Evening star., 1954-01-18

Francis stann only Batting Champion Mickey
Vernon who bat SIT times.
You might that only CleveandS strong pitching stan
stopped Ted You might say but Messrs Garcia, Wynn
Lemon others wouldn't believe it, They held him to five
hits in five games true Trouble was-all five hits were
homerS.
STILL TT WAS chore Williams to play a nne-n-
ming game His legs gave him
trouble the muscles of his throwing Of the
strongest disuse "Next spring."
admitted going be like starting all again First
I'll need get my legs in shape Then ARM Significantly
he failed to mention his batting Obviously that 37game
stint late last convinced Ted well Others that
he still hit
Manager Lou Boudreau of the Red Sox apparently is
convinced that, 35 Williams it. the
Boston outfeld all set upWillams in left Jim Persa in
center Jackie Jensen in right Boudreau showed
hdence in Williams when he traded not only an 18-game
winner Maury McDermott but hrst-cass defensive out
fielder in Tom Umphett in order to get Jensen.
Williams influence could be read into this The
will look to Ted for their main but to take
of of the they will have Jensen following him
batting If this pair clicks and if returning
GI such Leo Key take the slack left by McDemo
Boston is likely to be dangerous contender, indeed
FOR THE FIRST TIME since he came to the majors in
1882 Williams very likely to find himself widely popu-
lar figure In the past Ted always boxoce because
his hitting but good many the basicaly hostile
Boston baseball press regarded him arrogant Now you
can't help but admire guy who's worked for Uncle twice
And majority of nonBoston writer's always did feel that
ne got bum press The big guy to them was uniformly
courteous
few years ago. when it came time players to
travel South and for others along and write pieces for
back home about the there occasion to fly with
Williams to Tampa where he transferred to automobile for
Sarasota training headquarters only of the
Ringing Brothers.
En- route Ted asked If he'd hit 400 again. (He
the last, you may recall with his 406 in 1941)
won't" Williams said. II quite % that
Then out of baseball in 194345. You can't stay out
that long without losing something"
How about somebody else?"
"a sharp hitter with eyes like MuSial might do it, Ted
conceded. "a of combination Musal-Paul Waner"
THEN TWO YEARS and few weeks ago. Williams
talking to couple of out-of town writer's in the Sarasota
clubhouse. usual he noddng to the Boston
writer's and vice versaD
almost certain you will be called up?" asked
writer.
ITS definite" Ted replied. "ony when come back
don't think I'll be able to play again. I'll be IS &c. at least
What will you do?"
Gosh" smiled, thnly 81 haven't got to Korea
much less returned. dunno fish, maybe"
that either counts, because Of brevy but
Teds that since he baed 4O6 he also has
and 4O This just before he reoned
the Marines May games) and his .407 his
return last year (37 games).
he "a there will be cheering from here
never interrupted twice by military demands and yet
Williams lifetime average is .347 It is to wonder what he
might have when sandlotters and bushers
playing and when George Srnwes lead the American
League with .309.
Williams could have hit better than 309 without bat
at that time.