The Washington times., 1929-07-16

great money club and a good
American League championship
I You can take Walter Johnson's.
word for the above version. The
recent squirt OF the champions has
In no way surprised the Washing.
ton leader who has maintained from
the start of the current season.
that the Hugmen would finally
come into their own.
THE only thing that kept me
guessing" he confesses. was
whether or not Herb Pennock would
deliver. Since he has returned to
form look. out"
The Yankees have had their
slump and seem to have snapp 1
out OF 1t while Connie Mack's gang
has been gett ng the breaks. Let
things start breaking the other way,
and you'll probably see some ac-
tion.
Walter predicts that the Van.
!, KEGS, and AS will have the
field to themselves while de-
Gliding the championship. He
considers neither the Browns
nor Tigers real pennant threats.
sg Rs
1.-THE Browns don't seem to have
enough power" he insists, land the
Tigers lack consistent pitching.
If the AS are to be stopped look
for the Yankees to do 1t. ~
This present Western trip may
have a whole lot to do with the
deciding of the pennant. If 1.-The
Athletics can come back strong after
the lacings handed them by the
White Sox they'll have a great
chance. II they fall down now,
though, those Yankees may be on.
top OF them in no time.
with Ruth and Gehrig hitting
hard and Pennoek, Hoyt and Pip
grass pitching good ball. it wouldn't
take long for Miller Higgins troops
to make up for lost time. Let that
combination get started and there's
no stopping it."
Going more into detail, Johnston
cites the uphill fight that the de:
Tending title-holders have waged
without consistent pitching and with
Ruth inactive for a three-week
period while Gehrig was getting
away to a poor start.
Suppose Simmons was hurt and
forced to leave the game right now
and Foxx stopped hitting" he asks.
"Or, on the other hand, that eith&
Grove or Walberg hit a slump. Do
you think that the AS would carry
on as the Yankees have?
I'm not saying that they
wouldn't, understand, but it's open
to doubt. There are few clubs in
history who have risen to the coca
sion as that bunch has, and il l
were managing a team that was
bucktng 1t I'd never breathe easy
until the race was over.
There's no d0ubt but what
the Athletics, all told, have the
best looking club IN either
league right now. with Pen
mock and Ruth going great
guns, though, they've got to
keep playing their best ball to
stay out In front"
johnson, In company with others,
Is doubtful as to whether or not
the elephants will hold up under the
strain If oVerlIauled. Only an actual
test, he maintains, can determine
whether or not they'd flop as they
have in past years. !
While he believes that the Ath.
letics have benefited by last years
experience he is not certain
whether or not they could continue
their present pace If pressed
That'll be the big thing il the
race narrows down to a scrap" he
admits. Many who have seen
the As fall down with a pennant
in their grasp previously will, of
course. bR doubtful" A
in good. two-fisted argument
with all even, the crowd, in view
Of past performances. would nat.
urally string along with the
Yankees. But you never can tell
Ia baseball.
Anyhow i look for corking
good finish with the Athletics and
Yankees doing some real mixing.
And don't be surprised If the
Yankees come through again. It
thing those birds do"