Evening star., 1928-03-15


when the American League
championship campaign opens in WASH
ington on April 10, but 1t seems rather
safe 10 predict that George Harold
SiSler will be the man seen taking care
OF the initial station when the curtain
goes up.
Everything in the managers plans
concerning the business OF first haSing
in the games during the exhibition
season indicates that Sisler will be the
regular guardian Of the sack instead of
Joe Judge. who has been gracing the
base more or less regularly since COM
ing TO the club from Buffalo late in the
season of 1915.
Sisler was TO assume the position in
the contest scheduled here this after
noon with Wilbsrt Robinson'S Dodgers
which contest. by the way, was 10 be
the last for the Nationals away from
their home grounds during the re-
nlainGer Of the stay at the training
camp IN Tanlpa-and is slated 10 take
care Of the first sack tomorrow and Sat-
urday. when Jack Hendricks will have
his band Of Reds at Plant Field.
George to Start EN- All.
Harris has made no positive state
rient. but there have been hints here
and there that Sisler is to start at
first base for the Washington OUTFIT in
practically all Of the exhibition tiltS re-
naming on the Spring training Scfed-
ule. All of this grooming Of the stocky
athlete. who starred so long at the posi-
tion for the Browns before his purchase
By the Nationals last December for
Oaltry sum. in so far as prices for ball
players are these days, can mean but
one thiIlg-Sisler is to get the first-base
lob. while Judge will be held In reserve
or sent elsewhere.
President Clark Griffith has by no
means given up the idea of trading the
player who has served the Nationals
for more than decade in a remarkably
emcient manner. He still has sew
eral irons in the fire and a deal involv-
ing Judge effected between now and
the opening OF the championship sea-
son should occasion no surprise.
When first Sisler was procured, Grif-
nth considered using Judge as material
Tor swap which would bring TO the
Nationals a high-class pitcher. Now
the club probably would be benefited
more by the acquisition Of highly de-
pendable and thoroughly seasoned out
fielder.
Mound talent at the Tampa camp is
rnundtng into such fine form that the
Nationals are apt to have a first-rate
pitching staff By the time the CAM
paign opens. But Sammy Vests wab-
ply leg and the uncertainty as to the
capabilities Of virtually all of the re-
naming out1elders other than Goose
Goslin has those in charge OF the club
more than ready to welcome the addi-
ton of really worthwhile gardener.
Both Sister and Judge have been
working like Trojans since hitting the
Tampa camp. but Stsler now appears
10 be the farther advanced in condi-
ton. In fielding drills, he has been
putting trifie more snap into his
work and at bat he has slammed hard
cr- Judge still is a trifie overweight,
but is not sparing himself in efforts to
ret rid Of the superfiuous avoirdupois.
The rubber shirt is being worn daily
ny Joe during the early drills and he
$ confident he wiz be In tiptop form
within few days.
Joe Listed for Emergencies.
However. he Is likely to do little more
than perform in emergencies in games
AT present writing, Judge Is definitely
slated 70 sit On the bench, during ex-
hibition battles, and watch Sisler pull
EN- out Of the air, dig 'em out OF the
dirt and knock 'em on the nose. It
certainly does seem that Washington
this year II TO have a first-sacker old
II big league experience, but entirely
rew TO Washington uniform.
The outneld problem has Boss Bucky
fro1nina great deal these days. About
Goslin he has nothing 70 worry. The
Goose Is fixture in left field. But
Sam Rice is no sure-fire bet for the
r!ght-1e'd task. and with West. at first
figured to be just the youngster TO fli
the shoes of Iris Speaker In center. still
rocking about On an unsteady under
rfnntng, Harris has something 70 bring
turrovS TO his brow.
Rice gave a pretty creditable per-
fornaance against the Braves at st.
Petersburg. but IL Is q question as 70
whether Sam possesses the power 10
carry On. There's 10 doubt as TO hts
willingness. No man az the Tampa
ramp has worked harder or trained
mere faithfully than Sam. But he's
not as strong as he used 70 be. Of
course, An expression Nick Altgock
Uses often In speaking Of himself might
well De applied 10 Rice. He's getting
10 younger fast
West this morning reported his ailsng
leg On the mend, but he viii not do any
more serious training until Trainer
Nike Martin Is satisfied the tricky
LIMB is entirely healed. How long this
may be neither Martin nor any one
eaSe viii venture 70 predict al present.
Barnes Best Of Others.
Of the ether young outfIeiderG at
hand, Red Barnes looms as the best
pFoposition 10 develop for emergency
purposes. He may not hit as well as
some u the others, but he looks al
though ne will give a good account oi
hlnsef az bat al that, and daily he
reveals increasing ability aE fyhawk
Barnes natural speed is making hin
cs1o!ce over Foster CAMEL, the harder.
hitting hut slower-ynoying recruit. Jack
Kloza undoubtedly Is a terrific glugger
b1It H. is thought he is no lacking if
experience 10 make ma 5or league out
fielder. However, Kloza's batting prov.
eas Is apt 10 keep him around the elut
for z time.
H. all likelihood. Lloyd Brown, tn,
COmpact tft-hanGeF H9Ignt from Mem
pits, viii naBke his season debut on III,
slab tomorrow when the Reds ere me
III Tampa. TIE soreness that affected
Browns fjnglng wing for q tine tpsi
been efaoicaiA3G, anc he IL rcpDfted d
1Dr triaj under fire. He pitched " 1
Feepfc NJ IL wins snd defeats fo
tie Chicks last year he must haYi
rad hpneiiling on tbe ball " achieY'
sslcn 4 mari
Two oti4sr D3UtbpaWs, Tom Zschap'
sac f|yb EVFke. also are apt ~ taxi
q EADt al The Reds although there is
possibility that Paul Hopkins VIII
throws in the orttlofoz style. may bleai
INTO the engagement Zach nov seem
H. a. q fcdie. while Eirke appear
siFonR, although at slender ~ eyei
Eob IS eating we'll. but il 6oesn't nesi
anything " him. Hopkins Lss not beei
Tated ~ DiEhiy thus far, but Buck
may decide st the last minute W gs
b go<Jc lc'9k at nim Ia actiOn aRaiGs
tie Cincinnati crew.
WyetDn In First Drtu,
Tbs initial sNnrkastt af new HTr3gh