Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-03
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
Smith and the Muscle Men

TAMPA, FLA, MAR Sunless it is Fred Haney Of
the Milwaukee Braves who apparently repeat the
pennant victories of 1878 to keep his job probably
other National League manager the spot much
Mayo Smith.
Putting it mildly Smith was not the manager that
Cincinnati fans expected and hoped to be named on
socaed basis after Birdie Tebbets resigned
under fire last August IA. Birdie, who in 1856
acclaimed manager of the year, twice had been hung
in effgy
Jimmy Dykes, not Mayo Smith, was the manager that
Cincinnati fans wanted. Dykes, coach who filled in
interim pilot, was credited with tremendous job when
the Reds climbed from the cellar fourth place. playing
.5S5 ball for the final six weeks Of the
5 But Gabe Paul. vice president and general manager
felt that Dykes 81 too old There certain
signs according to onthescene observers that pointed
to q lack Of Jimmys one-tme alertness
DYKES, HOWEVER, HAD the support Of hard core
Of veteran Reds and insiders say that Smith viii need
that support If he is to at Cincinnati As
the story told Dykes called meeting of the club after
Tebbetts' resignation.
I'm only the interim manager" began Dykes, whose
friends say that he hoped to keep the job ut doesn't
make any difference me whether you go all out but
Mr. Paul has of looking individual performances
and paying salaries accordingly So you fellows suit
yourselves"
Under Tebbetts the Reds had So and lost 6l
Under Dykes they won "a and lost IT, Perhaps it was
no more than concdenceperhaps they late starters
but the way of the key Red athletes performed
under Dykes did not iatter Tebbetts.
( Johnny Temple, an independent strong wlled Caro-
hnan and fine second baseman. hit POI under Tebbetts
and rousing 1855 for Dykes Jerry Lynch good-ooking
outfeder jumped from 295 to 35 Smokey Burgess since
traded, improved from PIT to 300 Don Newcombe
210 pitcher for Tebbetts but five of eight decisions
for Dykes
MAYO SMITH WAS FIRED by the Philles on July %
and glad to land the Cincinnati job with all of its
potential woes Mayo is quiet, intelligent who
realizes his position He also that he is taking
nfiro1v 0f cI,,h ha'sh
accustomed to managing.
1--WE always been strong for good pitching staff"
Smith admits I'VE didn't have much attack at Phia-
delphia but the pitching usually good. The Reds
strong attack but pretty thin pitching"
General Manager Paul is ofense-minded 1t
Paul who corraed that powerhouse team of 1856 that hit
q record-equaling 221 home runs Pauls muscle boys
were Ted Kluszewsk Way Post, Gus Bell Ed Bailey and
Frank Robinson When 1t was evident that no amount
of muscle could Offset the bad pitching Paul retrenched
bit Big Klu and Post, notably were traded
BUT GABE is BACK in the fence-bustng business
again this year. Last october he picked up Del Ennis
33yearod sugger type, among Others and in December
he raised the eyebrows of National LeaguerS by trading
Harvey Haddix, veteran but useful southpaw; Bur-
CESS, No catcher and pinchhitter de luxe and Don
Hoax, the All-Star third baseman in 1857.
This threesome went to Pittsburgh mainly in exchange
for Frank Thomas reformed outfelder who plays at
third base but hits the long ba35 home runs 100
bated in and 2S1 average. Thomas won't improve the
defense precisely but that was one department in which
the Reds led all the rest in 49, Their 1888 fielding per-
cenage and 100 established big league records
and perhaps Paul reasoned that certain defensive conce
sions could be afforded.
1--WE always liked strong pitching, because you ngure
to be in just about every game" Smith confesses But
Gabes point Of view, too If Robinson, Ennis
Lynch, Bailey, Bell Thomas and maybe even Walt Dropo
find the home range this ball club is going to bring
out the customers.
And, might add, they'll be tough to beat with any
knd of pitching at ALL 1t ought to be very interesting
season."
Yes, one way or another 1t figures to be.