Evening star., 1940-02-20
Ortiz Is Pitcher,
Not 0utfie|der,
In Harris Book
Nat Pilot Questions
Griffith's Estimate
Of Swift Cuban
By Stan Correspondent of The Star.

Oy d 0tdu NOIA AcopOllucul "a uc StdI.
ORLANDO, Fla, Feb. 2O.-Ro-
berto Ortiz-remember him?-is
carrying sun glasses in his hip pocket
these days and getting regular
turn in batting practice. But in
Bucky Harris book the strong
armed Cuban is a pitcher and not
an outfielder.
The manager of the Nationals
doesn't agree with President Clark
Griffith and other club attaches
about Ortiz. He thinks that If
Ortiz ever will amount to anything
as ballplayer, it will be as
finger.
But it's not anything I'm going to
insist on" Harris says. Maybe I'm
wrong. Maybe he'll hit. But so far
I don't like his stroke. I'd rather
work on him again this spring as
pitcher"
Recaptures Old Enthusiasm.
Ortiz, you may remember, is the
6-foot 3-inch peon who was brought
from Cuba last year by Scout Joe
Cambria. who modestly proclaimed
him as Eastern Johnson" Indeed,
Roberto looked reasonably close to
some sort OF f1re-baller and nine
tenths Of the early training hula
baloo was written around him.
Griffith and Harris climbed out on
the limb with Cambria and they all
fell together in April, when it was
decided to farm Ortiz to Charlotte
as an outfelder.
Bucky since seemed little touchy
on the Ortiz subject, but today he
watched the big fellow warming I'D
With the pitchers and he recaptured
some OF his old enthusiasm.
ANY fellow as fast as that" Bucky
said, shouldn't miss being pitcher.
Give him a curve ball and he'd make
it. But I'll be surprised if he ever
becomes a good outfielder."
He Still Attracts Crowds.
There is something a little mag
netic about Ortiz when he warns
up, as pitcher. Chasing flies and
fielding bunts in pepper practice, he
is lost among the rockies. But when
he singles out a catcher and throws
a few the crowds gather, Harris
Wanders over, Coach Bennie Ben
cough scratches his head thought
fully, and half the Mats keep an
eye on Roberto.
He has more poise and smoother
delivery this year. When he was
creating such sensation a year
ago he cranked up consciously, try
ing to remember all of the things
he was told via the Spanish-speak-
ing AL Lopez. Now he is locser and
that powerful, long stride and de-
livery is magnified.
He feels more at home in these
surroundings now. Catcher Jake
Early, who feuded with Ortiz last
February, now likes to catch him in
practice. Perhaps Mr.. Early likes
to perform before a gaping crowd.
Or perhaps young Jake feels. as
Harris does. that Ortiz belongs in
the box.
"Just One More Spring."
Roberto, of course, IS a long way
yet from being a big league pitcher.
But he figures to be closer than he
was year ago. He has no curve
ball but neither did Joe Krakauskas
at the same point in his career.
The way Ortiz is loosening up in
vites the theory that with time and
coaching he may come up with this
valuable adjunct to a good fast ball.
I'D like to work on him again."
said Harris. "Just one more spring.
Then If he doesn't 60 down to Char
lotte or Springfield and do very well
for himself Ill give up the idea that
he is intended for a pitcher, If
anything"
Despite the way he feels, how
ever, Harris has made no open
suggestion to Griffith that Ortiz be
included among the pitchers. The
old gentleman is convinced that
Roberto is an outfelder. Griff en-
visions the day when Ortiz, Elmer
Gedeon, Alex Pitko and Jack San
ford are going to take the current
Mats places.
Maybe he is more farsighted than
most of those who stand around and
watch these rockies work. But
Griff is speaking against veritable
breaking wave of nays. Sanford,
it generally is conceded, can hit
that ball a long piece down the road.
Ortiz still looks like pitcher, and,
as for the rest, the self-appointed
critics are noncommittal.