Evening star., 1953-04-06

petition that effect Most club
have refused to any truck with such goings-on.
NOT BRADLEY. HOWEVER, who opened the door of his
inner sanctum to Bob Feler JEFF Heath Hal Trosky and the
rest OF the crowd that demanding Wits scalp Possibly
this was because Bradley not real baseball man.
Bradley who died at &c. his wealth in other fields
OF business and industry. To him. baseball hobby.
Whereas other club owners would have backed their
ayers and given the boot to the specialists
they employ, Bradley listened to his players
He didn't fire Witt, but the Cleveland manager
finished when became evident that players could
his head And the rebelous athletes they had Witt
their hip pockets too For the of the season. Witt led
miserable nfe In the dugou the Indians made cracks at
Witt when he sitting within earshot.-
Oscar had what might be termed prominent teeth If
reporter asked player question which he felt he shouldn't
answer he would reply why not ask Bugs Bunny? He's
sitting right there Witt naturally kind keabe guy
once said to this observer when was player got hit in
the head by Walter Johnsons fast balls me-
1t never hurt like this"
BRADLEY ALWAYS WANTED rennant. Ironically, he
beat himself out of Indians in
club in the American League doubt of it, They every
thing except esprit de AS result with their
contempt for the they conrved to lose by
to the Tigers
The Indians had everything going for them in the stretch
Coming up for the key game the one on which the flag
hinged they had Bob Feler to pitch Del Baker, managing
the Tigers, desperate he nominated rookie
Floyd Gebe It's history Gebel beat Feller with beaut
performance history that Giebel failed
survive spring training in 194 been heard
since.
Bradley WELL but he baseball background
They poured while
in other cities reaped the harvest Two Of the stockholders
the Van Swerngen brothers of railroad fame Once
was suggested that Cleveland buy Babe Ruth.
why not? of the stockholders reported to have
asked by the way, who is Babe Ruth"
CLARK GRIFFITH ONCE had high hopes of making
successful manager of Walter Johnson great
pitcher reached the end Of the road Griffith got him job
managing the international League and after
season. brought him to Washington Johnson managed the
Mats from 1929 through 1882 and while he out of the
money only once Griffith became disenchanted with his
managerial ability.
Rather than Walter loose Gr wrangled the Cleve-
land post for the old warhors Johnson replaced Roger
1885, He returned his farm at German
town. Md strangely embtered and disiusioned person.
The assignment called for series of stories under
Walters byine for a wire service His memories his
thrills his disappoinments, ETC. Even nearly two
decades later the first interview with Johnson is vivid in
memory Chewing piece of hay, Walter said Reckon
I'd better start with big Disappointment since I'm still
tasting it."
HAD REPORTED to Cleveland, Walter remembered,
and unpackng in his guest when the phone
At the other end sports writer veteran" Johnson
said "He asked me to come to his office told him just
arrived and tired and couldn't it wait"
"No the fellow Said we'd better your line
up right away.
hotel and went the new lineup But the next
went to Mr. Bradleys Office and said rs the manager in
Cleveland expected to consult the baseball writer's before he
makes out lineup?'
of not, Mr.. Bradley said, but don't let it
bother you and don't e those fellows It will all work out
"I didn't work OUT" Johnson sighed. THAT sports editor
wrote kind word for probably because he had to
to hotel instead OF me going to his office And Mr.
Bradley while wonderful person. quite around to
making everybody happy-which think his ambition
But baseball, which he didn't understand WELL
everybody is happy all the time.
GAS for never want to manage another ball club"