Evening star., 1928-04-01
SISLER AND JUDGE STILL
SCRAP FOR JOB AT FIRST
Harris Undecided About Initial Sack Guardian.
CASTOR Likely to Pitch in Opener With West in
Center and ellis at Shortstop.

he is not likely to set the world af're
"'ca Gillis' ine WA, nA has ousted Bob Reeves
from the shortstop berth, is much
! Steadier fielder than the youngSter who
occupied the position the greater part
OF last season. Grant makes his plays
more smoothly. is greatly superior to
Bob in starting double plays. as he gets
the ball to the pivot man In easier
style and throws more accurately.
Flanked by a recruit at second base,
Gillis does not reveal his true worth
but with Manager Harris playing be-
side him. the young fellow is more
than apt to perform like veteran. He
promises to be strong hitter, too, al
though thus far he has not been bril-
though. and he is always swinging
when at the plate, which is greatly
In his favor.
Tate gets the call as first-string
catcher for the Naotinals at the outset
of the season because neither Muddy
Ruel nor Hugh McMullen has shown
enough worth in their work so far to
deserve such consideration. Ruel has
yet to show that his throwing wing,
which was none too strong last year.
is in At condition to cope with base
runners OF other clubs who know his
weakness. and Manager Harris does
not think Ruel will be able to show
this in the little time remaining before
the campaign starts. McMullen simply
does not measure up to big league cali
ber. but as the Nationals need third
catcher he will be retained until Some-
thing better is uncovered.
Tate Better Than Ever.
Tate really looks better than ever this
Spring. Always possessing plenty Of
pepper. he keeps the entire infield on
edge, is a much improved receiver and
now gets his throws away far faster
than formerly. Benny Is in splendid
trim physically. too, and the knowledge
that he is likely to get many more OPP
portunities behind the bat than came
his way IN past seasons has not hurt
him in the least
With Milton CASTOR plainly in far
better condition than any OF the other
hurlers. although as a whole the pitch
ing staff looms as the best the Nation
ais have had in some years, Manager
Harris has so arranged his schedule
for the remaining exhibitions games
that CASTOR will get lengthy workout
against the Giants next week. then
proceed to Washington. where he will
train just enough to keep him at edge
for the seasons inaugural. CASTOR is !
strong physically. has much more than
the fast ball he possessed when ne first |
came UP 10 the American League with |
the Yankees and is a pitcher of intel |
ligence In all likelihood Manager /
Harris could not select better slab |
man for the opening game, although |
ne has several other topnotchers ready |
10 give any club fine fg.t
OF the others named for the starting |
lineup, Rice. Harris and Bluege are in |
better trim than at any time during
the 1927 campaign. After a slow start |
at the Tampa training camp. Rice |
rounded into form rapidly and his pres
ent idleness due to his thumb injury
is not hurting him at all Goslin still
Is bothered with a sore throwing arm,
but the trouble is not apt to continue
long. 1t appears TO be muscular all
ment only and Trainer Mike Martin
believes bit Of massaging will remove
the soreness.
All in all, it's good looking lineup.
regardless Of who starts at first base
The Nationals ought To make favor
able impression Upon Washington fans
on April 10.