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► — ■ ■ Bafts Claims Red Sox Wont Hustle; Glad to Be Traded Catcher Says Club Wants Ready-Made Stars; Wont Give Newcomers a Chance By JACK FROST United Press Sports Writer BOSTON, Mass., May 18.— Catcher Matt Batts, bounced from baseballs princes to its paupers, gave an angry clue today as to why the Boston Red Sox who were preseason pennant favorites now are struggling to stay out of the American League cellar. "They wont hustle," said mad Matt. "They havent hustled as long as Ive been with them. You know why they- wont hustle? They dont have to hustle. Lot of guys getting a lot of money on this club, maybe too much money, I dont know." The Belligerent Batts contended it wasnt sour grapes that made him sound off after he was swapped to the St. Louis Browns along with two other players and cash for catcher Les Moss. "But Ill tell you one thing — Im. .glad to get away from this Red Sox club," he said. "They wont win any pennants until they start hustling. Some of these key men wont move off a dime. They wont work and fight for the same pennants the Yankees win, pennants the Red Sox ought to have had in these past few years." Hasnt Made Up Mind The 28-year-old Batts, who said he was undecided, whether to report to the Browns or open an automobile agency in his native San -Antonio, Texas, contended manager Steve ONeill told him less than a week ago hed* be expected to catch 100 games for the Red Sox this year. Since joining the Boston club in 1947, Batts has played a substitutes role, first to Birdie Tebbetts arid this year to Fermin "Mike" Guerra. Tebbetts was sold to Cleve--land last season and earlier this month Guerra went to Washington. Batts thought that was his chance. "So they traded me, and they threw in a couple of other guys for Moss," he sputtered. "You know why? Because Moss hits a few over that left field fence here. Every time a righthanded hitter belts one over that fence they want to buy him. They make deals theyre sorry for afterwards and maybe theyll be sorry about this deal." Already deals they made with the Chicago White Sox had backfired in the past two days. Ex-pitchers Harry Dorish. and Joe Dobspn beat Boston on successive days while ex-Sox outfielder Al Zarilla aided the cause bybelting a.homer. Batts was at his best at the plate last year when he hit .273 in 75 games. To date his batting average is .148. Last year Moss, 26, hit eight homers and averaged .266 in hitting. To hit well, Batts contended, a player has to be in the lineup regularly. "They the Red Sox havent the patience to give a guy a chance to work his way up from the bottom," he said. "They want ready-made stars." -
