The Washington times., 1936-03-04
Dee Miles
HeadsFor
Heights
Rx FRANK "BUCK" ONETLL

lucky day."
The speaker is Wilson Daniel
Miles, whom you know as Dee
Miles, young outfielder Of the
Washington Gr!ffs. We sat in the
clubhouse out at Tinker Field this
morning as the player donned his
uniform to go out and turn in his
most impressive performance thus
far in spring training.
Miles captured the attention of
Bucky Harris and held it through
out a drill that might have worn
down a less durable boy than this
product of Bessemer's steel mills.
miles showed his greatest i'm
provement today" Harris said.
"a week ago he looked ordinary.
But there was nothing ordinary
about him today. Earl Nc
Nicely has accomplished a great
deal with him in short while"
With the charming and admir-.
able frankness that has always
marked Harris, he was quick to
note and quicker to acknowledge a
stride forward in a young player
who is making serious effort to
reach the heights in a game he
chose to rescue him from the
clang and chaos Of back-breaking
labor in a steel mill.
Praise Well Merited
The praise was we'll merited.
Miles showed exceptional ability
in getting the jump on fly balls.
He was under them, waiting with
soft hands that made catches
easily. There was none of the
shadow boxing with the ball that
marked his straining work last
season. Miles went to his left at
top speed and was in front of the
bali. Always able to go back, but
no great Sl1ucks at coming in on
the ball, he showed Improvement
in that phase of his work.
And now we will let Dee Miles
resume the thread of his interview.
Quiet kid, this blond haired South"
ern lad. He rarely speaks except
when spoken to, but when we sat
and talked with him about base
ball, he was a ready and interest
ing conversationahst.
"T was playing in the East
Dixie League" Miles said, "and
on July 6, 1884 / was promoted
to Chattanooga. Just one year
to the day, July 6. 1885, / ad-
vanced to Washington. know
1 still have q fight on my hands
to stay with the club, but I'm
going to make it. I'm willing to
bet right now that If I'm in the
game on July 6 that I'll do some
thing out Of the ordinary.
twas born in KelIerman. Ala,
on February IS, 1872" he said,
giving the readers of the Wash
ingtOn Times a brief biographi-
cal sketch of himself. 81 played
baseball and football at Huey-
town High School. Played end
and quarterback. and captained
the team in my senior year.
Worked as Wrenchman
II didn't go to college, but got a
job with the Nashville Bridge Cor
poration in Bessemer, Ala. I was
a wrench man. Tightening nuts on
girderS before the rivet men turn
ed loose their guns on them.
81 played in the Magic City
League down there. pitching
and playing the Outfield.
moved along to the Buck Creek
cotton mills and did the same
thing there. We won all but
nine games out Of 100 at Buck
Creek and 1 hit .432. / had an
offer from Chattanooga then
and accepted before they had a
chance to change their mind"
At this point Miles stood up 70
haul his woolen shirt over his
shoulders. Under a clear white
skin his deltoids rippled like ca
bles. You noted that he had the
physique of a Dempsey. Then you
saw his, powerful forearms and
understood why it was, that de-
spite a swing which was anything
but smooth last year. Miles was
able to clear the 800 mark and
ride the ball on a line to the out
field.
"I never did any track work"
he answered . question, "but I
have run 100 yards in uniform
to 10 seconds"
What was his feeling now that
he is starting a year in the major
leagues?
81 feel a great deal more Ger.
tain Of myself" was the answer.
"I'm not swelling up or any
thing. Just telling you. 1 feel.
better at the plate and in the.
field. I'm not fighting the ball.
and I'm not charging ground
balls hit to me-"
What were his feelings when he
Joined the big league?
gust like a fellow who was
invited to a party and found
himself the only man not in
evening clothes. 1 was half
scared, to tell the truth. / felt
that these fellows were stars
while I was a buSher. Now 1
feel that the boys are my
friends"