The Washington times., 1930-03-08

Oy JuULES II, huyutGCNs W AhIC'-
national NetOs SefUice staff, tDho
Is touring the pGrious camps.
BY JAMES L. KILGALLEN
ST, PETERSBURG, Fla, Aarch
S.-Manager william B. McKech'
ME plans to make a winning ball
club out Of the tail-end Boston
Braves, he confidently asserted
in an interview today, as he
stood on the third base line at
Waterfront Park here today and
peered at his players in practice.
'I never have been on a losing
ball club and ,don't intend to
be on one this year." said Nc
Kechnie.
: He was a distinct success as a
manager of the Pittsburgh and
st. Louis National League clubs
in previous campaigns. He Is
the manager who had the unique
distinction Of having been let out
by the Cardinals after he had
won q pennant because his team
collapsed in the world series.
McKechnie is starting all
over from the scratch. He
has taken over the manage
ment of the Braves under .
three-year contract.
A younger. peppier Boston
club is McKechnie's aim for 1880
He declined to make any pre-
dictions regarding where the
Braves will finish but declared
1--WE are very optimistic"
we are building up" he ex.
planned. I'VE got rid Of some OF
the old fellows and are taking on
new material"
McKechnie smiled when his at.
tention was called to the veteran
"Rabbit" Maranville prancing
around at short like a colt ano
old Hank Gowdy crouching be.
hind the home plate. He declared
there is plenty Of good ball left
in Maranville." AS for GoWdy,
he will be McKechnie's mainstay
in coaching pitchers. He is on
the roster as a catcher. but ne
will do very little receiving.
"I am going to do a lot Of ex-
perimenting before I announce
the makeup Of the club" said
McKechnie. 1--WE have 27 exhibi'
tion games carded with major
league teams, and I should be
able to get q good line on my
players before the gong rings.
'I think well show some
real pitching. The pitching
staff Is comprised Of good,
young fellows like Eddie
Brandt, Bruce Cunningham,
hen Cantwell, Johnny COOncy,
Harry SeibOld, and Bob Smith.
That's q pretty formidable
and experienced collection"
McKechnie is studying a mum
ber Of promising youngsters, IN
cIuding Ray Flaherty, Alonzo
smith, Bob Brown, and John
Clough. Fiaherty is here from
Spokane, Wash, on the recon-
mendation Of Lefty Brandt
Flaherty is a highlander. So
is Smith, who was recalled from
the Providence Club, OF the
Eastern League. Clough halls
from Blue Hill, Me-, and was
signed on the recommendation
OF Freedy Parent, a former Red
Sox infielder. The fourth, Brown
is a six-footer, whose home is IN
Hull, Mass.
HAl Spohrer is my best bet as
q catcher" said McKechnie. i
need another good backstop'
Cronin, recalled from Baltimore
last year. looks pretty good.
First base will be taken care
Of by either Johnny Neun, drafted
from Baltimore, or George Sisler'
Sisters legs are in good shape
for another hard campaign.
"I have Freddie Mcguire for
second. He is great fiel6er but
the club needs batting pinch. Bob
James, recalled from Baltimore
and Russell Rollings, drafted
from Hollywood. are candidates
for the job.
"Maranville and Jack Kahn
will fight it out for the shortstop
position. Kahn, formerly with
the Cardinals. made an extra
base record with Albany and
Manchester. He looks good.
IT am forced to try Outfielder
Walter Berger whom we purchased
from Los Angeles at third base.
He Is only "a, 6 feet 2, is fast
and can field as well as hit.
1.-THE Outfield will be taken
care Of by RichbOurg, Clark
and Welsh. / am going to
see what Moore, whom we
bought from Dallas, and
Bratcher. drafted from Dem
yer, can do in the Outfield.
They may, be able to make
the grade"
McKechnie likes the idea oil
taking hold Of the tail-enC
Braves. He has set forth no iron
clad rules of conduct. The play
ers can indulge in golf if they
want to. but only after daily prac
tice and on off days. The new
Braves manager approves Of wives
accompanying the players tx
camp, saying 1t keeps his mer
eat Of mischief.