The Washington times., 1928-12-28

Ol averages says uO
And Miller 'Huggins is frankly
skeptical.
Hug foresees d stern, hard fight
during the coming season. He fore
sees competition and more compete
tion--and back of that the fearful
possibility that there may be some
stacking in morale on the part of a
club that has been too uniformly
successful
Great writers, men say, write
their best stuff when they are
hungry. Great organizers do
their best work when they are
in need, and necessity sharpens
their wits.
The same goes for baseball.
1t isn't q mechanical weakness
that Miller Higgins fears next seal
son; it isn't fault OF hitting power
or fielding. skill. It's something
more vague than all that-some-
thing fitting and iTsexpIainable and,
IL it really comes. something with
out definite remedy.
Let Mr.. Higgins himself explain:
The psychology is against US"
he says in his test PROFESSIONAL
manner. We've won often and the
boys have lost the thrill that comes
of facing odds. Back Of a champion
must be the will to win, and when
4 man or men have known series
of triumphs. they lose some of that
keen edge that demands victory"
Mr.. Higgins goes on TO state
that he fears most the Athletics
fears them because they are great
mechanical team, but fears them
more because they have been build
ing up the psychological desire to
win through the years until it has
become mania or religion.
The secret of overcoming the
inertia of constant victory is
the injection of new blood, Hug
gins believes.
The coming year will find more
new blood injected and some of
the old let out--not because of in
herent weakness on the part of the
old. but simply because Hug be-
lieves the new blood is needed for
club morale.
Every department Of the club will
feel the change. There will be new
catchers, new infieIders, new pitch
ers. new outfielders.
The problem, naturally, is nice
one,
Enough of the old must be re-
tained to keep the perfect balance
of experience, knowledge and me-
chanical attainment. Yet there
must be enough of the new to put
new zest and new spirit in morale
threatened by too easy conquest
and satiated with the fruits of vic
tory.
And, Hug is firmly convinced the
success or failure of the Yankees
next season will be measured in ex-
act ratio to his ability to hit the
proper percentage of new and old.
Hugs mechanical problems
are few. If worst came to worst
he prababIy could start his last
years squad, man for man, and
more than hold his own in
mechanical way with the rest of
the league.
His infie1d, viewed as whole, is
the equal of any infield in the leSgue:
his outfield, as unit, is superior to
that of any of his opponents. His
catching is at least average. His
pitching meas ures from average TO
very good-depending upon physical
condition.
But whether or not the Yankees.
already surfeited with success and
honor, will retain the keen desire TO
win; whether or not they can main
tain the fighting spirit that laughs
st odds and revels in tough going
Answer it and the enigma of the
American League race vii no longer
be a puzzle but an open book.
Hug himself evades the issue. He
doesn't know, cart know until he
test ONES. But meantime he's
skeptical And admits it frankly.
That's why he is still looking for
new blood; still searching for new
men to restore the balance OF en-
thusiasm in a club that already is
letter perfect in the mechanics of
baseball.
~ TW nM