The Washington times., 1935-03-13

major league clubs in spring
training.
BY DAVIS J. WALSH
International News Service Sports
Editor
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, March
1S.-In spirit of series of denials,
affirmations, combinations and
behind the hand snickers, Babe
Ruth is not going to manage the
Boston Braves for 1886, said the
manager of the Boston Braves for
1885 today, Mr.. Bill McKechnie.
The latter was discussing his
present ball club at the time but
didn't hesitate to make the switch
when the Ruth topic arose.
ut isn't my understanding
that Ruth is to take charge next
year." he answered instantly.
"I don't think it is Ruth's under
standing, either. I'm glad to
have him with me, because he
might make the difference be-
tween a fOurth-place club and
the pennant.
"What he will do for me this
year, nobody knows. AS for next
year, you can say that I'm
already making my plans for
that season as the field head OF
the club"
That being 1ndubitably that,
what did he count on from Ruth
in 1896?
JUST HOPING
Nothing" said Mr.. McKech-
ME, promptly. "I'm not even
counting on anything this year.
I'm hoping. If he can drive in
as many as a hundred runs for
us, or even q few less, we're
made. Wally Berger has been
our only hitter who can do that.
The rest aren't even close.
"Our hitting isn't as bad as
most people suppose. But they're
the kind that have to get three
hits to score one run. Ruth
can alter all that, and I sim
cerely hope he does"
This, by the way, is the entire
story of the 1885 Boston Club of
the National League, with one ex-
ception. The exception is Pitcher
Ben Cantwell, who won 20 games
two years ago and only five last
year. His arm went bad until late
in 1884, when he came back and
won his five at the close of the
year. The IS game difference
would have meant the pennant-
on the eff" sheets, those imperish-
able documents concocted by hope
full gentlemen who usually spend
most of their time on park
benches.
Otherwise, it is strictly an un-
changed outfit and, except for
the hope Of Ruth, would figure
to fall into the second division
this time by sheer inertia.
Baxter Jordan at first base and
Bill Urbans,--i, the bald-headed
barber who plays shortstop, are
all right. Jordan led the cub
with .311. Urbanski bettered .290
and held up the infield on the
defense. Whitney at third had a
bad year but may come back.
Mallon at second had a good
year but must come forward.
Still Trying
He's still trying to make double
plays and can't, but McKechnie
says he will. However, I notice he
casually mentions that he might
shift Whitney to second and use
Joe Coscarart, bought from Seat
tie, at third. That leaves only
Elburt Fletcher, a baseball contest
winner from Boston, and the elder
ly and halt Maranville. The latter
still limps from the affects Of his
broken leg and is undoubtedly
finished.
They think we'll Of Fletcher
here, but think better Of CoScar-
art. After all, the former is only
19.
Barring Ruth, no change in the
outfield, with Berger, Lee. Moore,
Mowry, and Thompson still with
us. We also have John Tyler from
Harrisburg, but he isn't ready.
The catchers, Hogan and Spohr-
er, are neat but not ornate.
Either Bill Lewis from Rochester
and Frank Garrity, picked up
from the White Sox, will stay. And
there you have the Braves.
Just another ball nine, plus
pitching-pluS Ruth.