The Wilmington morning star., 1947-01-14
Wildcats Defeat Oak Grove Marines
MAJOR LEAGUE
STAR TO PILOT
PIRATES CLUB
Andrews Already Busy Lin
ing Up Players For
1947 Team
BY ROY COOK
Star Sports Editor

Ou0A 0pOAtS GOAtUI
Nathan Mate" Andrew,
33-year-old former big league
pitcher, has been signed to
m anage the Wilmington
Pirates baseball club of the
Class D Tobacco State league,
it was learned here yesterday
from reliable sources.
The announcement came as
no surprise to many local
baseball fans, this writer predicted
several weeks ago that Andrews
would be signed to pilot the Buc-
cancers. At that time L. M. Pol
lock, president of the local club
said he had been in conference
with Andrews but nothing def
mite" had been worked out.
The former big league hurler
joined the Pirates last season after
leaving the New York Giants in
July. During the season with the
BUGS he lost the first two games
and then finished the season with
a record of nine victories and only
two defeats.
This writer talked with Nate
Andrews Sunday afternoon at the
Tobacco State League board of di-
r~ectors meeting at Lumberton. He
said then that he had talked with
| pNJ1NN1 anA thu WY ars ~ The WILL
mington club and revealed that a
contract had been signed, however
he declined to mention the date or
the amount Of salary. He request
led that the news be kept quiet
until released by the Wilmington
owners.
Late yesterday afternoon I went
into 4 huddls with some of the
officials of the Pirates and was told
to release the story.
In a telephone conversation with
Andrews last night, he said he
had already contacted several
prospects and had letters In the
mail to major league clubs in an
effort to lineup some playing
talent for the Buccaneers.
Andrews said he will continue to
make his home at Rowland until
he can locate 4 suitable place in
Wilmington to move his wife and
four children.
He appeared to have bright
prospects for the team this season
and indicated he would release the
names Of some players in the very
near future.
Andrews started his baseball ca
reer at his home in Rowland, play
ing on school teams and semi-pro
clubs. He was q student at the
Presbyterian Junior College at
Maxton for two years and played
varsity baseball. He was given a
scholarship at the University OF
North Carolina where he pitched
for the Tar Heels for two seasons.
He broke into professional base
ball in 1884 with the Greensboro
Patriots of the Piedmont league
and in 1885 he went to Asheville.
In 1896 Andrews hurled for Sacra-
mento in the Pacific Coast League
and in '37 he was sent to the st.
Louis Cardinals and later farmed
out to Rochester.
For the next two years Andrews
was with the Columbus, Ohio club.
He started the season in 1910 with
st. Paul and finished with the
Cleveland Indians. In 1871 Nate
saw action in the international
league with Milwaukee and SYRIA
cuse and in ~ he pitched for SYRIA
cuse.
For the next three years, 48-44
and As, Andrews was a member Of
the mound staff of the Boston
Braves. He started the 1916 sea-
son with Cincinnati and was sold
to the Giants.
Andrews left the New York
Giants in July 1916 and after q rest
decided he was unable to quit the
diamond sport. He then signed
with the Wilmington Pirates, where
he finished the season.
He said last night he had not
decided to set the date for spring
training but added that he intend
ed to begin as early rs possible.