Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-04
WIN, LOSE OR
OkAW By FRANCIS s1ANN
The Philadelphia Story

CLEARWATER FLA MARCH 4-The story in the
Philles camp to date revolves around Granville Wilbur
Hammer, whose major league hangs toepate.
The 29yearo old veteran from Richmond, Va who played
such heroic role with the 1850 whiz Kids, is all done
shortstop Now he's trying to stay up as pitcher
In his dressing room Mayo Smith, the rug salesman,
turned manager confirmed that finished as
shortsop Not that he can't make the plays" Smith
cautioned. He But Granny can't swing bat any
more and what good shorstop who hit? The woods
are full of defensive marvelS"
Two years ago Hammer suffered serious tendon in
jury in his left shoulder Last year he renured the shoulder
Alternating between short and second base Granny only
257 in 1855 and patry 224 last He swatted only
nine home in those two whereas he had been
good for as many as 81 in campaign.
HE is starting to pitch little late in fe" Mayo Smith
conceded, but Granny has chance He always could
throw hard and, like lot other ntielders and out
helders he fooled with the knucker and with in
warmups."
NOT TOO MANY EX-INFIELDERS have switched to
pitching and become really successful although there
been few notable exceptions One Bob Lemon of
indians who since his for 1947 has
won 1877 games-an average of nearly 20 a season
Another was Bucky Walters. Like Lemon, he couldn't
cut the mustard third baseman and outfelder
Phllle-appropriatey, as concerns Hamner-he 1913
games after he switched year. Bucky won q and
helped put the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series Then
he was 22-game winner l9gaer and just before slid
ing downhll, he won % in 1914.
So relying only the histories of Walters and
Lemon Hammer has got to be given chance favor
Hammer throws hard and he field his position Last
lnflelder,
Granny pitched in three games and not dscreded
i am all for Granny in this effort" Smith said
and mes going to get every chance But help but
WISH that ne could swing bat and be shortstop"
MAKING NO SECRET OF IT. the Philles' brass admits
that shorstop first baseman and a rightfelder are
needed The rest of the club is pretty we'll set
"A year ago tried to make first baSeman out Of
stan Lopaa Smith volunteered but belongs behind the
plate When we traded Del Ennis Cardinals we lost
our rlghtfeder And it's obvious we are looking for
q shortStop."
The Phllies not a colorful outfit They smack of
second division as of the moment although pitching
seems TO be IN quantity But is evident they must trade
ere long in order to find hitter to help Lopata
drive across runs
In place OF Ennis they have Rip Repusk from the Cards
out ZIP drives home only 55 per whereas Ennis
was in the 100 class
LONG-SHOT POSSIBILITY to fill the shortston most
~ negro named John Kennedy first his race to survive
IN spring training with the Phls He is one of four hold
overs from month-long kindergarten school, lust disbanded
Kennedy makes all the moves" one Phille spokesman
sald and he has been meeting ball But we've pot M
real record on the kid He's got no minor league record
Didnt ne come up from the Kansas City Monarchspp
an interviewer asked After ALL Jackie Robinson Larry
Dolby. -'
mats all changed" came the reply Neither tho
Monarchs nor other Negro team is quite the Same
organized ball grabs up Negro prospects as soon as
eIey snow some talent and before the Monarchs or
any other team can develop them Robinson Camnaners
Dooy they were seasoned This kid Kennedy heIonos
to a different era" '' '0"eS