Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-06
WIN, LOSE OR
0KAW By FRANCIS srANN
One Touch of Genius?

IN THE LAST 40-ODD YEARS there have been few if
opening ball that Branch Hickey has missed
But he not those present when the Pirates teed
off, Conversely, basebalS Grand Old Medicine Man has
been showing from time to time since the BUGS started
become purely wonderful.
His critics in Pittsburgh unknd as to suggest that
Hickey is not opposed to suggestions that he the
genius who built the present club hence his appearances
They point to RckeyS utterance of date
his suburban home where he has been in seiretirement
he ntoned:
"By Judas Priest we're out of the woods now"
What does the old guy saying we?" asked
What did he do except just about ruin Dale Long and Bob
Friend?"
THUS EVEN IN ENII-RETIREMENT Hickey remains
controversial figure enigma To he does qualify as
genius to others caratan revoutionizing base
ball to the extent of introducing the system (back his
ST. Louis days. genius Hickey certain credentials
He beat everybody else this He scored second
beat when he broke the color line in organized ball and signed
Jackie Robinson This during eightyear at
Brooklyn where in addition to fabulous front-oce
salary he also reputed to have collected per cent
all player deals It's said that year alone he his
cut off $60OO0O
While it true that the Dodgers won for Hickey it is
equally true they bigger after he wooed in 1851
by Pittsburgh when old fraternity brother named John
Gabreath felt he needed old Branch touch of genius The
Mahatma happened to be available too nasmuch he
costing the Dodgers pretty penny and by happenstance
the lure outlined by Gabreah included ve-year contract
at 100000 per- plus fyeyear carryover at $4,000 to be
"consultant"
THE PIRATES WERE in the cellar when Hickey arrived
and in the cellar when he left last This his first
conSutant and readers of signs in Pittsburgh contend
that Gabreath and his other associates could rid them
selves of Hickey they would so.
For thing Rckeys box when he attends game has
been remote from Galbreats There seemed to be public
reunion at any of the Hickey and abreath
sat in Forbes Field applaudng the deserving Pirates
1t has been estimated unocaly that Hickey cost the
Pirates something like So million during his ve-year reign
as general domo This included his salary For what
dent Gabreath put out he got seventh place club first
year, and four tailenders in a row.
This year the suffering freehanded Galbreath has
got for his money if the BUGS finally their
level and wind up deep in the second division But
there is this difference Hickey has played little part any,
as concerns 1856 and there is field in Bobby
Bragan.
LIKE so MANY OTHER successful managers-McCarthy,
Higgins McKechnie Mack-Bragan scarcely firs-rae
big league ball player himself His predecessor Fred Haney
better and that his is mentioned here
other ghost to haunt Hickey
Haney and Bill Meyer before him. managing those
hopeless Pirates under Hickey and in the
Meyerbeore him. Neither felt the touch of genius
shoulder and Haney NICE quiet guy apt to bring the
subject of Long, Frank Thomas and Friend.
Long, only major Lacquer in history to hit eight home
in eight games already has testified according
Pittsburgh operatives that Hickey had nothing to do with
his The first baseman has spoken of his
shifting in the minors and bitterly Of that shallow at
tempt by Hickey to convert him into eft-handed catcher
1t got publicity in measure, but that was all.
Long, Thomas, Friend-three the big wheels of the
Bucswere there before Hickey Two-Friend and Thomas
signed by Roy Hamy who had preceded Hickey
Long originally $4,000 draft pickup the
farm system.
WITHOUT BEING OBSERVATIONS about it. Haney has
been quoted saying he might have saved Friend being
sent to the minors last Hickey it's reported wanted
to ship the guy who is rated the National Leagues top
pitcher Or at best, use him only in relief.
lone day. Pittsburgh writer testified, Il asked Haney
for tomorrow's pitcher"
Friend he replied got orders to use him in re-
lief but the old mans out of town and I'll take chance
Friend did all right" our informant recalls "He had to
be retanedand started Matter of fact nearly everybody
done all right far That includes the shortstop Dick
bonahde Hickey product But for the Mahatma all
sudden taking deep bows in Forbes Field 80"
Ever occur that Hickey just wanted to ball game
the Pirates figured to win?