The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-08
Brooklyn May Improve Sixth
Place Standing With Better
Spirit and Squad
DAzZY VANCE WORKS HARD
Catcher Alfonso Lopez Expect
ed to Share Battery Work
With Val Picinich
Mote: This is another Of a
series Ct stories on major league
club prospects for $780,
BY ALAN GOULD

Clearwater, Fla, Mar. 8.-(R-Thc
signing Of al armistice along the
Brooklyn baseball front has furnished
new life and enthusiasm for 67-year-
old Uncle Wilbert Robinson and his
flock.
It remains to be seen whether the
Robins fly higher this year than
sixth place. something they have been
unable to do since they last were pen
nant contenders in 1924. There are
sufficient problems in the squad to
make any manager but Jovial Uncle
Robbie lose weight.
Brooklyn has an outfit that may be
a sensation, as the Phillies were last
year, or it may again be a flop. It
has exceptional batting strength. new
and promising young blood, pitching
greatness-even if only Dazzy Vance
and Watson Clark are in form-and
it has q new spirit. engendered by
Robbie'S infectious enthusiasm.
Injury Jinx Persists
On the other hand, the jinx of ply
steal ailments that ruined the clubs
chances last year has not entirely dis
appeared. The throwing arm of
Glenn Wright, former Pirate Short
stop, has improved but is still a ques-
ton mark. Del Bissonette. smuggling
first sacker, is now in condition, due
to long illness and a crop of boils.
The pitchers have developed spring
wildness. Babe Herman, the clubs
leading batsman of 1929, has been a
holdout. There are Ifs" to almost
every angle Of the clubs organization
but Uncle Robbie has not the Slight
est doubt he will solve the existing
problems.
The most interesting prospect Is the
sensational bid for regular jobs of
keystone youngsters, Neal (Mickey)
Finn and Gordon Slade. purchased
for around $4,000 from the missions
of the Pacific Coast League. Finn Is
a second baSeman and Slade q short
stop.
Walter Gilbert, the former Atlanta
product who made good last year at
third base. is a fixture. Bissonette
will hold down first, if he is in shape.
Otherwise one of the lift : fielders,
RUDE Bressler or Harvey Hendrick,
will be assigned for temporary infield
duty.
Johnny Frederick Is q centerfield
certainty and Herman. when he re-
ports, will patrol right field. The big
hitter. offered $4,000. has demanded
SOS. 1000 on the strength Of his mark of
1854 at bat in 1929. Recently he wrote
Uncle Robbie he would "holdout. If 1t
takes all summer"
Robbie expects Alfonso Lopez. a.
year-old Tampa boy purchased from
Atlanta, to develop as a first rate
catcher. sharing the heavy work With
Val Picinich. The y~oungster has .
good arm and can hit.
~ Pitchers Report
Seventeen pitchers turned up for
Robbie's eagle-eyed inspection but
there is still only one Dazzy Vance in
the crop. Vance has been working
harder than any rookie. Among the
other right-handers in camp. Ray
Moss-looks dependable as a regular
so does elise Dudley. Clarence Beth
en-, purchased from Atlanta, and
Hollis Thurston, a veteran drafted
from San Francisco, each won q
games and lost II in fast minor
league. company in 1929. Adolfo
Luque, the veteran Cuban obtained
from Cincinnati. and highlands
Johnny Morrison will be assigned relief
duty and Robbie expects them to save
a lot Of ball games.
william Watson Clark. southpaw