The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-31
GIANTS ALSO
 POWERFUL AT
 BAT THIS YEAR
(EditOrs-This Is the Fifth In a series on the l945 prospects of the Major League baseball teams).
BY LEO H. PETERSEN United Press Sports Editor

New York. March 3l-CUP)-This is the year the New York Giants figure they have what 1t takes to win the National League pennant.
 They probably can't find many people outside of their own organi- zation who will agree with them for they promise to be short on pitch ing and speed, two necessary attrib- utes for championships. But they have enough hitting power to be dangerous.
 Recognizing that a weak pitching staff was the major factor which kept the Giants from finishing higher than fifth last year-38 games behind the Cardinals-man- ager Mel Ott set about to bolster his hurllng corps If numbers mean any, thing he succeeded, for the Giants have B flingerS on their roster. Not all of them have or will report, but Ott feels that he has the nucleus for building a winning staff.
 SloWness afoot also handicapped the team last year and promises to be a drawback again. For Ernie Lombardi is counted on for regular catching duty again and Phil Vein traub, another who never will set any speed records, is back at first base Ott hopes the hitting of Lom- bardi and Weintraub will more than make up for their slow fielding and running
 Back to lead the pitching staff is Bill Vooselle, the freshman ace of 1944 who won 2l games. Others from last years staff expected to receive starting assignments include EWald Ripple. the southpaw; Rube Fischer, who never has lived up to his Minor League premise: Harry Feldman, back in good health after lung trouble; and Van Lingle Mungo, who has shown signs of returning to his old-time form.
 A leading figure in Otis hurling plans is holdout-Ace Adams. He is expected to come to terms soon, however, and resume his old role as king of the leagues relief hurl- CTS. Ott also may use him for spot starting assignments.
 Among the newcomers, the Giants are counting on Ray Harrell, who won 20 games with San Francisco last year, and Herb Bain, an H. game winner with Minneapolis, to come through Their work thus far has not been too encouraging, how ever.
 Unknown quantities include Cliff Melton, the string bean southpaw who is holding out; Ken Chase, an- other lefty; Johnny Allen, also a holdout; and Johnny Gee, the tall left handler who may not report be- cause of the arm trouble which plagued him after graduating to the Majors.
 From Dale Mathewson, with the Phillies last year; Robert Barthel- son, Jack Brewer, Bill Emmerich, Mel Heiman. Walter Ockey. Francis Rosso and Frank Seward, Ott hopes to find additional pitching strength
 To assist Lombardi for catching duty the Giants will have Ray Ber- res, the second stringer last year; and John Toncoff, up from Jersey city.
 The infield will be Weintraub at first, little George Hausmann at sec ond, John Kerr at short and Nap Reyes at third. Billy urges, if he comes to terms, and Hugh Luby are also candidates for regular duty with Roy Nichols trying to win a utility berth.
 Ott expects to play regularly with Joe Medwick, who has missed most of the spring training thus far be- cause of an ailing back, and Johnny Fucker rounding out the starting outfield. For reserve duty Ott vii. have Bruce Sloan Charles Mead Leon Treadway Dan Gardella and Steve Filipowicz to choose from. The latter two probably will be sent back to Jersey city for more seasoning.