be drafted June
II could when think Of it," Holmes said in his Irish
tenor T could have Nichols to with Spahn Bickford
and Surkont could afford to gamble at neld positions
don't want to sound like crying when take
break for lunch. why don't ask Bucky Walters about
Nichols?.
trooped clubhouse for sand
wiches holdover from the days Of Billy souhworh, who
believed in two workouts day and snack while in uniform
Walters Of the best rghthanders Of his time
Boston coach perfectly willing to talk about Nichols
"Whats he got?" Bucky repeated Everything / mean
he's got absolutely everything Control full repertoire and
more poise than most pitchers II years older"
and lost eight pitching only 5s innings compared
to than 800 for Warren SPAIN and than
Max sukont Privately the Braves win tell you that Nichols
might have posted 1874 record he didn't
inield in the league behind him.
Another oddty Nichols Is one Of the few sons Of
major Lacquer who surpassed the old fact
Nichols exactly II times many games his rookie year
as his dad won in six seasons with the Pirates Giants and
Philles.
Che Nichols ST. oddity himself The records show
that he stuck in the National League all that time winning
grand total Of game while losing eight That's
the book He pitched two for Pittsburgh
New York before he decision the Phies in 1885,
Furthermore, there those who remember the
and who he wasn't bad pitcher They explain why
he didn't do himself but the older members the
Braves organization convinced he handled his wisely
FEW YEARS AGO the Braves bestowed fabulous bonus
another
$60 memory In those days bonus player couldn't
be sent out for length Of time Antone the Army
help Lacking, experience he up
and kept the club from carrying older player
might have come in handy
The elder Nichols played his cards differently from the
Anoneis, father and Young Chet had the
valuable player honor in tournament conducted by
ton Post The prize Western trip with the Braves
os mill worker called Sports Editor Gerry Hearn
"Im delighted to hear the news" he told Hearn, "but
I'm afraid well have to default"
"Why?" queried the habbergasted editor
"Wen" Nichols said "I think my boy plans to make a
Of baseball And don't want him to be spoiled by
trip with the Braves He's got to begin in the minors
don't want young Chet to say When with
the Braves stopped at the best hotels New
steaks slept in lower bertS had tips paid
Of thing want him to ride the appreciate what
he earns later, If he does make the grade"
So WHEN YOUNG NICHOLS eventually signed with the
Braves he went to Evansville for year. Then Milwaukee
and finally the big time It's tragic that with
only ball players relatively short him.
Nichols due to be tapped for the time when he
figures to be 20-game winner more than once.
Walters talking again "For one game you have to
wn he said IT'D rather have Nichols pitching than ANYBODY
around today" Bucky should know Of money pitchers He
himself.
"Does that mean" he asked "that Nichols is the
fellow you consider the best pitcher in the National Lacquer?
Walters grinned Lets put it this way" he answered
Iets you've got to look mighty better one"