Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-02
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
Chief Of the Braves Is Spain
BY BURTON HAWKINS

NEW YORK. OCT 1.-THE Yankees had taken
their whacks and retreated to the clubhouse before the
Braves emerged from the Of Yankee Stadium TO
examine the battle-ground. An oblging Whitley Ford
yielded to photographers requests took on his shirt and
tie and slipped the shirt portion Of his Yankee uniform
not bothering to tuck the tails in his civilian trousers
Ford walked to the back of the batting cage and shook
hands with his opening game foe, Warren SPAIN I'VE
need couple Of balls photographer said SPAIN logged
to the ball bag second base got the props returned
TO the group and handed baseball to Ford.
Let's have your left extended toward u.s. close
together said Of the less imaginative Of the clustered
photographers.
Keep on da grass" groundkeeper snarled
The extended arms remained in position for some
time, until SPAIN laughed and said IF hold this pose
much longer I'm going to be too tired to pitch tomorrow
Gross your over whiteys" advised another
photographer seeking the unusual not exactly sensible
SPAIN didn't quite get the object~of that one and
asked Who the hell came up with this idea"
Feel Whtey's muscle" suggested newsreel
IAN right If twist it a ittleq" SPAIN asked. Then
he added. Hey. this kids got muscle"
HAVING SUBMITTED to the swarm SPAIN then
agreeaby posed for Northumberland newsreel and
televson film He hustled over to the Braves
dugout for tape recording.
Hank Bauer. the Yankees muscular rghtnelder, had
dressed returned to the field and watching the Braves
He doesn't have that good fast one any more" Hank
said nodding in Spahns direction But he moves that
ball around real good and he's got whale of scroogie
~Yeah," said Lefty Gomez the sporting goods sales
who had the center Of attention in other wears
He always had that good Jug wouldn't be surprised
he's better pitcher than when he had the fast one
It was that way with Lefty Grove think he was better
pitcher without the fast one than he when he
81 with It,"
SPAIN wasn't certain. He was 2O-game winner when
the swift there and he continues to win 20 year
without It. Il think maybe my control better he said
land that I'm less likely to throw into guys power
now that don't rely so much on the fast ball."
Somebody suggested it might be easier on him phys
icaly not to re many fast Don't let anybody
tell you that Warren said. you throw Just hard but
the ball doesn't get there as quick The exertcn is
the same"
COULD HE PITCH three times in a Series? We're
hoping to get in hurry that won't be neces-
sary" SPAIN said smiling Yeah; I'm up to it. relieved
between starts during the season. It won't be anything
new and my in good shape II 1t goes seven those
travel dates will help me bounce back.
1T should be a good Series" SPAIN volunteered Both
clubs have the kind of power to open up On the
other hand, Whitley and are the type of pitchers who
might stop EN-"
The Braves chances in the World Series hinge largely
on the S6yearod SPAIN They're putting much of their
faith in the knowledgeabe efthander who doesn't sue
cmb to stress He's been through tougher battles notably
at Remagen Bridgehead where he emerged with battle
field commission, Purple Heart and a Bronze Star
He's philosophical loser. raging after his
defeats II behind him are the cause OF the
losses shrewd calculating pitcher and fine competitor
AoUeo W Aooe nc PIN the Diane on nlmSe1
II things 60 wrong.
SPAIN has won 224 games in the majors Only three
Of these came In relief roles yet his lone World Series
win in relief He lost the game Of the lo48
Series to Cleveland but replaced Nelson Potter with
out in the fourth inning Of the fifth game allowed only
one hit and was credited with the lis triumph.
CTTY-BoRN AND BRED in Buffalo, he's now
happy and prosperous rancher in Hartshorne OKLA with
business ties In Boston. It feared he had tossed
$4,000 in 1858 when the switched from
Boston to Milwaukee for at the time of the announce
ment Spahns diner Commonwealth avenue, near
Braves Field was nearing completion Fortunately he
has made money with IT,
He's resourcefu Presented boat by Milwaukee fans
he had little use for II in Oklahoma but that solved
when he built an artificial lake.
How durable he'll be could remain TO be determined
Ten years he demonstrated he ron-armed Then
the Braves surged TO the pennant formula of SPAIN
San and pray for rain On Labor Day SPAIN and Johnny
Sain beat the Dodgers in a double-header Two open
dates were followed by two days Of rain Then SPAIN
and sain took the Phes in another doubeheader They
were busy, and successful, in the stretch.
The elasticity in the veteran Spahns arm the lack
OF It, could be the key to the Series II he whip the
crafty Ford today 1t figures to be fierce struggle II he
30 nat