HATTIESBURG DOUBLEWIDES 1931 PREVIEW
DRAFT
Hattiesburg traded away their first round pick in order to plug some serious holes on the moundand in the infield. Billy Jurges is a sure-handed shortstop for years to come, and the catching corps
was bolstered with one catcher, Frank Grube and Billy Sullivan, son of former Major League backstop Billy Sullivan of the White Sox, who is an infielder but might be made a catcher.
Grade: C+
CATCHING
The job is still Gabby Hartnett's (.265, 32 hr, 93 rbi). Will his dead arm, which sidelined him most of 1929, return? Gabby doesn't think so. In fact, he mystically blames this injury on his wife's pregnancy, because his arm was magically healed the day of his daughter's birth in Decmber of 1929. Well, he caught every game last year, so who's to say? But should his injury recurr, Clyde Sukeforth and rookie Frank Grube should help out, although neither is much of a hitter.
Grade: B
INFIELD
Lu Blue is 34, but he is ready for replacing the great George Sisler, who retired after last year. Sam Leslie, acquired from Harlem, is not ready for full-time employment, but free agent Bill Sweeney was impressive in camp. Frankie Frisch (.311, 106 runs) is gold at second base. Jim Kress is coming off a career year (.307, 19 hr, 90 rbi) at will play third, and 39 year-old Rabbit Maranville is there to help the development of draft pick Billy Jurges. But Jurges, along with Dib Williams, and Sullivan, are flexible and will play at any infield position. This infield is going through some changes.... how smooth will it be?
Grade: B+
OUTFIELD
Will Hack Wilson (.309, 36 hr, 85 rbi, 88 runs) continue on his hot finish last year? Is Riggs Stephenson's (.308 in 389 ab) arm strong enough for the rigors of another season? Goose Goslin (.291 31 hr 94 rbi) and Kiki Cuyler, acquired from North Dallas for Tony Cuccinello, are mainstays. The rest of the outfield are part-timers, and Joe Moore is not quite ready yet for the show. Arm troubles have moved third base great Freddie Lindstrom out to the outfield.
Grade: A-
STARTING PITCHING
Erv Brame came around last year to finish with 14 wins and logged in 241 innings. Former Cy Young recipiant Burleigh Grimes, 36, came around after a dreadful 2-7 start to finish 12-12. But the ace of the staff, Lefty Stewart (17-8, 3.12 ERA) is the key. Ted Lyons (14-13, 2.78 ERA, 17 CG) has complained of arm problems, permitting Ray Kremer (7-7, 4.06 146 IP) perhaps to step in.
Grade: B
BULLPEN
Milt Gaston and Vic Sorrell came over from Harlem. Gaston was a closer over there, and with Eppa Rixey and Flint Rhem along with rookies Joe Berly and Clise Dudley should be ready to assist. Maybe ther is some sort of closeness after last year's shocking death of reliever Hal Carlson.
Grade: B-
OUTLOOK
A new home and an old team. Maranville, Grimes, Rixey, are not far from retirement. As Showboat heads to his first season at the helm, replacing Judge Fuchs, Fisher will have his hands full. Hattiesburg will have a tough year to contend in this division, but they might have enough to make a run. This team is really a hard read. Especially in what looks like a rebuilding year.
PROGNOSIS: Fourth Place
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