Evening star. [volume], April 02, 1948, Page A-14, Image 14

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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gening J&p0fls
Washington, D. C., Friday, April 2, 1948—A—14 **
How They'll Finish—Cubs, Seventh
Infield Weakness, Little Punch
Make Chicago Outlook Drab
Sy a Staff Corr«pond«nt of Th« Star
TAMPA, Fla., AprO 2.—With only
two holdover .300 hitters and age
beginning to catch up with Pitchers
Hank Borowy, Hank Wyse, Paul
Eriokson, Emil
Kush and Bob
Chipman, the
Chicago Cubs'
hopes of improv
ing rest in a
small group of
rookies with
triple-A and
double-A back
grounds.
Even if Cliff
Chambers, a
southpaw who
won 24 and lost
9 for Los An
geles, and Out
fielders Hal Jeff- ChMlry Grimm,
coat and Clarence Maddem make
the grade, there is little chance of
the Cubs becoming contenders. They
began coming apart at the seams
last July, after leading the National
League on May 15 and running half
a game behind a month later. They
finished sixth, 25 games behind the
Dodgers.
Borowy and Wyse, stars of the
1945 pennant winners, slumped to
8-12 and 6-9, respectively. Erickson
was only 7-12 and Schmitz, most
highly rated of the hurlers, was
13-18.
But the Cubs’ main weaknesses
are lack of punch and inflelders. If
Chambers and Ben Wade, a 17-11
winner for Nashville, help with the
pitching, and if Borowy and Wyse,
particularly, can return to form,
Charley Grimm won’t be bad off for
slab talent. His infield is something
else.
Ed Waitkus, a .292 hitter, is set
at first base, although his batting
average is far more impressive than
his runs-batted-in total of only 35
for 130 ‘games. The veteran Don
Johnson, 37 years old, has the inside
track at second base, but he hit
only 359 and knocked across only
26 runs last year. Nick Culler, a
.248 hitter obtained from the Reds,
and Len Merullo, who batted 341,
will battle for shortstop and, al
though listed as an outfielder, Pea
nuts Lowrey may be brought back
to third base.
What power the Cubs can muster
belongs to the outfielders. Capt.
Phil Cavarretta, who hit 314 and
drove in 63 runs, is set in right
field, as is Andy Pafko in center.
Pafko, who hit .302, was the Cubs’
second best batter. Jeffcoat and
Maddem could help in the power
department if they even approach
their minor-league records. Jeffcoat
compiled a .346 average and chased
118 runs over for Nashville last sea
son and Maddem hit .332 for Los
Angeles. One may well force the
veteran Bill Nicholson, who slumped
to .244, to the bench or the trading
block.
The catching is adequate. Bob
Scheffing and Clyde McCullough
are veterans and young A1 Walker,
up from Nashville, where he batted
.331, probably will be the third
catcher, moving up if McCullough
is traded. The Cardinals want Mc
Cullough and if a deal is made thp
Cubs may strengthen their infield.
But the Cubs still look a seventh
| place club! —STANN.
Chicago Cubs' Official Roster, 1948
Charley Grimm, Manager.
Roy Johnson, Milt Stock, Red Smith and Bill Jnrges, Coaches.
PITCHERS.
Throws. Bats. Age. W. L. ERA. 1947 Club.
Lee Anthony.R R 30 14 14 3.49 Tulsa.
Howard Auman_R R 27 20 14 4.08 Macon
Henry Borowy .R " R 32 8 12 4.38 Cubs
Donald Carlsen.R R 22 2 2 3.81 Los Angeles
8 7 3.04 Tulsa
Clifford Chambers—L L 26 24 9 3.13 Los Angeles
Robert Chipman_L L 30 7 6 3.67 Cubs
Andrew Dobemic ... R R 30 8 4 3.57 Los Angeles
Paul Erickson .R R 31 7 12 3T.68 Cubs
Ralph Hamner.R R 31 17 11 2.03 Shreveport
Robert Kelly.R R 21 Free agent (no record.)
