Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-28
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAW By FRANCIS srANN
Vinegar Bill and DiMoq

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA FEB 28-The plight of the
St Louis Cardinals who feel they lack only cenerelder
to be National League threats reminded General
Manager Frank Lane of the time the Cincinnati
chance to buy Joe DMaggio.
Didn't you know DiMaggio might have been National
Leaguer?" Lane asked WELL true 1t goes back OH
% years
The Yankees had first crack at him when he played
for San Francisco in the Pacific Coast League Then they
heard that he had at least bad knee probably both
The asking price for Joe $2500 plus minor league
players who didn't count.
Ed Barrow bossing the Yankees at the time He
figured. Why should pay $4,000 for bad-legged ball
payer Then he wired the San Francisco club and Cancelled
the Yankees option"
DID YOU SEE THE telegram" man asked
Il the WIRE" Lane said. could come pretty close
to quoting it, word for word
How did DiMaggio's involve you?"
why, was working for Cincinnati at the time. Larry
MacPha the general manager and in charge Of
the farm system San Francisco offered DMaggo and
/ carried the proposal to MacPha. who said:
eff the Yankees Cancelled their option this fellow
why should spend $4,000 him? his bad knee
knees going be any better in Cincinnati than in New
York? We have clubs develop talent of own
$50 the Reds goofed," remarked the other
THE Reds goofed," Lane admitted But the Yankees
would have goofed, too if it hadn't been for mans
stubbornness"
THERE'S MORE TO THE sToRY?" Lanes visitor in
"A twist" Frank replied Bill Essck the Yankee scout
who died couple Of years discovered DMaggo and
wasn't easily discouraged After Barrows telegram, Esck
took Joe to a doctor. He told the doc:
"T want thorough checkup of this young
want you to tell his knees will hole up for baseball
career"
Essick paid the doctors bill himself He didn't charge
1t to the Yankees And the doctor sad His legs all right
That's all Essck needed" Lane went "He wired
phoned New York and instent that Barrow
slider That's how the Yankees got Hall of Famer for only
$4,000 as late 1885, when money getting cheaper"
NEW YORK COLUMNIsT, who was listening said:
II knew Essick In his playing days, brief though they
were, he called Vinegar Bill"
Lane chuckled. Vinegar Bill is right He pitcher
lasting only two yea906 and 1907 Not much Of pitcher
either. think he two games. But the snapper is
Essick given chance by only one club"
Not CINCINNATI"
"Cmclnnah" Lane confirmed. There's bit Of irony
the time had acted differently. and quickly DiMaggio
might have been property"
Anew years later Cincinnati did indeed acquire DMaggio
Vince. The oldest Of the three baplaying brothers.
Vince Joe and Dom he had few cups OF coffee with the
in 80 and 40 Vince, unlike Joe and Dom, drfted
from team to team because he couldn't hit. He was
Brave Red. Pirate and Phlie and Giant. Even So
he lasted for decade
1.-THE reason" Lane said, twas that he was superb
outheder He great And Vince could throw as well
as anybody ever saw"
was he as good in the outheld Joe and Dom?"
"Oh, no, Joe the best. I never him make
hard catch in his lfe catch that looked like an
all out effort II he booted didn't that either
II we Just had one like him now 49,"