Evening star., 1932-03-10


news serving to add foundation
and credulity to the vapory re-
ports. News happenings were:
The signing of Heinie Manush,
the balky outfielder, who came in
not balky, but back-slapping, and
as ruddy as a Norwegian sailor.
The hiring of Moe Berg, veteran
catcher, a star with the White 6ox
and a failure with the Cleveland In
dians more recently.
The second visit in two days to
Griff and johnson of H. P. Dawson,
general manager of the Baltimore ORR
oles, encamped near here.
Clark Griffith's reticence in talking
on the possibility of the young out
fielder, Ralph Boyle, being returned
to Baltimore.
His reticence in saying what was
going to happen in his catching de-
partment. and his reluctance to talk
of rumored trade in which a veteran
pitcher was to be acquired.
Flock of Rumors, Too.
And the rumors which kept the
lobby squads buzzing and tanning
Outfelder Boyle's own belief that he
ought to have another year In the
minors.
A shake-up in the aatching depart
ment which would send out veteran
and youngster or two youngsters, one
to Baltimore and one to Chattanooga.
That Joe Judge, the first baseman,
and Dave Harris, the outfelder, were
to be used as trading material for a
pitching deal.
And the odd bits of speculative Cos
sip which worried the rookie pitchers
and made the veterans look around.
Manush dipped the pen In ink and
asked where the dotted line was To-
Gated after dinner last night. He
came in just a few minutes before,
sun blistered and back slapping, from
west Palm Beach, Fla, where he had
been Wintering.
I've never seen him In better shape.
He appears to be serious" said Grit,
happily.
Feeling great, give me a bat"
Charity and Walter johnson and
chasing Col. Billy Smith, the business
manager, through the hotel lobby.
Moe Berg added to Roster.
Heine's blustery arrival was interrupt
ed by the news from Griff that he had
just wired for Morris (Mce) Berg, re-
leased last year by ClevelaI i, to appear
at camp and put on the ovcralls of the
catching department 1t must have
startled Trainer Mike Martin, for the
last report on the big Gotham young
man, with nine years Of major league
playing behind him, was that he was
IN bad physical shape, injured in the
legs and badly In need Of repairs.
The matter was referred to Grif by
your correspondent. Berg Is coming
to this club with the understanding that
he is in shape and can make good. I
believe he can," said Griff. He had
double pneumonia and was injured with
the Indians, and they of course, let him
out. He is free agent. He believes
that he is in shape and that he has
fully recovered. We can only wait and
see."
Moe Is due to report at once.
Berg broke into big-time base ball in
1928 with Brooklyn as a shortstop, was
optioned to Minneapolis Toledo In
1924, where he played short, and then
was released to Reading.
Purchased by White Sox.
Purchased by the Chicago White Sox,
Berg played the 1867 seasons at short
and second and then went behind the
plate. Last year the Indians took a
gamble on him, and the results were
not very encouraging.
Whether your Uncle Clark is going to
use him as a coach or whether as q
regular will depend upon what the
big 6-footer has to show him. But
his employment has the present catch
ing staff of the Nationals rather flus-
tered, and it does not take much to
T1affla MIC 10 nf
and few jobs.
Just what is taking place in the
visits with General Manager Dawson
of the Baltimore club Is q matter of
much speculation. There are more
ruHors over this than Andy Mellon had
worries.
For instance, I hear in breezes from
the Orioles camp up the road that
Ralph Boyle, Griff's very young and
back to Baltimore for further season.
ing. 1t Is also said that the Baltimore
flock Is anxious to borrow catcher for
short period. And the catcher would
be Maple
Here's Griff's reply: I'VE will not do
any business with Baltimore now about
players. If they want to borrow a
catcher, being in need of one for Spring
training, we certainly will favor them
am going to do nothing about Boyle
at the moment. I must give him a
trial"
Judge Showing Fine Form.
AS to Joe Judge being used as swap
ping material, here is something that
ought to answer that. Looking upon
the young veteran strutting his stuff
today, Griffith said Judge had shown
him workouts during the last few days
that had startled him.
THAT fellow hit three of the prettiest
blows off those kid pitchers-and they
are serving up plenty Of stuff now-that
l have seen him do in many years He
Is surprising me, and when tell you it
Is going to be fight for the initial sack,
I mean every word of it."
Judge is in marvellous condition. A
Winter at the Jewish Community Cen
ter GYM in Washington, has put the
veteran ON keen edge. He is hopping
around as spry as a 2-year- and
punching with the bat as he has not
done in years. Joe Kuhel is in for q
test. as sure as gun Is iron.
1t appears as If the camp Is geared
up now as high as 1t can get in rumors,
actual news and stiff workouts. To-
days drill was peach. Yesterdays
was kayo, with Walter johnson STEP
ping of the mound with q stiff neck
Lloyd Brown out with an injured ell
bow, Joe Kuhel slowed up with severe
sty on his right eye and Johnnie Kerr
complaining of stiff legs.
Golf Gets the Go-by.
Brown has tossed aside his golf clubs
for the training period, because of the
army injury 1t Is his right arm, not his
Tipping mitt. johnson, too, put aside
his golf clubs for the day because of
the stiff pack and IL anDaarpd as ~ the
great game of golf was hard hit
FTimsy gossip gets no play from the
gray pilot. He dismisses 1t with
WAVE Of his hands and a hristlinr of