The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-25

tional League batting averages ap- pears the name "Medwick, St. Louis, .374." Right next is "Mize, St. Louis, .364." Turning to the American As- sociation's figuring, the 1887 batting champ is Slaughter, Columbus, .3e2."
 That was last year. Here, now to- day, as the National League squares off for its 63rd pennant race, Med- wick and Mize are still tied together in the Cardinals batting order and camented with them in towering triumvirate of might appears the fair name of ''Enos Bradshaw Slaughter, champion poWer-house of the most impressive crop of hitting newcomers to break into National League box scores for 20 years past. When forecasting pen nant prospects, let your eye dwell for a Studious moment on that con- glomeration of clout massed in the middle of the Red Bird array.
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 They march to the plate in the order of their 1887 averages, Slaughter. then Medwick, then Mize. If that means a lot to you in analyzing flag possibilities, think what it means to the pitchers of seven other National League clubs! First a 1882 man, then .374, then .364!
 Your .374 Medwick also led the National League in slugging, runs batted-in, runs scored, number ot hits, total bases and two-baggers and was tied with Ott for the home run crown. Your .364 Mize ran a right good race with MedWick in all departments. In home run making Georgia John was the only sluggel in the league to hit home run iIl every park.
 And on top of Medwick and Mize there's Slaughter! That's the answer to why the Red Birds of St. Louis chirrup brighter and beaminger as the curtain rises on the 1888 base ball scene. That's why pennant beeE buzz in the lush green valley where the Missouri joins old pap MiSsiSsip- pi. That's why visiting pitching staffs will be developing sudder sore-arm epidemics as their trains roll over the bridges into Cardinal vile.
 Slaughters on top of the 2-M hookup not because his 1882 in tho association was higher than .374 ol 1884 but because he's a left-hanc hitter, with speed in his feet, as at tested by IS stolen bases last year making a natural for the No. spot when there's a Medwick handy for the cleanup niche. "Ducky Joe knocked 154 runs over the plate las year. With 1882 hitter ahead O. him he'd have knocked home a least 30 more.
 Just what figures that A. A. .38. will pay off in the National League belongs among the stories to b. written later on this summer. Or past performance young Enos has well-developed habit of improving every year. It's sensational to review his brief career and note that nc matter how big the jump in clasSi fication. Slaughter power has me the test.
 In 1885 it was Martinsville, Va. the Bi-State League, Class D, ant Slaughter hit .273. Next year Col umbus, Ga, Class B, and 1928. Thirc year Columbus, but this time tht Double-A Columbus, and 1882. It. not any further from Class A tx the majors than from Class B to AZ but there's not much room above that 1882. Boss Frisch and the Card. final fans won't demand continued boosting of that average. Theyl settle for 1882.
 Joe Medwick's great year, adorned with his four-hit Sensationalism il the All-Star Game and garlandet with a string of batting titles, set { shining mark for Cardinals slug gers of the future to shoot at Slaughter's rapid rise in years o pro baseball offers evidence that tn, fair-haired young man from Caro lima has the stuff to do some tai shooting at the Medwick mark.
 Day by day through the 1887 sea son Slaughter in the Association wa coming close to matching Medwic in the National. To his batting til he appended the total hits cham pionship. also total bases and run scored. He batted home 122 run and hit 26 homers.
 So in Columbus they tackled O the title. "A left-hand hitting Med wick" and that's why Nationa League pitchers are qualsing as the look ahead to coming Cardinal