Evening star., 1960-04-01
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS STANN
A Matter of Pride

ST PETERSBURG FLA APRIL lit not Early
Wynns turn to pitch and Manager Al Lopez of the White
Sox had not intended to bring his 4Oyear old along
for the resome "trip bus ride from home base in
Sarasota But want to go" said Early, who has been
bothered by gout this spring I'D like to pitch
batting practice"
This is old-fashioned pitcher" Lopez said. "A
lot of pitchers today they work in and then won't
touch ball for two days. Not Wynn The day after he
pitches he throws. The day later, he'll pitch batting
practice.
"He likes to throw He's good influence on the
other pitchers. know he's helped Bob Shaw I'll tell
you another pitcher who good influence Bob
Feller"
Unfortunately for Wynn batting practice sessions
rained out and he called for ball and beckoned
to Catcher Earl Baey and for the next 20 minutes
he buzzed the ball in front of the dugout He popped
Batteys mitt loudly that Lopez, who sitting
step with his back to the catcher put hand to his ear,
pretending to stife the reports.
RED SMITH, the New York Herald Tribune columnist,
watched Wynn and commented He looks faWleSS and
rhythmic right now but in ball game he also looks like
the meanest most ornery critter who out of
the hills"
Lopez laughed Hes all business you can say that
for him. he said.
"I remember time when Hoot Evers had an especially
bad day against Walter Masterson recalled Smith "He
struck out four times and wound up by hitting into
double play. Later, Hoot said:
It's those rose-coored glasses MasterSon
always like to pitchers eyes can't Mastersons
And somebody then asked Evers if he liked to look
at Early Wynns eyes Hoot shuddered and said That's
the exception. He's an-looking he hypnotzes you
He's downright scary'"
AL SMITH, of Lopez outfeders voluntarily
picked up bat threw his glove the ground to serve
plate and stood in front of Battey to give Wynn
human target.
Now, none of them big brush-offs" AL called down
to Wynn.
your man Smith is either the bravest man in the
world of the dumbest dugout visitor said After
doesn't
NO" Lopez smiled, but he won't get hurt. Oh, Early
might just tuck under his chin for practice but he
won't give him close shave"
Il think of the funniest cracks heard all winter
said another in the group with Lopez was made by Wynn
Somebody remarked on the banquet circuit that Early
would brush back his mother if she came to bat.
Why not2 Wynn was quoted She was a heluva
hitter!'"
ARE YOU STILL happy about the trades you nader
Lopez asked Didn't you give up pretty good
young payers-Callison, Romano, Phillps?"
1--WE been asked that question" Al replied in a rank
understatement "one day guy asked it within hearing
of Wynn This fellow began; Minnie MnoSo, he's
old. Gene Freese has been around you've got
old club
Wynn turned and said AL do you mind if answer
that question this time? I told him to 90 ahead And
Early said Look, I'm 40 years old don't know how
much longer III be in baseball But to win this
year and the next you have the future
after that. l want to win now, get it?'
Actually, don't know how old Minoso is He claims
90 ou mes youIg lor HIS years. Whatever his His
legs are real good MinoSo is like Wynn Who would have
thought 4o-year-od guy would be the only 22-game
winner in the big leagues last year?"
CHANGING THE SUBJECT to Mr. James DYKES of
she Detroit Tigers, hear he used the needle on you
few days ago. visitor said Dykes. Lopez claimed
the pennant and hours later he won the World Series
too, according to what 1 read in the papers"
Casey stengel must have had hand in it," Lopez
smiled. Il didn't give any such story about world
championship"
But the pennant part is true?"
I'VE should win It," Al said Il didn't say anything
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW Page D-4