Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-28
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ), FRANCO, ,rA4~


FOR BIRDIE TEBBETIS these are trying CmeS Less
than II months ago. the old psychologist from Providence
u was -the-Year because his surprising Gin
cinnati Redegs within two games of winning the
National League pennan They had no business to come
so close, nearly everybody agreed
Now the Reds, who once held the lead this season
despite bad start find themselves the edge Of the
second division and apparently getting worse each day
Good ball clubs don't lose l73 and l01 which only
two Of the opded decisions that ormentors have scored
in the last Is games
pcion that because of their nearss year ago they
overrated Even in discussing pitching sta that
appeared to be woeuy inadequate Tebbetts argued they
had Just about all that was necessary
Birdie is the best in baseball" Frank Lane Of
the Cardinals remarked this spring. Hes got those
thinking they better than they are
APPARENTLY SOME FANS in Cincinnati didn't read
of Mr. Lanes comment didn't believe his theory When
Tebbetts hanged In egy not so long ago. during the
Redegs long skid those Rhinelanders pointing up
their short memories This time last August their mun
faced manager could do no wrong. q
Tebbetts conned quite few newspaper listeners who
sat at his knee last February March in Tampa Fla
where the Reds trained Including this 1t might be
added Baseball writer's who had been the for
many year deluded into thinking more Of Gin
cnna chances than those of the Milwaukee Braves who
exing their muscles down the road at Bradenton
Birdie only trying to get job done He was trying
to make his athletes think they could go all the way And
for while he succeeded In the early doghght'in the
National League the Reds top fighting for the
lead.
The flaws now are apparent. The Reds it develops,
depended too the long ball. Too much had
to be placed the biceps Of Ted Kuszews Waly Post
Gus Bell and Smokey Burgess There little variation in
attack, little team speed and far too little pitching.
H%+*
THE REDS KNOWING their strength was in strength,
swung for the fences When they connecting they
tough to beat When two of their Bcep Boys
slumped the club lacking versatility, easy to beat
Another factor was that Birdie never has had that
good stopper in the pitching department Their fellow
Ohoans in happier times meaning the Cleveland Indians
used to have quite few shoppers. Bob Teller Of course
and then Early Wynn, Bob Lemon and Mike Garcia not
to mention the bulpen twins Ray Nare
and Don Mossi
but invariably they rescued by that solid pitcher
pitchers Tebbes has been trying to do the almost mpos
sble withoutA starting pitcher who rates mention with
Teller, Lemon, Wynn Ford Reynolds and Rasch in their
heydays.
There is activity, however in the Cincinnati front
Office Although it's been softpedaed up to the clubs
vice president and general manager Gabe Paul. has
comforting anxously with Tebbet And then there
the clubhouse meeting that Birdie held couple of days
ago, equally unpublished
ofncially, that is Reporters piecing together the
confab say it was dandy bawling out that Tebbets
gave his troops
THERE IS TO BE NO MORE sneaking Of cigarette
pus while in uniform Beer in the clubhouse out Strict
observances Of new curfew laws will be observed
1T was a rough session. Cincinnati writer OBJ
served presumably after talking to the players "Tey got
read of pretty good but the basic factor that muscles
aren't the answer.
Birdie did great job with this club but If they don't
ht home every inning they are dead and can't
beat the Braves Dodgers And Tebbets hasn't the pitch
ers-lets face It,"
About hanging Birdie in egy, it is the feeling here
that 1t is rather compliment. He went long way with
his muscular horses in 49, The same ones Just couldn't 20
the distance in ST. but in SO they proved they played
temporarily better under guy who said they could do
Almost got away with It, too