July 30, 1963 - A bitter Ed Roebuck flung a parting blast at Dodger manager Walter Alston today as the veteran reliever prepared to move to the Senators. Ballplayers usually wait a while before popping off when they’re traded to another club. But not Roebuck. He zeroed in on Alston as soon as the Dodgers announced he was going to Washington in exchange for infielder Marv Breeding. “I’m sort of sad to leave,” Ed began. “But in another way, it’s like getting out of prison — getting away from Alston. I think the Dodgers will win the pennant in spite of Alston.” Asked to explain his beef with the long-time Dodger pilot, Roebuck said it was a case of poor treatment, adding: “The first part of the year, it was Roebuck every day. Then they didn’t use me for two or three weeks — sort of sloughed me aside. And nobody said a word.” Alston accepted Roebuck’s blast with customary calmness. “I’ve always agreed with Eddie that he’s more effective the oftener he works,” said the Dodger pilot. “At the start of the season, I used him a lot because we needed him. But after Drysdale, Koufax, Podres, and Perranoski hit their peak form, there wasn’t much call for the others. Actually, young Dick Calmus has more right to beef than Roebuck. He’s pitched better than Eddie.” Regarding the trade, he said: “Breeding will give us a little more right-hand hitting.” Told of Roebuck’s complaints today, Dodger general manager Buzzie Bavasi said: “Eddie was sitting right here at my desk this morning and never complained once. He should have said something a month ago if he was dissastisfied. He didn’t pop off until after he collected his last paycheck from the Dodgers. I think Ed is trying to blame somebody else for his own faults. If Walter didn’t pitch him, there must have been a reason. Maybe it was because he was out of shape due to his extra-curricular activities during spring training.” Bavasi did not elaborate. Commenting on Roebuck’s remark that the Dodgers can win the pennant in spite of Alston, Bavasi said acidly: “Well, maybe we can now that Eddie’s with Washington.”
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