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Red Sox Farm Dropo to San Diego ONeill Gets Olson; Louisville Slugger Parent Club Sends Hatfield | And Wright to Colonels for ; Hurler and Another Fielder BOSTON, Mass., June 25 UP.— First baseman Walt Dropo, whos built like a moose but bats like a mouse, was shipped to the minors today for the second time m his career, as the Boston Red Sox staged a six-player shuffle in hope of finding a heavy-hitting outfielder. Morosely packing his trunk, the Moosup. Conn., giant was too stunned to comment on his release on 24-hour option to San Diego in the Pacific Coast League. "I havent got time to talk, Im too busy packing," said Dropo. The American Leagues "Rookie of the Year" in 1950, whose current .251 average at the plate was next to the lowest among the Red Sox "regulars." Manager Steve ONeills decision resulted from Dropos uncontrollable delight in swinging at bad pitches and the fact he seldom hit in the clutches. In 1949 the them manager, Joe McCarthy, had shipped Dropo to Sacramento in the same league, while his batting average was .146. Last year he was at Louisville hitting .255, but was brought up to substitute for injured Billy Goodman, and wound up with a .322 average. Completes Player Shift The Dropo departure completed a player shift in which ONeill dipped into the Boston farm system in search of an outfielder who could bat with Ted .330 Williams and Dom .341 DeMaggio. The lad he had in mind was Karl Olson, a 20 -year-old center fielder with Louisville, who has been burning up the minor league circuit. Olson had a great record last year with Birmingham in the double-A Southern Association, batting .321 in 147 games, to drive in 100 runs and having 23 homers, 14 triples and 29 doubles. He currently is hitting .291. "He can do everything," ONeill said, adding he would be tried out at right field "Olson is a ball hawk in centerfield; he can run, he throws well and hits with good power. Hes a great prospect." In addition, ONeill called up outfielder Charlie Maxwell, a less brilliant prospect, and pitcher Leo Kiely. Maxwell is an excellent hitter, now batting .290, but is a less-sure fielder. Kiely has a 7-3 record with the Colonels. To make way for his farm boys, ONeill dispatched right fielder Tom Wright and utility infielder Fred Hatfield to Louisville. Neither have seen much service with the parent club.