Emil Kush.R R 36 8 3 3.36 Cubs
Doyle Lade ...R R 27 11 10 3.95 Cubs
Robert McCall.L L 28 5 12 3.86 Los Angeles
Russell Meyer_R Both 25 3 2 3.40 Cubs
Robert Rush.R R 23 6 1 1.61 Des Moines
9 7 3.40 Nashville
John Schmitz ..L R 28 13 18 3.22 Cubs
Donald Swartz.R R 22 Free agent (no record.)
Benjamin Wade_R R 26 17 1 4.33 Nashville
Henry Wyse .. R R 30 6 9 4.31 Cubs
CATCHERS.
Bats. Thws. Age. G. H. RBI. Avg. 1947 Club.
Forrest Burgess_L ^ R 21 16 11 7 ,289 Macon
99 150 76 .387 Fayettesville
Clyde McCullough... R R 31 86 59 30 .252 Cubs
Robert Scheffing_R R 33 110 96 50 .264 Cubs
Albert Walker_L R 22 128 144 105 .331 Nashville
INFIELDERS.
Richard Culler.R R 33 77 53 19 .248 Reds
Donald Johnson_R R 37 120 104 26 .259 Cubs
Lloyd Lowe_R R 23 150 145 105 .248 Columbus, Ga.
Ray Mack..R R 32 137 121 70 .264 Newark
21 17 12 .218 Cubs
Leonard Merullo_R R 32 108 90 29 .241 Cubs
Henry Schenz.R R 27 99 124 44 .331 Nashville
7 1 0 .071 Cubs
Roy Smalley.R R 22 114 100 55 .244 Des Moines
Edward Waitkus_L L 29 130 150 35 .292 Cubs
Earl York ..L L 22 88 94 52 .287 Des Moines
OUTFIELDERS.
Clifford Aberson_R R 27 66 73 62 .307 Des Moines
47 39 20 .279 Cubs
Phil Cavarretta.L L 32 127 144 63 .314 Cubs
Harold Jeffcoat.R R 24 153 218 118 .346 Nashville
Harry-Lowrey_R R 30 115 126 37 .281 Cubs
Clarence Maddern . R R 27 129 152 83 .332 Los Angeles
William Nicholson... L R 34 148 119 75 .244 Cubs
Andrew Pafko_... R R 27 129 155 66 .302 Cubs
Worsham a Runnerup as Team
Of Golf Specialists Is Named
By the Associated Press
NORFOLK, Va„ April 2.—An
"All-America” golf team, the first
of its type, was named today by
the Golf Writers Association of
America.
^ More than 70 members of the
association picked these golfers
m the best performers at five
particular shots:
Sammy Snead, driver.
Byron Nelson, long Iron.
Jimmy Demaret, short iron.
Gene Sarazen, trouble shooter.
Bobby Locke, putter.
The poll was conducted to
name participants in the first
annual Cavalier Specialists Golf
Tournament. The unique event
Is scheduled for April 16, 17 and
18 at the Cavalier Yacht and
Country Club.
Snead was a near-unanimous
choice of the scribes, but Chick
Harbert, winner of the Char
lotte (N. C.) Open; Jimmy Thom
son,-former Virginia Open crown
holder, and Lawson Little, for
mer National Amateur titlist. re
ceived some support and finished
In that order.
The choice between Nelson and
Ben Hogan, bantam belter from
Texas, in the long iron selection
was close with Nelson getting the
majority.
Ed Furgol of Detroit, and John- •
ny Palmer of Badln, N. C., fol
lowed them.
Demaret. last year’s leading
money winner, was pushed for
the short iron nomination by
Lloyd Mangrum, 1946 National
Open winner asd leading money
winner of this year. After Man
grum the writers liked Chandler
Harper of Portsmouth, Paul Run
yan, former National PGA king,
came next.
Lew Worsham, 1947 National
Open titlist, was runnerup to
Sarazen in the poll. Dick Metz
and Bob Hamilton, another for
mer PGA winner, trailed.
• 1
Exhibition Baseball
ty the Associated Pros* #
Chicago (N>. 6; St. Louis (A ). 0. _
Brooklyn (N.l. 8; Montreal (I. L.), Z.
New York (N.l. 8: Pittsburgh (N.l. 5.
