Evening star., 1945-04-15
Rockies Figure
Prominently in
Hopes Of Clubs
Cards Again Stond Out
In N. l.; Browns Boost
Most Of Flag Team
BY JACK HAND,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

| ASSOCldtCu EIcSs opOIto Vt2teT.
Prospects of tight pennant races
in both major leagues served to
heighten interest in tomorroW's
opening for a fourth wartime base
ball season, despite the shocking off,
season deaths of President Franklin
D. Roosevelt and Commissioner
Kenesaw M. Lands.
Baseball counted President Roose-
velt as its greatest friend, crediting
him with keeping the game alive in
his now-famous green light" letter
to Lands in 1912. Lands position
as czar was unquestioned.
Approximately so big leaguers
joined the Army or Navy since the
last World Series and as many more
are in Ia or already accepted for
service. War plants claimed hand
full who chose to remain on the job
for the duration, but an influx of
minor leaguers, 17-year-olds and
discharged veterans served to take
up the slack.
Among the better-known stars to
enter the service during the fall and
winter were Stan Musial and Danny
Litwhiler of the st. Louis Cardinals,
Dick Wakefield and Pinky Higgins
of the Detroit Tigers, Jim Tabor and
Roy Partee of the Boston Red Sox,
AL Zarilla of the ST. Louis Browns,
Ray Mueller and Clyde Shoun of
the Cincinnati Reds, Dom Dalles-
sandro of the Chicago Cubs, Thur
man Tucker and Ralph Hodgin of
the Chicago White Sox. Stan Spence
of the Mats, Ron Northey and Tony
Lupien of the Philadelphia Phillies
and Ken Keltner of Cleveland.
Some Stars Back From Forces.
Johnny Hopp and Walker Cooper
of the Cards, Denny Galehouse Of
the Browns, Eddie Joost of the
Braves, Skeeter Newsome of the Red
Sox and Wally Moses of the White
Sox are in line for an early call.
On the opposite side Of the ledger,
returning to their clubs after a tour
of duty are Van Mungo of the New
York Giants, Mickey Livingston and
Peanuts Lowrey of the Cubs. Les
Mueller and AL Benton Of the IT,
gers and Tom Early of the Braves.
Rockies figuring prominently in
the hopes of major league outfits
include such discharged veterans as
Infielder Jack Tobin of the Red Sox,
Outfielder AL Red" Schoendienst of
the Cards, Infielder AL Cihocki of
the Indians, Outfielders Jack Nc
Hale of the Tigers and Pitcher Jim
Wallace of the Braves.
The Cardinals again were a stand
out in the National League on their
spring training lineup, but the i'm
minent loss Of both Hopp and Walk
er Cooper could draw them back to
the pack. Manager Billy Southworth
has his entire holdover world cham
pion infield, but would have to re-
build his outfleld. The pitching is
Southworths least worry.
Pittsburgh has been labeled the
chief threat to a fourth straight
Card flag, but pitching is their prob
lem. If Max Butcher, Preacher Roe
Nick Strincevich and Fred Oster-
mueller can back up Rip Sewell, they
might make the grade. A strong
infield packs punch in Bob Elliott
and Babe Dahlgren and the outfield
could be the best-hitting trio in the
league.
Pitching Is Cubs Headache.
Pitching is Charley Grimm's head
ache in Chicago. too, with ace
Claude Passeau and Ed Hanyzewski
having arm trouble. Bill Nicholson,
outfielder, who clouted 33 home runs
last season, is expected to join the
Cubs today and the Bruins now pack
a real wallop with a holdover infield
and capable outfield
1 Cincinnati is threatened with a
drop to the second division for the
first time under Bill McKechnie with
Shortstop Eddie Miller sidelined by
knee injury. He must depend on
old timers like Guy Bush and Hod
Lisenbee to back by Bucky Walters.
Mel Otis Giants have some punch
in Phil Weintraub, Ernie Lombardi
and OFT, with Joe Medwick doubt
full factor due to back injury. With
an entire holdover team, Ottie
counts on improved pitching to make
the first division
The Braves have more new play
ers than any club in baseball with
Manager Bob Coleman hoping for
(See BASEBALL, Page Aid