The Washington times., 1924-03-12

But IL Sisler is going to play first
base for the Browns this year he
does not say SO. This star, entirely
eliminated from baseball in 1923 by
trouble with his eyes, will not say
II he Is going to perch on first dur
ing the approaching A. L. canter.
George is not giving out any pre-
dictions that he will play, nor is he
coming out flat-footed and saying
that he will not play. Unlike the
old cartoon, Let George Do It,"
Sisler is putting 1t right up to
those who see him working out
daily with his charges at the Mobile
Southern Association club grounds.
Said the Browns skipper today:
! 81 feel much improved. my sight
Is practically normal and / am able
to hit the ball. Whether / play
regularly remains to be seen.
Those who have seen me in practice
can tell you that am out there
every day hitting and fielding. If
it's possible for me to play l can
assure you I will be in there every
day. Time will tell that. Am de-
lighted at the chance to get back
in baseball after that terrible year
Of idleneSs. Have splendid club
and feel sure we will be able to
make them all hustle"
This is just how Sister feels
about himself. He does not want
to make any predictions about his
comeback nor does he want to
state that he will be unable to
play, but to others I'm the camp
there Is q general feeling Of OPP
timism prevailing that Sisler will
be able to start with them.
Not a player will say directly
that Sisler win play, but they all
indicate that George il improving
80 much every day that by the
time to go on April Is arrives he
will be on the initial sack.
Naturally the fate Of the Browns
hinges upon Sisler. With Sisler Of
1922 form in the game the Browns
assume a formidable aspect. With
Sisler on the bench the Browns will
hardly be any better than they
were in 1923. fifth place aggre-
cation.
All that is needed in this club is
Sisler. II he is in there and play:
ing any way near his sensational
pace Of two years ago, then lookout
for the Missourians. In 1922 the
Yankees snatched the American
League pennant from st. Louis by
one lone game, Sisler, Williams,
jacobson, Tobin, SEVERED, Ellerbe,
Gerber and SEVERED made the
threat which caused the Yanks so
many anxious moments during the
Whirlwind finish Of 1922.
Last summer the enforced re-
tlrement of Sisler, the injury to
Frank Ellerbe ut third and some
other weak fIinging on the part
of certain bOxmen wrecked the
Brown ship ON second division
shoals.
It's twelve months later. how
ever, than 1923. George Sisler is
manager. He may play. Frank
Ellerbe is back with an apparent
whole knee, there are four other
candidates for the same third base
Job. There are sixteen pitchers en-.
rolled here and then there Is "Pep-
per Box" Jimmy Austin, who has
been in baseball since 1904 acting
as general coach and hustler, and
lanky Carl Weilrnan, who has the
twiriers in charge. Weilman is the
same pitcher who few years ago
had to quit the game when he was
at the height of his career. He
had a tubercular kidney. 1t was
removed and when 1t went into
the discard Carts days as a pitcher
were over. He tried to come back
but his strength only lasted a few
innings in each game, and he was
compelled to retire. But now he is
back as coach and scout.
II Weilman can instil into the
domes Of some of the rockies. a
part of his left-handed skill the
Browns viii have q sOuthpaw or
two worth while