The Washington times., 1921-03-03

the Washington club a money-make
Gandil loomed up at first base like
a tower. Fosters erratic throwing
became perfect overnight. Morgan's
slow, delivery of the ball, especially
when going to his right, was over
come at once by Gandil's spectacular
reaching. Mcbride was always a
beautiful thrower, but he was then
able to get his pegs away without
looking, knowing that Gandl would
get the ball some way, somehow.
Fosters coming in for bunts be-
came . classic around the league. Nc
Bride roved around the infield be-
yond second base, behind third and
out into the garden. Always. a grace
full fielder, Mcbride had made his
reputation before Gandil came to
Washington, but the acquisition of
'Gandilr added greatly to the value OF
Mcbride to that infield. 1t is doubtful
IL Mcbride ever played better base
ball than in 1912 and 1913.
FACES SIMILAR SITUATION.
The Washington club today faces
a similar situation to that of 1912. If
it is to make q winning fight for a
first division berth. 1t must obtain a
tight infield Otherwise the best of
pitching will be wasted, the most re-
markable outfelding go for naught.
The present outlook is for good
pitching and sterling outfielding. 1t
is up to the infield.
At least two men in that infield are
known to fill all requirements. Joe
Judge never played better ball than
he did last year, and there is no rea-
son in the world to thing that he
cannot repeat. He Is young, active,
in good health and, If he finds himself
with a winning combination, he will
outdo his best work of the past. II
Joe wished to get away from the
Washington club. it must have rested
largely on his desire to be with q
winner after so many years with a
loser.
"Bucky" Harris showed himself a
great little second baseman in 1920,
although he was sick frequently and
suffered number of injuries that
xept him out of the game. Neverthe-
less, Harris fits into a tight infield.
IT'S ON THE FAR SIDE.
IT'S on the far side Of the infield
where the puzzles are offered. Jimmy
O'Neil. while doing well for . young
,ster, playing his first year Of major
reague baseball, was by no means an
example of a tight infielder in 1920.
This year he is not likely to be with
the team, not recovering sufficiently
fast from his pneumonia attack OF
sast fall.
: Frank O,Rouke has impressed Presi-
dent Griffith with his ability to OIL
George McBride's shoes in the field.
Indeed. Grin will chatter for an hour
on O'Rourke's ways. of playing thai
shortfield. -tIf the former Toronto in
i1elder fails to make good. 1t will be
considerable of shock to the Wash
sngton clubs boss. -
I am hopeful that his arm will be
AL o. X. this year." said Griff a few
weeks ago. "but' IL even IL 1T isn't
Se can get the ball over and as a
sselder he is a wonder. He has a
sreat pair of hands, can cover as
much ground as Mcbride ever did
md has played enough ball to know
,vhat to do when he does get the ball.
Riding' runners at second base seems
ais long suit. That's all I can say.
with him and Harris taking throws
At second, nobody should ever steal
pase on the Washington club, unless
tho pitcher goes to sleep or the cat
ther hurls the ballout to center field y
NOW FOR THIRD BASE.
Allowing that ORourke lives up to
all the nice things President Griffith
predicts for him. it's up to third
hase.
Even with Frank Baker playing
there, no man on the squad will prob
ably begin to compare with Eddie
Foster in going in for bunts as Fos-
rer used to go In, back in 1912. Certain
~ nobody with the team last year was
1T to be spoken of in tne same breath
with the Foster of 1912. Some doubt
.hat any was as good as Foster was
with the Boston club in 1920, but
that's matter OF argument. OF
course. . ,..4,
IL Baker is not the Griffmen's third
hascman. II may be taken for cer-
:ainty that the club will not stop
II, its efforts, to obtain an expert
,nced, capable thirdsacker. Presi-
dent Griffith wants to have his team
IN tho race Just as long as possible
lie wants George Mcbride to have
no suitable excuses for failure, being
willing to go to any length to give
George the needed players.
And. furthermore, II Baker Is not
the Washington clubs third base
man and Mcbride Is compelled "a
rattle along with Frank Ellerbe OF
Hank Shanks. or any of the Others
with the squad. the chances are
-