New Britain herald., 1928-01-20
PHILLIPS READY
 FOR TOUGH YEAR
Winter Changes Have Greatly Strengthened Team

Philadelphia, Jan. 20 Up-With a raft of new players. a season first baseman and additions to tho pitch ing staff, not to mention tho inspir- ing influence of Burt Shotton. the new manager signed for two years. the Philadelphia Nationals face the 1928 baseball campaign looking through rose tinted spectacles.
 Winding up in eighth place last season, the Phils switched managers during the winter. made . few ad- vantageous swaps. shook up their personnel. changed training quarters and announced spring practice would start two weeks earlier this year. The most notable addition to the team is First Baseman George Kel- ley, bought froll Minnee polls. al- though he played at Newark. N. J.. last year. Kelley has been a suc- cessful minor league first sacker for five years and compiled A homers two years ago with Buffalo.
 Despite conflicting reports. Fres- co Thompson will be back on sec- ond base. He is one of the most agile keystone tenders in tho Ma tional league. The veteran Heinie Sand will return to his old position at shortstop. Hal Dietrich. of Ports- mouth, Va, will be Sands under study.
 A struggle for third base will take place between Barney Friberg. . near veteran. and A. C. (Ace) Whit ney, erstwhile New Orleans player and voted the best infielder in the Southern association last year. Whitney comes highly recom- mended to the Phils. He sports q .333 batting average. is base steal CT and possesses . rife throwing arm.
 , One of the best all-around utility men in the National league. Roggy Wrightstone, a handy man with the bat. will be available for emergency duty in almost any position and will act as pinch hitter.
 At the last baseball meeting, the Phillies disposed Of Outfelder John ny Mokan, Catcher Bubbles Jonnard and shortstop Jimmy Cooney in ex- change for Pitcher Jimmy Ring and Catcher John Schulte. Ring was anxious to play in the east and his experience should be an asset to the Philadelphia team.
 The twirling corps Is stronger than in recent years. It consists of Frank Ulrich. right handed ace; Claude Willoughby. Alex Ferguson, Art De- catur. veteran right handed singers: Clarence Mitchell, Herb Pruett and Lester Sweetland, southpaws.
 There is flock of impressive newcomers, Walsh and Taber from the Eastern league; Benge from Waco: Greene of Portsmouth and many other lesser lights. At least four of the rockies are said to pos sess enough stuff to remain in the big league.
 In the outfield, Cy Williams, who tied with Hack Wilson for home run honors last year with thirty. will probably alternate with Denny Soth- ern, if he does not care to play through the entire season. cy is . real veteran but he still retains the knack of circuit clouting.
 Center field will be guarded by Fred Leach, deadly hitter in the pinch, while Dick Spalding will hold forth in left. Both led the league in fielding their positions last season Al Nixon and Holman will be sub- stitutcs. giving the Phls two out fielders.
 The catching department is led by Captain Jimmy Wilson. with Schulte and O'DonnelI in reserve.
 Manager Shotton will be assist ed by Fred Hunter. formerly of 9yra- cuse. The pitchers and catchers will arrive in camp February 20. This year the Phils have shifted their