The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-05-12
'Buky Harris GroonY Esta|eNa for 0utied Post
N { N T { | Y
COACHES
CUBAN
BY FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL

BY FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL
CHICAGO, ILL.,, May 12.-Rob-
erto Estalella, the blocky little
Cuban who rattles the fences at
Griffith Stadium and elsewhere.
with screaming line drives. is
headed for the trail that Bob
Meusel of the Yankees followed 20
glory when big league fame played
no part in Estalella's dreams.
Bucky Harris has decided to con.
vert the Cuban into an outfielder.
In fact, the preliminary stages Of
the contemplated switch already
have been made.
For the past two weeks Estalella
has been working under the direc-
ton Of Earl McNeely in pre-game
practice. He has been running
back and turning; he's been rang
ing to right and left, charging
ground balls and doing the multi
pie chores of gardener in the max
ing. Bobby has been working out
problems in the outfield and
throwing to bases.
Harris Makes Decision
Harris has decided that Buddy
Lewis will be a better ball player
than he showed in the South, and
that, gentlemen, was lot of ball
player. The kid is leading the
regulars on the club, biting the
ball at a 1856 clip, which is a lot
Of hitting no matter how you
figure it. Since KreSs and Bluege
are as capable reserves as one will
find on any ball club in the world,
there is little need for retaining
Estalella as an infielder.
On the other hand, the Cuban
has dispayed such terrific power
at the bat-and such q camera eye
at the plate, refusing to be fooled
on bad balls, there quite obviously
is a place for him in the lineup Ct
the Griffs.
Estalella is one of the greatest
throwers baseball has ever pro-
duced. Even in his relatively
undeveloped state, he is claSsed
with Bob Meusel and Joe Di
Maggie for sheer shoulder velo-
city. There will be little romp-
ing from first to third on this
kid when he gets squared away.
1t may be stated that EStalella'S
outfield debut may be delayed
until next spring, or at the
earliest, until the club has de-
finitely proved that it cannot
rise to first division heights.
Cuban Weathering Trials
The Cuban is going through
now what Bob Meusel went
through with the Yankees. Meu-
sci was q terrible fielder at
third base, but a great hitter
and super-thrower. He developed
into a remarkable gardener.
"OutfieI's OK" said Bobby
this morning as we discussed
the contemplated change. I'm.
fiel'S work hard. Mus be fas';
Mus be run all time" Huh,
OutfieP what you call ceench:
too easy. Maybe pay way
into park, huh"
Roberto laughed at his little
witticisms. So your agent sought
out Earl McNeely. Roberto calls
him "Meneely."
"Sure, we're working on Esta-
leila before the games" said
McNeely. "He is showing q dis
position to take the teaching.
That's all we can ask. II he'll
do what he's told, he has q
chance. If he won't do that, he
has no chance"
McNeely ShoIld know, for he
made good outfielder out of Dee
Miles when a lot Of the boys gave
the Blonde BesSemer boy the high
and mighty go-by.
Jimmy DeShong will pitch to-
day, with Jack Russell in line for
duty tomorrow. Appleton will
pitch the final game here and
Newsom will open against the st.
Louis Browns.