The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-02-28

got Bunny Brief, Armstrong and
Skiff. The ciose-in fences In the
Cream City are to Briefs liking and
he'll bring grief to many pitchers in
that park this summer.
Louisville has come a-fyin' this
winter and Colonel rooters already
are singing pennant lullabys. st.
Paul, 1924 champions, lost some
brilliant talent to the majors, but
stepped into the market Immediately
and filed the gaps with athletes of
known ability.
The Saints are under new owner
ship and are well-connected with big
league clubs. The New York Giants
are duty bound to take care of
Toledo and owing to the fact
Toledo is a gold mine when fits club
is up in the race 1t can be taken for
granted President O'Brien will go to
great lengths to put the Hens in the
race.
Minneapolis, though not boasting
at present, will be the usual hard
team to defeat. The Indians found
the Millers tough picking all last
season, and Mike Kelley has not
been idle this winter in casting lines
for more power.
Ownie Bush's Indians will be the
same battling crew with much Ego"
added to the inner works. Schneider
at shortstop will make a big differ
ence. He is fast worker and will
team well with the speedy Sticking
around-the keystone.
Four Fly Chasers
The Tribe outfeld is expected to
be an Improvement on the 1924 fly
chasing brigade. Clarke, in center,
doubtless will outhit Bailey, who
filled that position last summer.
Rehg, glastonbury and Allen are
the other gardeners.
Johnny Hodapp, the batting SEN
sation of 1924. promises more phe-
nom performances. Bush will work
Johnny at third base and win give
him much individual attention dur
ing spring training. The Cincy kid
has the necessary courage to becnme
a star.
Sticking is a fixture at second and
one of the best in the league. He
had a great season in 1924. schnlandt
came fast as hitter during the
closing weeks last season and. his
remarkable fielding ability around
first base is too well-known to need
comment.
". 10 l.. R..N a. -
ment OF the Tribe, but pitching
strength is promised by Owner
Smith. Jess Petty, the A. AS lead.
ing hurler Of 1924, Is expected to be
the same old southpaw demon. Bush
is anxious to get a peep at Jess.
The Tribe ace has been away from
indianapolis all winter.
The other twirlers are Burwell.
Fitzsimmons, Hill, Niles, veterans,
and Thompson and Schemanske,
rockies. Thompson is a southpaw
and comes touted highly out of
northern Indiana semi-pro ranks. II
he has the class Bush will get bold
and speak right out and claim that
title flag.
The Reliable Ernie
Ernie Kruger will do the bulk OF
the catching as per usual. He can
swat the ball and also possesses a
keen knowledge Of the weaknesses
Of enemy clubs. Florence, the col
legian, hopes to secure the job as
second string receiver. He was a
star at Georgetown, but it's a far cry
from campus to Class AA.
Efforts are being made to call off
the deal for Catcher Robertson of
Birmingham. He's too much on the
downgrade in years.
At any rate the catching staf is
equally as strong as last season be-
cause Otto Miller seldom was able
to relieve Kruger. De Loot and
Voter are infield rockies who have
not been seen in these parts. The
former is from semi-pro ranks and
the latter out of the Mint League.
Indians Of 1924 who are missing
this year are Pitchers Morton and
Eller, Catcher Miller, Shortstop
Jones. Outfielder Bailey, Infielders
Campbell and Blessing and probably
Pitcher George Smith and Tom
Whelan, utility man. Smith wants
to retire and Whelan desires to play
In the East.
Short and Third Stronger
The Indians go to training camp
this spring in better shape than
last year. Shortstop was the weak
link in the early days OF 1924.
Schneider is the goods there and the
hard-hitting Hodapp occupies third
base. where the weal-hitting Camp
bell was stationed last spring.
Despite many handicaps caused by
injuries and sickness, the 1924 In
dams were near pennant winners.
With better luck, the Tribe Of 1926
looks stout enough to mingle with
the leagues select group. Competi-
ton will be stronger. 1t is true, but
Ownie Bush thrives on desperate
struggles and his players regard him
the prince of managers. They'll bat
tie at his word.
And Bush is pleased with the
Tribe outlook. wen be somewhere
close up" he said Friday.
The peppery pilot. the little lu-
bricator of the Indian machine.
hopes to bring a ball club up from
the South In April that viii be the
last word In condition. skill. har-.
mony. determination and power.
And. say. by the way. keep date