Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-08-16
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW sy FRANCIS s1ANN
The Vanishing Americans


League pennant and then plunged to seventh place the
following Were the Athletics and Senators of
1857 not so incredibly inept, the Indians less might
have Jared as badly
OF all Is major league clubs, including the Orioles
the surprise has been Cleveland way down there
in sixth place and ostensby shot of the AIS big
clubs for some time to All of sudden the Indians
ind themselves old and creaky
The other day it was announced that Bob Lemon
was finished for the year. not for keeps because of
bone chips in his pitching Mike Garcia longer
is very awesome to htters and Early Wynn is
$3.50 pitcher.
Lemon retres with ell record and horrhc 459
earned-run average. Garcia is only So and Wynn is
1913. Like Lemon, each has allowed than four
earned runs per nine innings
THE ONE-TIME BIG THREE" nucleus of what was
acknowledged to be the best pitching staff in the American
League, is They all grew old together. Wynn
81 and has been big Lacquer for II years Lemon is
SO and veteran of IA seasons, and Garcia is bulky 49,
up for decade.
Al Rosen, who retired last year at 81, may have
the disntegration coming. At any rate the veteran
inelder, voted the AIS most valuable player in 1853
bowed out after succession of ailments and injuries
Only couple of days Rosen was asked how he feels
sitting the sdelines.
ITS great feeling" AL responded because nobody
boos you for selling bonds" Getting booed a
point with Rosen
Vic wertz remains valuable but he's past 49, Jim
Hegan the good defensive catcher 81 Second Baseman
Bobby Avila is past 81 and Gene Woodng is So today
although at that Woodlng is the only 800 hitter
the Indians The shortstop Chico CarraSque longer
is the agile young Venezuelan but guy pushing 30 and
hitting slightly more than $50.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME-1946. in fact-since the
Indians last finished out Of the first division At the end
Of the last 10 they first (twicel second ve
times) third and fourth twice). This spring, In
many Others many picked Cleveland to win, placing
great dependence the pitching staff Al Smith. etc.
True Cleveland cruelty stricken early this season
when Herb nearly blinded by line drive and
for all practical wonandlost purposes lost for the
About all the Tribes front Office hopes for the rebang
southpaw that he regains of his poiSe and
confidence.
Even with Score it is doubtful If the Indians would
have cut much Of a swath The veteran Wynn,
hardest working pitcher in the AL Scores
the strkeout leader with 150odd victims far but only
500 pitcher, indicating that it takes more than rea-
sonaby expert hurting to surmount the clubs weaknesses
Oddly perhaps the team that has given Cleveland the
most trouble is Chicago managed by AL Lopez who
signed field boss of the Indians after last The
White sox invariably cobber the Tribe, much like the
Braves beat the Reds in the National League.
SOME UNGUARANTEED INFoRMANTS are passing
the word that Minneapolis has given up landing the
Giants but is in the market for some other big league
club One representative, Cal Griffith admits, has been
sounding him out about transferring the Senators to Min
neapols but there strong suspicion that isn't the
Washington franchise that is wanted
Not Washngton's but Cleveands and there is reason
to suppose the Indians would be willing to listen to an
attractive offer
Right the Indians, who once drew couple Of
million in the days Of Bill Veeck, trailing every AL
club in home attendance except Washington The fans
unresponsive to such extent that Cleveland base
ball writer's for years have been knocking the Indians
are exhorng customers to turn out lest the city lose
its franchise
This a switch the part Of the ampooning writer's,
who fear that the city may be without big league
franchise AS the influential Gordon Cobbledck wrote in
the Cleveland Plain Dealer Of which he is sports editor
a." II the Indians leave Cleveland there be nothing
left but vast aching void and we'll know that we've lost
something vital in the life of the city"
Well, gee whiz!