The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-16
WITT SURE TO MAKE ECLEvELEND INDIANS HUSTLE
Yanks and Tigers Are Teams to Beat; Has Best
 Pitching in Majors
EDITORS NOTE: Following is the third of series from the Major League Spring Training Camps.
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY Tnited PreSa Staff C0rreSnOndent

United Press Staff Correspondent)
 New Orleans, March 16-(UP)- Oscar Witt has survived two earth quakes only to wind up as manager of the Cleveland Indians. Some folks think the 1906 San Francisco quake and the 1892 Los Angeles con- vulsion, both of which Witt came through unscathed, are only mild tremors in comparison to his pres ent predicament.
 But the Indians reputation as the best poker playing team in the Majors, the biggest bunch of loaf CTS on the field and the hardest gang to corral into their hunks at night doesn't bother Witt bit. Neither does the fact that Roger Peckinpaugh was fired as Cleveland manager in 1883, Walter Johnson in 1885, and Steve O'Neill in 1887.
 Unafraid
 Sitting in one of the hottest spots in baseball, Witt was taken hold of his job with such irrepressible en- thusiasm and dogged determination that scoffers would have their eyes peeled back to their eyebrows to see how "Old Oss"-as he calls himself is going about his work of trans forming the Indians into a hustling, hard-working, they can't lick us" ball club.
 One of his first edicts was to ban all poker and dice games. He has no rule about retiring at night but he's watching with interest those players who can't get home by mid- night.
 Any guy who isn't in bed by mid- night doesn't know enough to play baseball" says Witt. T feel sure all our real ball players will see fit to get their rest"
 AS for hustle, Witt has plenty to say:
 Any ball player who ever quits on that field will hear from me. That's my No. rule. I can forgive a lot # a player gives everything he's got on the field. If there was a time when Cleveland was con- Sidered lazy, that day is gone for good. Any player who plays for Old OSS' never quits"
 One of the first problems con- fronting Witt when he took over the Indians this spring was the case of "Rollicking Rollie" Hemsley, play boy catcher. The third time Hens ley broke training rules, Witt sent him home. Hemsley was allowed to return to camp only after he told Witt he was ready to behave The Hemsley case hasn't worried Witt at all.
 I'll handle Hemsley the way see fit" says Witt. T won't give up on him until Oct. 3. And I ex- pect to get lot of good catching out of him."
 Knows His Stuff
 Witt, who played third base for the Detroit Tigers in the cut and slash days of Ty Cobb from 1912- 18. has two-year contract at re- ported $l5,000 per year. He stepped up to his Major League chance after winning the International League pennant by 25 1-2 games with the Newark Bears and grabbing the Little World Series after losing the first three games. He's 49 and his hair is sprinkled with gray, but mo- body has yet been able to wipe the smile off his face. He has laughed at earthquakes so why should a mere tough managerial job bother him--that's Vitt's philosophy.
 Admitting that he regards the Yankees and Tigers as the leagues top teams, Witt is alive to the tremendous possibilities of the h. dianS.
 We're not conceding anything to anybody" says Witt. T like this club fine. We have some things to get strengthened out all right. My main problem is to get smooth working infield We have plenty of hitting power. I like my outfield, my catching and pitching" The Indians pitching is some thing to shout about. Johnny AL len, Bob Teller, Denny Galehouse. Mel Harder. Earl Whitehill, Willis Hudlin, Joe Heving and three youngsters. John Humphries, Tom Drake and Bill zuber form probab- ly the best American League staff. HemSley and Pytlak will do the catching. Trosky at first. Lary at short and either Hale or the Rookie Ken Keltner from Milwaukee will, play third. Second base is a prob lem. It may be John Kroner. Rookie Tommy Irwin or Rookie Os- car Grimes. both from New Orleans. The outfield will be Golfers in left. Averill in center and Campbell in