Evening star., 1944-03-16
Stocky Knuck|e-Bane
Able 10 Handle Job,
B|uege Declares
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

BY JOHN b. KELLER.
A little pitcher toiling with the
Mats at the College Park training
camp must shoulder a big job this
year. In his conditioning work, he's
"a quiet guy. but goes about his
chores with the realization thereIl
be plenty for him to do once the
championship season gets under
way. He's Milton-Mickey to you
Haefner, the only portside pitcher
in the squad.
With Wilfred Lefebvre, the only
other portsider included in the club
roster, apparently firm in his inten-
ton to stick to his defense Job
IN New England instead of return
ing to baseball, what lefthand hurl-
ing the Mats get will be up to
Haefner it seems. And according
to Manager Os Bluege, Mickey can
take care of the situation.
Man for Job, Bluege Feels.
This 3l-year-old stocky coal miner
from New Athens, ILL.,, who came
to the Mats from Minneapolis of
the American Association, is one of
the Washington clubs four knuckle-
ball artists and polished one, too
He stepped out last year to become
the Mats most effective pitcher on
an earned-run yield basis, giving
up an average of just 2.29 tallies
per nine innings while winning IL
games and losing five.
In his conditioning work this year
he's coming along smoothly and
listening to Bluege and his coach
ing staff Mickey should take up
where he left off last season, once
the ball club begins playing for
keeps.
School really opened for the
Washington slabbers yesterday, and
Mickey, along with the others, was
taken in tow by Coach George Uhle
to learn how a pitcher should cover
first base in close plays. The hurlers
slipped up only occasionally in the
20-minute lesson, but when they did,
Uhle didn't hesitate to tell them
about it emphatically.
They brushed up on grabbing the
ball just before tagging the bag, and
those who didn't whirl to be ready
for plateward throw after crossing
first heard from teacher.
Powell Eyes Third Base.
Back in his days with the Takoma
Tigers, Jake Powell fancied himself
as an infielder. Now the Mats out
fielder would like fling at this base
| if Harlond Cliff fails to show up.
Jake worked at the hot corner yes
terday with the 80 o'clock" infleld
and came up with few torrid ones.
Informal batting practice was held
for a few, with Bluege doing the
tossing. Powell, Rick Ferrell, Reglio
Valdes and Francisco Quientis took
swings. The Cubans knew what it
all was about, but it was Powell who
did the real socking.
Clark Griffith, club president, en-
joyed the sunshine and practice in
a left-field stand seat. Balmy
weather and an enthusiastic squad
made the prexy forget that Stan
Spence still Is to be signed and that
nothing has been heard lately from
Pitchers Lefebvre and Carpenter.
Juan Hernandez from venezuela
and the Cuban trio put everything
they have into the training sessions
and never seem to tire. Santiago
Ullrich, the 21-year-old pitcher, has
won the fancy of Coaches Uhle and
Clyde Milan and is getting q lot OF
special attention. He's a loose joint
ed youngster with genuine pitching
action in his arm. Bluege says Ull-
rich will bear watching.
Shortstop Gomez Wanted.
Bluege is hoping a shortstop
named Gomez-front moniker a
mystery-will show up with the re-
mainder of the ball club next Mon
day. From reports on the Cuban,
the manager has an idea he may
prove the extra infielder the Mats
need. Gomez is the property of the
Chattanooga club, although he never
has played for 1t.
Maybe Quientis could fill In at
some inner Gordon post. He's con-
fident he's shortstop after playing
the position for time in the bat
ting drill. But he looked better
shagging flies in the outf1eld, where
he really belongs.