Evening star., 1940-03-21
Tribes S Defense
Aided by Mack,
boudreau
His InfieId Finally
Sound, Witt Sees
Climb by Club
By GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press Sports Writer,


FORT MYERS, Fla, March 21.-
There is popular baseball saying,
tinted family with irony, that the
Cleveland Indians always win the
pennant this time of year.
Nevertheless, when three Cleve-
land baseball writer's named Nc
Auley, Cobbledick and Gibbons and
each bigger than the other, greeted
this visitor like money from home
and demanded to bet him that the
Indians finish ahead of the Boston
Red Sox in the coming American
League race, they at least aroused a
suspicion that something might be
going on here among the royal
palms.
1t wasn't too difficult to discover
what the boys were excited about.
Though he at first attempted to
laugh the matter off as childish
fancy on the part of his writing
corps, Manager Oscar Witt soon
broke down and admitted that they
probably were thinking about his
new keystone combination-Louis
Boudreau at shortstop and Ray
Mack at second base.
Pair Started 1899 Spurt.
This young pair joined the In
dians from Buffalo last season, and
their performance was sensational.
Inspired by their fielding, the In
dians won 10 of their last % games
to finish fast-closing third behind
Boston.
Il guess the boys think that with
Boudreau and Mack in there all the
way we ought to beat the Red Sox
this time said Oscar. "I'll admit it
looks like we've solved our biggest
problem. Mack isn't much of a
hitter, but he and Boudreau are
such great flelders and so fast on
double plays that I'm almost will
ing to overlook his hitting. Be-
sides, I'll have Oscar Grimes ready
to step in for Mack if it develops
that we need a little more punch"
Boudreau is out at present with
Clipped ankle bone, while Grimes
slowly is recovering from a recent
knee operation, but Witt expects
both to be ready by the start of the
campaign. Mack looks better in the
field day after day, frequently max
ing acrobatic stops that rival Joe
Gordon of the Yankees as he gains
confidence.
OutfieId Trio Sound.
With Hal Trosky back on first
and Ken Keltner at third. it looks
as though the Indians might finally
have an infield to rival either the
Yankees or the Red Sox. They still
lack the batting power of either of
their principal rivals, but their
pitching is better than Boston's.
The Indians possess a sound out
field trio in Ben Chapman, jeff
Heath and Roy Weatherly. all
potential 300 hitters, with Beau Bell
in reserve. They have one accept
able catcher now in Rollie Hemsley,
who has been a reformed young
man for nearly a year, and will
have another az soon as frankie
Pytlak comes to terms.
AS long as Bob Feller and Mel
Harder keep their health, the In
dians will get superb pitching big
part of the time. Feller, with tight
support and improved control, might
conceivably reach the 30-victory
mark bis year. Johnny Allen, who
formerly rounded out a formidable
mound trio, hopes to make come
back after an Indifferent season.
Old Rookie" Sparkles.
The most promising rookie"
pitcher in camp is 31-year-old AL
Smith, who drifted into the minors
a couple of years ago after a long
and fairly successful career in big
time, principally with the Giants
Last year Smith developed a new
pitch, something like Hubbells
screwball, and won Is victories while
losing only twice for Buffalo.
Oscar was asked if his club looked
good enough to beat the Red Sox,
then why mightnt it 60 right on
and tumble the Yanks?
Nov, now" interrupted the In
dian pilot. Lets take 'em one at
a time. Let's wait and see how
Ruffing goes this year."