Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-06
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCE, ,rA~u
The Road Was LONGER

4s TAMPA, FLA, MAR 6-To some few the road to the
major leagues is incredibly short George SiSler and
frankie Frisch, among Others jumped from the college
campus to the big time Last year, less than month
after graduation from high school, 19yearold Max Won
Mcdaniel had pitched for the Cardinals and beaten the
Dodgers twice.
But there are some who must wait, who must travel
the longer road. Dick Donovan one. 1t took him
eight to make the grade Now at the of 3d.
qualified observers think he is the best righthanded pitcher
In the American League.
2 His boss Manager Al Lopez of the White Sox. makes
bones about it, HE was to my mind the best right
handler in the league last year. Lopez says, fatty He
1876 in spite of trouble during the summer.
He beat the Yankees He pitched two one-hitters. He
and Billy Pierce pitched more complete games-16-than
anybody else. Donovans earned-run average was III.
What more do you want?"
And does Donovan go along with his managers line Of
reasoning2 He does I'D be foolish to think any other
way Dick says Il feel I've got the knack of pitching
now. 1t took few years, but I've got it."
RICHARD EDWARD DONOVAN, born, raised and stiI
aIesident of Quincy, Mass, is tall (6S and somewhat
lngainy man who doesn't appear to weigh 2O5 pounds
He has LONG nose crew cut and an Irish twinkle in his
He also throws just about as good slider as any
body in the business
Is Dicks best pitch Lopez says but he used to rely
on it little too much The hters got to looking for his
slider Last year changed the pattern little. lot
Of people may realize it, but Donovan is one Of the
real good fasbaers too So while the hitters look
ing for that good slider Dick loosened them up with his
fast ball"
Il guess that's the story for better year ST. Dick
admits Those are my bread-and-butter pitches-the
slider and fast ball"
you overlook one thing" he was reminded.
"What's that?"
"Control You don't walk very many batters do you?"
"Ive had control for quite few years now Dick said
mot at the beginning mind you But now I'm taking my
control for granted walked As baters last season in 22
innings and guess there few walked intention
ally"
BEFORE DONOVAN CAME to the White Sox to stay
In 1885, he had four shots at the big leagues After serving
apprenticeship starting in 1947 with Fort Lauderdale OF
the international League Evansville OF the Three-
Milwaukee the American Association and Hartford OF
the Eastern Dick brought up first by the old Boston
Braves.
This was in 1850 and he didn't make it. He pitched
IN 10 games, didn't beat anybody, and wound up with
horrendous $40 earnedrun He was banished to
Milwaukee.
The Braves looked at him in 81 and threw him back.
They took another look in 80 and were dissatisfied
II don't know exactly why couldn't pitch for Boston,
Dick says II think got You know my friends
from Quincy would be the stands and I'd be trying too
hard to make good. Something like that anyway"
z Detroit inspected him briefly in 1854 Dick pitched six
Innings record. He was sent 10 Auanta OF tne
Southern Association.
/ YEARS BEFORE, ANOTHER reject named Emil
putch Leonard used Atlanta stepping stone Brook
couldn't use Dutcn OUT at
found himself Washington drafted him and Leonard won
more games for the Senator's than any other pitcher In
history, except Walter Johnson
Donovan had 1873 record with Atlanta In "a ana
the White Sox bought him for spring delivery. He won
IS IL and l6 games in successive seasons.
Hes going to bust out and maybe win 20 or more,
Lopez says Dick has got all the tools and he's ractaoe
Don't overlook thing either When Donovan is in
ball game not only rugged as pitcher He'll beat you
with his bat!
"He looks awkward out there in the box At the plate
too But he can pitch and he can hit too"
M When this praise brought to Donovans attention
he smiled ITS nice to hear" he said We've got some
pretty good hitting pitchers the sox If I'm included
I'm glad"
gx DONOVAN GOT OFF to slow 81 start. He finally
clicked with ve-hitter against the Senator'S Then he
pitched e-hitter against Cleveland double by Eddie
Robinson spelling his bid for nohtter Two weeks later
See WIN LOSE OR DRAW. Page Al
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