The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-09-30
SPORTS of TIMES
BUGS Popular
Series Pick
BY LOU FABRO
Times Sports Editor

BEAT 'em, Bucs'-the cry that exhorted Pitts
burgh to whip the rest of the gang In the National
League-will take on new fervor as the Buccaneers
square off in their classic duel with the rulers OF the
American League-the New York Yankees.
This is just a way of saying that those surprising
National League champions will be sentimental favor
ties to knock off the proud Yankees.
CHANCES ARE the Yankees even may be under
dogs in the eyes of the professional oddsmakers when
the opening round of the World Series gets under way
next week. And this would be a rare occasion since
it's usually a poor risk to bet against the Yankees.
Except for their loyal followers land they are
numerous), the New York triumph was greeted with
somewhat of a yawn. In contrast, the Pirates surprls-
ing success was acclaimed with great enthusiasm.
Of course, there's good reason for the contrast.
This is Pittsburgh's first pennant since 1927 while the
Yankees have won 19 remnants go including this year,
and is World Series titles since 1927.
EVEN I'M 1927, the Yankees won the pennant and
knocked off the Pirates in just four games. Opening
day pitcher for the Yankees, incidentally, was Waite
Hoyt, now the radio voice of the Cincinnati Redlegs.
Another reason for the popularity of Pittsburghs
victory is that the BUGS we're decided underdogs. Con-
sidered a second division club by most and a possible
fourth place finisher by a few, the sWashbuckling gang
of heroes from the Steel City surprised them all as they
made their opponents walk the gangplank.
Looking over the Pirate squad, we find a club
composed of many traded players, a few draftees and
the rest signed on by the Pittsburgh organization.
TRADED TO THE CLUB WERE: Don Hoax lex
Dodger and Redleg); Smoky Burgess (ex-Dodger, Cub,
Phillie and RedlegG Hal w. Smith, (ex-Oriole and
Athletlc-see, the Yankees don't get EN- all from Nam
sas(; Gino Cimoli (ex-Dodger and CardinaD; Gene Bak-
err (ex-Dodger and Cub; and Harvey Haddix, Tom
Cheney, Bill Virdon, Wilmer Mizel, and Dick Scho-
field (al ex-Cardinas).
Drafted from other systems we're Robert Gle
mente, ElRoy Face, Rocky Nelson, Bob Odds, and
George Witt. Paul Giel was claimed on waivers.
Signed by the Pirates were: Bob Friend, Vernon
Law, Bill Mazeroski, Dick Stuart, Bob Skinner, Dick
Groat, Job Gibbon, Fred Green and Joe Christopher.
PLAYERS WHO ARE include: Cimoli,
Mazeroski, Giel, Christopher, Clemente and Odds.
Skipper of the Buccaneer ship is an lrishman and
a Catholc-jut-jawed Daniel Edward Martaugh, other
wise known as Danny. One of his top aides, also a
manager.
To Murtaugh goes major credit for the Pirates
success. In fact, he's in line for manager of the year"
turned a seventh place club of the year into a Gender
ella" squad which barely missed the title. AS it hap
pened, the Pirates finished second.
1852 WASN'T a bad year when you
consider other recent Pirate seasons, it was a disap-
pointing year. Many had predicted the Buc would run
up the pennant but instead Martaugh saw his team
drop to fourth.
Before the 1860 season began, Murtaugh said
Pittsburgh chad a fighting chance for the pennant."
Well, they fought well. And we look for them to fight
we'll enough to win the Series.
NINE PLAYERS Excluding those brought up after
Aug. 81 on the Pittsburgh club formerly played for
the Columbus Jets or Red Birds. These ir"'"Ge:
Harvey Haddix 1948-50G Tom Cl1l-J Q960)
Fred Green 1885, Joe Christopher 1885, Rocky Mel
son 1950)EWhen he batted .418 in 48 games), Joe
Gibbon 1958-59); Hal Smith 1854; Paul Giel 1850;
and George Witt 1883