view raw text
Johnson Top Card At Third: Marion Former Yankee Happy With St. Louis; Just Wants to Play Baseball Every Day By FRED DOWN United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., June 5.— Manager Marty Marion and third-baseman Billy Johnson agreed today that the St. Louis Cardinals acquisition of Johnson from the New York Yankees "was the greatest break of both our lives." "It gives the Cardinals the best third-baseman we have had in my experience," says Marion. "Im playing regularly," says Johnson. "Thats all I ever wanted." Marions statement covers the greatest territory although Johnsons tells a more heart-breaking: story. Johnson the greatest third-baseman the Cardinals have had in Marions experience? That would include Whitey Kurowski, one of the best in the field-and a hard-to-fool, long-ball hitter. Yet Marion says definitely that Johnson is the best he has seen at third for the Cardinals and includes Kurowski in that analysis. Marion thinks Johnson could turn out to be the bargain of the year. The Cardinals acquired him from the Yankees in one of those curious waiver deals which defy explanation. They paid about 0,000 to get him— about twice the waiver price and perhaps one-sixth of what a half dozen kids a month out of high school get to sign big league contracts. Johnson, one of those steady, dependable ball players frequently described as "a throwback to the old days," says hes completely happy with the Cardinals. "I was sorry when the Yankees turned me loose at first," he admitted. "But now Im glad. These fellows greeted me like I meant the pennant," he continued. "Ive played every game since I joined the club.* Thats all I ever asked for — a chance to play every day." Behind that sum-up was the memory of four years of frustration with the Yankees in which Johnson was forced to alternate with virtually every rookie who shone in the spring. Rival players agreed Johnson was the best third-baseman the Yankees had but Billy never seemed able to convince the management. Could Billy explain why he was constantly shifted out and in of the Yankee line-up in the last four years? Johnson pondered the question and could not help being bitter. "That Stengel," he said; referring to manager Casey Stengel. "He wanted to make himself look good. Shifting one guy in the line-up and out the next day. Wanted to make himself look good in the newspapers and in the front office." Did Johnson have any hopes of ever proving Stengel wrong? "No," he said. «1 dont mean to be bitter. Stengel is a nice guy. And all I ask is to play every day." Which is exactly what Marion intends to do.
