Thursday, August 24, 1950

              W  L  PCT GB
Tacoma ..... 80 48 .625 —
Yakima ..... 81 50 .618 ½
Tri-City ... 69 60 .535 11½
Wenatchee .. 69 61 .531 12
Victoria ... 58 73 .443 23½
Vancouver .. 53 73 .421 26
Salem ...... 54 75 .419 26½
Spokane .... 52 76 .406 28

TACOMA, Aug. 24—With the Western International league's winningest pitcher and swattingest outfielder, Tacoma is going to be a might hard to head off in the remaining two-plus weeks of the season. The combine of hurler Bob Kerrigan and slugger Dick Greco worked to perfection Thursday night as the Tigers knocked off Victoria twice 2-1 and 5-3, stretching their percentage point lead over Yakima to a half game.
Kerrigan gave the Athletics only five hits in the seven-inning opener to mark up his 22nd victory against six defeats.
MARRIED AT PLATE
Married in front of “Greco Gardens” before the first game, Greco, who leads the league in home runs, hits, total bases and runs batted in, celebrated by batting in the winning run in the first game and scoring the untying run in the nightcap. The new Mrs. Greco is the former Evelyn Moore of Victoria, who must have watched the proceedings with mixed feelings.
Ron Smith was once more a tough-luck loser in the opener, dropping his seventh decision by one run when Greco singled in the clincher in the last inning. It was his 32nd one-run defeat handed the A’s, four of them by the Tigers.
John Marshall lost his tenth game trying for his 15th triumph in the nine-inning finale. The big righthander can blame himself for the setback, walking three men who later scored and starting Tacoma’s winning eight-inning rally by passing the first two Tiger hitters.
The A’s scored single runs in the first and second innings with Lou Novikoff and Marshall driving in Bob McGuire and Bill Dunn. A walk, a double by Mike Catron and a triple by Sol Israel made it 2.2 in the third.
A’s TAKE LEAD
Jim Moore’s triple and an outfield fly by Dunn put the A’s ahead in the fourth and they held their margin until the eighth. After Marshall had opened by walking Ron Gifford and Greco, Junior Krug messed up Wimpy Quinn’s ground ball and the Tigers had the sacks loaded with no one out. Orrin Snyder plated one run with a single and Jose Bache drove in Greco and Quinn with another one-base shot.
The A’s just missed tying it up in the ninth when Krug and Novikoff failed to reach “Greco Gardens” with long pokes with two runners on the bags.
The setbacks mathematically eliminated Victoria from the pennant race and moved the Tigers a half-game ahead of the Yakima Bears.
First Game
Victoria ............. 010 000 0—1-5-1
Tacoma ............ 010 000 1—2-7 0
Smith and Ronning; Kerrigan and Sheets.
Second Game
Victoria .......... 110 100 000—3-7-1
Tacoma .......... 002 000 03x—5-6-1
Marshall and Danielson; Knezovich, Anderson (5), Carter (8) and Fischer.

YAKIMA, Aug. 24—The Yakima Bears slugged Wenatchee 9-1 Thursday night.
Yakima was virtually handed its tilt as the Chiefs making five infield miscues good for as many unearned runs. The victor's Dick Larner gave up only six hits and shortstop Pete Coscarart singled four times in five trips to pace the win. Yakima swept the three game series.
Yakima ............... 200 103 021—9-11-1
Wenatchee ......... 000 000 100—1- 6-5
Larner and Tiesiera; Ragni and Neal.

SPOKANE, Aug. 25 (Herald)—The Tri-City Braves were pretty much in the same position as an empty guest house today. There was hardly a pitcher left to go. Last night the Braves sent four hurlers to the mound to stop the thunder of the Spokane bats. The night before they had used three in losing, and last night, it was the same song, second chorus to the tune of 15.
Ward Rockey went all the way for the Indians. It was Cy Greenlaw on the hill for the Braves when the game opened, Dick Stone came on in the fourth, and was followed by Jim Olsen in the sixth. Ken Michelson came on in the seventh to finish out the game. Stone was charged with the loss, his sixth of the year against nine victories.
The losers had their best inning in the third when they counted four times 10 move out in front, the only time they led in the game. A three-run error by Leon Mohr, Spokane second baseman. after two were out started the Braves scoring spree. Mohr bobbled an infield roller hit by Clint Cameron. Neil Bryant then hit a sharp single through Mohr to score Cameron. But Spokane retaliated by pulling the same stunt of scoring four runs in the bottom of the third after two were out.
Ken Michelson gave up a pair of triples when he took over the hill job in the seventh. But the young right hander settled down after that and silenced the Indians.
The Braves open a four-game stand against Wenatchee tonight. The series could easily decide which team is going to
wind up in third place in the 1950 race.
Tri-City .......... 004 201 001— 8-10-1
Spokane .......... 104 304 30x—15-18-4
Greenlaw, Stone (3), Olsen (6), Michelson (7) and Pesut; Rockey and Weatherwax.

VANCOUVER, Aug. 24—Salem nipped Vancouver twice by 3-2 scores on Thursday.
Salem got its twin win the hard way, bunching three of its four hits off Bud Beasley in the third inning of the opener for two runs and combining five of its nine blows in the nightcap's sixth frame for three tallies. Two walks and and an error gave the Oregon runs their other run in the opener. John Tierney was credited with the nightcap triumph his first victory in nearly two months.
First Game
Vancouver ........... 100 100 0—2-10-1
Salem ................. 102 000 x—3-4-1
Beasley and Heisner; Costello and Beard.
Second Game
Vancouver ...... 000 002 000—2-8-0
Salem ............ 000 003 00x—3-9-0
Nicholas and Heisner, Brenner (3); Tierney, Osborn (8) and Martin.

