The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-08-13
HOPE SEEN
F0RF|RST
DIVISION
By BOB THAYER

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 13.-First
division is the present aim of
the Washington Griffmen.
Considered .hOpelessly out of
the money less than two weeks
ago, Walter johnson s reju-
venated soldiers are now bid
ding for place in the sun.
While the more conservative are
pointing for fourth place others
more optimistic claim that nothing
less than third will satisfy them.
Nine games separated from fourth
standing and 1Oh from the third
place Cleveland Indians. veteran
members nevertheless maintain that
first division rating is well within
their grasp. Though the third place
attainment seems doubtful to say
the least the last feeling seasoned OF
actual cockiness among players
causes one to pay more than passing
heed to these claims
Such reliable observers as Joe
Judge, Nick .Altrock, Al Schacht,
Patsy Charity, Clyde Milan, and,
yes. Walter Johnson, are believers
in the third position movement and
are prepared to see the thing
through Captain Judge, who has
seen many baseball campaigns
come and go, is not one easily fooled
and, according to him, the Griffmen
are on their way to first division.
2
Were Just NOW beginning to
play the bali we did this spring"
he remarked today while talk.
ing things over. I'm other
words, we're on the up grade
while these other birds are TAX
ing their beatings."
That goes particularly for the
Browns and Tigers. We are nine
games away from the skidding
Browns and only five and one-haIf
removed from the Detroit Tigers
and fifth place. Which at least
gives us something to shoot at.
We're travelling in high gear
now and anything lis liable to hap
PEN, Baseball Is a funny game and
this team, when it's right, is q
darned sight better than the aver
ages show.
Whatever the outcome it IL a |
settled fact that the present win
streak of the Grtffs has given them |
q new lease on life and has made |
life worth living, for the scribes as
well as the players. Prior to their |
current streak baseball authorities |
had practically agreed that the !
Griffmen were operating under false |
pretenses while impersOnating q /
big league club. Things are changed |
now. For the first time since |
spring training they have snapped |
into a winning gait. And their |
Improvement has been all the. more |
notable in view of its suddenness. |
There is no set reason for /
this transformation: Improved
pitching, more than anything i
else, seems to have figured IN
the reversal of form while
sturdy clubbing also has played
Its. part. . . i.
The slabbing improvement can be
traced almost directly to Fred Mar :
berry and Garland Braxton, the
slab mainstays. These two have /
divided 90 wins between them with /
a club that has registered IS times.
But that alone does not reveal their
worth. t"., =s
In recent battles these singers
have frequently been rushed to the |
rescue of their tottering mates and |
not once since the launching of this
latest parade have they failed to !
come through.
Marberry voluntarily relieved Had
ley and stopped the New York |
Yankees a week ago today and |
stepped in to the relief of Bobby |
Burke, Saturday, to grab a game
out of the fire from the Browns.
When It is considered that
these worthless also have clicked
In two Of their clubs last three
starts something. Of their real
value may be determined.
While it is not prudent to wax
overly optimistic over second di- |
vision outfit 1t is well within rea-
son to presume that the GrIHfmen !
may yet overhaul both the Tigers |
and Browns.
The st. Louisans are unquestion. |
ably demoralized by the eported
departure of Dan Howley. while the
SS-ASAAG upPoAGA-A1 nave SAIOS +HCt
bolt since getting away to an early
start. ~
Even the Tribe, formidable though |
1t may be, still must reckon with
the Yankees and AS in several I
battles yet and, should they strike
a rut while the Griffmen are pick
ing up. anything could happen.
There Is little question but
what the Griffs have had their
slump. As q matter Of fact they
have experienced little else since !
the start Of the season and
whatever Sreaks they're entitled
to are already overdue.
Notably strong finishers they are
now hitting a clip strongly resemb-
ling that of year ago when they
rushed from the second division
heap to fourth place finish.
lett nnmr Il