Evening star., 1951-04-24
hree-Cornered Deal
Involving Dropo Is
Denied by2CIubs
By Burton Howkins
Stor Stcff Correspondsnt

4@OA0AS4Ns I1R4A A1C ANuUkJ
will offer Second Baseman Cass
Michaels In deal for Infielder
Johnny Pesky of the Red Sox, it
was learned today. as rash of
trade talk broke out in the Ameri-
can League.
Encouraged by the Washing
ton clubs surprising start despite
a weak infield. Clark Griffith and
Vice President Calvin Griffith
conferred at length yesterday be-
fore the Mats departure for a
two-game series in Boston and
arrived at a decision to seek
PeSky.
Despite his lifetime batting
average of .316 and an ability to
play all infield positions except
first base. Pesky appears destined
for only utility duty with the Red
Sox. He has appeared in Manager
Steve O'Neill's starting lineup
only once to date, and then as a
replacement for Shortstop Lou
Boudreau after the veteran Suf-
fered thigh injury and sat out
Sundays second game of a double
header with the Athletics.
Trade RumOrs Spread.
In Boston and New York there
also was trade talk in the air. One
report here was that the Red Sox
were prepared to offer Pitcher
Willard Nixon and Pesky for
Michaels and Pitcher Gene Bear
den. This rumor was branded by
Manager Bucky Harris as "too
good to be true" The Mats will
be content with Pesky alone.
In Detroit, General Manager
Billy Evans Of the Tigers barely
had disposed Of one trade rumor
when a new report predicted he
would huddle today with President
Bill Dewitt of the st. Louis Browns
in an effort to land one of three
catchers - Sherman Lollar, Les
Moss or Clyde Kluttz. It was re-
ported the Tigers might part with
several second-line pitchers and
lcash.
Yesterday Evans denied a re-
port that a three-way deal in
volving the Tigers, Red Sox and
AS was on the fire. According to
this report. which originated in
the Providence Bulletin, First
Baseman Ferris Fain of the AS
would be sent to Detroit for
regular outf1elder-Johnny Groth,
Hoot Evers or Vic Wertz. In turn,
Philadelphia would ship the out
fielder to Boston for Walt Dropo,
big first baseman.
Red Sox Deny 1t.
II Dropo is to be traded, Red
Sox officials deny any knowledge
of it. I've had no such CONVEX
|sation with either club" O'Neill
said here General Manager Joe
Cronin said:
Jaw. why don't they baseball
writerS) let the club alone?"
The possibility of Washington-
Boston trade. however, is good.
Prompting the Mats wish to
acquire Pesky has been the light
hitting of Shortstop Sam Dente.
whose average is only .176. The
Red Sox are believed to be worried
because 33-year-old Bobby Doerr
has slowed down at second base.
Michaels, only Is years old as
compared with Pesky's 81 years
twice has been named to American
League All-Star squads, but this
Ispring he has lost his job to Gene
Verble. The latter is no power
house, but Harris likes his hustle
and undoubtedly would he eager
to go along with verble if he could
land Pesky to play short. With it's
close leftf1eld fence, Fenway Park
might well be an ideal batting site
Tor the right-handed hitting
Michaels.
Kuzava Pitching Today.
II Boston really wants Bearden.
the Mats won't be inclined to
bubble. The handsome left
handler has been of little value
this, spring. but in Boston he's
remembered as the 20-7 pitcher
who beat the Red Sox in the
pennant playoffe and went on to
win q World Series game from
the Braves.
Bob Kuzava was to seek his
second win in today's Washington
Boston opener. opposing Bill
Wight, late Of the White Sox.
Sandy Consuegra or Chico Mar
rero are scheduled to pitch for
the Mats tomorrow. The team
will return home for night games
with the AS Thursday and Friday
before entraining for the seasons
| first long road trip.