Evening star., 1944-03-02
Draft Woes Follow
Swap for FerrelI,
|Hurlers' Signing
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

Draft woes and q threatened re-
tirement have hit the Mats right at
the time Clark Grimth, their presi-
dent, thought the going was pretty
good.
He picked up Rick Ferrell, veteran
catcher, from the st. Louis Browns
in exchange for Angelo Giuliani and
cash, and signed Pitchers Early
Wynn and John Niggeling yesterday
only to learn later he had lost
Catcher Danny Reagan to military
service, Is about to have Pitcher
Jim Mertz taken the same way and
may not have Harlond Cliff around
to play third base this year.
Cliff, according to an Associated
Press dispatch from his home. at
Yakima, Wash, said he would not
report to the Mats this spring.
Draft officials told me I probably
would be called within two months
after the season started" he is said
to have declared, "and I believe 1t
is better to remain on my cattle
ranch in the Yakima Valley for the
present.
IT will be ready to do whatever
the draft board feels that I should
do" he added.
Gifts Loss Would Be Blow.
This was sad news to both Grifnth
and Manager Ossie Bluege, who had
banked heavily on an infleld bols-
tered by the third baseman pro-
cured last season from the Browns.
An attack of mumps kept Cliff
from seeing much action with the
Mats last year, but the veteran was
expected this year to be in trim to
take good care of a post at which
the club has been woefully weak for
some time.
Should Gift stand on his decision
the Mats will be In a sorry plight
unless Grifiith and Bluege can find
that extra inflelder they have been
looking for since last fall. Gifts
retirement would leave the club with
only six infielders, two of them with
out any professional experience.
Griffith naturally expressed dis
appointment at Gifts stand, but
said he did not believe it might be
due to question of salary offered
the player. His draft status is up
to him." Griffith said I'VE don't
interfere in those things at all"
Niggeling Is Draft Free.
Niggeling. one of the better
KNOCKERS In baseball, sent in his
signed contract shortly after Wynn
had visited the ball park Office and
stepped into line for the 1914 cam
paign. The draft-free Niggeling
came to the Mats from the Browns
In a trade last August and pro-
ceeded to check up four wins against
two losses, the latter one-run beat
ings in which he pitched well.
Wynn last year won 10 games and
lost IL.
The bad news arrived late in
letters from Mertz and Reagan.
Mertz, who dropped seven games
while winning five last year, an
nounced he had been called up for
his draft physical and was confident
he would be found fit for service.
Reagan, inactive last year, but for
merly the property Of the New York
Yankees, said he already had been
ordered into service.
The Giuliani-and-cash for Ferrell
deal brings the veteran catcher back
to the Mats after an absence OF
three years. He had been traded
to the Browns for Pitcher Vernon
Kennedy, who didn't last long here
i Ferrell Sorely Needed.
With a flock of knuckle-ballers
always difficult to catch, the Mats
needed a receiver Of the class o1
Ferrell, long noted for his ability
to handle the specialties Of pitchers
like Niggeling, Dutch Leonard
Mickey Haefner and Roger Wolff
Giuliani goes back to the club
from which the Mats first bought
him in 1898. Last year they brought
him back from Milwaukee of the
American Association.
Ferren, a 14-year veteran in the
American League, has been a heavy
hitter at times, but last season
batted only .239. Giuliani hit .226
There1l be plenty of work fol
Ferrell, for his only aide in the
catching department will be Fermir
Guerra, Latin with no big league
experience.
U. 7. Puts Hot Shoppe Out