Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-08
RISE FROM CELLAR
IS SHOTTON'S HOPE
Excepting Pitchers, Clubs
Material Appears Much
Better This Year.
BY BRIAN BELL
associated Press Sports Writerl.

Wv WINTER HAVEN, Fla, March 8.
Supporters Of the Phila-
wv delphia Nationals hope and
believe that they have lost
the jewel Of consistency since
the last season ended. The PhIlies
have consistently finished last in the
National League race Of late and any
change must be for the better.
Early signs at the training camp In.
dictate that Burt Shotton, now . sopho-
more manager, at least has q chance
to push his team out of the cellar.
A large question mark remains after
the pitchers names, but the rest OF the
lineup has been so improved that even
il the pitching Is no better than 1t was
in 1923 it will show more results.
Manager Shotton is able to oner a
good infield. fair outfield and two ex-
cellent catchers. He finds his stock
on the shelves for emergency call low.
but may be able to do something In the
way Of requirements later.
The most encouraging development
for Phillie fans Is in the infield. Tom
my Thevenow seems certain TO play
great ball at Shortstop. The star OF the
1925 world series, when he wore q 81.
Louis Cardinal uniform, has recovered
from a broken leg. suffered In 1927, and
runs without the slightest suggestion OF
limp.
Thompson Il Strong.
Fresco Thompson at second base is
an established star, and Arthur Whit
ney. third, and Don Hurst. first, are
well on the road that leads to base ball
glory, even with q tail-end team. The
1928 season marked the first year In
fast company for Whitney and Hurst,
and their manager believes that the ex-
perience gained under FIRE will show
dividends this year. Whitney hit 800
In his first chance and Thompson and
Hurst were not far away.
Homer Peel. who came from st. Louis
by way of Houston, Tex, apparently
could not be denied place in the OUT
field. Chuck Klein, who was promoted
from Fort Wayne late in the season
finished so sensationally that he will be
given a chance to repeat. Lefty O'Doul,
former Giant and Dennis Southern may
divide outfield assignments. The veteran
CIV williams will be held In reserve.
Virgil Davis and Walter Lerian at ~
and 26 years of age, take rank with
the great young catchers Of the game
and will share the receiving burden. A
pair of Georges, Susce and Shefiott seek
the other catching place.
In addition to the pitchers brought
over from the 1928 season, three new
ones appear to have won places on the
stan. Jack Milligan, back from SYRIA
cuse, is a lefthander Of promise. Two
righthanders from the Southern Asso-
citation may win starting positions for
themselves. Luther Roy, late Of Biz
mingham and with previous major
league trials, and Phil Collins. UP from
New Orleans. where he pitched In 20
games, will be given extended ohserva-
ton. Holdovers include Ed. Beecht, Ray
Benge, Alex Ferguson, Bob McGraw,
Lester Sugar" Sweetland and Claude
Willoughby. SWISS
Lacks Control. 80.
Sweetland, another Florida product,
has more stun than most southpaws,
but can deliver 1t only on occasion
through lack of control He was the
only Phillie pitcher able to display any
success against the champion st. Louis
Cardinals last year. June Green has
seemed to be better hitter than pitch
er and he may Join the fast growing
colony Of pitchers who have been con-
verted to more regular work elsewhere.
A lack Of indeld reserves may prompt
Manager Shotton to 90 scouting for an
other player or two. He has only the
hitting Barry Friberg and two young
sters who need experience TO toss in
should the shock troops falter under
the attack. He may get relief through
alert scanning Of requests for waivers
by other clubs.