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St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Shortstop Stan Rojek in Trade for Two Players ► Send Dusak and Nelson to Pirates in Order to Get Replacement for Marion By STAN MOCKLER United rress Sports Writer ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 17 UP.— In an effort to find a capable shortstop replacement for manager Marty Marion, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired 32-year-old Stan | Rojek from the Pittsburgh Pirates today for pitcher Erv Dusak and first baseman Glenn "Rocky" Nelson. The, Cards shortstop position has been one of the weakest on the club ever since Marion took over the managerial reins and placed himself on the disabled list because of a chronic back ailment. Marion will be eligible to play again within a few days, but it is doubtful whether he will insert himself into the line-up often. Rookie Solly Hemus, who has been filling the Cardinals shortstop berth, is batting only .198. in 25 games. "We hope the deal will strengthen our infield," said owner Fred Saigh. "Rojek is a capable reserve and should help us where we need it most." Rojek was one of the outstanding shortstop prospects in the National League when he rejoined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946 after three years of war servjee. Traded to the Pirates in 1948A he batted .290 and fielded brilliantly. But he was hit on the head midway during the 1949 campaign by lefty Ken Johnson, a former Cardinals pitcher who since was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, and never regained his batting efficiency. His average slumped to .244 in 1949 and last season he hit only .257 as he divided the Pirates shortstop duties with rookie Danny OConnell. In eight games for the Pirates this season, Rojek made three hits in 16 times at bat for a .188 average. During spring training* Marion said he would give Hemus a month to make good as the Cards shortstop. Hemus hitting thus far undoubtedly will afford Rojek a regular crack at the job. Nelson, who batted .247 in 76 games with the Cards last season, played in only nine games thus far, collecting two hits in 18 times %i bat for a .222 mark. Dusak, who came to the Cardinals in 1941 as an outfielder, was converted into a pitcher by former manager Eddie Dyer. He had an 0-2 record last season as a reliefer and pitched 10 1-2 Innings tins year, giving up eight runs and 14 hits.
