Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-04
WIN, LOSE OR
ONAV By FRANCIS STANN
Rookie of the Spring

TAMPA, FLA, April. 4-The best looking rookie
prospect in Florida this spring not of Casey Senges
bright young of Fred Haneys At least that
is the opinion of great many qualified judges who fatty
put the finger 19-year-od Vada Prison. outfelder
with the Cincinnati Reds
when I was sent to Florida to scout the clubs
training here" ONe of the Indians says Bobby
Bragan told me- Steve in addition to your other reports
want to know the best rookie Of the sprng-American
National League
"I voted for Pinson" Steve dscloses 81 don't mind
saying publicly Lecause absolutely chance
of that boy getting away from the Reds or rather no
chance of the Reds letting him get away They that
If outheder do three of four things-hit, rum
field and throw-he stands chance of becoming great
"Pinson do all four things It's hard to believe
that he played Class ball last year."
PINSON IS A 1.-THE, TO- pound Negro who is apt to
be found playing trumpet when he isn't on the ball
field He halls from Oakland Calif and out Of the
Same high acknowledgements Hgh-as Outfielder Frank
Robinson of the Reds who National League rookie
oftheyear in 1856 AS matter Of fact, both Robinson
and Pinson signed by the scout Bobby Matck
Wild Matthews head of the Milwaukee Braves scouting
system, is high young Pnson too. II don't know
whether he's ready for the big leagues now" Wild
qualities but it won't be long, He definitely the fastest
ball player I've since Maurice Archdeacon and that's
going long way back"
@where does that leave Mickey Mantle2" skeptic
asked.
"oh. Mantle is very fast" Wild conceded but not
like this kid"
Mickey is a good friend of mine" Scout John Dell
Of the Reds speaks up I'VE play lot of golf together
For Nantes sake hope he doesn't challenge Pinson to
race for money. He'll lose"
Hank Zureck, publicity director of the Reds who
surprised and delighted by the unexpected Of
copy, keeps careful file Prisons accomplishments
I'VE played the Yankees two games, Hank reminds land
Pnson beat out three bunts You don't do this often
against the Yankees. He hits the long ball. too and he
is averaging $50 for the spring, or the last time
looked"
Pinson needs to be farmed out to high classification
minor league club whether he will be retained the
gamble that vada Jump from Class into the
Cincinnati outfeld
that he invited Vada to Tampa only because curious
about reports of the boys great potential for the future
1T rained much the first few days that copy
scarce" Birdie recalls "A couple Of the sports writer's
with the club complained that things pretty dull
so said, Why don't you watch this kind Pinson rum?
They started to write about his speed and later they
looked up his record which I'd say worth studying"
Even Earl Lawson, whose contact with the Cincinnati
club is close writer's caught of the
apparent gem in camp On the first second day Of
training out-ofowner approached Lawson and asked
Have got any Frank Robnsons in camp this year?"
Nav" Earl said. Best copy right now, I'd say, is
Steve Biko" Bko is the mountainous first baseman who
had Topped with the Cardinals and Cubs
Bko has done all right, but Pinson IS the gt-edged
prospect.
IN HIGH SCHOOL VADA, who born in Memphis
won all-sar honors pitcher. When Mattick first
him, the kid was playing first base in amateur game
That's where he played in his first pro season in the
Northern League. Well half of season, 1t was.
Last year was his first full season-with vsalia Of the
California League In 1875 games he led the league in runs
1885, hits (209 total bases $780, doubles 40) and triples
20 Vada hit 20 home runs stole SO bases, batted 367
drove in 81 walked 70 times and obviously much
too good for Class ball
The question is now: Is he good enough for the
National League? If Birdie bury any qualms left
he IN he
to bolster his pitching staff Birdie would very much like
to his ouhed line composed Of Robinson Gus Bell and
Pinson.