Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-05-21
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCE, ,1Auu
Cheap Money


modern ways to have a man in baggy trousers and
oppy hat walk up and give with 100000 He is the
Of big league club and while he earned that much
money himself, he is authorized to give it to scholastic
whiz
There was rat-race not so many months ago among
major league scouts to who could sign 1Syear-old
Dave Nicholson The kid burned up his schooboy league
Everybody after him. The Baltimore Orioles finally
landed the young outeder for bonus reputed to be in
excess Of 100000.
1t wasn't expected that Nicholson could play big
league ball. 50 the Orioles farmed him out to Knoxville
of the Sally League This merely Class these days
and not much above what middle-aged play Sun
days But the other day. after hitting only 16o young
Nicholson was transferred to Wilson IN. c., Class
team.
while he's got lot Of money it's obvious that Nichol-
son has lot to learn And there's some doubt to
whether he'll learn the basic thing which how
to hit.
MONEY HAS BEEN CHEAP in baseball for some time
Buying Ty Cobb for 5000 is story for the Stone
Age. Now it is not uncommon-as in the of Nchol
son-to pay 100000 the guess that boy eventually
may make It,
Usually however big league clubs don't gamble so
heavily outelders Their scouts holder when 1t
comes to pitchers They kid throwing very hard
in schoolboy game the sandlos and they properly
that he will throw just hard when he's put into
a major league uniform.
The slugging sensation in the class will be put
down doubtful by the scout The scout gauge the
speed with which boy throw-Herb Score of Lake
Worth High School, for instance-and he testify as
to young mans fielding ability But the big question
always is: Can he hit?
There have been quite few scouts who have been
notably wrong in the past But If you'll notice. their
mistakes have been in the pitching department Thinking
they playing SAFE they lavished much Paul Petit
and Billy Joe Davidson and Frank Baumann.
Most Of the iops although Baumann still has chance
have been pitchers the history Of bonus players is
studied will be discovered that scouts wary Of hitting
potentias Recommend the wrong and they're finished
ALI. OF WHICH RECALLS the instance Of Joe Engel
delightful guy who scouting for ball players In
behalf of the late Clark Grith many many years ago.
Joe frustrated pitcher in his day. up with some
real good Bucky Harris was Joe Judge
another Joe Cronin etc.
the winter Of 1924 after the Senators had the
World Series with old ball club, Scout Enge was
trusted with the job Of finding blood. The special
target Pacific Coast League sensation Paul Strand
Strand was playing for Salt Lake City at the time
and knocking the ball a mile each time he connected
His price which big money in those days
Engel didn't like him much He came back to Griffth
with a bad report. HE won't hit" Joe told the boss
"wel he must hit pretty good" Griffith retorted.
IT where Connie Mack bought him"
ENGEL WAS A properly distressed scout who noted
that Strand highly publcized member Of the old
Philadelphia AS visit to Tampa to play exhibition
game. Desperately Engel sought out his pal, Walter
Johnson, who was to pitch that day.
Walter" he said, you've got to do me favor This
fellow Strand turned him down. Gri thinks I'm bum.
might even get fired"
|, johnson, the always amiable guy who wouldn't make
guy look bad matter what, would do anything or
friend.
what do you want me to do?" Walter asked
"Strike him out every time he bats" Engel pleaded
Strand came bat three times in that game and each
time he famed
Grir satisfied that he had good scout in Engel