McGraw Conference
 
 
On Curves Ahead
Remember, Sonny
That Rabbit's Foot
Didn't Save The Bunny -
Burma Shave
 
 
Yes, life is good for the erstwhile manager of the McGraw All Stars.
Cruisin' in my maroon Plymouth Savoy hardtop, listening to Teresa
Brewer and Nat King Cole on the radio - it doesn't get much better than
this.  Haven't seen "All About Eve" or "Sunset Boulevard" yet, but how
could they be any better than "Harvey"?
 
Well, I must admit the mangers did a bang-up job of picking the starters
for our team. My only change might have been Joltin' Joe instead of Ennis
and maybe Joost instead of Pee Wee, but that's why we have a 30-man
roster. Problem is, there were easily 40 who belonged there, by anyone's
standards.
 
I tend toward offense in the Midyear Classic - that's what the folks pay to
see.  Defensive specialists are fine in the middle infield, but not when
you've got guys like Stanky - that sells tickets. Pitching is more of  a
personal preference than sheer numbers for me, although the managers
picked the same hurlers I would have anyway.  I'm not much for pinch hit
artists, or this new idea they've come up with - "middle relievers".  So
you'll see bench players with at least 200 AB's, and pitchers who have
gone a goodly number of innings as well.
 
Easy choices were Westrum to back up Campy and Hartsfield to cover
Stanky.  At both positions, I considered there to be 2 stick-out performers.
Dimaggio and Wertz were pretty much no-brainers as well. First base was
overloaded, but Ferris Fain looked to be the best this side of Torgy. It was
painful to leave off  Gil Hodges and Luke Easter, though.
 
Backup for third base was a choice between Lenhardt and Dillinger, with
the latter getting the nod.  At shortstop, another deserving twosome were
left home - Dark and Rizzuto. Alvin was one of the hardest to leave
behind. The outfield overflowed with talent. Pafko had to be there, with
Coan and Chapman just edging out Gus Bell, Bobby Thomson and
probably the guy who would have been #31 on this roster - Dick Sisler.
 
As I said, I had no gripes with the 8 pitchers picked by the managers -
winners all, and all deserving of a place on the squad. I came down to 4
pitchers vying for 2 spots - I went with Ramsdell and Marrero over
Schmitz and Hiller. I never look at righty-lefty when picking for an
all-star game - at this level, it just doesn't make any difference to me -
talent is talent.
 
I'll start big Early Wynn - tough as nails;Lopat and Rush will follow.
Stanky's OBP makes him the obvious leadoff hitter, Torgeson hits
cleanup because I don't see anyone having a better season. It gives a
manager a warm feeling to field a lineup with Duke Snider hitting second
and Al Rosen hitting sixth.
 
I'm off to the A&W - be cool!
 
John Laburda