Evening star., 1942-05-05
pofah|' Hustle
Earns Him Nat
Shortstop Job
Surprises With .643
Batting Clip; To Hold
Berth, Griff Says
Bx BURTON HAWKINS

"I1l forgive a lot of shortcomings
in a ball-player if he hustles, "
snorts Prexy Clark Griffith of the
Mats, "and I think Jimmy Pofahl Is
showing as much spark as anybody
on the club. He's playing good ball
for us and he's gonna stay at short
stop"
What generally is regarded as the
worst major league infeld in recent
years currently is performing for
Griffith but the bushy- -browed gen.
tleman processes the stumpy Profahl
can't be accused of inept labor.
Hes giving all he has and that's
what counts with me-" says Griffith.
Hes out there playing hard-like
he wants to win-and lately he's
been coming through with some nice
fielding and hitting"
Pofahl has been giving Wash
ington an adequate job at shortstop
in recent games but his hitting has
been astounding. In the Mats last
four games Jimmy has swatted at
SAB clip, with nine hits in his
last IA efforts, nudging his record
for the season to 1888.
Quit Club Last Season
1t is a novel and more enjoyable
situation for Pofahl, who has been
no sensation since joining the Mats.
Last season he was so bad that
Griffith attempted to ship him to
Chattanooga, whereupon Mr.. Pofanl
packed mis- bags and went home.
When Uncle Sam requested the
services of Cecil Travis, Buddy Lewis
and several lesser lights among his
infielders Griffith plucked Pofahl of
the suspended list and instructed
him to head for the Mats spring
training base at Orlando, Fla.
Pofahl was signed after brief
salary squabble, then promptly for
gotten. His was to be a utility role,
what with Bob Repass slated for
shortstop and Frank Croucher tick
eted for second base. Things then
began to happen.
Crpucher popped up with a sore
arm and Repass, sensation OF the
South, collapsed completely. Pofaal
WAS inserted ct shortstop, with Re-
pass shifting to second. Repass now
has shifted to the bench in favor OF
Jose Gomez. but the lightly re-
garded Pofahl plays on.
When and if Croucher's arm
mends- Grifith feels he'll be play
ing shortly-Frank will supplant
Gomez at second. Pofahl will re-
main at shortstop and Repass' ac-
tivities still will be restricted to
the bench.
Kvasnak Sent to Charlotte.
"Repass may snap out of it when
he gets a big league outlook on
things" appraises Griffith. Hes
not a good enough player to be non
chalant about it. He needs a fire
built under him before he'll make
the grade and he's the only one who
can build the fire. If he ever wakes
up, he'll be a good player
Meanwhile, Griffith is declaring
he won't import anybody to sup
plant Outfelder Alex Kvasnak, 49,
year old rookie, who has been sent
to Charlotte Of the Piedmont
League for sorely needed expert
ence. Kvasnaks departure leaves
the Mats with four outflelders, but
Third Baseman Bobby Estalella, a
former outfielder, would be shifted
if necessary.
Kvasnak, discovery of Scout Joe
Cambria, batted .340 with Newport,
Tenn, of the Glass D Appalachian
League last season. He batted 1872
as Nat.
Rained out yesterday, the Mats
were to face the Browns today at
Griffith Stadium, with Early Wynn
slated to tangle with Bob Harris.
Detroit will invade for a two-game
series tomorrow.
Washingtons scheduled game with
the Yankees at New York on Friday
will be played as part of double
header on Sunday. Brooklyn plays
the Giants on Friday in game for
the benefit of Army and Navy re-
lief funds and the Yankees ex-
pressed a desire to have no con-
ficting contest.