Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-10
SEGH AT LARGE
Hodges Makes
A Difference
By MORRIS sIEcEL

THE STANDINGS FAIL to reveal any chronological
change in the position Of the Senator'S since Gentleman
Gil Hodges became their volunteer manager in late May
They in the basement then and their ZIP code ad
dress, rs games later, remains the same.
However, there is difference They are still losing,
but under Hodges they at least losing more interest
ingy In other communities not as familiar with defeat
Washington, this intangible development would be
treated with maddenng indifference But Washington
FANS who remained moderately loyal in the face Of
back-to-back of 100 defeats, consider it small
of progress Anything to lessen the embarrass-
ment is acceptable here.
The only dspleasure George Selkirk has in regard to
his decision to replace Mickey Vernon as manager with
Hodges has been his inability to find better players Tor
Hodges manage The operating head of the Senators
has unbounded admiration for Hodges talents but sekrk
realizes Hodges is severely handicapped by the caber OF
his players.
IN AN EFFORT to help Hodges make the transition
from player manager panlessy possible selkrk
has trafcked almost exclusively in National League per-
sonnet The addition of the Zmmers Blasingames and
Roebuck has not hurt the Senator's but sekrk feels the
credit for improvement belongs mainly to Hodges.
"He has than done the job for u.s. Selkirk says
81 expected him to take little time to learn how to man
age but Gil did it quicker than thought possible
He's as good at managing right now as any man with
experience"
selkirks total Endorsement of the new manager
not unexpected He also indorsing himself for dis
covering Hodges
However sekirk disagrees with this view of things
He will take credit for hiring Hodges but he insists he
acting the advice of Others who had touted Hodges
managerial possibility long before selkrk was in
position to hire or fire managers
Hodges first brought to my attention when
was at Kansas CITY" Sekirk recalls 1.-TWO years his
mentioned again before Baltimore hired Billy
Hitchcock Everybody who knew him touted him. wasn't
the only one who knew about Gill"
WHEN THE CHANGE was made the general reaction
was that the Senators had done nothing except to drop
mice guy Vernon, for another mice guy" Hodges
This true far it went but didn't go far enough
in the of Hodges
He still merits the mice guy" tag but there is another
side to this silent Indanan which gradually has become
apparent: He also be stern
One way to point out the disciplinary technique Hodges
employs in his dayto-day handling of players is to cite
a recent incident in Cleveland.
An infielder with record for winking at curfew
deemed it at least advisable to seek permission for
extra hours reprieve from the am quitting time He
asked Hodges if he could stay out until am
IT don't if you stay until 8, or don't come in
at ALL" Hodges said.
The player got the message He bedded down at the
customary time
On another occasion Hodges called time to go to the
mound for talk with of his pitchers 1t different
from the usual mission manager makes when he talks
with his pitcher
"You don't to be trying hard enough to please
me-" Hodges said 1t the pitchers last warning One
week later he not with the Senators
1t has taken Selkirk some time to convince SkepticS
that actual experience is not total requisite for manag
ing He has proved his well in the appointment of
Hodges
Some managers who don't know one end Of the bat
from another become great hitting instructors after they
become managers" Selkirk argues. Others who didn't
know a curve from knuckler later looked upon
pitching wizards You give man who knows baseball
and how to lead He can manage for me-"
Hodges recently asked If he would trade the Sen
aors for the Nets publicized 0thpace entry and
Gils immediate alma mater.
mo" he answered "They have only one set position,
we have several" Not the least of the Senator'S perma
nent" cast is their manager.