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» ■ Leonard Still Going After Two Decades Ageless Cub Relief Hurler Says Hell Keep Going for Three or Four More Years By MILTON RICHMAN United Press Sports Writer Emil "Dutch" Leonard, 41-year-old Cub work-horse, has been pitching baseballs for a living the past 21 years but he insists he has more stuff on the ball today than he had two decades ago. In his time, the husky six-foot righthander has been employed by Brooklyn, Washington and Phillies before coming to the Cubs, December 14, 1948. "Its a pleasure to have a guy like Leonard," declared Frankie Frisch, the grizzled Cub manager before a recent game. "Look at him tearin around that outfield. For an old guy, hes the best conditioned player Ive seen. Hes always runnin. You never have to tell him. But what a time I have tryin to get some of my other guys to run." -Leonard came into the dugout soaking wet with perspiration. "Im gonna go out and hit some fun-goes," he said, but before he did he wiped his face with a towel. "Its not your age in years that count," he pointed out after a reporter buttonholed him, "its your conditioning age thats important. By conditioning age, I mean how you feel when you get out there on the mound. Ive never felt so young in my life," he gribbed. "Maybe it sounds funny, but I think I get more stuff on the ball now than I did 20 years ago." Eager to Bat Out Fungoes - As he spoke, Leonards eyes focused on his team-mates who were taking batting practice. He fidgeted on the bench and it was apparent he was eager to get out and belt some fungoes. "I guess Ive been in almost 20 games so far," he replied in answer to a question, "but Im not sure. I dont count them. If Im not in the game, I warm up in the bullpen. The more work I get the better I like it." Leonard undoubtedly is having the time of his life, then, because he has become the North Siders most oft-called onhurler. Flaunting his famed knuckleball in the face of enemy hitters, he already has accounted for three victories in relief. "The knuckler is still my best pitch and it has been getting me out of a lot of tight spots," he revealed. "I keep mixing up my pitches, though. I give them a couple of curves and occasionally fool them with a fast ball." Leonard realizes he wont win any medals for sprinting, especially at his age, but that doesnt worry him too much. "Some guys may run faster than me," he said, "but at the end of the race oF Dutch Leonard will be across the finish line just like the rest of them. Maybe he wont be the first one across, but hell get there." The hard-working mound veteran feels he can keep on pitching for at least another three or four seasons despite the fact that, at the moment, he and Conrado Mar-rero of Washington own the joint distinction of being the oldest operatives in the majors. "My arm feels fine," Leonard reasoned, "so why should I even think about retiring? Ill tell you this," he added, touching his baseball trousers. "Theyre going to have to take this uniform away from me because Im never going to turn it in myself." Leonard was half off the bench by this time. "I gotta go and . . "Yeah, we know," kidded a team-mate, "you gotta go and hit some fungoes." Leonard smiled and nodded. Then he grabbed a bat.
