The Washington times., 1938-02-11


american League clubs preP0T-
ing to enter spring training for
The 1888 season. Tomorrow
Buck O'NeiH wiH discuss the
Warrington NotiOn0ls.)
The Boston Red Sox challenge
the claim of Cleveland's Indians
to fourth place in the American
League pennant race. On paper
there is no reason why the Back
Bay aggregation should not finish
in the first division. But unfor-
tunately, from a Boston stand
point, ball games are played on
fields and not on paper. Boston
must develop at least three pitch
ers who can win. If this iS done,
you can look at q nip and tuck
battle among four clubs for the
brackets below first place.
One of the things necessary to
q complete comeback by the Sox
is a return to batting form by
Jimmy Foxx. Last year Foxx hit
.2e5 which is far below his stand
ard. He should be up around the
$50 mark, and perhaps this year
will regain his former station. Joe
Cronin was as much puzzled over
the inability of Foxx to hit the
ball as Foxx was himself. Accord
ing to Jimmy his swing was the
Same. his stride was the same,
but hits Just didn't happen.
GOOD CATCHER NEEDED
This cost the Red Sox lot OF
ball games. A weakness BEHIND
the plate also cost Boston a lot
of ball games. Gene Desautels
rates this year as starting catcher.
Moe Berg, despite the fact that
he is 35 years old, is the second
string catcher. George Dickey,
the younger brother Of Bill, OF the
Yankees, will fight it out with
Jack Peacock for the position OF
third catcher. Peacock seems 70
he the best hitter of the lot ana
therefore looms as a likely sum-
mer resident of Boston.
The Red Sox are counting on
Joe Vosmik to solve some OF tnelr
difficulties in producing runs.
Vosmik batted 1875 and drove IN
a flock of tallieS for the st. LOUIS
Browns. He will play left field tor
the Red Sox this summer, and
with that short left field fence as
his target. should have a fine time
, with all pitching. Roger Cramer
will be back in center field ana
Ben Chapman will hold the fort in
right. There will be lot OF fun
among the other five outfielders
for the positions Of reserve out
fielders.
DEAL MAY MAKE TEAM
Fabian Gaffke played with Bos-
ton last year and, all things con-
sidered, had a pretty good sea-
son. Gaffke has a lot to learn,
however, and may be returned to
the American Association for fur
ther seasoning. Lindsey Deal, who
played with Little Rock last year
and batted $40, is going to have
a whole lot to say about who will
hold down that extra job.
Jimmy Foxx will be on first,
McNair at second, Joe Cronin at
shortstop and Pinky Higgins at
third. The utility infielders prob
ably will be Doerr and Jimmy Ia
Dor, who played sensational ball
with Little Rock last year.
COUNT ON HENRY
The Red Sox are counting
heavily upon Jim Henry to be one
Of their winning pitchers, but he
will have to improve a lot over his
form in the American Association.
In that home for the aged Henry
allowed 5.84 earned runs per nine
inning game, and that won't win
in the American League.
Lefty Grove pitched 262 innings
last year, struck out 153 men and
allowed only 800 earned runs per
nine-inning game. He may have
another banner year in his aging
arm.
Thirty-two men in all will re-
port at Sarasota for training and
II Cronin can get the best out of
all OF them he may finish fourth
but he will have to work nothing
short Of miracle to finish any
higher than the foot Of the first
division.