Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-27
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s7AAn
Phenom of FIotbush

BY OTHERS OF HIS generation, probably the most
envied young wearing baseball uniform today Don
Drysdae Of the Brooklyn Dodgers How many wouldn't like
to be 10 years old and starting pitcher for the world cham
pions?
During spring training in Florida the Dodger brass had
things say about Drysdae but hardly anybody figured
on the boy Johnny Podres joined
Navy But that he's whipped the Phes 61 in his
first start there respect for the tall highlander
Assuming that Drysdae stays with the Dodgers and
pitched in rotation how others of such tender
made it? You think of Waite Hoyt and of Bob Teller Instant
~ but these two weren't regulars at 49, Hoyt was 81
and Teller 20.
HOYT WAS ONLY 10 when John McGraw signed him to
q New Giants contract in 1918 But Waite, who was
called the Erasmus Schooboy appeared in only one game
for the Polo Grounders In 10 and 20 he was pitching
infrequently for the Boston Red Sox.
When the Yankees acquired Hoyt 1921 the babyfaced
Highlander suddenly developed the solid pitchers
of his time spun consecutive of 49, 49, IT, 49,
H. % and % victories 1t in 1927-92S that he won
Is and lost only IA.
Pretty good man in World Series, too When he had
fust turned 81 Hoyt Giants the 1921 Series with
two-hit shutout In second start Schooboy 81.
Should have by another shutout, too The run was
unearned.
Hoyt wasn't too lucky that Series He the losing
pitcher in eighth final game lit the last five
World series when another unearned run lost
him 10 decision to Art Nehf.
TELLER WAS ONLY 10 when he reported TO the CleVe-
land Indians stay 1886 Properly the Indians brought
him along gradually Teller pitched in IA that season
and 26 the next BY 1888 he regular More than that
he was the best, or soon to be.
Actually Drysdae is not the youngest starting pitcher
He the youngest to take turn for the Dodgers
That distinction belongs Cal Mch long since gone from
the majors
In the war year of 1914 McLsh only 49, appeared in 81
games for Brooklyn Not only was 1t game for AIS
but the Dodgers a sevenh-place outfit, not a
world championship club McLSh lost 10 and never
became starter again until 1851 with the Chicago Cubs
Turned out he was consistent sort AS in "A he also
pitched games in ST. his last in big leagues Had
4-10 record.
ACCORDING TO THE BOOKS the al-tme youngest
pitcher in majors NuXa of the Cincinnati Reds
now the ace of the staff He is years old when he faced
the ST. Louis Cardinals and youth not served He faced
nine batters and gave up five earned runs.
At that time Nuxha had just completed his freshman
year high school, Naturally pitching for Cincinnati cost
the his amateur standing but after sitting out sports at
Hamilton (Oho High School for two years Nuxhall rein
stated by the State high school commissioner
oddity connection with Nuxhall is that after his
reinstatement he All-Stae honors-n basketball anc
football!
When the southpaw who last year the Natona
Leagues wnnnges finally returned to the Reds for Keeps
1852 he had reached the reasonable of "a plus
ONE SWALLOW DOESN'T make a summer and it may bt
that Drysdale will be bit older before he takes regular
turn full But the Dodgers don't think SO. o.
the 6-foot-5 youngster Roy campanella said:
Hes the nearest thing to Ewe Blackwell I've seen
both in motion the way the ball He doesn't throw
nothing straight Even his fast ball runs in"
Beating the Phile easily he did feat
The Phs veteran club but the kid famed nine ant
those he didn't strike out trying to check their swing
or taking only half-swings.
Probably pitcher got off to impressive BIZ
leagu debut than Dysdale when he whitfield Richie Ashburr
Bobby Morgan and Granny Hammer to open the game
Manager Walt Aston put it, You've got to have somehin
the ball to strike out Ashburn Hardly anybody els
does it,