Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-13
WIN, LOSE OR
DkAW By FRANCIS s1AAA
The Man and His Goal

H..
Cardinals clubhouse Stan Musial hung up his sweat
dampened clothes howered and dressed for the street.
picture of proud craftsman at the end of day. He Is
IS years old and starting his 1h full season with the
Redbrds but appearance he could for 25 and his
ambitions his looks Musial is reasonably confident
he will seventh National League batting champion
ship.
81 expect hit between $40 and $780, Stan said quietly
II think $50 ought to win"
Down the road and across Old Tampa Bay not so long
ago. American League counterpart Ted Williams had
confessed that he not optimistic concerning himself
had been in the past But doubts gnawed on Stan
"My refexes? I think they're just good And
been around long enough now to wait for my PITCH not
go after what the pitcher wants me to swing on"
BY MUsIAL's STANDARDS 1855 not big year.
True tied with Willie Of the Giants for second place
the batting with 318 but this fell far short
lifetime 342, second only to Williams 34s among
active players.
Only once in the past back in 1947 did hit less 312
But the forced to play first base on
basis This year-unlke last when he was part
outfede part infelder-Musal will have truck with
first baseman's mitt
I'm glad won't have divide my time, Stan admitted
I'm willing all right but prefer the outeld Then can
concentrate on my hitting"
Stan the Man, so named in grudging admiration by
Brooklyn FANS willing to give rundown those he
considers the logical conendes for the MI hitting crown
But with qualification" he said "Ill name some
htters there's guarantee that fellow won't bat 20
80 points higher than he figures and take it all.
ITS happened don't forget. Carl Furilo hit 344 a
couple ago Harry Walker led the league in A.
think it They good htters but not the ones you
look for top
RICHIE AsHBURN OF THE PHILLIES, whose 1888 led
last year. rates high with Musal He'll be close Stan pre-
dced because he is fast and beats out so many leg hits
With choked-ba style, he rarely strikes out Richie
keeps nibbling away. He is no auke champion
willie Mays is good hitter. When he swings from
his puts the ball out of the parks When he holds
back sprays to all fields. And Willie is an improving
hitter"
Another Giant basman who is dangerous Musal Thinks
is Don Mueller EARLY last when Mueller was bat
ting about 400" Musia revealed, II said to myself:
stosh, old boy there's the guy who's going to give you
trouble All of sudden he's gone out OF the race But
that doesn't mean he can't return this year"
NOT THE HIGHLY PUBL1CIzED Ed Mathews but a
eammate, Henry Aaron, represents Miwaukees biggest
threat to win the hitting title, in Musals opinion.
"He is legitimate 300 man." Stan said; "but don't
if he reach $40 better. doubt it. Aaron hits
hard but he's like Joe Medwick used to be- He'll reach out
and swing at bad balls"
Kluszewski is highly respected "But he's too slow
to bat high average Musa pointed out land all of his
hits have to be clean shots"
There fellow on Dodgers, Duke Snider, who is a
fair hitter, Stan reminded.
Il agree, but Duke is power Also, he's streaky
type. When he isn't hitting, snder will brood You can't
brood and lead the league in batting, too"
THE PIRATES HAVE NO contender says the Cardinal
yearol who set two atime records last year. one by
hitting five grand-slam home and the other by be-
coming the only shortsop hit 40 homers Ernie slammed a.
still doubt if Banks will hit for the highest average
Stan said For thing, National League pitchers will
spent the winter talking about Ernie They'll have
compared notes as to how to pitch to him."
Coming from Musal it does not sound immodest when
he says he likes his chances. Like Williams, he is
proud of his achievements and reluctant to stand his
records which include nine of II atme club marks and
standing the atime National League baters Were
Musal to quit right now he would rank No in suggng
centage with .583
cts good idea for ball player to have goal" Stan
said and mine is the batting championship Would 1
rather the home title? Oh don't think means
as much and, BESIDES I'm no home run hitter"
That isn't what the record book says The book says,
surprisingly to Musia that 1876 place him third
among the atime National League blasters He will
match Mel Otis Sill, but Stan into his 18th year
he stands only 26 back of Ralph Kner the runnerup.
eff that's the case" he smiled Il may be No. if have
the kind of season have in mind"