The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-29
CINCINNATI'S
BIG PROBLEM
Is IN INFIELD
Hendricks Is One Pilot Not
Worrying Over Pitching
Staff, Evans Says
lRy Billy EyanSl

Orlando, Fla. March 29.-(NEA)
The Cincinnati Reds boast enough
good pitching to make the club a
strong pennant contender.
Manager Jack Hendricks is per-
fcctly satisfied with his twirling
staff and he should be. He is the
only major league manager ! have
met this spring who isn't worried
over his pitching.
In figuring the chances of the Ma
tional League clubs there is no deny
ing the Reds. Whether the club has
the other necessary stuff to back up
the pitching remains to be seen.
1t strikes me that most of Manager
Hendricks worry will be centercd
around his infield problems. The
Reds have u good infield but HARDLY
great one. There are several
others in the National League that
stand out more strongly.
Critz Is Missing
At this writing. Hugh Critz. the
dashing little second sacker, had fail
ed to report. He has already missed
several weeks Of spring preparation
that may retard his work when he
comes to terms, if he finally does.
l am told that Critz wants $50, 200
and a three-year contract. That is
considerable money. The officials
of the Cincinnati club say they have
made their final offer and that il
isn't twenty grand.
Cincinnati will certainly miss Critz
if he fails to report. incidentally
Hughcy will miss the $4,000 just
as much.
With the keystone member Of the
infield missing, the Reds have been
unable to place their regulars in the
lineup for spring work and naturally
will suffer from certain lack OF
coordination that is part of every
good infield.
George Kelly, obtained from the
New York Giants in the trade for
Roush, is one of the most versatile
as well as most valuable players in
the National League. However, his
presence strengthens a position in
the lineup, first base, that was very
we'll taken care of last season by
Wally Pipp. No club in either maj OF
league is better fortified at the mi
tial sack than the Reds.
Good. But Not Great
Horace Ford will start at short
and Charley Dresser at third, with
Babe Pinelli and Clarke Pittenger in
reserve. As I said before, the Reds
have a good infield but l would
hardly class it as great one. II
trouble later develops it will probably
be in the inner defense.
The out1ield will be we'll taken
care of b. Walker, Zietzmann, Dress.
Ter and Christensen. Ethan Allen
. former collegian, looks like a great
prospect. He is big, husky fellow
who takes q healthy cut at the ball.
The catching will be properly
handled by Bubbles Hargrave and
Val Picinich. clever receivers and
dangerous hitters.
However, after giving the club the
up and down carefully for several
days, it is the pitching staff, to my
way of thinking, that offers most
to the Cincinnati fans in the way
Of pennant hope.
Capable Hurlers
i. Even II Luque doesn't report, Pete
Donahue, Carl Mays and Red Lucas
are q trio Of most capable right
handlers, while Eppa Rixey and Jake
May will more than look after the
southpaw end Of the staff. Two
Others VINO may prove Of great help
are Arthur Nehf and Ray Kolp.
Nehf, suffering from neuritis in
his left hand. was unable to properly
grasp the ball all last season, This
year hes appears 70 have entirely
recovered, looks great and says he
feels - good as he looks. Il right,
Nehk viii win lot Of ball games
"a 4 =, sres1 assy critics don't NJ On