Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-30
CLUB IS EXCEEDING
| PRESEASON HOPES
Proves That 1t Is Better Not
to Set Goal Too High
at Start of Race.
BY GEORGE MORIARTY.
Big League Umpire.

TT Is a serious mistake for a base ball
team to set its goal too high at the
beginning of the season. That has
i been aptly demonstrated by the
Cleveland Indians this year.
Cleveland had a stern lesson in 1928.
suddenly went on an unexpected win
ming streak. George Uhle pitched re-
narkable ball and was the inspiring
force. In a short time the club found
itself within reaching distance Of the
coveted first rung, which the Yankees
had claimed more or less permanently.
At this stage undue enthusiasm
pushed aside restraint, and the club,
instead Of playing In the earnest and
hustling fashion which had previously
characterized its work, attempted to
force matters beyond its capacity. This
involved an added burden and strain,
which seldom fail to collect their toll
Injuries and tough losses soon robbed
the team of its fire, and the downward
trend was inevitable.
Profits as Others Slip.
A team lucky enough to maintain an
even pace in the first few months Of the
season often profits by the failure of
other clubs picked to land high. 1t Is
perhaps parallel to the case of an infe-
staggering unexpectedly. The predica-
ment tones up the mediocre fighter and
supplies him with spirit and power far
in excess Of his known limitations.
Cleveland Is the big surprise of the
American League. Its players are work.
ing in admit .ble unity, and therefore
the team is travelling at a merry clip.
But while the players are hustling, they
seem to labor with the idea that the
rxnu ~ An~ &c
and that present form Is no guarantee
Of what the future holds on the dia-
mond.
Billy Evans. general business manager
Of the Cleveland club told me a few
months ago that he would be satisfied
II the team finished as high as fifth
place in the rebuilding process this year.
That Is excellent psychology. A dill
gent worker who understands that his
employer does not expect too much of
him usually turns in more than his
share.
So Cleveland. started with fifth posi-
ton in mind. Is in fourth place Right
now the Indians are ambitious to steal
third place from the St. Louis Browns.
and this promises to be an interesting
tussle.
Every smart manager breads to have
his club prematurely selected as q pen
nant winner. To combat the idea,
have known leaders who purposely az
feet doleful and pessimistic moods.
Some pilots even g6 to the extreme of
rating their clubs far below their &C.
cepted form. Both Washington and the
Chicago White Sox figured to be in the
first position before the start Of the race,
but somehow they failed to get going in
the right direction.
Before the bell rang in April Cleve-
land didn't expect to trump these two
teams, but their reverses made room
higher up for Cleveland. But the will
to go higher did not assert itself in the
Cleveland club till the season was about
half spent, and the openings above were
obvious. OutfielderS Falk and Ayerill
and Pitcher Terrell have added a great
punch to the club. It certainly looks
as II Cleveland had pulled of the prize
fCopyrisht. 1925 nv N NJ 1ne yeat: ~
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