Evening star., 1933-03-27
PICK WRONG Time
USUALLY TO WILT
McKechnie, in Final Year of
Pilots Contract, Still
Seeks Bat Punch.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.


THERE was a time when the
Boston Braves could count
i upon burning up the
Grapefruit League" and
come North full of confidence and
enthusiasm, only to crack up along
about May or June and take a
quick dive in the general direc-
ton of the National League cellar.
If there is anything in the theory OF
opposites or the law of reverses, the
Braves should follow up their mediocre
exhibition 50 far in Florida by going
on the warpath as soon as the pennant
hunt begins.
Up to date they have been the "hit-
less wonders" of st. Petersburg, allow
ing even for the contrast and handicap
Of being tossed into action almost daily
against the powerhouSe of the world
champion Yankees. Defensively, Man
ager Bill McKechnie could ask for no
more than his men have shown. 1t
would not seem he needs to worry
much about his pitching staff, If at all.
judging from the sensational develop
ment Of one or two newcomers, in
cluding Ed Fallenstein, who wasn't con-
sidered important enough to be put on
the club roster at first
DUT Williamsburg WILL" now facing
- the last year under his four-year
contract to rebuild the club Is still
looking for the batting punch the
Braves must acquire to pull themselves
out Of the second division. II 1t doesn't
materialize, McKechnie cannot blame
the Braves popular president, Judge
Emil E. Fuchs, who engineered a num-
Der of off-season deals at his man.
ayers suggestion and gambled to the
tune Of s60.000 on the ability of
pair Of rookie infielders, Dick Gysel-
man and Albert Wright, from San
Francisco.
The judge, with some misgivings,
bought burly Frank Hogan from the
Giants to reinforce the catching and
smuggling departments. He has retained
the temperamental Art Shires, largely
on the belief that Art can step In with
timely wallop If Baxter Jordan doesn't
fulflll expectations as a first base reg
ular. To afford wider assortment OF
outfield talent with punch, Fuchs OBJ
tanned two good hitters from the Pacific
Coast League. Art Hunt and Bob Hol-
land, but neither has troubled the Flor
ida fences so far.
CYsELMAN, rangy youngster,
" seems real find" He is
harder hitter than Wright, his
20-year-old team-mate with the Mis-
sions. and looks to be the choice for
third base over the veteran, Fritz
Knothe. Since the club needs Maran-
tha pnt 1l,;& %rx-l.
Wright's age. probably will start the
season again at second base, mean
while teaching his youthful understudy
all the tricks OF the trade Barber Bill
Urbanski will play shortz,Cp.
Wally Berger, ballhc IN center,
and Bob Worthington in eft, should
furnish most Of the answers to the
Braves hitting problems. Both are
good for $40 or better. Randy Moore,
odd-job man. may get the third out
field post, unless Yves Schulmerich sud-
denly solves the mysteries Of curve-ball
pitching or one of the recruits comes
through to grab the job.
NfcKECHNIE. with the aid Of Hank
IVl Gowdy. developed "Huck" Belts
and young Bobby Brown as the
clubs most consistent pitching winners
last year. Bright hopes are held out
for Brown, who won IA and lost only
with a fifth-place team. Fallenstein.
the latest development. once had a
trial with the Phillies, but was out Of
base ball all last year with broken
hand and signed with the Braves as
a free agent. He held the Yankees to
two hits last Saturday in checking Bos-
tons exhibition losing streak.
Ed Brandt, one OF the best south
tyH 6n nrYNn rd nj
experienced right-hander, can be relied
upon to handle starting assignments
Tom Zachary, veteran southpaw. will
do for spot" jobs. For mopping-up.
McKechnie will have Fred Farmhouse,
Harry Seibold and probably Leo Man
gum up from the International League.
Behind the bat the 250-pound Hogan
will have the assistance Of Al Spohrer
and Bill Hargrave.