Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-25
WIN, LOSE OR
UNAW By FRANCIS srANN


THE OTHER DAY IN KANSAS CITY, where fans don't
any rabd they booed home club pitcher Relief
Specialist Ed Burchy when he Intentionally walked Mickey
Mantle Come what may the customers wanted to see Mantle
swish bat there stronger evidence to show that
the Oklahoma Kid is at last drawing card.
Mantle may be the greatest box office lure in the
American League. He has hit many home of
fabulous proportions that he seemingly has oudistanced Ted
Williams Herb draw. AS powerful he was
Babe Ruth hit for distance
When he first up to the Yankees in 1851 1T was
pretty generally agreed that it would be only question OF
time before Mantle realized his potential Nobody could run
fast bat both right and left handed with the
authority Yet he quite lived to the richness OF
promise and after couple of people stopped talking
much of Mantle
There were others more exciting Willie Mays
BUT THIS WINTER IN FLORIDA the Yankees began to
the young Mickeys still only "a after five years
in the majors feeling his oats. He hitting drives
into outer space in the exhibitions.
Opening day in Washington baniShed whatever doubts
fingered the Yankee club When he couted those two
drives far the centered wall at Griffith Stadium even
the old pros like Bill Dickey pulled out all the stops
1--WE hitters and including Ruth, Dickey
said but Mantle has than man I've seen at
Ruth used to get hold OF pitches than Mantle but
you've got to remember Mickey is only kid"
Dckey spoke too perhaps Mantle not only stayed
hot but anything he got hotter AS of today he's leading
league average 42 scored $780, batted in
$780, hits CSC and home runs Cd
HE is RUNNING IL games Ruths pace in 1927,
when the Babe hit his co. but others in the past have done
the Not to be forgotten is that Ruth hit II In the
month September But not to be overlooked is the physical
might of the young man from Commerce. Okla.
rap against Mantle when he first came up was that
he did not appear to be overly WELL imaginative Some
of the New York baseball writer's and coumnts thought OF
him sulen and uncommunicatve.
he doesn't want to cooperate, it's his business one
said struggling off, but day he be sorry If he
plays up his potential there's nobody to touch him.
ACTUALLY, MANTLE HAS hidden pride Perhaps it
didn't light until early last February when the ball
players with ondness for golf showed up at George
Jacobus' annual National Baseball Tournament in Miami
the formal hexng of muscles in the various Florida
camps still some days off, time for letting down hair
evening in the Airport Hotel the muscular Mantle
listened with interest described the fastest
centerfelder in the world"
who's that?" Mantle asked.
"A college kid from Duke" the reply. Dave Sine
swept the sprint series in The Washington Star Games
He can fly"
Hes ball player?" Mantle asked.
"Thats how he got his scholarship Duke" the other
said Actually likes baseball best and wants to play in
the big leagues doubt he'll get uniform at Duke
until after the Oympcs"
MANTLE WAS SILENT for few moments Then
I'D like to race him once" he said. quietly.
"Simes been training for racing for months" Mickey
reminded THAT remark about his being the fastest
centereder in baseball light Maybe the kid ISM
even ball player although he played in the Catskis last
year and a hot guy with bat"
I'D still him." Mickey persisted Tell you
what there aren't three ball players in the world
big league minor or college who make up q relay
team that1l beat and my two kid brothers"
Hes probably right" Tommy Byrne, the pitcher, con-
coded Those kids all fly"
late Gayle Talbot of the Associated Press heard
Mantle and said:
This is the first time I've ever seen Mantle in mooc
like this one Could it's significant We the best
ball player of our times, yet"
Gayle won't him now, of course and maybe none Of
us will Mantle reach his potential But of now youc
have to say the chances are very good