Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-21
THE BASEB
B ( A 7
Of Deals and Steals
BY BURTON HAWKINS

JIM BUsBY. ONE of basebalrs swifter exhibits is slow
in respect He's slow to forget friends The
pattern of the has bounced him from the Senators to
the White Sox to the Indians Meanwhile Bucky
Harris Jms 1854 manager here has switched to Detroit
Bucky visiting in the village and the other night
Buby threw party for him in the plush setting Of Manor
Country Club surrounding Harris with 80 of his adj
mirers determination Of type Commissioner Ford
Prick would approve.
Bucky doesn't conceal his admiration for Busby,
player and I'D love to have him in efteld for
us next season." Harris Jim hit 23s last but
he's better than that Give Bushy another solid out
fielder who could hit productive 275 toss in an
acceptable second baseman, and we'd be strong con-
tender. don't say we'd win, but we'd be tough real
tough" @8 i&&
i TRADES INEVITABLY were wedged into the discussion
and Bucy volunteered 81 guess the worst deal had
anything to do with the that sent Buddy Myer to
Boston for Topper Rgney thought Rgney the fellow
needed at the time but he showed up with bad back
and never helped Grn had to give up FIVE players later
to get Myer back"
Bucky has made some good in his time. too and
the these his estimation, when Washington
shipped Pitcher Dick weik to Cleveland for First Basemn
Mickey Vernon THAT steal Bucky said smiling but
! needed help to make it.
@Theres little history behind that one" Bucky
tinued 1--WE made trade that sent Ray Scarborough AL
Kozar and Eddie Robinson to the White Sox for Cass
A1chaeIs Johnny Ostrowski and Bob Kuzava.
The smartest baseball men can be fooled. recall
Clark Grih clever trader saying at the time Why,
Mchaes alone worth the whole package fellows
Chicago, well it didn't work out that way couldn't
secondguess Grit kind Of liked the DEAL too when we
made It,
THAT DEAL LEFT us without first baseman, what
with Robinson leaving but wasn't fretting too much Iv
Noren had played first base in the Pacific Coast League and
he seemed capable Of shifting from the outheld.
"It didn't take long to discover that Noren was no
-baseman lot fellows could have played the posi-
ton better wearing roller skates We had to do something
quick knew what 1t also knew I'd need some
assistance.
aAfter we blew Sunday doube-header called George
Myatt and Clyde Milan into my office What do you think
I asked, of trading Wek for Vermont
Both coaches hesitated. Remember Weik had shown
promise and had pitched lowht for Wash
ngton my opinion though he wasn't going to make the
grade Finally both Myat and Milan expressed their views
They with
"sokay' said, be in Grins office at 1890 tomorrow
morning. I'm going to need help
II NEEDED HELP too When mentioned the deal to
r the next day didn't two seconds for him to
NO. firmly But within half-hour had made the deal.
rif had personal liking for Weik, but he swayed by
arguments He picked the phone called Hank Green
berg, and 1t was all over
1T didn't like ridiculous deal from Greenbergs
standpoint at the time He had Luke Easter to play first
base and wanted to give him clear shot at the job
Greenberg TAKEN but good Vernon returned to the
Senators for and included 1877 league
in 1885, when the Indians missed the pennant by 8
games Mickey could have the pennan for Cleveland
that year. could meant the difference last
too The Indians missed by three games when an
first baseman would have given them the title.
Weik? He won one game after leaving the Senator's.