Evening star., 1963-05-17

Hinton Bod Risk
AT Own Agency
BY MORRIS sIEGEL

EVER SINCE CHUCK HINTON made his command ap-
pearance the Senators third basean three weeks ago
and quickly became permanent custodian by default the
evidence becomes stronger with each passing that
somebody up there in the front office doesn't like him.
The longer Hinton is forced to masquerade as the var
Sy obhoder at third the quicker Brooks Robinson and
TClete Boyer likely to make the Hall Of Fame merely by
contrast The idea to shift from first base where he also
failed to exhibit minimum requirements not Hntons
In the game Of musical chairs Mickey Vernon plays in
his desperate efforts to shake the best performance out
of his l-equpped cast Hinton day suddenly discov
cred he third baseman 1t is not likely to be
bered as monumental discovery. :
HINTON CARRIES LITTLE love or equipment into his
newest assignment but he does manage to carry good
disposition into the job I won't say I'm scared ont
there" he sad but it would help me feel safer If
they let me wear shinguards and chest protector"
Chuck, an of-season insurance agent doesn't profess
to know all the actuary tables but he Is sufficiently ac-
quaned with risk rates to suggest he would not be over
tempted to write personal liability policy on himself
So far he has handled most Of the balls he has been
able to get his hands Just Zeke Bonura guard
ed first base for Washington Because Of his quick
fexes and loose gait Hinton so far has escaped bodily
harm, but there have been some close calls.
THE LAW OF self-preServation made itself known
to Hinton at third base quickly After two games he wisely
decided the felders mitt he had used in the oufeld
wasn't nearly big enough his job He bought
other glove which is large falls Just short Of being
full suit Of leather armor which Hinton would like to
wear ...
This thing doesn't give" commented Bennie Daniels
after examining the custom-buit device.
II don't want 1t TO-" Hinton responded "Td like to
have that mitt Gus Trandos used in Baltimore
they'd let me wear it. need all the help get over
there" l...- ,...
In Daniels, his roommate, Hinton has found a true
friend indeed. when Chuck plays third and pitch"
says Daniels trying to Hinton I try to get the
batters TO hit the ball away from Chuck like him too
much" Daniels considerations not unappreciaed by
Hinton.
HINTON ACCEPTED THE new challenge with no
protest but 1t left him wondering about conversation
with General Manager George selkrk last winter.
Hinton, holding out for more money argued he was
deserving Of hey raise for reasons other than his ay
erage He reminded sekirk he played several positions
last year, the outfeld, first and second.
This year." Selkrk said, you're outfielder forget
about anything else So far Chuck has played six posi-
ons-a three spots In the outfied first base short
and now third base.
The other night against the Orioles he and Luis Apart
cio the Baltimore lead-of man, detected playing
peek-a-boo with another Finally Hinton edged In
two steps, in Aparicio hunted Luis crossed him up
by singing to center II appreciated that" Hinton chuck
led.
WITH HINTON PLAYING third, Dick Phllips and
Marv Breeding charter members OF the nfed union must
be re-evauatng estimates OF themselves they sit idly
by waiting summons TO duty.
II was the idea OF Sekrk and/or Vernon TO get Larry
osborne off third before It too late but TO keep os
borne In the lineup along with Hinton for their bats
Osborne seems 10 have benefited from the switch but
Hintons average continues to dip.
month ago when he was happy outfielder he was
cloung In the high SO0s Currently about 100 points
below that figure not bad but the trend continues down.
ward.
Hinton is not complaining that his new assignment
responsible for his gradual eclipse at the plate but he
Is thinking about 1t for the future. Actually don't
think 1t is he confessed "but the slump continues
viii make good argument at contract time next year,
Nothing like positive thinking - - III.