The Washington times., 1929-08-21
FOUR TIGER
GAMES TO
SEEF|RE
BY Bob Thayer

BY Bob Thayer
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug.
21.-The Washington Griff-
men are unquestionably out of
the 1929 American League
championship running and
must buck formidable obstacles
to come through with a first
division finish.
But-with it all-they still have .
battle on their hands.
When Bucky Harris switched his
managerial activities to Detroit this
season, interest in that club mounted
immediatelyI This was particularly
true among Washingtonians who
We're. and still are, divided in their
sentiment toward Harris,
Countless discussions developed
during the off season and eventually
any number of healthy wagers were
placed on the standings of the De.
troit and Washington clubs at the
close of the present campaign.
Many were Of the opinion that
the Tigers, bOlstered by Bucly's
leadership, would easily step
ahead Of the Griffmen. and since
others differed the boys got down
on fhe line in gOOdly numbers.
From Ninth Street to aristocratic
Connecticut Avenue and on out
Georgetown way, baseball fans or
every calling warmed up to this
subject.
George P. Marshall, Washington
big sporting man, who runs q laun-
dry as a side line, came out whole
heartedly for Harris and the Tigers,
while others of similar belief rapidly
followed suit.
Heated up by the off season trad.
ing developments the question as TO
whether the Tigers would beat out
the 1929 Griffmen became one of su-
preme importance and many takers
were found for both causes.
1t must be admitted that the De-
troit supporters enjoyed many early
seasons laughs. But whether or
not those laughs were last ones and
best remains to be seen.
For a time the i1ardthitting jungle
Cats battled along in the pennaTlt
running with lead Of from IL to
IA games over the Washington clue.
Eventually the Tigers started to
skid. but since the Griffmen re-
mained in their rut George P. Mar.
shall and his crowd still counted +'-e
Tigers in and continued their
Growing.
Their beliel was strengthened
when the Tigers repulsed the
Griffmen time after time on the
field Of battle and otherwise &.
manifested superiority.
Even when the Detroiters flOpped
into fifth place, one notch ahead OF
Walter Johnson's gang. these OPP
timists failed to express concern.
That is until recently.
Hopping off on win streak when
taking the road August sixth, the
Griffs now have melted away the
Tigers once formidable lead to three
full games, and all hands are conf"
dent that this margin viii be mar
rowed before the conclusion or the
four.game series starting at Navin
Park tomorrow.
They point out that Earl White
hill, who has southpawed his way
to four verdicts over the Griffmen
so far, will be hurled into discard
by the rejuvenated cornbina lon
that has apparently conquered its
w k n IS a & ainst left-handed
pitching.
with Whitehill out of the way,
they ask, who can be expected to
stop them? Notably weak on the
slab the Bengals must show a com
pIete reversal of form to fight OF
the on rushing Griffmen.
Whereas the Griffs are on the
upgrade after a wretched start the
Tigers appear to be in the dold.
drums after having played over,
their heads at the start of the year.
Washington pitching figures
to give Detroit sluggers plenty
of trouble whereas an improved
punch and a superior defense
also argues in favor OF the
tourists. !.
Aware Of the Detroit-W flashing
ton rivalry it is quite possible that
the Tigers may brace and flash
something of their early season
form against the Griffmer. Such
things have happened before. -
Bucky Harris Is overlooking no
bet to finish ahead of the combira-
ton which he managed a year ago
and unquestionably WI. strive to in-
spire his soldiers to bigger and
better things.
With past performances favor
ing the Tigers and the present
stride of the Griffmen also to
be considered it can he seen that
some stubborn duelling should
result,
Keyed up to a high pitch for
these struge @s the Griffs are con-
fident that they will eventually beat
out Harris outfit and will do 1t in
such a way that the most ardent
Detroit adherents will concede defeat.
Coach Clyde Milan today summed
it up in a few well.chosen words,
that is, from his mates standpoint:
"Sure. we'll stop those birds" he
cracked They've already shot their
bolt and we're Just beginning to get
toagh. Three games don't mean a
thing-we1l make them up before
the Tigers can realize what it's all
about"
So there you are, Washingtonian
-anti-Detroit and otherwise. What.
ever the outcome. rest assured
that there viii he some hot step-
ping in the Griff.Tiser sessions
sAagtlng tomorrow.