Evening star., 1961-03-30
WIN, LOSE OR
DkAW By FRANCIS s1ANN
Hemus' Special Problem

field manager of the St Louis Cardinals was journey
balpayer. Stan Musia great one the alltime
Mr.. Cardinal with 19-year batting average Of 1885,
booku of personal records and $4,000 annual salary
which is about three times much Soly's
Musial, according to observers, represents
cal and delicate problem for Hemus STAINS 40 yearShes
nearly four years older than his managerhave robbed
his legs and his throwing When Musia doesn't hit,
he is defensive liability. But if Hemus doesn't play The
Man, the fans don't like it.
In nutshell that Solly Hemus'S problem There is
to it, really Musial not only of the beSt-ked
players in the business but he also is Owner GuSse Buschs
pride and Joy generally understood that when Stan
hangs up spikes good he will into the Cards
front office, presumably at the same salary.
Hemus asked about Musial every day in every city
the Cards visit most frequently asked quesons" he
repeated when asked here zone is whether regard
club-umping from seventh to third place-as flaShin-
the-pan type. The other concerns Musia how much
I'll play him and why play him"
OTHER AND LESSER ballpayerS downrate the Cards
pennant contender because Msial hopes to play at
least many games-116-as last year They think that
with his money (Stan's possibly worth 81 million he
nqudaes he ought to retire and let younger play the
game
They wonder Hemus job wouldn't be easier If Musal
to quit They wonder too, II Solly and Musia hit 1t
off well last season. after Hemus benched the aging star
May % because OF batting slump This is the way
Hemus putting it here:
"MuSal wouldn't be playing-he wouldn't have played
last yea- he couldn't help this ball club wouldn't play
my brother If he couldn't help As the manager have
obligation to Mr. Busch and to Bng Devne general
manager, to win many games possible.
"stan and always have been good friends We still
friends It's my job this spring to weed out all except the
Is players most likely to help Musia certainly won't
be weeded out. He's too good ballpayer.
"Ill have to admit there's sentiment in
ton with Stan but when he's in the lineup isn't only
because sentiment you study the events Of last
you'll understand"
Hemus benched him. Stan sat in the dugout, probably dis
satisfied and certainly melancholy Soly moved Bill White
from centerfield first baSe where he plays very we'll
and tinkered with his outfed.
In June Hemus in spot The slow-footed Bob
Nieman his leftfelder, pulled muscle Walt Moryn and
Rookie Johnny Glenn given shots at the Job and failed
to produce Hemus finally wrote "Musal IT, on his lineup
card The old gaffer delivered
In the outed his average shot to 315 at one point
He tapered off to redabe 275 for the Stan was
named the AStar team largely out OF sentiment, and
he hit pinch home in New York. What way to bow
out!" they cried in the press box
But Musal had other ideas after his An-Star blast
I'm looking forward to 1884, he said Il hope to be play
ing 1862, too when New York gets another National
League club" STAINS clubhouse words were reayed to
Hemus That's just great Soly enthused Some people
wondered If the manager meant It,
HEMUs VOWS THAT he did, indeed, mean It, "I still
do" Soly said II think only made mistake with Stan
Last June after he'd sitting the bench told Stan
he'd play the second game of double header. Well
the first game and yelled out Same lineup for the
second camel! Musia didn't say word at the time but
later when alone, he walked up and said 'Soy you
don't have to We've known each other long time
IT told him sorry. made mistake. Stan is too
big man to fool, and regretted that incident"
What would happen, somebody wondered aloud II
Hemus decided this that Musia couldn't carry his
weight but If Stan insisted that he could play Number
one Solly replied I think Stan would be the first to
realize he wasn't pulling his load. Secondly let's don't
borrow trouble I'd rather not think of Ken Boyer breaking
a leg or Stan having embarrassing slump"
Everybody knows what good guy Musial is" news
ventured. "Cean living, really sweet fellow But,
soly suppose there real tough mean who spelled
trouble for any manager? Would you keep hm?"
This mythical guy, could he play ball real good?"
Hemus asked
eyes"
"Give him to me- don't If he's alcoholic or a
clubhouse lawyer whatever makes him tough If he
play ball I'll take him and worry about the rest later