April 18, 1957 - YANKS SPOIL SCORE'S DEBUT

NEW BOSTON ACE IS WILD IN OPENER
New York 5, Boston 3
WP - Ford (1-0)
SV - Grim (1)
LP - Score (0-1)

BOSTON, Ma. - The young man with the million dollar arm, looked far from that amount today. The season-opening game at Fenway Park opened with much excitement today, and much anticipation. The whole city was abuzz with Herb Score's debut start for the beloved Red Sox, AND the recent beaning of Ted Williams. How long would Teddy spend on the disabled list ? Is his concussion serious ? Will Score be the arm to take the A.L. flag ? And to top it all off - this game was to be against the hated Yankees and their left-handed ace, Mr. Ford. Fenway Park was packed hours in advance in the biggest game seen in this city, for years.

Score started off the game in blazing style, whiffing the first two Yankee batters, Bauer and McDougald, and then getting Mantle to fly out to Jimmy Piersall in center.

By the end of the 3rd inning, Boston had a handy 3-0 lead, thanks to a Gene Mauch RBI-triple, and RBI singles from Frank Malzone and hulking Dick Gernert.

Mickey Mantle would get New York on the board in the top of the 4th, clubbing a Score curveball well over the Green Monster in left, his first home run of the season.

Nursing a 3-1 lead over New York, yet struggling with his control, it all came crashing down for Score in the top of the 8th inning. Score's control completely deserted him and after walking the first three batters of the 8th, he was quickly yanked by Boston manager Pinky Higgins. Higgins brought in Rudy Minarcin, but resulting, back-to-back 2-run doubles from Moose Skowron and rookie Tony Kubek, iced this comeback victory for New York, in fine fashion.

On the New York mound, Ford was removed in the bottom half of the 8th after having hurled a steady game, and the victory was preserved by Bob Grim, the new ace of the Bomber's bullpen.

Herb Score's line :
7 IP, 7 H, 4 ERs, 7 BBs, 6 Ks


DODGERS WIN ON SNIDER GRAND SLAM IN 10th
Brooklyn 7, Pittsburgh 3 (10 innings)
WP - Roebuck (1-0)
LP - Purkey (0-1)

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - With both teams knotted at 3 runs apiece, this game went into extra innings. But it didn't last long. After the Pirates' Red Swanson had loaded the bases in Brooklyn's half of the 10th, junkballing Bob Purkey was brought in to face Duke Snider. Snider promptly took the 2nd pitch of Purkey's and swatted it over the right-field fence for a grand slam home run, winning the ballgame for the Dodgers, 7-3.

The man in right field for Brooklyn, Mr. Furillo, left the game in the 6th after being hit with a Vern Law pitch on his right wrist. After the game, team doctors informed the press that Furillo would miss the next few weeks due to bad bruising in and around his wrist.


SIMMONS BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
Philadelphia 3, New York 1
WP - Simmons (1-0)
LP - Gomez (0-1)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Well, Curt Simmons is back. But he doesn't throw with quite the same amount of smoke he's thrown with in years past. Arm troubles last year have taught this young man that he can't blow the ball by the batters forever. Today we saw the Simmons of the future as he held the Giants bats to a single earned run on 7 hits, walking only 1, while striking out 3. The Phillie lefty was the picture of control this afternoon.

Other than Schoendienst and Mays, this Giants team is full of a whole lot of nothing. The trade talks swirling around Schoendienst continue to swirl, and the latest jabber has him going to either Milwaukee, the Yankees, or Boston.


HOAK CLOUT IN 12th WINS IT FOR REDLEGS
Cincinnati 3, Milwaukee (12 innings)
WP - Lawrence (1-0)
SV - Gross (1)
LP - Spahn (0-1)

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - For 11 innings plus, this game was all about a truly classic pitching duel between Warren Spahn and Cincinnati's sinker-balling Brooks Lawrence. Until, that is, Don Hoak decided to take a Spahnie slider for a ride deep into right field grandstand at Milwaukee's County Stadium.


