New Britain herald., 1928-08-24

BY JAY r. VESSELS
Associated Press Sports Writer)
New York, Aug. "a R.-Youth is
having its chance at third base
around the major league circuits
and it is making the most OF the
opportunity.
Three clubs are depending on
youngsters to handle the "hot cor
ner." position calling for quick
flinching courage.
One other team has a first year
man who has proved his worth at
third while a fifth has a recruit
who is expected to assume regular
guardianship of the third cushion.
Heading the list is Jimmy FoNX
of the flying Philadelphia Athletics.
Jimmy. who landed at the warm
spot after brief stops behind the
bat and at first base has contributed
more than his share toward the
high rating of the AS in all depart
ments of the game.
He has been hitting better than
$50 since becoming a regular two
months ago and his defensive work
has helped the Athletics keep up
near the top in team fielding.
1t was the stellar work of Foxx
as substitute that inspired Connie
Mack to make regulars of others
OF his rockies. move that gave
his team the needed punch to climb
close to the slipping Yankees.
Close behind Fox for first rec
ognition among the recruit third
sackers is Pinkey Whitney of the
other Philadelphia club--the down.
trodden Phillies. Whitney, former
ly of the New Orleans club of the
southern Asso., has been one of
Bert Shotton's best performers all
season. He has hit 300 and for a
time batted cleanup. an honor ex-
tended TO but few first year men
even on the tail-end outfits.
Pinkey had brief experience
with CleN Gland last year but had
no time to prove his value before
being sent to New Orleans with
other players in exchange for the
sensational Eddie Morgan. Then
the Phlllies lost no time in picking
him out and now Manager Shotton
says he should be one of the best
IN the majors when he gets a little
more seasoning.
The other rookie third baseman
playing regularly is Joe Strip of
the Cincinnati Reds. Joe got his
chance when Charley Dresser. Gin
cys regular third cushion artist,
dropped out because of injuries,
strip has had very little time to
try for showing in the National
but his record in the American AS
ISOLATION. where he batted better
than 400 early this year to lead the
league, indicates that he has the
goods, as the saying goes
Joe, who had the experience of
jumping from the last-place Co.
lumbus club In the association to
the pennant-contendin Reds in the
National, carried powerful punch
at bat in the minors Among the
other things he did down there"
was to collect three successive home
runs one afternoon. Direct reports
state that his drives would have
been home runs in any big league
park.
Probably better known to the
sports world than any of the third
basing youngsters is Larry Betten-
court of the st. Louis Browns. Lar
ry. in one leap during June, hoped
from collega to the Browns and
promptly drew an assignment to
play relief for Frank O'Rourke, out
of the game with injuries.
Bcttencourt who gained nation
wide recognition for his playing on
the st. Mary's College (CaD foot
ball team. did such a good job Of
his substituting with the Browns
that O'Rourke had hard time con-
Nincing Manager Dan Howley he
should get his old position back
Larry batted 1916. helping the
Browns along to a sizeable winning
streak or two
Newest of the young third base
material is Wally Gilbert who, like
Rettencourt, gained most of his
sports fame as football player.
Gilbert has just Joined the Brooklyn
Robins. coming from the Atlanta
team of theSouthern Association.
He is a big, rangy fellow who for
several seasons has been showing
the Dixie fans how third base should
be played.
With Hendrick, the Robins made
over third-sacker. playing erratica1-
ly. Gilbert probably will receive an
early chance to try for the job
regularly. Hendrick, originally an
outf'elder. has been kept at third
principally because of his hitting.