The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-10
TOLEDO LOOKS
LIKE PENNANT
WINNER AGAIN
Calibre of New Players Indi'
Gates Little World Series
Champs Are Strong
(This is the first of a series
Of reviews on the American As.
ISOLATION baseball clubs.)

-
ISOLATION baseball clubs.)
Toledo, O., Feb. 10.-(AP)-The
Toledo Mudhens, champions Of the
American Association, and winners
of the s'littlc worlds Series, will 90
south earlier this year than on any
previous training trip. The first
squad will reach Biloxi, Miss, on
Feb. 25, and the main contingent will
come in a week later, giving the bat
terymen several days to prepare for
batting practice.
The Mudhens have lost consid-
cradle number of the players who
helped to win the American Asso-
citation pennant last season, but the
calibrc Of the new players would in-
dictate that the club will again be in
the race, if two capable infielders
are obtained from the big leagues.
The Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves
and Philadelphia Athletics are ex-
pected to render some aid to Toledo
in return for players released to
them during and after the 1927 race.
Outfielder Dewitt Lebourveau, sold
to the Athletics; second baseman
Freddy Mcguire and Outfielder Joe
Kelly, grabbed off BY the Cubs;
Shortstop Warren "Pete" Cote, re-
turned to New York and later re-
leased to Toronto: Shortstop Everett
Scott, Internationally released;
Pitcher Jack Wisner, sent to the
Southern Association; Pitcher Byron
Specie, returned to Indianapolis, and
Catcher John Heving, drafted BY the
Braves, are the prominent players
who finished the season with Toledo
last year and will be missing when
spring training starts this season.
New Trio Listed
Three important additions to the
clubs roster already are announced.
Outfielder Heinie Mueller and Catch.
er AL Devormer have been purchased
from the New York Nationals, and
Pitcher Jack Scott from the Phillies.
The Mudhens look stronger on the
mound than last year, with Pal
ermo, Barnes and Scott expected to
figure 40 the leading hurlers and
Milstead, Mccullough, Huntzinger,
Msun, Ryan and Pfeffer likely to
hold their own in the circuit.
Behind the bat the Hens look
stronger than any in the minor
leagues with AL Devormer, Norman
Mickey" O'Neil, and Stanford
Handy, the last named coming from
the Eastern league after he had
shown considerable promise with the
Giants last year.
The infield is the prime problem.
Roy Grimes, who was about the best
first baseman in the circuit last sea-
son, barring Joe Hauser, will be back.
but none Of the other three posi-
tions are settled. Bill Marriott will
be available again for third base,
but second and short are wide open.
Several recruit infielders will be
given q chance at Biloxi, but Man
ager Stengel is keeping his eyes
fixed on major league clubs for the
players he wants for these posi-
lions. Carl Husta from the Athletics
is q candidate for shortstop.
Outfield Is Strong
The outfield should be as strong on
the attack as last season and much
better Extensively. Bob Veach will
play left field, but probably will take
short vacations throughout the sea-
son and let Otis Carter, with Buff
falo last year. fill in. Horace "Pip"
Koehler, = great defensive player,
will again be in center. He was pur-
chased by the Cubs last fall, but re-
turned when the Cubs landed "Kiki"
Cuyler.
In right field will be the spectac-
ular Heinie Mueller, who should be
. star in this company. At least
four Of the regulars, Mueller, Veach,
Grimes and Devormer, can be rated
as members Of any A. A. "wrecking
crew." and with another hard hit
ting infielder, the clubs batting
strength should be q big factor in
Manager Stengel is counting upon
Ernie Maun, who in 1925 was the
most effective pitcher in the Asso-
ciations to return to his old time
form. Maun was troubled with bad
arm al last season. Milstead, a
southpaw and former Cub, did effec-
tive work throughout the season, and
should have another good year on the
firing lire.
! The schedule Of spring games is
the heaviest ever underIA..-.i w q
Toledo club. About 80 contests will
be played in Biloxi and on the way
north. These include games with
Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville,
Montreal and New Orleans prior to
March e, and with many Southern
Association clubs on the way north
after that date. The Boston Braves
will be played in Toledo the Satur-
day and Sunday before the Associa-