Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-16
TIGERS STRONGER,
HARRIS CONTENDS
Holds Club Has Far Better
Spirit Than in Past and
Should Finish Higher.
BY RUSSELL ]. NEWLAND,
A..o.ietad presS Shorts Writer.


AN FRANCISCO, March 16.-De-
troit's Tigers are not trying to
win the American League PEN
nant before the season starts, but
Manager Bucky Harris wants the base
ball world to know that his team will
have to be considered when 1t comes to
exchanging base hits for Springtime
oratory.
The 34-year-old, black-haired whip OF
| the Tigers whose teams finished sixth
and fifth. respectively since he took
over the reins In 1929, believes he has
assembled a squad that will end up
where the fruit grows sweetest-at or
near the top.
Bucky, who struts his stuff like a
eamecock and rules his roost With the
efficiency of a backwoodS schoolmaster,
says his squad will bob up around the
opening of the season with fighting
spirit second to none.
Fine Spirit in Club.
"The boys we're all burned up because
thev lost their exhibition series to the
San Francisco Seals" he said. Il tried
to convince them these early contests
should not be taken too seriously, but
they acted much like a cage fun OF
mountain lions suddenly deprived OF
breakfast. That kind of spirit will win
a lot Of games for us when the season
gets in full swing.
THE club Is stronger all round than
last year, our inf1eld has plenty OF
utility strength with Joe Dugan,
Marvin Owen and Marty Koenig.
Marty McManus is favoring his knee,
which was operated upon, and II ne
isn't ready, Dugan will handle tnlro
base nicely.
"You know all about young Owen-he
PLAYED at the University OF Santa Cara
and with Seattle. I think he is the
best prospect have seen in seven or
eight seasons. Hands like hams and
he covers short like a blanket. Bill
Akers made such a fine showing at
shortstop last season he figures to start
there again. But If he doesn't keep up
the pace, I'll have owen in there
quicker'n you can spend 10 bucks in
night club.
Thinks Gehringer Best.
eff Charley Gehringer isn't the best
second baseman in the league then my
name isn't Harris. Big Dale Alexander
will do at first base until better man
comes along.
much of the success of the club
depends on the ability Of three. young
outf1elders to rise to the occasion.
have all the confidence in the world
in Frank Doljack and the Walker
brothers, Hubby and Gerald.
1--WE got the Walkers from Evans
Vile of the Three Eye League. Dol
jack led the Midatlantic League in
hitting with 800. Hubby had .355
average. Gerald was leading the league
in everything when he broke leg
last July. He had stolen so bases up
to that time.
the Detroit club is made' II they
don't, / still have experienced men in
Roy Johnson, Elias Funk and Johnny
Stone.
while on the subject you might say
Manager Harris wouldn't trade his
pitching staff as whole for any other
in the league. That takes in lot OF
territory, especially with Grove and
Earnshaw on the Athletics, but 1t stands
Likes His Pitching.
eve have a quartet of aces in Waite
Hoyt, Vic Sorrell, George Uhle and
Earl Whitehill. Hoyt has forgotten the
'playboy' stuff that cropped up during
the latter part of his New York YAM
kee days He is in the best condition
I have seen him In for many years.
expect him to win 20 games. We also
have plenty Of reserve pitching
strength.
That IS about the size of the works,
except that we: won't have to be
ashamed of our catching stan this
season. Wally Schang acts as II he
discovered the fountain Of youth out
here in California, He came to US as
free agent and was supposed to be all
through. The answer Is, he Is going
to be one Of our regulars. We bought
Johnny Grabowski from st. Paul. He
Is still good enough for the majors.
Ray Hayworth was with us last year..