The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-30

lthpaw, and Paul Derringer, Cardi-
opular choices to pitch the opening
After his foxy fashion Connie
Mack does not reveal his pitching
selections before world series games,
or any other kind of games, for
that matter. Grove started the
series last year against the Cardi-
mails and won, So, and if he isn't
out there winging away with his
long left arm Thursday it will be
bold stroke of strategy on the part
Of Connie Mack
Seventh for Athletics
The Athletics have participated in
seven world series and Connie Mack
has started his ace every time ex-
cept once. His selection of Howard
Ehmke to pitch the opener against
the Chicago Cubs in 1929 was the
exception. Ed Plank pitched the
first game of the 1905 world series
and Chief Bender started the world
series of 1910, 1911, 1913 and 1914.
While Derringer, 6-foot 3-inch,
210-pound Kentuckian, who won
eighteen games and lost eight in his
first year in the National League, is
favored to draw the mound assign
ment for the Cardinals, Gabby
Street has reserved the right to
change his mind before 80 Thurs
day.
Fright now Derringer is my
choice" said Street, "but I won't
say he'll be my choice when Thurs
day rolls around. I haven't made
up my mind for sure"
If Derringer should start, he will
be the second rookie in world series
history to draw the opening assign
ment. Babe Adams, who pitched
and won the opening game. of the
1903 world series for Pittsburgh
against Detroit, is the only first.
year man up to now who has been
accorded that honor.
Grimes May Start
There is a good chance that if
won't be Derringer at all, but that
Burleigh Grimes, who pitched the
first game last year, or Bill Halla-
han, who BANKED the AS in the
third game, will get the all-in1por-
tant first game nomination. Grimes
lost two tough decisions to the AS
last year and is generally considered
the best money pitcher" not only
on the Cardinals, but in the Ma
tional League.
The Cardinals are going into the
series, more or less crippled. Jess
HaineS, veteran knuckle-ball pitch
er, is nursing lame right shoul-
der, injured at Pittsburgh Sept. 4.
and has little chance af seeing any
service. 1t is said he hasn't thrown
a ball in three weeks. World series
crippleS, however, have a way of
making miraculous recoveries and
HalneS might get well overnight.
Adams on Hospital List
Charley Colbert, shortstop who
was the Cardinals hero in last
years series, has a spiked right
knee. Third baseman Sparky Adams
has Sprained left ankle. Outf1eld-
er Pepper Martin has a wrenched
knee. Of this trio, Adams injury
is considered the worst and there is
slight probability that Andy High
might play the first two games here
at third base. Colbert and Martin,
however, are not hurt seriously
enough to keep them out of the
opening day lineup.
There are bright sides, however,
to the Cardinals cause. Principal
ly because of the improved hitting
of Chick Hafey and Jim Bottomley.
the st. Louis attack is considered
more powerful than year ago.
Hafey won the National League
batting championship with an aver
age of .3488, and Bottomley virtual
ly tied him with 1882.
The Cards are making elaborate
preparations to take" Grove. Bill
Walker, New York Giants south
paw, mas peen pitching to the Cards
batters in practice. as well as sew
eral other southpaws hurriedly
brought in from st. Louis farms.
Right Hand Hitters
If Grove pitches the opener
Waily Roettger, a right-handed hit
ter, will play right field instead of
Watkins Thus the Cards can mus
ter eight right-handed batters
against the premier southpaw of the
American League. Bottomley would
be the only left-handed batter in
the lineup. frankie Frisch, playing
in his seventh world series, is
turn-around batter, hitting from
either side.
The Cardinals had their last
workout before the series this morn
ing. The Athletics were Scheduled
to arrive at p. m. central standard
time. They will not work out at
SportSman's park before the series.
as they are familiar with the field
which is used by the Browns during
the regular season