Evening star., 1948-04-23
Young Infie|ders
in Play
By Vet al Short
Mark Named Regular
In Pinch; Mosterson
Opens Against As
Rv Burton Hawkins
BY Burton Hawkins
Stor Sioff Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA, April 23.-A
stabilizing influence in Washington's
infield is veteran Mark Christman,
who on practically no notice stepped
in at shortstop to plug a gap which
rapidly was assuming the propor-
tions OF a chasm. He's the Mats
infield trouble-shooter a handyman
who at the moment is demonstrat-
ing his worth.
Appretiative of Christmans quail
tiles is Clark Griffith, his boss.
When he reported for spring train
ing I had long talk with Mark, p"
explains Griffith. II explained to
him that we were building young
club, that one or two other fellows
would get cracks at jobs before he
would.
IT wanted him to feel that he was
a sort of assistant to Manager Joe
Kuhel. I wanted him to correct
flaws in the other infielders. I told
him I couldn't promise that he'd
break into the lineup at all because
we were determined to test our
youngsters.
Ever Ready to Assist.
"He accepted that outlook IN a
wonderful spirit" continued Grlfnth.
He said, I'll do anything I can to
help the club He did, too. All
during spring training he was trying
to polish Johnny Sullivan and Sam
Meeks. He didn't mind when he
was told to play first base SO we
could give Mickey Vernon some rest.
"Christman is real team man
and a valuable fellow to have
around. Whether he's in the line
up or not, he's roofing for the
club. He's a player with win
ming spirit and I'm glad he's with
U.S."
In his 18th year Of organized
baseball, the 34-year-old Chrlstman
has played every infield position
since breaking into the majors with
Detroit in 1898. He never has hit
more than PIT in major league
company and never batted better
than .289 in the minors, but by the
same token he never has been ac-
cused of being excess baggage.
The day before the season was
launched, Kuhel and Griffith de-
cided Sullivan wasn't adequate and
so Christman was showed into ac-
ton against the Orioles in an ex-
hibition game at Baltimore. He
contributed triple and two singles,
but the unaccustomed exercise stlf-
fened him for the opening game.
He had played only three innings
in the previous 10 days.
Helps Young Infielders.
Operating between the youthful
Eddie Yost at third base and Rookie
AL Kozar at second, Christman is
a shrewd, steady fielder whose eX-
perience is aiding both boys on his
f1anks. He won't produce the
sparkling plays of Cleveland's Lou
Boudreau and he won't provide the
power of Boston's Vernon Stephens
but his baseball savvy is an item
the Mats are happy to have at the
moment.
Every time Christman picks up a
paper, though, he reads the Mats
are desperate for shortstop-
that they're prepared to dispatch
Pitcher Early Wynn to the Red Soz
in exchange for Johnny Pesky
Griffith processes there's nothing
doing in that direction.
81 don't know how these rumors
get started" fumed Griffith. "We
haven't any deal of any description
under negotiation. I wish people
would stop saying that we have
1t upsets the players. I don't think
we'll do any trading in the imme-
diate future"
1t was with a surge OF confidence
that the Mats prepared to open q
4-game series with the Philadelphia
Athletics here. The Mats carried
a 2-game winning streak into today's
tussle as the result of bouncing back
to score a brace of victories over
the New York Yankees after being
embarrassed on opening day in
Washington.
Early Slate With AS Heavy.
The Athletics will be the Mats
foes in 9 of their next 13 games
and that's an agreeable situation
to Washington. The Mats weren'
impressed with the AS in spring
training, whipping Philadelphia in
three OF five games. In the two
games they lost, the Mats owned
leads which later were relinquished
after regulars were yanked and in
all games the AS played their regu-
lars full time.
Kuhel planned to pitch Walter
Masterson today, with Wynn slated
to hurl tomorrow. Sid Hudson will
toll In one of Sundays two games
here.
The Mats will return to Griffith
Stadium Monday night to open a
2-game series with the Boston
Red Sox.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.
Columbus. 3: Minneapolis, 3.
Kansas City. 9: Toledo, 6.