Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-27
Indians Warned
'0nIyAI Smith
Is Sure Of Job
BY the Associated Press


land Indians apparently has de-
Icided to give his team the shake
well" treatment in an effort to
head of the New York Yankees
lin the 1856 pennant chase.
He called his club together for
10 meeting today in Tucson. Ariz.,
and announced that AL Smith was
the only player on hand who was
certain of q job.
"And he doesn't have a set
position" Lopez added. Smith.
named player Of the year" by
the Cleveland baseball writer's
last season. played six positions
In 1855.
"The young fellows have just
las much chance as anyone else
|of winning a place on the team. :"
Lopez said. zone hustling young
player sometimes can give the
whole club a lift"
Yankee Pitchers Balk
Meanwhile. the Yanks were
having their troubles on the sal
airy front. On their first day of
spring training, they were faced
with the problem Of bringing a
half dozen Of their top pitchers
into line. This is an unprece-
dented situation and it has
the clubs brass worried.
Whitley Ford heads the list.
He and the club still are $4,000
apart. He wants $50 900 and
has been offered $4,000. Others
who are baking are Tom Nor
gan. Bob Grim, Jim Konstanty,
Don Larsen and Maury McDer-
mott.
Billy Martin and Irv Noren
still are unsigned, but they are
not due to report until tomor-
row.
In the National League. Bill
Rigney. new manager If the New
York Giants. looked over his
club on the first day Of training
and announced he would pattern
his methods after those en-
ployed by Leo Durocher, his
predecessor. Rigney said the
Giants have as good a chance as
anyone Of winning the pennant,
but the Brooklyn Dodgers rate
the favorite's role.
Cards to Keep Brandt
At st. Petersburg, General
Manager Frank Lane said about
10 players probably will be held
over when the st. Louis Cardi-
nails rookie camp ends Wednes-
day I'm fairly sure that Jackie
Brandt and Mel Nelson will be
among them" Manager Fred
Hutchinson said. Six pitchers,
two catchers and one or two
others are expected to remain.
Brandt. q Rochester outfielder
last year. Is being groomed as
q shortstop.
Elsewhere around the camps:
Pitcher Mel Parnell OF the Red
Sox, troubled with ailments the
past two seasons, said he feels
great land there's no reason why
/ shouldn't get Is victories this
year." ;. Milwaukee already has
sold $4,000 tickets for its opener
against Chicago April II. !
White Sox Manager Marty
Marion said he Is demanding
that his pitchers and catchers be
In top shape by March /. i
The Cubs already are plagued
by a rash Of minor injuries. !
Brooklyn's World Series hero,
Johnny Podres. still has no idea
when he'll be indicted into the
service.
The Orioles are giving Out
fielder Dave Pope a trial at third
base. but in two six-inning
squad games at Scottsdale, Ariz.,
yesterday Dave made four errors
in 10 chances. However. Manager
Paul Richards, who has only
Freddie Marsh and Bobby Adams
available for the hot corner, said
the experiment would continue.
Coach Joe Gordon OF the
Tigers put himself in as a pinch
hitter with his squad trailing,
Al. In a rookie game at Lake
land yesterday and was whitfield
by Ronnie Roman. product Of
Detriot's Central Catholic High
School. Roman allowed one
hit in three scoreless innings.