Evening star., 1953-09-17


Il him play" Mrs Yost corrected when he played
stickba saw him play But not in the professional league
-
LIKE so MANY OTHER big eaguers who grew up north
of the Mason-Dixon ne Eddie Yos began playing in stick
ball games in the street "He awfuy good" Yost
is other people seemed stop him.
Most days he would play games of stickba When he
wasn't in Fred here, would play catch with him.
The elder Yost slight, grayhaired man who works
compositor nodded Td still like to play CATCH" he said
eyes, he would" Mrs. Yos said "He would if let him.
When Eddie old Fred teaching him to play
ball."
IT used play myself Mr. Yost said 1--WE used to have
league that played every Sunday morning Just sandot
ball. you understand"
But you good player" Mrs Yost said. IT
Der that you were good player"
"Oh no." he said "I only amateur."
****
THE MATS DURABLE third baseman, eulogized and
gifted as he closes his ninth with Washington,
played ball every spare minute in his youth II still have an
old uniform of Eddes at home" Mrs Yost remembered.
(Which one?" her husband asked.
"Oh that always mending. Eddie used to
back from with tears in his uniform.
would patches it he could for each game
THAT old uniform" said Mr. Yost. "It was his Queens
Alliance uniform"
at was nice uniform" Mrs Yos said It still is NICE
only wish Eddie had let wash often After each
game wanted to launder it, Eddie would say:
PLEASE don't wash it. Let it get little dirtier Eddie
afraid clean uniform would be conspicuous"
1nconspcuous his uniform, Cambria noted it.
Washington scout speciazes in Cuban talent
and it is not often he finds American But when he does
the boy usually is good George Case of Cam
briaS discoveries So Mickey Vernon and Walt Master
son. And Yost. !.
EDDIE WAS ONLY II when Cambria him playing
semipro my husband had sign the contract" Mrs
Yost volunteered because Eddie minor
"Were several clubs after Yost?" who sitting
with the Yosts asked.
mo" said Yost "The Yankees interested, I
heard called Paul Krtche their scout asked him If he
wished to offer No. he told IF you will
only shop around and play offer against another So
said Well if you feel that way about it, all right"
"Mr Cambria wasn't the I talked with, hep"
asked Mrs YoSt
NO." replied husband "that another scout.
same day Eddie Grif1ths Office signing
Washington contract Philadelphia Nationals scout to
house in South Ozone Park think he wanted to sign
Eddie too. That was the man you talked to-"
THERE WAS CLOSE PLAY at second base and
Busby, who had slid hard didn't get up nervousy
began to wiring handkerchief again. Clip"
asked meaning Gil Coan.
"I think so," Mr. Yost replied.
"Oh dear" the lady sighed. HE has much bad luck,
doesn't hep"
"It's Busby" said Mr. Yost, "and he's all right get
ting up"
know that I'll bet He is Eddes roommate and had dinner
their apartment tonight. Gil cooked it all steaks,
mashed potatoes, :"
Lima beans" Mr.. Yost said.
"And imas and great big salad. really is fine
cook. Gil cooks and Eddie cleans up the dishes"
Yost coming to bat for the fourth time Mrs.
Yost began working handkerchief again. wish
would keep cean" she said. "When first him to-
night his uniform and white. But notice he
keeps picking up dirt and rubbing it his trousers.
II wish he would keep clean and hit home rum would
like to home run" Eddie flied out to leftfed.
Mrs Yost silent. First time they got him out" Mr..
Yost remarked, matter-of-factly.