Evening star., 1963-04-03
SEGH AT LARGE
Welcome, Minnie;
Thanks, George
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

FOR GEORGE sEI.KIRK the ACQUISITION of Minnie
Minoso is minor diplomatic victory Unable to get
Cuban first baseman out of Cuba Sekrk compromised by
getting Cuban outfeder out of st. Louis
The Senators general manager still doesn't know
what's keeping Rogelo Alvarez in Havana. Unwilling to
go through another redape siege Of dealing with foreign
enemy Selkrk turned to friendly ally for help Thus the
Senators Minnie Minoso.
Welcome to Washington, Senor Saturnino Orestes
Arrieta ArmaS Mnoso. We know you're not going to win
the pennant for but at least you help lose more
respectfully
Minoso may may not be what the team needs but
he might be what the doctor ordered There suspicion
that he has not fully recovered from the headon crash
with the lefted fence in St. Louis last summer and
require frequent patchngup Jobs to make regular D. G.
Stadium appearances.
NnNNIE'S ENCOUNTER with the Busch Stadium wall
was violent hit-and-run job. Minnie hit the fence full
t cracking his skull and arm in the process He's that
kind Of a competitor
At least 4O Minnie obviously can't do what he did when
he 80 but who can? Mnnies big plus now as always
his fire and DASH Minnie would have been stickout
with the old Gashouse Gang imagine what delight he
win be on club which far has had to depend Jim
PierSalls tantrums for excitement
There's an electric swagger and dash about Minnie
that's stamped him favoite for years. If he represents
the type Of deal expect until Selkrk hatch
a respectable team for us, I'm for It,
EVER SINCE HE came up to the majors via Cleveland
Minnie has remained of the most popular players He
still enjoys the rating of prmero uno No. /, in Cuba
although Castro abolished pro ball in Havana three years
ago.
In Arizona recently Lou Boudreau who managed
Mnoso briefly in Cleveland, was talking about Mnoso.
when he first came u said Boudreau now an announcer
for the Cubs noso distrustfu Of American banks
HE would cash his pay check every two weeks and stuff
the money in his baseball uniform In the dressing room
noticed he wasn't wearing sliding pads asked him why
explained they would protect him.
"Me have best sliding pads, he grinned Me stuff
money in both back pockets He did, Lou said laughing
"He had wad of money in his uniform large it made
much comfortable protective piece than any sliding
pad"
MINNIE HOLDS AN American League record for con-
tact that not likely be equaed Ten times he has been
the league leader in being hit by pitched balls Their total
damage couldn't equal the havoc fence collision
brought.
Minnie is artist at being hit by close PITCH skill
Bucky Harris doubt appreciated when he recommended
the purchase Of Mnoso Harris himself was great prac
oner Of the art I had to be- the way batted" Bucky
Z said. "The idea Is to get on base isn't it?"
Minnie became adept at being hit that he was
responsible for American League rule change ANY pitch
that close would automatically set up a cry of he
heet me" from Minnie.
Umpres soon became wary Of Minnies claim To settle
the matter, win Harridge, then the American League
president decreed in the Of close calls that the batter
would be entitled to first base he could show bruise
The very first day the new rule went into effect
Minnie protested that he had been hit the forearm
Plate Umpire Ed Hurley who wasn't sure pulled off his
mask and was about TO say something when Minnie
Interrupted.
please" the smiling Negro said don't ask me to
show bruise. The rule she is no fair for me-"