The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-03-31

The funny boys of Flatbush floundered from third to sixth place last season, and unless they become more droll than usual they should hew to that niche in 1884, just above the Reds and Phillies.
 That genial gentleman with the billowing ears, Charles Dillon (Casey1 Stengel, had just finished tuning up his leather lungs at his home in Glendale, Cal, in late Feb ruary, preparing for his expected coaching duties with the Dodgers, when he was named manager. He succeeded Max Carey, but on such short notice had no chance to par ticipate in rebuilding the club that he was to manage. =
 Worried
 Thus the training season finds MT Stengel very much on the spot, with a club that is weak in pitch ing and shaky in the outfield; a club that has won only one game in five exhibition starts against National league opponents. They split even with the Phils in two games, lost two to the Giants and one to the Reds. The Dodgers look weak in training, and Casey has worried himself into the realiZa- tion that he must make some trades to prevent catastrophe.
 Stengel is desperately in need of pitchers, two good ones, and southpaws if possible. Charley Perkins from Buffalo and Phil Page from Seattle are his only portsiders. Neither has shown starting ability yet. Casey has plenty of infield material and he hopes to arrange 8 swap with the Braves or Phils, perhaps both, for a pitcher before the championship season starts. Accidents to Rabbit Maranville on the Braves and Dick Bartell on the Phils help. Dodger Infielders Tony Cuccinello, Joe Stripp and Sam Leslie might figure in deals with the Braves for Buck Betts and with the Phils for Jim Elliott or Roy Hansen. Casey also is looking longingly at Leroy Par melee of the Giants.
 The four starting pitchers, mean while, are holdovers; Van Mungo, Walter Beck, owen Carroll and Ray Benge. Rookie pitchers who are expected to stick are Leslie Munns, St Paul; Arthur Herring, Beaumont, Perkins and Page
 Brooklyn is we'll fortified in catching. Al Lopez, one of the best backstops in the majors ended his holdout siege and will be the first stringer. Ray Berres, promising rookie from Birmingham, will be the assistant. Clyde Sukeforth may be retained, but Bill Outen will not.
 Repeaters
 Unless trades are made, the in- field will line up the same as last year, with Sam Leslie on first, Cuccinello at second, Jim Jordan at short, and Joe Stripp on third. If trades are made, Linus Frey, Marty McManus, former Red Sox manager, or young Johnny Me- Carthy from the Chicago semi- pros, will fill in. Mccarthy is con- sidered one of the 1884 "fnds"-- a lad of great promise at first base. Other infielders on the squad will not remain.
 The outfield probably will be the same. The capable Johnny Fred erick would be in right; Ralph Boyle in center, and Danny Taylor at left. Boyle and Taylor have switched positions since 1883, to strengthen the defenSe. tiack Wli- son and Len Koenecke are slated for utility men. Wilson played for the first time yesterday in Yanni- gan game and was intellectual at bat. He is extremely dissatisfied with his salary this season and is question mark. The club needs couple of heavy-hitting outtielders to give it punch. Frederick hit .3S in 1888, but Wilson slumped to .266.
 The morale of the club is bet. ter. Stengel is a popular leader. More hustle is evident since play CTS like Glenn Wright, Babe Phelps Freddy Heimach, Hollis Thornton, Rosy Ryan and Jack Quinn were eliminated. They were non-pro- ducers or disgruntled.
 Monday-DetrOit Tigers.