Boston (N.l, 4; St. Louis (N.), 3 (10
innings). *
New York (A.). 10; Philadelphia (N.). 1.
Boston (A.), 4; Louisville (A. A.), 3.
Cleveland (A.). 8: Chicago (A). 1.
Philadelphia (A.). 3; Toronto (I. L.), 2.
Todav'a Schedule.
Cincinnati (N.) vs. St. Louis (N.) at
Tamos. Fla.
Pittsburgh <N.) vs. New York (N.) at
Phoenlv. Ari». _ .
Chicago (N.) vs. St. Louis (A.) at Delj
Rio. Tea. '
Brooklyn (N.) vs. Montreal (I. L.) at
Verb Beach, Fla.
Philadelphia (N) v». Boston (A.) at
Clearwater, Fla.
Boston (N.) vs. New York (A.) at St.
Petersburg. Fla.
Chicago (A.) vs. Cleveland (A.) at
Tucson«Arl*.
Detroit (#\ vs. New Orleans (8. A.) at
New CpiAns. La. (night).
Washington*A.) v*. Chattanooga (8. A.)
at Orlando. Fla.
Locke was a heavy choice at
top putter, but the Veteran Hor
ton Smith, Jim Ferrier, 1947 PGA
champ, and Herman Keiser
picked up several votes apiece.
The nominated players are be
ing invited to play in the spe
cialists meet which will feature
an 18-hole team match between
picked squads and a 94-hole
medal play tournament for all
the specialists.
Team captains will be Sarazen
and Walter Hagen. Neither will
compete, but instead will call
upon members of the squad for
individual shots.
The specialists will cover 18
holes on the medal play meet
Friday, April 16; the 18-hole
team match Saturday, April 17,
and finish with 36 holes of the
tournament Sunday, April 18.
A. U. Twin Bill Heads
College Nines' Card
Part of yesterday's rained-out col
lege sports program was to be car
ried over to today, with American
University and Wesleyan tangling
in a double-header baseball game
on the Ellipse. Their game yester
day scheduled as A. U.'s opener was
postponed.
Three other baseball games, a la
crosse game and a track meet also
were on the program. Georgetown
is playing its first home game
against Trinity after earning a 1-1
record in opening games on the
road. Fort Belvoir is playing George
Washington on the Ellipse and
Maryland is host to both the base
ball and lacrosse teams from Dart
mouth.
The track meet, first such col
egiate outdoor affair of the year, is
allaudet at American U.
Dartmouth's baseball team re
mains here for another game to
morrow at Georgetown, while
Maryland tomorrow will be host to
Pennsylvania. Gallaudet opens its
schedule at Bridgewater tomorrow.
Griffith Sees Future Slab Star in Welteroth, 20
Keen Youngster
Earns Job With
Fine Fast Ball
Dick Is Listed Among
Dozen Hurlers Nats
Now Plan to Retain
By Burton Hawkins
Star Staff Csnwpondmt
ORLANDO, Ha., April 2.—Coming
North with the Nets in e few days
will be a 20-year-old right-handed
pitcher who never has won more
than six games in a lowly minor
league, but President Clark Griffith
cautions against leaping toward a
hasty conclusion in the case of
stocky Dick Welteroth.
Welteroth has made the squad on
ability, plus the fact the Nats can't
ship him to a farm club without
subjecting him to the draft. Grif
fith recoils in horror at the latter
prospect because he's convinced Dick
has the equipment to be an out
standing major league pitcher.
Dick earned the respect of
Catcher Rick Ferrell the first time
he pitched batting practice in trail
ing camp here. "The batters started
beefing about him the first few min
utes he was in the box,” said Rick,
"and that’s -a good sign. He had
too much stuff for them and the
best they could do was get a few
fouls off him.”
Needs Speed for Control.
The complaints were heard by
Ferrell and he ordered Welteroth to
slow his pitches to half speed. “He
just couldn’t slow down and get the
ball over the plate,” said Rick. “He
has to pitch as hard as he can or he
has no control. He just can’t let
up.”
"That’s true,” admits Welteroth.
“I just can’t pitch batting practice.
I finally had to walk off the rubber
and let somebody else take over.”
