Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-09

Inside Baseball
Didn't Pay Off
BY MORRIS sIEGEL

second inning of basebas fashionable coming out party
yesterday 1t became painfully evident to most Of the
432 in attendance that what the Senators needed most
was not new strike zone but a new home-run zone.
The Orioles given guest privileges for the day. sud-
denly converted the flashy Federal paypen into Bird
sanctuary First 1t Jim GENTLE who sent them wing
ing Two batters later Boog Powell put another rap
the Senator'S and this killed them off for good.
The knockout blows witnessed by Gov Pat Brown
Of California, presidential guest and formidable foe of
kayoes The Governor limited that the destructiveness
might force him to amend his original bill abolshing
boxing for substitute proposal also aboshing
hitting.
Don Rudolph, the victmized pitcher, can testify to
the permanent damage home lnflict So can the
American League standings Those two pitches to Gentle
and Powell left the Senators winess, but not without
sense of humor expressed by their utility in charge
Of such emergencies
"ou strategy was wrong" John schaive philosophical
I'VE played inside baseball they played outside baseball
ACCORDING TO EYEwITNEsSEs, notably the Messrs
Gentle and Powell who in favorable position to
Judge what they swung at both home were hit off
pitches rather low.
Rudolph the faced pitcher could have cared less
where Gentle and Powell located the pitches. His in
difference was understandable What could he do about
1t an hour after the game?
"If they were low" he groused, they weren't low
enough"
In the visitors quarters, Gentle, the orioles first
baseman with the beachboy look took congratulations in
stride He obviously hadn't realized that he was the first
sugger this to eopardize Roger Mars record OF
81 home runs.
I'm this game" said Gentle weighing his words care
fully you win some and lose some" If he strain
ing to show he preferred to be remembered more as
balplayer than phrasemaker Gentle couldn't have
been more forceful.
BEFORE THE GAME, a horde of White House photog-
raphers making their annual and only encampment at
ball game complained that opening day getting dull
They wanted to something different Photograph
ing the President making the ceremonial toss was be-
coming as old hat to them looming in on the Rose
Garden or focusing on the President in rocker talking
shop with White House visitor.
Same stuff, year in and year out" an opening day
veteran grped. 1.-The President throws out the ball.
somebody catches it, brings in to the box for an auto
graph and that's it,"
colleague, who seemed to like the change Of photo
graphic scene if for other than he got to see
something Washington besides the doorway OF the
Executive Mansion, offered suggestion to enlven the
52-year-old ritual.
why not have the baplayer who catches the Presi-
dents pitch throw 1t right back to him?" he asked This
fellow apparently the White House job long
enough to know all the ground rules.
Reconsidered the idea isn't as flaky 1t originally
sounded. 1t probably wouldn't catch Mr. Kennedy by
surprise. From the looks Of his legislative earned-run
average this session. Congress often has thrown tne Dali
back.
FOR ONE DAY the President showed he more
interested in District affairs than world problems He
spent only Is minutes yesterday morning with the
Ambassador from Ceyon who came to the White House
to present his credentials Mr. Kennedy spent two hours
and nine minutes at D. c. Stadium watching the new
Senators present theirs.
Mr.. Kennedy also showed he hadn't forgotten 1860
and still grateful to those who helped him. He auto
graphed baseball for Jim Piersal the absentee center
fielder and fellow Bay Slater.
Mr.. Kennedys act could be called political payoff.
Persa campagned for the President in Massachusetts,
The President acknowledged Persas presence with
than signature baseball He told Persa he hoped
to see him in the starting lineup soon.
Inasmuch as the Supreme Court twice has ruled that
baseball is sport and does not come under Federal in
fuence it is doubtful If Mickey Vernon will react in the
way others normally react to presidential suggestion
At least not until the Senators recession becomes graver