Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-02
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS STANN
His Majesty Reports

morning Ted Williams took part full training camp
workout for the first time 1882 which the spring
the Marines called him back for flying duty fractured
shoulder in "a busted marriage in IS followed but
now weighing 24 pounds Ted saunered into the wooden
clubhouse stripped to his working clothes and headed for
the batting cage
this two and half hours later and, while the
sweat rolled off his face the big sat in front of his locker
and amaby chewed the fat with baseball reporters who
Jim Piersall lightly observed lucky.
"This time tomorrow PierSal sailed his majesty
probably would chew off your heads His old bones haven't
started to ache"
Williams ignored his outfeldng partner but in other
parts of the conversation he called attention to his
Baseball harder now Ted volunteered "On cold
windy days it's hell"
But you still hit well ever, it seems to me-"
writer said.
How you say thing so sily?" Williams retorted
ITS even harder just to get up in the morning
THE GREATEST HITTER of his time said:
"Im 81. There's only other regular player in the
American League-Mickey Vernon-who is that old. may
play than Mickey Look at the other hitters
who were all washed up by 81 or sooner There were M
Cronin Greenberg Foxx and DMaggo Shucks Ralph Kner
is finished at a."
reporter asked:
lied just how do you feel about this season? You're
fellow who sets goal for himself What is t?"
WELL can't hit $40 $50 forever Frankly, I'm not so
optimistic have been But I'd like to hit 80 home runs
and drive in 100 runs think can play 125 games.
"But do you think you can hit?"
eff I didn't" Ted replied, IT wouldn't be here" He
grnned can't can't throw I've got to hit.
things"
LOOKING AT WILLIAMS, it's hard to believe that he
up to the Red long 1889 Then he
gangng youth feet inches At his present 224 pounds
he regards himself only 10 pounds overweight and the
Boston trainer, Jack Fadden agrees.
"Ted is maturing physically" he saying. "He was
intended to be big Next he'll probably weigh 2SO
He can carry it, too"
Tied" visitor asked, "do you still get bang out Of
starting season."
"We as much years ago" Ted answered "These
bankety blank exhibitions don't like But Mike manager
Hggins) swell last year when got tired and
He'll let sit out game here and there I'm sure"
The Red Sox, Williams thinks pennant threat.
1.-THE Yankees the team to beat and Cleveland has an
awful lot of pitching But we've got pitchers, too.
What do you think of getting Porterfeld and Schmtz
from Washington"
Swell" he replied "But Washington's other deal with
the Yankees offset it. McDermot good pitcher
He'll win Is for the Yankees"
UNDERNEATH HIS STUDIED indifference to his batting
feats Williams proud of his record which includes life
time average 348 and considering that he lost much
time fabulous totals for hits total bases and runs
batted in.
I'D like wind up with 400 home runs" saying
Il don't need very many"
fellow with record book handy said:
you've got 394.'
Then should have the rest by early May only hope
that bat $50 times this JuSt settle for 401 at bats
somebody sad mindful that Teds inability to appear at the
plate the required 400 times undoubtedly cost him batting
titles in "a and IS.
you've got point Williams conceded. I'D sure like to
win title"
He's already four. 1t could just well have been
twice many, He lost four seasons while in the
service and two when Vernon noSed MIN out
by couple points year and George Ke another by
getting fuke hit on the last day.
That's the way goes he shrugged 1 settle for one