The Washington times., 1929-10-07
EARNSHAW
SURPRISES
KNOCKERS
By Bob Thayer

"He isn't a big league
pitcher - he hasn't got a
thing!"
Believe it or not, that was
the sentiment prevailing among
Philadelphians three months
ago.
Tomorrow George Esrnshaw, Con
ME Mack's strapping highlander is
expected to open the 1879 Worlo
series in a blaze of glory.
The man who didn't have tnlng
only few months back Will go INTO
the blue ribbon event hero-ano
rightfully so.
Earnshaw had little to say when
criticized as a bush Lacquer THIS
spring. Instead he set himself ana
proceeded to foil his would-be scof-
fers in a big and constructive way.
To prove that he was big league
pitcher he stepped into the SITUATION
when most needed and played Dig
part in clinching the first Athletic
flag since 1914.
When Grove wobbled and Wal
berg staggered about uncer
certainly 1t was EarnshaW VINO
rose to the occasion and steadied
his team with magnificent pitch-
ing.
These same critics who panned
him numerically earlier in the
wear, changed their minds overnight
and acclaimed the former Balu-
more Oriole as their own.
To prove just now how great ne
was in the 1929 pennant march of
the Elephants the big moundsman
Yesterday closed the American
League season with a record, OF %
games won and only eight lost.
Statistics alone cannot reveal his
true worth. however. Earnshaw
won the majority of his games
when they counted most. On the
other hand, many. of his losses were
charged aga inst him after the pen
nant was in.
No less an authority than the
late Miller Higgins described Earn
shaw as the greatest right handler
IN the American League and the
most valuable pitcher on the Ath-
letic payroll, ,
- Considering that the great
Lefty Grove and the eccentric
Rube Walberg are members OF
the same staff and that both
were considered far superior to
iEarnshaw at the start of the
season this was tribute we'll
worth while.
Connie Mack himself recently
confessed that without Earnshaw
the 1929 AS would have been In a
had way. AS matter of fact, one
scribe has quoted Mack as declaring
that his right handler has more
stuff than either Grove or Wal
berg.
"Earnshaws easy motion fools
lots of folks" this statement goes,
"but take it from me, neither Wal
berg nor Grove can match the big
fellows smoke ball.
"Also George has a hook carrying
plenty of steam and when he gets
II where he wants it the other side
hasn't got a chance. All / ask Is
that he cuts loose with his stuff IN
the series-that will be enough:
Though considered good pitcher
with Baltimore for several years
Earnshaw was not ranked on par
with Grove, AL Thomas and several
other Oriole graduates who have
made good in the big time.
Indeed, when he was sold at
a reported price of $4,000 to
the Athletics two years ago
many were of the opinion that
he was all washed out.
Earnshaw's last year in the
double A loop was anything but
sensational and it can be truthfally
said that Mack took chance when
he put in that big money bid for his
services.
As has frequently been the case.
however, the big chap has found
himself after comparatively
mediocre year in the majors and
today is considered the best money
bet on the Athletic staff.
And If perchance big George gets
started against Charlie Root to-
morrow, as is expected, there may
be more than one fan who will
agree that Connie Mack knew what
it was all about when he agreed to
the $4,000 purchase price demanded
for the veteran.