Evening star., 1940-03-25
Dykes Banking on Six
300 Hitters 10 Ease
Slab Worries
Chieoeo's OutfieId Set,
Vet lnfieId Backed
By Likely Reserves
BY ROBERT MYERS,


PASADENA, Calf, March 25.-
There seems to be an unusual air of
confidence around the Chicago
White Sox camp this year and it
may come to pass that the Pale
Hose will be powerful contender
for a berth in the first division. of
the American League.
The biggest worry for Manager
James Joseph Dykes lies in his
pitching, but he had five 300 hitters
last year, thinks he may have six
this season; his outfield is set, and
for once he is overstocked with in
fielders.
AS colorless in the past few years
as their stockings, the South Siders
may break loose with a little base
ball ooml.., W borrow a disagree
able term for the moment. And if
some of the rookie prospects live up
to expectations, all the better.
Dykes is high on two young in
fielders, Bob Kennedy and Don Kol-
loway, who hail from Chicago, and
either or both may see good deal
of service if some of the veterans
fall apart.
Veteran Infield at Hand.
The Sox outfield, it appears, will
be made up of Julius Solters in
left, Mike Kreevich in center and
Taft Wright in right. Kreevich
pounded the ball for 1923 last sea-
son, and while Solters slumped to
.236 in a season divided between
Cleveland and the Browns, Dykes
thinks he will be happier and i'm
proved with Chicago. Taft Wright,
acquired in deal that sent Gerald
Walker to Washington, batted .3O9
for the Nationals.
Joe Kuhel, who hit 300, will be
back at first; Jackie Hayes at Sec
ond, with a repeat operation on his
trick knee apparently success: the
very capable Luke Appling at short
and Eric McNair. who led the club
in hitting last year with 1924, at
third.
In the event anything happened
to one OF the regulars, Rookie Ken
nedy, up from Shreveport in the
Texas League, would 60 in at third,
and McNair move over to second
or short. Holloway, who went great
guns with Oklahoma City last year,
batting 1902, has shown exceedingly
well at second.
Turner Promising Catcher.
Regulars Mike fresh and. Ken
Silvestri are slated for catching
duty, but another rookie, Tommy
Turner, a hefty 6-footer from
Peoria, Ariz., who slipped out of the
Cardinal system after a year with
Houston, Tex, in 1899. shapes up
as q shining. hope. Muddy Ruel,
coach and. once great backstop,
thinks Turner has the makings of a
big Lacquer.
Heading the pitchers is the
familiar name of Theodore Lyons,
whose II years with the White Sox
have stamped him in many an ex-
pert's book as one of the games all
time greats. Ted and his knuckle
ball, brains and control brought IA
wins for the Sox last year against
6 losses.
John Rigney, who won Is and lost
8, may do even better, while the re-
mainder of the staff includes Bill
Dietrich. John Knott, Edgar Smith
and Pete Appleton, the latter OBJ
tanned in the Wright-Walker deal.
Vallie Eaves, who joined the Sox
late after a fine season with Shreve-
port, and Orval Grove, from Okla
homa City, stand out as the best
young prospects, although Jess
Dobernic, up for another trial;
Harry Boyles and one or two more
are trying to make the grade.
If all goes well, the surprising Sox
may better their fourth place of the
1899 campaign.