Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-13

Pesky Managing
Press and Players
By MORRIS sIEcEE

s''~FNF~~
sCoTTsDALE, ARIz, MAR. lS.-According to Johnny
Peskys appraisal it will take several years to make
pennant contender Of the Red sox The rookie manager
hopes he isn't banned in Boston before the job Is DONE
Meanwhile, Pesky is doing good job OF romancing
Red Sox baseball writer's inconsequenal segment OF
the teams followers At last count there were about 10
accounted for with another wave due In any moment
for on-ste inspection.
The other day Pesky designated one Of the senior
observers among the Boston journalists as official as
sistant manager 1t quite letdown to the critic
who for years had abored under the impression he was
the manager.
II was only slick move by Pesky to show who's boss
1T don't want to take like gangbusers Pesky SAID
but it's got be established from the start who gives
the orders. do"
LATER THAT DAY the 4s-year-old crewcut with the
boyish enthusiasm showed what he meant He ordered
Dick Stuart to take half hours extra fielding practice
The former Pittsburgh first sacker had boched couple
Of easy plays in squad game
The move was unheard Of in a Red sox camp. whats
he trying to do?" oldmer asked bust up our JOY
Boys3" For years Boston players not only have been
among the best paid in baseball but among the Dest
rested also.
rookie who was showing uncharacteristic enthusiasm
take 1t easy son" the vet said Just play 1t nice ana
easy around here and you'll stick around for years"
That stuff seems to be out the window now The Red
Sox no longer regarded the private WaroS
of Squire Tom Yawkey who exercises ownership preroga
tiyes via telephone from his South Carolina pantauon
THE PEsKY RED Sox are going to be treated like
other baplayers for change This includes ripping down
the Berlin Wall" which has guarded their dressing room
for Is minutes before and after each game Under Pesky
the players will be unable to retire to an isolation ward
closed off to reporters
This may not cut any mustard in the pennant race,
but is definite indication new order In charge at
Fenway Park.
Pesky of course has fixed ideas about managing He
picked them up while working the minor league shippers
path until the call came take his alumni last fan
He isn't paternng himself after any one manager NED
like to be combination Of four for whom he played
IF can have the simplicity and sterness Of Joe
Mccarthy" he said in an obviously werehearsed BIT,
"he courage Of Conn and the gracousness OF Steve
ONeil and Bucky Harris I'd have 1t wrapped up
Pesky's appointment was the most popular move in
Boston since repeal Of the Stamp Act He got con-
gratuatory kilograms more than 5000 letters. And 90
applications for jobs" he remembered.
PEsKY INHERITED spiritless ball club which stag
gered to seventh tie last The Red sox were
so unnterestng their players Gene Coney thought
it would be fun summerng in Israel than at Fenway
He Jumped the club and said he headed for Bethlehem
when intercepted.
Conley who plays pro basketball, hasn't reported yet
but Pesky knows where he is This again is improve
ment over last year.
Johnny also inherited Ted Williams a spring train
ing batting coach He unresraned in his appreciation
Of Williams help.
His personality is something else" Pesky admits
honestly but let's face It, has there ever been better
hitter in our time? And he knows how to get across too
Pesky's admiration for Williams skill as 1ourneyman
batter is nothing recent When they were teammates
Pesy frequently asked The Splinter for hitting advice
One day Johnny stepped out Of the box to confer with
williams who in the on deck circle.
had % count on me-" Pesky recalls, land asked
Ted what kind Of pitch should be expecting
"'What the hell difference does 1t maker Ted
answered Just be ready to swing There are Two outs
You don't think he's going to walk you to pitch 70 me- 90
your" Pesky liked williams direct approach trait TED
continues to employ.
WHEN PESKY SAYS he loves the Red sox you have
to believe him. He played there II years and Of
the most popular in the modern history Of the team Fans
liked his scrap.
"I was no Williams DiMaggo, Heinrich, Keller Rizzuto,
or Mantle" he said $50 strapped They liked It, That's
what I'm trying to get across to our fellows You can't
knock a man for trying"
When Owner Yawkey decided to make Manager Mike
Higgins vice president after last season. Pesky was
summoned to New York during the World Series for high
level talks by Massa Tom. Needlenose had always been
one of Yawkey's pets
HE first offered me drink and then offered me
the Job" Pesky said.