The Washington times., 1928-03-16

unless I'm crazy Koupal will do this
time
Bancroft will improve Our in
field 100 per cent. He is an infield
in himself and with better men at
first and third bases, the whole
works will be tighter and more
efficient. And lie you think an old
head like Bancroft's won't steady
young player like Partridge at
second base, then you and must
agree to disagree.
"I'H admit the club hasn't a
scoring punch, but you will zee
more runs and more victories this
year-also less games lost by one
run. With pitching like ours any
thing is possible"
He didn't say so but i gathered
that he alluded tn the possibility
Of finishing i'm front of the
Giants. He has them stopped
already ON that payroll thing.
But / decided that wouldn't
say so, either. 1t is probable
that BroOkIyn's salary list tops
that of any other club in the
National League.
Bancroft, as claimed, is the key
man OF the club. If he is the old
Banny, which is to be doubted, he
can and will make an infield out
OF any three men. The Braves say
he has slipped beyond all reason
but Robbie only smiles at that
crack 1t is the latter's idea that
Bancroft worried himself out OF a
job last year, theory that isn't
b ltogether sustained by the young
mans age. which is IS.
Infieiders usually do not outlive
that milestone.
However, even If he can't get
off a watch crystal out there, he
will be prime necessity to the
operation of a kid infield. and other
members of which are Del Bis
sonette. at first base: Jimmy Par
fridge at second and Harry Riconda
at third The latter has been up
and down like a freight elevator
but ne had an encouraging year
with Milwaukee this time and has
shown enough down here to take
the place from Howard Freigall,
of Dayton, Ohio, and Kansas, City,
who has had his fling with the
Cubs and Cardinals.
DARCY Flowers, former Card, is
available in case Bancroft bogs
down, but Leo Bader. of Jackson
vile and New Orleans; Chuck"
Corgan, Kansas City, and Hal Lee,
Of Mississippi College, are not Iong
for this life, apparently. Bill
Rhiel. another infie1der. already
has been sent back 20 Atlanta-the
ball club, not the penitentiary.
Bissonette, who once deemed him
self a pitcher with the Yankees,
hit so well in the International
League last year that he has been
wished into Babe Herman's job at
first base and Herman informed,
much to his surprise, that he is an
had managed to escape general
notice during the fortunately few
occasions Herman essayed the out
field at Ebetts Field, but, then,
Babe ever was blOke to con-
ceal things. In fact, he per-
manently lost lot of ball games
around first base last year. He
is hitting like fool down here
at that.
The added punch of which Mr..
Robinson speaks so glibly is sup
posed to he furnished by Bissonette
and Bancroft in the infield and
by Al Tyson, the new addition to
the outfield. Albert couldn't hit
the size of his board bill with the
Giants. but he went we'll in Buffalo
and so he is back with the only
club that will pay $4,000 to a
man who hits .265. Tyson is and
will be the regular left fielder
until further notice. Carey. no
longer hitter, will be in right,
with Harvey Hendricks, always a
hitter but never a fielder, available
in utility roles both as outfielder
and first baseman. STATE, one of
the finest defensive men the game
affords, will roam center field. over.
ton Tremper, former University of
Pennsylvania man, has a chance
to stay, If he hits, but Dan TAYLOR,
of Memphis, and Lash, Penn, have
little or none.
The old line Of catchers. Hank
Deberry, Butch Henline and Charley
Hargraves, again is around ana
about, which probably means that
Hugh Wise, Purdue University,
won't be for long. If he goes. ne
merely will be following Alonzo
one-way ride. by request, the other
day.