The Washington times., 1932-03-05

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teams at training cGmps).
BY GARRY SCHUMACHER
LOS ANGELES, March 5.-The
old man, meaning. John j. Nc
Graw, is again going to the base
ball wars with a team he thinks
can win the National League pen
nant. It's been eight years since
Mac has had his Springtime hopes
fulfilled in october, but as the
teams approach the barrier for
another race he is still the man
to, beat, and the Cardinals must
take him again before they can
hoist a third pennant.
The Giants are stronger than
in 1881. The ritching staff is
better balanced, the infield forti-
fled against a recurrence of such
injuries as wrecked it year ago;
and the outfield apparently boil
stored by Len Koenecke.
Koenecke, purchased from In
dianapolis for cash and players
valued at 5000, was nominated
for regular service in left field
before reporting. A tall, rangy
chap. He is a graceful fielder,
and fast. At the plate he threat
ems no home run records, but
obviously packs punch. He
drives a ball sharply, and as a
batting type can be likened to
Bill Terry.
Second Base Doubtful
Nowhere else in the infield or
outfield has a newcomer a
chance to break into the regular
lineup, though the second base
selection is undecided with Hughie
Critz and Freddy LindStrom the
choices. Lindy will move into
center field if Critz's throwing
arm regains it's strength.
Bill Terry at first base, Travis
Jackson at shortstop and Johnny
Vergez at third round out what
will undoubtedly be the best de-
fenSive infield in the league. Yer
geZ landed solidly last year and
is clearly entitled to stars
ranking. Sam Leslie, a potent
walloper and pinchitter eXtraordi-
nary; Eddie Moore, the former
Pirate and Brooklynite drafted
from Oakland, and Eddie Mar
shall compose the reserve infield
corps.
Nell OFT in right, Koenecke in
left and either LindStrom or
"Chick" Fullis in centerfield is
to be outfield alignment. Fullis
hit .33O last year and is a player
to watch. Freddy Leach and
Ethan Allen are reserve players
of merit, though one or both
may soon figure in a trade for a
catcher.
Hogan Needs Assistance
The quality of the catching
staff is open to doubt. "Shanty"
Hogan is a top-flight performer,
of course, but he will need
assistance. The veteran Bob
O'Farrell slipped considerably
last year, and Francis Healy. a
20-year-old youngster, who has
been with the team the past
two seasons, is the only other
receiver available.
Willie Walker and Carl Hub
bel, talented southpaws, and
Freddy Fitzsimmons will shoul-
der the heavy pitching bur-
dens. Jim Mooney, the spindly
left-hander who won seven out
of eight games after coming up
from Bridgeport last fail, is
counted upon as a fourth starter,
and the fifth regular will be
chosen from among Sam Gibson
from San Francisco, Herman Bell
from Rochester, and Roy Par
malee, a brilliant but erratic
youngster.
The veterans, Clarence Mitch
ell and Adolfo Luque, are also
expected to lend assistance. The
former as a spot" starter and
the latter as a relief operator.
Tiny Chaplin and Joe Genewich,
both of whom were out of action
with sore arms last year, and
the youngsters Hal Schumacher
and Emil Planetta will have to
scramble for what places are
left. Schumacher, a collegian
from st. Lawrence University,
impressed strongly with his
spring training performances a
year ago, but withered in league
competition.