Evening star., 1938-12-13
Boost Of Power Seen
With Keller, Other
Rockies Added
World Champs Will Have
Best Defense, Spirit,
Says Vet Catcher
BY GRANTLAND RICE.

BY GRANTLAND RICE.
LOS ANGELES. Dec. 13.-This
happens to be winter, and the
hounds of spring" are baying sew
eral months away. In spite of this
when you get away from footballs
bowl discussions, there seems to be
one Nation-wid cross-country query
wherever you happen to land-viz.
"Who is going to stop the Yankees
next year?"
AS some well-known expert put 1t
"The Yankees won't be as tough in
1889 as they were in lo38-they
will be tougher"
I'VE really ought to have a better
team next year than we had this
last season." Bill Dickey told me as
we were combing the Ozarks and the
Red River outlands. when we were
about II games ahead last season
I'll admit we took off the pressure
1t was a natural thing to do. But
we put the pressure back on when
we met the Cubs. 1t isn't so easy
to pull up, take things easy, and
then work up top speed again. But
the Yankees are that way.
Still Young Ball Club.
1--WE still are young ball club"
Bill said. I'm Joe Mccarthy we
have a manager who has the full
support of every man on the club.
We have just enough veterans to
season the team and give it the
needed experience. I think we
should be stronger next year for
several reasons. We have Charley
Keller and one or two other young
stars coming on.
Last season Joe Di Maggie had a
fine season, but I believe 1899 will
be better. For here is a really great
ball player He is good enough to
bat well over $50 and knock out
from 40 to so home runs.
And don't overlook Oral Hide
brand. the pitcher we just got. I
believe he will be 20-game winner
with the Yankees. A lot of people
seem 10 thing that Red Rufhng is a
little old. can tell you that Rufhng
had more stuff last season than he
ever had before I ought to know,
having caught him. He might be
even better next year. 1t wouldn't
surprise me to see Red win 25 games
He is one of those fellows who hap
pens to be late starter, but he
can travel now.
Great Defensive Team.
Here's another angle" Dickey
continued. This one gives me a big
laugh. We are known as a team
OF sluggers. We are supposed to be
all Drawn. We can only get runs.
They overlook the fact that we are
one OF the strongest defensive teams
in baseball. How many better in
fields will you find than Gehrig.
Gordon, Crosetti and Rolfe? How
many outf1elds cover more ground
or have better arms?
In my opinion the Yankees are
just AS good defensive team as
they are a scoring team. But they
only think of our home runs and
the tallies we happen to pile up.
They forget the other part of it
the plays we make on defense that
cut off runs"
What about young Joe Gordon?"
asked Bill.
Il got another laugh" he said,
when they talked about one or two
great plays Joe made in the last
world series. I've seen him make
30 or more plays through the sea-
son that were far more brilliant
than anything he showed against
the Cubs.
Gordon at Peak in Pinches.
I'm telling you this Gordon is a
great ball player. Not a good one
q great one. What did he hit last
year? I, don't remember. But if
he only hit .220 he still would be
great. For Joe hits when it counts.
He is a diamond-back rattler in the
pinches. And he is one of the best
lnfielders I ever saw. Just check
up on the runs he drove across in
his first year. He hasn't even start
ed yet.
Here's another thing that helps"
Dickey continued. I'VE have great
bunch of fellows on our club. Nc
Carthy won't stand for any trouble
You play to win-you play
for the team-or you go somewhere
else, no matter how good you are.
That can make a big difference.
You know that"
This reminds me of Connie Mack's
idea from 1910 through 1914, when
he won four pennants and two
world series. They all played for
him and the team-or they left for
another club.
Gehrig Not Deemed Through"
asked Bill about Lou Gehrig-
and how much longer he would last.
mo one knows that" Bill said.
You've got to remember that while
Lou has only played about Is years
he has also played more ball games
than many would ever tackle if
they played 25 years. Lou has played
in over 1000 consecutive ball games.
He had a slow start last season,
but finally hit his stride. No one
can 60 on forever. But Gehrig
sn't through yet
mo man takes better care of
He had the strongest kind
If constitution to start with. He
1ad and still has a great pair of
egs. That means lot. A first
oaseman doesn't have to worry
much about his arm and it's the
arm and the legs that usually slow
is down.
1--WE still are as good and still as
young as our throwing arms and
our legs are. Lou already is the
Iron Man of baseball for
al time. If he can go through an
other season of consecutive games
This far along he will be the triple
miracle man.
Take Nothing for Granted.
1--WE don't take anything for
granted" Dickey said. I'VE were
to be overconfident last