The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-31
By GEORGE KIRKSEY

camps.
By GEORGE KIRKSEY
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Daytona Beach, Fla, March 81
(UP)-The National leagues ratio
this season is on a 5 to 3 basis
that is, five contenders and three
clubs left over to battle for what's
left.
The five top teams are the Giants,
Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates and Reds.
There's no standout among them.
The Cardinals have been made the
favorites in the betting books, with
the Cubs second choices and the
champion Giants, third choices.
Team Gamble
Actually, the Cardinals are loaded
with more problems than any one
of the five contenders. They're
strictly a gamble. Much depends on
Paul Deans attempted comeback.
He may be the key man in the Ma
tional league race.
The Cubs look like the "solid
team. They led the league last year
in fielding, tied for the club batting
title with Pittsburgh and were we'll
equipped with pitchers. They floun-
dered for lack of an extra-base
hitter who could drive in runs. They
have him now in Rip Collins, OBJ
tanned from the Cardinals. They
gave up Lon Warneke. a 16-game
winner, but got Roy Parmelee, an
11-game winner in the bargain.
The Giants have had to revise
their championship team, and will
start with new men at first and
third and Hank Leiber in center in
stead of Jimmy Ripple, an import
ant cog in last years winner. Bill
Terry says his present team is the
best he's ever managed but a lot of
people want to wait and see.
Pittsburgh carries enough guns to
win the battle, but the Pirates sell
dom live up to expectations. The
clubs main problem now is to get
Paul Waner, National league batting
champion and a stubborn holdout,
in the fold. Without Paul the Pr
ates aren't the same.
Reds Improved
Cincinnati has come on fast, prob,
ably showing more improvement
than any club but the Reds may
still lack the attack to blast their
way to the pennant. They seem GER
tain, however, to hustle their way
into the first division.
Below these five, we have the
Dodgers, Bees and Phillies ready to
put on triple-header scrap for
sixth place or the cellar, as the case
may be.
Sketches Of the eight clubs follow
Giants-Will again rely on pitch
ing and tight offense. Question
whether Mccarthy will fill first base
job and Chiozza at third has to
prove his fielding ability. Problem
atical whether benching or Ripple
for Leiber will help. Still have Hub
bell, and that means trouble for all.
Cardinals - Gambling on Paul
Deans comeback, an inexperienced
inf1eld and kid catching staff. If
all come through Gashouse Gang
will again be tough. Warneke fig
ures to help pitching staff but has
been slow rounding into form.
Cubs Bank On Marty
CubS-League's best infield and
strong pitching. Outf1eld hinges on
Galan's comeback and ability of
Rookie Joe Marty to make good.
Banking heavily on Collins giving
team needed extra base punch.
Pirates-Potentially a champion.
Lefty Brandt promises to improve
pitching staff and Lee Handley may
help at second. Have leagues best
punch, if and when, P. Waner de-
serts holdouts. May be Pirates year.
Reds-Improved enough to crash
into first division If any of leaders
slip even slightly. Great young
pitching staff. Need one power hit
ter. Team hustling like it's going
places.
Restraining on a veteran pitch
ing stan. Weak on left side lnf1eld,
with weak-hitting shortstop and
Vince DiMaggio, a rookie outf1elder,
at third. Trying hard but will have
job to hold sixth place.
Dodges-Daffy days are over. Bur-
leigh Grimes has instilled new spirit
into team, but rebuilding hampered
by ack Of material. Cachting weak
defensively, and outfield a problem,
outfielders who can hit can't field
and vice versa. Mungo's arm biggest
asset.
Phillies-Not as bad as last year,
but no marked Improvement. Three
rockies in regular lineup. Pitching
fair but club lacks punch Of old
days. Must get new first baseman
If Dolf Camilli continues to holdout