Four for Fame

Baseball's Hall of Fame exists mostly in the minds of sportswriters. But their official choices for immortality are also listed on bronze plaques in Cooperstown, N.Y., known as the birthplace of baseball.

Last week, the Hall's electorate -- 161 U.S. baseball writers -- added four more names to the 49 on the plaques. All the new choices were living men (and all in their 40s). The four: P: Robert Moses ("Lefty") Grove, 46, taciturn and angular, one of baseball's greatest southpaws. His equipment: control and a fireball exceeded only by the late Walter Johnson's. He won exactly 300 games (31 in his best year with the Athletics), quit baseball five years ago. Present occupation: running a combination poolroom and bowling alley at Lonaconing, Md.

P: Frank ("The Old Flash") Frisch, 48, onetime second-baseman for the New York Giants, and pepperpot manager of the famous St. Louis Cardinal "Gashouse Gang," a man who outtalked his foes when he couldn't outplay them, the game's most impish umpire-baiter. He stepped out last fall as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, now raises flowers at his New Rochelle (N.Y.) home, hopes to broadcast New York Giant games this season.

P: Gordon Stanley ("Mickey") Cochrane, 43, sparkplug catcher of Connie Mack's great Athletics of the late '20s and Lefty Grove's battery mate. His lifetime batting average: a hefty .320. After managing Detroit for 4 1/2 seasons (and spoiling his health and cheery disposition), he forsook baseball in 1938, is now working for a rubber company in Montana. P: Carl ("Meal Ticket") Hubbell, 43, the great "clutch" pitcher (he always won in a pinch). Lean and emotionless, he seldom used more stuff than he needed to get his man, seldom tried for strike-out records. In 16 seasons with the New York Giants, he won 253 games. His World Series record: W. 4, L. 2. His present job: director of the Giants' farm system.

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