Sunland Tribune

Volume 19 Article 10

1993

Señor: The Managerial Career of Al Lopez

Wes Singletary

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Recommended Citation Singletary, Wes (1993) "Señor: The Managerial Career of Al Lopez," Sunland Tribune: Vol. 19 , Article 10. Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/sunlandtribune/vol19/iss1/10

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sunland Tribune by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEÑOR: THE MANAGERIAL CAREER OF AL LOPEZ

By WES SINGLETARY

guys finish last,”2 Lopez would none the less scratch and claw for every strategic advantage and in the end usually found a way to win.

Lopez had exemplified these attributes since childhood and had evidenced them throughout his tenure as a player. In a playing career that spanned eighteen years in the and one in the American, Lopez was nothing if not competitive and hungry for victory. Durability and respect typified his career as he established the record for most games caught in a career at 1,918, a record which held up for many years. Yet in spite of his own desire, he was on a first division club only nine times with most of those teams finishing no better than fourth. The 1944 Pirates gave him his highest finish placing second that year. It was also the Pirate organization that gave him his first opportunity to manage at the profes- Al Lopez Monument - Al Lopez Park, Tampa, sional level by naming him skipper of their Fla. American Association affiliate in Indianapo- lis. Passion for the game, desire, heart, a demand for respect... these are qualities that In his autobiography, Veeck-As in Wreck, Al Lopez initially brought with him to declared, "If Al Lopez has a Indianapolis for the start of the 1948 season. weakness as a , and I said if, it is that he is too decent ... Al was completely Al spent three highly successful years at relaxed. In that cool, calm way of his he Indianapolis, winning the American squeezed every possible drop of talent of Association in his maiden season, 1 his team" 1948, and following it with two second place finishes in 1949 and 1950.3 While at This quote in many ways sums up the Indianapolis, Lopez, for a short time, managerial career of Al Lopez. While acquired the services of his long-time team- known throughout baseball as a living mate, roommate and friend Tony refutation of 's axiom, "Nice Cuccinello, as a . According to Lopez, Cuccinello had always been "the type of with".6 Al Lopez was that someone and player you could win a pennant with ... Tony following the 1950 season, Greenberg hired was a good ballplayer. He was a pretty good him to take over in . hitter; Fine on plays. Didn't have a great arm or great speed. If he had great Greenberg remembers believing that the speed he would have been a Hall of decision to replace Boudreau with Lopez Famer.”4 These were qualities which Al would be unpopular because of the length of hoped Cuccinello could pass along to the time Boudreau had spent in Cleveland and players as coach. the player-manager's overwhelming popularity. Also, the press had already been Upon receiving the managing Job in reporting that Boudreau was going to be Indianapolis, Lopez explained to the owner re-signed for another season and Greenberg of the team that he would need a coach for felt that they may feel slighted when their those occasions in which he might be sources proved incorrect.7 thrown out of a ballgame or when he may have to step in and a game himself. On the night of the signing, Greenberg Lopez recalls, secretly flew Lopez into Cleveland and took him to the "Wigwam", 's "I wanted a coach because I was going to dining room for the press and employees of have to catch some, I caught about 50 games the club. In his autobiography Greenberg at Indianapolis. Then the Cincinnati Club recalled that, comes over and asks me if they can have permission to talk with Tony about going "Reporters had come from the back up to the big leagues as a player and I surrounding cities and were gathered said that if he can go back to the big leagues, around conversing when out walked I wouldn't stand in his way. So he went to At Lopez from the men's room into Cincinnati.”5 the huge dining room. I said, 'Gentlemen, here's your next Cuccinello later returned to Lopez manager of the , after the latter began managing at Cleveland Mr. At Lopez.' Well, you could have and subsequently began a long relation as knocked the writers over with a Al's right hand man. feather. They felt they had been outsmarted even though it was they In November, 1949, Bill Veeck and his who had gone out on the limb to partners sold the Cleveland Indians to a announce Boudreau as our syndicate of local businessmen headed by an manager.”8 insurance executive named Ellis Ryan. , the former Tiger slugger Greenberg further explains, who had most recently been the farm director for Cleveland (and in such capacity "Fortunately for me, At Lopez had had developed an instructional baseball played for the Cleveland Indians in facility in Marianna, Florida), was installed 1946 and was a veteran ballplayer as the General Manager. Having no great with a great personality and great regard for the leadership qualities of then disposition. He had been friends with manager, , Greenberg wanted all the writers, and they had someone as manager that "he could work enormous respect for him. So while

At Lopez spent six crisis filled seasons in Cleveland, and during that time the Indians never won fewer than 88 out of 154 games. The Indians had slouched into fourth place in 1950, however, in the six years that followed, they finished second five times and captured the pennant in 1954. 11

Lopez always believed that a manager had to adapt his style to his material. In Cleveland the material was powerful but lacked speed. He recalls,

"I didn't have too much speed on the (Cleveland) club, we usually only stole around thirty bases, but we did have guys who could the ball out of the park; , At Rosen, and . So our game was to hold the other side with our good pitching and wait for somebody to Al Lopez, manager of the Cleveland Indians sock one out.”12 with old friend, .

