The Washington times., 1922-05-08


little soft in the Western half OF the
circuit this season. Ty Cobb's team
seems falling to pieces and already
rumors are rife that the Georgia
Peach will never start another sea
son as a manager, or even as play
er. Detroit fans, hungry for real
team, are ripping the heavens apart
with their howls of rage at the poor
showing of the Tigers this spring.
and Frank Navin will just have to
do something before long If he
would retain his citizenship in the
City of the Straits.
Certainly there is nothing soft
about Lee Fohl's Browns, who open
their first four.game series OF the
year here today. The Browns have
clung to first place, or close to IL.
ever since the curtain ascended on
the athletes. They have the hittsrs,
the fielders and the pitchers to make
Q great fight for the flag.
Against the Griffs will probably
be seen Urban ShOcker, the best
spitball pitcher in the majors;
DANDY Dave" Danforth, last
years champion OF the American
Association; Dixie Davis, a clever
curve ball pitcher, and Elam Van
Glider, a great big kid just about
reaching stardom.
, Now that Stan Coveleskie Is on the
wane, there Is no spitball hurler IN
this league to campare with Shocker.
The Brownie Is a clever workman,
knows all the fine points OF his job,
and is we'll acquainted with all the
weaknesses of those facing him.
Furthermore, Shocker is a horse for
work and, II the necessity arises, he
can work out Of turn to land the
Browns in first place.
Danforth Is a southpaw, some
thing along the lines of George No
gridge, who was a team-mate with
him on the Chicago White Sox a few
years back. 1t may be that they will
be hooked up in a mound duel here.
That should be we'll worth seeing, for
both are what Is known as 'brainy
pitchers" They depend more upon
out.thinking the other fellow than
upon showing more strength.
Dixie Davis will never be forgot.
ten by Washington fans, IL only be-
cause of his wonderful nineteenth
ming victory here last summer, when
he never permitted a hit or a man
to reach first base over the last ten
frames. This year there was scme
talk of his arm being lame, but he
rapidly rounded into condition, and
Lee Fohl is banking a whole lot on
him.
Elam Van Glider is a huge lad des-
tined to be classed among the best
in another year or 30. Indeed. he
has been well-nigh unbeatable this
wear, and Fohl admits that the
youngster from the back country in
Missouri is pretty close to stardom
right now.
Kenneth williams, leading home
run hitter in the major leagues
thus far, Is with the Brownies,
and he Is sure to have shot at
the low wall In right field before
leaving town.
Williams tied Bob Meusel with
twenty.four home runs last year.
Judging from his flying start, the
Browns lanky left fielder will pass
Meusel easily and fight battle
tooth and nail with Babe Ruth for
the batting title. He has a good
start, with Ruth suspended until
later in the month, and many won.
der IL Ruth will ever be able 10
catch up with Williams.
The Browns have better chance
Of winning the pennant this year
than since Jimmy McAleer's won
derful team Of twenty years back
McAleer's team failed in the last
two weeks only because human
strength could not stand up under
the strain. He had all veterans, and
they wore themselves out, falling
tust as they were about to cross
the line.
This year Fohl has young men in
bis lineup. Walter Gerber and Dave
Danforth are probably the oldest In
years and point of service, but the
others are youngsters whose
strength and speed should hold up
right through the season.
The unexpected strength OF the
White Sox has put a sad crimp in
the hopes Of Cleveland fans, and
there are signs that the Indians are
falling apart. though their first
week or so inspired Ohiosns to lCok
for another banner in october.
A capacity crowd will probably
he out for next Sundays game, as
the Indians and Iris Speaker arc
extremely popular In the Capital.
II 1t so happens that the Brown.
les hammer the Griffs in old-fash'
ioned style, Milan's lads should find
themselves against the Indians and
thus be ready to gain at the expense
OF the Detroit Tigers, who follow the
Indians, and finish strong in the four
battles with the Chicago White Sox.
Like the Griffs, the Indians ap.
pear sadly in need of steady pitching.
Bagby, Coveleskie and Morton, all
veterans, have looked excellent one
BASEBALL ,,sS aoPAI D n
AMERICAN LEAGUE PARK