Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-27
- WIN, LOSE OR
ADRAw J, ....... ~.
On the Liqhter Side
TAMPA, FLA, MAR. IL

TAMPA FLA MAR 27-It is not all blood sweat and
tears in spring training There few chuckles too
For instance, there is John Carmichael, def sports
columnSt OF the Chicago Daily News who looks much
like Vice President John Rigney of the White Sox limo
Gently Carmichael almost caused rift between the Sox
and the Indianapolis ball club
DOME Bush, who veteran Washington fans doubtless
remember is president of the Indianapolis club and had
been most anxious to obtain talent In
the process of butterng up the Chicago brass DOME
arranged to transport Rgney and Steve ONe scout for
the Indians to Lakeland for an exhibition game
We'll leave about $3.50 O'Clock tomorrow morning"
Bush told Rigney and oNeir the night before. See
you in the lobby"
oNeill was on hand bright and early. He spied
Carmichael coming out Of the breakfast ROOM Mistaking
him for Rgney although he has known both for years.
Steve asked:
John, you ready to go to Lakeland?"
"Oh, yes" Carmichael replied
well, DOME will be down in minute and he's got
the car"
"oh, I've got my own" Carmichael replied "Thanks
just the same. I'll see you at Lakeland
WHEN BUSH APPEARED few minutes later he asked
ONeill, where's Rigney?"
Hes gone ahead" Steve said John is driving
his car"
IT didn't know he brought car down." DOME replied
well, all right let's CO."
So of they trundled and when Rigney himself popped
up in the lobby he left without rider Some hours
later he Indignantly confronted Bush in Lakeland.
"One way not to get ball players for your club is to
stand up guys, like you did me-" Rigney charged
But but, Steve, here, said :" Bush mumbed.
Gee, you told me this morning that you taking
your car" ONeill said to Rigney.
II don't have car" Rigney stormed. Further
more didn't see you this morning. Hey :. I think
the light"
That's more than see," oNein sighed.
Carmichael! That's who you spoke to this morning"
well, gosh darn" Steve said "well that takes
DOME of the hook doesn't it?" Il
ITS NOT THE FIRST time I've been mistaken for
pitching for the Sox and covering the club must
out of the clubhouse door 500 times and signed
Rigneys for autograph hunters Nobody knew
the difference"
Carmichael recalls one evening that he established
q reputation for Rigney. 1t happened in Chicago.
"Rigney had pitched pretty good game" Carmichael
related after it's over paused for little refreshment
While am sitting in this bar guy walks to and
says, John? just want to congratulate you That was
neat bit of pitching"
Carmichael thanked him and, observing that his fan
was watching him closely, asked
as there anything wrong?"
"Well, no, but didn't think you fellows drank any
thing stronger than beer"
"oh," Carmichael replied blandy, 81 always have 10
to IL highballs after win"
The fan walked away Probably left to spread the
word that Rigney the biggest lush in baseball"
Carmichael snckered.
JIMMY DYKES WHO WAS managing the White sox
during those years when Rigney pitcher
had the bright idea, at the start of exhibition game
Of substituting Carmichael for Rigney.
'Rgney started this game" Carmichael said land
Dykes figured him for two innings sitting on the
bench and Dykes turned to and said, John, you're
always posing Rgney Now If you have any CUTS you'll
go into the dressing and suit up. I'll take Rgney
out and you start the third inning This is night game
and not the other club will know the difference
But I've got to throw the ball. don't ~ I asked.
Won't people wonder how come Rgney lost his stuff
fast?
well put him on the waiver list Dykes argued.
Wen just let 1t be known he's all washed up
"Wait a minute, said Suppose somebody hits a
line drive back at meP What am going to doP I'll get
killed.
you've got point, john, Dykes said We need
you more to impersonate Rgney of the field"