(This was a practice of tried and true method they disliked me for having pulled a later made popular by and his fast one on them, they still respected of the late 1960's and my decision. They heaped praise on early 1970's.) the choice of Lopez becoming the new manager but took their This Cleveland Indian squad combined embarrassment out on me for getting pitching and power hitting in a manner that rid of a great hero in Lou few teams had ever equaled. The pitching 9 Boudreau." rotation of , , Mike Garcia, and is Thus, amid some controversy, began the big what many believe, the best pitching staff in league managerial career of At Lopez. big league history. The fact that three of the hurlers (Lemon, Feller, Wynn) are now in "A major league manager is like a lion the Hall of Fame lends Justifiable credence tamer. Danger can come from any quarter. to the claim. Add to this, the above Victory and defeat hang on fractions of mentioned power hitters and defensive whiz inches and split-second decisions. He dare and the Indians not wait one pitch too long to lift a . composed a formidable lineup. He must order a steal at exactly the right instant. Moving a fielder three feet as the The of the staff, Bob Lemon had once on the batter changes may or lose been a and later an . the ball game. Every play and every pitch is However, in 1947, Lopez then a player with a crisis."10 Cleveland, had been asked to spend some ties. 'Many times I've seen him start time with Lemon to help him make the a warming up in the switch to pitching. Bob Feller, in his when the starter seemed to autobiography, Now Pitching Bob Feller, be going along fine, then all of the remembered that Lemon had what baseball sudden - bang! bang! bang! -- a people consider "a live arm," one with the couple of hits and the starter is out of strength to throw hard and to put movement there.’”15 on the ball, but he needed help. One of the that Lopez had to use Feller writes: "kid gloves" with, so to speak, was the often volatile but extremely effective Early Wynn. "Lopez told him to concentrate on Lopez laughingly remembers his re- two pitches, his curve and sinker, lationship with Wynn and recalls that the and to work hard at throwing them pitcher wasn't as ornery as the press often for strikes. Lopez was teaching him made him seem. what every pitcher learns early in his career, that pitching is like real "Early was a real competitor. Won estate, the three most important twenty some-odd games every year. things are location, location and How could you not like him? But he location.... Lopez told Lemon to was a competitor and you know, this keep throwing the curve and sinker one time, he was arguing with an and to not even look to At behind the and I went out there to take plate for any signals. The instruction him out. I had a rule that even if you was right on the money, and when were pitching like a dog, I am going cashed in with three straight 20 win to go out there in a nice way and ask seasons right after that, you had to you for the ball, pat you on the back think that Lopez, who helped Lemon and you could go in. If you had so much although he had no something to argue about, wait until experience as a coach or manager, we get back in the clubhouse. When was destined for greater things." 13 I go out there it's not to show you up so don't show me up. Lopez recalls that he felt like Lemon would have a long pitching career but that it was "So this one day Early was arguing cut short on account of the way he threw the with the umpire when I came out sinker; his best pitch. "He came up with there and he threw the ball at me chips in his elbow. It was the way he threw hitting me in the stomach. It was the ball. He threw it in a manner where it more of a flip/ toss but the press jerked the hell out of your arm and caused played it up. I said give me the the chips."14 goddamned ball and don't be throwing it at me. After the game he Tony Cuccinello was once quoted as came and apologized to me. I said, believing that, Early, I know how you feel but the people upstairs, the fans and media, "Over the years, Lopez had they see that and think your mad at developed an almost subcutaneous me. I told him don't get mad at me, sensitivity to pitchers and their frail- get mad at the guys who are hitting." erful guns capable of firing accurate, 16 murderous shots that make an enemy helpless. He also has the horses, the Lopez tells another story about Wynn in finest, strongest, swiftest horses that that, money can buy. If any of his guns falls to shoot straight, he has others "One day Early had been having a cached away in carefully protected bad day and I had gone out to talk arsenals. If any of his magnificent with him. In that league if you went horses gives out, he has others out to talk with your pitcher, then the hidden in the canebrakes, waiting for second time he had to come out. his whistle. With all limitless Well, Early was in trouble and resources and daring, the Yanqui arguing with the umpire and he sees should feel completely safe from me coming and just lets the umpire pursuit ... But he does not. Every have it. The umpire told him that if time he looks over his shoulder he he kept it up that he would be gone. sees the same relentless, inescapable Early said, 'What do you think Lopez figure ... He is always there, always is coming out here for, to bring me a following. This pursuer is not a ham sandwich?’”17 glamorous hero but a doleful, threadbare man wearing- a big However talented the Indians may have sombrero ... Alfonso Ramon Lopez been, only one team could win an American never gives up.”18 League pennant and since 1949 that team had been the Yankees. Led by The Lopez led Indians were the American Casey Stengel, the Yankees, whose scouting League bridesmaids in 1951, 1952 and 1953 system continually produced performers that with 93, 93 and 92 wins respectively.19 took the measure of their counterparts, won all but two pennants in the Cleveland third-baseman, , put years from 1949 until 1964. together a tremendous season in 1953 with a league leading 43 homeruns and 145 runs In 1958, Life Magazine published an article batted in. He just missed out on winning the written by Marshall Smith entitled "A Plot crown when he finished a percentage to Whip the Yanks", that accurately point behind of Washington, portrayed the doggedness and frustration with a .336 average to Vernon's with which Lopez pursued the Yankees. .337.20 Smith writes that: Lopez fondly describes Rosen as a great "For as long as most people can fellow and a nice guy to have had on the remember, a Yanqui desperado team. Lopez recalls that the 1953 batting named Casey Stengel has been race came down to the last game of the sea- shooting up the American League son and in one particular , Rosen and getting away with the swag. missed first-base and was called out by the Catching him seems almost impos- umpire. The lost hit proved to be the sible. Not only does he know all the difference. "The umpire said that he didn't tricks and the short cuts, but his hit first base ... if he had hit the bag, he equipment is superb. He has pow- would have been called safe.”21 most ever under Stengel. "Years later, on Lopez’ first three years in Cleveland would quiet summer nights, Stengel would sit at not have been considered a bad start by most some hotel bar and talk about his 1954 managers. For Lopez however, second place Yankees. He would try and explain how a was just that and he became even more team could win 103 games and not win the determined to beat the Yankees and believed pennant. Then he would say, 'We had a that 1954 could prove the trick. Yet, Casey splendid season, but the Señor beat me and Stengel, who felt nothing but contempt for you could look it up.’”26 the rest of the American League after winning five straight championships, was After losing seven straight , the every bit as confident that the Yankees National League wanted nothing more than would take home another crown and made to smash the American Leagues's dominance no secret about it. "If I don't win the pennant of the fall classic and to unlock the this year," remarked a boastful Stengel, in stranglehold that the junior circuit held on the spring of 1954 and despite the obvious the championship. Cleveland threat, "they oughta commence firing the manager."22 The New York Giants, led by fiery Leo Durocher, had finished fifth in 1953. But, in When told by a reporter that Lopez said he 1954 they had been transformed into a could beat Stengel, Casey replied, "Did the pennant wining club, buoyed by the return Mexican say that? Well, you tell the Señor, of from the Army and the unless my team gets hit by a truck and my acquisition of Southpaw brain rots, he ain't gonna win because the from the Braves in a winter deal for Yankees are. "23 outfielder .27

