Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-05
BY BRIAN BELL.
Associated Press sports Writer.

Associated Press sports WfItfT
TAMPA, Fla, March 5-Although
the base ball ghost of Walter johnson
stalks through the training camp Of the
Washington club, there are 16 pitchers
on hand. all willing to be another
Johnson"
BY common consent Of the powers
that-be on the club, where johnson Is
more of an institution than q pitcher.
no one will be elected to I'LL the place
Barney left permanently vacant when
As the work proceeds at the first
Washington training camp in 20 years
in which the great Johnson has had
no active part. the club is preparing to
pin its hopes on pitching despite the
absence of the big fellow with the ter
rife fast one" Ten of the double
octette of pitchers will start the sea-
son. and Manager Harris and President
Griffith hope to wOrl: out combination
in which supple. young arms Will get
support from heads wise in base ball
Only two of the pitchers bave passed
their thirtieth birthday. and one Is just
that old.
Long on Hurlers.
Sam Jones is IS. Milton CASTOR has
turned 81 and Tom Zachary is 30. The
board of strategy suffered its first blow
when Irving Hadley. sensational young
pitcher of last season, was sent to the
hospital He will emerge in q few
weeks without his appendix. but the
season will be well advanced before he
can pitch. Horace Lisenbee, almost
as young and even more sensational
than Hadley. Is In perfect health and
will be able to start.
Fred Marberry, veteran Of the staff
at "a, in point Of consecutive service. ale
though Tom Zachary went away and
came back, Is confident that he Will
be graduated from relief role to a
starting status. Garland Braxton will
continue to dash in from the bull pen
In times of stress. Ed Wells, late Of
Detroit and Birmingham. may stage q
comeback. and Clayton Van Alstyne.
Boosting great curve ball. has a
chance to return from his exile to
Birmingham OF last season. Clarence
Griffin. a little southpaw. will not be
Disseminated against on account OF
his size. President Griffith likes the
little fellows on the mound. He -:as
cnce a little pitcher and good one.
Southpavs Plentiful.
There Is no chance OF q shortage Of
left -hand pitching talent. In al lit!on
to Braxton. Zachary Wells and Griffin,
Bob Burke has been brought over from
last year and Lloyd Brown Is up from
Memphis.
Manager Bucky Harris thinks one
way to make the Nationals fighting
club is to start fight at the outset, 50
in addition to the battle for pitching
places. he has declared first base. short
stop and center field wide open to COM
petition.
with George Sister and Joe Judge,
aged but still active first base perform
ers. available there seems to be con-
viction that a trade may yet cause
distribution of the over supply. Neither
seems ready TO sit on the bench. Sisler
Is apparently slated to start the season..
Coilegians to Battle.
Bobby Reeves has the inside track at
shortstop. II the former Georgia Tech
star had turned to boxing instead OF
base ball he would have made reputa-
ton as one able to TAX. It," When he
is knocked down he gets up. Two other
colegians. Grant Gillis and Jack Hayes.
both former wearcrs OF the Crimson OF
Alabama. probably will be reserve in
felders.
A battle for center field may continue
right through the season between Sam
West and Foster Camel. with Barnes.
A third A aDaioa contribution In reserve