Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-05
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW .r FRANCE, srA4u
The UnpredictobIe Redbirds
BY FRANCIS sTANN

THE TOUGHEST BALI. CLUB in the majors to figure
this season? Well might make out for the ST.
Louis Cardinals You do this by recalling that in the
Cardinals finished dolorous SIXTH games back by
trying to appraise the potential
The Cardinals favorite topic of Birdie Tebbets
manager OF Cincinnati all during spring training in Florida
Once in his headquarters in Tampa Birdie said to
group of newspapermen:
Il don't know how seriously you fellows take your pennant
predictions. If you take seriously feel for YOU How
you hope pick the National League accurately without
lot of luck? Especially how what St Louis
will do?" ~~%~@s-s
why the Cardinals?" asked Birdie.
Because the it," Tebbetts replied there's the
club that finish first sixth"
You're serious?"
I'm seroes They proved last year they can finish sixth
think that if the pitching develops they all the way
THE UPSHOT OF TEBBETTS statement inspired
than reappraisa of the Cardinals the transforming
critics. whom originally thought to give the Rebrds
quick wr and devote time the socaled important
camps like Mlwaukee's and Brooklyn's
The Cards, studied closely are, indeed, enigma At
the end Of last they led both big leagues in team batting
with 281. compared the world champion Giants 1884
They drove stole bases and scored
than any club in the National League. But they
didn't have the pitching. Or II they did, it msmanaged
The tip is out that Eddie stanky has got to the
Cards this else Back in 1851 the Cards fired
Marty they felt place finish
good enough and that Marion lacked the required fire and
birthstone But Stanky nonlacking in this department. has
finished third, third and sixth.
Sanky, himself is enigma. He Is not easy to know,
interview occasions. It whispered last
that he had clubhouse trouble with his pitchers Yank
ing them too soon putting sliding door and then
lock on the doghouse, etc.
Il WON'T RETRACT ANYTHING I've done said so
far Eddie was saying before the Cards broke Some
people don't like know that much Maybe there
who do. can't help it If get busy down here that
can't to the minute he sets foot
in dugout and I'm the field trying to show rockies
how to slide or tag
So is with The Brat You like him or don't like him.
and it works both For instance he giving arun
doup HE o11h nnnn until int
wanted to know exactly how good this Ken Boyer
the new boy at third base
Apropos of nothing, stanky abbergasted the group by
saying:
Nothing doing. Then you'll, all be writing that he's
another Stanky-but with talent Nothing doing" Then
equally abrupt he picked the thread of his otherwise
WHAT THE CARDINALS HAVE going for them is youth
average age: ~, hitting and tremendous speed Rookie
Boyer almost and in addition third base he
play shorstop Another rookie Outelder Bill vrdon who
looks good that Stanky undoubtedly will play Stan Mu
at first base Musal doesn't particularly for first base
he Hal Chase at the position but the veteran
with Stanky when the manager says:
Il play Musal at first base and still know that I've
got fine outfeld"
Now it follows that any manager VINO can take Musal
from outfeld and still call it fine must have some
thing special stanky figures he does in Rookie vrdon,
Sophomore Waly Moon and that "od" gaer Rip Repusi,
who at n is going into his third year Redbird.
sTANKY PROVED HIMSELF as a battling ball player
that he's manager especially pitchers
And that's where he'll have to do job this seasonn the
pitching department
In Harvey Haddx hes starting with Of the best
southpaws business winner OF SO games years
But his only other holdover winner Brooks Lawrence
powerful 6oot 205pound Negro who is and lost last
and tells stanky want to start In regular turn
and relieve, too"
Lawrence is throwback," stanky muses. pitchers
don't say things like that any But you know, I'm
liable to take him up his offer"
q y