Evening star., 1960-08-22
WIN, LOSE OR
DkAW By FRANCIS s1AAN
The Old Timers

THE LONG YEARS had taken their toll of the Old
Timers skis and physiques Time had robbed them of
their rhythm and coordination and had distorted their
bodies that many caricatureS of baseball players
But the rough file of years had not dued their memories
The old Senator stars of long suited up last Sat-
urday in the old visitors dressing at Griffith Stadium
and Sam Rice, fully uniformed Joe Cronin in the
doorway Mister President" Rice called to the American
Leagues boss "the way figure it your league,
body, $50"
Cronin, who managed the 1888 g-winning Senators
when Rice still playing looked perplexed I'm willing
to listen, Sam :" he began
1T was before your time" Rice said with dSarming
smile, but $50 was pretty good chunk to take out of
guys pay-for obeyng orders"
NOW HE HAD CRoNIN interested and Sam told the
story this way
1T was back in 1920 or maybe even IT." Rice said
THE umpre-Tommy Connoly-fned me $50"
"An umpire fined you?" Cronin asked Not the Amer
lean League or Clark Griffith? Why the fine Sam?"
For loafng," Rice drawled
Sam Rice never loafed the ball field in his life
except perhaps this one time with intention.
wed taken the lead in game that ought to have
oeen stopped on account of rain inning earlier Sam
recounted Connolly let it continue but stuff was
coming down real hard and Gri wanted to make sure we
finished the inning so that it could be legal game There
was runner on first base and the hitter for Wash
ington.
Hit into double play SAM Griff called to me. Let's
get this one in the books"
K, enjoying
enment of Cronin and Others
so hit two-bounder to the shortstop" Sam said
The other side didn't want to end the inning of course
but they made the force at second base and then made the
double play-they had to-because I refused to run
Thatl cost you $50 Rice Connolly said, right the
spot. You loafing'
"Griff said he'd make up to me later, although had
to pay Connolly in person the day before stepped
to the plate wrote check
We'll, that's me-" Cronin admitted But
those the good old days, eh, Sam?"
Il did collect the $50 from Griffith, Sam said
with bitterness "He forgot something, although
I'm glad played my years for Grf and here in Wash
ngton. Now about that refund Joe -
But Cronin had fled, muttering something about the
statute of limitations.
NONE OF THE OLD TIMERS had more fun than Zeke
Bonura the mountainous laughing boy for whom Clark
Griffith traded Joe Kuhe back in 1888 in the hope that
Zeke could reach the lefed seats in Washington Zeke
huffed and pued and swung for all he worh-and he
did hit % homers for club recordbut Gr decided that
he let in many as he drove in.
Nov those seats in left field moved in close
Zeke exclaimed in the dugout, land think, my God if
they there in 38 maybe I'd have hit 45 so home
What they doing to pitchers these days They bring
in the fences and needle the baseball and expect pitcher
to get somebody out say pitcher is lucky if he stays
alive"
ZekeS debut in 36 memorable. Even in spring
training Grff had misgvngs about his trade re-
memberng the fluid grace of Kuhe at first base, but
opening day Bonura did slam mighty, game winning
home run and the undying admiration of Vice Pres-
dent John Nance Garner who subbng for President
Roosevelt as first-ball pitcher
The Weep of that Roosevelt administration summoned
Bonura to his box to offer personal congratulations and
took liking to the good-natured giant.
You know Mr. Garner still sends letters" Zeke
was saying Every year since 38 get letters from him
don't think it's his handwriting now-he's way in his
sosbut the sentiment is the I know they're his
own words"