Evening star., 1938-07-05
HOPES NOW REST
IN WANDER MEER
Want Him to Open Against
FeIIer-McCormick's Slump
More Woe for Terry.
BY GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

CINCINNATI, July 5.-The greats
Of baseball have started pouring in on
this troubled town for tomorrow's an
nual all-star game between the two
major leagues, and by this nightfall
there will be home-run knocker be-
hind every potted palm in the hotel
lobbies.
Cincinnati, frankly, isn't as joyous
in expectation Of the big event as had
been anticipated a few days ago. The
Reds have lost their last six games. If
the incoming stars fail to encounter q
welcoming crowd at the much be-
muraled Union Station. they will un-
derstand what has happened.
Still, sellout crowd Of $4,000. in.
cluding 1000 standees, Is assured when
the two star-spangled outfits meet at
l:30 eastern standard time) tomor-
row afternoon at Crosley Field. All the
reserved chairs were sold while the
community still was suffering with
pennant fever and when Johnny VAN
der Nicer looked like being the next
city manager.
Realize Flag Hopes Gone.
Now the good burghers, suddenly
clear-headed again, realize they aren't
going to see world series next au-
tumn, and it is a little sad About all
| they hope for from tomorrow's turn
verein is that their lovely Wander Nicer
will outpitch Bobby Feller of Cleveland
for the first three innings.
1t will be crime against the SOW
ereign State of Ohio if the two young
sters aren't given the lead-off assign
ments. They probably will be, but 1t
would cause no great shock to many
observers If Joe Mccarthy, manager
fora a-day of the American League
beauties, led with either Lefty Gomez
or Red Ruftlng Of his own Yankees.
Mccarthy and his National League
rival. Bill Terry, will get together with
| Commissioner Lands and the umpires
tonight for final ironing-out of the
details. Neither manager will see his
| full team until they all meet at the
clubhouse at IL o'clock on the morn
ing OF the game. Chances are they
won't announce their starting line-ups
until then.
| Mccormick Increases Terry's Task.
Terry, weighted with the task Of try.
ing to give the National League its Sec
| ond victory in six all-star games,
isn't going to receive very encouraging
news here. Frank Mccormick of the
Reds, the only first baseman on the
National squad. has hit terrific bat
/ ting slump and has made three glaring
errors in as many days. Previously he
had made only one miscue for almost
half the playing season.
/ Outside of the probable starting
pitchers, most of the conjecture hinges
on the man to play third base for the
National LeaguerS-whether 1t will be
Mel OFT, Giants slugger, or Stanley
Hack of the Chicago Cubs. Hack is the
more finished fielder. but with hitting
power at such premium in one sud
den death" game there is possibility
that Terry will post OFT at the last
turn.
The possibility also is suggested that
Mccarthy will plant Lou Gehrig on
flrst base and send Jimmie Foxx over
to third in order to cram all the power
possible into his American League in
neld. This, though, is discounted, be-
cause Gehrig at present is hitting far
under his best form. The Americans
have a fine third baseman In Red
Rolfe, anyway.
Likely Starting Players
1t practically is certain that the
Nationals will open with Leo Durocher
OF Brooklyn at shortstop, despite the
fact that he can't hit lick. His great
defensive skill gives him the nod over
Arkie Vaughan of Pittsburgh, q su-
perior hitter, in the opinion Of the
experts.
The concenSus is that the two
dream" clubs will line up about
like this Qeaving it to the two man
ayers to fix the batting orders):
American-Ea Averill, Cleveland,
left field; Joe Di Maggie. New York,
center field; Roger Cramer, Boston,
right field; Red Rolfe, New York.
third base; Joe Cronin, Boston, short
stop; Charlie Gehringer, Detroit, Sec
ond base; Jimmie Foxx Boston, first
base; Bill Dickey. New York, catcher;
Bob Feller, Cleveland, pitcher.
National-Joe Medwick, st. Louis
left field; Ival Goodman, Cincinnati.
center field Mel OFT, New York, right
field; Stanley Hack, Chicago, third
base; Leo Durocher, Brooklyn, short
stop; Billy Herman. Chicago, second
base; Frank Mccormick. Cincinnati,
first base: Ernie Lombardi Cincin-
natl, catcher; Johnny Wander Nicer,
Cincinnati, pitcher.