The Bull Pen
by EMMOTT BYRNE
[Oakland Trib., Tuesday, July 7, 1953]
Hugh Luby established a Coast League record as an "ironman" by playing 866 consecutive games for the Oaks between 1939 and 1943, and he's still making baseball history.
The sensational finish of his Salem (Oregon) Senators In the first half of the Western International League certainly qualifies for honorable mention in any book of outstanding sports achievements.
As recently as May 15, Salem was last in a 10-club circuit.
Yet on July 2, Thursday, the surging Senators not only sewed up first place but also nailed it down with an extra-inning victory over Vancouver.
Having come out of nowhere—10th place is two steps below the cellar in most leagues—Salem was five games behind with two weeks to go. That's a lot of ground to make up on short
notice.
But Luby, who plays second base, manages the team, runs the business office and sells tickets in his spare time, made it.
Dave Dahle, the former Stanford and Oakland southpaw pitcher, was returned by San Diego in time to pitch a 4-0 victory ever Yakima. This started the team on an 11-game winning streak.
The Senators next traveled to Lewiston, Idaho, where they won four straight from the league leading Broncos. Only one game behind now, they drove to Spokane, where they made another
four-game sweep.
Salem Sews Up Lead on Last Day
This put them in first place by the slender margin of half a game and they maintained this advantage by taking three out of four from Tri City at home, to play in Vancouver. But there were still four games.
After winning the first two, Salem dropped the opener of an afternoon and night twin bill. Lewiston still had two to play. It the Broncos won both of them, and the Senators lost, Lewiston
would regain first place by a few percentage points.
The heat was on, and Luby's club responded with a victory. The veteran Lewiston team, meanwhile, fell apart, losing its final two contests to leave Salem on top with a generous two-game edge.
Last Sunday, before the Oaks played their series-ending double-header in Portland, we had an opportunity to talk with Ironman Hugh. The first question, naturally, was what happened
to transform a last place club into a pennant winner.
"The Coast League sent us help," Luby answered, "and because Lewiston was over the veteran limit of 12 men we were able to buy Pitcher Joe Nicholas, a San Leandro man who really
came through for us."
The "help" consisted primarily of option players from San Diego and Sacramento.
Milton Smith, the Negro third baseman who hit .390 for the first half of the WIL season, was with the Padres this spring and was sent to Salem when Jim Merson reported. To say that he was a sensation with the Senators would be putting it mildly.
Then there was Dahle. Purchased from Salem last winter, he was returned just in time to get Luby's team off on its big winning streak.
Sacramento sent Center Fielder Jim Deyo and Pitcher Gene Roenspie north on option, and both men came through. Used largely in relief, the latter won two games in a row during the
crucial scries in Vancouver.
"And," Luby added, "he saved a lot of other games for us."
Sacramento also optioned Jerry Ballard at a time when Salem was desparate for a first baseman to replace Joe Ciardy, who had quit because of an injured spinal disc.
"Ballard hit a couple of home runs for us in the clutch," Hugh reported, "and he was outstanding in the field."
Salem's success should be an object lesson to those Coast League owners who last winter voted against accepting players from the American and National Leagues.
"We couldn't have won without our option men," Luby said, "and the way the weather cut down our gate during the first half we couldn't have afforded to buy them."
There's a lot more to the Salem story, of course. To begin with, there's Luby. Nearing the 40 mark, Hugh missed less than 10 games at second base. From this vantage point he ran the team and batted over .320.
Hopes to Challenge Western League
Dick Sabatini of Oakland, the club utility man, spelled Hugh at the keystone. When Lee Witherspoon, the hard hitting outfielder was out for a week with a leg injury, Dick moved to right field. Just from reading the meager reports on the WIL in the Seattle and Portland papers we know he won at least one contest with his bat.
Luby also rates very high Gene Tanselli, his shortstop, and Jack Hemphill, a right-handed pitcher who won 10 games. Both of them should be ready for a crack at the Coast League in 1954, Hugh insists.
This is Tanselli's second year with the Senators. He was proffered a contract by Pittsburgh in 1951 after he graduated from Oregon State, but turned it down to go with Salem. Luby believes
he has a good chance to make it in the Coast League at either short or third.
