The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 33

Braves Run Grimm's Prophecy Buf He's Happy Li Village tc aniithy Turning to his pitching, Grimm praised Lew Burdette, Johnny Antonelli and Bob Buhl for giving the staff a tremendous lift when Max Surkont, Jim Wilson and Vern Bickford lost Jheir effectiveness around the mid-point of the season. "I took Burdette out of the bullpen because Surkont, Wil Handyman Jim Pendleton proved a lifesaver in filling in for Pafko and Logan. "He's a fine utility man," Grimm said of Pendleton. "He can play the outfield and the infield equally well. And Walker Cooper did a great job of filling in for Crandall the two weeks he was in there." By PAT LIVINGSTON 5 I I If 1 1 couple of guys at the same time, I'd really have been in bad shape," Grimm explained.

"But aside from the brief stretches that Andy Pafko, Del Crandall and Johnny Logan were hurt, we've had a set lineup all season long. "Just about the only, lineup change I've made all year has been to drop Sid Gordon to seventh in the batting- order," he added. Pafko was sidelined for about two weeks with a pulled muscle, Crandall split the middle finger of his throwing hand just before the All-Star game and was out for about the same length of time, and Logan jammed his right thumb and missed about 10 games. Pitcher Warren Spahn also pulled a back muscle and missed three starting turns. The Braves pilot said that ts'- -gThe Pittsburgh Press BSE PACE 33 WEDNESDAY, SEPT.

2. 1953 1 Piffl iddfoelld. tosuGtogis Chester L. Smith is ill. During his absence, his column will written by members of the stag.

Rooney Likes Calvin's Spirit It was strange to see Art Rooney down on the bench when the Steelers played the Chicago Bears at Tulsa, last Saturday. And the sports writers traveling with the team were ready for him when he returned to the air-conditioned hotel. 'Well, if it isn't George Preston Rooney," they chorused as the Steeler owner walked into the room. Rooney was puzzled for a moment. Then his fare broke into a wide grin.

It didn't take him long to discover they were ribbing him about interfering with his coaches. That's a no-torious trait of the Washington Redskins' George Preston Marshall. "Oh, no," Rooney laughed. "I wasn't coaching: the team. I didn't have a seat, there was no room for me in the press box.

so I decided to go down on "the bench." It was a novel experience, Rooney admitted. He said it gave him a new insight into some of his players. "Why I saw that Tom Calvin do. something that really sold me on him," Rooney said. "That guy has guts." Rooney explained that Bill George, the Bears' 245-pound guard, had Calvin on the ground and was shoving him around.

"I didn't know what Calvin told that guy," the Steeler owner continued. "Maybe it was 'Okay, I quit. Let me up' or something like that, but whatver it was, George let him up. "That was a mistake. As soon a alvln got on his feet, he rushed at George, pulled that big: guy's mask up over his face and tagged him right on the kisser.

"When I saw that, I said to myself this guy's for me." Rooney spokesman for Coaching Staff The informal press conference drifted into the night. Coach Joe Bach had gone somewhere after the game, so Rooney served as spokesman for the coaching staff. "There's no question about it," Art said. "We made a mistake in scheduling these exhibition games. Not in scheduling them, exactly, but scheduling them the way we did.

"As long as we were going to play three games in eight we never should have started with Detroit. The score was close, 1613, but that Detroit team really banged us around. jf LJ CHARLEY GRIMM Very club to managg. peon Epps Looks Like Only Sure Starter Other Candidates All on a Par By CARL RUCHES One of the so-called advan tages of dropping platoons in college football is the supposed break for the spectators. Now that free substitution is out, the fans presumably can learn the numbers of 11 starters on eacn team ana not nave to worry about the rest except on rare occasions.

