Evening star., 1963-05-24
SE6H AT LARGE
Jim Leaving Club
As He Found 1t
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

THE NICER SIDE Of Jimmy Persan to light
yesterday shortly after the Senators shifted his act to the
Polo Grounds, where the Nets also rapidly convert
ing their playground into disaster area.
In moment of magnificent munificence Piersall dis
claimed any personal glory for the achievements of the
Senators in his residence of nearly and half
at D. C. Stadium. He insisted it team effort
all the way.
to help he said in his clubhouse vaectory that he had
unquenchable confidence the team had the stuff to
carry and finish 10th again without him.
Last night several hours after Piersalls heart-tug
ging declaration of sef-effacement, the Senators did
nothing to contradict the departed extroverts faith in
those who remained behind.
PLAYING AS IF THEY had dedicated themselves to
losing one for good old Jimmy" they easily achieved
success with the helping hand of Robin Roberts, who
blanked them on two hits.
Piersars reluctance to leave a club which had sup
ported him in a manner other 244 performer ever
dreamed possible easy to He couldn't wait to get
to New and contest Casey Stengel his new ring
master for No. honorS The pre-showdown odds favor
Stengel in, this encounter.
"You gotta say one thing about here" Piersal said
proudly T didn't hurt this club any"
The painful truth of his perceptve assessment is un-
assailable If Persa didn't help the Senators, he didn't
hurt them either He left them as he found them 10th
and last.
He went to the Nets as part payment for Gil Hodges
The unique swap Of player for manager does not rg-
ure 10 nelp Lne peLnaHI ClldACes VI eAUiA0A "@AA
THE TWO PREVIOUS trades in which he was involved
both turned out beneficial for Persa who likes it that
way.
Originally, he boiled when the Red Sox sent him to
Cleveland He had Just purchased $4,000 home in Bos
ton and he also had invested $4,000 a partner in
brokerage house. only after Joe Cronn then Boston gen.
eneral manager, assured him he would not be traded
In Cleveland he took enough time off from his
terfieldng duties to charm sardne importer into
a relations director
first time a sardne had press agent 1t worked
out wonderfully for both sardines and Piersan
IT made $4,000 the side husting those little green
cans" he chored THAT made up for that drop
ped in Boston"
When he came to Washington he showed his real
prowesS talker convincing the team officials that he
worth $4,000 raise after hitting 800 for the first
time in his
In New York. where vast commercial opportunities
await baplayers, Piersa is likely to become the first
Mr.. Rheingold
THIS is THE THIRD and possibly last orbit for Pier
sail he broke in with the Red Sox Five years ago
Boston switched him to the Indians, who in turn un-
loaded him the Senators in 1861 in deal the Fed
era Trade Commission would have ruled illegal II base
ball were a business and not a sport
Persals immediate design with the Nets is to play
centerfed of but the fringe benefits of employ
ment In New York are not being overlooked by him.
what break" he goated MY agent lives in New
York"
Rounding out his career with the Nets fits neatly
into future project Persal already is working on. He
and his collaboration who wrote the Fear Strikes OUT
book are working on new tome starring the and
only Piersan The New York exposure especially life with
the Nets and stenge should provide chapters than
Piersa could have gotten Washngtons sedentary
terfelder
deeply religious man. Piersal heard the news of his
trade after attending church services yesterday
ing. He acted like fellow whose prayers had been
answered