The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-03
DODGERS SEEM
 SURE OF SECOND DIVISION AGAIN
(EditOFs-This is the seventh fin a series on the 194S prospects of the major league baseball teams).
By LEO H. PETERSEN United Press Sports Editor

NOhlbC4 hC1o cRVA sD ASsA@S~-y
 New York, April 3-UP)-Ths
 Brooklyn Dodgers have been slip
 ping steadily since Branch Hickey
 took over from Larry MacPhail and
 inaugurated an accent on youth
 program. They finished second in
 1942, third in 1943-Rickey's first
 year-and dropped to seventh last
 season. They can drop only one
 notch lower this year and the
 chances are they will.
 The collection of baseball flesh
 which Hickey has given Leo Duro- cher. his field manager, to work
 with this season is anything but championship material. Rickey is
 the first to admit 1t; he believes ji will be two years after the war be- fore the revamped Dodgers will be winning National League pennants. He built up the St. Louis Cardinals along the same lines, and he is sure his rebuilding program eventually will pay the same dividends in Brooklyn as 1t did-and still is-in St. Louis.
 Only four players who were with the team when it won the pennant in 1941 are still around and one of them, catcher Mickey Owen, is awaiting a call to service. The others are Fred (Dixie) Walker, the 1924 batting champion; Augie Galan and pitcher Curt Davis.
 They are the men around whom Durocher will build his 1945 team. He has few promising youngsters, but not enough to escape second division finish.
 Hal Gregg. who won only nine games last year but is expected to become star; Ben Chapman, who came back to the majors last year a pitcher after going to the minors following successful outfield and infield career with the Yankees; and Art Herring. who with Chap. man represent the only oldsters Rickey has added to the club, are being counted on for starting pitch ing duty along with Davis.
 Possibilities include Ernest Ru. dolph. who won IA games for St. Paul last year but who is holding out for a portion of the purchase price; Clyde King, Ralph Branca, Cyril Buker, Otho Nicholas. Leroy Pfund, Vic Lombardi, John Wells and Al Zachary. all of whom were in the minors last year. Tom Seats, who won 25 games with San Fran cisco in 1944, is expected to win place on the staff if he reports.
 For his chief relief pitching, Dur ocher will call on Les Webber, seven game winner with the Dodg- CTS last year.
 The catching will be all right while Owen is around When he leaves Stan Andrews, 8 rookie up from Montreal. IS expected to take over with two old timers, Ray Hay worth and Clyde Sukeforth, both far past their prime, for reserve duty.
 Galen is expected to play first base with Howie Schultz scheduled for the services. Durocher himself may start the season at second base with Tom Brown. the 17-year-old. at short. and Bill Hart, up from New Orleans. at third. Hart also may be lost to the armed forces n which case Frenchy Bordagaray would take over the hot corner.
 Other infleld candidates include Barney Koch and Eddie Basinski. both of whom were tried at second ast year and found wanting: Ed Stanky, who is rtporting late be- cause of illness; and two minor eaguers up for a try. Mike Sand ock and Mike Sabena. Another in- Held possibility is Elmer (Red) Dur 'ett. an outfielder up from Mont real whom Durocher has been at first base.
 Walker again will be the key man n the outfield with Louis Olmo. he Cuban. and Morris Aderholt, who hit .289 with Montreal last 'ear, winning the other starting | oerths. That would leave Goody | Sosen as the No. utility outfielder | with Galan and Durrett also avail | lble If not needed for infleld duty. Jalan. of course, would get a regu- | ar berth in the outneld should | Ourrett live mn tn ,,oa iou I...-..-