INSIDE STUFF
Ty Cobb, Reno State Journal Sports Editor [from Aug. 25/50]
YAKIMA has been sending S.O.S. signs for Reno's star southpaw pitcher. Pat Monahan. He has been with the Silver Sox on option from the Western International League (Class B) team, and had a 12-7 record with Reno at this writing. Yakima, only a game out of first place in the WIL, lost its only southpaw [Ted Savarese] when the S. F. Seals decided to recall a lefty optionee. Reno doesn't want to part with Irish Patrick, naturally, and the contract does not stipulate any immediate recall term. On the other hand, Yakima and the Seals seem a fine source of future talent for the local independent club and it would behoove the Renos to stay on good terms with them. A recall means a little chunk of dough to the local club, too.
Two other Silver Sox players are optionees from other clubs, but will not be recalled before the season's end. One is Marv Diercks, tall outfielder with a magnificent throwing arm and a .300 batting average. He belongs to Salem of the Western International League, which is connected with Portland of the PCL.
First baseman Ed Whitney is owned by Bakersfield of the California League, of the Cleveland Indians' system. The latter have quite a bit of faith in Whitney's future and felt that he'd start rolling if he played steadily where he could develop.
Bud Beasley had a heart-breaker last night in what is probably his season's last start for Vancouver in the WIL, since he has to return to Reno High teaching chores in a few days. Threw a seven-inning four-hitter at Salem, but lost 3-2, although his teammates picked up 10 blows.

ON THE INSIDE
By DON BECKER, Herald News Editor [from Aug. 25/50]
The Tri-City Braves already have their eyes on a catcher for the 1968 baseball teams. It's the young son born to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Pesut yesterday. The Braves big catcher had been eagerly anticipating this event and particularly so the past few days. In fact he practically wore a path between where ever he was sitting and the nearest telephone booth. It's their first child.
Greco Gardens in Tacoma was the scene of a wedding last night. On the bridegrooms side was the slugging outfielder of the Tacoma Tigers for which the Garden was named. His bride was Miss Evelyn Moore, Victoria, B. C. and a sister of Jim Moore, infielder of the Athletics. Judge Hugh Rosellini of the Pierce County Superior Court, performed the ceremony. Local fans and merchants solved the newlyweds' furnishing problem. They supplied the couple with a complete houseful of furniture and appliances.
HERE'S A NIFTY
Mentioning better than average quotes brings to mind one we were told the other day. It happened when Edo Vanni, now with Spokane, was still playing ball for Victoria. If you've seen Vanni in action you'll recall that he can come up with quite a beef when he thinks he ump has called a bad one on him.
Well that was the situation this night out at Sanders Field. Vanni was jawing away and suddenly this fan cut loose. “That's right Vanni, you tell him. They can't do that to you. Tell him off Edo, don't let him get away with that. Besides the cherry crop is coming in pretty soon.”

Friday, June 23, 1950

Tacoma 35 25 .583
Yakima 36 27 .571
Wenatchee 34 29 .540
Tri-City 35 30 .538
Salem 28 32 .467
Victoria 29 35 .453
Spokane 28 37 .431
Vancouver 25 35 .417

SPOKANE, June 23 — Tri-City's Gene Roenspie won his sixth straight victory of the season Friday night with a 5 to 1 win over Spokane before 1801 Western International league fans.
The unbeaten Roenspie fanned five Indians and walked six.
It was the first appearance of the season for the Braves at Ferris field and they scored early and often to make a winning night of it.
Vic Buccola walked, stole second and scored the first Tri-City run in the opening frame on Buddy Peterson's single.
The Braves clinched the game with four runs after two were out in the third. Al Spaeter, Jim Warner and Peterson hit successive singles and Neil Bryant was safe on an error. With two runs across and two on base, Jim McKeehan hit a long double to bring home another pair.
Carroll Yerkes was charged with the defeat for Spokane, his second against two victories.
Tri-City ...... 104 000 000—5 12 2
Spokane ..... 001 000 000— 1 5 1
Roenspie and McKeegan, Pesut (5); Yerkes and Rossi.

WENATCHEE, June 23 — Southpaw Tommy Breisinger outdueled Big John Marshall as the Wenatchee Chiefs defeated the Victoria Athletics 2 to 0 here Friday night.
The A’s outhit the Chiefs, 8-6, but saw threats cut off in the second, seventh, eighth and ninth.
Don Alfano struck out an Al Ronning popped out with two runners aboard in the second, Alfano hit into a double play with Joe Kronberg on second in the seventh, and Gene Thompson, who had previously picked up two hits, grounded out with runners at first and third in the eighth. With two out in the ninth, Alfano and Ronning drew walks and Warren Noyes delivered a pinch-single to load the bases but Marty Krug, Jr., line to Walt Pocekay in left fiel to end the game.
Marshall suffered his second league defeat against nine wins. Seven walks during the game proved his downfall.
The Chiefs scored the only run they needed in the second inning on three walks around a single by Breisinger. They added an insurance run in the fifth on successive singles by Larry Neal, Pocekay and Don Fracchia.
Breisinger chalked up his fourth shutout and sixth victory against eight defeats.
Victoria ......... 000 000 000— 0 8 0
Wenatchee .... 010 010 00x— 2 6 1
Marshall and Ronning; Breisinger and Spurgeon.

Vancouver at Tacoma, postponed, rain.
Yakima at Salem, postponed, wet grounds.

Outfielder Hack Sold to Victoria
TWIN FALLS, Ida., June 23—John Hack, veteran outfielder for the Twin Falls Cowboys of the Pioneer league, was sold outright Friday to the Victoria Athletics of the Class B Western International league, business manager Jack Radtke reported.
Hack played for Victoria last season. He was purchased by the Cowboys this season from Binghamton, N.Y., of the Class A Eastern League.
Hack was a member of the 1948 Cowboy team. He was batting .376 for this season when he left the club Friday.
He was replaced in the Twin Falls lineup Friday night by Jimmy Groh, rookie from Los Angeles. Groh was the captain and leading hitter on the U.C.L.A. baseball team this season.

Chorlton Recalled By Seattle;
A’s Announce Acquisition of Young Hill Prospect
VICTORIA, [Colonist, June 24, 1950]—Second cheery note was the announcement that K. Chorlton will likely rejoin the A’s next Thursday. That was the word yesterday from Earl Sheely, general manager of the Seattle Rainiers. Chorlton so far has failed to break in to the Seattle line-up and is being kept only as insurance that injuries may cut the Rainiers’ outfield corps to less than the minimum three.
Third item from [Victoria business manager Reg] Patterson was word that the A’s have acquired the service of John Brkich (Brick-itch), promising young Kamloops southpaw. Brkich pitched against the A’s in Spring training games with Kamloops and gave every evidence of being a real prospect. A big youngster, he has good style. Best of all, he throws hard. He will probably remain with the A’s for the balance of the season.
Also of noteworthy nature was the report that Edo Vanni, former Victoria outfielder,had agreed to terms with Spokane. Vanni will likely be in the line-up next Thursday when the Indians arrive here for a four-game series.
WILfan note: the first “cheery note” was the Hack story mentioned above.

