The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-29
PHILLIPS ON THE. UPGRADE, WORK
 TN SOUTH SHOWS
Protho, New Boss, Has Three Year Campaign
 in Mind
By RICHARD M. MOREHEAD


 Limited Press Stan COrrespondent)
 New Braunfels, Tex, March %. (UP)-Manager Doc Prothro wants a better break on one-run victories, improvement in the right side of the inf1eld and a slugging outfielder to bring the Philadelphia Phillies out of eighth place in the 1889 Na- tional league race.
 The conservative Dr. Thompson Prothro (he;s a Memphis dentist during the winter) thinks 1t may take three or four years to bring about the changes needed, but he isn't pessimistic about the outlook right now. The Phillies spring train- ing season at Landa Park here has brought several indications that the once hapless and helpless Phils are on the upgrade. Prothro says his pitchers look good, and that the Phils will be in there swinging in every game.
 The teams spirit already is i'm proving, Protho said. The manage ment has announced policy of keeping its good players instead of selling them and within few years hopes to have a steady flow of talent from the minors. Failure to keep its stars or to have replace ments from the lower leagues has hurt the Phils for a good many years, the manager said.
 Passeau an Asset
 The Phils can list on the asset side pitchers Max Butcher, Hugh Mulcahy and Claude Passeau, right handler; Al Hollingsworth and Jen- ningS Pointexter, left-handerS. The first four are almost sure to take regular turns on the mound, and Poindexter, free-swinging rookie from Longview, Tex, may make it a "big i've"
 Others on the pitching corps now are Al Smith, one-time member of the New York Giants, 8 lefthander; Elmer Burhart, righthander from Montgomery, Ala, in the Southeast ern league; Jim Henry, with Min- American association, and Cincinnati in the National league last season, a righthander; and Syl- vester Johnson, veteran righthander who also serves as coach for the Phils.
 Virgil Davis, a major -leaguer for several years, tops the catching staff. He batted .235 and had a .976 field ing average in 1888. John Dutch Clark and Bill Atwood are the other holdover catchers, and Norman Whitten is a rookie who shows promise. With Montgomery last year, the 23-year-old Whitten batted .3l8 and fielded .988.
 Powers Battles Jordan
 Leslie Powers, a left-hander, is giving veteran Baxter Jordan race for the first base job. Jordan showed well last season, however. His batting average with the eighth place club was .299, the best of the team, and his fielding record was .973. Powers comes from Jersey City of the International league with a .292 batting average and .989 fielding record.
 Emmett (Heinie) Mueller and Del Young are back to handle second base for the Phillies, but both must improve their batting averages over 1888. Mueller hit .250 and Young .229, but the latter has been banging the ball in spring training.
 George Scharein, holdover short stop, is having real competition from Edward Feinberg, 21 year old rookie from Montgomery. At times this sprinf, Feinberg's defensive work has been almost sensational and his hit ting seems better than the .238 aver age compiled at Montgomery last year. Young also may be used as reserve shortstop.
 Merrill May, who hit .333 for New ark in the International league, opened the Phillies' exhibition schedule at third base. He promises to be capable competitor for the veteran Authur (Pinky) Whitney.
 Prospects for the outfield bring smiles to Manager Prothro. That may be the most improved part of the team. Morris Arnovich who led the team last year in runs batted in, will be back in left field; Herschel Martin in center and the veteran Chuck Klein in right field.
 Alex Pitko, up from Montgomery, hit will in early games and L. E. Scott, rookie centerfielder from Bir- also drew approval. Pitko plays left field.
 Gil Brack Back
 Gil Brack will be back as utility Another youngster who has prospects of making the big league grade is Norman de Weese, centerfielder from Montgomery.
 we won't know for sure what we have until the spring schedule is over," Prothro said. T do know that the Phils aren't going to be any worse. I don't expect any miracles, but I think everybody is going to be pleasantly surprised"
 Philadelphia was A games back of seventh place last year, Al games behin dthe champion Chicago Cubs Even with that record, the team new manager is optimistic. Three good players given to any team in the National league would bring them the championship" Prothro said to illustrate how close he ex--