Evening star., 1952-03-05

duel between Jim Hearn and Vic Raschi It
was anybodys ball when stanky walked
with out in the Giants half fifth inning and took off
for second base a ht-and-run play
Phil Rzzuto Commissioner Frck said setting the scene "you
nailed cold The thing anybody knew the ball was
Yankees were holding rhubar the advantage
OF all and scored i've in that inning the game
Rght?"
Stanky nodded and started to speak "Wait minute
Frck sad quickly II first want tell you what talked
to Bill Summers who the base umpire that day
SAID Bin do you think stany actually kicked the ball
Rizzutos gloveY
Summers said No. he didn't He couldn't have kicked it
because the ball went into cenered What hap
pened that Rizzuto tried to tag Sany with hourishng
motion and his goved hand after making the tag
contact with sank loosened his grip got away
In other words Rizuto inadvertently threw the bali into
outfed.
Now," Frck concluded "that's what know What want
70 near your version Mind you I'm asking out Of personal
curiosity Whether kicked the ball didn't makes no
ference 1t was legal above-board play either way"
sTANKY STILL WORE his smile Commissioner" he
replied II kicked that ball glove Just
you're sitting here did Intentionally new play
It's been done in the past and it'll be done again. BY my
mails I hope
T knew dead when Berra called the ptch-out NV
only chance to get Rzzuto to drop When saw he
was going to tag with the ball in his glove instead
ferrtng it to has bare hand and making st-tag slid so
could strike out with my free leg" N8 q
Stanky illustrated the technique Frck old college bali
player and longtime baseball writer nodded in appreciation
kicked at the back of Rizzutos hand" Stanky testified
happened to hit it right and the ball got away you say
commissioner it legitimate play "a base-runner
tagged out unless the who him keeps ball. barring
unnecessary roughness."
FRIcK GRn1NED "wen" he said '1t just goes to show
again how eyewitness reports differ Summers
right His version bed with mine cleared
up in my mind"
Stanky began to pull his spikes thing
disturbed me- he said "was the Yankee squawk
tagged second base with other foot When inning was
over went to Summers and sad IF you're dead you
right in ruling that did touch base look at this shoe
Then showed him my shoe which had white chalk mark
from the bag still showing"
what did Summers say?" Frick asked.
HE said, I'm glad you showed me that mark Eddie Now
know was right"
There long pause baseball writer said Eddie
1t just that during the rhubarb you base
almost forgotten You could have shned your that
bag for the following five minutes until both white"
STANKY WIPED OFF his smile IT could have done it" he
answered grmly "but didn't That streak was legitimate
1t from second base I've called names
q mean ball player for example but thing I'm
liar Many time umpire, after making decision
me really thought safe And always told him the
TRUTH embarrassed the umpire I'd say occasions
popular with the umpire probably but I've principles my
own"
When the group Of visitors left Stankys office
marked II like that little guy. have hunch he's going
q good manager"
II know thing" said Roy Stockton the veteran able
st. Louis baseball writer "and that Stanky isn't putting
act when he speaks of lying At meeting
told those this straight
he said:
Gentlemen, not everybody be good ball player.
Mistakes I'll tolerate But classes people won't tolerate
alibi artists and liars'"