Evening star., 1947-10-08
Choice 10 Be Revealed
Soon; BIuege Heads
Club 5 Farm Setup
By Burton Hawkins

by Vice President Calvin Griffith,
but speculation on the successor to
Ossie Bluege, who becomes director
of Washington's farm system,
branched off in dozen directions,
with the names of Muddy Ruel and
Joe Kuhel looming as leading pos
sibilities.
I'VE already have our man." said
Calvin, "but he won't be here for
about a week" Clark Grifith, the
Mats boss, neatly lodged all ques-
tions concerning Washington s
manager, but numerous huddles
with Ruel in New York during the
World Series indicated the former
Washington catcher and current
manager of the st. Louis Browns is
the man.
Ruel, whose 1947 team finished in
the American League cellar, still
has one year of two-year contract
remaining with St. Louis. The
Browns, however, admittedly have
been dickering for Lou Boudreau,
Cleveland shortstop and manager,
and one of the barriers in the deal
has been Ruel.
Ruel Former Chandler Aide.
St. Louis sources say Ruel had
been slated to be moved into the
Browns Office in the event Cleve-
land dispatched Boudreau, Out
fielder George Metkovich and
Pitchers Red Embree and Bryan
Stephens to the Browns for Short
stop Vernon Stephens, Pitchers Bob
Muncrief and Jack Kramer and
Outflelder Paul Lehner.
Former assistant to Baseball Com
missioner A. B. Chandler, Ruel was
seen frequently in the company OF
Griffith at the World Series. Also
present at the series were Buddy
Myer, former Washington second
baseman, and Earl Whitehill, ex-
Nat pitcher. Whitehill, connected
with a sports equipment firm, said
he planned to visit Washington
shortly.
Kuhel was being considered as
the Mats manager six weeks ago. 1t
Is known that a Washington scout
was given orders to go to Hot
Springs, Ark, where Kuhel was
managing, for the purpose of scan
ming the former Washington first
baseman as managerial timber.
Whether those orders later were re-
tracted is not known.
Griffith also chatted frequently
with Rogers Hornsby, former major
league star, but the Mats president
dismissed Hornsby as a possibility
Were fine friends" declared Grit.
fifth, "but Hornsby is not my type OF
manager"
Tried to Land Boudreau.
Griffith admitted he had at
tempted to land Boudreau for the
job but that President Bill Veeck
of Cleveland had told him that any
deal for Boudreau must include an
outstanding shortstop. THAT lets us
out" Griffith said.
Rick F'errell, veteran catcher and
coach of the Mats; Jerry Priddy, the
Mats second baseman, and Sam
West, Mats coach, entered specu1a-
ton. Griffith professed still to be
negotiating with three or four men.
Bluege's appointment as director
of the Mats farm clubs brings to an
end his five-year term as Washing
tons manager, during which his
teams finished second twice, fourth,
eighth and seventh.
"The creation OF the Office of farm
director of the Washington ball club
is the climax OF a great many discus
sions on this subject" Bluege said
today. Therefore. it is not, I assure
you, something that has been hastily
drawn up.
Stresses Farm System.
'The truth of the matter is that I
have for years during my coaching
days, as we'll as during my man.
agerial tenure of the last five years,
repeatedly stressed the Importance
and necessity of establishing a well
co-ordinated farm system, a system
aiming to develop, coach and teach
all players coming under its juris-
diction, so that the Washington ball
club in the years to come may be
assured steady flow of major league
talent. The war temporarily cur
tailed such an expansion and de-
velopment program.
II always have held that to
achieve good management there
must be good organization. 1t is
therefore my desire to build and
mold an efficient and integrated
farm system which I am sure will
reward itself in the years to come. "
Washington now owns outright
Chattanooga (AA) of the Southern
Association; Charlotte (B). of the
Tri-State League; Havana Co of
the Florida international League,
and Orlando CD Of the Florida
State League.
The Mats have working agree
ments with Bridgeport CB) of the
Colonial League; Montgomery B)
of the Southeastern League: Kings
port Cd of the Appalachian
League, and Brewton Cd Of the
Alabama State League.
Griff1th's expansion plans call for
the addition of working agree
ments with three or four more D
clubs, one B team, one A team and
one AAA club. "It may take two
years to do it," said Griffith, "but
that's the point to which we hope
to expand"
Starting Times Open
In Sfnfe Golf Event