Word: boudreau
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...beginning to act as advertised. Vollmer's sensational spree was not the whole story: the Red Sox have power to spare with Williams, Vern Stephens, and Billy Goodman, the league batting champion. The team is better off this year in "bench" (i.e., reserve) infield strength supplied by Lou Boudreau, deposed Cleveland manager. Day after day, playing where he is needed most, Boudreau has sparked the Red Sox at bat and afield...
Nevertheless, the team is hustling for the first time in a decade. The transfer of Junior Stephens from short-to-third has given the defense a huge boost, which outweighs even Lou Boudreau's 250 hitting. And Johnny Pesky is always ready to take Boudreau's place. Only the catching is bad, but it is very bad. Les Moss, bought from St. Louis to replace Birdie Tebbetts, is just barely keeping his batting average over...
...Cleveland fans, who suffered with Boudreau for nine years, still find it hard to locate in Lopez the personal magnetism that Boudreau generated. Nor can they forget the Sunday afternoon against the Yankees in 1948 when Boudreau dragged himself to the plate, a mass of liniment and tape, and delivered a pinch single that won a crucial game. And the Boudreau shift, the two home runs at Fenway Park when the Tribe won the play-off from the Red Sox, the flawless double plays--all are permanent parts of the Cleveland scene...
...people whose purchase of a grandstand seat keeps club owners in Candillacs and the upper brackets will stand up to be counted. Many who grew used to Number Five in white may not find it easy to think of Number Four in gray as the same guy. But when Boudreau steps up to the plate and points his fanny due north in his inimitable crouch, they'll remember well. And they'll hope he gets five for five and fields flawlessly, even if it means the ball game for the Indians...
Later on in the season, if the Indians and the Red Sox are fighting it out for first place, they may change their sentiments. But for tonight, Boudreau will be king...