Just a year ago the critics were picking the Cards to push the Reds through September, Instead, the Dodgers leaped into the picture and eclipsed the Red Birds, who changed managers at the height of the season, First Ray Blades and later Billy Southworth struggled with unpredictable pitching. The Cards came in third, This year the St, Louis club is working with one of the finest crop of rookies that ever dug spikes into Florida sand, and if two or three of them live up to early promise, South-worth is going to cause a few anxious moments for McKechnie and Leo Durocher, In fact, he will anyhow. But if some.of those good looking newcomers stop National League hitters or hit National League pitching, Billy will leave the Reds and Dodgers somewhere in the rear, For example, Southworth has five [new outfielders who in 1940 had a combined batting average of 315 in the higher minors—Rochester, New Orleans, Houston and Columbus, The feld is strengthened by the arrival of Frank Crespi a 301 hitter at shortstop for Rochester, and Steve Mesner, whom the Chicago Cubs cut adrift and who hit.341 at San Diego. He is a third baseman. To replace Mickey Owen on the catching staff, Southworth has Walker Cooper. Morton's brother, who appeared in 131 games with Columbus last season and kit 302,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.