Word: groats
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Shortstop Dick Groat, the National...
FIELDING. Both teams have good infields, although Pittsburgh's is a shade better because of the fine double-play combination of Second Baseman Bill Mazeroski and Shortstop Dick Groat, who claims that his broken left wrist has mended. In the outfield, the Yankees' weak link is Leftfielder Hector Lopez, who not only has a poor arm but stirs prayer in the breast of Manager Casey Stengel every time he wanders after a fly ball. Behind the plate, both the Yankees' Yogi Berra and Elston Howard have arms strong enough to discourage any base-stealing ambitions...
BATTING. With no truly solid slugger, the Pirates score runs by punching singles through or over the infield, going for the extra base and pulling the hit and run, especially when Shortstop Groat (.325) is at bat. As always, the Yankees rely on the long ball. Although his average is a so-so .275, Centerfielder Mickey Mantle still has belted 40 home runs. Rightfielder Roger Maris has hit another 39. In Pittsburgh's vast Forbes Field (right-center-field wall: 425 ft.), most of the Yankees will have trouble reaching the seats. Not Mantle. Says Chicago White Sox Manager...
Murtaugh will also go with Bill Virdon--"one of the best centerfielders in baseball." "And you are going to see the best rightfielder in baseball," Murtaugh said in speaking of Roberto Clemente. An added boost to Pirate chances in the first game is the announcement that Dick Groat, team captain and shortstop, will play. After an injury Sept. 6, Groat resumed play only last weekend...
...that overmanaging would cramp the egos-and crimp the play-of the bunch of oddly assorted personalities he has nursed to maturity as ballplayers: Pitcher Vernon Law (19-8), a pious Mormon elder; Third Baseman Don Hoak (.277), a sulphur-mouthed ex-Marine and ex-middleweight boxer; Shortstop Dick Groat, the intense, introspective team captain (now sidelined by a broken left wrist); and Right Fielder Roberto Clemente (.320), a showboating Puerto Rican. "They're all major leaguers," says Murtaugh. "I give 'em plenty of leeway...