Expect Dillinger to Add Dash to Already Speed-Crazy Sox: Veteran American Leaguer Led in Stolen Bases for Three Straight Seasons, Daily Racing Form, 1951-05-17

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► I : ! , I i Expect Di I linger to Add Dash To Already Speed -Crazy Sox j ; j , r ; j I j j. l 0 j 1 • . I j 1 1 1 r. 1 1 ■ 5 1 | 1 : , j 0 J 0 • Veteran American Leaguer Led in Stolen Bases for Three Straight Seasons By ED SAINSBURY United Press Sports Writer The speed-crazy Chicago White Sox added another base-running flash to an already sprinting line-up yesterday, buying third baseman Bob Dillinger from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a straight cash deal, Dillinger, 32 years old, led the American League in stolen bases in 1947, 1948 and 1949 while with St. Louis, running up 34, 28 and 20 thefts in the three seasons. But he was expected to add to the threatening Pale Hose strength in other ways as well. Manager Paul Richards, in Boston where his team is playing the Red Sox, said he did not know where he would play his newest member. Still it was good speculation he would end up at third base. "Dillingers got the speed which is going to fit into our speed program," Richards said. He might have baseball savvy to fit into Richards defensive program at third base too. Hank Majeski, who came from the Philadelphia Athletics a year ago, has slowed up and Floyd Baker, the second third sacker in the line-up, apparently has lost some of the speed which made him a crackerjack defensive player two years ago. Hit .288 Last Year Dillinger, waived out of the National League for the deal, could add some hitting strength to the Sox. Although he has batted only .233 in 12 games this year, he hit .288 in 58 games with Pittsburgh last season and .309 in 84 games with the Philadelphia Athletics. Earlier he has compiled a .309 lifetime major league average. His lifetime average was far superior to Majeskis .278 and Bakers .241. Acquisition of Dillinger was the fifth trade pulled off by the ever-active White Sox since Richards was signed as the manager, and it was the first in which the White Sox have given up money. In December pitchers Ray Scarborough and Bill Wight went to the Red Sox for Al Zarilla, Dick Littlefield and Joe Dob-J son. Later Mike McCormick was sent to Washington for Eddie Stewart, and only two weeks ago outfielders Dave Philley and Gus Zernial went to Philadelphia in a three way trade in which Cleveland also was involved. The White Sox gained Orestes Minoso and Paul Lehner on this venture. Tuesday the fifth deal was made, shift-c ing southpaw Bob Cain to Detroit for right hander Saul Rogovin. In addition to these dickers the White Sox were one of the most active clubs in the annual draft, picking four players of which three were on the roster today, pitchers Harry Dorish and Bob Mahoney and infielder Joe DeMaestri. Pitcher Hal Brown was returned to Seattle. Yesterdays deal left the Sox one over the player limit of 25 effective tonight, but a spokesman said somebody would be cut loose before the deadline. It was likely Majeski, now hitting .235, or Baker, batting .286, would be involved. BOB DILLINGER


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1951051701/drf1951051701_2_5
Local Identifier: drf1951051701_2_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800