LARY OUTDUELS TRIBE'S GARCIA
Detroit 3, Cleveland 1
WP - Lary (1-0)
LP - Garcia (0-1)

DETROIT, Mi. - A 2-run home run off the bat of Frank House, in the 2nd inning, would end up being the game-winner for the Tigers in their home opener at Briggs Stadium in Detroit.

Tiger ace Frank Lary, picked up where he left off last season, dominating the Indians bats all day long with that handy-dandy slider of his. Lary held them to only 1 earned run on 5 hits, along with 5 whiffs and only a single walk.


A'S LOSES ON MUFFS IN 4th
Chicago 4, Kansas City 2
WP - Donovan (1-0)
LP - Morgan (0-1)

CHICAGO, Il. - The man with the best slider in all of baseball, yes we're speaking of Chicago's Dick Donovan, had all of his pitches working this afternoon in the opening affair at Comiskey Park.

It all essentially boiled down to a 2-run fielding muff by big Gus Zernial, K.C's left-fielder and best hitter. Zernial, never known to be anything but questionable with the leather, misjudged a Dave Philley line drive, enabling the bases loaded situation to go completely out of control. The two runs that scored on the Zernial miscue would be the difference as Tom Morgan countered Donovan's hurling with a good, solid start to his mound career with the Athletics.


BANKS HOME RUN SINKS DICKSON & CARDINALS
Chicago 7, St. Louis 5
WP - Drabowsky (1-0)
SV - Littlefield (1)
LP - Dickson (0-1)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Little Murry Dickson's wide variety of pitches, arm angles, and speeds, weren't enough to quell the Chicago bats. Ernie Banks' impressive 3-run home run spearheaded a 4-run Cubbie attack in the 4th inning, and Bob Speake's 2-run triple in the 5th capped off three more runs. The Cards would not come back from this, as Drabowsky did just enough to stave them off. Dick Littlefield came on to preserve the victory, late in the 7th frame, and earned the save.


NATS WIN IT ON BRIDGES' PINCH-HIT SWAT IN 9th
Washington 4, Baltimore 1
WP - Pascual (1-0)
LP - O'Dell (0-1)

WASHINTON, D.C. - For seven innings and a bit, Ray Moore and Washington's diminutive Camilo Pascual duelled. After a double and a single from Herbie Plews and Eddie Yost, respectively, Moore was yanked by Manager Richards in favour of his big southpaw, Billy O'Dell. O'Dell struck out Runnels, and then got Siever to pop up to Kell at third.

On the Senators side of the pitching hill, Pascual's amazing curveball was bending this way and that, all day long. In fact, Pascual's 4 walks, proved that sometimes even he could not control which way his bender would bend. His 7 whiffs, however, proved that this little man is going to be a pitching force to be reckoned with, in the coming years.

O'Dell started off the bottom of the 9th in ill fashion. Jim Lemon singled, Ed Fitz Gerald then pinch-hit for Lou Berberet and promptly drew a walk on 4 straight O'Dell pitches. Jerry Snyder then flie dout to Francona in center, and then Rocky Bridges stepped up to the plate, pinch-hitting for Pascual. Bridges slammed a 2-2 fastball, deep, deep, deep, and over the center field wall. Francona could only watch, as the ball sailed out for a 3-run home run, and the fans at Griffith Stadium went bonkers as their team had won !

April 17, 1957 - Tomorrow's Fenway Opener -- Full Of Questions

NEW YORK, N.Y. - All of Boston baseball fans are on the edge of their seats these days. To be a fan of the Red Sox, these days, takes a cool nerve, indeed. For the past 24 hours, Boston fans have been wondering, "How is Ted doing ?", "Will he be back soon ?", this after the beaning in yesterday's game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The latest dope has Williams being out of action until the beginning of June, but the doctors at John Hopkins Medical Center are still running tests on Teddy's noodle and haven't officially stated when they think he'll be back playing major league ball.

