Evening star., 1957-12-19
WIN; LOSE OR
DRAW !, FRANCE. .r.uu
Two of a Kind
By FRANCIS sTANN

IkD WILLIAMS WEhtto no mans collar ana, as Tom
Meany once remarked not even his own necktie Joe
Mccarthy wore no mans collar, either and williams
has to be rated the greatest hitter Of his era does
Mccarthy belong with the top managers.
In Buffalo few nights ago Mccarthy was honored at
q sports banquet and there ccngratulatory wire
from williams The tone OF IL may surprise some people
Maybe Theodore doesn't like all people, but he likes
Mccarthy.
"you instilled something into team that no other
manager ever played for did," williams messaged I'm
my book you are the greatest who ever lived.
"When you came TO the Red Sox was little worried
to how you and going to get along" Ted
unued IN always remember that at the end OF our st
season. after We had lost the pennant by game you
called me into your ONCE and said
"Ted. they thought we wouldn't get along. But we
fooled them, di9nt weT"
williams concluded his wire: "Id like to tell you that
my years Of playing under really the happiest Of
my career"
IN 1s4f WILLIAMS hit .406. the last big Lacquer TO
pass the 400 mark The Red Sox manager Joe Cronn
In 1896 williams was the most valuable player in the
American League while playing for the only pennant win
ner he's been on. Cronin still manager.
Mccarthy went to Boston in 1913 and managed until
the 1850 when he quit in favor Of Steve oNe He
had eight pennants in IS years with the Yankees and
also pennant in five with the Cubs But
couldn't quite make 1t with the Red Sox
He never had been completely understood by most of
the people he contacted every day the players
sports writers even his coaches, He seemed to be
man. when he winning big. And during
his brief tour at Boston the shell into which he slipped
appeared to be thicker.
He was not especially popular with his players. most
Of whom quickly forgot that he who could
inexpert young inhelder like Ben Chapman and make
grade-A outeder Of him. Ellis Kinder into
the best of the relief pitchers In the game for couple
Of years.
But williams appreciated Marse Joe He knew Of
McCarthys depth and perception. They were two Of
kind
,
AS WILLIAMS NEVER set out to win any popularity
contest neither did Mccarthy Once uniform each was
all business Oddly, Williams not particularly
fu under Mccarthy.
SIT the next two His lifetime mark don't forget
is 3ls.
But there must have been special pleasure for Ted
playing under Mccarthy else why the laudatOry wire
Looking back to l04s4s-50 1t suddenly occurs that VIII
hams was q very good ontneIder.
He played that tricky left field in Fenway Park like
nobody else And in other parks including washingon
Ted did AL right. too.
He threw very wer tdont forget, he tried pitching
once back In 4ol and he was mobile for big guy No
gazele to be sure but he covered his territory
THOSE WERE THE DAYS when Williams was wont to
talk Of becoming fireman. That Is when talked Then
he became fisherman later to develop into Of the
worlds outstanding anglers
The sports writer who wants interview with will
ams today stands better chance he knows little bit
OF fishing. It opens the gates You start with tips and
and bonehsh and they work into
batting averages and most valuable player awards.
There way to reach Mccarthy, too on his
worst days. One didn't talk baseball; Just theaer.
The old guys eyes would light up. He went back to
John Drew and other stars Of the stage He loved to
pare theatrical often forgot that he enhu
sing with sports writer.
Where Williams and Mccarthy found the common
touch in baseball in perfection. You might safely say
that Ted is the al-tme best fisherman with bat in his
fists and that Mccarthy undeniaby the best drama
critic who ever managed ball club