The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-17
PILLS MAY GET M'GRAW PUPIL
 AS NEW BOSS
LObert Appears in Line to Succeed PrOthrO in
 Tough Job
BY PAUL sCHEFFELs

(United Press Staff CorrespOndent)
 New York, Oct. 1T-(UP)--Pre- dieting Q turnover in personnel for the Philadelphia Phillies, perennial last-place club in the National League, is nothing new because the only way the team keeps out of the red is by selling Q good player as fast as he's developed. But this win- ter's baseball grapevine says there is going to be new manager at the helm for 1942-and that is some- thing.
 Of course, in itself the moving of Doc Prothro from the helm of the Phils-who finished last for the fourth successive year last season. will not be entirely unexpected, but the possible substitution of Hans Lobert as manager furnishes the arl- gle for the fans.
 Now, Prothro is a grand guy. Everybody thinks so and everybody agrees he's done a fine job with the Phillies, considering what little ma- terial he's had to work. But even the grandest of fellows can get fed up on a budget like the Phils have. That's why the good doctor--he's a dentist by professionals expected to step down into an executive spot in the Southern Association.
 Lobert Capable Director
 That's where Lobert comes in. The 60-year-old, genial but granite hard, coach of the Phils is expected to be the logical successor. On his past record he should.
 When Prothro went on the road for several weeks during the last campaign, ostensibly to scout for more material, but most likely to make arrangements for his future, Lobert stepped in to handle the Phils and did a most inspiring job.
 Now, when you play on a club like the Phils, it's pretty tough to 90 "all out and give your all from the players viewpoint, even in a game as steeped in traditions as baseball The Phils are mathe- matically eliminated from the pen- nant race too soon each year to keep their players keyed up to fighting pitch. But you couldn't convince Lobert Of that.
 Disciple. of McGraw
 Schooled in the style of old "Iron- Jaw" John J. McGraw, beloved man. ager of the New York Giants, Lo- bert took hold of the Phils, and be- fore anybody knew what was hap pening, the club showed disturbing signs of life. Disturbing, that is, to the contenders.
 Danny Murtaugh was good ex- ample of Lobert's teaching. The youngster played in fewer than half the regular amount of games during the season, yet he led the r;ational League in stolen bases. With Lo- bert setting the tempo, the Phils became a daring, swashbuckling club on the bases. Murtaugh, for one, no sooner got on first base than he went down to second on a steal, sliding into the bag in the old Pep per Martin head-first style.
 Lobert became one of the most po- pular men in Philadelphia and fans momentarily expected him to step Into Prothro's place. But Doc came back and took over, although for how long, it's still difficult to find out.
 Coached at West Point
 There's no man more suited to the job than Lobert. He's managed clubs in the minor leagues and turn ed in several seasons as coach at West Point. He's played third base with five different major league clubs. Tn the most outstanding per- formance of his career he set a base- circling record at Cincinnati on Oct. 10, 1910, by touring the sacks in 13 4-5 seconds. He also beat out e bunt to first base in 32-5 seconds.
 Tn the winter of 19l3-l4 he went on Q world tour with the Giants and White Sox, and in 1924 served as secretary to McGraw on the Giarts-White Sox European tour.
 Now the chances are that the man who has always been the man-be- hlnd-the-manager will step into the drivers seat.