Evening star., 1954-09-29


About the chief thing Durocher and
Lopez have Both have done outstanding
jobs beating what considered the twin giants of the
majors Brooklyn and the Yankees Both experimental freely
made the most of what material they had and both led
nearly all the way
APART FROM WHAT TAKES place on the ball field it
will be interesting compare the masermndng Durocher
is gambler believer lunches. divided New
York "a basebas best manager and (2) rattle
Drained hotand-cold who can't make his mind which
nine play from day to the next Casey Sengel
another New York hasn't been able to make his
mind either for that matter but his press consistently
repete with braves Winning five straight world champion
ships may have had something to do with it,
Lopez is the conservative side although this
he has gambed than usual Perhaps the
were twofod: d) AL had more confidence and (2 it
almost necessary what with starting the with first
baseman and weaknesses at shortstop and left field
Despite what his critics Durocher has got to be
manager Brooklyn and the Polo Grounds has
three pennants although World Series In 1946
his Dodgers lost the pennant to the Cardinals in the first
playo in history Leo has edge in experience because
this Lopez 30h in professional baseball but only
his first World Series either catcher manager
ON TELEv1sIoN YOU are apt to see great deal more
of Durocher than Lopez because the Giants brain ruster
loves spotlight of his voice. Lopez
dugout manager much the order of Bucky Harris He
hates make speeches. Ars notion of fun is not night
clubbing but round of golf just as good baseball bull
session.
On second thought Durocher Lopez have at least
thing in besides success in 81 AS player
neither could hit much but practically perfect defense
Leo course shortstop breaking in with the Yankees
in 1929 and Al catcher who always played regularly in
his younger National League days and finally wound
part-tme receiver for the Indians in 1947.
"stick around" advised Bill Veeck, who running the
Indians Maybe We'll be needing you in the top spot
day"
veeck at the time was in a to Boudreau
but sentiment in Cleveland strongly against him. 1t was
just that needed the of the public because
in 48 Boudreau not only the standout shortstop
redoubtabe hitter but he managed Cevelands first
pennant winner in % years.
X
EVEN WHEN BOUDREAU finally let out moving to
Boston, fans in Cleveland took dim view of Lopez They
didn't really know him and AL considered National
Lacquer. His background not that of Mdwesterner
having been raised in Ybor City, the Cuban suburb OF Tampa
Fla.
But with stoicism perhaps unexpected the
Spanish father mother Lopez went about his
finished runnerup the Yankees in 1851 1852
and 1885, when obvious Cleveland weaknesses dictated against
upset the Yankees had done extremely well, but
Indian followers still resented AL they would have resented
any manager succeeding the popular Boudreau.
year hit the jackpot and to show how Cleveland
feels about him now brief item innocent dis
orted quote from Lopez Reading it, Cleveanders got the
impression that AL might quit The Indians front office
deluged by people demanding that Lopez remain
Somebody asked me if unhappy" Al explains "and
without thinking too much replied No manager is happy
because there is always tomorrow.
what meant to say, probably that it is more fun
being player than manager didn't intend to indicate
that wanted to retire or resign"
LIKE MOST MANAGERS Lopez accepts defeat grudgingly
despite outward calm He takes his problems home and
sleeps resessy STILL player manager; baseball runs in
his blood
1t has been that way ever since Al was little boy,
scbby Cuban kid wo Is perhaps used to catch
batting practice for the Senators when they trained in Tampa
in the 20 He expert with his mitt that veterans
reported suggested that young Lopez be transported no
under contract Somehow failed to work out
and Al left behind only to to the National League
few later and develop into master behind the plate
And he has developed again. this time into pennant-
winning manager has been long road since his kid days
batting practice catcher in Tampa 80 or more