New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
Lewis Unable
To Report for
Several Weeks
Physician Wires Outfielder
Has Infected Arm; Meu.
sci and Hannah Join Yanks
By w. ]. Macbeth

IN during the night and brought the
total up to twenty-nine. They were
Bob Meuscl, the young slugger from
the Pacific Coast League, and "Truck'
Hannah, the tall catcher. They were
tired after a tivc-day trip, and did not
take part in the practice, which was
limited to one session.
Duffy Lewis MAJ not. be able to get
to Jacksonville for two weeks or more,
a message from hrs family physician
at Sonoma, Calf, indicated to-day. In
breaking the news to Huggins the doc
tor said LeIis is confined to his home
with badly infected arm, and would
not be able to start East, let alone
do any ball playing, until the doctor
thinks his condition is satisfactory.
Another man on the sick list is War
rem Collins, the Texas right t-handcG
pitcher. a message from Granger said
that he is convalcsc,ug and will sta.
East as soon as possible
Too Cool TO Hustle
The practice to-day was of the old
army variety. Bunting, warming up
pitchers, hitting by the regulars and
little work in the outfield and on the
bases. The weather was too cool for
any real hustling, nut bundled up in
sweaters, the boys worked as indus
triously as possible.
McGraw, Mogridge, Mays, Quinn and
the hitting brigade. Ruth, Wick. Bodie
and Pratt did most OF the long distance
smashing. Mays was very Wild, pitch
ing fourteen balls TO Bodie before he
got one that Ping would hit at. "Thc
subway ball' was not working right
Mays couldn't get it close enough to
the ground.
the regular intield for the day. Roger
Peckinpaugh, who reported Yesterday,
was out in uniform, put did no fielding,
as his arm is not quite ready.
The Yankees to-day completed the first
week Of their five weeks spring train
ing drill in this city, and though the
weather has not been all that might be
desired, the fact remains, rather clear
ly, that Manager Higgins has the ma
terial at hand for real pcnnant con-
tender in the 1920 American League
championship.
Pitchers Make Good
1t was pretty we'll established fact
that before the team went into train
ing the midget manager had, at his
ing material Not one Of the twirlers
has disappointed so far. Bob Shaw
key, Jack Quinn and Carl Mays are
apparently in perfect physical condi-
tion and prmed for as good season
as they have ever shown through a
major league fight.
Quinn is especially fitted for course
Of preparation that should bring him
to the scratch at top form. He was
IN Cuba this winter and pitched a
number of games. Shawkey is, and
always has been, the old reliable. Those
who watched the New York carerr of
Carl Mays need no further comment
upon him. He is working hard but
carefully, and will be at his best by
the time the team gets North.
And there is Ernie Shore He was
Of little use to the club a year ago
In the springtime of 1919 he reported
fresh from protractcd stay in the
navy. In the training period he gave
every evidence of a return to such
for made him the terror of the 1912
worlds champion Red Sox. Higgins
was already counting on him for twen-
ty-tive victories or more when Shore
contracted bad case of mumps. He
did not fully recover until the summer
| was spent.
Shore in Good Shape
Shore has taken great care of him
self this winter. He says he never
felt stronger. He believes he is ready
to, start right in where he left off to
Joln the colors. If he is able to make
good mis- optimistic ambition then Hug
gins can start the season assured Of
the services of four of the very best
right handlers in the gale.
AS to southpaw pitching, which an.
pears so necessary in the American
League, rhe manager Of the Yankees
has little occasion to worry. Thormah
len and Mogridge last season proved
themselves among the best at their
trade. In case of necessity "Babe" Ruth
VIII be available for box duty, and
there is no greater southpaw than he
Babe" would prefer the outfeld as a
regular billet, if all goes we'll, but he
is preparing himself to fit in at other
positions If the case warrants.
Muddy" Ruel, who must be consid-
cred frst string catcher Just now, has
taken on some weight since a wear ago
But he is still of the frail variety and
SO youthful that he could not stand w
under overwork as we'll either as
Hannah or Murphy, granting all other
qualifications We're equal But in ad.
dition to Ruel there is Hoffman. who
was with the team most Of last season
getting the ropes from the bench. Few
brighter prospects have shown than this
youngster.
Still Hope for Baker
There is good reason to believe that
J. Franklin Baker will return to the
Yankees. His big bat, of course. would
add certain punch to an already
formidable attack. But Bakers possible
absence could be forgotten now much
more quickly than year ago. Wilson
Fewster, who was to nave had the
assignment. in case Baker failed tc
show, has been laid up all week with
a severe cold. His absence from the
ball park gave Aaron Ward an oppor.
tunity to display his wares.
Fewster and Ward, between them
should be able to solve Huggins's third
base problem if Baker really has re.
tired permanently. If Baker should
come back either or both are reason
ably sure of being retained for utility
iniield duty; That is of course if it is
not necessary for Fewster to play ir
the outfeld
The outfeld was the big problem
with Miller Huggins when his team
came South. The case does not appear
so sorry as at first supposed. Duffy
Lewis will be along in good time to
take care of the ticklish sun field at
the Polo Grounds. Babe Ruth in
practise is doing all that center fielder
can be expected to do. Just where
Bobby Meusel is going to fit in remains
to be seen as he is still to be heard