New Britain herald., 1930-03-10
LETTERS WANTED
 0N BRAVES TEAM
Player With Punch Likely to
 Land Regular Berth

lose, grey haired Bill Mckcchnic has begun his four-ycar term of off ,c as manager Of the Boston Braves by putting a premium on the old fashioned Wallop.
 The harder and longer the Bray s sock 'em in spring training. the be- ter are their chances of landing q berth.
 You know I have never faNorC1 the development of defense in any club at the expense of attack" sad Mckechnic. Tn this day and age of baseball I am q firm believer that the punch is the thing. Ball games arc won by the club scoring the most runs. We may be outscored a lot, but VIC will do considerable scoring on our own account. if l can find the boys with the wallop."
 As q result Of this policy of brute force ill practice, the natives and tourists on the outskirts of Water front park have daily been sent scurrying to cover by the long distance clouts of tho 1880 crop of Braves. The club uniform, with tho flarinr emblem of an Indian in war feathers in front as well as on the back of the shirt, contributes to the terrifying effect of the boys from Boston, Beaverton. Oregon; Bcau- mont, Texas, and Crcstvicw, Fla. Neither is Mckechnie particular what position his players occupy, so lcng as they can hit. Tho star re- cruit in camp, biz. rangy Walter Berger, who hit forty homo runs for Los Angeles in the Pacific Coast League last season, came cast as an outficlder but may start the season at third base. Russell RcdD Roi- l lings. third baSCman drafted from Hollywood of the coast circuit, ,a hitting hard enough to warrant the prediction he may replace the acr.)- batic fielding but light hitting Frcti- dy Mcguire at the keystone sack. If Mckcchnie finds any potential Babe Ruths Of Lefty O'Douls in his col lection of pitchers, he will not hc3!- tate in the least to shove him into an outfiCld
 No doubt Mcllcchnic has in mind that the Yanks clubbcd their Way tr number Of championships anl that even the Phillie3 by the sheer application of brute force. SlusS"1 their way into fifth position in tha National League last year. Tie | veteran manager has not the slight 1 est illusion about where his team ia | going. if anywhere, for 1930. He 1 knows, as do all the critics that i. will take 1914 miracle" cycn to set the Braves out Of the cellar. Sa far as that Gocc, he regards himself is a 'chcerful pcSsimst." But with time (and he has at least four of t at his dispoaaD MIKcchnic thinks | something can be done about the 1 situation. The man who led Pitts | burch and St. Louis to pcnnants. l losing his job after each victorious accomplishment, hardly could u2 1 immediately discouraged, even b! the outlook for tho Braves.
 What the club needs more than ! anything else ct present is a frs; 1 atrinG, capable catcher. Al Spohrcr, a knockout victim of Art Shir 's, curing the winter, Is willing. but still perhaps 'it:lc punch drunk.
 Hank Gowdv, nearing 40. prob ably can do q better sop behind the p@t than any tackct ,p in camp bl, i Hanks future is behind him. AI.- I>cchnio hopes to land another maSi; rran when rival clubs begin cuttiH$ GoWn.
 With Berger clatcd for third an 1 EollinCs for second, Mckcchnic hIs two war horses to complete his re- uiar inficlG-thc ubiquitous Rabbit M2ranvillc at short and George Sis Ter, still a great hitter and in fine condition, ct fjrGt. The 37 year oll MGranvillc will :tart most of the games, even # Bob James finish4S them. Sislcr, even though 3G. is not likely 10 cNpe.icncc difficulty keep. lnS his job in competition with .h cicvcr-ficldiuG Johnny Ncun or thr burly Pat Ilahcrty. q sluCccr VI 7 played end with the New Yorj; Giants la"t yctr.
 Lance iChbourG. ono Of the best outficldcrs in tho lc2~uc. would h, q star on mot any team, he is q supcr-star with the Braves and q fixture in risat field. Earl Clark who Glro did well in 1922, is ccr- tainty in ccntcrfjcld, with Joe Rratchcr from Denver and Ran lN Moore, a heavy hitter from Dallls a. candidates for left field
 Even if Jimmy Welsh rcport> ready for action. Berger will get tI' cell in left if not placed on tirG Tho club lot Il good prospect whrg Bill Dunlap. who came up iron Providence, was operated on for ap pcudicitis February @S soon aftv, arriving for practice.
 The pitching staff is well cquippo, with experienced. talent of the righ' handed variety, in Bob smith, Brur' Cunningham. Percy Jones, B. Cantwoll and Johnny Cooncy. Cam,
 well has looked especially goo J Two of the best new prospects ar Bob Brown, of Hull, Mass., wit came up from aomi-pro ranks. an,
 Alonzo Smith of Stoubcn. f2iu
 purchaged from Providence. Th. only seasoned aouthpaw on hand l
 Ed Brandt. but Tracy Hart. win
 pitched against the Tanks Saturday may stick as q port :idcr.
 DISTINGUISHED BY HAIR