The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-19
PHIL MANAGER MAY
REYAMP Lineup OF
new hurting STAFF
PhiIIies Still Have Batting
Punch; Klein Leads Shot
ton Troops in Hitting
ROOKIE TALENT TO BE AID
Burt Shotton Appears to Have
Strengthened 'nfield by
Addition Of Bartlett

Winter Haven, Fla, March 10.-R
The sad plight Of the Philadelphia
Nationals will be sadder unless DOC
tor" Burton E. Shotton finds a cure
for the clubs pitching aches and
pains.
Mediocre mound work by all save
Phil Collins wrecked the bright pros
poets of this, hard hitting club q
year ago. Picked to finish no worse
than fifth, the Phillies skidded to last
place. AS q result Shotton has been
forced to tear the team apart and
face the 1881 season with distinctly
dubious prospects.
The Phillies still have the punch,
even though they let Frank Uefty)
O'Doul and Fresco Thompson go to
Brooklyn In a big deal aimed al
strengthening the pitching corps.
Headed by Chuck Klein. the bril-
liant outfielder who hit 1886 last sea-
son, the smuggling troops, include
Pinkey Whitney, Don Hurst. 40
pound Virgil Davis, No. l backstop:
and "Buzz" Arlett, the elderly and
portly rookie" who hits 'em high,
wide and handsome from q mooring-
mast stance.
Solves Hurting Problems
On paper, Shotton has gone far to-
ward solving his pitching worries but
an epidemic Of minor ailments and
sore arms has handicapped the fling
ers in camp. Chef Nichols, q promis-
ing right-hander, left for home after
developing q lame shoulder ON top of
this, Phil Collins, who won Is games
and lost II for q last place club, per-
sisted in holding out.
Must is expected from the two men
obtained from Brooklyn. Giles Dud-
ley, who throws right hand but bats
left; and Jumbo Jim Elliott, who
throws left-handed and bats right.
Shotton says he won't worry about
these ~pecularities 50 long as the pair
wins ball games. Elliott won 10 for
the Robins last year.
The most promising addition,
otherwise, Is Lii Stoner, former De-
troit Tiger, who won II games with
Fort Worth last season. Stoner has
been one of the few men in camp to
show satisfactory form.
Shotton hopes to get at least one
winner from three seasoned southpaw
recruits-Stewart Bolen, who won Is
with Baltimore; Hal Wiltse. also
credited with 10 victories for Fort
Worth; and Ben Shields. q burly fell
low who once showed q lot Of stuff
with the New York Yankees and Is
now trying q comeback after being
out Of the game because Of illness.
Infield Is Strengthened
In addition to Collins. the club has
pitching holdovers In Ray Benge, Hal
Elliott and John Milligan.
The infield appears strengthened
by addition of Dick Bartell, fleet ex-
Pirate, at shortstop. Whitney is q
fixture at third, Don Hurst reliable
at first and Barney Fr1berg slated to
play second base unless he Is rele-
gated to the utility role by q young
ster, Les Mallon, from Fort Worth
Mallon fell victim to the camp JIM
by pulling tendons in both legs but
he showed enough to impress shottou
with his all-around ability.
Klein's holdout tactics compelled
considerable juggling in his outfield
and the starting trio Is still uncertain
Hal Leet. obtained from Brooklyn
appears to have clinched one position
perhaps left field, vacated by OrDoul
Klein may be shifted from his Gus.
tomary right field post to make room
for the heavy-hitting Arlett. Fred
Roster, the Little Rock recruit, has
shown great ground-covering ability
in centerfield and Is an ideal leadof1
man because Of his speed.
Behind the bat, Davis will have the
aid Of Harry McCurdy and George
Rensa, taken over from the minors
last season via the waiver route.