The Washington times., 1926-04-06
(;OGKSURE
ATTITUDE
MAY HURT
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER

AUGUSTA, Ga, April g.
Back to Georgia come the Griff-
men for three more tussIes. two
here and one Thursday at Atlanta
before hiking to Norfolk.
There is no especial JOY to!
returning to the Cracker State,
save that it is so much nearer
Warrington and the opening of
the big league campaign.
Both Griffs and Giants are tired
cf touring the small towns and
longing for the big time from
which they have been absent so
long.
with Connie Mack's athletics, ex-
nected to be bitter rivals all sea-
) son. brings to notice that Bucky
Harris may not adhere to his orig
inal plans for lineup. The Aneri-
can League champions need plenty
81 the stiffest Of opposition IL they
are to open the season at Top
torm
The present series with the Giants
promised all that opposition, but
broken and bad weather may inter
fere between now and next Sunday
The weakness of the Griffmen
today Is mental rather than phys
: tai. There are enough capable
nifchers for the coming campaign.
The fielders are in good shape
and holding their own. The pat
: fers are backward. though, prob
ably due to many bayOffs and ADJ
sence Of practice games.
The champions are exhibiting a
sort of don't care spirit. They
viii have to snap out Of that. and
quickly. If they are to get any
where during the spring campaign.
BucIy Harris himself seems thor
oughly optimistic, though he may
be keeping his real thoughts 10
himself and spreading the apple
sauce for publication purposes only.
Winning remnants usually bring
all their own problems. Washing
IONS principal problem today seems
10 be that of interest in what is
facing them. some Of them appear
inclined to think the fight Is all
over. This Is what might be
lernled dangerous thinking. Con
fidence and c0cksureness are al
/, He'd but not the same thing.
II this series with the Giants car
produce the real old fighting spirit
among the Griffs, and Bucky Harris
believes it win. it is possible the
champions will be in good condition
10 tackle the Macxmen and Yankees
next week.
On the other hand, If rain or cold
hits the tourists, much needed prac-
tice viii be lost just the sort of prac4
tice most necessary in order TO wake
~ the Griffs to their problem and
then present earefree attitude.
THIS weather problem may also
extend into the first week or two
Of the regular campaign. 1nclement
weather then win add still further
TO the problem OF the Griffmen. In
that case, unless they report April
Is In ffp-tOp form, they may not I
reach that form for = week 81. two
later and games lost In the spring
count as much ais those lost IN Sep
TENDER.
As to the lineup. it Is not certain
that the present battle front will
oppose the Mackmen's. J o n n y
Tobin was handicapped by severe
NsO1u szHHCZt l8lC 4 CAAA4OAAAOnC
began, and was unable to look his
best Naturally. with nobody hitting
as he should. Joe Harris replaced
Tobin..
To5in has now about recovered
from that cold which held him back
and It is quite possible that he
will be in the lineup next Tuesday
at the Griffith Stadium. II strong
enough TO hit the ball beyond the
infield and run the bases, he may
look good to his manager in place
of somebody else. For one thing.
Tobin wants to make good. This
n his first chance with the cham
pions and he is veteran with not
so many years left to him.
Alex Ferguson and Fred Mar
berry look good today and worse
tomorrow. Both require more work
than they have been getting and
may have TO pitch themselves into
shape after the curtain goes up.
They are the principal sufferers
among the hurlers from the strange
and woody spring schedule of 1926
johnson, Ruether, COyeIeskie,
Bush and Ogden seem quite
ready, though. 1t is possible that
they may be able to stand the