Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-13
CLUB CAN WALLOP;;
MAY GET DEFENSE
Hurting Is Uncertain, Too, but
Pilot Mccarthy Has Faith
in Outfit.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

ut. PETERSBURG, Fla, March 10.
The New York Yankees still
have the most expensive athlete
in base ball, and the batting
punch sufficient to terrify most pitch
ing talent. They still have spectator
appeal.
Otherwise, their case remains opcl
to argument, and 1t is just wild guess
where they will finish in this years
American League race. They were third
In 1880.
Mazse Joe Mccarthy, late of the Cubs,
now undertaking at least a two-year
term as manager, has inherited an as
sortment of great ball players led by
Babe Ruth, a flock of pitchers Of all
sizes and capabilities, plus a few choice
problems. If he's worried about them,
MarSe Joe doesn't manifest it.
The Yankees have f1oundered since
the death of Miller Higgins. In Ruth
and Combs of the outfield, Gehrig and
Lazzeri of the infield they still have the
main cogs of Higgins last champion
ship club. Otherwise the shutting proc
ess Is still on.
Sewell May Solve Problem.
This early In the training program it
appears the veteran Joe Sewell, long
one OF the greatest American League
tnfelders with Cleveland, may solve
McCarthy's infield puzzle. The Ala
baman has shown great form. at bat
and afield. If he fits in at third the in-
field will be rounded out with Tony
LaZzeri at second, Lyn Larry at short
and Lou Gehrig on first. If not, Laz-
zeTi likely will cover third and Ben
Chapman receive the assignment at sec
end base.
The only debatable outfeld post is
left field. Allen DUSTY Cooke, If he
has found himself, will get the call, but
he will have to outhit and outhustIe
Sammy Byrd, one of the few ball play
erS who can beat Babe Ruth at golf.
Myril Hoag, the Sacramento recruit,
can hit, but does not yet seem ready
for regular post.
Old man Ruth himself admits that
at 224 pounds he Is in grand condition,
ready for q big year. He looks 1t and
he is hitting the new and supposedly
less lively bah with all his accustomed
vehemence. Center field belongs to the
Kentucky Colonel, Earl Combs.
Hard Hitting Lineup.
With Bill Dickey as backstop- in-chici.
the Yankees have at lease six regulars
capable Of hitting well over the 800
mark.
Pitching is worrying the experts more
than Mccarthy, although George Pip
gras, star right handler, win not be re-
covered sufficiently from an appendicitis
operation to start the season.
why should we worry?" responded
Joe. I'VE have great Highlander in
Charley Ruf1ng and another in Pipgras,
who win be ready early in the season.
We have two seasoned left-handers In
Ed Wells and Herb Pennock and an
other good southpaw in Vernon Gomez"
The twirling problem seems to center
around Gordon Rhodes, up again from
Hollywood: big Roy Sherid and Henry
Johnson These three right-handers all
have had experience. If they settle
down and produce consistently. the
clubs pitching should be the best in
years.
Sees Rookie Hurlers Good.
OF the pitching rockies, Mccarthy
expects results from John Allen, re-
called from Jersey City; possibly Phil
Weinert from Louisville.
With the veteran Cy Perkins for
utility catching, third-string backStop
viii be picked from Arndt JorgenS, Bill
Karlon and Tom Padden. Jimmy Reese
viii remain an 1n1eld reserve, but Bill
Werber, ex-coIlege shortStop, probably
will get another years seasoning.