The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-26
JOHN H. GILBERT PLAYERS HOLD KEYS TO REDs' SUCCESS
Goodman Seems o. K. for Big Comeback; Haas,
 Starr Promising
By GEORGE KIRKsEY

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 United Press Staff Correspondent
 Tampa, Fla, March 26-(UP)- The Cincinnati Reds will be in the pennant race again. They might even win if things break right for them. But right now they have some problems to solve, the most serious of which concerns lack of punch.
 Last season the Reds had the leagues best defensive club, the second best pitching staff on the records and finished seventh in club batting. There wasn't a 300 hitter on the club. This lack of run-mak- ing machinery placed such a burden on a stalwart pitching staff that the Reds landed in third place, 12 games back of the pennant-winning Dodgers.
 For the Reds to cop the fiag, here's what would have to happen:
 1val Goodman, who played in only 42 games last season and bat ted .268, return to his 1939\ form when he hit .323.
 Rookie Bert Haas from Columbus make good at third and hit 300 or whereabouts.
 Frank Mccormick, who lost 40 points of his batting average and slumped to .269 last season, regain his batting eye.
 If, Big Question!
 If those fellows come through the Reds will be tough. They have championship pitching and defense. The outlook is favorable for all three to come close to hitting the bulls eye. Goodman looks like he's headed for real comeback. He couldn't get his bat around last season but he's taking the old Goodman cut this spring.
 Deacon Bill McKechnie is high on Haas, who led the American As- sociation in runs batted in (l3l) and Total bases (293). He should add authority to the Reds hitherto fee- ble attack. Haas isn't the classy fielder Bill Werber was and has been troubled by his arm this spring. However, his throwing has been im- proving.
 Frank McCormick's slump really hurt the Reds last season. His R. B. I. fell off 30 runs and the way tine Reds operate that meant proh- ably a half dozen games. McCor- mick hasn't been hitting this spring but that's no yardstick on him as he never hits this time of year.
 McKechnie unquestionably has baseball's best pitching staff. It looks like itu be even better than last years group. Paul Derringer, who won only F games last season, is hale and hearty again and looks like he's headed for another 20- game year. He weighs 222, hghteSt he's been in years. Bucky Walters, Elmer Riddle and Johnny Wander Nicer will round out the "big four" Wander Nicer, who won l6 games last year, is likely to hit the 20- game mark.
 Behind this group the Reds have Junior Thompson, Whitey Moore, Jim Turner, Joe Beggs (releO and Ray Starr, 36-year old rookie who won 20 games at Indianapolis last season and was brought up in Sep- tember. Starr won three games, and finished the season with 8 record of 20 straight scorelesS innings. He figures prominently in the Reds plans.
 Hemsley May Help
 McKechnie believes Rollie Hems- ley, bought from Cleveland, will help the pitching and defense as the first string catcher in place of lumber ing Ernie Lombardi, passed on to the Braves. Rookie Ray Lamanno, who hit .294 for Birmingham last season, looks like a real find and promises to be the No. 2 catcher with Dick West again in the third spot.
 The Reds search for left field CT is now in its fourth year. They have spent nearly $20O,000 and look ed over more than a dozen outfield- CTS but haven't got their man yet. Rookie Hank Sauer, 8 converted first baseman, is trying to learn the position but it's likely he will need another year in the minors.
 Cincinnati's opening day outfield probably will be Mike Mccormick in left, Harry Craft in center and Ival Goodman in right. It,l be one of the leagues best defensive trios. Jimmy Gleeson and Ernie Roy prob ably will be the reserves.
 There's nothing wrong with the Reds infield of r. Mccormick at first, Lonnie Frey at second, Eddie Joost, 20 pounds heavier than last year, at short and Haas at third. Chuck Aleno and Bobby Mattick are booked for utility duty although the latter has been bothered by bis