Evening star., 1925-04-12

In several letters from base ball
fans 1 have been asked TO mention
the best-looking youngsters of this
Spring. While LfNdstrom is a second
year man he really is a youngster.
To me he stands out above them all.
The Giants have found two more
coming balIplayers in Frank Walker,
the outfielder, and Kent Greenfield,
the pitcher.
1t is difficult TO pass judgment on
youngsters that are merely seen in
passing. They may have the natural
qualifica tions and still develop haw
when put under the pressure OF a
seasons grind.
was strongly impressed with
young Jimmy Cox, the boy catcher
brought out by the Athletics He Is
extremely fost for a catcher, hits
we'll and throws well. Cox, though
very young, has all the earmarks of
a real ballplayer. I think the fans
will hear much of him in the future.
The Braves have two good-looking
prospects In Harris, the centerhelder.
and Lucas, second baseman.
I am told by scouts and players that
the Tigers have some very promising
new material but, personally, I have
not seen that team. The chances Of
the Tigers from what 1 hear, though,
ought TO be very good this year.
Brooklyn has a good pitcher In
Petty and their outfeld also is i'm
proved. In fact look TO see the big
fight in the National League between
Giants, Pirates and Brooklyn with the
Cardinals coming as a dark horse
st. Louis might be a surprise.
The Reds have a fine pitching star,
but the club appears to lack cham
pionship punch Their failure 70 get
seasoned first baseman Is disap-
pointing. Bressler is doing well, but
il is difficult for any ballplayer 10
fill Jake Daubert's shoes. 1t isn't fair
to Bressler to compare him with
finished artist like poor Jake Dau-
bert. Players like Daubert sre not
seen often.
I saw the Phillies several times and
am sorry to say that they do not
show much improvement.
In the American League the Yanks
have the most punch unless the Tigers
produce something new. The Washing
ton club is bound to be in the night. Tor
the pennant, but the Senators haven
as much hitting force as they need or
have tried to develop. But they have
speed on defense.
Therefore, it is my belief at present
that the fight will be between the yam
KEGS and Senators, with the Tigers
close on them. Cobb's club is Ger
tainly aggressive.
The Cleveland outfit is very young
and uncertain. 1t is impossible to figure
on what Speaker will be able to do.
The same thing may be said of the
Browns. When I saw them Joe Bush
was in wonderful condition. The play
ers were all talking about the wonder
full spirit of helpfuIness he was show
ing. Joe is bound to be big help both
as pitcher and pinch-hitter.
The Athletics are working hard, but
the club seems a little too slow-moving
to get up among the leaders for some
time to come.
On all the clubs noticed disposition
on part of the players to work for the
good of the team instead of merely TAX
ing orders and going about their bust
ness. That was the thing that won for
us in the old days. To illustrate:
One day Billy Keeler, Hughey Jen-
nings, Joe Kelly, Wilbert Robinson and
myself went into the clubhouse and dis
covered that one of our regular players
had been drinking and was in no con-
dition to play. Instead of going to the
manager we handled the case ourselves.
After telling him what we thought of
him we locked him up in one of the club
house lockers and kept him there until
the game was over.
When we returned we refused to let
him out until he promised never to put
Us in such a hole again. He never did
either. The manager didn't know for q
long time why this player had failed to
get on the field.
Copyright, 1921