Evening star., 1957-08-29
a SentimentoIist Nomed Honey

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FRED HANEY IS NOT outwardly a sentimental man.
He practical and nty next big league base
ball manager But he is record having wished
he hadn't a couple Of players. both pitchers for
other clubs booed they by fans the last week
end.
Carl Erskine of the Dodgers was one Robin Roberts
of the Phies the other In Brooklyn last Saturday the
Dodgers found themselves fresh out of hale and hearty
pitchers and started Erskine THAT dead game little
of gun tried" Haney said "He couldn't PITCH he didn't
but that didn't stop him from trying"
The Dodger fans, for whom Erskine pitched no-hit
no-run game against the Cubs on June 10, 1852 and
another against the Giants May H. 1885, booed
the trim syst who in SO also led the National League
In percentage with 2O-6 record.
The next day Haneys Braves kayoed Roberts in Phil
adepha 1T is bad enough that he got knocked out Fred
quoted but the the fans booed him he took that
long, sad walk to the dugout made feel honestly sorry
for him.
"Erskine and Roberts were great pitchers It's too
bad the fans can't remember that"
ERsKINE IS ONLY 80 YEARS OLD. Roberts is the
age only few months older They two Of the
class in the business If they washed up 1t will
be a twin loss to the game in more than one way.
Erskine, slender guy who looks like the collar ad
type is an outstanding competitor When he has his stun
he can strike out hiters fool them otherwise When he
pitched his first nohitter he allowed Just
get base. Jim Ramsden the opposing pitcher drew a
walk, deprivng Carl Of perfect game.
In the World Series of 1858 Erskine struck out IA
began to give him trouble late in IS did Erskne
become formidable figure.
Roberts the one-time kid from Springfield, Ill, and
Michigan State is bigger huskier pitcher than Erskne
Starting in $780, Roberts Of the marveS Of the
era In successive years he won TO- a. 49, 2s % and %
games.
Last year he fought vaanty to it seven straight
seasons as 20game winner He won 10 but he also lost
1S more than any other National League pitcher
his manager, Mayo Smith, studying Robins current
S18 record, thinking aloud that his ace must come up
with pitch.
ACCORDING TO COMPETENT baseball men, Roberts
problem since his rookie days has control-superb
control strange it Back in the spring 194S
memory serves, Benny Bengough raving about the
big college bonus pitcher Benny who used catch for
the old Yankees, Philles' coach His job was-and
is-to warm up pitchers
"ThS kid won't have to be farmed out for long ed
note: 1t was less than year to Wilmington because he
gets the ball over the plate" Bald Benny remarked
All during his great career in the majors, Roberts
probably pitched more innings than anybody else and he
struck out far htters than walked Twice he led
the National League whf but five times running-and
possibly this win be the sixth-he gave up more hits
Unfortunately, abnormal percentage of the hits
were for home runs Nov his control may be too good
Bengough was saying last spring Htters dig in when he
pitches they know the ball going to be close to the
plate and that he doesn't 60 for their heads"
Walter Johnsons control was pretty remarkable too"
a listener reminded.
Eyes" Benny conceded "but Walter was super-fast
Roberts is only fast Robin is fine pitcher but johnson
was one Of the first In the Hall Of Fame"
++**
NOW DENOTED TO THE STATUS of relief pitcher
Roberts refuses to believe he's all done Ersne his arm
responds to treatment may yet be the old smoothe of
yore But If they washed up they will join and truly
belong with some most worthy unfortunates
The book shows that Adde JOSS was great He
died at 80 Smokey Joe Wood once posted 345 record
for single season but Wood, who faced the immortal
Johnson SO many times came up with bad arm.
Fortunately for Wood he all ball player He could
play the outheld and did,
Dizzy Dean washed out far too early So did Vean
Gregg and Claude Williams and Dave Ferriss and WELL
the list would be almost endless
An, yes there was Wes Ferrell. Over one 4-year
stretch after his dried in the majors he games
or more each campaign. Suddenly,
He gave 1t try in the outfeld. Wes could hit Then
he pitched more hoodwnkng the hitters into think
ing ne still had something Wes took his defeats gra-
eousy than Roberts and Erskine perhaps but they all
belong to the same fraternity Of the premaurey lame
winged.