Having come from away back to grab the first half title, Hugh sees no reason why his club shouldn't win the second half. This would eliminate the scheduled playoffs, but he has an answer
for that, too.
"It we can win both ends of the schedule," he said, "we'd like to play the Western League in a Class A championship. Even if we miss and have to go through a WIL playoff, I'd still
like to see our pennant winner meet the Western League champs in a post-season series."
Showing posts with label Salem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salem. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Thursday, June 4, 1953
W L Pct GB
Lewiston .... 24 11 .686 —
Salem ....... 21 14 .600 3
Vancouver ... 21 15 .583 3½
Edmonton .... 19 20 .487 7
Calgary ..... 18 20 .474 7½
Spokane ..... 17 19 .472 7½
Victoria .... 17 20 .459 8
Wenatchee ... 16 21 .432 9
Yakima ...... 18 24 .429 9½
Tri-City .... 16 23 .410 10
KENNEWICK — Don Robertson made his home debut Thursday night with a four-hit pitching performance that gave the Tri-City Braves a 5-1 Western International League baseball win over Vancouver.
Robertson, purchased from Toronto a week ago, never was in serious trouble. Vancouver got its lone tally in the eighth inning on two walks and Frank Mascaro's follow-up single. Harvey Storey, Vancouver player-manager, got two of his team's four safeties.
Tri-City scored once in the fifth inning, then added four more in the seventh on four singles in a row, a double and another single.
The six hits in that inning were just half of those allowed by two Vancouver hurlers.
Vancouver ..... 000 000 010—1 4 0
Tri-City ......... 000 010 40x—5 12 0
Gunnerson, Guldborg (8) and Lundberg; Robertson and Warren.
WENATCHEE — The Spokane Indians salvaged one game of a three-game series by defeating the Wenatchee Chiefs 5-3 here Thursday night.
Eddie Murphy, who had a perfect night in four trips to the plate, slammed a single off the shortstop's glove with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to provide the Indians' winning margin.
Wenatchee loaded the bases in the home half of the inning but Art Worth, third Spokane pitcher in the inning, struck out the last batter to protect the victory. Southpaw George New got credit for the win.
After the game, Tommy Munoz was recalled from the Chiefs by the PCL's Oakland Oaks. Munoz, who turns 19 on August 11, will replace injured first baseman Jim Marshall in Oakland's line-up.
Spokane ....... 100 010 102—5 9 2
Wenatchee ... 002 001 000—3 6 1
Franks, New (8), Nemes (9), Worth (9) and Sheets; Oubre and Bartolomei.
SALEM — Victoria finally snapped Salem's winning streak at six consecutive games Thursday night with a ninth-inning rally that brought a 7-5 victory in a Western International League game.
Victoria went into the final inning, trailing 5-4. A walk to Don Pries and an error by shorstop Gene Tanselli on Cece Garriott's ground ball put two men on base. Then Gale Taylor laid down a bunt. Pitcher Bob Collins fielded the intended sacrifice, but threw the ball into right field, and the tying run came in.
Herman Charles crashed out a triple then to score two more Victoria runs for the victory. Charles had only one hit in 25 previous trips to the plate.
Pries' two-out single and a single by Garriott gave the Tyees a one-run advantage in the first inning, which only lasted until the Senators had their first turn at the plate.
The Solonos scored twice in the second to take the lead as starter Earl Dollins, who pitched creditably, forced in both runs with bases on balls. But Collins, his opposing southpaw number, walked the bases full in the third and the Tyees yied it with runs scoring after Milt Martin skied out and Chuck Abernathy grounded out.
A walk to Jim Clark, a hit-and-run single by Bob Moniz and Pries' infield out made it 4-4 in teh Victoria sixth, but the Senators went ahead in their half.
Salem threatened in the ninth when a single, base on ballls and a wild pitch put the tying run in scoring position. Don Hopp ended it by whiffing .362-hitting Les Witherspoon on a 3-2 delivery.
Hopp picked up his sixth win in eight decisions by blanking the Senators in a relief role. It is likely his last appearance in a Victoria uniform before reporting for U.S. military duty.
