Baseball: The Cellar that Houk Built

Forty-seven is a little late in life for a man to change his whole philosophy. But give Ralph Houk credit for trying. "Winning is all that counts," he used to say. Houk was a winner then. Now that he's a loser, he's learning to act like one. Alibis: "Injuries have practically killed us." Complaints: "The umpire really blew that one." Pleas for sympathy: "We're going through a period of unexpected events." Promises, promises, promises: "We have some outstanding prospects."

Not Since 1925. A tobacco-chewing ex-Army officer and supernumerary ballplayer who hung around...

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