Yankees Will Make Some Changes
New York Manager Houk Will Switch Some Players' Positions
Nov 14, 2007
At the start of spring training, Yankees’ manager Ralph Houk told reporters that he hoped to make the team a little bit better than last year, when the Yankees won 83 games, which was good enough for a fifth place finish in the ten team American League. The Major intends to make a number of changes utilizing the current Yankees’ roster in order to improve the team. He hopes to convert shortstop Jerry Kenney, who spent all of last season in the army, into a centerfielder. If that occurs, it means that Joe Pepitone will move to first base, and that means that Mickey Mantle must decide soon if he is going to sign another $100,000 contract or retire.
Bobby Murcer May Play Third Base
Bobby Murcer, who can hit but who is similar to a young Mickey Mantle in that he is a defensively challenged shortstop, may be moved to third base, replacing Bobby Cox, who hit .229 last season. Houk was impressed with young Samoan first baseman Tony Solaita, who hit 51 home runs in the Carolina League last year.
Mets Picked for Fifth Place
Meanwhile, New York’s other team, the Mets, have been picked to finish ahead of only the expansion Montreal Expos in the newly created six team National League Eastern Division. The Mets have a solid pitching staff, led by youngsters Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, and Jim McAndrew, with the veteran Don Cardwell filling in the fifth starting slot. Other Mets’ hurlers could come from the likes of Al Jackson, Bob Hendley, Tug McGraw, Danny Frisella, Steve Renko, and Gary Gentry.
Mets' Position Players Leave Much to be Desired
But the Mets position players leave much to be desired. The Mets should be solid behind the plate with Jerry Grote and J.C. Martin, but the infield is a problem. Ed Kranepool at first must still prove that he can hit major league pitching, Ken Boswell at second his a decent hitter but lacks range, shortstop Bud Harrelson is coming off a knee operation, and Ed Charles, “the Glider,” cannot play every day. The outfield lacks punch, with Cleon Jones in left, Tommie Agee in center, and the combination of Ron Swoboda and Art Shamsky in right.
Cardinals Favored to Repeat
The experts have made the defending National League champions the favorites to repeat, especially with the addition of outfielder Vada Pinson, but this is the first year in which there will be interdivisional playoffs, and it is recognized that inherent risks exist because each league will play a best of five series. The Cardinals were 97-65 last season and led the Tigers in the World Series, 3-1 before the Tigers came from behind and won the last three games, aided in Game 7 when center fielder Curt Flood misjudged Jim Northrup’s fly ball that led to the Tiger’s victory.
References:
Vecsey, George. "Yanks Plans Hinge on Mantle's Play." New York Times. 28 February 1969, p. 43.
"National League: Cards and Giants Are Likely Sectional Winners." New York Times 16 February 1969, p. S7.