Red Dawson, for one, believes they'll have to learn a few more at least where Pitt is concerned. Especially If they want to keep track of who is running the ball Only one backfield position is definitely set with the Panthers, husky Bobby Epps being a fixture at fullback. The senior from Swissvale assured that in spring drills when he proved to be an acceptable enough, linebacker, thus qualifying himself for two-way play. Added Starters The status of the other back- field spots, however, is even more wide open than was the case in the spring. That's because there are two more top Sir k-rvvHo o'we "rrcCaw stxt PLAY TONI6HT, NEW YORK.

Sept. 2 (IT) a a Charlie Grimm, pleasantly surprised at his Milwaukee Braves' strong showing this season, smilingly blamed his players today for making a bum prophet of him. "I said at the start of this season that we'd finish in the first division," said jovial, 55-year-old Grimm. "The players did the rest. This has been a very easy club to manage.

They made an old man's job easy." In analyzing how the Braves fooled many "experts" who predicted they'd fade, Grimm said his team was "very fortunate" in having comparatively few injuries, and in having capable replacements on the few occasions when he needed them. "We're not very deep in reserves and if I'd have lost a Yanks Put Stitches in A. L. Pennant White Sox Fall 9V2 Games Behind By THE UNITED TRESS The high riding Yankees blithely made plans for the World Scries today, now that they have just about snuffed out the last nickering pennant hopes of the White Sox. Whatever forlorn hopes the Sox may still have been cherishing were practically annihilated last night when Mickey Mantle's homer and Johnny Sain's relief pitching gave the Yankees a 3-2 win before 45,000 optimistic fans in Chicago.

The arc-light victory gave the Yankees the series and boosted their league lead to games. They can clinch the pennant by winning 13 of their remaining 24 games. Reynolds to Start In that commanding position, Manager Casey Stengel pondered his World Series strategy today as tne Yankees moved into fct. Louis for a series with the last- place Browns. He said that veteran Allie Rey nolds would start tonight's game, a long-expected move in the re conversion of Indian Allie from a bullpen ace back into a starting pitcher.

Whitey Ford, a leading candl date for the job of pitching the opening game of the World Series, was Stengel's nominee in last night's payoff battle with the Sox and he emerged with his 16th victory. However, he needed brilliant help from Sain. No. 17 for 3Ian(le Phil Rizzuto's two-run single and 17th homer had given Ford a 3-1 margin, but he was dcrricked with the bases full and none out in the seventh. Sain retired the side with only one run scoring to preserve the victory.

Virgil Trucks was the loser. 111 me iNdiiondi league, me Brooklyn Dodgers went on a 17- 11 T.i; 1 1 hit pree to whip the Cardinals I izo, ana go 11 tun games aneaoi of Milwaukee. The "magic number" for the Dodgers is 13. For once, the Bums didn't get any homers, but Peewee Reese and Jackie Robinson each whacked a double and three singles. Preacher Roe pitched the route for his 10th, and per haps oddest, victory of the sea son.

Roe served up five home-run balls all with the bases empty. Kiner Homers Roe is a candidate to open the World Series, too, and Dodger Manager Charley Dressen showed that, like Stengel, he's thinking about the Series when he remarked, "Aw, four of those homers would have been just fly balls in Yankee Stadium." In the only other National League game yesterday, the Giants beat the Cubs, 10-9, when Dee Fondy's error set up an unearned run to settle a slug-fest which had seen homers by Ralph Kiner, Roy Smalley and Bubba Church of the Cubs and Dusty Rhodes of the Giants. Al Rosen clouted his 3Gth homer and Early Wynn fanned 10 batters in gaining his lfith win as the Indians beat the Red Sox, 13-3. Ray Herbrt's relief pitching gave the Tigers a 5-3 win over the A's despite Gus Zernial's 36th and 37th homers. Thompson Okay NEW YORK, Sept.

