The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-03-26
JACK Pc CS
SLLJG5
LIKE STAR
By Louis A. Dougher

TAMPA, March 26.-H thl'
big Jack Kloza fails to hang
On as an outfielder, he may
blossom forth behind the bat
Tt has come to light that he
was a backstop when he began
playing ball.
ssI caught when began playing
ball in the bushes, but I Don
know anything about how It's done
ii the big leagues he says.
Cant you learn, he was askeu
"oh. suppose could. i
tried" was the smiling reply, for
Eloza smiles easily and honestly.
Kloza seems likely to remain
with the Griffmen for q while. ne
may continue in the otltfield, too
but It is also possible that ne may
try his hand behind the bat. indeed
IL it is finally decided that ne can
hit but not field enough for ~ ~
biz show, he may be sent 70 tne
minors to acquire experience AZ .
catcher.
s.Kloza has one Of the best
throwing arms on the squad,
aeav RncIxy Harris. Sammy
west Is GOOD, but doubt IL he
has any better wing than this
hfg fellow. KlOza ought to be
one OF the greatet throwing
catchers in baseball, Il he goes
back behind the bat.
sKloza was delayed In reporting
bv the illness Of his mother IN
MiEwaukee and he is not yet quite
a his best shape. But, even in
the brief trials given him, he has
looked the slugger. Babe Gamer
slams the ball all over the lot, but
30 does KloZa.
They are right-handed hittsrs.
too. which gives them added VaIue.
Muddy Ruel, who has done no
throwing here, is expected 70 IN
timber his shoulder and arm TINS
week and begin showing something.
The veteran receiver takes MS TINE Z
about getting into shape. First ne
refs his legs and back in shape.
Then. and then only. he begins toss
ing. finally, begging to the bases.
Manager Harris Is anxious to see
RleI throwing in this series with
the New York Giants, opening at
Birnninghan a week from today,
and SO sir MiQue Martin has
started his course Of sprouts with
Ruel's right shoulder and arm.
RueI takes his punishment
every day at first the trainer
lOOsens up the shoulder and
arm muscles with q strenuous
massage. Then comes lot Of
twisting that leaves Ruel breath
less and almost fainting. Sir
Aff0ue fI1ereatens to twist
Muddy's arm off entirely, 20
vigorous Is the treatment.
Following q. rest, Sir Miuue daubs
the arm and shoulder with his
own pet IMMINENT and sends Ruel
out to join in the practice. II the
shoulder cries out in revolt, the
trainer skips q day, but never
more than a day, before resuming.
The fans never realize the agony q
veteran catcher experiences In the
training camp before he can shoot
those pegs on a line to the bases.
The casual onlooked may be excused
for thinking it actual cruelty that
Sir Mique exercises on RueI.
It isn't but it sure looks it. And
It il absolutely necessary.
Sad Sam" Jones reports his arm
In good shape, it ig getting stronger
and stronger with the daily work
outs and the veteran will he ready
for service when the curtain goes
up, despite his late arrival here.
Bump HadIey, though coming
along In excellent fashion, will
not be ready for the opening
game Of the season. He works,
1 out daily and shows no sign of
physical weakness, but he lost
i couple Of weeks of training and
viii not catch up with the
parade until after the campaign
has opened.
With Hadley delayed in condi-
tioning, either Lizzie Lisenbee Jr
Milton CASTOR will draw the assign
xnent Of facing the Boston Red
Sox before President Coolidge on
Tuesday, April 10. Bucky Harris
says deciding that is the least of
his troubles, his whole rwirling staff
showing so much early class.