The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-08
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Staff Correspondent

BY GEORGE KIRKSEY
 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Jan. 8.-(UP)-1t took miracle for the Detroit Tigers to win the pennant in 1940 and it'll take even more of a miracle for them to repeat in 1941.
 The over-age infield that every. one thought would collapse last sea- son is a year older and it's doubtful if all the adhesive tape, gauge and elastic bandages in the land can hold it together again this season. Clark Griffith's no-trade rule for champion stymied the Tigers who would undoubtedly have made ex- tensive efforts to strengthen their inner defense. So the Tigers must go along with the same infield they had last season.
 May Lose Hank
 The infield problem is bad enough but the Tigers major worry is likely to develop in another quarter. The luck of the draft lottery gave Hank Greenberg, American Leagues most valuable player and home run champion, very low conscription number (62D and the present indie ations are that he'll be called to the colors in June. Since Hank is phy- sically fit, unmarried and has no dependents, he is likely material for the Army.
 The strength of the Tigers lies in their power, but the loss of Green berg would put a serious crimp in Detroit's vaunted punch. In fact, it's douftful if the Tigers could re- peat even with Greenberg playing full schedule. Without him the Tig- CTS might take terrific drop.
 Brightest spot in the Detroit out look is the pitching. Buck Newson, Schoolboy Rowe and Tommy Bridges will form the veteran first line. Floyd Giebell, who beat Bob Teller in the pennant-clinching game, Johnny Corsica, who did a brilliant relief job in the World Series, and Hal Newhouser, the kid southpaw, are all knocking at the door. Others from last years squad who'll be back are Dizzy Trout, who'll wear the New contact glasses instead of spectacles, Tom Seats, Al Benton, Fred Hutchinson and Archie Mo- Kain.
 New Stuff
 The Rookie pitching crop is top notch. Beaumont is sending up four talented youngSters--Leslie Mueller, Charlie Fuchs, Virgil (Fire) Trucks, and Harold Manders--besides the veteran Luther (BuO Thomas, back for another try. Mueller, who won IS and lost II, and Fuchs, who won 19 and lost 13, both pitched no-hit- ters last season. Trucks is noted for his speed, and in 1888 with Anda- lusia set a worlds strikeout record by flaming APO batters. Thomas had a fine year, finishing second in the league in earned runs with 1.97.
 Another brilliant prospect is Bob Uhle, southpay up from Dallas. He won 16 and lost 12, famed POS and had an earned run average of 2.95. Rogers Hornsby tabbed him the best pitcher in the Texas League last season. Earl Cook and Frank White are coming up with fine records at Buffalo, but the latter also may get nabbed in the draft.
 There is little chance of the in- field setup being altered. Rudy York, youngest man in the infield at 28, will be at first. Charlie Geh- ringer, who be 38 in May, will go as long as he can at second. His sub stitute is L. D. Meyer, who came up late last season from Knoxville and is far from another Gehringer Dick Bartell, who's approaching 34, will be back at short. Pinky Higgins, who'll be 32 in May, will return to third. Eric McNair was brought from the White Sox at the waiver price as utility man. Frankie Croucher is also available for utility duty. Two Beaumont rockies, Mur- ray Franklin and Boyd Perry, don't seem to be ready.
 Hank Greenberg will start in left, Barney McCosky in center and Bruce Campbell and George Stain back will probably alternate in right. The four newcomers in the outfield are Bob Patrick and Ned Harris from Beaumont, Pat Mullin from Buffalo and Bill Hapac from Evans vile. Harris had the best record, hitting .312.
 Birdie Tebbetts and Billy Sullivan again will divide the catching, with