Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-29

NlliE, lllSSE bdSC bdll u
national renown, that Washing
L ton would have a permanen
contender in the American
cague this year If only its pitching
corps possessed more strength.
These critics are conceding that tn.
ationals can hit, can run bases anc
an field. but they doubt the capabili-
les of their hurlers. They apparently
. not realize the potential strength OF
i-ie Washington mound staff
Walter Johnson's pitchers in general
raining work and exhibition contests
Jus far have revealed enough to war
mt the prediction that his club will
Eve slabbing of quality high enough
, annoy considerably all league rivals,
ZEN though numerically the staff is
newhat lean. At present the Ma
i onals have but nine pitchers on the
" tive list now that Jim Weaver has
! en- sent to the Birmingham outfit un-
. r option. Yet most of these nine are
+ her pitchers tried and true or pitch
Z 5 who have displayed so much ability
workouts that they must be regarded
,cellent prospects for regular service
. the impending flag campaign.
It might be well to discuss the veter-
sand the veterans are those who
d, re seen as little as one season of
il with the club--and the recruits In
: order of their effectiveness during
,.,a past season.
Sam Jones Now Ready.
That brings first before the spotlight
i Sam JoJnJes, who led his club as a
0n-and-lost pitcher last year with II
tories and Z defeats. Jones has yet
a chou 1oic cfy.fF
4, but after a late training start Is
&c to make his debut in the three
me exhibition series with the Cardi-
IS. National League champions, that
: under way here this afternoon.
Sad Sam declares he now feels fine
II fit to take turn on the hill His
n is free and he has been speeding
throws in recent batting drills.
1t above all, Jones is a pitcher who
Gually knows how to pitch and ought
be one Of the mailstays Of the team
Turn to Garland Braxton, the left
nder rated best in the American
7sgue last year on q basis of earned
ms yielded per nine innings Brax-
rs screw ball." which is little more
IN change of pace, perhaps is bet
: this year than last and it was
5 screw ball" that made him so eff
tive last year.
3raxton isn't any great shucks as a
t ball pitcher. He has fast ball, but
re are many batters in the Ameri-
League he wouldn't care to attempt
throw 1t past. But Garland is a cam
hurler and with his screw ball"
ich is little different from the fade
ay'' that made the late Cilristy |
thewson famous, he ought to account |
number of games. This doesn't |
IN Brax Is another Matty, but he's |
mighty good pitcher.
red Marberry Is something of an I'M
,ainty insofar as getting a regular |
ting job is concerned. For time |
season, the big Texan looked the |
ds as a starter and Manager John
noped 70 have him Is one this year. |
May Again Be Rescuer.
ut Fred isn't as fast as he used to
and as yet has failed to develop
9liable curve ball. So there Is great
iihood that Marberry will have to
me the relief hurting role again.
ut as Marberry's light dirns some
1t, Lloyd Browns flares up. This
lng left-hander who went through
season with the Nationals with only
iferent success promises to be a
hing bulwark this year. He is a
.ly improved boxman. His curve ball
good last year. 1t is much better
= There's nothing wrong about his
ball, and he shows better change
,ace these days. In fact, Brown may
som into one of the southpaw sur
ies Of the league, for he is practicing
y with screw ball" and seems on
way to master 1t soon.
wing Hadley. who last year was well
w the form he displayed in 1927,
: prove better than ever this time.
: now is in superb trim, is faster
N formerly and has curve he uses
asionally that in the Spring exhibi-
: IS has baffed all batsmen who Of
ID 1t. Hadley ought to be a remark
y good pitcher this time.
Dung Bob Burke mustn't be over
led. The stringbean southpaw has
'1ed good every time out, and must
reckoned with. He throws as easily
any hurler in the big time and is
1derfully cool under fire. Further
re. Bob Is not the weakling his lack
weight might seem to indicate. He is
to show more improvement If only
could forget the criticism that his
hit stature is TO be accounted a
1dicap.
LiSka Glowing Rainbow.
I'd Liska is the glowing rainbow OF
2mise in the camp, and he Is likely
fulfill the promise. With his peculiar
derhand delivery, Liska can puzzle
ny clever batters, and now he is not
good as he should be. He has a splen-
/ fast ball that breezes along at no
at height and startling curve that
,vels somewhat higher. With these
D assets he is banning enough, but he
" is acquiring change of pace that !
9uld make him terror to opposing !
tiers in the Barnard circuit.
essentially q curve ball pitcher, and
m mechanical ability, however,
mpbell seems likely to make good /
I'll his intimate knowledge of the ,
ching art. Arch Is one of those rare {
IS, who come up from the Minors ]
IN pretty good ideas of the finging
5iness.
Tow we come to Paul Hopkins. Last
2r Hopkins won seven games and lost
for Montreal, nothing startling as
nor league record. In his training /
re, Paul has displayed little more ;
an fine knowledge of the way to T
lch. Had he more on the ball, he !
doubtedly would be a valuable mem
r Of the Nationals pitching staff. AS
is, though, he is apt to be shifted to l
minor organization soon.
so 1t seems the Nationals are not to
so weak as far as pitching is con- {
rned They have the material, John /
n Is grooming it carefully, and even q
tn few huriers at hand the club {
ould compare favorably with many II J
It all, its rivals in the circuit in