Evening star., 1925-04-12

Criticism has been made of the age
of the Washington pitching staff. II
IS a veteran combination, III admt
But 1t is purposely so. Coveleskie
Ruether and Gregg were added TO the
Washington roster in the belief that
their experience would furnish just
what the club would need TO make
another victorious race. They al
know their business and that is q
mighty big factor in the pitching box
] am confident they will prove more
valuable than untried youngsters
They are all shrewd, smart pitchers
with a fine knowledge of the strength
and weakness of batters. Further
more, they have control.
Next to the pitching department
the most pleasing thing to me is the
manner in which Roger Peckinpaugh
has come to hand in the Spring
training I was a bit worried last
Fall when he collapsed in the world
series. but he showed up in Tampa in
fine condition. His injured leg hasn't
bothered him a bit so far and he If
playing better and faster base bal
than ever before.
Says BIuege Is Improved.
BIuege is a much improved player
In fact, I rate him as the best third
baseman in the American League.
wouldn't trade him for Dugan OF
Kamm. He has speed, ability and
youth in his favor and should be or
the threshold of notable career.
I'll be surprised If he doesn't hit well
up in the 800 class this season.
Judge looks just as good as ever
AT first base and that is saying a
great deal He is one of the best in
the business. He is. as always, a
dangerous man at bat. He showed
that in the first game with the Giants
in Augusta last week.
All told, our infield will be every
bit as fast as last year. 1t is quite
likely to be even faster. Furthermore,
we are we'll bolstered by reserve
strength to meet any ordinary streak
of accidents. McNally and Adams
should prove capable utility men. The
former is particularly useful. He can
fill in at second, third or shortstop.
Rice, Goslin and McNeely will start
the season as the regular outfield.
plan on using the same lineup of
regulars and same batting order that
we had during the world series. Lei
bold and Matthews appear to be the
logical choices as extra outfielders.
Ruel again is in tip-top condition and
ready to do the bulk of the work
behind the plate.
We didn't have many recruits in
the training camp this spring. Ihat
IS not unnatural with such a cham
pionship club as ours. But the few
we did have proved very satisfying.
Carlyle, the former Memphis fence
buster. showed he was a natural hit
ter. Naturally, he was somewhat
lacking in experience and fielding
ability. He appears to be a most ex-
cellent prospect.
Adams may turn out to be a find.
Kelley, recruit pitcher, looks very prom
Using.
Altorock and Schacht again are with
us They please the fans with their
comedy, but they are something more
than funmakers. They are smart, ex-
perienced base ball strategists and
highly valuable coaches.
All in all. 1 believe the Washington
club is a stronger combination than
that which won last season. It has
been bolstered in the pitching depart
ment and in reserve strength. With
added strength, supreme confidence
and being fit and ready to start an
other campaign can see no reason
why the world champions should not
repeat their performance of 1924.
Without having seen them in action,
] can't see where any other club in
the league has been strengthened
more than Washington. We will be
there or thereabout throughout the
season.