Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-04

~ LEVELAND. May 4-Looks as
though the West will have
big say in this American League
~ flag race Listening to Dan
Howley during the big pow
wow in the Hotel Cleveland lobby yes
terday afternoon. one could not help
but conclude that the Browns have
great chance to end the East's domina-
ton over the pennant chase that has
extended through the past eight years.
Rained out of their series final with
the Indians, the Browns were waiting
at the hotel to greet the Nationals, who
today were to begin their initial as
Saults upon Western strongholds this
season. and a great gabfest between
the members of the first and last place
teams of the Junior major league en-
sued. But mons had more to say than
Howley, and he made it plain that he
believes his club is in the battle to the
finish.
MY club isn't a great ball club" said
the Browns manager. but it's really
good one. Good enough to fool many
preseason critics who thought the work
of the Browns last year when they fin
ished third was only fash in the
pan.
Play Smart Base Ball.
1--WE have good pitching. good field
ing and play smart base ball. And
we are no weaklings at bat. True, our
batting average now is only .272, but
what of it? Three of our regulars are
hitting above 300. another is hitting
lust for that mark and one more is
just under it. And We are hitting in
pinches. which is the thing that tells
in the long run.
Our outfeld is covering ground in
great style and hitting hard. Manush.
Schultz and MCGOWAN make fine
combination in the gardens.
And look at our outfield. Blue Is
smacking ali pitching nd fielding great
guns at first base. Melillo isn't much
of a hitter, of course. Don't expect him
ever to be- But how he can play Sec
ond base. And he's in good health now.
He ought to go right through the sea-
son at the middle sack.
And there's Kress at shortstop.
Don't overlook him. A much improved
player He's hitting well again. AS for
O'Rourke at third. I consider him one
of the finest players any club could
have. Always hustling. always giving
the best he has. And that best is good.
Dor't forget that. He's .276 hitter at
present.
and what pitching array Gray
has his fast ball and curve working as
smoothly as ever. Crowder has a great
fast ball. And both know how to pitch.
Think of what they have done. Gray
has won four games and lost none.
Crowder has won three and lost one.
We have a clever pitcher in Ogden, and
Stewart, our main lefthander, is vastly
improved. He's in good health now
and we expect much of him this year.
Good Relief Pitchers.
"Back Of these starters We have for
relief work Blaeholder, Collins and
Coffman. The first two Of these are In
splendid trim. CofTman still has to
come through, but I have great faith
in him. He'll make the grade, you can
bet.
"Schang is catching great game.
He's wonderful old receiver. And he's
throwing as we'll as ever. And we have
Manion and Terrell. This Terrell is
just about the best kid catcher I ever
saw. He'll be a great star We have
good reserves for all departments,
something that must not be overlooked.
AS I said, it's not great team. A
good one, though, that hustles always.
Wen win a lot of ball games this year"
All of which might mean the going
will be quite rough for the Nationals
in this first swing through the West.
For they are saying here that the
Tigers, despite their poor start, are not
to be considered lightly and that the
White Sox are apt to prove trouble
some. Even the Indians have some
standing among base ball followers out
this way. The Nationals have some
heights to scale, it would seem.