Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-04-29


3. Cleveland Indians
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Baltimore Orioles
8. Boston Red Sox
7. Kansas City AS
8. Washington Senators
AS was pointed out in last weeks
preview, we are picking the Giants
and White Sox to win In their
respective leagues because these
teams are better balanced, in
terms Of hitting and pitching, then
the other contenders. However, we
expect both races to be close.
AS for the players, our forecast
is as follows:
Minnie Makes Tho Difference
Chicago-Despite the Juror over
Luis Aparacio and Nelson Fox and
Ted Kluzewslti, who are all good
ball players, II the White Sox are
going to repeat as AL champions,
Orestes (Minnie) Minoso will make
the difference. Not only is Minnie
the top hustler on the team, but |
he is also the top run getter,
rugged as they come, he can be
expected traditional bean bali at
lacks upon him by opposing pit
cher.
Minnie also wields a big bat
as witness by his splurge in the |
Sox victorious season opener
against the Kansas City Athletics
last week Last season with Cleve-
land he batted 1902, with 90 RIBS. !
He will be assisted at the plate
and in the. outfield by Al Smith,
who, while not as colorfl as the
tan Cuban, is a steady ball player
who can be counted upon to deliver.
Earl Battey, recently traded to
the Washington Senators, will be
missed but will gain personally
from being able to see action
daily Minoso, Smith (.237),
Aparacio (.257), Fox (.3O6), Freese
and pitcher Herb Score, to boost
an already capable pitching staff,
should spell victory for the Pale
Hose.
YanlZs Counting On Howard
New York-The Key man for
the Yankees, from the standpoint
of all-around importance, Is Elston
Howard. Mantle is the power boy
and speed merchant, but Howard |
will carry the load. The most YER
satile player last season-he played |
the outfield, first base and caught |
-Elston figures to take over from |
the aging Yogi Berra this season. |
There was evidence of this when |
the Yanks opened the season with |
Howard behind the plate last
week. The Bombers like his bat
power CTS with 1S home runs),
versatility, stamina and general
ability.
Towards teammate, Hector Lo-
PEE (.2s3 with 90 RIBS and %
home runs), is also being counted
on heavily. Hector, also versatile, |
played third base for the YanlIs !
after coming to the team from |
the Athletics. Mantle, Howard,
Skowron, Lopez and Gil McDoug-
aid are the Yankees big guns.
Cleveland-Vic Power is expect
ed to be the Indians top power
hitter. However, the Tribe also |
have a rookie who may make a big |
noise In the league. He is Walter
Bond, a 22-year-old player who
resembles Luke Easter in size. A
former star with the Kansas City
Monarch, Bond batted $3.50 in the
Nicaraguan League this past win
ter and shows plenty Of promise.
Power, Harvey Kuenn, Johnny
Temple, and pitchers Jim Mud
cat) Grant are among the top
stars Of the Indians.
Detroit won't have any tan
talent this season 1t seems, al
though there are some good pros
pect in the teams farm system.
Baltimore - Bob Boyd (.28O)
and Willie Tasby (.250) both fig
ures to improve this season. Boyd
may experience an injury-free sea-
son thus raised his average, while
Tasby seems to be correcting the
habit of chasing outside curve
balls. He is a capable fielder
The Orioles have good fielding but
lack hitting and pitching depth.
Red Sox - Although he tailed
off to .233 toward the end Of last
season, Jerry Elijah (Plrmpsie)
Green seems ready for a full sea-
son in the big show. Not only is
he an outstanding fielder at second
base and short, but he has an ex-
cellent batting eye, seldom stril-
ing out. When he came to the
Beantowners following the Juror
over charges Of racial discrimina-
ton against him. he hit .313 for a
while. then dropped to $50 and
then .233. However, I predict 4
.275 season for him.