Evening star., 1926-03-05

regular array virtually picked, even
Stan IS sitting pretty in comparison
gers. Most OF them, with 40 or II
weak spots to strengthen, face the
merits OF a number OF athletes VIII
eq.1i. and then spc1dirg many tro;
may prove they made the wrong cho
Harris advantage III this resp,
with guiding = club to the top OF
front is proof positive of its inhcrcn
provision for requirements IN the cv
mancnt structure.
Bucky needs all three Of his catch
ers ana really could make good use
of Il fourth, SO he has to give no CON
stderation to the hackstopping depart
Inent. OF the eight acJives listed as
infielders, but one VIII have to be
pruned--a simple job-and to cut
the picket men down to the quintt
1iFely to be carried he will have t.
Top off only pair. while the busine"
of reducing the curving corps from
- II 10 is expected to present abs,
1utely no difficulties whatever. IIf
probably could write his blue tickets
now, with little or no risk Of Soirc
wrong. despite the fact that tho
fingers have not opened up to dis
play their full bag OF tricks.
Moon Harris Puzzle.
But IN regard 70 at least one stal
wart IN the lot Buckv is puzzled Thie
individual is Joe Harris. who made
his reputation with the Cleveland ana
Boston clubs principally as fly
chaser. but who is listed with the
champions as an infielder. In such
high esteem is Moons wicked wal
lopinE held by the Washington man
1CCUlpnf nd Of
working him into the daily r&,ture
have occasioned considerable study.
Joe ALWAYS has been known as a
Singer of parts a reputation which
his lifetime batting average of .319
bears out. and one which was en-.
hanced hv the punishment he infict-
ed on Pirate pitchers during the late
famented world series, when he ham
mered out an average of 440 to top
all his mates by goodly margin
He is firmly of the belief. however,
that he never has realized fully on
his possibilities as a batsman. and for
very good reason Bucky is inclined
to share Moons confidence
The reason is that during all Of
JOe's career following the World War
he has been greatly handicapped in
his hitting by ohstructed vision, due
to an accident which befell him as
doughboy in France. Caught beneath
an overturned truck. the left side Of
Moons face was so badly injured that
the scar left drew the skin around
his eye down in such a manner that
he had great difficulty in focusing
properly with the optic.
Operation Helped joe.
Submitting to the wizardry of mod.
ern surgery just n month ago, this
condition was relieved to such an eX-
tent by an operation requiring 35
stitches that Joe now claims he has
no trouble whatever in following the
flight of a ball, where formerly he
had to assume a sQuatting position
while at bat and depend largely upon
his right eye to gauge hooks and fast
balls. He believes that with his eye
sight unimpaired he will be able to
hit for a mark considerably higher
than his normal percentage Consid-
ering the fact that Moon has a pen
chant for getting extra distance with
his blows, Boss Bucky is justified in
wondering how to work Joe in there
regularly to take advantage of the
doubles, triples and homers which
prove such a potent factor in the
scoring of runs.
Joe feels about as much at home
field. With Tobin practically assured
Of the right field assignment because
Of his speed and peculiar qualifica-
tions as a lead-off man and Judge in
first class condition to attend to duties
around the initial sack, it would seem
that Moon faces a tough task in
horning in as a steady performer.
But as Judge is notoriously brittle
and accidents may necessitate subSti-
tuition in the Outfield at any time,
Moon may find much to do in always
being available for pinch hitting pur-
poses.
Joe is a mighty valuable man."
SAID Bucky. in discussing the veteran
Pennsylvanian. IF we had men who
could fill in as we'll at all the other
points as he can in two different po-
sitious, nothing short of train
wreck could keep us from going at
top speed all season"
Extra Work for Hadley.
It was planned to somewhat cur
tail the hurting of Thomas. Joyce and
Aadley in the practice session today
in order to have them on edge for
the initial contest of the season to- /
morrow at st. Petersburg, where each |
as scheduled to travel three innings
against the Boston Braves. There
will he no let-up in the special course |
of Calisthenics prescribed for Hadley, !
However, as he still is considerably !
overweight, he will have to train dill |
gently to get down to the required |
poundage.
After finishing with his diamond |
endeavors the youngster from Lynn, |
Mass, repairs to a secluded spot on |
the sidelineS and does a lot of bend |
Ing and twisting with a medicine ball, |
exercise which Mike Martin asserts |
already has melted some five pounds |
off his generous frame.
Roger Peckinpauch Is expected to |
check in today from Hot Springs, |
although he has the privilege of stay |
ing there for another week If he de- |
sireS. Ruel arrived yesterday and |
worked out with his teammates. He |
appears to be in fine condition. Ow- |
ing TO the fact that President Griffith !
was busy entertaining Manager iris |
Speaker of Cleveland. who motored |
over from the Lakeland camp of the |
Indians, Griff had no opportunity |
yesterday to talk terms with Ruel |
Spoke smilingly denied there was |
any chance of a deal with Washing
ton. Cleveland fans still are bewail- |
ing the loss of Cove.eskie.
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