The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-11
reg. u. :. Pat Oh.)
BY JACK CUDDY
United Press STAFF Correspondent

bHiteu HICNs StstH Correspondent
New York, May ll,-fUP)-The
Chicago Cubs open n three-gamc
series with the New York Giants to-
morrow as part OF the western Ma
tional League clubs first invasion
OF the east, and these two lowest
placed clubs In the circuit are ex-
pGcted TO solve part OF their plight
with q deal that Will bring Lou Nov
ikoH TO the Polo Grounds,
The mad Russian has locked horns
with General Manager James Gal
lagher OF the Cubs In one OF base
balls most prolonged holdouts IN
years and, while he has offered TO
compromise with his boss, Novikoff
announced he would much prefer
TO play with any other club,
LaTuping Lou, who batted an even
300 last season while driving home
o. runs, first asked ,000-almost
double what he received IN 1912. The
Cubs countered with raise OF
$500. Then NoyikoG said he would
play for less than $l0000-but not
that much less, Now he Is on the
leagues suspended list and must
apply 10 President Ford Prick for
permission TO play again even II he
does come TO terms.
Bad Business
Now, even though Gallagher has
Issued the obvious face-saVing aSser-
ton that NovIkoff would play for
the Cubs or nobody, 1t would be eX-
eeptionally poor business not TO
trade Lou at this time especially
since the Giants, berthed uncom-
fortably In last place and facing
their first cellar finish since 1915,
will probably offer a nice bundle Of
cash or give the Cubs the pick OF
their roster with the exception OF
Mel OFT or Billy urges.
The Giants, who have lost II OF
II games and are just one game
worse Oft than the Cubs, seem 10
have suffered from n general lack
OF front-ofiice activity during the
winter. While most clubs strength
ened their lineups and plugged gaps
caused by the draft, the Giants re-
manned strangely inactive.
Now they are paying the price OF
that inactivity with team defin-
itely facing slot In the second
division unless they swing deal.
The last-minute snatch OF catch
err Ernie lombard from the Boston
Braves has not paid of yet for the
leagues leading batter last year Is
not IN condition and has failed to
get a hit in 10 tries. Remembering
this, 1t Is exceedingly difficult for
Giants preXy Horace Stoneham to
take chance on NoyikoH. another
acquisition who would take some
time TO get In Shap. But the Giants
whose true caliber was painlly in
dicatcd IN Sundays double loss TO
the PhillIes--probably will continue
to lose anyhow and thus NoyikoG
might prove a good risk.
Real Siugger
The likeablc slugger is colorlul
drawing card and definite asset TO
any club. Lou compiled minor
league averages from .452 to 1851 and
in friendly surroundings might
bloom into one of the games most
destructive batsmen.
Immediate action OF some sort Is
necessity for the Cubs. Rated as
distinct contenders, the Bruins have
staggered to 10 losses in II games.
Should they compromise with Novi-
kofT, he doubtless would have a poor
season brooding over the injustice
Of his lower stipend. Again, if Chi
cago swings an outright swap or
deal involving both cash and play
ers, it is bound TO get men in shape /
for competition - and that's what !
they need now and how.