The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-16
5ucky Harris, Manager OF De-
troit Club, Believes Squad Is
Stronger Than IN 1890

San FRANCISCO, Marcn 16.-HJ-Oe"
troit's Tigers r not trying to win the
American league pennant before the
season starts. But Manager Bucky Har-
ris wants the world to know that his
team will have to be considered when
it comes to exchange base hits tor
springtime oratory.
The 3~4-year-old, black-haired whip
Of the Tigers, whose teams finished
sixth and fifth, respectively, since he
took over the reins In 1926, believes
he has assembled q squad that Will
end up where the fruit grows sweetest
at or neal the top.
Bucky, who struts his stuff like a
gamecock and rules his roost with
the efficiency Of . backwoods school,
master, says his squad will bob up
around the opening Of the season with
q fighting spirit second to none.
Lose Exhibition Games
"The boys were all burned up be-
cause they lost their exhibition series
to the San Francisco Seals" he said.
II tried to convince them these early
contests should not be taken too seri-
ously. But they acted like q cage full
of mountain lions deprived Of break
fast. That spirit will win q lot Of
games when the season gets In full
swing.
1.-THE club Is stronger all round
than last year. Our infield 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 he
isn't ready Dugan will handle third
base nicely. You know all about young
Owen-he played at the University of
Santa Clara and with Seattle. ! think
he is the best prospect ! have zen in
seven or eight seasons Hands like
hams and he covers short like q blan-
ket. Bill AkerS made such q fine show
ing at Sh0rtstop last season he figures
to start there again. But II he doesn't
keep up the pace I'll have Owen in
there quicker'n you can spend 10
bucks in a night club.
If Charley Geringer isn't the best
second baseman in the league my
name isn't Harris. Big Dale Alexander
will do at first base until q better
man comes along.
O~utfielders Are Good
"Much Of the success Of the club
depends on the ability Of three young
o~utfielders. I have all the confidence
in the world In Frank Doljack and
the Walker brothers, Hubby and Ger
ald. We got the Walkers from Evans
vile OF the Three-Eye league. Doljack
led the Mid-Atlantio league In hit
ting with 1870. Hubby had q ,355 aver
age. Gerald was leading the league in
everything when he broke q leg last
July. He had stolen SO out Of the SIS
bases up to that time. AS I said be-
fore, If these boys click the Detroit
club Is made. # they don't I still have
experienced men In Roy johnson, uias
Funk and Johnny Stone.
while on the subject, you might
say Manager Harris wouldn't trade
his pitching staff as q whole for any
other In the league. That takes in a
lot OF territory, especially with Grove
and Earnshaw on the Athletics, but it
stands. We have q quartet Of aces in
Waite Hoyt, Vic Sorrell, George Uhle
and Earl Whitehill. Hoyt has forgot
ten the 'playboy' stuff that cropped up
during the latter part of his New
York Yankee days. I 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 staff this
season. Wally Schang acts as if he
discovered the fountain Of youth.
He came to us as q free agent and
was supposed to be all through. The
answer is, he Is going to be one Of
our regulars. We bought Johnny Ga
browski from st. Paul. He is still good
enough for the majors. Ray Hayworth
was with us last year."