[mjj55409]

As the club gathers in Tampa for their annual spring training, here is a look at the key players the Chiefs have in camp.


C - Tom Aiello (.310-6-54), Hank Odegaard (.288-0-33), Len Wells (.115-0-3)

The 28-year-old Aiello is the starting catcher. The 33-year-old Odegaard has been around since 1925. Odegaard has a great presence in the clubhouse; it's like having another bench coach around. He'll have the backup position for as long as he can strap the shin guards on.


1B - Bob Martin (.369-11-84), Red Fox (.333-1-7)

Bob Martin has one of the sweetest swings in the game. Red Fox is his long time caddy.


2B - Mose Christopher (.329-7-34 (AAA)), Phi Mullaney (.289-2-38), Jim Thompson (.249-1-41)

Mose Christopher is a recent waiver claim from the Gothams. Both Mullaney and Thompson can backup second and short stop.


3B - Len Jones (.317-6-85), Thompson

I would love to see more power out of Jones, but he does have a solid glove. Thompson's ability to play all infield positions gives him an inside track on the utility spot.


SS - Bill White (.299-5-62 (AAA)), Joe Foy (.339-1-30), Mullaney, Thompson

White was acquired during last December's draft from Brooklyn. The 23-year-old will be given every opportunity to claim the starting position.


LF - Jim Hampton (.319-12-101), Ed Reyes (.342-0-49 (AA)), Dave Shaffer (.286-0-12)

Hampton gets a bit over shadowed with Martin on the club, but like Martin, you can pencil in 150 starts and 200 hits for Hampton. And the 33-year-old shows no sign of slowing down. Ed Reyes is Chicago's 4th ranked prospect, and he will been given some long looks this spring.


CF - Red Sharp (.219-7-64), Jim Stinson (.331-2-17), Bennie Griffith (DNP), Paddy Smith (.335-8-84 (A))

Red Sharp is just keeping the position warm until one of Griffith or Smith is ready.


RF - Ron Rattigan (.338-4-50 (AAA)), Les Woodward (.290-7-77), Shaffer

Rattigan is a first baseman who was acquired in a deal with Brooklyn in 1930. He has shown enough in the minors to warrant an opportunity, but as a first baseman, he is blocked by Martin. He hasn't played RF as a professional, so he will be learning a new position, but we have the time to be patient (at least until one of the prospects is ready). Rattigan will be given every opportunity to learn the position so that we can get his bat into the lineup.


P - Jim Crawford (11-7, 4.70), Ron Coles (6-3, 1.94), Jim Simmons (7-14, 5.15), Stan Reichman (4-7, 4.52), Don Basinger (12-12, 4.97), Jim Spencer (5-7, 6.25), Charlie Bingham (3-0, 3.25 (AAA)), Red Hampton (17-10, 5.64), Ernie Newman (12-16, 5.19)

The pitching staff is a big work in progress in Chicago. The interesting arms to watch this spring will be Charlie Bingham, who was just acquired from San Diego, and Ron Coles, who will be given his first opportunity to start as a professional. Coles has been pitching--quite effectively--out of the bullpen since he was drafted out of Knoxville High School in 1927.