Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-20
He FACES FACTS,
HUNTS MATERIAL
Where to Find New Talent
Is Worry as Rebuilding
Plans Are Drawn.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.
SpnciaY rorrsspop liant ~ Tha TIA Il


CHICAGO, Aug 20.-Modern own
ers of major league clubs are given to
sudden changes of mind, and the IA
vored manager or player Of today may
be on the outside, come tomorrow's
sun. So. for what it is worth, p. K.
Wrigley, tycoon of the Chicago Cubs,
has intimated that Charles Leo Hart
nett will continue as manager of that
club for the 1899 season.
Hartnett was inaugurated as Cub
manager recently on the new broom
platform, but, SO far, he has succeeded
no better than his predecessor, Charles
John Grimm, who currently is pratt
Ting over the radio. The Cubs are
having difficulty keeping abreast or
ahead of the Cincinnati Reds, but ap-
parently Hartnett is not blamed for
the same sins Of omission and COM
mission that caused Grimm to take
several bounces out of Wrigley Field.
Wrigley Ready TO Buy.
Perhaps Wrigley realizes by this
time that the Cubs, as now constituted,
could not win the pennant, even if
John j. McGraw, Connie Mack and
Frank Chance were on the board Of
strategy. Hartnett, bluff-spoken
fellow, has told Wrigley the sad facts
concerning his team and the owner is
in agreement and ready to unstrap
the strings from his bank roll. So
there promises to be numerous dis
missals and trades of Cub players this
winter.
Primarily the Cubs need hitting To
get that, Hartnett must dispose of
Augie Galan and Joe Marty, weak
willows of the outfleld, and maybe Carl
Reynolds, an elderly gent who spent
his best years in the American League.
Probably Frank Demaree will be re-
tanned. for, until this season, he was
solid slugger. Demaree has slowed
considerably, but, if the batting eye is
regained, he still will have value.
Next, the Cubs need first base
man. Neither Ripper Collins nor Phil
Cavaretta is National League caliber
as hitter and lacks the ruggedness
desirable in a flrstsacker. Cavaretta
outfield and succeeded in neither spot,
so Hartnett probably will give up on
the boy after the current season Is
completed.
Needs Another Catcher.
With Hartnett nearing the fat 40's,
after II seasons Of strenuous big
league play, the Cubs must look for
another catcher. Kenny O'Dea nor
mally is good batter, but has field
ing and mechanical weaknesses that
weigh down the club. Bob Garbark,
the third-string catcher, is Just that
and never will be any better. Chicago
also will need utility infielder, for
old Signor Antonio Lazzeri cannot
go along forever and lacks the spright-
illness desired around second or short.
And, finally, the club can stand bet
ter pitching. Bill Lee and Clay Bryant
still are on the young side and would
be big winners with adequate hitting
behind their filings. Tex Carleton has
some years of usefulness left, but Larry
French seems to be going down hill at
top speed and Charlie Root is at the
end of brilliant career.
That offers Messrs. Wrigley and
Hartnett quite a job of reconstruction
If the Cubs are to be first-division
residents next year, and, in any lower
position, the sparrows will have fun
in palatial Wrigley Field. Just where
the Cubs are going to get all Of this
new material is the worry Of Wrigley
and Hartnett. For Gabbys sake, that
material must be found, else Mr..
Wrigley may get another new broom
idea next summer. Come to think Of
it, the brush statesmen should put
these club owners on their calling list.
They might do good trade in brooms.