The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-03-28
CHICAGO CUBS
AGAIN SHY ON
HEAVY HITTERS
NOvikOff to Get Another
Chance Against Big
League Pitching
ny RONALD WAGNER
UNITED Press Staff COrrespOndentl

Los Angeles, March 2s-(Up)--
The Chicago Cubs have been going
In the wrongN direction for the past
four years, dropping from first place
to sixth. Unless they encounter bad
breaks this season, however, they
should not drop any lower.
To all outward appearances the
Cubs haven't strengthened their
club since last season. The thing
they needed most was hitting power
and they haven't done thing to
improve 1t. The only 800 hitter on
the Cubs last season was third base
man Stanley Hack, who finished
fifth with .Sl7, and from the looks OF
things he's likely to be the only
player In that class again.
The Cubs had flock Of rockies
OF their Catalina Island camp but
none Of them caused much excite
ment. Probably the best Of the lot
was Johnny Schmitz, lefthander
from Milwaukee who won only seven
games while losing IA last season
but who shows promise. Lou Novi-
koff. the Mad Russian who dotes on
minor league pitching, is back for
another trial In the outfield after
hitting $40 at Milwaukee and lead
ing the American Association In bat
ting. But Novikoff, lacking much
In the way Of defensive ability, still
Is quite problem. On some days
he looks like a murderous hitter, but
most OF the time he finds Major
League pitching too much for him.
The other day against the Pirates
Novikof hit O homer with the bases
loaded and drove In six runs.
Novikoff Is competing with Dom
Dallessandro, regular center fielder
last year, Phil Cavarretta, another
veteran, and rookie Harry pea
nuts) Lowrey, q speedster from Los
Angeles, for the left field Job. Char
ley Gilbert, who was handicapped by
q variety OF ailments last season, Is
booked to play center and Bill Nj
cholson, who batted only 1854 but hit
20 homers, Is set In right. Coach
Kiki Cuyler has been experimenting
with Nicholson's batting stance to
improve 1t.
The Cubs infield remains thes
same with Babe Dahlgren at first,
Lou Stringer at second, Bob Stur-
geon at short and Stanley Hack at
third. Rip Russell, UP again from
Tulso, Len Merullo and Seymour
Block are battling for the utility
jobs.
Manager Jimmy Wilson has hopes
Of getting better pitching. At least
the Cub pitchers are In much better
shape at this period than they were
q year ago. Bill Lee, Claude Pas
seau and Jake Mooty all are In good
shape. Vern Olsen, who has been
threatening TO become one Of the
leagues top lefthanders, looked like
has was headed for q big year until
he broke two small bones in his
pitching hand. He'll probably be
able TO pitch again shortly before
the season opens but the layoff will
sc thin back.
OF the other pitchers Paul Erick-
son, the big fast-baller, Vallie Eaves,
Bob Bowman from the Giants, Tot
Pressnell and Schmitz look the best.
Erickson, who won five and lost
seven last year with the Cubs and
at times showed binding speed, may
blossom into star.
Clyde Mccullough will again be
the first-String catcher backed up
by Bob Scheffing, who hit the hon.
er that broke the Cards heart In
late September last year.
(NIOnday: New York Yankees.)