Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-06
Senators Angling for Lopez or Blanchard
InfieId Help
Also Sought
BySeIkirk
BY MERRELL MHITTLESEY
Star S If Writer

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. Mar
8 - 1t is obvious from George
Selkirk's current movements
that he's not going to wait
until the clubs start to cut
down before he attempts to
strengthen the Senators.
The Senator general man.
ager visited the Braves at West
Palm Beach Monday, and yes
terday he and Bucky Harris
spent the morning budding
with Yankee officials at Fort
Lauderdale.
George will precede the team
to Vero Beach Saturday morn
ing for the Senator'S opening
exhibition, with tie Dodgers.
Selkirk wants to get there in
time to have a chat with Buzzy
Bavasi.
Selkirk had a luncheon en-
gagement yesterday with Dutch
Bergman, managing director of
D. c. Stadium, and Leo Dc Or
sey but he interrupted it sew
eral times for telephone calls.
Blanchard Alternate
The supposition is that Sell
kirk and Harris have settled on
outfielder Hector lopez of the
Yankees as the object of their
affections, with catcher John
Blanchard as an alternate
choice. And Selkirk is believed
to be willing to gamble in a
trade If the Yanks are in a
mood to part with one of their
young bonus players.
The Senators were close to a
deal with the Tigers last winter
that included Larry Osbourne
in the package. and if Osbourne
still is available, the Senators
also might listen to a Detroit
offer.
However. Selkirk will not lis
ten to a d al Of Lopez for
Claude Osteen. but the Yankees
are short in lefthanded relief
pitching. and Washington may
be tempting the Yanks with
Steve Hamilton, who is excel
lent against lefthanded hitters
In a spot situation.
At the moment Manager
Mickey Vernon is counting on
Osteen, Dave Stenhouse, Don
Rudolph and Tom Cheney as
his first four starting pitchers,
with Hamilton. Bonnie Daniels
and Art Quirk scrapping for
the fifth starting job or hoping
to replace one Of the big four.
Seven Potential Starters
That gives the Senators
seven potential starters. They
could afford to part with one.
Selkirk Is extremely con-
cerned about the left side of
the Senator'S infield, and it's a
name your own odds wager
that the club viii get help there
before the season stats.
The Tigers are well provided
with experienced talent, so Os-
bourne appears to be an ex-
pendable player. He was used
primarily as a pinch-h hitter last
year, but played 10 games at
third base and seven games at
first.
Osbourne is a lefthanded hit
ter, but he hardly can sup
plant Vic Wertz as a left
handed pinch-hitter, and he
doesn't figure to make the ball
club as a regular. Detroit also
has Bob Farley as a lefthanded
hitter with some experience, but
his overall major-league aver.
age is only 1853 in "a games.
VIII Wait and See
Selkirk learned yesterday
that Rogelio Alvarez, the Gu
ban first base.nan, may be In
camp within five days. but
George said he is not going to
believe 1t until he sees him.
If the Senators are success
full in their pitch for Osbourne,
he could play first II Alvarez
arrives later than expect d.
Osbourne has been up and
down with the Tigers since 1857.
He is q years old. and in 234
games In the majors has a bat
ting average Of 200. However,
he hit .287 and .343 in Triple-A
ball with Charleston and Dem
yer.
Meanwhile. Dick Phillips has
shown he is adequate around
the bag as a defensive first
baseman and he probably will
be at first for the Senators
through the early exhibition
games.
NOTES - John Schaive will
be out from a week 10 10 days
with his ankle sprain, and
while John still attempts 10
joke about It. the 10 days
could be the most important
period Of his career. He is fight
ing a weight problem and a
period Of inactivity will mott
help.
Vernon has scheduled the
teams second squad game for
today. The Swimming contest
originally was set for tomor-
row. but the pitchers Vernon
wants 10 take a look at are
primed and ready.
Roy Heiser. Bob Decker. Bob
Baird and Tom Baker will pitch
today. and II could be an i'm
portant outing for Baker par
ticularily. He is the 28-year-old
southpaw without ajor-league
experience who Is here on a
trial. He has shown he knows
how 10 pitch. but Vernon wants
10 see how much he can show
under game conditions.
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