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Stan Rojek Winning Way Into Hearts of Card Fans . Has Earned Little Stan Monicker By Defense Work and Batting By STAN MOCKLEB United Press Sports Writer ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 30. — Stan Rojek, fcthe little man nobody wanted, is batting I; and fielding his way into the hearts of the [ St. Louis Cardinals fans. The stocky shortstop has plugged a gaping hole in the teams inner defense line and his batting exploits have given him the nickname of "the Little Stan." How long the fans can class Rojek with big Musial, his namesake, is problematical. But. his batting spree has been helpful and it may lay to rest a few unkind words from his bosses, past and present. He started this week with a whopping .360 batting average. When the Cards were training in Florida this spring, manager Marty Marions inability to play himself or to find an acceptable substitute led to considerable speculation. Somebody asked owner Fred Saigh about the chances of making a deal for Rojek. Pitcher Howie Pollet was a determined holdout at the time and there were rumors that he might be the bait in a trade. "Our organization is full of Rojeks," Saigh said disdainfully. T wouldnt trade rookie Dick Cole for him." Later, when the club swapped banjo hitter Rocky Nelson and pitcher Erv Dusak to Pittsburgh for Rojek, Mahatma Branch Rickey sounded off with his usual authority. "He was our third-string man at short," was the Rickey pronouncement. Used in only 76 games by the Pirates last year, Rojek hit only .257. But he had a great year in 1948, belting 186 hits, including 36 for extra bases, to hit .290. The 31-year-old veteran from North To-nawanda, N. Y., takes his success at the plate and his new nickname with a grateful .grin and a grain of salt. "its too early yet to tell how Ill go," he said. "After all Im a .260 hitter and thats probably about where Ill wind up. Of course, if they keep dropping in for me, I coul do better.*-! certainly frope»soi" * -*