2-Third Baseman Hank Thompson of the Giants, knocked unconscious when struck by a batted ball Monday, will leave the hospital today and may rejoin the team for the Dodger series beginning Friday. FAN FARE Three flight backs in uniform now. Halfbacks Joe Capp of New-ton Falls, and Ray Fergusoi son and Bickford couldn't finish the games they started," Grimm explained. "I figured Burdette could pitch complete games and he proved he could. The other two kids (Antonelli and Buhl) also have been great." Grimm complained that his Braves' remarkable late-season pace was being overshadowed by the even stronger showing of the league-leading Brooklyn Dodgers.

"We've won 20 of our last 2(5 games," he pointed out. "Ordinarily, that would tm pretty good. But the way they (The Dodgers) have been going, we haven't been able to gain on them during the last month. "Still, we've been pretty lurkv. O'Briens Play Farewell Game Kiner and Cubs Here Tonight By LESTER J.

BIEDERMAN Ralph Kiner and the O'Brien twins make their final appearance of the season at Forbes Held tonight as the Pirates battle the Cubs. Kiner will be back In 1954 with the Cubs, but the O'Briens will be working for Uncle Sam. Eddie and Johnny leave after tonight's contest for their home in South Amboy, N. to arrange their personal affairs and will rejoin the Bucs in New York for the Labor Day doubleheader with the Giants. Although the Tirates meet the Phils at Forbes Field Sunday, the O'Briens will not be here for the single contest.

The Bucs and Cubs are simply marking time and waiting for the end of the dismal campaign, but Kiner has a little business he'd like to settle at Forbes Field. He hasn't been able to hit a home run here since being traded to the Cubs, June 4. Kiner is hitting .302 against Pirate pitching but has hit only one homer. Yet this one circuit blow enabled the Cubs to down the Bucs, 7-6, in Chicago. The Cubs boast much power and after the Braves feasted here Sunday with 12 homers in one afternoon, the Chicagoans may have some ideas of their own.

Hank Saucr, sidelined for six weeks with a broken hand, recently returned to action. Pirates Recall Paul Pettit Southpaw Paul Pettit, the $100,000 bonus boy, was recalled from the Charleston club of the South Atlantic League today by the Pirates. Pettit was ordered to join the Bucs immediately inasmuch as the Sally loop ends It season today. The southpaw first was sent to New Orleans, Southern this season, but later was transferred to Charleston. He appeared in five games with Charleston and had a 2-0 record.

Marine Leads Shooters CAMP PERRY, 0 Sept. 2-M Sgt. Maxim Bcebe of the Marine Corps took the lead yesterday in the national high-power rifle championships with a score of 98 out of a possible 100. THEY SAY COOD-BYE TONICHT Johnny (left) end Eddie O'Brien, who have been tapped by Uncle Sam, play their last game at Forbes Field against the Cubs before going to their South Amboy, N. home to get ready for military service.

They'll rejoin the Bucs in New York for the Labor Day doubleheader vy'th the Giants, then take a few more days at home before their induction a week from tomorrow. We just never recovered from that beating." Why play the game in Tulsa? What was the reason for it. "Next year," Rooney explained, "we may have to play Los Angeles on the coast. They have an option on us. If they want us to play out there if they want us, that's the catch we have to go out.

"Well, if we go out there, we have to have some place to atop off and play another game. It's a pretty expensive trip for one game, so we figured if we play in Tulsa on the way out, we won't have to worry too much about the expenses of the trip." The Steelers will be welcome in Tulsa. Midway through the game, Tulsa's first pro football contest, the public address announcer asked the fans if they'd like to see another pro exhibition next year. A tremendous roar of approval answered his question. Pros Play for Keeps in Exhibitions Ordinarily basketball coaches are a breed apart.

Rarely do they get interested in anything other than basketball. But Tulsa University's Clarence Iba, who's still shell-shocked from his team's NIT meeting with Duquesne last winter, summed up the feelings of the crowd. "They told me these pros don't try in exhibition games," he said. "If those fellows weren't trying out there tonight, I'd hate to see them when they were. Some of those blocks and tackles shook me and I was away up in the stands." Suddenly the telephone rang.

