Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-02-17
WIN, LOSE OR
sUKAW By FRANCIS sTANN
You've Got to Help Yourself

MIAMI SPRINGS, FLA, Feb. Tim not worried
about that geo average Albe Pearson insisted THAT
isn't htters league went to Cuba and played ball
this winter because wanted to learn how to do some
things better"
Little Able all 5-feet-5 and 1879 pounds of him. turned
up intact here after surviving Cuban revolution and
the Winter League campaign cone night the machine
guns were firing right next to the place where of
were staying. We locked the doors and stayed put No.
didn't meet Castro. I'm not anxious tor
The Senators midget centereder voted the American
Leagues rookie of the year for his 275 batting average
thinks he improved his play in Cuba.
"I wanted to learn to bunt better" Albie chrped Ct
wanted to learn how to play shalower centered And
wanted to improve my base running"
He did all three, Albie thinks.
mo, THEY DIDN'T VOTE Cuban rookie of the
year." Abie grinned yet my average-I think pulled
up to 260-iS misleading"
We sitting in the snack bar at the Miami Springs
Country Club Abe tapped big white refrigerator
to him.
"The background in Cuba is lust like this white box,
he reported "You hardly the ball. White against
white it There 300 hitter in the entire
league-and he .SO1.
Minnie Minoso hit .27O, believe I'd call him good
hitter, wouldn't you?"
The Mighty Mite doesn't think he lost any strength
after playing both the American Cuban League sea-
sons. And he knows he hasn't lost any weight
MY honest weight is 1885," Albe said, seriously
Last summer in Washington down to 1877"
THERE WERE NO EX-BIG LEAGUERs, no old pros
to teach Abie to bun field and bases better in Cuba
II got help" he conceded. "1n baseball you've got
to help yourself anyway. For instance can't bases
like Jackie Robinson Luis Aparco I've got to develop
my own style.
Last year stole seven bases That was tops on the
Washington club. But thrown eight times and
that's not good.
81 wasn't good bunter year. In Cuba practiced
bunting to both sides of the nfeld don't de-
veop the bunt offensive weapon Itsnt Big league
infiederS looking down your throat, anyway and
you're not going to beat out many.
But in my opinion it is a morale factor. They say
This little squirt MIGHT bunt they play in close
1t gives me better chance to hit past them or off
their gloves"
THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT about Abie last season
In Washington his outfeldng taking into con-
sideration that Pearson had up rightfelder
(Which he no longer wants to play incidentally, he
criticized for playing too deep.
"Calvin-that is, Mr. Grifith-didnt criticize me"
Able said. But there were personal complaints"
Personal complants?"
well, you know. pitcher feels bitter when he loses
especially ball that falls in front of outhelder who
might have caught it."
I'm other words" Albie was asked your own team
mates complained?"
Il don't blame en-" replied the Mighty Mite obligingly
II wasn't satisfied myself with my centerfeldng guess
that's the biggest why played in Cuba Now 1
think I've Swallowed up
AS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, Albies 1859 contract
naturally called for raise $1,000 minimum big
league salary AS these lines written Pearson hadn't
signed the contract he received and that didn't
intend to.
Il think deserve more" Able said. Il know I'm not
star yet. but I'm going to be good ball player I'm not
going to sit home though, and wait for better
I'll report to Orlando, but won't sign until get
think is fair
AFTER all, don't mind being the lowest-pad regular
eenterheder just don't think I ought to be paid so
much below the next guy"