Add all of this to the big pitching matchup that we'll all see here tomorrow afternoon. The hated Yankees are in town, yes those fellows. Casey will be sending Whitey Ford to the mound against none other than the young man with the $1 million arm, yes you guessed it - Mr. Score.

When asked why Ford was not started yesterday at the Yankee Stadium season opener, Casey replied with, "Listen fellows, I needed to send my best up against that young turk, boy that Score is sumthin' else. Whitey is just the man for the job. I'd bet a $10 steak with any of you that he's going to give Boston's latest money man a good run tomorrow afternoon. Yes indeed."

Whitey himself boarded the train, alongside Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, with a little smirk on his face, looking a bit like the cat that had just swallowed the canary. "I know all about these guys," Ford quipped to the press referring to the Boston batters, "Sure, it's going to be a tough game, but I've got the better group of ballplayers backin' me up."

Although its next to impossible to predict the winner of this matchup, what we do know is WHO Ford WON'T be facing come tomorrow afternoon.

April 17, 1957 - YOUNG BUNNING BLANKS A'S

BUCS SLAP AROUND GIANTS ROOKIE
Pittsburgh 8, New York 2
WP - Kline (1-0)
LP - Barclay (0-1)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Young Curt Barclay, who impressed so many in New York's recent training camp down South, did not impress today at Forbes Field. Oh no sir. Barclay was belted to the tune of 8 earned runs on 8 hits over a shade under 5 innings of work. The Pirate bats were in business today, yes indeed. Home runs from Dick Groat and big Frank Thomas helped matters along, admirably, for the home team. The big question, when we're talking Giants baseball is - where is Andre Rodgers ? Why is Darryl Spencer getting the starts at short ? Stay tuned ...


CARDS EDGE CINCINNATI
WP - Mizell (1-0)
SV - Smith (1)
LP - Klippstein (0-1)

CINCINNATI, Oh. - Big Elmer Mizell got the ball for St. Loo today, and that big curve of his was in fine form. The Cardinals jumped out to the early lead, thanks to solo home runs off the bats of Musial & Landrith, over the first two innings. Klippstein served up another St. Louis home run, this one again a solo job by Del Ennis, later in the 4th.

Cincinnati got on the board in the 6th, when Big Klu singled in Johnny Temple from second base, and then Gus Bell's RBI double in the 8th, pulled the Redlegs to within one. Cardinals southpaw relief man Bob Smith came on in the 8th, directly after the Bell double, and managed to fan Big Klu to end the inning. A Don Hoak double in the bottom of the 9th came to nothing as Smith whiffed Alex Grammas to end the game.


YOUNG TIGER HURLER SURPRISES ALL WITH SHUTOUT WIN
WP - Bunning (1-0)
LP - Garver (0-1)

KANSAS CITY, Mi. - One of the big questions coming out of Tiger training camp this year, was the 4th spot in their pitching rotation. Yes, we all know about Lary, Hoeft, and Foytack, and there spots are assuredly #1, #2, and #3. But what we all didn't have a clue about was - WHO would be #4 ? Well, we have our answer. Jim Bunning, along with Duke Maas and Gene Host, were to be the competitors for this 4th slot in the Tabby hurling rotation, and today's game has quickly ended that competition.

Bunning was brilliant on this afternoon, hurling a 5-hit shutout and seemingly just getting stronger and stronger as the game wore on. His fastball and slider made Boudreau's Boys look foolish today, striking out 8 of them in all, and his poise has shocked us all. Is this the same Bunning as last season's raw tosser ? Apparently not !

Ned Garver was solid on the slab for K.C., but his disastrous 3rd inning and those quartet of Detroit doubles, combined with a Kaline solo homer in the 6th - spelled the "L" word for Ned.

