World Series Opens Today in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pa., welcomes its first World Series in 33 years today with stout hopes that the home town Pirates can handle the power-laden, experienced New York Yankees.

The Pirates, loaded with pitching talent, will attempt to avenge a four-game sweep by the famous Yanks of 1927--the last time the two teams met in a World Series and the last time Pittsburgh won a National League pennant. Casey Stengel's Yanks rule a 13-10 favorite, but Cambridge's breakfast table daily--along with the Pittsburgh press--will stick with the underdog just for fun.

Pittsburgh will take the series in six games.

Vernon Law, a 20-game winner, will be manager Danny Murtaugh's choice for the opening game at Forbes Field. He will be opposed on the mound by another righthander, Art Ditmar, whose 15-9 record makes him one of Stengel's top pitchers.

Streaking into their tenth Series under Ole Casey, the Yanks swept their last 15 games to take the American League flag by eight games over the late-dying Baltimore Orioles.

Game time is 1 p.m. EDT. Television and radio coverage will be via NBC (WEZE radio and Channel 4 television). The weather for the Steel City was reported to be sunny and warm for the sellout crowd of 38,000 at Forbes Field.

Murtaugh, former Major Leaguer who made good as a manager this year, announced his lineup yesterday with no surprises. As he promised earlier this week, he will start Dick Stuart at first base although Stuart is a right-handed batter who will be facing a right-handed pitcher.

Murtaugh will also go with Bill Virdon--"one of the best centerfielders in baseball." "And you are going to see the best rightfielder in baseball," Murtaugh said in speaking of Roberto Clemente. An added boost to Pirate chances in the first game is the announcement that Dick Groat, team captain and shortstop, will play. After an injury Sept. 6, Groat resumed play only last weekend.

There are also the Bronx Bombers, but every World Series fan knows of Mantle, Berra, Maris, Skowron, Ford and company. It's a tough bunch to beat.