Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-07
Lavagetto Named Manager;
Dresser Ousted by Griffith
Chuck Rejects
First.offer Of
Executive Job

Continued From First Page
TIC" Dresser was informed, and
it was Obvious that Chuck was
the target.
Dresser In the Dark
II can't say anything" Dresser
said. II dent know anything
about the story. The last time
I talked to Calvin was Saturday,
when we discussed a trade pos
sibility. ! can't believe that he'd
fire me without letting me know
first. Everything was very
friendly when talked with him "
Later Dresser. who will draw
his $4,000 salary whatever
Griffith does. was in high good
humor and joked with reporters
about the showdown.
He indicated the offer Of being
kicked upstairs" had little APP
peal for him. saying that he
would accept nothing less than a
flve-year contract as an execu-
tive, together with complete au-
thority and enough money to do
an adequate job.
There Is little likelihood that
Griffith could or would meet
those terms.
"Have to Make Move"
you have to make some kind
of a move when things are going
as badly as they ale for us right
now" Grifith told reporters who
met his train. And you can't
Ipiddle around-you have to
make the move fast"
Griffith said plans had been
made several days ago TO offer
Chuck more Of a job" He added
that whatever action he takes
has the advance approval Of the
clubs board of directors.
Dresser quickly went into con-
sultation with Lavagetto. his
longtime associate as coach,
and apparently convinced him
that he should take the job as
manager if it Is offered.
Lavagetto. possibly Dressen's
closest friend. said. Let's put it
this way-I have to eat" when
asked If he'd take the position.
Disliked by Some Players
Dresser has not been unani-
mously liked by players he has
managed. Duke Snider. Brook
Ign centerfielder, hkened him to
Capt. Queeg Of the novel, 1.-THE
Game Mutiny." in a magazine
article last year.
Dresser recently had q heated
exchange Of words with Catcher
Clint Courtney in Cleveland and
fined the fiery receiver 5000.
Courtney stormed into the dug
out after his right hand was
broken by a foul tip. When
Dresser asked other players to
assist Clint in taking OF his
chest protector and shin guards
Courtney brushed them aside
refused to permit the club
trainer to examine his hand and
said. bitterly. what difference
does it make? I only catch every
fourth or nth day anyway"
i Courtney. who has returned
to Washington for treatment by
the team physician, said he hac
experienced other run-ins with
Dresser. 1t isn't an isolated case
for Dresser has been involved ir
many hectic episodes with play.
Iers.
Dresser Is a manager who
holds meetings frequently. In
them he is likely to cite short.
Icomings Of players and suggest
remedies. His method of oper.
ating isn't universally popular
with players. but virtually al
will admit he is a superb strate.
gist and an interchangeable worker
AS a former coach under dy.
manic Leo Durocher, and in hi
own right as a manager, Dresser
is accustomed to turmoil. HI
quit as the Dodgers manager
after winning the 1853 pennan
with Brooklyn-and losing to tn,
Yankees in the World Series
when he was refused q two-yeal
contract.
Dresser managed Oakland O.
the Pacific Coast League II
1854. then was hired to succeed
Bucky Harris as manager Of tn,
Senators. In his two seasons
with Washington the Senator,