Evening star., 1948-05-04
It's Sullivan al Short
Again as Mats Open
White Sox Series
ByBurton Hawkins

Jonnny sullivan, the loose JOlnted
shortstop who was booed out of q
regular job before the season was
launched. is returning to the Mats
lineup due to a set OF circumstances
over which he had no control
Washington's shortstop territory
again is Sullivan's property. at least
temporarily, and Manager Joe Kuhel
is convinced he'll lose little power
by Johnny's presence.
Sullivan emerged from the Mats
exhibition games this spring as
Washington's shortstop. He was the
Mats shortstop, that is, at Orlando,
West Palm Beach, Clearwater,
Bradenton, Sarasota, and other
Florida points. When the Mats
headed home. Johnny continued in
a regular role at Valdosta, Mont
gomery. Greenville, Anderson, Wins
ton-Salem and Danville.
When the Mats played their only
preseason exhibition here, though,
Sullivan was subjected to an icy re-
ception by Washington fans, who
literally booed him out of a job.
Sullivan was the Mats shortstop on
Saturday, two days before opening
day. On Sunday at Baltimore, Mark
Christman suddenly was brought off
the bench and it was Christman
who started the season at shortstop
against the New York Yankees.
Meeks Ready to Play Second.
Tonight, when the Mats tangle
with the Chicago White Sox in the
first of three night games at Grit
nth Stadium, Sullivan will be SUD-
planting Christman, whose meager
1872 batting average has figured in
prying Johnny from the bench.
instrumental, too, in assisting
Sullivan was Second Baseman Al
kozar, whose two injured fingers on
his right hand have played a part
IN getting Johnny job. Kozar was
forced out OF action when banged
on the bare hand by hot throw
from Eddie Yost, so Christman was
shifted to second base and Sulli-
van, at long last, regained the posi-
ton he owned during the Mats
training perpd.
Christman now is destined for
dugout duty, for if Kozar is unable
to play tonight Kuhel plans to en-
ploy Rookie Sam Meeks at second
base and gamble that the abbrevi-
ated infielder will sandwich some
hitting into the Mats batting order
Deal for Wynn Again Looms.
How we'll Sullivan performs may
determine the status of Pitcher
Early Wynn, who has been involved
in considerable trade talk. Wynn's
name has been broached in discus
sions with the Yankees. who have
been requested to give up Outfielder
Hank Bauer of Kansas City and
Catcher Charles Little of Newark.
Wynn also has been the object of
Boston Red Sox affections, with
Johnny Pesky, the x-shortstop who
now is playing third base, as the
bait.
Prexy Clark Griffith of the Mats
Is close-mouthed about negotiations,
but II the Mats continue to founder
and the Red Sox and Yankees won t
give him what he wants it is likely
Griffith will turn toward the Cleve-
land Indians to talk trade. Cleve-
land has surplus of outfielders
and the Mats are deficient in that
department.
Sid Hudson will attempt to check
the Mats 5-game losing streak
against the cellar dwelling White
Sox, who are expected to counter
with Joe Haynes, the former Wash
ington right-hander and son-in-
law of the Mats president.
West Invades for 10 Games.
Stopped by cold and wet grounds
last night when they were slated to
face the Philadelphia Athletics, the
Mats will play 10 games here against
Western clubs. Cleveland and ST..
Louis will invade for two games
each, while Chicago and Detroit will
play three.
Tony Lupien, former Red Sox and
Phillies chattel, is playing first base
for the White Sox. A .341 hitter
with Hollywood last season, Lupien
leaped to the majors with Outfielder
Jim Delsing. a .3l6 batter with the
Stars, who is playing center field
for Chicago. Aaron Robinson, the
ex-Yankee, is catching for Manager
Ted Lyons, who has shifted the vet
eran Luke Appling from shortstop
to third base.