Evening star., 1927-04-12

"a | parently is convinced that
NM he can handle his ball club
better when in its lineup
instead of on the bench. he
Is taking Il great risk when he per-
sists in assuming his position al
second base before his battered hilGeF
has fully healed.
His eleventh hour decision to enter
the game today between Nationals
and Red Sock. marking the opening
OF the American League campaign
here. embassies the Washington
managers gameness but that never
has been questioned But with the
index finger of his right hand heavily
taped il does not seem likely that
Harris can give a really good account
of himself either afield or at bat.
and there is grave danger that FUR
thar injury to the digit would put
him ont of commission for weeks.
Harris never has been one to let
iniurv Keen him out of action long
however. Many times he has taken
risks that ether veteran players
would not dream of taking But he
certainly is handieapping himself
greatly in this instance. Very likely
the tapeC finger will interfere con-
siderably with his throwing and his
work generally around the second
sack. and there always are fans in
the stands ready to criticize bitterly
any misplays. even though the erratic
player is nursing a severe hurt
How the Fans Figure.
The average base ball fan never
stops TO think about the injury. He
demands the best of work and,
probably rightly. figures only players
in, +,scf old nh
available, should be used. Nor does
The average base ball fan show any
mercy when the injured player errs.
In fact, he shows no mercy at any
time while the game is on. He wants
to have his team winning team and
nothing else. In entering the game
not in condition to give his best
effort, Harris probably is courting
a deal of unfavoraDle comment on his
play
Harris has been out of the game
since the first inning of the Nationals
emga cement with the world champion
Cardinals in Avon Park, Fla, on
March II. Then when he attempted
to take a return of hit from Goose
Goslin, the managers finger was
struck by the ball and after an eX-
animation the next day in Tampa it
was reported the blow had split bony
growths around the knuckles of the
finger growths resulting from previ-
Gus injury.
The finger was set and splinted,
but it was only a few days before
Harris removed the splint without
permission of the surgeon who had
treated the injury This did not help
any, for the finger stiffened and not
until last Wednesday was Harris able
TO bend it. Since returning to Wash
ington, he has subjected the digit to
repeated bakings and the heat has
loosened it considerably.
Digit Still Is Swollen.
However. the finger still is greatly
swollen and lacks grip. Handicapped
by this and the fact that he has had
no practice other than brief sessions
In which he endeavored only to keep
his fielding eye in trim, it does not
seem likely the Nationals regular
second-Sacker can perform up TO his
standard of other years.
Although few changes from last
year are noted in the lineup the Red
Sox are putting on the field this sea-
son, the team from Boston seems TO
have added some strength. It's out
field, while composed of aging play
ers, is combination of veterans
when Baby Doll Jacobson, former
Brownie, is in action. With Jake in
the regular trio are Ira Flagstead,
one of the best gardeners in the
American League, and Johnny Tobin,
who wore a National uniform for
time last season.
Jacobson, though. may not play reg
ularly for a time. He is recovering
from a sick spell and is not at his best
IDi- n
bench, Tobin win be moved TO right
field and Walter Shaner played in left.
Outfield reserves are Fred Bratcke, a
holdover, and Cleo Carlyle, purchased
from Toronto.
The Red Sox probably have
strengthened in a department where
they were woefully weak last year
back of the bat. In Grover Hartley
they have a strong receiver of some
big league experience, while Fred Hof-
mann also has revealed some worth
before in the majors. Hartley, who
used to perform for the Giants, came
TO the Hubmen from the Indianapolis
club. Hofmann, former Yankee, was
bought from St. Paul. The other
catchers are Clifford Knox, purchased
from Wichita Falls of the Texas
League and William Moore, recalled
tionals Charley Ruffing, Harold
from the Portland, Me, club
Veterans in the pitching staff are
Bryan Harriss, who for several sea
sons wore an Athletic uniform; Fred
Wingfield. at one time with the Ma
Wiltse, Tony WelZer and Delmar
Iundgren. The youngsters, Jack Rus
sell and Dan MacFayden, also are still
with the club. Newcomers to the staff