Washington Senators

ANALYSIS OF THE SENATORS

STRONG POINTS
Manager Mickey Vernon has relief pitching, catching and a few fading stars—which isn't too bad for a mendicant ball club. Dave Sisler (2.48 ERA) and Johnny Klippstein (2.92) were top relievers on their 1960 clubs, Detroit and Cleveland. One problem: on sketchy Washington pitching staff, these two may have to be used as starters. Pete Daley, a .263 hitter at Kansas City, gives Senators a better first-string catcher than three other AL teams. Gene Woodling, in left field, leads a short list of name players who should contribute moments of fine play. Woodling has a justified reputation as one of league's best clutch hitters. Dale Long will be at first base as much as his 35-year-old legs let him. Center Fielder Willie Tasby has good range, hit .281 with Boston last year. In two seasons, 1957-58, Dick Donovan won 31 games for the White Sox. Perhaps he will remember how he did it.

WEAK SPOTS
There are many, of course. It is doubtful that any team in major league history ever had a group of pitchers with fewer complete games to its credit the preceding season: three. (Pete Burnside had two, Hal Woodeshick one. Both are left-handers.) Bennie Daniels pitched well this spring and may become the team's best pitcher. The rest of the staff—John Gabler, Rudy Hernandez and Ray Semproch—will pitch and pray. The infield, except for Long, is a collection of rookies and weak-hitting castoffs. R.C. Stevens, a smooth-fielding ex-Pirate who hit 37 home runs at Salt Lake City, will share first with Long. Danny O'Connell, the ex-Brave and Giant, is set at second base, after a .312 season at Tacoma. Shortstop will be Coot Veal (.250 lifetime). Harry Bright and Billy Klaus, experienced hangers-on, will play third.

THE BIG IF
Will the solid relief pitching help the Senators more than power hitting will help Los Angeles? That is the hope in Washington.

ROOKIES
There are two outfielding prospects. Charley Hinton from Brooklyn (you remember Brooklyn) looks a little like Henry Aaron, and at Stockton hit very much like Aaron: .369 and 20 home runs. Joe Hicks, a White Sox hopeful a year ago, hit .303 at San Diego. Two right-handers, Joe McClain and Ed Hobaugh, were best Senator pitchers in spring, are likely starters.

OUTLOOK
It's hard to see how the club can avoid being the first 10th-place team in history. The American League's slick franchise shuffle has left the poor people of Washington with a team that might make the old Washington Senators seem like the Yankees.

YOU NEVER CAN TELL

"The least we can do is ask," said the father to his son as they watched the Senators go through their drills. The boy stood there, leaning his arms against the fence behind first base. He didn't say anything.

"Well, that's what we came down for, wasn't it?" asked the father in an annoyed tone. "See that guy drop the ball? They don't look so hot. I don't know where to go, but let's see what we can do, O.K.?"

Finally the boy spoke. "O.K."