Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-27
WIN, LOSE OR
1NAV By FRANCIS sTANN
The Whiz Kids FizzIed


have passed since the PhieS came north from Florida
with their Whiz Kids to win the National League pennant
Those who have survived longer kids whizzeS
If they had been effective last the Phies might
have had great deal to say about the ST
IF my older players had delivered" Mayo Smith said
the bench at Russell Field would have had right
fair ball club It's not every year that rockies
up and make the grade They did Just fine, and I'm look
ing for rookie help But the older fellows have got
to contribute" s.
1t seems incredible now that until August the Phlies
making fve-teaIn race along with the Braves,
Dodgers Cardinals and Reds Their longtime Robin
Roberts had 20-game season, he did six times in the
past but in 81 the loss side He only 10 and
lost %.
And the hitting of the Philles you can call it that
was horrendous. There were stretches" Smith said,
when it was hard to believe club could bat poorly
THERE WAS ONE 12-GAME stretch, beginning May
49, when the Phies scored only off II hits for
team average of POT. Yet they nine of those IL
games M:
Il said at the time" Smith reminds that it couldn't
keep up. There just too much pressure on the
pitchers. knew we would decline unless batting
improved" ID Mpt. !
lost eight of its first II games and dropped out of
ton I'VE averaging two and six hits game"
he recalls land eightgame period didn't get
a home
Sanford of rockies, remarkable in winning
10 games And Dick Farrell another rookie just great
too used him in relief and he had 1912 record for
himself and saved about 10 other games
But somewhere, we've got to up with an attack,
and I'm afraid the older fellows will have to supply most
of it, You can't count windfa of rockies two years in
row, although some of the new in camp have
been looking pretty good"
The Phillies depending Waly Post, obtained
from the Redlegs in the swap Harvey Haddx provide
of the power they need Post had 20 homers last
year, but he batted only 244.
TLIE PHILLIPS DIDN'T have sinole am hitter not
Richie Ashburn Not player reached runs bated
in Rip Repulsk did hit 20 home runs but his average fell
to .260.
The veterans Gran Hammer and Willie Jones had a
woeul Hammer fell of to 227 Jones' the third
baseman, benched for $50 hitter. Catcher Stan
Lopata was hurt much Of the campaign and only con-
tributed 237 mark The best Ashburns 297
but this not good for the towheaded Speedser Besides
eadoff man. Ashburn drives across many runs
Thirty three was his output.
Not much is said in the Philies camp about Ed
Bouchee, the young first baseman who reported from
Manu. batted 2g3 hit II home runs and drove in 76.
Bouchee managed to get into serious personal trouble
winter and may not play at all in 49, If
This a blow because Smith and General Manager
Roy Hamey thought their f1rst-base problem had been
solved for to come AS 1t Is another 81 rookie Harry
Anderson, is being converted from the outhed and
groomed for the job Playing only part of the me Ander
still hit II homers and drove in 81 He big and
swish the bat but whether he major league first
baseman is conectura
ON THE PLEASANT SIDE there are Sanford and
Farrell, who ostensibly have arrived. plus two more
pitchers from last years crop, Don Cardwe and Seth
Morehead. And there is Outfelder Bob Bowman, who
batted .266 and showed promise.
Andersons shift to first base will be watched with in
tereSt, If not apprehension
Anderson used to play first base in the Minors I"
Smith reminds Maybe he's no Bouchee In the field, but
think he'll hit"
The Phllies Miami farm of the international League
did itself proud year ago. and reports from Gold Coast
baseball writer's suggest that exMarlns may
help the harrassed Smith again. They speak highly of
Don Landrum, an outieder Woody Smith, third base
Frank Herrera first baseman, and Ray Semproch
and Tommy Quaters.
Landrum, described the Ashburn type of CENTER
fielder hit 81 for Miami Herrera BOG, and Smith 285.
The two pitchers Semproch Quaers posted la and
Hill records respectively
Maybe some of these young Whz Kids like
Roberts, Curt Simmons JONES' Ashburn and Hammer back
IN 1880 But Smith is not deuding himself Before the
Phes can be regarded serious pennant threats some
OF the old Whizzers will have to bac&