The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-08
Ne Workers Expected Make LpressiDe Comeback For Flag
Major League Bric-A-Brac; Notes and News
GrIssosn's Superstition

hpiy V zsnlU u-luuulH buuVOut JOp Lee slapped on the Yankees, hint that maybe it's some day this year.
 When he's right, long Lee likes work. He pitched an iron man shut out for Fort Worth one day in 1895, 2 whitewashings for one ticket, fan- ming IT Houston Butfs in the 18 in- nings. A curious superstition of Lees dates from way back in his first pro year, at Beckley, W. Va, in 1884.
 He won 0 2-l decision and famed 14. The fans crowded round, de- manding autographs. When Griss finished autographing, he was the only ballplayer in sight. His team mates got tired waiting, took the bus along with them, and the hero of the day had to walk 8 mile and a half back to the hotel in his base- ball suit.
 Ever since then, Griss is always the first man of the field when the fans rush out at the end of the 9th.
 Lom A September slugger
 Science has not yet explained what makes Q spring hitter, nor those rare cases of late-blooming batting average bulge. Boss Me- Kechnic, the Reds and Red rooters in general, don't care 50 much about the science of 1t. They're just glad they've got one of those things in the person of Ernie Lombardi.
 Pitchers Year.-1040
 "Pitchers' Year" is what historians have labeled 1o40 in the National League annals. That 40 shutout administered to the American Lea gue team in the July All-Star game with five National League aces. Derringer Walters, French, Wyatt and Hubbell collaborating--was a good index of the way the tide ran ln the 9 major leagues last year.
 The senior circuits aces totalled 82 shutouts in tho course of the pennant race, as compared to the 6l Whi.ewashings credited to tho col- lective American League mound forces.
 If you're visiting the Nations capital and are stuck for the facts on how many National Leagueers have made more than 1000 hits in their major league lifetime, or sollle' thing like that, drop in ct the Li- brary of Congress, where the l94l National League Green Book is on file and handy for just such emer- gencies. (Advt.)
 Lou Novikoff uses a 3T ounce bat. It's the heaviest that's been in the heyday of Riggs told Hoss) steph- Chicago Cubs batpile since the enson.
 Cardinals Set For Spring Drive
 Spring forecasts that the St. Louis Cardinals will take 6 hand in the getaway rush for first place in the National League pennant race ~ere backed by 6 moss of facts figures as well as optimism and B.1 vita- inifs.
 Once Manager Billy southwortll took charge of the Gas House last June things began to hum. After July 4 the Red Birds were exactly tied in victories with the Cincy Reds each winning 57 games between July s and Closing Day.
 The Cards percentage for this period was shaded by the Reds who lost 90 games for .655 PC while the Birds dropped 34 for .626. The Pittsburg Pirates, in last place at the start Of June, ran 3rd In the post holiday period, with 53 wins aga J,st 38 defeats, 6 .582 PC which eventually won them a spot in the first division sunshine.
 Brooklyn, starting the season with It's historic Q straight victory wave, was the only other parent circuit club which did better than break even after July {. The Dodgers won 45 and lost A after the July 4 twin billing was concluded.
 Witt Guise, Cincinattl Reds rec cruit and the only southpaw knucklG ball expert in the major leagues, is also the only big leaguer who pays off on his batting exploits. Every time he makes e hit against left handed pitching he sends Q dollar to the Salvation Army. "It's cost me about or 5 bucks in the past 1C years" Witt admits.
 Most training camp home runs pack far less promise for the com ing season than a certain 2-bagger Eddie Miller hit at New Braunfels Tex. The Boston Bees shortstor star slammed drive that punched 6 hole through screen 420 feet from home plate. Ground rules held 1t to double.
 Virgil Davis, Pittsburg Pirates catcher, got nicknamed "spud" in his youth because of his fondness for potatoes. That loud sound you hear now and then around Pirate games means that Spud still likes to hit those potatoes.
 Giant fans point with pride that in the age-old feud with Brooklyn this year they won't be banking theil hopes on any boys named Harold like Harold Peewee Reese and liar old Pete Reiser.
 When the Pittsburg Pirates head ed for training camp, Lloyd Waner was the only man on board who was e Buccaner last time the Pirates won the pennant, viz. 1927.
 Since the St. Louis Cardinals were the first major league club tt go for Vitamin B in a big way, the baseball name for the pills is Red Bird-seed."