The Washington times., 1936-02-08


of stories on hotD the major
LEAGUE clubs tDiu line up this
spring. The Chicago Cubs are
discussed TO-DAY. The st. Louis
Cardinals tOiu toIIotO Monday.
By FRANK BUCK O'NEILL
Although the Chicago Cubs won
the pennant by a margin Of four
games last year, baseball critics
are inclined to the opinion that
the Bruins will have hectic time
with the st. Louis Cardinals this
year.
In fact, many believe that sec
ond place will be the peak for the
Cubs this year. It may be that the
critics place too much dependence
in the law O.: averages. st. Louis
will rebuild its team from the pick
Of the most extensive chain of sub
sidiaries in the history Of baseball,
and manpower wins in baseball.
It will be no cake walk for the
Cards any more than it will for the
Cubs and there is every prospect
Of another whoop de doc finish
in the National League. The Cubs
have some requirements whose
records are more than attractive
as they are spread on paper.
AS a matter Of fact, both the
Cubs and Cards are up to ave-
rage pennant-winning strength
as they prepare for the call to
spring training. Over a stretch
Of 10 years, the winning average
in the National League is 94.5
games.
Lowest Average
The lowest average in the
grand total was made by the st.
Louis Cards in 1925 and the
highest also was made by the
Cards in 1881. Hornsby won
with 80 victories in '26, and
Frisch triumphed with 101 games
in 1882.
Now for a few questions con-
cerning the Cubs that only time
can answer. Will Gabby Hart
nett repeat his banner year of
1885? Charley Root and Larry
French must be included with
Hartnett. Root will be 81 years
of age on March II, and while
that would influence this agent
in his favor, Father Time may
be Supremely indifferent.
French is not yet 80 and can
not be included in any list of
aging athletes. French had a
good year in '35 and may re-
peat. But is not a consistently
brilliant pitcher.
Great Catcher
Enough of pesSimism, however!
Let's build the team and see what
develops. Take Hartnett at his
best for the season and you've got
a great catcher. He's a roaring,
yelling sort Of county fair ball
player, but he'll measure up to any
/ assignment.
Will Herman at second base is
a whale Of all player, a hitter
and q fine defensive artist. He
works with Hartnett splendidly.
And in center field you've got
Frank Demaree.
Bill Lee, of the Cubs, won 20
, games last year and lost only six.
He beat the Braves five times,
Brooklyn six times, and New York.
Philadelphia and st. Louis twice
each. The team he couldn't beat
was Cincinnati.
The rockies who make the trip
with the Cubs this spring offer in.
tereSting topics for conversation.
| Wesley Flowers, a Southpaw pitcher
from Wynne, Ark, who knows how
to win. He was with the Helena
Club Of the East Dixie League last
year and pitched a 13-inning shut
out against Pine Bluff. in which
he allowed only three hits and
won, 3 to 0. Lon Warneke spon'
sors the kid and thinks he will be
a success.
Temporary Reprieve
Jack Hutchings won 13 games
with Peoria last year and for that
reason was granted temporary re
prieve from the bushes. Bob Lii
lard offers serious thought to the
boys. This kid can hit them a
mile and made q fine impression
on coast critics in games last year
He was the home-run king Of the
league. IF there's a weakness in
the Cubs it is at third base.
Hal Sueme is another fence
Socker. He hit what should have
been homer in one game last year
but didn't touch second on the
way around and therefore only
got q single. Joe Vitter played
played with Pine Bluff last year
and was q sensation. He's q sec
ond baSeman and hit 1927. Of
course he is up against Bill Her
man, but he's good hand to have
on call when needed.
Johnny Gill is going West with
the Cubs, but that's all right
Nothing sensational will develop
| u