The Washington times., 1929-06-21
FOX THINKS
L|SKAW|L
DELIVER
BY Bob Thayer

By Bob Thayer
Ineffective pitc h in g has
caused the downfall of the
1929 Washington club So
says President CLARK G. Crit
fifth, big chief of that organiza-
ton.
Admitting In spring training that
the mound problem alonescould spoil
the prospects of Walter Johnson's
combination, Griffith is convinced
that his prediction is borne out.
How often" he asked yesterday,
"have we rushed from behind to
take a lead this year? And what
has it meant in the long run?
Time and again the boys have
come through with burst of speed
to send the pitcher ahead. And Just
as often the man in the box would
blew his lead!
II don't care how many runs you
get for a pitcher, he's got to have
something to stay out in front. And
since our men have shown little or
nothing. they've been beaten time
and again"
Griffith, in passing, cOnfesseS
that the disappointing form Of
his hurIers along with the un-
expected reVerSals has accounted
for this deplOrable state Of II.
fairs.
when we started, the American
League season. he declared yester-
day, our pitchers were all in good
shape. Counting on Braxton, Mar
berry, Jones and Hadley to put us
across, we seemed ready to deliver.
s'If there was one uncertain man
in that lot 1t was Marberry. Now
consider our problem!
'Braxton has fallen down bodily,
while HadIey has also failed to
show his real stuff. Pulling up
with a sore left side when it hurt
most, Jones has been out of it for
several weeks,
This leaves US Marberry. We
all know that Fred has made good.
| wouldn't trade him for anybody
I can think of right now. But,
taking everything into considera-
ton. you cant expect one man to
buck seven other clubs"
1t goes without saying that the
touted big four which played havoc
with the Yankees and As in the
heat of last years pennant race
has failed to click. But how about
the youngsters?
Ad Liska, the Minneapolis rookie
who mas created something of a
sensation with his underhand de-
livery, is one to be considered,
There's a boy with lots Of
ability" President Griffith
maintains, ''but he's stiIl mex
perienced. When he gets his
control down pat he'll be hard
to stop.
It's wildness that's bothering him
now. If he can put the ball where
he wants it he's a world beater.
But getting himself set his first
year UP is pretty tough.
I've watched Llska when he's
/ right and also when he's off-color.
The other club doesn't have a look
in when he's going good. But once
he gets wild he starts growing the
ball the other fellow naturally gives
1t a ride!''
With Burke and Brown CANDLES
at the best and the rest more or less
unknown quantities it can therefore
be seen that Manager Walter John
sons task OF juggling pitchers Is no
enyiable one.
Shuffling his boxmen frequently
he has seen his best bets pounded
from the slab time and again after
coasting out in front with lead.
And, in view of these circumstance
one cannot help but wonder IL the
national idol doesn't sometimes long
to step in there with his immortal
right arm and personally stop the
bats Of the opposition?
There1l be no more golf among
members of the Griffmen. So says
Walter johnson, who is prepared 10
tax the first player violating this
rule $500.
If my men can't get enough
work on the diamond, can always
find something for them to do" he
contends. From now on it's base
ball first"
Infielder Buddy Myer probably
will return to the lineup of the
Griffmen in the role of a second
baseman.
With Bluege showing unbeatable
form on the hot corner, Myer is
apparently crowded out of that po-
sition. Needed for his hitting and
speed, 1t would not surprise were
he substituted for Jack Hayes In
short order.