It was George Halas, coach of the Bears. He wanted to talk to Art Rooney. Rooney got on the phone. The two talked for 15 minutes, discussing the game. It was evident the talk made Rooney feel better.

"George said we had a pretty tough ball club," the Steeler owner said. "They just took advantage of some of our rookies, especially the line-backers. "He thought we'd be a lot stronger if we moved (Art) DeCarlo up there. Funny thing, Bach said something about that tonight right after the game." It was almost 1 o'clock and the plane was scheduled to leave early in the morning. Rooney got up from his chair, ready to leave the room.

Then he stopped and laughed. "Boy that Calvin," he said. "What a guy he is." -Of. ,001 A wit A i 1 Aifc 1 lliilBijig KnrniTi mniMwrTiMii r- of Jersey Shore both senlc with starting experience were sidelined with injuries during the out-of-season drills. Now they're running with the tentative first string.

That certainly doesn't assure them of jobs, for Dawson feels that with the exception of Epps the backfield will undergo plenty of changes both during the cur rent twice-daily drills at Ellsworth Center and in the first few games. Two of last year's regular de fensive backs Juniors Richi McCabe of North Catholic ami," Chester Rice of Derry Tw Five minute interview with the O'Brien twins, who came to the Pirates fresh from the Seattle University campus and won't be seen again at Forbes Field until 1956. They'll spend the next two years with Uncle Sam. What has been the biggest surprise about the majors to the O'Briens? high on the list of bidders the halfback jobs. So are a ci- pie of heralded sophomcVes, Gene Steratore of Washito-i -and Ray DiPasquale of Central Catholic.

Maltloll Weak on Defense Although Pete Neft of Vck- body, last season No. 1 ib at quarterback, is penciled in as Maihews Rejoins Steelers But May Miss Next Game OLEAN, N. Sept. 2 (Special) The Steelers, who have been getting a steady diet of bad news, received some good news for a change today. the starting signal caller thit fall, he has no solid grip on th post.

Running right behind him are a trio of juniors Rudy Mattioll The Majors Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1953 NATIONAL LEAGUE W.L. Pet. G.B. Brooklyn 91 40 .695 Milwaukee 80 51 .611 11 Philadelphia 73 59 .553 18 St.

Louis 70 59 .543 20 New York 63 68 .481 28 Cincinnati 58 73.413 33 rhpa si .382 ai ri(s) 41 95 52, Yesterday (hlratn ...03 102 OO0 II 1 ew JorV 204 001 li 10 14 1 Church. Pollet .1 KL1PPSTEIN nii Mcl'ulloutth: M1i. (Si, KOSLO (Si and Wpstrum. Homt runs hmalicy. Churca.

Kmer. Rhodes. -tnn iH'o!" .013 263 30111 0 M-amt hcnmmi 14', White (61 rhamhpis (7t and fllrp; ROE and CampaDcila Hnme runs -Muaiai, Limit, Kepuhki. BUkn Only fames acheduied. Today CWrjo (Simpson.

0-11 at PITTSBURGH (Friend. 4-10 i 30 m. Cincinnati at New York Milwaukee ihpann. 19-S) Brooklyn (Meyer, 14-51 Nljhl. St.

Louis Mttelt. 12-8) it Phlladelphik (Roberta, 21-11 Ninht. Tomorrow Milwaukee at Brooklyn Cincinnati at New Ynrk. St. Louia at Philadelphia, nliht.

Only gamea achedulcd. AMERICAN LEAGl'E W. L. Pet GB. New York ...87 43 Chicago 7S 53 Cleveland 77 51 Boston 72 61 Washington 6G 67 Philadelphia 52 80 Detroit 40 8.3 St.

