Show t SPORT PARADE P w 1 By Oscar Fraley A J NEW V YORK July 7 UP UP- UP After 12 years in the outfield which carried him to baseball baseball baseball base base- ball immortality Joltin Joe DiMaggio DiMaggio Di- Di DiMaggio Maggio was destined Friday to become the time full-time first baseman baseman baseman base base- man for the New York Yankees next season The Yankees made the grand experiment at Washington on July 3 when DiMaggio with only a half hour of practice took over the initial sack and handled 13 chances without an error That was the clincher And while the Yankee Clipper r doesn't like the proposed change there is no doubt in the Yankee camp that i when the club goes south next I I spring the transformation will be made I Prolong Career The Yankees believe that the I shift will prolong DiMaggio's Ca- Ca ca ca- i reer reel His arm has been ineffectual since 1946 1916 after his return from the service And those much- much injured DiMaggio legs while fit now are too questionable to risk in the outfield sprints DiMaggio was relieved when he was returned to the outfield He had no difficulty digging balls out of the dirt at first but with men menon menon menon on base and in bunt situation the I Clipper lipper was inclined to become rattled He just didn't have the I experience necessary to handle handle I first having ing practiced only 15 minutes at Boston and another 15 minutes at Washington before takIng taking taking tak tak- ing over in that one game I just wasn't sure where tomake to tomake tomake I make the play he explained I II I felt as if I was always one play i behind or one play ahead I Needs Practice But while he isn't too I I enthusiastic about shifting from froma froma a a post where he is an accepted star doesn't doubt that with a full springs spring's practice c he could handle the assignment Im sure I could master first base If he insisted I 1 just didn't have the automatic reflexes which Iare are necessary to play any position tion the ab ability lity to make the right play without thinking about it it or wonderIng wondering won won- wondering dering whether you are doing the right thing thing- I With the world champions apparently apparently ap- ap ap ap- disintegrating Manager Casey Stengel came up with the idea of shifting J Joe oc to first so as asto asto asto to get more right-hand right hitting power in the up line-up as well as to strengthen the outfield arm power Stengel however didn't have the heart to ask DiMaggio to change chanse and enlisted the aid of Dan Top Top- ping Owner Topping approached Joe and DiMaggio ever a team man agreed immediately to do anything which the brain trust thought might help the club |