The Washington times., 1929-03-09
BY James L. Kilgallen

league races this year,
BY James L. Kilgallen
TAMPA, Fla, March 81
Walter johnson, newly ap-
pointed manager Of the Wash
ington Senators, said today in
analyzing his ball club for
International News Service
that second base is a problem
and that he needs at least one
more starting pitcher. He is
satisfied with his catching
staff and outfield.
johnson believes that the two
hardest clubs in the American
League to beat this season will be
the New York Yankees and the
Philadelphia Athletics.
''Any club that has hitters
Hike Ruth, Gehrig. Meusel. Lac
&Nri. and Combs is sure to be
dangerous" said Johnson. II
was out Of the league last year
managing Newark. but, from
what I have read and heard. the
Athletics are q great team.
- - Tnh
son declared that Muddy RueFs arm
is in fine shape and. that he will do
the bulk of the catching, assisted
by Benny Tate and Ed Kenna. Boil
ton. a batting phenom from the
Piedmont League, and Bool. of Nash
vile. are also trying to make. the
grade as big-league catchers. .
My pitching staff looks good, "
Johnson continued II think lot
of Liska, whom we bought from
Minneapolis. He has great under
hand delivery that seems to be
natural with him and which is very
hard to hit. think he may be
the starting pitcher am trying to
develop. He has excellent control
and learns easily"
Jones, Marberry and Rraxton are
Johnson's holdover starting pitchers
from last year. The good. looking
''rookie" twirlers include Paul Nc.
Cuilough, a righthander, native OF
New Castle, Pa; Archie Campbell,
late of the Yankees, who halls from
MapleWood, N. j., and also a hight
handler; Guy Cantrell. a right.
handler. formerly with Brooklyn
who Washington bought from Balti.
more where he won 90 and lost II
games last year, and Jim Weaver.
the tallest pitcher in the American
League. He is feet 6h inches and
IL a Highlander.
".JOe Judge will hold down
first base" said Manager John.
SON. "T was expecting to use
Elmer Boss at first. In the early
games until Judge warmed zap.
but Boss suffered an attack Of
flu and Judge probably will have
30 go in there from the jump.
"Second base is my problem. The
fight for that job will be between
Stuffy Stewart and Minter Hayes.
They both look awfully good in
spring training.
Stewart is a stocky chap OF 80,
who bats and throws right-handed.
He was with Washington before,
after having managed the Birming'
ham team. He is regarded as one
of the fastest men in baseball,
having stolen Sc bases In the South
ern League in 1928. He hated
.316.
Hayes is a tall, slim fellow OF
I %, a graduate of the University
OF Alabama. He was with the
Senators early in 1923 and was
recalled from Minneapolis where
he batted 1892 in 81 games.
Shortstop will be handled by Os
wald Bluege, a former third base
man. johnson said he has always
figured that .Bluege's natural posi-
ton was short.
Buddy Myer, whom Washing
ton retrieved from Boston by Civ.
ing up five players. will be the
Senators regular third basen1an.
He will have no competition.
Manager Johnson is standing pat
on his outfielders, Goslln, Rice
Barnes and West, the only acquisi
tion to the secondary defense being
Spencer Harris, of Minneapolis, and
Melborn Simons, of Birmingham.
"I have pretty well.balanced club
and there is no telling what they
: might do" said Johnson. They are
all hustlers and not trOuble-makeu
in the lot. The team spirit is fine
/ will be mighty disappointed if we
are not in he.runnlng all the way