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■ I ■ . I, 1— l— — I Well Finish in First Division: Grimm Gives Fans Credit , For Braves Spurt Pilot of Milwaukee Team Also Believes Club Could Be Most Improved in N.L By FRED DOWN x United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., May 5.— Manager Charley Grimm credited Milwaukees "red-hot fans" with an assist for the Braves surprising showing today and predicted his team will finish in the first division this season. He paired the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies as the teams to beat" but warned that his own club could be the most improved in the National League "because of great spirit, sound pitching and the development of third-baseman Eddie Mathews and centerfielder Bill Bruton." "There no doubt in my mind that the switch to Milwaukee has meant a great deal to the players," Grimm said. "Some people are comparing the enthusiasm of Milwaukees fans to the enthusiasm that made Brooklyns fans famous throughout the country. "There is no criticism of Boston intended," he added. "But it has made a big difference to these players to have the tremendously enthusiastic backing of these new fans rather than to play to empty stands every day." 5 Charley pointed out, however, that he| believes theres more to the Braves showing eight victories in 14 games than en-thusisatic fans. Sings Special Praise "I believe I have a sound team capable of finishing in the first division this season," he said. "I am satisfied at every position and my pitchers have lost no more turns than anybody elses. Right now Ive got no complaints." Grimm singled out Mathews, the hardhitting third baseman, and Bruton, the fleet rookie sensation, for special praise. Mathews is the most improved player in the league," Grimm said. "Billy Jurges worked with him in the spring and he is a much improved fielder. As a hitter he leaves nothing to be desired. He hits the ball as hard as Kiner or Sauer and hes not striking out as much. "In my opinion, Mathews has the stuff to go all the way and become a truly great star," he concluded. The mere mention of Brutons name caused Charley to break into a wide grin. "He can fly," he said. "Hes one of the real good ones — right up with Mantle and Ashburn in the speed department." The veteran manager said the Dodgers and Phillies were the "key teams" in the race but predicted the pennant winner would have a more difficult time than the Dodgers had in winning by 4 1-2 games last year. "The league is considerably strengthened," Grimm said. "Nobody is going to knock over the 1952 second division teams so easily this season." Charley seemed to feel that the Phillies were being under-rated by experts who tend to dismiss their chances as wrapped up solely in the arms of Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons. "Theyve got good balance," he said. "Its not the weak team with strong pitching that some people think it is." Theres no doubt in Charleys mind, incidentally, that Roberts and Simmons each can pitch the 380 innings Philadelphia manager Steve ONeill has predicted for them.
