The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-30
INJURIES HURT CHANCES OF REDS
LOMBARD, FREY
ON INJURED LIST
Uncertain Whether Either
Will Play In Series; Ripple
Also Hurt In Game
By JUDsON BAILEY

hopes of the Cincinnati RedS IOr
victory over the Detroit Tigers in
the world series starting Wednesday
were wrapped up in adhesive tape
today.
On the last day of the season when
the rest of the Reds were getting up
a ~pre-series sweat against the Pitts
burgh Pirates, Catcher Ernie Lom-
Ibardi could only limp around on the
sidelines and Second Baseman Lon
ME Frey wasn't in uniform at all.
Whether either would play in the
first game, or any game, against the
Tigers was still in doubt. Lombardl
has a sprained right ankle, stiffly
taped, and Frey has a broken toe
on his right foot.
The titanic catcher took a few
cuts in batting practice today, but
couldn't pivot and admitted after
ward that the experiment wasn't
much of a success.
"It doesn't feel very good" he
grunted as he hobbled into the dug
ont. at don't know whether I can
go or not"
Manager Bill McKechnie was non
committal about the outlook for both
lombard and Frey.
1--WE can't do anything but wait"
he said. "WeW use lombard If we
can. otherwise it will have to be
(Jim) Wilson. I made Frey stay
away today to keep him off his foot
That doesn't mean he won't be able
to play. Well have to wait and see
about him, too"
Frey's toe was broken when the
lid fell off a water cooler in the dug
out Friday. AS he talked McKechnle
took a look in it's direction ano
unused, "well, I see they threw the
lid away-after it was too late"
To add to the Reds woes, Jim
Ripple, the only outfielder hitting
above 300, was hit on the right
wrist by n of Elmer Rambert's
pitches in today's. tussle with the
Pirates but x-ray examination show
ed no bones were broken physicians
said.
These developments cast new i'm
nortance on the Reds reserves. Will
son. who used to be catcher and
manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
before joining Cincinnati's coaching
staff, is one of the smartest back
stops in the business. But he is Az
years old and can't hit with LON
bardi.
He returned to the active list after
| Willard Hershberger committed
suicide. He's in good shape.
Eddie Joost, a "good-field, no-hlt'
kind of a player, will be at second
if Frey can't play. Joost is liable to
be the best infielder in the SERIES
but Frey would be missed tragically
at the plate. Frey is one of the three
left handed hitters in Cincinnatfs
regular lineup and was expected to
help carry the load against the array
of right handed pitchers Manager
Del Baker OF the Tigers expects to
work in the series.
Because of the high calibre oil
these requirements, the Cincinnati,
sentiment remained undimmed. The
t~ownspeople weren't seething witt
excitement the way they were this
time last year and as far as coulo
be learned. there was no betting go
ing IN.
But in a calmer way the fans
were as loyal as ever and just as
confident. Crosley field was solo
out except for the $500 bleachel
seats that will go on sale the day
Of the game and a few hundred
standing room tickets that will be
sold at reserved seat prices. Scalp
ers were reported getting $50 a sci
for tickets, 1. e., one ticket for each
of three games.
Hotels were sold out, not only
in Cincinnati but in surrounding
towns. The manager of one Of the
city's principal hostelries said they
were referring requests for reser
vations to hotels in Dayton, SO miles
away.
The community was expected tc
take on a world series atmosphere
tomorrow. when the invasion Of the
Rhineland will begin. Commissioner
Kenesaw M. Lands, presidents Of
the two major leagues and repre-
sentatives of the various clubs are
due to arrive throughout the day
and the Tigers themselves arr
scheduled to arrive on a specia
train from Detroit at 10 p. m. (EST)
tomorrow night.
Both teams will work out II
Crosley field Tuesday and the clut
owners will meet the same nigh
for the annual draft session.
The first game of the series will
get under way at 1870 p. m. (E.S.T.
Wednesday with the second game
here on Thursday. Then the scene
will shift to Detroit where at least
two and possibly three games vii
be played in Briggs stadium, which
also is sold out. If necessary the
L--I