Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-22
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS s7Auu
Drought in the West

IT'S BEEN QUITE SPELL since western team won
National League pennan In fact you go all the
way back to 1885, when the Cardinals turned the trick Even
SO, they had to beat the Dodgers in a playof
Brooklyn the preseason selection here to win the
nag and there is no reason now to switch The play
OF Capanea ErSkne, Robinson Furio ct al to the con-
rary the Dodgers never have been far off the pace
reasonable to assume they've got to get better.
But there three other clubs-all Wesern-that are
gangg up the Brooks and these do include the
Pirates who longer loosely Western" but are
loosely bonaade contenders Gets it. men, the BUGS
have done bavey but they're the club you expect to see
in the World Series.
Right now the Braves riding high under Fred Hanev
must be considered flag threats Any day Ed Mathews
bust loose Johnny Logan may emerge from his
long slump and they'll be tougher In Henry Aaron Mil
waukee may have of the best htters in the business
COGNIzANCE MUST BE TAKEN of the Cardinals too
That big craggy guy, Fred Hutchinson is not much of
speech making manager but while says little seems to
accomplish great DEAL His volatile boss Frank Lane re-
moves players from him and substitutes others the net
effect is that the St Louis bali club is not only interesting
but dangerous.
Hutch has one of those young-od going for him
and the recent addition of Alvin won't him. It was
said of Dark while he Giant that had slowed up
great DEAL and perhaps he has BY the token guy
in his mid30s might take lease life with another
ball club Let's see Mickey Vernon is 38. Only Mantle
Maxwell and Kuenn ahead of him in the American
League as far as average is concerned
Those Cincinnati Reds command certain respect One
more pitcher and they probably could go all the way
since the s2os when the old Tigers had all of that He'll
order quite like the Redswth pitching shortage to match
One of the real good intelligent managers running the
Reds meaning Birdie Tebbetts Old Squeaky
could only CATCH pitch.
THAT CINCINNATI BATTING ORDER is one to disturb
enemy pitchers, at that Kuszewski Jabonski Post Bell
Robinson and Bailey all established basters Any one
break up game Mantle hits em fur piece and per-
hapS he is hitting em often but Tebbetts will stake
small bet that of these days Way Post will hit ball
surpass Nantes longest Could be. He's strong enough
Victory by any Western club would be popular if only
because it's been long since National League pennant
was won by team except the Dodgers Giants, Phies
and the old Boston Braves probably would be especially
popular if Cincinnati could pull it of.
The last time the Reds a flag was back in 1o4O
They'd also finished first in 1889 high along
the banks of the Ohio It's running again. although not
the good burgherS foong themselves about Tebbetts
lack of pitching
as he has out of the likes of Fowler Nuxha Klppstei
takes club into the World Series On the other hand what
other club has such wondrous collection of muscles?
JUDGING BY THE ALL-STAR votes which have been
arriving by mail at The Star there is question but what
Mickey Mantle is the No. centerheder in the American
League If Mantle has lock the job far Wash
onans concerned the Yankee Doodle Dandy has got
to be shoo-in when all the ballots including New Yorks
counted
Where guys-notaby Bill Fuchs with the assistance
Of George Huber-did double-ak when counting votes
when quite few fans nominated Ernie Oravetz the
American Leagues centerhelder.
Oravetz can't break into the Senator's lineup which
might indicate something or other.