The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-06
CINCINNATI

Manager Pat Moran has his worries over hold-outs. Lee Magee looked dyer his contract which calls fofr $4000, but Lee promptly mailed it back with the explanation that he could make more than that in his business. Shorpstop seems to be the weak spot in the Red lineup judging by the fact that Sam my Crane is being looked upon as strong candidate for the job. With an infield composed of Daubert Magee, | Crane and Groh and an outfield made l up of Magee, Neale and Roush the Reds are slated to again lead the National league in team hitting. Moran is try 1 ing to get Walter Barbare from the Pirates.
 Bill Rariden is doped to do most of | the catching, with Wingo helping out. The pitching staff is little wobblyL as usual. True, Slim Sallee is in the fold this year and Filler, Reagan, Gerner, Ray Fisher and others are on hand. but it can be safely said that Moran's moundsmen are far below the average. Cueto and Luque, the two Cubans, are holding out, while nothing has been heard from Jimmy Ring-the boy who pitched for Chattanooga awhile.
 BROOKLYN
 There's lot oe joy in Dodger town since Burleigh Grimes autographed his con tract. The pitching problem is about solved with Grimes, Griner, Cadore, Pfef- fer Marquard, Smith and few young sters on the roster. First base is still in doubt Charley Mitchell is in Frarce but Warren Adams is holding down this job very creditably and may keep it even after Charley gets back in the fold.
 Schmandt, of course, will play second. Ivan Olson probably short, and Ollie O'Marra third. It looks as if the outfield will be composed of Jimmy Johnston, Wheat and. Griffith. Kruger is do ing most of the catching in the practice games. Wilbert Robinson is lining them up like this;
 Johnson, left field.
 Adams, first base.
 Schmandt, second base.
 Griffith, right field.
 Olson, shortstop.
 O'Mara, ShortStop
 Malone, center field.
 krueger, catcher
 ST. LOUIS
 Branch Hickey, president and manager of the Cards, was in Birmingham several weeks ago and spent several hours chat tins with Capt. Bob Baugh, PreNy CQuackD Smith, and Yours truly. Branch was doing little gumshoe work and begged us not to say anything about his being here until he got back to Saint Louie" and signed up some phenoms he had been talking to.
 Big Walton Cruise was here with Hickey Walton had just been discharged from the army and was looking fine, Hickey declared that his club would fin 1sh at least as high as fourth this season. The Cardinal manager president is after pitchers and he needs 'em, too. Here's about the way he will line em up for this season.
 Shotten, left field.
 Fisher, second base.
 Cruise, right field.
 Hornsby, shortstop. Paulette, first base.
 Stock, third base.
 McIenry, center field.
 Gonzales, catcher.
 Gonzales and Stock are still listeu among the hold-outs.
 BOSTON
 George Stallings has improved his in- field considerably by getting Waiter Holke from the Giants. The Braves pilot is trying out Schrieber at short untii Walter Maranvilie returns from the army which may not be for sometime yet Stallings has two other shortstops in Blackburne and Rawlings that be can shove into the gap if Schreber weakens any Hank" Gowdy, star catcher ana haseballs S biggest war hero, will not re- turn for sometime.
 The Braves infield will be about thus: Hollle, first base; Buck Herzog, second base; Schreiber, shortstop, and Reel Smith, third base In the outfield, stat lings has Riggert, Kelly and Powell, a trio of very mediocre ability. This de- partment appears to need considerable strengthening. The pitch staff composed of Rudolph, Nehf, Fillingim. Northrop' Heating, Demaree, Ragan, George, Me Quillen. Scott and Bill James, is fairly good.
 PHILADELPHIA
 The Phillies under their new manager. Jack Coombs, don't promise to set the woods afire. Hogg's refusal to report was a blow, but now that Dave Bancroft has at last signed mp things are looking a little better The outfield will he chosen from Emil Meusel Whitted. Cra- vath and Williams.