The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-20

pebble himself, but whether he
after so many years in the short
The Tigers will have a midget
seeking a place at shortstop. He
is Tavener, from the Texas League
He has been the property of the
Detroit club for several seasons
each season going back for more
experience. He looked good to the
Detroit scouts in 1924, and 50
comes up for his final test. II he
delivers for Detroit as well as the
scouts predict, Topper" Rig ey
may find himself out of job.
At second base are O'Rourke
and Burke, veteran and young.
ster. Both played the position al
times last season. O'Rourke got
away to flying start on coming
up from Toronto, but injuries
knocked him out and he finished
poorly, especially at bat. Burke
never did look much like a hitter,
though his fielding was fair
enough.
Whatever combination Cobb plays
around second base, it goes with.
out saying that success can only
come if it is stronger than any
combination used in 1924.
Fred Haney and Bobby Jones
will probably alternate at third
base. This system suits Cobb,
though some managers believe il
interferes somewhat with team
work.
Lu Blue, a first-class first
sacker, developed physical weak
nesses last year which may re-
assert themselves. But now Cobb
has an understudy in Johnny
Neun, star of the American Asso-
citation. Blue may be injured again
this year, but Neun will be there
to replace him. Blues absence
was costly to the Detroit club last
season.
1t is difficult, save for extra
reserve strength at first base, to
see where the Tigers have strength
ened their inner works sufficient
~, though nothing is certain in
baseball. But such strengthening
is vitality necessary before Detroit
can hope to hang on when the GO
ing becomes rough and rugged.
Jimmy Dykes at Third.
TONNIE MACK plans to shift
Jimmy Dykes from second
base to third and put Max
Bishop on second for the coming
campaign, with Sammy Hale sit
ting on the bench. American
League fans will surely enjoy
watching Dykes whipping that ball
across lots. He has whip of
steel.
In 1920, his first full season
with the AS Dykes alternated be-
tween second and third. The next
year found him at second where
he performed we'll enough. In
1922 he was back at third.
Sammy Hale, a failure in De-
troit, was purchased for a fancy
price from the Pacific Coast
League and decorated third base
in 1923, alternating with Harry
Riconda. Hale suffered from poor
health and untimely injuries, how
ever, and really has made good
with the AS, which explains why
he will be a utility infielder this
season, according to Connie. Ri
conda has been released to Port
land in the Coast League.
During 1923 Dykes battled
around second base and shortstop,
his batting falling to a mere .252.
This justified Comics purchase
of Max Bishop, star of the Balti-
more Orioles.
Bishop opened the season as
Comics regular secondsacker,
with Dykes decorating the bench.
1t was not for long, though,
Bishop became ill and was out for
a long time. This sent Dykes
back to the lineup and he main
tanned his advantage throughout
the campaign, hitting for .311.
Nevertheless, Bishop impressed
Mack with his class around second
base. He has had his worrisome