Evening star., 1956-03-30
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s7Aun
In the Old Folks Corner

SARASOTA, MAR. so-Two side-by-side lockers in the
Red Sox clubhouse bear the crudey linked strips
of adhesive tape Vernon" and williams" Visitors
times wonder if this is alphabetical arrangement.
No says Johnny Orlando custodian of the clubhouse
"Then it must be the trophy section" an intruder
hazaded ito show that the Red Sox have two guys whove
been batting champions He referring to Ted Williams
four American League titles and to Mickey VernonS two
This time it was Vernon who demurred. You're for
getting Billy Goodman winner, too" he reminded.
Actually it's the old folks Between the two of
Mickey explained nodding to Williams we've got lot Of
years to be running around ball field in short pants
You're not kidding" Ted mumbled to his teammate,
courtesy of the Senators There game just starting
out the field and only the young phenoms playing
feel like I've played nine innings after playing CATCH
taking batting practice and doing pushups"
WITH GOOD REASON the Red Sox manager, Mike
Higgins. is using his twin fossils sparingly Williams and
Vernon 81 years old March in Florida is not the
time or the place to push valuable antique brica-brac
There nothing Ted and Mickey can learn and sandy fields
invite trouble for their legs Besides, Williams still has
tire that needs defiaton around his middle.
Even when was young never hit in the spring. :"
Mickey sad referring to his almost nonexent to
date. "Once this two or three years ago i.
Washington travelled north with Cincinnati and don't
think got on whole trip. Those Cincinnati
pitchers must have wondered how stayed up
Mickey didn't mention it, but that the he batted
1877 and led the American League for the second time
Vernon has strange record. Until last when
he batted 3O for the astpace Senator's he had hit 300
only twice-and both times the batting championship
1858 followed wherein he batted doorous 251
A CLUBHOUSE VISITOR said to Vernon:
1--WE get the impression you'll play first base only against
righthanded pitching Against lefthanded pitching Norm
Zauchin will play How much higher do you think you
might hit just facing righthanders?"
"shucks" Vernon said, perplexedy, Il gave it
thought In the first place. don't know what Higgins has
in mind for me-"
But assuming that's what planning pursued
the other what do you think? For instance won't
hovo hot oooinS Horh CcOro ifov Ford 1v
Pierce Tommy Byrne Don Mossi"
81 can't answer" Mickey said. you see, I've never
played par-tme basis I've always played every day
and didn't any difference who pitching
either hit or l didn't"
"You never kept any personal hgures?"
"No, never did," Vernon replied
MICKEYS TRADE TO BOSTON, he confesses surprised
him. "I felt going to other club, but didn't
think it would be the Red Sox"
Cleveland" visitor said 1t was statement not a
question
That's what kept reading in the papers" Mickey said
"After ALL they had lot of first base trouble last year
different guys trying play the bag Then read story
that Hank Greenberg saying that he had traded
for year ago the Indians would have the pennant"
do you agree?" he asked.
shrugged. "Greenberg said it yes, agree.
Cleveland lost the pennant by only games probably
would have made that much difference.
STILL" he appended Il played for Cleveland in 1949 and
the next they traded back to Washington So
maybe wasn't high Greenbergs list the papers
made OUT
1T is IRONICAL that Vernon and Williams, who between
them have played 20 in the majors Excluding
total of years in the armed orces have into
little of World Series spos Vernon been
and Williams played only in the 1946 series, when
the Red SoX beaten by the Cardinals Ted reported
to have given his share to his pal Johnny Orlando.
Destiny ruled against them. Williams the highest
lifetime average of any active player Excluding old EnoS
Slaughter, whose salad days spent in the National
League Ted and Mickey onetwo in American League
batted ina total of 2589 Together they
than 4,2OO hits.
Destiny also guides such Charlie Silvera Yankee
catcher who walks in the shadow of Yogi Berra In
seasons, Slvera has collected full share of World
Series, all except winning bite In all of his career
Silvera has bated home so Williams and Vernon
total merely normal at best half