Evening star., 1935-09-05
SHIFT TO SECOND
MAKES MORGAN
Improved AfieId With New
Orleans, Hard Hitter May
Return to Tribe.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.

bx FhhNClS De fOWEhSs
~HICAGO, September 5.-One
hears that Eddie Morgan
may be back with the Cleve-
~ land Indians next season as
q second baseman. If true, that con-
stitutes one Of the .strangest stories
In q game which develops many
strange tales.
Cleveland had claim to Eddie Nor
gan when he graduated from Tulane
and brought him into the big league
after one brilliant season with New
Orleans. The big, fast kid batted
1854 in his initial year with the Peli-
cans and Cleveland expected him to
be another Ty Cobb or Iris Speak
er; no less. He was tried in the
outfield and at third base with lit
tie luck.
His hitting was q Joy to any man
ager, but in the outfleld he could
not judge line drives and his speed
was wasted. At third base he was
as handy as q one-armed second
story man. Finally he landed at
first base and while his fielding there
was nothing to excite the customers
his tremendous batting made him a
pain and ache to all kinds Of
pitchers.
Gets Going at Second.
FINALLY Roger Peckinpaugh, then
manager Of the Indians, quit on
the young man and so did IS other
major league clubs when waivers
were requested. Morgan went back to
New Orleans. The son OF wealthy
business man, Eddie refused to play
minor league ball any place except
his native town. Back in the South
ern Association, Morgan began
knocking down fences again and
earned himself q chance with the
Boston Red Sox. Again he failed.
His fielding was unsatisfactory to
Stanley Harris and his hitting did
not measure up to the Cleveland pat
tern. And occasionally he forgot Mr.
Harris ideas Of training.
So this Spring the boy found him
self once more with New Orleans
Larry Gilbert. one of the shrewdest
managers In the minors, started Nor
gan at third base for his hitting
Third still was a puzzle to Eddie and
no scout paid him much attention.
Some weeks ago Gilbert showed Nor
gan over to second base and the man
began to play q splendid fielding game
and his hitting began to climb. After
eight seasons it appears that Morgan
finally has found his natural position.
Could Help Tribe.
THERE b no doubt Morgan can hit
= big league pitching, particularly
in the short Cleveland park. where
he ratified drives on the right and
right-center field walls. II he really
can play second base. Morgan would
be invaluable to the Indians: more
particularly now that he is ready to
take the game as serious business.
Thirty years Of age, Morgan still Is
faster than most big league players
and should have at least five good
seasons ahead. OF course, Cleveland
may not bring Morgan up for another
trial, but one would not be surprised
If that happened. Steve O'Neill, who
is rapidly earning himself the chance
to manage the Indians next season.
is the sort of q fellow who could get
the best out Of Morgan, and Billy
Evans always has retained . fondness
for the Southerner.
The Indians have a great fielding
second baseman in Bozie Berger, but
1t Is doubtful II he ever will become
q great hitter. Cleveland needs more
batting punch and Morgan could sup
ply that. So the young man may
come back to the club which gave him
his first chance In the big leagues.
only to quit on him after he had
established himself as q 800 hitter.
John McGraw used to fire players and
then bring them back to the Giants.
So Cleveland can rehire Morgan with
out violating any base ball precedents.