Evening star., 1960-01-04
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW }, FRANCE, ,1A~u
One End to Another

ONE OF THE BIG baseball deals of the winter was the
exchange between the Cleveland Indians and
their Ohio neghbor in the National League the Cincinnati
Reds For s64OOO name the other athlete involved in
the swap that sent Pitcher Cal McLish and Inelder Billy
: Martin to Redland in exchange for Second Baseman
#, Johnny Temple?
If it's hard to in this neck Of the woods it's
almost certain to be difficult, anywhere except pos
sby in Mobile Ala The young involved happens to be
Gordon Coleman from nearby Rockville, Md, and
accredited will far to suggest that Coleman
might wind up the most valuable piece Of property in
the entire deal.
Coleman, Just turned Is, is a first baseman-"not
very good one, yet-who built up quite reputation at
Richard Montgomery High football player, ALI
Maryland State end in fact He the sport brief wh
at Duke ION football scholarship then abruptly quit
sign with Cleveland in 1858 He hit-there be
no great doubt about it-and he may be Cncinnahs first
@baseman this year.
Il WOULDN'T GO that far young Coleman protests
although thought had pretty good season at Mobile
in So"
First reports had that Gordon in leading the South
ern Association with 1885, also drove 1O and
smacked IS homerS
That a little exaggerated" Coleman corrects
i hit only 80 home during the regular season.
others were in payof games"
This Is big one-6-3 and 215 pounds-and he's young
and strong in the image of the youthful Kluszew
ski another football end Qndiana) who promising the
Redlegs indefinite years of service at first base until his
back acted up in 56 and ST.
Fondy possibly on the grounds that Fondy healthy
if little else the ball field. The Redegs have had
first base problem since.
YES, WAS SURPRISED to be traded by Cleveland )"
Coleman was saying, although I'm not greatly disap-
pointed was surprised because far back as 1855
played for Mobile batted 316 drove runs and hit 2
homers.
Then I went into the service for two years. When
came out invited to the Indians spring training
camp This is It'll! told myself. But wasn't much of
eder and Tito Francona and Vic Power ahead
I wasn't surprised when sent back to Mobile
out thought this year Mr. Frank Lane would take another
look at me- You know Francona play the outfeld
and Power, for that matter, play third base.
AT the same time, see chance to make it with
Cincinnati No Francona, Power E. although may
be talking about things which don't know about don't
know the Reds plans don't know their material They
may have half dozen first basemen for all know"
OLD SANDLOT FANS in this region may remember
Gordon's dad T. Benjamin Coleman, who pitched and
played rst base and the outed quarter of century
as an amateur representing Rockville.
Shucks, we still play catch in the alley" drawls the
elder Coleman II used to throw Gordon the old DROP the
same pitch that PaScua Of the Senators throws thought
from the start that Gordon had chance although in the
beginning he outelder and figured he took mite
too long on his throws.
Bill Werber who used to visit him. may have straight
ened him out About playing first instead of the out
net, mean. just don't know It's kind of coincidence
isn't IT, that my boy should wind up the ball club
Werper likes so much and did so much for?
can ne run? Well now, could be biased in favor Of
my ooy. NOW were scout and Gordon somebody
else o Ia say that he needed his fielding
Cnab ne mas power and run, you ask?
III say ne can I've tried catching him"