The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-19
WHITE SOx MAY
 BE DARK HORSE IN FLAG FIGHT
Few Changes, But Impor. tant Ones, Made by Dykes
 -GoOd Pitching
This is Che third In Che series on major league baseball clubs.
 nv va FNWP HVYWNSWHWwR0

BY JACK GUENTHER
 (United Press Staff CoFrespondent)
 Pasadena, Calf, March io--(UP) The best balanced pitching staff in the American League and one of the strongest infields in baseball are the assets on which the Chicago White eox rest their bid for World Series glory In l04l.
 Starting their eighth year under the leadership of James Josepi, Dykes, the man who lifted then, from the cellar to the first division the south side team is ready for c serious challenge. Twice the Sox finished third since Dykes took charge, and last year they were fourth, just eight games away from the top. With just little luck, they figure to be closer than ever.
 On the surface, Chicago changed little over the winter. The most important shifts brought Infielder Billy Knickerbocker from New York and Pitcher Johnny Humphries from Cleveland. Eric McNair and Clint Brown were sold and no more than four rockies appear likely to stick. Yet, while the changes have been few, Dykes believes they've been i'm. portant.
 From position to position, the team appears strong. The playing per- sonnel will be made up of nine pitchers, seven infielders, five out- fielders and three catchers. AL though he has no intention of rec turning to third base, Dykes will keep himself on the active list 50 that he may take on another player later in the season If the necessity arises.
 The pitching is good. Five men who won a total of @ games will form the nucleus Of the staff. They arc veteran Ted Lyons, who will be used once e week; John Rigney, who led the team with 15 trlumphg last year; Thornton Lee. 6 reliable left handler: Bill Dietrich, and Edgar Smith, who turned in his best per- forlnance last year with IA wins and nine losses.
 Rigney Doubtful
 Rigney is the only doubtful quan- tity, since he may be called momen- tarily for service in the army. But back of him Is Johnny Humphries, who pitched only 82 innings in the last two years but lost 0 three-hit- ter, 2-i, with Cleveland. Muddy Ruel, the SoX coach, thinks Humph- ries will win Q regular starting role and leave Pete Appleton as the No, 1 man on relief.
 Appleton will be spelled by John Haynes, bought from Washington; ; Orville Grove. who won 10 and lost nine with Oklahoma city; and Jack Hallett. who won l2 while losing 2i with Shreveport. Haynes had Q sore elbow last year and was bought oil condition. Andy Dobernic Is up for a final try from Waterloo.
 In the infield. Dykes hasn't def- initely settled on his second base- man. Joe Kuhel will be back at first, Luke Appling at short and Bob Kennedy at third. Knicker- booker must fight 1t out with Don Holloway of Oklahoma City for the keystone position, and the man who works best into a double-play com bination will get the nod.
 The utility men will be Darlo Lo. dieiani of Toronto and Jimmy Webb.
 The catching is well fixed. Mike Fresh will hold forth as the starter again, but he may receive serious competition from George Dickey, younger brother of the Yankees Bill Dickey. This 25-year- rookie hit .3l5 under the tutelage of Rogers Hornsby at Oklahoma City last year.
 The outfield will be much the solters at left, Mike Kreevich at center and Taft Wright at right. Larry Rosenthal will re- main as the chief utility man while either Dave Short or Thurman Tucker, both of Oklahoma City, will be retained,