The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-24
YOUNG PITCHERS
 MAY MAKE CARDS FLAG CONTENDER
St. Louis Club May Have to Be ReckOned With
 During l94I Season
BY GEORGE KIRKsEY United Press Staff Correspondent


 United Press Staff Correspondent
 New York, Jan. 24-CUP)-Don', sell the St. Louis Cardinals short Last winter they were favorites to win the National League pennant and flopped. This winter they haven't been mentioned very often but don't let that fool you. The Cards definitely are going to be in the pennant race and could con- ceivablY win the flag if their young Sters measure up to expectations.
 Billy Southworth, who replaced Ray Blades as manager in mid-Sea- son last year, will start from scratch this season and he's likely to toss few surprises into the ranks of the other contenders Southworth prov ed his ability to lead a major league club last season by driving the Cards from sixth to third place after re- placing Blades. In fact, after the All-Star game the Cardinals out played every club in the league, hitting it off at a .663 pace which topped even the Reds .643 for the last half season.
 The Cardinals have sold eight players during the winter, leading some to believe that they aren't shooting for the pennant in Al. However, in pairing down the Cards Branch Rickey didn't dispose of single player that he didn't believe he could replace with younger man.
 Rockies Look Good
 The Cards rookie crop looks out- standing on paper, especially their young pitchers The brightest pros- poets come from Houston, Column bus and Rochester, and if pair oa them make good the Cards will have to be reckoned with. Howard Krist, who won p and lost g for Houston and compiled a III earned run average, may be the prize. Roches- ter's two top contributions are Her. schel Lyons, who won 19 and lost 12, and Henry Gornicki, who win 10 and lost 10. From Columbus comes Harry Brecheen, little lefthanuder who won 16 and lost g, Murry Dick son, who won IT and lost 8, and Ernest White, southpaw who won B and lost and is back for another | trial.
 Last years regulars who'll be back are Lon Warneke, Morton Cooper. Fiddler McGee, Clyde Shoun and Max Lanier. Newell Kimball and Ira Hutchinson, recalled late last season, also are available. Other rockies include John Grodzich and Preacher Roe from Rochester, Sam Nahem and Henry Nowak from Houston, Max Surkont from Deca- tur and John Pintar from Dallas. All in all, it's probably the best rookie pitching crop coming up to any National League club.
 Two other bright Cardinal rockies are Walker Cooper, hailed as an- other Bill Dickey and tabbed to be the No. l catcher, and Harry Walk CT, versatile outfielder who is a brother Of Brooklyn's Dixie Walker. Cooper hit 1902 last season for Col umbus. Walker, who is speedy and mas great throwing arm, hit .30S TOT Columbus, collecting IT homers, seven triples and 39 doubles.
 The veteran Gus Mancuso is back with the Cards again to help Coop CT do the catching. Don Padgett who Is still trying to master the backstop'S job, is the third man.
 Roy Vs. Walker
 Walker will have to compete with Ernie Roy for the left field job, with Terry Moore booked for center and Enos Slaughter for right. Johnny Hopp will be back Che also plays first) along with four rockies Coaker Triplett, who hit .339 for Col umbus, Garden Gillenwater, who hit 1905 for New Orleans, John Wyros- tek, who hit 1905 for Houston, and the Veteran Estel Crabtree, who will act as playing coach.
 Johnny Mize will hold the fort at first again. Improvement is like ly around the midde bag with Jim- my Brown slated to play second and Martin Marion short. With a years experience under his belt Marion should show improvement this sea- son. Steve Mesner, who hit .336 for San Diego, and Creepy Crespi, who hit .30l for Rochester, will battle foa the third base job. Eddie Lake, who hit .295 for Sacramento is also ir l the nicttIre