Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-17
CHAMPS BUILD Up
RESERVE STRENGTH
Mahaffey, Rookie Pitcher,
Likely to Be Regular
From the Start.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.
ORT MYERS, Fla, March IT.
r Although the full cast of

NORT MYERS, Fla, March IT,
r. Although the full cast of
world champions, for vari-
Gus reasons, has not been
completely reassembled in train
ing camp, there appears ample
Justification for the confidence
among the Athletics that they will
enjoy another seasons run at the
top of the American League heap.
The benign leader, 67-year -old Con-
ME Mack, and his agile men are hold
ing base balls highest Office with an
outfit that seems to be decidedly on the
upgrade, rather than showing any signs
OF diSintegration. The burden of proof
is on the seven other clubs, and so far
with the exception of the New York
Yankees, no particularly damaging evil
dence has been offered.
The Athletics, barring accidents, will
take the field to defend their honors
this year with the same team that
scampered VIGOROUSLY from the worlds
series battle with the Cubs last Octo-
Der.
Max Bishop, the second-sacker, re-
ported later; Bing Miller, veteran out
fielder, took a week away from camp
for his honeymoon, and Al Simmons,
the cleanup slugger, has conditioned
lAA4lAoCA db I1Ob 0HI I6bIlCI bklAEl
run the risk of imperiling his somewhat
tender ankles on Florida sand, but all
three stars will be at their regular
posts when the season opens.
Mack Builds Reserve.
Mack is the only manager in either
league able to stand pat on his 1929
lineup AS result he and his chief
aides, Eddie Collins and Kid Gleason,
have concentrated on inspection and
development of a wholesale crop Of
youngsters, many of them to be tagged
| for future delivery.
The net profits of the training siege
are likely to show in better reserve
strength and in at least one important
addition to the pitching staff that is
already among the best in either league.
The outstanding twirling newcomer is
| Leroy Mahaffey, big South Carolina
right-hander, who came to the As via
Portland of the Pacific Coast League.
He has shown sufficient stun to stamp
him as a probable starting regular.
The tip-off on Mahaffey's ability is
the fact that the players call him
Speed on club which boasts three
of the greatest fast-ball Fingers ip the
game In Lefty Grove, Rube Walberg
and big George Earnshaw. The big
recruit Is expected to round out AVE-
man starting staff with Texas Bill
| Shores. This would permit Mack TO
hold in reserve. for relief duty or an
occasional starting turn, three such able
veterans as Eddie Ronlmel, Old Jack
| Quinn, who admits to A years, and
Howard Ehmke, world series hero. serv-
ing also as pitching coach this Spring.
BoIey Keeps Job.
Outside the box the only position in
| doubt when the camp was pitched was
shortstop where the youthful Southern
recruit, Eric McNair, appeared as a
rival for the veteran Joe Boley. This
doubt has been removed by Boley's
steady work and evidence that the vet
Grams arm still can keep the ball ahead
of the fleetest runners. McNair, who
| is only 20, nevertheless will be kept
in reserve, along with DID Williams, a
promising second sacker up from Little
Rock. and Jim Keesey, first baSenan
recalled from Portland. Roger Cramer
and Roy Tarr are. two other promising
! inf1elderS.
Robust Jimmy Foxx at first, hitting
| any and all kinds of pitching out of the
park; Bishop at second and the irre-
preSSible Jimmy Dykes. spark plug of
the team, at third base, round out the
Snf1eld 1t may not be the greatest
defensive combination in the game, but
it Is reliable quartet, with two Of the
teams most dangerous hitters IN Foxx
and Dykes. Despite his 80 years, Dykes
| appears faster than ever.
Otherwise there is not the slightest
cause for concern on Mack's part, with
the greatest catcher in the game, Mickey
Cochrane, to do at least 90 per cent
of the backstopping, and an outfleld trio
! composed Of Simmons in LETT, George
(Mule) Haas in center and Miller in
right. Homer Summa and De Witt
Lebourveau, the little California speed
merchant, have made strong bids for
reserve outfield duty, and the veteran
Wally Schang and Cy Perkins can give
Cochrane relief if he needs IL.