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Trimming Yankees1 Roster a Problem Stengel Has Surplus Talent At First and Third and Top Rookies Show Much Promise By NORMAN MILLER United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 14.— Manager Casey Stengel of the World Champion New York Yankees was confronted today with the perplexing task of cutting four players from his talent-laden roster by the Wednesday midnight deadline. On their present 29-man roster the Yankees have a surplus of pitchers, with 11, and first and third basemen with three each. Stengels problem is complicated by the fact that his ootionable rookies, like Mickey Mantle and Gil McDougald, have shown too much promise to be sent to the minors and he is reluctant to let go of such sentimental favorites from former world championship clubs like pitchers Joe Page and Frank "Spec" Shea. Page, baseballs outstanding relief pitcher of 1947 and 1949, has been bothered by arm trouble and has not pitched an inning so far this season. Shea, after turning in one impressive full-route performance, has been knocked out of the box in his last three starts. Obtain Waivers on Johnson With McDougald and Bobby Brown available for third base, the Yankees have obtained waivers on Billy Johnson and last week were reported to have all but completed a deal for sending him to the St. Louis Cardinals. Apparently the proposed deal has been held up. At first base, Stengel has Johnny Mize, Johnny Hopp and Joe Collins. Mize still is a long-ball hitting threat; Hopp is a handyman who also can be used in the outfield; and Collins is an excellent fielder and base-runner. Another complication in the situation is infielder Billy Martin, who was discharged from the Army two weeks ago. Martin ordinarily would be a logical choice to be sent to the minors for more seasoning, but because of his military service, he now cannot be farmed out unless all other clubs waive on him. Rookie pitcher Tom Morgan is another player who can be sent to the minors, but he already has turned in two victories and appears to be a good prospect. The Yankees could solve their problem if the Philadelphia Athletics would trade them fir§t baseman Ferris Fain for three or four players in a deal the champions reportedly would be happy to make. But much as the acquisition of Fain would benefit the Yankees in more ways than one, manager Jimmy Dykes of the As evinces little interest in helping solve the Yankees problems.
