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Fox Destined to Be White Sox Second Baseman for Long Time Young Star Has Made Self Standout in Game Through Hustle and Determination By ED SAINSBURY United Fress Sports Writer Pepper-pot Nellie Fox may not be the best second baseman in baseball, but hell do for the Chicago White Sox until a better one comes along. That might be some time, for the 24-year-old St. Thomas, Pa., native has worn a big league uniform for thef past five years, and was the American League all-star second baseman last year. At the moment, hes battling Clevelands Bobby Avila for league all-star honors for the second year and Fox was favored to win. Nobody on the White Sox doubted that Fox, who made himself a standout through hustle and determination, would win the job. He learned to field and he learned to hit, and the combination came close to making him the most valuable pjayer on the ball club. Fox transformation into a star major league player came after he was traded by the Philadelphia Athletics, for whom he hit .255 in 1949, to the Chicago White Sox. He batted only .247 in 1950, and then came the change. "Doc Cramer told me to anchor my left foot in the batters box," he said. "I was hitting off my front foot and.it wasnt good. So thats what I try to do now. And it helps." Hit .313 Last Year Fox socked .313 last year and this year after a month-long slump to open the campaign, hes clipping at a .293 rate today, third on the White Sox. "I hope Ive had it for this year," Foxv added. "It sure took me a while to get going." Fox, hitting or not hitting, rates as a key man on the ball club. Manager Paul Richards tutored him how to make the pivot on a double play last season and he turned into a demon fielder. This ability has stayed and Fox, whose chew of tobacco, stached in his left cheek, rivals that of Johnny Mize, has combined with Chico Carrasquel to make a potent "down the middle" combination. But as important as any other ability is his undeniable enthusiasm for his job. It might be called hustle, but for Fox its more than that. Fox likes to play baseball and whether on the field or in the dugout, he constantly yapshis support or threats for his own club or at his rivals. His enthusiasm, grows so great that once last season when Richards wanted to bench him for a rest of a week or so, Fox was back in the line-up the second day. "I couldnt get him out of the dugout," Richards said, "and I couldnt stand him in there. He made me too nervous." Fox,, under 160 pounds, was- playing this week despite an injury handicap, a badly sprained thumb on- his right hand which interfered with his hitting as well as his fielding. "Well, it doesnt bother me," he said. "I know its there, but I-dont thinklt bothers me, much." Then he trotted back into action at second base.
