Evening star., 1925-04-19

Not infrequently when attention is
directed in the public prints to the ex-
ploits of player, or a group of them,
fate steps in and scrambles the dope
by ordaining just the reverse of what
appears logical to expect. Such an
eventuality in this instance would
cause the Griffs to skid rapidly toward
the cellar. but they proved so superior
to accepted standards in attaining the
well nigh impossible last season that
little apprehension Is felt in paint
ing rosy picture Of their future.
Has Faith i'm Old Pitchers.
Griff was not Influenced in his idea
by the fact that the Nationals took
three out of four games from the
Yankees, generally regarded as their
most formidable flag rivals. for his
views were expounded before the
campaign got under way. They have
their foundation in the promise that
Washington's pitching staff, its most
vital department, is composed largely
of veterans, who naturally need
plenty of time to reach the peak of
their effectiveness.
"If we are out in front by the
middle of May, the rest of 'em never
will catch u.s." is the way Griff puts
it. I'VE have a bunch of old-timers
who need plenty of heat and sun
shine to be at their best. and If we
can get by for the first month of the
season, until they are ready, the rest
will be easy.
Fellows like johnson. Zachary,
Ruether, Ogden. Coveleskie and
Gregg, who are not so young as they
used to be, cannot get properly thaw
ed out in the early Spring when the
weather is cool and damp. They re-
ira MI Of 60 0f1 hai
ancaaslt soupers. This is not so true
of Russell-that bird has rubber
arm-nor of Mogridge, who usually is
better in the Spring and Fall than in
Midsummer, and, of course, does not
apply to kids like Marberry and
Kelley.
I'VE probably will have to look to
this quartet for a lot of service in
the immediate future, and if they can
hold the fort until the other half
dozen are ready the remainder of the
field will have to take our dust
through the rest of the season. We
ought to just canter in"
BIuege's Absence Felt.
Just how valuable Bluege is to the
Nationals was strikingiy illustrated
during the last two contests with the
Yankees in New York. Although both
were placed on the right side of the
ledger, it was apparent to even a
casual observer that the Griffs do not
boast of the best infield in the
league" when this agile performer is
missing from his station at third base,
and until he is able to resume service
in his usual efficient style the club
will be appreciably weakened.
Bluege is nursing a lame arm, due
to the settling there of a cold. The
affection is in nowise serious and the
youngster today said he hoped to get
right back on the job to stay, but care
will be exercised to avoid aggravating
his ailment by too strenuous exertions.
If in condition, NcNally could cover
the assignment with little detriment to
the club, but the Minookian reported
this Spring far overweight and has
not succeeded in melting it off, despite
oodles of hard work. McNally sat on
the bench with the Yankees
practically nothing for so long that he
became hog fat and rusty.
While never hard hitter, he al
ways had a penchant for delivering
timely blows and had few superiors
| as a fielder when in physical shape.
But he is far below par now, where
formerly he was one of the fastest
, men in the game; his superf1uous
dsoli uupolo HAS TODDcu iiiilI VI iAiS
speed and he now appears at times to
get in his own way.
McNally Below Par.
No less than five hits were credited
to Yanks in McNally's two full games
at New York on chances that Bluege
ordinarily gobbles up and on another
occasion the failure of the Griffs to
execute a double play was directly
due to Mikes slowness. He is toiling
| earnestly to get in condition, but can
| hardly reach his goal for several
! weeks yet, and ifl Bluege is absent
much in the meanwhile the Griffs are
bound to- suffer accordingly.
LACROSSE GAMES.