Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-27
yOUNGSTERF FILLING
GAP At SHORTSTOP
Rookie Fielding and Hitting
Effectively and Is SkiIlful
in Double Plays.
ny JOHN b. KELLER.

ut. LOUIS. July 27.---This Joe
Cronin. recently purchased by
the Nationals from Kansas City,
~ promises to be just the player
needed to strengthen the short
stop position so uncertain since Roger
Peckinpaugh was In his glory there
back In the season of 1925.
The more one sees of this young Eel.
low the more one becomes convinced
the washington club has picked up q
Jewell A Jewel In the rough. perhaps,
for the youngster Is not the most grace.
full shortstop afleld and he has his odd
way of throwing. too, while as YET ne
Is no certainty as hitter. But 1t has
been MANY a day since another recruit
flashing as such brilliant prospect as
Cronin has come up to the Nationals
from the minors.
Rfield to date, Cronin has made many
startling plays. yet made them WIN
ease II not grace. He has demonstrated
that ground-hugging drives nold no
terrors for him and he goes to eitner
side equally we'll. He can hustle BACK
into left field to get under high mes
or treacherous. teasing low archers ana
thus fer has not been bothered AZ all
by smashes that take high BOUNDS a!
unexpected moments. He seems reai
barrier against drives of all sorts toward
the short field and vicinity.
Skilled In Double Plays.
AT times Cronin Is inclined TO take
a back lump or two before lettmg 80
the ball, but It Is noticeable ne never
loses any time In getting RID OF " WneI
the ridance has to be done IN hurry.
He can heave from almost any posi-
ton when speed Is demanded ana gen.
orally. his throws are true. % gTea.
Importance is his ability 70 iunc,ion ~
fioi1ble-plavs. He feeds the ball 70 q
teamnafe ia good manner when initiate
ing a two-plv killing and as pivot
man in a dual erasure Is the best VINO
has been seen around the Nationals
second sack since Peck was there.
TO date. Cronin has not SET the
league afire with his batting but he mas
been at bat something the NationaiS
surely can use--a timely hitter. WIN
his 10 hits made In seven OF his ~
games he has showed runs across. wniie
other Nationals, considered stronger ~
hat have been OF little help With ms
clo,lts and his sacrifices. Joe has been
responsible for the registering OF II
washington tallies. That's good rec
ord for any one, let alone rookie. IN
10 games.
Cronin Strong Young Star.
Cronin is a strong youngster, stand
ing nearly six feet tall and weighing
about $50 pounds. He Is not yet ~
wears old, having been born In San
Francisco on October II, 1905. Joe. II
his recent performances are indicative
OF his worth, ought to be around the Dig
show for some time to come.
Cronin, by the way, went into profes-
sional base ball right from high school
He was captain Of the high school nine
that won the championship OF San
Francisco and was picked. up by the
Pirates before he graduated. They
farlned him to Johnstown OF the Mid
Atlantic League and New Haven OF the
Eastern League for time and last
year kept him with them all season.
He was sold TO Kansas City before
the present season opened and after
playing at shortstop awhile was shifted
to third base to make room for the vet
Gran Topper Rigney. The Nationals
bought him simply because It seemed
he was q fair prospect who might be
useful a year or two later. It seems
instead they have in Cronin player
who will be In there regularly from
now on.