The Washington herald., 1921-04-04
.RICKEY'S HOPEFULS
HAVE GREAT PUNCH
BUT ARE UNSTEADY
viii Be Near the Top If
Lack of Steadiness
Is Remedied.


fTnis fs the ninth Of q seriss sf
sixteen stories dealing Individually
win major league teams. other
stories Will follow aafiy.)
LAKE CHARLES. La. April s.
Branch Hickey will start another
national league race with a st.
Louis team admitted to have a
chance in what promises to be
tough struggle, but which falls short
in several respects Of desirable quail
ifications.
He's got a hard-slugging young
crew on the whole, which led the
league in hitting last year. Roger
Hornsby showing the way and top
ping all batsmen. But, while IL did
wonders one day. 1t fell to mediocri-
ty the next. Strange business, this.
No other outfit could wsllop the ball
harder, but through unfortunate in
ability to realize the most from
these hits, or through a sudden
have repeatedly fallen in defeat.
The players. some of them. after
sudden change in the fortune of
the game, were inclined to show
carelcssness, or Indifference. and
this despite the well-known temper
of Hickey, VINO is someone to con-
jure with In this respect. as well as
being a manager with most modern
ideas.
Punch Bat No Headwork.
Another great contributing factor
In bringing defeat. despite good
work. was lack of smartness. See
ing the Cardinals lose a game. after
showing a grea; punch. and even
with pitchers going well. reminds
one Of primitive strength falling be-
fore scientific smartness
Still, the team was dangerous for
time last season, and once came
within a game OF so OF taking the
lead away from Brooklyn. after
mauling that team roundly and
soundly. The sequence is that they
will also be dangerous this season.
and a pennant is no great fmproba-
bility, though the Giants. Pirates
and possibly Brooklyn and Cincin-
natl look strong. with little known
n what the Cubs figure to do under
Evers.
One thing Is sure-the Cardinals
have got that offensive punch. and II
was unmistakable in exhibition
games. notably against the Athletics.
Defensively. the team is fairly well
| fixed, but pitching. while promising
in training. is nothing Of a certainty.
The campaigns wear and tear will
have to settle that question.
Two holdouts are also worrying
Rickey somewhat. Milton Stock.
third baseman. and Jack Smith. a
star outhelder. are both without the
fold. Smith announced today he is
considering offers for semi-pro ball
in preference to the contract offered
by the Cardinals. II he stays away
he will be missed: but in the case OF
stock, Specs TCporcsr. a likely
looking youngster. though wearing
glasses. is playing second while
Hornsby has been shifted 10 third.
Has Strong InaeId.
Fournier issa at first, and L.avan at
shortfield. II is a strong infield. de-
| fensively and extensively. though
| Toporcer. OF course. is still some
thing of question He has jumped
up to big time" from semi-pro ball.
being scheduled for Syracuse Of the
international League. but catching
the attention of Hickey he was given
chance with the Cards. and the
manager is highly pleased with
him. Hickey believes he'll make
good in the big league.
Stock is expected to como back
and probably will have a fght on
his hands to win back third, though
the old infeld was a very efficient
one. Harold Janvrin is a useful
utility man.
| As regards pitchers: Willie Doak
is grand pitcher. who made a
splendid showing last season. but
he cannot be overworked If he is
to maintain fine form. Jess Haines.
Ferdie Schupp. Jake May and Mar
vim Goodwin are veterans. who may
go well, but who do not compare
with Doak. though this may be
qualified by saying that Schupp. IL
he rounds into form he showed
with the Giants. and which Hickey
believes he is capable of doing,
would enhance greatly the chances
OF the Cards for the flag.
New HarIer Locks Good.
Then there is Bill Pertica, a high
ty touted Coast League hurler. who
has been going promisingly. and
who also may blossom into a
'phenom," and add great strength
to the staff. Dixie" Walker, trying
a comeback. is another pitcher
Hickey expects to come through and
lend valuable aid.
McHenry. Austin. Heathcote. Les
lie Mann. late of the Boston Braves,
and Mueller. who has been used in
right in exhibition games, form
strong outfield corps, with Joe
Shultz and Bert Shotten in reserve.
The catching STAFF is rather weak.
or at least cannot be called strong.
Clemons. Dilhoefer and Mccarthy,
former Giant, make it up. III Nc
CArthy shows speed of three years
ago. when he made name with
the Giants, he'll make the catching
staff loom up good. but it is doubt
full. Clemons is hardworking and
can hit hard at times. but is moth
ing extra as a catcher, so while
Difhoefer is getting along and
acts as baseiine coach quite a bit.
The team has a great offensive,
but erratic pitching may offset 1t. II
Hickey doesn't get several OF MS
staff going good. Too much jockey