The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-01


 Tucson, Ariz., April l.--(UP) - Connie Mack's Philadelphia Ath- letics, hard-hit by the loss of nine players to the armed services, are facing a long, tough summer un- less they get some unexpected help. As matters stand the As look like heavy favorites to stay In the cel~ lar, a spot they've occupied for the last two years.
 Heading East after their Cali- fornia spring training season, the Athletics exhibition record shows four victories and six defeats against major league clubs and an even break in sixteen games against minor league opposition. The San Francisco Seals won four straight from the As.
 In the Army
 The As record Is not surprising in view of the fact that they lost to Uncle Sam: Sam Chapman, their most dangerous hitter, who drove in l06 runs last year, and their second base combination of Benny Mccoy and Al Brancato. The other players lost were Porter Vaughan, Rankin Johnson md rockies Joe dantenbein, Orge Cooper, Don Richmond and Ray Poole.
 Mack still has a fair pitching staff, good catching staff and Q so-so outfield. The infleld is patched up and pathetic and the long hold out siege of First Baseman Dick Siebert didn't help any. The way the As infield looks, the pitchers will start every game with the score about 3-0 against them.
 Last year the As had the worst fielding club in the league and they promise to be even more unreliable defensively. Siebert will take ovo" first as soon as he rounds into shape but second, third and short are problems. Crash Davis, counted on to take over Benny MeCoy's second base job, has been 0 big disappointment, Al Rubeling, who tried to make the grade two years ago and failed, is back with no more ability. Ken Richardson, who's kicked around the minors for seven years and was with Williams port last season, may wind up at second. He has been playing first during Siebert's absence.
 Jack Wallaesa, who hit only .2b2 for Wilmington last seaosn, IS boked to play short. He's 6 feet, 8 inches tall and will be the tallest shortstop in the majors. Connie Mack says, The has Q fine pair of hands, can throw and run and learns fast"
 Third base is in the laps of tho gods. Buddy Blair, who hit 20H for Newark, has looked good but Is hampered by bad knee that has bothered him for three years If the knee holds up he'll play third. If not Pete suder, last years custodian, will take over. There IS also c possibility that suder may play short If Wallaesa cracks up.
 Moundsmen o. K.
 The pitching is the best part of the club, Back from last year are Phil Marchildon, Jack Knott, Les- ter McCrahb and Bill Beckman and they have been joined by Jack Hallett, obtained in the Wally Moses deal from the White SoS. The Ave leading newcomers are Herman Reese and Dick Fowler from Toronto, Fred CaliguirI from Wilmington, Roger Wolff from Wil- Transport and Russ Christopher from Newark. Most of them know how to pitch. There is c variety and versatility on the mound. Some have flnc stuff, others depend on control and smartness.
 Frankie Hayes and Hal Wagner are backStops of major league abil- fly and will handle the catching satisfactorily.
 With three outhelders on the injured list the Athletics will open the season with Bob Johnson in left, Eddie Collins in center and Elmer Valo, who hit .324 ct Will mington, in right. Mike Kreevieh, obtained from the White Sox to play center, will be out ct least three weeks with a pulled tendon. Dec Miles, tabbed to play right, is out with sore shoulder and rookie Felix Macklewicz has 6 Sprained wrist.