The Washington times., 1929-03-30
STARS
TO.HOLDUP
GR|FF MEN
BY Times staff Correspondent
TAMPA, Fla, March 30


TAMPA, Fla, March 30
Will the pitching hold upi
That's the question self
styled experts are asking
themselves while figuring the
prospects of the 1929 Wash
ingtOn club.
Conceding a great outfield, a
smart, we'll rounded inner Gordon
and capable catching, they In
verbally revert to hurting. If
Walter johnson gets reasonably
good slabbing, they maintain, his
club is one to be feared.
While. dealing with the subject
It may interesting to consider the
attitude Of President Clark c.
Griffith the clubs executive and
one of base balls shrewdest judges
of pitchers.
''That question has been asked
me frequently this spring." he
admitted when cOri1ered. II
was unable to pass judgement
for time but now that I've
seen our team in motion
have a better idea of what's
what.
81, for one. can find no fault
with our moundsmen. We've four
Of the American Leagues best in
Irving Hadley / Garland Braxton,
Sam Jones and Fred Marberry. And
I'm willing to gamble on Lloyd
Brown and Bob Burke who have
shown enough to warrant con-
sideration as fulr time singers.
Our hopes. in a large measure,
will rest on the success or failure
of the two southpaWs."
Both Brown and Burke. despite
their youth. have had plenty of
time for seasoning. and should he
ready to step in and do their share
when the firing starts, the Old Fox
reasons.
I'm particularly we'll pleased
with the progress of Lloyd Brown"
he enthuses. There never was
any question about his stuff. He
had as MUCH as any pitcher in the
American league during 1928. but
his control was off and condition
poor.
''Since reporting for spring train
ing a month ahead of schedule,
though, he's worked himself into
great shape and seems headed for
a big year. His consistency in ex-
hibitions has been surprising, and
he hasn't lost bit of that zip so
noticeable last season
VnA Sc kNSG
third year of service with the
Washington club. Is just begin
ming to find himself, Griffith
thinks.
"At 90" the big boss contends,
"'Burke to me seems one of the
American Leagues brightest pros.
poets. Coming to the Washington
club during 1927 while still a strip.
ling, he nevertheless had enough to
hang ON.
Save for a brief period when
loaned to Birmingham during the
crucial stages of the Southern Assoc
cations first half pennant drive a
year ago, Bob since has remained
in the big time.
For time it seemed as il the boy
season, but his rapid Improvement
since reporting for spring training
has so impressed Walter that he
anticipates sending him the full nine
innings, on trial at least
Burkes general display of stuff
this spring has been one of the train
ing camps features. Always the
possessor of a pretty curve, he now
boasts a fast one with plenty of hop
on it and rapidly is acquiring the
use of screw ball under the tute-
laHe of Garland Braxton, a master
at that art.
Though still skinny. the young
ster is built similarly along the
lines of Braxton. who has furnished
ample proof that weight not always
is an example of endurance. Should
Brown and Burke make good. as Is
expected, Manager Johnson will
boast an unusually well.balanced
staff when the season gets under
way.
! HadIey, Jones, and Marberry
would constitute the starting
right.handers. while BraxtOn.
Burke, and Brown could ad.
minister sOUthpaW poison during
their turns.
There are. of course. others who
can't be overlooked. Adolph Liska.
the underhand specialist still is
very much in the running fer a
Job at the present time, but 1t is
generally thought that the 1928
Minneapolis ace will be. given time
to get his bearings before being
rushed into action.
President Griffith. too, has much
faith in Paul Mccullough. another
American Association product. who
not yet has reported. due to an at.
tack of influenza.
"McCullough's just the type that
would show up in the heat of a
remnant race and make good" he
declares.
Il don't expect him to get going
for another couple of months but
once he gets started you can train
your eyes on a sure-fire big league
prospect" OF his veterans the Wash.
iugton clubs head has little to say.