Evening star., 1943-03-29
Mickey Flashes
Scoring Wa:IIop
He Had in 1941
Helps MiIons Defeat
Blueses; Priddy 0. K.
In Initial Test

| Blueees; Priddy Q. K.
In Initial Test
One Of the Mats more vital per-
formers, First Baseman Mickey Ver-
non, rapidly is erasing one Of Man
ager Ossie Bluege's more pressing
problems. Mickey has been the fea-
fture character in Washington's bat
ting drills thus far, refreshing
contrast to his woeful startin spring
training last year.
The Mats have only = five-inning
game under their belts, an affair at
College Park yesterday in which
Coach Clyde Milan's Marvels wal
loped Bluege's Beauties, 6-1; but
Vernon already has stamped himself
as a fellow who is willing to string
along with George Case, Stan Spence
and Bob johnson In presenting the
Mats a potent punch.
To Bluege. Vernon's conduct Is
heartening. for he recalls Mickey,s
troubles of last spring. The Mats
first baseman got OF to. a bad start
In spring training and never snapped
out Of his slump despite that in 1s4l
he hit .299, drove across 81 runs,
delivered 10 homers and seemed Ger
tain to develop as one OF the leagues
more damaging hitters.
Overworked Last Year.
Vernon may have required rest.
The slim youngster played every in
ming Of 32-game exhibition sched-
ule, then played every inning of the
regular schedule. He was the only
Nat who didn't get relief at his post
some time last year
Before yesterdays wind-blown
contest Mickey warmed some 800
shivering fans with his lusty batting.
In the first inning of the game he
|, whacked one of Dutch Leonards
knucklers for soaring triple over
George Cases head in right field,
scoring Ellis Clary, who had singled.
On his other two trips to the plate
Micked walked.
"Mickey's hitting better than any,
body in camp" says Bluege, "and it
could mean q lot to him. Last
spring he got off badly, started ex-
perimenting at the plate in an effort
to snap his slump and consequently
never came out of it. He's a much
better batter than he showed last
year and this may be his year to
prove it,"
Marion Is Impressive.
Another player to please Ossie Is
towering 200-pound Outfielder Red
Marion. Red was q victim of the
abbreviated games two best plays in
his first two efforts, but on his third
attempt he smashed lengthy
double to center in the fourth in
ming to score Joe Jacobs and Clary.
Previously Marion had seen. Out
nelder Gene Moore cover consider
able geography to snare his en-
,phatic first inning poke and in the
second inning Third Baseman Gerald
Prlddy streaked in to scoop up Reds
topped tap and nip him at first with
a fine throw.
The pitching was slightly on the
sour side. Leonard was clipped for
three runs tn the first inning. Ray
Beach, a newcomer from Lancaster.
Pa, was the victim of the Marvels'
other three runs, yielding two in the
fourth and another in the fifth,
Leonard permitted three hits and
walked two in two innings, while
Beach, little Highlander. was
hi
three walks in three, innings.
Cases Hft Leads to Run,
Earl Jennings, a local cab driver
who had no previous professional
experience, and Chester Foreman.
a product of Baltimore's sandlots.
limited Bluege's outfit to three
hits, but 'Bluege wasn't impressed
with their hurting. THAT ball was
coming up there as big as a bal
loon," said Ossie. Even I should
have. been able to hit it,"
The Blueges obtained their only
run off Jennings, who walked three;
in the third inning. Jennings
walked George Myatt with one out,
pitched a single to Case that sent
Myatt to third and Myatt scored
after Moore flied deep to Don
Barbary, catcher who was play
ing right field.
Prddy arrived yesterday morning,
reached a salary compromise with
Boss Clark Griff1th, and Immediately
was pressed into action as the
Beauties third baseman. In his four
chances he demonstrated he'll give
the Mats the best protection they've
had there since Bluege was playing
the position.
Priddy Wanted at Second.
Ossie, though, would prefer to
have Priddy on second base. I'm
, going to leave him at third base in
most Of our exhibitions" says Bluege,
! because know what he can do.
want him at second base, however,
because that's the spot where we'll
need more protection.
First, though, want to find out
more about Clacy and Myatt. II
either OF them shows me he can
play second base, but can't handle
third, then I'll leave Priddy at third
and go with Clary or Myatt at
second. Priddy is . fine infielder
and his spirit Is great. He's q real
good ball player"
Priddy has no preference, or says
he hasn't. II never played anything
but second base until I got with the
Yankees" says Jerry, "but I like
third base, too. I'm willing to play
any place the skipper wants me to
play-the place he thinks I'll do
l. the club the greatest good" B.H.