Both Cleveland and the Yankees got off to a Sal "The Barber" Maglie, whose moniker fast start that season. However, the Indians came about because of his propensity to give remained hot while New York cooled just a batters a close shave, started the "lidlifter" bit. On September 12th the two teams faced for the Giants against Bob Lemon. Maglie off in a crucial late season fell behind 2-0, in the first when with Stengel still clinging to the hope that Cleveland Outfielder At Smith was nicked his team would catch them. His hopes were by a pitched ball, second-baseman Bobby dashed however, as the tribe won both Avila singled and Vic Wertz tripled.28 contests and were never challenged again.24 The Giants tied the score in the third on The Indians paced by their vaunted pitching singles by and , staff and Larry Doby's league leading 32 's forceout, a walk to Mays and homeruns, won 111 games that season, the a by third-baseman Hank best record in baseball history, and were Thompson.29 showered with a parade across Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland "while the The game stayed locked at 2-2 into the lake breezes blew through the open eighth inning, when with two men on, Vic convertibles filled with happy Indians".25 Wertz sent a towering drive to the deepest region of the . With his back to The Yankees would up the campaign with the plate, Willie Mays sprinting full throttle an outstanding 103 victories, ironically the as the ball came in directly over his head, corner section of the stands for a 260 foot "Chinese Homer" that secured the victory.34

The second game found Johnny Antonelli taking the mound for the Giants against 23 game winner Early Wynn. The Indians got off to a bang when leadoff batter At Smith hit Antonelli's first pitch for a homerun. Antonelli yielded seven more "safeties" and walked six but stopped every Indian threat.35 Al Lopez managed the to an American League pennant in 1959. Shown In the fifth, Wynn walked Willie Mays and on right is Nelson Fox, second base star. gave up a single to . Dusty

