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— _ . Bullpen Duty Is No Disgrace To Major League Mound Stars * Reynolds, Roberts and Pierce Among Big Name Starters Who Accept Task Willingly By MILTON RICHMAN United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., June 20.— Robin Roberts, Billy Pierce, Allie Reynolds and several other pitching aces unanimously agreed today that it is "no disgrace" to be sent down to work in the bullpen. Roberts, Pierce and Reynolds are only three of the top-notchers who willingly did stints in the bullpen recently despite the fact that all are considered regular and winning starters. Other "big name" starters who have worked in the bullpen during the past few weeks are Gerry Staley of the Cardinals, Bob Lemon of the Indians, Virgil Trucks of the White Sox and Bob Porterfield of the Senators. "I dont have the slightest reluctance about going to the bullpen any time I can help the ball club," says Roberts, who took his first relief turn of the season for the Phillies against Milwaukee recently. There is a tendency among fans to regard the bullpen as "baseballs Siberia" but Roberts doesnt look at it that way. "Maybe the fans dont think there is much glory connected with the bullpen," said the Philly star, "but theyd be surprised how many games are won and lost right there. As a matter of fact, I feel some time spent in the bullpen would help any pitcher, even if he was a regular starter." Enjoyed the Experience Like Roberts, Pierce, the White Sox ace, took his first relief turn of the season against Washington last Tuesday and was rewarded with his eighth victory. "I enjoyed the experience," declared the Chicago southpaw. "It doesnt matter to me whether I start ball games or relieve in them, so long as. I get to pitch." Reynolds, who came off a three-and-a-half week stay in the bullpen to win again as a starter last Wednesday, says it was the best thing that happened to him this year. "Did I look on my bullpen assignment as a demotion?" Reynolds said, repeating a question put to him. "Not on your life! If anything, I considered it the other way around. "I was glad that Casey Stengel had enough confidence in me. to bring me into those tight ball games in the late innings. The time I spent in the bullpen did me a world of good. "Some of the other clubs had racked me pretty good in my starting assignments and I lost the touch on my curve ball. But when I went into the bullpen, I worked on the curve and finally straightened myself out. "The way I look at it the ball and the plate are both the same size whether youre a starter or a relief pitcher. Of course, when youre a relief man, you generally are called into the game in. tight spots. The other club has two men on base, maybe, or the bases full. But even as a starter a lot of times, you get into that hole pretty quickly, anyway. I have no kicks with being in the bullpen." Neither, apparently, have any of the other aces.
