Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-13
High Hopes for

vu@HE ENCdANTNdENT of opening day is optimism
i stirring family even in the hardened hearts OF
repeatedly disappointed, cynical fans The senators
start all even and though there are grave doubts
that ENJOYABLE situation will endure until April
expires, there Is a willingness. or eagerness
to be pleasantly surprised
Followers of the Senators find some Of their
hopes wrapped in packages Of varying size this year
from the towering 6-foot-5 frame OF First Base
man Norm Zauchin to the alert, ambitious 5-foot-6
Albie Pearson, outf1elder with excellent minor
league recommendations.
There are those who pulling fervently for
muscular Harmon Killebrew to help provide the
power that would transform the Senators into an
interesting team. And there are those who look
to Second Baseman Bob Makmus to supply de-
fensve finesse so sadly lacking in that area last
season.
There is reason to hope, in each instance. AS
a rookie with the Boston Red Sox, Zauchin slammed
n home runs batted across 90 runs In 1855. But
Bostons BOSSES searching for more consistency than
was contained in the 239 batting Of zauchin.
acquired Mickey Vernon, and Norms days as q
regular we're ended.
He's a versatile athlete who has transformed
the country as professional basketball player with
the Detroit Vagabonds. He has toured golf course
in So, four under par. He's professional bowler
with a 2O4 average.
Zauchn also has a glowing minor league back
ground-35 home runs with Birmingham, 1l8 runs
batted in at Louisville This 28-year FOLD resident
of Royal Oak, Mich. Is attempting TO REBOUND alter
two years on Bostons bench.
Pearson, obtained with Zauchin in the deal
that dispatched Infielder Pete Runnes to Boston.
could be the pet of Washington fans He's fine
golfer covered 100 yards in 90 seconds as school
boy Splinter and more important. has had q solid
baseball apprenticeship
Able. named for Yales great little football
player of the past Albie Booth, by a sportS-minded
father who was a crack collegiate Splinter and
baseball player at Pasadena Junior College and
later professional boxer, needs only to approach
adequacy to improve the Senators defense in
centerfed.
The 23-year-old lefthanded hitter led the
Texas League in batting two years ago. compiling
a fabulous 371 average with Oklahoma City. Moved
up into the faster Pacific Coast League last year.
he batted respectable 297 with San Francisco
There's evidence Pearson can cut down runners.
Last year he threw out % Of them, more than any
other outfieder in pro baseball. He's a huSting
performer who will gamble and If he isn't taken to
the hearts of Washington fans 1t will be upset.
He has been voted the most popular player on
every team he has played for.
Mickey Mantle, perhaps, has more power than
Killebrew and more knowledge of how to apply it,
but when this 2l-year-old slugger connects he can
ride baseball over vast areas Of geography.
The Senators first bonus boy, signed at the
suggestion of the late Senator Herman Welker.
Killebrew has been groomed for four years. He
was deemed ready after bashing % homers for
Chattanooga last season to lead the Southern
Association.