The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-02-10
HOT. FIGHTS
AT TAMPA
CAMP
BY Louis A. Dougher

Dy LUUAS AS DOuSAC1
Aside from positions on the pitch
Ing staff. Washington players re
porting at Tampa are expected to
fight for but two places on the team,
center field and shortstop. Never
theless. 1t is possible that by the time
Manager Harris has to select his
starting lineup in April. he may
have four decisions to make instead
of two.
To become contenders OF merit in
the 1928 pennant scramble. the Griff-
men must pack more Of punch
than they did year ago and couple
that with more speed and aggressive
ness. Every effort will be made to
provide just that, too.
Before MiQue Martin orders out
the gang at Tampa it may be said
thai Goose Goslin is the lone out
fielder assured Of starting the sea.
SON.. You may put a pin there.
Goslin has been the, teams best bet
for several seasons when it comes
to aggressiveness at the plate. In
addition. especially for one not ex-
actIy a reindeer. Goslin has become
d good base-runner. He il booked
for that left-field berth. though he
IL fair performer in center.
Six candidates will engage in =
merry tussle for the two berths
remaining, with two extra bench
jobs accompanying. That means
that two Outfie1ders viii not
make the grade.
Sam Rice, a Griffman since 1915
when he was a pitching candidate.
lie only because of his experience
and fine record, is q formidable
candidate for his old job in right
field. Illness prevented his show.
ing to advantage last season but
his winters rest, spent mostly out
doors, and improved health should
result in his showing all rivals
plenty OF stuff at Tampa.
Washington fans watching Babe
y Cancel last fall were impressed by
his hitting strength. He hit for
$40 in Birmingham and over 400
in his thirteen games in fast com.
pany. A right hand hitter, he has
slight edge over the other new.
Corners.
Sammy West seems to be the
apple of Clark Griffith's eye. Al
ready the prediction has been made
that West viii start in center field.
Well-maybe, unless it's Camel or
Kloza or somebody else. Like Rice.
West was victim OF i'll health and
accidents all last year. In better
condition, he may proceed to prove
himself as good as he was in 1926
before Merle Settlemire beaned him.
Kloza, the big Polander from
Milwaukee. is certain to attract at
tention. AS big az Goslin. he
whaled the bail to the tune of 1891
for Albany in the Southeastern
league last season. Albany may be
a mere village and it's circuit moth.
ing to wire home about. but to hit
1891 against any kind of opposition
is something else again. It means
that this big rookie will attract
plenty Of attention at Tampa BY
he way, he is also right hand
hitter.
MeIbern Simons Il another
slugging lad from the South.
eastern League. With Mont.
gOmery he slammed the ball
for 1873 and what goes for KIOZa
goes also for him, both as to
his probable value and for his
size. He IL q sOuthpaw bats
man.
Emile Barnes, former football
star at Alabama University. with
Grant ellis and Jack Hayes, will
also be at Tampa. but nobody seems
excited much over that. He looked
good enough in a brief trial here
last fall and hit for .2S3 in his
first professional season with Bir.
mingham
Sam West may start in center,
with Sam Rice in right, but only
after they have done better work
than Barnes and Camel and KlOZa
and Simons.
The shortfield position is not
filled. but how about third base?
That Bluege realizes his danger Is
evidenced by his care to remain
outdoors as much as possible this
winter, building up his health.
Grouping the two jobs, six candi.
dates will be struggling for them.
Thus the infield offers a similar
situation as the outfield.
Bluege and Reeves may be called
first choices now for third and short,
respectively. but don't forget Tommy
Taylor, Grant ellis, Jack Hayes
and Ernest Smith. One of that
squad will be retained as under
study for Bucky Harris as well as
general infield utility work.
In some ways Grant ellis
appears the best of the short.
fielders. He is steadier than
Reeves, and Is expected to hit
better, though that remains TO
be shown. Hayes IL green
yOungster. and Smiths minor
league record Is not especially
impressive.
Tommy Taylor was with the Griffs
in 1924. He is a wild, harum.
scarum sort of a chap who can
play good ball If he wishes. One
OF his delights is to sit in a hotel
lobby and entertain all within hear.
ing with limitations of barnyard
animals. He's an artist at this.
Also, he walks In his sleep.
Washington fans, hopeful Of bet
ter things. will follow the battles in
Outfield and infield closely this
spring. The outfield squad shapes
up generally stronger than that of
the infield. But there should be
some hot scraps this spring. Get
ready for 'em.
OEuQ OTHDo