Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-04
Mats Chance 10 Get
Help They Need Hit ,
BY Johnson Sale
BY JOHN B. KELLER.


When he sold Outfielder Bob
johnson to the Boston Red Sox for
an amount believed to be around
$12,500, Clark Griffith figured he
was taking in wad of dough that
would get his Mats the infielder
they so sorely need. But by the
sale the Washington prexy may
have deprived the club of its best
opportunity to bolster its inner
defense.
johnson was the finest bit of
bait Griffith had to dangle be-
fore American League, rivals at
the New York meetings of the
majors in his effort to land an in
fielder. None of the clubs bit, but
all contacted expressed an interest
in the husky outfielder who had
much to do with getting the Mats
up to surprising second-place
finish.
Whenever johnson was mentioned
as possible trading material, the
Mats rivals were ever ready to
listen and at least four of the clubs
other than the Red Sox were ready
to put out money for the outfielder.
Had the Washington club not been
so hasty in disposing of johnson,
some of those sounded on trades at
New York may within a few weeks
have found they had something
other than cash to give in exchange.
Blow to Yank Deal.
New Yorks Yankees particularly
might have been willing to do some
business with Grifith-something
they sidestepped in New York. The
Mats prexy had hoped to get from
the world champs "Snuffy" Stirn-
weiss, shortstop, in a swap based
on johnson. 1t was no go at the
time, but the Yankee management
limited it might be ready to talk
over the proposition later.
Now with the Yankees afraid
they'll soon lose Charley Keller,
mainstay of their outfield, who has
been classified IA by his Maryland
draft board, Griffith would have
been in good position to dicker
with them had he retained john
son. The Yanks with Keller gone
undoubtedly would have sought and
given for him much more than
StirnWeiss.
Manager Ossie Bluege of the
Mats sensed this for he urged Crit
fifth not to be hasty in disposing of
the outfielder. Bluege felt the New
York club would swing to Wash
ington for help before winter ended.
When the Johnson-for- cash deal
bobbed up yesterday, Ossie not only
was startled, but greatly upset.
1t was Bluege who had engineered
the deal that brought johnson from
the Philadelphia Athletics last win
ter. The Mats manager had looked
upon him as his key man in the
astounding rise Of the ball club this
year and certainly did not want to
part with him unless replacement
desperately needed by his outfit was
received in exchange.
Outfield Still Sound.
Now the matter of getting that
needed infielder-one ready to step
in and do grade A job at second
base when Gerald Priddy goes into
the armed forces, as it seems he
soon will-probably will have to be
done on a cash basis. And buying
a good infielder these days ought to
be tough. Good inhelders are what
the majors have the least of.
Sale Of johnson won't blast his
outfleld next year, Bluege holds.
He has Stan Spence and George
Case to carry over with Gene Moore
and Roberto Ortiz, a purchase last
fall from Montreal, to complete the
regular trio in addition to three
other gardeners.
Ortiz. who several years ago came
up to the Mats as a pitching find,
but turned out to be a better out
fielder when shipped to the minors,
may prove big help to the Mats at
bat. He comes back with a reputa-
ton as long and frequent hitter.
Griffith was disappointed in not
being able to pick up any talent at
New York, but he disposed of one
piece Of business planned ever since
the championship campaign ended.
Alex Kampouris, $3.50 infielder, was
sold to the San Francisco club of the
Pacific Coast League, sales price
not revealed. Kampouris was hawk
ed around the major clubs, but no
one bid.
Angelo Giuliani, string
catcher, was likely to be disposed of
today. 1t is understood Toledo of
the American Association is pre-
pared to lift him from the Wash
inpton roster