Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-17
WIN, LOSE OR
(DKAW By FRANCIS sTANN
Adventures of lack Tinhe

LAKELAND, Fla, Mar. 17-Jack Tghe is a bald
friendly guy who not listed in the official Encyclopedia
OF Baseball because he never played in major league
game But as manager of the Detroit Tigers he s.taking
dead aim at the Yankees though his athletes finished
20 games back last season.
Were rs per cent stronger" T1ghe proclaims "weve
got better catcher Jim Hogan from Cleveland) won't
hit much, but he knows handle pitchers Already
our guys are talking about help he's giving them.
Billy Martin, shortstop has got to help. love
that guy he puts fight into your ball club. And this
season I'll have bench strength. This year the
other guys pitcher will have to look to what pinch
hitter call out. instead of standing out there and
laughing" 4alan Il
WAS it as rugged as all that year ago?" an in
terviewer asked.
"wen, III tell you" Jack said 1.-THE other day we
were playing the White Sox and for the first time
remember all Of my pfnch-hitters sitting in the
dugout in front of me- they could be Last
the guys had all went off and hid from me-" ~ <ta
TTGHE AS YOU MUST KNOW is making two major
experiments Harvey Kuenn who bated lower than
.3o5 before in six years big league shortstop che
played only So games in the minors), slumped to 277
In ST. Now he Is a centerfelder
In Sarasota few days ago. Ted Williams, who is
not avid reader of sports pages seemed surprised to
hear that Kuenn being converted.
ut won't last" Williams scofed
The recital of the Sarasota incident brought smiles
to Tighe and Tommy Heinrich, the old Yankee who is
of Detrots coaches Heinrich who has been en-
denies that it's any great chore.
"Harvey's already outfelder." Tommy says. "He
started of with lot of qualifications"
"Kuenn is my centerfelder," Tighe says, "and Billy
Martin is my shortstop." Converting Martin from
second and third baseman Deroits experiment
Lets face it, Harvey had lost that good jump the
ball at ShortStop. In fact he the worst shorstop
in the American League last year.
But he's an intelligent fellow. He likes the idea
Of playing the outfield That's half the battle"
X x
ONE OF TIGHES INTERvIEWERS wanted to know
when the Tigers first mentioned switch to the outhed
to Kuenn.
IT think Bucky Harris talked to Harvey about it"
Tighe said Harris managed the Tigers in $3.50 and
was succeeded by Jack 81 believe Bucky even played
him in the outled briefly in S. But then Kuenn came
back to short with little third first base thrown
The ex-collegian from Wisconsin saw his batting
average fall As points last year.
His defensive play worried him." Tghe explains
"You could see that it affected his hitting. He'll be all
right now"
what if Billy Martin can't play shortstop?" Jack
asked will you move Kuenn back?"
I'll answer the second part of the question first .
Jack replied 1.-THE answer is no. wouldn't do such
thing to Harvey He's ouelder now-Deroits CENTER
felder-and he won't be moved back"
TIGHE, PAUSING, JERKED his head toward the
ined where Martin fielding grounders hit by Coach
Don Heffner Standing directly behind Billy was the
exRed Sox star Johnny Pesky, hired Martins special
shortstopping coach.
Look at his action" Jack pointed out. Doesn't
he look like shorstop? Billy will make it, You know
Martin fooled with his attitude It's real good He
listens to me and to the regular coaches and Pesky
He wants to learn Somewhere along the line Billy got
bad rap"
How about YOURSELF" writer asked "Do you think
you're better manager after having been one for a
season."
yes" Jack replied canddly II know the players
better Last year too buddybuddy with most Of them
want to be their friend, but now realize there must
be line drawn"
Have you accounted for all Of the rs per cent i'm
provement you mentioned" bystander asked
Most Of it," Jack said, grinnng II don't think
mentioned that couldn't beat Kansas City last
We lost IA out of % to the AS Well Ave Of their players
directly responsible for IL Of those IA victories
Martin Gus zernia Tom Morgan, Chuck Thompson and
Lou Skizas"
light began to dawn. They're all with you as
Of this winter" somebody comented.
Exactly" Tghe smiled. IF you can't beat EN- get
em to join you"