Evening star., 1944-03-17
Pilot, 43, Finds GRIND
Furnishing; Spence
Accepts Terms
By JOHN B. KELLER.

lnneld worries not only are getting
Os Bluege gray. but they're also get
ting him set of sore muscles. Ever
since he failed to land an extra in
fielder at the major leagues winter
meetings the Nat manager has been
fretting and now that he realizes
Harlond Cliff won't be around to
take care Of third base, Ossie has
been toiling overtime to get himself
in trim for part-time duty at that
sack.
As his Mats hustled through their
training yesterday at College Park,
Bluege did full share of everything
needed to get his charges in shape
then took few extra turns at vari-
Gus chores to get the kinks out OF
his 43-year-old muscles. He got rid
of lot of them, but took on a deal
of pain.
Il wouldn't admit this before"
Bluege said, "but the situation Is
such that I must get myself ready
to step into the infleld anywhere
from second base to third perhaps
for two or three days a week in the
early part of the season.
Tough Grind for BIuege.
To fit himself for the ordeal
and ordeal it will be for a man
whose good playing days are years
behind him-Bluege is pitching to
Ibatters in practice, taking intensive
infield workouts and even doing fly
shagging in the outfield. That's a
strenuous program for him, one
that has him near exhaustion at
the finish of the daily session.
But Ossie is determined to be
ready to make his contribution to
the Mats on the field, once the bell
rings for the start of the campaign.
He still has some speed in his legs.
that rubber arm is as sound as ever
and he can pick up the hot ones
with the finest of the infielders. But
he can't beat time. The best he
can hope to do is play briefly on
Occasions.
i He'll probably be needed plenty.
Both George Myatt, regular second
sacker since the loss of Gerald
Priddy, and Johnny Sullivan, short
stop, are close to draft calls and
the only infielders coming I'D are
the httle-experienced Cubans, Luis
Suarez and Gomez, and Hills
Layne, who holds medical dis
charge from the Army.
Spence Gets in Line.
Layne might fill in at times at
some spot, but he has an ailing leg
that is apt to go back on him at
lany time.
So Bluege Is working harder than
lany other Nat at training camp.
He means to be ready for any In
field emergency.
i Stan Spence finally is In line.
which ends President Clark Grit.
fith's holdout troubles. The out
fielder has written that terms are
] satisfactory and he will sign his
contract on arrival here Monday.
Roberto Ortiz, husky slugger
bought from Montreal last season.
has notified Griffith he hopes to
leave Havana Sunday with the re-
mainder of the Mats Latin group
and check in by plane here early
Monday. He is expected to convoy
:. 10 players.
Bucky Harris, former Nat man
ager, was a camp visitor yesterday.
He's hopeful Of picking up some of
the material the club may drop
after the training campaign.
Bucky's Buffalo club starts training
Monday at Hershey, Pa.
Carrasquel in Seeking Mood.
Everybody took a turn in batting
practice with Pitcher Early Wynn
and Outfielder Jake Powell socking
impressiveiy. But the most tickled
in the drill was Al Carrasquel, who
pounded three torrid liners to left
field.
Bluege was pinch hitter for
Griffith last night at a Frederick
(Md) banquet honoring Connie
Mack of the AS, who are training
| in that town.