The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-30
YANKEES NOT
 CERTAIN OF FLAG
 WITHOUT RUEFING
Gomez a Question Mark as Season Start Neafs;
 Other Clubs Reviewed
By GEORGE KTRKsEY

United Press Stan Correspondent
 St. Petersburg, Fla, March 3O-I (UP)-The New York Yankees, 4 Monarchs of the baseball world, are sitting on a keg of dynamite.
 Ordinarily team good enough to win the pennant by 19h games and then capture the world title should have no worries the next season. The Tanks look like the same old swaggering wrecking crew on the surface, but delve a little deeper.
 They won the pennant last year by overpowering the opposition and taking advantage of the injuries and nisfortunes of the other contenders. At no time last season was the. Tanks pitching staff any too stable. There is no evidence this spring to indicate that the Tanks hurling corps is any stronger. Indeed, 1t. may even be weaker.
 Red" Needed ,
 The Tanks best pitcher, Red Ruffng, is still 8 holdout. He won 20 games last year. Take 20 games off the Tanks won column and add them to the lost column and De- troit would have won the pennant by a half game. If and when Ruff1ng reports, he may have trouble rounding into form. Pat Malone and Bump Hadley, who won 26 games last year, will have to be miracle men to come close to that figure again.
 Little help is expected from the young corp. Mike Makosky appears the best newcomer, and he seems destined to 8 relief role. Lefty Gomez is being counted on to come back, but after two dismal years he is gamble.
 Detroit, Cleveland, Washington and Boston all seem to have made marked improvement. Any one of them may win the pennant. Chicago was last years surprise club, finish ing third. If the White Sox hold that position they will do well. The St. Louis Browns apparently haven't lost any strength, but neither have they added any. .
 or Connie Mack Is playing pos sum with his Athletcis down in Mexico City, with crop of young pitchers they say will Surprice every one.
 Sketches of the eight American league clubs follow:
 Yankees-Will reply on power to repeat. Rulings holdout hurting pitching staff and Gomez strictly a question mark. Gehrig and Lazzeri, both aging, may not be able to keep going at their 1886 clips. More pressure on Joe Dimaggio, last years rookie sensation.
 TigerS-Wrecked by injuries last year. Hank Greenberg and Mickey Cochrane, leaders of the clubs at tack, are back, hale and hearty.
 Great spirit, with all hands hustling for comeback. Big problem is pitching. One big winner to. help Bridges and Rowe all Tigers asking for.
 Surprisers!
 White Sox-Hustle makes. this club menace. Jimmy Dykes make the club play better than 1t knew how last year: maybe he can do 1t again. Luke Appling, American league batting champion, and Ver- non Kennedy, a 21-game winner last year, may keep team in first division.
 senators-1f Buddy Myer returns to form after last years illness, Washington will have leagues best infield. Club evenly balanced with eight 300 hitters. Shanty Hogan seems to have solved catching prob- lem. If Fred Sington hits in out field and pitching holds up, will be a dangerous contender.
 Indians-Maybe this is the h. dians' year. Frankie Pytlak expects to catch 115 games and Bob Teller Is counted on for 20 victories. If Pytlak and Teller come through, the Indians may take it all. Team has powerful attack, and great pitching. Ipfield weakness may be solved by Lary at short and switch of Hale to second and Hughes to third.
 Red Sox-Power in inf1eld. Out field uncertain. Pitching improved because of great spring showing of Johnny Marcum. Better team spirit than last year, with no signs of prima donna complex of year ago. Browns-May be helped by addi- ton of Joe Vosmik. Bill Knicker- booker, and Oral Hildebrand from Cleveland. Pitching appears woefully weak and gay at second, which Hornsby himself is trying to i'll.
 Athletics-Flock of young pitchers who may help. Addition of Bill Werber at third, and improvement of Chubby Dean at first. should make difference. Outfield has power. Decidedly not cinch for the cellar.