Evening star., 1947-04-30
christmans Finesse Enlivens Mats Pennant Talk
|Shorfsfop Becoming
|Steadying Influence
10 His Teammates
By Burton Hawkins
Sfor Stoff Correspondent

CHICAGO, April 30-Mark Christ
man, the Mats grim -visaged, dapper
and proficient shortstop, has con-
vinced Manager Ossie Bluege he is
the man to strengthen Washington's
inf1eld and become a steadying in
duence at spot where shoddy per-
formances were routine last season.
Maybe Mark hasn't the range to
become great shortstop," Bluege
said today, sbut he seems to have
made an expert analysis of the
leagues hitters. He's always in the
right spot, which can be a greater
blessing than having the ability to
cover more ground.
There have been a couple of
key plays this year in which Christ
man has figured, but the most recent
one and the one that saved game
for us occurred at New York in
the seventh inning with two out and
Bobby Brown on third base and Joe
Di Maggie at bat.
Scooped Up Di Mays Grounder.
1.-The score was 90 at the time
Sid Hudson was getting better all
the time and felt if we could just
get run we'd win. OF course, at
that time Spud Chandler looked as
If he could pitch all day against us
and not permit us to get a rum
Anyway, Di Maggie smashed a
vicious grounder at Christman.
That ball was murdered, but Christ
man didn't have to move an inch
to scoop it, up and throw out Joe.
Some luck is involved in things
like that, but I've seen Christman
in proper position so many times
on vital plays like that I'm con-
vinced the fellow has an uncanny
knack for sizing UP hitters and
playing them properly.
"Christman has a rather decep-
tive throwing arm. On easy plays
he never fires the ball and always
appears to nip the runner by a step
or two at first base. It was little
disturbing at first until 1 saw him
cut loose with a sizzling peg when
he had to. At that point I stopped
worrying.
Remarkably Accurate Arm.
Mark really can wham that ball
across the infield on a close play.
He has a remarkably accurate arm.
I think he'll hit, too. He has been
meeting the ball well, but hasn't
received many breaks. Some of
those balls he has been slamming
right at somebody should start drop
ping safely for hits. I'm sold on him
completely"
Equally happy about Christman's
conduct is Jerry Priddy, who has
found in Mark an alert partner in
defensive activity centering around
second base. eve have confidence
in each other and we both know
what the other can do" Priddy said.
TITS a pleasure to work with him."
Chrlstman, the former Brownie.
has accepted 40 chances at short
stop for the Mats and has committed
only one error, forgivable miscue
which resulted when Third Base
man Cecil Travis obstructed Christ
mans vision in attempting to stab
a grounder off the bat of Rudy
York. Otherwise, his fielding has
been f1awless and it comes as a
delightful contrast to Bluege, who
tried desperately to locate suit
able shortstop last season.
Pennant Talk Arises.
The tight-lipped Christman has
made the Mats more dangerous
club with his fielding fnesse. He is
one of the reasons the word pen
nant" is beginning to creep into the
Mats conversations. They haven't
been overly impressed by Boston and
New York and they're beginning to
like their own chances of grabbing
the flag,
. Rained out yesterday, the Mats
now have accumulated six postponed
games. Washington was not likely
to see action here today against
the White SoX, with showers pre-
dicted. The Mats Bobo Newsom
was to face Johnny Rigney on the
mound before Washington moves on
the st. Louis for three game series
starting tomorrow.
The Mats limbered up at soggy
Comiskey Park yesterday but
couldn't hold batting practice.
Pitcher Walter Masterson returned
from the workout feeling badly and
was ordered to bed with what was
feared to be intestinal flu.