| Show f Sports Comment f By PETE FRITCHIE I IThe The fall of the New York Yankees is the big baseball news of 1965 and 1966 The Yankees cOllapsed during the 1965 season partly because of injuries to and the cOllapse seems to be c TONY KUBEK has announced he would hang up the gloves He was a promising year 29 old infielder with many seasons to had go he been healthy Though Ralph Houk had dissuaded dissuaded dis- dis him from quitting at the end of last season a medical report saying he could be permanently permanently per per- injured by a shock or sudden motion convinced him anew he must retire at once Bobby Richardson the second baseman who worked with Kubek at short in many Series games had already announced his intention intention in- in to retire when the Kubek announcement came Characteristically Charac- Charac Ic ally R Richardson i cha rd s on changed his plans and said he would play one more year IT WOULD be too hard on Ralph Tony explained for both I to retire at once and the tyro star infielders talked it over and Bobby agreed to stay on dur Ing 1966 I BUT EVEN with Richardson remaining for one year yea r it means he will be gone at th the end of this season and for hi n the Yanks will have no replacement replace replacement ment of equal value Richard Richardson has long been a clutch hitter for the team t Mickey Mantle has has' just b beep n operated on and may mayor or ma may not be sound enough to put fn I full season Elston Howard most underrated of all the Yank ees In recent years is another question mark having been out much of last year Roger Mans Mans' also hurt last year should should be beback back this season fI f I THE H YANKEES wont won't last in 1966 if Mantle is SOUnd i and Whitey Fords Ford's arm 1 strong they could even be Tn the race again But Mantle and i Richardson will probably soon i ibe be gone as well as Ford One doesn't see their likes watt waiting to replace them f |
