Imperial Valley press., 1938-04-07
Bench
BY b. Kinne
Post Press
Sports Editor
w Warming

bdStUdu StdSOll III lllI AioJOA
leagues will open on April 10, ac-
cording to the most accurate sched-
ule 1 can find. so today we will
look at the daffiest club in organlz-
ed baseball. the Brooklyn Dodgers,
through the eyes of George Klrksey
of the United Press.
AT the clubhouse entrance OF the
ball park a girl in a sun tan dress
was practicing her golf swing.
just around the corner OF the
clubhouse a writer sat in folding
chair stripped to the waist getting
a sun bath.
Over the amplifiers came the
strains of Thanks For The Mem
cries"
On the mound, Waite Hoyt, with
/ a pair of catchers shin guards
strapped to his legs, tossed them
up in batting practice.
Sunshine flooded the park but the
Negro bat boy, James Shaw. sat
alone in a dugout ankle deep in
mud.
An infielder scampered around
with a spiked shoe on one foot and
a moccasin on the other.
The manager sat in the shade Of
the clubhouse porch in left field
and the general manager sat in the
sun in the right field.
Yes. you guessed 1.-THE Brooklyn
Dodgers were taking their daily
workout.
Don't laugh too much at the
Dodgers because they may have a
better ball club than the sixth place
team of last year but they still re-
main the daffiest team in baseball.
They can't help it.
Things always seem to happen to
them and there's never dull mo-
ment in the Brooklyn camp.
The Brooklyn's may make trou-
BILE as we'll as laughs around the
National league circuit this season.
They've frightened up their infield
defense, they've added power and
have potentially a good pitching
staff.
With his jaws Furnishing a wad
of gum and briar pipe held be-
tween his thumb and fore finger,
Burleigh Grimes, sitting in the cool
shade, discussed his club.
Il know we've got better in
field. Camilli at first CoScarart at
second, Durocher at short and Lava
getto at third give us a pretty
strong combination.
"Camilli is the best in the league.
CoScarart, our rookie, looks like he's
ready. Watch Durocher come back.
And I'm going out on the limb TO
nominate Lavagetto as the years
best third baseman in our league.
"Camilli, Phelps, Manush, Lava
getto and Hassett will give the other
pitchers plenty of trouble. In addi-
ton it looks like long Tom Win
sett will make good in the outfield.
He's already hit more balls over
the fence this spring than he did
all last year.
Yes, all is quiet regarding the
Mungo situation. The big pitcher
who was suspended and fined S.
coo last season shall work and not
play this spring. He looks like a
20 game winner. Behind Mungo
there's Max Butcher, Luke Hamlin,
George Jeffcoat and Waite Hoyt
plus Fred Fitzsimmons and Fred
Frankhouse for spot work. It's a
staff that can win lot of games
with support and a few runs"
Another catcher is badly needed
to help out the number one re-
ceiver, Babe Phelps. Roy Spencer
is too old and Paul Chervinko lacks
something.
While the infield is all set, the
outfield is a merry scramble with
Winsett and Buddy Hassett, moved
from first to the outfield because
of the acquisition of Camilli from
the Phillies, competing for the left
field job; Goodwin Rosen, Louisville
Rookie. and the Veteran Kiki Guy
Ter vieing for center; and Heinie
Manush, last years Brooklyn Lead
ing hitter, and Gilly Brack in a
battle for right