Evening star., 1953-04-01

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PAU1-oR BIG POISON" as the sports writers called
him-was member in high standing of the Pittsburgh
Pirates gee club which is confused with vocal
group Those Pirates Of the late 2Os and sos used to
sit bar stools much like the varsity fence at
Yale Once visiting player observing the Pirates thusly
remarked:
"1m not hog. I wouldn't want license to sell the
hard stuff to those fellows I'd be satisfied with the sparkling
water concession"
It would dcult to say the waners were not the top
brother team in baseball history The other half of the
Lloyd, Little Poison He three years younger
than Paul. hence the "g" and Little" Neither
bigger than minute. '%
Lloyd who played center field came UP to the Pirates
In 1927 broke into the majors batting 1885, For six straight
seasons he hit anywhere from 4 to 1852 and during 10 Of
his first dozen he batted well 800. He could
like a scalded cat and he could field.
ONLY ON THE BALL field and physical appearance
there close similarity between Lloyd the
field, little Poison" quiet and retiring at least COM
parson to his older brother rambuctous Paul.
better hitter than Lloyd too, who made the headlines
Paul joined the Pirates rookie in 1925 and hit 1856
Then he reeed of successive years Of hitting
Pittsburgh fans hadn't known since Hans Wagner Twice
he led both major leagues in hitting twice in scored
thrice In number OF hits twice in doubles and each in
triples and runs batted in
Clark Griffith often has said that if Babe Ruth had taken
care OF himself he would have hit 100 home runs in 1927
nad OF the record 60 It is to wonder what Paul Waner
might have done had he too behaved although he did not
seem to be visibly handicapped On one occasion rival
manager sad H had balplayer who could hit like Waner
I'd personally to it that be got all he wanted-free"
i 4
THIS DAY IN CLEARWATER, Dizzy Dean was holding
court Now big voice of the Mutual Broadcasting System
Diz talking about big Poison Not talking, really but
drawing When Dz out Of Arkansas ago he had
blazing fast ball drawl thicker than London fog.
He lost his fast ball but not his draw which he discovered
worth money anything it's thicker than ever be-
that plus innate w.t. is what radio Is buying.
"Ef that little man don't sit much on bar stools"
DIG saying nodding Waner aint ten what
heda done to- pitchets He did enough anyways Let
me tell this here one story"
It 1884 when Dean was pitching for the Cardinals
The Deans-Dzy and Daywere spectacular brother act
in their right that for ST. Louis
One day. Dig chosen series against Pittsburgh
"FRANFIE FRISCH-he managin' the Cardinals
used to clubhouse meetings before each SERIES gon
the other teams battn order This day. when he got
finished, All said, frankie you didn't say nothing about
P. Waner. WhatM All pitch to him?'
"Don't worry Frisch says Ah Waner into their
clubhouse minute ago. He amt gonna play ball. condi
ton he's in
"Wal All walk to the box and thet the loud
speaker system says To Pittsburgh Lloyd Waner,
center field Paul Waner, right field -
"Ah walked to Frisch and sad Ah thought Waner
amt playing
"'Dont worry, Frisch said Jest you don't hit him
In the had.
"Ah went back and got Lloyd out. Then up Paul
He like he's daid Then he hits NAH fust pitch ovah
the fence Even trottin he bout to fell
his between third and home but it's 10 and DANCED
ef that amt the final and Ali get beat
"Frisch asked me what All did wrong and All said,
FRANKIE amt my fault Mex time you have meetin'
bettah tell how pitch to Waner they brung him
to clubhouse stretcha' And Frsch, he don't