The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-04-12
Lasky And Carlo Ren1atch For Local Ring
The pAYOFF
PytIak Is HoIdOut With Case As Indians Penalize
Established Star For Lock of Opportunity
BY HARRY GRAYSON
NEA Service Sports Editor

Cleveland, April 1.-THE holdout
of frankie Pytlak is unusual be-
cause a splendid catcher contends
the Cleveland club is attempting to
penalize him for lack of opportunity.
A holdout, frequently hasn't much
of a case, but offhand I would say
Pytlak has.
Usually the dissenter is demand
ing a raise. Pytlak's only objection
is a severe slash in salary :. $3,-
800 to be exact from $11 500 to
$7,700.
And he one of the games lead
ing catchers at time when stand
out backstops are practically as
rare as first folio of Shake
speare.
The diminutive Pole suggests he
be traded-and permitted to nego-
tiate with the club landing him.
But Alva Bradley, president of
the Indians, declares there will be
no dice until Pytlak signs his con-
tract and that the figure will not
be upped a plugged nickel.
This despite the fact that five
other American League outfits
would jump at the chance to land
Pytlak and gladly pay him $11,50O
and more.
The Browns offer Big Glenn in
exchange. The affluent Boston Red
Sox would top all other bids and in
clude good enough second string
catcher, which it appears Oscar
iVtt of the Tribe is determined to
make of Pytlak.
Pytlak hardly will go to the
Red Sox, however, for the very
good reason that a maskman of
his al-round capabilities easily
might determine the difference in
the standings of the Cleveland and
Boston clubs near the head of the
column.
r.. JEALOUSY
BETWEEN THE CATCHERS
Pytlak's trouble started when
Rolly Hemsley came to the Indians
in 1888. Pytlak, had been the clubs
first string catcher for five years
and seemed to resent the presence
of another topnctch Workmen. Pro-
fessional jealousy developed imme-
diately.
Pytlak succeeded in holding his
position as top man in 1898, when
he got in 113 games against HENS
season, largely because Hemsley is
the greau Bob Fellers favorite bat
terry mate, so the reformed Rolly
ley's sc. But it was different last
worked in LOT engagements against
63 for Pytlak.
And Pytlak did nothing more
than pinch hit or pinch run in not
a few of the So contests in which
he appeared. He went to bat only
1873 times.
His hitting fell off as result
his average dropping from the .3OS
he compiled in 1888 to .2S8. Ht
batted .315 in 125 games in 1881
hit. 321 in SO has 6
seven-year American League aver
age of .299, which is not half bae
for a fleet little fellow who is ar
excellent receiver and fint
mechanical catcher.
Replying to Owner Bradley!
charge that he is selfish and un'
grateful, Pytlak pleads guilty If re-
fusing to accept $4,000 cut can b'
defined as such.
WILL SIT ON BENCH, BUT
WANTS TO BE PAID FOR 1T
"a player has to have a big veal
to get even a $4,000 raise he eX'
plains. "Yet they want to slice my
salary $4,000 because they decided
I had a poor season. Is it my fault
wasn't used more and given an OPP
portunity to boost my batting aver
age?
IF Witt wants to keep me on thu
bench, that's his business. But
don't believe I should have m.
salary cut SO 300 on the ground ap'