Evening star., 1955-02-23
Senator'S Expect
Little Difficulty
With Other Men
Vernon Moy Switch
To 0utfieId; Rookie
Looks Good at Third
By Burton Hawkins
siar Sfaff Correspondent

ORLANDO. Fla, Feb. 23.-
Only $4,000 separates Jim Busby
and the Senators at the moment.
but the mild-mannered center
fielder has indicated to Vice
President Calvin Griffith that
he'll be the most stubborn Of six
unsigned players.
Busby is shooting for a $40, 900
salary and the Senators have
offered $4,000. The offer re-
presents a $4,000 raise over Jim's
salary last season. but Busby is
aware, too, of the $21 900 salary
drawn by Eddie Yost, the $40, 900
paid to BOB Porterfield and the
$27 500 shelled out to Mickey
Vernon last season. He's anxious
to join the group.
Jim is sitting it out at his
Silver Spring (Md.) residence
and didn't bulge when Calvin
telephoned him the other night.
Busby declared earlier he would
remain at home until he reached
agreement with the club. That
determination has been strength
ened by the illness of his wife.
Sievers to Sign on Arrival.
Outfielder Roy Sievers, due for
a test at first base, told young
Griffith he would arrive here
Saturday or Sunday. He's ex-
pected to sign upon arrival.
Pitcher Maury McDermott
phoned from Miami and Calvin
appeared heartened after their
conversation.
Porterfield has been in Ger
many conducting baseball clinics
for the Army. Calvin antici-
pates little trouble signing him.
Calvin also says he is near agree
ment with both Vernon and Yost
and is hopeful both will pop into
town in the next few days.
Manager Chuck Dresser is
making no secret of the fact
he'd like all players signed when
the Senators main squad starts
workouts next Tuesday. I'D
like to have them all tere on
time, signed and happy" Dres-
sen said. I'm gonna tell them
a few things in our first meet
ing and I'd prefer not to have
to repeat it,"
Dressen's anxiety to nave all
players present for the first
drill could sway his bosses to be
a bit more lenient. They're
eager to have Chuck get off to a
good start and a contented squad
would give him a boost.
Vernon May Go to Outfield.
Chuck will chat with Vernon
about the possibility of SWITCH
ing to the outfield. Il think it
would save his legs a bit and it
would help Sievers, too, to play
first base. understand Slevers
is worried about his arm when
he plays lettfield.
Vernon Is no stranger 10 the
outfield. He played it while in
the Navy and probably could be
persuaded to give it a try.
when I was with Brooklyn
one Of our outfielders, Carl Furil-
10, was hurt" Dresser said.
Wayne Belardi looked as if he
might develop as first baseman,
so I switched Gil Hodges from
first base to the outfield. He
was enthusiastic about it-called
playing the outfield real snap
compared to first base.
1T will depend on Vernon's
adaptability. I switched Jackie
Robinson all over the place and
he gave me a good job every
where. I'll have to find out what
we have when they all get here"
Third Baseman Impressive.
Meanwhile Dresser is looking
with favor on Third Baseman
Curtis Hardaway, 23-year-old
Negro from Columbus, Ca, who
batted 1888. smashed 80 home
runs and batted in 122 runs with
Pampa of West Texas-New Mex
ico League last season.
Hardaway. righthanded hit
ter. played with the Indianapolis
Clowns for two years, batting
.301 in 1852 and .316 in 1853.
He was voted rookie-of -the-year
in his league last season, his first
in organized baseball.
A former typewriter mechanic,
'Hardaway belted three home
runs for the Clowns during
double-header at Comiskey Park.
He has played in Griffith Stadi-
um and at all other major league
parks except Wrigley Field, the
Polo Grounds. Fenway Park and
Ebbets Field.