New Pittsburgh Courier from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 14

I I 1 ..1 '4J Mew York IS 11 IS 5 1 1 Chic ft M8S410 Pittsburgh SSI 7 IS 1 2 1 Philadelphia 4S tSO 1 4 1 Cincinnati 9S7 0 1 St. Louis 10 4fltisil Total man 11 i Stolen bate IS. means number of doubl plays hit Into. selvc 1 1 IS 9 The Sports Beat By WENDELL SMITH Cleveland Signed Doby in Nick of Time If the Cleveland Indians had waited a little longer they would have missed getting Larry Doby's signature on a contract. At the time the Indians grabbed the hard hitting second baseman of the Newark Essies, the Brooklyn Dodgers were trailing mm nigm ana day Although Doby did not know If himself, the Dodgers had a scout eyeing him in every game he had played for tn past tnree wew.

It could be that Cleveland knew the Dodgers were "hounding" the Negro second baseman and stole a march on them by "snatching" him from right under Branch Rickey's nose. The Dodgers planned to sign Doby and send him to Montreal. Clay Hopper, manager of the Montreal Club, knew about Doby and had asked Rickey to sign him. On the Dodgers last trip to Chicago, Rickev diaoatched a wire to his Brooklyn office and ordered his scouts to "get back on Doby's trail," and, also, to start negotiating with Mr. and Mrs.

Abe Manley, owners of the Newark team, for his contract. It wasn't in fact, the first time that the Dodgers had shown an Interest in Doby. Last year Brooklyn scouted him in all games In which he played around New York. The scout who was assigned to him was Clyde Sukeforth, now a Dodger coach Sukeforth was the scout who put the final okay on Jackie Robinson in 1MB, wnen jacKie was olavlne with the Kansas City Monarchs. For some unknown reason the Dodgers took their time on LQoby.

They probably could have signed him last year. Obviously they waited too long. Bill Veeck, the liberal and personable owner of Cleveland, has been interested in a Negro player ever since he purchased the club. He first heard of Doby last winter when Bill Nunn, managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, went to Cleveland and discussed the entire idea with him. At that time, Veeck assured Nunn that he wouldn't hesitate to sign a Negro player if he were good enough to make the grade.

1 Nunn sang the praises of Doby and urged Veeck to "look the kid over real good." Scouts Gave Veeck Bum Steer on One Player The Cleveland president assured Nunn that he would look Doby over. "I'm going to take particular interest In this boy," Veeck said. "You know we count a great deal on the reports of our scouts. But in this case, I'm going to supervise the whole job. Sometimes, especially In the case of Negro players, scouts don't seem to get the idea in their heads at all.

For instance, I had some of our men trailing a well known Negro player, and after looking htm over they came back and told me that he just couldn't make it They said he wouldn't 'hit in the majors. They also said he had too many faults to ever be a real big leaguer. 1 You know what the player's name is? His name is Jackie Robinson! Those guys must have been nuts." At that meeting with The Courier's managing editor, Veeck also revealed how he would place 'a Negro on his" team. "I'm not going to do like Branch Rlcke did," Veeck said. "I'm not going to sign a Negro player and then send him to a farm club.

I'm going to get one I think can play with Cleveland without having to go to the minors first. And, when I do find him he's going to Join the club right away. One afternoon when the team trots out on the field, a Negro player will be out there with them." Veeck didn't stray much from those plans, either. He signed Doby and put him on the Indians without even mentioning the minors. Where Jackie Robinson had to spend a year in the International League, Doby finds himself in the majors with only Negro National League experience.

He Is, however, a great prospect and no one will be surprised If he crashes the lineups as a regular before long. Ordinarily, there Is a lot of grumbling In the front offices of big league clubs when another team comes along and snatches a player like the Indians snatched Doby from the Dodgers. In this case, however, there is no grumbling In Brooklyn. Instead, there Is a great deal of rejoicing. The Dodger management is actually glad that Cleveland took Doby from them.