In games, though, Welteroth has
been firing at top speed and getting
results. “He’s the best looking
pitcher we’ve had so far,” enthuses
Griffith, “and we’re going to keep
him. Jake Early told me he has as
much on the ball as anybody he’s
ever caught.”
Why the dismal minor league rec
ord? Dick was signed by the Nats
in 1944 and took a Western trip,
but saw no action. In 1945, he
passed through Williamsport, Pa.,
long enough to lose one game, then
was dispatched to Hagerstown, Md.,
where he won three and lost one.
Bridgeport Job Helped Dick.
“In 1946,1 went to Charlotte after
I was graduated from high school,”
DICK WELTEROTH.
—Star Staff Photo.
says Welteroth. "I joined the Hor
nets on June 19 and for the re
mainder of the year I pitched ex
actly four inings. They were trying
to win a pennant and I guess they
didn't want a kid like me gumming
up their chances.”
Griffith says Spencer Abbott, who
managed the Hornets last year, for
some unexplained reason became
peeved at Welteroth and wouldn’t
pitch him. Anyway, Dick was with
Charlotte two months last year,
broke into about six games, then
was sent to Bridgeport, Conn., where
he won six games and lost nine
with a last-place' club.
“That brought him out,” says
Griffith. “He had to pitch every
third day there and he got con
trol. He lost a lot of games by one
run, but take a look at his earned
run average. It was 2.75 and that’s
an indication he’s a fair sort of
pitcher.”
Welteroth Weighs 190.
Welteroth, who distributes 190
pounds over a 5-foot 10-inch frame,
could have signed with the New
York Yankees or the Pittsburgh
Pirates, but Scout Joe Cambria
shepherded Dick and his dad to
Washington for a chat with Grif
fith and the Nats’ boss was per
suasive enough to get a signature
for what Dick says was “a bonus,
if you want to flatter the money
I got.”
A sheet metal worker in his
father’s shop at Williamsport dur
ing the off season, Welteroth will
be 21 in August. He is of German
ancestry.
The Nats today were trimmed to
12 pitchers, for Joe Jones, Ha)
Toenes and Joe Murray have been
released outright to Chattanooga
along with Vernon Curtis. Pitcher
Scott Cary has been optioned to
Chattanooga, as has Outfielder
Dean Stafford. Second Baseman
Cal Ermer has been optioned to
Charlotte.
Pitchers to stick with the Nats are
Milo Candini, Sid Hudson, Early
Wynn, Walter Masterson, Ray Scar
borough, Mickey Haefner. Forrest
Thompson, Dick Weik, Welteroth,
Chick Plexetti, Ray Garcl*. and
Tom Ferrick. Garcia remains In a
test status.
Greedy Demands Slew
American U. Football,
Dr. Douglass Says
Andy Parkas would have been
coaching football at American Uni
versity since 1941 if a group of
alumni had not attempted to bring
in a team of “hired players and oiler
them a non-existent curriculum,”
Dr. Paul P. Douglass told more than
500 football-minded students last
night.
Chanting "We Want Douglass,”
waving torches, ringing bells and
making enough commotion to bring
out a police scout car and two
engines from engine company No.
20, the students won an hour audi
ence with the University president
in Hurst HalL
There Dr. Douglass, who more
than a year ago called college foot
ball a “major racket" and a "human
slave market,” told them they could
have football if their report was
approved by the Board of Trustees
at its April 17 or May 31 meetings.
Would Back Board.
"I win endorse the program if the
Board approves,” Dr. Douglass said.
In answer to questions as to what
kind of football, the University
president said, "That's up to you.
Do you want to play Notre Dame or
do you want it to be a student
team?”
He added the pressure becomes
too great in football not to subsi
dize.
The school president said that he
and Staff Cassell, director of ath
letics, had engaged Parkas to coach
football and meet Mason-Dixon
competition in 1941. At that time,
however, Dr. Douglas said a group
of alumni, without going through
proper channels, proposed to “hire ’
players, establish a physical educa
tion course with no standards where
the boy* would not have to worry
about grades, in order to put the
school on the map. That is when
football was discontinued, he said.
