Evening star., 1955-10-27
WIN, LOSE or
DRAW !, ,,.re,, SIAM
No Doubt About It-Yogi Belongs

CASEY STENCIL WAITED until he got all the way to
Japan before betowng the ultimate in accolades on Yogi
Berra. He belongs with Ruth" the way 1t came
the wires and when down to it maybe Yogi does
belong, at that A4a
Oh Berra the hitter that Ruth used to be Maybe
he isn't the catcher either, that Bill Dickey and Mickey
Cochrane and perhaps Roy CampaneIa Is But when
he's all added up-and taking In the ntangibes" that
Eddie Stanky fond Of consideringYog belongs No
team wins six pennants in seven years without guy
like Berra. t
praise Of Berra although you get all the arguments
you need that The fact OF the matter that Yogi
Is Caseys avorite ball player Ten or IS minutes on the
Yankee bench talking to Stengel enough to convince
one time at all it's Berra that Old Rubber Face Is
taking about It's guardedy TO his cachers face,
snge won't give Yogi credit for being able to put on pair
Of shin guards.
.+.*aH a8f
A STANDARD STENCIL JOKE Is to ask Yogi, before
ball game, II he feels like playing.
you stand in 50 good with the owners" Casey tells
him. that wouldn't dream Of asking you to catch II you
didn't feel like It, Yon see day might want to
put in good word for with those people In the front
Office"
It's old gag but it ceases to get ride out Of
Yogi who bushes and usually goes to the bat rack
tending 70 look for misplaced stick.
He'd catch he had one foot in the grave, which
thank goodness he amt got" Casey will say when Berra
out OF earshot Ive got another catcher Charley Sera
and nobody knows how good he is but how can you tell
with this fellow era) who won't quit catching, not
even II half kill him with work"
Durability is Berras middle name, one perhaps
widely known than his rst which is He takes
fearful beating behind the plate especially his hands
and veteran players ask him. from time to time why
he wears his mtt nearly half on, half OF. Part Of his
meat hand is worn stylishy outside the glove
with Just enough fingers inside to control pitches
I'm the fragile type he win explain mildly that's
why"
THERE NEVER WAS ANYTHING fragile about Larry
Berra not since his boyhood days on Dago Hill in st.
Tnffe E4rSf fa0n tndv tnnk NJ re-
marked on his sturdy build kid with outsized head
and short muscular legs that seemed to go in three
directions at once.
The first time he showed up big league ball park
this In st. Louis when the Cardinals were conducting
try-out schoo-he had drugstore catchers mtt under
his but insisted he probably better qualified to
play the nfield or outheld.
"Its on account OF my buddy" Berra said "You watch
him behind the plate and you'll see what mean"
His buddy Joe Garagiola neighbor on Dago Hill
and in those days Joe everything that Berra not
He of the handsome Latin types and he was
picture catcher The Cardinals signed Garagioa and by
passed Berra and while Joe indeed, major Lacquer
he's passed from the picture while Yogi is at his peak
$3.50
THERE WAS OCCASION, back in the spring Of 4s, to
take initial notice OF not only Berra but his pal Garagoa
They both in st Petersburg Fa because that the
training ground Of the Cardinals and the Yankees with
whom Berra wound via Norfolk and Newark and one
day after interview the bench the late and beloved
Grantland Rice said:
f you two young men are not tied up tonight I'd like
for you to be my guests at the dogs"
Garagiola knew what Rice was talking about Berra
didn't It sulced for both that less parsonage than
cewas extending invitation and they accepted eagerly
Rice that way He took youngsters in tow all during
his life. They made the grade they didn't but they all
got equal chance.
This happened to be Grannys big night. He had some
winners and the wideeyed young catches regarded him
with respect.
How long has this been going on?" asked Rookie
Berra. II never had SO much money"
Son." Rice replied, "his is about the first time
nofo hnrsa q doOt track me- IA q
catch for 10 IL years and then play
It's been Just about 10 years since then and the record
speaks eoquenty OF well Yogi has stuck to his CATCH
ing There plenty OF pitchers who'll celebrate the day
he takes the rest of Granny advice and decides to play
the races instead Of baseball.
r.