Not because they weren't Interested in him, bnt because that is just what Branch Rickey wanted to happen. He wanted some other club to sign a Negro player. It takes him off the spot. When Rickey signed Robinson there were certain owners and officials in the majors who were against the move and they did everything they could to make It uncomfortable for the Dodger president. They said he was ruining baseball; that there would be fights and riots in the parks, and they saw nothing but trouble ahead.

Rickey had to fight back and also take a chance. Fortunately, he has never experienced any unpleasantness with Robinson on the club. The Dodgers are in the very thick of the pennant race and Robinson is one of the main reasons. Nothing has happened to make Rickey wish he had heeded the words of his tormentors. Rickey Lost Doby, Gained Something Efse When he was informed recently that the Cleveland Indians were also scouting Doby.

the Brooklyn president was very pleased. 'That's Just fine," he said. "Maybe they'll get him, too. It certainly would be good if some other club signed a Negro player. It would help us a lot.

You know, there are a lot of people in baseball who haven't gotten over the fact that we went ahead and put Robinson on our club. If someone else signs a Negro player, we'll at least have some on on our side." Rickey is a very shrewd hombre, and it may be nhat he "let" the Cleveland Indians have Doby because he wanted to see some other club sign a Negro. When Doby was signed, Rickey was as enthu'si astlo about It as Bill Veeck. "That's just fine" Rickey said. "That's wonderful.

I'm glad it has happened." That doesn't sound Ilk an owner who has been paying his scouts to follow a player around for almost a year, only to lose th player to another team. Rickey had paid out a rood bit of money scouting Doby. The Indians only scouted him for about one month. Rickey knew that Cleveland was Interested in th slaver th first dav th American League Club scouted him. He could have signed Doby then and there.

But, I am sure, he let the Indians get a good look at Doby on purpose. He wanted them to sign him. When they did grab Doby, the president of th Dodgers knew he had lost a good ball player, but he gained something more. He gained a colleague in Bill Veeck. Now they won't shooting all the ammunition at Rickey.

They'll scatter their shots, sending some of the volley's in the direction of Bill Veeck and th Cleveland team. DOTS AND DASHES AND STUFF LIKE THAT Louis Jones, the ex husband of Lena Home, played a big part in the signing of Doby. He Is the assistant public relations director of the Cleveland Indians, the first Negro to hold such a job In baseball. He went to see Larry play in Trenton. N.

two weeks ago. When he returned to Cleveland he turned in a report to BUI Veeck on Doby. Four days later Larry was wearing a Cleveland uniform Maybe Negro colleges will now take baseball seriously. Jaclde Robinson and Larry Doby are now earning more money than most Negro college presidents, and they are both rookies: wnue in New York last week I called on Larry MacPhail, president of the New York Yankees. He Is definitely Interested in signing a Negro player The Cleveland Indians will handle the hotel situation in the same manner as the Dodgers, Doby will stay at all hotels with the club where he is accepted.

It he is turned down, hell stay at Negro hotels. They only places he might encounter discrimination are in Washington, D. and St. Louis. He may also encounter it In Detroit Cab Calloway, the Number One baseball fan of the musle world is as happy oou Aoouuon ana uooy neing in the majors as they are thetn Doby is wearing uniform No.

14. worm by Jim Hegan. catcher, Ust year Mel Harder, veteran pitcher, welcomed Larry when he walked Into th clubhouse on his first day and Introduced him to the rest of the players Manager Boudreau said Sunday that Doby will be for three positions, first base, second and shortstop. Bondreaa Is the regular shortstop himself Veeck says Doby Is a better prospect than Robinson, which is only a natural thing for the man who bought him to say frank Austin, shortstop of the Phllly Stars, may turn up at Montreal any day now Big league scout wilt be all over Comiskey Park when the East West game Is played in Chicago on July 27. The reason Is obvious Following the pattern Branch Rickey set with Robinson, BUI Veeck Is discouraging all celebrations in honor of Doby and forbidding him to make pubUe appearances.

