Tri-City Signs Two Pitchers

Costello And Castro To Aid Mound Staff
KENNEWICK, April 1 [Herald]—The Tri-City Braves have added two veteran right handed pitchers to their spring training squad. The new hurlers are Bob Costello, who worked for Vancouver and Salem of the Western International league last year, and Sam Castro, formerly the property of San Jose of the California State league.
Vern Johnson, secretary of the Braves, said Castro was obtained from the Red Sox on a trade that sent third baseman Lou Tamone to that city. Tamone, while the property of the Braves, refused to report last year over a salary dispute. Castro too was out of action. In 1950, his last active season was 1949. Both Castro and Costello are expected to report to the Braves spring training camp at Lindsay, Calif., today or tomorrow, Johnson said.
Although today was officially the first day of spring training, many of the veterans were still enroute to the camp. However, Johnson said, he expected most of them would arrive Sunday with the whole contingent ready to report to Charlie Petersen, the playing manager, on Monday morning.
LOCKING AT BOB
Costello is a tall, bespectacled hurler, noted among other things for his good disposition. His 1950 record of 6-victories as against 13-losses is not a true indication of his ability. He compiled that mark hurling for Vancouver and Salem, a pair of cellar bound clubs which finished sixth and eighth respectively. He's good enough to be a starter on any WIL team. And with some dependable hitting behind him could easily reverse that 6-13 mark. Although the lanky righthander gave up 126 runs, only 91 were earned runs. He struck out 55, and walked 90 in compiling an earned run average of 5.32.
HERE'S ABOUT SAM
If Castro can show as much ability with the Braves as he did with San Jose in 1949 then he's another sure bet to gain a starting berth on the hurling staff. Pitching for a fourth place team Castro finished second low in the league's earned run averages with a 2.57 mark. . .that's less than three runs per nine inning game. His won-loss record with the Red Sox was 15-11 and he struck out 103, which is a good indication that Castro is more than likely a control pitcher with plenty of "stuff." He appeared in 38 games that year, and in 17 of them went the full distance. Of the 95 runs scored against him only 63 were earned.
The signing of these two veterans virtually completes the Braves' mound staff unless some prospect shows amazing development during the next three weeks or so.
That leaves Charlie Petersen with the problem of filling one infield post, third base, and one outfield position. The two most likely candidates for the hot corner, at this writing, are Artie Wilson and Jimmy Mason. The race for the outer garden spot that is available will be wide open for a while.