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Konstanty New Fireman of Yankees Like Olden Times For Former Philly New York Catchers, Turner, Lopat Restore Confidence; Jumbo Jim Superb in Relief By STEVE SNIDER United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., June 11.— Its just like old times for Jumbo Jim Konstanty, another of those washed up National ! Leaguers who has carved a new career with the New York Yankees. The be-spectacled "junk" pitcher, whose peerless relieving led the Phillies to a pennant in 1950, is giving the same sparkling service to the Yankees in a surprising comeback from the depths. A year ago, you wouldnt have given a plugged nickle for his chances. "I had been so lousy as a pitcher I wished I could be out there hitting against myself," he said with a wry smile in describing his decline from the mound ace to forgotten man. "But when I came to the Yankees, I decided to quit trying to develop a fast ball and just concentrate on keeping the hitters off stride." Whatever he has been doing is virtually perfect. After his first 16 relief appearances, Konstany had a gaudy earned-run average of .058 and a 3-0 record— all in relief. More important than his personal record of three victories in his first three decisions was the fact -that he preserved, through flawless relieving, triumphs for other pitchers in six additional games. Has Morgan As Sidekick Unlike Joe Page, one-time fearless fireman of the Yankees, Konstanty doesnt have to go it alone on his mop-up chores. His bull-pen sidekick, young Tom Morgan, has delivered just as handsomely in relief, but thats hardly a surprise because Morgan undoubtedly would be used as a starter if Casey Stengel chose. At 38, Konstanty hasnt the stamina to work more than a few innings at a time, yet he shows the same remarkable resiliency now that he had when he was a great one with the Phillies. He worked both ends of a double-header against the White Sox June 5 and the very next day at Detroit he came strolling in to preserve a victory over the Tigers for starter Johnny Kucks. Late last August, the string ran out at Philadelphia on the fading Konstanty. The club for which he had piled up a fantastic total of 74 appearances during 1950 and led the pennant drive with a 16-7 record came to the conclusion that Big Jim had "had it." So did every other club in his league and all but the Yankees in the American League. Everybody waived on him and the New York club picked him up at the waiver price, hoping he might bring about a belated pennant miracle at Yankee Stadium. It didnt happen. Jim won one, • lost one and that was the year the Yankees lost the pennant. But cooperation from Yankee catchers, pitching coach Jim Turner and Yankee veterans like the other "junk man"— Eddie Lopat— convinced Konstanty there were important pitches still left in his right arm. He started the year as the early man on the relief shift, coming in during the early innings when a starting pitcher al- ready had been plastered for several runs. As Stengels confidence grew with each good stint, Konstanty began to get more important assignments. He became a "late man" — entering in the seventh or thereabout to save or win a game for himself. An so far, this year is jusfclike old times for a guy who was about ready to call it quits.
