New-York tribune., 1921-01-29
Young Grimes
AndBrownSeek
Regular Berths
New England Star and Rapp
to Fight for Second Base;
Yankee Deal Developing
By r. J. Kelly

Two m0Ic young players VINO were
with the Giants last year have come
into the fold for next season in the
persons Of Second Bascman Roy Grimes
and Outfielder Edward Brown, whose
signed contracts were received at the
Offices of the New York club yesterday.
The former was one Of the best in
felders in the Eastern League in 1920
and was purchased by the Giants in
July for $4,000. Brown was obtained
from the San Antonio club Of the Texas
League last summer, but did not join
the local team until shortly before the
end Of the season.
Grimes reported to the Giants last
August and was soon afterwsrd tried
at second base to relieve the veteran
Larry Doyle. He did not get chance
70 show his real worth, however, as he
broke his left thumb shortly after his
purchase. This mishap handicapped his
playing. to q great extent during the
remainder of the season.
Grimes took part in twenty six
games with the Giants last season. He
registered "a putouts, 40 assists and 4
errors for 1ielding average of .948.
He did not show up very we'll at the
bat, but he had never faced big league
pitching before coming to this city. He
made nine hits in 81 times at the bat
for mark Of 1883.
Led His League in Batting
During his stay with the Bridgeport
CLUB Grimes led his league in batting,
with the splendid average of .374. He
played in So games and slammed out
59 singles, II two-base hits, 6 three
/ baggers and home runs. Raw Grimes.
twin brother of Roy, who will also
play big league baseball next season,
was up among the leaders in the East
ern League, with a batting mark of
1854. Both were members Of the
Bridgeport team last year. Roy was
purchased by the Giants on the recon-
mendation of Arthur Devlin.
Unless Manager McGraw is success
ful in his efforts to purchase an in
nelder of major league experience,
Grimes will have an excellent oppor-
tunlty TO earn regular berth on the
Giants. He will be tried at second
oase as soon as the team reaches San
ANTONIO in March, and many who have
seen the youngster perform sre CON
hdent that he will make good.
McGraw is desperately in need of
another infielder to team with Kelly
bancroft and Frisch, and the veteran
manager will give all of his recruits
chance to show their wares at second
Dase. 1t is almost certainty now that
frlsch Will remain at third next sea-
son, and that leaves the keystone as
the only position to be filled in the
Rapp Also After Job
AS far as can be predicted at pres.
ene, tne two leading contenders for this
post will be Grimes and "Goldie" Rapp
former star infielder of the American
Associatlon, who recently was pur.
chased by the Giants from St. Paul
Those who have watched Rapp in &C.
tlon in the Middle West say he is ready
1or major league competition, and the
cholce Of q second baseman probably
Will lie between him and Grimes.
brown, who also signed yesterday, is
considered one Of the best felders in
the South. McGraw took liking to
the youngster last spring, when he saw
Brown play while the Giants were
training at San Antonio. Brown is a
good Judge of fly balls and an excep.
tlonaiiy strong batter. He is handi.
capped, however, by = poor throwing
arm, but McGraw believes the recruit
will overcome this weakness. Brown
took part in several games at the Pole
Grounds at the end Of the 1920 season
Ii Home Run" Baker decides to re-
turn to the game, and if he is willing
to be traded, it is very likely that he
will play with the Senator's this year
A three-cornered deal among the Yam
KEGS, Senators and Browns is now
pending that would seud the Maryland
mauler to Washington. According to
present arrangements the Yanks will
nd v1s
to the Senators, and the Washington
club will send Val Picinich, one of the
leading catches of the league, and an
infielder to the Browns The St. Louis
Club will then transfer "Baby Doll'
Jacobson to the Yanks I'd complete the
deal.
The Browns are in need Of first
class catcher, the Senators need an ex-
perienced third baseman and the Yanks
can use another outfielder to good ad-
vantage.