Evening star., 1941-02-23
And Now lis Al Evans
To Be Washington's
Regular Catcher
Griffith Makes Annual
Sound-Off Replacing
A Vet With Rookie
By a staff Correspondent Of The Star.

ORLANDO, Fla, Feb. %. - The
annual hot tip as to the identity
of that young, hard-hitting catcher
who is going to run the veteran
regular back to the Washington
bench came today from President
Clark Griffith. He thinks that Al
Evans, filling station owner
operator from Kenly, N. c., is going
to be his clubs regular backstop in
194l.
This has been going on for years.
When Muddy Ruel was the regular
catcher, handling pitches expertly
but batting lightly. it was Benny
Tate who was going to run him out.
When Luke Sewell was the regular
it was Cliff Bolton who was nomi-
mated. Ever since Rick Ferrell has
been doing the chores behind the
plate it has been Jake Early but,
according to Griffith, Evans gets his
turn this year.
Early had his crack last year"
Griffith announced today. He still
may take it all but Evans is going
to get first shot. I think he's got
power and that he's a pretty good
catcher. Anyway, he gets first
crack"
Al Played Third Fiddle.
Evans played third fiddle last
year. Early was touted early but
Ferrell was behind the plate on
opening day. When the slender, "a
year-old veteran faded during the
hot summer months, Early was Civ
en- another chance. Some days he
looked good; but those were only
some days. Ferrell batted .273 and
Early $50.
Evans. "a years old, hung around.
He played in only dozen or so
games but he batted 1854 and gained
lot of experience, so the bosses
say, and now the time is ripe TO
put him to work-regularly.
I'VE plan to use him as the regu-
lar during the spring training
games" Griff went on, the we in
cluding Manager Bucky Harris. I'VE
know what Ferrell can do and we
have a pretty good idea about Early,
although. of course, Jake may ar
rive" at any minute But we'll use
Evans and Hahn, mostly"
Hahn, first name Richard, is from
Charlotte. He wound up with
Washington, but had no oppor-
tunity to prove himself. With Char
lottee. a Glass B league, he batted
only .288 and hardly figures to stick
this year.
Rick to Catch Leonard.
What is he going to do with Fer
rell? Griffith shrugged. Il hope to
catch Evans every day except when
Dutch Leonard pitches" was the
nearest statement he could give to
definite answer.
"Leonard's knuckler is known by
Ferrell and I figure that by this
system We could keep Rick feeling
fresh"
Three of the four catchers will be
retained and they probably will be
Ferrell. Evans and Early, with
Hahn departing for further expert
ence. Griffith denies that he in
tends to trade Ferrell-at the mo-
ment. anyway. There was time.
earlier in the winter. when Rick
repeatedly was en- route to the
Browns.
They wanted him." Griffith dis
closed. but that was when We
wanted Chet Laabs to play the out
field The Browns wouldn't give up
anybody and so the deal fell
through. It's absolutely cold now
and We plan to keep Ferrell"
1t may not be part Of the plan,
but Rick probably will be back of
the plate on opening day, April IA,
when the Mats play the Yankees.
Those veteran catchers, who always
are being sold short in February and
March, have a habit of worming
their way into the lineup when
they start playing for agates, and
Ferrell, of course. will have that
advantage that goes with Leonard'S
presence. Dutch probably will
pitch the opener, as he did last year,
and with Griff already having COM
mitted Rick to the knuckle- -baller,
it sounds reasonably safe for the
veteran. barring a trade or two.