Evening star., 1961-01-14
Allison Given
Raise as First
Twin 70 Sign
Covington Wants
Better Conditions
From Milwaukee
By the Associated Press

From Milwaukee =.
By the Associated Press
Four outfielders, including
Bob Allison Of the Minnesota
Twins, thumbed their noses at
Friday, the 18th" superStitions
yesterday by signing 1861 con-
tracts.
And 1t proved to be q lucky
day for Pitcher Don Newcombe,
who was offered q job in the
Los Angeles Dodgers chain af-
ter being released by the Cleve-
land Indians.
But the Milwaukee Braves
and Outfielder Wes Covington
found nothing good about the
supposedly "hexed" day.
Covington, q bitter disappoint-
ment the last two seasons,
revealed that he had rejected
the Braves contract offer and
threatens to sit out the 1861
season unless the club meets
certain conditions.
Money No Object
LAS far as the money is con-
cerned," Covington said, II
could sign my contract today.
But I told General Manager)
John McHale there are a few
other things that would have
to be included"
A feared slugger only three
years ago. Covington hit .279
in 1859 and only .249 last sea-
son. Slow-footed. he has been
handicapped further by knee
and ankle injuries. He wouldn't
say what conditions" the club
had to meet to satisfy his de-
mands, but said he wanted his
release or wanted to be placed
on the inactive list If they
weren't met.
Allison, q victim Of the soph-
omore jinx last year, was the
first Of the Twins to sign since
they moved to their new quar-
ters from Washington, where
they operated as the Senators
for more than q half century.
Allison signed in the Twins
18th floor office in the First
National Bank Building, where
Calvin Griffith, club president,
has established himself.
Bob Got Raise
The muscular outfielder re-
ceived q raise despite . disap-
pointing season in which he
started strongly but finished
with q PSI batting average and
IS home runs. In 1859, when
he was named American League
rookie Of the year." Allison hit
PSI and knocked 80 homers
out Of the park.
The Baltimore Orioles signed
Jim Busby and Dave Philley.
both Of whom were released
last october 13. before plans
for expanding the American
League had been completed.
Later. when two new franchises
were added to the circuit, the
Orioles lost seven players from
their own roster and two pros
poets from farm clubs.
Busby Joined Baltimore June
IA from the Miami Martins
and was used as q starting CEN
terfielder against left-handed
hitterS and for late-inning de-
fensive play. In 80 games he
batted .25S.
Aparieio Is Unhappy
Philley came to the club from
San Francisco September 2, for
his second tour with the
Orioles. He batted .265 in "a
games.
At Maracaibe, Venezuela.
Luis Aparicio turned down q
$40. 900 contract and said the
Chicago White Sox must be
crazy" The classy infielder said
that was the same salary he
received last year. He thinks
a raise is in order. Aparicio
said he is going to Puerto Rico
Monday to attend his father
in-law'S funeral. !
Don Newcombe, who won 27I
games and lost 7 for the Dodg-
ers in 1856 when they were inI
Brooklyn. has been offered a
Job with one Of the teams
farm clubs. The 34-year-old
Highlander talked by telephone
Yesterday with General Mana
ger Buzzie Bavasi, who said
Newcombe definitely would re-
port to the Dodgers Vero Beach,
Fla. training camp next month.
who knows?" Bavasi asked.
Maybe he'll get back in the
majors"
Richie Ashburn. beginning his
l4th major league season, be-
came the 17th player signed
oy the Chicago Cubs. The 33-
year-old outfielder, who batted
.291 last season, will be an lex
officio" member of the Cubs
management team. He is player
representative for both the Cubs
and the National League play
ers. and as such will confer
regularly with the teams eight
coach managing staff. The
group will get together at the
Mesa, Ariz., training camp Feb
ruary 2 to map the seasons
strategy.