Rhodes then stepped to the plate again for made a tremendous stab and catch of the 460 Irvin and dropped a " League" single foot wallop, then turned and threw the ball into short center, scoring Mays with the while falling down and subsequently tying . After "fanned" thwarted the Indian's rally.30 for the first out, walked. Antonelli then grounded to Avila, forcing Lopez remembers "" as, Westrum at second, but Thompson scored the Giants go-ahead run. Rhodes, who went “a great play, no question about it. into leftfield, iced the 3-1 victory with a powerful homer in the seventh, his second of But, I think Willie overran the ball a 36 little bit. He let it get over his head the series. which is the most difficult kind to catch. He made a great play; but he Lopez remembers that game as a was coming from this angle and then heartbreaker and one that Bob Feller remembers as having made Lopez feel as the ball just got over him and he had 37 to catch up. Then he fell down on the though his back were against the wall. ground while making the throw and Lopez recalls that his team just could not get that made the catch seem all the a break. more sensational.”31 "First man up, At Smith, hits a The smash came off , who had homerun. I think, gee that's great. just replaced Maglie. , an But we just, what's his name, Hegan American League castoff, then took the hit a ball in the Polo Grounds that mound and went the rest of the way for New everybody thought was top tier. But York. With one out in the tenth, Willie Mays the wind was blowing in that day and walked for the second time and promptly Monty Irvin ended up making the stole second. Hank Thompson, who catch. Irvin told Hegan that the ball according to Lopez had a great series32, couldn't have missed the stands by drew an intentional pass setting the stage for an inch. It would have been a pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes, seldom homerun with three men on. Not an used but hitting a career high .341 that inch, he said. 'I gave up on it, lost it.' season33, batting in place of Monty Irvin, The upper tier in the Polo Grounds sent Lemon's first pitch into the rightfield used to jut out toward the field and Irvin said that the ball was up near up a couple of hits. He'd almost beat the stands and started coming out the ball back to the mound.”41 and came down barely missing the stands.”38 Feller's hunch proved correct. When recently asked why Feller wasn't used in the Bob Feller claims that the loss of that second Lopez frankly gave his game might have changed Lopez' pitching reason that, "He wasn't that good of a pitcher strategy for the rest of the series. He anymore. If he had still been great I would believes that Lopez, rather than pitch Feller, have been pitching him more regular than who had gone 13-3 that year, in either the for him to just go 13-3. Art Houtteman won third or fourth game, chose to pitch 19 game 15 that season, I could have used him.”42 winner Mike Garcia in the third game and come back with Lemon in the fourth.39 Shifting to Cleveland, the Giants won the third game 6-2, behind the four hit hurling In any event, Feller, who finished his of Reuben Gomez and . New War-interrupted career with 266 wins and is York scored a run off Mike Garcia in the considered to be one of the very best first inning on two singles and an , and pitchers of all time, did not pitch an inning routed Garcia, the "Big Bear", with a three during that series. "I've never been quite run attack in the third. After two singles and sure why Lopez didn't use me in that series", an intentional walk loaded the bases, Dusty Feller said in his autobiography. Rhodes, who was having a career series, rapped another pinch-single on the first pitch "I've never asked him myself, even to bring home two more runs. Davey though I have seen him a thousand Williams, the Giants second-baseman, then times since. Leo Durocher, the laid down a squeeze to tally the final Giants manager at the time, said that score.43 he has often wondered the same thing. Lopez never said anything The Giants mopped up in the fourth game about it [to me]. He could just tell 7-4, to become only the second National me he thought that Lemon had a League club to sweep a World Series. Bob better chance to win in the fourth Lemon, whom Lopez was pitching on three game and I would accept that. To the days rest, was routed in the fifth inning and best of my knowledge, Al has never failed in relief as the Giants given his reason to anyone."40 took a 7-0 lead and never looked back.44

Feller though had a hunch that Al didn't The 1954 series was, to that point, the most think he (Feller) could win in the series. lucrative in history for the players, who shared in a record pool of $881,763.72. The "In those later years, Lopez seemed attendance of 251,507 also set a new record to think I was doing it with mirrors. for a four game series.45 He didn't seem convinced of my ability. He had trouble believing that While Cleveland's three and four hitters, I could get people out because I Larry Doby and Al Rosen combined for an didn't have the blazing anemic .194 batting average with 0 runs anymore. It almost seemed that he batted in, and the big three of Lemon, Wynn couldn't wait to take me out if I gave and Garcia posted averages of 6.75, 3.86 and 5.40 respectively, Vic Wertz gave Lopez reason to smile by batting.500 and becoming the only Cleveland batsman to hit safely in all four games. This was in addition to the tape measure blast that Mays secured.46

On the series Al painfully explains,

"Let me say this about the 1954 World Series. We won 111 games that year. Still a record. I don't think we lost over two games in a row the entire season. We never had a slump all year. There hasn't been any club that ever played ball that didn't have a slump during the season and I think Al Lopez, June 1992 that is what happened to us; we hit a slump at the World Series. I could win. I keep saying that the Yankees can be feel the club was slacking a little bit had because I keep thinking they can, and I toward the end of the year. Things want my guys to believe they can win. I were not going the way they should. want to finish first!”50 The last three or four days of the

season we had already clinched and What Lopez left unsaid was that, for the that may have hurt us. I still think most part, his players had never measured that on account of our pitching, we up to New York's. At Cleveland, he had were the best team but the best team pitching and power but lacked speed and didn't win.”47 had an inconsistent defense. Later at

Chicago, he greatly improved an The remainder of Al's career in Cleveland undistinguished pitching staff, had speed was much the same, as his teams finished and fielding, but never had power and the second to the Yankees in 1955 and 1956. hitting was indifferent.51 Referring to Lopez' penchant for finishing second, Casey Stengel opined, "The big After six seasons with the Indians, Al, knock you hear about Al is that he has an provoked in part by the media and low outstanding record of finishing second. One attendance figures, came to the conclusion great ballplayer could make him recognized that the Cleveland fans were becoming tired as a great manager.”48 Hank Greenberg of seeing their club finish second under him, chimed in that "Lopez has finished second so he left the helm voluntarily and gave because he has had second place material.”49 them to finish sixth under someone else.52

