Evening star., 1935-03-05
Signs His Contract.

~ UHEL soon after arriving at camp
n got in good standing with the
club by signing a contract. He
had reached a tentative agreement
with President Griffith before leaving
Washington and, following a brief
conference with the boss after din
ner, got down on the line.
The first-sacker says he gave the
injured ankle all the exercise he pos
sibly could during the off season.
When he was not hunting he golfed.
At home in Kansas City he also did
q lot of brisk walking the days the
weather was too inclement to permit
visits to the links and, in addition, he
was regularly treated by masseur.
For some time after the bone had
thoroughly mended Kuhel was trou-
bled by a swelling in the ankle fol-
lowing arduous exercises. That con-
tinued until the first of this year,
Joe says. Finally, after ligaments and
tendons had become properly settled
and pliable, the spells of swelling
ended. For more than eight weeks
now he has not been bothered by
them.
Has Tested 1t Vigorously.
VXIEATHER changes do not affect
w the ankle, Kuhel declares.
Cold spells and rains bring
no twinges. He seems satisfied that
In every way the ankle again is nor
NAL. Before coming to camp he test
ed it vigorously. In Kansas City
gym he did considerable running
He tried quick starts, getting well up
on his toes to subject the ankle to
the greatest strain. 1t responded as
well as ever. Sudden stops did not
affect it, nor did the quick breaks to
either side a first baseman must make
In his play afield
He also took his batting stance
and swung often with a bat heavy
enough to give the ankle severe tug.
According to Trainer Martin, had
there been any weakness in the Joint
this test would have revealed it.
Kuhel says he noticed no i'll effect.
It does seem that Joe is ready to 60
again.
Bought from Kansas City in 1890,
Kuhel became the regular first base
man of the Nationals early the next
season. Optioned to the Baltimore
club in 1881, he was recalled when
an appendicitis attack put the vet
eran Joe Judge out of commission
and Immediately became one Of the
fielding sensations Of the majors.
Is Exceptional Fielder.
TIE TWICE has led the American
III Leagues first sackers afleld in
his brief career and his alb
breviated term last season fielded
only two points below the leading
zeke Bonura of the White Sox. But
kuhel is a far better fielder than
Bonura. In many less than half the
number of games Bonura played, Joe
managed to take care of about half
the number Of chances the White
Sox initial sacker did over a full
stretch.
Kuhel has a major league career
batting average of .295. He is a
hard swinger and manages to bat out
a flock of extra bases. Joe is noted
as dangerous hitter in a pinch, too
His record for driving in runs is ex-
cellent. He Is up at the plate swing
ing when there are men on the run
ways.
The $4,000 the Washington club
gave Kansas City for Kuhel were
we'll spent. The Nationals have been
helped greatly by him. Joe was the
only one of many first basemen
brought up from the minors or
plucked from other major clubs to
oust the remarkable Judge from the
Job at the initial station. Judge was
there for Is years.
Now that the ankle again is well
the Nationals may expect much more
service from Kuhel. He is not yet
70 years old. He should have long
base ball career ahead.