Evening star., 1925-05-10


Groves has been big disappoint-
ment to Philadelphia fans because OF
his failure to show top-notch box
form in his early season starts. There
is no question that the former
Baltimore star, for whom Mack paid
such a big price. has world OF
speed. In fact, he is the speediest
left -hander against whom l have
ever batted.
But, like many left-handers and
speed ball twirlers. he has been
rather lacking in control so far. If
he can overcome his wildness, he will
be tough man for any club to beat.
Few seasoned major league batters
offer at bad balls consistently and
the result is that pitcher lacking
In control has a hard time making
good in the big show.
Groves also is in apparent need of
more experience. This should come
to him soon. If, when he obtains
this he becomes a smart pitcher. can
overcome his .wildness and stand the
gaff of fighting. his way to the top,
he should develop into one of the
best pitchers in the league. he has
a great amount of natural ability.
Poole, the Athletics new first base
man. got off to a good start. Mack
was fortunate in getting him when
/ doubt if, in the long run of season,
Poole will prove as valuable as his
predecessor, but I may be wrong In
such a view. In any event, Poole Is
a mighty promising ball player and
handy man to have. The Athletics
would hardly have started on their
Western trip so far up in the race
but for Poole.
Mack has made another great find
in Cochrane, who has been bearing
the brunt of the catching work. The
best answer to Cochrane's ability
lies in the fact that Mack has
benched Cy Perkins in favor of the
newcomer. The latter has long been
reckoned as one of the best back
stops in the ma jorS. 1t speaks hlghly
for Cochrane's class that Perkins is
side-tracked. Few men are better
Judges of a catcher than Mack He
knows what he is doing in giving the
newcomer such an opportunity. Coch-
rane has all the earmarks OF COM
ing leading catcher.
Sinmons is another Philadelphia
PLAYER who seems headed for stardon.
He shows improvement in every game.
Even now he ranks with the pick or
the outfelders in the American
League. The balance of the club also
shapes up WELL Unless I miss my
guess, the Athletics will be hard GUS
toners for any mans club this season.
Even though Groves, from whom
much was expected, got on to a
wretched start, the AS managed to
battle their way through the first set
of games with the Eastern clubs and
emerge on the winning side. II they
are as successful on their present
Western trip they are likely to be
very much in the running right down
to the finish.
Washington is looking forward to
successful trip through the West.
There doesn't seem any reason why
we shouldn't continue approximately
the same pace we set against the
Yankees, Red Sox and Athletics. II
we do as well as that on the present
trip we should enter upon the next
home stand with a commanding lead.
The Washington club will have to
fight for everything 1t gets in the
West We are hardly likely to find
as easy pickings as the Yankees out
I'm this section. If we do III be agree
ably surprised. Detroit and st. Louis
got off to slow starts, but Cleveland
and Chicago have been playing bang
up base ball.
The fine showing Of the Indians and
White Sox in the early season games
has been as much of a surprise to
their home followers as the poor show
ing of the Tigers and Browns has
been to their adherents. However, they
will all he doing their best ITO beat the
world champions, SO we know we have
many a hard fight on our hands be-
fore returning to Washington.
Copyright. 1925.)