The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-11
BY GEORGE KTRKsEY
UNITED Press stan CORRESPONDENT!

UNITED Press STAN Correspondent!
New York, April 11-(uPl-It
the Yankees again but not BY
landslide. In fact the Yanks al
going to have to prove sheir clas
all over again in q ding-dong Anne
lean league race somewhat similt
to the hard-fought campaign G.
1910.
Things have been painted Il
rosy for the Yankees. They are PFC
hibitive betting favorites ia 2 to
They are conceded the pennant /
an overwhelming majority Of the Q:
perts. But the picture behind til
scenes does not augur too well f.
the worlds champions.
so far the Yanks have been for
innate in the draft. They have fop
men in the service but the loss {
only one, first baseman JohnS1
Strum, has been felt. Many exper'
say Manager Joe Mccarthy coul.
play first for the Yanks and they
still win. But that's a pipe drea:
Already the Yanks are having fir
base trouble. Buddy Hassett, wh
hit only LAB this spring, doesn
look like the man for the job an
big Ed Levy, who Is being given
trial, doesn't appear to be t
Yankee type.
Third base also is problem, &c
~ Priddy has looked good IN IT,
field but hasn't hit UP to Yanxc
standards. If Red Rolfe's health i'm
proves, he may return to third an
Priddy shifted to first. At any rate
the Yanks 20 into the campaign
with only half their infield settled.
The Yanks won last year Will
their pitching spread over Q sever
man star. They hope 10 capitalize
again on their quantity However
RED Running and Lefty Gomez, tht
top winners last year with IL apiece
aren't likely to hit those total
again. The pitching burden is 60
ing TO shift to Donald, Bonham
Russo, Chandler and Breuer. Heir
may be needed from the two rockies
John Lindell and Hank Borowy.
The Yankees chief contention
promises to come from the Red Sos
and the White Sox. Until Boston
lost Catcher Frankie Pytlak to the
navy their outlook was bright
Rookie John Pesky has been'a reve-
lation at shortstop. Teaming Will
Bobby Doerrr, he forms the best
keystone combination the Red SoS
have had in years. Last year the
Red Sox, despite their tremendous
power, were handicapped because o.
Manager Joe Cronin'S lack Of speed
at short. They made only 13o dou.
BILE plays as compared with tht
Yanks' 1876 and finished seventh ir
that important department.
Best Attack
Jimmy Foxx has looked impress
sive this spring and with Ted VIII
liams, Jim Tabor, Doerr and Fin
ney gives Boston what looks like
the leagues best attack again. TIT
pitching, which showed improve
ment last year, still is on the up
grade with Newsome, Wagner, Dob
son, Judd and Terry the starters.
The White Sox have the leagues
best pitching topped by Lee, Rig
ney, Lyons, Smith and Humphriei
and their attack seems to have
been bolstered by Wally Moses arc
Don Holloway. They could cause
serious trouble.
The darkhorse Is the st. Louii
Browns, which played 500 ball aitel
Luke Sewell became manager las
June. They have come up with
wonder boy OF short in Vernon
Stephens rounding out good In
field. They have punch and II theil
pitching measures up they nigh
crack the first division.
washington, Cleveland and De
troit figure to battle with tn
Browns for fourth place. Their
isn't much to choose between them
The Athletics are more Of cillcl
to finish last than the Yanks ar
TO win the pennant. They are mis-.
cradle in the middle Of the infield