The Washington times., 1929-08-31
K|I)P|TCHER
COMING
FOR TRIAL
By Bob Thayer

By Bob Thayer
NEW YORK, Aug. 81
Walter johnson has found
himself a pitcher, and, &C
cording to veteran members of
the Washington Griffmen, his
discovery looks like the real
thing.
When the Griffs trotted out for
pre-. game practice prior to their
double-header with the Yankees
Thursday, they were Joined by an
athletic young man from over Jer-
sey way by the name of Bob Nc
CIosky.
Since the youngster was recon-
mended to johnson by friend who
knows his baseball. however, he was
put through his PAGES and ere long
hardened, veterans were gazing re-
spectfully in his direction.
Possessing a whiplike arm, the
newcomer revealed a surprisingly
loose and graceful motion while
pitching to the batters, and his stuff
was so pronounced that Patsy Char.
rity, who was handling him, blinked
In amazement.
But this wasn't ali. Shortly
afterward the talented visitor
took a turn at the plate and
swiped out several line drives
that carried surprising power.
Then. to make the day complete,
he filled In at several other pO-
sitiOns and covered them all well.
That's enough for me" Manager
Johnson commented after this ses.
sion, this kid looks like a diamond
in the rough and not so rough at.
that. I'm going to bring him down
to Washington after we close our
series with Boston next week and
look him over.
"If he continues to live up to his
promise" Walter added, you can
bet your life that he'll be signed to
a contract and given 100 per cent
trial in spring training next year.
/ like his looks and / don't care
who knows it,
1t seems that this latest prospect
had been playing great ball in fast
twilight league and was called to
Johnsons attention by personal
friend who has long been affiliated
with the sport.
McClosky is 19-year.OId
youth of Polish extraction. He
Is built along the lines Of Bob
Door,ae kI~o fOvupnous VN0aTaRvN ofOnN
shOrtstOp, and is endowed with
an abundance Of power.
While his hitting aroused much
enthusiasm among the most cynical
members of the Washington club
his general requisites and supply OF
stuff should qualify him best for the
slab.
He's got corking curve and a
smoke ball that ought 10 go great,
Coach Charity maintained after
giving his pupil the once over. o.
course he was a little nervous mis-,
first day out, but even SO he showed
enough to make us all sit up and
take notice."
McClosky is native Of Newark
and has been a versatile flash with
nations in the Jersey section for
several years. In any event, he has
impressed sufficiently to warrant
thorough observation and has i'm
pressed all hands with his possibili-
ties
Though no rainfall had been re-
corded at game time yesterday and
at least the regulation innings could
have been played without difficulty,
the Yankee officials ruled it no
game and no game it was.
Tied up at eight-all for the year
both the Yankees and Gritfs will
make use of southpaw slabbing ma
terial in today's struggle which
will. incidentally. be the Washington
clubs final 1929 showing in Gotham.
Garland BraxtOn and Bobby
Burke have been lined up to
shoot for the visitors while Eddie
Wells and Fred Heimach may
travel against them.
This marks the seventh double.
header of the season for the Griff.
men and Yankees and with, both
clubs battling for an edge some
not scrapping should ensue.
Immediately after these struggles
the Griffs are to rush for a train
enroute for Washington where to.
morrow they entertain Connie
Mack's American League leading
Philadelphia Athletics in a single
game.
Though the AS are practically
IN with their pennant interest is
running high in this presentation
and, weather permitting. a near
apacity turnout may result.
Baltimoreans in large numbers
ere expected to click the turnstiles
while rallying to the support of
their idols while fans from many
ether nearby resorts and some dis.
tant points also likely will be
counted among those present.
Washingt0nianS, too, have q
soft spot in their hearts for
gallant old Connie Mack and
while they undoubtedly will be
backing the home club TO win,
they also will be willing to give
the visitors their breaks,
The Griffmen themselves will be
fighting furiously to aVenge the
early season defeats dealt them by
the A's-blows which played an
important part in eliminating them
from the championship running.
Sad Sam Jones is polishing off
preparatory to taking the slab
against the stampeding elephants
while rangy Rube WalberG. Mack's
southpaw miracle man, may be his
opponent.
$50