Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-11
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
Company for the Killer
BY BURTON HAWKINS

named Bob Allison who teams with his chum, Harmon
Klebrew in carving path toward baseball distinction.
Between them, they've made the Senators exciting
in defeat they bring to the club destructive force
it's never known.
IF I'm surprising people" Allison said "In
have to admit I'm also surprising myself"
To those who viewed Bob in spring training with the
Senator's last year. the difference borders the mracu-
lous. He was and is husky brute, but his swing
the equivalent of frail girl being good sport picnic
and thrashing at an underhand softball Offering
II guess still look that way sometimes" Allison said
"At least do when don't wait on the ball. think the
difference is that I've learned to watt at least most of
the time. Until this year striding too quick COM
hitting myself too soon"
MOST PITCHERS ARE strangers to Bob but he has
been schooled ntensvely before every who else
would you to for information about pchers2 Allison
asks Roy Siever of He's been wonderful giving
the young fellows the club rundown on the pitchers
in the league and nobody has been roofing harder for
us to come through"
Cookie Lavagetto also is supply source Allison said
From him I'm learning the finer aspects of the game,
Bob stated. He has taught when to hit behind the
runner how to think in certain situations He knows the
game inside out and I'm always talking to him. trying to
learn more"
Gal Grihith wouldn't sell him for million bucks"
Lavagetto exclaimed land wouldn't given a nickel
five times at bat last fall hits double, no triples
home runs. batted in. 200 batting average
And that swing-phooey. real nothing.
1.-THE guy made himself" Cookie continued Il guess
it's of all that ambition suddenly coming to the
surface. Why, last winter in the Cuban Winter
League he couldn't make his team I've never seen ball
player who deserves more credit"
II NEVER GAVE UP on myself" said Bob, who batted
256 with Hagerstown in 1885, 1888 with Charlotte in 1856
and .246 with Chattanooga in 1857 Last year he was
3O7 hitter with the Lookouts but many baseball figures
estimate player out of the Southern Association will
hit about 100 points when promoted to the majors
"Its true about not making the club in Cuba" Bob
admitted II was regular the first half Of the season.
but just wasn't getting any hits got some encourage
from the fact that Minnie Minoso wasn't hitting
either In fact there only one 800 hitter in the
league. think maybe it's because they play only four
times week and your timing gets of.
when I came to training camp wanted good
spring. felt if could get of good could keep going
1t happened. Everything kept going for me"
That it did, with prodding by Allison. Bob got two
singles in his first exhibition against the Tigers In his
second game he opened the contest with home run on
Jim Burning and later added double In his fifth game
there homer of hurry Dickson There also was the
opportunity to throw out runners at the plate to throw
football blocks into gentlemen covering second base thus
breaking up double-play possibilities
IHE HANDOOME ZZO-POUND former KANSAS IuupdCk
is the father of 2yearold boy, with addition to the
family expected next month. He first knew his wife in
grammar school in Rsytown Mo, and they married
in February 1885, after his bleak at Hagerstown
They had $40 going for them the money he had received
for signing with the Senator'S but Bob says, THAT didn't
go far"
The future seems brighter. Out of nowhere Allison
has give the Senators respectabity they haven't
known for generation He's had the help Of Kllebrew
Bill Fischer Jim Lemon, Pedro Ramos, Cailo Pascua
Severs and others in acceleratng the club toward better
times of course but Allison is heavy contributor in the
general improvement.
Only sad lack Of pitching depth is restraining the
Senators from yappng at the heels Of the leaders With
Allison Killebrew, Sievers and Lemon swinging
sivey the Senators the feared lineup of right
handed cannonaders in the league.
ALLISON will be good for years to come" Lavagetto
says Hes getting better all the time Every time look
at that kid it sends shver along my spne just because
he took charge Of himself and made himself ball player
He nothing, but look at him now"
A lot Of people are, and liking what they see