Evening star., 1963-09-17

Height Of Mound
Bothers Dodgers
By MORRIS SIEcEL

ST LOUIS, Sept. 17-Before the start of last nights
Dodger game here there conference the
mound which threatened to delay the opening the show
down series and give 32445 ringside view Of
scheduled phase of St Louis mammoth urban renewal
program.
The Dodgers claimed the pitching mound too high.
The old hill was cut down two weeks ago when the foot
ball Cardinals played exhibition at Busch Stadium. The
replacement job the Dodgers felt looks like Mount
Palomar than 15-inch hill pitchers
Don Drysdale spotted it and reported it to Manager
Walt Alson who admitted he has been confronted
with similar problem before The the Dodgers spoke
they made it sound like John Pennel, the pole vault
champ would have trouble clearing it.
General Manager Buzzy Bavasi, late arrival from
Los Angeles finally got into the act and took the issue to
the umpires. They too in quandry to how to
the height Finally neighborhood surveyor with
measuring rod located and in full view of the packed
house the mound found to be exactly Is inches high
The Dodgers felt the extra height they thought they saw
would give pitcher Ernie Brogo, who throws with
aggerated downward sweep, an advantage.
When it suggested that of the Dodgers go out
and cut the hill down to size before the official measure
ment took place. Manager Aston mixed the idea have to
check first" he said "OMaley may have mineral rights
there"
ONE OF THE LAST Cardinals to arrive at the abattor
was 42year-old Stan Musal whose imminent retirement
has been the occasion of series Of coast coast eleba
ons He has been given farewell sautes at every park
the Cardinals have visited for the final time this year
cept at the Polo Grounds
The Nets characteristic of their behavior gave Stan
a party last year. IT guess they thought was through
I'll have to return plaques and sverware I've already COL
lected in Philadelphia Milwaukee Angeles San Fran
cisco, Houston and Pittsburgh"
MuSal, st. Louis biggest hero since Col Charles Lind
bergh isn't sure what he'll be doing when he calls it
quits He'll continue working for the Cards as special
spring training batting instructor also do public
tons chores for his leading sponsor brewery Guse
Busch.
But won't have any desk job" he said mo eight
hour day for gosh I've worked % years beat the
rap of eghthour job and I'm not about to do 1t now
Stan has three retirement parties and then, in
the unlikely event of postponement because the Car
dnas in the World Series September 29 is his final
day as an active player Both Chicago and Cincinnati
have set aside special Musia Days both games al
ready sold ou-and the Cards will have their party for
The Man of September 90, a sellout, too of course
Suppose had piece of the box office on all those
dates Musial kdded wouldn't be bad would ?" Musal
likely to continue to live in comfort without the added
revenue In addition to his 100000 Cardinal salary he also
is director of two banks and half owner Of the cys
biggest restaurant.
If that isn't enough, at age so he begin collecting
his baseball pension Not many grandfathers boast
OF equal social security
MUSIALS CONTRIBUTION to the Cardinal surge can't
be measured in exact Deeds Manager Johnny Keane was
saying last night but there is doubt Of it's effect on
the morale of his teammates.
Il feel" Keane said, I'VE much closer to him as
Person since ne announced his retirement And Stan
himself has responded tremendously UP to now We don't
go around holding him in special ave. but you ought to
understand that How could you be any nicer to him?"
On the Dodger side, ex-senator Mary Breeding now
doing s-n time for the league leaders, had different
version OF Musals imminent fadeou He wishes it were
happening next year.
Il know they're not as good they've been playing"
Breeding said of the Cardinals must be they're Civ
ing 1t something extra because Of MuSal and it has to
come just when get my only chance to share in World
Series money He should have waited until next year."
Breeding the calmest of all the athletes on both
squads last night He had to get excited he ex
planned because there little likelihood he would get
into any of the action.
The least used Dodger claimed Aston had grievance
against him. "Just because had bad august" he said
"I went 0-for-1"