Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-13
WIN, LOSE OR
6NAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Manager Who Gets AIonq'

TAMPA, FLA, Mar. 13-With Bill Weeks GRID on the
White Sox apparently becoming firmer Alphonso Ramon
Lopez position becomes more interesting No manager
IN baseball Casey Stengel included has better record
out some observers think Week Hank reenberg who
probably will be the next White Sox general manager may
want to change pilots
Seemingly unworried, Lopez smiles when the matter
Is brought up Il don't know what's ahead" AL says I've
always been able to get along with Week and Green
oerg too OF course, If they take charge and new
manager :"
Week was running the Cleveland Indians when Lopez
hst came to the American League the long
and distinguished career defensive catcher AL caught
parttme for the Tribe in l94 but toward the close of
the season he broke finger in Washington He asked
Tor an audience with Week.
Bill" he said, i've just about had it. How about
releasing me so can look for job coaching managing
in the minors?"
An right" Week replied but how about staying with
US as a coach?"
Il THANKED HIM but turned it down" Lopez relates
Lou Boudreau was managing and he was loaded with
coaches So went to indianapolis as manager"
What Lopez may not have known is that Veeck was
in mood to unload Boudreau, his star shortstop and
manager. Bill toyed with deal that would send Boudreau
to the ST. Louis Browns for Vern Stephens failed
to materalize and the Indians COPIED the pennant in
1948 Boudreau the game playof with the Red
Sox practically Single-handed.
The night after the victory Week jubiantly told re-
porters, I'VE won the penant the day decided not to
trade Boudreau"
0tII, Lopez as a manager was back In the minds OF
both Week. who sold his Cleveland interests and Green
berg, who took charge of the Tribe AL was proving himself
at Indianapolis with three second place finishes in
many years.
Finally, Greenberg called him up in 1851 and there
were two second place finishes with the Indians
LOPEZ ABILITY TO GET along with just about every
body is about par with his consistency as manager
In II seasons he's finished lower than second Yet
near the end of the so there yelled signs that
his relations with Greenberg just mite strained
Al had made up his mind to resign Greenberg sensed
that he about to lose him. the World Series he
gladly embraced reporters question who'll manage the
Indians in 1872"
why, Lopez, of course" Hank said. Hes the best
manager in the business
The quote got big play. There was nothing else
for Lopez to do except return He did, finished second
every other year except 1854 when he won and finally
quit Cleveland and Greenberg in Sc.
4 felt like taking trip to Europe" AL explains. ~
decided it would be better for both inerests-ine and
Cleveland's-to part company"
LOPEZ NEVER SAILED for Europe because Chuck
Comiskey offered him the White Sox job AL accepted
And now, after two Of winding up second with
Chicago AL is starting term, perhaps still under
ComlSkey perhaps under Grcenberg
But AL doesn't have to worry Should the famboyant
Veeck prefer famboyant manager than Lopez the
among baseball people is that AL won't lack for
job opportunities He has too many friends and admirers
in both major leagues not the least of whom Casey
Stengel.
Stenge is his friend. More Lopez is Caseys per-
Sonal nomination the next manager of the Yankees
when and Stengel should bow out Casey has told re-
porters of his preference for Lopez
Once reporter, having listened to Stengel asked Dan
Topping co-owner Of the Yankees if Caseys Endorsement
of a successor would count.
"Caseys indorsement?" Topping replied. well, I
would think So"
the Yankees With ball hitter in the lineup
preferably like Roy severs, AL might win it ALL