The Washington times., 1926-03-10
DlJ Gilman
Assistants
SUPPORT
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER

Despite what President Clark
Griffith thought and said about
Dutch" Ruether, the morale OF
the Griffs took q wild leap up
wards when he climbed into his
Uniform and warmed up on Plant
Field. With Ruether in the line
up the Griffs are now pointing
for their third pennant with all
the confidence in the world.
During his wordy contest against
President Griffith, Ruether was
working out at Sarasota every
day. John McGraw would not all
low him to practice with the
Giants, but he did not issue any
orders against his working out
after the Giants were done.
That's exactly what Ruether did
The moment the Giants finished
their days work out came RuetheT
for two hours Of hard work. The
result is that when he reported for
duty yesterday he looked great. He
was the first pitcher to face the
minutes in perfect style. he even
some of the boys that he was
ready.
II want to forget all the chat
ter I spilled during the winter, =
says Ruether. IT love baseball.
It's the only game in the world
for me. I don't know what shall
do when my baseball days are done,
Tor III certainly miss it. l suppose
did say some things that got
me into trouble. Well, let's forge:
ali that. / say this now, and |
mean every word of it. I'm In
there now to win ball games for
Mr.. Griffith, Bucky Harris and the
ball club.
II the fans just stick with me,
I'll be big winner, too. have
plenty of confidence in myself.
The fans were fine TO me in
Washington last year. / want
them with me this year, too.
IN do my very best to win every
game pitch. or even every game
/ can 90 into. I'm . fair hitter,
remember that!''
with Ruether in line, Bucky Har-
ris has begun grinning once more.
He was worrying lest he would
have to enter the campaign with
only the erratic Thomas for a
southpaw. Now he feels he has
q well-rounded pitching staff.
Ruether's return to the Washing
ton club Is really a triumph for the
board Of strategy" The board con-
sists Of Bucky Harris. Roger Peck
inpaugh, Walter johnson and Joe
Judge. Harris takes the blame
when things don't go wei, but he
II there with praises when the
board makes good.
One Of the things the board
wanted was Ruether back with the
ball club. AS soon as Harris
learned this he went to President
Griffith and explained his attitude
Until then President Griffith was
planning to ship Ruether to the
minors, having already obtained
waivers from every big league.
well, Stanley" Griffith is re-
ported to have said to his manager,
''if you feel you need Ruether, III
let up on him and If he'll come half
way. I'll sign him. But you re re-
sponsible. remember that"
THAT suits me-" replied Harris.
handed hfm pretty well last
year and 1 really believe he viii
be q winner for us this season.
Indeed, without him, things won't
look so good. He's not a bad
fellow, when you understand him.
think we need him."
That little talk cinched things.
When Ruether came over from
Sarasota, he brought his baggage
with him for a long stay and after
the necessary argument, he signed.
Now the team feels better. 1t
knows 1t has a real left-handed
pitcher, a man who knows what he
is doing out there on the rubber.
Ruether's principal troubles are
the result Of oVersensitiveness. He
has mite too much imagination.
This puts him in the hole when he
should not be- having any trouble
whatever. He is a good, square
shooter, has plenty Of courage and
il a good team player so long as
things break right for him. It is
when things don't break so well
that he begins imagining things.
That Is when he gets in trouble.
He Is out this year to prove him.
self real asset to the Washington
club and the fans will do well to
stay with him, for he is hign-class
hurler, very much needed by the
club IL a third pennant Is to be
won.
Reuther's first performance on
the rubber brought welcome COM
ments from the batsmen. Where
Thomas and Humphreys kept
them dueldng and diving, Dutch
showed excellent control. He
kept the ball around the plate all
the time, thus giving the bats
men the best Of practice.
The board of strategy" isn't
saying much collectively, but in
dividually it's grinning at having
Reuther back with the club. Per
sonally the big southpaw gets along
well with his fellow players ail6
should have another successful
year. That may mean another
pennant for Washington.
Bucky Harris kept his regular:
SOUND VA
1YYT mr.