He wants no fanfare, which is a good thing In his last gama with Newark, Doby hit his fourteenth home run of the season The Kansas City Monarchs have already pinned a price tag on Try inwnptoa, meir yar oia slugger. He's hitting .34. Boudreau Puts Doby On First By AL DUNMOBE CLEVELAND, Ohio Larry Doby became the first Negro to appear in an American League game, Saturday, when he appeared as a cinch hi ttr C. jr tor Cleveland Indian hurler, Bryant Stevens, the sev enth inning of a game against the Chicago Wliite Sox in Chicago's Comiskey Park. Doby struck out, but all of Cleveland is prepared to welcome him, for the entire sports loving city feels that the 22 year old in flelder.

though they know little about him, will make the grade Doby was signed to a contract in the offices of the Chicago White Sox at noon Saturday following a conference with Bill Veeck. WAS NERVOUS The former member of the New ark Eagles of the Negro National Leagu who had batted approxi mately .415 and had hit fourteen home runs while a member of the regies was purchased lor a reported ten thousand five hundred dollars plus, last Wednesday. He jomea tne Indians in Chicago, Sat urday, alter playing nis final game with the Eagles Friday. Doby who Doby Thought It Was a Joke! When Louis Jones, assistant publicity director of the Cleveland Indians, met Larry Doby In New York two weeks ago and said: ''Within a week of now you will be playing with the Cleveland Indians, the Negro in nelder thought it was a joke. Jones, who is the only Negro holding such a job in baseball, told Larry that Cleveland wanted to sign him.

"I thought he was trying to kid me." Doby said. "I hardly paid any attention to what he said." But Jones was not kidding. In fact when he turned in his report to BUI Veeck the Cleveland president went to work immediately. Instead of Doby having to wait a week, the deal took less than three days. Veeck called Mrs.

Effa Manley of the Newark Eagles by telephone from Cleveland, confirmed the call by wire and almost before he knew it Doby was in the big leagues. appeared nervous and frightened wnen ne met Bin veeck was told to remember "that they play with a little white ball, and a atick of wood up here lust like thev did in your league." Doby was escorted to the clubhouse by Marsh Samuels ana jouis ones, members of the Indians Publicity Department and introduced to Lou. Boudreau, manager of the Indians. Other players followed him with their eyes as he threaded his way through the crowded locker room, but no one spoke. Doby looked neither to right nor ieii.

aressea quietly in a new uniform, numbered fourteen, and then talked briefly with Boudreau about signs, club rooms, and reiaiea matter. Boudreau did everything tT steady him. told him to get out on the field and "don't stop to give any autographa." MET GORDON FIRST The first player to whom he was introduced was Joe Gordon, whom he joined at second base during the pre game drills. He did not look too well during practice, appearing very nervous. He had no chance during batting practice, because the White Sox kept the tarpaulin on me ueia unui a naif Hour before game time, and battinr practice was cut.

Boudreau. who had rtnvv for the first time, was not sure where he would use 'him. When asked, he reDlied at "short nr ond that la where they tell me he ueiongs. mere naa oeen some conjecture as to whether Doby would be used at first baa nr in th. ueia.

since tnese are the weakest spots on the Cleveland team. Lou Boudreau, the Cleveland Indiana anon stop, and Joe Gordon, the sec ond baseman, are rarardi th. best in these positions in the iMSIlaa IT Eddie Robinson, and Lea Flumin? who have been aharins th dutia have not been too impressive either ai me Dat, or in tne field, and the naa Deen some talk that an at. tempt would be made to use Doby in mis spot, uooy naa played first base in high school. ALL AROUND STAR 'nfflflE to NEW CATALOG jCAPS (Extro Wide) $1.95 1 at The 22 year old modest athl nas a Druiiant athletic background Aitnougn a nauve or Camden soutn Carolina, he was an.

all around athlete at Patteraon, New jersey, iriign school, starring in football where he was a halfback ana end. and basketball as a for. ward, In baseball and in track and field. He has broad jumped close to cwenty two ieet. The six leet one inch, 185 pounder had attended Long Island University as a freshman, where he was a member of the Varsity basketball team.

