Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-21
Even StengeI faces
Problems; All Clubs
Begin by "Wednesday
By Joe ReichIer
Assoeioted Press Stuff Writer

same old headaches for the
major league managers as all Is
teams swing into spring training
drills next week.
Twelve teams. one more than
last year, are training in Fliroda
while the other four are con-
ditioning in Arizona. The Sena-
tors. Pirates and Cardinals beat
the gun, getting under way this
week. The Pirates, who switched
their camp from Havana to Fort
Pierce. Fla, went into action last
Monday. The Cardinals opened
their st. Petersburg camp yester-
. day. while the Senators went
into action at Orlando.
The PhillieS start tomorrow at
Clearwater. Fla. nine clubs will
all will get under way Wednes-
day.
Winners Not Exempt.
There isn't a manager who
isn't faced with at least one
problem. That includes Casey
: Stengel of the world champion
Yankees and Walter Aston. who
succeeded Charlie Dresser last
october as pilot of the Dodgers,
National League champions.
Stengel, seeking a sixth
straight pennant, must find a
replacement for Johnny Sain,
the retired right-hander who
played such a big part in the
Yankee triumph last year. He
must also find a capable pinch
hitter to I'LL the shoes Of the
departed Johnny Mize. He ex-
poets Harry Byrd and Eddie
Robinson. obtained from the AS,
to I'LL the gaps.
Aston, who is taking over a
power-laden club that has car
ried an ordinary pitching staff
for the past two years. Is hoping
that two years in the Army
hasn't robbed Pitcher Don New
combe of his blazing fast ball
and wicked curve. Aston is
banking on the big highlander
to duplicate his 20-victory season
of 1851. He also must worry
about the untitled leftfield spot;
hope that Junior Gillian doesn't
fall victim to the sophomore jinx
and that old age doesn't catch up
with Jackie Robinson and Pee
wee Reese.
Cards Ante Heavily.
: Eddie Stanky. aware of the
Cardinals defensive weaknesses
at first base and shortstop. is
giving a great deal of attention
to a pair Of 100000 purchases
Tom Aston. a big Negro first
baseman from San Diego. and
Alex GrammaS, smooth field
ing shortStop from Kansas City
Z The trades of Infielder Danny
O'Connell and Pitcher Murry
Dickson left the Pirates without
q big name on the roster. The
only players fairly certain Of
regular job are Outfielder Frank
Thomas, Sid Gordon at third
base and Pitcher Max Surkont.
Milwaukee has been strength
sened by the addition of O'Connell
and Outf1elder Bobby Thomson
from the Giants. The Braves,
however, gave up 80 victories by
trading Pitchers Johnny Anto-
nelli, Don Liddle and Surkont.
The Giants are banking heavily
that Willie Mays, soon to be re-
leased from service, can fill the
shoes of Thomson in centerfield.
"A great deal also depends on the
condition Of Monte Twins mend
ing ankle.
Indian Gamble on Nelson.
Cleveland is gambling that
Rocky Nelson. that ex-National
Lacquer, can fill the bill at first
base. A hitting catcher and a
starting left-hander are high on
the want list of the Indians. One
problem faded with the acquisi-
ton of Outf1elder Dave Philley
from the Athletics.
The White Sox are still seek
ing a third baSeman as well as
a hard-hitting outf1elder. Man
ager Paul Richards knows these
are "musts" as well as come
back by First Baseman Ferris
Fain if the Sox are to challenge
the Yankees.
Lou Boudreau Of the Red Sox
is hopeful that Southpaw Leo
Kiely. recently discharged by the
Army. can win the Is games the
club gave away when it traded
Maury McDermott to Washing
ton for Jackie Jensen.
Detroit must improve its catch
ing as well as the right side of
the infield.
The Orioles have two promis-
ing pitchers in Don Larsen and
Bob Turley, a power hitter in
Vic Wertz. a Scrappy catcher in
Clint Courtney and a fine defen-
sive shortstop in Billy Hunter.
Manager Jimmy Dykes faces a
difficult job in filling the. other
positions.
The Phillies appear to be no
better than last year despite the
purchase az Dickson. They need
help in theacatching department,
improved play around shortstop
and comebacks by First Baseman
Earl Torgeson and Third Base
man Willie Jones.
Tebbetts Wants Hemus.
Cincinnati is in dire need Of
Yight-handed pitching strength.
Manager Birdie Tebbetts also has
been making frantic efforts to
land the Cards Solly Hemus to
I'LL the second base gap
The Cubs are depending
heavily on rockies to fill their
weaknesses at second, short and
centerf1eld. Pitching continues to
be the big weakness.