April 6, 1969:
AL PREVIEW: RED SOX by Ed Costello (Boston Herald Traveler)
Boston - First in 1967. Fourth in '68. Will it be another fourth-place finish for the Boston Red Sox this year, or a duplication of two years ago for another American League pennant?
If three of Manager Dick Williams' worries can be eliminated before the '69 campaign is too old, the Red Sox will not be also-rans.
Jim Lonborg and Jose Santiago, both pitchers, plus outfielder tony Conigliaro comprise the question marks.
There is another tender spot, catching, that could make Williams shake his head now and then as veteran Russ Gibson and rookie Gerry Moses toil behind the plate.
This latter business, however, will be forgotten quickly if Lonborg, Santiago and Conigliaro bounce back.
Spring outings for Lonborg and Santiago can not be rated encouraging. The right shoulder that dropped Lonborg to 6-10 last season flared recently. Santiago's tender elbow left him on the disabled list for the second time in two seasons.
As for Conigliaro, he is showing signs of beating a slight weakness in his left eye. After being hit by a pitch in 1967, he was forced out of action with six weeks to go. He gave it a try last year, but failed. Now he insists his eyesight has improved and at times this spring has shown it.
If Conigliaro makes it, he will give the Red Sox the top outfield in baseball, with Carl Yastrzemski and Reggie Smith his outfield and slugging mates. Yastrzemski tailed off from his triple-crown year of 1967, but still led the league in batting and ranks as one of the most feared hitters in the game.
On the mound there is no reason why Ray Culp (16-6) and Dick Ellsworth (16-7) can't repeat those marks and possibly do better. Lee Stange is another dependable hurler and southpaws Bill Landis and Ken Brett are good bets, particularly if Brett escapes arm trouble that hampered his progress last year.
Backing up these pitchers in the bullpen will be another lefty, Sparky Lyle, and rookies Ray Jarvis and Fred Wenz.
The infield appears excellent. Flashy Ken Harrelson, after a year in right for the recuperating Conigliaro, is a fixture at first.
Former first sacker George Scott, who sagged with the bat last season, will handle the business at third base. There is no worry about Scott at third, because he is a vacuum cleaner with the glove. But he and his bosses are keeping their fingers crossed that Scott's flop with the stick (.171) in 1968 "was one of those things."
Steady and improving Mike Andrews at second gives signs of another great season, while Rico Petrocelli is tops among shortstops so long as his arm troubles are kept under control.
The Red Sox' bench is imposing. Joe Lahoud and Conigliaro's brother, Billy, are itching for a shot in right field, although like everyone else they are pulling for Tony to make it back strong.
Waiting in the wings should anything happen to the infield top four are pinch-hitter extraordinaire Dalton Jones; gloveman Dick Schofield, former National League dependable, and Syd O'Brien, up from the Red Sox' farm system.
Boston's faithful fans feel their favorite club can reach the top again. The cold-eye clan, however, is delaying predictions, pending the status of Lonborg, Santiago and Conigliaro.
JIM LONBORG