The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-31
West Coost
 Players Cost Neor $1O,OOO
By MILTON HICKMAN United Press Sports Writer

New York, Oct. 31. (UP)-Suc- cessive summers have proven that baseballs annual winter draft, the 1946 version of which will be run off in Cincinnati tomorrow, re- peatedly produces more flops than occur on an ice-skating rink for beginners.
 Of the 10 players drafted by the majors last season only two, Pitcher Mike Budnick of the Giants and Infielder Gene Handley of the Philadelphia athletics, were in the big leagues at the close of the past season. Neither of the two proved sensations, Budniek win ming only two games and Handley batting not-too-robust .251.
 Players drafted last winter who Topped included Outfielder Lou Nuvikoff, selected from Los An geles and later released by the Phil lies; Infielder Ted Cieslak, drawn by the Boston Braves from Atlanta where he batted 1884, and Outfielder Pershing (Pete) Thomassie, a pint sized slugger who had hit .365 with Memphis, but was returned to the Southern Association by the Chi cago White Sox who had drafted him.
 Most big league magnates realize if minor league player is out standing the chances are he will be sold before he ever is put on the draft list. Yet, every winter, the big leagues continue to exer- else their prerogative by drafting approximately 29 minor league players.
 In 1914, the majors drew 21 play CTS in the winter draft, and only one, Pitcher Marine Pieretti, sell ected by Washington from Port land in the Pacific Coast League, ever amounted to anything. Other minor leaguers chosen two years ago who failed in the big time were Billy Holm, Lloyd Christopher, Danny Reynolds, Ed Wheeler, Mayo Smith, Walt Cripple, Mike Ulisney, Tom Seats, Roy Pfund, Howie Moss, Leroy Jarvis and Charlie Sproull.
 Players chosen in the draft from triple-A clubs in the Pacific Coast League, American Association and International League, cost big league owners $10,00O each. The price is proportionately lower in the smaller circuits, but a majority of the selecteeS come from the triple-A loops.
 Some Made Good
 The 1943 draft was one of the most productive in the last decade, although the failures far outnum- bered those who stuck in the big show. Players drafted three years ago who hung on were Charlie Schanz of the Phils; Eddie Mayo of the Detroit Tigers; George Haus- mann of the Giants and Hank Helf of the Browns. Those who flopped were Pitcher Ed Carnett, Infielder Joe Orengo, Infielder Hugh Luby; Tnfielder Gil English; Pitcher Ewald Pyle and even others. It was the second time Mayo was chosen in the draft. In 1942, the Athletics selected the blond-haired infielder from Los Angeles but he was shipped back to the minors
 Pitcher Nelson Potter is another player chosen by two clubs via the draft. Potter was brought up by the As from Columbus in 1887 and was sent back, but he stuck with the Browns after being selected during the winter of 1942 from Louisville. It was in 1887 that Pitcher Emil Dutch) Leonard and First-baseman George MeQuinn were brought up too, by the Sem ators and Browns, respectively.
 Some of the players who were brought up during the last 10 years but failed to stick include Tony Bongiovanni, Ed Cole, Joe Martin, Jim Asbell, Jake Mooty, Russ Be- veil, Dick Panahan, Bud Parmeley Paul Daffy) Dean, Russ Evans, Bill Ramsey, Herb Crompton, Charley Latchas, Don Long, Woody Rich, Charley Brewster, Wally He bert, Al Hockey, Al Epperly, Bill Swift, Mike Christoff, Dick Conger and Murray Howell.
 Among those who made the grade are George Myatt, Washington; Pete Suder, Athletics; Oscar Judd, Phils; Dick Cutler, Braves; Frank Helton and Hugh Casey of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
 Baseball men consider the draft largely a hit or miss proposition. Each miss generally costs $10,o0O- o e,,hc+op+iol r,,r,, in apv league