Alumnus Fisher Objects.
Yule Fisher, a member of the
alumni who was attending a meet
ing in the building, overheard the
remarks and demanded they be
stricken from the record.
The meeting was organized on a
seminar night and students left
classes when the school chimes were
rung at 8 o’clock. In his first point
at the meeting. Dr. Douglass told
the students it was wrong to or
ganize in this manner on a seminar
night when the world was in its
present condition.
He said the report, which he had
read early in the day, “was a fair
one.”
Students carried signs which read
"We want football, Dr. Paul";
"Johns Hopkins Has It, Why Can’t
We?” and “We Don’t Have to Sub
sidize, We Got 'Em.”
The school dropped football In
1941 and in the four previous years
won three, lost 14 and tied one.
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The “Ole Redskin" Scores Again
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and Ball, Special,
ail. $£.96
FOR ONLY— U
Saturday Only!
Royal Flush of Baseball Drawing Cards Excludes Some Great Players
Only Five Major Leaguers Ever Made Turnstiles Really Sing, Says Discoverer of Stars
MATHEW SON. »
A Giant among giants.
ly Francis E. Stann
Star Staff Correspondent
TAMPA, Fla., April 3.—When
a ball game is in progress the
best seat in the park usually is
next to Aloysius Egan. It’s a
seat in the sun and it's close to
the field and during the contest
Mr. Egan gives with the lore a
man accumulates only after three
or four decades in the business.
Wish Egan is chief scout for
the Detroit Tigers, a merry rover
along trails chartered and un
chartered. He also is a very
frank individual. Just because
he discovered a star ball player,
for instance, doesn't mean that
a player is an all-time drawing
card.
The question of drawing cards
came up when a man asked Egan
if the absence of Hank Green
berg from the Tigers last year
meant a drop In gate receipts.
“Hank was a fine ball player,"
replied Egan, who discovered
him, "but he never drew any
crowds.”
RUTH.
Even his faults paid off.
"What about Hal Newhouser?"
the man asked. "Doesn't he
draw a crowd when he pitches?"
“Hal’s a good pitcher,” an
swered Wish. “On occasions he’s
great. But he doesn't draw a
crowd.” Egan also unearthed
Hal.
“Well, then,” queried the man
In desperation, “I suppose that
Ted Williams and Joe Di Maggio
aren’t drawing cards?”
“Correct,” responded Egan.
"They aren’t by harsh stand
ards. And mine are harsh
standards.”
According to Egan’s “harsh
standards,” there have been only
four American Leaguers who
were or are real drawing cards.
“There was Walter Johnson,"
said Wish. "And Babe Ruth, Ty
Cobb and Bobby Feller. They’re
the only ones in all my years
who really attracted thousands
of extra customers, instead of
several hundreds.”
“What about the National
League?” he was asked. “Didn’t
JOHNSON.
Gathered golden goose eggs.
that league have any of your real
drawing card*?”
"Yes. There was Christy
Mathewson. He was a real’at
traction. He ranked with John
son, Cobb and Feller. Yes sir,
Mathewson was box-office.”
But how about Honus Wagner,
Grover Cleveland Alexander, Mel
Ott, Dizzy Dean and a lot of
other great National leaguers?”
"No,” smiled Eagan, “they
weren’t real nox-office attrac
tions. They all were great play
ers, true, but people didn’t fall
over themselves to pay to watch
them.
"Until he hurt his arm, Dean
COBB.
Tans’ hatred led his flame.
was on the way toward becoming
one of the big drawing cards. He
had a lot of color, plus the abil
ity to go with it. But you can’t
rank Dean with Ruth, Cobb,
Johnson, Feller and Mathewson.”
As Eagen weights it, drawing
appeal is 75 per cent ability and
36 per cent personal magnetism.
For instance, he says of Tris
Speaker: "There was a great
all-around ball player. He could
hit, field and throw. Maybe
there never was another center
fielder like him. But I don’t
think he drew many people.
“The same holds for Lajoie,
Di fdaggiOi Hornsby, Hubbell,
Greenberg, Gehrig, Williams and
all the rest. They were or are
great players. Sometimes I
think that, in cases of Lajoie and
Di Maggio and Speaker, they were
too good mechanically and too
deficient in color because of it.
