Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-06
YOUNG NATIONALS |
PEPPERY PLAYERS
Behavior of Band at Tampa
Good-TonsiIitiS Forces
Harris to Idle.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,
(Sports Editor, The Starr

is far too early to pass judg-
ment on the capabilities of the
Il youngsters who are seeking
berthS with the 1929 Nationals,
1t can be stated that, speaking generally,
they comprise as good looking an as
sortment of athletes as the club ever
has taken South for Spring training.
Until the opportunity has been af-
forded for seeing them in action under
fire, no accurate estimate of their worth
will be possible, but in advance of that
1t is apparent, although there are no
Cobbs, Hornsbys nor MathewsonS in the
aggregation, they constitute an en-
semble of a grade a bit above that
usually gathered for preseason condi-
tioning.
Especially does this appear to be true
in regard to the habits and tempera-
ments of the boys. Seldom is there as
sennbled a squad of between 80 and 40
men, drawn from widely varying walks
of life and practically every section
of the country. that doesn't contain
few who either are congenial loaferS,
training rule defierS or that ilk known
as discussion breeders.
It may be that time will develop that
the Washington club is narrowing some
discipline dodger who constitutes bad
example for the others, but it is safe to
say LIab III lillS eNeIlI lIie
in question will be separated from the
service with no loss of time and in the
meanwhile if there is single bad
actor in the crowd his identity has not
been established.
Few on Ailing List.
They are healthy lot, too, with but
few exceptions. These consists of Pitcher
Paul Mccullough, whose arrival from
his home at New Castle, Pa, has been
delayed by illness; First Baseman Har-
ley Boss, who is deferring active train
ing due to a lacerated throwing hand
and the after-effects of an attack of
flu, and Outfielder Spencer Harris, who
yesterday was sent to a hospital here
suffering with tonsilitiS. In the latters
case the action taken was largely pre-
cautionary against the spread of his
ailment among fellow players and he
is expected to rejoin the squad within
q few days.
AS stated before, the chances for OBJ
servation have been too limited for any
definite conclusions anent the worth of
the rookie performers assembled for
Walter johnson to mapiulate in his
debut as big league manager. but the
first impressions of this correspondent
are distinctly favorable and it would
nation can be evolved to protect the
terrain i'll the immediate vicinity OF
the keystone sack Barney's chief con-
Germ will be the pitching staff, always
a matter for prime consideration with
any manager.
1t is believed the catching corps will
be better fortified than for many sea-
sons past. This is predicted on the as
sumption Ruel, who is whole staff in
himself, will get away from the mark
functioning at the pace that Of late
years he has been unable to attain |
until we'll into the campaign.
Kenna Is peppcry.
Ed Kenna, who spent the off-months i
driving a heavy truck up and down the
steep grades Of his native San Fran
cisco, insisted upon exhibiting his
throwing prowess the first day out and
will be the better for his experience
with the Nationals last season, while
Benny Tate, although bit under
weight from close confinement, due to
Illness in his family, which delayed his
start until yesterday, is as full of pepper
as ever.
Cliff Bolton, 10 days en- route from
his home in North Carolina, still. is
among the missing, but all observers
are impressed with the potentialities of
AL Bool. This resident of Lincoln Nebr.,
looks not unlike Alva Williams, whom
oldtime fans of the Capital, particu-
larry affiliated in golfing way with the
Bannockburn Club, will recall as
catcher OF great size and power. Bool
probably Is even stronger, however, and
unqueStionably is far faster. He gets
around in lively fashion for q 6-footer
close to 100 pounds and is knocking
the cover off the ball In the batting
practices.
Spencer Harris home run hitting
reputation with Minneapolis last season
may be discounted because of the short
fences in the American Association, and
without doing SO it may be doubted he
Is better prospect than Melbern
Simons, who performed for the Birming-
ham Barons last year after a Spring
trial here, but without either the Griff-
men appear to have about the best bal
enced quartet of fly chasers in the
circuit in Goslin, West, Rice and Barnes.
Good in Field Recruits.
And disregarding regulars such as
Judge, Myer and Bluege and more or
less familiar figures like Hayes. Cronin
and Stewart, it would seem the club
has picked up a pair of likely look
ing performers in Elmer Voter and
Charley Gooch Voter, upon whom the
nickname of Pete has been fastened, is a
squatty individual who already has
demonstrated that he fields ground balls
without fighting EN-, and Gooch, who at
70, Is five years his Junior, has plenty
Of Spring in his stocky legs and the
1857 average he compiled last season
with Little Rock of the Southern Asso-
citation would indicate he is entitled to a
thorough inspection.
All in all it would seem w. Perry
Johnson has no complaint to voice on
the quality of the material at his dis
posal in the role of manager of the
team with which he starred as a pitcher
for a score of wears -