Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-03-11
WIN, LOSE OR
HNAV By FRANCIS STANN
The Perennial Kid

TAMPA, FLA, Man 1l.-The other day, when all the
other Cincinnati RedlegS had quit the field Billy Martin
kept after school because Way Moses has the
notion that he add 20 points to Martins batting
average.
Coach Moses stood behind the batting cage. Another
coach, Deal pitched Shagging balls in the outfed
were Coaches Whitley Lockman and Reggie Otero. The
"rghtfelder" Manager Freddie Hutchinson no less
This may give some idea as to how much the Redlegs
depending Martin to come through for them at
second base Billy the Kid has it in his power to prove
that the Reds made whale of a deal December IL
when they traded Johnny Temple second base
man in the National League.
Primarily, Cincinnati gave up Temple to obtain a
solid pitcher The Redlegs settled for Cal McIish the
19game winner for the Cleveland Indians But they also
insisted young Gordon Coleman the rookie Rock
VILE Nd who led the Southern Association. And the
final part of the DEAL Cincinnati demanded accredited
second baseman to fill Temples spot in the lineup.
THIS TURNED OUT to be Alfred Manuel Martin, who
when he playing for the Yankees, few years ago.
rated about highly Temple. In fact Martin
is only year older than Temple.
"You get traded around like I've been and everybody
says you're washed up" Billy said during dugout inter-
lude "Ths one, he rfed sleeve of the redand-whte
Cincinnati uniform, "is my fifth suit in four years.
Those years with the Yankees Q951-1957), didn't
hear or read where was washed up. Oh hell I'm happy
with this club. Leave it 60 at that Temples shoes
I've got to fill EN- everybody says filled shoes before
of other guys who supposed to be pretty fancy"
1t is almost impossible to interview Martin-and this
is the advice of Cincinnati scribeS who talk to him
almost day-without Bilys bringing up the topic of
Joe Gordon also onetme Yankee second baseman who
manages the Indians. 3 & Il
MARTIN DIsL1KEs GORDON with passion. Billy
is demonstratve guy anyway. IT couldn't do anything
right for Gordon" he says Last spring my best
1 really hit" Martin allows his defensive skis
to speak for themselves and they do-eloquently.
II opened the with a hit my first time up.
Then went 0-for-19 and got benched Normally. I'd
say guy in slump ought to be benched But
leading the American League and going like hell,
with not hitting, and why did Gordon break up
a combination?
Billy who was party to the Yankees Copocabana
incident three years ago Git his birthday Hank
Bauer, Whitley Ford Johnny Kucks and Mickey Mantle
were involved has been making the rounds since,
seeking sympathetic ear The Yankees traded him to
the Athletics. In turn, Kansas City snapped him to
Detroit Then it was Cleveland and now Cincinnati, not
only team but new league
"oNE REASON THINK I'll do good here" Billy
says s because Cincinnati is the best hitting club in
the majors right That's what I'm told. Well
had my best years when the Yankees the best
hitting club"
The story is told-and vered-that before one World
Series game involving the Yankees photographer set
up dugou picture showing New Yorks long hitters
There Yogi Berra and Bill skowron and Mantle and
Bauer, but no Martin.
From the wings Billy heckled the group go ahead,
pose" he needed AFTER the game I'll be the guy they'll
be wanting to photograph"
He was right Billy the game with base hit.
Not an extravagantly long one, but the key blow.
AS matter of record, Martin does his best under
pressure His lifetime batting mark is 1882 but in five
World Series he's hit $685. the 1858 classic example
Billy tied record with IL hits for % bases driving in
eight In the SO series he hit safely every game
tying another record. 49, -.
THIS is THE GUY then, tough 31-year -old battler
from Berkeley, Calf who represents sort of throw-in
in the Temple for McIsh deal. But even more than
McLish, he's the spot. McLish doesn't play second
base; Martin does. To appease Cincinnati fans, he'll
have to do it pretty well.
Billy could do the job What he lacked in native
ability he made up in determination Then apparently,
things went wrong.
"One day last lit always goes back to Gordon
and the Indians there defensive situation" Martin
relates. Gordon is playing Jim Baxes and this kid Ray
Webster second. He puts third basel
I Right then knew had two chances under Gordon
slim and none"