Evening star., 1928-12-16
MATS TRADE ) MEN
FOR BUDDY MYER
Lisenbee, CASTOR, Reeves,
ellis and BigeIow Will Go
to Boston Club.
CContinued From First Page.)


the deal was the affair of the managers,
not theirs.
Griffith, before completing the trade,
was anxious to learn whether john
son cared to part with the players
wanted and whether OSSie Bluege, for
several seasons regular third baSeman
of the Nationals could be converted
into a shortfielder. From the start Of
negotiations the intention was to place
Myer at third base and shift Bluege
to shortstop. Bluege, called into con-
ference with Griffith and johnson yes
terday. expressed confidence in his
ability to care for the new position, de-
clared the leg injury that handicapped
him several years ago had healed thor
oughly and said he believed his under
pinning would withstand the extra
strain that would come from playing
shortStop. This satisfied both president
and pilot.
A report from Boston states that
Carrigan, in approving the deal, said
he did not like to see Myer leave the
Red Sox, but he believed the. deal
would benefit his club as the players
he would get for Buddy would help
more than one player could. So it
seems both sides are well pleased.
Lisenbee Flash Lacking in '2S.
Although the Nationals are giving
five players for one, it does not seem
they are giving up more than two good
prospects for youngster who had de-
veloped remarkably in base ball way
within year. OF the lot transferred
to the Red Sox, only Lisenbee, the
pitcher, and Reeves, the inflelder, give
promise Of becoming worthwhile major
league timber
Lisenbee came up to the Nationals
from Memphis, and in 1927, his first
year as a big Lacquer, pitched to a
brilliant record Last season, however,
the right-hander was off to a Door
start and never was able to flash the
form that had made him SO successful
the previous season. Toward the mid
die OF the campaign he was farmed
TO Minneapolis of the American Asso-
clat1on and failed even to recover his
pitching ability in the minor circuit
Reeves came to the Nationals fresh
from Georgia Tech in June, 1926,
heralded as hard-hitting and brilliant
nelding ShortStop. At times he per-
formed remarkably well afield. but from
the start he was wild thrower and not
until the latter part of the last cam
paign did he live up to his reputation
as a hitter. His erratic heaves and
Inability to function in double-play max
ing with any great degree of success re-
duced his value to the Nationals greatly,
but he Is young and still has fine
chance to make the major grade.
Neither CASTOR nor ellis was a sue
cess with the Nationals. CASTOR.
veteran pitcher procured from the
Browns in exchange for Earl McNeely,
outfielder, and Dick Coffman, recruit
hurler, In a deal last Winter, was ex-
pected to bolster the pitching staff con-
Siderably. Instead, he was a failure from
the beginning of the season. He hurled
but two or three good games throughout
the campaign and toward the finish was
employed only as a relief man Gillis,
first tried at the Nationals 1927 train
ing camp. came back to the club after
being farmed to Birmingham of the
Southern Association for a season. He
looked likely shortstop at the begin
ming OF the past season, but soon falter-
ed and then was unable to make a good
showing at second base. In June, he
was shipped to Minneapolis, where he
finished the year.
Myer Is Rated High.
Bigelow, a 30-year-old player, has
been in the minors from the start of his
professional career. He has shown no
speed, is not particularly good thrower,
but he can hit With Birmingham last
season, he socked for an average of 1893
in 124 games. He was purchased for
the Nationals solely for use as a pinch
batter, being considered too slow and
too inaccurate fielder for regular play.
In return for these men the Nationals
get back player who will not be IS
Years old until next March and who
tduring the past season Stung the ball
for an average of .3i3, fielded remark
ably well for a newly-made third base
man and was fast enough to lead his
league at base stealing. Myers stick
work and speed more than anything
else impressed both Griffith and john
son with the desirability of bringing the
young inflelder back to the Washington
club
Buddy--or Charles Solomon, to give
his regular front nameS-came to the
Nationals from New Orleans in the lat
ter part of the 1925 season. He had a
training camp trial with the Cleveland
Club after leaving Mississippi A. and NJ
College in 1925, but instead of signing
with the Indians Joined the Pelicans of
the Southern Association. He had lit
tie to do in his first season with Wash
ington, although he did participate in
the world series against Pittsburgh,
taking the place of Bluege, who was
put out of commission when struck by
a pitched ball.
In 1926 Buddy started as an under
study to Roger Peckinpaugh, shortstop,
who the year before had been voted the
most valuable player to club in the
American League. Before the season
was very old, Myer was made the regu-
lar shortstop berth, and filled the po-
Sition the greater part of that cam
paign. He batted 304 for the year. but
his fielding left much to be desired.
AIyer failed to start we'll in 1927 and
soon was traded to Boston for the vet
eran Rigney Buddy now is recognized
as one of the coming stars of the ma
jorS, while Topper long since has been
plodding along in the minors.
While Myer failed to shine when at
tempting to fill Peckinpaugh's shoes at
short here, he made good at third base
for the Red Sox and in recent inter-
view he dopes it out this way:
IT have reached the conclusion that
shortstops-I mean great shortStops-
are born, not developed. The third
baSeman does not have so much ground
to cover to his right. Most of his stops
are to his left. where he uses his gloved
hand, The third baseman has more
time to throw, while the shortstop has
to hurry practically every peg he makes
to first. AS result, no longer have
the ambition to be shortstop. I am
satisfied to be a third baseman as long
as my manager thinks can fill the
bill"
And that's the fine spirit he brings
bacLy IN the Nationals