Evening star., 1948-03-26
Rookie InfieIdeI
Despite
AnAi|ingL Leg
Kuhel Is Impressed
By jays WoIIoping
In Loss to 'Nooeo
BY Burton Howkins
stor Stoff Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. Mar. 26.-Clar-
ence (Jay Difani, whose striking
resemblance to the New York Yam
KEGS Joe Di Maggie thus far has
constituted his closest approach to
the major leagues. seemingly has
earned a spot with the Mats even
though Manager Joe Kuhel desires
more prolonged peek at the sturdy
Italian-American.
Handicapped by a charleyhorse
in spring training, Jay broke into
action yesterday as the Mats, minus
several regulars, dropped 6-l de-
cision to their Chattanooga farm
hands. 1t was his second appear
ance since the Mats launched ex-
hibition games two weeks ago and
Kuhel was delighted by Difani's de-
pertinent.
Difani raped double and single
in four chances to spark the Mats
7-hlt attack and Kuehl intimates
he'll be around when he gets down
to sllcing numerous athletes from
Washington's roster next week.
He has been numbering the ball
in batting practice" said Kuhel,
land he looked good yesterday in
competition. That's encouraging
because he has been restrained quits
a bit by an injury. I think he'll
stick with us as pinch-hitter If
nothing else"
Far Ahead of Pitchers.
Difani hasn't yet jeopardized the
third base job of Eddie Yost strictly
because he hasn't played enough for
Kuhel to determine if that's possible,
but what little action Jay has seen
has impressed Joe.
Hes pulling that ball into left
field remarkably WE'LL" says Kuhel.
Hes way ahead of the pitchers.
I understand he's awfully fast, but,
of course, we can't find out about
that until his leg mends"
Lending credence to the report
OF Difani's speed was Ray Goolsby,
the Mats rookie hot shot of 1916
spring training who currently is
employed by the Florida State Agri-
culture Department. Ray attended
yesterdays tiff and said, with the
exception of Gil Coan, Difani will
be the fastest man on the club. I
played against him in the Southern
Association when Jay was at Bir-
mingham and he can move"
That report blends with the 30
bases Jay stole last season with
| Augusta, where he batted .3l5.
Picked up by the Chicago White
Sox and later acquired by the
Yankee chain, the 23-year -old Difani
I is righthanded hitter who moved
into the coveted 300 circle for the
first time last year since launching
| his career with Little Rock in 1914.
Haefner Blasted Again.
The Mats failed to create any dis
turbance against the Lookouts. In
the second inning, with two on base,
Pitcher George Bird smashed liner
into center field and an overly am
bilious Lee Culberson attempted a
shoestring catch which failed. The
ball scooted past his glove for a
home run and the Lookouts in
creased their lead to SO off Mickey
Haefner in the fifth when Muscle
Shoals rammed a home run into
the trees bordering right field after
Babe Ellis had singled.
Haefner who was blasted for five
runs in three-inning effort against
the Braves in previous perform
ance, yielded five runs in the five in
|nings he toiled Milo Candini per-
mitted Chattanooga's other run in
the eighth when he was nicked for
singles by Otto Spevak and Jack
Netcher. then uncorked a wild pitch.
Washingtons only run was pro-
duced in the ninth when Earl
Wooten and Ken McCreight singled
successfully with Wooten scoring
when Pinch-hitter Eddie Lyons
forced McCreight.
Kuhel granted day off to Mickey
Vernon, AL Kozar, Yost, Gil Coan
and AL Evans in order to appraise
other players.