The Bismarck tribune., 1935-03-26
1RAYNOR CONFIDENT
HERMAN, BUSH AND
WEAVER Will star
Sees Big Season, Bright Future
for SaIveston, Ex.Giant
Righthander
WEAKNESS At SECOND BASE
lnfield Includes Gus Suhr at
First, Vaughan at Short,
Traynor at Third

1raynor at Third
BY ERSKINE JOHNSON
(NEA Service Staff Correspondent
San Bernardino, Calf, March Is.
Three former Cubs, pair Of young
sters, an ex Giant, and an inspired
redhead this year may lead Pitts
burgh's Pirates to their first Nation
al League pennant since 1927.
That's the opinion Of Pie Traynor,
who took command Of the Bucs last
summer when George Gibson was
forced to walk the plank after his
crew practically gave up the ship.
There are q flock Of IFS connect
ed to that opinion, however" Tray
nor said. as he halted a three-hour
drill and sent 28 athletes scurrying
to the showers Of the Pirates train
Ing camp here. But" added Tray
nor, even II all my dreams don't
come true, we are set this season to
put up q whale Of a fight
Later, in q steam bath, Traynor
warmed up to the subject Of his
teams chances. And 1t wasn't Just
the heat which put him into such an
optimistic mood.
The husky third baseman really
IS one excited guy. He probably
would get steamed up about the team
il he were perched atop the North
Pole with an ice cube in each shoe.
Our winter deal with the Cubs
strengthened the team considerably"
he reflects. The Pirates acquired
Pitchers Guy Bush and Jim Weaver
and Outfielder Babe Herman in ex-
change for Pitcher Larry French and
Fly Chaser Freddy Lindstrom.
Between EN- Pie points out,
"Bush and Weaver won 20 games last
year, while our French was winning
IL. SO, on paper, at least, we're II
games to the good.
Babe Herman may regain his one
time form with us this year. He's q
real base hitter, and always has hit
well in our park at Pittsburgh, where
we will play II games this season.
Outfield Lists to Port
Acquisition of Herman. who will
guard left field, puts three left-hand-
ed hitters in the Buc garden. Paul
Waner, league leading hitter. again
will be in right field. with brother
Lloyd in center. Utility Man Forrest
Jensen also is portsider.
Big Jim Weaver, the former Cub
and the Primo Camera of baseball,
who stands 6ls feet and weighs 230
pounds. is showing plenty Of stuff in
practice here, and, like Herman and
Bush. likes the idea of turning Pirate.
The pair Of youngsters upon whom
Manager Traynor is counting are
pitchers who led their respective
leagues last year in strikeouts. Dar-
rell Blanton, who was with the BucS
at the tail-end Of last season, won
II and lost for Albany in the In
ternational League. Mace Brown. up
from Tulsa and Kansas City, won 10
and lost IA. Both are righthanders.
The ex-Giant Is Pitcher Johnny
Salveson, who divided his time last
season between Bill Terry's crew and
Montreal. winning IA and losing 5.
Traynor thinks this 2l-year-old right
handler may become big star.
Charley Red" Lucas Is the inspir-
ed redhead who may go to town with
the Pirates this year. A regular with
the squad last season. Red" wasn't
so hot, winning 10 and losing 9. But
SO far In spring training he has shown
q world of improvement.
Lucas has shown me more in
one day here than he did all last
year," Traynor says.
Rookie Catcher on Relief
Rookie pitchers working out with
the Pirates here include Lloyd john
son and Wayne Osborne left -handers,
both up from the Missions OF the Pa
cific Coast League. It's doubtful
whether they will stick.
Regulars last season on the pitch
ing staff who were held over include
Ralph Birkofer, Waite Hoyt, Harold
Smith, and Bill Swift.
Backstopping duties again will rest
upon the shoulders Of Tommy Pad
den and Bob Grace, both regulars
last year Aubrey Epps. up from
Birmingham with an impressive .30l
batting average, is the newcomer to
this department, and he should make
the grade in q relief spot.
The only weakness in the Pirate
lineup appears to be at second base
where the veteran Tommy Thevenov
and the sophomore Harry Lavagetts
will hold sway. Traynor knows 32'
year-old Thevenow can't be in there
every day. and Lavagetto. on the 9th
er hand. needs plenty Of experienc,
and must learn how to hit.
Veterans Gus Suhr at first, Tray
nor ct third. and Arky Vaughan a
stortstop complete the team. Thre'
rockies, James Browne from Littl,
Rock, Wilbur Brubaker and Floy.
Young from Albany and Pittsburgh
are ready to step into any OF the in
field berths.