Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-02
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW By FRANCIS srAAN
Gnmp0neHo at Bat


left home base at Vero Beach for their invasion
Of the west coast of Florida six members of the squad
begged off the fight in the clubs Convair- Two OF
them had just bought Cadllacs with World Series
money and WELL the open road beckoned They wanted
to try out the toys.
Oddly perhaps they beat the Convair to the first STOP
which was Clearwater. and the first to saunter into
the Phllies' ball park Roy Campanella Don New
combe and their passengers. Campanella a white
Ivy League cap and cigar, looking like man at peace
With the world
7 feel real good" Campy submitted "The doc operated
On my hand last November and it's healed fine. 1 can
swing bat again"
The stocky Brooklyn catcher showed his right hand
There pale running through the web between
his right thumb and forehnger He some bone
chips and sewed right after got back from Japan
on November IT. didnt waste any time when got back
wanted it healed so could have spring training
So
CANPANELLA, THREE TIMES the National Leagues
most valuable player batted only PIG year. ridiculous
average for batsman of his established caber. He lost
SO points of his 1855 average
Its all account of that foul tip that hit my meat
hand, Campy said. 1T happened in June. They took
X-rays and told me some chips had to out 1 said
all right but when they said I'd be out of business for
most OF the season. said uh-uh I'd play chips chips
So kept trying" Campy went on. II knew wasn't
helping the club much with my bat, but could catch all
right amt one to run to the bench every time get
hit on the hand nohow."
Did you try to change your style or anything?"
newspaperman asked unhinkingly
Shucks man." Roy said, how you gonna change
batting style on account Of hurt where got it? You
ever grip bat? The handles gotta in the of
both hands Campy gripped imaginary bat illustrate
WILLIE (PUDDINHEAD) JONES walked over shook
hands with Campanela looked at the cachers OPERA
tion Puddnhead is the PhilleS crack third baseman
big, drawing native of Dillon, S. c. He impressed
by the scar
"The whole thing about this game is luck Jones said
IF guy play good then all he needs is luck mean
If he don't get hurt he plays the same year after year
VOuc
my sentiments exactly" Roy agreed
II don't get hurt play good" Puddinhead said
Il can do my hitting and my fielding"
Just then Richie Ashburn walked by headed for the
batting Jones followed Ashburn with his eyes There's
one thing I'd like to do Campy" Willie said obviously
I'D sure like to like Richie"
Me too" Campanea said
Il hit triple and get throwed out at third base by
this MUCH Puddn said. He spread his hands about
feet You too Ashburn and them speed merchants they
come In standing up and looking back"
yeah" Campy said.
A REPORTER ASKED the Brooklyn catcher now the
senior Negro the Brooklyn club since the retirement
OF Jackie Robinson how he about the Dodgers chances
I'VE got to be better" Roy said carefully refrainng
from mentioning Robinson who last winter had hazarded
the opinion that Campanella washed up I'VE got
choice OF I'VE efthanded pitchers this year year we
didn't have any We got somebody throw against them
Muscle Men now BY Muscle Men" he meant the Gin
cinnau Reds, who have mucho lefthanded power
Johnny Podres is back and he looks real good He's
we didn't have Fred Kpp who 20 for Montreal He's
another lefthander who knows how to pitch Then we've
Sandy Koufax, Karl Spooner and Ken Lehman dunno
now many are going to stick, but we've got EN-
we've got Don Bessent from the start an we didn't
last year We got Don Drysdae with year of experience
behind him. He looks great"
Campy relt his cigar, which had grown cold Then
we got me, who figures to help less get hurt again.
Never did he refer to the loss Of Robinson
HALE AND HEARTY Campanella alone assures the
DoogeS OF richness behind the plate Actually they are
sx-deep IN catchers and who is not on the BROOKLYN
roster, Is Campys pet He large Negro named John
Roseboro.
Inis guy built" Roy said "He can throw that ball
and ne can hit They say he can't catch too good but
ne catches all right far can see I'm trying to
help him. He don't need much learning II he catches
today and has TO throw, make a note OF It,"
. "Roseboro sounds familiar" man said "but ;"
"You might be thinking Of his brother He PLAYED half
. See WIN. LOSE OR DRAW Page Al,