Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-21
WIN, LOSE OR
&DRAW ; ,'.'s'. ~.
Some, Play II Smart

NINE YEARS AGO when Johnny Parsons won the
Memorial Day 800" at Indianapolis he epitomzed much
OF what Is so brave and sklfu and wonderful in major
sports achievement But the other day Johnny
drawer He announced his retirement
The 40-ye4r-od Van Mugs, Calf, driver totaled the
odds and looked at the cards The odds against
had wheeled out hot in the last 10 Indianapolis
classics and that was enough.
It took rare courage to come to the decision Here
it virtually on the eve Of another 800" and Parsons
had taken out in the trials But after short
skid fight for control of his racer Johnny made
up his mind
4 hate to do it," he said "but you have to realize
when you've had it this track find it hard to keep
that button in the and it's not fair to the
1t wouldn't be fair to bluff my way through
1t wouldn't be fair to my crew."
PARSONS QUIT ON THE SAME day that Jerry Unser,
who crashed into retaining wall May g. died of
complications in indianapolis hospital Shortly after
Johnny arrived at his momentous decision Bob Cortner
S2year-od Redlands Calif driver became the second
fatality of the week in the sixth crash at the Speedway
this year. ~ @ - $50
The steadily increasing speeds over 5O-year-old
racing oval paved with bricks in many parts has been
taking tremendous toll in human lives Even toolng
along at lao miles hour Parsons in failing to
qualify, calls for skill Of high degree The racing
driver, who feels the lack of that fine touch is better
of the sidelines and Parsons realized it.
Wilbur Shaw, one Of the al-tme greats, got out Of
the business in good time Barney Odfeld the fabulous
reClreQ Parsons
less exceptions in the racing field Most give
1t that one more try hiding behind the tcanthappen
tome veil.
THE DECISION TO RETIRE in sports obviously is not
an easy because 1t happens seldom among those
still at the top. Gene Tunney gave up boxing
first heavyweight champion to retire while he held
the title and make 1t stick.
Tunney however, really fond of the racket
1t was means to end as far Gene concerned
He tolerated the characters in the fight business the
managers promoters rivals and hangers-on, but they
bored and repealed him. For period of course
you might say that this went both ways because when
Tunney took of on that Shakespeare kick he was
sidered an insuferable bore, counterfeit scholar.
But Tunney did quit and although he had all the
money he felt he needed and dSiked its source Gene
couldn't have found it altogether easy to his
throne There were chalengers to him and he
could have regned indefinitely, perhaps but Tunney
the smart And has been Rocky Marcano although
the Rock feels the financial pinch and studies the crop
OF fighters today he just might make comeback.
*%**
MARCIANoS DECISION TO RETIRE undefeated must
have been harder to reach than Tunney Rocky
honestly liked the fight game just he likes people
To him the body contact was exciting. Rocky reveled
In the glamour and turmoil but he smart too, when
he retired because for all of his durability Marciano
easily.
The Rocks danger is not past because even now he
listens almost daily to opinions that he to return
ne certainly could take out Floyd Patterson Last winter
Marcano telling that it was difficult, even after
several years Of retirement, to stay retired.
He took this visitor to his latest Florida home in Fort
Lauderdale and showed the same heavy bag he keeps
from his ring days. 1t was hanging in his garage.
Every time feel the urge to get back in the ring
come out here and bust the bag few times" Rocky
admitted with grin Seriously, I'm sometimes tempted
but not enough I guess Barbara (his wife keeps me
pretty well restrained She's happy that I'm out of it,
MOST BALL PLAYERS LINGER too long and that
included Babe Ruth, who after his sluggng days with the
Yankees tried to prolong his with the old Boston
Braves Ruth had his moments, although all too BRIEF
but he great asset with his ottering undepinnng
But still spry and capable few who stepped out
before their time
The names of Bobby Doerr, Buddy Lewis and Bill
Werber come to mind Doerr might have stretched 1t
out season or two and Lewis and Werber definitely
could have lasted Faster than Doerr both retained much
Of their speed They retained good of business
values.
Lewis went back to Gastona, N. c., and concentrated
on prosperous automobile agency Werber hung up his
spikes and devoted full time to his insurance business
here When he feels like exercising there's bird hunting
golf and handbal and up to Werber has not been
heard to mourn publicly for his bali playing days.