The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-04
HAMMER BOYS
 AND 4 VETS
 MAYLIFT PILLS
(EditorS - This is the eighth in series on the l9AS prospects of the Major League baseball teams.)
By LEO H. PETERSEN lUniieA Preaa Sports Editor.

Limited Press Sports Editor
 New York, April 4 - U.P) - A couple of kids and fourt veterans may lead the Philadelphia Phillies out of the depths of the National League cellar this year.
 The kids are the Hammer bro- theTs - Garvin, 21, and Granville, who wo-.t celebrate his 18th birth day for 9 more days while the old timers are Vince Di Maggie, Whitlow Wyatt, Jimmy Foxx and Gus Mancuso.
 Manager Freddy FitzsimmonS is hoping that the six players will more than make up for the loss of Outflelder Ron Northey and First Baseman Tony Lupien, the clubs best players in 1924 when the Phil- lies finished in their usual position the cellar-and give the team the power 1t needs to escape another eighth place finish.
 He is counting on the Hammer boys for regular infield duty-Gar- win at second and Granville at short. Foxx, picked up as 8 free agent and who hopes he has few of those extra base knocks for which he was famous during his long major career left in his system. will take over Lipien's spot. Fitz- simmons had hoped to play Garvin at third but was forced to shift him to second when another roogie, Fred Daniels, who hit PIT at Utica last year, developed back cyst which will keep him out for at least six weeks. That threw the third base spot open to Bitsy Mott, who teamed with Daniels last year at Utica, and Frank Caballero, who played American Legion ball last year. .-
 With three kids and veteran past his peak the infield is not too impressive, but Fitzsimmons is hopeful.
 DiMaggio obtained in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be the regular centerfelder and the Phillies are hoping he will go back to the form he displayed before he got in bad with tn Pirate manage ment in mid-season last year. To flank him, Fitzsimmons will have Jimmy Wasdell if he isn't needed at first, and Buster Adams with Croaker Triplett, the number one utility outfelder. Les Scarsella, who hit .329 with Oakland last season, may win regular berth if he re- ports. Other candidates include Rene Monteagudo, who hit .37O with Chattanooga last year; and three other rockies, aVnce Hinges, Nick Goulish and William Sanders. Player-coach Chuck Klein will again be available for pinch-hitting.
 Manucso is being counted on for part time catching duty to work with the younger Pitchers but Hal Spindel, if he reports, is expected to win the No. 1 berth. He hit .357 with Seattle lase season. Other receivers on the roster are Joseph are Joseph Antolick and Andrew Seminik, both of whom were ir the minors last year, and the vet eran Merwyn Shea, who, like Klain also will coach.
 If Wyatt can overcome his arm trouble, Fitsinmons will use the former CCdger ace as a starter along with Bill Lee, Dick Barrett, Ker Raffensberger, Charles Schanz al of whom were with the team last year. and Charles Sproull, who wor 16 games with Milwaukee. Antor Karl and Vernon Kennedy from the 1914 staff probably will share relief duty
 Other pitching candidates include Chester Covington, up from Utica . Wilbur Reeser, a 14-game winnel , with Utica; Charles Ripple, wht won IS games at Wilmington; ant Louis Lucier, who was with Louis vile and San Diego in l944.