The Washington times., 1928-04-21
ACID I { |
FACING
GR|FFS
BY Louis A. DOugher

IDY AOuA0 AAs A<ONA9
The Washington Griffmen
are now facing their first acid
test Of the youthful campaign.
Monday they begin a three
game series with the Yankees
in New York. :
Bucky Harris and his gang are
hopeful of winning two OF their
three combats in the Yankee Sta
dunn and then coming home to
clean up the invaders from the
West in May. They will be dis
appointed il they win but one Of
the three battles in the big town.
In building his pitching staff of
1928. President Griffith has sought
10 increase his teams strength
against the champions, reasoning
that only in that way can he hope
for success. As a result Manager
Harris has a select group of pitchers
who in the recent past have dis
played winning form against the
Yankees.
Most prominent on the Griff
staff Is Lizzie Lisenbee. This
young man won five out of
six games from the champions
In his first major league sea.
son. He has no fear of their
mightiest sluggers and is con-
fident of repeating his 1927
stunt.
Sad Sam" Jones held the Yam
KEGS to two hits last fall and lost
his game. which sure was tough
luck. Ruth singled and Gehrig fol-
lowed with a home run. giving the
Tanks the victory. 2 to /. No other
hits were made. yet they were SUI.
ttcient under the circumstances. He
would like some revenge for that
beating.
Milton CASTOR is another former
Brownie who has been a thorn in the
side of the New York club ever since
leaving the metropolis. He is almost
certain to get into one of hose
games next week.
Big Fred Marberry is a fourth
Grfffman with a good record against
the Yankees. To be sure, most of
MS line work has been in relief roles,
nut Manager Harris feels that the
Texan can go the route now and
upset the best of the Yankees with
his blazing speed.
BY the time the. Yankees make
their debut in the Capital, Bump
Hadiey should be ready to add his
weight to the opposition. The cham.
pions open four-game series here
week from tomorrow and HadIev is
about ready to show at his best.
The Griffs will not be I'm their
true form next week, but
neither viii the Yankees. Goose
GOsIIn has sore arm. Muddy
Ruel b Just beginning to round
into shape. Bucky Harris has q
lame foot and Babe Camel is not
hitting up to his own standard.
The Yankees are hitting the ball
hard, but their pitching has not
measured up to the satisfaction Of
Miller Higgins. In their first four
contests the Yankees scored 80 runs,
close to eight per game. No pitcher
should complain of such support.
Yet more than once has Higgins
been compelled to call upon relief
hurlers.
Tony Lazzeri has lost considerable
practice this spring. He tore loose
tendon in his side while swinging
and missing a pitched ball. He
will hardly hit his stride for a few
weeks yet. However, he is the only
Yankee not in good physical condi-
ton.
Bob Meusers hitting is surprising
Yankee fans. The long gardener is
away to a flying start and, if he
can but retain interest in his game,
he should ride high among the lead.
ers some time.
Against the Griffs Miller Hug.
gins is certain to start Waite Hoyt
and Herb Pennock. George Pip
gras is the likeliest OF the lot for
the third contest. Hoyt is usually
a pest for the Griffs. but the other
pair are not so formidable. Indeed.
lefthanders are not so powerful
against the Griffs as they are
against other teams. Washington
southsiders. barring Sammy West.
are not bothered by the forkha pded
hurlefs.
Wednesday night the Griffs will
hurry home from New York to open
their first long stay of the season
at the Griffith stadium. The aged,
creaking Mackmen will make their
first appearance here next Thurs.
day. They will be out for blood
too. after those two whippings the
Griffs handed them in Shibe Park
this week.
Col. William 4. Smith will
have to get out the rubber
fences q week from tomorrow
Babe Ruth and the Yankees
will be here that day. Ruth In
Washington on a Sunday means
something to folks as far away
as Charlotte. N. C.. Cumberland,
Md. and Wheeling. w. Va.
Washington fans have already
put red rings around that date
on the calendars.
-Four games are booked for the
Yankees here on their debut and
Rucky Harris hopes to have his
spring guns all oiled up and loaded
with poisoned bullets.
On Friday. May 4. the st. Louis
Browns lead the Western clubs
into the Capital each to play four
games with the Griffs before NOV,
ing on. 1t is during this invasion
that Manager Harris hopes Il
swing his team we'll upon its way.