Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-24
TUCKER Says
CUBSCHANCES
NOT SO GOOD
Lack Of Dependable
Hurlers Said Main
Drawback; Manager
Pratt Optimistic
BY JINx TUCKER
Waco Nevs-Trihuue and Times
Herald Sports Editor. Written

fferdiu sports E1ftOr. hr1ltcu
for The Associated Press.
WACO. Texas, Feb. 23.-5l-
Manager Derrill Pratt is optimistic
regarding the chances of the Waco
Cubs in the Texas league this YER.
But at this season. when the cold
winds swoop down and do nothing
toward telling what the Scorchiny
summer days will bring. Pratt is IL
ways optimistic. II is going 10 take
more than his cheerful optimism,
however, to give Waco a class A
pitching staff from the talent he
has called for duty next month.
The training season is TO begin here
March IL.
There is quantity in the way Of
hurting talent. but unless previous
records mean nothing. the quality
Is not there. Waco does not have
a pitcher who can be called a star.
Waco does not have more than one
hurler who can be referred 70 as
relilble. That one is Earl Cald-
well. and you have to stretch your
imagination a bit TO call him con-
sistent. Still he hurled well
enough to be given a chance with
Vic LAAAAl4Co OF lA4E Tag CLiQ Va lilC
1928 season. Lefty Dumovitch.
fresh from Terre Haute. is expected
10 be the clubs leading Southpaw.
He won IL and lost 9 in the Three-I
circuit last year. Jake Freeze may
be back with the club, but the
chances are he will remain at
Houston. Lefty Stein. last year
with San Antonio. will be with he
Cubs this year. He is an inland
outer. but should replace Charles
Barnabe without loss Of strength.
Blake. Pollan. Gallivan and Nc
Chung are the most promising OF
the youngsters to be given trials.
Good Catching
Waco is fairly well fortified be-
hind the bat. where IL has been
weak ever since Ii has been in class
A baseball. IL has usually had one
star catcher. but never two capable
men. For the last two years Earl
Wolgamot has done practically Ill
OF the catching. He has been trad
ed to Terre Haute. and his duties
probably will be divided between
Leubbe and Jack Heath. Leubb-
comes to Waco from the Ashevills
team Of the South Atlantic league
with a great record. Waco obtain
ed the services of this star for a
couple OF rockies: Escallier. vho
was given a trial By Dallas last sea-
son. and Governet. a pitcher. who
was with COrSicana. Heath finish
ed the season with the Cubs. and
Pratt is enthusiastic about this bow
There VIII be a couple Of rookie
catchers around. but they hardly
rifle.
Jimmy Battle, Ryan or Del Pratt
VIII play first. and the prospects
are not SO bright there. Battle has
not had enough experience at the
place. Ryan has not had enough
experience IN professional baseball
Pratt has had too much experience
so waco IS likely TO miss the sery-
ices OF the brilliant Art Shires
Tony Pet NAV be the second base
man. He had a golden opportuni-
" 10 come through. but there are
several other infielders vho must
oe placed. Marty Karcw will no.
report until June. 50 he hardly car
be considered. but Joe Mellano ard
Dutch UsSatt have signed cor
tracts. The former Is a third base
man the latter a Shortstop. Either
can be converted into a second
baseman. but perhaps not the kind
that Waco wants. Wayne WindIe
snorstop. Is expected to settle his
grievance with the local club own
erS and sign his contract. while Fc-
Tx Vigare'S signed contract was
sent III some time Waco.
Outfield Fight
BOB Sanguinet is almost certain
70 be one Of the ~outfielders. He
has always been a great class y
star. aud has had several Texas
league trials. He still Is young. but
IS about ready. RYE, purchase
from the Piedmont league, Il ex-
pected to be Waco's outstandfn.
outfielder. while George Blacker-
by Is expected back to fill the rirhi
field berth. That leaves Waco WITH
carry Brown. Paul johnson and
Tommy Thorpe. as well as seyeral
outfielders not so well known. h
battle for the utility outfield lob
Harry Brown car be used IN thf
infield IN an emergency. SO he X
favored Tor the place. johnson Il
a holdout.
While MANAGER Pratt homes q
add box strength before the open-
ing OF the season. he feels that MS
team Is well fortified at other DO
SltlOES. and IS ready 70 90