Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-04-12

Senators Top
New Source
By MORRIS SIEGEl

IN THEIR VARIOUS and continuing diemmas about
how to gain frscass baseball citizenship the years.
the Senators have turned to practically everybody except
the Red Cross for help.
Now that rescue agency may be pressed into action
Having failed to the passage of First Baseman
Rogeo Alvarez grounded in Cuba by their own devices
the Senators ready to ask Clara Batons standard
bearers to do 1t for them.
IT don't know what else is left to do to get the boy
over here" George selkrk sighed Maybe the Red Cross
can help"
The failure to get Alvarez who represents CncnnatS
payment for Harry Bright out Of his native land stands
as monumental diplomatic failure in Sekirks otherwise
smooth stewardship washngton rookie general man.
ager.
sELKIRK HAS TRIED everything possible since last
December when the Bright-for-Alvarez swap made
Since that time Attorney James Donovan has arranged
for the freedom of several thousand Cuban Bay of Pigs
fighters
d. Donovan's latest manipulation enabled nine skin
divers to bid Castro aos but Alvarez remains Sekirk
private stumbling block Selkrk and the Senator'S have
leaned upon the good offices of the State Department
Canada, Mexico and other gobeweens. But Alvarez still
Is in Cuba
sekirk obviously regards Alvarez as worth rescuing
He wouldn't have made the deal he didn't have high
esteem for his ability player And he still wouldn't
be going to all the trouble trying to get him over here II
he thought he couldn't help the Senator's who have no
self-help program of their own
THE FAILURE OF Alvarez to report forced the Sena-
tors to make several major changes When first base con-
tnued to remain unoccupied in spring training, Sekirk
first decided to give college kid Tommy Brown serious
look. .
Next the purchase of Bobo Osborne from Detroit
for protection in the event Brown didn't measure up as
quickly and surprisingly he did, Alvarez was the key
behind these manipuationS.
The Senators have sent Alvarez plane tickets on three
different occasions They also have been assured by pass
port experts that Alvarez visa in order But as yet the
only Alvarez has made has been as name on
the roster.
Selkirk thinks the Cuban government Is purposeY
delaying Alvarez arrival punitive measure alvarez
their way of saving they are unhappy the Ramoss
Pascua Mnosos and other Cubans didn't return 10 tne
homeland after the season. Sekrk reasons with good
logic
THE SENATORS HAVE BEEN in regular communica-
ton with Alvarez by telephone He has been unable 10
suggest how his release obtained He says hes got
the VISA the plane tickets and everything ese seKrk
saws but they Just won't let him leave
There are several other Cuban balplayers in the
same diplomatic boat with Alvarez but the senators IN
fielder is the only major Lacquer in the lot Why ne cnose
to return to last when ne must nave
how difficult 1t would be to leave, remains palnlui
mystery to Selkrk ~, ,,..,.
"If we ever do get him here" Selkrk said with little
assurance that he WILL well keep him. DON'T WanS W ~
through this business again
The only player in two years who mas quick
Castro is Enrique caur 18year-od lefthander VINO
lis the property of the Indians Gazmur took matters lnO
his own hands He and three companions fitted out ~!
foot boat and made water for Key West Tney mace
1T in II hours. .u
eekirk isn't suggesting this for Alvarez. He also ISM
suggesting how the Red Cross might help Alvarez mgn'
be in the next prisoner exchange He also might besC m
Red Cross latest instructions for swimming