Evening star., 1926-04-13

Perhaps the tanS think they na'
now regularly constituted, is not a:
combination OF veterans cannot last
it seems to haxe exacted some OF it
and the beginning OF the. 1926 battle.
TO get along quite well.
Several members of the club, aged
in so far as big league base ball Is
concerned, apparently are Withstand
ing the ravageS of the years we'll.
Some others undoubtedly are begin
ming to pass out of the picture. Chief
among the latter is Roger Peckin-
paugh, who has been the regular
shortfielder Of the Nationals since MS
transfer from the Yankees in the Win
ter OF 1922.
Peck Faltering at Short.
Despite all reports to the contrary.
this once great ShortStop has slowed
considerably, and 1t would occasion no
surprise We're Peck to be sent to the
sideline before the season is many
days old.
peck began to show the effects of
the wear and tear Of the game in the
latter part of the last championship
campaign and went into the world
series against the Pirates in rather
poor trim. At Tampa this Spring he
had his troubles getting into playing
condition and since he has been in
the game has been unable to cover
anything like the amount OF territory
he used to protect even as recently as
a season or two ago.
Where Peck's mechanical ability as
well as his shrewdness and knowledge
of his position made him one of the
best shortstops ever to grace the
game year before last and part or last
wear. his play now is mainly inStinc-
tive.
- In the exhibition contests this Spring
he made some excellent plays, but
generally was unable to move Tar TO
either side and frequently drives that
only last season the veteran was able
10 Intercept went by for safeties.
A club in the quest for the cham
2 nionship cannot afford to be below par
IN any position. 1t must be especially
strong at shortstop, the most impor-
tant defensive spot in the inf1eld.
Speed, ability to handle the ball clean
ly, q strong throwing arm, the knack
Of taking throws from all angles and
cleverness in tagging base runners
are necessary to the making or a nrst-
class shortstop. Bereft OF even one of
these essentials. a shortstop's value is
greatly reduced.
Myer Should Help.
And Peck apparently does not pos
Sess all Of these essentials now, nor
does he seem likely to regain what
he has lost. Roger has been A great
shortstop, but time is telling against
him. Before long he will have TO give
way to youth, and the Nationals are
fortunate indeed that they have avail
able Buddy Myer to rush into the
breach Peck'S passing will end
brilliant career in the game, but there
can be no sentiment in base Dali.
When the young man is better, the.
old man-and that means old in base
ball only--must go.
There's another player younger than
Peck who so far this Spring has not
performed up to the standard he set
two years ago and part Of last year
Muddy Ruel, once regarded as the best
catcher in the American League,
either is slipping considerably or has
not found six weeks of training suffi-
eient to get him into proper playing
condition.
Muddy has not been in base ball
Tong in comparison with the services
OF Peckinpaugh and some Of the other
veteran members OF the Nationals.
But it seems to be the fate Of catchers
to fade early. Only q, few receivers
can stand the strain over a long
ing grind, and in Muddy's case un-
usually so, for Muddy is slight of
stature, with little strength in reserve.
Ruers Throwing Weak.
Muddy has lost speed afoot, and his
throwing has weakened notlceably. II
has been coptended that Ruel never
vas a strong thrower. but depended
mainly upon his ability to get the
hall away quickly. This may be true,
but where Ruel formerly lined the
ball to the second sack he now arches
it perceptibly or SO shortens his
heaves that the receiving infielder Is
much handicapped in attempting his
plav on the baserunner. And, with
the clubs threatening to revive the
art of base stealing. good throwing
arms are needed this season.
1t would be remarkable were Peck
and Ruel to stage startling come
backs" and go through the year Ill
Ana STYLE. But at present it seems
this cannot be expected They have
given much to the game in their
careers and are on the w2ne.
Without a youngster like Myer TO
boost into Peck's place, the National
inheld would be weakened greatly
for. even though he has lost much
of his skill, Roger still Is q far bet
Ter shortstop than most OF them 10
be found outside Of the major
leagues. And in Benny Tate, Ruel
has a. very capable understudy.
Benny still needs polish, but ne
PROMISES to be a really worthwhile
receiver of major league calber.
Club Generally Strong.
So, allowing that these two Vet
erans fall by the wayside during the
season. as it seems they must, the
club. considering its present reserve
strength, compares 1aVoraoIy WIN
That Of last year, with the possible
exception of the pitching staff. Three
of the veteran hurlers appear TO pc
sturdy enough to continue the pltch-
ing that earned them fame In other
seasons. Two of the old timers seem
20 be having trouble in revitallzlng
their work-wearied muscles. What
the youngsters can Go remains 10
ne seen
All in all, however, the CLUB ouShe
10 give an excellent account OF Itself
in the flag race. 1t is smart ana
alert; its younger members shouId
benefit from the experience OF the
veterans, all of whom are or have
been topnotchers in their respective
positions, and it has a splendid spirit.
OF these things a winner is made
-e--.
Alloys TO HOLD SMOKER.
Five athletic events, dancing and
x,-in ka IN the V1rnPrQ m