Evening star., 1958-03-12
WIN, LOSE OR
tDRAW ;, FRANCIS srApp
A Vote for LII Able

BRADENTON, FLA, MAR 12.-In the press room that
adoins the Milwaukee Braves clubhouse, Wild Matthews
said washington is very lucky to wind up with Albe
Pearson. He can hit, run and throw"
"You know of Pearson?" man asked. 1t seemed
like strong coincidence because back in 1924 Matthews
who was called Sparky in those days. mite like
Pearson and he played cenered for the Senator'S too
Only in those days Washington was route to the
world championship.
II Pearson last summer in California" said Mat
thews who is liason for the Braves and their
minor league afhlates. "He was playing rightneld for
San Francisco probably because that good of his
kept runners from moving from first to third.
bill Renna in left for the Seals, Marty Keough
in center, and Pearson The first game watched, Abie
pulled two drives into the seats The next day he
just impressive. He always base, drawing walks
beating out nheld hits or really cloutng the ball.
80" Wild said, 81 tried to buy him. Or, rather,
tried to get John Quinn to buy him."
THE BRAVES WANTED Pearson2" man repeated
"What happened?"
81 got on the phone and called QUINN" Wild revealed
Quinn is general manager of the Braves. Il said:
"John, there is outfelder playing for Francisco
and owned by the Red Sox He help Don't ask
how big he is. Size has nothing to do with it.
when mentioned size, Quinns curiosity got the
best Of him. How big is this fellow?' John asked.
WELL he's about feet inches and he weighs about
14O pounds, told him.
"At the other end of the wire John said, oh
"Look, John, said, we need leadof man. You
know that Bill Bruton doesn't lead of very well, or at
be answer, think
How high would you suggest co.? Quinn asked.
"Td go up to $1oO0OO,' told him. But nothing
happened Money doesn't mean great deal to the Red
Sox So the Braves didn't get Pearson but Washington
did in that trade for Pete Runnels."
A VISITOR, WHO HAD BEEN in the Red Sox camp
at Sarasota just hour earlier said did you notice
whether Pearson let any fly ball fall? You know like
he was taken by surprise?"
mo, why?"
"wen, one of the Boston newspapermen was saying
while ago that Albe drew what he called blanks the
feld-that he seems to go into daze every in
while"
How would the newspaperman know?" Wild asked.
"e said that he had talked with two three of the
Red Sox farmhands who were at San Francisco with
Pearson"
Huh" Matthews grunted. II wouldn't set a big
store by that sort Of report Maybe those fellows
little envious. He can play OF course, only
Albe in rghtaeld but I'm he play center.
And don't think he'll let many balls fall that he
reach.
"You know what I'd tell Pearson if he we're on my
cub?" Wild asked I'D say Look kid you Just concen-
rate on getting base twice a game. No matter how
you get base, get twice. That's 400 average If
you bat five times
I'D tell Albie not to try to pull everything but to
spray all the field I'd have him wait for his pitch
because Pearson has the smallest strike in baseball
propaby. The pitchers have got to throw lot Of low
breaking stuff to him because they try pitch him fast
it means that lot Of them will walk him. The average
fastbal pitcher comes in little high BY the time the ball
hops it's above Pearsons shoulder and therefore, ball
ONE WHO REMEMBERED Sparky Matthews from the
Senator's halcyon days of 1924 remarked Playing
Roy sievers and Jim Lemon it follows that is
going to have to do lot of running Isn't there some
danger of his burning out? You did If remember"
II don't know" Wild replied 1T all depends on the
Individual don't think lack Of size plays too big part
In burning out
"Me didn't know how to pace myself. went all
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