Evening star., 1952-10-15
.3-for-3 Swap
Among Trades
>
Being Studied
Mickey and HoderIein
To Undergo Surgery;
Harris After Catcher
By Burton Howkins

and Second Baseman Mel Hoder-
lein of the Mats entered George
town Hospital for surgery today,
but the Mats bosses are planning
operations of a more serious nature
when major league clubs convene
for their winter meeting at Phoe-
nix in early December.
Hoderlein, unable to straighten
his left arm, will be carved to cor
rect that condition. Vernon, who
may be the key figure in a deal
with the st. Louis Browns, has
been bothered by an internal dis
order.
With Bucky Harris signed to
manage the Mats for two more
years at an estimated $35 900 a
year. the Mats officials will head
for Phoenix willing to trade and
anxious to swing deals to
fortify the club. Both Calvin
Griffith, vice president, and Har-
ris admitted the groundwork for
trades was laid in chats with
other officials at the World Series.
Veeck Smitten With Vernon.
Bill Veeck, boss Of the Browns,
is Smitten with Vernon. He was
unsuccessful in attempts to pry
him from the Mats last season.
but he has renewed his efforts to
land the first baseman, who will
be "a years old in April. There is
evidence the Mats are listening to
his latest bid,
The Mats, in desperate need of
a left-handed pitcher and
right handed hitting outfielder-
in addition to a catcher-may
plug two of those positions by
dealing with the Browns. Harris
always has been fond of Tommy
Byrne, perennially promising
southpaw, and in Bob Nieman the
Browns possess right-handed
outfielder who would be highly
acceptable to the Mats.
1t may shape up as three
for three deal, with the Mats
parting with Vernon, Outfielder
Frank Campos and Pitcher Sandy
Consuegra for First Baseman
Gordon Goldsberry. Nieman and
Byrne.
Nieman, who will be 26 in
January, broke into the majors
with a pair of successive home
runs against the Boston Red SoX
in September, 1851. He batted
.285 this year in his first full
season, hitting 18 home runs.
Could Be Top Hurler.
Byrne, twice 15-game winner
for the Yankees, has won only 13
games in the last two years.
Despite his TIA mark with the
Browns this year, Bucky clings
to the idea that Tommy could be
an outstanding pitcher. Colds
berry. IS, is a slick fielder but he
batted only .229 this year and
never has hit more than 1868 in
the majors.
Campos, who batted .423 in
eight games with the Mats in
September. 1851, was regarded as
"a hot-shot rookie last season, but
Harris used him chiefly as a
Ipinch-hitter and the Cuban out
fielder finished with 259 batting
mark. Consuegra, also Cuban,
compiled a 60 mark as a relief
pitcher.
Vernon slumped to PSI this
year, but that average failed to
dim Weeks enthusiasm. Bill, who
landed Mickey for Cleveland when
Veeck was bossing the Indians,
calls Vernon "the incest ballplayer
in the business" But Veeck is
more intrigued by the prospect of
Mickey shooting for the Browns
short rightfield screen than by
hS personality.
Grasso Is Only Catcher.
With the release of Clyde Kluttz,
the Mats catching has been re-
duced to light-hitting Mickey
Grasso. George Bradshaw, who
saw little action, is deemed in
adequate and so the Mats also will
be angling for receiver att
Phoenix.
Harris, IS. performed remark
able job with the Mats in a three
year period after taking over al
club that finished in the cellar
Al games back. This year the
Mats wound up in fifth place, III
games out of first place and o1iy
three out of third. IF we can
continue to show the same i'm