Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21

- i. LOUIS, July ZU.-WlCn tne
season little more than half gone,
1t is evident the Washington club
~ cannot expect to make any
Roadway in its rebuilding pro-
gram with the material it has at
hand.
Despite President Clark Grifith's
declaration made in Chicago the day
before he was stricken with appendi-
citis that any player now with the
club who merited retention would be
retained and that the rumor that sew
eral players already slated for ship
ment to other clubs must be discount
ed, there is bound to be considerable
change in the personnel Of the Nation
ais after this season if those in charge
of the club are at all serious in their
plans for reconstruction.
No doubt those who merit retention
will be retained, but it is doubtful
whether club officials will hold that
many of the present lot of Nationals
will merit such consideration. even
though some of the players may still
be performing well so far as averages
are concerned.
Hint Veterans Should Go.
1t has been limited by some closely
associated with the Nationals playing
personnel that the club might be bet
ter off without two or three Of the
veterans now in the ranks. These
hinters claim that these particular vet
Grams have outlived their usefulness to
the Washington club, even though they
may still have a season or two Of good
base ball left in them.
The opinions of these men who are IN
close touch with the players are likely
to get much consideration in the club
business councils during the course OF
reconstruction. 1t is known that Man
ager Walter johnson is eager to build
a club from young talent, and some
Of the Washington veterans ought to
bring bright, youthful prospects to the
club in trades.
OF the many youngsters now with
the Nationals, few seem of major league
caliber. Most of them have had thor
ough trials and have yet to show real
worth. This is particularly true Of the
crop the Nationals have gathered from
time to time from the Birmingham club
of the Southern Association.
Sam West, Red Barnes, Irving Had
ley-Hadley may be accounted Biz
mingham product, for 1t was with the
Barons he was supposed to get the
polish fitting him for big time-and
Jack Hayes have not fulfilled the
promise they gave of becoming high
class major league timber. West has
been given every chance to make good,
but the big league pitching has been
a puzzle to him ever since he donned
Washington uniform. Barnes, who
started so brilliantly, has found the
going entirely too fast
The greatest disappointment OF the
lot is Hadley. After
season with the Barons, Bump was
to be ready for the big effort.
In his first year with the Nationals
he looked a world-beater, and on the
basis was the leagues most
effective hurler. He was unable to
get going we'll last year until near the
finish of the campaigning. however,
and this season he has been all but
worthless to his club.
At times in the present campaign
Bump has flashed the brand Of pitch
ing that made him so successful in
1927. Mostly, though, he has been UNI
able to finish game he started, and
as a relief hurler he has been an abso-
lutte failure. Bump has taken beat
inss so often this season that now it
is feared his confidence in himself is
gone and that only another year or
two in the minors will benefit him.
OF the Birmingham lot, Hayes, per-
haps, is the one who could be worth
much to the Nationals if the club had
sufficient punch to carry such weak
hitter as a regular in the lineup. Jack.
even though not blessed with much
speed a-foot, is a smooth, smart per-
former around the second sack. easily
the best the Nationals have had since
Stanley Harris early days with them.
But Jack has little power at bat ana
as the club now Is constituted Johnson
cannot reasonably employ the Alabama
youngster as regular.
Young Hurlers May Go.
Some familiar faces are apt to be
missing from the pitching staff nest
season. This department of the clue
has been particularly lmpotent TINS
year. Several of the young hurlers be-
sides Hadley have been of little use and
they have had many opportunities to
prove their worth, too.
Such pitchers as Lloyd Brown and
Ad Liska have had their chances to
make good. Brown has been around
some time, but has yet to show enough
control to become dependable pitcher
Liska, after a great start, has lost all
his cunning and seems to be going from
bad to worse. It really looks as though
Liska was brought UP from the minor
leagues too soon.
Fred Marberry ought to be good for
seasons to come. So ought Bob Burke,
even though the young left-hander has
vet to win his spurs. Bob Is an earnest
toiler and has made much progress
since he came up from Little ROCK
three years ago. Garland Braxtop. de-
spite his lack Of physical strength, seems