Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-30
SEGH At LARGE
Moris Seeking
Total Anonymity
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA, Mar SO-Roger Maris, who
sugged more home in one season than any major
Lacquer in history has his sights set on lesser goals
The next asterisk beside his in the record book
Maris indicates probably will come for smuggling sports
writer's
Maris the most-interviewed man in spring training
last year. is the easnerrogated athlete this year That's
precisely the way he likes it, He is arrogant rucuen in
ansgent and downright nasty when he talks to the press
about the press
"You guys don't need me, he fumes land don't need
you That's the way it's best for everybody"
Generally speaking MariS misses the presence Of re-
porters much he misses the whooping cough How
ever, there are several he has special case for.
IF they around me-" he VOWS, they'd bet
ter be prepared I've got insurance and they can sue but
they're going to get it. I mean it,"
MARIs. WHO MAKES in the neghborhood of 100000
from the Yankees claims sports writers ruined him. In his
unalterable estimation the press painted him snker
incapable of hitting 81 home again and lucky to
have done it in the first place He agrees But this isn't
what dsturbs him.
"You guys made me bum" he growls ut was you
who got the fans to boo You gave them different
image of me- why should ever be nice to you or the
fans again? don't Write anything you want about
me on the ball field but when you get personal, watch
out. I'm not going to take it."
There was no immediate inclination to challenge the
broadshouldered thckarmed slugger as he sat in the
Yankee dressing Like all temperamental stars he
wants to be left alone.
criticism than other players and he says he isn't deserv
ing it. In 1861 when he broke Babe Ruths record he
mild pleasant and cooperative Maris boasted re-
, grstfully.
Guys came to my room to interview me in the morn
ing, before the game after the game all the time didn't
mind tried to be pleasant But last spring all turned
on me- You said didn't deserve to hold the record Well
it's mine it's given what I've got today You can't take
it away from me- no matter what you write"
A REPORTER SHOWED him letter written in
youngsters handwriting, which had fallen out Of his
locker Throw it away" he snapped 81 won't open
the damned thing What supposed to do, be nice to
those jerks who boo me when playa"
Mars passion for anonymity is silly He doesn't want
fans to point him out bother him when his in public
places He is either unwilling incapable Of understand
= ing he is public property
THE hell am" he protests "An I'm supposed to do
is play ball the field After that I'm on my own.
In a strained attempt to show that even in his ar
rogance he is at least unfair he doesn't hold sports
writer's responsible his decline last year He
hit 49,
He admits critics sour his disposition but won't
cede they affect his play That he snaps s strictly
1. to Maybe I'm just a Schooner player"
HE CARRIES OUT his dislike of public appearances
to the point of financial loss After what he claimed
sad experience with the press last year. Maris wants
nothing whatsoever to do with anybody after the season
is over He declines any number Of wellpayng banquet
80 what? SO lose money. I'll do 1t again."
persistent interrogation asked If he would attend
banquet to accept the mostvauable player award If he
ever voted the honor again.
"You don't have to-" he replied. Joe Cronin gives
you the trophy opening day Besides I'll never win it
again"
The truth of his last statement is all but undenabe
The writer's he the who elect the most
valuable player.