Lopez, once commenting in Sports The Chicago White Sox, then controlled by Illustrated, gave his opinion of the former Cleveland owner, Bill Veeck, continued second place finishes. "I'm not a promptly hired Lopez to manage in Chicago. failure, but I don't feel that I have "He left one club that couldn't beat the accomplished what I've wanted. I want to Yankees," remarked one reporter, "to join 162. Most of the players don't listen another club that can't beat the Yankees.”53 to what you say in a meeting anyway.”57 Immediately Al began to skillfully tailor the White Sox and their strategy to the vast Lopez traditionally had three rules he acreage of Cominsky Park. He built the wanted his players to obey: club on speed and alertness, on flawless pitching, yet with little power hitting to back " must always throw to it up. Virtually the antithesis of the club he the cutoff man rather than to a won with in Cleveland in 1954, Al opined specific base, no player should ever that you had to build your club according to hesitate rounding first on a single your park. "After all", he said, "you play 77 when a teammate is trying to score games at home."54 from second and everybody must keep the curfew. 'I don't believe in A religious man, Lopez never believed it fair being too tough,' Al says. 'If you're to appeal for divine help to win ball games. going to start fining for missing signs "If I pray and the other guy prays, what's the - bunts, steals - you've got a tight Lord going to do?" Lopez asks. A big league ballplayer.’”58 manager endures the agony alone.55 Alone on a baseball diamond and yet studiously Bill Veeck once said that Al Lopez was at aware of the events unfolding before him, Al his best with a club that acted and played as developed his own set of stratagems to intelligent professionals should. "Al's not the combat the often superior forces that he type to get along with screwballs," Veeck found mounted against him. Lopez believed stated.59 that a manager could best contribute two things to a club. He could inspire his players , who once played for Al in and he could do a good job of handling the Chicago recalled, pitchers. The big concern is, can the manager handle the personnel? He remarks, "He's the nicest guy in the world, but "The manager has to be up every day and he rules with an iron hand. Lopez keep those guys in the best frame of mind, had a temper, but I never realized it keep them from getting down on until he got mad at Vic Power [a themselves, and he has to keep the pitchers large, powerful man with flamboyant fresh and strong.”56 tendencies] one day and started taking off his glasses. Lopez gives While often viewed as stern, Lopez was you the impression he doesn't pay never an advocate of clubhouse meetings or any attention to you, yet he's always of fines. "What's the sense of lecturing or watching. When you are warming up fining players?" he once said. pitchers he might be way on the other side of the field, but he might "They're adults. If they won't play notice you were catching the pitcher our way, let them play their own the wrong way and come to tell you. way, someplace else. Pep talks are He is not a taskmaster, but he O.K. in football when you have to expects certain things from his get a club up for only a handful of players and gets them.”60 games, but you can't get a club up for Jerry Holtzman, who once covered the The White Sox could not hit but they could White Sox for the Chicago Sun-Times, squeeze an astounding number of runs out of didn't think that Lopez was the easiest their opponents mistakes - walks, hit manager to play for. "For the guy who is batsmen, dropped third strikes, passed balls, putting out every day, there is evidently no wild pitches and mixed in with an problem, but ballplayers don't put out every occasional or . An day, and that's when they run into trouble Aparicio double (named for the swift with Lopez.”61 Chicago base thief) became renowned throughout the league as a walk and a stolen Smart and fast ballplayers are what Lopez base.64 desired the most. "I'm speed conscious. Speed and arm, these are the basics. I like a After finishing third for five consecutive running club. You win games by scoring seasons, the 1957 White Sox, in Lopez runs and speed is what gets them.”62 It is not inaugural year at the helm, won 90 games surprising then, when recently asked which and crept up a notch to the customary Lopez team he most enjoys watching today, Al roost of second place. The following season responded by answering the St. Louis Cardi- was little different as the "Pale Hoes" eked nals, a team that is tailored for running on out 82 victories in another runner-up the hard, artificial surface of Busch campaign.65 Stadium.63 Toward the end of the 1958 season Lopez When queried as to which of his former announced that he would return as manager managers most influenced his coaching of the Chicago White Sox in 1959. There style, Lopez responded that his style was had been some speculation that he might more an amalgamation of all that he learned retire because of his continued frustration during a playing career served under six over the apparent invincibility of the New Hall of Fame managers (, York Yankees. On announcing his decision , Casey Stengel, , to stay Lopez said, "I wouldn't have taken Bill McKechnie and Lou Boudreau). the job if I didn't feel the club had a chance to win the pennant ... I'm not in this thing for In any event, these assessments expose a the money. Fortunately, I'm pretty well persona that thrived on winning and could fixed. But I love baseball and I think we not tolerate those individuals whose drive to have a good chance of winning this thing.”66 succeed was less than his own. Lopez was more than willing to treat his players as the This was however a familiar Lopez battle professionals they were provided that they cry and the majority of experts, turning a reciprocated by being professional and deaf ear to it, proceeded to choose the New worked toward the aim of a successful orga- York Yankees in their preseason polls. Yet nization. In no instance did a team better seemingly immune to such speculation, the characterize this driven Lopez work ethic 1959, "Go-Go Sox", adhering strictly to the than the club he created in Chicago. percentage baseball techniques of their skipper won the American League pennant The Chicago White Sox under Al Lopez was for the first time in forty years (the last a team whose entire success was built on the being won by the 1919 Chicago "Black then anachronistic theory that baseball is Sox") and in doing so astounded the baseball played primarily with a ball and not a bat. world. Mack put him on waivers. Back then In 1959, Stengel's Yankees stumbled out of the waiver price for a ballplayer was the blocks never getting started and by the $15,000 or something like that and beginning of August it was apparent to all of Washington, concerned that the league championship claimed him. So, Mr. Mack, doing would be resolved between Cleveland and Griffith what he thought was a favor, Chicago. In late August the White Sox called him on the phone and said, swept a four game series with the Indians 'Mr. Griffith, I see where you and were never again headed. Chicago, claimed this young man Fox.' ironically, clinched the pennant in Cleveland Griffith replied, 'Mr. Mack, I need on September 22 with a 4-2 victory over players. I'll claim a guy with one arm Lopez' old team.67 or one leg.' Mack says, 'Mr. Griffith, you are throwing your money away. During the prior forty years, a period in He is not worth $15,000.' So Griffith which every other major league team had withdrew the waiver claim and Mack won at least one pennant, and the Yankees kept him. Well Fox is on the 24, the White Sox had become more than a Athletics and Chicago has got a guy religion for the hopeless; they were what has by the name of , this been aptly described as a form of screwball catcher. Tipton is not "self-flagellation.”68 getting along with the White Sox manager, , so Chicago Yet 1959 was different. The team earned its wants to get rid of him. They call "Go-Go" moniker with "jackrabbit" lineup Mack and Mr. Mack says, 'I'll give that stole 113 bases, an astonishing number you Fox for him.' Chicago took him in those years and nearly three times the just like that and shipped Tipton the league average. It was built upon the hell out of there, without even Lopez-stressed fundamentals of speed, attempting to find out anything about pitching and defense. The Fox.”70 combination of at and Nelson Fox at second-base was as sure Lopez continues, handed as any in baseball. Each led the league at his position in , assists and "It turned out to be a great for fielding average. Aparicio stole 56 bases; the White Sox. By God, Fox came Fox batted .306.69 over there and between helping him on his fielding (Fox was Lopez recently recalled a funny story about converted to secondbase), and "Nellie" Fox: making the double plays and stuff like that and Roger Cramer teaching "Fox originally came up with the him to use that thick handled heavy Athletics. In those days all of the bat (which had been the Cramer owners were baseball men and knew model when Cramer was with the each other. of the Athletics) to try and hit the ball all Philadelphia Athletics had brought over, they made him a good Fox up from the minors. Mack had ballplayer.”71 Fox playing first base, which was a mistake. Fox had no power, so Mr. The anchor of Lopez' White Sox pitching Milwaukee that same night for a league staff was the tough veteran Early Wynn, playoff game against the Braves, then back who won 22 games in his 19th big-league to a day later, and now, with season. His supporting cast consisted of Bob just one day off, they were in Chicago for Shaw, and , with the start of the Series.77 and working out of the bullpen.72

