New Britain herald., 1928-02-15
(BY BILLY EVANS)

Manager Roger PecklnpauGh or the Cleveland Indians is hopeful that a precedent established in 1927 1 will continue to hold good for 1928. Basera Ill managers are just as su- | perstitious as ball players. Az . matter of fact most pilots became inoculated with the germ of super stition in their days as ball players.
 The superstition of Peckinpaugh deals with the South Atlantic league and the acquisition of Southpaw Bill Bayne by the Cleveland h. diana It also dates back to Pitcher Wilcey Moore of the Yankees and Outfielder Lloyd Waner of the Pi- rates, the former in particular. It seems that in 1928 a pitcher by the name of Wilcey Moore won 80 games and lost only four in the South Atlantic. Not one of the scores of scouts who saw him in action believed he had a chance to make the major grade. All turned in a negative report.
 New York. however. purchased Wilcey Moore because Business Manager Ed Barrow of the Yankees was convinced that any pitcher who could win 30 games in any old league, while only losing four, must have something.
 Moore. labeled "bloomer" by the scoutA won IS. lost seven and saved perhaps dozen more games for the Yankees. He was good for about so victories for the world champions in the 1927 race.
 It is needless to comment on the part that Lloyd Wancr played in the success of the Pittsburgh Pirates in winning the pennant. How he stepped in and filled the bill when Manager Bush and his star out fielder, ''Kiki" Cuyler. disagreed and came to the parting of ways, is a matter of baseball history.
 Now for the Cleveland angle and the superstition of Manager Peckin- paugh. as it relates to Pitcher Will cey Moore and Outfielder Lloyd Waner.
 Last season pitcher. by name Bill Bayne. stepped into the picture at Greenville. s. C., and flied the shoes of the town idol. Wilcey Moore.
 While Bayne's record wasn't quite as impressive as that of Moore. ht turned in 26 victories as against 1t defeats. which one must admit 1. some pitching.
 None of the big league scout, touring that section gave Bayne SC much as a tumble He received nc more consideration from the dia- mond sleuths than did Wilcey Moore
 President Barnard Of the Cleve. land club. now head of the Ameri can league. in looking over tn. minor league averages, was i'm. pressed by the figures back O Bayne's name. showing es wins. and { landed him in the draft.
 Why was Rayne overlooked by tht scouts? Why was Wilcey Moor, passed up? You ask.
 The fact that Moore was 30 year. Of age caused the scouts to get of him. That's considered far too olt to be making a major league debut
 Bayne was passed up partly fol ' the same reason. too old, also he cause the st. Louis Browns helt title to him for about five years be. fore passing him on to the minors He was considered as having had ! the big chance and failed. i Billy Bayne is 29 years Of age. al most as old az Wiicey Moore. Dur. | ing his connection with the St Louis Browns he always was show. ing flashes of stuff that caused tha' club to believe he would eventually 1 make the grade.
 1 Bayne is southpaw. He's oi average build. about five feet nint inches tall and weighs in the neigh , borhood of 16O pounds. In his ca. reer as an American leaguer he al ways showed most deceptive curve
 Perhaps Bayne at %. like Moore at 3o after roaming the minors fo, a number Of years. has finally ac. guired the poise and confidence tha' he previously lacked ss bil leaguer.