Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-20
DOZEN HJJRLERS MAY TRY
FOR LONE STAFF POSITION
Four Pitchers Now Practically Assured of Berths
With Criffs-Four More Seem Likely Choices
And Thurston is Apt to Be Held.

! cue roles, the only difference being
| that he will share this burden with
| the left-handed BraXton. and thereby
draw only about half the work that
| has fallen on his broad shoulders for
the last few years.
Braxton last year earned an envi-
able reputation with the Yankees as
an emergency performer, and the idea
for the approaching campaign Is that
| when pinch arrives in the flag end
of a contest with orthodox swingers,
due at bat. Marberry will be called
on, while If the toemen are southpaw
club swingers a summons will be is
sued for Braxton.
OF the brand-new boxmen, Horace
Lisenbee stands out SO far above his
mates that 1t may be considered as
a foregone conclusion now that he has
earned a permanent position. This
well proportioned chap of % years
who hung up II won and nine lost
record while toiling under the direc-
ton of Manager Clyde Milan with
the Memphis team last year, Is con-
sidered to have everything hurler
needs for success in any company. and
ON that point there are no dissenters
among the qualified camp critics.
On the strength of what they al
ready have demonstrated in cham
pionship play with the Nationals,
Gen. Alvin Crowder and George Muir
ray merit being listed among the
elect, meaning that only ability of a
very high order will enable any other
pair to dispiace them, while the same
thing applies, although in slightly
lesser degree. to Admiral Decatur
Jones.
Thurston's Status Involved.
The status Of Hollis Thurston, for
mer Chicago singer, is a bit involved.
Due to the skill he displayed with the
White Sox, this stable Highlander,
who INDUCED in his initaial workout
today following a long train trip
from his home in Los Angeles, nat
urally will be accorded much atten-
tion, but he will have to battle for his
berth along with the others.
The fact that he was the principal
consideration in the deal that sent
Roger Pecklnpaugh to the Windy
City in itself will be no guarantee of
his retention. The club heads are
hopeful Thurston will prove a profit
able investment, but they will not
hesitate to dispense with him should
youngster with less experience in
dictate greater value.
Just assuming that those mentioned
above contrive to make the grade, as
now seems at least probable, there
will be left but one vacancy on the
pitching staff. and it may prove sur
prising to many followers Of the Griff-
men to learn that of the dozen re-
naming young Bob Burke is the most
fancied right now. For all his lack
of weight, this southpaw has impressed
all who have seen him in action with
the freedom of his delivery and meas
ure of control that for a left-hander
are notable.
Just a notch below Burke in the
current rating is Irving Hadley, the
chunky chap who made such meri-
torious mark for Birmingham in his
first season of professional ball last
year. Leo Mangum, Ralph Stewart
and Lou McEvoy rank next highest,
with Joe Carroll, Dick Coffman and
Clayton Van Alstyne grouped as ham
dicapped by greenness.
OF the rest-Bill Morrell, Hooky
Thomas. Curley Ogden and Frank
Loftus-there is nothing much to be
said. They may come along at a.
rapid gait and cause, a. revision of the
estimates, but for the present at least
they must be punched in the also-ran
class