Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-21
Johnson Sticking to Lineup
Despite .Dolts Griffs Suffer

back as an aggregation of veterans
The young club, regardless Of the play
ing ability of its individual members,
never seems to have the poise Of q
collection Of old-timers.
Lloyd Brown. left-hand recruit, who
went through two and tWo-thirds IN
nings in relief role while the Nation
ais were being drubbed by the Athletics
last Thursday, may soon be heard from
again. and as a starter, too. Brown did
not shine so brightly in the inning in
which he relieved Irving Hadley, but
then the AS were on a smashing spree
and checking q club that has its bats
swinging freely isn't so easy to accom-
plish. When Brown assumed the mound
burden there was one out and one on,
but. the Mackmen had just combed
Hadley for four hits; pass and four
runs. Brown got the first man to face
him. then came pass and brace OF
two-baggers for two more tallieS be-
fore the inning ended. But Brown gave
q clever exhibition in the next two
rounds, before giving way to pinch
hitter, demonstrating that he has
enough to warrant thorough trial in
big company. The left-hander's pitch
ing has impressed johnson since early
In the training period. so Brown may
expect to get a real shot at the enemy
soon.
Often when the opposition employs
q right-hand pitcher. Benny Tate is
likely to be seen behind the bat for
the Nationals. This young fellow, who
has been with the club since 1923, since
last season has blossomed into q fine
receiver, and as he long has been much
more than a fair hitter against hur-
lers of the orthodox variety, he seems
ready for more work than formerly.
While DOME Bush was managing the
club In 1923, Tate was regarded little
more than bullpen performer. About
all asked of him then was assistance
in warming UP hurlers. During the
Harris regime, the young catcher made
some progress and might have made
more had the Washington pilot elected
to work him oftener. But Harris per-.
sisted in almost ignoring Benny. It's
different now. johnson, who had not
watched Tate work since the 1927 cam
paign until this Spring in Florida. was
delighted to notice so much improves
ment in the catcher. Now Benny is
to get the chance to prove his worth,
the chance he has awaited so long.
Tates improvement did not come
about without deal of work on his
part. He put IN hours in Florida prac-
ticing throws and camping under foul
lofts. And this extra effort has brought
pleasing results Today Tate is heay-
ing the ball to the bases In much bet
ter style than formerly, getting 1t away
fast and accurately. And his catching
of fouls is something delightful to be-
hold. Furthermore, he's socking the
sphere, too. In fact, Tate now possesses
about everything essential to the max
ing of first-class catcher.
Washington fans now have seen
enough of Ossie Bluege in the short
brilliantly there as he did at third
base for So many seasons. The transfer
from the hot corner has In nowise Inn
paired Ossie,s fielding ability. TO the
contrary, he seems even more at home
at short than he was at third. More
than likely, this earnest athlete will be
regarded among the best guardians of
the Shortfie.d IN base ball before many
more weeks roll BY.
with the season less than week old,
the Nationals already have served notice
they intend to make use tn attack OF
ths abundant speed they possess. They
are prepared to try base thieying at
pitchers and catchers who heretofore
have not bothered much about holding
runners to the sacks had better beware
when they. encounter the washington
outfit. Several Of the Nationals are
except icnally fast on the hocf and know
SoniS slail1g OF base-runniilg They are
aDt I'd surprise the opposition by