The Washington times., 1928-04-02
"a COUPLE or
WALTER ). SkLMONS 81
AYR. : OLDS
ellis C|VCHES
SHORT job
BY Louis A. Dougher

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, April
2. Grant ellis has about
cinched the Job at shortstop
for the opening Of the Ameri-
can League campaign, but
Sammy West has ret to satisfy
folks Of his hitting strength.
ellis will be ia the infield
next Tuesday. West may be
IN the outfield.
ellis has impressed Manager Har-
ris with his ability to come through
iii pi1iches at the plate and with his
steadiness in the field. Vests field
Inc has been excellent. but his
hitting has. not been good enough
for major league gardener.
There is nothing remarkable about
ellis. fielding. He makes no circus
dives that brought 20 many cheers
for Buddy Myer. He does nothing
in q flashy, theatrical fashion. But
he does cover a lot OF ground. he
does get the ball over ahead OF the
runner and he does get into double
plays with sinOOthneSs and accuracy.
West is touted here az being the
best player Birmingham ever sent
all that before Settlemire beaned
him in the summer Of 1926.
Today West looks all an out.
fielder should be In the field and
nm the bases but at the plate he
shows signs Of being bat-shy.
Unless he makes q big improve
mont I'm his work during these
coming seven games with the
Giants he may find Lovely"
Barnes playing center field on
the opening day OF the cam
paign. {.
Lloyd Brown has failed to i'm
press anybody with his worth, and
he viii probably be returned to
Memphis with thanks. he has
plenty Of speed and a good hook, :"
but headwork on the hill isn't a
strong point with him. :.
without Browns speed, "Stubby"
Griffin is a much better pitcher,
and has an excellent chance Of
sticking In the big show this year,
even IL not used much. Griffin Is
a good ball player as well as a
twirler. being able to hit and field
his position like q veteran.
Sad SAM Jones has not looked
very well thus far, but Manager
Harris realizes that the veteran
can work himself into condition
only by going in there and taking
whatever may be coming to him.
The. st. Louis Cardinals and
Johnny Dobbs' Barons found him
anything but puzzling, yet his
worth is known, and he will be COM
nelled to take his turn until he fl
naIly attains good pitching condi-
ton.
ROtDby Burke, slender south
nav. and Paul Hopkins, col
iegiate Highlander, seem in
dangerous positions. Burke has
not stood out so prominently
this spring as he did last. This
NAV he Because OF the better
gNIiad AZ Tampa this year, but
fE1e fact remains that he Is not
at all sure Of sticking.
Hopkins also has not lived up 70
expectations, though he may have
q big league future. He Is smart
youngster, but control doesn't seem
to be friend OF his.
Ed Wells, an earnest worker II
ever there was one. will probably be
tested thoroughly against the Red
Sox before any decision is made in
| his case.
Muddy -2uel is expected to do
some throwing this week, playing in
the series with the Giants. He is a
slow starter and Tate and McMul.
len have been doing all the work
However, 1t is a good bet that Ruel
will be back of the bat when Milton
CASTOR losses up the first ball a
week from tomorrow. Muddy is still
! leading backstop with the Griffs.