Evening star., 1960-01-29
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS srANN
Lip for Hire


Leo Durochers dropping, skill he has refined
the last few months and which, for reason faith
tuy is given coverage in the public prints on the air.
Durochers latest is announcement of Sc million
to Tom Yawkey for the Boston Red Sox. Against their
better Judgment perhaps editors conceded space to the
aosurdy, which it must be in view of Yawkeys reaction
TITS news to me-" Yawkey chuckled "He has not
tried to contact about buying the club and if he did
he'd soon find out it's not for sale"
Leo the Lip has been out of baseball since 1855
when he managed the New York Giants Until last fall
he was affiliated with the National Broadcastng Company
and with the parting ways Durocher encouraged the
belief that he resigned. That's not the way the NBC
people on the West Coast put it. They suggest was
of invitation.
IF DUROCHER has been trying to create the illusion
that he is greatly in demand he has very
full Happy Chandler might well be commissioner yet
as far as Leos nearneSs to big league job
There must have been couple dozen vacancies
'55 either as field manager in front office, and
Durocher has been untapped.
Within the last year Leos name has been raised
sefrased say his criticism connection Cleve-
land Indians Cincinnati Redegs, San Francisco Giants
and Milwaukee Braves, if not others. When General
Manager Frank Lane and Field Manager Joe Gordon
were at the height of their feud in Cleveland Leo
prominently mentioned Gordons successor.
Some credence given this report because of Lanes
preference for the birthstone type of manager
but apparently Durocher close. Gordon was
fired, all right, but in the end he succeeded himself
WHEN THE REDLEGS became dSenchanted with
Mayo Smith, quiet going manager, Vice President
Gabe Paul in the market for tough-guy field boss
But, although Durocher is Cincinnati alumnus Paul
bthey skipped Leo and hired Freddie Hutchinson
the ex-pcher who brought along his own mailed fist
No man who has been outspoken and at times
as controversial Durocher be expected to be free
of critics and enemies After the Giants folded in the
last week of the 1859 National League the anti
Durochers took dim view of long distance call to
Owner Horace Stoneham for announced purposes of
mseration.
That was all he was doing Durocher vowed hut there
cynics who felt that Leo also reminding his old
boss Stoneham that he at liberty and available Be
that it may Horace rehred Bill Rgney collapse or no
Then came reports that Durocher bound for Milwaukee
home Of the Braves and seat of dissatisfaction with Fred
Haney the cautious manager.
*#*
HERE AGAIN front Office looking for the type
who would build fire under complacent ball club But
instead of Leo the Braves reached out and plucked
Durochers onetme first lieutenant Chuck DresSen And
the 16 managerial jobs are filled
In announcing his offer for the Red Sox Durocher
claimed that he heard from three reliable sources
pletey independent of each other the Red are for
sale Leo must have psters nobody else has because
Yawkey never has given indication that he wants
to unload, although he has to be disappointed
Although his uncle and foster father Bill Yawkey
once owned the Detroit Tigers, Tom had money
than baseball knowledge when bought the Sox in 1888
from Bob QUINN who had the know how but cash.
But Yawkey and is fan and most patient one
He has poured millions into the sox buying FARMS
players fixing the park and hiring the best money
manager he reached out for the late Eddie Collins his
boyhood idol and paid him handsomely When he wanted
field manager and shortstop he paid $2500OO in cash
for Joe Cronin
OVER 25-YEAR stretch Yawkey has been rewarded
by only pennant but there is evidence that
jaded by the game. On the contrary Yawkey can be
properly proud of several distinctions One he the
senior club president in the American League and only
p Wrigey of the Cubs antedates him in the National
Yawkey is vice president of the American League and
probably the most respected of all the Men like
10 work Tor him. Yawkey is no second-guesSer. First
Collins and then Cronin the club for Tom who was
content to sit in his box the roof Of Fenway Park
be fan.
Ars is voice that commands attention in the meeting
rooms, out in Washington in December of 1885, when
his man Cronn was being assured he would be presi
dent of the AL Yawkey became his general manager
Within hours he broke the trade barrier at the winter
meeting by making major deal with Cleveland Re-
membering his enthusiasm, it's the guess here that
Durocher picked the wrong man at which to So
million.