Evening star., 1960-03-23
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
Two Tourists in Civvies

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. MAR. ga year ago Mike
Pinky) Higgins and Mayo Smith wore flannel working
clothes and managerial wrinkles on their brows Higgins
was managing the Boston Red sox and Smith the Gin
cinnati RedlegS Higgins was fred last July and five
days later so was Smith.
Now they standing in civves near the visitors
dugout at AL Lang Field looking like couple of balding
middleaged tourists Smith hooked on with the Yankees
and Higgins remained in the Red Sox organization Their
jobs are similar They to learn what they about
all players they encounter-Amercan National minor
league, college amateur.
Ironically, Higgins unable to give frsthand
report on the Red Sox rookie who interested nearly all Of
Mixes greeters. They wanted to know about Carl
Yastrzemski the 20-year-old fugitive from Notre Dame
who batted 377 last for Raleigh and is getting
great deal of attention in the Boston camp Scots
dale Ariz.
Frankly" Mike patiently repeated 1--WE never seen
him. But everybody I've talked says he's going to be
a good one"
Eddie Lopat was talking about Yastrzemski" Mayo
Smith said He saw him play two games"
Did Lopat like him?" Higgins asked.
well" Mayo said, "he saw him make seven hits in
two games"
REPoRTER-TYPB asked Higgins: did the Red
sox really put out 100000 for him9"
Pretty it," Mike admitted.
"Al in lump sum-"
"Oh, no." Higgins answered kids don't dcker that
way today. They bring lawyer and tax expert along
with them. They know all about spreading out bonus
over few years"
Smltn nodded IN agreement.
What the strategy behind Boston's trading off
Sammy White for Russ Nixon?" asked Higgins
"I don't know" Mike replied, shaking his head smi-
ingy. Nixon is good hitter his minor league
record proves it but he's lefthanded For team
with such short fence in lefted we've certainly got
bunch Of opposite-feld hitters."
STICKLER FOR statistics, carrying roster, began
ticking of Boston's lefthanded htters. Nixon, the
nominal No. catcher Pete Runnels and Vic Wertz
Marty Keough and Gene Stephens in the outfeld
"AS long you've got those rosters" Higgins smiled,
you might down the rghthanded hters that Cleve
land loading up on. think you'll find that the Indians,
like the Senator'S appear to be building teams Just to play
in Fenway Park"
Viz Power, Woody Held, Johnny Temple, Bubba
Phillips, George Strickland in fact, all the nfeders
who figure to play for Cleveland righthanded.
In the outied, Ceveand's big home run threat is
rghthanded Rocky Coavito Indeed the only lefthanded
hitter the Indians to and be likely to feature
to date is Tito Francona.
AL LOPEZ, working manager for IL straight
years, hove into view and kidded about being the
guiding genius of the American Leagues Champion
White Sox as well AL manager year, when his
club was patiently National League in character
Your own roots in the National League" re-
porter chided Your entire coaching staf-Tony
Cuccinelo, Johnny Cooney, Don Gutteridge and Ray
BerreS-s National League. Half your ballpayers :"
Name half" Lopez invited, eyes twinkling.
WELL" the friendly heckler began there Dick
Donovan and Turk Lown and Gerry Say and Gene Freese
and Ted Kluszewsh and Earl Torgeson :"
Now you'll have to start putting on the brakes, "
AL said
We'll, there is strong National League flavor" the
other insisted During the last winter meetings here in
Florida heard Giles NL President Warren Giles say
that he opposed the intereague trading for fear the
American League would make off with some of his
/ GATHER THAT Mr.. Giles felt the National League
had more stars md therefore to lose" AL said
Something like that, guess" the reply
We'll, now, I'll tell you what I've learned" Lopez
quietly retorted Il started with Brooklyn in 1890 and
caught for the Dodgers and the Braves the Pirates
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW, Page d.