Evening star., 1939-03-18
Youth Combines
Goodness With
Rare Ability
Ted's Fan Appeal Apt
To Excel KeIIer's,
Hutchinson's
BY GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press SPORTS Writer.

TAMPA, Fla, March 18.-Havine
stuck out my neck to the extent of
picking Cincinnati to win the Ma
tional League flag, I might as we'll
go ahead and name you the rookie
OF the year, the one most likely to
star from his first day in the big
show and bring new color to the
game.
I take Ted Williams, the loose
jointed kid from Minneapolis VINO
will open the season in right field for
the Boston Red Sox. Maybe it's a
hunch, but I take him over Detroit's
Fred Hutchinson and Frank Crouch
er. the Yankees Charley Keller and
Joe Gallagher, the Cardinals Tom
Sunkel-and all the rest.
Ted, who hit 1866 and favored his
efforts with 43 home runs last wear.
has more than mechanical ability.
He is rare young bird, destined 70
become a character around the bail
lots. There's an aura of greatness
about him. tinged slightly with
gooflness, and the fans are going Ia
love him.
"Education' for Williams.
"Just think" he said the other
day. I'm going to see cities like New
York and Chicago. Thatll be an
education in itself. even if I wasn't
making money. HI, fellow car.
always pick up dollar. You know.
I'd play right field and center field
both IN these exhibition games If
Mr.. Cronin would let me-"
Hutchinson. Detroit's prize young
pitcher, isn't saying much. He has
been put in an awkward spot, both
by the great publicity he has re-
ceived and by the repeated charge
OF scouts and rival Coast League
players that "he hasn't got thing"
He obviously would be a sucker to
start arguing with his critics. He
only says, quietly: That's what they
say and goes on getting his arm
In shape.
I watched him closely as he
pitched in an inter-camp game, try
ing my best to figure out how he
won Is games last season. He has
only average speed, a good curve
and fine control, but he handles
himself with the assurance of a
veteran. I noticed that just as he
delivers the ball his arm gives a
peculiar sort of "fluttery" motion,
but don't knew whether that's i'm.
portant. Probably not.
Keller Williams Debate Hot
whenever an American Associa-
ton man and an International
League man get together down here
there's sure to be a hot argument
about the respective abilities of
Williams and Keller. Ray Blades.
new manager of the Cards, who as
the Rochester pilot in recent years
saw more than he liked of Keller at
Newark. raved about him for 10
minutes.
Hes the greatest I ever saw out
side the big leagues" he declared.
Joe Mccarthy can just put him in
the outfield and forget all about
him. In my opinion, he's a better
player than Joe Gordon. Not only
can he hit and field. but I doubt
there's a faster man in the Amer
lean League. I'm sure he can do
hundred in 10 seconds fiat in his
uniform.
To which DOME Bush, williams
boss at Minneapolis, lifts a polite
eyebrow and says: Keller, eh?
Wait until they get a look at our
boy" It will be one of the wears
features to watch the progress OF
this pair. I still take Williams.
No-Hitters Held Unlucky.
It's q shame that Japhet Lynn
won't remain around to pitch for
Detroit after the season starts. A
rodeo performer in the off-season,
Japhet is up from Columbus, where
he took part in so games last year.
mostly as relief pitcher. Japhet
was asked If he had pitched any no.
hit games.
NO. he said, but it's only be.
cause I'm superstitious. I could Of
had several, but each time I'd get
to the ninth without a hit against
me I would lay one in there easy
and let somebody smack 1t. I notice
these fellows that pitch no-hitters
never amount to much afterward.
and I don't want that to happen
| tn mo-