Evening star., 1955-02-18
by FRANCIS SLANN


MIAMI FEB. 1s-ssure I'll tell you about Ted Kluszew-
ski Birdie Tebbetts grinned Just the best Some Of
the New York sports writer's raked Goals
calling Ted the National Leagues most valuable player instead
of Willie Mays"
you get the idea that Tebbets thinks nicely of First
Baseman Kluszewsk of the Cincinnati Redlegs Birdie
MANAGES, you've got the correct impression.s &AS@
He ought to be solid in book" Birdie says "He did
runs drove across 141 runs batted 1926 and led the league
in fielding.
will he break Ruths home recorda say, but
wouldn't bet one the other This much know
he's got chance of hitting go home runs"
4 * #
BIRDIE LET OUT newsworthy yeIp when Mays of the
Giants voted most valuable of 1854 willie great
simply great Tebbetts was explaining but u greater
Because said so got lot of guys my neck"
wide Irish grin spread his face "It wasn't the
first time, though, guess I'll live" Tebbes reasoned
ITO get back to Mays people argue that without Willie
the Giants wouldn't have the pennan whereas my club
finished fifth But look at it another Would the Giants
have without Alvin Dark at shortstop? OF
And how about Johnny Antonelns q wins?
when the Giants won the pennant it team effort
and Mays was only part of the team, cog. How about
those two relief pitchers that Durocher had the bullpen
Whenever his starters got into trouble there Wilhelm
Grissom to walk out and shut the door,"
WILLIE MAYS CAN PLAY for any day. don't get me
wrong Birdie went think he's pretty wonderful But
valuable than Kuszewsk last year-no! don't
they hang in eigy in New York. I'll stick by my guns
Trouble in New York, those sports writer's think that
because Yankee, Giant Dodger uniform he
automatically is the best I've got little second
named Johnny Temple, for instance little scrapper,
always hustlng.
Il said few nice words about Temple during a trip
into New York last forgot exactly what said but
1t to the effect probably that wouldn't trade him for
any other clubs second baseman
Next day couple Of Giant writer's come to and
ask, Birdie, didn't you hear of Davey Wilams?'
"Davey Willams My guy, Temple is .3O7 hitter VIII
nams wound with 222 Now how there be any logic
back OF that kind of reasoning?"
***
TEBBETTS rs NOT ONE to another mans collar
Buckng for Kuszewsk not the only time he alienaed
himself however mildly, with critics last 81 got
jumped again for saying the National better league than
the American Birdie recalled, "but think I'm right there
too
"Td always been an American Lacquer until became
manager of Cincinnati broke in with Detroit and played
for Boston and for Cleveland All during those years thought
we had the best players meaning the American League
f., But things change. The pendulum swings the other
There five six clubs in the National League that
could win the pennan this You'll where experts
will pick the Dodgers the Giants, Milwaukee, and
maybe even the Philies and Cardinals Somebody might
take flyer But what do you hear about the
American League? The Indians and the Yankees with maybe
a few votes for the White Sox
"The tipo on the American League Claveand's win
ming III gamesa recordlast club doesn't win Ill
out Of 154 in strong league And then the snapper
Cleveland losing four straight in the World Series to the
Giants who had to win the hard way"