The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-24
Traynor Expects
 Lucky Team To Win 1939 Flag
By JACK GUENTHER


 San Bernardino, Cal, March 24. |-UP)-With just one notable ex- ception the Pittsburg Pirates will gamble their 1889 pennant chances on the same lineup which fell apart before the challenge of the Chicago Cubs in 1888, but this time Pie Traynor believes they'll make the gamble good.
 The mild-mannered manager thinks the single substitution, Ray Mueller for Al Todd at the catch ing post. will transform the brides maid into world series bride after II years of waiting. But he frankly insists it will be mostly a matter of luck.
 Always a Close Race
 "The lucky team will be the win ming team in 1939," he explained as he watched his players critically. "The race always Is close. Last year we were beaten by one home run in one crucial game. We may not have been good but we couldn't have come that close and been bad. That stuff about lack of fight is nonsense"
 The key man, Mueller, came from Boston in exchange for Todd, John Dickshot and cash. Many fans be- lieve the Pirates erred in trading Todd, byt Traynor doesn't agree. He says Mueller Is magic with pitchers, and that is what is needed most. Three of the mound men-Russ Bauers, Joe Bowman and Bob Klinger-Need soothing voice and a smart teammate to steady them in the pinches. If Mueller can do that, Pittsburg will be greatly stregthened defensively.
 Last season there was no stand out pitcher. Mace Brown led the staff with 15 victories but was sole- ly 8 relief artist. Jim Tobin and Cy Blanton were the bulwarks, win- ming 25 games between them, and will carry the burden again, along with Ed Brandt and Bill Swift. Bauers, Bowman and Klinger con- tributed 28 wins, but Traynor be- lieves that under Mueller's guid- ance they should be good for 40.
 If they are, Traynor says Pitts burg is in.
 There is no rookie to approach Klinger, the freshman find of last season, Ken HeintZelman and Bill Clemenson, along with regular Truett Sewell, are question marks. Heintzelman and Clemenson must either be retained this season, their third tryout, or be released. The former finished 1888 with Montreal and the latter worked with Gadsden. George Susce of Tulsa is a possi- ble conner, but no decision has been made.
 Same Infield
 The infield will carry over in- tact. Gus Suhr will be back on first, Pep Young to second, Arky Vaughan at short and Lee Handley at third. This combination carried the team to the top before the fall, and 1t is expected to perform capably again. Bill Brubaker and John Juelich, who hit .262 and field- ed .975 for Rochester, will be the utility men, and Frank Gustine, up from Hutchinson, may be retained.
 Unless Paul Waner comes to terms, the outfield will be compos- ed of Johnny Rizzo at left, Lloyd Waner at center, and veteran Heinie Manush, who came from Brooklyn via Montreal, at right. Manush batted .313 for Montreal, 8 pinots higher than Paul Waner did fir the Pirates. He may hold the job even if the regular re- ports. Forrest Jensen and Fern Bell, who batted .327 for Louis- vile, will be retained for place. ment work. Rookie Bob Elliott of Savannah will be farmed for more experience.
 Mueller's backstop duties will be shared by Ray Berres, good man on defense but a weak hitter. Traynor thinks the probable rank ing will be Pittsburg, Chicago, Gin cinnati, New York, Boston, St. Louis, Brooklyn and Philadelphia.