The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-05-11
United Press Staff Correspondent
Greg. U. s. Pat. Off,
nv JACK CTJDDY

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New York, May 11-(UP)-After
the last-place Detroit Tigers knock
ed off the world-champion New
York Yankees in their first tilt Of
the season, Burley Steve O'Neill was
more convinced than ever that the
Tigers would wind up In first divi-
sion.
Steve's smile radiated good cheer
throughout the stadium dressing
room after his Michigan Bengals
had upset the Yanks. Az, bringing
triple discontinue to the New York
ers, because:
ID The Tigers had broken the
Yanks' winning streak at six
straight; 90 they had spoiled the
welcome home for Joe Mccarthy,
the Yanks' manager who had been
absent for a couple of weeks; and
60 they beclouded the 10th birthday
OF Ed Barrow, Yankee president.
O'Neill-a solid, middle-aged irish
man with ripples Of silver In his
mop Of black hair-exuded content
ment as he sat on his locker stool,
shooting the breeze with baseball
writers. He said:
Eyes, we looked good today; we
got some hits. We're in last place
because we haven't been getting hits
particularly when they were needed.
We've been getting good pitching,
but no runs. Lack OF timely hits and
runs lost US too many games"
Before tackling the Yanks yester-
day in their opening engagement Of
the Eastern invasion. the Tigers had
lost 70 of Z games as they sank the
last place in the American league
standing. Last place particularly Is
odious to O'Neill in his second sea-
son as pilot of the Bengals. because
no Detroit club ever finished last.
It Is odious to ONeill also because
he has virtually the same club that
finished fifth last year-a club he
figured was strengthened somewhat,
despite the loss Of outfielder Dick
Wakefield, second best hitter IN the
American circuit
Despite Wakefield's hitting, the
brilliant rookie was q bit weak on
defense. O'Neill said yesterday, II
believe we have the strongest de-
fensive outfield in the league" He
was talking about his picket men
Jim Outlaw, Roger Cramer and
Charley Hostetler, the 38-year- old
rookie who hit about .464 In their
first 10 games, and who returned
to the lineup yesterday after an
absence due to a pulled muscle in
his left leg.
ONeill expanded: We've been
getting good pitching, particularly
from Trout, Newhouser and over
mire; but the boys haven't given
them proper support at bat. And
we've getting grand catching from
Paul Richards and Bob Swift.
They've been playing a fine all
round game"
Solid Steve, who was catcher Tor
Cleveland for IL seasons In his play
ing heyday, emphasized the effici-
ency of his backstops. He said. last
season we didn't have Swift, you
know. We got him from the Attn
letics Now we have two catchers in
whom the pitchers have confidence
Last year, they wanted to pitch only
to Richards. Now I can alternate
my catchers, and that makes a big
difference"
O'Neiil said the three other West
ern clubs were strong this season
The first-place Browns coupled O
fine infield with good pitching
Cleveland was all-round tough, al
though threatened with the loss OF
three players to service; and Chi
cago's White Sox had "two-teams
that can be used against right OF
left-handed pitchers. j..
About the vanks," he concluded,
"hell, they're always fought"