April 17, 1957 - Kubek and Rodgers Tipped As Top Rookies

NEW YORK, N.Y. - On the basis of many sportswriter's personal observations in Florida, and based on scouting reports coming out of Arizona, it appears that Tony Kubek of the New York Yankees, is considered the leading rookie player in the American League. Over in the National League, the Giants' young shortstop Andre Rodgers is being hailed as the next great thing.

Kubek, who had spent the 1956 training season with the Bombers and had been tried in the outfield by Casey, took to the work in left and center this time with avidity of high ambition , and the skill of a versatile, determined young man of only 20. He is a big boy, 6 feet three inches and weighs 190 pounds. Tony has speed, an arm, and though he is not a power hitter, appears likely to do well for average. He can bunt, he can handle himself well both at short and on the picket line. With all that, he is quiet, well-balanced, modest, humble and according to Stengel, "the real Yankee type".

Rodgers is from the Bahamas, who started out as a cricket player. He is rangy, with a fine arm, who combines great speed with a bat that can hit to all fields and hit with a fair bit of power, to boot.

April 17, 1957 - "No hard feelings," says Teddy

BALTIMORE, Md. - Speaking to reporters from his bed at Baltimore's John Hopkins Medical Center, Ted Williams was in fine spirits and does not hold any hard feelings to Orioles hurler Connie Johnson.

"Connie is not the type of guy to go head-hunting, I know that. I definitely hold no hard feelings against Connie, I'm sure that it was pitch that just got away. These things happen.", Williams told the press this morning. "I just feel woozy right now. I'm having a bit of difficulty standing without falling over on my ass. The doc here says I'm going to be taking it easy for a while before I can get out there on the field to help out the Red Sox."

It was a 5th inning Connie Johnson fastball that beaned Williams in yesterday's season opener at Memorial Stadium here in Baltimore. As Williams crashed to the ground, unconscious, the fans at Memorial went to a dead quiet. Memories of Ray Chapman came flooding back to many, and all of baseball was worried for one of the game's great players. Ted was quickly stretchered off the field and sped by ambulance to John Hopkins Medical Center last night. Doctors quickly brought Teddy around, and after a battery of brain scans, have determined that the Boston slugger has a Grade 3 concussion. Its believed that Williams will be out of action for a month, perhaps longer.

Red Sox bench boss Pinky Higgins as admitted this a huge blow to the Boston lineup, "I won't deny it, this is going to hurt us. You don't lose the best hitter of our time to this kind of injury, and not feel the effect. We're going to have to do our best, and I believe with Gene Stephens we've got a good backup to step in until Teddy is ready to come back."

More of the Red Sox curse ? Perhaps. If you believe in those sort of things.

April 16, 1957 - TED WILLIAMS, BEANED - IN HOSPITAL !

DODGERS WIN ON SNIDER BLAST
Brooklyn 3, Philadelphia 2
WP - Newcombe (1-0)
LP - Roberts (0-1)

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Duke Snider's 2-run clout off of Robin Roberts in the 3rd inning, is the difference-maker in Brooklyn's 3-2 win over the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium, here in the city of brotherly love. Big Don Newcombe had started off the game on shaky ground, serving up a fat gopherball to Stan Lopata who parked the pitch in the left-centerfield bleachers for a 2-run home run. Newcombe then shut down the Phillie offence the rest of the way.


GIANTS ROUT PIRATES
New York 8, Pittsburgh 3
WP - Antonelli (1-0)
LP - Friend (0-1)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pirate ace Bob Friend is absolutely shelled by the Giants bats in the home opener at Forbes Field, to the tune of 7 earned runs in a little over 3 innings of work. Giants starting pitcher Johnny Antonelli goes seven solid innings, whiffing 5 batters and allowing 3 earned runs on 9 hits.


