Evening star., 1960-03-01
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV BY FRANCIS STANN
Willie KeeIer Rides Aqoin

MIAMI, MARCH 1.-Two years ago a bubbling little
mite named Abie Pearson appeared on the Florida base
ball scene as the Senators centereder The job
automatic since the Senators had nobody else
Mickey McDermot took one look at the tyke and Choir
ted step on it! It's moving" Virgil Trucks another
old pro, took more practical view he watched the
sprghtly 136-pound rookie mo, don't" Trucks drvlv
cautioned, you might turn ankle"
1ncongruous as it may SEEM Albie won the 1858 award
as the American Leagues rookie of the year He bated
27o which took some of the heat off Cal Griffith You see
Cal had traded Pete RunneS the tiny Red Sox farm
hand, and all Runnels did battle Ted Williams down
TO the final day for the batting title winding up with 1922
on II was great, big wonderful world for Albie The
1anS IN Washngton-what there of them-loved him.
Just as they had at San Francisco and Oklahoma City
and IN the Sally League. Then the roof fell in
WENT 10 ORLANDO the next spring and I didn't
start too we'll Allie says preparatory to explaining
horrendouS 26 average for 1859 with the Senator's and
Baltimore Orioles. Still the No centerfelder
on opening day and had good afternoon
Then got virus, something, and my weight
dropped to l27 pounds hit the ball all right but it
wasn't going anywhere. And there was this big new
rookie, Bob Allison, breathing down my neck
Man what muscles! He about 100 pounds bigger
than was and he could run and field and throw So
Allison got my job and he got to be rookie of the year
for So
Il still figured I'd wind up where 7 beJono riob+ee,d
but one night in Baltimore-this was in Msy-I thought
cookie LaVagetto acting strangely toward me In the
seventh inning, think it he told me to pinch hit
~ANA game learned from Cookie from
oto inning on I'd become Ooe and that Lennie Green
who also played that night, had become Senator A
trade.
Il kept asking myself, How can Cal Griffith sell me
down the river so quick?'"
AL6IE, WITH HIS EQUALLY petite wife is hero 81
coral Gardens and is listed merely as the No or M
oute!oer 1o the Orioles He thinks he'll wind up better
II Mister No. IL gives a chance" Pearson savS
No. 12" " -'S'et
Abie comedies Jackie Brandt the centerfe,d most
ne more than sewed it up without even showing up
Aoe declares He catch the ball which what Mis-
ter NO. II wants I'm not natural centerfeder and
Wlle Tasby doesn't do the JOB, either But as see it
ltA be Gene Woodng in left Brandt in center and me
In right. ~ ~
year with Washington didn't know how to bunt and I
was a bad centerfelder, if say so myself"
But Albie was interrupted, didn't you play in Cuba
after your big season just to learn how play shallow
center and bunt?"
MIGHTY MITE SHRUGGED. In Cuba they pay you
10 play according to form They don't want guys expert
menting, and suppose they're right Anyway 1 didn't
learn whole lot Now, if really to bunt figure
III add 40 points to my average And if play right
which where belong, I'll do what did in three minor
leagues-lead in throwing
I'm no Rocky Colavto when it comes to throwing
hard but if play my position III get the ball away and
get my assists"
Although Pearson didn't play too much he insists that
MS relations with Manager Richards not strained
HE doesn't talk much Abe reports but he takes great
pride in rejuvenating guys. Me- need rejuvenating!
Anyway like him and think he likes All l want is
chance"
And if Richards doesn't give it to him?
Then I'll tear up that little referring to Rich
ards ivory tower and either make my point get fired
Ill tell him. Stick in the lineup from the beginning
I'm not bad that III hurt you and you'll be 20 games
back right off the bat will be the best leadof hitter in
the history of the Orioles"
Abie thoughtfuly digested his last statement. Best
leadof hitter in modern history he qualified Il read
about fellow named Willie Keeler.'