The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-12-28
SHAPS
| CAUSE OF
FAILURE
By BOB THAYER

Baseball generally suffered q
slump in 1929 and the Washing
ton club was undoubtedly one Of
the saddest disappointments Of
the American League heap.
Walter johnson, in his first
year as a major league chieftain,
had many heart-breaking situa-
tions to contend with. And the
all-around flop of his club GER
tainly cannot be blamed upon the
national idol.
A sensational victory streak in
spring exhibitions and a thor
oughly satisfactory training sea-
son caused fans and critics alike
to pick the Griffmen as q flag
contender. But somewhere be-
tween the exhibition and regular
campaigns their hopes were shat
tered.
Getting away to 3 rnisera-
Bile start the Griffs. by virtue
Of q late season squirt, man.
aged to finish the year In
fifth place with . record Of
Il games won and 81 lost.
Playing 500 bali during the
last two months the Washing
ton club accomplished its only
objective by beating out the De
troit Tigers, managed by "Bucky"
Harris, for fifth place. This was
made possible by the last series
of the year between the clubs
which found washington winning
four Of five starts.
Many reasons can be given for
the let-down of the Griffmen who
finished out of the money FOR the
first time since 1922. Probably
the most logical explanation can
Be furnished in the miserable
slump of Goose" Goslin. 1928
American League batting leader.
Though regaining the full use
OF his crippled throwing arm,
which had so retarded him the
previous year, Goslin faded away
from the pinnacle to q .2SS rank
ing or whereabouts. And since ne
has long been recognized as his
clubs batting punch, the team
suffered accordingly.
Also the inability Of . bat
ting order to connect with
left.handed pitching provided
i barrier. Oddly enough an
investigation proved that It
was the right-hand swingers
who failed most wOefully be-
fore sOuthpaW sIants, Judge,
Myer, Rice and GOsIin being
largely responsible for what
ever sock was displayed.
Also the pitching department
failed to function as q unit until
late In the year, Fred MarberTy
alone living up to the form ex-
pected of him. Irving Hadley,
one Of the most promising young
singers In the loop, got away to
q bad start and was of little use,
while injuries and illness wrecked
Garland Braxton and Sam Jones
for q large part Of the campaign.
OF the younger pitchers Lloyd
Brown showed to best advantage.
although Bob Burke flashed
streaks Of brilliance.
Ossie Bluege, shifted to short
stop earlier in the season, re-
turned to third base after q series
of experiments, and Buddy"
Myer, who started at the hot
corner, reverted to the keystone.
Joe Cronin was sent to the short
field and stayed there.
Ossie BKuege's had knee,
which buekIed under him
three times, forced him out
for the season in July and
Jack Hayes switched to the
third corner while Ossie sub
naitted to an operation.
In the oHtfield Sammy Rice
alone maintained his usual gait
or better, Goose" GoSlin, Sam
West and Red Barnes all falling
off. West failed to connect with
any degree of consistency, while
Barnes was utterly unable to get
started.
The bright features were sup
piled by Capt. Joe Judge, Fred
Marberry and Sam Rice. veterans
who had big years, and Joe Gro
min and Jack Hayes, youthful
infieIders with unlimited promise
: f q Il / 80.
rY ~