The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-28
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BY JACK CUDDY
United Press Staff Correspondent


 New York, May 28-(UP)-They came-38,378 strong, all curious to see the kid with the empty sleeve and they stayed more than five hours in dismal rain to give him thunderous ovation.
 The big town got sentimental over one-armed Pete Gray, taking him in as one of its own, which in- deed he is since only few blocks away from Yankee Stadium, the scene of his triumphant return yes- terday, he once played baseball n semi-pro sand lot.
 There was nothing sensational about Grays day on this dark gray day, except the fact that he could be out there playing at all. It was almost beyond belief that this wasp waisted Brownie outfielder with the jutting jay could be play ing baseball in the Major Leagues with championship team and do- ing more than his share to keep that team in contending position. He couldn't make a move without drawing a cheer from the crowd Obviously nervous as he stalked each batter in left field, he remov- ed his glove countless times to stroke his head or hitch at his Lett.
 And he had reason to be tense. Failure to hit had prompted Man ager Luke Sewell to bench him so he didn't start in the first game, but went to left field to replace Be- ris Martin in the seventh in re- sponSe to Bronx chants of we Want Gray" from the Bronx root CTS. Martin, a long ball hitter, had made a homer in his previous time at bat.
 In the stands were his parents, MT. and Mrs. Peter Gray, who came from Manticoke, Pa, to see their son play Big League ball for the first time. Perfect balance and timing, his chief assets afield, were made difficult by the slippery underfooting from the day long drizzle.
 So it was only natural in the last of the ninth that the peskleSt of the Yankees, Frankie Crosetti, sent singing single in Gray's direction and the kid bobbled the play. The , bases were filled and two runs came home to tie the score, though neither came as a result of the er- TOT. Gray fielded the ball perfect ly but dropped it as he Tipped off his glove and attempted to throw to the infield, permitting the run ners to move up to second and third.
 The game went on into extra in- nings and Gray batted three times, hitting two sharp fly balls to the outfield and walking. Afield, he had one more chance, long fly, which he handled perfectly.
 He was benched in the second game but had his big moment of tn day when SeWell sent him in as a pinch hitter for Catcher Frank Mancuso. He came through with a sharp single to right about six feet inside the foul line and seconds la ter went down in the mud at second base in a beautifully executed slide as Don Gutteridge hit into dou- ble play Weary and bespattered he got up to leave the game and was acclaimed the standing trib- ute-the most enthusiastic for any player since Babe Ruth.
 When he walked in the first game, he cat-fcoted it far off base, worrying Pitcher Jim Turner so much that he also walked the next | batter.
 Owner Donald Barnes, proud of the youngster whose right arm was amputated near the should when he fell off a grocery truck as a six year-old, said he was definitely satisfied" over his performance.
 If it hadn't been for this wet field, he would have done much better Barnes said. He was un- der great pressure with all of this big crowd and with his mother and dad there. But any impression that he isn't big leaguer is strict ly his own, because know he is.' New York thinks so too. They won't forget the kid with the empty sleeve for a long time.