Louis 46 86 669 ,595 9' i ,588 10', a 1fiU .394 36 .371 39 .343 42 Yesterday New Tork nun 2nn inn 1 Itilrato ODD OlO 1 00 2 7 0 FORD. Sam (7 1 and Berra. TRUCKS and Lotiar. Home run Mantle. RrMtnn znn not nnn .1 Cleveland 0)0 302 ,10 1.1 1.1 0 NIXON, Brown i2i, Sullivan I3t.

1-W-k 1 6 1 anrt While, WYNN and Heean. Heme tun Rosen Philadelphia 010 010 .1 11 Uetrnit 100 302 Oil 7 14 0 rRtCAW Cilrman I 7 1 and Aatrnlh. Carver, HERBERT (51 and Bucha. Horn turn- hernial 2 Only games aonertulerl. Today at Chlcan.

at New York 10-81 (Brerheen. ft-1 1 1 Nient PMlademhia (Bv-rl. 10-171 (Lemon, 18-131 Nitht. St. Lrnili at Cleveland Tomorrow New Ynrk St.

Louli. Ronton at Detroit. Philadelphia at Cleve'anrl. Washington at Oiicaeo, nieht. or Har-Brack, Henry (Model T) Ford of Schenlcy and Bill Hoff- man of Greensburg.

Mattioli at I least temporarily has knocked out of his first-string 'h position because of defensive weaknesses. JOHNNY "I never realized Duke Snider is as good as he really is." EDDIE 'The entire Dodger team surprised me, the terrific power and the great defense." Have you had any disappointments? JOHNNY "I would like to have had a second straight year in the majors before going into the Army. I learned so much in the first few months I hope I don't forget any of it. EDDIE "Same for me, too." Who are the toughest pitchers? JOHNNY "Russ Meyer and Curt Simmons." EDDIE "Harvey Haddlx and Warren Spahn." What opposing players helped you the most? JOHNNY Burgess gave me some batting tips." EDDIE "Earl Torgeson helped me and so did Johnny Logan and Robin Roberts." What will jou kids miss the most? JOHNNY and EDDIE "Sleeping late. We've been averaging about 12 to 11 hours a day in the sack but we understand they don't allow you to sleep as long as you want to in the Army." Donna Jouver strongly resents the fact that Joe C.a-ragiola left Gus Bell off his National League all-handsome team and she submits one of her own: By Walt Ditzen Ford, who has been a regular for two seasons at safety, could parlay that obvious advantage with his admitted passing ability into a ticket to the starting lineup.

Hoffman is a fair passer and the best runner of the quar- tet, but previously operated at halfback and still has to learn the intricacies of quarterback hand offs and such. Looks like a scorecard will needed after all. Miss Jouver agrees with Preston Ward as the first baseman hut substitutes lohnny O'Brien at second base. She places Daryl Spencer at short and Bobby Adams at third. Her outfield Jim Green-grass, Gus Bell and Mel lark.

Her catcher is Toby Indrith and the pitchers are Bob Friend and Robin Kolierts. Not bad. The present Pirate losing streak of nine games is within one of the season high of 10, established earlier this The Bucs have lost five games or more eight times this year. Warren Hacker of the Cubs promises to wipe out Murry Dickson's major league home run gopher ball record of 39. Hacker has given up 33 homers already.

Owner Bob Carpenter of the rhils holds a weekly press luncheon and bring along bis manager, one of the coaches and a couple of players to get In on the discussions with the writers. Don't be surprised if George Preston Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, buys into a big league ball club one of these days. Marshall is a rabid baseball fan, sees almost all the games at Griffith Stadium in Washington and would be a welcome addition to the major league He's a man of action and fresh ideas. Cab Driver Sues Pitcher Bearden CHICAGO, Sept. 2 UP) Gene Bearden, White Sox pitch er, was named dcicndant in a damage suit, filed by a cab driver in S.

District Court here. The suit was filed late yesterday by Attorney Joseph Taussig on behalf of Joseph M. Heilig, 29. It charges that. Bearden as-saulted'tiie cab driver last Aug.

