HERSHEY SQUIRTS 1929 PREIVEW

Hershey was bad last year. And injuries didn't help. An aging team, there were bright spots in the play of 
Charlie Gehringer and Lou Gehrig. Jack Quinn and Dazzy Vance were pleasant surprises, as was Lance Richbourg 
and Mark Koenig. This year, the road doesn't look much clearer. But Rome wasn't built in a day. 

DRAFT
No surprise the Squirts took Earl Averill. The main weaknesses were pitching and the outfield, and both were 
adequately addressed. Averill will be a superstar, and Rip Collins was a decent pick. A problem with depth 
cannot be addressed in one draft. They sure could have used a backup catcher, though. 
Grade: B


CATCHING
Bubbles Hargrave is out for the season, and Al Lopez will not be ready until probably next season. All the 
Squirts have is Shanty Hogan, who batted .313 last season in 396 at bats. At this point, a back-up is sorely 
needed. Hogan is an excellent catcher (all 240+ pounds of him) but can't work a full season. 
Grade: C+


INFIELD
Lou Gehrig at first base. No problem there. Charlie Gehringer at second base. No problem there. Mark 
Koenig (.322 in 1928) continues at shortstop. Third base could be a dilemma. Both Harvey Hendrick and 
Wattie Holm are moving to the outfield, so it will be up to Bobby Reeves to play third. This is a very 
solid infield. 
Grade: A-


OUTFIELD
This is an outfield in turmoil. Earl Averill, the number one pick, will have a spot. Bob Meusel is 
getting old (33) and losing a step or two. Lance Richbourg is expected to have repeated success (.296, 
30 sb in 1929). The great Ty Cobb has retired, and Pete Scott and Paul Easterling are out for the season. 
Jimmy Welsh lost his job to Averill. Draft pick Homer Peel won't make much of an impact outside of the 
company Christmas party, and there's even talk of having Johnny Cooney leave the bullpen for some outfielding duties. 
Grade: C+


STARTING PITCHING
The oldest staff in the league. Dazzy Vance (12-13 138 K) is 38 and nearing the end. Jack Quinn is 45. 
Carl Mays is 36. Even their second round pick Rip Collins is 33. Collins, along with Vance and Quinn will 
probably start. Grady Adkins, Syl Johnson and Rube Walberg will compete for the remaining spots. 
Grade: C-


BULLPEN
A weak bullpen. Hank Johnson and Doug McWeeney are ineffective, and Mays is aging quickly. Hopefully, 
draft picks Hal McKain and Ray Moss can stabilize this tragedy-in-the-making. 
Grade: D


OUTLOOK
Another tough season ahead. Although there is not much pitching to be found, this staff is exceptionally 
weak. A good crop of rookies awaits in 1930... 
PROGNOSIS: Fourth Place