Evening star., 1944-03-23
Two Players Missing
From Inner Gordon
In First Workout
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

Washington ball club. like any
other, must have an infield when
the tussling for the American
League title begins, but SO far it can
produce an inner Gordon only of a
|strictly one-sided variety Fielding
lpractice yesterday-flrst held this
week because of Sundays weather
hareback--found regulars stationed
only at first and second bases.
|Shortstop and third were cared for
by players regarded as anything but
fit for such positions.
George Myatt finally showed up
to take over the middle sack he COW
cred some last season and the vet
eran Joe Kuhel, again pretty spry
after an operation for hernia early
last year despite his 81 years, was
on the job at first. There's no rea-
son to mention who took over the
other berths in the inner works.
Nothing can be done about this
until Johnny Sullivan, who was re-
lsponsible for the shortstopping last
year, and the Cubans still to report
get on the job. And any ones
guess is as good as Manager Oss
Bluege's as to whether the Cubans
will fill in properly.
Cubans Praised by Cambria.
Highly touted by the Mats Latin
American specialist, Joe Cambria,
are Luis Suarez, a third baseman,
and Preston Gomez, a shortstop.
But nobody else around the ball
Iclub has seen them in action.
Bluege can only hope this pair lives
up to the general reputation of
Cuban ball players afield. The ISL
anders usually prove plenty fast on
their feet and adept at fielding,
even though they rarely turn out
to be tough at bat.
Suarez at least had better be a
capable fielder. The Mats right now
have nothing else in sight to use
around third. If Gomez lives up to
advance notices he should give
Sullivan a smart scrap for the
shortstopping chore. Cambria has
told Bluege and President Clark
Griffith that this Cuban really can
go on the left side of the infield.
Back of the two players who took
over regular jobs yesterday were
two other first basemen, Eddie
Butka, a strapping athlete, and Bill
Ebranyi, and Hills Layne, who once
worked at third base for the ball |
club. but has leg that ails so fire.
quently he can be counted as only |
IAN occasional performer. The Gu
bans-when and if they show up at |
the College Park training camp
certainly will be warmly welcomed. |
Layne Gets Mild Drill.
It was the first time out for Layne |
as well as Myatt. Hills had been
around for two days waiting for his
baggage to arrive. He went through |
only a mild drill as he is under or
ders from Trainer Mike Martin to |
spare his pfebitis- affected limb.
Myatt gave a peppery perform
ance around the middle sack, but |
had his troubles at the plate. Bluege |
and his aides will try to change
Georges style at bat before the
championship campaign gets under
way. Even though there seems to be
deal Of power in other depart
ments Of the club, the Mats still |
could use some punch in the infleld.
| If Walter Niche, outfielder from
Long Islands semipro ranks, plays
up to his physical appearance the
Mats should have a WOW. He's a |
strong and graceful athlete.
Big Boy Butka takes a powerful |
swing at the ball and gets results, |
too. He ought to be q handy man |
to have around should Kuhel be-
come incapacitated.
Mickey Haefner took a long turn
on the hill in batting practice and
looked plenty good The little left
hander-the only one on the club S
pitching staff-gave the men at the
plate fine workout.
Albertson Has Punch at Bat.
Bob Albertson not only has a lot
of pitching speed, but he also takes
mean cut at the ball. Bluege has
an idea that the pitcher may prove
great help as a hitter in pinches.
Because he speaks English fairly
well, Gilberto Torres, the pitcher
who toiled last year with Montgom-
cry in the Southern Association, is to
have charge of the Cuban brigade
on the way to Washington-if it
ever gets on the way.
Two more training sessions were
slated today. And it won't be long
before the club actually plays ball