Evening star., 1928-01-20
NEW BLOOD GAINED
BY PILOT SHOTTON
First Baseman Kelley Is Most
Notable Addition-Boxmen
Aligned Number II.


NHILADELpH1A. January 20. -
l. With raft of new players. a
seasoned first baseman and add
i itions 10 the pitching staff, not
to mention the inspiring Unfit
ence of Burt Shotton. the new manager
signed for two years. the Philadelphia
Nationals face the 1928 base bali CAM
paign looking through rose-tinted
spoctacleS
Winding up in eighth place last sea-
kon the PllilS switched managers DUR
ine Winter. made few advantageous
swaps. shook up their personnel,
changed training quarters and an
nounceo Spring practice would start
two weeks earlier this year.
The most notable addition 10 the
team is first baseman George Kelley.
bought from Minneapolis although he
PLAYED at Newark n. J. last year. kel-
lev has been successful minor league
first sacker for five years and compiled
a. honlers two years ago with Buffalo
Despite conflicting reports. Fresco
Thompson will be back on second base
He is one OF the most agile keystone
tenders III the National League. The
veteran Heinie Sand will return To his
old position at shortstop. Hal Dletrich
Of Portsmouth. Va. will be SANDS
understucy.
Fight on for Third Base.
Struggle for third base will take
plsce between Barney Friberg. near
veteran. and A c. tAcei Whitney, erSt-
while New orleans player and voted
the best infielder in the Southern AsSo-
citation last year.
whitney comes highly recommended
to the Phils. He sports 1913 batting
average. Is a base Stealer and possesses
o rife throwing arm.
One of the best all-around utility men
tr the National League. Regsy Wright
stone. handy man with the bat, VIII oe
available for emergency duty in almost
any position and will act as pinch NIT
ter
At the last base pall meeting. the
Ph;iiies disposed of Outflelder Johnny
Mokan. Catcher Bubbles Jonnard arlc
Shortstop jimmy Cooney. in eXchanW
for Pitcher Jimmy Ring and Catcher
John Schultz Ring was eager 10 play
in the East and his experience snouio
be an asset TO the Philadelphia team.
The twirling corps is stronger than IN
recent wears. II consists of Frank Ul-
rich. a rigl1t-handed ace; CLAUDE VIII
loughby. Alex Ferguson. Art Decatur,
veteran right handed singers Clarence
Mitchel. HERO HTIett AIlO LSS1ci S"cN'-
land southpaws.
There is flock of impressive new
corners. Walsh and Taber from the
Eastern League: Benge from Waco:
Greene of Portsmouth and many other
lesser lights Az least four OF the RooK-
ies are said 10 possess enough stun 10
remain in The big league.
Cy Williams on Jeb Again.
In the outfisld. Cy Williams. who TIED
with Hack Wilson for home-run honors
last year with 30 probably will alternate
with Denny Sothern. Washington. ID
c.. boy. II he does not care 10 pay
through the entire season. Cy Is real
veteran but he still retains the knacG
@. cioutinc ho!ners.
Center field will ne guarded by Free
Leach. deadly hitter in .he pincn,
while Dick Spalo!ng will hold forth in
left Both led the league In helo!ne
their positions last season. Al Nixon
and Holman will be substitutes, giving
the Phils two outflelcs.
The caachirg department Is leo oy
Capt. jimmy Wilson. with Scnule ana
ODonneil IN reserve.
Manager Shotton will be assisted oy
Pred Hunter. formerly of Syracuse. The
nitrl1ers and catchers wtll arrive IN
camp Febrgary 20 This year the pnls
have shifted their training site 10 WIN
Ger Haven. in Central Florida. seven
teen pitchers viii take the Spring CON
citional jaunt. assuring the Pniiiies
p,entv Of batting practice.