The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-18
CHICAGO CUBS LIKE REAL
 Al DARK HORSE
Wilson May Get Club Back to First Division; Myers
 at Short
By GEORGE KIRKsEY United Press Staff Correspondent


 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Jan. 17-(UP)-The Chicago Cubs are definitely in the dark horse class approaching the 1941 season. They may continue to hang around the edges of the first division or they may develop into one of the big surprises and get into the thick of the National league pennant fight.
 From pennant-winner in 1888, the Cubs have taken a terrific tum- bit. They finished fifth last season with .487, their lowest percentage in 15 years. At times the team was @ striking example of misdirected energy. The Cubs seemed to be a bunch of boys pulling in all dif- ferent directions.
 The first move to get the Cubs all pulling their oars in unison was the hiring of newsman Jimmy Gal lagher, one of the clubs smartest critics, as general manager, and Jimmy Wilson, Cincinnati coach and world series hero, as manager Then Wilson's first and most im- portant move was to plug the Cubs gap at shortstop. He picked Billy Myers, shortstop of the world cham pion Reds, as his man and gave up Outfielded Jimmy Gleeson Shortstop Bobby Mattick and an- other player to be named later.
 Wilson has been criticized severe ly for going so high for Myers, who hit only .202 last season, but in two years with the Reds, Jimmy learned plenty about the Cincinnati short- stops team value. If Myers comes through for the Cubs, the club is on its way back into first division Three other shortstops are listed on the roster-Len Merullo from Tul- sa, Harvey Storey from San Fran cisco and Bob Sturgeon from Jer- sey City.
 Catching A Problem
 Perhaps Wilson's two other tough est problems are catching and first base. Al Todd, who was in the bad graces of the Cubs last regime, is the teams best veteran backstop However, Wilson hopes that Clyde Mccullough, presently a holdout will take over the No. 1 job. Mo- Cullough hit 324 for Buffalo and is a product of the Yankee Farm system, having been bought by the Cubs from Kansas City two years ago. Other rookie catchers coming up are Charley George, who hit .335 for Nashville, and Bob Sheffing who hit .268 for Rochester. Bot Collins, last years third stringer, is holdover
 wilson has four first base possi- bilities-Rip Russell, who was laid low by appendicitis last season, Ed Waitkus, a fancy fielder from Tulsa Phil Cavarretta, who never pros- pered under the Hartnett regime and Zeke Bonura. They are listed in about the order of their chances It's Russell's job if he can prove he deserves it.
 Billy Herman will have to step tc hold his second base job. Lot Stringer, who hit .263 for Los An geles and is touted as one of tht greatest fielding second basemer ever developed in the coast league is definitely Herman's successor, bu he may not quite make it in 1941 Stanley Hack, the leagues best thirc baseman, will continue at third.
 Mad Russian In Left
 The outfield is the Cubs stronges link. Lou Novikoff, the sensationa mad Russian who belted 1883 for Lo Angeles to lead the coast league, i ticketed for left field, with Hanl Lieber in center and Bill Nicholson in right. That is likely to be th' leagues best offensive outfield. Au 1 gie Galan, and Dom Dallessandrt will be the reserves.
 Wilson has a way with pitchers and is likely to step up the clas of the Cub pitching considerably | Claude Passeau, Bill Lee and Larr! French are expected to be the "bil three" Lee had a bad year in 194 and if he comes back it'll make { tremendous difference. If Dizz. Dean can still pitch, he'll be win ner for Wilson, whom he idolizes Clay Bryant, who's been nursing { sore arm on and off for some time is the Cubs biggest question mark Among the youngsters Vern Olsen the young southpaw who made tn grade last season, Ken Raffensber ger and Jake Mooty should add con siderable help to the "big three.
 The best rookie coming up is Pau Erickson, who won 12 and lost | for Tulsa last season and has plent, of swift. Only other rockies are Ra. Campbell from Tulsa and Herber Chmiel and Robert Henriksen, tw' l free agents. Charley Root, oldes