The Washington times., 1928-01-31
WHITE S()X
SHOW FEW
CHANGES
BY Louis A. Dougher

by Louis A DOugHSI
The white sox Of 1928 promise to
look much like the White Sox OF
1927 when the curtain rolls up on
4he coming campaign in the Amer
scan I,earue, Unless Johnny Mostil
e hack at his old berth in center
field but one new player win be in
the iineup battling the foe on April
II ~ Cnniskey Park. The new
conner viii be Cisse1, the $125,O0O
shortstop from the Pacific Coast
League. And how can a single bush
league bearcat be expected 70 pun
the White Sox from fifth TO first
place?
Johnny Mostil was well on the
road to become the best center
fielder in the league until one day
last spring in Shreveport, La. when
he had q brainstorm and attempted
suicide. He seriously slashed his
left wrist and for months was
threatened with an end to glor-
ious career.
However. MostiI suddenly took
mental brace and began ex-
ercising, hopeful OF regaining
his place with the White SOx.
Shortly before the season ended
he appeared in Chicago, asked
fOr 3 uniform. got 10 and began
ssracficing with his old team.
He succeeded in getting into Ii
contests before the season
closed, his two hits emitting
him to q mark Of .125.
The White Sox are going back to
Shreveport this spring and, much
improved in mental and physical
health, Mostil Is going along. He
IS intent on seizing his old berth
right away from Alex Metzler, who
As no SLOUGH himself.
III Mostil comes anywhere near
Aoualing his former work in the
oiiffield, Ray Schaik's garden
troubles win have ended. Bib Falk,
Bill Barrett and Alex Metzler. with
MostiI, make quartet of hitting
4lychasers, all able to throw and at
least three of them baserunners.
The infield quartet win look about
like that Of q year back. Bud
Clancy. improving with every game,
will be back at first base. The
veteran Aaron Ward will start at
second and Willie Kamm. smooth
performer. win be found over at
the hot corner.
Roger PecTxfnpaugh, who
started in the shOFtfield last
April. Is now managing the
HunnefieId, who understudfed
him, is stin with the Schalk
elan. Nevertheless, he Is not
expected to start rs . regular,
that fOk going "a Efsset
TO land Cissel, Charlie Comiskey
Il reported to have turned over
S113 900. Bert Cole, pitcher, and Ike
Boone, outfielder, bringing the total
cost up to $125.OO0. That's q heap
81 money and Cissel will have to
show a whole lot to bring In any
returns on the deal
Every scout In the land has
praised CisseI. but they have done
that before now only to have the
subject OF their praises take fine
flop in fast company. The young
ster will surely carry a heavy load
when the campaign gets under way.
Noe Berg, former Princeton in
field star, is now an honest.to.
goodness backstop. He was an i'm
fielder last season until necessity
sent him behind the bat. He looked
so good to Schalk as q receiver that
ne is now listed among the battery
players. He and Grouse win share
the back-stopping duties.
Getting down to the pitching
staff, one finds that Sehalk viii
have to depend upon just about
the same men he had I'm 1927,
with Red Faber fast approach
ing the end of his fine career
under the maintOp. Lyons,
Thomas, Blankenshfp, COnnalIy,
and Barnabee will be the work
horses. They need reserves, If
they are to get anywhere.
The White Sox really need a
sIugger more than anything else.
If Bib FaIk or Bill Barrett could
show some real smuggling ability,
that fine pitching staff might sue
coed in swinging the team into the
pennant fight. Both Falk and Bar
rett drove in SO games each, leading
all their mates, but one or the other
would be far more valuable could
ne account for lis or 120 tallies.
That might just be the difference
between fifth and, say, second place.
With the passing Of Ban Johnson
from activity, Charlie Comiskey has
come back. This promises added
life in the White Sox for the "Old
Roman" hates to see his team lose.
He VIII be right on the job himself
and this may mean something to
the advantage of the team, once
the curtain goes up.
TS-LL T-LLVV