Evening star., 1933-03-28
CLUB FINDS CLOUD
LINED WITH SILVER
Return of Needed Players
Augurs Punch-Hornsby
Guns for Bear Meat.
BY . Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

By . Stan Correspondent Of The Star.
n RADENTON, Fla, March %.
X Although not figured by
II many Of the experts to be
a serious pennant con-
tender the coming season, the st.
Louis Cardinals must not be en-
tirely overlooked as they have on
the club a number of exception
ally high-class newcomers and
plenty of veteran material of
proved ability to make up a for
mldable aggregation.
Virtually every one gives the Car
o1nals credit fer one of the greatest
pitching STATS in base ball, a fair
outfield and one splendid catcher The
infleld; though, is supposed to be a
bust" especially with frankie Frisch
starting training so late The fact that
Adams was out Of play virtually all
last season also has dampened en-
thusiasm regarding the Red Birds
prospects. Gelbert's being out of action,
ewing to accidentally shooting himself
in the leg last Winter while hunting,
adds to the gloom.
Adams, however, gives every indica-
tion he has fully recovered from his old
knee injury. "Sparky" gets around as
he did in 1880 and 81 when he was
an important factor in the st. Louisans
winning the National League pennant
This fact, together with Frisch's re-
turn to the lineup, shows that things
are not always as dark on the inside
as they appear from the outside.
THE return Of Rogers Hornsby to the
L Cardinal fold also must not be
overlooked. The former National
League leading swatsman' has had a
stormy career since he was traded to
New York in 1926, after having given
st. Louis pennant ard worlds cham
plonshlp the same year, the first for
the Mound City in 38 years. Rogers
played IN every game for the Giants in
1927 and hit the ball for an average of
.36l. In January the following year he
was traded to Boston and in the middle
OF the Summer was made manager of
the club. He took part in 140 games
that year and hit .367.
IN 1928 Hornsby was traded to the
1 Chicago Cubs. In '29, 80 and 81
he hit $50, 1903 and .33l, re-
spectively. An infected heel virtually
put him out Of play last year, while the
worries OF being manager was also a
handlcap. He played in only 19 games
and IN August was relieved OF the man
agementship by Charlie Grimm and
given his unconditional release
The turn of affairs stung Hornsbys
PRIDE deeply. From great star with
the Cardinals, National League batting
champion several seasons, he was now
virtually cast-of. A free agent. it was
up to him to pick his own bed Although
when traded to the Giants by the Cardi-
nails there was plenty OF enmity between
Rogers and officials of the ST. Louis
team, the several years intermission ap-
parently healed the wounds of i'll feeling,
1or during the past Winter Branch
Hickey, vice president of the Cardinals,
who is the big gun in lining up material
Tor the club, held conference with the
former manager Of the Red Birds and
the TWO were again under the same tent.
FINANCES or no finances, Hornsby Is
L South with the Cardinals this Spring
to show up the Cubs for unfair treat
ment. He is physically IN great shape
and in practice appears to have his old
batting eye again on the Job There is
hardly any doubt Rogers is going to
make the team. He may not be as fast
In fielding as he was a few years ago.
but he is far from being a slouch and his
hitting will make up for any weakness
IN picking up grounders. His throwing
Is just as good as ever. Unless an acci-
dent intervenes, pitchers in the league
are going to have their troubles with
Rogers this year as in te past, and espe-
clalIy is it likely to be tough on the
Cubs hurlers
With Adams at third in condition.
Hornsby at second in shape, Collins and
Crawford. both good men, to take care
OF first base, the only real worry for
Manager Street is shortstop. Frisch
probably will go to third base and
Adams will be moved over to short
"Sparky' goes just about as well around
second base as he does at the far
corner.
Manager Street is also making efforts
to protect himself for infield emer-
gencies by drilling John Pepper" Mar
TIN en- the infeld. The hero of the
1881 world series is worked every day
at third and short and Pepper" gives
every indication Of being regular in
fielder.
Joe MEDWICK, who is down on the
roster as an outfelder. is also get
ting some attention at third base.
MedWlck came up from Houston late
With the Red Birds. He appears to be
natural born ball player. has a fine
arm and smashes the ball hard on
virtually every time at bat He PLAYED
IN several games for Houston at third
oase last year and can cover the posi-
ton in fine style. but he prefers to
perform in the outfeld.
Another newcomer on the Cardinals
VINO Will bear watching is Charlie Will
son. who played a whale of a game at
short for the Rochester club in 1892.
II he keeps going as he has during the
Spring training trip he will be a hard
man to beat out of the shortstop posi-
tlcn regardless Of whether Frisch re-
CortS or not. In the International
League last Summer the newcomer hit
.298 and fielded 954 He has a Won
derful arm and manv predict him to
be another Tommy Thevenow,
With Manager Street virtually de-
clded to make an infle,der out of Mar
tin. the outfield battle will be waged by
Ernie Orsatti. George Watkins. Estel
Crabtree, Ethan Allen. ice MedWick and
RAYMOND Pepper The first two were
with the team last year Allen was
obtained in trade with the Giants
and Crabtree came from the Reds
Pepper was brought up from Rochester.
He is big fellow and hits the ball
nicely. He is right-handed hitter.
Crabtree, though. will be hard man
to keep off the regular list The former
Red is a wonderful fielder. fine base
runner and timely hitter, although not
300 swatter. Last season his average
was .274.
(Copyright, 1923. by North American News
paper Alliance, Inc)