The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-21
By GEORGE KIRKsEY

By GEORGE KIRKSEY
 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Jan. 21-(UP)-It's generally not very healthy for a National League club to win the world title. They get knocked of fast in their own circuit the next season. You have to go all the way back to McGraw's Giants of 1922 to find a National League world champion that was good enough to win the flag in its own loop the fol- lowing year.
 But the Cincinnati Reds have de- signs on their third straight pen- nant in 1941 despite the fact that they'll have to lug along their worlds championship crown as ex- cess baggage. Most championship clubs blow their titles because of over-confidence, old age injuries or other mishaps.
 If there are any ball players on the Reds who are going to try to rest on their laurels and take it easy in 1941, they'll be going elSe- where quick. Bill McKechnie won't tolerate lazy, indifferent ball player. not even if he has to play an inferior hustler instead. The Reds aren't old men yet. Only five men on the club are past 32, and only two of these are indispensables Paul Derringer, who's 34, and Er- nie Lombardi, who's 32. The others are Jim Turner, 36; and Tot Press nell and Floyd Young, each B.
 Injuries and midhaps are the un- known quantity. They can knock out any ball club as they did the Tigers in 1886.
 Good Chance
 So the Reds go to the post with an excellent chance of becoming the first three-time pennant win ner in the National League since the Giants of 1921-22-23-24. The Reds strength lies in their superb pitching and magnificent defense. They set a National League fielding mark last season with an average of .981, making only IF errors Ca new low)
 Their first line pitchers should continue to function successfully with Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters and Gene Thompson, who knocked down 58 victories last season, lead- ing the way. Behind them Me- Kechnie has Jim Turner, Joe Beggs, Whitey Moore, Johnny Wander Nicer, Elmer Riddle, John Hutch ings and Witt GuiSe from last years staff. Wander Nicer appears to be on the way back. Riddle and Hutchings have been brought along slowly and either may be ripe. Beggs is the leagues top relief man.
 The Reds have made only three additions to their pitching staff but any or all of them may give val uable service. They are Monte Pearson, bought from the Tanks for $20,000 and ball player, Tot Pressnell, bought from the Cardi- nals, and Bob Logan, a southpaw who won Is and lost IA for Indian apolis. McKechnie may do wonders with Pearson, a hypochondriac who has as much stuff as any pitcher in baseball but allows imaginary ills to trouble him. Pressnell, who has deceptive knuckle ball. is quite likely to team up with Beggs in a relief role.
 The Reds made the almost un- heard of move of trading away the shortstop of their two pennant win ners. They sent Billy Myers to the Cubs in exchange for outfielder Jimmy Gleeson, and Shortstop Bobby Mattick. The Reds need more punch and Gleeson, who was the leagues sixth best hitter last season with .313, is expected to put more base hits in the Reds batting order. McKechnie figured he could spare Myers because Eddie Joost, a fancy fielder, was on the verge of winning the shortstop job anyway. Joost played 69 full games at short last season and the Reds won AZ and lost 27 during his stay in the regular lineup. The Reds have brought up five other shortstops- Woody Williams from Louisville. Wayne Amber from Jersey City, Floyd Young from the Pirates via the Dodgers, Carton Del Savio from Birmingham and Mattick-for pro- lection.
 The infield shapes up with Frank Mccormack at first, Lonnie Frey at second, Eddie Joost at short and Bill Werber at third. Chuck Aleno, who hit .332 at Birmingham, is a bright third base prospect.
 Jimmy Gleeson will play left. with Mike Mccormack and Harry Graft again battling for the center field job, and Ival Goodman in right. The best of the five rookie outfield- CTS appear to be Al Mele, who hit $40 for Birmingham, and Mike Christoff, who hit .320 for Oakland
 Ernie Lombardi will be the No. catcher, with young Dick West from Indianapolis, his relief man and Frank Baker against filling the No spot.