The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-03-19
PROSPECTS OF
MAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALL CLUBS

| MESA, Ariz. R-The Chicago
Cubs, in the best spring condition
in years, will be counting on the
long ball-hitting potential of a
rookie outfielder and a flock of
sophomore talent to pull them out
of the National League cellar in
1852.
Leon Brinkopf, a 25-year-old
third baseman who crashed Is
homers for Los Angeles of the Pa
cific Coast League last season, is
being converted into an outfielder.
Bob Rush, the tall Highlander
who was the winningest Cub pitch
er in 1851 with II victories, is be-
lieved by Coach Charlie Root to
be ON the verge of achieving great
ness. He posted a 3.79 earned run
average in 81 games last year.
It's up to the rest of the young
sters to prove themselves. Last
years experience may bring re-
suits.
Manager Phil Cavarretta's main
hope of making better showing
is that he can instiIl more hustle
into his shaky lineup of veterans
and youngsters.
Cavarretta, a 36-year-old first
baseman, expects to play 60 to 70
games himself. If Dee Fondy
proves himself a major Lacquer,
Phil will be able to do less play
ing. Fondy, good man in the
field who hit 1916 for Los Angeles
after being sent down by the Cubs
last season, is getting another
chance to- make good.
The Cub infield will have plenty
of experience with either Ransom
Jackson or Bill Serena at third;
the veteran Roy Smalley at short;
and the ex-Brooklyn handyman,
Eddie Miksis, at second.
Ron Northey could help the
Bruins If his knee holds out. Al
ways long ball-hitter, Northey
was voluntarily retired last season
for an operation on his left knee.
He says he's ready to nail down
the rightfield berth.
Hammering Hank Sauer, Bob
Usher, Bob Adds, Gene Herman
ski, Hal Jeffcoat, Rookie Harvey
Gentry, Frank Baumholtz, Brinl-
cpf and White, Sox Castoff Jack
Wallaesa are all battling for gar
den spots. Baumholtz was reg
ular last year.
In the catching department, the
Cubs have the veteran Bruce Ed
wards, formerly Of Brooklyn, John
Pramesa, and pair of rockies.
lies hitless in the two innings he
tossed during Tuesdays exhibition
at Clearwater. He gave up no hits
in the three innings of his earlier
start.
The 81 loss to the Phillies ran
the Senator's Grapefruit record to
four victories, three defeats and
one tie.
LAKELAND IN Vic Wertz will
get few days rest and Rookie
Ben Taylor will take over at first
base starting today for the Detroit
Tigers.
But the experimental switch of
Wertz from rightfield to first hasn't
ended. Right now Manager Red
Rolfe thinks Wertz will become his
regular first sacker and wants to
give him some time off from
games to practice mechanics of
the job and get some confidence.
SAN BERNARDINo, Calf. R-
The Pittsburgh Pirates are having
hard time trying TO find the
right position for Dick Hall, 6-foof-
6 bonus rookie from Swarthmore
College.
Hall, who cost the BUGS a re.
ported $25,00O, has been working
out at first base but Manager Bill
Meyer says he looks awkward
there. Meyer is toying with the
idea of having the 2l.year.old big
fellow try his hand at third. He
played both the outfield and in
field in college and also pitched
occasionally.
Halls work at the bat has been