The Washington times., 1929-10-04
BACK
Of C0SL|N
QUESTION
BY Bob Thayer

w lJu lHe 1919 american
League season drawing rapidly
to a close many questions are
being asked by Washington
ians.
The failure Of this years Griffmen
to deliver as expected is still puzzling
some bul the most popular query
NAV be summed up in a compara-
lively few words-will Goose Goslin
come back?
No question about it, the failure
Of Goslin to come through on scned-
ule this season has figured disas-
trously in the disappointing finish of
his club. The 1928 American League
leader not only has fallen down with
tho fail but has also tripped up IN
practically all other departments.
The extra base hits that used to
ring out regularly from his bludgeoh,
have been, for the most part, miss
ing, while his timely pinch cloutins,
once so feared has not always been
forthcoming when needed.
The man who led the American
League with a crippled throwing
arm a year ago has, in other words
fallen down completely and must
flash a complete reversal OF form TO
regain the pinnacle that was once
his.
His team. mates, when inter-
viewed on the subject, express
confidence In Goslin's ability to
come back stronger than ever.
Hes got all the CUTS in the
world" one comrade VouchsaLeu'
land it's my guess that he'll be
better ball player for his slump!
Every good man generally has
one bad season in his system. Goose
is about to get rid of his.
Manager Walter Johnson, who has
followed Goslin closely, too, SUB
scrjbes to this version while frankly
confessing his disappointment IN
the big Salem boys 1929 slump.
1T goes without saying that the
Goose must snap out OF his rut5 10
hold his job in left field next year
Walter replied when cornered re.
Gently. He's still a young man ana
there's every reason to believe that
he will start hitting again.
"Goslin has not been the ball
plaver this year that he was in the
past. That goes not only for his
hitting but for his fielding and rum
ming the bases. l hope it's only
bad year-and / believe 1t iS!'
Goose is well aware of the present
state of things and is determined to
step back into the favor of Wash
ington patrons with the coming OF
another year. After all, he is still
his teams big punch and needs
only to get back into his accustomed
stride to again become a favorite.
But the popular question Is
still a big one among the fans
who pay the freight and much
speculation will surround this
problem until Goslin's heavy
timber either registers or falls
short next year.
With fifth place all hut a Ger
tainty the Griffs may today make
it sure thing while idling. When
the Chicago White Sox knocked
over the Detroit Tigers yesterday
they left them with nothing more
than mathematical chance OF
In other words the Jungle Cats
must capture all three of their
remaining games with the White
Sox while the Washington club is
losing its last two to the Red Sox,
in order to regain their former
position.
Should the Pale Hose score again
today Manager johnson will he in
a position to rush in wholesale lots
of reserves and rockies when the
Carrigans are battled in the first
of two-game set tomorrow.
Whatever Ithe outcome. however.
big Fred Marberry likely will be
started in the box. Having already
carted off 1S games Fred is hot after
his nineteenth and has asked per-
mission to shoot for the moon.
In the event he locks up the con-
test during the early periods some
of the younger moundsmen may be
used while Eddie Wineapple, DoL
Savidge and Ad Liska will all be in
line for the Saba til game.
1t would not surprise were Liska
to be allowed to travel the route
Sunday, however. since Manager
him in action with his newly ac-
quired curve ball.
Outfielders Red Barnes and Doc
Lamb and Infielders Charley Gooch
and Harley Boss are other possible
nominations for duty-that is, if the
Griffmen assure themselves of fifth
place in the meantime!