Lefty Bud Beasley Joins Capilano Pitching Staff
[Daily Province, June 24, 1950]
Vancouver Capilano’s somewhat shaky pitching staff received some real, solid reinforcement today.
General Manager Bob Brown announced the acquisition of left-hander Bud Beasley, a Pacific Coast League veteran with all sorts of experience and color.
Beasley who is the property of the Seattle Rainiers did not play last year, He lives at Reno where he teaches school. In 1949 he forsook baseball for summer school. Before that he pitches for Seattle and Sacramento. He will join the club immediately.Brown was very enthusiastic about the new Cap, who he feels will supply just what is needed to lead the team from its lonely position in the WIL cellar to loftier places.

Ferrarese Nearing WIL Mark for Free Passes
WENATCHEE, June 23—Don Ferrarese, 20-year-old Wenatchee southpaw, is nearing the Western International League record for bases on balls.
Ferrarese, who has won eight and lost five games so far this season, has issued 110 bases on balls in 102 innings pitched since the start of the season.
Claude Williams, another Wenatchee portsider, holds the WIL walks-per-season with 186,, established in 1941.
Ferrarese issued 184 free passes while pitching with the pennant-winning Albuquerque Dukes in the West Texas-New Mexico circuit last season.

Tuesday, June 13, 1950

STANDINGS
               W  L  PCT GB
Tacoma ...... 33 18 .647 —
Wenatchee ... 30 24 .556 4½
Yakima ...... 28 25 .528 6
Salem ....... 26 27 .491 8
Tri-City .... 27 29 .482 8½
Spokane ..... 26 29 .473 9
Vancouver ... 22 30 .423 11½
Victoria .... 23 33 .411 12½

TACOMA, June 13—Jim Westlake cracked three singles, scored twice and batted in two runs Tuesday night as the Yakima Bears trounced the league-leading Tacoma Tigers, 7-2, in their baseball series opener.
The Tigers were held scoreless by Bill Bradford until the eighth. Then Dick Greco, who'd fanned three times in a row, laced a triple off the centre field fence 435 distant. He came home on Dick Wenner's double.
Mel Knezovich gave up Yakima's first run in the third when he walked four men in a row. Singles by Reno Cheso, Westlake and Bill McCawley, plus a walk, brought Yakima two more in the fifth. Pete Coscarart walked, stole and counted on Westlake's sixth-inning single.
Al Jacinto walked, stole second and third and came in on Coscarart's one-baser in the eighth. In the ninth, singles by Westlake. Lou Novikoff and McCawley brought last two Yakima tallies.
Each team got nine hits, but Bradford kept Taeoma's well-spaced. Yakima got nine singles.
Yakima ....... 001 021 012—7-9-0
Tacoma ...... 000 000 020—2-9-3
Bradford and Tornay; Knezovich, Hufford (7), Loust (8) and Sheets.

KENNEWICK, June 14 [Don Becker, Herald] —The Tri-City Braves sharpened up their Wenatchee-rusted tomahawks last night to bounce back into fifth place in the Western International league race. It was the scalp of another band of warriors, the Spokane Indians, that felt the 8-4 heavy parade of the win-hungry Braves. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak, with 1370 fans on hand to ladle out the applause-sauce.
Charlie Petersen, Brave pilot will send big Mike Budnick (0-5) to the hill tonight at 7:30 to see if the once again hard-hitting Braves can break the spell and get the tall right-hander a victory. In his five losses since Budnick joined the Braves, his teammates have only been able to amass a total of five tuns.
Seeking to level the count for Spokane will be John Conant (8-5). Conant is one of the aces of the Indians staff and has a 'quick' ball that breaks off sharply.
Nick Pesut, burly Brave catcher came within an ace of joining the exclusive grand-slam club last night when he smashed a line drive over the right field fence with two aboard. Clint Cameron and Jim Warner are the only members of this fraternity this season. Cameron has a pair while Warner has one.
TERRIFIC BLOW
Pesut's gigantic blow that traveled an estimated 375 feet climaxed a roaring first inning that sent the Braves out in front from which pole position they were never headed. Losing hurler Vern Kohout got into trouble right away. Al Spaeter and Vic Buccola opened the order of business by lashing out singles. Warner and Cameron walked with Spaeter trotting in on the second free pass. Shortstop Buddy Peterson skied deep to right and Buccola came across. That set the stage for Pesut and he took over like a Broadway trouper.
There were plenty of extra base knocks in the series opener. Frank Matoh dropped one over the left field wall in the fifth for Spokane but the bags were idle at the time. It was his fourth homer of the year. The Indian outfielder also belted a double in the third and found Lee Mohr, third sacker aboard. Mohr got on base also with a pinch double.
Dick Faber, Peterson, and Neil Bryant each collected doubles for the winning Braves. Faber's came in the opening frame. Petersen got his in the fourth and Bryant teed off on one of Bob Roberts pitches in the sixth.
VICTORY NUMBER FOUR
Gene Roenspie proved he's the winningest pitcher on the Braves staff when he relieved Cy Greenlaw in the first after Greenlaw had faced but two men, walking them both. Greenlaw, who has been resting a sore arm, felt his left shoulder go dead soon after he started the game.
It was Roenspie's fourth straight victory against no losses. Tha young right hander did a yeoman job when he took over with two men on and none out by retiring the next three, with only one ball leaving the infield.
Spokane ....... 003 010 000—4- 6-1
Tri-City ........ 600 101 00x—8-10 2
Kohout, Roberts (1) and Rossi; Greenlaw, Roenspie (1) and Pesut.

