The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-26

Thinks Both Hendricks and
Bancroft Have Something
Up Their Sleeves
BY BABE RUTH

BY BABE nj n
ST. PETER SB URG, Fla.
March 26.-We'ye had a look al
several National League clubs in
action, Boston and Cincinnati
Ii was a good opportunity for me
to do a little interviewing" and
/ talked to Dave Bancroft, man
ager of the Boston Braves, and
Jack Hendricks, manager of the
Cincinnati Reds. I could tell that
both Of them feel they have some
thing '.up their sleeves" If moth
ing else, big, fat hopes for the
coming season. I think Cincin-
natl fans, in particular, win have
something to cheer about.
The Yankees have also hooked up
with the PhiIlies under Art Fletcher
but I'm saving that for another
story.
When Bancroft put his Braves
IN the field against US recently. I
noticed many new faces. Bancroft
told me he had the biggest squad
down here that Boston ever sent
TO training camp. OF course. he
IL stilI holding on to his old mater
1al. But he Is trying to train q
bunch OF youngsters for every posi-
ton. AS soon as he finds that they
are ready, in they win so.
The first thing that struck ma
was that Bancroft Is following
the method Of his old boss, John
McGraW, Of the Giants. Bancroft
decided that he never could hope
90 win 4 National League pen
nank with the team rs % was last
year. Backed by Judge Fuchs and
C1rigfY MafheWB0n, Bancroft Is
trying to put new blood into the
Braves. and he Is doing . gO0G
Job, not flashy. but permanent.
He has landed q third baseman
Of real ability in Bin Marriott.
Marriott Is a player who will be
heard from one Of these days. Ban
croft said that he intends to start
of the season with him. don't
take. Marriott is a fine hitter, too.
And for a yOungster he seems to
have q lot OF BASEBALL smartness.
Dick Burrus win replace the vet
eran Stuffy McInnis at first base.
Stuffy didn't show up this spring.
guess Stuffy feels that he IL
through. He was one Of the best
the baseball world ever saw. and
I'm sorry to see him pass out OF
Burrus was up with the Athletics
q couple OF years ago. He was
sent back by Connie Mack. But this
year he seems to be ready for the
big leagues. I believe he Is going
to help Bancroft lot. He fields
well and hits well.
From our exhibition game against
Cincinnati, I got the idea that Jack
Hendricks is gathering team that
viii make a lot of trouble in the
National League this year. think
my old Yankee friend Elmer Smith
will help him out a lot.
With Curtis Walker and Eddie
Roush. it win give him one of the
strongest outfields in the bust
ness.
a newspaper writer said to me:
Smith is getting q little old,
Babe" As bali players years are
figured that may be true, but
I'm telling you that Elmer Smith
should still have q few good
years I'm the majors. And the
shift to the National League win
give him , brand new start.
The Reds played a fine game
against the Yankees. From what
saw of them can't yet make out
the reason for their slump last
year.
Hendricks certainly has about as
good q pitching staff as any man.
ager could want. With Slim Don.
ohue, Adolphe Luque and the vet
Grams Eppa Rixey and Rube Ben
ton, he hasn't much to worry over.
And then don't forget Carl Mays,
and his famous underhand delivery.
Since Mays left the Yankees he has
fbeen pitching wonderful ball. The
change of. leagues did him a lot of
good. Just as think it will do
to Elmer Smith. This spring Mays
looks better than ever. He is still
great pitcher.
In place of Jake Daubert, Hen.
bricks is using Rr'ea Bressler, the
old pitcher, Tor the first base.
Bressler has had quite a bit Of ex.
perience at first, and as Hendricks
said to several Yankee players
"Rube has all the signs Of a star
first sacker." Hendricks also things
that Hughie Critz will develop into
one of the best serond basemen in
the game. Cincinnati is well fixed
in all other departments. All the
Reds need are a few changes here
and there. They are getting them
from Hendricks.
Copyright. 1925. by the Christy
Walsh Syndicate.)