Evening star., 1926-04-04

In this training campaign since they
rmldable aggregation they were in
lphs i'll the American League. Like
'ric, it has been in one day and out
ng form is concerned.
lid not express his confidence in his
y to everything needed to assure it
all departments OF il and cited some
{ generally satisfactory.
Let's consider the pitching staff. It
is by its hurlers every club must
stand or fail in the final ANALYSIS" ="
Harris said. II regard Walter John
son. Stanley Coveleskie and Dutch
Ruether as ready ncw for really fine
pitching he continued. johnson
has made me believe he already IS
prepared TO go full route in a game.
although IT would have been foolish tu
send him or any other of the clubs
pitchers such d distance at this stage
of the season. JChusnn's perform
ance against the Giants AT Tampa
last Saturday was especially impress
slve. He breeZed through his five i'll
nings in practically mid-seasOn form.
CoYey and Ruether seem to me 10 De
in even better trim than they were
at the outset of last season. and yoJ
will recall that they had great years.
The additional seasoning they will get
in the scraps with the Giants nest
week ought TO put them in the pink
for the pennant race.
Bush Making Progress.
Joe Bush has been somewhat bacl.-
ward in getting around to form. but
he has made. considerable progress
within the past week For time his
control was off, but he now seems
able To put plenty on the ball and still
get it across effectively OF the other
two veterans, Alex Ferguson and
Curley Ogden. the latter is the most
advanced in preparatory work. Ogden.
in fact. promises 10 be very good. |
think he has gotten rid of the shoul-
der trouble that annoyed him so last
season before he was shipped to Chat
tanOoga. Ferguson has appeared to
advantage at times, but he needs
much more work Perhaps Alex will
not reach the peak of form until tie
hot weather comes along, but then its
a fine thing for a club to have an
extra man swing into his stride then.
Fred Marberry's case is puZzling.
This young husky, who ought to
maintain his rating as the greatest
relief hurler in the business, seems
10 be OK. He claims the arm that
went bad late last season is in good
trim now, but so far he has revealed
little in his work under fire. 1t
must be that most of Fred's trouble
is mental, that he fears to cut loose
in his pitching II that is so. he'll
get over it when the league games
start. When called upon then he'il
have to give the club everything ne
has.
Young Pitchers Capable.
I'VE have a group of very capable
young pitchers in Harry Kelley.
Lefty Thomas, Jim Lyle, Bill Morrei
and Irving Hadley. Some Of them
need much more seasoning. but al
have mechanical ability and several
are quite smart in pitching ways al
ready. All of these boys are not To
be carried by the club this year, but
those who stick ought TO be of much
help, and YOU may be sure We'll keep
d good, tight string on those farmed
to the minors.
Now Wen turn to the catching
staff. There's been quite lot of
talk about Muddy Ruels throwing
arm Well, Muddy never had won
derful wing, but opposing clubs rarely
ran wild ON the paths while he was
behind the bat. He gets the ball
away 50 quickly that what power hS
offset. And at that, his is not as poor
as some seem to think.
''In Benny Tate we have clever
receiver who is improving rapidly.
He's up and at 'em all the time and
also is a good man at bat. He IS like
ly to be in the game often this year.
Hank SEVERED is reliable veteran
and a good type of catcher TO have
around a big league ball club. lie IS
of great assistance in many ways and
can do q splendid bit of work behind
the plate. All in all. think our catch
ing staff compares favorably with
any other in the American League.
Infleld Regulars Are Ready.
The infield is causing me little
concern, if any. All'of the regulars
are in great form, now that Roger
PeCkinpaugh has gotten into splendid
condition, and / think Ossie Bluege is
likely to have better year ut bat
than usual. Ossie generally has hit
the ball hard but has been unior-
tunate in that most of his drives vert
directly to some opposing lielder. This
season he has been meeting the ball
often and sending it TO unguarded
territory. And in Stuffy Stewart and
Buddy Myer. l consider the club has
a pair of utility infielders that can
not be matched by and rival outfit
"And watch our outfield this year.
1t will have plenty of defensive
strength as we'll as offensive power.
or III miss my guess by wide mar
gin. Goose GoSlin now is getting
around left field in his old-time form,
dragging down liners that seem GER
tain hits when they leave the bat:
Sam Rice in cemer is the same &c
pendable Sam. and Joe Harris is apt
to surprise many when he rids him.
self of stomach complaint that.
While of minor nature. has proved
aggravating the past week Joe ca
cover more ground than he ccrerlllr
is given credit for being able to cover
Utility Talent Is High Grade.
This trio ought to punish opposing
pitchers. The Goose, after slow
start, is getting his eye on the ball
and whenever it is pitched near
enough to be hit he now meets il FIRE.
quently. Rice and Joe have been
at a great rate, and they
promise to continue to hit this way.
We have a wealth of utility outelders.
Tobin ana Earl McNeely ought to he
heard from often during the regular y
season. Tex Jeanes has the makings
Of good hitter and fielder, and Archie
has to be considered, too.
Now you know how this ball club
looks to me. | know it viii be smart
and alert and feel confident it will
have good pitching, a strong attack
and a remarkable defense. Therell be
other clubs full of fight going after
that pennant, but they'll all have TO