Evening star., 1954-05-05

had player complain I think they would if did It in
rancor don't It's not punishment instruction and
they're sensible about it. It's simple as his- they're
better ball players they money help the team
more and we're all happy So far they've all realized it.
"As FAR AS KEEGAN is concerned" Richards continued
ne probably would have logged to Washington had asked
him. He happy what pitcher wouldn't be he had
just pitched shutout If he the game wouldn't
nave asked him to That would been humliang
to him.
'on the road can't do much of that" the Chicago
manager went "The groundkeepng wants to lock
up the park or there other complications When we get
home however, We'll have extra There's room
for Improvement"
Concerning of his pitchers though Richards views
1ttle nope OF improvement Il awaken dream
at any moment Paul sad but right Isay Don johnson
is the best pitcher in the league don't care what his past
record u.s. all know that Johnson smart polished
pitcher" -
Smart polished words which could be applied
to Johnson in previous League terms with the
Yankees the late ST. Louis Browns and the Fast
yes, but that was it.
~ ASKED WHAT HAD happened Richards said "1 can't
honestly say I've done anything help him. except maybe to
make Don feel he's of u.s. member of the family"
johnson sees it differently 43 winner Yankees
and shuout conqueror of the Athletics two starts this
season. Don says Richards has given confidence. He
; makes me feel like belong.
Take in spring training for example had them slap
grounders at all day long, was going to make
fielding pitcher out of Well I'm Bobby Shantz but
was terrible fielder and I'm doing better"
johnson was the hardest working guy I've in
spring training" Richards said He punished himself
brualy He'd pitch batting practice then Marty Marion
would take him aside and hit grounders Then Don
would get in pepper Sure his fielding improved
worked at it,"
Il ready to quit baseball when Washington sold me
TO Toronto Johnson said. II thought just didn't it.
When got to Toronto though Burleigh Grimes was
going pitch fourth day between got
off to 40 start developed slider to go with my other stuff
and wound up with 1912 record lost nine by
run.
II USED TO FOOL around lot" johnson admitted
That's all over I'm serious and I'm with manager who's
serious Richards is 100 per and I'm going to
give him all have"
Those sentiments expressed by Johnson of
Bucky Harris when Don with Washington The words
haven't changed and of the aren't convinced
Johnson has, except for his two impressive triumphs
THE test will come soon, of the said "Don
is riding high and if he stand he real
good pcner but he can hayWire, too He'll to
more than two to prove to the BEAM"
sample of Johnsons fooing around" cited by Spec
Shea Johnsons roommate when both rockies with
Yankees in 1947.
eve were at the Warwick Hotel at PHILADELPHIA and
Johnson and owned the world" Shea recalled "He had
won couple of games and had five. Don got
phone called room service and here's what he ordered
Triple shrimp cocktails-hey brought bucket sauce
with EN-; double et mignonS, "a hapints
OF milk double orders spinach and peas scoops of
ice each big bowl of crushed four
big pots OF coffee And just to make hungry
later Don ordered couple sandwiches on the side
for midnight snack.
1.-TWO WALTERS BROUGHT the stuff up" Shea laughed
and Don handed one of them tip The waiter looked at
his hand and sad What's ths? given the guy SO
cents He wasn't being stingy-hes big gheared fellow He
just didn't know about things.
Ill say something for the Yankees" Shea added "The
bill $685. We signed it, the paid for and
haven't heard squawk about it to this day."
johnson those days of fooshness
and lot of his former associates well all of his present
ones hope it's true Dons nice who could
He has the world in his hands Whether expodes
will be determined only by Johnson.