During the war, he was in the Navy and played with the Great Lakes baseball team, playing with and against a number of top flight major leaguers. It is believed that when he over comes his early nervousness. Dobv wiu cave mue auncuity making me grace wun tne Cleveland in dians. G. 2 AB.

5 R. 0 Al! sK j. v. DOBY'S RECORD H. 2b.

Sb. HR. SB. RBI. PO.

A. Average 10000180 .200 Joe Laughs at Tandberg Bout. CHICAGO Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis laughed loud and long here Sunday when Informed that OUe Tandberg had beaten Joe Baksl in Stockholm and therefore won the right to fight him in September. "It looks like I won't fight anybody this year," Louis said. "I don't know a thing about Tandberg.

and I don't see how the public would pay more than 15 cents to see a championship fight in which the contender pop out of nowhere like Tandberg." Louis said he will stay in Chicago for a while and play golf. He definitely plans to play tn some tournaments, including The Pittsburgh Courier Yorkshire tourney in Pittsburgh. Aug. through 7. Tuskegee Plays Host to Nationals ELIZABETH.

N. J. Officially sanctioned tournaments of the American Tennis Association were announced this week by Bravell let Nesbitt. Sanction committee chairman. The national championships to be held at Tuskegee Institute Aug.

18 23 highlight the 194J sched ule. I mm (355 3ft ff ifEffi 5 y. It! 1 VVW v. Jt 4 ic 1 I r. HE'S AN INDIAN NOW Larry Doby, brilliant inflsldsr.

said aoodbys to Ngr baseball last wk wkn joined th Clvlnd Indians of th American Laagu. Formerly with the Newerk Eagles of the Negro National League, the 22 year old star is the first Negro to play in the American League. Like Jackie Robinson, he made his debut at first base. Gee Gets One Hit in Minor League Debut GLOVERSVILLE, N. Y.

Sammy Gee, Detroit's all round high school athlete, who was signed by Brooklyn last week and sent to the Royals of Three Rivers, Quebec, in the Canadian American League broke into the line up here last Friday and Saturday nights afte joining the team three days previously. Sammy suffered from first game jitters, when called upon so suddenly to replace Playing Manager Lou Rochelll at shortstop, who benched himself because of a severe cold. In the two games. Gee got one hit in seven official trips to the plate. After going hitless in the initial tilt, he started a three run rally In the second game, the flrat time up, by connecting for a sharp slngl over second base and made third on the throw in, when th centerflelder juggled the hit.

Sammy's best hitting effort in the first game was a long fly. caught by the left fielder six feet in front of the fence 330 feet away. Ironically enough, the Royals, battling th Glovers for second place, lost both games. The defeats dropped Three Rivers to third place in the standings. In the field, the pressure on the 18 year old youngster was more noticeable and he showed the effects by contributing four misplays on fifteen chances handled in the two contests.

All of the mishaps came as a result of bad throws. However, Gea showed promts by coming up with two fielding gems. Once, ne cut on a nit Dy snaring a grounder near third in deep short that nipped the runner to nrst by a half step. On the other occasion. Sammy sped across secodn base and trapped a grounder throw out his man at first.

