Evening star., 1936-03-25
DURABILITY, FORM
OF MANY DOUBTED
All Main Contenders Find
"Ifs" in Elder Players
to Cause Worry.
By the Associated Press.


" Of base ball hang over the
heads OF established stars
whose status, because OF past injuries
or advancing age, has become doubt
full
Some have been remaining mys-
teriously out of major training camp
activities; others are back in top form
to all appearance, but raise the QueS-
ton Of how long they can keep 1t up.
Still another group Is Of unquestioned
durability. but leaves doubt as to
whether they can do as we'll as hoped
Starting at the top with the world
champion Tigers. the status Of at least
three 1885 regulars is somewhat un-
certain. Goose Goslin, the veteran
outfielder did quite well by himself
and his team last season, but at 35
he may have trouble holding the pace.
Another veteran, General Al Crowder,
has done little hurting this Spring,
but there's no indication he won't be
ready when the season starts.
Simmons Still a Guess.
THE Bengals also have to face the
question Of whether Al Simmons
will return to his Philadelphia hitting
form and thus justify the outlay OF
SIS 900. Marvin Owen, the light-hit-
ting third sacker, is another Detroit
problem child and Mickey Cochrane
apparently is hopeful that Dom Ross
rookie from Beaumont. Tex. will
show enough ability to take over the
job.
The Yankees, Red Sox and In
dians, regarded as Detroit's leading
rivals, all have their big ifs. At New
York it's mostly whether Tony Laz-
zeri's aging legs will carry him
through another season at second
and whether the ailing leg that forced
Frank Crosetti out last season is fully
mended Pitchers Bump Hadley from
Washington and the comeback bound
Pat Malone also are wearing the
question marks.
Cleveland is hopeful two of last
years asualties-Catcher Frank PVT
lax and Bruce Campbell, young out
fielder who was laid low by menin-
gifts, are back in form. Campbell
seems to have made an amazing re-
covery from an illness which might
easily have ended his career.
Grove Not So Certain.
IN ADDITION to the question OF
temperament at Boston, there's the
inescapable fact that their pitching
mainstay, Lefty Grove, isn't as young
as he once was, although apparently
as good as ever and that changes OF
scenery often produce unforeseen
changes in performance. not always
for the good.
All three National League con.
tenders, the champion Cubs, the Cardi-
nails and the Giants, have to contend
with age and infirmaties among their
key men. Manager Charley Grimm
Of Chicago, at 36, appears ready to get
back into harness after resigning his
job to young Phil Cavarretta last year.
Gabby Hartnett, the clouting catcher.
isn't likely to lead the National League
hitters again. This may be Offset. how
ever, If Chuck Klein again has found
his hitting eye. as his world series feats
and Spring performances seem to in
dicate.
The Cards undoubtedly would well
come the arrival Of tested reserve in
fielders. Manager Frankie Firsch will
be hard pressed to play the full sea
son at second and he has just learned
that-Lyle Judy, the speedy rookie who
was scheduled to fill in for him. won't
be able to play this season because Of
a shoulder injury.
Colbert Questionable.
CHARLEY GILBERT, coming back
after q serious injury few years
ago, may be able to stand daily duty
at third, but probably would be better
OF with occasional rest days.
Bill Terry Of the Giants not only
has begun to feel the weight Of years,
but the weight of his 200 pounds on an
ailing knee. That explains the pur-
chase OF Sam Leslie for relief duty.
Travis Jackson at third also is unlikely
to 90 through the full season without
occasional relief.
Other questions Of Importance in
clude whether Lloyd Waner Of Pitts
burgh, who is making a quick recovery
from pneumonia, will get into action
soon enough to do much good; whether
Chick Hafey can make his projected
comeback with the Reds: how well
Freddy Lindstrom and the veteran
hurlers from Boston, Dutch Brandt
and Fred Farmhouse, will do at
Brooklyn; whether Buddy Myer of
Washington will hit as well as he did
in 1885 and what will be the outcome
Of the Browns trade which brought
them linn Bottomley from Cincinnati.