"Ruth was No. 1. People
went out to boo him. They
wanted to see him struck out.
FELLER.
Smokes out the iron men.
But when he'd hit a home run
they cheered like mad. The
customers felt as if they knew
Ruth intimately. They knew he
had human weaknesses and was,
therefore human.
“Cobb was well hated, but he
was brilliant. On the road he
epitomized the forces of erii.
Johnson, on the other hand, was
stolid in personality, but he’d
corrie into a town with 40 or M
scoreless Innings to his credit
and people were attracted be
cause this great pitcher was be
ing put on his mettle.
‘Teller,” concluded Wish Egan,
“is the present-day drawing card,
ranking above Williams, Black
well, D1 Magglo, Kiner and all the
rest, in my opinion. Maybe he
doesn’t belong with Johnson,
Mathewson and a few others in
ability, but that fellow has a
way with him. He’s probably
the best business man the game
ever saw. And he has a fast
ball and a curve to go with that
brain."
Orioles Get Avila,
Indians' Mexican
■y the Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz,, April 2.—Bobby
Avila, 22-year-old Mexican sec
ond baseman, will be sent to the
Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland
Manager Lou Boudreau said to
day. Avila led the Mexican
League in batting last year with
S .346 average.
Boudreau said he “is one of the
best prospects I’ve seen'in a long
time. He impressed me the first
time I saw him by his actions and
since then I’ve been convinced
that he can be a great ball
player.’’
Even Chance Is Seen
For St. John's Five,
Facing Champs
Special to Tho Star
NEWPORT, R. I., April 2.—If Jack
George and Tom Fannon can con
tinue to hold their “hot hands,’’ St.
John’s Prep of Washington stands
at least an even chance of beating
defending champion. La Salle of
Philadelphia In the Eastern Cath
olic Invitation basket ball semifinals j
here tonight.
George and Fannon scored 40 ofi
the Johnnies’ 53 points in their
53-46 triumph over Catholic High1
of Trenton, N. J., in a first-round
game last night. George tossed in
25 points and Fannon 15. The latter
was taken frpm the game by Coach
Joe Gallagher when he drew his
fourth foul but the Trenton team
quickly closed to within two points
before Fannon re-entered the game
and with George put the Johnnies
comfortably ahead.
The victory was the 23d straight
for St. John’s, winner of the Metro
politan Washington title, and its
28th in 20 games.
In the other game tonight, Regis
of New York, a 62-22 victor over St.
Joseph's of Manchester, N. H., meets
La Salle of New York, which de
feated La Salle of Providence, 54-42.
The team St. John’s meets tonight
defeated de La Salle of Newport,
35-25.
-—---—-I
Hockey Playoffs
• ly the Associated Prate
Ull Nisht’s Retail*.
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
(Best of seven series.)
Detroit, 3; New York, l (Detroit leads,
3-2).
Boston, 3; Toronto, 8 (Toronto laads,
31>’ AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Cleveland. 8; Providence, 1 (Cleveland
wins best of seven series, 4-1).
U. 8. LEAGUE.
Minneapolis. 6: Fort Worth. 3 (Minne
apolis wins best of three series, 3-0).
Kansas City. 4: Houston, 1 (Kansas
City leads, 3-2, In best of seven
aeries),_f
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE.
San Dieto, 0; Fresno, 1 (series tied at
Durocher Tags Banta
As Possible No. 1
Dodger Pitcher
By the Associated Pr#«»
VERO BEACH, Fla., April 2.—Leo
Durocher took a pencil and marked
a large X opposite a name on the
glossy roster of his Brooklyn
Dodgers.
"There,” he said, "is a fellow who
could become the bell cow of our
stalT. Don’t limit him to No. 5 or
even No. 2. He might even become
our best pitcher.”
The fellow whose name he marked
was Jack Banta, a tall, thin right
hander from Hutchinson, Kans.
Last year Banta won 15- and lost 5
for Montreal. Now he is believed
ripe for major league picking.
