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Chiefs have high hopes, but talent is scarceBy BUD VANDER VEERHOLLYWOOD Fla. - There’s a saying that “hope dwells eternal in the hearts of men,'* and it certainly fits the description of prospects for the Syracuse Chiefs to bounce back into International Baseball League contention this year.The Chiefs, having cast their lot with the New York Yankees this season, are hoping to cash in on what they expect will be a drive to develop young talent inthe organization.Right now that young talent is as scarce as rain in sun-coatcd Yankee farm headquarters here. Tribe officials are hopeful that some wheeling and dealing may bolster the dub into a first division contender.It’s still more than two weeks away, to the opener at Richmond April 26, but the Syracuse club roster is pretty well established save for some unpredictable Yankee maneuvers. In a nutshell, it looks as if the-MacArlhur Stadium fans will see solid catching; a young infield that has potential but lacks a slick fielding first sacker; pitching that has youth and great relief strength, and an outfield that needs considerable bolstering. Needed, without a doubt, is a hard hitting right-handed outfielder. A step to secure just that type of player wascompleted yesterday by • the Yankees who acquired a 24-year-old Samuel Parrilla from the Portland team of the Pacific Coast League on option to Syracuse.It’s necessary for the Yankees to go outside the organization to get help, for their minor league camp has never before been as small in numbers here at Hollywood as this season.There were but 103 boys in camp this spring exclusive of the parent club. Normally this figure is around the 150 mark. A total of 33 future prospects, now classified as 2S under the Selective Service system, didn’t risk leaving school for baseball for fear of call intotwo years of active service. There have been 12 boys already taken by llncle Sam for military duty from within the New York organization.This is where some more hopelooms for the Tribe, but it may be late May before it turns into reality. First sacker Mike Began and catcher Frank Fernandez are due out of service in May. Their re‘um should bolster the Tribe infield into solidarity with either Hegan or Ray Barker due to fill the slot.Right now the catching duties are being divided between Eli-seo Rodriguez, a right-handed swinger, and Bill Madden, who hits left-handed. Madden is ’■ more apt to hit the long ball andhas Triple A experience. Rodriguez is the apple of Lee Mac-Phail’s eye as he looks to the future. Although he’s not a potent man with the stick. Ralph Houk and MacPhail each talk of his ability to handle pitchers. If Fernandez comes back manager Gary Blaylock will have a problem deciding on his second catcher.The questionable first sacker is 24-year-old Dave McDonald, now in his sixth year of pro ball. He has never been higher than Columbus in the Southern League. He meets the ball solidly whcri he hits,\ but fanned 99 limbs last year while averaging .276. It’s notbis bat, but his glove which may hurt the Tribe.Working with him in the infield will be Chet Trail at second base, Gerry Kenney at short and Mike Ferraro at third with Joe Faraci most likely to be around as utility.Trail and Ferraro have youth and Triple A experience, while Kenney is moving up in a hurry.In the other garden Bill Tuttle looms as opening game right-fielder. He’s been most consis-tant of Tribal batters this spring. Tuttle is the lone Syracuse property in camp, but his legs are slowing him down.Ross Moschitto, a powder-puff hitter with great abilityto ‘go get em’ will cover away of Tuttle’s slow movements as center fielder. In left It probably will be young Tom Sbopay to start the season. He’s one of Blaylock’s choices as a youngster to move up quickly. A little guy at 5-9, Tom has great speed, swings from the portside and is in but his third year of pro ball.’ Other outfielders on the roster in addition to Parilla, who may be used in place of Tuttle, include Archie Moore and Tommy Martyz, making six in all. It’sdoubtful if more than four will be carried. Moore has been a big disappintment both at bat and afield this spring after com-(Concluded on Page 69)
Newspaper Details
Syracuse Herald American
Syracuse, New York, US
Sun, Apr 09, 1967
Page 132
Full Page
Clipped by
Ryan S.
NA, 12 Mar 2022
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