The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-30
NICHOLSON
 KEY MAN OF
 CHICAGO CUBS
(Editors-This is the fourth in series on the prospects of the major league baseball teams).
By LEO H. PETERSEN United Press Sports EditOr)


 New York, March 30- (UP) Tn these days of player shortages, the Chicago Cubs have manpower to burn, but their 1945 pennant chances depend very largely on one man-Slugging Bill Nicholson.
 Charley Grimm, the field mana ger, and Jim Gallagher, the general manager, say the National league runs batted in King will be in their opening day lineup. From that time on 1t will be up to Uncle Sam. Big Bill is in IA and if and when he goes into service the Cubs pennant chances will go with him.
 Otherwise, Grimm is so well stocked with players that the Cubs have been pairing their roster. Pitcher Red Lynn, Infielders Glenn Russell and Pete Elks and Out fielder Lou Novikoff, the Mad Russian" have been sent to Los Anegles while Outfielder Ival Goodman was released for a minor league managerial post. How some of them escaped the other clubs which are hunting the sticks for talent is mystery.
 Grimm still has plenty of men left and if the Cubs can get of to fast start this season-they lost B straight in the 1924 getaway the team promises to be in the thick of the pennant fight so long as Nicholson Is around. They will have Claude PaSseau, anchor man of the pitching staff, from the start this season and that should make a big difference. The right handler did not report until late in 1944 and then went on to win IS games.
 For starting, roles back of Pas seau, Grimm will have Henry Wyse, Bob Chipman. Paul Derringer with two newcomers also fighting for regular turns. They are Ray Prim, who won 22 games with los An gles last year. and Charlie Casa. way, 17-game winner with Los Angles who is holding out for more money.
 Derringer, however. probably will be used only in spots and as a relief man to share mopping up chores with my Vandenburg. Other pitching candidates include Ed HanyzeWski, who was with the team last year; Jorge Comellas, who won l8 games with Los An- geles; Charles Adams, who won 10 with the same club; George Hen- nessey, a 12-game winner with Nashville; George Woodend. who toiled for Syracuse and the Boston Braves in 1944; and Macklin Stew art.
 Grimm is five deep in catching with Thompson Livingston, who was in the Army last year, expect ed to win the No. 1 berth. Back of him are Dewey Williams, who was coming along fast as the regular receiver last year; Paul Gillespie, Leonard Rice and Joe Stephenson.
 The 1945 infield will be intact with Cavarretta at first, Don John- son at second. Roy Hughes or Len Merullo at shortstop and the de- pendable Stan Hack at third. Hack was another late reporter last year e%AAA AIAS "NoCIANC LAuAI All LIldU OpGIls ing losing streak.
 For utility posts, Heniz Becker, up from Milwaukee where he hit .346; Charles Brewster, William Schuster and John Ostrowski are available.
 Should Becker make the grade at first, 1t would free Cavarretta for outfield duty, although Grimm. as in other departments, is not wanting for fly chasers. Harry (Peanuts) Lowery is back after a year in the armed forces and may be one Of the starters along with Nicholson. Andy Pafko, a 1944 regular, will round out the starting trio if Cavarretta is needed in the inf1eld although two rockies are making strong bids for posts. They are Ed Sauer. who hit .293 wits Los Angeles in 1914. and Frank Secory, a .200 hitter with Milwaukee. Cecil Garriot. who hit .286 with Los An- geles. also Is in the running.