Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-16
WIN, LOSE OR
HNAH By FRANCIS STANN
Sometimes They Don't Mix

ACCORDING TO MINOR DISPATCH, spring base
ball training still is going Indeed, it is just starting
for Gene Conley who is training pretty much by himself
at Leesburg Fla.
Conley is the 6-foot-S, go pound pitcher who
fused to report to the Milwaukee Braves because he
wanted to finish out the roundbal with the cham
pon Boston Cecs of the National Basketball Association
He doesn't belong the now but to the Phies
and whether he'll help them is conjectural.
Some two-sport figures have useful in pro base
ball but not many, and none to great degree Most
diamond figures feel that Conley if he thinks he pitch
in the big leagues is foolish to play basketball too They
believe that Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is play
ing it smarter.
Groat was basketball All-America at Duke and I'M
doubtedy could have made the grade in the NBA where
he played briefly for the old Fort Wayne PstonS But
he good shortstop, tooone of the better oneS-and
good ballplayers are well paid.
FRANKIE FRISCH PAVED the way for Groat and
others when after winning his name of Fordham Flash
at football he concentrated baseball That's the way
quite few jumped, but there have been switches Bill
Sharman for one. and Sammy Baugh.
Sharman, teammate of Conley's with the Cetcs,
hot young cutfelding prospect few years ago.
The trouble that Sharman belonged to the Brooyn
chain when the Dodgers talent wealthy. He prob
ably could have played in the oued of some clubs and
the Senators among teams which sought him. In the
end however, Sharman chose basketball as his chief
livelihood.
Baugh might have made the big league grade as a
shortstop. In spring training with the Cardinals he
showed good pair of hands and fine arm. Sammy
played one with Rochester and then decided wisely
in his case, that he meant for pro football.
As you know, Baugh lasted an uncommonly long time
and made a lot of money And with the Redskins he
had no Marty Marion to beat out With the Cards he
did when Mr. Shortstop just as young as Sammy.
GEORGE HALAS NOW owner-coach of the Chicago
Bears, once had a brief trial with the Yankees. He
banged up leg and, like Baugh, made what proved to
be the correct decision He stuck with professional foot
ball and made a barrel of money.
Probably the most versatile professional athlete in
long time Ace Parker the a-around Duke star over
wo-year stretch Parker somehow playing the nted
for the Philadelphia Athletics hafback for the football
Brooklyn Dodgers and big time basketball too Ace was
standout in football winner of the National Leagues
valuable player award in 940 but he was never con-
fused with Frisch in baseball.
Jim Thorpe close to making good in two big
league sports AS far back 1918 he New York
Giants uniform and until 1919 he still trying to hit
the ball. He wound up with the Boston Braves in
TO- batting 1927 in so games but at this point Thorpe
dched the game and took to playing with the Canton
Bulldogs Cleveland Indians Oorang Indians etc. in the
forerunner of the National Football League.
Our towns own Jim Castiglia the former Georgetown
fuback did little catching for the Philadelphia AS in
1912 hitting gaudy 389 in 16 games year after
punging ground gamer. But Jim went into military
See WIN LOSE OR DRAW, Page E.