Spring training records mean little,
especially when a big league club has
been knocking over its own minor
league sparring mates with mono
tonour regularity. Even so, you have
to give Banta’s performance chart
a double take.
Last time out against the Mon
treal club he pitched seven no-hit
no-run Innings. H walked only three
men. Control is an Important fac
tor because lack of it has kept him
In the minors longer than he should
have been.
Banter was signed by Scout Bert
Wells for the Dodgers out of the
American Legion banks in Kansas.
In 1944 his first year, he pitched at
Newport News, Va., Olean, N. Y„
and Montreal. For the next three
years it was Montreal with part of
a season at St. Paul in 1946.
Last year he threw seven shutouts
in the International, hurling one
stretch of 29 consecutive scoreless
innings during which he allowed
only eight hits.
Take a tip from Durocher and
keep an eye cm Banta. He may wind
up in Montreal but the odds board
indicates he's about even money to
be a Brooklyn starter.
Durocher, of course, usually has a
‘sleeper” in the spring. Sometimes
they come through. Sometimes they
miss. He is real high on this boy
whose sidearm slants remind an ob
server of Ewell Blackwell.
, ‘‘He is real fast,” said Durocher.
‘‘He has a good curve and a fair
change of pace. If he can get the
ball over the plate, he can’t miss.
That fast one of his really has a
hop on it.”
KEEP IT SAFE!
Check It Often—
“WHEEL WITH WHEELER”
"LOTS OF SPACE”
la which te repair rear Chrysler er
Flnnoath
4800-4820 Wise. Avs. EM. 4800
DILL’S JESTS
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Happy is the man who smokes Dnx's
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ference. Cooler burning. Cleaner smok
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choice Burley tobacco*. And what •
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Keller, Biggest Question Mark
For Yanks, Plays Again Today
■y th« Associated Pres*
ST. PETERSBURG. Fla., April 2.
—Charley Keller, the biggest "If” in
the spring plans of the New York
Yankees, will start his second game
of the year today against the Bos
ton Braves. Keller played live in
nings yesterday for the first time
since last June. He had made one
previous appearance this spring as
a pinchhitter.
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Manager
Ben Chapman of the Philadelphia
Phillies is predicting a bright future
for Rookie Pitcher Robin Roberts.
“With one year in Trlple-A, that
kid will be a winner,” Chapman de
clared.
Roberts, fresh from the Michigan
State campus, is attracting consid
erable attention. Umpire Bill Stew
art said of him: "He’s one of the
best young pitchers I’ve seen for
many years in any camp.
WEST PALM BEACH. Fla.—The
Philadelphia Athletics break camp
and head home today with a full
schedule of exhibition games en
route.
The A’s meet Washington tomor
row and Sunday at Orlando, Fla.
Then they have stopovers sched
uled at Moultrie, Ga.; Birmingham,
Atlanta, Lexington. N. C.; Martins
ville, Va., and Baltimore.
PHOENIX, Ariz.—Buddy Kerr,
slowly recovering from a sore arm,
is due back in the lineup lor the
New York Giants today when they
meet the Pittsburgh Pirates. The
Giants have won five of seven games
with the Pirates so far this spring,
most of them on home runs. A
four-master by Bobby Thompson
in the ninth gave them a victory
yesterday. Pittsburgh also showed
that its home run production la
approaching top form. The Bucs
collected only four hits, but two
of them—by Ralph Kiner and Ed
Stevens—were of the four-base
variety.
NEW ORLEANS. —Pacing two
weeks of Southern Association op
position, the Detroit Tigers will do
some more experimenting at first
base and shortstop. Manager Steve
O’Neill plans to continue working
with George Vico and Paul Camp
bell, a pair of rookies, and Johnny
McHale at first and with newcom
ers Johnny Upon and Nell Berry
and Veteran Eddie Lake at short.
SARASOTA, Fla. —The Boston
Red Sox have add AI Slmmonis, an
outfielder, to Scranton of the Class
A Easterp League. They drafted
him during the winter from New
Orleans. He played last season with
Anderson, S. C., of the Trl-8tate
Circuit. The Sox also disposed of
Pitcher Pete Modica on option to
Louisville and returned Pitcher Bill
Elbert to the same club.
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