Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-18
OWNER, MANAGER,
MORALE, ALL NEW
And Even Some of Its Old
Players viii Be Wearing
New Uniforms.
BY ALLAN GOULD,
Associated, prere Gnarte yaTrife


~ ORLANDO, Fla, March 18.-
The Cincinnati Reds this year
have a new owner, a new
manager, new spirit-and some
old familiar figures in new uniforms.
They hope the combination will make
the Redlegs more conspicuous in the
National League pennant chase than
has been the case since they last
seriously threatened in 1925.
Late last season, the ownership of
the Reds passed to the hands of Sidney
We'll, young and energetic automobile
dealer who admitted a lack of techni-
cal base ball knowledge, but possessed
excellent enough business judgment to
engage the capable Dan Howley as
general manager of the forces on the
field. Backed by We'll, Howley has
given the club drastic shaking up ana
developed habit of hustling that may
make the Reds a decided factor this
season, even though they hardly can
hope to entertain any pennant pros
poets.
Developing New Pitchers.
Howley has concentrated on the de-
velopement of new pitchers, the en-
enlargement of the old and the acquisi-
ton of bigger punch in the outfield
by. obtaining Bob Meusel and Harry
(Slug) Heilmann from American League
clubs at an outlay understood to be
around $4,000. The new manager
found ready-made for him, such assets
as the great right-handed twirler,
Charles (Red) Lucas; a sensational
catcher in Clyde Sukeforth and fine
second-base combination in Hughie
Critz and Horace Ford. Leo Durocher,
the peppery lad obtained from the
Yankees, may break into this combi-
nation as an alternate or understudy for
Ford at shortstop without spelling its
defensive efficiency.
Meusel and Heilman, in fine condition
and eager to show they can hit Ma
t1onal League curves as hard as they
hit American League fast balls, give the
Reds much-needed cleanup wallop
Howley will be disappointed If these
two do not hit around $50 apiece. They
will be supported probably by Ernest
Evar Swanson, centerfielder, and one
Curtis, Walker, Ethan Allen and per-
haps Earl Webb, former Cub, in re-
serve.
The veteran George Kelly at first and
either Charley Dresser or Joe Strip at
third base will round out the infield.
Tony Cuccinello came up touted as a
great third baseman from Columbus
but Howley has developed him prin-
cipally as an npderstudy for Critz at
second. This appears important in
view of the talk at various times that
the Reds might listen to terms on a
deal for Critz.
No matter how many games they
place in the winning column, the Red
fingers will be in condition. Howley
has had the whole club hustling, but he
has had the pitchers running. Like Bob
Shawkey, Buckley Harris and other
managers, Howley regards pitchers
legs as important as his arms.
Lucas, May Are Aces.
Nothing is the matter with the good
right arm Of Lucas who won 10 games
last season, or the southpaw of Jake
May. They are the aces of the staff.
Pete Donohue, much heavier and
stronger, and Eppa Jeptha Rixey,
towering southpaw, probably will CAPT.
talize their experience as relief men.
Howley hopes to develop at least one, If
not two consistent performers from the
crop. including Doug McWeeny, big
fast-ball pitcher from Brooklyn; Archie
Campbell, another of st. Pauls numer-
GUS contributions to the big show; Silas
johnson, last year with Columbus, and
Benny Frey, obtained from Nashville.
Ray Kolp, whose 1929 record was dis
tinguished chiefly by bout with Hack
Wilson; Ken Ash, RUDE Ehrhardt and
Marvin Gudat, young Texas southpaw,
are all hold-overs.
Sukeforth, who hit 1854 last season,
his first as a regular, will share
the catching assignments with the vet
eran Johnny Gooch, but Howley has
the hooks out for another backStop,
needed for emergencies.