Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-02-26

Dominic's HoIdout
Topped Them All
Bv MORRIS SIEGEC

IN THE FIRST showdown since the Senators were
demilitarzed George Sekirk the new, civilian command
ing officer the easy winner Quietly at least his
part sekrk brought about the unconditional surrender
Of Jimmy PiersaI
The signing took place in trailer at Pompano Beach,
far cry from another amistice the agreement ending
World War that negotiated in a railroad car in
France.
From all accounts the matter was cleared up quickly
once the baking Piersa chose to down for peace
talks 1t up to Persal to determine whether to
tnue pressing the agreement he insisted he got
from non-returnng lettermen Pete Quesada and Ed
Doherty, or to accept firm offer from Johnston and
Lemon. He chose wisely.
ALTHOUGH TIRING as we all were of Piersalps broad
sides issued from Newtonvile, Mass Saskatchewan,
Miami Grand Forks N D, and other entertainments along
the banquet trail nevertheless sorry to see the
Unexpectedly swift conclusion of his border dispute with
Selkrk
It duled momentarly column thought. Whether
the idea should have been killed altogether rests with you
gentle reader Here It's regardless Of the annoying devel-
opments in the of Selkirk VS.. Persal.
1t has to do with the most unique holdout in the
history of baseball Not Edd Roush who picketed the
Giants whole year. It's Dominic DiMaggio the little
brother of the Yankee Clipper DMaggo threatened
strike against the whole boomn United States Navy dur
ing the last general unpeasanneSs involving scads OF
nations.
IRONICALLY, PIERSALLs complaint against the
Senators and DiMaggio's brief with the Navy stemmed
from the charges Both charged agreements made
with them not kept Researchers who sought to
meet the similarity of grpes with the fact that both once
played centerfied for Boston eventually dismissed it
nothing than coincidence, at best something
in the Boston water.
DiMaggio wasn't striking for money, per Sc
although he pay raise when he won his case
Dominic insisted that when the Norfolk Naval Training
Station which harbored ships company of majoreague
ball players during the years. fetched him from small
boat duty in San Francisco Bay promised him promo
ton from coxswain to chief petty officer in the DEAL
The idea to send DiMaggio through Gene Tunneys
school of future Vic TannyS at Norfolk NTs and graduate
him a shrt-wearing CPO. Under these conditions
Dominic agreed to play centerfield for the Navy
THE LITTLE PROFESSOR breezed through his ~
week course maoring in the sideStraddle hop and play
ing centered with the certain knowledge his bonus clause
of elevation to CPo status would be forthcoming upon
graduation.
It wasn't While Dominic was doing his part, the Navy
regulations governing promotion to CPO from the Tunney
school changed, Navy regs had nasty habit Of doing
at irregular intervals The required at least two
years of college before sailor could qualify to trade in
his jumper and round hat for clothing somewhat akin to
civilian standards.
sandot baseball and hanging around Fshermen Wharf,
leaving neither time inclination for college Thus he
ineligible despite centereding ability above and
beyond the call Of duty.
mo SHIRT NO centerfielder" DiMaggio said, squarng
his hat II quit the team" At Norfolk NTs this
stuted bigger blow to morale than the threat to place
CRANKY street off Limits on Saturday nights.
The commanding officer, landlocked captain who
set altme record for being passed for admiral
stepped into the mpasse DAaggio would play center
field he warned he would be sent to This didn't
phase the mutinous centereder He had been recruited
from duty (San Francisco Bay regarded as
duty for pay purposes)
After reconsideration the peerless leader decided what
good for his baseball good for the Navy He
asked for and got waiver DNaggios eligibility
quirements for CPO. With Dominic In centerfield, the
team lost only 10 games all year.
We also the war.