Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-16
WIN, LOSE OR
UKAW By FRANCIS s1ANN
Bonus Baby Maxine Good

BRADENToN FLA Mar 16-since the Baltimore
Orioles returned to the big leagues in 1854 is estimated
they have spent about 100000 bonus babies of whom
one of the first and probably the most notable is Billy
ODel Some baseball people have suspicion that oDe
can become the best efhander in the American League
He is the medium Sized clean-cut young man who
stole the show at the Star game in Baltimore last July
with HAWKES. stint against the National League He also
won II games for the sixhplace Orioles and was placed
In the Congressional Record by Casey Stengel less
II didn't know about the Congressional Record" Billy
said on the Oroe bench when the matter brought u
1T was after the Al-Star game" visitor told him
Stenge appeared before Senator Kefauvers subcommit-
tee and was asked how the Yankees dominated
ball Casey told them he the All-Star game
OF you Gus Triando Jackie Jensen and other fellows
who weren't Yankees"
know that was the first time I'd talked to stenge
I liked him." r.
o'DELL CAME TO THE Orioles directly from Clemson
College and one of group that gently picking his
brains wanted to know how Billy happened to choose Ba
more Didn't other clubs try to give you bonus?"
he was asked
Eyes, they did," Billy said quietly. "All of EN-"
"An Of the l6 big league clubs?"
Yes. figured could make the orioles. That is stick
with EN-. Besides Batmore'S not too far from home"
ODell lives in Newberry, S. C.
WELL you might have tried the Senator's" somebody
suggested You stood at least good chance of stick
ing with Washington Besides you'd have been closer
to Newberry"
yeah could have guess" Billy conceded. But he
didn't elaborate did he sound especially remorSeul
speaking of Washington" visitor said, wasn't that
the club you licked in your first start? With two-her?
And when it was over nobody congratulated your"
ODELL CROWNED IN thought. NO" he answered,
washington beat in my first start That in 1854.
before my Army hitch The game you're talking about was
my second start, also in 1854 against the White Sox4
Il never heard the story, else I've forgotten It,"
said whats this about not being congratulated?
WELL" Billy replied, simply, Lies Moss was playing
with Baltimore at the time He wasn't catching that day
Clint Courtney But in the seventh inning Moss,
sitting on the bench, got word that his wife had been
killed in automobile accident 1t terrible thing
Naturally, the tragedy cast pail over the Orioles,
for Les and his wife popular. Nevertheless Rookie
oDe fought off the White sox and turned in 2-1 VIC
tory In the clubhouse later the players dressed in silence
There wasn't any kick in that game" Billy recalled.
what the hell it was just lousy day for everybody
COACH AL VINCENT tipped ball to Billy, an un-
spoken signal and the young southpaw left the dugout to
look for catcher to him When he had gone the
wisdom of Manager Paul Richards was sought
Richards has way, a master touch, with pitchers.
Last his collection Of castoS and bonus kids was
the second most effective corps in the American League
with an earned-run average Of 340 compared to the
Yankees 1922.
How good is o'Dell?" asked Richards
Right now he depends too much on his fast ball."
Richards observed "Bilys got real good one and he's
full of competitive spirit He looks at those big htter and
dares them to hit his fast ball.
I'D like to Billy master couple of other pitches
Now mean while he's got that good fast ball. not later
when he'll need slider and change-up to stay alive
Whether he'll do it or not is something don't know
There's nothing better than fast ball, but the
trouble is that in this business there are always few
so-and-so's who hit it, matter how fast it is
Unes they're on his side Richards hates htterS with
passion Some Of the hate must rub of on his pitchers for
them to be unexpectedly good they've BEEN The odds
are pretty good that oDe will see things Richards way