The Washington times., 1921-04-11

who can't hit. Could he sting the
apple, DUFFY Lewis would still be
with the Yankees, so far as Washing
ton In concerned. for Hank would be
mervelous fly chaser. quite as good
az any in either big league. But
and 1t is a big "but" too-the Mcrci-
less Monacan can't hit. Clark Griffith
knows it. George Mcbride knows It,
Washington fans know II. So what's
the use Of nddling around with him
on third base? Strictly as a utility
player Hank ranks with the best
Az regular-not by a great good
deal.
ABOUT THOSE LEGS.
Having played ball for many years,
both Duffy Lewis and Zeb Milan may
be expected to have troubles with
their legs, keeping them out OF the
lineup. Here's hoping they won't.
but the betting is that they will.
Lewis has already limped because Of
a strained tendon in his left thigh,
In condition. both these grand out
felders and rafting good fellows will
more than hold their own. The ques-
tion remains unanswered. though. as
to how long they will remain in
shape. once the base paths dry out un-
der the hot sun. Old legs are old legs:
you can't get away from that.
However, Manager Mcbride seems
we'll fortified with outfield reserves,
and this Is not a serious "if." though
the Inclusion of substitutes always
tends to shatter team play, a most
important thing in a major league
race. Shanks. figuring him as a
utility player, and Bing Miller. Frank
Brewer. and Eddie Goebel, providing
| L. -
holes caused by accidents or by age.
HAS SOME THERE.
Manager Mcbride also seems well
fortified for infield substitutes. The
irrepresSble Hank Shanks can
hold down third or second capably
for a week or any time. Frank Ell
Bob LaMotte is a fielding fool at
short, his stumbling block being
his hitting, or rather absence Of
hitting. Frank Brewer doesn't look
so very, very bad at first base.
Really Mcbride is far better of
than Griff was last year when those
series of accidents riddled his in
field in July. And Jimmy O'Neill
may report and be ready to fll a
hole at short by the time the season
is far advanced.
The catching star is quite salts
factory. Pat Charity Is as good a.
ever. Val Picinich is q new man
this spring, showing all the class
that gained him a chance to play
with the Washington club.
Tony Brottem, with an excellent
minor league record. has been slowed
up by an injury to his left foot, but
he is expected to catch lot Of
games this season. And. lowering
around with a wagon tongue ca
pable of hitting for 800, is the
quiet, likeable Dick. Torres, Of Ha-
vana, Cuba No, Mcbride has no
catching puzzle to solve.
FIRST DIVISION SURE.
From our seat on the volstead
cart we see the Griffmen finishing
at least as high as fourth. with a
chance to land in third place pro-
viding some of George McBride's
"ifs" work out on the right side.
Cleveland should repeat again this
year, having the same all-around
high h-class ball club that copped the
banner last season.
Tho Yankees should finish second.
but may slip back to third to let
the st. Louis Browns grab the run
ner-up's place in the standing.
"
to us. Too much one-man stun there.
with a manager who has been q con-
sistent failure.
Detroit or Philadelphia should nm
ish nth, 1t being a toss-up between
them.
The White Sox and Red Sox, for
mer championship clubs, have been
busted wide open, the former by tho
scandal Of 1919 and the latter by
Harry II. Frazee. They should bat
tie for the tail-end berth. with no.
body even in Chicago or Boston
caring much about II.
Ban johnson has come out with
his customary bull about the close
ness of the race. Ban likes to please
| all the clubs as far as possible. But
there are only two real contenders
in the 1921 American League race,
Cleveland and New York, at this
writing. How the "ifs- in other
clubs come out remains to be seen.
They may bring at least one more
club into the tumble. but the chances
are against II.