The Washington times., 1929-06-27
johnson RATES
WEST At TOP
BY Bob Thayer

BOSTON, Mass, June 27.--"Sam
West is the best outfielder In the
American Leaguew
No less an authority than Walter
Johnson. popular leader of the
Washington Griffmen, advances this
claim. =
IT know that's taking in lot Of
territory" he confesses while voic-
ing his belief, "but Sam can live
up to 1t.
Hes got as much finish as any
youngster I've ever seen. All he
needs is a batting punch in order
to make a real name for himself"
Usually conservative in his
opinions, Walter is willing to
go the limit while dealing with
this subject.
West is one of those fellows
who could make himself valuable
without hitting lick" he pro-
fesses. He covers acres of ground
and is as good a Judge Of a fly-ball
as any man in baseball today.
Working along with veterans like
Goslin and Rice he is particularly
their own and a little bit more, I'M
derstand, but his fly-chasing saves
them lot of steps that are apt to be
needed later"
Goslin himself has frequently
lauded the Texas cowboy as one OF
the best all-around defensive men
he's ever seen. And certainly the
best he's ever teamed with!
&In
men thanking him look either good
or terrible" the smuggling Goose
maintains. "Well, take it from me,
we'll never suffer with Sam in there.
He's on top Of everything and ham
dies chances as neatly as anybody
in this racket
Also West, according to the
well-pOsted Mr.. GOslin, has the
finest throwing arm i'm the ma
iOrs. Possessing a pretty good
one himself, it may be presumed
that he knows whereof he
speaks.
There's been plenty of talk about
the pegging wings of Bib Falk, Bob
Meusel and several others" he eX-
plains. "Yet I'll gamble that West
has got just as much power in his
southpaw flipper and gets the ball
away faster.
'How often do you see a runner
hesitating to break for home on q
fly hit to center field. Well, Sam
has got 'em doing 1t. Meusel and
Falk may look fancier while cut
ting loose with their pegs, but West,
in centerfield, can Guido them both,
and I'll bet on iti''
Sans uncertain clubbing alone
coupled with his weakness against
left.handed pitching makes it nces-
sary for him to alternate in the
middle pasture with Ira Flagstead
while hitting righthanders exclu-
sively.
Prone to break out with occa-
sional flares of brilliance often
sively he then lapses into spells of
comparative mediocrity during which
times his fast fielding saves him
from being benched. Which, when
1t is considered that your average
outfielder must hit in order to hold
his job. is a rare compliment, ina
deed!
President Clark c. Griffith Is
firmly convinced that the acqui-
sitiOn of Pitcher Myles Thomas
on waivers viii prove a wise I'M
vestEnent for the Washington
Club.
Discussing the ex-New York
Yankees ability prior to the Yankee
Griff doubleheader yesterday, the
Old Fox wasted few words.
I'm not saying that Thomas is
a great pitcher, but he's a good
one" he explained. Naturally we
can't expect him to turn in four
hit games every time out, but that
doesn't mean he can't win plenty.
"For one thing he's has good
speed, fair curve and most of all,
fine control. Mixing these in with
good head there's no reason why
he can't deliver when given . real