Victoria ..... 102 001 003—7 9 2
Salem ....... 120 101 000—5 9 4
Dollins, Hopp (8) and Martin; Collins and Nelson.
CALGARY, Alta. — The Edmonton Eskimos edged the Calgary Stampeders 4-3 here Thursday night to gain an even split in a Western International League baseball double-header. The Stampeders won the first game 6-2.
Charlie Mead's three-run homer in the fifth cinched the opening game win for Stampeders. Andy Skurski and Whitey Thompson each homered to give Edmonton its two runs.
In the nightcap, Eskimos bunched three hits to get two runs and their margin of victory. Leon Day went the distance lot Edmonton in the second game, giving up nine hits.
First Game
Edmonton.......... 000 111 0—2 7 1
Calgary ............. 110 130 x—6 8 1
Tisnerat and Prentice; Orrell and Lillard.
Second Game
Edmonton .......... 101 002 000—4 9 1
Calgary .............. 101 100 000—3 10 0
Day and Morgan; Levinson, Roberts (6) and Bricker.
ONLY GAMES SCHEDULED
Salem Joins Victoria on Critical List As WIL Faces Grave Financial Crisis
BY JIM TANG
[Victoria Colonist, June 5, 1953]
There’ll be a lot of serious-looking fellows in one Spokane hotel on Monday. That’s the date of a Western International Baseball League meeting, and the worried expressions will belong to league directors. The WIL, once one of minor baseball’s strongholds, has already reached the state where it is doubtful if the 10 starting teams will finish the season and where next year is only a hope at the moment. At least two clubs are in critical financial condition, two or three others not far from it; and the rest are in the red.
Victoria and Salem are in the most serious condition. The Tyees made their current road trip only because the players agreed to take only a half of their end-of-the-month salary cheques. They’ll be home Monday and there is yet no definite assurance that the club can continue past its home stand.
It’s even worse at Salem. While the Victoria club as announced it will be able to finish the season if it can raise $10,000 through the sale of books of tickets, the Senators announced yesterday that they need $50,000 before July 1 if they are to continue in the league. The club still owes Portland $20,000 and has $30,000 in accumulated debts. Bad weather has cut sharply into attendance and receipts are hardly enough to take care of operating expenses. The Senators are attempting to raise the money through sale of stock and have managed $4,000 in three days.
There has been no public announcement from other clubs but the report is that all are losing money. Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Yakima all have sturdy financial backing, but Tri-City, Wenatchee, Spokane and Lewiston may find the going tough unless there is a general increase in attendance.
Tacoma Wants Back In!
There’s only one bright spot in the picture team delegates will look over Monday—Tacoma, which dropped out a few seasons back because it took a bad financial beating, wants in again. Sportscaster Bob Robertson has headed a fan move to regain a franchise and will attend the Spokane meeting to see what can be done.
Robertson was in touch with Reg Patterson, business manager of the Victoria club, yesterday to sound out the possibility of taking over the Tyees or some other club, and may do business Monday. It seems likely that Tacoma will eventually get one club or another if it can provide facilities and enough backing to keep a club in operation through 1953.
Meanwhile, the Tyees are going ahead on the assumption they will continue in operation. Down to 16 players following the release of outfielder Nap Gully and the loss of righthander Don Hopp to the armed services, they are hoping to get player help from Portland.
Just what the Beavers will be able to do is indefinite at the moment. They added a player a few days back when they signed Don Kolloway, infielder recently released by the Philadelphia Athletics, and it may be they have a player to spare for the Tyees, who are hoping to get a pitcher. The bench situation will be helped in a week to 10 days, when outfielder Dwane Helbig completes his university term and joins the club. Helbig played the last part of last season here, breaking into 30 box scores and batting .278.
Eskimo Gets Tarred
EDMONTON, June 4—The Edmonton Eskimos of the Western International Baseball league sold First Baseman John Paul Jones to the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League Thursday.
