Evening star., 1922-04-15


curtain at the Polo Grounds next
capital the following Monday, whe
their 1922 bow here in three game
Connie Mack's team has the uner
at the bottom of the heap in the
in succession. The tall and tacitu
he broke up the remarkable all-stal
in the world series with the Bosto
world series with such monotone,
became surfeited with victories, h;
since to mold machine that couit
Year after year Mack has gone into
the highways and byways Of base ball
and rounded UP small army of players
of all sizes and descriptions from minor
leagues. colleges and sand lots in the
hope of attaining his modest ambition,
only to be disappointed.
1t is assured that the Athletics can
not forever be kept in the basement.
The law of averages already has been
stretched to the breaking point by the
length of their sojourn there, and 1t is
II certainty that sooner or later they
will emerge from the darkness Of their
subterranean berth II only through the
fact that some other team will prove
so inefficient that the AS worst will not
he bad enough to keep them anchored
at the bottom.
Mackmen Are Stronger.
But Mack really is hopeful that this
is the year. and believes the emergence
from obscurity will be accomplished
. through greater strength shown by his
team rather than a notable lack OF abil-
ity to win displayed by sope rival ag-
gregation. Bing Miller, former Grin-
man, has added punch to the CLUB ana
it's outfield has been further bolstered
by the acquisition of Frank McGowan,
a left hand hitter from Newark OF the
mi arpo
with Tillie Walker and Frank Welch
II Pep Young can eliminate the mental
hazard that interferes with his throw
ing the infield will be strengthened for
the ex-Tyger is a classy performer at
his best. Doc Johnston, erstwhile In
dian, apparently has discovered the
fountain of youth and succeeded thus
far in keeping the highly touted Joe
Hauser from Milwaukee off first base.
The team has one of the best catchers
in the business in 81 Perkins ana
pitching staff of some pretentions with
Harris, Hasty, Moore, Naylor and Rom
mel as veterans and ut least one prom
Using recruit in Fred Heinmach, south
paw from Moline.
But regardless.of the caliber of the
Athletics as an attraction. the four
game set they open here tomorrow
will prove a magnet to the fans for
the reason that several p1tchers upon
whom the success of the Grins this
year depends to large extent VIII
make their first appearance OF tne
season in "A championship game. wal
ter johnson is included in this group.
The Kansan has advanced in condt-
tion rapidly since his training a. at
Tampa was interrupted by the III
ness of himself and members OF ms
family, and is about ready now TO
inaugurate what Manager Milan Is
confident will prove big year Tor
hio hl1rlinp ace.
Woodward Nearly Ready.
1t is the pilots plan also to have
Jehosophat Besselievre Brillheart, the
sensational young southpaw dug up
in the wilds of Virginia, make his
American League debut against the
Athletics. and Frank Woodward Is
to get chance, too. The veteran
rookie from New Haven is fast re-
covering from the illness that put
him on the SHELF before the training
period ended, and will be ready, II
called on, within the next few days.
son, Phillips and Francis available,
1t looks as if the Griffs will not be
embarrassed for lack of hurling tai
ent during the series;
1t is possible that Johnson may go
40 the hill tomorrow, especially II
but If Barney decides to take an ad-
ditional day or two OF preparing,
either BriiIheart or Phillips will start
the Sunday battle.
.sRubbero With Yanks Today.
Yesterdays contest having been
postponed because of unsatisfactory
weather and ground conditions. the
possibility of a draw in the initial
series with the Yankees has been
having victory to its credit, this
afternoons affair will be the rubber
game, and with the honor of winning
the first series at stake, bitter bat
tie may be looked for. Milan plans
to send Olaf Erickson to the mound
if he shows.up well in his warm-up.
otherwise Tom Phillips probably will
get the call. Manager Huggins was
expected to adhere to his original
choice of Bob Shawkey for box duty,
but Waite Hoyt and Joe Bush also
are available.
The first swing of theSmanagerial
ak has decapitated Ed Digges, the
tall boy from Clarendon. who has
<been given his ten-day notice OF re-
lease by President Griffith Digges
formerly pitched for the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute nine. and saw
resenting the American graves reg
istration bureau overseas. II possi-
BILE, he will>~be placed somewhere In
the minors for development
An addition to the staff Of hurlers
was made today in the person OF
Frank Krupp. star hurler last season
for the Central High School team,
and who declined an offer for a trial
with the Athletics this year krupp
has been doing some work TINS
snrinr and If the showing he makes
in practice with Milan's squad war
rants he will be signed.
Dick Torres. the third-string catch
or Of the Nationals, who has been on
the shelf for more than week as a
result of an injury received in an
exhibition game. had recovered sur
fciently to resume practice TO-DAY, a; Z
and will be ready soon 10 jump in.o
a game, if necessity demands.
Elmer OShaughnessy, the young
sho-tstop obtained by washington
from the Calgary team of the west
Canada League and turned back sr,ty 9y
Minneapolis. has been placed VIII
Billy Smiths Shreveport CLUB OF the
Texas League. t-