Atlanta Daily World

Nationals Seek Fifth Win In Row Over American Players

By JOHN BARRINGTON
International News Service Sports Editor

CLEVELAND- (INS)-The National League All-Stars, having licked the American League and Casey Stengel almost every other possible way in the past four years, try it again Tuesday at Cleveland with the Midsummer Classic's first rookie manager. Walter Alston, freshman Brooklyn pilot, who inherited the All-Star job when the Dodgers released Pennant-winning Chuck Dressen, will lead one of the National League's most talented dream teams in quest of a record fifth straight victory.

STENGEL IS BLANKED

Trying to avert such a fate will be the New York Yankee's Stengel, who never loses world series and never wins all-star games. So far, in four previous tries, Stengel has been out-manned and outmaneuvered by as many rival all-star leaders - Burt Shotton in 1950, Eddie Sawyer in 1951, Leo Durocher in 1952 and Dressen last year.

Alston's bid to make it five frustrations in a row for Stengel will be based primarily upon hitting power - represented by such belters as Stan Musial, Ray Jablonski and Red Schoendienst of the St. Louis Cardinals, Don Mueller and Willie Mays of the New York Giants, Gran Hamner of Philadelphia, Ted Kluszewski of Cincinnati and Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges and Roy Campanella of the Dodgers.

SUCH SOLID SENDERS

The American League side has hitting, too, with such solid senders as Bob Avila and Al Rosen of Cleveland, Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer and Yogi Berra of the Yankees, Minnie Minoso of Chicago, Ray Boone and Harvey Kuenn of Detroit and Mickey Vernon of Washington.

Stengel's case may rest in superior pitching, although Alston's crew may dispute that point, too. Casey selected his own Allie Reynolds and Whitey Ford, Mike Garcia and Bob Lemon of Cleveland, Bob Keegan and Virgil Trucks of Chicago. Bob Turley of Baltimore and Bob Porterfield and Dean Stone of Washington.

The National leaguers can count on with Warren Spahn and Gene Conley of Milwaukee, Harvey Haddix of St. Louis, Johnny Antonelli and Marv Grissom of the Giants Carl Erskine of Brooklyn and Robin Roberts of Philadelphia.

SEVEN RIGHTHANDERS

Apparently most concerned with the Nationals' righthanded power, Stengel chose seven righthanders and only two southpaws, Ford and Stone. Alston has three lefties, Antonelli, Haddix and Spahn.

Fan selections govern the starting lineups - other than on the mound - and the rules guarantee the starters three innings of occupation. Thereafter, Stengel and Alston, confirmed two-platooners both, can juggle things to their hearts' content.

Whatever else happens, an All-Star attendance record is predicted for the huge Cleveland Stadium - the same place, incidentally, where the present mark of 69,812 was set in 1935.

Game time is 1:30 P. M., EDT. In case of rain, the contest will be rescheduled for that night or, progressively, Wednesday morning afternoon or night.