Lewiston .... 24 11 .686 —
Salem ....... 21 14 .600 3
Vancouver ... 21 15 .583 3½
Edmonton .... 19 20 .487 7
Calgary ..... 18 20 .474 7½
Spokane ..... 17 19 .472 7½
Victoria .... 17 20 .459 8
Wenatchee ... 16 21 .432 9
Yakima ...... 18 24 .429 9½
Tri-City .... 16 23 .410 10
KENNEWICK — Don Robertson made his home debut Thursday night with a four-hit pitching performance that gave the Tri-City Braves a 5-1 Western International League baseball win over Vancouver.
Robertson, purchased from Toronto a week ago, never was in serious trouble. Vancouver got its lone tally in the eighth inning on two walks and Frank Mascaro's follow-up single. Harvey Storey, Vancouver player-manager, got two of his team's four safeties.
Tri-City scored once in the fifth inning, then added four more in the seventh on four singles in a row, a double and another single.
The six hits in that inning were just half of those allowed by two Vancouver hurlers.
Vancouver ..... 000 000 010—1 4 0
Tri-City ......... 000 010 40x—5 12 0
Gunnerson, Guldborg (8) and Lundberg; Robertson and Warren.
WENATCHEE — The Spokane Indians salvaged one game of a three-game series by defeating the Wenatchee Chiefs 5-3 here Thursday night.
Eddie Murphy, who had a perfect night in four trips to the plate, slammed a single off the shortstop's glove with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to provide the Indians' winning margin.
Wenatchee loaded the bases in the home half of the inning but Art Worth, third Spokane pitcher in the inning, struck out the last batter to protect the victory. Southpaw George New got credit for the win.
After the game, Tommy Munoz was recalled from the Chiefs by the PCL's Oakland Oaks. Munoz, who turns 19 on August 11, will replace injured first baseman Jim Marshall in Oakland's line-up.
Spokane ....... 100 010 102—5 9 2
Wenatchee ... 002 001 000—3 6 1
Franks, New (8), Nemes (9), Worth (9) and Sheets; Oubre and Bartolomei.
SALEM — Victoria finally snapped Salem's winning streak at six consecutive games Thursday night with a ninth-inning rally that brought a 7-5 victory in a Western International League game.
Victoria went into the final inning, trailing 5-4. A walk to Don Pries and an error by shorstop Gene Tanselli on Cece Garriott's ground ball put two men on base. Then Gale Taylor laid down a bunt. Pitcher Bob Collins fielded the intended sacrifice, but threw the ball into right field, and the tying run came in.
Herman Charles crashed out a triple then to score two more Victoria runs for the victory. Charles had only one hit in 25 previous trips to the plate.
Pries' two-out single and a single by Garriott gave the Tyees a one-run advantage in the first inning, which only lasted until the Senators had their first turn at the plate.
The Solonos scored twice in the second to take the lead as starter Earl Dollins, who pitched creditably, forced in both runs with bases on balls. But Collins, his opposing southpaw number, walked the bases full in the third and the Tyees yied it with runs scoring after Milt Martin skied out and Chuck Abernathy grounded out.
A walk to Jim Clark, a hit-and-run single by Bob Moniz and Pries' infield out made it 4-4 in teh Victoria sixth, but the Senators went ahead in their half.
Salem threatened in the ninth when a single, base on ballls and a wild pitch put the tying run in scoring position. Don Hopp ended it by whiffing .362-hitting Les Witherspoon on a 3-2 delivery.
Hopp picked up his sixth win in eight decisions by blanking the Senators in a relief role. It is likely his last appearance in a Victoria uniform before reporting for U.S. military duty.
Victoria ..... 102 001 003—7 9 2
Salem ....... 120 101 000—5 9 4
Dollins, Hopp (8) and Martin; Collins and Nelson.
CALGARY, Alta. — The Edmonton Eskimos edged the Calgary Stampeders 4-3 here Thursday night to gain an even split in a Western International League baseball double-header. The Stampeders won the first game 6-2.
Charlie Mead's three-run homer in the fifth cinched the opening game win for Stampeders. Andy Skurski and Whitey Thompson each homered to give Edmonton its two runs.
In the nightcap, Eskimos bunched three hits to get two runs and their margin of victory. Leon Day went the distance lot Edmonton in the second game, giving up nine hits.
