Evening journal., 1915-02-17
FEW VACANCIES IN
american LEAGUE
Youngsters Will Have Little
Chance to Replace Vets
in Johnson Circuit
CLUBS EXPECT
TO STAND PAT

League teams needing an infusion OF
new blood was discussed, and it was
found that the Braves were about the
only National League club which
would stand pat this spring. In spite
Of the National Leagues economy
plan, providing for a team roster Of
twenty-one men, il was pointed OUT
that ilock Of youngsters had brilliant
chances to horn in for jobs in the
Tener organization.
The American League. which stood
pat on its twenty-five player limit.
also affords the 1916 youngsters fer
tile field. yet the Johnson circuit has
not nearly as many vacancies for
promising talent as the National
League is Offering
From the present outlook there viii
not be many changes in the line-ups OF
the American League clubs from the
way they finished last season. The Red
Sox. Athletics, Senators. Tigers and
Browns will have few changes, while
the Yankees are not likely TO present
many new faces from the team which
finished last fall. Chicago and Cleve-
land furnish the best openings for the
youngsters.
Taking New York first, there is no
doubt that the team can easily stand
lot of additional strength, but the
club mas practically no rockies TO fight
for places. First base is open to com
petition and a spirited battle should
follow when Pipp and Mullen fight for
the job. II High comes to terms with
the club he is not likely to find much
opposition for the left field berth. with
Daley and Hartzell left over for utility
roles.
The club can easily use a good
young catcher. hui at the present time
Sweeney and Nunamaker are the only
maskmen on the clubs roster, as
Schwert has not yet signed The pitch
ing staff Is not likely TO be disturbed
while Maisel, Peck, Boone, Cree and
Cook are all reasonably sure OF their
jobs unless Brubaker. or Tamm devei-
Cd into Maranvilles or COllinses.
Going to Boston, there does not
seem to be any opening whatever un-
less a fourth catcher can break in to
help Carrigan, Cady and Thomas. Ii
] ~
ing staff he would get arrested for con-
spiracy. while with Lewis. Speaker
Hooper, Hendricksen and Rehg, he
has as much need for outfielders as
John d. has for dollars. A hard-hit-
ting second baseman might supplani
Hal Janvrin at second, though the
kid is in pretty solid.
The Athletics also afford little en-
couragement to the youngsters trying
TO break in. Lajoie was landed from
Cleveland to plug up the Collins hole
/ in the infield. and If he fails, Mack has
a fine substitute in KOpl. Davies. who
was with the club last season, has q
slender chance Of beating Rube Old
ring out Of his left field post. Mack
/ will try TO fin0 two young pitchers to
replace Bender and Plank, but as his
regular staff he expects TO get by
with Shawkey Bush. Bressler, Pen
mock and Wyckoff.
/ Same Lineup i'm Washington.
Grifhth's team in Washington Is
also likely to present its same line
up. The Old Fox has been after addi-
tional batting strength for some time
/ especially i'm his Outdeld. but the
Shanks. MILAN and Moeller outfield
and the Foster. Mcbride. Morgan anC
Gandil infeld are not likely to un.
I dergo any change. The catching stat
I is o. X and with his promising 1917
| yearlings-Ayres. Shaw and Bentley
4 to help out Johnson and BOehling
4 Grifrs pitchers are not TO be despiscd
About the only thing he needs is al
( infeld and Outfield utility man 20 take
4 the place of Wallie Smith. Dutci
J Schaefer and Mike Mitchell. released
Rickoy says he is not likely TO maxi
I any changes in the Browns, thougl
lhc must find a new third basemai
to ill the SHOES Of Jimmy Austin, VIII,
jumped to the Feds Branch also need
an efficient second string catcher u
4 help out Sam Agnew. With Hamilton
TO shape his pitching stam needs IL
tie improvement.
Jennings Needs Second Sacker.
Jennings wants new second base
man TO take the place of Marty Kav
. anaugh. though the Harrison boys still
is on the Detroit roster Big Jak
Jacobson. who made several attempt
20 and with the Giants, may Gran
Yeach out OF the outfield. though he i
more likely to ill Hugh Highs shoe
as utility. Jennings can use anothe
/, first class catcher to help Stanage
who is getting too heavy, and nj
pitching staff also can stand som
help. 4.
:, Eddie Collins may have made III
. White SoX, but the club needs a lot o
! remodelling. Harry Lord will try &
come back at third base. but Manage
! Rowland has a youngster in view 70
= the place. Fourier will not remai
az first If Manager Clarence can fin
more steady fielder
Shane Collins will have some nel
= buddies for outfield companions; tw
highly touted American Association
boys. Happy Foich and La vern
Chappell being boosted for the yacan
oies. Chicago also is in bad need q
"A second catcher.
III Cleveland needs an entirely ne'
team. and birmingham win start wit
( a new first baseman. a new catchc
to replace Carish. and bunch q
Young pitchers. The outfield, shorl
= stop. Chapman. and catcher O'Nei
are among the only ones sure of thei
Jobs.
!. Nrrn TUnrr MINT