Evening star., 1939-03-19
johnson, Robertson,
MaiseI and Keller
Trail Beginners
Coach ShipIey Sees Hot
Prospect in Springer,
His No. ] HurIer
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

the trade-in value OF used tea bag
and unless Coach Burton Shipley
suddenly has developed an acute
case of astigmatism, the University
of Maryland should manufacture q
gratifying diamond record this sea-
son.
Maryland is extremely wealthy in
lads who have been reared In an
atmosphere of squeeze plays, home
runs and fast balls, for four of its
regulars are related to men whose
names are etched prominently in
major league annals.
Most noted of the quartet, per-
haps.. is angular Eddie Johnson, son
OF the immortal Walter, who is
making good in his own silent and
effective fashion. Eddie isn't fol-
lowing in the sizeable spike, prints
of the Big Train. At least he doesn't
pitch, but he has carved an enviable
inf1eld record with the Terps.
If Eddie has been chained by his
daddy's lofty reputation it hasn't
been noticeable. His ponderous paws
usually snare balls smacked in his
general direction and a long, strong
arm generates considerable zip to
his pegs. He is fast, despite his
slightly awkward appearance, and
he can hit, as evidenced by aver
ages of .4l2 and 800, compiled in
two years with the Maryland var
sity.
Scouts Like His Style.
Eddie, in fact, may make baseball
his career. Major league scouts
like his style and have approached
him with tempting offers, but if he
decides against it, or fails to make
the grade, he has something to fall
back on.
Johnson's love of farming and
pursuit of education along that line
at Maryland never will make him
dependent on baseball for a liveli-
hood. He has done a creditable job
of running his fathers farm at
Germantown, Md, at times, and he
likes the work. But it is probable
he will give organized baseball a
fling after graduation this June.
A regular second baseman the last
two seasons, Johnson will be shifted
to shortstop this year: Over at third
base will be peppery Sherrad Rob-
ertson, nephew of Clark Griffith,
owner of the Nations. and brother
in-law of Joe Cronin, manager Of
the Boston Red Sox.
There" says Coach Shipley. with
a note of pardonable pride. "is real
prospect. He still is wild swinger,
but that can be cured with expert
eEce. He's so good he may leave
us after this season and 60 with
Charlotte in the Piedmont League
He has an excellent chance of being
a fine major league player and I've
told him so. I'd like to see him
stick 1t out here, but I think he's in
hurry to get his teeth in organ
lied ball" Shipley merely pointed
and said, "He's really powerful" as
Robertson poled home run.
Robertson Well Built.
Robertson, -proportioned
lad, smooth fielder and solid hitter,
received all-high recognition at
Roosevelt. A sophomore, he is sup
planting Waverly Wheeler, now
chattel of the Pittsburgh Pirates,
slated to perform with Knoxville
this season.
Out in leftfield will be the son
OF a man who was holding down
third base for the New York Yam
KEGS when Walter johnson was fog
ging 'em past bewildered batters for
the Nationals. He is Young Fritz"
Maisel, son of the former speed mer-
chant of the Yankees and later
manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Maisel hasn't the promise of John
son or Robertson, but, according to
Shipley, he's going to make a fine
college player, proof of which is
mirrored in the fact he has clinched
a regular berth as sophomore.
Hugh Keller, brother of Charley,
the former Terp who burned up the
International League with Newark
and who is slated to take over an
outfleld berth with the Yankees this
year, has been installed in right
field. A Junior, Hugh inherits the
same post held by Charley when he
started swatting for Maryland.
Shipley, however, has saved lot
OF his enthusiasm for Earl Nefty)
Springer, pitcher whom the Mary
land mentor regards as one of the
most likely performers he ever has
handled. Praise from the man who
sent Hack Wilson, Bozie Berger
and Keller into the major leagues is
no small item.
Springer Well Rounded.
Springer has everything" beams
Shipley. Hes loose and smooth,
with a good curve ball and a nice
fast one. expect great things from
him and think he really should go
somewhere"
Springer will be Maryland's No.
pitcher, with Charley Weidinger, a
right-hander, also due to view con-
siderable service. Frank Dwyer, a
southpaw, and Pershing Mondorff,
another right-hander, round out the
fielder last season.
Joe Crisaful and Robert Burns
will share the catching burden
with Pat Mudd in reserve, with the
dependable George Knepley handling
first base. Shorty Chumbris has
snatched the second-base post, with
his brother Lefty nominated for
centerf1eld duty.
Missing from last years outfit, in
addition to Wheeler. will be Bill
Bryant and Mike Surgent, outfield-
ers. and George Wood and Bill
Steiner, pitchers.
The Terps will bite into a tough
schedule March u, facing Ohio
State at College Park.