Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-31
HARD ENOUGH TO STOP LINERS
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW By FRANCIS srANN
The Quiet One

AFTER SIX YEARS of trying to beat the Yankees with
the Indians feat he accomplished once-A Lopez will
his 1857 assault with the White Sox You know of the
White sox They're the who always finish just back
of the Indians.
Usually, when ball club makes managerial change
radical personality departure is involved An owner
might think it is high time for playing manager, for
example, vice Or the of Detroit recent
change switch from the placid Bucky Harris) to the
turbulent (Jackie Tighe) is desired.
But at Chicago the tied onto nice, amiabe
softspoken guy Marty Marion and in his place hired
NICE amiable sot-spoken guy Lopez is not like Hank
Greenbe apparent wish to get Leo Durocher to succeed
Lopez at Cleveland Durocher and Lopez far apart
as the moon and the sun Marion and Lopez are two of
a kind.
WHEN THE GENIAL LOPEZ announced his retirement
not so long manager of the Indians it had been
preceded by bit of evaporation his part. When
Cleveland fans began to boo his third baseman AL Rosen
the from Tampa called them "bush" He added,
people in this town don't winner Rosen hurt
badly he shouldn't be playing at all He's trying his best
and all he hears are booS"
There just suggestion too that Lopez not
the friendest terms with General Manager Greenberg
Certainly count they were opposed and that
the issue of Early Wynn the crack pitcher
For some years Wynn has made secret of his
feelings toward Greenberg contributor to the Cleveland
News the big hurler has flung thnly taunts at
Greenberg and the front office. Annually when it
time to talk contract Wynn usually has held out,
threatened to do So
If Greenberg tempted to rid himself of Wynn he
always dssuaded by look at the book the
last seven years Wynn has 49, TO- %, IT, 3d. II and
20 for the Tribe Obviously it would to
pitch for other club
1850
THE UPsHoT WAS THAT LOPEZ found himself in the
middle He was, and is close friend of Wynn with whom
he COLTS frequently But he also worked for Greenberg
So the became a buffer, dedicated to keeping
Greenberg and Wynn far apart possible easy
1t is doubtful if Lopez will have any better ball club
next year than last Certainly he apt regard
his pitching mournfuy from time to time and wish he
could call up Wynn, Herb Score, Bob Lemon and those
good reievers Ray Narleski and Don MoSsi the
other hand may be happier with his new surroundings
and the rest of his team.
At Cleveland he had the second worst batting club in
the American League The Indians average was a mere
244 same as the Orioles but with slightly more runs
batted in AT Cleveland too, Lopez buckng tough
press Like Lou Boudreau Steve ONeil oscar Witt and
Walter johnson before him. oftmes felt he voluntary
assistants carrying typewrters looking his shoulder
THERE CAN BE LITTLE quarrel with the job Lopez
did for the Indians When he succeeded Boudreau in
1851 Cleveland was fourhplace club Al managed them
to three successive secondpace finishes and then finally
hit the jackpot in 1854 That the Tribe won
record III games and displaced the Yankees who them
selves 1903
In the World Series however Lopez was snake bitten
TO this day seems implausible that team with such
pitchers as Lemon Wynn Mike and the rest could
lose four in to the Giants But nothing he tried paid
dividends 1t was costly Series TO the by its failure
to last six games especially with that gigantic
stadium in Cleveland a site.
There is no evidence that ceveands failure was held
against Lopez by the brass, although some fans were
resenfu because not did Alfonso use Bob Teller But
1t did the Indians receded in ability after that
clohbering They the Yankees good chase in S. to
be sure but last their pursuit almost desutory
They behaved as the goal to win the runnerup money
Here again no blame publicly laid to Lopez but it
follows that AL who loyal his players was distressed
Especially when Greenberg critized the club once singing
out Rosen at businessmens luncheon and conding that
1t might be better for all the veteran third
baseman played elsewhere in 81.
JUST IN CASE YOU NEVER saw Lopez in action during
See WIN. LOSE OR DRAW, Page ca