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Fisher of MarlinsWins First Six onFivDay SystemHurler, Who Likes to Play‘CooP Trumpet, WorkingWav Back to BaltimoreBy JIMMY BURNSMIAMI, Fla. Pitching baseball and playing a “cool” trumpet are the only things which interest Righthander Jack Fisher, 20, optioned to Miami’s Marlins by the Baltimore Orioles.Fisher, now in his third season of pro baseball, won his first six starts for the Marlins—a feat which inspired International League batters to wish he wouldmake trumpeting his career.Impressive about Fisher’s string of victories was that he pitched six complete games. This makes it easier for Manager Pepper Martin to adhere to Baltimore's instructions that Fisher, a native of Frostburg, Md., must pitch every five days.The Orioles are counting on shoving Fisher into their regular pitching rotation next season. Manager Paul -Richards does not pause, at tabbing Fisher a future big league pitcher. Paul vehemently adds, ‘‘Jack is going to be a great pitcher.”Fisher’s Marlin teammates agree, because along with his pitching talents they think he is a great competitor.A/Ionooxir 4/% kr»against Fisher, who has a burning passion for baseball, doing too much. He’s always ready to be a pinch-hitter, or runnpr, anH recently when a free-for-all between the Marlins and Jets flared ai Columbus, Jack was first on the scene from the bench.Curbs WildnessIn pitching - 61 innings in his first seven starts, Fisher allowed only 13 runs, 15 earned; was touched for 49 hits, struck out 48 and gave up only 23 bases on balls. Wildness once was his weakness, but he appears to have overcome it in gaining an ERAof 2.21.It is ironical that the Orioles, who have spent more than $300,000 in bonuses for youngsters no longer in baseball, did not pay Fisher enough to sign to make him a bonus player.He was signed in 1957 and sent to Knoxville in the Sally League, where he won nine and lost five. Last year Fisher was shifted to Wilson of the Carolina League, where he fashioned a 14-11 record in 44 appearances. He had • a good fast ball, but was plagued by wildness, which cost him 124 bases on balls.“Fisher has all of the tools,” .said Bill Dumey. Marlin executive, in sheer admiration of the youngster’s ability. “He lacked a good curve ball, but Jack worked on that so well in spring training that during a game at Havana,Route-Goerlack FisherFreddie Hofmann and Jim McLaughlin of the Orioles’ farm system pronounced his curve okay.”• Another impressive thing about Fisher to Manager Martin and Coach Bill Cates is his poise under fire for such a youngster.■is inclined to relax a little too much when he gets out front,” complained Coach Cates. “But when he gets a runner or two on base, he bows his neck a.nd blows ’em right out of there.”Attends Collegewho had chalked up six victories in his first seven games to be sensitive about criticism. Not Fisher. He agrees.‘Tve just got to concentrate on bearing down all of the time,7 he said.' Fisher, son of an Army MP major, now makes his home at Augusta, Ga. Another sign that Fisher is wise beyond his years is reflected from the fact that in off seasons he has been attending the University of Georgia.It was a tough decision for Richards . to make in leaving Fisher behind when the Orioles finished their spring training in Miami.This raises the question of how long Fisher may remain with the Marlins. He was left here on 24-hour recall and every time General Manager Joe Ryan’s secretary announces. “Baltimore is calling,” Ryan winces. He fears it may be the word'to send Fisher to the Orioles pronto.If Fisher remains here the entire season, it is quite likely he will become the Marlins’ top pitcher in their four years of International League baseball.Fisher has more than the average brilliant young pitcher. Along with his natural talents, he is spurred by ambition to become big leaguer.Richards seems, to be on the right track in his insistence that Fisher will not only become a big league. pitcher, but a great one.Richmond 5. Montreal 7. WP—Grba. PB—Darrell.f T T TT iM/taehoft and f! i rf *r f J
Newspaper Details
St Louis Sporting News
St Louis, Missouri, US
Wed, Jun 03, 1959
Page 29
Full Page
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SC, USA 28 Jan 2019
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