The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-21

Jack Hendricks Also Allows
Pirates Will Finish in
Second Group
Nv DAVIS J. WALSH,
International News Service sports

AMternntiOna Ne Ns.. SerVSS
ORLANDO, Fla, March 21.-
Offering the prediction for what
it may be worth, If anything, Jack
Hendricks today declared that his
Cincinnati Reds would finish in
the first division and that the
Pittsburgh Pirates, generally es-
teemed as a leading pennant con-
tender, would not. He intimated
that the Pirates were gold bricked
in the mid-winter trade with the
Cubs and therefore were due for
flop.
The Reds, Giants, Dodgers and
Cubs are the clubs that viii make
the pace, he said. and of these, he
fancied the Giants and Reds.
Hendricks remarks that the Reds
have undergone many beneficial
changes between seasons and of
fefs the following by way of sub
sanitation:
THAT they have the best pitching
staff in baseball with Mays. Luque.
Donohue, Rixey, Sheehan. May and
Benton ready to shoot on sight;
that the club, having witnessed the
departure OF Pat Duncan and George
Burns and the Christening Of Jimmy
Caveney by securing synthetic
waivers. now recognizes Mr.. Hen.
bricks as boss, and that the appoint
ment Of Ed Roush as field captain
has eliminated the element Of In
ternal dissension that prevailed last
year.
At the Same time Mr.. Hen.
bricks Ii free 20 admit that there
IS , dash Of vinegar In the creme
de- mentIle. Charley Dresser.
whose purchase from st. Paul
carried . heavy luxury tax, IL
probably . dead loss, Hendricks
says. Dresser can field. run, hit
ard think. But he can't throw.
He has . torn Hgament under his
right arm. the result Of st. Paul
Injury.
81 don't think we win get much
out Of him. Hendricks added, "at
least not this season.
Further grief he cites In the fact
that the Reds have but two catch
ers. Hargraves and Wingo, but must
get another and that he has four
Outfielders and three of them hit
left handed. The lone right hand
or IL Bill Zftzmann, Jersey City re-
crIIit, and although the young man
has been the life OF the party to
date. he must and should have
company.
"Zitzmann is a great prospect and
his hustle is an inspiration to the
rest OF the club" Hendricks de.
clared. He will play left field with
Roush in center and Elmer Smith
and. Curtis Walker in right field.
Lots Of hitting there but most of
II il from the left side Of the
plate"
The five leading pitchers win be
RIxey, Donohue, Mays, Sheahan
and Luque, according to Hendricks,
who says this preseason choice
viii eurtail much dissatisfaction.
Last year he had seven good pitch
ers, and they all wanted to pitch
- the same time.
Caveney, q much-Subdued young
man, win be played at shortst0p
and seems to have learned that
baseball Is not an eternal ride on
the band wagon. Kritz, one of
the best young players uncovered
during 1924, viii remain ut sec
Ond base and PinelIi. whom
Hendricks says is the best third
basenan in the league, viii play
his faVOrife position.
Yet, according TO some versions,
everything is not essence of lilac
with the infield. In fact. one OF
the regulars, confided to ME that
Rube Bressler is somewhat less
graceful than a sacred OK in TAX
ing throws at first base.
"A prayer rides with every ball
I throw over there" was his sue
cfnct comment. Mr.. Hendricks
gives this angle Of the situation
rather wide detour.
However. outside OF defensive
weaknesses at first base and behind
the plate and the lack Of another
outfielder, the Reds seem almost
fooI-proof. Tue first divssion 10
reckoning them, sure enough.