Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-14

say-so and vague memory
When they released ocal American League batting
averages the day. revealed that only II regulars
in the entire circuit hit OO Tops Ineder Bobby Ava
of Cleveland with s41. But only 81 runs batted in!
THE ORIGINAL NOTION was that this essay might easily
drop into that theme Nor was it
false one Ava batting champion with ST runs batted in?
Simmons Ruth Foxx Gehrig and the other giants could
drive home as many in less than half season.
Larry Dolby 1t was who the runs batedn champion
His topped Yogi Berras contributions by one run Jackie
Jensen Of the Red sox playing in ball park made to Order
ran third with IT, only American Leaguers
altogether who drove home 100 or more runs
shucks Jimmy drove across It's for Boston IN 1883
after he'd been by the Athletics and had started on
the downgrad Bonura less sent lS8 runs across
the plate for White In 1885 and Hal Troskys 62 RIBS
for Cleveland In the same year shames Dobys l26
Good as were Tigers OF Heilmanns days. it remained
not Of his eraHank Greenberg-to set the Detroit
clubs high of 1873 in 81 And then there was Lou Genr1g
with his 1874 total in 1881.
AS FAR AS THIS department is concerned technically
spols the official announcement by the American League
that Avila the best hitter In 1854 Not that Bobby is
badhe little Mexican had 341 for 555 at bats 81 points
better than Runnerup Minnie noso But the champ who
must be Ted Williams, was disqualified.
Because went to bat only 1856 times instead of the
presently required AGO. Teds 345 didn't count This says
here miscarriage Of justice Leave out the fact that
Williams had been in Korea flying Jets, and couldn't reion
the sox to play full Leave out two
things, but leave have opinion to w.t.
Ava the day he could hit with Williams That
batting championship phony az So bill Whether you
admire guy not Ted Williams stands the best hitter
in-wen let's settle for the American League Remember
this too Williams when he returnsd only casually In
terested baseball sense heWas doing the Red Sox
favor by playing at all That 345 averagethe sweet
his bat sung-came automatically.
THOSE AMERICAN LEAGUE batting figures tell other
stories could drive home only 80 runs in Griffith
Stadium in 49, But apparently those long flies he waited in
Washingtons big park were money Ia the bank In Boston,
where the left field fence the shortest One hundred and
seventeen batted is not bad for 276 hitter
Jensen figured to do well in Fenway Park Bucky Harris,
who had part in making the trade that sent Jackie to
Boston in exchange for Maury McDermo and Tom Umphlet
predicted for the exAA American football star
"But didn't think he'd do quite well he did,
did think McDermott and Implicit would let us down as
much they did, Bucky saying by the end of July Il
thought made great deal. 1t of my worst"
Umphlett hit 219 and drove SO Harris now
gone Detroit couldn't get along with the fellow. TOO
moody" Buckys verdict McDermot 1Sgame winner
for the Red Sox, disappointment too. #
YOGI IBERIA RECENTLY the most valuable player
award in the American League With his BOT average and
1875 batted in, Yogi qualified for the
the best aaround ball player in the A. L.
is Mnoso.
The dark-hued star of the White Sox with penchant
for flying Cuban and American flags from the sides
open-op automobile hit $40 knocked 116
banged out 1872 hits Of which 20 doubles Is triples
and 10 home runs. He stole Is bases, too
Cobb stole So for the Tigers in 1916 but that was
different and values have changed For Mnoso will
do He may not be Joe DMaggio in the outed, Osse
Bluege on third base but Minnie is quite boy.