POST SLAMS PAIR OF 2-RUN HOMERS
Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 2
WP - Nuxhall (1-0)
LP - Jones (0-1)

CINCINNATI, Oh. - The Cards start off the new season with a bang ! In the top of the 1st inning at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, St. Looie second baseman Don Blasingame swats a deep line drive to right field, over the head of Wally Post. As the Redleg faithful watch Post slip and fall on the soggy Crosley turf trying to reach the rolling baseball, "Blazer" zips around the bases and crosses home plate with an inside-the-park home run ! But Post would redeem himself clubbing a pair of 2-run home runs off of "Toothpick" Sam Jones, enabling the Redlegs to post a 5-2 win in their home opener.


AARON & BURDETTE SPOIL WRIGLEY OPENER
Milwaukee 5, Chicago 3
WP - Burdette (1-0)
LP - Rush (0-1)

CHICAGO, Il. - Spitballing Lew Burdette spoils the Opening Day festivities at Wrigley Field in Chicago, aided by the bat of Hank Aaron (3-run home run, double), and Del Rice (solo home run). Bob Rush's sinkerball had a lot of trouble sinking in this game, and Rush's control was not at it's usual high level.


KUBEK CLEANS THE FLOOR WITH WASHINGTON
New York 10, Washington 1
WP - Larsen (1-0)
LP - Ramos (0-1)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - At Yankee Stadium, this perfect game hero of this past World Series, Don Larsen, pitches shutout ball until Lou Berberet's RBI double in with two outs in the top of the 9th inning. It wouldn't matter as the mighty Yankees absolutely embarrass Pedro Ramos and the Senators. One of the top prospects in all of baseball, young Tony Kubek, got the start in left field today, and boy - he sure didn't disappoint. Kubek swatted a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning off of Ramos, and then added an RBI double in the 7th inning, again off of Ramos.


WILLIAMS IS BEANED ON JOHNSON PITCH - IN HOSPITAL
Baltimore 2, Boston 0
WP - Johnson (1-0)
LP - Brewer (0-1)

BALTIMORE, Md. - Marring a dominating 6-hit, 7-strikeout shutout, Connie Johnson's horrible beaning of Ted Williams, has the baseball world all in a flutter. Williams is now in stable condition at John Hopkins Medical Center, having been rushed there immediately after being hit with a Johnson pitch in the top of the 5th inning. More news to follow ...


PIERCE FANS 14, BUT SOX STILL LOSE
Cleveland 2, Chicago 1 (12 innings)
WP - Tomanek (1-0)
LP - Howell (0-1)

CLEVELAND, Oh. - Billy Pierce and Early Wynn duelled for 10 full innings, the tied knotted at 1 run apiece. Pierce, was absolutely unbelievable in his hurling - whiffing an incredible total of 14 Cleveland batters and allowing only 2 hits !! Wynn wasn't nearly as brilliant, but got Chicago batters out, time after time. It would be after the starting pitchers had left the game that this contest would be ultimately decided, when Roger Maris would swat a 1-out solo home run in the bottom of the 12th inning off of Dixie Howell.

April 15, 1957 - OPENING DAY

STOBBS HURLS 4-HIT SHUTOUT IN OPENER
Washington 4, Baltimore 0
WP - Stobbs (1-0)
LP - Loes (0-1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After President Eisenhower tossed out the ceremonial first pitch to Clint Courtney, the capacity crowd at Griffith Stadium, here in the nation's capital, was treated to a first-class pitching performance from Mr. Charles Stobbs.

Stobbs had his fastball crackling today, and those young Oriole kids didn't have a chance. The Washington pitcher fanned nine batters, and allowed a stingy total of only four hits, on his way to a convincing shutout victory for the Senators. Herbie Plews' 2-run triple was the 3rd inning nail in Baltimore's coffin, and a Stobbs RBI-single later in the 6th was gravy.

