The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-20
DODGERS MAY WIND UP WITH DUCKY MED!WICK
Club Should Be No Worse Than Third in National
 Race

M&Ce
 (Editor's Note: Following Is the third of series sizing up the ma- jor league clubs. Today, Dodgers Tomorrow, Browns).
 BY GEORGE KIRKsEY United Press Stan COrrespOndent)
 Clearwater, Fla, March 2O.-- (UP)-There's more conversation, palaver and popping of in the camp of the Brooklyn Dodgers than in any other major league base in Florida. President Larry MacPhail and Man. ager Leo Durocher are indefatigable. Even when you beat them, you can't stop them from talking.
 Eliminating the soft soap from the perpetual flow of words hereabouts, even the most pessirnistic Brooklyn critic must concede the Dodgers a chance to stir up considerable trou- ble in the National League pennant race. The Dodgers haven't got a pennant winner right now but you never can tell what MacPhail might do if the Flatbush crew finds itself up among the contenders at mid- summer.
 MacPhail has spent something like $375, 900 to corral talent for the Dodgers during his regime, and he has carte blanche to pop the rubber band of his bankroll any time he can locate ball player that might help the club. It is not without the sound realms of reasoning to en- vision the Dodgers landing Joe Med- wick, the most dissatisfied ball play CT in the big show, through a com- bination of circumstances.
 First Division Sure
 Rating the Dodgers strictly on what they have now they seem req sonably assured of third place, the first division spot they grabbed last year after six straight years in sec- ond division.
 The Dodgers have the leagues best inf1eld, capable pitching, and adequate catching. Their crying need is a power hitter. Their outfleld is still headache but is improved over last year.
 The tipoff on the outfield is the fact that Ernie Roy. the clubs best outfielder last season, is going to have to hustle to make the grade this year. Joe Vosmik, bought from the Red Sox for $25, 5,00O, has busted Roy from left. Vosmik, who has a 10-year average of .311 in the Amer ican League, slumped badly with the Red SoK last season, losing AS points off his batting average of the year before. But even his Red Sox teammates admit he hit more line drives right into someone's hands than anybody on that powerhouse crew. If Vosmik has big year at the plate, it'll make a tremendous difference in the Dodgers.
 Roy Cullenbine, signed for $25, ,000 after he was cut adrift from the Tigers by Commissioner Landis, and Roy are batting for tho centerfield job. Cullenbine looked great afield but he hasn't started to hit. Jimmy Ripple, the Giant castof, looks like he'll be the right fielder.
 The dark horse in the outfield set- up is Charley Gilbert, who's played only one year of professional base ball and won't be 21 until July 8. If he stays, he'll be the regular center fielder. But he's too bright a pros- pect to sit on the bench and he may be sent back to Nashville for an- other years seasoning. At most, he's only year away from the big leagues.
 Reese $75,O0O Beauty
 The infield is something to rave about defensively with Camilli at first, Coscarart at second, Durocher at short and Lavagetto at third. Added to this quratet the Dodgers have the $75,000 beauty, Pee Wee Reese, and reliable Johnny Hudson, sought by several other clubs. Reese is 8 major league shortstop right now but there's some question about his hitting. Durochers plan is to play 100 games at. short himself, and let Reese play the remaining 54.
 Hugh Casey, Luke Hamlin and Whit Wyatt will be the Dodgers big three. Casey looks like he'll be the top winner. Hamlin won 20 last year and is expected to come close again. Wyatt, still limping from knee operation in November, may not be ready as soon as Durocher hopes, but there's little doubt about him being a winner as soon as he can pitch.
 Van Mungo is in better spirits than at any time since his arm trou- ble started. Tex Carleton, reclaimed from Milwaukee, looks as if he has recovered the old effectiveness in his side arm sinker. Rubber armed Vito Tamulis will shoulder the left handed pitching chores. Fred Fitz- simmons, signed to joint pitching coaching job, and Forrest Pressnell will share the spot-pitching assign ments with Carleton. Wes Terrell is hustling to stage a comeback but he has his work cut out for him. Max Macon and Al Hollingsworth, two Al. ~. V~Nka~. A.n @~.,l.aa, k. k-o..w o~a