The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-05-14
RICE PLAYS.
Fine BALI. !.
As VET
BY Louis A. Dougher

III lily AOuA GSNAAth y 800
the Washington Club Sam Rice
stepping along ike q two
syear-old, attracting attention
throughout the majors.
Rice came from Petersburg IN
teS VIRGINIA. League to win q job
49, hinoraIf 50 q pitcher. That
sa i,ac piSe IN 1915. II was late in
ahe swear and he got into four
an a i relief hurler, showing
neat hook but not so much else
In 1916 Rice began again AZ 2
nltnle1. onIv to Ibe switched into
- outfielder. He has been an out
fielder ever since. He has ranked
anoong tae leaders in bis depart
n,ent' too. usually hitting around
$50 and showing activity on the
bases.
last season Illness inter-
fered with his work and ~
many Il was thought that the
veteran was approaching the
end 81 the road and, too with
great rapidifY. That seems to
have been incorrect. Today he
Al swatting the ball as never
before, flashing in the field ana
galIoping on the bases.
sat Tampa this spring Rice
started slowly Ineed, there were
whispers that he might not be in the
lineup on the opening day. Barnes
81 CANCEL seemed to be likely
choices for the Job. But when the
curtain went up there was old
Samyouell out there and he has
stayed out there ever since, setting
& stiff pace.
Rice has q calm temperament
that Ii ruffled rarely. Unless the
fight becomes warm, he goes along
seemingly careless. But let the conn
bat begin sizzling, and Rice can
perform prodigies in the field, on
the bases and at bat. He proved
thfs during the campaigns Of 1924
and 1925, and his daring tumble
Into the bleachers in 1925 world
series viii not soon be forgotten BY
those witnessing 1t.
Therefore, it is all the more re-
markable that Rice, entering MS
fourteenth season under the main
tent, is moving at such q speedy
pace. For a man threatened with
baseball oblivion in March, he il
marvel Of ability in May, an ex-
ample to his team mates. His bat
ting mark today il ais. third best
In the league.
By the way, Bucky Harris
pitching staff Is approaching b
week or more that should bring
n around to good condition.
Next week they have eight
pan1es to play I'm six days. In
fI16 following five days they
face eight games, with 9 round
frfn between Boston and Wash
inaton tossed In. And four o.
thee games como with the AS
and five with the Yankees.
Isn't that nice!
Unless the Griff pitchers get Into
shane soon there won't be much need
~ them at all. The team will be
hogtied and begged down in the mire
nf the second division. Before going
West they will receive enough work
to bring them mighty close TO Lnat
physical condition they promised IN
Tampa and have never shown.
with no desire to single out any
body, it must be said that =. uar-
lick' Braxton alone has measured
up TO requirements. This might be
expected, though, from a man who
warns up by tying his shoe. lacess
pulling down his cap and taking
ball in his hands. "Brax" just never
gets out of shape.
Lack of spirit was shown by
the Griffs on more than one Oc.
casion this spring. Indeed, 1t
brought comment from more
than one writer in Philadelphia
and New York. However, with
the Ioud.barIxing Barnes and tine
peppery Jack Hayes in the line
ur1. the teams spirit seems TO
have improved considerably.
To one following the team ever
since It began training in February,
the Griffs need only improved pitch
ing to create q lot of fuss, though
time il moving along and leaving
them behind in the race to become
contenders.
Ossie Bluege has Clipped bono
IN one OF his fingers. He will idle
for . few days. ellis looked good
at The hot orner yesterday and VIII
stay there. being stronger bats
man than Pal Ballenger, the emer