Evening star., 1932-03-14
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.

OF. PETERSBURG, Fla, March
- 14.-The New York Yankees
~ must collect big dividends
on a $15O,0O0 investment in
youthful infield talent this year
if they are to realize their hope of
ending the three-year reign of
the Athletics in the American
League.
The club packs the most paralyzing
batting punch in the league, or will
just as soon as Babe Ruth shakes
hands politely with Col. Rupert and
signs his 1882 contract. It figures to
have better pitching, despite the tenn
porary loss of Henry Johnson, but
there is still big question mark hov-
ering over the infield.
The keystone kids In the latest and
most expensive Yankee ensemble are
21-year-old Frank Crosetti sensational
shortstop bought two years ago from
San Francisco for 1882 delivery, and
Otto (Jack) Saltzgaver, 25-year-
second baseman from st. Paul.
Six years ago the late Miller Hug
gins conducted just such an expert
ment and started the Yankees OF on
their second pennant winning streak
after installing two young men named
Koenig and Lazzeri to work around
second base.
will repeat itself, but MarSe Joe by no
means is burning his bridges behind
him. He has in reserve three seasoned
infelders in Tony Lazzeri, Joe Sewell
and Eddie Farrell in case the present
combination of Saltzgaver and CroS-
etti, fanked at third by Lyn Larry and
at first by Larruping Lou Gehrig, fails
to click within the remaining month
of training.
OF the two youngsters Crosetti has
made the stronger impression. Nc
Carthy praises him highly. Babe Ruth
labels him "a great kid" The camp
followers unite in stamping the black
haired California boy as the best-look-
ing young infielder to reach the majors
in years. He is fast, he can throw and
he banged out three hits in his first
exhibition game yesterday. Frank him
self just plays ball and listens.
Crosetti and Saltzgaver both hit at a
$40 clip in class "AA" company in
1881, but they have regular jobs If they
do within 40 or so points Of that against
hig-time pitching
There is no question about the big
wallop otherwise. The outfleId OF
Chapman, Combs and Ruth can be
counted on to average .335 or better,
even though it is true Combs arm is
not among the best and that the Bam is
fguratively ION a dime" In the outer
patrol. Gehrig, Larry and Bill Dickey,
the first-string backstop, all can be
| relied on to do their share of slugging
"Murderers' Row" is still no resting
spot for rival pitchers.
McCarthy's own pitching hopes are
based primarily on three-p1y effective
ness by George Pipgras, Charley Rufhng
, and Vernon Gomez, the artistic and
brilliant Castillian southpaw. They
cannot match the "big three" of the
Athletics, but they should win over
so games, considering the power house
behind them
The ace in the new deck appears to
be John Allen, a strong right-hander
who won 81 games in the International
League last year. Walter Brown, a 220-
pound hurlers, also brought up from
Jersey City, may win a bull pen berth.
The veteran portsiders, Herb Pennock
and Ed Wells will be given "spot" as
signments.
Henry johnson, laid low by appendi-
citis, likely will not pitch before June,
but If Allen comes through to fill the
gap johnson will be "velvet" for the
hurting staff in the drive down the
pennant stretch.
I'VE were playing the best ball in the
league at the close of last season."
muses. Mccarthy, 80 why shouldn't
we start of this year the same way?"