The Washington times., 1925-04-21
I D
WORK IN
OPENER
Walter Believes Himself Ready
TO Do Self Proud In WASH
ington inaugural
By R d. THOMAS


PHILADELPHIA, April 81.
Walter johnson, who lost out on
the distinction Of pitching the
opening game of the 1925 cam
paign for the Griffmen because
he was not ready, is lefte the honor
of mound duty in the world cham
pions' inaugural on their home
lot tomorrow, with the Yankees
as opponents.
Tough breaks in the weather
prevented johnson from being IN
top shape for the opener and, as
mentioned heretofore, he was not
quite ready when he faced the
Mackmen last Saturday. But that
game, according to Walter HIM
self, gave him just the work he
needed to sharpen his stuff and,
despite one cold day experienced
here, he believes himself in The
proper condition to show the peo-
pie back home that he 10 some
thing more than the shadow OF
the johnson of DID,.
Judged by last years records he
An still the American Leagues lead
Ing pitcher. At the age Of thirty
eight he appears to be q young man
standing beside Vean Gregg, who IL
only two years older.
Washington fans who may have
regarded with dismay the hammer.
ing Walter johnson underwent when
the Athletics beat him would nave
found cause for encouragement had
they witnessed his performance. Fix
cept in one or two instances he was
invincible when he bore down. A
fluke hit scored one run, and .
home run that might have been hit
off any pitcher any time accounted
for the other two. Pitching Of the
brand he fed to the Mackmen would
win many ball games.
According to the Washington
ball players there b IN inter
esting bit of psychology that
works against the big smoke
baIler.. Most Of the batsmen that
face him, say the Griffmen, have
everything to gain and nothing
20 lose. There Is little prestige
Lost by failing 20 hit johnson. Be
cause Of his own scruples and
excellent control there is little
danger Of him beauing . bats
man.
So the boys stand up there and
whale away without worrying. II
they connect, all well and good; IL
they don't, well, what Of It?
It has been said that johnson
could greatly increase his effective
ness by busting off q batter now
and then and giving the men who
face him something serious to think
about besides hitting the ball.
But the big fellow has gone
along well enough these many
years without resorting to that
sort Of practice to win games and
II doesn't appeal to him now.
Years ago when Johnson was at
his smolxiest he beaned q fellow
who nearly passed into the great
beyond. The accident so affected
him from the game.
All the Griffmen can hope for
In the three-game series with the
Mackmen. ending today, il an even
break. The second game was
called off early because 1t was 50
cold that neither BAH players nor
fans relished the sport.
The Griffmen's optimism rose
perceptibly today when Mike Martin
pronounced Oswald Bluege in shape
to resume play. Mike McNally, for
a player who pitched in with
little practice, has produced all
that could be expected Of him but
Il is not to be denied that the left
side of the Griffmen's innerworks
10 much more formidable when
Rluege plays.
The Griffmen have felt Bluege's
absence keenly and possibly the
veteran Peckinpaugh more than
anybody else. Oswald and Roger
are q great combination on the
left side Of the Griffmen's inner.
works. BIuege covers a lot Of
ground that not every third base
man can handle. This feature
Of Bluege's play may be over
looked at times because Of his
gracefuInes and ability to make
the hard ones appear easy.
BIuege saves PecIdnpaugh many
m effort to the veterans right.
Bluege has had varied expert
ence with his arm. He played for
a while with twitching shoulder
muscles, the result OF being hit by
a ball. The pains diminished and
he was not bothered until the in