Evening star., 1961-01-06
WIN, LOSE OR.
DkAW By FRANCIS s1Ann
NOTHING but Money

LAUGHING LARRY DOYLE, when he was getting
along in years and knew John was going to trade
him. uttered the line, 20, it's great to be young and
Gant!" But what about this line for today 90 it's great
to be Jake Gibbs!"?
Gibbs Is the All-America quarterback from Ole Miss
who lit up the TV screens during the Cotton Bowl any
athletic young man is riding high it would appear to be
Gibbs whose only problem apparently lies in which drec
ton to Jump
Jake has been drafted by the Cleveland Browns one
OF the toppaying National Football League clubs Ditto
BY the Houston Oilers champions Of the American Football
League and Texas-owned, which reputedly means that
money is great object Then there Is Canada and
trump, a major league baseball bonus
Oh his record in Southeastern Conference baseball,
Gibbs adjudged big league material He's an outedsr
fast and with good arm, and his batting average last
season tidy 424 Our operatives hatly predict he will
be offered 100000 to sign
NATURALLY THE SENATORS don't want to be quoted
to the probable bonus that will land Gibbs because
they expect to be bidding too But Farm Director Hal
Keller like every other head Of talent hunting depart
ment, knows all about Gibbs.
Every I've talked to says he is the top prospect"
Keller admits
"Top college prospect you mean?"
II mean the outstanding unsigned prospect college
or pro-" Keller corrects
Not too many football stars have made 1t big In
baseball. Some like Jackie Jensen could hit run and
throw, but often muscular overdeveopment has barred
the way to long major league careers The meater ex-
gridders either couldn't throw or hit. or both.
Lou Gehrig, long before Jensen, had played football
and not only made good in baseball but made the Hall OF
Fame too Christy Mathewson played at Buckne where
he was best for his kicking and there were others
But they are in the minority
IN THE LATE 1s2Os Clark Griffith desgnedly or
otherwise loaded up with football stars who spoke
with belt draws Bobby Reeves who had starred at
Georgia Tech was one shortstop, Reeves didn't last
long but Of the reason may have been arouteo
to the sore arm Of Goose Gosin.
AS the letelder during Reeves era, Gosin couldn't
get ball back to the ined fiy much less throw to
the plate and Reeves Job to into left and make
Gooses throws for him. In sense, Bobby playing
two positions at time and 1t too much for him.
Shortly after Reeves, the Senators signed pair Of
University of Alabama football stars who had teamed up
to beat the University Of Washington in the Rose Bowl
One the shortstop Grant Giis who at Pasadena
had thrown forward pass go yards in the air for the
winning touchdown. The other Emil (Red) Barnes
outelder who had caught Gs pass in the Rose Bowl
There another rookie who had been fair hand
at football Doug wyco star fulback from Georgia Tech
who later played with the Redskins, in Boston. Glis
and Wycon faded fast; Barnes lasted little longer
ANOTHER ROSE BOWL hero was Fred sington like
wise University of Alabama product Sngton, who had
been AAmerica tackle In 1882 starred for Atlanta
In exhibition against the Senators and Griffith
urged to buy him. Reluctantly he did, but with the reserva
ton that he perhaps buying with football
shoulders"
Turned out that's what happened. sington received
several trials but the major league pitchers fast balls
up too fast to give Freddie chance to unhnge
his shoulders.
But If it's any consolation to Gibbs and to the club
which successful in landing him-that is If he decides
baseba-the competition considerably less formi-
dable today than 1t rs 80 years ago. Then too
Jake may not have any football shoulder" trouble no
trick knee and other handicaps.
He just might be good the talent scouts say
which Is good enough that with little polish in the
minors Gibbs will come up to stay for long time