William Furlong, a Chicago sports columnist speaking for many amazed The late season strain may have exacted its onlookers, described this team as, "a raffish toll, for it was a listless crew in Dodger blue array of peripatetic ballplayers who have that took the field in . Craig moved from club to club with the mournful was simply ineffective. He could not get out frequency of derelicts changing flophouses, of the third inning as the White Sox built a if with somewhat greater style.”73 9-0 lead, then added two more runs in the fourth. , the powerful Another skeptical Chicago wag had gone so first-baseman who had come to Chicago far as to decry early in the season that if from Pittsburgh in mid-season, led the attack Lopez could win the pennant with this team with a pair of two-run homers. Dodger bats, he wouldn't simply be manager of the year meanwhile, offered no response. Early but manager of all-time.74 Wynn and Gerry Staley shut them out on eight hits for an 11-0 decision.78 Chicago's success surprised many doubters that season, but not their irrepressible, "A club with less spirit and desire might "manager of all-time", who after all, had have been discouraged by the walloping, but expected it. the Dodgers fought back to win the second game, 4-3.”79 The White Sox again had Their opposition in the 1959 World Series jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, was the . Having this time off . The Dodgers moved to Los Angeles from two then broke out of their slumber when years prior75, the Dodgers boasted a strong homered off in the lineup featuring Brooklyn holdovers Gil fifth inning.80 In the sixth, with two out, Hodges, and "Duke" Snider and batted for Podres and came young pitchers , Johnny through with a to tie the score at 2 Podres and .76 apiece. followed with a walk and Charlie Neal belted his second homer of , the Dodger manager, decided the game to put the Dodgers ahead.81 to open the series with journeyman pitcher . Alston doubtless would have , an obscure, 24 year-old preferred to use Don Drysdale or Johnny righthander, making his first relief Podres, but his staff had been worn thin appearance of the Series, had his back to the under the pressure of the National League wall in the eighth as Kluszewski and Sherm pennant race. The Dodgers, in fact, had been Lollar singled for the Sox. shuttling back and forth across the country was then put in to run for Kluszewski. Al on almost a daily basis. They had closed out Smith followed with a double to deep the regular season at home, flown to left-center, scoring Torgeson, but Lollar was nailed at the plate on 's throw to The two teams headed back to Chicago to and the shortshop's relay to conclude the Series with the knowledge that, catcher, Johnny Roseboro.82 Sherry, then win or lose, their coffers were bulging. More going the rest of the way, sealed it up for the than 92,000 had attended each game at the Los Angeles. The rest of the Series belonged Los Angeles Coliseum: the crowd for the to him.83 third game, 92,706, was the largest of all. Every World Series record for attendance Back in Los Angeles, after an open date for and gate receipts was on its way to extinc- travel, the Dodgers quickly and efficiently tion, and only six games were needed to do seized control. With Don Drysdale and Dick it.88 Donovan locked in scoreless combat, Carl Furillo broke the tie in the seventh with a In the final game Larry Sherry once again two-run, pinch-hit single. Larry Sherry, proved to be the difference, pitching five growing seemingly stronger as the series and two thirds scoreless in relief of went on, earned his second straight save, Podres to assure a 9-3 win. Sherry had this time in relief of Don Drysdale, who was finished all four of the Dodgers' winning credited with the 3-1 victory.84 games; he had won two and saved the other two. In all he pitched 12-213 innings, Roger Craig and Early Wynn, mound yielding only one run and eight hits, and was opponents in the opener, faced each other named the Series' Most Valuable Player.89 again to start game four. The Dodgers chased Wynn in the third inning, scoring When asked to recall the 1959 World Series, four runs with two outs. Although in Lopez remembered it as another one of frequent trouble, Craig staved off the White those World Series when the unexpected Sox until the seventh, when with a run in, player rises to the occasion and carries his two on and two out, launched team to victory. a home-run that tied the score.85 "That happens in the World Series. In the eighth however, Larry Sherry took the You watch the World Series and mound again for the Dodgers and held on there are always one or two guys that for the win as blasted a Gerry you don't expect to do any trouble, Staley pitch just to the right of the screen in you know, do the harm, and those left-center field and sealed the 4-3 victory.86 are the guys that kill you. The stars never hurt you that much because, I In game five, on the verge of elimination, guess, you concentrate more on those the White Sox fought back courageously to guys. We had never heard of that gain a 1-0 victory in a contest that was pitcher [Sherry]. We never heard of highlighted by the maneuvering of him and he came up there and by Managers Lopez and Alston. The only run God he was striking everybody out. of the game was scored off Sandy Koufax in They had a guy by the name of the fourth inning when Nelson Fox singled, Charlie Neal, second base, did a took third on a single by centerfielder Jim tremendous job. He hit everything