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Show r SPORTLIGHT Two Couples Doing Great in Sport By GRANTLAND RICE J ALONG the road known as "the cash and glory trail" there are two couples out California way who will very likely get by financially through the year ahead. They should break better than even. One is Leo Durocher and Laraine Day. The other is Ralph Kiner and Nancy Chaffee Kiner, his bride. Durocher, the Giant leader, Is picking up in the general neighborhood neighbor-hood of $50,000. The r"""!"" chances are his wtfe' Laraine Day' is doins even bet- teZFsr" 1 ter. The two have been offered a s fancy handout for a 4 4 television skit, t "fc ! i workinS together, I V ' I which they can't I &k I use at the moment. . -r jn addition to which Grantlano- Rlc. .taxes wu?d leaVe them working practically prac-tically for nothing except exercise. Exercise is important but a poor substitute for cash. The two Kiners, Nancy and Ralph, are riding the top waves. Ralph is picking up $65,000 a year as the home-run hitter of both leagues. He is practically the only reason Pittsburgh fans have been coming to the Pirate park. It can be different a year or two from now when Branch Rickey begins to use his magic. Nancy Chaffee is one of the better younger tennis players we have around. She happens to be an extremely ex-tremely charming and attractive young lady, just as Laraine Day is. The Kiners have also been offered a well-paying TV spot, but have decided de-cided to wait until next year. Ralph has been building a new home at Palm Springs and it won't be any hut. The Durochers can look forward for-ward to a big season. Leo is defending defend-ing the National League pennant, won in a miracle finish. Laraine Day has all the TV engagements one young lady can handle. The Case of Ralph Kiner Ralph Kiner is a rather remarkable remarka-ble young man. He is now only 29 years old. He will be 30 next October. Oc-tober. He came to the Pirates in 1946 direct from the Navy Air Force and has led his league or tied for leaderships in home runs ever since. He has been baseball's main slugger ever since he really got warmed up. In the last six seasons Kiner has contributed 257 home runs to the list. He will never approach Babe Ruth's total of above 700, but he should continue to lead both leagues for several years. In the last five years he has averaged av-eraged between 47 and 48 homers, hom-ers, which Isn't feather duster swinging. Kiner is something more than a good hitter. He is also a 75 golfer and a pretty good tennis player. He still can't quite handle Nancy i tennis duel, but he is improT: week by week. For that it;: ; Nancy can't hit as many home 3 as Kiner can. This should bt -ideal American couple. They 1 young, good looking, healthy, ste and deeply interested in spn where both excel along certain b If Nancy can have the salt: fluence over Ralph that Larafc had over Leo, Kiner should hi: home runs this next season. ; motion picture star and TV v4 has done something of an inert; , nature to Durocher since he p!: with the Yankees many years : Fiery, reckless, but still smar: most beyond control, always a : field leader, Leo Durocher turned into a smooth, conh hustling manager who has lisped li-sped and affection of his teat gives his men all the credit-; son I think Chuck Dresser, learned for 1952. And I happe: be a Chuck Dressen supporter future delivery. New Champ Under Way ; Australia's Davis Cup victory :A expected and it will be expr :; again next year as long as Fi ,:; Sedgman is hanging around lie u; nis premises. Just as Sedgman was on lie p -, of leaping into pro arms, Au?-' got smart by giving their su $10,000 wedding present, tax I and also by getting him a fco: in the government. The twice; -U.S. will still have Trabert, & and a few others next year, but : still won't be good enough to b; " Australia. It can be different around It three years from now. We have s; finished looking at a young ki: may easily be the best in the given just a little more grovrt . He is close to being masf- --..J today. His name is Michael Fn of Beverly. Hills. What about!' Franks? In the first place .' just turned 15. But a short' back, still in his 14th year, he ,; the 18-year-old champion 0! ' 1 fornia, regarded as a sure tic a morning match. In the afte' on that same day young 14-ye; Franks whipped the 18-y ', Junior Champion. Why all this ballyhoo? In tte v place the young star has cons ble power already stored his youthful system. He can " powder a tennis ball. In the -,; place he has amazing core every stroke. He can put : ' just about where he wants it t! almost perfect style even '- "Even in the toughest comf-he comf-he is amazingly cool and Feltrop says. "If Mike Frari; world champion before he Is - never make another tennis tion. He has everything Everything." |