Douglas Daily Dispatch

Bad Breaks All That Will Stop Cubs This Year

Weak Twirling Department Is Patched Up Better Than New.

By PAUL R. MICKELSON, Associated Press Sports Writer.

SANTA CATALINA ISLAND, Calif., March 4 (A.P.)—Regarding the weak cylinder of the championship club machine last season and in the world series, has been repaired so skillfully that Joe McCarthy anticipates piloting his high geared model into the 1930 National league title chase with no worries except those generally classified as "bad breaks."

Without as much as disturbing his staff of regulars, Manager McCarthy obtained nine new pitchers, several of them youthful stars in class AA leagues, during the winter shopping season and at worst they should supply the dependable relief that was missing so much in 1929.

With his fingers crossed, the Cub manager is hoping for at least one good southpaw in the rookie hurling crop, and he may see his wish fulfilled in either Malcolm Moss or Bud Teachout, or both. With Artie Nehf and Mike Cvengros gone, McCarthy is spending no little time with his two young portsiders. Moss, six-foot stripling like most of his hurling hopefuls, is generally regarded as a certainty although it is too early for a good test.

Moss, reared by his baseball playing father for the game, was obtained from Louisville of the American association where he won but nine out of 27 games with a weak club, but displayed such general all-around pitching ability that President Thomas Hickey of the league predicted he would become one of baseball's greatest pitchers.

Teachout, a husky over six feet in height, pitched great ball for Indianapolis of the same circuit last season and looks good to McCarthy.

Lynn Nelson, who won 15 and lost six games for the championship Kansas City Blues in the American association in 1929; Al Shealy, another American association ace from St. Paul, and Ed Lautenbacher, who was sent to Reading, Pa., for further seasoning last year, stand out among the right handed recruits, and McCarthy is reasonably certain of obtaining at least some good relief pitching from them, and perhaps a regular.

Added to them is Bob Osborn, who is several tryouts and who is long overdue; William McAfee, University of Michigan star, and Lonnie Warneke, 21 year old six-footer obtained from Alexandria, La.

"We should get four pitchers out of this group but if we get some capable relief pitchers, we'll be all set," McCarthy said.

Except for the purchase of Lester Bell to plug up the heretofore weak third base position, virtually all Cub building during the off-season has been directed toward pitchers with the group costing owner William Wrigley, Jr., a lot of gum.

The one "big encouragement involving no trades or purchases has been the return to form of Catcher "Gabby" Hartnett. In the near two-weeks of practice, Hartnett has shown no indications of a weak arm, which caused a lot of worry among the Cubs last year until Zack Taylor was purchased from the Braves.

With Hartnett and Taylor, the Cubs have one of the best balanced catching staffs in either league.

With Rogers Hornsby, Hack Wilson, Kiki Cuyler, Riggs Stephenson, Capt. Charlie Grimm and Hartnett, all potential 300 hitters or better, McCarthy isn't worrying at all about base hits. The outfield will be the same as 1929 while the infield defense should be improved with Bell at third and English, having more experience at shortstop, to carry on with Grimm at first, Hornsby at second and either Hartnett or Taylor behind the plate.

"Baseball is a funny game and nothing is certain," Hornsby said in discussing the coming campaign.

"But without a doubt the Cubs have improved 20 per cent over last year and should win the pennant by 10 games or more."