Evening star., 1941-03-01
Archie on First
AS Squad Has
SeriousWork
Roster Of a. Complete
As Travis Is Signed;
Two Jobs Unsettled
By a Staff Correspondent Of Tn. Star.

By Staff Correspondent o. Tne scar.
ORLANDO, Fla, March with
the first exhibition game Of the year
only eight days away, Manager
Bucky Harris today ordered two
drills a day for his Nationals, most
of whom put on uniforms for the
first time today.
Following his policy Of recent
years, Harris divided the 44-player
squad into two sections, turning over
the morning TO the so-called regu-
lars and the afternoon to the rockies,
most of whom are ticketed for Char
lotte, Greenville and other farm
teams
Today's drill was to be featured by
the appearance of George Archie,
who Is due to hold down first base
when the American League CAM
paign opens on April IA with the
Yankees invading Grifith Stadium.
With no preliminaries, the highly
touted recruit from Seattle was to
take over the assignment. although
Harris indicated that Jack Sanford
and Mickey Vernon, who saw limited
action last year, are not wholly out
of the fight.
Cramer, Ferrell Only Missing.
In a steady stream the veterans
poured into the headquarters hotel
yesterday and last night. Ben Chap
man, exulting over his trade from
the contending Cleveland Indians to
the seventh-place Mats, arrived with
his wife and l9-month-old son.
Driving together, Buddy Myer and
Sammy West pulled into town al
most at midnight. In fact, the only
missing members were Roger Cra-
mer, the new centerfielder, and Rick
Ferrell, veteran backstop.
Cramer wrote Griffith several days
ago that he may be detained due to
the illness of his wife. No reason
was given for the absence of Ferrell,
who was expected today.
Batting practice, started at long
last yesterday, was in order for all
players today because, a week from
tomorrow, the Mats will journey 10
Tampa to play the world champion
Cincinnati Reds. The champs havs
been in training for several days
and probably are ahead of the Grtff-
men IN condition.
Most Positions Are Set.
AS spring training formally be-
gins, the second base and catching
posts seem to be the spots to which
to look for action. Ferrell. the old
standby, has the experience but
lacks the stamina, in the minds of
the bosses, and both Griffith and
Harris are hoping that Al Evans or
Jake Early can take over. A slight
preference is shown for Evans be-
cause he is right-handed hitter.
| Jimmy Bloodworth is a slight
| favorite to open the campaign at
second base, but Jimmy Pofahl and
Buddy Myer are not out OF 1t. Myer,
36, looked good at times last season,
but Harris doubts if he can play
every day. Bloodworth's chief
crime is slowneSs afoot and Pofahl
lis handicapped by weak arm and
doubtful batting ability.
All other positions seem set, unless
a trade is made. Chapman in left,
/ Cramer in center and Case in right
will be the outf1eld, one which prom
ises speed and defensive ability but
not much long-range power Archie
at first, Cecil Travis at shortstop
and Buddy Lewis at third will flank
the second baseman, who probably
will be Bloodworth. Travis signed
his contract yesterday upon arrival,
bringing all of the Mats into the fold.
Tests Start for Rocks.
While the veterans are unkinking
their muscles, the test begins for
the pitching rockies, who rapidly are
rounding into condition. Those who
can't conduct themselves we'll in bat
ting drills are due for early fadeouts.
The others will be given trials under
fire in the exhibition games.
The game on March 9 with Gin
cinnati will mark one of the earliest
exhibitions in years for the Mats,
who usually start grapefruit league
play around the middle of the
month. It will not permit the vet
erans much time to get into shape
and as a consequence, the rockies
probably will see much early action.
particularly the pitchers. Only six
hurlers-Dutch Leonard, Sid Hud-
son, Walter Masterson, Ken Chase.
Danny MacFayden and Arnold
Anderson-are certain of sticking,
which means that three more must
be uncovered.
The delay of Cramer may result
in an early joust between Johnny
Welaj and Joe Mellendick for at
tention as extra outfielders. F.E S.