This young third baseman we've all been hearing about, Brooks Robinson, pinch-hit for Baltimore starter Billy Loes in the 7th inning, and then took his place at third, replacing Kell, later in the inning. He promptly showed why the Orioles brass think he's the next big thing, spearing a sizzling line drive off of the bat of Roy Sievers, and then making a sensational, diving grab of a Jim Lemon grounder in the 8th.

April 1957 - Erskine Returns To New York For Treatment

VERO BEACH, Fla. - Just 17 days before the beginning of the new ball season, Brooklyn's #17, Carl Erskine, made a decision unique among ballplayers. The little Hoosier has told Dodger management that he's "through", unless the treatment that he's seeking in New York proves to be the cure that his ailing arm so desperately needs.

"I haven't been satisfied with pitching since 1954," Carl said. "What I may have done at times, is beside the point. I want to be able to give an honest effort at all times and now I don't feel I can do that. I went to Wal [Alston] after I pitched that one inning against the Reds on March 30, and told him how I felt - that I wasn't effective couldn't be the way my arm is now. I've tried everything, but I can't throw as I used to without acute pain."

Erskine and Karl Spooner, another Dodger hurler with a sore wing, are both now en route to New York to visit with consulting doctors.

April 1957 - Philadelphia's Jones Beaned On Helmet

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Phillies' third baseman, Willie Jones, escaped what might have been a crippling injury because he wore his batting helmet while running the bases in an exhibition game against the Reds on March 30th.

Jones was hit squarely on the forehead while sliding into second as shortstop Alex Grammas threw to first in an attempt at a double play. Carried from the field on a stretcher to the hospital, Jones required six stitches to close a cut just below the hairline. X-rays proved negative but the helmet probably saved Jones from a skull fracture.

Last spring, Jones received a hairline skull fracture when Brooklyn's Don Newcombe hit him with a pitch in an exhibition game here.

April 1957 - Haney To Stick With Regulars From Last Season

CLEARWATER, Fla. - This spring we've seen impressive play from the likes of young Felix Mantilla and Wes Covington for these Braves. The latest dope had Covington unseating Bobby Thomson as the starting man in left field for Milwaukee, as well, Mantilla had the lead on Bobby O'Connell's job at second base.

Not so, says Fred Haney.

"Bobby will get the start at second on Opening Day, and Bobby is still my starting left-fielder. Yes, Covington and Mantilla have played well in camp, but I still think those jobs are not theirs", said Haney this morning after Braves batting practice. When asked about the talk that he was grooming Mantilla as a utility man, and not the Braves' second baseman, Haney snapped, "It doesn't mean that at all. He's got a chance to be a real good one. If he gets much better, he'll have the job [at second base]."

April 1957 - Kubek Voted Top Rookie In Yankee's Camp

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The number 1 prospect in the camp of the New York Yankees and unanimous winner of the 2nd annual Rookie Of the Camp poll by the writers, is 20-year old Tony Kubek.

Kubek, who batted .331 , with 85 RBIs and 6 home runs with Denver last year, has appeared at short, and in left & center field with the Bombers, and has impressed in all efforts. Tony is not a power hitter. But he is fast, has an arm, is adroit and ambitious, and is likely to open in left on April 16th.

Dick Sanders, who hit .305 Binghamton as a third baseman, has been tried in the outfield by the Yankees, and according to Mickey Mantle, is the number 2 prospect in camp.

April 1957 - Ring-Around-Rosen, Is Over

SARASOTA, Fla. - General Manager Hank Greenberg of the Cleveland Indians, told reporters today about the truth to the dope that Al Rosen would be coming out of retirement to play third base for his team, this season.

"Over the past week or so, there have been phone calls made, back and forth between Al, Kirby [Farrell], and myself. As of yesterday, Al made it know that he was ready to come back and play another season of ball for us, and after discussing it over with Kirby, it was all systems go. Earlier today, Al rang me back and told me that he wasn't going to accept my offer of a new one-year contract to play for Cleveland, telling me that the offer wasn't good enough."

