Evening star., 1933-01-20
Travis May Crowd Out Bluege
But Osse Then Would Be Greatest Utility Man in
Business, Saws Griffith

piker in handing out the Bronx
berries.
While Uncle might feel that this
breeze from the Southland is q year
away from denting the crown Of the
prince of hot corner protectors, though
time is creeping slowly on, he insists
that the kid from Dixie is going to get
his test before the bell hits and not
afterward. And that IL he registers
down yonder he will come North to
occupy q stand at third that will be his
to fight out with Bluege during . sea-
son that ought to blaze with fight.
1t is going to be just the kind of train
ing siege to suit a test such as Uncle
prescribes. The team will play about
rs exhibition games down in Poneland,
and en- route to Yankeeland. Major
league teams will furnish some Of the
opposition, permitting Uncle to train
his opry glasses on Travis whom, he
says. he will stick out on the third sack
In most of the practice tits.
WHILE Cecil is getting his baptism
w of fire, Ossie will be going through
lighter PAGES, keeping his legs in
trim, and holding back his stuff for
action when the gong sounds, or II he
does not start the season, to be ready
to step into the fight when Joe Cronin
believes the real firing has started.
Travis will get special training at
Biloxi In the weeks preceding the open
ing of exhibition warfare. Then when
the games get under way he will be
sent in to sink or swim, to 60 back to
Chattanooga after the tests. or up to
divide the third base job with Bluege.
But if Travis does the sensational
and makes the grade, Bluege's status
will not be changed. He is the great
est infield utility man in the game"
says Uncle. He can play at short,
and hold his own. He can take
Buddy Myers place, and show the
trade lot Of things. He Is fine
man to have around, and II Travis
can make third we still have the
best utility man In the business"
While Ossie's weakness has been at
the bat, figures show that over the 10
wear stretch he has been National he
has hit for $50. mark that Is not
attention creating, but sound and solid,
nevertheless.
Ossie's periodical batting slumps have
been diagnosed as being more or less
mental by some base ball men, but the
fact is that he slips into them for q
week or so, and it is these setbacks
which cause his mark to take whip
ping when the season ends.
1t is q belief that If the kid from the
Lookouts shows great base ball in Dixie
in March, Griff may take a chance on
showing him at third base when the
gong sounds in Washington and hold
ing Blucge back for q utility role, OF
keep ready for spots.
Whatever happens at third base next
season, or who will play the role Of
principle utility man in the infleld, will
be contingent on the showing Of the
boy Travis in the exhibition games.
Every other position on the team
Is set and settled. Uncle Clark says
Of that: I'VE know exactly what
every man can do. Each is a vet
eran, tried and true. Barring in
juries, We can figure just what is
going to happen to our ball club.
And what Is going to take place will
give the Athletics and Yankees
plenty about which to worry"
But begin worrying about who will
start at third next season. Yet do not
worry too much abouS Ossie losing his
berth at third