The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-05
Pirates Look Like Top Bets in the National

son, who was a real star receiver in his day. feels quite satisfied with his young trio. Gooeh came up from Birmingham last fall and made a favorable impression before the sea son closed. In camp, this spring. he has done such good work that he has surprised the manager and veteran Billy Murray, as well as the older members of the team. They claim the youngster not only has all the necessary mechanical requirements, but that with minimum of actual experience he will develop unusual intelligence and discrimination in handling his pitchers. Jonnard has had more minor league training than Goode. and is expected to fill the roie of second string man capably.
 At Third Base
 Third base is the only position on the infield that is not settled. Got ton Top" Jimmy Tierney, who played most of last year at second, Clyde Barnhart and Jewel Ems, are all bat ting for that post. Tierney and Barnhart are much alike. They will go for weeks hitting at a furious clip and fielding sharply, then, for some ineXplicable reason. fall, tenn porarily, to class B quality. Gibson realizes that they were both carry ing heavy load last year, there first year in fast company, with the Pi- rates in the lead most of the sea- son and all the time closely pressed by two or three rivals. He does not consider 1t strange that finally they both cracked at the same time and permitted New York to nose them out. A disturbing element that was present last season has since been eliminated and while neither of these boys may be able to go steadily through this campaign without fal- tering, Gibson feels that 1t Is very likely that either could and deems 1t impossible that both can fail him at , once.
 Traynor sews Second Up
 Harcld Traynor, truly marvel ous youth, has second base sewed up. Here is recruit that the fans can bank on. He put in last year at Birmingham. getting the finishing touch to his baseball education under Molesworth. And this writer now goes on record with the statement that Frankie Frisch will not get all the press notices as the leading sec ond saeker of the league. (barrlng Hornsby. of course). He is as fast as Frisch. as energetic, as intelli- gent. apparently as good batter. and his work around the keystone Is truly phenomenal. Watch for him. Charlie Grimm at first base will d. vide honors with George Kelly. Kelly can outhit Grimm and the latter can outfield the Giant first basemanf or anyone else in his circuit. Moran vile needs no comment. The Rabbit is hustling in characteristic fashion and Is all set for one of his big years.
 In the outfIeId
 Max Carey will continue to patrol the center pasture where he Is with out a serious rival, and Carson Big bee has the left field job nailed down. Davey Robertson Is expected to be on hand by April 12 to take care of right field but if he decides to stick to his private interests there will be keen competition for the vacant berth between Johnny Mokan and Ray Rohwer. Mokan was on the Pirate roster last spring, but was farmed for more experience. and Gib- son considers him nearly ready. Rohwer Is a California collegian who shows promise but will probably be benefited by bench job for another season.
 Unless the New York pitchers stand up strong, Pittsburg is likely to get revenge this season for tho humiliation inflicted last fall when the Giants grabbed pennant right off the Pirate mast.