Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-28
Bob PorterfieId
Escapes With
MiIdConcussion
HurIer, Knocked Out
By Line Drive, Moy
Leave Hospital Today
By Burton Howkins
Stor SfoH Correspondent

Leagues leaQlng plJcner laSL
season, suffered a frightening
but apparently minor injury to-
day when struck above the left
ear by a line drive while walking
in the outfield during the Sena-
tors practice.
Porterfield. strolling with
Pitcher Spec Shea between
sprints along the leftfield fence,
was dropped in his tracks by a
scorching line drive off Clyde
Vollmer's bat. He was uncon-
scious for Is minutes before he
came to in the clubhouse. He
was rushed by ambulance to
Orange Memorial Hospital after
examination by DR.. Russell
Counts. Orlando Air Force physi-
clan who was watching the
workout.
DR.. Robert G. Neill. brain spe-
cialist. later said X-rays were
negative and that Porterfield
suffered only a mild conclusion
from the blow. DR.. Neill ordered
the sturdy right-hander held at
the hospital overnight for obser-
walton but said that unless I'M
expected complications develop,
Bob will be released tomorrow.
Hard Luck Champion.
Porterfleld. one of Is pitchers
presently training with the Sem
ators, narrowly escaped serious
injury while retaining his title
as the hard luck champion OF
the major Leagues. It's likely
he'll be ordered to skip practice
a few days after being dis
charged tomorrow for he suf-
fered dizzy spells for a pro-
longed period after his jaw was
broken in 1850.
The ex-paratrooper. who re-
ceived only shrapnel silver in
his left wrist in one of his five
combat jumps over Germany.
has been plagued by bad luck
since his first major league
game. In the seventh inning Of
his major league debut with the
Yankees against Cleveland Au-
/ gust 8, 1913, a line drive by Hal
Peck fractured his index finger.
/ Porterfield left that game with
a 10 lead, the Yankees ulti-
mately lost, 81, and Bob missed
several pitching turns which
may have cost New York the
/ pennant. The Yankees battled
to the wire with Boston and
Cleveland. only to finish third
by a scant margin.
Two days before the l949 sea-
son opened, Bob pulled tendon
in his right elbow while pitching
an exhibition game against
Brooklyn on windy. chilly
afternoon. His arm was in a
sling for weeks. but he attempted
a comeback too soon, aggravated
the injury and was shunted to
Newark in mid-June.
Beaned by Calvert.
Back with the Yankees in 1850.
Porterf1eld was struck on the
head by Paul Calvert. then pitch
ing for Detroit. Bob fell TO the
ground. made a feeble effort to
arise. then collapsed. He re-
manned unconscious 20 minutes,
flicked his eyes, then lapsed into
a coma.
Porterfleld ,'regained con-
sciousness at Lennox Hill Hos
pital in New York after being
carried out of Yankee Stadium
on a Stretcher. That happened
on June 9. and Bob was through
for the year with a conclusion
and a jaw broken in three places.
Bob recently declared he
"blacked out" from the effects
OF Calvert's pitch months later.
I had a constant headache and
didn't care anything about eat
ing" Bob said, but doctors as
Sured me I'd be all right when a
blood clot dissolved. I recovered
completely with Kansas City
early in 1851 and shortly after
that Washington got me-"
Porterfield, who compiled a
22-10 record last season, led the
major leagues in shutouts with
nine and is the outstanding
member of a starting pitching
staff that Clark Griffith calls the
Senators best in 80 years.
NOTES: Outfielder Jim Busby
and Vice President Calvin Crit
fifth didn't confer about salary
yesterday. They're close and
there's no bitterness involved as
in discussions with Mickey YER
non. but Busby still hasn't
signed. Bucky Harris will use
rookie pitchers in early exhibit
ton games. I'VE might not
do too we'll in the win column be-
cause of it." said the manager,
"but have to take a look at
them"
Dick Wakefield, trying to win
a contract with the Sena tors,
continues to belt 'em over the
fences at Tinker Field. but Clark
Griffith and Harris want to see
more of him before offering him
a contract. This doesn
mean much" Griffith said.
speaking of Wakefield's clouting.
Il want to see him when thoce
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