The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-20
THINKS SOUTHPAWS
WILL LEND AID IN
WINNING PENNANT
Rajah May Assist His lnfieId by
Playing Second Base
During Season
TO E IN CONDITION EARLY
Expects Major League Race in
National League Will Be 4
Five-Cornered
]By ROGERS HORNSBY
manager Chicago Cubs

Success for the Cubs in 1881 de-
ponds entirely upon the pitching
That is the way things look to me
now.
The Cubs last year was a strong
slugging outfit and I feel that the Of
fensive strength will be there agar
this year. We didn't win the pen
nant in 1890 because our pitching
staff wasn't strong enough to carry
on for the entire season. Since tho
close of last year we have added
pitching strength to the team ano
that additional defensive power. ]
figure. will put us in the pennant
race for 1881.
Cubs Get Smith
I was glad to get Bob Smith from
the Boston club to join our pitching
staff. Bob is a veteran and a great
ball player along with being a great
pitcher. There were many times Il
year ago when he could have stepped
in and saved a game for us besides
taking a turn on the rubber.
Besides Smith, we have added Jake
May, veteran left-hander of the Reds
land Sweetland. young southpaW OF
the Phillies. to the Cubs staff. Last
year We needed more left-handed
pitching. We developed a most
promising youngster in Teachout and
I am looking forward to great things
from him this year. We got some
helh from the veteran Jess Petty
! whom we got late in the season, bur
most of the time we suffered because
of the lack of Southpaws.
Have Veteran Staff
With pitchers who arc established
like Root, Malone. Bush and Blake
and with the help of Bob Smith
Young Teachout. Jake May and
Sweetland. I think We will have just
about the best staff in the league
and with a great pitcing staff I don''
see how the Cubs can be a failure
with hitters on the club like Hack
Wilson. Kiki Cuyler, Gabby Hartnet'
and Riggs Stephenson. And these
fellows will hit any kind Of a ball
lively or dead.
l am hoping to be able to get IL
there at second base myself and fully
expect to do SO. but I will say right
now that if 1 don't think I can do as
we'll as "Foots" Blair. he'll be at sec
ond base instead of Hornsby.
It was with the idea of getting int
condition as soon as possible that ]
started early for the training camp tt
work out.
~ A~ 41,Sy,r ,,onY.n No hQt'n 2
young outfielder in JOHNNY Moore whc
is SURF to be a live one. He was with
Los Angeles last year and, was hitting
over $50 when he injured his hand
late in the season. He's O. K. now
and we are sure to be using him q
lot. Danny Taylor. who was with the
club last year. is another outfieldel
with speed and punch.
Will Use Bell
Some people think we will be weak
at third base, but I don't. Right now
I am banking on Lester Bell, He was
great in the closing weeks OF last sea.
son. In Woody English We have the
greatest young infielder in the league
and he can play either third or shor'
better than anybody in the league
and along with it has developed into
one of the great hitters.
I know it's going to be anothe'
tough pennant race because we are
sure to have five strong clubs in thu
fight in St. Louis, New York, Brock
lyn. Pittsburgh and Chicago. but
feel that in the end the Cubs will b,
on top.