VICTORIA, June 13—Wenatchee Chiefs made it six in a row and two straight over the Victoria Athletics Tuesday night, winning a wild game in the 10th inning 12 to 10.
In a game scintillating with fine fielding plays and hard hitting, the deciding hit was a soft single past third baseman Joe Kronberg.
With runners on second and third, two out and two strikes against him, Don Fracchia slapped a soft roller past third base. Victoria's shortstop Bill Dunn snared the ball and whipped it to first, only to have Fracchia and first baseman Jim Wert crash together. The ball slithered away and both runners scored.
The high-scoring contest saw each team use three pitchers.
Wenatchee was outhit 13-16 but two of the Chiefs' blows were home runs by Larry Neal and Gerry Ballard.
The collision and ensuring runs tumbled the Canadians back into the Western International league cellar last night and put Wenatchee only 4½ games behind pace-setting Tacoma.
Wenatchee ....... 003 221 020 2—12-13-2
Victoria ............ 033 011 020 0—10-16-1
Blankenship, Sciarra (6), Dahle (8) and Len Neal; Hedgecock, Jensen (5), Marshall (10) and Ronning.

VANCOUVER, B.C., June 13—Sandy Robertson of the Vancouver Capilanos held Salem to six hits and hurled his fourth straight victory Tuesday night while mates pounded out 16 hits off three pitchers to wallop the Senators 7-2 in a game before some 1,500 fans.
Vancouver was never behind after taking a two run edge in the first inning. Wayne Peterson homered for the losers.
The same teams play here Wednesday night.
Salem ........... 010 001 000—2- 6-3
Vancouver .... 220 000 30x—7-16-4
Burak, Lew (2), Valentine (8) and Beard; Robertson and Brenner.

Edo Vanni Suspended Indefinitely
[Victoria Colonist, June 14, 1950]
Outfielder Edo Vanni was suspended indefinitely yesterday by the Western International League for what President Bob Abel termed “conduct detrimental to baseball.” Vanni’s suspension will be for a minimum of 30 days. The $100 fine levied by Manager Marty Krug still stands.
Vanni has the privilege of appealing the sentence to the W.I.L. Board of Directors or to George Trautman, head of the National Association of Minor Professional Baseball Leagues.
To the date, the Athletics have not announced what they will eventually do about Vanni’s contract. Best guess is that he will be released outright at the end of his suspension.

Kerrigan Still Top WIL Hurler
TACOMA, June 14—Even though Salem and John Tierney plastered him with his first defeat of the season Tacoma's Bob Kerrigan remained the Western International league's leading pitcher, last two Yakima tallies. league headquarters announced Tuesday.
When Kerrigan's perfect record marred, however, leaving him with a 10-1 season's performance, congestion increased at the top level.
John Marshall, Victoria righthander, rose to 7-1 by adding a pair of victories during the week while Tierney notched Nos. 10 and 11 against two setbacks to stay in strong contention for the W-I pitching leadership.
Oddly enough, two of the top bracket hurlers are now responsible for the setbacks suffered by two of the other upper crust pitchers—Kerrigan even batted home the winning run when Tacoma downed Marshall earlier in the season, then saw his own string of 10 in a row snapped by Tierney.
Thus far, Tierney and Marshall haven't been paired against one another.
Lloyd Dickey, Yakima southpaw, retained his strikeout lead with 84, but Don Ferrarese and Tom Breisinger of Wenatchee were close benind with 82 and 78 respectively. Ferrarese was also the owner of the rather dubious distinction of
having issued the largest number of walks, 84. Kerrigan was nothing short of parsimonious in the same department having given free transportation only 28 times in 101 1/3 innings.
Leaders among the winners of four or more games through Monday. June 12:
                     W L SO  Pct.
Kerrigan, Tac. .... 10 1 35 .909
Marshall, Vic. ..... 7 1 55 .875
Tierney, Sal ...... 11 2 47 .846
Knezovich, Tac. .... 5 2 27 .714
Ragni, Wen. ........ 7 3 65 .700
Loust, Tac. ........ 7 3 21 .700
Ferrarese, Wen. .... 7 4 82 .688
Stone, Tac. ........ 6 3 26 .667
Greenlaw, Tac. ..... 4 2 20 .667
Hedgecock, Vic. .... 5 3 30 .625
Larner, Yak. ....... 6 4 47 .600
Rockey, Spok. ...... 6 4 43 .600

ON THE INSIDE
By DON BECKER, Herald Sports Editor
[from column of June 14/50]

Lots of muttering going on in the byways of the Willy league these days. Up in Wenatchee they say a group of fans are already sharpening their axe for player-manager Tommy Thompson's scalp. Although the ex-major leaguer has brought the Chiefs up to second in the current standings this group doesn't like the antics of Thompson during a game.
His continued beefs with the umpires they say, is hurting the reputation of the club, but more than that, his example is breeding more of the same among some of the players This critical group says that Thompson's many arguments has changed two former even tempered players into thin edged ones. Well, if they try to unseat Tommy they're going to need a sharp axe. He's doing a terrific job in keeping his club tight in the race.
Another story, and no rumor this one, comes from Vancouver, B.C. Sportswrlters up there are saying that the Tri-City Braves are dead ducks at the gate here. That's no secret of course. But they add that the final result will be the folding of the club because of lack of patronage. It was this situation plus a similar one over at Salem that got the story of the two teams moving to Canada started. But as you know there was no foundation for the story then. . .and there isn't today. It's the dead duck.

Friday, June 9, 1950

W L PCT GB
Tacoma ..... 32 16 .667 —
Yakima ..... 26 23 .531 6½
Salem ...... 25 24 .510 7½
Wenatchee .. 25 24 .510 7½
Tri-City ... 26 26 .500 8
Spokane .... 24 28 .468 10
Vancouver .. 20 28 .418 12
Victoria ... 21 30 .412 12½

WENATCHEE, June 9—The Wenatchee Chiefs captured the Tri-City Braves 7 to 1 here Friday night behind the five-hit pitching of Tommy Breisinger.
The little lefthander didn't allow more than one hit in any inning as the Chiefs handed Mike Budnick his fourth straight defeat.
Leftfielder Walt Pocekay led the Chiefs attack with two for three including a double, drove in two runs and scored three times.
Wenatchee scored five runs off Budnick on six hits in the first three innings. The big righthander then blanked the Chiefs until one away in the seventh when he suddenly left the game because of back trouble.
Tri-City manager Charley Peterson said Rudnick pulled his sacroilliac out of place.
Buddy Peterson had a pair of hits and singled in Al Spaeter in the third inning for the only Tri-City run.
Tri-City ........... 001 000 000—1 5 1
Wenatchee ...... 302 000 20x—7 9 1
Budnick, Roenspie (8) and McKeegan; Breisinger and Len Neal.

