The Washington times., 1936-03-18
Tigers Say
Sox Make
Mistake
BY FRANK "BUCK" ONEnL

ORLANDO, Fla, March 1S.
The Detroit Tigers, champions Of
the world, are in town today, ready
to prove that they are in the fight
for the pennant Of '36. OF course
there has been a general conced.
ing Of the pennant and its privil.
eyes to Boston by the Red sox.
This slight departure from the
amenities of a sport rather get on
the nerves of the Bengals. 1t isn't
customary, even in baseball, to
dethrone a champion without at
least striking a blow.
Not even the fact that Hank
Greenberg, the big first sacker,
refuses to sign his contract, is
bothering Mickey Cochrane right
now. The Tigers are playing Rudy
York on first base, and while the
big Indian Is nothing that looks
like a Sisler or Judge around the
bag, it must be remembered that
Greenberg himself is no floating
shadow in grace.
York has had checkered
career with the Tigers. He went
to Tigertown from Beaumont,
where on summer days jack rab.
bits walk away from lounging
coyotes. The heat is too terrific
to run for life or dinner. York
forthwith proceeded to find the
~o.onn ~ A. Foooac E,1S ba moe
an awkward hand and was re-
turned. Up again last year the
Injun was tried as an outfielder.
He lacked the speed for those
scorching runs after line drives
hit in the alley.
Now he is up as a first Sacker,
and wouldn't it be strange If he
stepped in and took the place
Of Greenberg?
1t Happens in Baseball
Sure, it seems all out of line
that Hankus could be replaced
after the year he had last year.
But. in fact. happenings Of the
sort weave the romance of base
ball. It is the accession Of youth
to youths place in the sun, the
fulfillment Of a youngsters dream
of glory that saves professional
baseball from being wholly Seamy
and sorry.
York is a power house, and in
two years has improved himself
as hitter. He always had power.
Just a little fineSSe might make
him a wholly adequate replace
ment for any player in the land.
"WeII just have to wait .
little bit before we cOncede the
pennant," said Mickey COchrane
this morning when the Bengals
rode up to the Angebilt Hotel
and established quarters. "It'S
fine to know that Boston IL 60
ing to win the pennant. / won
der IL we ought to 60 fishing and
wait for 1887.
Says CrOnin Booted One
'fCrOnin booted one when he
won the pennant here in Febru-
ary," laughed COchrane, and it
wasn't . pleasant laugh. che
booted that one like he boots
those easy grOunders hit right
at him. What has he done?
He's helped us a lot. Every team
in the league will be shooting
at Boston. They'll be 50 busy
trying to beat the SOx that we're
apt to benefit. That's just plain
psychology. The guy who says
~r0Al haR -
''What about Greenberg?" We
asked Mickey.
The smile faded from Coc4r-
rane's eyes. He spoke quietly
and without heat. Just stated
facts.
Hank is out Of line, I think"
COchrane said. 'We've offered
him q good salary. The boy
isn't Babe Ruth; not yet, at
any rate. 1 think he should
sign and stop his nonsense"
As q matter of fact, COchranG
was apparently more concerned
about CrOwder, who injured his
arm in q practice game two
weeks ago and is still suffering
as a result Of the injury, Crow
der consulted . specialist . few
days ago and received treat
ment. But, we're not going to
know for while just how much
If any, the arm improved.
WILL NEED LUCK
"We will have to have q lot
of luck to win for the third
time" Cochren said. "But
think we will be able to make
the grade all right. Our pitch.
ing will be all right. For the
past two years we have been
lucky in not having to make
any substitutions in the infield
except at third base. Well. We
have some fine young players
this year."
"We're in shape to 60,
think" Mickey said quietly.
"It's q long season, and you've
got to get a percentage Of the
breaks. But just remember
this: The Tigers stilI are the
champions Of the American
LeaRue"