Evening star., 1939-05-10
by BURTON HAWKINS,
Star star Correspondent.

DETROIT. Mich, May 1o.-The
Nationals today intensified their
quest for another outfielder as Man
ager Bucky Harris went into q
hushed huddle with Detroit officials
In an attempt to bolster Washing
tons attack with player who fig-
ures to present the Mats occasionally
with long-range wallops.
Negotiations with Cleveland in an
effort to purchase Outfielder Roy
Weatherly having collapsed for the
present, Harris has focused his
optics on the Tigers, who currently
are carrying six outflelders Among
that collection are Pete Fox and
Chet Laabs, both OF whom swing
from the right side Of the plate, and
who are being eyed eagerly by
Bucky.
Laabs, a chunky 25-year-old lad,
built close to the turf, looms as the
most likely object of Harris affec-
tions. Employed chiefly as a pinch
hitter by the Tigers, Laabs is a long
distance hitter who connected for
AZ home runs while performing with
the Milwaukee Brewers in 1896, but
who hasn't clicked at his proper
pace since being affiliated with the
Detroits.
Fox's Record Impressive.
Fox, currently idle due to a dam
aged left elbow received when hit
by a pitched ball in batting prac-
tice, is hitting 1913 in 16 games this
season and batted in So runs while
whacking 296 last year. In previous
seasons, with the Tigers, the 30
year-old Fox has hit 288, .285, .321,
.305 and 1871.
The Washington pilot feels his
chances of grabbing an outflelder
Immediately are stymied by the fact
Cleveland still has hopes of making
a deal with the Tigers. Harris, how
ever, hopes to beat the Indians to
the punch while the Mats are in
town for two-game series.
Harris was closeted with Cleve-
land officials while the team was
there, but the Indians cherished
hopes of dealing with Detroit The
present torrid batting pace of
Weatherly, upon whom Manager
Oscar Witt admittedly has soured.
also served to squelch prospects Of
immediate action there.
Weatherly, now batting AIT in 10
games with the Indians, has fallen
from the good graces of Witt, and,
If Cleveland fails to complete a deal
with Detroit, the Mats still may
land the 5-foot 6-inch outfielder.
Weatherly. i'll last year, hit only
262 in 83 games with the Tribe,
after batting 1923 in 1887.
EstaIella's Status Shaky.
Washington's sustained search for
a power hitter leaves the status of
Roberto Estalella something less
than enviable, for the Cuban thus
for has failed to fulfill expectations
and is doomed to bench service at
least for the immediate future.
Sammy West, the 34-year-old fly
hawk, is regarded by Harris as more
dependable that Esty and will be
installed in left field when he shakes
the effects Of lingering cold. West,
however, swings from the left side
Of the plate and the Mats seem to
have an abundance of that variety
In Buddy Lewis, Cecil Travis, Jimmy
Wasdell, Buddy Myer, Taft Wright,
and. currently, Catcher Jake Early,
subbing for the injured Rick Ferrell.
Bucky. though. isn't against
adding another left-handed hitter
to his lineup, providing that hitter
occasionally can poke a few long
ones. West, he feels, is a better
bet than Estalella or John Welaj
to hit that long ball
Esty May Be Farmed Out.
Should the Mats obtain another
outflelder-and if they don't it
won't be for lack of trying
looms as the likely candidate to be
shipped out for more seasoning.
Welajs fine speed afield, his speed
and present tendency to hit, has
buoyed his chances of sticking with
the Mats throughout the year.
Welaj, probably the most polished
outfielder on the Washington roster,
has wedged his way into the lineup
at least temporarily and has justified
Harris faith. He has justified it
so much, in fact, that Estalella's
future is uncertain.
Joe Krakauskas, the Lithuanian
left-hander, who has displayed