Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-11-27

CoIuvito, Gentle
To Test Loput
By MORRIS sIEeEL

JUST AS THE Athletics we're about TO make their
final approach to eighth place, where they landed
safely Owner Charles o. Finley decorated pilot Eddie
Lopat with a new, two-year contract.
This was Lopats reward for sticking heroicay with
team that to finish 3h games behind the Yankees
Beyond doubt, even F1nleys Lopat proved he could
take it. Now seems Finley interested In determining
whether Lopat has a breaking point at all.
He has sadded him with Rocky Colavito and Jim
Gentle in back-toback trades If Lopat endure the
unpredictable behavior of this pair he will qualify easily
as the most courageous in sports for 1864.
Managing Sonny LiSon and CaSsius Clay at the same
time would be chlds play compared to the unenviabe
task Of determining what next to expect from coavo
and Gentle.
THEY ARE sULKERs, given to long periods of brood
ing when things not going right Unfortunately for
Lopat things didn't go too well for either of his newest
field hands for most Of last season.
Colavito had differences with Charlie Dresser at De-
rot while GENTLE seemed to operate at purposes
with Manager Billy Hitchcock at Baltimore The Tigers
solved their ntramural problem by trading Coavito The
Orioles did 1t differently First they fired their manager
Then they traded
If it is Finleys intention to load up the Athletics with
prima donas who think the whole world is aligned
against them there three extremely qualified gents he
has overlooked
Roger Maris Don thinner and Jim Piersal all would
mt In nicely with Finley shrinking violet himself OF
the three, Persa available than any, He is cur
ren large released at the end of the season. after the
Angels determined they could finish queter ninth with
out him.
+ KANSAS CITY's SWAP with Baltimore is the
Of good guy, Norm siebern, replacing bad" guy Cen
tile villain but exrovert who sometimes becomes
difficult to handle.
Siebern, the other hand behaves II he's
santy trying to win oak leaf cluster in lieu of another
good conduct medal He is quiet efficient and gets the Job
done, much in the of Mickey Vernon when he
custodian of first base for Washington.
Gentle is volatile and explosive, particularly when he
hitting home runs. He brings to baseball game the
same "oomph" and wallop hard-hittng heavyweight
brings to fight.
GENTLE practically became bum in their estimation this
past He failed to out hunts and pop flies
Manager Hitchcock finally stepped in and unoaded 500
fine GENTLE for his indifference evening against
the Yankees in New York
FOR SIEBERN THE TRADE stacks up as a break
With the Orioles, who finished a disappointing fourth
last year, he is taking up residency with team many
believe best equipped to challenge the Yankees.
This was the feeling also last year. sebern will do
nothing to hurt their chances He versatile enough to
Manager Hank Bauer has in mind for Siebern. Boog
Powell figures to be Gentes immediate replacement at
first base.
Siebern began his major league the Yankee
eftielder He played there less permanently for
two seasons but his Yankee days numbered when
hoched couple of plays in the Stadums notorious
field during World Series. ta- .-...
He was traded to Kansas City part payment for
another outfielder who to distinguish himself
baseballs premier oneyear home champ Roger Mars
At Baltimore sebern is not likely to fall victim to the
fate which prompted his deoton from the Yankees
The Orioles don't figure to be involved in a World
Series any time soon.