Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-05
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,


TAMPA. Fla. March 5.--The Yam
KEGS romp to 3 pennant last year and
their complete rout of the Pirates IN
the world series has made them over
whelming favoriteS to repeat this sea-
son. Possessed OF what probably is the
greatest array Of hitterS ever assembled.
a pitching staff rated as even better
than that they started with in 1927 and
O defense that should be fully as capa-
bic, due Il the comparative youth OF
all save one of the regulars. they are
the almost unanimous choice OF the
base ball wise to achieve again the title
which has gone to New York III fve
Of the last seven campaigns.
There Is at least one keen student OF
the ~ast.lie who declines to subscribe
to the lnvulnerability OF the Yankees,
however and as 1t was due 10 the In
sorational qualities of his leadership
that the Husmen were subjected to a
hiatus in their reign at the top In 1924
ana again the following season. he is
entitled to a respectful hearing.
"A lotta horse radish." the average
fan r,av say. "Bucky's boSsing rival
team and it wouldn't look good for him
to say anything else" But talk with
Harris would convince any one but
confirmed pess mist that he is not mere
~ "wh!stling through a graveyard He
means It when he opines that the
Yankees are anything but cinch to
cop another flag and advances some
rather pertinent reasons.
Upsets Make Game.
Seated in a comfortable rocker on the
wide veranda OF the Tampa Bay Hotel
the manager of the Washington bail
club d.scoursed for the better part of IA
sunny hour on the outlook for the
American League race for which the
Nationals now are in training here
I'm not SO old in years." said Harris.
''but I've been around long enough &c
obSerye that just when all signs poin,
to one thing something entirely differ
ent frequently happens, and so 1t is
likely to be with the Yankees" Bucky
made it clear he was not referring r
base ball alone. and to his credit 1t
must be set forth that he did not use
the expression, life is like that"
Here's the New York club. very
well balanced outfit of exceptional
power which IS being touted on all sides
70 waltz IN again: As they would say
OF a champion runner or an outstand-
have the form Form quite naturally
IL the foundation for reckoning In all
lines OF competitive endeavor for men,
and even for animals, as is shown by
the fact that in the racing racket the
tables Of past performances are COM
monty known as form sheets
There is no term used more In con-
nection with sports. but there is another
word seen very often and which ex-
plains much OF the popularity OF all
contests, and that is upset II winner
always could be picked on the basis of
the known ability OF the contestants,
sporting matches would lose their at
tractiveness. in fact, cease to become
sports.
Sees. jolt for Tanks.
''As said before. here are the Yam
KEGS who on the basis of form. or past
performances or what not. are being gen.
orally selected to canter in under the
wire again. Well, some one back In the
old days wisely observed anything can
happen In base ball That's just as
true now as 1. was then can't help
thinking IL Is just about time for come
gang to come alsng and hang a sinner
on this so-called ssuper-club. The stage
is all set and the time Is ripe for the
dope to be spilled. They are good.
there's no question about that. but they
can be beaten and If get my team to
flnctioring as ] hope 10, We may be
the ones TO DO it,
Harris success as a field general is
founded on the same qualities that
make for greatness in other leaders. the
willingness to set the example for those
who take orders from him and have
them do as he does instead of merely
as he SAYS. He possesses one attribute
seldom found In base ball managers.
however. and that Is the ability not
only TO recognize his own shortcomings,
but the courage 70 acknowledge them.
He blanes himself for the fact that
the Nationals sk;dded severely In the
two seasons following their pennant
winning efforts and has taken steps TO
rectify what he regards as his own de-
flciencieg. instead of being content TO
have the slump Of the team attributed
70 bad luck in the matter Of injuries
10 star players. The aging OF depend
able veterans and the improvement at
tanned By rival clubs.
Setting Fine Example.
Never even approaching the estate Of
o man who usually Is referred 10 as a
"crinker." Ike most other normal hui
mans Harris has not been ayerse 70
being sociabIe upon occasion. and while
In no sense tobacco flend. he has
smoked In moderation Taking stock
Of himself this past Winter. h. reached
the conclusion that even light indul-
geTace. not harmful certainly was not
helpful 10 proper physical condition
sf3d as result renowned all forms q!
sruflcisi stimulation As he talked he