St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-03-26
Far Cry From Robinson:
Forty-One Negro
Players After
Big League Jobs
BY Virgil Overbea

least Al men are seeking berths
on Is clubs. Here is this reporters
pre- season guess on how they are
likely to make out.
In the National league, seven of
the eight clubs have colored play
ers, the Philadelphia Phillie be-
ing the lone exception. Here is
the rundown.
BROOKLYN DODGERS: Jackie
Robinson. the trail blazer and old
reliable is sure to play some place
every day. Roy Campanella, catch
er, last year the leagues most val
liable player. is the best back
stop in baseball. Rookie OF the
year. Junior Gillian is set at Sec
ond base. and pitchers Don New
combe and Joe Black should do
well in comebacks. Big Newk
from the army, and Black from
the sophomore jinx. The rookie Is
Sandy Amoros. who would be a
cinch for first string on most
teams, but Is likely to suffer bench
or late inning duty with Brooklyn
He could make good trading bait,
too.
NEW YORK GIANTS: Good
news here Is that Willie Mays is
back in center field after two
years in the army. Monte Irwin.
the teams top clutch player.
should be good in right field, and
Henry Thompson should do okay
at third. Pitcher Ruben Gomez,
with better team behind him,
should do well on the mound.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES: The
players are second baseman Curt
Roberts, a rookie and Sam
Jethroe, back for another try at
center field. Both are question
marks although there is plenty Of
opportunity here with the majors
worst club.
CHICAGO CUBS: Ernie Banks
at shortstop and Gene Baker at
second base could make an excel
lent keystone combination IL they
can hit. Both probably will stick
with the club and have a $3.50
chance of being in the starting
lineup. Luis Marquee at his best
will have trouble breaking into
the outfield.
ST. LOUIS Cardinal
Rookie Tom Aston is battling
with veteran Steve Bilko for first
base. His hitting probably will de-
termine whether 1t will be bench
duty or action for Aston.
CINCINNATI REDS: Pitcher
Bill Powell has not done too well
In training so far, but could stick
since the Redlegs need mound
strength. Charley Harmon has a
chance of making an infield spot
for himself. There is not much
hope for Nino Escalera as long
as Cincy has Ted Kluzewski at
first base.
In the American league, the
Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers
have no Negroes in camp, and
the Washington Senators have
four of Cuban descent. They are
Angel Scull and Carolos Paula,
battling for an outfield starting
spot with Scull in lead: Julio Bee
quer in a three-way battle for
first pase. and Juan Debs who APP
parently is not too high on the
totem pole.
NEW YORK YANKEES: Els
ton Howard, an outfielder being
converted into a catcher likely
to be second string behind Yogi
Berra.
PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS:
Vic Power. probably regular in
the outfield is doing well with his
bat: and Robert Lee Trice Is a
future mound hope.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Je-
hosie Heard Is southpaw who is
one of the pitching hopefuls Of
the Orioles. So far he has been
shelled. although he shows strike
out ability. When he gets rid Of
his wildness he probably win make
the grade.
CHICAGO WHITE SOx: The
great Orestes (Minnie) Minoso Is
expected to have another fine sea-
son whether he plays at third base
or in the out field. Connie John
son pitches okay until a spell Of
wildness attacks him. Bob Boyd
appears to be the teams top util-
ity players at first base. in the
outfield. or as a pinch batter.
CLEVELAND INDIANS: Tenn
permanent win pay off on this club.
Center fielder Larry Dolby, II he
can cut down on his strikeout ton
could have a great season First
basernan Luke Easter is a ques-
ton mark. but he must make good
or be dropped Harry Simpson
could be a regular II he regains
the batting eye he had in the min
ors.
Al Smith was good nj third and
In the outfeld last year. but was
weak at the plate. Dave Pope In q
rookie with a great potential. but
the Indians are loaded with out
field talent Dave Hoskins and
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