Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-23
5of Change Making Honor Optional With Hole Winner Strongly Urged
From the
Press Box
Hint in Salary Slash
Ignored by Bonuro

Ignored by Bonuro
BY JOHN LARDNER,
Special Correspondent of The Star.
NEW YORK, Jan. % (N.A.N.A0.-
Zeke Bonura, the banana prince, is
beginning to embarrass the New
York Giants somewhat. Since late
autumn the Giants have been trying
desperately to get rid of Ezekiel by
hook or crook, but the big fruit
merchant pretends not to notice. In
fact, he folds the Giants in his
arms and gives them his blessing
for 1910.
I'VE are going to have a good
club this year" says Zeke, beaming
like Horace Stonehams favorite
son and William Terry's long-lost
nephew. much to the annoyance of
Mr.. Stoneham and Mr.. Terry.
There are no problems on our
team. We probably will win the
pennant."
zeke's affection for his bosses is
boundless, in spite of the fact that
they would willingly sell him to the
Phillies for $4,000 and a bag of
peanuts, If they could catch the
Phillies' eye. The Phils stubbornly
are looking the other way.
When some one notified Zeke of
this turn Of events, he laughed mer-
rily.
Bills Sense Of Humor
1iekles Ezekiel.
That's Bill Terry for you, always
elowning," said Mr.. Bonura. Bill
has great sense of humor. How
would he get along without a first
baseman like me?"
Terry's comments on Zeke as a
first baseman are not printable, &C
cording to his chums. But Zeke
doesn't believe it.
y Terry wouldn't knock first
baseman like me-" he points out.
"Down in his heart, Bill probably
admires my work. After all, I led
the club in hitting, and Bill likes a
hitter. And I like Bill" says Mr..
Bonura handsomely Hes a smart
manager. Together, we're gonna
90 places"
Looking around for way to de-
zach Zeke from their coattails, Mr..
Stoneham and Mr.. Terry decided to
whack the big fellow sharply in the
wallet. So they sent him a contract
for 1910 that practically cut his sal.
airy in half"
That ought to give him a hint"
said Mr.. Terry hopefully.
If it did, Zeke ignored it.
THE club has cut my salary just
q tiny bit too much" Zeke an
nounced from his home in New Or
leans. II think it was an oversight
Business Office Bound
To Moke Mistakes.
"You know how it is around a
business Office. The clerks have so
much to do that they're bound to
get figure wrong now and then
When I reach Bill Terry on the
telephone, we'll straighten this mat
ter out in second. And boy, will
Bill be glad to hear from me! Bill
likes me. And like Bill"
Terry has said that he plans to
try the rookie, Babe Young, at first
base this year. Zeke just beamed
when he heard it.
THAT Young is a promising kid,
all right" he said. I'm a couple of
years he may be ready. I'll give him
q few tips on how to play the bag
! always like to encourage a likely
prospect"
To the further horror of Stone
ham and Terry, zeke announces
that the Giants practically are set
In all positions.
There's not a weakness on the
club" he says. We've got a first
baseman and shortstop and
a great young second baseman in
this here now Mickey Witek, and
If Lou Chiozza's leg comes through
all right, or problem will be settled
at third base.
That's a real infield for you.
Alright. urges and Wick and
Chiozza can handle anything that
comes their way. And we've GER
tainly got no problem at first base.
I feel a great year coming on. It's
pice to have the confidence of your
boss and your manager"
Good Chance Thot Zeke
Will Win Berth.
Even as Zeke says these words,
+ Mr.. Terry is out whacking the
bushes around his Tennessee home
for a first baseman and Stoneham
is bordering whether to draft Terry
back to first base or spend $4,000
for Buddy Hassett. This is not
quite as much confidence as the
average ballplayer expects from
his employers, but Zeke is as faith
full as Newfoundland dog. And
very easily satisfied.
When you come right down to it,
unless Terry can get the waivers
he needs to deal zeke out of the
league to Washington or can peddle
him to the reluctant Phillies, Mr..
Bonura is likely to win this war of
nerves. 1t will not be surprising to
see Zeke back at the old post when
the Giants open their season, with
Mr.. Terry resigning himself to full
five months of cussing, at no small
peril to his blood pressure
Mr.. Stoneham and Mr.. Terry like
to have the loyalty of their ath-
letes. But they feel that there is
limit to everything, even loyalty.