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a : : . , Rogovin Became Good Pitcher Despite Chronic Arm Ailment Experience Is Main Asset; * Believes Present White Sox Squad Stronger Than 1951 By ED SAINSBURY United Press Sports Writer Saul Rogovin doesnt know what it takes to make a good pitcher, although by some standards the Chicago White Sox righthander rates as one of the best in the American league. • "You dont get a good pitcher until hes in his late 20s or early 30s," said the 28-year-old htirler who led the league in earned averages last year. "I dont know what it is. Its not exactly, in the head. ItSijust experience. And by the time a lot .of pitchers reach that age and have the experience, they dont have any arm left. "Weve got a lot of good looking prospects in the farm system. Kids 20, 21 years old. But theyre not ready yet and wont be for a while. And some of them will wear out their arms first." Rogovin who lost eight games while winning 12 last year as lie boasted an earned run average of 2.78, believed the 1952 White Sox team was much stronger than the 1951 squad which held first place for 34 days. "Were stronger all over," he said. "Its a lot better team. About all we need is one more good pitcher and wed be hard to beat. But thats what everybody needs, good pitching. And there isnt much of it around." Elbow Aches Except When Pitching Rogovin became a good pitcher despite arm "miseries." His right elbow contains scar tissue which makes it "ache steadily, except when hes pitching. "As long as Im loose, working," he said, "its all right. But when I stop, then it pains. I dont know whether its any better now than it was last year or any other time. It always feels about the same. And Im not going to have anything done about it, like an operation, or anything. The minute you do that, you might as well start looking for another job." Rogovin was a hard luck hurler last year, despite his earned run record. Of his eight defeats, seven were by one run and the. . eighth was a 2 to 0 loss. "I guess it was just luck," he said. "I pitched a couple of pretty good games for Detroit before I came to Chicago and lost them both. Then I pitched some pretty good ones here I lost." For 1952 Rogovins record is three wins and one defeat. He shut out Detroit on six hits, beat Boston on five hits, and beat the Red Sox again on seven hits in seven innings. His defeat was by Philadelphia. Despite his somewhat shaky start, neither Rogovin nor manager Paul Richards was downcast. "This is the fifth year Ive played under Richards," Rogovin said, and hes the greatest. You couldnt play for a better guy." Richards was nearly as complimentary. "If he ever gets over his arm trouble," he • said, "he could be one of the really good ■ pitchers in the American "league."