The talk around the Cleveland front office is that the Indians' chief negotiater, Bill Veeck, had made a $40,000 offer to Rosen a few days before, and with Greenberg's most recent off of $27,500, Rosen was said to be not happy with the difference, leading to the refusal.

April 1957 - Goodman Loses Keystone Job To Mauch

SARASOTA, Fla. - Peppery Gene Mauch, 31, was named the Red Sox starting second baseman by Pinky Higgins, earlier this morning. The incumbent keystone, Billy Goodman, former A.L. batting champ and the owner of a .306 lifetime average, lost the job to the little hustler mainly due to his recent bouts with mononucleosis, suffered this past off-season.

When asked about how he felt about losing the starting job to Mauch, Goodman replied, "I don't mind it at all. All I hope is that I stay with the Red Sox. I'm not fully recovered from that attack of mononucleosis. My blood count is not what it should be. I don't know if I can play regularly, right now. I know that I can fill in a few games a week and help the club."

Ted Williams was talking to Mauch during batting practice recently. "I saw Leo Durocher, one day this past winter," said Ted. "I asked him one baseball question. He had seen Gene in Los Angeles last summer, as well as during a few National League seasons while he was managing. I asked him about Mauch. Leo told me, 'You can forget about second base. Mauch will make it. He hasn't got a lot of range or speed, but if he gets the ball he'll make the play."

April 1957 - Ted Welcomes Million Dollar Arm

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The man who tends Boston's left field, yes you all know the guy, spoke to the press yesterday about the arrival of the young man from Cleveland, baseball's newest million-dollar baby !

"Boy, what a signing for Mr. Yawkey and the Boston Red Sox ballclub. This young man can really toss that ball around. I will go out on a limb, right here and now, and say that he's got what it takes to be the next Bob Grove. I am very happy to have him on the Boston Red Sox team. It should prove to be quite the summer."

Williams, and his Red Sox teammates, welcomed Score with open arms, and many see his left arm as a possible meal ticket to a run for the American League flag, this summer.

Golden-haired Jackie Jensen was heard to quip, "Gosh, now I don't have to bat against this guy ! Why, my batting average should be about 10-15 points higher now !"

Boston's manager, Pinky Higgins, finally gave his two cents yesterday, him being silent up until this point in time. "I do believe we will fit Herb in at the top of our rotation, yes. I've already talk to Tom [Brewer] about this, and he's more than happy to give up that #1 spot." When asked about whether he would set up some kind of conservative approach to Score's starts, in terms of pitch counts and the like, Higgins responded quickly with, "Now listen here. I know that we have a man with a million dollar arm, but I'm not in the business to baby pitchers. Not leaving them in to keep their throwing rhythm going is just as unhealthy to their soupers. Nope. I'll ride Score as long as he's the hot hand and I'm not going to treat him with kid gloves."

April 1957 - Yankees Sure Shots ?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Are the Yankees sure shots to win the American League flag again this coming season ? Not in Casey's book.

Some of the spring training dopesters have favoured the Indians to finish second, although with the latest Score sale, we're not so sure about that. Many lately have been talking about the Red Sox giving the Yankees a run for their money, but still with just about the entire baseball world using the words "Yankees" and "colussus" in the same sentence, I think we will indeed see another pinstriped A.L. flag winner come this autumn.

The 'Ol Perfesser was a bit more conservative in his comments about his team, responding with, "I have to say I have the best-looking team in the American League, and I have to tell you I like my club, and it's chances. But I ain't gonna tell you we are a sure thing, and I wish people in the league would stop that kind of talk, which the managers ain't doing it, only Ted Williams comes out with the statement that we are in and Boston is lucky to finish fourth."

Stengel went on to say, "Our club so much depends on three players - Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford. I don't like to bring this up but suppose they get hurt ? All this talk here of a cinch could make my men get strong ideas about themselves. I don't think I have that type of club. I know that my men, which they are paid well, and are eager to build up their bank accounts while they can, will not get careless. I will be on the lookout for carelessness more than ever. It could be fatal."

