Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-09
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAW By FRANCIS sTANN
Joe Still Handles the Curves

JUG SGHI bIOHQICS TIC SUVGS
AS LEAN AND HUNGRY Senator rookie in the
summer of 1928 Joe Cronn couldn't hit ball. Some
three years later by dnt of much determination Joe
made himself perhaps the best ball hitter baseball
AS president of the League he thrown
more yesterday at the National Press Club and
Joe wasn't even faxed
For the first time since becoming the American League
boss Cronn Washington and hit to all fields
the Press Clubs main speaker and in question and
period that followed With Senator Heating and
Representative Celler of New York listening Cronn told
his guests
Baseball should be permitted to handle its prob
lens in relation to teevision, franchise moves, etc.
Mickey Mantle Ted Williams and other stars
more at home in Griffith Stadium than on Capitol HILL
appearing before the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee in
vestigating phases of the game
Babe Ruth and Joe DMaggio two of the three
greatest ball players he's known and the other was
composite of several talented little group that did not
include Ty Cobb.
He personally would be in favor of an American
League franchise Brooklyn You just get sick and tired
of seeing the Yankees win all the time"
He also said pitchers mainly responsible for long,
drawn-out games and speaking for the American League
have franchise changes in mind at the present.
MOST OF PRESIDENT Cronin's observations
plies to written questions by the diners But the subtle
warning that baseball must solve it's problems IA
delicate hint that Government aid requre was de-
vered in prepared speech Joe pretty cute about
it, Senator Heating is established friend of baseball
but Representative Ceer is lawmaker who frankly has
been inquStve and critical of certain operations and
PHILOSOPHERS of the game.
Joe isn't as svelte of course, as when he Wash
ingtons Incompatible shortStop which drew from Press
Club President William H. Lawrence of the New YORK
Times the dro observation that he could remember when
Cronin could bend for ground ball. But he makes an
impressive looking American League president and when
he words sck and tired of seeing the Yankees
Yonf tho ipoob ha niypdo
Seconds later however, Joe record as not
favoring the breaking up of the Yankees Build up to
Them he urged IF enough drives go fair down the tno
line for the other clubs and don't go fair for the
Yankees, anything happen. The only fault TO De
found with this reasoning is that the Yankees hit SO many
more drives that could go fair or foul
THE SORRY STATE of the Washington Baseball Club,
with whose management Cronin has family ties was
not dwe SUCH but Joe seemed to defend his wife
MiredS brother Cal Griffith when he deplored undue
criticism of nepotism and asserted that money isn't the
important thing in winning pennant."
Adroity, Joe mentioned the of Tom Yawkey,
Phil Wrgey and Bob Carpenter all wealthy whose
money hasn't made them outstandngy successful in base
ball. About Yawkey he should know.
AS you may remember, Yawkey originally invested
cool $25OOoO plus Lyn Larry to buy Joe. Also Yawkey
pought Boston the likes of Lefty Grove Jimmy Foxx and
others And still later Yawkey made free with his check
book In order that cronin the general manager might
win for Boston.
Oue question: SuDHJCeQ was from apparent adnlrer
who wrote, you the last Shortstop Washington
who has been able to stop anything When are we going
to get anoher?" Cronn rnned then told stopping by
the Senator'S training camp in Orlando
There's kid named Versailles who is a combination Of
Rabbit Meanwhile and Luis Aparco He may be little
young now but I'll record saying he will be great
shortstop."
THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN Joe was evaSive as
he used to be when he avoided the spikes
In his more lightfooted days. But for American
League preSdent-especialy boss of league that has
been dominated so long and completely by the Yankees
you'd have to say that Cronn did we'll.
Some critics say that American League clubowners
want rubber stamp" to head up their organization but
Joe didn't sound like one the of opening day.
Many in the audience felt little more treasured that
Washington would retain its franchise and when Cronin
put the blast pitchers for their
bag adjusting plus their SO hitters they
they were listening to who annoyed at such
tomfooery.
when wasa rookie with the Pirates" he said, Bill
McKechne the manager, said to Don't look at any
pitches just swing away, These pitchers aren't going to
throw many balls
II Grover Cleveland Alexander, when he going
to start game toss wam-up pitches and say Let's
CO. I'm ready
Joe satisfied his listeners when he used dusty
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