The Washington times., 1929-08-05
BENCH BOYS
SOON GET
CHANCE
By Bob Thaysr

& 4 4 5ss
Fourteen and one-half games
removed from the Cleveland
Indians and / place il the
money the Washington Griff-
men have resigned themselves
to an obscure standing in the
1929 American League PEN
pant race.
with barely an outside chance of
grabbing OFF the top Of second divl-
sion. now occupied by the Detroit
Tigers, Manager Walter johnson
consequently Hs looking TO the fu-.
ture.
Realizing that the time IL ripe
for experimenting and that he IL
working on an ali to gain and moth
ing to lose basis, he consequently
has l1inted that be intends making
free use OF his reserves hereafter.
For one thing he is not convinced
that several Of his bench warmers,
who have failed to cash in on the
opportunities allotted them are back
numbers.
on the other hand Manager John
son firmly believes that some Of his
ssibstit are ready for fling at
.reguia lbs and has intimated that
he may switch to his younger ma
tsrlal shortly in order to get q direct
1 line on its real worth.
Outfielder Red Barnes and In
fielder Charley Gooch and Harley
Boss are the up and coming
ali
ret m their licks. Pitcher Don
savidge. the Albright c0Ilegian. is
another who may receive his big
league baptism when the occasion
presents itself.
Sayidge the son Of an old
bali player, has been marking
time with the Griffs to date
but "A swinging along favOfably
at present and may ret his
stab shortly,
A right handler, Don Is a six.
footef with considerable power and
has shown plenty In preliminary
trials. While he probably is not
yet ripe for the big parade he
boasts good fast one along with
4 fair hook and Ii picking mp
experience while ciinging with the
Though walter has intimatei
that he Is planning no immediate
transformation II Is understood
that the suggested order OF things
may be brought into vogue at any
moment now.
The installation of Red Barnes into
the oldfieId. for instance, would oc.
casion no surprise. A crack center
fielder and d good hitter in 1928,
the Redhead has fallen down de-
fensively this season.
Reluctant to pass Judgment on
any player who has failed TO MT
his normal stride, however, Man
ager Johnson Is sIIspending judg-
ment. knowing that the redhead
can pIay good ball when right, he
Ii determined that Barnes shall De
given every change to deliver.
1t Is practically foregone con-
clusion that Charley Gooch, the
Southern Association rookie. shall
sooner Of later be afforded this
chance OF firing away regularly.
Charley nus made the most
of every break dealt him this
year. First as an understudy
for Can't. Joe Judge and later as
e picnh hitter and utility man,
he caslled In.
Gooch ii prepared to crash the
lineup either as q substitute Tor
Third Baseman Jack Hayes or
Shortstop Joe Cronin, and. on the
strength or his recent cl0uung,
would make scrap of it in either
instance
With these two considered sure
things to get their shots at regular
shifts First Baseman Boss will be
bucking 1 different proposition.
The 2O-year-Old yOungster not yet
has acquired the experience neces.
sary to dethrOne Joe Judge, and,
under the circumstances. ne PROB
ably would be ACQUIRING more sea-
soning in q minor league resort
right now.
Jaldge. who has always been one.
of our teams steadiest pastimers,
ia having. another fine year. and 30.
long as his punch is needed he win
remain active.
Firhting for lost cause, though,
places matters in an altogether diff
ferent light and 1t is quite likely
that Boss too may soon be counted
among those In the swim.
And. with 4 certain balance misse
ing. Ii Is not unreasonable to pre-
suTne that one OF these erstwhilel
side.liners may crop up with that
sonathing which tends to steady
1s 4 -. ,,,.SSxyh ,yr,,sr ~ ne1fVvfsa Ar.pafin