The Washington times., 1924-03-12


face good left-hand pitching.
So satisfied is Manager Harris
with the condition of his young
pitchers at this early date he means
TO send Fred Marberry five innings,
and Slim McGrew four against the
Brooklyn Dodgers. Marberry Is a
little overweight yet, the absence
Of hot weather serving to keep him
heavy, but he otherwise is in fine
condition and will receive thorough
test Friday.
Bennett Tate, the kid catcher
from Memphis, will share the
hackstopping with Red Hargrave.
Manager Harris likes Tate's display
Of pepper during the daily drill and
will use him considerably during
the spring exhibition games.
, In the Clearwater party will be
three pitchers for use in practice
and four for possible duty in the
game. Just who will be considered
as aids to Marberry and McGrew
win hardly be known until tomor-
row, but Fred Wingfield and Byron
Specie may be chosen. Both are
ready to pitch their heads off.
OsSie Bluege, who is playing
third base with the rockies here,
will act as utility infieIder Fri.
day, job which may be his
this season in case Doc PrOthrO
cinches his grip ON third base.
BIuege looks as good as ever,
moving around the infield with
his weII.knOwn gracefulness. His
wounded knee Is 100 per cent
cured following the operation OF
last fall, and he expects to mako
o fight for a regular job.
Though a brilliant sun rode the
skies yesterday, a high, chill wind
prevented the regular batting drill
for the big leagues at Plant field. 1t
would have been the height of folly
to have kept the athletes posing
around in the outfield waiting for
line drives with a biting gale beat.
ing upon them. So Manager Harris
wisely dispensed with that part of
the practice as much to the evident
and expressed grief Of the batters.
In close to the grandStand where
much of the wind was cut off, the
athletes toiled till they perspired in
the throes Of the pepper drill. With
Trainer Martin driving them, they
were kept at this until they were
about ready to drop, when they
rushed to the showers, calling It a
days work.
Coach Jack ChesbrO surprised
the OnlOOl1ers when he took JezeDel
Tecumseh Zachary in hand for
some instructions. Zach Is one Of
the teams veteran pitchers, but
nobody has ever yet attempted to
show him something about adding
TO his speed. ChesbrO smashed
that record yesterday.
Zachary, who Is in fine health
from his visit to Hot Springs, was
warming up in his usual disjointad
fashion when Coach Chesbro halted
him. The veteran had been watch
Ing closely how Zachary was hold
ing the ball when about to deliver
a fast one.
''Try 1t this way" said Chasbro,
as he placed Zach's fingers around
the ball. The big southpaw follow
ed instructions to the letter and
grinned as he watched the wider
break he got on the ball.
Zachary is q close-mouthed chap.
Is how he has learned most Of what
he knows about pitching. With
Chesbro on hand to perfect his
style, Zachary ought to be better
than ever, for he has sense enough
TO know that Chesbro knows his
business and is trying to assist him
and the ball club.
Chick GagnOn, stiIl toting his
crooked arm, mustered up suffi-
Gent energy to climb into his uni
form and work out with the
squad. He felt good enough to
cover second base, too, when the
rookie infieId closed the days toll
with some fielding practice. His
throwing arm is still bent un-
naturally, but he got the ball
away from him fairly well.
Gagnon is one unfortunate young
man. A year ago he was Just be.
ginning to look promising as an In
fielder when he twisted his knee
while at bat and had to be carried
from the field. He was suffering
from an old football injury and It
sent him to New Haven.
Last fall ,Gagnon and Bluese,
who suffered a similar injury dur.
Ing the season, underwent surgical
operations, and both reported ready
to play ball. Bluege is still in fine
condition, but Gagnon has now
wrenched ligament in his right
elbow, and 1t looks as though his
second failure might be charged to
that.
At the same time, Gagnon has
not quit. He hit for 800 in the
Eastern Association, last summer
and President Griffith has been
sweet on him ever since seeing him
perform for the crack Holy Cross
varsity nine. II the little fellows
whip loosens up when the warm
weather comes, as it must some.
time, he may yet become a formid
able candidate for a job.
lnfielders are scarce among the
Griffs this spring. Two extra
men are expected to be carried.