YAKIMA, June 9—Victoria Athletics took another step nearer to vacating the Western International League cellar when they shellacked the second-place Yakima Bears 11-6 at Yakima last night.
Jim Hedgecock posted his fifth Victoria against three defeats for the A’s but needed help from Aldon Wilkie when he lost his control in the sixth. Wilkie just lobbed the ball at the Yakima hurlers but held them scoreless over the last three innings.
Hedgecock and Wilkie gave up 11 walks between them but the A’s made better use of 13 passes issued by Yakima hurlers Lloyd Dickey and Domenichelli. Four Yakima errors also figured heavily in the scoring.
Victoria went ahead in the first when Gene Thompson singled home Jimmy Moore, who had also singled and advanced to second on an infield out. Jim Westlake doubled home two Yakima runs in the bottom half of the inning.
DICKEY WILD
Dickey’s wildness put the A’s in front to stay in the third. Junior Krug, playing right field in place of Edo Vanni, and Jim Wert drew walks and advanced on an infield out. Krug scored the tying run on a wild pitch and Wert also came in as Dickey let Will Tiesiera’s rally get away from him on an attempt to get Krug at the plate.
The A’s added three more runs in the fourth on singles by Billy Dunn and Jimmy Moore, a walk and two infield plays. Two errors to Pete Coscarart, a walk and an fielder’s choice gave the A’s another in the fifth to make it 7-2.
Triples by Al Ronning and Krug highlighted a big eighth inning as the A’s insured the victory with a four-run rally.
Every member of the A’s except the pitchers garnered at least one hit with Dunn, Moore and K. Chorlton picking up two each. The infield sparked and cut off three Yakima rallies with as many double plays.
Victoria .... 102 310 040—11 10 1
Yakima ..... 200 301 000—6 9 4
Hedgecock, Wilkie (6) and Ronning; Dickey, Domenichelli (7) and Tiesiera.

SPOKANE, June 9—The Spokane Indians used 13 bases on balls in the first five innings Friday night to beat Vancouver 5 to 2 after dropping the first of game of the Western International League double-header 6 to 5.
Set a rookie to catch a rookie was the strategy Friday night. The only trouble was it couldn't be carried further.
The first game of the Western International League doubleheader saw rookie righthander Kevin King alow the Indians four runs in the first inning on four hits and a base on balls.
But he settled down while his teammates pecked away at the lead and finally score in the sixth at 5-5 on Bob McLean's 376-foot, two-run homer.
Caps won the game in the seventh after Jim Robinson and Reg Clarkson singled to put runners on first and third. Then Len Tran socked a short single to right field to bring in Robinson with the tie-breaking run.
For young Ward Rockey, the ex-Washington State College mound star, it was the first loss in seven starts.
In the night tilt, Paul Spurlock walked five men in the second inning when the Tribe scored twice. He walked three more in the fifth after Frank Matoh doubled.
A single by Chuck Davis produced the second Spokane run of the inning. Bob Costello relieved him with the bases loaded and none out and was able to put out the fire with only one more run scoring.
Ray Tran and Jim Robinson batted in runs for the Caps.
The Indians left 12 runners stranded.
First Game
Vancouver ...... 010 022 1— 6 11 0
Spokane ......... 400 300 0— 5 9 0
King and Heisinger; Rockey and Rossi.
Second Game
Vancouver ....... 000 010 010—2 7 1
Spokane .......... 020 030 00x—5 6 0
Spurlock, Costello (5), Gunnarson (6) and Brenner; Bishop and Rossi.

Tacoma at Salem, postponed, rain.

Marshall Stays With A’s, Should Pitch Tomorrow
[Victoria Colonist, June 10, 1950]
Victoria baseball fans can breathe easier today. John Marshall, Victoria Athletics’ leading pitcher, has decided not to voluntarily join Edo Vanni in exile and is with the club in Yakima. He is scheduled to pitch one of tomorrow’s games.
Marshall threatened to quit the club when Vanni was fined and suspended Thursday night in a stormy clubhouse session. Manager Marty Krug asked him to think it over and Marshall decided to accompany the club to Yakima after a talk with his manager yesterday morning. However, it appears as if Vanni will not be back.
SENT BACK HOME
Reached in Yakima by phone yesterday afternoon, Manager Krug stated that Vanni had been sent back to his Seattle home and that he had forwarded a copy of Thursday’s events to Bob Abel, W.I.L. president, and Johnny Johnson, president of the Victoria club. Vanni showed up at the bus depot yesterday morning as the team was leaving Salem but was told by Krug that he was not accompanying the team and that his suspension would stick. After some discussion, Vanni was permitted to stay on the bus as far as Portland, where he was given transportation to Seattle.
Krug also gave a clear picture of the events which led up to Vanni’s suspension. Vanni was called out on what Krug termed three perfect strikes and immediately started an argument with Umpire Micky Hanick [sic]. He was supported by Marshall and both players refused to leave the field when ordered to do so by Hanick.
THREATENED TO QUIT
In the clubhouse between games, Vanni, who has been repeatedly warned by his manager about umpire arguments, did not take kindly to Krug’s reaction. The outfielder peeled off his uniform and threatened to quit the club. Krug countered by slapping him with a $100 fine and suspension and asked for any other players who questioned his authority to speak up. Marshall said he “wanted to protect the players” and would quit if Vanni did. He was given until yesterday to reconsider.

