The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-08-12
'29 WORST
YEAR FOR
G0SL|N
A~AA
By Bob Thsyer

BY Bob Thayer
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Aug. 12s
Manager Walter johnson has
advised Goose Goslin, siege
gun Of the Washington Griff-
men, to increase his work.
Y Convinced that the 1928 American
League batting leader is off his
stride in every department Walter
believes that extra practices win
bring him around to his proper
stride.
There's no denying it-GOslin has
been a big disappointment this sea.
son. After a banner year last year.
despite his crippled throwing arm,
he has shown a marked reversal OF
form which has hurt his club con-
siderably. Not only has his big
fail failed to respond in the usual
manner but his fielding and base
running too have suffered. All OF
which has affected his team &C.
cordingly.
All IN ell this Is the worst
season the Goose has expert.
enceA since breaking into. the
big time in 1921. As matter
Of fact It Is his first bad year.
Just why Goslin has fallen back
after last seasons banner showing
remains a mystery. The fact that
he has skidded, however, Is an
established fact and no one knows
ii better than Goslin himself.
Though many bali players are
prone to call bad year g. bad
year and let it go at that johnson
is determined that everything pos
sible shall be done to straighten
Goslin out before the end Of the
campaign.
There's still lots Of time left
for Goose to improve" he remarked
this morning." and for his sake and
the sake Of the Washington club
I'm going to cooperate with him
and try to get him started.
my opinion is that he will
benefit by getting in more prac-
tice ticks. He's gone, bad In every
department this year and is CO.
too good a player to keep In his
present rut and want to see him
snap out Of it,
Frankly Goslin 10 the big punch
of the Washington club and is
getting well paid for It. So long as
he delivers as he has in past
years he il one Of the most valu-
able men In the game. Otherwise
he's just another ball player.
With his contract coming up for
revision next season, 1t Is up to
him to either get started in short
order or accept the inevitable cut
and healthy one.
The Goose Is game guy
and q hustler, but playing as
he has this year, he II by no
means the asset he Is capable
Of being. And. under the cir
Cumstances, he has no alternative
other than to get out and dig into
the daily routing like the veriest
rookie.
Goslin has always been a willing
chap and likely win take this advice
in good spirit. Realizing that hard
work alone will get him back into
stride he can benefit only by
doing the sensible thing.
Like many players who get off.
key in one department Of the game,
this years slump seems to have
affected him in every respect. And,
similar to men in all walks of life,
the Goose must continue to deliver If
he expects to protect his own
interests.
The Salem slugger is not yet 30
and has many Of his best baseball
years before him. And, since the
Griffmen are banking on him for
future years, he should realize fully
the extent Of his responsibility.
Much surprise has been expressed
In all American League cities re.
garding the Goose's let-down after
his previous years Of service. For
year n and year out. there have
been few players in either big wheel
as consistent or as timely as the
big fellow.
A hitting slump in itself would
be bad enough, but his fielding and
base-running also have been below
par, while his. throwing at times
has bordered on tn mediocre.
Obviously Goslin is trying every
minute He Is not the type who
would Willingly loaf on any job,
but realizing his present position
and the debt he owes his ball club.
the least he can do is to voluntarily
undertake a more rigid routine.
In q heart.tO-heart talk to
not only Goslin, but team men,
bers as well, Manager johnson
yesterday stressed the imp0T.
tance Of hard work and plenty
Of It. le
eve followed this game, long
time" he explained during the
course of his conversation, "and I've
seen very few cases Of overwork.
The player who wants to get to the
top and stay there bears down
with everything he's got all the
time.
"The fellow who stays in there
and keeps hustling is the one who
makes good on his job, no matter
what 1t is. There's none Of us
good enough to rest on our laurels
and the sooner we are convinced Of
this the better"
%w