Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-26


N Reese is coming back to the
vi New York Yankees from the
4 Pacific Coast League, and will
start at second base in the re-
vamped infield of the team to be led
by Manager Bob Shawkey. That is an
item of considerable interest to the
rival clubs of the American League.
major league scout, writing East
from San Francisco, has this to say
about Reese: Make it strong that
Reese will be successful in 1880. He is
the nearest to major league caliber of
any player in this part OF the United
States"
In midseason Of 1929 reports began
to come East of the improved work of
Reese. who played second base for the
Oakland team of the Pacific Coast
who has retained the right to take him
from Oakland for 1880 when they did
not take him for the season Of 1929.
When the original deal was made with
Oakland the Yankees purchased Lyn
Larry and Reese for future delivery. per-
hitting them to remain at Oakland for
all of one season after the purchase
went through. Then they called Larry
to New York and let Reese remain In
California.
Some Favored Reese.
Larry was tried at shortstop and third
base. He had shortcomings for major
playing, but he was better at the end
of the season of 1929 than he was when
he joined the Yankees in Florida in
March.
When the Yankees purchased Larry
and Reese it was predicted In California
that Larry would prove to be the better
bargain. One or two observant chaps
out that way did not agree with that
opinion in full, and said Reese would
come through if he got chance.
Reese fell off in 1928. That was one
reason why he was left behind. This
year he has played sound base ball at
second base and has handled himself in
every way as though his future will be
as bright in major league company as
some of the stars of the past.
Miller Higgins had made up his mind
that he wanted him, and had made ar
rangements to bring him to New York
before the gritty little manager died.
Not only the New York club officials
were aware of his plans for the future
but he had talked about them with
Ehawkey.
The upshot of it all is that the YAM
kee infield for 1880 will start with Geh-
rig at first base. Reese at second base,
Koenig at short and Lazzeri at third.
Withdrawing Lazzeri from second and
putting him on third is shifting the
most valuable second baSeman CT the
American League to a new task. Maybe
1t will work and maybe not.
Arm Bothered Tony.
He has one splendid qualification for
d third baseman--he is quick starter.
His arm bothered him in 1928 when he
was playing second for the Yankees,
but he seems to have overcome the
injury.
Lazzeri can throw underhand, and
that is what every third baseman needs
to be highly successful. All great third
basemen have been good underhand
throwers. There are times when a third
baseman can't delay to straighten up
to throw the ball; he must pick it up
and shoot 1t" with one motion.
No successor to Koenig played better
than he did when he was going good
for the Yankees, and so he is going
back to his place, unless there is some
Shortstop to be bought at fabulous
price. The American League is not
overrun with ShortstopS who can be
traded on for five figures.
The Yankees figure that their present
arrangement Of an infleld is as good as
that Of the Athletics, which will have
Foxx at first, Bishop at second, perhaps
Boley at short and Dykes at third.
Whether Boley can hang on for another
year remains to be ascertained next
Spring. He is like Hughey Jennings,
who played season after season with
weak arm. Hughey could get the ball
over to first in such hurry that he
made UP for the lack Of strength in his
arm by his speed End short run to-
ward the base to which he was throw
ing