Evening star., 1928-03-12
BY BRIAN BELL.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

wv YEsT PALM BEACH. Fla.
\A March IF new base
NV ball brocms swept clean
Y there would be little dust
left In the corners Of that
part Of the American League assigned
for cleaning to st. Louis. Between sea-
sons the Browns have been of with
the old and on with the new base ball
talent to an extent seldom observed In
the majors
The Browns probably will take trP
field for the first game Of the 1923
season with only three players. and
| Cssibly two. in the lineup who played
i'll the opening game las; year. ihe
surviving trio will oe Waliy Scl,aEg,
cate Ter; Frank O'RouiXe. third base,
and Fred Schultz. center field. II Clyde
Manion should be called on to catch
there would be but two veterans of
1927, and on. OF these. Schultz. a
youngster, Who played his first part
| season last yeaf, his very worthwhile
activities being restricted by injuries
| to go games.
| Building for Future.
The Browne. who finished seventh
last season, have been scattered to the
| four winds Of Ease ball and the 1898
st. Louis edition probably will have
a difficult time improving the position
Of last year. Manager Dan Howley and
President Phil de G. Ball nave started
building for the future by bringing On
some young fellows 10 try their hands
where the older players failed.
Three -fourths Of the infield will be
new to the Browns and one-half OF 1t
new to the major leagues. Lu Blue,
scrapped Detroit first baseman. will take
care of first. replacing George Sisler,
and Frank O'Rourke holds on at third.
Manager Howley will toss two young.
sters from Tulsa in at second and
short. He believes Otis Brannon and
Ralph Kress will get the best major
league experience by playing major
league ball, so the recruits have been
given the starting positions. with Oscar
Mellilo and Walter Gerber showed to
the bench. A third Tulsa infielder, Guy
Sturdy, will be retained as an under
study for Blue and pinchhitter.
The Browns have an outfield long
on quality, but short on quantity
Harry Manush. who has worn the bat
ting crown OF the American League.
obtained from Detroit in a trade. will
play left; Earl McNeely, who played
impressive world series ball for WASH
AikLOIIs AAa1 bCEAA O6baAA4C0 ~ N<AAG @0A Y
of right, and Fred Schultz. the 100000
outfield investment of last year, re.
covered from 1927 injuries. again will
get the centcrfield assignment.
The club Is shy OF reserve outfield
material, having only couple OF
youngsters who are not ready to stand
| by for the regulars. A deal will have
| to be made for additional outfielders.
Three veteran catchers are available
| Schang and Steve O'Neill from las,
year and Clyde Manion, former De-
troit receiver. drafted from Newark.
Veteran Hurlers Scarce.
The pitching stan Is uncertain now
and may be after the season opens.
Walter Stewart. q capable but frail.
southpaw, and Ernie Nevers. big right
handler. strong enough to be sensation
on the mound, are the survivors from
last years starting staff. Alvin Crow
der. who vas transferred from WASH
ington to st. Louis last season. Is back
and Sam Gray has transferred his ac-
tivities from the Athletics to the
Browns.
Johnny Ogden, sensational pitcher for
Baltimore. has won q place as has
George Blaeholder. who won 26 games
for Tulsa. Dick Cofiman. who was an
other figure in the st. Louis-Washing-
ton trade. has shown enough to be re-