Kn and women, here's the chance you've Cleveland Owner Kept His Word poking for to soak more money than you mad taf or. th Lucky Heart agent la your com. nuntty. Ktfs easy to dospar tim or full tim. rhousands of customers ar waiting to buy th ocky Heart lin of ovr SOO fast sailing, guaraa cosmatlea, rood products and household lds.

show you how. send you vrythinc rou need to get you started, err this mo amdi ma gt en th road to sure and big nony. Your friends and neighbors rill be (lad to a you com. You st sun ana mony by selling tbm th thine they nd. Snd to aay for rr samples, tr beauty book, fr agnts rfe.

offer. Writ Lvekv Memphis, By AL DUXMQRE CLEVELAND. Ohio When Larry Doby was pur chased for $10,500 plua, by the Cleveland Indians of the American Baseball League, rom the Newark Eagles or Mpom National Lea true, last Bill Veeck of the dians, who negotiated the deal, went down in tne dooks or a man who keeps ms woru Veeck promised last year tnat he would bring up a Negro niawr. when, and if. he found one whom he thought could make the erade.

This prom iA was met with a ereaT. aeai of skepticism by a number of persons who neara 01 uus pledge. veecic reueraiea ima inuitui. to this writer ana vne nnnii editor of The Pittsburgh Courier William G. Nunn, in a conference esrly this spring.

It wss st this time that the name of Doby was mantinnad alonr with thOSO Of Monty (Muggs) Irvin. a teammate of Doby's, and leading hitter in the Negro National League lsst year, and ran Austin 01 mr Philadelphia stars. HE WAS WILLING I Veeck told us then that had heard of these boys, but had no report of their ability. Ha suggested, however, that he would have them looked up. Veeck stated then that if he found a nlaver whom he felt could make th: grade, he would bring him up without anv ranrare.

ne aiaiea that he had personally criticized Branch Rickey, for whom he held the highest respect, both as a man and as a baseball magnet, for the manner in. which he had handled Jackie Robinson. "I think he put too much pressure on Robinson through the manner in which Jackie'a elevation to organized baseball has been publicized. When I find a man. I realize the spot he'll be n.

and will try to ease up on this sort or pressure as much aa possible. I'll handle him just like another rookie." It waa then that Veeck admitted that when he found the man he would use. he would probably place him right in a Cleveland uniform. SCOUTS WRONG Local newspapermen knew that Veeck was definitely Interested In Doby about three weeks ago. The first scouting reports weren't too good, but Veeck remembered that his scouts hadn't turned 1a a satisfactory report on Jackie Robin son.

They said he couldn't hit, but Jackie, at this writing, is now sixth among National League hitters, and second In the number of hits msde. Only Baumholta of Cincinnati leads him In this department. When Bill Killifer, a highly respected judge of' baseball timber, turned in his report to Veeck, Louis Jones, a member of the Indians public relations staff, was dispatched to Newark to look further into the matter. It was at this time that newspapermen were taken into the confidence of certain Indian officials that such a deal was pending. KEPT IRVIN It has been learned that Veeck sought both Doby and "Muggs" Irvin.

but Effa Manley, co owner of the Newark Eagles, felt that the loss of both of these stars would wreck her team which la leading the National Negro League at the end of the first half Dlav. She agreed to aell Doby. and It is be been "Ci BEM5.AMH.iV AMtiL iJH irfMiBB I i I I I i i QUALITY ECONOMY STYLE FIT ARUM'S LEADING PANTS DESIGNER, GIVES YOU ALL FOUR AND MOREl PRICES NOW KIDUCXD FREE NUCHAS it OH A rUtCMAU. wi ship trurtvwui nrT Til THE PITTSBURGH COURIE SATURDAY, jttt karry Dloby Joins Jackie in aysv First 7)e Robinson Box Score BATTING AVERAGE .311 hall Fans Await Annual. reaim 14 Majors; Bas mlK 0 Against O.

AH. B. H. SO. W.

tB. SB. BB. Bbctoa St IS A 1 East West Game in Chicago on July 27 ball's annual blue ribbon event. the ckJ in xasi vs.

weax Aii siar game, has been set for Sunday afternoon. July 27. at Chicago's Comiskey 'ated Park, site of the classic since its Hewr inception in 1933. Already Interest im a fatafp ha AVr th ihnw. I down of baseball's top stars sndif heirs itheir another tam packea park is an tlcipated.

