Evening star., 1961-03-23
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS STANtN
Warren Spain Speaking

BRADENToN FLA MAR. 2S.-Early Wynn first was
quoted on the issue and Warren SPAIN going along
with his American League counterpart "The 2O-game
pitching winner" SPAIN lamentS is becoming extinct
There's too much specialization"
This comes from who is being hailed in many
quarters probably the greatest Souhpaw National
League history The claim is not extravagant In 16 fabu
ous seasons the stylish lethander has 20
games no fewer than IL times and times in eight
campaigns for the Milwaukee Braves
But the soonto-be 4oyear- -old veteran was adamant
IN his argument IF your club doesn't get four in
seven innings the chances you're done for the game
If you're pitching" SPAIN explained They bring up
:pinch-hitter and then a relief pitcher.
Nowadays they have short men and long men in
the bupen This is the Of specialization Everything
has to fit into place, and it's damn shame"
: THE STYLISH LEFTHANDER has reached the magic
:2O-game mark times than any pitcher except Cy
Young 49, Chrsty Mathewson Q3 and Walter johnson
Q0 He asked he felt he could do again II haven't
won my first one yet Warren said Il could break leg
something and not win at all"
He mentioned four per game Would you settle
Tor four runs every time you ptched?" visitor asked
"Are you kidding?" he asked in turn II should say
If can't win consistently behind four you aren't
much pitcher 1t is easy for SPAIN to say this because
not since he up to the old Boston Braves in 1912
has his earnedrun average exceeded 400 for full
Nine times 1t below 300
There time when his fast ball was his bread and
butter pitch 1t live thing humming and hopping
but now SPAIN admits he isn't II throw as hard
but doesn't go fast" he said borrowing an oldie But
he still strikes out as many baters he did eight years
or so ago.
THE ARM is ALL RIGHT" stressed the man who has
pitched in 5eS National League games and has 2s0
my legs aren't good they used to be-"
The Braves have won three pennants in Boston and
Milwaukee during Spahns and they have out
OF the first division only since 1945 The Buffaoborn
southpaw quietly thinks they take it all again this
year in what he thinks might be fve-club race Mil
waukee has shortstop-second base combination in
Roy Mcmillan and Frank Boiling They figure to perform
tricks just short of magic in the field.
They should help" SPAIN conceded but there's no
defense against home run" The remark inspired
body to ask what kind of team he preferred defensive
type or one that leaks little but Give
defensive club that score four runs SPAIN compromised
Specialization is not the only modern development
which is bemoaned by Spahn who also thinks that
strictions robbng the game of of its original
color We're in the entertainment business let's face It,
he reasoned why should they put the shackes on inta
tive and color?"
SMALL ITEM like leaving the gloves the field
concerns the Souhpaw whose ST hutouts exceeded by
.ony four National League ptchers-Grover Cleveland
Alexander Mathewson James Calvin and Mordecat Three
.Finger) Brown.
"You take side-retiring double play" Warren said
Part of is singing gloves away It's colorfu But
lone time in so years ball hits glove the field and
now you've got to carry everything to the dugout and out
iagan.
Take fellow like Jim Piersal" SPAIN went on. "This
coorfu guy They ought to let him alone let him be
Jim Persa. don't think occasional fight the field
bad thing But soon as somebody takes punch at
"a guy the umpire throws him out"
The absence of that consistently good fast ball doesn't
seem to reduce spahns effectiveness Oddly he Is rated
rougher rghhanded hters than lefhanders because
OF his screwbal But big factor is know-how.
ut isn't matter Of giving hitter fast
ball in PINCH SPAIN explained What you do when you
reach 40 and have pitched for 16 is play per-
sonaes You get know hterS react under certain
circumstances he sad land you try to pitch accordingly
And sometimes they fool hell out of you"