It Beats Me
By Jim Tang [Colonist, June 10, 1950]
Thursday night’s blow-up at Salem was as inevitable as tomorrow morning’s deadline. It was only a matter of time before Manager Marty Krug would have to tramp—and tramp hard—on Edo Vanni if he wished to remain in control of his ball club. Krug went along further than most managers would bill. When he did clamp down, he did it with a firmness and finality which must has been a bit of a revelation to one or two would-be malcontents on the ball team.
A lot of fans, more particularly those who claim to have found fault with Krug’s managerial tactics, will undoubtedly side with the suspended outfielder. So will a number of others who mistakenly thought what they were seeing was color and hustle. But Vanni’s case is indeed a weak one and if Krug can be blamed for what has happened, he can be blamed only because he did not crack down sooner.
Vanni is admittedly one of the best lead-off men and base-runners in the W.I.L. Obtaining a replacement who can match him statistically may be quite a task yet the Victoria Athletics will be a better ball club without the Vanni they knew. The little outfielder had the ability, yet it must have been evident that wasn't giving out although he was always careful at home to maintain that appearance of hustle.
It is a pity, too. A Vanni playing the baseball he can play with the club's welfare as his motivation co have been a tremendous help. It was with this hope that the A’s went to considerable expense to sign him although well aware of his past reputation as a stormy petrel.
Now, Vanni is like a poker player who had the wrong hunch, shoved in his stack to back a bluff and had his hand called. He has no more chips and nothing to say about when he can get back in the game.
Whether or not he will get back this season remains to be seen. It is extremely doubtful that Vanni, convincing as he can be, could persuade Business-Manager Reg Patterson or Krug to permit him to return to the club. There is no chance that he will be released and it won't be easy to sell or trade him. To top it off, he faces almost certain disciplinary action from the W.I.L. It begins to appear as if the percentage has finally caught up with him. If he wishes to remain in baseball, he will have to become part of the game.
Random Harvest
Edo Vanni was one of two players who were taken aside about three weeks ago for a private talk with Reg Patterson and Senior Krug after umpire trouble on the road. The get-together seems to have benefited the other player, but Vanni found it impossible to leave the men in blue alone . . . Frank Logue is away to a great start with Muskegon in the Class “A” Central League. The former A won his first seven decisions, his seventh victory being his club’s13th . . . Manager Marty Krug confirmed yesterday that Bill Dunn will get a chance at third when Don Alfano, new shortstop, reports to the A’s . . . Now that they have added Pete Cosoarart and Lou Novikoff, Yakima Bears take on new importance in the W.I.L., and must be rated an excellent pennant chance.

ERIC WHITEHEAD'S Fan Fare
[Vancouver Province, June 10, 1950]

Two and two, apparently, don’t always make four.
Last season, our Vancouver Capilanos had themselves a ball club that breezed along in fair style from May on, and then chased Yakima, a strictly “loaded” club, right to the wire in an interesting pennant chase.
This season, we have practically the same ball club—at least the same starting lineup. And we’re going nowhere so fast that we’re neck and neck with that fleet-foot Rigor Mortis. Along with Victoria’s Athletics, we’re practically the St. Louis Browns of the Western International League.
• • •
What gives? Why is [the] combination a winning club one year, a door-mat the next? When we were staggering feebly during the opening weeks of the season the scream went for the return of Dick Sinovic and Len Tran.
Outfielder Ev Pearson was cut adrift, we got Sinovic and Tran. That was the signal for the resurrection, the old “Watch us go from here” sign.
So here we are about a month later, still about as far as we can go.
Count the missing plugs from last year’s fast-stepping machine: Jim Hedgecock and Vern Kindsfather, pitchers; Bud Sheely, catcher; Kay Chorlton, outfielder.
Hedgecock, who is doing Victoria little good, is not at all conspicuous by his absence. Kindsfather, a whiz of a thrower now making good at Seattle, was still on his won-lost average, only mildly responsible for the Caps’ good year in ’49, and his ’50 replacement, Reg Clarkson, was figured far and away a better all-round bargain.
• • •
So, on paper, the Brownies should right now be high in the first division instead of playing tic-tac-tee with that other [word unreadable] of Canadian plumbers, the Victoria Athletics.
The old combination just isn’t opening the safe this year. If it doesn’t start clicking pretty soon, the Old Redhead [unreadable] to start looking for a new set of numbers.
You can bet your bleacher seat that Ruby Robert would be a disconsolate gentleman indeed if the first tenants in his brand-new ball park, now a-building (almost) were of the miserable, second-division (lower section) stamp.
• • •
And besides, rickety, draughty, ugly but historic old Cap Stadium deserves one final burst of glory—or reasonable approach to same.
Down in Seattle, columnist Royal Brougham came up with a bright idea about a month ago when the Rainiers were heading home after the most miserable losing streak in the club’s history. Said Royal:
“When the boys trot out onto the diamond tomorrow, [don’t greet them with jeers] and catcalls. Why not surprise ‘em? Why not cut loose with a big, long cheer to give them a little heart and let ‘em know we’re with ‘em win or lose . . .”
• • •
When the team trotted out for that game, they got the shock of their harassed lives when they were met with cheers instead of the jeers they expected. They won that ball game to make their record seven won and 25 lost.
The Rainiers have never looked back. Since then they’ve played a pennant-winning brand of baseball to win 24 and lose 14 and make their current record 31 won and 39 lost.
It could even happen here. When Brenner and his gang trot out to take the field against Salem out at the old park Monday—how about a real old-fashioned cheer that’ll make their eyes pop? It might be just the old “allagazooie” our lads need. They might even add a little of their own to cook up a little man’s black magic and win us a pennant even yet.
It’s worth a try. See you at the ball park.

Thursday, June 8, 1950

               W  L Pct. GB
Tacoma ...... 32 16 .667 —
Yakima ...... 26 22 .542 6
Tri City .... 26 25 .510 7½
Salem ....... 25 24 .510 7½
Wenatchee ... 24 24 .500 8
Spokane ..... 23 27 .480 10
Vancouver ... 19 27 .413 13
Victoria .... 20 30 .400 14