Thli vMr'a a ame will he the Ing an Last year ar YawCWc Amy Srrlm A lad ka team. pionsrtip saw the West triumph behind. can enri the gilt edged pitching of Chin; Mar. Rvtm and Dan Bankhead of thei Amr Memphis Red Sox and Johnny Wtl av a.IMu wr.ll 1 nnvr hmnv inPAin a ritmn r. t.a r.SM City Th.

ison. The 8 to 6 edg in victories. in more than 47.000 fansr Fan. wr liams of the Indianapolis Clowns, who allowed only four bits be tween them IIU IS for the fiHTt'. spen.il in.

j. UBLiuii vw. a. i v.ih tn the nersonnel of'Nation fur ir the two squads. The East teamisocial even! will be selected from players 01 the Negro National League's Wash ington Homesteaa orays, Eaeles.

New orn wuoans. rew York Black Yankees. Philadelphia Stsrs and Baltimore Elites. The six teams of the Negro American League Kansas City Monarchs. Indianapolis Clowns, Birmingham Black Barons.

Memphis Red Sox. Chicago American lieved that Irvin will Join the Indians later in the season. When Veeck asked how much would aell Doby's contract for. Mrs. Manley said that Veeck could nam his rice.

veecK saia ten thousand Mrs. Manley said that she felt that this was not enough for Doby, but would not stand in his way. She told Veeck that ah was surprised that Doby had not been sought before" by big lea rue baseball teams. ine saia she had been trvinjr to get the New York Yankees interestad for the past two years. It was later agreed bv Veeck and Mrs.

Manlev that if Dobv made the grade that he would pay her $500 more. WAS SINCERE Out of it all. we are glad that a lot of skeptics who doubted that Veeck was sincere when he made his promise, have to admit now that he is a man of his word and not just a smart businessman who sees a way to crab off a lot of publicity and makes the best of it. According to reliable" sources, the Cleveland Indians may sign a member of the Cleveland Buckeyes. Negro American League baseball leaders.

Tuesday. It is teported Ih.l 1 1 arlinn mirit Vw talf when Bill Veeck returns from Chi cago Tuesday. Veeck had public ly announced that he intended to: Krlnv onnf a yrn ntvr lin tn' nitv.iiv. 1 the Indians. It was originally felt that it would Monte Ir in.

former teammatof Doby. However, rumors persift that it will be a Cleveland Bockeye. Archie Ware, star first baseman, has been rated as the outstanding player on the Buckeyes. tr 4 4 Hi 1st Sry Dwb KMaJ Tkt lJkwf J.tlaJ Tl HnArdsif UK. IMm UHH4 Tks IJtaJ ORDER BY MAll one hpp4 CO 3.

hml Writ for Ftf CATMOi GENUINE In Colorful 3 Fll Protect dathiiic at st sl' de in i car with esse acd TourH Genumf brs. ionc ltrf rri botti rrt sad bi liant mai i jn HarmcniinjttOi stall in a vjsj grips. No r.i. SJ 3 type allv fV toot MoMV f.rVoIr SAWSlISk 325 N. Wells Chicago 13, IIS JSST'JLS Please rush Genuine Plaid Ur Sea: Cwd Um I Ot rw i far $5.00.

che. krd r'. I I PTJriMT. Dt 1 CtvV te. ST iVLlii a iiivir, oiios I (Indicate Style A or or and aci.ry1 IZJZZ I Send Postpaid.

Full payment Send C.O.D. for pi poataSeW iseiviouAL HATS I Name I Addreaa City Zone S.tc Laat Wtar tau caa put litt rir of 'j f' tf fetjrtrt et Cu uarMHM of atoelut sufartia! mail rovroN mi ran cai.u HAMS tMSC C8MMMY. Ott. rC 451S Carttas SVvn. CU 13.

IIHaMS to Frcsaal CO D. 10 4 2 City $tt I liyilllHniltMIIIIIIMIIilHtllHIl I I.