Seattle Buys Caps’ Pitcher

Pete Hernandez Sold, Cheso Part of Deal
By CLANCY LORANGER [Daily Province, Sept. 7, 1951]
Pete Hernandez, starry righthander of Vancouver’s baseball Capilanos, will graduate to the Coast League next season, but handyman Reno Cheso will be back with the Caps.
Hernandez has been sols to the Seattle Rainiers for cash and Cheso, who ad been with the locals on option from the Suds, General Manager R.P. Brown announced today.
For Brown, it was the culmination of one of the cagiest deals of his long career of outsmarting the opposition.
It started last winter when Brown spotted the name of veteran lefthander Tony Freitas on the draft list, and claimed him from Modesto, California’s Class C team, for the draft price of $1000.
GOT MONEY BACK
Modesto didn’t want to part with the southpaw, who was also manager and very popular, so Brown agreed to let him stay if he got the choice of other pitchers. He took Hernandez plus the promise of another left-hander on option—still to be delivered—and got his $1,000 back as well.
Young Pete, who won 17 and lost just four for the Caps, has been described as one of the best prospects in the Western International League this season. Cheso was one of the local team’s most valuable men, playing second, third and short, and doubling as a catcher. Brown wants to develop him as a receiver next year.
PETE MAY RETURN
Reno didn’t hit the .300 mark this season, but he was an unlucky hitter, many a line drive going right into opposition gloves. A long ball hitter, he’s also a dangerous man in a pinch.
There’s always the chance, too, that Hernandez won’t stick with Seattle next spring, and might be optioned back to Vancouver. If that happens, Brown should get some kind of an Oscar as 1951’s No. 1 horse trader.