Evening star., 1927-03-30
BY FREDERICK LIEB.

the Cincinnati Reds the Indians have
taken plenty on the chin this mQnth.
Even such minor league teams as the
Baltimore Orioles have been PICKING
on them with considerable regularity.
AS the Indians finished only three
games behind the champion Yankees
last season. there is considerable con-
Germ felt over the failure of the CLUB
to loom up stronger in its exhibition
contests. While admitting that Cleve'
land has the best pitching stan in the
American League. I doubt IL the IN
dians will prove as great a factor as
they were in 1926. eDtroit, New York
and the Athletics. and possibly Wash
ington, should beat them out.
The Indians do not seem the same
club without Speaker He was able to
inject a certain amount OF his own
dash into his club: which is missing
in the Spring games played by the
Ohioans this wear. That center field
hole already is a problem for JACK
MCCallister Speakers successor. lie
tried to switch Homer Summa, the
right fielder. to Iris old beat. put
the move wasn't much of a success.
Now he is trying George Gerkin,
recruit from Decatur, in the position.
Banking Heavily on Pitching.
Tie Indians again are banking
heavily on their pitching staff, with
George Uhle. Joe Shaute, Emil Levsen
and Walter Miller slated TO share the
ma ior norton of the burden. This
quartet is backed up by old Sherry
ySmith. Garland Buckeye. Ben karr
and Young Willis Hudlin. 1t is an
aggre cation of pitchers which is bound
to make trouble. One of its assets Is
that the right and left handed pitchers
ere evenly divided.
Tie (~leN eland infiold will he the
sam rs lest season. with Burns hold
ing down first. Spu goon second, Joey
Scrcil cho"t and LutZ..e third. Burns
has been made the new captain OF the
team Taking nothing from this re-
n,arxable veteran, who did not develop
into star until he was we'll past 80.
it is unlikely that George will have
another year such as 1926.
Dan Howley the new manager OF
the Browns. hasn't much Of team,
but he impresses one with his person
a1ity. ! consider him one of the COM
ing managers of base ball and man
who is likely to go far in the big
league field. Dan has three-year
contract. which gives him considerable
time to- reconstruct his team and put
his ideas into effect.
lie mas a weak ltfllSlt. lHoush CASENi
looks as though he should have one of
his old.tine years. George is working
in absolute harmony with his new
boss, and I found him one of the most
sincere iiustlers at Howley's camp. at
Tar.pon Springs. The outfield retains
a. kick. and the catching stan is fair,
when Scllang, O'Neill and Dixon shar-
ing the work. O'Neili looks 20 pounds
lighter than " hen slae worked ont with
the Yankees two years ago.
Optimistic About Neyers.
Howley says that he is agreeably
surprised with his pitchers. Every
one told him his pitching situation is
deplorable. but he says he did not find
II that way: Old Sam Jones, former
Yank, has pitched fine ball for him.
So has Zachary and Milt CASTOR. Dan
is most optimistic about Ernie Nevers,
the former California foot ball star.
"Nevers is the best pitching prospect
in the majors today" said Dan. All
he needs is experience and to De
taught how to use his speed ana stun.
If can't make a winning pitcher out
of the big fellow. want to get out OF
base ball"
Fred shuttle. the expensive ST. Louis
RECRUIT from Milwaukee. has made
great impression on the citrus belt
There is no doubt that he is natural
nlayer and a great hitter. When
saw him he had cracked out eight hits
in his last nine times up.
Uncle Wilbert Robinson. whose
Dodgers trained at Clearwater, next
door to the Brownie camD at Tarpon
has a problem similar to that or HOW
lev. Rohby has a good-looking pitch
ing staff, four catchers of ability, a
fair outfield. but the poorest-looking
infield in the majors.
Weak Again mt Short.
81 don't know why it is. said Uncle
Pohbv, "but ii has been % years since
the Brooklyn club had good short
stop. Even i'm my pennant wears or
1916 and 1920 we had to get along with
ivy Olson at short"
Robby has been playing the erratic
"Pabe" Herman on first. Jim Par
fridge, a Dixie boy from Oglethorpe
University, at second: Johnny Butler
at short; and Bob Barrett, a recruit
from Memphis, at third. 1t would be
difficult TO say which position as the
weakest link Of the infteld chain. Her
man still remains a moody player
and PLAYER who hits in streaks.
when he hits the world is full of JOY
and sunshine: when he doesn't II is
no place TO live.
Robinson had expected Partridge to
make great progress. He was farmed
out to Nashville last season, where ne
hA well. but he doesn't seem ready Tor
the big leagues. Perhaps he never
can make the grade. Butler is an
other disappointment. He again Is
bothered with poor health and is not
covering any ground. Barrett VIII
hardly do at third, and-Robby undoubt
edly will be forced TO use Bill Marriott,
last seasons third baseman, at that
position.
Brooklyn's outfield looks pretty good
with "Jiggers'' STATE. the former Cub
in left. Max Carey In center and Har
vey Hendrick in right. Irish" Meusel
is the first reserve outfilder STATE
hasn't hit much so far, but he is q
Willie Keeler type OF hitter. That is
he doesn't hit as often as the late
Willie, but when he does, they are
keeler hits, sharp liners between the
infelders or pops over their heads
Carey is not the player he was two
years ago but looks better than ht
did in 1926
Cincinnati Club Strong.
Despite the fact that everybody ha,
been sandbagging the Reds in Florida
no one should make the mistake o
Understanding Jack Hendricks team
He has been getting splendid pitching
but has been losing games because o
the failure of his team to hit. Th'
Reds are bound ito hit better later on
Last year they led the Nationa
League in hitting. though I still am a
a loss 10 understand how they did IL
Accidents, which have handicappe
the Giants in 1924. 1925 and 1926
again are pursuing the New Yorl
Nationals.
I recall the late Frank Farrell
b r. =