Evening star., 1945-03-16
BIuege's Hands Tied
Until Torres, Cliff
Arrive al Camp
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

ny JO1AN d. hLLLLn.
Infielders are strewn all over the
lot when the Mats drill at College
Park, but Manager Os Bluege still
has an inner Gordon problem bother
ing him and no solution is in sight
before the latter part of next week.
Not until Gil Torres, regular at
third base last year, and Harlond
Cliff, regarded a strong contender
for that position, report can Bluege
get very far with the organization of
the quartet to start the American
League championship campaign.
With the arrival yesterday of Ed
die Butka and Jim Langley, extra
first basemen last year, and five in
flelders among the nine Cubans who
reported, there's a wealth of talent
scampering over the University of
Maryland field. In all, dozen of
the Is infielders on the Mats roster
are at hand. But there's still that
third-base matter to be considered.
Joe KIhel again is slated for the
flrst-base post. But Joe is pressing
80, his legs aren't what they used
to be and he can't be reckoned q
day-in-and-day-out performer. So
Butka and Langley will get plenty
Of grooming as Bluege endeavors to
pick an understudy to the veteran.
George Binks has had considerable
experience at the sack, but with out
fielders so scarce Binks probably
won't get shot at the infield job.
Vaughn Has Damaged Heel.
For second base, there are George
Myatt, regular last season: Fred
Vaughn, who had been expected to
make fight for the berth this time
but who can't do much now because
of a sore heel. and Angel Fleitas,
Manuel Hidalgo and Hector Arago,
Cubans.
In the shortstop scrap are Chuck
Beihl and couple of Cubans
Pedro Gomez, who was around last
year, and Armando Gallart. Right
now it looks as though Beihl, a prod
uct of the University of Pittsburgh
and semipro baseball, has the call
with Gomez likely to be retained as
substitute. The Slim Cuban made
good impression afleld last year.
1t may be, though, that Bluege
will shift Myatt to the shortfield left
open by the induction into the Army
Of Johnny Sullivan, last years oc-
cupant of the spot Myatt appears
far better at second than at short,
but circumstances may force his
surrender.
The big fight for a job, though,
centers at third base. Torres cid
right well there in the latter part
of the 1914 campaign and helped
some with the bat, too. But after
all, the Mats could afford to have a
third baseman capable of settling
to steady work from the outset of
the campaign and that's what Cliff
may be able to do.
Cliff Reports Arm Well.
Reporting in late June last year,
Cliff never was able to get into
good playing condition. He was
handicapped further by an ailing
arm. So troubled, Cliff quit base
ball entirely in August, but this win
ter was reinstated He had his arm
treated and has reported It is nor
NAL again. If this proves true and
he bats anywhere near the way he
did while with the ST. Louis Browns
the veteran will have more than a
fighting chance to get the job.
But Bluege must have at least a
week or two to check on both Torres
and Cliff before arriving at a deci-
sion. Neither is to get to camp
until some time next week, club
headquarters says. In the mean
while, Os will have to be content
with experimenting with the other
positions.
The other two third -sackers on
the roster scarcely figure in the pic
ture. Hills Layne still is bothered
by the leg that forced him out of
the Army and Luis Suarez, who has
yet to report at camp, never was
able to hit although he looked pretty
good afield at College Park last
spring.
Other Cubans Check In.
Other Cubans who checked in yes
terday are Augustine Delaville, a
little fellow, and Jose Zardon, out
fleiders, and Luis Aloma, strapping
pitcher. Zardon has changed his
name again. He came up last spring
wearing that moniker, but is listed
on the clubs official roster as San
chez. But he wants to be called
Zardon now as it was under that
name that he built himself quite a
record with Williamsport in the
Eastern League last year.
Another to put in an appearance
for the first time yesterday was Jake
Powell, outfielder. He took time of
from his job as Maryland county
cop to indulge in practice, but hi
won't be released from his police.
mans job until next Monday. II
the meantime, he'll discuss salar,
terms with the clubs front office
Jake is one of the few Mats yet un.
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