Evening star., 1952-06-12


Page didn't last long He spent only six years-1s44
in the majors threw many baseball gave
out And, being inclined to put weight when he
active, it little surprise that Joe had to quit
FOR SHORT PERIOD, though Page fabulous figure
He'd stridng out of the Yankee bulpen his right leg
kicking higher than his left and he phenoenay
full Although big winner (is 1913 and 1873 marks in
s4 and 1ss high marks Page probably had much to
do with winning pennants in those anybody including
his roommate and buddy, Joe DiMaggo.
When the Yankees won 949 Allie Reynolds games
and lost only six But he completed only four with Page
consistently coming out to relieve him. Sports editors aceously
listed the winning pitcher Reynolds Page"
Success easy to Joe Page who finally to
wind up the best known of all relever including Frpo
Konan In his days. Joe was typed the reckless
Sort His dad had been locally noted spitba pitcher in
Pennsylvania coal mine regions The elder Page didn't want
his boy to work in the pits but wanted him to play ball for
living.
The impetuous youngster wanted quick spending
money and went into the mines OF and on 1943
Joined Newark electricians helper loader brash-
man. stump man, snapper and coupler
HE WAS % AND STILL semi-pro when he finally tried
organized ball. This old for ball
player Page had luck An automobile had struck
and spent months hospital graft of calf bone
left shin averd amputation of his leg This caused him
exempt from military service but Joe had other problems
day in Detroit the bad leg bucked He fell heavily on
his shoulder and hurt his He chosen on the
year 94 the of the event. his father died
He'd lost sister that spring and his mother late IN ls43 He
and two brothers who looked to him for
support .
He was no model department. either On plane trip
from Cleveland Detroit his Joe Mccarthy read him
of the entire ball club plus newspapermen This
was Mccarthy accusing Page OF breaking
training.
"You can ball through brick wall" Mccarthy
snared But I'm sending to the minors. You're not for
my ball club"
IT WAS BUCKY HARRIS who developed the guy. Nc
Cary not Page didn't last out the 1946 The next
spring Harris managing the Yankees.
kindred spirit in that he too sprang from the
of Pennsylvania And like Page he had been fired
from the majors and making comeback.
Page Bucky possibilities The big let-hander had
terrific fast ball. What he lacked confidence and so Harris
went to DNGaggio.
yours that he htters to DEATH"
Bucky sad effect IF he realizes how good he u.s. Joe will
win pennant"
Apparently it did not HARM Harris and DMag convinced
Page he great pitcher which he was And many an
afternoon in Buckys dressing under Yankee Stadium
he'd greet the baseball writer's with the toast:
"Gentemen give you Joe Page"
1T WAS DURING this year-1947-that Harris made one
other momentous decision. In the final game World
Series became obvious that the Yankees would
pitcher The Dodgers trailing by 3d. threatening Harris
directed Coach Frank Cose to telephone the dugou
the bullpen and inquire as to how things going.
Coach John Schultz, ex-catcher who up the
pitchers ring Reynolds fast and his control
good" Schultz told Croett "ouk Catcher Houk)
says he catch Page barehanded He hasn't got it today
Croet turned to Harris the bench and relayed the
moment later CroSetu spoke into the phone:
"Bucky says to send in Page"
Page set the Dodgers down with hit the last
five innings and the Yankees won, ST.