The Washington times., 1929-08-24
GRIFF
CATCHER
TOPNJT
By BOB THAYER

r u .
DETROIT, Mich, Aug. "a.
Muddy Ruel, veteran receiver
Of the Washington Griffmen,
may next year blossom out as a
full-fledged American League
manager.
The brainy, little backstop, 1t Is
claimed, would be welcomed in sew.
eral ports and his name has been
brought to the front in more than
one city where managerial shifts are
scheduled.
Both the Boston Red Sox and st.
Louis Browns have been mentioned
as landing places for the lawyer
catcher while even the Chicago
White Sbx have ben brought into
the discussion.
Any OF these three cities. the IHport
goes. would welcome Muddy as q
leader! His qualities of leadership
and thorough knowledge of the game
along with his expert handling OF
young pitchers are points in his
favor.
Muddy has not been worked regu-
1arly by the Washington club this
season. Though still a crack back.
stop and in ship-shape condition the
decision to make use of Benny Tate
and Roy Spencer, younger products,
has resulted in his being side-tracked
for the most part.
Since both Tate and Spencer
have delivered satisfactorily, 1t
Is probable that Ruel Is serving
his last term with the club
which he has represented so ably
for number Of years.
Manager Walter johnson, how
ever, has announced that Muddy
viii not remain inactive for the
balance of the year. On the con-
trary he intends sending him De
hind the bat when certain pitchers
are worked in order that they may
benefit by his experience and hand.
ling.
irving Hadley, who is to, be
started again shortly Will positiveiy
he worked with Ruel in all future
games while the same possibly goes
for Bob Burke and Ad Liska.
"You can't beat Ruel for all
around snoothness and polish, John
son declares. tand I believe he'll do
a lot toward bringing these youngs.
fers around" While it may be
bit too early to sing RueIs swan
song II is a fairly well established
fact that he is due to be switched
during the winter and that he Will
continue as big league skipper. :.
With Bill Carrigan, ready to call
Ii quits with the Red Sox many
Bostonians are booming Ruel whole
heartedly for the job while the same
goes for. st. Louis where Dan How
ley must be replaced.
Ruel was a big favorite in Boston
nrior to his sale to the Griffmen
wears ago. His hustle and enter
nrise caught the fancy Of Red Sox
Fans and, it is Claimed, the little
hackstop could work wonders with
the present Sox mound department
Quite a bit of conversation
was centered ON this subject
when the GEiffm1en visited BOs-
ton recently, and it can be truth.
fully said that Muddy Is wanted
badly there.
Being a st. Louis boy he too Is
quite a favorite with that populace
and would go long way toward
eliminating the sting that Is certain
to follow the departure of Dan How
ley.
Ruel is always well received by
his home town fans and such q
move on the part of President PM
Bah would be diplomatic as well az
constructive.
The White Sox angle dates back
TO 1928 when a tentative offer was
made by the Chicago club for
Muddy's services as a catcher. II
q player.nnanager capacity he would
be doubly useful
Since all of these teams are un'
questionably due to change leaders
and since Ruel is a particularly
popular figure in Boston and st.
Louis, such reports are worthy OF
more than passing thought.
Primarily Muddy is still inyalu-
able as a receiver and would be q
big help in that capacity to any Of
the three entries mentioned. This
is particularly true of the Red Sox
who have one OF the most promis.
ing pitching staffs in the game.
Undss Muddy's handing il is
reasonable to presume that
such a staff would make good
on its promise and eventually
develGp into one Of basebalPs
best.
The Browns, too, could use one
OF Muddy's caliber as could the
White Sox, who have suffered for
the want of a first strin catcher
since the passing Of Ray Schalk.
While no idea as to what proposi.
ton may be made the Washington
club for Ruel has been gained, there
is little doubt regarding his depart,
ure. Also, there is a general feeling
. that he will benefit by his next move
Should things pan out on>the ex,
pected schedule, 1t is said that Roy
Spencer will probably be promoted
to the position of first-string catcher
although Benny Tate, whose hitting
has been extremely helpful, will con.
tinue to crash many ball games.
Spencer is. fine receiver and has
whiplike arm, qualities essential in
the makeup of one handling that
assignment.
Il NDEWnF ar DnnllFoTFU