First Game
Edmonton.......... 000 111 0—2 7 1
Calgary ............. 110 130 x—6 8 1
Tisnerat and Prentice; Orrell and Lillard.
Second Game
Edmonton .......... 101 002 000—4 9 1
Calgary .............. 101 100 000—3 10 0
Day and Morgan; Levinson, Roberts (6) and Bricker.
ONLY GAMES SCHEDULED
Salem Joins Victoria on Critical List As WIL Faces Grave Financial Crisis
BY JIM TANG
[Victoria Colonist, June 5, 1953]
There’ll be a lot of serious-looking fellows in one Spokane hotel on Monday. That’s the date of a Western International Baseball League meeting, and the worried expressions will belong to league directors. The WIL, once one of minor baseball’s strongholds, has already reached the state where it is doubtful if the 10 starting teams will finish the season and where next year is only a hope at the moment. At least two clubs are in critical financial condition, two or three others not far from it; and the rest are in the red.
Victoria and Salem are in the most serious condition. The Tyees made their current road trip only because the players agreed to take only a half of their end-of-the-month salary cheques. They’ll be home Monday and there is yet no definite assurance that the club can continue past its home stand.
It’s even worse at Salem. While the Victoria club as announced it will be able to finish the season if it can raise $10,000 through the sale of books of tickets, the Senators announced yesterday that they need $50,000 before July 1 if they are to continue in the league. The club still owes Portland $20,000 and has $30,000 in accumulated debts. Bad weather has cut sharply into attendance and receipts are hardly enough to take care of operating expenses. The Senators are attempting to raise the money through sale of stock and have managed $4,000 in three days.
There has been no public announcement from other clubs but the report is that all are losing money. Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Yakima all have sturdy financial backing, but Tri-City, Wenatchee, Spokane and Lewiston may find the going tough unless there is a general increase in attendance.
Tacoma Wants Back In!
There’s only one bright spot in the picture team delegates will look over Monday—Tacoma, which dropped out a few seasons back because it took a bad financial beating, wants in again. Sportscaster Bob Robertson has headed a fan move to regain a franchise and will attend the Spokane meeting to see what can be done.
Robertson was in touch with Reg Patterson, business manager of the Victoria club, yesterday to sound out the possibility of taking over the Tyees or some other club, and may do business Monday. It seems likely that Tacoma will eventually get one club or another if it can provide facilities and enough backing to keep a club in operation through 1953.
Meanwhile, the Tyees are going ahead on the assumption they will continue in operation. Down to 16 players following the release of outfielder Nap Gully and the loss of righthander Don Hopp to the armed services, they are hoping to get player help from Portland.
Just what the Beavers will be able to do is indefinite at the moment. They added a player a few days back when they signed Don Kolloway, infielder recently released by the Philadelphia Athletics, and it may be they have a player to spare for the Tyees, who are hoping to get a pitcher. The bench situation will be helped in a week to 10 days, when outfielder Dwane Helbig completes his university term and joins the club. Helbig played the last part of last season here, breaking into 30 box scores and batting .278.
TRADE WINDS
Two More Get Chop Caps May
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, June 5, 1953]
Two more ball players may join Gordon Hernandez on the growing list of ex-Capilanos.
Outfielder Dick Briskey and pitcher Bud Guldborg were named today by general manager Dewey Soriano as candidates for oblivion, or at least departure.
“I’m working on a deal right now to trade Briskey to Calgary for pitcher Bob Roberts,” Dewey said today. Briskey, benched early in the season for not hitting, looked good for awhile when he returned to action, but his hitting has fallen off again.
● ● ●
Roberts, possibly the best relief pitcher in the league last year with Spokane, is not happy in Calgary’s bandbox park. The righthander, who saw action in 50 games in ’52, won 11 and lost 6 with the Indians, and had an earned run average of 3.03.
Guldborg, potentially a big winner in this league, has won one, lost four so far for the Caps, thanks in part to his temper.
Meanwhile, a move to junk the split schedule in the Western International League and substitute a six-team playoff will probably be made by Edmonton when the league meets at Spokane on Monday.
