Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-10
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCIS ,1Aun
Song to the Unsunq

WHEN HE WAS NOT sKILLFULLY cutting the throat
of rival, Paul Krche NICE gentle guy. Paul "A
last week. when he and maybe he the best
scout in baseball He headed the Yankee scouting staff
While there the payroll Krichell Johnny
Nee and Vinegar Bill Essick the best known.
Now they all gone.
Actually baseball scout anonymity to protect
himself from other scouts and spies Usually he travels
by himself railroad trains and busses Yet he must be
congena for helps to be able to do than simply spot
ball player in the making
Krche, Nee and Essick behind-the scene heroes
far the Yankees concerned They roved far and
wide and they got the ball players Kriche alone
with Gehrg Lazzer Rolfe Durocher Rzzuo Keller Rasch
Ford Murphy Koenig, selkirk strnwess Borowy Shea,
Werber Byrne Bengough Hassett and quite few others
Essck did all right too did Nee Among those Essick
signed was Joe DMaggio.
ESSICK INSISTED the Yankees buy Joe DiMaggio from
San Francisco although the young suspect
The fact that the late Lazzeri epeptc didn't deter
krche or Gehrg it was said he was muscle bound Buy
him! Krichel advised 1t tantamount to order.
OF all people in baseball perhaps the most dsarming
the scouts Some Ted McGraw for instance,
was the track of youngSter in Louisiana, kid fresh
of the Corps Did high pressure the young
extong the merits OF the Boston Braves2 Silly! Ted
went into the kitchen and talked to Mrs Dark mother Of
Shortstop Alvin Dark. Not only talked but prepared the
evening meal creole Louisiana hearts
Naturally McGraw able to Dark, who developed
into OF basebas real good Shortsops and gentlemen
man who whip up creole dish why not?
Krchel a pitcher, father of two chill
dren and turned him before the had chance
to throw baseball When Paul the doorbe the wife,
barefooed answered The kids bareooted Later the
prospect appeared, also barefooted
"A fellow like that couldn't have any pride in his work
he walked around barefooted with dirty feet and let his
wife and kids do the same" Krichel reported.
ONE OF KR1CHELLs GREATEST triumphs was the
signing of Charles king Kong Keller recently named coach
Of the Yankees but formerly predominant figure in the
fabulous DiMaggo- Keller-Henrich outfeld.
1t seems that Krichel pulling into Buffalo, to sign
youthful pitcher named George Emerson Dckman Be-
the boy minor Krchel the parents the full
treatment In his hotel room he had be-size sandwiches
and liquid refreshments for the boys father Just he
about to settle the transaction the phone rang
1t was Ed Barrow then vice president of the Yankees
We're trying to get kid outheder named Charley
Keller barked Barrow Gene Mccain another SCOUT
down there in North Carolina but he needs help"
But I'm signing Dickman," protested Krichell
Forget Dickman barked Barrow We've got plenty OF
pitchers What need outheders"
Dckman who few days later signed with the Red
sox then the Navy was forgotten as Krche rushed
of But instead of racing to young Keller who playing
summer ball at Kinston N C., while still at the University
of Maryland Krichel made two other stops.
-
FIRST HE VISITED and soft escaped Burt Shipley who
Kelers coach Maryland Then he visited Kellers
home in Maryland talked with the boys father and
mother extrong the advantages to be gained by playing
for the Yankees
Kriche as he later recalled didn't have much trouble
with the parents but uncle, lawyer, gave him hard
time He kept going into legal aspects" used say
but finally got squared away Then TO KinSon to
see the Keller kid"
Paul arrived at something like and woke Gene
Mccain ." know there lot Of scouts here looking
Keller Kchel said "JuS show the place where he's
living and back to the hotel and let the other scouts
think you're holed up, temporarily
Mccain did he told, and retired. Krchel had
quick breakfast and still in time to young Keller
from his bed Together they walked along the streets
Kinson
Krichel spoke knowingly OF Burt Shpey He mentioned
kelers MON and dad plus the uncle Finally he produced
contract for Charley to sign which he did
Against the wall OF an outhousel