Landis and came home when Sherm Lollar (Neal batted .370 in the series). grounded into a double play.87 Roseboro, our report was that he had a strong arm but was a little erratic. We had a good running ball club. Every time somebody tried to run, he that the next time he throws at made a perfect throw ... everytime.90 Landis, I'm going to get somebody to throw at him, because pitchers hit in Upon being asked if in hindsight, there was those days. anything he thought that he might have done differently, Lopez responded, "Nothing. I "I guess Yogi told him but then the always tried to give the best I had. Tried to season started and early on the work percentages and I don't think there was Yankees came over to Chicago to anything different that I could have done."91 play us and Casey brings him, Ryne Duren, in to pitch. Well the first time While describing the 1959 White Sox, Landis comes up, Duren throws at Lopez recalls that he had a great time him again. With a 7-1 lead! By God I managing them. "That club took managing called down to the bull-pen and I and I enjoyed that. It took a lot of time to said get me someone down there, I squeeze a run here and get a run there. We want him drilled in the ribs. There didn't have much power you know. Every were no volunteers except for this game in Chicago you had to struggle to win. young Cuban boy name of Rodolfo You had to play advantages and maneuver Arias. He volunteered sure enough. I around to try and win it.”92 spoke to him in Spanish, because he couldn't speak English. He was a There was one instance that season when Al lefty and I had wanted a righthanded was called upon to make the kind of sinker ball pitcher because a sinker decision that isn't always noticed by casual in the ribs hurts more. So I put him observers of the game. in and instructed him to make the first pitch outside so Duren wouldn't There was this pitcher, he wore these be suspicious. real thick glasses and for whatever reason he didn't like our "So Arias puts the first pitch outside, centerfielder, . He used to but the next one comes inside real knock poor Landis down everytime tight and I guess it must have he faced him. What the hell was that dawned on Duren because he looks pitcher's name? over at me in the . I said, 'Yeah, you godamned right, we're "Anyway, we were in gonna gettcha.' The next one hits and Landis came to bat against him Duren high on the hip bone and he and damn f he doesn't knock him yelled to Arias, 'You son of a bitch, down again. I say 'Holy Jesus', here wait until you come up.' But I said Landis is on the ground and I go over from the dugout, 'You aint gonna get to him and asked if he was alright, him because I'm taking him out.’”93 because it burned me up. It burns you up when they knock one of your Lopez recalls that after the 1959 season he players down during the regular received a special honor in the form of a season, but in spring training, my personal note from one of the all-time great God. What the hell was the name of ballplayers. "After the season was over Ty that goofy guy? I told Yogi (Berra, Cobb wrote me a real nice letter catcher for the Yankees), to tell him congratulating me on managing the way I did, the old fashioned way. He claimed that 2 was how they managed in the old days, Ibid., 574. 94 scrap for a run, bunt, steal." 3 Charles Moritz, ed., Current Biography Yearbook, 1960, (New York, 1960), P. 241. "This club", Lopez said, immediately following the 1959 World Series, "with only 4 Wes Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, June a little help, is good enough to win the 10, 1992, p. 15. 95 pennant again.” Unfortunately for Lopez, 5 Id. help didn't arrive. 6 Ira Berkow ed., Hank Greenberg: The Story of My Over the next three seasons, White Sox Life, (New York: Time Books, 1989), p. 206. fortunes steadily declined and they dropped 7 Ibid., 206-07. to third, fourth and fifth place respectively. However, in 1963 and 1964, Lopez again 8 Ibid., 207. spurred his troops to second place finishes by chasing the Yankees up to the wire 9 Id. before conceding the pennant.96 10 Robert J. Moskin, “Big League Manager Agony,” Look, 24: 112-115, May 10, 1960, p. 113. After another second place finish in 1965, Lopez, deciding it was time to swap the 11 Al Hirshberg, Baseball’s Greatest , (New pressures of baseball for the pleasures of York: Putnam, 1966), p. 107. golf and quiet Florida living, retired.97 12 Donald Honig, The Man in the Dugout: Fifteen Big League Managers Speak Their Minds, (Chicago: Upon his retirement, Lopez did remain with Follett Publishing Co., 1977), p. 195. the White Sox in an administerial capacity, and even returned to the dugout briefly in 13 Bob Feller with Bill Gilbert, Now Pitching Bob 1968-69 with the White Sox sputtering. His Feller, (New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1990), pp. 180-81 stay however, was short-lived, and after posting a 178 start in 1969, he called it quits 14 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.18 98 for good. 15 William Furlong, “That Positive Thinker, Al Having completed seventeen seasons as a Lopez,” New York Times Magazine, September 27, 1959, p. 68. big league pilot, the Señor, wrapped up his much admired career tied for ninth place on 16 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.17. the all time list with a .584 average and, in 1977, was enshrined in 17 Id. the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager.99 18 Marshall Smith, “A Plot to Whip the Yanks,” Life, 44:76, May 5, 1958, p. 76.

