Evening star., 1960-03-31
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Most Perennial Rookie

bench Stephen Thomas Biko out of Nantcoke, Pa,
toweng his face after having finished nfeld practice
His blue woolen underShirt must have held gallon of
perspraton. Because of his size245 poundS-Blko
lose 10 pounds in game
Steve" said, according to the record books
this your ninth trial in the major leagues Par for the
course is only two three chances Do count yourself
lucky to have just about sewed first base on this cub?
Lucky, maybe" Bilko conceded, "but wasn't sur
prised when I drafted if that's what you mean. I'd
sort of felt that there noddng toward Manager
Jimmy Dykes, would buy me-"
Why? Are you particularly good friends?"
Were friends" Steve said, but couple of years ago.
when trained with Cincinnati, Jimmy was one of the
coaches. knew they were going to cut before
left went to Dykes.
Jimmy asked what is the best ball park for a
hitter like meP
Quick as a flash, Dykes said: Briggs Stadium in
Detroit
"T NEVER PLAYED in that park told Jimmy, and
he said No, and probably you will But that would
be the park best suited for you.
$50 went to Spokane last year and did pretty good
and then last May where Dykes had been appointed
manager of the Tigers. I wondered If Jimmy would
remember what he'd told me-"
Later Dykes verifying the story "I told Steve
just what he said" Jimmy admitted Hes not what
you'd call pull hitter playing for the Red Sox the
Dodgers wouldn't help him much. This guys power is
sraightaway. He hit home the center
felders heads in Detroit.
Unless Steve goes real between and opening
day he's my first baseman. He's got good bat and he's
not as clumsy around first base you'd think for such
big man. He's potential RBI leader"
In 1856 playing for Los Angeles in the Pacific
League, Blko drove 1874 The season
was 140 This is the main reason why he has received
so many big league trials
$3.50
THE OTHER FIRST BAsEMAN on the Detroit roster
Is Gail Harris, who had disastrous 1889 Bko
"ho is as meek and modest he is awesome doesn't
mention Harris but Steve did speak of his failures to stick
with the Cardinals and Dodgers don't have to worry
and uOd0 ha
Each time the Cardinals looked the big Pole from
Pennsyvania-which every spring fall from 1949
through 1954there the ever-present Stan Musial
daintier Pole from the Keystone State. Then when
Bilko got shot with the Dodgers in 195S there
Gil Hodges.
Steve could be faulted perhaps for falling to mention
that the other clubs which threw him backhe Cubs and
Reds-did not have Musial Hodges. He just didn't
cut the mustard with those clubs neither was he
hitting in Briggs Stadium
'I don't know what there is about the Detroit park
except what Jimmy told couple of years ago and
what I've heard since Joined the Tigers" Bilko
saying this day.
What have you heard since becoming Tger?"
THAT the ball takes off and goes farther Detroit"
ne answered. "The Tiger pitchers told me-"
WEIGHT ALWAYS HAS BEEN problem for Stephen
who is rated of the most removed trenchermen
in the ranking only behind the even bigger Frank
Howard of the Dodgers Bko insists however that IL
isn't how much he weighs but how much must take off
that foS him.
Eddie stanky, who managing the Cardinals during
some of Blko's many trials had fetish about weight
Eddie would write to his players winter ordering
them to report at such -andsuch weight year
got letter from Sanky telling report at 230 pounds
Shucks, was 260 and time running out before
spring training Sanky said he would fine 50 for every
pound was over his limit. So when reported at 245
theoretically owed $50"
"Why theoretically? Didn't he ever colect?"
NO." Bko answered. because Eddie called me into
his office and said Steve you get down to 23O before
we go home III rescnd the fine. I made it, got down
to 229. lost 16 pounds and saved $50"
ANOTHER YEAR, by sheer will power Steve pushed
See WIN, LOOSE OR DRAW Page D-s