Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 123

then sixth with Stengel in the first base coaching box. Among the players was catcher Al Lopez, and the two became close friends and would eventually be managing rivals in the 1950’s American League.

“The first thing I want to say is that the Dodgers are still in the National League. Tell that to Bill Terry.” - Casey Stengel, on being hired as Dodger manager, February 24, 1934.

During the winter following the 1933 season, the manager of the world champion Giants, Bill Terry was interviewed by the press about the other teams in the National League. When asked about the Dodgers, Terry responded, "Brooklyn? Gee, I haven't heard a peep out of there. Is Brooklyn still in the league?" This angered Brooklyn's management, and they expected Carey to make a

full throated response. When he remained silent, he was fired. On February 24, 1934, Stengel faced the press for the first time as the manager of a major league team. McGraw, Stengel's mentor, was too ill to issue a statement on seeing him become a major league manager; he died the following day.

Stengel, hired only days before spring training, had a limited opportunity to shape his new ballclub. The Dodgers quickly settled into sixth place, where they would end the season. Stengel, in later years, enjoyed discussing one 1934 game in