Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-14
CLAIMS NO FLAG,
But LIKES TEAM
Barney Sure Griffs Win Make
Good Showing in Pen
nant Chase.
By JOHN 3. KELLER.

N = EW YORK, April 13.-"I have
M ball club that will, believe.
NJ make good run in the Ameri-
4 can League race this year."
That's what Manager Walter
johnson thinks of his Nationals.
Ths new pilot of the Washington club
is predicting no pennant for his outfit.
but he is quietly confident 1t will make
brave bid for championship. He
likes his club because he believes IL has
hitting strength, fielding strength,
pitching strength and Will to do its
utmost always.
with the material at hand the
Washington club ought to give every
league rival hard tussle," johnson said
today. In the. Spring exhibitions it
has revealed much worth. Only q good
club can do what the Washington club
has done in its practice games.
MY club has had breaks, true, but
only good clubs get breaks. No club
gets a break that i.n't always alert.
And this Washington club is alert. It
recognizes an opportunity to advance
when one comes its way and is capable
of taking advantage of such an oppor-
tunity. "A club like that Is dificult TO
beat"
So it appears that johnson Is right
well satisfied with his club as 1t stands
on the verge OF the struggle for the title
in the junior major circuit.
Same Lineup to Start.
The pilot intends to send into action
in Washington Tuesday the same line
up that has started most of the exhihi-
ton tits with the big leaguers this
Spring. Jack Hayes and not Joe Cronin
will be In the infield with Capt. Joe
Judge, Ossie Bluege and Buddy Myer
and the outfield will be composed Of
Red Barnes, Sammy West and Goose
Goslin.
Barnes knee, that was hurt several
days ago, Is said to be well again and
the pilot has declared ne win carry on
with West. despite the youngsters fall
urc to swing into q good hitting stride.
Sd there seems no place in the outfield
for the veteran Sam Rice, even though
he cuthit Barnes and West by many
points last season.
johnson thinks a great Zeal of West.
He rates Sammy wonderful Cutiielder
ard feels the young fellow will improve
at bat. Walter saw nothing OF West III
the game last year, but he holds that
a batter who rallied as West did then,
to Jump from q hitter in the .23Os to
one in the 800 In the last two months
of the campaign must have swatting
ability.
And he admires Vests splendid spirit,
too. Inability to hit has not so de-
pressed West that he has slumped in
fielding. Sammy Is maintaining great
give him q thorough trial In the flag
race.
Hayes PIeases Manager.
AT second base, Hayes has been espe-
cially pleasing to his manager who has
paid particular attention to the recruit
from the start Of the training season.
The pilot maintains Hayes has improved
afleId with each game and that he will
be fine hitter eventually, though his
swatting to date has not been so strong.
For a time it was thought johnson
might remove Hayes, shift Bluege to Sec
ond base and send Cronin to the short
field. Certainly such o move Is not
now being considered by the manager
Judge, Bluege, Myer, Barnes and
Goslin, Of course, are regarded as fix
lures by johnson. He has seen enough
Of Barnes in right field to believe Red
will MI the bill admirably. He Is not
bothering about GosIin's throwing The
Goose has revealed suficient power in
the arm that was so helpless last sea-
son to convince Johnson it is right
now. And there has been no question
as to the worth of Judge, Bluege and
Myer from the outset Of the condition
ing period.
The manager regards the catching
star as the best the washington club
has had In years. Benny Tate's work
this Spring has particularly pleased
IfInnfinliad On Second Pare