Weary Willie

Even the kids on the sandlots remember when baseball was a summer sport. After six months of shagging flies, a ballplayer is entitled to relax. But last fall, when the N.Y. Giants' spectacular center fielder, Willie Mays, asked for permission to play winter ball in Puerto Rico, the Giants readily agreed. If the Most Valuable Player in the National League thought that he needed the practice, why argue? Besides, it was good publicity.

Last week, Willie and the Giants learned something they might have suspected last September: too many days in uniform can turn baseball into a dreary business. Tired, his temper on edge, the old pleasure of playing gone, 23-year-old Willie got into a batting-practice scuffle with his Giant teammate, Ruben Gomez. Later, Willie denied everything. "All those stories about a fight--phooey." he said. "Ruben and I are pals."

Willie, back in the States for a round of baseball dinners, admitted that he was "tired of playing ball." He would be going back to Puerto Rico for the winter-league playoffs, but he wished he did not have to. After that, said he, "no more winter baseball for me."

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