Salem - 1951

Salem Nine Appear Strong At At Plate, Weak in Pitching
By FRED ZIMMERMAN
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The success of the Salem Senators, now owned by some 800 individuals of the capital and immediate environs, hinge on the Western International league team's pitching staff. Irked at what they thought was the indifference of the Portland Beavers, owner of the club since 1946, Salem fans have purchased the franchise and the physical plant for $50,000 and former a board of directors with Donald L. Young, attorney as the president.
Hugh Luby, an experienced manager, who intends to mastermind the ball club from his postion at second base, was secured by management and the hunt flor material was on.
With a nucleus of a few members of last year's Salem club on which to build, Luby secured a strong defensive squad—and one that will do its share of hitting. However the principal question mark at this writing is one of pitching.
During spring training at Napa, Calif., which included a number of games with Far West and California State league clubs. the Senator pitching did not show too much strength.
The mound staff includes Bill Bevens, former New York Yankee great who was given his release because of a sore pitching arm. He appears to have cured his ailing flipper but has not conquered the wildness that has dogged him during much of his diamond career.
Other pitchers are Ludwig Lew, big left hander from last season, also handicapped by wildness, John Burak, right hander of the 1950 Senators who appears to have improved considerably; Fred Parker, port siried hurler from Roswell, N.M., Jerry Barta and Jack Hemphill, Portland boys, who wore farmed out last year to Amarillo, Tex., and Pittsburg, Calif., respectively and Sal DeGeorge, former New York Giant hurler. He is a right hander. Hemphill has shown possibilities but inability to find the plate has kept him in the ranks of the doubtful.
Bill Beard, veteran receiver, will carry the bulk of the catching load. His assistant will be Jim McKeegan, secured from the Sacramento Solons.
The infield will include George McDonald at first; manager Luby at second; Ritchie Meyers, short and Johnny Hack at third. McDonald, a bit beyond his prime athletically speaking, has been troubled with crippled legs, but once in shape, will play a good game at first. Luby has been handling the second base spot well while Meyers, former Wenatchee Chief, is considered the best shortstop in the league. Hack was secured from Victoria. All men are good stickers.
In the outfield will be Mel Wasley, regular Senator who slumped badly at the plate last season but who has been hitting well this year; Pete Tedeschi, who had to be coaxed away from his father's business at Calistoga. Calif., to resume baseball, and Dick Faber, purchased from Sacramento. All three men are expected to top the .300 mark at the plate.
Glenn Tuckett, secured from Salt Lake City in the Pioneer league, is expected to be the No. 1 utility man.