Evening star., 1953-09-01

Mantle and has up Although peren-
nially underrated didn't appear fit the formal of
batting leader, to those who admired him most. He
always up the 800 (best average 1903
last year, but there Others like Musa of the Cardinals
and Robinson of the Dodgers, who outranked Red.
Little wonder that Mantle the choice to
batting any hitter do it. Mickey
was the quiet workman who plays anywhere in the ned-
and oued If always basked in the shadow
of Musial and Slaughter of his own club.
ODD THAT SWITCH HITTER never has won a batting
title Granted many ball players have been able
from both sides of the plate but there were good
frankie Frsch for Ditto Max Carey Augie Galan
Rip Collins Probably it more odd, at that, than
the failure of horses to dominate division in racing
until Native Dancer came along
One year-1923-Frsch and finished something
like fifth in the National League At that time Rogers
Hornsby in the middle of sxyear reign champion
Rogers hit 1874 that only time from 1922925 that he
fell below AGO. which gives idea of what Frisch
against Fifteen times in the 52year history of the National
League 348 average would have sufhced
real good hitter left right-handed Frsch
II straight years he batted between 800 34 Three times
he banged out more than 200 hits season. with high of
223 But he led the league did Rip Collins Galan
Carey Buzz Arett Mark Koenig, Jim RUSSELL Way schang
and others who batted both ways.
WHEN PETE REIsER was only o. he led the National
League This in 1941 his first full season. and although
Reiser originally came switch hitter he bated only
efthanded that and thus the distinction of
being the only turn around champion.
Too bad too, according to baseball people They
Pete better righthanded than left When he
he became immediate sensation In Florida the kid reeled
off eight straight hits before anybody got him Moreover
four home runs-two rght-handed two eft-handed
Chuck DresSen manager of the Dodgers but coach
at the time that orders from the front Office for
Reser to concentrate batting efthanded Because of
his speed" Dresser recalls, "but it damned shame.
His best power the right side With better luc-he
always running into fencesReiser could have been
of the real great players especially if they'd let him hit both
ways He had everything"
HOW MUCH OF AN advantage it to bat right and left
handed always has been question None of the
great hters, from Cap to Ted Williams, switched.
All in long, brilliant ist-Deahanty, Brouthers, Cobb,
Collins Heilmann Jackson Laoie Speaker Simmons Ruth,
Wagner DMaggo sisler, Foxx Musal Terry and the
is that they good it didn't matter which
pitcher used to throw.
How does player become switch hitter? AS the
of the breed Mantle asked the question couple
springs when he first reported the Yankees when
years old my dad insisted that learn to swing
both ways" he explained I'VE started with tennis ball.
Dad left handed and batted right handed when he
threw. My grandfather right handed switched
against him. 1t didn't easy first but got so
1t didn't make difference But you've got to start young
Strange how three of the best switch hters
times Cardinals FriSch originally Giant but he
played years Q1 for the Red Birds Rip Collins
Card until his fading days and Schoendienst
been anything but Card For that matter Reser originally
ST. Louis property until Judge Lands freed
80 other covered up" farmhands
versatility speed Collins schoendienst Reser
Gaan and Mantle did play nheld outeld Frsch
at home at second third and short and each
a