Evening star., 1955-04-10
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ,r FRANCIS ,rAuu

In the National, Milwaukee
BY HIS OWN ADMISSION Giant Manager Leo Durocher
has "he solid club Probably If the National League ball
players poed the Dodgers would the this
based the Milwaukee Braves, less recommend
themselves winners of the 1855 pennant
This the way the National League is being called
On the eve Of the opening:
"a /. Milwaukee S. Cincinnati
2. Brooklyn 6. Philadelphia
g. New York Z. Pittsburgh
4 st. Louis g. Chicago
And this is why, club by club:
MIwAUKEE-Eight games back of the Giants was the
way the finished in IS but there excuses be-
ginning Bobby Thomson broken ankle in spring train
Ing Additionally Bob Buh and Chet Nichols OF the pitching
staff begged down The Braves act like happier club than
most they have the pitching and with Thomson the power
Gene Coney may develop rival to Robin Roberts the
N. top righthander and a lanky Panamanian named
Humberto Robinson may prove to be rookie surprise
remembered word by Manager Charley Grimm: "Iu play
these; I'm satisfied"
BRoOKLYN--A YEAR AGO the Dodgers seemed to have
lock flag with the deepest pitching solid hitting and
good defenses Roy Campanela hit only 20 and Don
Newcombe only nine games and the Dodgers ran
five games behind the Giants.
Now CampaneIa and Newcombe apparently are back In
FORM IL months have passed and here and there the
Dodgers beginning show their age Reese Robinson,
Campy reaching the critical and Preacher
rockies notably ineder but Manager Walter Aston must
decide of action, lie, whether to go with his
veterans go with his youngsters Wsest dictate would
play odsters until they they can't make
it any longer. But by then it might be too lac.
NEW YORK-The Giants good and they also were
lucky It managers dream year Johnny
Antone blossoming Marv Grissom and Hoyt Wilhelm slam
ming doors late in games Alvin Dark Hank Thompson and
Mueller clicking after week and last but not least
Willie Mays playing out Of this world.
Mavs has got to prove 345 hitter and Al
by doing again. just it remains to be
If Dusty Rhodes really riding he bench And
then there's Mage years old The Giants could
Duroher quoted saying they should
But third place little closer to it right especially
Durochers incredible fortune of 55 is not repeated
ST LOuIs-TIs is the club which transforming critics
In Florida accept enigma Eddie Stanky must
have help from his youngsters but this much he's got going
for hma promising lot Good balance with veterans IKE
Red Schoendienst and rockies or semi
rockies like Waly Moon Rip Repulsk Ken Boyer Bill vrdon
and possible 3oo-hitting catcher in Bill sarni
The will plenty of runs and behave well on
defense big question is twofod Has Stanky got the
pitching and, If so does he know what to do with 1t?
CINCINNATI-Lke the Cardinals Birdie Tebbetts' Red
legs with power There Is this difference The
Cards and they versatile The Redlegs can hit
but they are sow-footed pitching They figure to
become involved in number OF hgh-scorlng games not all
of which will wind up in their favor
Chuck thinks the Redlegs might win the pennant
if they had my pitching staff" This is high tribute to
Cincinnati power but too much to Tebbets pitching
depth, nasmuch Dressens staff has not been con-
fused as yet with the Indians White sox, Dodgers Braves
nor Giants.
PHIIADELPHIA-THE DECAYING club among the higher
echelon in the N. L. nice guy named Mayo Smith is
managing Robin Roberts to pitch Stan
Lopata catch Richie Ashburn and Granny Hammer
to play centereld and shortsop But it isn't team that
figures to many In order to win the Phllies
get pitching If Curt Simmons is not 100
per cent there's going awful strain Roberts
PITTSBURGH-As Branch Rickey's hve-year-pan moves
into its final the Pirates still look long way from
pennant St after three straight cellar finishes they
up notch thing for Mahatma Hickey
and Manager Fred Haney the youngest taes biggest
and hungest squad perhaps the history OF baseball Dick
Groat will help at shortstop and Frank Thomas good
enough oueder and hitter to bring pase of players in
trade Hickey wants to play that and meet the bills
CHICAGo-Going nowhere fast The Cubs have far more
fontoce wheels than ball players and not observed
rs-hand because they trained in Mesa. trustworthy
observer who dates far back Warren Brown of the Chicago
American visited the Cubs before fleeing Florida and
reaction was: As41
Mesa is Just not far enough away believe me-"
ed. Note: This the first Of roundups bp Sports
co,unnist Francis Sann The piu decl Dit the
American League tomorrow