Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-07
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
Rv RlJRTON HAWKINS
Not Far and Yet So Far
By BURTON HAWKINS

NEW YORK SEPT 7-"Washington is a much tougher
club this than at the time last season.
Paul Richards the operator of the Orioles
Give the Senators two solid payerI don't humpty
dumpties but fellows who could help every daypus bit
pitching and they'd be in the race"
The general manager-manager of the Orioles isn't in
clned to distribute praise promScuousy OF the Senators
he says They're not far from being good ball club.
they pitching staff they'd be in the first division
trouble with clubs like ours-Baltimore, Washing
ton City-iS that have those two three
dead spots in the batting order" Richards continued
Maybe have three four who hit the ball. but
they don't get consistent help And when the fellows who
hit go little and need little rest haven't the
requirements"
CAL GRIFFITH the boss views the situation
much in the light I'm encouraged" Cal said We're
better than last year. We've gained ground want
shortstop hit $50 and speedy hghaverage hitter
in the outheld Plus ptching-we need that badly.
IF up with them, well be in contention" he
continued eff get lucky and get what need could
be rough next don't just up notch
two either We could be battling for the pennant
1.-THE Yankees in trouble for pitching They don't
have solid pitchers in the minors they're going get
them from that Their pitching staff has eeriorated
considerably since the days of Allie Reynolds Page Vic
Raschi and Ed Lopa They need pitching and they knoY it,
RETURNING TO RICHARDS, the Baltimore skipper said,
From standpoint I'd rather play the Yankees than
Cleveland We can't against the Indians Usually
We'll get against the Yankees and while
pitchers will hold them
ANY pitcher ought to win for the Yankees though"
DedI you LuS, speed
defense when their pitching bad They have htters
all the down the lineup their fellows and they
kill you with double plays
ct was astonished when was with Chicago at the
number of times the murdered with the double
play had statstcian look it up edge over
other club team, in double plays But the
Yankees made so per double plays than
play You can't give that sort of advan-
tage and win"
HOW DOES CAL PROPOSE to plug his weak spots? "Wel,
to get something have to give up something won't
give Chuck Stobbs Camo Pascua Ramos or Dean
Stone still think Stone be pitcher I'd like to stick
with our present catching staff.
II wouldn't part with Pete Runnels Herb Pews Harmon
Killebrew Jim Lemon Whitley Herzog Admittedly, we
wouldn't get much in return for of Them all are
fellows on the rise Herzog hitting $50 but like
him. He has flaws, but he also has wonderful potential
Much of his hitting has been done when it counted
so, WITH THOSE PLAYERS unavailable to other clubs
how does Cal figure to get what he needs? answer
could lie in Ed YoSt and Roy Sewers If Kiebrew shows
possibility Of making the grade while playing regularly the
final three weeks of the campaign figures to be involved
in winter deal.
Cal isn't particularly eager to unload either Yost or
SeverS but the necessity bosterng other positions NAV
force his hand Boston would be strong for Yost Kansas
City, Chicago and possibly Boston would be anxious to ac
quire Sievers
But Cal is here in New with the Senator's and not
just TO see them play The Senator's swing to six other cities
Cal Will return to Washington after comforting with George
Weiss, the Yankees general manager.
I'VE have player they want" Cal admits "WeIl do
some talking and see what develops"