Evening star., 1950-03-04
Plan 10 Put Gil Coan,
Me|e Ahead Of Him
Anglers 0utfie|der
By Burton Hawkins
Stor Stnff Correspondenf

ORLANDO, Fla. Mar. 4.-Out-
fielder Eddie Stewart has re-
ouested President Clark Griffith
of the Mats to trade him, he said
today when contacted by telephone
at his home in Inglewood. Calf,
where he plans to remain pending
settlement of his salary dispute.
After receiving letter from
Stewart yesterday demanding
more than the $4,000 Griffith Of
fered him. the Mats boss wired
Ed he wouldn't go any higher.
"Yes, got the telegram, Stew
art said. land I've asked Griffith
to trade me. He offered me a
81 900 raise but that isn't enough.
I'm not planning to come back
there and sit on the bench all year.
Il led the club in hitting in
l948, and only Eddie Robinson
topped me last year. I've been
the best hitting outfelder WASH
ington has had for two years, yet
L AAl bCl1lS SllullOCu dSluc.
Resents Harris Statement.
Stewart said he will not report
here tomorrow. when the second
squad of intlelders and outfielders
is due to arrive. Thus he be-
comes the Mats only holdout. and
the prospect of a long siege ap-
parently isn't worrying him. "I'll
get along" said Stewart, a phys
ical education instructor in Los
Angeles high schools and Junior
high schools.
The 33-year-old outfelder is
peeved at Manager Bucky Harris
declaration that he'll play Gil
Coan in left field, Rookie Irv
Noren in center and Sam Mele in
right, leaving him out of the pic
ture. Stewart batted .284 last sea-
son, while Mele hit .235 and Coan
batted 217. Noren was $50 hit
ter with Hollywood
Noted as the Mats most ag-
gressive player. Stewart is a fav-
orite of Washington fans. OBJ
tanned from the Yankees on May
IA, 1948, for outfelder Leon
Culberson and $4,000, Stewart
impressed fans with his ambitious
actions, running out every ball
he hit-pop fly or double-at top
speed
Stewards request that he be
traded is likely to go unheeded.
1t has been Griffith's policy never
to use all unsigned player in a
trade and of Stewart he says, He
can sit in California all summer"
Only Four Outfielders.
SteWart's decision to remain
home means tnaU The Mats will
have only four outfielders avail
able for early. exhibition games,
the first of which will be played
next Saturday. Buddy Lewis mas
retired and Bob Ortiz recently
submitted to an operation which
will keep him sidelined for at
least two weeks.
MATS NOTES. Bob McChesney,
left-handed pitcher working out
with the Mats, was the third draft
choice of the Philadelphia Eagles
pro football club and accepted an
automobile from them. :. Property
'of the Abilene CTex) club, he's
available to Washington if wanted
and declares he'd rather play base
ball than football. He was an
end at Hardin-S Simmons.
Hal Schumacher, former New
York Giants pitcher who beat the
Mats in the 1888 World Series,
pitched batting practice yesterday.
Also working out with Washington
was Bobo Newsom, who served four
stretches with the Mats. q. i. . Mickey
Grasso reports the Mickey" comes
from his middle name, Michael,
plus his, resemblance to Mickey
Cochrane, the former, great CATCH
er. Noren reported yesterday
with his wife and son and said.
I'm happy to be here. I was
getting discouraged belonging to
tho Prooklvp or0opizafior,