Evening star., 1949-08-01
Veteran Redskin Pilot.
Ai|ing as Camp 0pens;'
Gi|mer Ready 10 Go
By Lewis T. Atehison

Sfof Sfoff Soffe3pondenf
LOS ANGELES. Aug. IA
cloud of uncertainty hung over
Sammy Baugh's football future
today as the Redskins pitched
their wigwam at Occidental COL
lege for a four-week training pc
riod.
Sam, now IS. says he doesn't
feel we'll. About month ago, he
almost had the second finger OF
his famous right hand torn of by
a lariat in a calf-roping contest
at Claremont, Texas. He was
threatened with blood poisoning
and the finger still bears an ugly
scar as mute testimony of the ac-
cident. although Baugh says it
shouldn't affect his forward pas
sing.
Il don't feel just right. though" >"
said the veteran quarterback. I'll
have to wait and see how things
work out in training camp-that's
harder for me than the games. If
I'm not right I'm not going to
play"
Sam disclaimed any knowledge
of newspaper reports out of Texas
a couple of months ago declaring
1949 would be his last year in
football. He thought it was pub
licity gag put out at Redskin
headquarters In Washington.
Looks to Gilmer for Relief.
Tribe coaches we're not unduly
alarmed today about Sans
threatened retirement. None Of
them doubted that the training
grind was tougher for him than
actual games. They also agreed
that 13 seasons in big league foot
ball is wearing on the toughest
hide, but they seemed to think
Baugh will be in uniform at least
through the approaching season.
1t is no secret that Baugh ex-
poets Harry Gilmer to carry the
brunt of signal-calling for the
Tribe. with its accompanying
pitching chores. He said last year
that before the campaign was
over he, not Gilmer, would be the
substitute quarterback, but Gill
mer's injury subsequently forced
Sammy to carry the entire load.
Gilmer is ready for the test.
I've forgotten all about my leg"
Harry told a reporter. "and I want
you fellows to do the same. I'm
going to carry on as though
nothing happened"
Baugh carefully parried ques-
tions about his health, although
he did confess he had lost IA
pounds and was down to ITS. He
hasn't been i'll, aside from the all
ing finger, but isn't as chipper as
he used to be.
Baugh Much Changed.
He wasn't the same care-free
Baugh of previous years when he
boarded the train at Amarillo,
Tex, yesterday. He seemed to be
as friendly as ever and wore the
old infectious smile, but he seemed
graver. Veterans with the squad
thought the difference was the
absence of Dick Todd, Baugh' s
inseparable buddy during their
decade with the Redskins.
The first two weeks in camp
probably will decide how long
Sammy remains with the club
and how much football he plays
this season. If he's feeling better
at the end of that period, you'll
see him back in Washington. If
not-well, that's for Sam to de-
eide.
Gilmer has been running around
with no shoes since joining the
squad . lost them on the train.
. Ed Quirk says he weighs
mere 245 pounds. but it look more
like 265. Sam Goldman, the
end obtained from the Chicago
Cardinals. is motion picture
fiend. spend most of his spare
time and money on his own cam
era. Admiral John Whelchel,
who officially retires from the
Navy today and begins his tenure
as head coach of the Skins, has
a weeks work plotted hour by
hour, in true Navy style.