Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-19
WIN, LOSE OR
UNAW By FRANCIS srANN
Moose From Purdue

SEVENTEEN YEARS HAVE passed since Lou Gehrigs
last active season and the Yankees have operated without
an authentic regular at first base in all that time But
this season Casey Stenge Is thinking he has found his
man (say, doesn't this have familiar ring?
At any rate, Caseys candidate is William Joseph
Showroom jr who called Moose because he muscles
he hasn't discovered yet Some years ago the
plucked Skowron of the Purdue football squad and sent
him out for seasoning
This MooseS third year with the varsity and the
that ought to tell the story his credentials are
excellent $40 average in 81 games in "a and 319 for
1O8 games in IS If memory serves Skowron batting
about 45O last spring when he tore thigh muscle running
out triple.
Naturally he anxious to play as he could
Stenge relating the New bench only Casey
can and he back too because the fellow
wasn't moving like he and he still hit but not good
and got to play the other fellow (Joe Collins
playing because have to look this fellow Skowron
again on account of he my best hitter all spring."
*H%*
CASEY SEEMED TO HAVE notion that if skowron
had not been hurt he might have the League
batting championship.
with big lead like he had" Stenge explained, "he
could have slump maybe, if he back which he
should at the end and win don't whether he
hit against all kinds of pitching but he is going to play
unless he can't do it."
Jim Turner one the Yankee coaches also was talk
ing about Skowron.
There times when he looks bad" Turner said,
but the pitch that fools him will get hit when
he sees it again. There way of playing him because
Moose never knows where he going to hit He bats right
handed but might hit home the opposite fence
I'll tell you thing Skowron slams that ball on
the ground so fast that unless it's right at nelder,
there's good chance it's base hit And when it's
straight at infeder the guy stands chance of losing
few teeth"
SKOWRON, WHO HIT safely on his first two times up
on opening day. looked like mark the last three times
In the clubhouse he shook his ruefuly thought
OF those consecutive srkeouts
II got to chasing all the bad pitches thrown to me
he moaned II don't know what thinking about Once
got perfect pitch and what did do? Took 1t for
third strike"
Moose can't explain how he sprays all over the park.
II never know where the ball is going anywhere" he
shrugged. Guess just swing away"
Phil Rzzuto shakes his head enviously when he talks
OF Showroom Hes the darndest hitter" Phil pointed out
about the fifth sixth inning when most of the guys
looking for their first hit Skowron always to
have two or three. 1t should happen to me-"
sNAFU DEPT-A trusted operative who sat across the
aisle from President Eisenhower reports this opening day
episode:
Calvin Griffith handed the President baseball that
was collectors item, replica Of the 1873 model with
inverted and resembling softba a. g. Spading
the ball firm is celebrating its 80th anniversary the
scramble for the Chief Executives toss Gil McDougad Of
the Yankees captured the trophy carried 1t
the Presidential box to be autographed.
En- route McDougald got his back up "He thought he
was conned when he examined the ball. testies,
land demanded explanation from Calvin While Griffith
was explaining the President threw out second ba-a
real one-that Cookie Lavagetto caught Somehow Cookies
ball got into the Presidents hands ahead McDougald
and 1t was signed
when McDougald thrust his ball into Mr. Eisenhowers
hands the President started to sign It, then looked closely
What is thisP he asked rs this ball I threw?'"
Again Calvin had to explain Satisfied, the President
asked What's the name2"
McDougald" said the Yankee nfelder "Gi McDougald"
Mr.. Eisenhower scratched with his pen and returned
the ball to McDougald who hustled to the dugout to
examine it.
ITO Joe McDougad," It read.