Evening star., 1960-04-18
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW B, FRANCE, ,rAuu
Opening Day and Ted Williams

THIS ALMOST HAS to be Ted Williams last year
AS an active player that is Maybe Owner Tom Yawkey
who is both friend and fan of Williams, will make him
manager of the Red Sox Someday Or maybe like Rogers
Hornsby and Paul Waner Ted will wind up fruitlessy try
ing to teach weak hitters how to hit.
Williams will be AZ before this season is over but he
had been listed in the Red Sox starting lineup today
far he'll go-either today next week next month
remains to be Theodore Samuel can't run throw
or field much these days. and besides he afflicted with
various physical mseries extending from his neck to his
feet.
But he's still Ted Williams who has put in 8 years
In the big leagues and has the sweet stroke
the dedication of true hitter, with lifetime 346
age to match If his 18 aren't record to match
that Of say, Ty Cobb he actually surpasses old
timers when all is considered. No other sure-re Hall of
Famer to come to mind was pulled out of baseball
for two wars, as Airman williams in 94344-45 for
World War IL and again in 1928 for the Korean action
A LOT OF ADULTS, including those who are consid-
cred sports writer's don't like Williams To this group
probably maority-he is petulant cantankerous and
rude He alone in the Swank hotels and handsomely
brbes the switchboard operators to pgeon-hole his in
coming calls On the other hand there minority among
aduts-again including sports wrters-who think he's
pretty good Joe.
When Theodore is in the mood he is pleasant and in
formative If he doesn't like kids he makes excellent
show of conceang it, Very few top ball players embrace
small fry does Williams. Yet logic dictates that he's
about finished Injuries and illness Notwithstanding Teds
.254 average last season ominouS
If he's given chance-constitute moot questions His
surliness with most of the press against him. manager
Is expected to be approachabe On the other hand there
is no keener student of hitting in baseball today.
Williams is what Hornsby was years ago. And Cobb
Once on the ball field before game Ted is available to
talk hitting with any guy wearing bg-league uniform
whether he's 21O hitter $50 guy. To those he's the
original nice guy.
TOUCHING ON THE RED soX as whole, they reek
OF second division There have been problems and
tough luck such the retirement of Jackie Jensen and
Sammy White who had been traded for another catcher
Russ Nixon, who allegedly hit year ago the Red
Sox had been bossed the field by Mike (Pnky Higgins
Mike isn't the field boss any longer Bill Jurges is
JurgeS had been bitter for Is years. admit
tedly because he blew his first chance at managing and
then he dropped out of baseball as coach
for the Senator'S In his day. Jurges about as neat
defensive shortstop could expect to but
OF the sadSack Senators felt he faulty third
coach and they didn't think he'd make much manager.
But the Red Sox did finish fifth (missing the first
division by game) and there is and growing
spect for Jurges pilot How long he will last matter
OF conjecture. The Red Sox last years have been
highly enigmauc There times when Owner Yawkey,
ferent about his club
On whim some think, he might just up and make
Williams the manager if the club poorly under Jurges
IN HIS DAY, JURGEs almost volatile
WlamS. I always had temper Bill admits Il could do
things in the field and there times when could win
games with bat, but was always reaching out to do
better"
Jurges, white-haired and a granddaddy had a
shot at managing and turned it down. It will % years
July that Bill shortStop of the Cubs and
still on the bright side of 80 rompng the lawn of
his home in Chicago with his daughter when a large
black limousine pulled up to the driveway.
This is one of JurgeS favorite stories it must be
true because there is record of anybody denying it
smacks of from TVS "UntouchabeS" The driver
OF the limousine, as Bill replays it, told him.
"The boss wants to you. Get in"
JurgeS got in the The boss far from ogre was
p K. Wrigey, the chewing gum king and owner of the
Cubs But knew that all he could do fire me-" Jurges
has repeated I'D been in little hot water with umpires
and fans and maybe with my teammates always played
to win and thought that Mr.. Wrgley going to read
me off for being the tough guy.
WHAT HAPPENED WAS that P. K. Wrigey offered
JurgeS the job of managing the Cubs Il nearly fell off
the chair that Mr. Wrgley invited to sit on" Bill
members Then said, Mr. Wrgey, Gabby Hartnett has
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