St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-06-12
Tasby MdkeS Bid
For Rookie Of
The Yeor HonoFs

Baltimore (ANP) - Not since
Minnie Minoso was nosed out for
the American leagues rookie of
the year award in 1851 has there
been a serious tan threat for that
honor until this season.
The young man who is hotly
competing for the distinction -
never yet won by any tan player
in the Junior major league is
Willie Tasby, centerfielder Of the
Orioles.
Tasby's performance in the first
third Of the 1859 season has been
responsible for the Orioles
making a strong bid to stay in the
first division.
In the first As games, he was
hitting at a .3o1 clip. His 81 hits
in 179 trips included six home runs
and he was responsible for sending
% runners across the plate.
Tasby has proved just as effec-
tive at the plate. whether func-
tioning as leadoff man, batting
third or slotted fifth or sixth.
He also is a polished performer
in the field and possesses one Of
the better throwing arms. Within
a month, he was credited with six
assists. His range is remarkable
and his speed enables him to play
close to the infield.
Burns Up American Association
Acclaimed the rookie of the year
in the American association last
season, Tasby led the Louisville
Colonies, then a farm affiliate of
the Orioles, in IL departments and
tied in another for one of the best
individual performances in the
teams history.
He was pacemaker in these: Av-
erage, 1922; at bat, $40; games.
$50; hits, 174; runs, 90; doubles.
%; triples, 10; home runs, %;
total bases, 28S; sacrifices, IT;
stolen bases, 20; and runs batted
in, 95. In the hit by pitcher de-
partment," he was tied at four.
Tasby knocked around the Oriole
farm system several seasons be-
fore he found himself last year at
Louisville.
He played in 1857 for Knoxville
of the Class A South Atlantic
league and was regard as nothing
more than a run-of-the-mill play
err.
A Power Hitter
But when Tasby reported to
Manager Del WILDER last spring
(1e5S) at Plant City, Fla, WILDER
told him:
IT know what you can do. You're
my centerfielder, no matter what
happens. Just remember, the job is
yours"
Tasby had never hit 300 before
last season, except one season with
York in 1854. But he had a total
of ia homers in six seasons, his
high being with York in the Pied.
mont in 1854.
He was signed off the campus OF
high school, Oakland
Calf, a school famous for produc-
ing outstanding tan athletes. He
had played baseball, football and
basketball in high school. Signed
by the old st. Louis Browns in
1850, Tasby played his first season
of organized baseball in 1852 with
Pocatello (Idaho) in the Pioneer
league and waged a strong battle
for the leagues home run and
RBI championships.
Then came two seasons with
York. He batted only .25S in 1858
with the Class B. team.
At York. his work caught the
eye of Paul Campbell then man.
ager of Williamsport. Campbell
was president Of the Colonies last
year when Orioles said Tasby
would be available for season.
I'VE Jumped at the chance to
get him." Campbell said.
But between York and Louisville,
Tasby had his share of tough luck,
and it looked as If he might not
make it to the majors.
He broke an ankle as San An
tonic in the Texas league in 1855
and missed the first three months
Of the season. He split the 1856
between San Antonio
and Texas City in the Big State
league. In 1857, he was with Van
couver Of the Pacific Coast league,
before being shunted to Knoxville.
Tasby has no doubt about his
ability to hit big league pitching
consistently. He might not hit 800
this season, but .2s0 mark-with
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