Evening star., 1944-04-01
Hefty Cuban S|ugger
Expected 10 Keep
Club Up in Race
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

A much improved ballplayer since
he first came up to the Washington
club several years ago, Bob Ortiz is
expected to play big part in keep
ing the Mats up in the 1914 Amer
ican League race. Skipper Os
Bluege not only looks for good de-
fensive play by Bob in right field,
but also believes the big Cuban will
figure Importantly in attack.
That .304 Ortiz socked for Mon
treal in the International League
last season Is nothing to be laughed
off. A keen eye and a lusty swing
are needed to build up such a mark
against double-A pitching and few
of the pitchers the Cuban will face
in bigtime this season will be bet
ter than the usual AA class.
Bob hits a long ball, and spotted
as he is in fourth place in the bat
ting order, with such fleet men as
George Case, George A1yatt and
Stan Spence just ahead of him, he
will be in a position to chalk up a
shining runs-batted-in record.
Big Enough to Be Powerful.
The right-hand batting Cuban has
the build to give him power at the
plate. He stands 6 feet and
weighs in playing condition slightly
over 200 pounds. Bob has free
swing that gets plenty of distance
in his drives. He proved a slugger
with the Royals last year and
marked up sterling record for
extra bases.
With last years statistics showing
the Mats not so sturdy at bat, q
hitter such as Ortiz promises to be
could go far toward making the
club strong factor in the pennant
pursuit. In camp games and in
batting drills Bob has indicated he
has the power. Now he has a dozen
exhibition tussles in which to prove
these signs aren't misleading.
Bluege is confident the big fellow
will come through. His club GER
tainly will need the power.
Roger Wolff, hefty knuckle- -balling
pitcher, missed practice yesterday
because of stomach disorder, but
was on the job again today. Only
other casual is Trainer Mike Martin,
He's still battling with an infiamed
sinus.
Spanish Names Stop Kelly.
Spelling of Spanish names has
Kelly, clubhouse aide at College
Park, down. He daubs out more
lettering on the Cuban athletes
playing garments than would be
needed on correctly branded equip
ment for an entire club.
Early Wynn, husky Tarheel pitch
er, is quite ball player. He looks
handy at any spot on the field, par
ticularly at shortstop. And Early
can sock that ball at the plate, too
Slender Gil Torres is among the
tireless toilers at camp. With no
weight to lose and his legs in fine
trim after a winter of baseball in
Cuba, Gil nevertheless shags flies
lin the outf1eid, goes through long
infield drills and takes his turn at
pitching to batters. s.. .,.....
Luis Saurez appears better daily
around third base. He has all the
faction of q good fielder and speed
Ienough to enable him to cover a
lot of territory. Luis breaks equally
well to either side.
Johnny Sullivan at short and
Myatt at second are rounding into
la keen double-play pair. Each
times his catches of the short,
quick throw from the other well and
each pivots in good style for the
throw to first.
Powell Has Tooth Trouble.
Jake Powell had a session with
his dentist yesterday. The veteran
believes his hitting will pick up
after treatments are concluded.
Tomorrows game with Camp Lee
at College Park will get under way
at 2:30. Therell be no admission
charge, but the Prince Georges
County Red Cross will benefit from
gate collections.