President Bob Brown said today that Edmonton general manager John Ducey, worried about the rained-out games his club (and most of the others) have lost, will likely try to push such a motion through.
● ● ●
Ruby Robert, already beset by the financial troubles of Victoria—on top of bad weather and low attendance—Thursday had a new problem, although he says “it’s not too worrisome.”
It was announced in Salem that $20,000 is needed to pay off a mortgage held by the Portland club on the Salem team’s ball park.
“That’s just the final payment to Portland,” said Bob. “And the rest estate certainly isn’t deteriorating, so I don’t imagine they’ll push it.”
Two More Get Chop Caps May
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, June 5, 1953]
Two more ball players may join Gordon Hernandez on the growing list of ex-Capilanos.
Outfielder Dick Briskey and pitcher Bud Guldborg were named today by general manager Dewey Soriano as candidates for oblivion, or at least departure.
“I’m working on a deal right now to trade Briskey to Calgary for pitcher Bob Roberts,” Dewey said today. Briskey, benched early in the season for not hitting, looked good for awhile when he returned to action, but his hitting has fallen off again.
● ● ●
Roberts, possibly the best relief pitcher in the league last year with Spokane, is not happy in Calgary’s bandbox park. The righthander, who saw action in 50 games in ’52, won 11 and lost 6 with the Indians, and had an earned run average of 3.03.
Guldborg, potentially a big winner in this league, has won one, lost four so far for the Caps, thanks in part to his temper.
Meanwhile, a move to junk the split schedule in the Western International League and substitute a six-team playoff will probably be made by Edmonton when the league meets at Spokane on Monday.
President Bob Brown said today that Edmonton general manager John Ducey, worried about the rained-out games his club (and most of the others) have lost, will likely try to push such a motion through.
● ● ●
Ruby Robert, already beset by the financial troubles of Victoria—on top of bad weather and low attendance—Thursday had a new problem, although he says “it’s not too worrisome.”
It was announced in Salem that $20,000 is needed to pay off a mortgage held by the Portland club on the Salem team’s ball park.
“That’s just the final payment to Portland,” said Bob. “And the rest estate certainly isn’t deteriorating, so I don’t imagine they’ll push it.”
Eskimo Gets Tarred
EDMONTON, June 4—The Edmonton Eskimos of the Western International Baseball league sold First Baseman John Paul Jones to the Norfolk Tars of the Class B Piedmont League Thursday.
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Pre-Season, Salem
Solons Need 1st Baseman; Rest of Team Suits Boss
By CHRIS KOWITZ, Jr.
Salem Capitol Journal Writer
CALISTOGA, Calif., April 16—Wanted: First baseman. Prefer left-handed hitter with experience, but will consider anybody. Apply Salem Senators spring training camp at Calistoga, Calif.
Manager Hugh Luby hasn't resorted to such an ad in the help wanted columns yet, but he's tried nearly everything else in an effort to find somebody to hold down first base for the Senators. Luby has been playing at first himself in spring training exhibition games.
Except for a first baseman, the Solons are pretty well set for the opening of the 1953 Western International League campaign April 24 at home against Calgary.
Outfield Looks Good
The rest of the infield and the outfield look good, the catching excellent and the pitching staff untried but promising. Luby considers his team strong in the lifting department.
Five capable infielders are carried on the current Salem roster. They are Luby, Gene Tanselli, Lou Scrivens, Freddy Haller and Dick Sabatini. Luby and Tanselli were with Salem last year. Scrivens is a rookie out of Willamette University, while Haller and Sabatini are veteran baseballers making their first appearance with a WIL club.
Don Taylor, Connie Perez and Les Witherspoon will probably comprise the outfield, with rookie Bill Nelson as utility fly-chaser. Perez led the Salem club in home runs, with 11, last year, while Taylor and Witherspoon come to the Senators from other leagues.
Nelson Returns
Veteran Bob Nelson, Salem's No. 1 catcher last season, is back this year. The other Senator catcher is Don Masterson, just released from the Army. Masterson played in the California State league a few years ago.
