Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-10
CRIPPLES ON
CARDS ROSTER
ARE IMPROVED
With Players Going at
Good Pace, Outlook
OF Team Happy, De-
clares Brian Bell
BY BRIAN BELL
ASSOCIATED Sports Writer)

tA1o0GA3tEW CW0ktE NhAENI
AVON PARK, Fla, Mar. 10.-tP-
Spring seems TO have brought salts
factory to the questions thu
st. Louis Cardinals asked in the
winter. There was speculation in the
off months concerning Bob O'Far'
rell's injured thumb, Tommy Thew.
enow's leg, Chick Hafey's eyes. Ray
Blades knee. Lester Bells batting
and fielding and Flint Rheims dispo'
sition.
The players think that on q vote
Of confidence on all Of these prob.
lens the ayes have it, OFarrell ii
throwing the ball and hitting il
Thevelow's leg seems TO be SOUND
again with his chief worry a blister
on his heel. Hafey will not have Il
wear spectacles and the hustlina
Blades seems as fast as eve Bells
hitting has been a sensation Of the
spring camp and Rhem seems as
fast as ever. Bells hitting has been
a sensation Of the spring camp and
Rhem seems set for an impressive
year.
II all these rosy prospects develop
Bill McKechnie. a major league man
ager again, will have a pleasant
summer. His pitchers have rounded
into great early season form and
half a dozen of them could start
now.
Kaufman Going Good
Former Manager OFarrell will have
two able under-studies in Gus Man
cuso from Syracuse and Virgil Da-
Wis, late of Buffalo.
The pitching staff may be boil
stored by a competent performer
who was not included IN advance
calculations. Tony Kaufman, former
Cub and Phillie. gives every indica-
ton OF staging a comeback.
Grover Cleveland Alexander, with
his 41st birthday behind him. shows
the way TO all Corners for hard work
The veteran Alex pitches longer
than anyone to batters in the morn
ing and then bats fungces in the
afternoon.
Sherdel. Haines. Rhem, Reinhart
Farmhouse and Littlejohn seem
certain Of their pitching places. Syl-
vester Johnson. who was brought
from the Pacific coast at heavy ex-
pense by Detroit severaI years ago
has shown as much as any pitcher in
the fold this spring. IL these nine
come through a scramble for the
tenth place must be staged BY half
a dozen ambitious youngsters.
Infield Picked
The infield is established with Bot
tomley, Frisch, Thevenow and Bell
assigned. Rabbit Meanwhile. looking
years younger than his admitted sc
winters and summers. will be held
in reserve as will George Toporcer.
Heinie Soluble, who threw himself
into the game in T~hevenow's place
and played sensationally last season.
seems TO need experience and will
probably get it under a quick option
which would make his services avail
able on short notice. Frisch Is many
pounds oyer his normal weight, a
good thing for a player Of his nerv-
GUS energy as the extra flesh gives
nim something to work on.
The Cardinal outfield Is not 50
firmly established. The final condi-
tion Of Hafey and Blades will be i'm
portant and in addition four young
sters have made their presence felt.
The outfield talent is 50 striking
that Taylor and Douthit may have
to divide center field with some of
II.
Recruits Get Chance
Walter Roettger, who has been
knocking at the major league door
for several seasons, will be admitted
this year either rs a regular or
first call substitute.
Another youngster, John George
Martin from the plains Of Texas. is
one Of baseball's fastest moving OBJ
jects, and il he can arrange to get on
first base to show his speed he will
have a chance. Howard Williamson
and Homer Peel, former Syracuse
outfielders are also threatening.
II Manager McKechnie succeeds
in holding his players within the
bounds Of moderation they should be
in great physical condition at the
gun