Evening star., 1940-12-13
ST. Louis Player
Is Wanted for
Right Field
Added Gardener Goes
To Center; Keystone
Guardian Sought
Ry FRANCIS K. STAN.

With a ground-covering, hard
throwing centerfielder scheduled tc
perform for the Nationals in lo4l
as a result of the American Leagues
first bona fde player trade of the
winter, President Clark Griffith and
Manager Bucky Harris renewed
their efforts today to complete more
deals designed to improve the
seventh-place Washington ball club
Getting Roger Cramer doesn't
alter our ideas about Chet Laabs,
the St. Louis outfielder," Harris
said today. Were still after Laabs
and second baseman. We may
not get them but, at least, we've
made one move in the right direc-
ton and this may lead to the
others"
Cramer, 34-year-old veteran, was
assigned to the Mats by Owner Tom
Yawkey of the Boston Red Sox
yesterday in a deal whose ground
work was laid three days ago at the
Chicago winter meeting. In ex-
change, Griffith gave Outfielder
Gerald Walker, who promptly was
shipped to Cleveland in another
trade made by the Red Sox.
Lewis May Be Switched.
Griffith and Harris originally
planned to deal for centerhelder
shortstop and a second baseman
but altered their ideas when they
ttxy 0f nj
the market. Having wound up with
Cramer. who will replace the weak
throwing George Case in center
they are going after Laabs instead
of shortstop.
Laabs is a chunky SpeedSter in
whom Harris sees possibilities. II
procured, Chet would play right
field. Case would be shifted to left
Buddy Lewis would be moved from
right to third base and Cecil Travis
would be transferred to shortstop
Such a series of moves would not
make the need of a shortstop i'm
perative, although Travis is no bal
of fire in that position and Lewis
is not an Ossie Bluege on third
base
1T still would mean more punch
in the 1941 team Harris said, land
it's a cinch we wouldn't be weak
ened, defensively. Case wasn't a
first-class centerfielder, nor was
Lewis a natural rightfielder. Travis
can play shortstop at least as well
as Jimmy Pofahl. If we get Laabs
and second baseman we may make
some trouble next year.
Second Base Is Problem.
1t is possible that the Laabs deal
will come off in the near future.
Groundwork for this trade also was
laid in Chicago. The Mats offered
Catcher Rick Ferrell to the Browns
for Laabs and the ST. Louis bosses
Owner Donald Barnes and Man.
ager Fred Haney, said they would
think it over and contact Griffith by
telephone, as did Yawkey.
Where and when the second base
man will come from is matter of
conjecture The Yankees virtually
have corner on spare infielders but,
because of the draft menace, they
are sitting tight until January or
February, when they expect to learn
more about the status of Shortstop
Phil Rizzuto. who is expected to
replace Frankie Crosetti, and to hear
definitely whether Third Baseman
Red Rolfe is going to retire.
There are few other spare second
basemen around the league and for
those who may be available the bid
ding will be stiff because the Chicago
White Sox need help at that position
as badly as the Mats
Chapman's Return Possibility.
The Walker-for -Cramer deal
finally broke the ice which froze the
Chicago meeting and turned it into
a boring. almost senseless conven-
ton. Walker, 80, was turned over to
Cleveland, along with Catcher Gene
Desautels and Pitcher Jim Bagby,
jr., for Catcher frankie Pytlak,
Pitcher Joe Dobson and Utility In
fielder Sammy Hale.
There was nothing surprising
about the deal. The rumor- -mongers
had guessed correctly in Chicago,
although Griffith still insists that
Boston might have Jared better by
keeping Walker, who figured to have
a good season in the Red Sox ball
yard, which has a short left field
fence For protection, Boston bought
Outfielder Pete Fox from the Detroit
Tigers after announcing the trade
of Cramer.
Cleveland had eyed Walker for
some time but had nothing to give
the Mats in exchange except Ben
Chapman. This offer was turned
down promptly, although it is pos
sible that Chapman yet may wind
up with Washington again. Before
leaving Chicago, Harris offered
Johnny Welaj to the Indians in ex-
change for Chapman and may hear
from the Tribe.
Cramer is no youngster. He is "a
years old but he still retains much
(See BASEBALL, Page D-40