KENNEWICK, June 8 [Don Becker, Herald]—Two timely extra base hits, a four-run homer in the first game and a two-run double in the second gave the Tri-City Braves a doubleheader victory over Vancouver Thursday night 8 to 5 and 6 to 5.
The only thing cool at Sanders Field was the weather. The 1,349 fans of the Tri-City Braves broke into a lather that was hotter than a censored novel during the nightcap that wound up when Brave pilot, Charlie Petersen, got the heave-ho and a probable fine from league president, Robert Abel.
After Gene Roenspie hung up his third victory in the seven-inning opener with an 8-5 decision, the waiting storm broke loose like a torrent around Umpire Perkin's ears in the seventh inning of the nightcap. But the Braves clinched their fifth victory in six starts in the ninth, when shortstop Buddy Peterson lined a double to right center field wall with Vic Buccola and Clint Cameron waiting as willing passengers.
The count was knotted 1-1 in the top of the seventh when the waiting flood broke loose. With two out Capilano second baseman, Len Tran, reached first safely on an error. Charlie Mead's single moved Tran to second and then Buddy Peterson booted Dick Sinovic's lazy liner. Tran seeing the ball drop into the outfield started coasting around third for home.
WARNER FIVES FAST
However, Jim Warner coming in fast fired the ball to Al Spaeter at second in time to tag Sinovic, who had over-run the base. When Umpire Perkins signalled that Tran had scored before the putout at second, Peterson erupted from the dugout and stood nose-to-nose with Perkins in a fireworks display.
The first bottle of the season made its appearance on the playing field at this point when a "stubby" dropped near home plate. Another rocked onto the diamond a short time later.
With the Brave fans shouting hoarse encouragement, Petersen and Perkins kept up their chinning until Perkins waved the Brave pilot to the dugout. Petersen then became one of the few managers to be ejected from the g a m e twice as soon as he made his appearance in the coaches box at third base, Perkins halted play and again waved Petersen off the field. This time the umpire waited until Petersen had retired to the dressing room before play resumed.
POLICE ARE CALLED
The Brave rooting section broke out into one of the wildest displays of booing and cat-calling ever seen at Sanders Field. So riled did they appear to be that preparations were made to bring extra police to the scene.
The Braves went ahead again in the bottom of the seventh on three runs and Vancouver pushed ahead in the top of the ninth to make the score 5-4. That's where it stood when Buddy Peterson unloaded with his double to the fence. The victory was the seventh for Lou McCollum, who relieved starter Cy Greenlaw in the ninth.
Jungle Jim Warner was the hero of the opener when his grand slam circuit clout iced the game in the fourth. It was Warner's first grand slammer of the season.
First Game
Vancouver ...... 120 200 0—5-10-1
Tri City .......... 101 600 x—8-10-0
Snyder and Brenner; Olsen, Roenspie (4) and Pesut.
Second Game
Vancouver ...... 100 000 103—5- 9-2
Tri-City .......... 000 100 302—6-12-5
Nicholas, Anderson (7) and Heisner, Brenner (9); Greenlaw, McCollum (9) and Pesut.

TACOMA, June 8 — Joe Blankenship pitched Wenatchee to a five-hit win over Tacoma 7-1 here Thursday night for an even break of their two-game Western International League series.
Wenatchee ...... 400 000 120—7-9-0
Tacoma .......... 000 000 010—1-5-1
Blankenship and Len Neal; Loust, Carter (1), Hufford (9) and Sheets.

YAKIMA, June 8 — Yakima swept a Western International League doubleheader from the Spokane Indians Thursday night, 5-1 and 4-1. Lou Novikoff made his debut with a home run in the first game.
First Game
Spokane .... 000 001 000—1- 4-3
Yakima ...... 100 002 10x—4-10-2
Kohout and Rossi; Powell and Tornay.
Second Game
Spokane ....... 000 001 000—1 4 3
Yakima ......... 100 002 10x—4 10 2
Conant and Courage, Rossi (7); Bradford and Tiesiera.

SALEM, [Victoria Colonist, June 9]—It turned out to be quite a struggle but Victoria Athletics managed to gain an even split last night at Salem in the second successive doubleheader with the Senators. Both games were decided by a single tally, the A’s losing the first, 2-1, and then staggering to a 9-8 decision in the nine-inning finale.
The A’s now move over to Yakima, where they meet the suddenly warmed-up Bears in a four-game series, starting tonight with a single game. Jim Hedgecock is the likely starting pitcher.
ERROR DECIDES IT
Joe Mishasek was the tough-luck loser in the opener, pitching his best game of the season only to lose it because of an unearned run and because he ran into long John Tierney at his best. Tierney held the A’s to two singles, by Junior Krug and Gene Thompson, to record his eighth win in ten decisions.
The first Salem run came as a result of an error by Joe Kronberg. The second came on Orrin Snyder’s second double and a single by Bob Cherry. Two bases on balls follow by Thomson’s hit gave the losers their lone tally. The loss was Mishasek’s fifth. He has won two.
VANNI GETS GATE
Edo Vanni was tossed out of the game in the third inning, Krug replacing him in the outfield for the balance of the evening.
Warren Noyes started for the A’s in the last game and got by well enough until the sixth, when the Solons shoved across six runs to take an 8-7 lead. He was replaced by Ron Smith, who received credit for his third win although Aldon Wilkie had to come in in the ninth to retire the last man.
The A’s romped to a five-run lead in the third inning when Noyes, Krug, Jim Wert, Gene Thompson and K. Chorlton singled in succession with one out.
Salem got two back in the fourth on a base on balls to Snyder, Cherry’s triple and Mel Wasley’s single. Moore got those back when he doubled with two out and the bags loaded in the Victoria sixth.
CHERRY AGAIN
Noyes ran into trouble in the Salem half of the inning when two singles and a walk loaded the bags with one out. Wayne Peterson scored one with a bloop single and a second counted on a pinch-hitter grounded out. However, an infield single by Gene Gaviglio sent in the third run and brought on Smith, who was greeted by Scott’s one-baser, scoring the fourth run. Snyder walked to load the bags, and Cherry, proving a nemesis to his former club, doubled in two runs to give Salem the lead, 8-7.
The A’s came back in the seventh with the tying marker, Chorlton singling, going to second as Kronberg walked, to third as Al Ronning forced Kronberg and scoring on Bill Dunn’s pop double into right field. The winning tally came over in the eighth when Wert tripled with two out and scored as Bill Osborn, who relieved Ludwig Lew after Wert’s hit, unscored a wild pitch.
CLOSE CALL
Smith got the first two men in the Salem ninth, but Dick Bartle and Peterson singled and pinch-hitter Johnny Burak walked to load the bags. Wilkie came in and enticed Gaviglio to foul out.
First Game
Victoria ....... 005 001 0—1-2-1
Salem .......... 011 000 x—2-7-1
Mishasek, Smith (6) and Weatherwax; Tierney and Beard.
Second Game
Victoria ....... 005 002 110—9-17-0
Salem .......... 000 206 000—8-14-2
Noyes, Smith (6), Wilkie (9) and Ronning; Waibel, Lew (7), Osborn (8) and Beard.

