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► — , Competition in Both Leagues Keen for All -Star Positions Stengel and Sawyer Faced i With Task of f ielding Best Nines for Mid season Clash By MILTON BICHMAN United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, NT Y., June 1.— Therell be more jockeying for position than usual and some top-notchers may find "standing room only" when the major leagues two All-Star teams are selected shortly. Competition for supremacy at any one position has been particularly keen in both circuits so far this season and the two managers, Casey Stengel of the New York Yankees who will "pilot the American League, and Eddie Sawyer of the Philadelphia Phillies, who will lead the National, will find an abundance of first-line talent sitting on the bench. •At first base in the American League, Ferris, Fain of the Philadelphia Athletics and Walt Dropo of the Boston Red Sox, are bound to be challenged by Detroits Dick Kryhoski, enjoying the best year of his career. Its- a toss-up at. second base so far between Gerry Coleman of the Yankees, Gerry Priddy of Detroit and hustling Nelson Fox, the Chicago White Sox new "wonder" boy. Previously, George Kell of Detroit had third base all to himself and although he probably still will win the post for the All-Star tilt, Eddie Yost of Washington and Bobby Brown of the Yankees undoubtedly will poll -considerably more votes than in the past. Competition for Veterans Yogi Berra of the Yankees is the Loops standout catcher, but he may be pressed more than usual by Pim.Hegan of Cleveland and slugging Sherm Lollar of the St, Louis Browns. Outfield standbys like Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Hoot Evers and Vic Wertz will find some company in up-and-coming candidates like Jim Busby and Orestes Minoso of the White Sox; Hank Bauer and Mickey Mantle of the, Yankees, and Gil Coan of Washington, any of whom could win a starting berth. Out in front for contention among the pitchers are Ed Lopat and Vic Raschi of the Yankees; chunky Conrado Marrero of Washington; Ned Garver of the Browns; Bob Feller of Cleveland, and Billy Pierce of the White Sox. Phil Rizzuto, the Yankee veteran who was the leagues most valuable player in 1950, will be hard put to beat out Chicagos Chi co Carrasquel for the shortstop berth. The competition is almost as close for positions in-the National League. How would you like trying to pick between Gil Hodges, Brooklyn; Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh; Eddie Waitkus, Phillies, and Earl Torgeson, Boston, at first base, or between Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn; Eddie Stanky, New, York, and Al Schoendienst, the Cardinal hero of last years All-Star Game, at second base? Each of those players can offer valid reasons for being picked on the star-studded squad. The same type of close battle is being waged by Pee Wee Reese of Brooklyn and Alvin Dark of the Giants at shorstop. Bob Elliott of the Braves is having the same kind of year at third base that he did in 1948 when he was chosen the most valuable player in the* league, but even so, he isnt certain of being tabbed over Willie Jones of the Phillies at that position. Outfield standbys like Stan Musial, Duke Snider and Andy* Pafko are being pushed by Cal Abrams of the Dodgers, Del Ennis and Dick Sisler of the Phils, and Hank Sauer of the Cubs, While Roy Campanella, Brooklyn, Wes Westrum, New York, and big Walker Cooper of the Braves all are logical catching choices. Pitchers? There are plenty. Just for a starter, try Sal Maglie, Jim Hearn and Larry Jansen of the Giants, Ewell Black-well of the Reds, Gerry Staley of the Cards, Vern "Bickford, Matt Surkont and Warren Spahn of the Braves, Frank Hiller of the Cubs, Robin Roberts of the Phillies and Preacher Roe and Don Newcombe of Brooklyn. From the looks of things, a lot of stars will be riding the All-Star bench and a lot more never will be able to even find a seat. I i 1 / Wide World Photo ANDY PAFKO— Cubs centerfielder is a likely choice for an All-Star berth.
