Evening star., 1941-12-14
Harris Believes
Gardener Will
Become Star
HurIer Token in Deal
Has Mediocre Record
Over 8-Yeor Spon
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.

Clark Griffith proceeded accord
ing to schedule to shake up his
SIXTH place Washington Nationals
yesterday when he traded with the
Boston Red Sox, acquiring Center
Fielder Stanley Spence and Pitcher
Jack Wilson in exchange for Ken
Chase, left-handed hurler, and Util-
ity Outfielder Johnny Welaj. The
trade, expected for the last few days,
was consummated by telephone and
brings the total of new Mats added
in the last two days to four.
1t was at the insistance of Mana
ger Bucky Harris. admitted Grifilth,
that Chase is being shipped to Bos-
ton. Reluctant to give up on Chase
because of his vast natural slab
assets, Griffith listened to Harris
plea on behalf of Spence, whom the
Washington pilot believes will de-
velop into a fine center fielder and
consistent if not heavy hitter If
played regularly.
Spence, who will be 81 years old
next March, is the second center
fielder procured from Boston in as
many years. Last winter the Red
Sox traded Roger Cramer to Wash
ington when it became evident that
Dom Di Maggie would leave no
place in the outfield for the veteran.
Cramer was involved in Grifnth's
trade Friday, going to Detroit along
with Second Baseman Jimmy Blood
worth in exchange for Bruce Camp
bell, outfielder, and Infielder Frank
Croucher.
Spring Game Sold Bucky.
Spence, a native of South Ports
mouth, KY, has been with the Red
Sox for two seasons, but because of
Cramer and Di Maggie he has been
confined to part-time duty. He
batted 279 in 1910 and .238 last sea-
son, appearing in SO games.
Harris was impressed by the new
Nat several springs ago when he
saw him playing with Minneapolis
of the American Association. In two
years at Minneapolis he batted 318
and 1875. Purchased by the Red
Sox, he spent anothter season with
Louisville, hitting 289, before he was
brought up. He is left handed all
around and is said to be a fine
thrower in addition to being a clever
ball hawk.
John Francis Wilson was born in
Portland, Greg, and will be 80 years
old next April. He is strapping
right-hander, standing 5 feet II
inches and weighing 100 pounds.
He is one Of the strongest men in
and one of the fastest pitch
ers. but he has had only two win
ming years. In 1887 he won 16 and
lost 10 for the Red Sox and in 1910
he won II and lost 6. Last season
he won only four games while los
ing 13. Whether he will be one Of
Harris starting pitchers probably
depends a great deal upon whether
Sid Hudson is drafted by the Army.
At the moment Harris fancies Will
son as relief pitcher.
Record Better Than Ken's.
At that, Wilson's 8-year record in
the American League Che pitched
one game for the Athletics in 1934)
is far better than Chase's. Wilson
has won 81 and lost 68 while Ken,
in six years, has won A and lost 81.
OF those 81 defeats, 54 came in the
last three seasons, when he began to
take regular turns as a starter.
Welaj, like Chase, is product of
the Washington farm system. Never
able to break into the regular line
up and handicapped by a weak arm,
Johnny was used chiefly for pinch
running and pinch-hitting pur-
poses. While one of the best base
runners in the business he is not
an exceptional hitter, as his .208
average last season bears out.
Chase, who is from Oneonta, N.
Y, is % years old. Welaj, q native
Of Moss Greek, Pa, is rs, two months
younger than Spence.
Harris present plans call for
Spence to open the season in center
field, flanked by Campbell in left
and George Case in right. In the
inf1eld, unless the Army calls, will
be Mickey Vernon at first base,
Croucher at second, Bob Repass
from Columbus on short and Cecil
Travis on third. The only two
catchers with any major league ex-
perience are Jake Early and AL
Evans.