The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1954-08-14
TopRookies
Seek Honors
In Majors
BY Luther Webb


and final battles for first place
OF a finish as high up in the
rankings as possible by all teams
a resume, although slight, de-
mands that potential rockies OF
the year be scrutinlzed.
Insofar a. Negro rockies are
concerned in the American
League, who are outstanding.
there are none.
Bob Trice. who came up at
the end OF the fiftv-three season.
and started off like n ball OF
fire" with tn, Philadelphia
Athletes cooled Off, and asked
TO be returned to the Interna-
tional league.
Vic Power. former property OF
tie New York Yankees and who
figured in one OF baseball's big
gest trades last winter was
shipped 10 the Athletes, bat do
spite high praise as a powerful
hitter. garnered in the American
Association with Kansas City.
has failed to deliver with the AS.
In the National league. how
ever. there is an abundance Of
Il 'ent. and selection of the rook
lie OF the year will be i diff
cult choice-from the way the
youngsters are playing ball these
days
Outstanding candidates are.
E,nie Banks and Bob Baker OF
tie Chicago Cubs; Brooks Law
renee OF the ST. Louis Cardinals,
Henry Aaron OF the Milwaukee
Braves and Curtis Roberts OF the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sandy Amoros Of the Brook
lYn Dodgers. shipped out At the
start of the season. and recall
ed a few weeks ago. has not
played enough 10 be consider
ed in the ratings at least at
this date.
Top among the crop OF Ma
tional league sepia rockies sp-
pears TO be Aaron, 20-year old
lcftfielder OF the Braves. who
Tor the past two weeks has beer
batting in the all-lmportan'
cleanup slot for the Charlie
Grimm aggregation
Originally carried 10 camp
with the Braves for further
instructions. and 10 be farmed
out st least another year. he
got his opportunity 10 stick
with The club when Bobby
Thomson broke his ankle.
Inserted in the Braves lineup
he HIS proceeded TO establish
himself as a competent fielder
and sturdy hitter.
To date his performance look:
bright as he is hitting at .278
with IL home runs. FL doubles
three triples and so runs battec
in.
His soundess is reflected ir
Manager Grimm's decision to use
him in the cleanup slot--which
has paid off handsomely.
Lawrence. 29-yesr old rookie
hurler up from Columbus of the
American Association, boasts
"a record for five weeks OF
starting and relief hurting
Cardinal manager Eddie
Sisnky. plagued with an giraffe
mound staff. has given the
rookie every opportunity 10
pitch. He has rewarded sisnkY
with several low-hii perform
anees.
Two OF his four losses have
come in relief roles. while he
has started and finished over siS
games for the ''in-and-out' Car.
dinals.
Baker and Banks. double-play
combination OF the Cubs. plag-
ued with injuries right along
have shown promise OF develop
ing into one OF the National
leagues top combinations.
Both pack excellent batting
power. with Banks having nine
homers. to eleven for Baker with
their batting averages ranging
around 200 TO .270. Roberts OF
the Pirates is excellent fielder
but weak at plate.
Al Smith. lefffieldsr third
bassmsn of shs Cleveland In
disns and Dave Pope. utility
ouffislder. also of the Indians
can hardly be considsred rock
les. az both have been in and
les. a. both have been in and out
the past two years.
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