Evening star., 1946-11-26
Pilot Signed for 1o47 ,
Tells Of His Plans
For Trading Spree
BY Jack Hand
Asseeintad Prsas Snarts Wrifsr

Assceicfsd Press sports Writer
BROOKLYN, Nov. 26.--All the
hullabaloo about Leo Durocher being
the highest paid manager in base
ball won't mean q thing in Brooklyn
II the Dodgers don't win the pennant
next season. Nobody knows that
better than Leo.
That's why, before the ink had
dried on the new bigger and better"
contract he signed yesterday, Duro-
cher was talking of changes in his
ball club, nodding wisely when
President Branch Hickey predicted
q wild trading splurge at the Los
Angeles meetings.
Hickey knows what he is talking
about because he has been dealing
in baseball talent ever since he
left the farm to enter Ohio Wes-
leyan.
Inquiries Pouring In.
81 have had mbre phone calls,
kilograms and letters from club
owners asking about players than
I ever have received In any previous
year." Hickey declared. They don't
all want to get some of our men.
Some want to unload talent. For
that reason think the Los Angeles
meetings will be the most productive
in trades"
With Pete Reiser on the doubtful
list because of last seasons injuries
and help needed at third base, Duro-1
cher is prepared to do plenty of
shuffling.
Are you set at first base with Ed
Stevens and Howie Schultz alter
nating?" Leo was asked.
mo sir, we are very much In the
market for q first-base deal. We
plan to make plenty of changes just
like everybody else"
How about Dixie Walker?"
Brother, he stays right here, don't
forget that
Suffered Bad Slump.
All this was interesting because
Walker, the key man in the Dodger
attack most of the summer, had
slumped badly in the late stages.
There had been unconfirmed reports
that he was bound for Boston or
Cincinnati.
Hickey was put on the stand. too.
Somebody asked about Jackie Robin
son. What did the Brooks plan to
do with the first Negro star in
modern day baseball, the second
baseman who led the International
League in hitting at Montreal
Robinson is still in the Montreal
list" hickey replied. Hell stay
there until he makes the Brooklyn
club, If and when. Last season we
brought up several men from Mon
treal at the last minute. fellows like |
Furillo, Whitman and Anderson.
We're going to have 100 men at the
Dodger camp in Havana, and most
Of them won't even be listed on the
Brooklyn roster"
Few Vets to Stay.
There seems to be no question
about the Brooklyn policy. The ac-
cent on youth that started last sea-
son will be even more marked. Few
Of the veterans will remain.
All this developed when hickey
called q press conference to an
nounce Durocher had signed one
year contract for 1947 at substan-
tial advance over the 1916 bonus
arrangement.
It was reported that Leo received
a $4,000 basic salary last year plus
an additional attendance bonus
amounting to about $40, 900. In any
event he was over the $50, 900 mark.
Durocher wasted little time filing
the coaching job vacated by Chuck
Dresser, who signed with the
Yankees under Manager Bucky
Harris. The new coach is Jake
PitIer, a field man" in the Dodger
farm organization last season.
Durocher Returns to Third.
Pit1er will handle the first-base
coaching while Durocher returns to
third base, where Dresser operated.
The Durocher- -Pitler combination
will report for work February 20 at
Havana for a training grind that
will keep them in Cuba, with the
exception OF a To-day trip to Pan
anna for exhibition games, until
April 6.
Durocher reiterated what he had
said after the last playoff game with
st. Louis, II expect to remain in
Brooklyn until the day I die"
The new Durocher contract con-
tains no bonus clauses, no special
clauses of any kind, only a fiat
salary.