Trouble In Victoria
VICTORIA, B.C., June 9 — Edo Vanni, lead-off hitter and rightfielder of the Victoria Athletics in the Western International league, last night was fined $100 and suspended indefinitely without pay by manager Marty Krug.
Pitcher John Marshall has threatened to quit the Victoria club as the aftermath of a stormy session during last night's double-header at Salem.
Krug disclosed his action in a telephone call to Victoria early today.
According to the Victoria manager, Vanni put up a vociferous beef when plate umpire Micky Hanick called three strikes on him in the third inning of the first game. He was joined in the argument that followed by Marshall and both players refused to leave the field.
In a stormy clubhouse session which followed the first game, Vanni threatened to quit the club and Marshall proclaimed that he, too, would quit if Vanni handed in his uniform.
Vanni will not make the trip with the club to Yakima today and Marshall may also be missing. Marshall has until this morning to reconsider his action.

Athletics Buy Alfano for Infield
[Victoria Colonist, June 9]
Victoria Athletics have a new infielder. In an effort to tighten the club’s inner defences, Business-manager Reg Patterson purchased shortstop Don Alfano from the Chicago Cub’s [sic] farm system on a conditional basis.
Manager Marty Krug was responsible for Alfano’s purchase. He got in touch with Jack Sheehan, Cub farm director yesterday and Sheehan offered Alfano to the A’s. Alfano spent at leasr part of last season with Nashville in the Southern Association., appearing in 31 games and getting 29 hits for a batting average of .261. He was with Macon for part of the 1948 season, appearing in 38 games and batting only .218.
Alfano, who is expected here Monday, is reported to be an excellent defensive player. He bats righthanded. His acquisition does not necessarily mean Bill Dunn will be cut lose. Dunn may get a chance at third base but if Alfano makes the grade, either Dunn or Joe Kronberg will have to go to keep the A’s under the 17-man player limit.

WESTERN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
(Includes games of Wednesday, June 7)
(By Associated Press)

 G AB H RBI HR AVE
Tornay, Yak ..... 35 117 44 23 0 .376
Greco, Tac ...... 47 175 65 38 6 .371
Stetter, Tac .... 45 164 60 41 4 .366
Thompson, Vic ... 47 173 63 32 7 .364
Hjelmaa, Wen .... 39 140 48 28 0 .343
Chorlton, Vic ... 48 201 67 41 4 .333
Home runs (top ten)—Rossi, Spokane, 10; G. Thompson, Victoria, 7; Greco, Tacoma, 6; Gammino, Yakima, 5; Stetter, Tacoma, Chorlton, Victoria, Mead, Vancouver, Warner, Tri-City, Grabar, Spokane, Wenner, Tacoma, 4 each.
Runs bated in (top six)—Quinn, Tacoma, 54; Stetter, Tacoma, 41; Chorlton, Victoria, 41; Westlake, Yakima, 41; Greco, Tacoma, 38; Bryant, Tri-City, 38.
Pitching (top five)—Kerrigan, Tacoma, 10-0; Marshall, Victoria, 6-1; Tierney, Salem, 9-2; Loust, Tacoma, 7-2; Stone, Tri-City, 6-2.

ON THE INSIDE
By DON BECKER, Herald Sports Editor [from the column of June 11, 1950]

A couple of strange events occurred at Sanders Field Thursday night. For those of you who were unfortunate enough to miss that rousing sendoff the Braves got, we'd like to tell you about one of them in particular. This incident took place in the
nightcap and more specifically in the sixth inning when the score was tied 1-1.
There were two out, Jim Warner standing on third and Clint Cameron like-wise at second. Nick Pesut came up to the plate and Vancouver decided to give Pesut an intentional pass to load the bases and thus get a play at any base on a ground ball. The count had gone to 3-0 when Pesut suddenly lunged forward and hit the ball, fouling it up back of the catcher where it was caught for the third out.
There was moaning in the stands when this happened. And there was plenty in the press box too. So we asked Nick after the game, why? “Well,” welled the 230 pound catcher, “the left fielder was over chinning with the center fielder. The second and third baseman were batting the breeze with the baserunners so I decided to try and poke one through them. I got away with a similar stunt against Salem last year. Had I made it I would have been to third before they realized it. As it was I almost became the goat. But that's the chances. If it had been good I'd been a hero.”
Umpires Mathieu and Perkins were offered protection when they left the field following that riotous second game, but they declined it. There were a lot of beefs about Mathieu blowing kisses to the crowd when the two of them walked off the diamond. On the other hand they left a good part of the fans laughing. . .and laughs right then meant a lot.

Pre-Season - April 16-17,1950

Indians Trounce Selectrics 9 to 1
LEWISTON, Idaho, April 16—The Spokane Indians ended their spring training tonight by pounding out a convincing 9-1 exhibition baseball victory over the Great Falls Selectrics of the Pioneer league.
The Indians open their Western International league season Tuesday night at home against Victoria.
Bob Roberts of Boise, trying out with Spokane, blanked the Selectrics in the final four innings.
Spokane ........... 300 310 200—9 11 1
Great Falls ........ 100 000 000—1 6 2
Bishop, Roberts and Rossi, Nulty; Manier, Horkornen and Winter, Tanner.

Vanni Released By Seattle Club
SEATTLE, April 17, (UP) — Edo Vanni has been given his outright release from the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific coast baseball league.
The 30-year-old outfielder had returned to the Rainiers after two seasons with the Western International league at Spokane and Yakima. He was Yakima's top hitter in 1949.
The Rainiers still have six players to cut from the roster before April 26. They currently have 31 men on the lists, with the PCL limit 25.

PROMISING
Don Crough, the Edmontonian who played defence with Calgary Buffaloes the past puck campaign, left recently for Yakima, Washington to try out with the Yakima club of the Class B Western International Baseball League. One of Edmonton's outstanding junior hurlers last summer, he's regarded as a good pro prospect.
Lethbridge Herald, Tuesday, April 18, 1950