Bill Bevins [sic], former New York Yankee, who made history in the 1947 world series when he lost a one-hitter to Brooklyn, is serving as coach for the Salem pitching staff, and will also take a regular turn on the mound.
Other Salem pitchers are Jim McGee, Jack Hemphill, Bob Collins, Wayne Rick and Dick Strombach. Rick and Strombach are rookies. Larry Borst, a Forest Grove, Ore., youth trying out with the club may be signed soon, making three rookies on the Solon pitching staff. Collins is the only left-hander in the lot. Another lefty, Ernie Telles, is trying to land a berth on the team, but has not yet been signed.
By CHRIS KOWITZ, Jr.
Salem Capitol Journal Writer
CALISTOGA, Calif., April 16—Wanted: First baseman. Prefer left-handed hitter with experience, but will consider anybody. Apply Salem Senators spring training camp at Calistoga, Calif.
Manager Hugh Luby hasn't resorted to such an ad in the help wanted columns yet, but he's tried nearly everything else in an effort to find somebody to hold down first base for the Senators. Luby has been playing at first himself in spring training exhibition games.
Except for a first baseman, the Solons are pretty well set for the opening of the 1953 Western International League campaign April 24 at home against Calgary.
Outfield Looks Good
The rest of the infield and the outfield look good, the catching excellent and the pitching staff untried but promising. Luby considers his team strong in the lifting department.
Five capable infielders are carried on the current Salem roster. They are Luby, Gene Tanselli, Lou Scrivens, Freddy Haller and Dick Sabatini. Luby and Tanselli were with Salem last year. Scrivens is a rookie out of Willamette University, while Haller and Sabatini are veteran baseballers making their first appearance with a WIL club.
Don Taylor, Connie Perez and Les Witherspoon will probably comprise the outfield, with rookie Bill Nelson as utility fly-chaser. Perez led the Salem club in home runs, with 11, last year, while Taylor and Witherspoon come to the Senators from other leagues.
Nelson Returns
Veteran Bob Nelson, Salem's No. 1 catcher last season, is back this year. The other Senator catcher is Don Masterson, just released from the Army. Masterson played in the California State league a few years ago.
Bill Bevins [sic], former New York Yankee, who made history in the 1947 world series when he lost a one-hitter to Brooklyn, is serving as coach for the Salem pitching staff, and will also take a regular turn on the mound.
Other Salem pitchers are Jim McGee, Jack Hemphill, Bob Collins, Wayne Rick and Dick Strombach. Rick and Strombach are rookies. Larry Borst, a Forest Grove, Ore., youth trying out with the club may be signed soon, making three rookies on the Solon pitching staff. Collins is the only left-hander in the lot. Another lefty, Ernie Telles, is trying to land a berth on the team, but has not yet been signed.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Salem Seeks to Make History
Senators Seek All-Negro Outfield
SALEM, Dec. 27—Salem Senators of the Western International Baseball League might field an all-Negro outfield next season.
The Senators have purchased Lester H. Witherspoon, 220-pound Negro slugger, from San Diego of the Pacific Coast League. Witherspoon, who will play right field for the Senators, played last season for Porterville, Calif., of the Class “C” Sunset League. A left-hander, he batted .363 in 93 games, driving in 95 runs and hitting 16 homers.
Connie Perez, Salem’s Negro third baseman, probably will play in the outfield, general manager Hugh Luby said.
Luby said he is dickering to buy Milton Smith, Negro owned by San Diego, who would be the third Negro outfielder.
SALEM, Dec. 27—Salem Senators of the Western International Baseball League might field an all-Negro outfield next season.
The Senators have purchased Lester H. Witherspoon, 220-pound Negro slugger, from San Diego of the Pacific Coast League. Witherspoon, who will play right field for the Senators, played last season for Porterville, Calif., of the Class “C” Sunset League. A left-hander, he batted .363 in 93 games, driving in 95 runs and hitting 16 homers.
Connie Perez, Salem’s Negro third baseman, probably will play in the outfield, general manager Hugh Luby said.
Luby said he is dickering to buy Milton Smith, Negro owned by San Diego, who would be the third Negro outfielder.
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