The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-21
REDS PITCHING
 DEFENSE EvENS
 LACK OF POWER
Well-ROunded Champs Are Ready Again; Lombardi
 Only "f"
BY GEORGE KIRKsEY

United Press Stan Correspondent)
 Tampa, Fla, March 2l - (UP0-- Rule No. 1 in Deacon Bill McKech- nie's book of baseball command nents is: "Never Beat Yourself"
 That's the secret of the success of the world champion Cincinnati Reds. Twice in succession the Reds have climber the golden stairs on gilt edge pitching and air-tight de- fense. Tn 1941 the Reds will bid to make 1t three in a row with the same prescription.
 The Reds, as always, are short on power, but they proved in the Ma tional League pennant race and the world series last year that great pitching can throttle long range hitters. The Reds are loaded with pitching.
 Mid-March appraisals lead to the belief that the Reds will have Q stronger ball club this season than they did in 1940--with only one big "If' tossed into the picture. The big question mark concerns Ernie Lorn- bardie's sprained ankle, which he hurt last September. He was able to catch only one game in the world series, and the winters rest failed to bring the ankle back to normal. The first time Ernie put his full 230- pound pressure on the injured ankle in spring training, 1t collapsed again. He has no better than 8 50- 50 chance of being ready to catch the season opener.
 May Be Busy Man
 For insurance, the Reds rushed into the market and bought 34- year-old Johnny Riddle from the Tanks. Kansas City farm. Riddle is @ smart receiver but a light hitter. Much responsibility will fall upon his shoulders if Lombardi can't catch well over 100 games.
 The Reds pitching and defense is something to write Aunt Hattie about. Pitcuer a Big Three" of Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters and Gene Thompson, each potential 20-game winner. No other club can match that trio. Then, in the sec- ond line they have Jim Turner, Whitey Moore and Monte Pearson, who just three years ago hurled q no-hit, ilo-run game for the Yanks, and Joe Beggs, great relief man who won 12 games and lost only three last season. Battling for the other places on the staff are John- ny Wander Nicer of double no-hit, no-run fame; Bob Logan, @ left handler Up from Indianapolis where he won IS games; Witt Guise, an- other lefty; Big John Hutchings, who is being brought along slowly; and Elmer Riddle, brother of the Reds new catcher.
 Derringer, Walters and Thomp- son won 58 games last year and barring a mishap they'll be in the same neighborhood again. Thomp- son accounted for 16 Of those v!c- tories and likely would have made 1t 20 but for spike wound suffered during the Coscarat-Frey fight in Brooklyn. White Moore seems to be the boy to watch. He may arrive this season. Pearson has shown no trace of his shoulder ailment and McKechnie is high on him. Wander Meers curse Is lack of control. If and Wheiir he curbs his Willdness, he'll be 6 major league star again.
 The Reds only other possible question mark is at shortstop. Dur ing the winter the Reds traded Billy Myers to the Cubs for Out fielder Jimmy Gleason and Short- stop Bobby Mattick. Eddie Joost, who played 76 games ct short last season. Is slated to take over Myers job. Mattick and Pep Young Of Pittsburgh will be hanging around Just in case" he falls short of ex- pectationS.
 Great Defense
 Elsewhere in the infield, Frank Mccormick will be back at first, Lonnie Frey at second and Bill Wer- Der at third. It is doubtful If any other National League club has as much defensive strength in the in field,
 Gleason, the leagues sixth rank ing hitter last season with an aver age of .3l3, will put more punch in the Reds attack and will improve their outfield. Ival Goodman's ail- ing throwing arm is rounding into form slowly, but he is expected to be ready to play when the curtain rises. Harry Craft, making a deter- mined comeback, is battling Mike Mccormick every inch of the way for the center field berth. Crafts spring hitting has been outstanding and there never was any doubt about his fielding. World Series Hero Jimmy Ripple and Dutch Me- me from Birmingham, who also can play first base, will round out the