20. was injured against the Chicago! Bears Saturday night, received nothing more serious than pulled shoulder muscles, and Tackle Ernie Stautncr, who underwent a knee operation a week ago, started walking yesterday. Claude Hipps, the safety man who missed the last three games, was in camp, ready to resume full-time operations. Cheered by the hospital reports, Coach Joe Bach sent his charges through two light drills today to end a three-day holiday for the weary athletes. Dr.

Philip Faix, the Steeler physician, reported to Bach that the X-rays of Mathews' shoulder failed to disclose any fractures or serious injuries. Stautner took his first steps yesterday since an operation to remove a cartilage last week. However, Dr. Faix said that there was little chance that the 235-pound tackle, a key man in the Steelers' defensive platoon, would see action before the opening league game with Detroit, Sept. 27.

Mathews was limited to running drills today and there is the possibility that he will be held out of next Wednesday's game with the Washington Redskins at Columbia, S. C. A's Wilhelm Returns PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2-The Athletics yesterday that Infieldcr Charles Spiber Wil- helm has hern released from the and will join the team in Cleveland today. Veeck Eyes Montreal MONTREAL.

Sept. 2 The Montreal Star reported today that Bill Veeck, owner of the St. Louis Browns, will visit Montreal iiext week to discuss the possibility of transferring his club here. Halfback Ray Mathews, who It I it I waynesourg Hires Athletic Director WAYNESBURG. Sept.

2 (Special) Ray Williams, head sports coach at Fairport (N. High School the past three years, was named athletic director and head coach of basketball and baseball at Waynesburg College today. Williams starred in basketball, baseball and soccer at Cortland State University in Cortland, N. graduating in 1947. He refused a contract with the Boston Braves to enter the coaching field.

A native of Alabama, he was stationed at Waynesburg with an Army Air Force training detachment during World War II. He succeeds Jim Haddick, who resigned to become a teacher and assistant coach at Wilkinsburg High School. LEAGUE LEADERS AMERICAN UEAOIE AB Vrnoti, Wajhlncton S3 Iinaen. Cleveland MS Chitajn 470 149 Mitchell. Cleveland 422 131 Etuer.

New York 364 112 NATIONAL LMGf'E AB. Itchn-ndimst, St. 4ji Jrvin. New York 391 1 35 funlln. Brnokivn 462 P'Winsrn.

BrnnKlvn 4.11 145 Fiipnn, BrooisKn 44 14s AsftDurn. Philadelphia 533 176 H0V fafhew. 43 lnrtiti. Kiuatewskl, 37 Snider, Dodters Tcf. .3 2 9 .317 .30 .30 Trl.

.340 Zernul, Atiiiftics. 37 mTTrn in Camp lla. Tdcr. 12 Hodtes, 2 Smder, Jnaihe, Bravea, 1 1 HIT Kue-in. pa'k.

flim'i 1 A'nNirn. Plnili. 1 74 Kwn. ..145 Vernon, Stnr.ort. T'lilley, Atnietica.

i5 flTCHINO VI. L. I. fi. Snahn.

B-av 19-5 tfflMl. Yanea 13-J Erakine, Doiigera. 17-S Biirdede, Bravea. 13-1 Today's Baseball NATIONAL LEAGUE Cincinnati. 000 AID 00 New York.

301 000 0 Pndhielan and Seminuk; Gnmea taJ We. trum. AMERICAN LEAGUK Washington 200 0 000 hhra and TiU Gerald; Keetin an Wrl. Boston 00 Del roil A Farneit and Hhite; Hneft and Itarltft. Sports on the Air Radio TODAY Chicago at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.

m. WWSW. THURSDAY Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 1:30 p. Yankees at St. Louis, 3 p.

m. WLOA. Television TONIGHT Randy Sanrty vs. Ernie urendo (boxing), 10 p. WDT7.

If TFr 'm' I ty rc-j I WlCus I N--iv3SACJ5- I If 4It)tnO W.ica" ZTi-tfl qpL.