Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-30
TOUR WEST AFTER
VISIT IN NEW YORK
Poor Showing of Nationals
to Date Biggest Surprise
of American League.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

n YEw YORK, April 80. - This
early in the season the Ma
tionals are on a trip that is
4 apt to make or break them, in
so far as 1929 Is concerned.
Of course, this doesn't read as a very
optimistic statement. but it's true
nevertheless. A club that has been
floundering around the bottom of the
league as has the Washington club
since the flag race got under wav must
stage a comeback quickly if it is to
come back at all, Base ball is just that
way and there's no reason now to be-
lieve the washington club will be an
upsetter Of tradition.
To date these Nationals are the big
surprises of the American League sea-
son. In pre-training period dope, easy
marks for the remainder of the circuit.
they flashed such brilliant form in their
exhibition schedule that many sharps
OF the paStime figured them one of the
pest bets to make a great fight for the
flag in the title battling. But once the
pennant chase got under way the bot
tom dropped out of the Washington club
ana 1t has been anything other than a
dangerous contender since.
True, Manager Walter Johnson's
charges have met but three rivals in
The American League struggle - the
Athletics, the Red Sox and the Yankees
But the showing the club has made
against this trio of opponents is any,
tnlng but what was expected of it after
tne spirited stand it made against
rather formidable foes the National
League sent against it during the Flor
IDA training season.
Looked Good in Florida.
When Manager johnson took his
club out OF Florida and headed North he
thought he had beaten into shape a
pretty good outfit. In fact, he thought
ne had an aggregation composed of a
mixture or recruits with veterans that
would give other members of the Bar
nard circuit fairly good argument.
And on its performance he was justified
In this belief. 1t swept along to the
mythical championship of the Grape
fruit League and triumphed frequently
IN other contests on the way home from
Florida. Yet since the American League
campaign got under way it has been
VICTORIOUS IN only three Of nine engage
n1ents.
Now that's a record that no club
hoping to become a Championship com
tender can maintain very long In the
early part OF championship campaign.
Games won this time Of the year mean
Just as much to club as games won
toward the finish of the nag race and
no one realizes this more than Manager
johnson. Yet he has been unable to
bring his club to fighting and winning
trim thus far. He has experimental
with it almost since the beginning of
the season, but to date he has nodded
nothing like the club the Nationals
"a kA xFyIa4I l..4
ing in the South.
After such poor start, the Nation
ais can not afford to take many more
punches on the Snoot II, they would
continue To be something important
IN the chase for the title in the Barn
ard circuits A weak showing in string
OF 10 games to be played here and in
the West would just about put john
sons crowd out of the running for the
remainder of the season. The Ma
tionals simply must make brave stand
IN Col. Rupperts' stadium and the
strongholds of the clubs of the western
sector Of the league If they would get
anywhere this year.
West Back in Center,
In all likelihood, johnson viii have in
action during this trip the same team
ne started the season, with the ex-
ception Of one player. With Spencer
Harris sent back to the Minneapolis
club, from which he was purchased
last Fall, Sammy West is expected to
reSum his place in center field, while
Red Barnes will be held in reserve.
Barnes leg, which he wrenched during
the exhibition contest in Augusta. ca.
more than two weeks ago is much bet
Ter now, but Sam Rice probably win be
carried IN right field for some time vet
Maybe West will sock the ball better
Than he did before he was put on the
bench after the series in PhiladeIphis
last week. He certainly put in a good
lick for the Nationals last Saturday
when his homer defeated the Red Soy
But the Nationals viii need more than
squirt in Vests batting to carry them
along. Several others must swing their
clubs more effectively If runs are to be
made. What success the washington
club VIII enjoy on this tour viii depend
not SO much upon its pitching staff
as upon the number Of hits that lean
on the bats Of its members and how
clustered these hits NAV be.