Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-18
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAW By FRANCIS sTANN
Meet AIbie Pearson

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA FEB. 1s-The notion
here that Washngons baseball fans going to take
to Abie Pearson, the centerelder pretty good If
he makes the grade Albie feels he must Pearson
stands chance to become the most popular of all the
Senator's
He is spry tyke all of % years DID, He looks like
Eddie Fisher the crooner except that he has muscles
He is 5-foot-6 and weighs 140 pounds.
may not be the best centerfielder in the American
League this year. Able said from his winter headquarters
here, but might be, eventually. Rome wasn't built
in day. only hope that Mr. Lavagetto will give me
q chance"
With Roy Sievers in eftheld and Jim Lemon in right
Pearson is going to look like the ham in drugstore
sandwich For from all reports he can run like little
demon. s.
He'll have to rum" said veteran American League
pitcher who shall be nameess at the recent Baseball
Golf Tournament at Miami. An LEMON can do is guard
the rghteld line and the goes for Severs in left
The little probably will those legs into stumps
by August"
AN HOUR LATER Pearson had the same pitcher
down at the turn in the ball players golf tournament
at Miami Springs. He comedalist with AL Lopez in
the golf tournament playing in 4Omie wind that froze
the teeth.
"1ll be damned" the pitcher sighed I'm 200 pounds
plus and think hit long ball But this little guy
southpaw yet was driving with all day and beating
my brains out the green's"
1--WE been playing golf since 49," Able reported
under questioning In fact sort of golf bum.
All did play golf and American Legion ball"
Pearson proved his golhng ability by winning the
tournament, nosng out John Gray after decisive victory
over Al Dark classy golfer
Albert is the square handle. People started calling
me Alhde when didn't grow very fast" he explained
After Able Booth the old Yale football star who
80 small. Sure, for quite few years I brstled when
people made reference to my SIZE
DO you remember Red Marion Martyrs brother?
Sure do. He had crack at centereld in Washing
ton In 1858 reported San club of the Cali
fornia League pitcher. weighed 1S5 pounds. Red
took one look at me and said:
."Oh oh, they've sent me Bill Weeks midget"
THEY IN THIS CASE were the Boston Red sox
Tom Downey, scout, signed Pearson You're awfully
small" Downey told him. II can't give you bonus, but
here's a blank contract. II you'll sign 1t will stick out
my neck and try TO get you some money"
Il signed It, and the pay wasn't bad"
why the Red Sox?" asked Albies interviewer
weren't some other clubs interested?
Yes, to the second part of the question:" Pearson
said 1.-THE Pirates particularly seemed to me-
signed that blank contract with Boston because Ted
WiiamS-he doesn't even know me-happens to be my
hero. l think he's the greatest"
And you won't play in the outfeld with
Williams" he was reminded. Pearson you must know,
came to the Senator's. along with First Baseman Norm
Zauchip, in trade for Pete Runnels.
You know, was glad to be traded to Washington" "
Able said I'D been saying to myself Able this Is the
yeat you've got to make it. But there that standpat
outed Of the Red scx-wlliams. Persall and Jensen
PEARSON, WHO WAS BORN in AIhambra. Calf, was
bred for speed His dad not much bigger than himself
was football player who ran the 100 in eT"
Il do about o." Able says Il won't beat Mickey
Mantle to first base after full swing. but I'll only be
four feet later. That's a lot Of man-Mantle."
How could you know" Able asked. when did
you see Mantle play?"
"Television, movies. study them an-wilams and
Mantle and Musial. their swings"
In California, new boy played football and basket
ball. ran the dashes in track and boxed in the Golden
Gloves. When the Red Sox first signed him, it was
a pitcher.
when I reported to San Jose, there we're only two
outfelders on the club. The manager asked II I'd
play rightfeld. I'm glad said yes 1 got eight hits
the hrst two days, three the next / wound W
Continued ON SaSs Ala. Col