19 , Total Baseball, (New York: Warner Books, 1990), p. 2481.

ENDNOTES 20 Ibid., 2269. 1 Gene Karst and Martin Jones, Who’s Who in 21 , (New Rochelle, NY: Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.17. Arlington House, 1973), p. 576.

22 Maury Allen, You Could Look it Up: The Life of 48 Gilbert Rogin, “The Valiant Yankee Chaser,” Casey Stengel, (New York: Times Books, 1979), , 22: 37-8 March 22, 1965, p. 38. 169. 49 Id. 23 Id. 50 Id. 24 Id. 51 Id. 25 Id. 52 William Furlong, “That Positive Thinker, Al 26 Ibid., 170. Lopez,” New York Times Magazine, September 27, 1959, p. 69. 27 Leonard Gettelson, Official World Series Records, (New York: The , 1971), p. 189. 53 Id.

28 Id. 54 Ibid., 70.

29 Id. 55 Robert J. Moskin, “Big League Manager Agony,” Look, 24: 112-115, May 10, 1960. 30 Id. 56 Rogin, “Valiant Yankee Chaser,” p. 38 31 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.21. 57 Id. 32 Id. 58 Id. 33 Thorn, Total Baseball. 59 Id. 34 Gettelson, World Series Records, p. 189. 60 Ibid., 41. 35 Id. 61 Id. 36 Id. 62 Id. 37 Feller and Gilbert, Bob Feller, p. 200. 63 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.25. 38 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.22. 64 Furlong, “That Positive Thinker,” p. 70. 39 Feller and Gilbert, Bob Feller, p. 200. 65 Thorn, Total Baseball, pp. 2277 and 2279. 40 Id. 66 Moritz, Current Biography, p. 242 41 Id. 67 Id. 42 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.21. 68 Furlong, “That Positive Thinker,” p. 17. 43 Gettelson, World Series Records, p. 190. 69 Stanley Cohen, Dodgers! The First 100 Years, 44 Id. (New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1990), p. 132.

45 Id. 70 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.20

46 Gettelson, World Series Records, p. 189. 71 Id.

47 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.21. 72 Cohen, Dodgers!, p. 132

73 Furlong, “That Positive Thinker,” p. 17. 99 John Mercurio, Record Profiles of Baseball's Hall of Famers, (NewYork: Perennial Library, 1990). 74 Id. Photos are from the author's collection. 75 Thorn, Total Baseball, pp. 2278 and 2280.

76 Ibid., 2439.

77 Cohen, Dodgers!, p. 132.

78 Id.

79 Grettelson, World Series Records, p. 215

80 Id.

81 Id.

82 Id.

83 Cohen, Dodgers!, p. 132.

84 Ibid.,133

85 Grettelson, World Series Records, p. 215

86 Id.

87 Id.

88 Cohen, Dodgers!, p. 133.

89 Id.

90 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p.23

91 Id.

92 Gary Mormino, Interview with Al Lopez, University of South Florida, Oral History Project, April 4, 1980, p. 12.

93 Singletary, Conversation with Al Lopez, p. 24.

94 Ibid., 23.

95 Moritz, Current Biography, p. 242

96 Thorn, Total Baseball, p. 2482 and Hirschberg, Greatest Catchers, p. 107.

97 Hirshberg, Greatest Catchers, p. 108.

98 Thorn, Total Baseball, p. 2482.