Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-19

WINTER HAVEN, Fla,
M March 10. - The sad
' ' plight of the PhiIadel-
phia Nationals will be
sadder unless Doctor" Burton z.
Shotton finds quick cure for the
clubs pitching aches and pains.
Mediocre mound work by all
save Phil Collins wrecked the
bright prospects of this colorful,
hard-hitting club a year ago.
fifth, the PhillieS skidded to last
place. AS result, Shotton has
been forced to tear the team apart
and face the 1881 season with dis
tinctly dubious prospects.
The Phillies still have the punch,
even though they let Frank Oefty)
Brooklyn in a big deal, aimed at
strengthening the pitching corps.
Headed by Chuck Klein, the brilliant
outfielder who hit 1886 last season. the
smuggling troops include Pinkey Whit
ney, Don Hurst, 210-pound Virgil Davis,
No. l backstop, and Buzz" Arlett, the
elderly and portly rookie" who hits
EN- high, wide and handsome from a
mooring-mast stance.
Minor Ailments Hit HurIers.
On paper, at least, Shotton has gone
far toward solving his pitching worries,
but an epidemic Of minor ailments and
sore arms has handicapped the fingers
in camp. Chef Nichols, promising
Highlander, left for home after. de-
veloping a lame shoulder. On top of
DC hill ENNIlf rrrf1r xrrNr1
and lost IL for a last-place club, per-
sisted in holding out.
Much is expected from the two men
obtained from Brooklyn-CliSe Dudley,
who throws right-handed, but bats left,
and Jumbo Jim Elliott, who throws left
handed and bats right. Shotton says
he won't worry about these peculiari-
ties so long as the pair wins ball games.
Elliott won 10 for the Robins last year.
The most promising addition, other
wise, Is LII Stoner, former Detroit
Worth last season. Stoner has been one
of the few men In camp to show sat
isfactory form.
Shotton hopes to get at least one win
ner from three seasoned southpaw re-
cruits-Stewart Bolen, who won 19 with
Baltimore; Hal Wiltse, also credited
with 10 victories for Fort Worth, and
0SA 01llelOSs a DuA1y AC44CW wiz O4S|
showed lot CT stuff with the New York
Yankees and is now trying comeback
after being out Of the game because OF
illness.
In addition to Collins, the club has
pitching holdovers in Ray Benge, Hal
Elliott and John Milligan.
The infield appears strengthened by
the addition OF Dick Bartell, deet ex-
Pirate, at shortstop. Whitney II Tx
tzre at third. Don Hurst reliable at
first and Barney Fr1berg slated to play
second base unless he Is relegated to
the utility role by q youngSter, Les Mall
lon, from Fort Worth. Mallon fell VIC
tim to the camp jinx by pulling tendons
in both legs, but he showed enough to
impress Shotton with his all-around
ability.
Shifts in OutfieId.
Klein's holdout tactics have COM
PEELED considerable juggling in the cut
field, the starting trio still being un-
certain. Hal Lee, obtai1Ted from Brook
lyn, appears to have cAnched one po-
sition, perhaps the left field, vacated
by O'Doul. Klein may be shifted from
his customary right field post to make
room for the heavy-hitting Arlett. Fred
Roster, the Little Rock recruit, has
shown great ground-covertng ability In
center held and Is an ideal lead-o6
man because Of his speed.
Behind the bat Davis will have the
aid Of Harry McCurdy and George
RenSa, taken over from the Tigers last
season via the waiver route.