The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-03-29
HUGHES AND BERGER
CARRY CLEVELAND'S
CHAMPIONSHIP HOPE
Knickerbocker's Appendix tbs
Gives Rookie Shortstop
Big Opportunity
PITCHING STAFF STRONG
Wright, Campbell and caIatzer
Wage Hot Fight for Right
Garden Berth

pennant hopes were amputated with
Bill Knickerbocker,s Ape n d tx
haven't been in New Orleans.
Down here they say that 1t was
only a question Of time until Roy
Hughes replaced Knick at shortstop,
anyway. They take into considera-
ton that Knicxerbocker Is one of the
great stars OF baseball, too.
Knickerbocker! Why. they 60 all
the way back to Cottontop Turner
and Ray Chapman In describing
Hughes. And to Turner and Napo-
leon Lajoie, Chapman and Bill
Wambsganss In painting a pretty
picture Of Hughes and Bozy Berger.
Cleveland's new second base COM
bination.
Il knew something would happen
TO poor Knickerbocker." says Buzz
Wetzel. head Of the Indians subsi-
diary IN GAINESVILLE. O., who discover
ed Hughes. The young man was
just meant to play short for Cleve-
land"
Hughes is a fighter, and has the
habit of making sparkling plays in
tight spots. Out Of the amateur
ranks just two years, the 22-year-old
Cincinnati Irishman is an excellent
base runner. Billy Evans, general
manager of the club, says he's the
best In this respect on the team, and
his hackers down here are saying that
Knickerbocker, at his best, can't field
with Hughes.
The youngsters swatting is a bit
ragged. although he hit $50 at one
stage last season with New Orleans,
and finished with a mark of 200.
Berger Sure He'll Stick
Berger. the other half Of the com.
bination. is a tall fellow fresh from
the University Of Maryland. He hit
.3l2 last season with the Pelicans,
and drove in 81 runs. He Is excep-
tionally fast.
He comes up for his second trial
with the Indians labeled "a sucker
for curve
II he fails to hit them it will not
be for lack Of practice, for that's just
about all the handsome chap from
Washington is likely to see for some
time, and the Indians moundsters
are giving him plenty to swing 1T
down here.
His only fielding fault Is in con-
nection with slow rollers hit straight
at him. This he attributes to taking
his eye Oft the ball in taking q peek
at the runner. This Is not serious
fault. although such q remarkable
shortstop as Joe Cronin was unable
to correct 1t until the last couple Of
years.
In regard to his reported weakness
against curve ball pitchers, he says:
Its just one of those regulations
q young player gets. and has to knock
out Of the opposition's head.
Curve ball pitchers don't bother
me any more than fast ball pitchers,
or pitchers OF any other type, as q
matter of fact
I'm . recent exhibition game with
Washington, Jack Russell struck me
out with q curve. and then / came
right back with successive singles on
identical pitches.
There are worse second basemen
and hitters in the American League
than Bozy Berger. and there isn't the
slightest doubt in my mind about
standing up"
It appears the kid has the requir-
led cockiness to stick around.
Pitching OF the Best
The Indians are conceded to have
probably the strongest pitching staff
In the junior loop. Hildebrand,
Harder. Hudlin, and Pearson are the
big four Of the corps, but there are q
couple Of rockies in camp who may
change the makeup Of the starting
staff.
One is Dennis Galehouse. who has
been q WOW with New Orleans the
last two seasons. He pitched the
Pelicans to two Southern Association
pennants, and Is due to stick in big
time this season. He Is big right
handler.
The other is Al Milfar, q product Of
the Cleveland sal1dlotS, who won ~
games in New Orleans last season In
his second year of pro ball. An at
tack Of appendicitis while In training
camp here set him back a few steps,
but the big left-hander will go north
with the indians and doubtless will
start serving his stuff in the majors
by the middle of May.
Thornton Lee. who spent all last
season as q relief hurler with the
team, has been showing q fast ball
that sizzles, and may break in as q
starter.
The infield OF the Indians prob
ably will shape up with Trosky. the
home run clouter. at first. Berger at
second, Hughes at short. and Hale at
third. Hale and Trosky will supply
plenty Of push at the plate.
The outfield will be the same as
last season In two spots-Joe vos-
mix In left and Earl Averill In CEN
ter. The right field berth Is being
battled over by Milt Galatzer, . fin
ished fielder. but weak with the stick |.
Bruce Campbell. obtained from the
Browns: and Alb Wright, brought up
from Minneapolis.
Tiny Frankie Pytlak again Will be
No. l catcher. with Glenn Myatt
holding second string berth. Three
others In camp wearing chest pro-
tectors are after . job behind the bat.
They are Bill Brensel, from Kansas
City: Bob 0arbark, obtained from
Toledo: and Charlie (0reek) George
from New Orleans.
There are moro than 100 self.help
cooperative associations IN Califor-
nle providing fun Of part subsistence
ior .1lh families a. ~. - neraons