The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-03-21
iris TELLS
JOHNSON !.
-
OF find
BY Times staff Correspondent
TAMPA. Fla, March 21.-

Nv Times staff Correspondent
TAMPA, Fla, March 21.-
"say, Spoke I've got base-
balls prize shortstop."
y In this manner Manager
Walter johnson yesterday adj
dressed iris Speaker, for years
one of the American Leagues
most illustrious outfielders
and present pilot Of the New
/. ark Bears, who in 1928 were
directed by johnson himself.
y "Yeh, Bluege," Speaker admitted
linhesitatingly. Hes the goods all
right but I've a prospect who looks
even better, Stevens by name. "The
lads stiIl young but he's all the ear
marks of a WOW. II he doesn't 80
over big during 1929 I'll give it
up" you man Bob Stevens, OF
course" Walter remarked. ''Well,
that sounds good to me. 4 helped
stevens get started with New
Haven in 1877 and I've boosted him
ever since.
''As a matter Of fact,' he smiled,
fBob and myself are neighbors, we
both are located in Bethesda, Nd,
near Washington. That's where
1 first got wind Of Stevens. Even
when a kid his promise was brought
to my attention and I'll give him
credit-he's lived up to all the good
things predicted for him.
Bob at an early age was
mixing with q much older gang
while appearing regularly at
& shortstOp for the Chevy Chase
Bearcats, one Of Wasl1ingtOn'S
! leading young baseball clubs.
Even then" johnson maintained,
The was cock Of the walk in a
baseball sense. His word was law
on the diamond and around him
much Of his teams strength was
centered.
my professional association with
the Washington club prevented my
personally giving young Stevens
the once over and realizing that
b
first was inclined to discount re-
ports regarding his prowess.
when the boy entered Western
High School, though, my interest
mounted until I was convinced Of
his worth during 1926. "Then in
his junior year the kid infielder
y cracked several long.standing bat.
ting records and displayed such
sensational all-around qualities that
several major and minor league
+ scouts were placed on his trail, -
Walter protested.
Then and there I decided to
5 give him q break and see what
X he'd do with IL. Consequently
summoned him before me.
''WeIl, Master Stevens, they
tell me you'd like to be pro.
fessiOnal ball player" rS.
marked. How about its"
'"That's right" he replied, ''but
I've got to finish school first. Then
ia love It," Impressed by the
boys sincerity Johnson proceeded to
arrange for him a trial with New
Haven, effective Immediately after
his graduation from Western early
m June, 1927.
3 stevens connected right away
after reporting to New Haven" his
benefactor claims. Harmed out
FOR more experience early In the
eampaign he was recalled later and
finished the season there. 1T was
not until last year that Bob made
rood, though, johnson 'probs, ex'
splained. Batting over 800 and
Fielding seisationally with the pen
sifant winer he was sought by sew
Gral big league clubs before being
signed by Newark"
"All OF which is q good break
/ for u.s. Speaker interrupted. SAY
I'm too experienced to be over
enthusiastic but here's . kid who
iran't miss.
sE ''How many 2O-year-Old
4 players, for instance, could
~ punch out two hits off Lefty
B Grove and another off Eddie
MI R0mmeII I'm single game ~
, a stevens did recently?
Already I've sent Yves Kingdom,
Newark's regular 1928 shortfielder,
"a second base in order to make
room for Bob at his natural posi-
ton. Hes been the life of the
party during our practices at st.
Augustine, and is one Of our main
1929 threats. ''And say wouldn't 1t
be funny il you. were some day
forced to purchase the services OF
your own discovery WalteT?" Iris
bantered laughingly in closing.
Speaker merely dropped in for a
visit, he declared. Alternately asso'
ciated with the Boston Red Sox,
Cleveland Indians, Washington
Griffmen and Philadelphia Ath.
letJcs during his big league career,
no was greeted by many former
teammates President Phil Bali
and Vice President L. p. McEvoy,
OF the st. Louis Browns, along with
Jake Rupert. New York Yankee
head, last night were dinner guests
of President Clark C. Griffith.
While the visit was supposed to be
merely casual. It Is thought that
some business matters were dis
cussed.
c@IesE= III