Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-11
SEGH AT LARGE
SeIkirk Makes Hit
Socially, at Least
By MORRIS SIEGEL

GEORGE SELKIRK, RECENTLY engaged by the Sen
aors to improve their ball club artiscay their press
relations socially set out on the latter phase of his job
yesterday. He kicked 1t off by taking to lunch.
Just why this bureau was designated No. in Gen.
Quesadas appeasement drive only he knows The real
enemy is within-wthin the American League.
The Yankees, Twins, Angels, Tigers White Sox Indians
Orioles Red Sox and Athletics inflicted far more damage
than any writer the confident ones could do
Why the nnth-place AS alone beat Washington IS out
Of 10 last year.
Coexstence with the press has its place in the opera
ton OF ball club, but so do inelders, outfelders,
cachers and pitchers Unless there sufficient number
Of good Ones the place invariably becomes 10th, Gen.
must know by
sELKIRK KNOWS IT. Did he start his Job by trying
to pacify the sulen press2 He did not He began by
adding 10 faces to the roster instead of first trying
to bring a few old faces back into the fold.
George has been around only about month"; but
he already has made big hit with set We especially
like his open door policy the open elevator door policy
specifically
The general told George his first day in office that
"the only place have to go is up" and George took
Gen. @. literally He invited to ride the generals
private lift, heretofore off limits for people.
George faces a rough road here. He has found it
difficult to swing major" trade He has SO few players
who up to major" players. Everybody wants
Pitcher Claude Osteen or Chuck Hinton.
EVEN RECRUITING youngsters is peculiar problem
for the Senator's One Of the inducements besides cash.
appear DaSeQ crack the majors
quicker with the Senators than with "set" team like
the Yankees.
But the Yankees countering that sales pitch
Sign with u.s. they tell the uncommted phenom "and
don't make our team we will deal you to Washington
I'VE can't tell boy that" Sekirk said. 1--WE have to
scratch and swear I've got a good budget worries
along that line, but we're way behind and have got
lot Of catching up to do"
Selkrks prime acquisition to date is Rogelio Alvarez
the Cuban first baseman Cincinnati sent along for Harry
Bright Signing Alvarez poses unique problem He lives
in Cuba The Senators going to mail him contract
but 1t has been suggested to them not to fill in the line
that tells balplayer how much money he's getting.
CASTRO HAS A NASTY habit of cutting himself in
when the pot is big enough. Alvarez salary somewhat
under the $4,000 Willie Mays is supposed to be making
won't be revealed to him until he's in camp at Pompano
The Senators don't contemplate any real difficulty in the
Alvarez
George deplored such situation He also deplored
the lack Of good fungo htters used to be sight to
watch infield and oufed practice" he mused MY, how
some of those fellows could handle fungo bat
But not today. We had a guy the Yankees, Elbie
Fletcher He real artist He'd start the infieders
off easy but by the time he was through he had hit
every type Of ball at them just like they'd get in the game
with spin, with bad hops sinkers line drives. You don't
see that much today"
Lunch ended few moments later. George made one
thing clear He wasn't in the market for fungo hitters
for the Senator'S
It's much too early to tell what kind Of job George
will do getting players for Gen. O. but socially he's
off to flying start