The Washington times., 1933-03-17
PILLS SEEKFLAG
To CELEBRATE
GOTH YEAR

Editors note-The tollotDing
article on the Philadelphia Ma
tienalS is another of series on
major league baseball prospects.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla, March
17.-Let the National League pen
nant race develop into another
battle royal and the Phillies fit
tingly may celebrate their fiftieth
anniversary this year with a world
series engagement. The club has
the power to pound out victories
at home and in free-for-all race
this powerhouSe slugging might
carry them under the wire for
the first time since 1915.
Manager Burt Shotton and the
new president-Gerald P. Nugent
both are talking pennant at
this early date. They freely ad-
NIT they have the strongest squad
in training here that the club has
had South in many a year. AS
always, the Phillies have the bat
ting punch. Chuck Klein, Don
Hurst, Spud Davis and Pinkey
Whitney assure Shotton of this.
In addition, Shotton believes he
at last has moulded together a
formidable pitching staff; one
that will enable the team to win
more than it's customary one or
two victories on each Western
road trip.
"I'm going to carry nine
pitchers" said ShOttOn today.
"Not fine thrOwers, but nine de-
pendable pitchers. 1t will be
good staff, too, with men like
Flint Rhem, Phil Collins, Jumbo
Elliott and Ed Holley as the like
ly starting quartet and expert
enced hurlerS of the caliber of
Ad Liska, elise Dudley, Roy
Hansen, and John Berly for re-
lief and reserve work. Watch
this SOuthpaw Hansen. He's
got one of the best curves in
the National League. Give him
a good start and he may be the
sensation of the season."
Hold Pennant Hopes
Shotton's pennant hopes also
are based on a stronger keystone
combination in the infield and bet
ter reserve strength in the out
field. Last year Les Mallon fell
far below par at second base and,
because Of this, Shotten engineered
o deal for Ray Benge that brought
Mickey Finn and some needed
cash from Brooklyn. Finn has
first call on second and has been
working together very we'll with
Dick Bartell, the sparkplug at
shortstop. Mallon is showing a
return to his flashy 1881 form and
cannot be counted out of the run
ming for the second-base job.
The hard-hitting Don Hurst will
be back at first, with >Bartell at
short and the reliable Pinkey
Whitney at third. This infield
need bow to none in the National
League either in hitting Or field
ing.
There'll be one change in the
Phils' outfield. Chick Fullis is
due to start at center in the
place of George Davis, now with
the Giants. Davis was splen-
did lead-off man and hit over
800 last year. He'll be missed
unless Fullis comes through with
the brand of ball John McGraw
predicted he'd play two years
IiINAS% IF E1111ic foi1c
Shotton will give Auggie Dugas,
who hit only .237 for the Pitts
burgh Pirates last season, a
trial.
Ace of Attack
Chuck Klein will be found in
right. He's the ace in the Phils'
attack. His bat is what makes
the club dangerous until the
game is over. Last year Chuck
hit .348 and connected for 38
homers. He also led in stolen
bases. He's hitting 'em just as
hard as ever. Over in left field
will be Hal Lee, now a veteran
of two campaigns. Last year
Lee batted 1902. Cliff Heathcote
and Fred Brickall, men of ex-
perience, will be carried for
pinch-hitting and relief fly-chas-
ing duties.
Three catchers will be carried:
Spud Davis, AL Todd and Harry
McCurdy, with Davis doing most
of the receiving. Davis is a
powerful slugger. This season he
is down to 189 pounds instead
Of his usual 210.