Evening star., 1948-03-02
Wynn, ,Reducedfo 1o5,
Seen Headed for Fine
Season on Hill
By Burton Howkins
Star Stoff CORRESPONDENT

ORLANDO, Fla, Mar. 2.-When
opening day arrives, President Clark
Grifi1th Of the Mats is going to lose
500, but he considers it one Of his
shrewdest investments. Grifith is
smiling, in fact, over the prospect Of
parting with that particular money,
for he is getting trimmer pitcher,
Early Wynn, for his coin.
Before Early came South some
time ago he came in to see me in
Washington. and I liked the way he
looked" explains Grinifh. HE
weighed 203 pounds then and I told
him, kiddinly, that I'd give him $10O
if he didn't weigh any more than
that on opening day. Before !
could say another word, Wynn
shouted, You've got q deal"
Wynn is the early sensation of
the Mats training camp for wheh
he trotted on the field yesterday at
the opening workout it was as q
sturdy 195-pounder. He says it's 80
pounds less than he weighed in
training last year and the difference
is apparent.
In Best Shape Of Career.
For the first time in his career,
Wynn Is entering training without
the prospect of torturing grind.
In previous years. he always had
reported with surplus Of suet and
horror-stricken Washington train
ers Immediately ordered him to don
rubber shirt in drills and to diet
Wynn always. has labored duti-
fully in training, shedding reser-
voir of perspiration, but he was in
clined to be too adept with a knife
and fork. He puffed up rapidly,
but seemingly has discovered it's
less trouble to remain in condition
than try to erase avoirdupois in
the short span of training season.
Wynn now is in the finest shape
Of his career. He is bronzed, sleek,
but strong. and it was significant
yesterday that he wasn't forced to
romp around in a rubber jacket.
Hes the best-looking athlete in
the Mats camp.
"Wynn's a wonderful pitcher" en-
thuses Griffith, but he spoiled his
effectiveness when he licked up
weight. He puts on weight across
the chest and that takes something
of his fast ball. I'm glad he has
gotten sensible about keeping his
weight down. He's gonna be better
pitcher for doing it,
1948 Model Wynn Liked.
early always worked like a dog
in training" says Coach Clyde
Milan, "but the necessity of wearing
that rubber shirt weakened him.
Sure, he'd lose weight, but it was
akin to staying in hot box all the
time. He lost weight, but didn't
keep his strength. Yep, I like the
1948 model Wynn"
His excellent condition may have
wrecked the slim chance the Yankees
still held of getting Wynn. Griffith
will be more reluctant to part with
more serious pitcher who is in the
keenest condition of his life. New
York offered an outf1elder, two
pitchers and a catcher to Griffith
for Wynn at last December's winter
meeting at New York, but the
Yankees since have acquired an
pitcher in Ed Lopat in
in deal with the Chicago White Sox.
A 17-game winner last season,
Wynn is determined to improve
that mark. Griffith feels the way
he can do it is to watch his weight
and so the Mats boss is pleased with
the thought Of writing Wynn
500 check when the season starts.
Washington's first workout was
marred by intermittent rain, but
Manager Joe Kuhel kept his squad
of II pitchers, four catchers and an
outfielder and an infielder on the
field for more than two hours.
Mats Add Fourth Scout.
Griffith announced the signing
of his fourth scout. He's Jack
Rossiter, who operates a baseball
school at Cocoa, Fla. In addi-
tion to his scouting services, the
Mats will get any youngsters they
desire from Rossiter's school. E.
Griffith will continue to operate
schools at Winter Garden, Fla, and
Texas in an effort to provide a
steady flow of material to his farm
clubs.
Pitcher Mickey Haefner reports
he was advised against, but sub
mitted to a sinus operation during
the winter. It was discovered
that Mickey was allergic to wheat
(See HAWKINS, Page abb