Evening star., 1932-03-11
NO PENNANT HOPE
IN ST. LOUIS TEAM
KiIIefeT Patiently Works to
Create Better Morale
in Speedy Outfit.
fNote-This Is the NTH OF a series OF
arst-hdrd stories on major league club
BY ALAN GOULD,
;ociated Press Sports Editor

BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.
w JEST PALM BEACH, Fla,
wv March 1.-THE st. Louis
| v Browns, best Of the sec
ond division clubs in the
American League last year, have
fast young outfit that shows
distinct signs of improving.
1t has, quite frankly, no pen
nant prospects nor more than an
outside chance of crashing the
first division in circuit top-heavy
with the strength of four leading
clubs, but the reconstruction pro-
gram of Manager Bill Killefer is
showing favorable results.
Step by step, Killefer has patiently
RID the Browns OF diSsension, developed
young players, and, finally, eliminated
the bonus system" that upset the
clubs morale to some extent last sea-
son. The players have nothing else to
do now but concentrate on contribut-
ing the maximum to team play, in
stead OF attempting to fatten the pay
envelopes by individual exploits.
Have Hold-out- Troubles.
Hold-out troubles have beset the
Browns. in the absence of any other
items of irritation. Killefer has been
handicapped by the delay In signing
such stars as Goose Goslin, Ralph
Kress, Dick Ferren and Wally Stewart.
Meanwhile he has concentrated on
the development of his young infield
We tried the experiment last year OF
installing most of the Wichita Falls
infield as regulars" said Bill. 1T gave
me a few more gray hairs. but tnese
boys have kept hustling and should all
be better ball players this season.
Burns, at first base, should make a
real star. He has gained confidence
and he can hit. We will give Jim Levey
another chance at short. He must set
tie down to keep the job, however. Os-
car Mellilo will take care of second
base, without giving me anything 70
worry about.
'I have decided to put Ralph Kress
In right field regularly, instead Of
snnting MIN around the way we were
forced to do last season. He played
three inf1eld positions and the outfield
IN 1881. Lin Storti will get every op-
portunity to make good at third"
Bit Shy of Reserves.
The Browns are bit shy of reserves,
but Jimmy Mclaughlin, former Pacific
Coast League star, is a good third base
prospect and Yves Kingdom, up again
from Chattanooga, can fill in at short
There will be plenty of punch in an
outf1eld composed of Kress, Fred Schultz
and Goose Goslin, but Killefer would
like another good left-handed clouter
for alternate duty.
The pitching staff has a strong quar-
tet In Stewart, one of the best south
paws In the league; George Blaeholder.
Dick Codman and Sam Gray GRAY
lost "a games last year, but they blame
the bonus system" for that. Coffman
found himself late in the season, WHEN
he hurled one-hit game and then beat
the great Lefty Grove in a duel that
broke Groves winning streak.
Wally Hebert, the Louisiana school.
boy who southpawed the Athletics into
subsection in his first start, is the
brightest Of the young hurting pros
poets. Big Chad Ktmsey, Bob Cooney
from Wichita Falls, and America Polli.
up from Milwaukee, all look good.
With Dick Ferrell and the veteran
Benny Bengough behind the bat. the
club Is well fortified To develop more
speed Killefer has had his boys work.
ing in new sliding pit, novelty In the
grapefruit circuit" and an indication
OF the return to old-fashioned methods.