BIG KLU AND BATS
The mass of muscle on the opposite page is the 6-foot 2-inch, 236-pound scourge of National League pitching. Though he looks like King Kong in soiled flannels he goes by the name of Ted Kluszewski and he plays first base for the Cincinnati Reds. Up to this week he had socked 20 home runs while batting .336. Together with the other two National League sluggers shown in color on the following three pages, Big Klu is contributing more than his share to making 1955 a year of terror for pitchers. Another of the more horrifying sights for any pitcher is on pages 14 and 15—Stan Musial in the act of bruising someone's best delivery. Elsewhere, the Brooklyn Dodgers, with such walloping hitters as Duke Snider (cover and page 17), Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges leading the way, are challenging the major league record of 221 home runs in a season set by the 1947 Giants. The bats of Eddie Mathews and Bobby Thomson of the Braves, along with Del Ennis of the Phillies, are inflicting further mayhem. Together they are bringing nightmares to otherwise stouthearted pitching staffs and making 1955 the Year of the Slugger.
onto right foot, whipping bat around with terrific wrist action, follows through as ball heads for seats
Stan Musial of St. Louis Cardinals coils before he strikes. As the ball approaches plate, he shifts
Trying to recapture his 1954 form, Willie Mays puts in some extra work in the batting cage. Last year the young Giant slugger had 41 home runs and the top slugging average (.667) in the majors.
SIX PHOTOS
MARK KAUFFMAN AND HY PESKIN