Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-22
WIN, LOSE OR
HNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
In Last Place: The Yonks

life was being threatened by gangsters commission
hearing Carmen Basio normally Of the quetest and
most peaceful OF persons threatened to punch lawyer
tone of Sugar Ray Robinson's) in the nose.
But it was in the deep chambers OF Yankee Stadium
that the American way of life most affected. The
Yankees in last placel Nobody knew quite what
caused the happenstance but when they left the ned
the other day the club that had nine pennants and
seven world championships in 10 years the bottom
There was photo showing four Yankees walking
from their dugout the dressing after the game
Yogi Berra leading, followed by Tony Kubek, Mary
Throneberry and Johnny Kucks. man who has been
around in sports for quite while looked at the picture
and said:
"They look like any four ball players on any losing
club Yogi is little different He's Yogi But Kucks,
Thronebey and Kubek they could be Athletics or Sena
tors any players for beaten team. don't say the
Yankees won't rise again. but do say they're just an
average team"
THE YANKEES HAVEN'T BEEN In last place in 10
years but they now and they show their lack OF ex-
perience Cookie Lavagetto and other managers, along
with other front ONCE personnel know how to cope with
adversely but the Yankee brass is new at this.
George Weiss, the general manager may be hiding
in cave for all York reporters know. Del Webb and
Dan Topping the co-owners, have been significantly
silent Casey Stenge who can't because he puts
on uniform each day. talks of getting rid OF pitchers
Those pitchers of ours will have to do little bit
better or won't get to see them around here much
longer Casey quoted That may have been the emp
Yankee pitchers may ask, Stengel find better?
The truth is that the Yankees really have been
last-place club although the Tigers manfuy attempted
to prevent that happening by losing Is Of the first II
games There isn't single Yankee among the top 10
hitters in the American League Bill Showroom so brittle
despite his muscles, has been the only 800 batter
$500
MICKEY MANTLE AND IBERIA have not frightened
anybody Berra Just recently set fielding record for
catcher but stenge would rather that Yogi do some
hitting As for Mantle, rival manager may have been
prophetic last winter when he was talking in Florida
II wish had Mantle" he said slut at the same
time I'm afraid that he isn't long for the big leagues
He's got suspect legs he's getting heavy too Mckeys
attitude sometimes is little strange, too, like he's seen
1t all much too soon.' f
Right now there quite few outfelders in Mickeys
own league-Kuenn, Kaine, Maris, Colavo, tasty and
Tutte to name few-who are ouhitting the fabulous
switcher inheders out-battng Mantle, In
GLIDING shortstop George Strickland Of the Indians who
retired because he couldn't hit At last look he was
tidy .3l5
ALL OF A SUDDEN the one-time fantastic Yankee
farm system isn't producing key requirements such as
Mantle for Joe DMaggio The good trades-Bob Turley
and Don Larsen and others-aren't coming on What
other manager besides senge is forced to put such de-
pendence in 43-year-od pinch hitter and part-time
outielder Enos Slaughter?
These are weaknesses of the Yankees. Another Is
that seven other American League teams aren't fright
ened by the old Bombers any more They're just another
club and their feet of clay showing.
Who was the last spectacular ball player the Yankees
produced? Was he as far back as Mantle? Kubek is
jack -all-trades and hardly spectacular Meanwhile
rival clubs have noted progress.
Starting right here in town. there Harmon Ktlle-
brew The tape measure that was employed for Mantle
is used for the Idaho Kid these When was the last
time Yankee team could have used as many Senators
exclusive of pitchersas Klebrew, Roy Sievers Reno
Bertoia and Bob Aison-in the lineup?
THE ORIOLES, apparently, have come up with
dandy in Willie Tasby, not to mention quite few kid
pitchers still wet behind the Roger Maris OF the
Athletics has been hitting like little demon and just
about every club in the American League would like to
have rights to him. upon time the Senator'S bid ioI
him. not the Yankees They didn't feel they needed
him. They probably do now.
This has been wonderful season so far Tor the
American League but too many good baseball minds keer
saying that it's not smart to downrate the Yankees
Frank Lane, talking the other night said I'm opposed
to the Yankees as long I'm not working for them
But some day Mantle and Berra and Tuley and the rest
of their good going to coordinate and then III
going to be tough club to beat.
1--WE can do It, only it's not going to be as easy tos
as 1t looks now"