April 1957 - Score In Red Sox Camp

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Mr. Score, the man with the million dollar pitching arm, arrived in Red Sox training camp here in Fort Myers, earlier today.

"I'm very happy to be with the Red Sox, " the red-haired young gun told reporters here today. "Mr. Yawkey has treated me like a prince for the past few days, why I've even been lucky enough to have dinner with him the other night."

The fact that Score is now on the Boston roster will mean that Tom Brewer becomes the #2 man in the Red Sox rotation of starting pitchers.

Sammy White, Boston's all-star receiver, was ecstatic in his praise of Score. "Getting the chance to catch such a talented young guy has got me as giddy as a school girl. All of the guys on the team are real excited about this, it's going to mean big things for us this season !"

Score also hinted that Yawkey has chatted with him regarding a new salary, but the young man was tight-lipped when pressed for further details.

April 1957 - Sponsors Will Spend 31 Million On Aircast Rights

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Televising of major league baseball will reach new heights this year, with a record 881 regular season contests to be covered, in addition to the All-Star Game and the World's Series, at a cost to the sponsors of $31 million, including radio rights, Television Age magazine reported in it's annual survey in it's March 25 issue.

April 1957 - Hot Corner Kid Blazes As Rookie

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - As the Orioles flipped through the final pages of their Cactus League schedule, Brooks Robinson was scorching up the desert sands as the hottest rookie on Paul Richards' embryonic squad.

The kid from Little Rock, who won't hit the age of 20 before May 18th, was pounding enemy pitching at a .340 clip, through 15 exhibition games, and was drawing rave notices for his fielding at third base.

Richards could not conceal the fact that he was getting a little higher on Robinson with each new day. "I believe he is going to be able to hit the good pitching, " said Tall Paul in an unguarded moment. "Defensively, he looks to be ready for the big leagues now."

April 1957 - Thousands Ignore Earthquake To Watch Red Sox

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. - There seems to be little question that California will support major league ball. Over the course of three exhibition games, a grand total of 57,345 fans ignored earthquake tremors to pass through turnstiles at Seals Stadium, paying for the right to see Ted Williams and the Boston Red Sox in action.

Before the opening game, Ted Williams was among those asked to say a few words to the crowd. "I first played here 21 years ago," Ted told the fans. "It was a great baseball town then, and on looking over the crowd here this evening, I've got to say that it's still a great baseball town. I hope you get major league ball here real soon."

March 1957 - Score Sold To Boston For One Million Dollars

SARASOTA, Fla. - In a deal that has staggered the world of pro baseball, the Boston Red Sox have paid the amount of 1 million dollars in exchange for the golden left arm of Cleveland pitching star, Herb Score. It was a transaction that was done in the humblest of places - right here in Sarasota, on a park bench at Bayfront Park. What is the world coming to ?

The deal came about when Joe Cronin, Red Sox general manager and puppet-master, got the go-ahead from Tom Yawkey to lay out the dough for the prized lefty. "Mr. Yawkey just about shouted my ear off this morning telling me to make the offer to Greenberg and the Indians ballclub for Score. Why, I've never heard him shout this loud before. Yes, we're really happy about this addition to our pitching staff for the coming ballseason.", said Cronin late yesterday evening.

Greenberg, meanwhile, was less forthcoming with the press about the deal. "It's done. That's it. I think this is the best deal for both ballclubs", was all that big Hank had to say this morning from a downtown Tampa hotel.

The addition of the star lefty to Boston's staff of arms gives them Score, Tom Brewer, Frank Sullivan, and Willard Dixon in their rotation. An argument could be made that the Red Sox might now have the best staff in the American League.

The only question we all have remaining in our minds is, what will the Indians do with all of this dough ?