Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1951-04-20
Expect Negroes To
Hove Biggest YeCr
In u. s. Baseboll
BY Al White

New York - amp -- Baseball
fans in the big city are rubbing
their hands in happy anticipation
of great season for the fine
Negro stars who appear to be
headed for a banner year
Reports from Dixie on baseball
have been thrilling
Never before has Jackie Robin
son, the King -pin looked 80 good
and It's all the more pleasing to
know that his side-kick and the
fellow he personally credits for
helping him make the grade, Pee
Wee Reese OF Louisville. has re-
gained his brilliant form. too.
Although the keystone combina-
ton Of Robinson and Reese may
have slowed down a fraction. they
have matured. Their knowledge Of
playing the infield takes up that
dash some folks seem to think
they've lost. But you'll have TO
see Pee Wee and Jackie to realize
that this slowdown Is something
only the experts can detect
Fans looking at this pair see
baseball's best. They also view
two future managers too bad
BOTH of them cant manage the
Dodgers sometime In the future
one IL sure to head the team.
OF the other Dodgers, Roy
Campanella, Don Newcombe and
Dan Bankhead. the reports are
glowing. Roy can look forward TO
managerial role some day, too.
Three former Brooklyn catchcrs
are handling big league teams,
Zach Taylor with the Browns, Al
Lopez, the Pirates and Paul Rich
ards, the White Sox.
Boston Braves with their two
Negro stars appear better off
than usual-Sam Jethroe and Luis
Marquee. Luis had a slow start.
but he's coming on now and will
make his presence felt before long.
Most improved outfit IL the
Giants. and here you have q real
situation. Leo Durocher has said
somebody's got TO show him lots
more than they have because
Arte Wilson, a hungry, capable
rookie. is shooting the works 10
cop a post. Artie can play all
around that infield. Artie can
wallop the ball Artie can run. In
fact, Leo sees a whole lot Of re-
placement in Artis.
Leo In thinking of showing
Artie over 10 third base and send
ing the star third baseman, Hank
Thompson 20 the outfield. Hank
can play there and since the night
field In the one weak link, Leo
won't be too long making up his
mind.
Monte Irv1n 10 pOwdering the
pill and playing much better at
first base.
Rafael Noble 10 doing yeoman
work behind the bat-and Il may
not be expecting too much 10 find
him the No. l catcher in spite OF
Leo's high opinoin Of Yves IVES
trum for that spot.
II Ray gets the call, the Giants
win field four Negroes at one
time. Fans would see q big league
infIeId with just ONE white bcJ
in THAT happened In an exhibit
ton you know. with Al Dark hold
ing down shOrtst0p and Monte
ITy1n at first. Artie Wilson. sec
ond and Hank Thompson. third,
Wow
In the American League, where
the color line IL stilI strong and
the magnates slow 20 lower the
barriers, Cleveland has its strong
est lineup In Easter At first. Min
oso at second or third. Dolby In
center and Simpson In either night
or Ieft.
A. the picture looks now. IT'S
pretty good. but II viii be lots
better when the YAnks. Athletics.
Red sOx. White s0z. Detroit, st.
Louis, and Washington quit stall
hing and hire Negro players And
the same thing goes for some Of
those stubborn National League
outfits. Cincinnati (which was In.
tsrestsd. IL said. In Sam JethroeD.
81. Louis. Pittsburgh (which may
BE- seeing lis fina eoIored player
sooner that you think and the
Fizz Kids from Phiily.
On well. WIRE just waiting for
that old unapire % yen PLAY
BALL. Man Oh man