Evening star., 1960-10-05
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
Black Danny Murtouqh

PITTSBURGH Oct. 5.-Danny Murtaugh is popularly
considered hard toughe because of his nky beard
his memorable black eyebrows his poverty past
which included swpng coal of passing trains in his native
Chester, Pa, and being the type still remembered by
Eastern Shore fans for his fist fights on the field.
That jutting Irish chin doesn't water down the i'm
preston. Nor does his tobaccochewing and deadpan
expression.
Actually, thought he patsy sentimentalst"
General Manager Joe Brown of the Pirates saying
the eve Of the World Series opener when let Bobby
Bragan out as field manager in August of 1857 appointed
Murtaugh as interim manager Frankly he wasn't my first
choice among the coaches had Clyde sukeforh in mind
but Clyde didn't want it.
'You see Danny and worked together at New Orleans
Tor three before we both to Pittsburgh
In the front office and Murtaugh the manager felt
at the time he couldn't wn-and he didnt-because he
was too compassionate We had 10 players the roster
and Danny wanted to play all Of lest the others be
unhappy.
when Bragan retired by our club told Murtaugh
quite frankly that he interim manager only In
1858 hered be head guy But his club played better
than 500 under him to finish out the ST and Danny
said to me- I'm lot better manager than you think Now
I am"
MURTAUGH BECAME LITTLE tougher in his
handling Of players Not real tough but tough enough
HeS improved with experience just other people do in
other jobs Brown happily chortles HE always
frst-rate tactician"
You'd hardly label Murtaugh the time inelder as
prime candidate for the Hall of Fame Danny bated his
way up front runt starting with the Chester Mdgets
when his uniform pants hung down to his ankles. He
advanced gradually to American Legion ball and the
minors He's little taller heftier and formidable
looking now but even when he to the Phies in
194l he wasn't any great shucks as figure.
He could hit in peSterng fashion and he could make
the double play He also worked for the old Boston Braves
and later Milwaukee and Pittsburgh better baplayer
his old pal and virtual neighbor the lean and lanky
Mickey Vernon, who teamae the Chester Legion
team
oio1i
over is one of Danny's coaches Also his bosom pal
Starting today Murtaugh is up against of the all
time successful managers in Casey Sengel Winning World
Series is habit with Casey rdicued by some pursts
clown and buoon but hailed by most genius no less
HOW DOES MURTAUGH stack up with Stengel in the
genius department? This is difficult to say Casey is 10
years old and is up there with John McGraw and Joe
Mccarthy in the matter Of winning World Series Muir
taugh is frst-timer.
The difference at this point, is that Stenge
really created the Yankees who last spring considered
sub-par and inferior to the White Sox. He invented
team every day with his endless patooning Critics
think that Stenge well past retirement age and nde
pendenty wealthy, is managing better today than ever
Murtaugh who is 49, never has been in World series
either manager player Neither in fact have most
of his players been series participants Glen Labine the
unwanted relief pitcher who picked up by the Bucs
in midseason will be the most experienced Bucco in such
matters AS old Dodger he pitched in 10 games in 1854
'55, '56 and 49,
Only three other Pirates have had series experience
and that brief Don Hoax, the third baseman, got
into three games in IS, when he Dodger. Gino
Cmo the time leffelder broke into one game with
the 56 Brooklyn team. Finally Rocky Nelson who doesn't
play first base day. used pinch-hitter four
times in so for Brooklyn.
MURTAUGH DIDN'T INVENT from one day to- the
next did Stenge but he did his of platoonng He
had four positions to worry about-st base catcher and
left and centerfeds Everybodyncludng the players he
moved about-agrees that Danny did very WELL
He alternated Nelson, heretofore perennial minor
league sensation but big league op with Dick Stuart
first base He shifted his cachers because Smokey Burgess
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW Page, H-2